Optically responsive mobility apparatus

• US 5,713,586 A
• Filed: 01/25/1995
• Issued: 02/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William R. Haller
• Original Assignee: William R. Haller
• Inventors: Haller, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YU, MIN SON
• Application Number:
  US08/377,822
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 280/87.051, 280/87.021, 180/167, 180/169, 180/271, 180/272, 180/276, 188/5, 188/167, 188/110, 188/111
• US Class Current: 280/87.051
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 13/043 Baby walkers with a seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/14 directly on road portable devices, e.g. chocks B60T3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/12 for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger limiting speed of vehicles other than rail vehicles B60K31/00

Abstract

A conventionally constructed baby walker 5 having a lower support member 6 to which are attached front wheels 10 and rear wheels 12 in contact with floor surface 14 has further optically activated brake assemblies 21a and 21b both moveably attached to support member 6, the bottom surface of each is rollably in contact with floor surface 14. Brake assemblies 21a and 21b each contain an infrared emitter and photodiode disposed above surface 14 and connected to a control circuit. An optically encoded arc shaped strip 15 having a pattern of alternating reflective and non reflective bands is further attached to floor surface 14 using conventional screws 19. Preferably strip 15 is placed in front of a descending staircase 20 or other level drop such as may be encountered with a patio or porch. As walker 5 is propelled across surface 14 and over strip 15, the optically encoded pattern is detected by the infrared emitter--photodiode combination of braking assembly 21a. In response to detecting this pattern, the control circuit releases a latching mechanism which engages braking assembly 21a. With brake assembly 21a engaged, the frictional contact between surface 14 and the bottom surface of brake assembly 21a is forceably increased. Additionally, engaged brake assembly 21a transmits a signal to brake assembly 21b which, in response to this signal, also engages thus further increasing the frictional contact between surface 14 and the bottom surface of brake assembly 21b. Both engaged brake assemblies now quickly arrest walker 5 and prevent any substantial movement past strip 15. Audible alarms contained within both brake assemblies 21a and 21b are additionally energized alerting attending personnel.

Claims

1. A braking apparatus on a mobility apparatus, said mobility apparatus moveable along a surface, said apparatus comprising:

a housing attached to said mobility apparatus;

a piston springably biased within said housing;

an optically encoded reflective boundary positioned on said surface;

means for optically determining the presence of said boundary; and

means for latching said piston within said housing, said latching means releasably responsive to said optical determining means, wherein unlatched said piston is forcibly extended outwardly from said housing engaging said surface this braking said mobility apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said latching means comprises:

a first pin having a triangularly shaped nib springably enclosed within said piston and engaging said housing; and

a solenoid affixed to said housing and springably engaging said piston.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reflective boundary comprises a strip having a pattern of alternating reflective and non-reflective bands.