Abstract: Improvements to personal vehicles including self-propelled and balancing personal vehicles. Ready detachability of a seat, footrest, seat back, control unit, wheels and caster assembly is provided using quick disconnect mechanisms.

Abstract: A wheelchair has a seat assembly with arm rests locked in upright positions and movable to down positions provide lateral access to seat for a person. Electric motors connected to batteries and a motor controller are used to rotate the drive wheels of the wheelchair. Hooks, pulleys, and power transmissions transmit power from the electric motors to the wheels. The entire components of the drive are located within a casing mounted on the frame of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A balancing vehicle having enhanced stability for transporting a payload. The vehicle has two substantially coaxial wheels coupled to a platform. Each wheel rotates about an axis, with the axis of each wheel disposed at a non-zero angle with respect to an axis that is defined by the centers of the respective wheels and that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of forward motion of the vehicle. The vehicle has a motorized drive that provides locomotion of the vehicle in an operating position that is unstable with respect to tipping if the motorized drive is not powered.

Abstract: A wheelchair has a constant center of gravity tilt assembly which can be connected to any type of frame structure. A chair is pivotally attached to the tilt assembly which includes a slidable guide member. The guide member is slidably attached to a guide rail which can be mounted on the frame. An actuator for moving the chair forward and backward is operatively connected at one end to the slidable guide member and at the other end to the wheelchair frame. A link arm has one end operatively connected to said frame and the other end pivotally connected to the seat of the integral chair. Upon actuation of the actuator, said guide member moves said chair forward or backwards and as a consequence thereof, said seat is tilted backward or forward by said link arm to substantially maintain the center of gravity of a person seated in the chair.

Abstract: An electric power assisted, manually operated vehicle such as a wheelchair. A force sensor senses the manual input force and the power assist is generated in response to the sensed input force. A number of embodiments are disclosed wherein the amount of assist is varied in response to running conditions and/or operator conditions so as to improve the performance. In many of these embodiments, the assist is greater at low speeds and is held constant at higher speeds and then decreased as the speed exceeds a predetermined high speed. In some of these embodiments, a regenerative braking is also applied in the event the vehicle speed becomes excessive. Also, the null or dead band range of the sensor is adjusted so as to provide a wider range when stationary than when running. This decreases sensitivity for startup and yet provides good response during running.

Abstract: A central drive personal mobility vehicle is disclosed comprising a frame having a right and a left frame mounting located in a trailing frame portion of the frame with a seat being mounted to an intermediate portion of the frame. A right and a left leaf spring extend between a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends of the right and left leaf springs are secured to a right and a left drive wheel assembly supporting a left and a right drive wheel. The distal ends of the right and left leaf springs are secured to the right and left frame mounting for resiliently mounting the right and left drive wheel assemblies to the frame.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a seat and a plurality of wheels for rolling the wheelchair along a ground surface. A plurality of legs are provided for supporting the seat. Each of the legs is positioned between the seat and one of the wheels. A plurality of struts are also provided. The seat bottom and seat back are pivotally coupled to the seat bottom. The seat back is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position. An actuator for providing at least one actuator output signal in response to movement of the actuator by a user of the device is also provided.

Abstract: An improved structure of a wheelchair includes a seat, a to-and-fro adjusting member, a left-and-right adjusting member, a bottom frame body, a wheel belt module, a vertical sensor, and a retractable leakage prevention cover, wherein the seat is provided with a driving-controlled rod mounted at one lateral side of the handrail of the wheelchair for the user to control in moving to-and-fro. The wheelchair is maintained at a horizontal position during the climbing up or moving down a bumpy road or a plurality of steps. Thus, a user sitting on the seat will keep comfortably in a horizontal position.

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 number of embodiments of power-assisted manually operated vehicles, specifically wheelchairs. An arrangement is providing for sensing the amount of manual force inputted and then providing a power assist related to that input force. Once the operator either decreases the input of the manual force or discontinues it, the power assist is maintained for a predetermined time period so as to provide further assist. The power assist is reduced either gradually or in steps and may be held constant for a time before or after the power reduction. This provides a more natural effect and still reduces the necessity for operator input. Separate controls are provided for each of the wheels and a helper assist is also provided.

Abstract: A powered wheelchair for disabled persons is provided that has a frame that has a first end and a second end. A seat support is coupled to the frame between the first and second ends. A pair of swivel wheels is coupled to the frame proximate the first end and a pair of motor driven wheels is connected to the frame proximate the second end. A motor is coupled to each of the driven wheels. The motors are adapted to allow a change in the rotational direction of the driven wheel to which it is coupled, wherein the rotational direction of the motors may be changed when the wheelchair is converted from a rear wheel drive wheelchair to a front wheel drive wheelchair. At least one battery is coupled to the motors, the battery providing power to the motors. An electronic controller is coupled to the motors and the battery. The controller has a user interface that is used to direct the speed and direction of the wheelchair. A seat assembly is reversibly coupled to the seat support and extends upwardly above the frame.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame and a seat having seat bottom and a reclining seat back. The seat may be suspended within the frame via seat suspension arms which tilt the seat about a substantially horizontal axis located above the seat bottom. The wheelchair may include leg supports which may pivot beneath the seat bottom when not in use and arm rests having a hand support including a perimeter edge provided with a plurality of indentations for accepting and at least partially extending fingers of a user's hand.

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 lightweight, easily maneuverable and transportable power chair, that may be manually propelled, includes a pair of freely rotatable wheels and a corresponding pairs of friction rollers and braking surfaces that are selectively engageable therewith to effect propulsion and steering of the chair. A pair of toggle levers are operated by a corresponding pair of control handles for selectively engaging the friction rollers and brake surfaces with the wheels. A single caster wheel is vertically rotatable at the front of the power chair frame. This forms a tricycle rolling system that always maintains a load on each of the driving wheels.

Abstract: A mid-wheel drive power wheelchair is provide having a pair of drive wheels on the support frame below the seat. Castor wheels are positioned behind the drive wheels and rearward of the seat. A pair of anti-tip idler wheels are positioned forward of the drive wheels on opposite sides of the frame. The anti-tip wheels are normally positioned off the ground when the drive wheels and the castor wheels are in their normal ground-engaging position. The anti-tip wheels have a resilient mounting comprising a support arm attached at a rear end to the frame. The forward positioned anti-tip wheels are movable upwardly about the attachment of the support arm, with the suspension resiliently resisting such movement, in response to the engagement with a curb or obstruction or in response to a forward pitching of the chair about the drive wheels.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedback sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational speed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelchair spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a seat and a plurality of wheels for rolling the wheelchair along a ground surface. A plurality of legs are provided for supporting the seat. Each of the legs is positioned between the seat and one of the wheels. A plurality of struts are also provided. Each of the struts couples a first of the legs to a second of the legs. Each of the legs bears only compressive force in supporting the seat, and each of the struts bears only tensile force.

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: 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 standing wheelchair includes a base frame, a pair of front driveable wheels connected to the front end of the frame, and a pair of rear wheels connected to the rear end of the frame. A seat assembly is connected to the front end of the frame and includes a seat portion that is pivotable between a generally horizontal, seated position and a raised, angled standing position. The seat portion pivots about a central stub pivot shaft located at the front thereof, with the stub pivot shaft being vertically offset above the seat portion. An actuator is connected between the front end of the seat assembly and the rear end of the seat assembly to actuate the seat portion between the seated and standing positions. An adjustable knee support assembly is connected to the front end of the seat assembly and is located behind the axles of the front wheels, and a footrest plate is connected to the frame at the front end between the front pair of wheels.

Abstract: A power-assisted wheelchair (1) having an electric motor (32), a potentiometer (27) as means for detecting human power applied to wheels (2), and a controller (31) as means for controlling the electric motor (32) according to the detected human power so as to set the time-attenuation rate of the assist power to be greater as the human power is smaller, and to be smaller as the human power is greater. Therefore, the coasting amount of the wheelchair (1) for small indoor movements for example is restricted to a small value. As a result, small indoor movements with a small turning radius are made possible, a sufficient coasting amount is secured for an outdoor running. Therefore, along with the possibility of a comfortable running on a level road, a steep uphill running is made easy, and the physical effort of the rider is alleviated.

Abstract: A motorized vehicle capable of fault detection and of operation after a fault has been detected. The vehicle has a plurality of control components coupled to a motorized drive and a comparator for comparing the output of each of the control components with outputs of other control components so that failures may be identified. The vehicle may have multiple processors coupled to a plurality of control channels by means of a bus and a decision arrangement that suppresses the output of any processor for which a failure has been identified.

Abstract: An electrical wheelchair includes a chassis on which a seat is mounted. The chassis has a double-framed structure including a primary frame and a secondary frame pivotally connected to each other so as to be rotatable with respect to each other about a first rotational axis. Two driving wheels are mounted to the primary frame and independently driven by motors. Two rear guide wheels are rotatably and swivellingly mounted to the primary frame. The secondary frame has a front edge frontward extending beyond the primary frame with two front guide wheels rotatably and swivellingly mounted thereto whereby the front guide wheels are capable to orbit about the driving wheels by means of the pivotal connection between the primary and secondary frames so as to provide the front guide wheels and the driving wheels with excellent surface compliance when the wheelchair is moving on an uneven surface.

Abstract: A motorized wheelchair is advantageously provided with a rate-of-turn feedback sensor and with forward/reverse motion, lateral motion, and vertical motion acceleration feedback sensors that are integrated into a closed-loop wheelchair servo control system to differentially control the rotational speed of wheelchair opposed motor-driven wheels and thereby obtain improved wheelchair motion stability through reduction/elimination of likely wheelchair spin-out and wheelchair tipping during wheelchair operation.

Abstract: A front wheel drive power wheel chair has the drive wheel axis of rotation forward of the wheelchair user's eyes and cranial center of perception.

Abstract: The invention provides a mid-wheel drive wheelchair assembly (10) which includes a central base frame (11), a seat frame (12) removably attached to the base frame (11), a pair of transversely spaced leading pivot arms (13, 14) pivotally attached to opposite sides of the base frame respectively for pivotal movement about a common transverse pivot axis (17), a pair of ground engaging mid-drive wheels (19, 20) each mounted adjacent the trailing end of a respective side pivot arm (13, 14), a pair of ground engaging front castor wheels (21, 22) rotatably mounted at the leading ends of the pivot arms (13, 14), and a pair of ground engage rear castor wheels (23, 24) rotatably mounted at opposite ends of a rigid transverse port arm (25) which itself is pivotally mounted to the rear of the base frame (11) centrally thereof.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a seat and a plurality of wheels for rolling the wheelchair along a ground surface. The seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat bottom. The seat back is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position. The seat bottom has a back end formed from a first curved shape, and the seat back has a bottom end formed from a second curved shape. The first curved shape of the seat bottom is sized to mate with the second curved shape of the seat back when the seat back is in the unfolded position. A motor coupled to each rear wheels and a control stick is in communication with each motor for independently operating each of the motor to drive and steer the wheel chair.

Abstract: A base for receiving a seat has a longitudinally extending chassis having a front end, a rear end, a central portion positioned therebetween and opposed sides extending longitudinally between the front and rear ends; at least one drive wheel mounted below the central portion; a plurality of rotatably mounted wheels positioned around the chassis and mounted at a fixed distance below the chassis; and a biasing member associated with the at least one drive wheel to bias the at least one drive wheel to engage the surface on which the base is situated and reduce the weight supported by the rotatably mounted wheels whereby the rotatably mounted wheels support sufficient weight of the base and the unoccupied seat to define a stable platform.

Abstract: A power wheelchair has a frame, a seat connected to the frame, a pair of drive wheels connected to the frame and rotatable about transverse axis below a portion of the seat supporting the wheelchair occupant's thighs and at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to the frame behind the drive wheels.

Abstract: A drive assistance device for a hand-driven wheel chair has two running wheels, said running wheels being adapted to be detachably mounted to a wheel chair frame and being provided with hand rims for applying manual force. Each of said running wheels comprises a drive unit having an electric motor, a power supply and an electronic control unit associated thereto. Said complete drive unit including said electric motor, said power supply and said electronic control unit associated thereto is located in the region of the wheel hub. Preferably, said drive unit including said electric motor, said power supply and said electronic control unit associated thereto is adapted to rotate together with said running wheel.

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: In a wheelchair, a rear wheel part with a pair of rear wheels is assembled to the rear side of a frame in detachable state. The frame is constituted in foldable state. The rear wheel part and the rear side of the frame are provided with a locking member and a receiving member which can be coupled with each other and are arranged corresponding to these. The receiving member is provided with a concave locking surface at the side remote from the locking member. The locking member is provided with an insertion recess in which the receiving member can be inserted, and with a hook which can lock a locking surface of the receiving member inserted in the insertion recess. In the wheelchair, the rear wheel part can be simply assembled to or detached from the frame by the operation of the hook. Also the frame can be folded. Therefore even the wheelchair of heavy weight can be easily housed in a vehicle with a narrow housing space. Also the wheelchair can be simply assembled by the operation of the hook.

Abstract: The power wheelchair includes an anti-tip assembly extending from the frame. The anti-tip assembly includes a plate secured to the frame via a dampening mechanism. A first arm extends from the plate and is mounted thereto for a limited amount of relative movement. A grounding engaging wheel disposed on a distal end of the arm is urged toward the ground surface by a biasing spring interposed between the arm and the plate. As the wheelchair begins to tip, anti-tip or resistive forces are generated initially by the biasing spring. This resisting force continues in a linear fashion until relative movement between the arm and the plate ceases. Thereafter, further resistive forces are provided by the dampener as movement of the plate toward the frame is resisted in a linear fashion by the dampener.

Abstract: A curb-climbing front wheel drive power wheelchair has a frame, a seat connected to the frame, a pair of drive wheels connected to the frame and rotatable about a transverse axis below a portion of the seat supporting the wheelchair occupant's thighs. The power wheelchair also has at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to the frame behind the drive wheels and anti-tip wheels forward of the drive wheels, rigidly connected to the motors for pivotal movement.

Abstract: A prosthetic apparatus is electrically operable by a user for lifting the user into standing position and lowering the user into a sitting position by power means operated by the user, the apparatus being a motorized wheelchair.

Abstract: A wheelchair having an electric motor power assist controlled by a sensor that senses the manual force applied by a rider to the hand rim. An arrangement is provided for facilitating adjustment of the sensor so as to permit accurate adjustment without requiring special tools or gages. This mechanism includes an LED that outputs a signal when the sensor signal output is zero. In addition, an arrangement is provided for facilitating the adjustment of the spring and also for ensuring that the hand rim is axially located so as to preclude cocking and binding.

Abstract: A motorized wheel-chair is equipped with one or more sensors for detecting obstacles. The detection method may be either radar or sonar (or both). An on-board computer processes these echoes and presents a visual or auditory display. With the benefit of these displays, the user issues voice commands (or exerts manual pressure) to maneuver appropriately the motorized wheelchair. One or more microphones pick up the sounds of the user's voice and transmit them to a computer. The computer decodes the maneuvering commands by speech-recognition techniques and transmits these commands to the wheelchair to effect the desired motion. In addition to speech recognition for decoding commands, voice (speaker) recognition is employed to determine authorized users.

Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle or powered wheelchair comprising a seat operatively mounted to a carriage by a seat positioning assembly including a linear positioning assembly to selectively position the seat longitudinally relative to the carriage to maintain the weight distribution of the personal mobility vehicle and occupant between the front and rear of the personal mobility vehicle within a predetermined weight distribution pattern during operation of the personal mobility vehicle to enhance the static and dynamic stability thereof.

Abstract: An electric wheelchair has two front wheels and two rear wheels and is thus four-wheeled. The wheelchair has a tread between the rear wheels, which is smaller than a tread between the front wheels. It also has a floor disposed between the front wheels and rear wheels and having side ends positioned externally of outer surfaces of the rear wheels. Thus, a crew can drive the wheelchair using the front body width of the wheelchair as a reference while paying little attention backward. A motor and a reduction gear as components of a rear wheel driving mechanism are laid compactly on a rear wheel axle one over the other. This reduces the body length and enables down-sizing of the wheelchair.

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 manually propelled vehicle has a power assisted drive wheel assembly coupled to a stationary chassis and a control system for actuating the powering. The drive wheel assembly is integrated with a gearless electric motor. The motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. The drive wheel assembly includes a stationary wheel support coupled to the chassis and a rotatable drive wheel rotatably mounted to the stationary wheel support. The drive wheel has an outer rim and an inner ring, the outer rim being connected to the inner ring by support members. The stationary wheel support includes a first annular well for housing the control system and a power source, and a second annular well formed concentrically around the first annular well. The stator is mounted to the stationary wheel support in the second annular well and the rotor is mounted to the inner ring, which is rotatably coupled to the distal portion of the stationary wheel support via bearings.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a rigid upholstered seat removably mounted on a crossbrace-type chassis. The seat includes a generally square-shaped frame having a clevis assembly depending from each of the four corners of the frame. Each one of a first pair of the clevis assemblies disposed at diagonally opposed front and rear corners of the seat frame is formed with aligned generally pear-shaped openings. Each one of a second pair of the clevis assemblies disposed at the other diagonally opposed front and rear corners of the seat frame is formed with aligned generally horizontal elliptical-shaped openings. An inverted generally U-shaped mounting bracket formed with aligned openings is disposed on each end of each one of a pair of chassis sideframes. Each clevis assembly is engageable with a respective one of the U-shaped brackets so that the respective openings of the engaged brackets are aligned. A quick release pin is passed through each set of aligned openings to secure the seat to the chassis.

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.

Abstract: A wheelchair provides a seat mounted to a base preferably through use of a universal joint to provide for selective orientation of the seat. A pair of actuators are interposed between the seat and base so that selective extension and retraction of the actuators orients the seat as desired. A level sensing device(s) provides suitable output signals to control the extension and retraction of the actuators, and thus the final orientation of the seat. This allows a wheelchair occupant to remain level while the chair traverses uneven ground or to selectively reposition the seat to relieve pressure points without the assistance of an attendant.

Abstract: The assembly of the invention provides a direct frictional drive system for a wheeled vehicle having a vehicle frame whereby at least one drive roller is in frictional contact with a vehicle wheel, which includes a hub portion having a wheel axle, a rim portion, and a tire portion having a tread surface. The assembly comprises an assembly frame structure including an upper frame portion, an upper drive roller carrier portion, and a lower wheel axle coupling portion for attaching the assembly to a hub portion of the vehicle frame. The upper frame portion is connectable to the vehicle frame and the drive roller carrier portion rotatably supports at least one drive roller in frictional contact with the tread portion. A drive motor mounted to the drive roller carrier portion rotates the drive roller when the motor is activated.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electric motor operated wheelchair comprising right and left wheels (2) each provided with an electric motor unit with electric power supplied from a battery (46) disposed on one side wheel (2) through a wiring harness (electric cables) (45), (51) and a main switch (28) to each of the electric motor units, wherein the main switch (28) and a switch lever (29) for driving the switch (28) are integrated at least with the electric motor unit on the side where the battery (46) is located.Therefore, according to the invention, the wiring harness (45) for interconnecting the main switch (28) and the electric motor unit do not appear outside the vehicle body frame (3), the number of electric cables and associated components is reduced to a minimum, the structure is simplified, and ease of attaching and removing the wheels (2) is improved.

Abstract: An occupant-operated motorized vehicle is provided having a motorized front wheel assembly. The vehicle is further provided with an operator controlled lifting structure which aides the occupant in coming to a standing position. The lifting structure includes a linear actuator that is coupled to a clevis, which is in turn coupled to a shaft. Activation of the actuator causes the clevis and therefore the shaft to rotate. Attached to each end of the shaft is a lift lever that extends rearwardly away from the shaft. The end of the lever not attached to the shaft are equipped to be coupled to a support sling that is used to support the occupant and raise the occupant to a standing position. The vehicle is further equipped with a seat to accommodate the occupant in an initial seated position, and at any time that the occupant desires to be in a seated position.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes an upper structure A and lower structure B which can be freely assembled and separated. Upper structure A includes a seat, back rest, seat rail, cross member, cross member and a subframe. Electrical equipment including a control unit and battery, etc., is housed inside a housing mounted on the bottom part of seat. A motor is supported under the cross member. The lower structure includes the left and right pair portions of a main frame, front wheels, drive wheels and hand rims. Upper structure A can be separated and removed from lower structure B by folding down the back rest and removing the upper structure A. The output axis is removed from the axle stay by moving the motor towards the center of the wheelchair body. A housing cover is fitted to the rear face of a base plate provided on a seat of the wheelchair. A freely opened and closed lid is provided for the opening provided on the front portion.

Abstract: The power wheelchair includes an anti-tip assembly extending from the frame. The anti-tip assembly includes a plate secured to the frame via a dampening mechanism. A first arm extends from the plate and is mounted thereto for a limited amount of relative movement. A grounding engaging wheel disposed on a distal end of the arm is urged toward the ground surface by a biasing spring interposed between the arm and the plate. As the wheelchair begins to tip, anti-tip or resistive forces are generated initially by the biasing spring. This resisting force continues in a linear fashion until relative movement between the arm and the plate ceases. Thereafter, further resistive forces are provided by the dampener as movement of the plate toward the frame is resisted in a linear fashion by the dampener.

Abstract: A worm gear assembly for a medical mobility apparatus, such as a motorized wheelchair or scooter, comprises a worm and a worm gear. The worm is operatively coupled to a motor shaft of a drive motor of the medical mobility apparatus. The worm gear, which is disposed on an intermediate shaft, is adapted for being driven by the worm and is adapted for driving a drive wheel of the medical mobility apparatus. The worm gear and the worm have a gear ratio of less than 10:1 and the worm has a lead angle in the range of about 20-30.degree.. This arrangement permits the worm gear to selectively drive the worm and permits manual reverse mobility of the medical mobility apparatus.