Wheelchair suspension
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A wheelchair comprising:
- a frame;
a seat supported by the frame;
a first drive assembly comprising a first motor and a first drive wheel that is driven by the first motor;
a first suspension assembly that couples the first drive assembly to the frame such that the first drive assembly is moveable relative to the frame;
a second drive assembly comprising a second motor and a second drive wheel that is driven by the second motor;
a second suspension assembly that couples the second drive assembly to the frame such that the second drive assembly is moveable relative to the frame and relative to the first drive assembly;
first and second rigid arms fixedly connected to the frame;
first and second front idler wheels rotatably connected to the first and second rigid arms such that positions of axes of rotation of the first and second idler wheels with respect to the frame are fixed;
wherein said first and second idler wheels are spaced apart from a horizontal support surface when the wheelchair is at rest in a normal operating position on the horizontal support surface; and
wherein each suspension assembly comprises;
an angled pivot arm having first and second substantially linear portions and a pivot connection between the first and second portions, wherein the first portion extends beyond a forward section of the frame, the second portion extends beyond a rear portion of the frame, and the second portion extends angularly upwardly relative to the first portion and includes at least one rear caster connected thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Wheeled vehicles, such as wheelchairs, that are adapted to traverse obstacles are provided. The wheeled vehicles include a frame, drive wheels, front anti-tip wheels positioned in front of the drive wheels and rear anti-tip wheels positioned behind the drive wheels. One exemplary vehicle includes front anti-tip wheels supported by rigid arms that are fixed to the frame and drive assemblies that are independently suspended from the frame. Another exemplary vehicle includes a linkage that links the front and rear anti-tip wheels, such that movement of one of the front or rear anti-tip wheel relative to the frame causes movement of the other wheel relative to the frame.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A wheelchair comprising:
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a frame; a seat supported by the frame; a first drive assembly comprising a first motor and a first drive wheel that is driven by the first motor; a first suspension assembly that couples the first drive assembly to the frame such that the first drive assembly is moveable relative to the frame; a second drive assembly comprising a second motor and a second drive wheel that is driven by the second motor; a second suspension assembly that couples the second drive assembly to the frame such that the second drive assembly is moveable relative to the frame and relative to the first drive assembly; first and second rigid arms fixedly connected to the frame; first and second front idler wheels rotatably connected to the first and second rigid arms such that positions of axes of rotation of the first and second idler wheels with respect to the frame are fixed; wherein said first and second idler wheels are spaced apart from a horizontal support surface when the wheelchair is at rest in a normal operating position on the horizontal support surface; and wherein each suspension assembly comprises; an angled pivot arm having first and second substantially linear portions and a pivot connection between the first and second portions, wherein the first portion extends beyond a forward section of the frame, the second portion extends beyond a rear portion of the frame, and the second portion extends angularly upwardly relative to the first portion and includes at least one rear caster connected thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification