Abstract: The manual shopping chair includes a frame supported by a left rear wheel, a right rear wheel, a left front caster wheel and a right front caster wheel. A wheel lock disk with a plurality of radially extending slots is connected to each rear wheel. Springs urge lock bars toward the slots to lock both wheels. The lock bars are manually held out of the slots during movement. A mast is clamped to the frame front. A pair of basket support tubes are pivotally attached to the mast by a shaft in vertical slots. A basket is clamped to basket tubes. The basket is pivotable from a storage position to an upright position. Hooks hold the support tubes in an upright position. The mast top edge is lower than a seat mounted on the frame for nesting multiple shopping units.

Abstract: The foldable electric cart has a frame supported by two rear wheels and a steerable and motor driven front wheel. A seat is mounted on the rear portion of the frame. The seat is supported by left and right rear arms and left and right front arms. The arms pivot the seat between a horizontal use position above the rear wheels and horizontal folded position on a foot support plate. A seat back rest is pivoted relative to the seat between an upright position and a horizontal position. A yoke, holding a hub motor and driven wheel, is fixed to a steering tube journaled in a housing. The housing is pivotable about a transverse horizontal axle. A steering handle base and handle is clamped to the steering tube. The housing pivots from an upright position to a storage position with steering handles to the rear of the folded horizontal seat.

Abstract: An electrically powered steerable vehicle usable by the physically challenged has at least one rechargeable battery system, a shopping basket at its front end, and a probe electrical terminal mechanism connected with said battery system and adapted to be carried forwardly on the shopping basket which is connectable with a probe receiver assembly mounting a charging station. Electrical connections are adapted to be attached between the probe receiver, charging station, and a source of electrical power. The probe receiver comprises a forwardly converging system including at least one electrically conductive, resilient, laterally expandable part adapted to be supported at the level of the probe electrical terminal mechanism.

Abstract: A wheel drive disconnect system for use in electrically powered vehicles for transporting the physically challenged having at least one wheel comprising a rim, a wheel hub sleeve, and a radially extending plate connecting the rim and hub sleeve. A rotatably driven shaft drive is freely received by the hub sleeve and a releasable drive transmitter axially freely receives the drive shaft device and has a first position in which it is driven and a second axially displaced position in which it is not. Protrusions and drive surfaces provided between the wheel plate and drive transmitter are in radial alignment for driving the wheel in rotation when the drive transmitter member is in the first position and for permitting free wheeling of the wheel when the drive transmitter has been axially displaced and the protrusions and drive surfaces are out of radial alignment.

Abstract: A motor driven demountable chair vehicle has a frame supported on front and rear wheels. A steering column is mounted on the front end of the frame and a seat is supported rearwardly thereof. The frame has discrete front and rear segments incorporating a longitudinally telescopic coupling assembly comprising a longitudinal telescoping part on one of the segments received by a receiving part on the other segment, and a latch assembly connected with one of the parts and automatically interacting with the other upon relative telescoping movement of the parts latches them in locked position.

Abstract: A safety or emergency brake system for a slow moving off-road passenger vehicle has a brake lever that is adapted to pivot into contact with a wheel-mounted flexible tire that partially supports the vehicle and then be further pivoted by the tire, as it rotates in a forward direction due to vehicle inertia, into an interference position with the tire that locally deflects the tire to prevent further wheel rotation. The brake is activated by a device sensing impending vehicle impact with an obstacle, or by the vehicle operator, and is initially released by rotation of the tire in a reverse direction as the vehicle is caused to reverse or move backward.

Abstract: A four-wheeled cart, for physically challenged individuals has a frame that is propelled and supported by two driven rear wheels. An operator's seat is mounted on the rear portion of the frame. A generally flat platform, a part of which is inclined upwardly and forwardly, supports the operator's feet. A steerable front wheel on a vertical spindle is mounted on each corner of the front portion of the frame. The front wheels are steered by a toothed wheel assembly clamped to each vertical spindle under the flat platform, a torque transmission gear drive interconnecting the two toothed wheel assemblies, and a drive mechanism for turning the torque transmission gear drive. The drive mechanism can be a manual handle bar or an electric motor controlled by a joy stick. With the joy stick control, the flat platform is completely clear and allows the cart to move the operator up to work areas such as tables. The manual handle bar takes minimal space above the flat platform.

Abstract: A vehicle for physically disadvantaged persons and others desiring assistance which carries a chair at a relatively high level, is supported by wheels on front and rear axles. It has a rear bumper, supported by the frame and consisting of side attaching elements connected by a bumper cross element. Pivotally connected to each bumper side element is an anti-tip wheel support leg which mounts an anti-tip wheel having an axle connected to the lower end of each leg such that the legs are gravity biased to swing in toward the bumper. The wheel-supporting legs support the anti-tip wheels at a predetermined vertical distance above the ground when the frame is traveling over level ground, and are operative to automatically swing rearwardly away from the rear wheels to cause the anti-tip wheels to engage the ground and stabilize the vehicle from further tilting, when the frame tilts upwardly a predetermined amount from front to rear.

Abstract: A steerable electrically powered three-wheeled vehicle has an upstanding seat post mounting a seat thereon. The seat post is telescopically and revolvably received in a seat post support fixed to the frame of the vehicle. A seat motor is provided on the vehicle which has a drive connection to the seat post assembly for raising and lowering it and there is a control on the vehicle for selectively operating the seat motor forwardly or reversely to raise or lower the seat post and seat. A pair of master lock parts are provided, one on the seat post support and the other on the seat post, and parts on the respective lock parts are automatically engaged when the seat post and seat are lowered to lowered position for locking the otherwise relatively revolvable parts against relative rotation. The lock parts automatically prevent operation of the motor driving the vehicle, unless the seat is in the forward facing position.