Mobility device

• US 6,644,426 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2002
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ward Lincoln Larue
• Original Assignee: Ward Lincoln Larue
• Inventors: Larue, Ward Lincoln
• Primary Examiner(s): DePumpo, Daniel G.
• Application Number:
  US10/268,890
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 280/DIG.10, 180/9, 180/9.1, 180/9.21, 180/9.28, 180/9.3, 180/9.32, 180/9.5, 180/8.7, 180/907
• US Class Current: 180/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/042 Front wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/061 for climbing stairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/066 with endless belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1051 Arrangements for steering
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1075 tilting the whole seat backwards tilting forwards for standing-up or sitting-down aids A61G5/14
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/075 Tracked vehicles for ascending or descending stairs, steep slopes or vertical surfacesmagnetic or pneumatic ground-engaging parts B62D55/265; chairs or multi-track cycles specially adapted for invalids A61G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 280/10 Stair climbing chairs

Abstract

A universal adjustable-position mobility device for multiple use applications including robotics, industry and handicapped mobility facilitation. The device can be used to transport objects across varied terrain including inclines and declines and by utilizing a sliding extensible track system can bridge obstacles and traverse mud, sand and snow. The device further incorporates features which allow raising and lowering of the center of gravity of the load. By extending the rear wheels, the angle of the track mechanism relative to the ground to can be adjusted to facilitate engagement of the tracks with an abrupt incline such as when loading a wheelchair onto a vehicle.

Claims

1. A mobility device comprising:

a) a frame for supporting a pair of motorized track mechanisms;

b) at least a first motor mounted to said frame for supplying power to said motorized track mechanisms;

c) each of said track mechanisms including a track support carriage mounted to said frame;

d) a pair of tracks mounted to said track support carriage;

e) said pair of tracks forming an inside track and an outside track whereby said track support carriage is located between said tracks;

f) at least one of said inside tracks and said outside tracks being extendable and retractable relative to said track support carriage; and

,

g) at least one of said inside and outside tracks being slidably connected to said support carriage to facilitate movement of at least one of said inside and outside tracks.

2. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, wherein;

a) said inside and outside tracks are independently extendable and retractable relative to said support carriage.

3. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a) a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels connected to said frame.

4. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a) a pair of front wheels are connected to a motor whereby power is supplied to said pair of front wheels for rotational movement to cause said movement of the mobility device.

5. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a) a pair of rear wheels are mounted to said frame for telescoping vertical movement.

6. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a) a load support connected to said frame.

7. The mobility device as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

a) said load support is a chair.

8. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a) one of said pair of track mechanisms is driven by said first motor and the other of said pair of track mechanisms is driven by a second motor.

9. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a) a track mechanism adjustment device mounted to said frame for raising and lowering said pair of track mechanisms.

10. The mobility device as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

a) said track mechanism adjustment device includes a pair of arcuate gears for raising and lowering said pair of track mechanisms in an arc.

11. The mobility device as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

a) each of said track mechanisms is driven by a separate motor;

b) each of said separate motor includes a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis; and

,

c) each of said arcuate gears forms an arc about said longitudinal axis of said drive shaft.

12. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a) an inside track extension motor and an outside track extension motor are mounted on each track support carriage;

b) an inside track extender is connected from said inside track extension motor to said inside track and an outside track extender is connected to said outside track;

whereby upon actuation of said inside track extension motor said inside track may be extended relative to said track support carriage and upon actuation of said outside track extension motor said outside track may be extended relative to said track support carriage.

13. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a) a power source for providing electricity to the mobility device.

14. The mobility device as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

a) said power source is a battery.

15. The mobility device as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

a) said power source is a 24 volt battery carried by said frame.

16. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a) a programmable actuation system for operating said mobility device.

17. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a) an operating console mounted to said frame for controlling said mobility device.

18. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a) said inside and outside tracks have a housing connected to said track support carriage by slide rails.

19. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a) said inside and outside tracks each have a housing having a slot therein for facilitating sliding movement of said housing relative to said track support carriage.

20. The mobility device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a) a drive shaft extends from said first motor mounted on said frame to said track support carriage;

b) said track support carriage having a sleeve for receiving said drive shaft; and

c) a removeable fastener connecting said drive shaft to said track support carriage.