Wheeled object of the type adapted to be operated by a walking person
First Claim
1. A wheeled object of the type adapted to be operated by a walking person and comprising:
- a main frame supported by a plurality of supporting wheels or rollers;
a motor driven driving device comprising at least one driving wheel or roller engageable with a supporting surface for driving the wheeled object, the driving device being mounted so as to be rotatable about a substantially vertical axis in relation to the main frame so as to change an angular position and a driving direction of the driving device in relation to the main frame, said driving device being mounted on at least one supporting arm pivotably or rotatably mounted on the main frame or on a subframe about a common, substantially horizontal first axis so as to allow the driving device to move up and down around a single horizontal axis, the single horizontal axis being said first horizontal axis; and
means for biasing the driving device in a direction away from the main frame and towards the supporting surface,wherein an axis of a motor driven driving shaft for driving the driving device coincides with said first axis.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wheeled object or vehicle, such as a hospital bed (10) comprises a main chassis or frame (12) supported by a plurality of supporting wheels or rollers (11), which define the vertices of a polygonal supporting surface (21). The bed, which is usually moved by a walking person, is provided with at least one motor driven driving device (15), including at least one driving wheel or roller (18), positioned within said polygonal supporting surface. The driving device is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis (14) in relation to the chassis or frame so as to change the angular position of the driving wheel (18) in relation to the chassis or frame. Biasing means, such as a compression spring or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder (22, 34) is provided for biasing the driving device (15) in a direction away from the main chassis or frame (12) and towards the supporting surface (21). The biasing force is controlled such that the driving device (15) id kept in close non-skidding contact with the ground or floor surface (21) without lifting the supporting wheels (11) out or contact with the supporting surface.
38 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A wheeled object of the type adapted to be operated by a walking person and comprising:
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a main frame supported by a plurality of supporting wheels or rollers; a motor driven driving device comprising at least one driving wheel or roller engageable with a supporting surface for driving the wheeled object, the driving device being mounted so as to be rotatable about a substantially vertical axis in relation to the main frame so as to change an angular position and a driving direction of the driving device in relation to the main frame, said driving device being mounted on at least one supporting arm pivotably or rotatably mounted on the main frame or on a subframe about a common, substantially horizontal first axis so as to allow the driving device to move up and down around a single horizontal axis, the single horizontal axis being said first horizontal axis; and means for biasing the driving device in a direction away from the main frame and towards the supporting surface, wherein an axis of a motor driven driving shaft for driving the driving device coincides with said first axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A wheeled object of the type adapted to be operated by a walking person, comprising:
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a main frame supported by a plurality of supporting wheels or rollers; a motor driven driving device engageable with a supporting surface for driving the wheeled object, the driving device being movable in a substantially vertical direction in relation to the frame and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis in relation to the frame so as to change an angular position and a driving direction of the driving device in relation to the frame, the driving device being mounted on at least one supporting arm pivotably or rotatably mounted on the main frame or on a sub-frame about a common, substantially horizontal first axis so as to allow the driving device to move up and down around the axis; biasing means for biasing the driving device in a direction away from the frame and towards the supporting surface; means for gradually increasing a biasing force applied to the driving device while in contact with said part of the supporting surface; monitoring means for simultaneously monitoring a relationship between movement of the driving device away from the frame towards the supporting surface and the biasing force applied to the driving device; and selecting means for selecting, based on such relationship, an optimum biasing force so as to obtain sufficient friction between the driving device and said part of the supporting surface while maintaining contact between the supporting wheels or rollers and said supporting surface, and for subsequently using such optimum biasing force for biasing the driving device while the motor driven driving device is operated so as to drive the wheeled object. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification