Abstract: A power assist apparatus that converts a hand-propelled wheelchair to a motorized wheelchair without use of tools or mounting brackets. The apparatus has a first motorized section and a support assembly associated with one drive wheel of the wheelchair and a second motorized section and a support assembly associated with the other drive wheel. The motorized sections, each having a motor and a wheel, are connected together but operate independently. Each support assembly has an outrigger assembly with outwardly extending arms that support the drive wheels above the surface to be traversed. The apparatus has a control mechanism controlling the motors and a positioning sensor mechanism determining movement of the outrigger assemblies to transmit positional information to the control mechanism and move the apparatus and wheelchair in the direction indicated by the drive wheels, thereby controlling movement of the apparatus in the same manner as the non-motorized wheelchair.

Abstract: A power assist apparatus that converts a hand-propelled wheelchair to a motorized wheelchair without the use of tools or mounting brackets. The apparatus has a frame, a battery, a control mechanism, a pair of motorized sections at each end of the frame and an outrigger assembly, pivot mechanism and position sensor associated with each motorized section. The motorized sections each have a wheelmotor and a wheel. The outrigger assemblies have arms that support the drive wheels of the wheelchair above the surface to be traversed. The position sensors determine pivoting movement of the outrigger assemblies in response to rotation of the drive wheels by the occupant and transmit positional data to the control mechanism, which sends control information to operate the motors and move the apparatus and wheelchair in the direction indicated by the drive wheels, thereby controlling movement of the apparatus in the same manner as the non-motorized wheelchair.

Abstract: A power assist apparatus that converts a hand-propelled wheelchair to a motorized wheelchair without the use of tools or mounting brackets. The apparatus has a motorized mechanism, a pair of outrigger assemblies, pivot mechanisms and position sensors. The motorized mechanism has a battery, a control mechanism and a pair of motorized sections that each have an electric motor and a wheel. The outrigger assemblies have arms that support the drive wheels of the wheelchair above the surface to be traversed. The position sensors determine movement of the outrigger assemblies or a wheel support mechanism attached thereto in response to rotation of the drive wheels by the occupant and transmit data to the control mechanism to operate the motors to move the wheelchair in the direction indicated by the drive wheels, thereby controlling movement of the apparatus in the same manner as the hand-propelled wheelchair.

Abstract: A skateboard truck assembly providing improved speed reduction or braking response when the rider places the skateboard in a rear tilt or tail drag position without sacrificing the skateboard's turning responsiveness. The truck assembly comprises a pair of axle distal sections, the portion of the axle extending beyond the ends of the hanger, that are angled relative to the riding surface. The angled axle sections causes the wheels to move in an outward direction, relative to the forward direction of the skateboard, when the skateboard is placed in a rear tilt position, resulting in drag that slows or stops the forward movement of the skateboard. Preferably, the truck assembly utilizes tapered wheels having an outer circumference which is larger than the inner circumference to provide improved speed reduction and turning stability. In addition, the pivot axis is more closely aligned or aligned with the axle axis to increase turning stability.

Abstract: A skateboard truck assembly providing improved speed reduction or braking response when the rider places the skateboard in a rear tilt or tail drag position without sacrificing the skateboard's turning responsiveness. The truck assembly comprises a pair of axle distal sections, the portion of the axle extending beyond the ends of the hanger, that are angled relative to the riding surface. The angled axle sections causes the wheels to move in an outward direction, relative to the forward direction of the skateboard, when the skateboard is placed in a rear tilt position, resulting in drag that slows or stops the forward movement of the skateboard. Preferably, the truck assembly utilizes tapered wheels having an outer circumference which is larger than the inner circumference to provide improved speed reduction and turning stability. In addition, the pivot axis is more closely aligned or aligned with the axle axis to increase turning stability.

Abstract: An actuator comprises an actuator member and an assist mechanism. The assist mechanism comprises an assist element that is adapted to store energy to assist in moving the actuator member. The assist element is carried between two members. The members act upon the assist element to cause the assist element to store energy when the actuator member is moved in an extended direction and release the energy when the actuator member is moved in a retracted direction, whereby the retracted direction is opposite to the extended direction. The actuator is for use in moving the seat relative to the frame.

Abstract: A wheelchair seat suspension comprises at least one substantially horizontally, disposed elongate spring. The spring is adapted to be supported by the wheelchair frame. At least a portion of the spring is adapted to support at least a portion of the seat.

Abstract: A resilient anti-tip wheel suspension includes a wheel coupled to a first mounting bracket. A second mounting bracket is adapted to be rigidly mounted to a wheelchair. Upper and lower bars each have front and rear ends that are pivotally connected to the second mounting bracket and the first mounting bracket, respectively, so as to form a parallelogram configuration.

Abstract: A seat mounting assembly permits the elevation of a wheelchair seat frame to be adjusted without varying the longitudinal relationship between the seat frame and the base frame of the wheelchair. The seat mounting assembly includes an adjustable link. The link has a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to be connected to the wheelchair base frame. The second end is adapted to be connected to the wheelchair seat frame. One of the ends is longitudinally displaceable while the other end is vertically displaceable so that the longitudinal position of the seat frame with respect to the base frame remains constant upon adjusting the link.

Abstract: A wheelchair swing-arm is adapted to be pivotally connected to a wheelchair base frame and support a wheelchair drive wheel. A fender is supported in a substantially fixed position relative to the wheelchair swing-arm. A method for attaching a fender to a wheelchair includes the steps of providing a wheelchair having a base frame and a swing-arm pivotally connected to the base frame and a drive wheel motor supported by the swing-arm, and supporting a fender in a substantially fixed position relative to the swing-arm.

Abstract: A tilt system for tilting a power wheelchair seat comprises a seat frame having laterally extending front and rear cross tubes and side tubes. A rear cross plate extends laterally between the wheelchair side frames and is slidably engageable with the side frames. A pivotal connection is provided between the rear seat cross tube and the rear cross plate. A front actuator cross tube is supported at a front end of the wheelchair base. A linear actuator is supported between the rear cross plate and the front actuator cross tube. A tilt linkage is disposed along opposite sides of the seat frame. Each tilt linkage has a front end pivotally connected to the wheelchair base and a rear end pivotally connected one of the side tubes of the seat frame. Another embodiment of the invention includes a glide system is secured to the inner surfaces of the wheelchair side frames. Another embodiment of the invention includes a wheelchair having a base comprises of two side frames.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a base frame having a longitudinal axis, and a forward end and a rearward end joined by a first side frame and a second side frame, each side frame being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The wheelchair also includes a first motor and a second motor. A first mounting bracket is affixed on the first side frame and a second mounting bracket affixed on the second side frame. The first and second mounting brackets have a main body including a motor gear bore for securing the first motor or the second motor, a front tie down point directed toward the forward end of the frame, and a rear tie down point directed toward the rearward end of the frame.

Abstract: A wheelchair suspension system includes suspension members that interact to cause a positive movement of the suspension members to urge the drive wheels into contact with the ground. The resilient suspension system comprises a drive wheel suspension member for supporting a drive wheel and a front wheel suspension member for supporting a front wheel. The drive wheel suspension member and the front wheel suspension member are each adapted to be movably attached to the wheelchair frame. Each suspension member cooperates with a resilient element to resist movement of the suspension members relative to the frame. The suspension members are adapted to cooperate with each other in response to movement of the suspension members relative to the frame to urge the drive wheel into contact with the ground.

Abstract: An adjustable linkage assembly supports the footplate of a wheelchair footrest. The wheelchair footrest has a tube supported by the wheelchair frame. The linkage assembly comprises a plurality of pivots and a plurality of clamps. The clamps are structured and configured to releasably couple the pivots and the footplate together and in substantially fixed positions relative to one another. An extension tube is for use with a hanger mounted to a forward portion of a wheelchair. The extension tube adjustably supports a wheelchair footplate. The extension tube is engageable with a hollow portion of the hanger. The extension tube and the hanger are structured and dimensioned to be matingly engageable with one another and to prevent rotation of the extension tube relative to the hanger.

Abstract: A wheelchair battery mounting system comprises a battery box assembly and a battery support assembly for supporting the battery box assembly. The battery box assembly includes battery box bottom and lid. The battery support assembly includes a battery cage and a handle pivotally mounted to the battery cage. The handle has two ends. Each end is provided with an interference member. Stops are mounted on wheelchair side frames. The interference members are engageable with the battery stops when the battery support assembly is installed on the wheelchair and the handle is rotated downward.

Abstract: A support bracket for supporting a wheelchair seat frame relative to a wheelchair base frame includes a first end having a socket therein and a second end that is structured and configured to couple to a lateral rod which is connected to the seat frame. The socket is dimensioned and configured to receive an element which, in turn, is provided with a passage for receiving a lateral strut. The lateral strut is fixed relative to the wheelchair frame and is positionable in a substantially fixed position relative to the element in the socket in the first end of the support bracket.

Abstract: A wheelchair battery mounting system comprises a battery box including a battery box bottom and a battery box lid. The front end of the battery box lid is engageable with the front end of the battery box bottom. The rear end of the battery box bottom is fixed relative to the wheelchair frame. The rear end of the battery box lid is releasably engageable with wheelchair frame to fix the rear end of the battery box lid relative to the rear end of the battery box bottom. The rear end of the battery box bottom may be fixed relative to the rear end of a battery box support. The battery box support may comprise braces each having a front and rear end respectively attached to a front and rear cross tube of the wheelchair. The battery box bottom may have a stepped profile that complimentary in shape to a stepped profile of the battery box lid. A wheelchair may be comprised of a battery mounting system as set forth above.

Abstract: A wheelchair suspension system has a resilient front suspension members and resilient drive wheel suspension members. The resilient front suspension members are attached to the front end of the wheelchair base frame assembly. The resilient drive wheel suspension members are attached to opposite sides of the base frame assembly in a spaced apart relation relative to the resilient front suspension members. Each one of the resilient front suspension members supports a front wheel and each one of the resilient drive wheel suspension members supports a drive wheel.