Lateral wheelchair movement mechanism

• US 7,819,415 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2007
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of South Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of South Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Komperud, Kelly, Lujan, Joshua, Bennett, Daniel, Kio, Jonathan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley
• Assistant Examiner(s): YEAGLEY, DANIEL S
• Application Number:
  US11/753,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20070280808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 280/250.1, 280/288.4
• US Class Current: 280/288.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/045 Rear wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/104 Devices for lifting or tilting the whole wheelchair transfer lifts A61G3/06; arrangements for adjusting the seat height A61G5/1059

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus for use with a rear-wheel driven motorized wheelchair. The apparatus enables a motorized wheelchair to be used in areas that would not otherwise be possible. A motorized wheelchair, though very useful and necessary, has several mobility drawbacks. Lateral movement poses a problem to the motorized wheelchair. This apparatus provides a modification to existing rear-wheel driven motorized wheelchairs that allows the user to maneuver in tight spaces by providing a for sideways movement that would not be possible in conventional wheelchair designs.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a wheelchair having a rear portion with rear wheels, comprising:

a base having a first and a second end;

a pair of lateral wheels connected to said base at said first and second ends, respectively;

said lateral wheels being disposed behind said rear wheels of said wheelchair;

a means for attaching said apparatus to said rear of said wheelchair;

a first lower-linkage having a first and second end, said first end of said lower-linkage being hingedly connected to said first end of said base;

a second lower-linkage having a first and second end, said first end of said second lower-linkage being hingedly connected to said second end of said base;

a first upper-linkage having a first and second end, said first end of said first upper-linkage being hingedly connected to said second end of said first lower-linkage;

a second upper-linkage having a first and a second end, said first end of said second upper-linkage being hingedly connected to said second end of said second lower-linkage;

a pair of secondary linkages transverse to said lateral wheels and hingedly connected to said base; and

a first actuator adapted to provide rotational force to said pair of lateral wheels.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second actuator disposed between said first upper-linkage and said second upper-linkage.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second actuator disposed between said first lower-linkage and said second lower-linkage.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

said attachment means being a set of inner and outer extension brackets.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second actuator disposed between the junction of said first lower-linkage and first upper-linkage and said second lower-linkage and second upper-linkage.