Obstacle traversing wheelchair
DCFirst Claim
Patent Images
1. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles comprising:
- (a) frame;
(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising (i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and
(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of the wheelchair;
(c) a drive assembly coupled to a third portion of said at least one pivot arm;
(d) a rear caster coupled to said frame; and
wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly thereby raising said at least one front caster from said supporting surface to assist said wheelchair in traversing said obstacles; and
wherein said drive assembly is pivotally coupled to said third portion of said at least one pivot arm.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a curb-climbing wheelchair having pivotal arm assemblies. The pivotal arm assemblies include at least one front caster and have the ability to rotate or pivot. The pivot arms rotate or pivot in response to moments generated by accelerating or decelerating the wheelchair thereby raising or lowering the front caster(s) through the rotational movement of the pivot arms. By raising or lowering the front caster(s) in such a manner, curb-like obstacles can be traversed in a low-impact manner.
187 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles comprising:
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(a) frame;
(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising (i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and
(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of the wheelchair;
(c) a drive assembly coupled to a third portion of said at least one pivot arm;
(d) a rear caster coupled to said frame; and
wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly thereby raising said at least one front caster from said supporting surface to assist said wheelchair in traversing said obstacles; and
wherein said drive assembly is pivotally coupled to said third portion of said at least one pivot arm.
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2. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles comprising:
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(a) a frame;
(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising (i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and
(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of the wheelchair;
(c) a drive assembly coupled to a third portion of said at least one pivot arm;
(d) a rear caster coupled to said frame; and
wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly thereby raising said at least one front caster from said supporting surface to assist said wheelchair in traversing said obstacles;
wherein said pivot assembly further comprises a resilient member coupled to said at least one pivot arm and said frame; and
wherein said resilient member is coupled to said at least one pivot arm via a pivoting horizontal bracket. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles comprising:
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(a) a frame;
(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising (i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and
(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of the wheelchair;
(c) a drive assembly coupled to a third portion of said at least one pivot arm;
(d) a rear caster coupled to said frame;
(e) a suspension device disposed between said at least one pivot arm and said drive assembly; and
wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly thereby raising said at least one front caster from said supporting surface to assist said wheelchair in traversing said obstacles. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles comprising:
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(a) a frame;
(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising (i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and
(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of said wheelchair;
(c) a drive assembly pivotally coupled to a third portion of said at least one pivot arm, said third portion comprising a position between said first and second portions; and
(d) at least one rear caster coupled to the frame. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A wheelchair comprising:
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(a) a frame;
(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising;
(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and
(ii) a second portion having at least one front castor attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of said wheelchair;
(c) a drive assembly pivotally coupled to said at least one pivot arm; and
(d) at least one rear castor coupled to the frame. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A wheelchair comprising:
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(a) a frame means having first and second side members;
(b) a suspension coupled to the frame means;
said suspension comprising;
(i) an arm pivotally coupled to one of the side members and having a castor connected thereto;
(ii) a drive assembly pivotally coupled to the arm; and
(iii) a spring positioned between said pivot arm and said drive assembly. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A wheelchair comprising:
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(a) a frame means having first and second side members;
(b) a suspension coupled to the frame means;
said suspension comprising;
(i) first and second pivot means respectively coupled to the first and second side members; and
(ii) third and fourth pivot means respectively coupled to the first and second pivot means (c) first and second drive means respectively coupled to the third and fourth pivot means;
(d) front castor means coupled to the first and second pivot means;
(e) rear castor means coupled to the frame means; and
(f) a suspension spring means for limiting the movement of the third and fourth pivot means relative the first and second pivot means; and
wherein said first and second pivot means pivot in response to a moment generated by the drive means thereby raising the front caster means from said supporting surface to assist said wheelchair in traversing an obstacle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification