Suspension for wheeled vehicles

• US 8,534,679 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Invacare Corporation
• Original Assignee: Invacare Corporation
• Inventors: Goertzen, Gerold, Null, William A. Jr., Cuson, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Drew
• Assistant Examiner(s): SPISICH, GEORGE D
• Application Number:
  US11/472,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20060244249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,646 Days
• Field of Search: 280/5.513, 280/124.104, 280/755, 280/754, 180/907, 180/65.1
• US Class Current: 280/5.513
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/14 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/32 for force
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/043 Mid wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/06 with obstacle mounting facilities, e.g. for climbing stairs, kerbs or steps
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/10 Parts, details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/101 of the parking brake type, e.g. holding the wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1032 engaging an element of the drive or transmission, e.g. drive belt, electrodynamic brake
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1078 with shock absorbers or other suspension arrangements between wheels and frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1089 Anti-tip devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/08 having fluid spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/005 Suspension locking arrangements for retractable wheels B62D61/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0152 characterised by the action on a particular type of suspension unit B60G17/01941 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/016 characterised by their responsiveness, when the vehicle is travelling, to specific motion, a specific condition, or driver input B60G17/017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/048 with the regulating means inside the fluid springs B60G17/044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/056 Regulating distributors or valves for hydropneumatic systemsB60G17/044 - B60G17/048, B60G17/0416 take precedence; Fluid interconnection systems to control vehicle inclination B60G21/06, B60G21/10; valves per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/08 Characteristics of fluid dampers adjusting fluid dampers in general F16F9/44 - F16F9/53
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4604 mechanically, e.g. using a hook as anticreep mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4605 hydraulically, e.g. interrupting communication between the chambers of a hydraulic cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/24 Wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/05 Attitude
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/10 : Damping action or damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/005 : Ball joints B60G7/006 takes precedence; for steering linkage B62D7/16; ball joints per se F16C11/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/84 : Wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/535 : Magnetorheological [MR] fluid dampers springs comprising magnetorheological [MR] elastomers F16F1/361
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/907 : Motorized wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/04 : Wheelchair

Abstract

A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that movement of the frame relative to the rear castor causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

Claims

1. A wheelchair suspension comprising:

a frame;

a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame;

a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;

a rear caster pivotally coupled to the frame;

a stabilizing system coupled to the frame and the pivot arm;

a sensor coupled to the stabilizing system;

the sensor being arranged such that movement of the frame relative to the rear caster causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

2. The wheelchair suspension of claim 1 wherein actuation of the stabilizing system at least partially resists movement of the front caster relative to the frame.

3. The wheelchair suspension of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a cable that is coupled to the rear caster and the frame.

4. The wheelchair suspension of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing system comprises a reciprocating rod and a valve.

5. The wheelchair suspension of claim 1 wherein the sensor actuates the stabilizing system when the frame moves upward relative to the rear caster.

6. The wheelchair suspension of claim 1 wherein actuation of the stabilizing system inhibits at least upward movement of the front caster with respect to the frame.

7. The wheelchair suspension of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a cable and a pivot bracket.

8. The wheelchair suspension of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a cable and a pivot bracket that is coupled to the rear caster such that the sensor actuates the stabilizing system when the frame moves upward relative to the rear caster.

9. The wheelchair suspension of claim 1 wherein the suspension assembly includes a second front caster coupled to a second pivot arm, wherein actuation of the stabilizing system simultaneously resists movement of the first and second pivot arms relative to the frame.

10. The wheelchair suspension of claim 1 wherein actuation of the stabilizing system at least partially resists movement of the front caster relative to the frame in a first direction and allows movement of the front caster relative to the frame in a second direction.

11. The wheelchair suspension of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing system comprises a spring assembly.

12. The wheelchair suspension of claim 11 wherein the spring assembly comprises a gas spring.

13. The wheelchair suspension of claim 11 wherein the spring assembly comprises a hydraulic spring.

14. A wheelchair suspension comprising:

a frame;

a front caster;

a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame and the front caster;

a rear caster pivotally coupled to the frame;

a stabilizing system coupled to the frame and at least one of the first and second pivot arms;

a sensor coupled to the stabilizing system;

the sensor being arranged such that movement of the frame relative to the rear caster causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

15. The wheelchair suspension of claim 14 wherein actuation of the stabilizing system at least partially resists movement of the front caster relative to the frame.

16. The wheelchair suspension of claim 14 wherein the sensor comprises a cable that is coupled to the rear caster and the frame.

17. The wheelchair suspension of claim 14 wherein the sensor actuates the stabilizing system when the frame moves upward relative to the rear caster.

18. The wheelchair suspension of claim 14 wherein actuation of the stabilizing system inhibits at least upward movement of the front caster with respect to the frame.

19. The wheelchair suspension of claim 14 wherein the sensor comprises a cable and a pivot bracket.

20. The wheelchair suspension of claim 14 wherein the sensor comprises a cable and a pivot bracket that is coupled to the rear caster such that the sensor actuates the stabilizing system when the frame moves upward relative to the rear caster.

21. The wheelchair suspension of claim 14 wherein the suspension assembly includes a second front caster, wherein actuation of the stabilizing system simultaneously resists movement of the first and second front casters relative to the frame.

22. The wheelchair suspension of claim 14 wherein actuation of the stabilizing system at least partially resists movement of the front caster relative to the frame in a first direction and allows movement of the front caster relative to the frame in a second direction.

23. The wheelchair suspension of claim 14 wherein the stabilizing system comprises a spring assembly.

24. The wheelchair suspension of claim 23 wherein the spring assembly comprises a gas spring.

25. The wheelchair suspension of claim 23 wherein the spring assembly comprises a hydraulic spring.

26. The wheelchair suspension of claim 14 wherein the stabilizing system comprises a reciprocating rod and a valve.

27. A wheelchair comprising:

a frame;

a seat supported by the frame;

first and second pivot arms pivotally coupled to the frame;

first and second drive wheels coupled to the first and second pivot arms respectively;

first and second front casters coupled to the first and second pivot arms respectively;

at least one rear caster pivotally coupled to the frame;

at least one stabilizing system coupled to the frame and at least one of the pivot arms;

a sensor coupled to the stabilizing system;

the sensor being arranged such that movement of the frame relative to the rear caster causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

28. A wheelchair suspension comprising:

a frame;

a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame;

a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;

a rear caster pivotally coupled to the frame;

a stabilizing system coupled to the frame and the pivot arm;

a sensor coupled to the stabilizing system;

the sensor being arranged such that movement of the frame relative to the rear caster causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

29. A wheelchair suspension comprising:

a frame;

a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame;

a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;

a rear caster pivotally coupled to the frame;

a stabilizing system coupled to the frame and the pivot arm;

a sensor means for selectively actuating the stabilizing system;

the sensor means being arranged such that movement of the frame relative to the rear caster causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

30. A wheelchair suspension comprising:

a frame;

a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame;

a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;

a rear caster coupled to the frame;

a stabilizing means;

a sensor coupled to the stabilizing means;

the sensor being arranged such that movement of the frame relative to the rear caster causes actuation of the stabilizing means to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

31. The wheelchair suspension of claim 30 wherein actuation of the stabilizing means at least partially resists movement of the front caster relative to the frame.

32. The wheelchair suspension of claim 30 wherein actuation of the stabilizing means resists movement of the front caster upward relative to the frame and allows downward movement of the front caster relative to the frame.

33. The wheelchair suspension of claim 30 wherein the sensor is coupled to the rear caster by a cable.

34. The wheelchair suspension of claim 30 wherein the stabilizing system is actuated when the rear caster pivots downward relative to the frame.

35. A wheelchair suspension comprising:

a frame;

a front caster;

a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame and the front caster;

a rear caster pivotally coupled to the frame;

a stabilizing means;

a sensor coupled to the stabilizing means;

the sensor being arranged such that movement of the frame relative to the rear caster causes actuation of the stabilizing means to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

36. The wheelchair suspension of claim 35 wherein actuation of the stabilizing means at least partially resists movement of the front caster relative to the frame.

37. The wheelchair suspension of claim 35 wherein actuation of the stabilizing means resists movement of the front caster upward relative to the frame and allows downward movement of the front caster relative to the frame.

38. The wheelchair suspension of claim 35 wherein the sensor is coupled to the rear caster by a cable.

39. The wheelchair suspension of claim 35 wherein the stabilizing system is actuated when the rear caster pivots downward relative to the frame.

40. A wheelchair comprising:

a frame;

a seat supported by the frame;

first and second pivot arms pivotally coupled to the frame;

first and second drive wheels coupled to the first and second pivot arms respectively;

first and second front casters coupled to the first and second pivot arms respectively;

at least one rear caster pivotally coupled to the frame;

at least one stabilizing means;

a sensor coupled to the stabilizing means;

the sensor being arranged such that movement of the frame relative to the rear caster causes actuation of the stabilizing means to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.