Abstract: A conveyance such as a wheelchair that includes a seat assembly and a chassis. The chassis comprises a central frame member disposed substantially along the centerline of the wheelchair. The central frame member includes portions for connecting to or supporting one or more front casters, a seat assembly, one or more drive wheel assemblies, an energy source (e.g., one or more batteries), rear anti-tip wheels, and/or at least one footplate. The central frame member is disposed substantially along the centerline of the wheelchair and structurally distributes of the weight of the seat assembly (and optionally the weight of the energy source) to the supporting drive wheels and casters. In this manner, a clean-looking, simple, and lightweight chassis structure is provided for a conveyance.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame, a rear caster coupled to the frame, a drive wheel coupled to the frame, a front caster, and a pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly couples the front caster to the frame such that upward movement of the front caster relative to the frame causes the front caster to move toward the drive wheel.

Abstract: A wheelchair suspension is provided. The wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a front caster pivot arm, a drive assembly, and a rear caster. The front caster pivot arm is pivotally connected to the frame. The front caster is coupled to a front end of the front caster pivot arm. The drive assembly is pivotally connected to the front caster pivot arm. The drive assembly comprises a drive wheel and a motor that drives the drive wheel. Torquing of the drive wheel by the motor in a forward direction causes the drive assembly to pivot with respect to the front caster pivot arm such that the drive wheel moves forward toward the front caster and a distance between a support surface and the connection between of the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm increases.

Abstract: Latching motion transfer arrangements may be used to raise an object up and out of engagement with the ground or other support surface and to lower the object back onto the ground or other support surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the mechanism is caused to lift and latch by applying force in a first direction, a first time, and is caused to release and lower by applying force in the first direction, a second time.

Abstract: Seats that are moveable from a seating orientation, which allows a user to sit on the seat, to a standing orientation, where the seat at least partially supports the user in a standing posture are disclosed. At least a portion of the seat is moveable away from the user's legs when the seat is in the standing position.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed as having, for example, a frame, a backrest assembly including a pivot bracket, a seat assembly pivotably connected to the pivot bracket and the frame, a leg rest assembly pivotably connected to the frame, a link connected to the leg rest assembly at a first pivot joint and the pivot bracket at a second pivot joint, and a lock connected to the leg rest assembly and the frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of a power and signal distribution assembly for a bed having at least one power input port, at least one controller port, and at least one output port are described. The power input port receives a first DC voltage from a power supply and the power supply receiving an AC voltage and converting it to the first DC voltage. The controller port receives the first DC voltage and outputs at least one power control signal having the first DC voltage. The output port receives signals having the first DC voltage. The power and signal distribution assembly has a first location and the power supply has a second location different from the first location. In other embodiments, the power and signal distribution assembly is located on a frame of a bed and the power supply remote therefrom. Still further, one or more additional controller ports may also be provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a breathing gas are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes sensing a sensed parameter associated with delivery of the breathing gas, changing a control parameter associated with a flow/pressure control element in response to a difference between the sensed parameter and a first predetermined sensed parameter value during a first portion of a breathing cycle, determining a transition from the first portion to a second portion of the breathing cycle based at least in part on the changing control parameter, changing the control parameter to cause a first change in the sensed parameter during the second portion of the breathing cycle based at least in part on the determined transition, and changing the control parameter to cause a second change in the sensed parameter during a third portion of the breathing cycle based at least in part on the first predetermined sensed parameter value.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a multi-wheel drive vehicle is provided. The invention is preferably applicable to the steering of such a vehicle and determines the individual velocities for each wheel drive. In this regard, the invention includes two general steps. The first step includes determining the distance of each wheel drive and a vehicle velocity reference point from a turning reference point. The second step includes ratioing each wheel drive's distance from the turning reference point with the vehicle velocity reference point's distance from the turning reference point. The ratios are then applied to a vehicle velocity associated with the vehicle velocity reference point to determine the velocity of each respective wheel drive. Once determined, the velocities are output to each wheel drive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a suspension for a conveyance that is capable of traversing obstacles and rough terrain. In this regard, the suspension has a frame member and a pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly has a pivot arm and a drive assembly. The pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the frame and has a first engagement surface. The drive assembly is pivotally coupled to the frame and has a second engagement surface configured to engage the first engagement surface. The second engagement surface is further configured to disengage from the first engagement surface upon pivotal movement of the drive assembly in a first direction and to re-engage the first engagement surface upon pivotal movement of the drive assembly in a second direction.

Abstract: An adjustable leg for a chair includes a leg housing, secured to a seat, that includes a threaded inner wall. A leg extension is received into the leg housing and includes external threaded portions that mate with the threaded inner wall. A tab in the leg housing cooperates with the external threaded portions and secures the leg extension at a predefined position in the leg housing.

Abstract: A system and method for driving an electric vehicle is provided. The system has, for example, a power source generating a voltage, a voltage converter, a control system, and one or more motors for driving or propelling the vehicle. The voltage converter is configured to accept an input voltage and generate an output voltage, which is different from the input voltage. The power source provides the input voltage to the voltage converter. A switch is further provided to switch the delivery of power to the control system between a power source voltage and an increased voltage derived from the voltage converter.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a multi-wheel drive vehicle is provided. The invention is preferably applicable to the steering of such a vehicle and determines the individual velocities for each wheel drive. In this regard, the invention includes two general steps. The first step includes determining the distance of each wheel drive and a vehicle velocity reference point from a turning reference point. The second step includes ratioing each wheel drive's distance from the turning reference point with the vehicle velocity reference point's distance from the turning reference point. The ratios are then applied to a vehicle velocity associated with the vehicle velocity reference point to determine the velocity of each respective wheel drive. Once determined, the velocities are output to each wheel drive.