Multi-feature automated wheelchair

• US 6,154,690 A
• Filed: 10/08/1999
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raquel Coleman
• Original Assignee: Raquel Coleman
• Inventors: Coleman, Raquel
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TO, TUAN C
• Application Number:
  US09/414,954
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/29, 280/250.1, 180/65.5, 180/65
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/14 Children
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/36 standing
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/14 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/006 convertible to stretchers or beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/045 Rear wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/10 Parts, details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1059 adjusting the height of the seat
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/121 for head or neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/125 for arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/128 for feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids

Abstract

A multi-feature automated wheelchair and method provides a significant degree of mobility for the mobility impaired, with minimum human intervention. The wheelchair is constructed to provide a therapeutic effect and is calibrated to accommodate at least three seating configurations for a specific user. The wheelchair is motor driven via a control assembly for activating and controlling wheel rotation. The control assembly includes a joy stick controller for controlling both the speed and direction of motion of the wheelchair, respectively. At least one actuator is used for activating a seat, back, head, at least one leg and at least one arm rest as independent moveable elements. Three separate controllers are optionally used for transmitting emergency data, activating an alarm system, and adjusting the relative heights of the seat, back and head rest portions of the wheelchair. A lap-top computer or optional keyboard is operatively connected and mounted to the wheelchair for inputing control and user data therein. A control switch is mounted within the base of the joy stick controller for activating an auxiliary alarm indicator peripherally mounted within the neck rest visibly indicates a user distress signal. The computer is configured to activate condition related signals per user via a combination audible and visual alarm signal. The neck rest is removably secured to the back rest and made to accommodate a specific neck condition.

Claims

1. A multi-feature automated wheelchair comprising:

a wheelchair having a frame, front and rear wheels, a motor means and control assembly for activating and controlling wheel rotation, the control assembly includes a lever controller for controlling the speed and direction of motion of the wheelchair;

at least one activation means for activating a seat rest, back, head, at least one leg and at least one arm rest as independent moveable elements on the wheelchair;

a suspension system for dampening shock induced vibrations throughout the wheelchair, said suspension system including at least one spring element interconnected to the seat rest, and at least one spring damper connected between the frame and one of the rear wheels; and

at least one control means for transmitting emergency data and activating an alarm, the at least one control means is electrically connected to at least one alarm indicator and a computer means for storing and activating user specific data, the at least one alarm indicator is electrically configured to and controlled by a single switch and a clock means;

the computer means comprising the clock means, an input means, a processor, a memory storage facility having data capacity for storing user specific and operational data for the wheelchair, a power source, and a means for transmitting telemetry data to a remote location;

the at least one activation means changes a relative position of at least one of said seat, back and leg rests according to at least three predetermined positions, and wherein at least one of said positions includes a position where each of said seat, back and leg rest is disposed substantially parallel and in co-planar and adjacent arrangement, the wheelchair further comprising at least one braking means for selectively preventing wheel rotation.

2. The multi-feature automated wheel-chair according to claim 1, wherein said lever controller further comprises a dual switch for controlling the at least one alarm indicator.

3. The multi-feature automated wheel-chair according to claim 1, wherein said at least one control means is a switch control means having a plurality of switches disposed within a panel, at least one of said plurality of switches is connected to the telemetry means for transmitting an emergency contact signal to a remote location.

4. The multi-feature automated wheel-chair according to claim 3, wherein said panel is removably mounted to a portion of at least one of said at least one arm rests as a stationary and remote control device.

5. The multi-feature automated wheel-chair according to claim 3, wherein the panel includes braille and pictorial indicia disposed adjacent a corresponding one of said plurality of switches.

6. The multi-feature automated wheel-chair according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of switches are button switches.

7. The multi-feature automated wheel-chair according to claim 1, wherein said activation means is a position controlled servo-mechanism for controlling a calibrated relative position of at least one of the respective rest elements, said mechanism further comprises a switch control module for operatively controlling the at least one of the respective rest elements.

8. The multi-feature automated wheel-chair according to claim 7, wherein said at least one respective rest element has an ergonomic structural design for simulating a therapeutic effect, the seat rest further comprising a mechanism for lifting and tilting the seat to support a standing position.

9. The multi-feature automated wheelchair according to claim 1, further comprises at least one mounting means for removably mounting at least one element from the group comprising a motor means, power supply, computer means, and at least one alarm indicator.

10. The multi-feature automated wheelchair according to claim 9, wherein said at least one mounting means for removably mounting at least one alarm indicator is centrally and releasably disposed on a rear portion of the back rest, said at least one alarm indicator is a combination audio and visible alarm indicator.

11. The multi-feature automated wheelchair according to claim 10, wherein said combination indicator is electrically connected to the computer means and is time controlled for indicating an alarm signal for and during a predetermined time.

12. The multi-feature automated wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein said at least one arm rest includes a means for said at least one arm rest up and down at least three discrete heights.

13. A method for calibrating the multi-feature automated wheelchair for a specific user comprising the steps of:

(a) activating a computer interface for the automated wheelchair;

(b) inputing user specific data;

(c) calibrating the position of at least one of a seat, back, and leg rest according to at least three predetermined positions, said positions include an angular and linear displacement value within a predetermined range;

(1) said calibrating step (c) further comprises the step of calibrating said at least one of a seat, back and leg rest to provide a laying, sitting and standing calibrated position per user;

(2) said calibrating step (c) further comprises the step of calibrating said at least one of a seat, back and leg rest to define a preset position for a user;

(d) inputing emergency data;

(e) selecting a speed value from a predetermined speed range, and a volume value from a predetermined volume range; and

(f) selecting an alarm signalling mode;

(1) the alarm selecting step (f) wherein said signalling mode includes the step of selecting at least two alarm signals comprising an audible and visible alarm signal;

(2) the alarm selecting step (f) wherein said signalling mode includes selecting an auxiliary alarm indicator, wherein said indicator is a visible signal selected from a from a plurality of light indicating source colors;

(3) the alarm selecting step (f), further comprising the step of retrieving a user specific audio file in case of an emergency;

(g) selecting a manual operating mode, said mode includes the step of deactivating and disengaging a wheel motor means for free wheel rotation, and including the step of selecting a manual operating mode for a specific wheelchair configuration, said configuration includes at least;

(h) a distinct laying;

(i) sitting; and

(j) standing configuration, wherein each of said configuration steps (h), (i) and (j) includes the step of inputing calibrated data, corresponding to distinct linear and annular displacement values for each respective configuration within a predetermined data range.

14. The method for calibrating the multi-feature automated wheelchair for a specific user according to claim 13, wherein the selecting step (g) further comprises the steps of:

(k) selectively engaging a brake for preventing wheel rotation; and

(l) selectively disengaging a break for enabling wheel rotation.

15. The method for calibrating the multi-feature automated wheelchair for a specific user according to claim 13, wherein said step (b) for inputing user specific data includes at least input of a name, identification number, insurance carrier and, medical condition of the user.

16. The method for calibrating the multi-feature automated wheelchair for a specific user according to claim 13, wherein said step (d) for inputing emergency data includes the step of inputing a telephone contact number for contacting at least one of a health care professional, ambulatory station or police station in real time or via a pre-recorded emergency message, the step (d) further includes in alternative a data override step for operating the wheelchair without user input data.