Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting or modifying a programmable operating parameter associated with a power driven wheelchair is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) operating a user interface device associated with a power driven wheelchair in a programming mode, b) selecting a programmable operating parameter associated with operation of the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device, c) selecting a value for the programmable operating parameter using the user interface device, and d) saving the selected value for the programmable operating parameter in a portion of a storage device associated with the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device. A method and apparatus for selecting one or more programmable parameter sets from a portable storage medium and saving the selected sets to a local storage device associated with a power driven wheelchair and vice versa is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing help information on a display device associated with a power driven wheelchair is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) displaying screen content displayed on the display device during operation or support of the power driven wheelchair, b) detecting selective activation of a first input device, c) in response to detection of the first input device activation, selecting help information content from a collection of help information, the selected help information content being contextually related to the screen content displayed on the display device, and d) displaying the contextually-related help information content on the display device. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a display device, a first input device, and a microcontroller in operative communication with the display device and the first input device.

Abstract: A seat for a wheelchair is provided. An exemplary embodiment of the seat includes a seat back portion, a bottom portion, and a linkage coupling the bottom portion to the seat back portion such that the seat back portion is movable relative to the bottom portion. The linkage generally includes a first link and a second link. The first link is generally pivotally connected to the bottom portion and the seat back portion. The second link is generally pivotally connected to the bottom portion and the seat back portion. The first link and the second link pivot relative to the seat back portion and the bottom portion as the seat back portion is moved relative to the bottom portion.

Abstract: A wheelchair suspension is provided. The wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a pivot arm, a front caster, a drive assembly, and a rear caster. The pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. Movement of the drive assembly in a first direction causes the pivot arm to substantially remain in a first position. Movement of the drive assembly in a second direction urges the pivot arm away from the first position.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a pivoting drive assembly having a drive wheel, a motor drive connected to the drive wheel, and a first pivoting linkage fixedly attached to the motor drive. The pivoting drive assembly is pivotally coupled to a frame at a first frame pivot axis such that the drive wheel, motor drive, and first pivoting linkage pivot about the first frame pivot axis as a unit. The wheelchair further includes a second pivoting linkage and a front caster assembly. The second pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the frame at a second frame pivot axis. The first pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the front caster assembly at a first front caster pivot axis and the second pivoting linkage is pivotally coupled to the front caster assembly at a second front caster pivot axis.

Abstract: A method of programming parameters of a power driven wheelchair for a plurality of drive modes comprises: displaying a menu image on an interactive display screen, the menu image including settings of a plurality of wheelchair parameters for a plurality of drive modes of the wheelchair; selecting a wheelchair parameter for a drive mode from the displayed menu image; and programming the setting of the selected wheelchair parameter to a desired setting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing help information on a display device associated with a power driven wheelchair is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) displaying screen content displayed on the display device during operation or support of the power driven wheelchair, b) detecting selective activation of a first input device, c) in response to detection of the first input device activation, selecting help information content from a collection of help information, the selected help information content being contextually related to the screen content displayed on the display device, and d) displaying the contextually-related help information content on the display device. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a display device, a first input device, and a microcontroller in operative communication with the display device and the first input device.

Abstract: A power driven wheelchair and a method for operating same are provided. In one embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes a system controller with a main controller, a storage device, and at least one input device, a motor assembly, and a common bus. The motor assembly may include a drive motor, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the drive motor and in communication with the local controller. In another embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes the system controller, an actuator assembly, and the common bus. The actuator assembly may include an actuator mechanism, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the actuator mechanism and in communication with the local controller. Multiple embodiments of the method are related to controlling various arrangements of motor assemblies or actuator assemblies.

Abstract: A multiple-stage gas compressor is disclosed by this application. The compressor has a plurality of pistons, including at least one wobble piston assembly and at least one cylinder piston assembly for compressing pressurized gas from the at least one wobble piston. The wobble piston assembly includes a wobble piston head fixed to a wobble piston connecting rod. The cylinder piston assembly includes a cylindrical piston head pivotally connected to a cylindrical piston connecting rod.

Abstract: The wheelchair comprises a seat back a module (2) movably coupled to a seat module (5). Two lateral plates (10, 10?) are secured to the seat back module (2) and pivotally mounted on the seat module (5). Each of said plate is provided with a recess (18, 18?) adapted to lodge an excenter member (19) comprising two parallel side faces (26, 27) and being perforated by three holes (21, 22 and 23), adapted to receive a spring release locking pins for locking the angle position of said seat back module. Due to the positioning of said three holes and the possibility of lodging the excenter member with either one of its two side faces (26 or 27) inside the recess (18), five different locking angle positions of the seat back module are possible.

Abstract: A motor and brake assembly includes a mounting member. A stator winding assembly, a brake assembly, a hub, and a rotor magnet assembly. The stator winding assembly is mounted to the mounting member. The brake assembly is operably connected to the mounting member. The hub is rotatably coupled to the mounting member. The rotor magnet assembly is mounted to an inside of a radially outer wall of the hub. The brake assembly is operable to move a component of the brake assembly between an engaged position where the component engages the inside of the radially outer hub wall and a disengaged position where the component is spaced apart from the inside of the radially outer hub wall.

Abstract: A collection of diagnostic and troubleshooting information associated with a power driven wheelchair is stored for access by a microcontroller to be displayed to a user to assist in troubleshooting the power driven wheelchair. A log of fault codes transmitted by various fault-detecting mechanisms is compiled. A user may request display of diagnostic information associated with a selected fault code. The operating instructions of a power driven wheelchair may be updated by using portable storage media onto which a latest version of operating instructions is loaded to transfer the updated operating instructions to wheelchair controller memory. The calibration of a power driven wheelchair can be simplified by providing functionality within the wheelchair controller to change calibration parameters or to transfer calibration parameters from portable storage media.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to conveyances and, more particularly, to wheelchairs. In one embodiment, a wheelchair includes a seat assembly coupled to a chassis. The chassis includes a frame having a rear wheel support member, one or more front wheel support members extending in a forward direction from the rear wheel support member, and a seat support member. The rear wheel support member comprises a central portion and left and right portions extending downward from the central portion. The wheelchair also includes one or more drive wheels for propulsion of the wheelchair, a set of front wheels for supporting the wheelchair, and a shrouding system for at least partially covering the frame and other components of the wheelchair.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a device for transporting users having an injured leg across a surface and a method of adjusting the device. An embodiment of the device includes a frame, at least two wheel assemblies, and a support for supporting the knee of the injured leg of the user. The frame may have a top portion and at least two legs. The wheel assemblies may be operatively connected to the legs of the frame. The support may be at least partially supported by the top portion of the frame. The device may include an anti-rotation arrangement that increases the resistance to the rotation of a wheel of at least one of the wheel assemblies to assist alignment of the device with a forward direction when a force is applied by the non-injured leg of the user in a direction that is parallel to the forward direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting or modifying a programmable operating parameter associated with a power driven wheelchair is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) operating a user interface device associated with a power driven wheelchair in a programming mode, b) selecting a programmable operating parameter associated with operation of the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device, c) selecting a value for the programmable operating parameter using the user interface device, and d) saving the selected value for the programmable operating parameter in a portion of a storage device associated with the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device. A method and apparatus for selecting one or more programmable parameter sets from a portable storage medium and saving the selected sets to a local storage device associated with a power driven wheelchair and vice versa is also provided.

Abstract: A collection of diagnostic and troubleshooting information associated with a power driven wheelchair is stored for access by a microcontroller to be displayed to a user to assist in troubleshooting the power driven wheelchair. A log of fault codes transmitted by various fault-detecting mechanisms is compiled. A user may request display of diagnostic information associated with a selected fault code. The operating instructions of a power driven wheelchair may be updated by using portable storage media onto which a latest version of operating instructions is loaded to transfer the updated operating instructions to wheelchair controller memory. The calibration of a power driven wheelchair can be simplified by providing functionality within the wheelchair controller to change calibration parameters or to transfer calibration parameters from portable storage media.

Abstract: In one aspect, a product gas concentrator is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include: a first process separating absorbable components from a source gaseous mixture, a second process providing concentrated product gas in a continuous output mode, a third process providing concentrated product gas in a pulsed output mode, and a fourth process selectively switching between the continuous and pulsed output modes. In another embodiment, the apparatus may include: a first process pressurizing a source gaseous mixture, a second process separating absorbable components from the pressurized gaseous mixture, a product tank accumulating concentrated product gas for dispensing, an output path, a third process selecting a volume to be dispensed during a predetermined time, a pressure sensor monitoring pressure of the concentrated product gas, and a fourth process controlling flow of the concentrated product gas in response to the selected volume and the monitored pressure.

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.