Wheelchair suspension
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A wheelchair suspension comprising:
- a frame;
a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame;
a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;
a drive assembly pivotally coupled directly to the frame;
a rear caster coupled to the frame; and
wherein the pivot arm substantially remains in a first position when the drive assembly moves in a first direction; and
movement of the drive assembly in a second direction urges the pivot arm away from the first position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a suspension for a conveyance that is capable of traversing obstacles and rough terrain. The suspension includes a frame, a pivot arm, a front caster, a drive assembly and a rear caster. The pivot arm substantially remains in a first position when the drive assembly moves in a first direction. Movement of the drive assembly in a second direction urges the pivot arm away from the first position.
70 Citations
76 Claims
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1. A wheelchair suspension comprising:
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a frame;
a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame;
a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;
a drive assembly pivotally coupled directly to the frame;
a rear caster coupled to the frame; and
wherein the pivot arm substantially remains in a first position when the drive assembly moves in a first direction; and
movement of the drive assembly in a second direction urges the pivot arm away from the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A wheelchair suspension comprising:
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a frame;
a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame;
a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;
a drive assembly;
a rear caster coupled to the frame; and
wherein the pivot arm and the drive assembly are coupled such that movement of the drive assembly in a first direction decouples at least a portion of the drive assembly from the pivot arm; and
movement of the drive assembly in a second direction causes the pivot arm to move upward. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A wheelchair suspension comprising:
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a frame;
a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame;
a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;
a drive assembly;
a rear caster coupled to the frame; and
wherein the pivot arm and the drive assembly are coupled such that movement of the drive assembly in a first direction disengages the drive assembly from the pivot arm; and
movement of the drive assembly in a second direction causes the pivot arm to move upward. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A wheelchair suspension comprising:
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a frame;
a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame;
a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;
a drive assembly;
a rear caster coupled to the frame; and
wherein the pivot arm substantially remains in a first position when the drive assembly moves in a first direction; and
movement of the drive assembly in a second direction pulls the pivot arm upward. - View Dependent Claims (27, 29, 32, 33, 34)
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28. The wheelchair suspension of claim 28 wherein the relative movement between the drive assembly and the pivot arm is dampened by a spring.
- 31. The wheelchair suspension of claim 31 wherein the first engagement surface is configured to engage the second engagement surface.
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35. A wheelchair suspension comprising:
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a frame;
a pivot arm having an engagement surface;
a pivot that couples the pivot arm to the frame;
a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;
a drive assembly;
a rear caster coupled to the frame; and
wherein the pivot arm substantially remains in a first position when the drive assembly moves in a first direction; and
movement of the drive assembly in a second direction transfers force from the drive assembly to the engagement surface of the pivot arm. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method of traversing an obstacle with a wheelchair comprising:
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energizing a drive assembly to cause pivotal movement of the drive assembly relative to a wheelchair frame such that the drive assembly urges a pivot arm upward over the obstacle;
engaging the obstacle with a drive wheel;
decoupling at least a portion of the drive assembly from the pivot arm;
pivoting the drive assembly with respect to the pivot arm upon engagement with the obstacle. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A wheelchair suspension comprising:
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a frame;
a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame;
a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;
a drive assembly pivotally coupled directly to the frame;
a rear caster coupled to the frame; and
a means for coupling the pivot arm and the drive assembly such that pivotal movement of the drive assembly in a first direction results in independent movement of the drive assembly with respect to the pivot arm; and
movement of the drive assembly in a second direction causes the pivot arm to move upward.
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52. A wheelchair comprising:
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a frame;
a front caster assembly comprising a pivot arm;
a drive assembly comprising a pivot bracket;
an interface between the caster assembly and the drive assembly comprising;
at least one inwardly curved surface; and
at least one outwardly curved surface disposed substantially opposite the at least one inwardly curved surface. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A wheelchair comprising:
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a frame;
a front caster assembly comprising a pivot arm;
a drive assembly comprising a pivot bracket;
an interface between the caster assembly and the drive assembly comprising;
at least one concave surface; and
at least one convex surface, the convex surface and the concave surface being moveable between a first position where the concave surface receives the convex surface to a second position where the concave surface and the convex surface are spaced apart. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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68. A wheelchair comprising:
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a frame;
a front caster assembly comprising a pivot arm;
a drive assembly comprising a pivot bracket;
an interface between the caster assembly and the drive assembly comprising;
a first surface that is undulating in character; and
a second surface, the first surface and the second surface being moveable between a first position where the undulating surface at least partially receives the second surface to a second position where at least a portion of the first surface and the second surface are spaced apart. - View Dependent Claims (69, 70, 71)
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72. A wheelchair suspension comprising:
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a frame;
a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame;
a front caster coupled to the pivot arm;
a drive assembly;
a rear caster coupled to the frame;
an interface comprising a drive assembly interface surface and a pivot arm interface surface that are coupled such that coupled such that movement of the drive assembly in a first direction decouples the drive assembly interface surface from the pivot arm interface surface and movement of the drive assembly in a second direction couples the drive assembly interface surface to the pivot arm interface surface. - View Dependent Claims (73, 74, 75, 76)
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Specification