Abstract: The power chair of the present invention is a vehicle which is highly maneuverable and has a high degree of usable power. It provides maximum weight distribution to the pair of driving wheels of the vehicle unit. It greatly enhances the stability and provides an overall operating envelope of greatly reduced size, allowing the use of the vehicle in confined areas. The vehicle has a pair of drive wheels rotatably about a common axis which is transverse to the forward direction of the travel of the vehicle, the drive wheels being powered by respective drive motors. The center of mass of the vehicle and passenger is substantially in the vertical plane of the axis of the drive wheels. This arrangement increases the amount of weight for traction. The alignment of the mass with the axis of the driving wheels maximizes the resistance of the vehicle to steering deviations caused by centrifugal force. Stability fore and aft is provided by castering wheels placed in front of and behind the driving wheels.

Abstract: An economical light weight foldable wheelchair is selectively operable in a motorized, attendant or occupant driven self-propelled mode of operation. The wheelchair includes two opposed side frames that are foldable to a laterally more compact condition, a motor drive assembly and a foldable energy supply system support assembly. The energy supply system support assembly slidably receives two battery units with convenient front access and automatic electrical connection. Storage under the seat assures a center of gravity well ahead of the rear wheels. The motor drive system includes a releasable wheel drive assembly that supports two large rear wheels with a center of rotation behind, under or in front of the back support of the seat. Manual drive rings are mounted on the outside of the rear wheels and the occupant can easily reach a hub mounted toggle handle for the wheel drive assembly to control engagement of the rear wheels with the drive motors.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair rear wheel drive assembly is selectively engageable and disengageable by an occupant to permit the wheelchair to be used in either a motorized mode or an occupant self propelled mode. For each rear wheel a drive motor connects through an axially extending worm gear assembly and rear drive axle to a drive hub. The drive hub is positioned outside of the rear wheel and supports a control handle which in turn controls a pair of locking pins which selectively engage the drive hub or disengage the drive hub from the rear wheel. The drive assembly enables the wheelchair to be folded to a laterally more compact condition.

Abstract: A vehicle cab is described, which includes a plastic molded cab housing (16) that is securely held to a steel chassis (12), without concentrated stresses on the plastic housing that could damage it. The plastic cab housing (16) has vertical side walls (34) and a horizontally-extending flange (36) at the bottom. A metal frame (22) includes a beam that extends along the periphery of the housing and that lies under the plastic housing flange. A rubber spacer (24) has a top wall (42) lying over the housing flange, a bottom wall (44) sandwiched between the housing flange and the frame, and a connecting wall (48) connecting the top and bottom walls and lying beside the outer edge of the flange. A metal clamp (26) has a top part lying on the top of the spacer top wall, and a side clamp part that is fastened to the metal frame.

Abstract: A system is described for use in a truck cabin having a primary doorway (16, FIG. 2) at the rear of the cabin, which facilitates movement of the driver out of and into the driver's seat (20) when he leaves or enters by the rear doorway, by avoiding the restrictions of a steering wheel (26) that lies closely over the lap of the driver when he is driving. The system includes a mount (32) that supports the seat for rotation about a vertical axis, and an actuator (38, FIG. 4) connected to the mount to turn the seat between forward and sideward positions (20f, 20s) at which the seat respectively faces forwardly and largely sidewardly. A control coupled to the transmission (43, FIG. 2) of the vehicle, forcibly holds the seat in the forward position when the transmission is in a drive setting, to avoid unexpected turning of the seat while driving the vehicle.