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.

Abstract: A powered vehicle is configured to stably and reliably ride on an escalator and includes a vehicle body (1), front and rear wheels (2) and (3), a drive mechanism (42), and front and rear supports (4) and (5). The front and rear wheels (2) and (3) are supported on front and rear portions of the vehicle body, respectively. The drive mechanism (42) drives the rear wheels. The front and rear supports (4) and (5) are arranged adjacent to the corresponding front wheels (2) and behind the rear wheels (3), respectively. The front or rear supports (4) and (5) land on the step surface at least when the vehicle body (1) is inclined at a maximum inclination portion of the escalator. At this time, the wheels (2) or (3) remote from the landed supports (5) or (4) land on another step of the escalator.

Abstract: A wheelchair incorporates a tilt mechanism with a center of gravity compensation by employing a rotary actuator. The actuator is secured to the underside of the seat and has an arm pivotally secured to the frame. A seat pivot axis is located on a movable member that allows the axis to shift from a rear portion of the wheelchair toward a front portion as the seat is tilted from its upright position to a tilted position. This assures that the center of gravity of the user is maintained within the wheelbase of the chair, i.e., compensates for center of gravity.

Abstract: A double-inverted wheeled passenger carrier (WPC) that is actively stabilizing on two or more axially-spaced wheels through a controller that senses and adjusts three degrees of freedom that allows the WPC to actively stabilize itself to keep a passenger essentially upright during movement, including traversing stairs and the like. The WPC (10) includes a wheel assembly (12) having at least two axially-spaced wheels (14), each wheel having an axis of rotation (15), a frame (16) having a first pivot (18) and second pivot (22), and a chair (20). The frame (16) is attached to the wheel assembly (12) at the first pivot (18). The chair (20) is attached to the frame (16) at the second pivot (22), allowing the chair (20) to rotate independently of the wheels (14).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new wheelchair that is adjustable in length, width and height in order to be adapted to different users of different sizes or to a child growing up. The wheelchair comprises a T-shaped rear frame, a T-shaped front frame and a seat assembly. Each T-shaped frame is made of a long arm and two short arms. The rear frame and the front frame are telescopically connected together in such a manner so as to articulate both frame together and to allow to adjust the distance between the front and rear wheels. The two rear wheels are adjustably mounted to the rear frame so that the distance separating the wheels may be adjusted. The seat assembly is mounted on the rear frame and is adjustable in height. The front wheels are mounted on the front frame at each end of the two short arms.

Abstract: A wheelchair combination includes a hand-propelled wheelchair (1) having two large drive wheels (3), at least one front support wheel 950 and a seat for the wheelchair occupant, wherein the combination also includes a separate drive unit (2) having at least one electric drive motor and the requisite batteries therefor. The hand-propelled wheelchair and the drive unit are provided with mutually coacting coupling means and the wheelchair occupant is able to activate the coupling means to couple the wheelchair to the drive unit while seated in his/her seat, so as to obtain a functional motor-driven wheelchair. According to the invention, the drive unit (2) is intended to be coupled to the hand-propelled wheelchair (1) from behind, so that when the unit is connected, it will be located at least partially between the two large drive wheels of the hand-propelled wheelchair (1).

Abstract: There is provided, in a preferred embodiment, a vehicle for transporting a payload (which may but need not include a human subject) over ground having a surface that may be irregular. This embodiment has a support for supporting the payload. A ground-contacting module, movably attached to the support, serves to suspend the payload in the support over the surface. The orientation of the ground-contacting module defines fore-aft and lateral planes intersecting one another at a vertical. The support and the ground-contacting module are components of an assembly. A motorized drive, mounted to the assembly and coupled to the ground-contacting module, causes locomotion of the assembly and the payload over the surface. A CG modifying arrangement is provided for actively modifying the location of the center of gravity of the assembly.

Abstract: There is provided, in a preferred embodiment, a transportation vehicle for transporting an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. This embodiment has a support for supporting the subject. A ground-contacting module, movably attached to the support, serves to suspend the subject in the support over the surface. The orientation of the ground-contacting module defines fore-aft and lateral planes intersecting one another at a vertical. The support and the ground-contacting module are components of an assembly. A motorized drive, mounted to the assembly and coupled to the ground-contacting module, causes locomotion of the assembly and the subject therewith over the surface. Finally, the embodiment has a control loop, in which the motorized drive is included, for dynamically enhancing stability in the fore-aft plane by operation of the motorized drive in connection with the ground-contacting module.

Abstract: The chair according to the invention comprises a chassis (60) with a support for the user, specifically a seat, a cab for a stroller, or handles for pushing the device. The chassis consists of two portions (61, 62) connected by an articulation (63) with a transverse axle. The first chassis portion (61) is equipped with two main wheels (66) whose common axle (67) is near the line of action (p) of the user's weight, and at least one front or rear contact wheel (68). The second chassis portion (62) uses at least one contact wheel (69) to contact the ground at the other end of the chair. The wheels may be arranged in a diamond shape, and the contact wheels (68, 69) turn freely. There is preferably a spring device (72) connecting the two chassis portions to store and release energy when clearing obstacles. In the case of a wheelchair, the main wheels (66) are either manually driven or controlled by separate motors. The distinctive features of such a device are ease of manipulation and ability to clear obstacles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the remote maintenance, troubleshooting, and/or repair of electric or motorized wheelchairs is disclosed. A wheelchair diagnostic system includes a data communications network, a motorized wheelchair having a controller associated therewith, a modem coupled between the controller and the data communications network, a remote data processing unit coupled to the data communications network, and a diagnostics tool executing on the remote data processing unit which facilitates communicating with the controller across the data communications network. The diagnostics tool includes computer readable code which causes data from the controller to be downloaded across the data communications network to the remote data processing unit so that a service technician can view error code and drive parameter data for troubleshooting, diagnosing and/or repairing the wheelchair.

Abstract: A vehicle employing a drive source for both running and direction changing, a wheelchair 30 for running primarily on a floor surface 9 has a main body 31, a drive motor 32, three rotary bases 37, 38 and 39, and ball-bearing casters 1. The drive motor 32 is installed in the main body 31. Each of the rotary bases 37, 38 or 39 is driven by the drive motor 32 via drive axles. The ball-bearing casters 1 each include braking means, and are installed on the rotary bases 37, 38 and 39, wherein they ride on the floor surface 9.

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: A less heavy and small-sized assisted wheelchair that does not require so much manual labor of an assistant's handle operation. The wheelchair D comprises a frame assembly 1, casters 2 and 3, driving wheels 4 and 5, handrims 6 and 7, and a battery portion 11. In the inside of the casing 14 which covers the hub shaft 13 of the driving wheel 4, there are disposed a driving force detector 40 for detecting the human driving force applied to the handrim 6, a motor 21 for auxiliarily driving the driving wheel 4, and a controller 20 for controlling the motor 21 based on the result of the detection by the driving force detector 40. Also, on the upper rear portion of the frame assembly 1, there is disposed a driving force detector 50 for detecting the human driving force applied to the handles 8 and 9 by the assistant. The controller 20 controls and drives the motor 21 in accordance with the amount of human driving force of the assistant detected by the driving force detector 50.

Abstract: A reconfigurable mechanism for varying the footprint of a wheeled omnidirectional vehicle. The variable footprint mechanism consists of a pair of beams intersecting at a pivotal point in the middle. Two pairs of ball wheels at the diagonal positions of the vehicle chassis are mounted, respectively, on the two beams intersecting in the middle. The angle between the two beams varies actively so that the ratio of the wheel base to the tread may change. Independent servomotors driving the ball wheels allow the vehicle to move in an arbitrary direction from an arbitrary configuration as well as to change the angle between the two beams and thereby change the footprint. By controlling the beam angle, static stability may be augmented, the width of the vehicle may be reduced, and the effective transmission ratio relating the vehicle speed to individual actuator speeds may be varied in a continuous manner.

Abstract: An elevatable wheelchair having a horizontal base and a plurality of front and rear wheels for traveling over a surface, a support frame upstanding from the rear of the base, a cantilever beam pivotally attached at its rear end to the frame above the base, a seat pivotally mounted on the forward end of the cantilever beam, a power lift operably connected to the cantilever beam between its ends for pivoting the beam on the frame to elevate or lower the beam forward end and the seat, and a stabilizing arm between the seat and the frame, vertically offset from the beam, and movable with the beam and seat to control seat pivot orientation and to stabilize the seat.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power assist anti-tip wheel system for invalid carriage including at least one connecting support, at least one assist anti-tip wheel, and at least one power driving means. The connecting support is fixedly or detachably connected at one end to a front or a rear side of the invalid carriage. The anti-tip wheel is associated with the connecting support so that it is located in front of or behind the invalid carriage. The power driving means is also associated with the connecting support to drive the anti-tip wheel to rotate when the invalid carriage travels onto a slope or passes a recess or a bulge on a road surface and two drive wheels thereof become suspended and idling. The power driving means can be automatically actuated via a sensing circuit or be manually actuated via a push button.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in a manual electric wheelchair equipped with a supplemental drive force system consisting of a man power detect means constituted by a potentiometer (27), etc., a signal transmit means constituted by a rotation transformer (39), a control means constituted by a controller (35), a drive force transmit means constituted by a drive motor and gears (G1-G4), etc., a set consisting of the man power detect means, the signal transmit means, the control means, the drive motor, and the drive force transmit means is arranged about an axle (11) of the hub (2a) and of the stationary plate (31) of each drive wheel (2), the stationary plate (31) being fixed to a frame (3) at a location in the vicinity of the hub (2a) in a manner such that the stationary plate (31) is prohibited from rotating, and each drive wheel (2) is capable of being attached to and detached from the chair body together with the respective stationary plate (31).

Abstract: The rear wheel drive assembly of a motorized stroller includes a transmission unit, a bidirectional motor, a battery unit and a control unit. The transmission unit includes a gear housing to be mounted on a rear wheel support rod of a stroller frame, and a speed reducing gear set mounted operably in the gear housing. The gear set includes an input gear, an output gear driven rotatably by the input gear, and a knurled roller mounted coaxially on one side of the output gear and extending partially out of an open bottom end of the gear housing. The knurled roller contacts the tire portion of a rear wheel on the support rod such that rotation of the input gear results in corresponding rotation of the knurled roller in order to generate friction between the knurled roller and the rear wheel. The motor is mounted on the gear housing and drives rotatably the input gear. The battery unit includes a battery holder mounted on the stroller frame and adapted to receive a storage battery therein.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame having first and second longitudinal sides connected by a bridge and a seat module carried by the frame. A first power drive assembly is disposed on the frame first longitudinal side. The first power drive assembly includes a first swing arm pivotally secured to the frame, a first motor mounted to the first swing arm and a first wheel operably connected to the first motor. A second power drive assembly is disposed on the frame second longitudinal side. The second power drive assembly includes a second swing arm pivotally secured to the frame, a second motor mounted to the second swing arm and a second wheel operably connected to the second motor. A first resiliently biased anti-tip assembly is secured to both the frame first longitudinal side and the first motor. A second resiliently biased anti-tip assembly is secured to both the frame second longitudinal side and the second motor. A power supply is mounted on the frame for powering the first and second motors.

Abstract: A detachable propulsive device for a wheelchair includes a longitudinal skeleton frame, a driving unit attached to the front of the skeleton frame, a handle for steering the propulsive device, dimensions adjusting unit, and auxiliary wheels. The dimensions adjusting unit carries four retaining clips and allows to adjust distances between these clips lengthwise and widthwise, so that the clips are capable of engaging and holding side members of the bottom frame of the wheelchair of any desired length and width. The length adjusting mechanism of the dimensions adjusting unit includes a system of telescopically movable hollow tubes with U-shaped cross sliding rails secured to them, while the width adjusting mechanism includes sliding arms carrying the retaining clips on their outer ends and sliding longitudinally along the U-shaped cross sliding rails in the lateral direction. The auxiliary wheels at the rear of the propulsive device are lifted from the ground once the device has been attached to the wheelchair.

Abstract: A power-assisted wheelchair wherein the power-assist for the wheels is based upon the manual force exerted on both of the wheels. The power-assist is continued for a brief time period after manual power input is stopped. The continuing assist is provided equally to each wheel so that the wheelchair will coast in a straight direction. The wheels of the wheelchair are readily detachable with the backing plate prime mover and transmission for driving the wheel.

Abstract: A wheelchair monitoring system including a sensor adapted to actuate upon a single rotation of a wheel of a conventional wheelchair. A sensor couple is included for securing the sensor adjacent to the wheel of the wheelchair. A display is coupled to the wheel chair for depicting a plurality of numerals. Finally, an information mechanism is connected to the sensor and display. The information mechanism is adapted to calculate a distance the wheelchair travelled and a speed of the wheelchair by monitoring the number and rate of actuation of the sensor, respectively. The information mechanism is further adapted to depict on the display the distance upon a first depression of a switch button and depict the speed upon a second depression thereof.

Abstract: There is provided, in a preferred embodiment, a transportation vehicle for transporting an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. This embodiment has a support for supporting the subject. A ground-contacting module, movably attached to the support, serves to suspend the subject in the support over the surface. The orientation of the ground-contacting module defines fore-aft and lateral planes intersecting one another at a vertical. The support and the ground-contacting module are components of an assembly. A motorized drive, mounted to the assembly and coupled to the ground-contacting module, causes locomotion of the assembly and the subject therewith over the surface. Finally, the embodiment has a control loop, in which the motorized drive is included, for dynamically enhancing stability in the fore-aft plane by operation of the motorized drive in connection with the ground-contacting module.

Abstract: There is provided, in a preferred embodiment, a transportation vehicle for transporting an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. This embodiment has a support for supporting the subject. A ground-contacting module, movably attached to the support, serves to suspend the subject in the support over the surface. The orientation of the ground-contacting module defines fore-aft and lateral planes intersecting one another at a vertical. The support and the ground-contacting module are components of an assembly. A motorized drive, mounted to the assembly and coupled to the ground-contacting module, causes locomotion of the assembly and the subject therewith over the surface. Finally, the embodiment has a control loop, in which the motorized drive is included, for dynamically enhancing stability in the fore-aft plane by operation of the motorized drive in collection with the ground-contacting module.

Abstract: A combination power wheelchair and power walker provides dual controls that may be used by either a seated user or a user walking behind and partially supported by the mobility aid. A hand control assembly provides a seated user with an on-off switch and forward-off-reverse switches for each motor. A direction controller assembly connects and provides coordinated movement of the left and right switch handles of the hand control assembly. The direction controller assembly allows the user to operate both switches with one hand by means of pushing, pulling or twisting motions, and replaces an expensive joy-stick assembly. A walker control assembly which overrides the hand control assembly, allows a walking user to operate both motors in either a forward or reverse direction, and to easily control walker speed and direction with gentle pushes or pulls on the walker handles.

Abstract: A motor-driven vehicle includes a vehicle body. A wheel has a fixed axle secured to the vehicle body. A driving arrangement which includes a driving unit and a battery is built in the wheel. A manipulating unit is mounted on the vehicle body, which produces an electrical signal to be supplied to the driving arrangement. The fixed axle has a hollow in it, and a signal line interconnecting the manipulating unit and the driving arrangement is disposed in the hollow in the axle.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a lifting device wherein the seat and the footrest are independent from each other and are mounted on the top ends of two deformable quadrilaterals extending upwards from the chassis and sharing a common moving portion, and wherein the raising and lowering control devices comprise a drive member interposed between the chassis and one of the moving members of one of the quadrilaterals, and suitable for controlling the displacement of said quadrilaterals between a stable folded state and a stable unfolded state.

Abstract: A suspension system for the ground engaging powered and/or caster wheels of a power wheelchair utilizes three links, two of which are universally pivotally connected between the frame of the wheelchair and a wheel mounting transaxle housing or subframe so that the wheels can tilt relative to the frame of the wheelchair in a vertical plane. A third link is connected between the vehicle frame and the wheel mounting structure which can only pivot in a vertical plane, thus restraining the wheels from any lateral displacement relative to the vehicle frame. Fluid cylinders operable between the links and the vehicle frame provide cushioning of the frame and also, by subtraction of fluid from the fluid cylinders, can lower the entire frame of the wheelchair relative to the ground engaging wheels to permit the wheelchair and occupant to drive into the side door opening of a conventional van.

Abstract: An electrical driving system which may be conveniently installed on or removed from a wheelchair is provided. The electrical driving system comprises a coupling assembly which houses a storage battery and a control circuit board. The system also comprises a holder assembly which houses motors and planetary gears which drive a pair of drive wheels. The electrical driving system is installed on the wheelchair by coupling together an upper connector and a lower connector of the coupling assembly about each of the tipping levers of the wheelchair. The coupling assembly includes a plurality of coupling pins, finger elements, and set pins, the appropriate coupling of which enables each finger element to be pivotally displaced to selectively press or release an upper connector to correspondingly grip or release the given tipping lever captured between that upper connector and a lower connector.

Abstract: A wheelchair frame comprises a base frame part (1, 2) with a plurality of wheels (3, 33), including two front wheels (3), wherein each of said front wheels can be driven by an electromotor (4). The base frame part carries at the back side a castor assembly (13) located in the center and comprising a swivel axle (14) with a neutral straight on position, wherein a device 22 is are provided for exerting a rotation force on the swivel axle in the direction of the straight on position at rotation of the swivel axle out of the straight on position.

Abstract: An all-wheel steered vehicle in which all wheels are always parallel and have an equal role in steering the vehicle. It consists of a plurality of wheel assemblies capable of wheel rotation about the wheel's (10) axis. The shaft (14) of each wheel assembly passes through bearings (16) such that the shaft is fastened to the chassis (15) but rotatable in its vertical axis. Each shaft (14) is connected to a rotary shaft linkage (17) which when connected to the steering transmission linkage (18) each wheel assembly is maintained in parallel, but allowed to rotate simultaneously about their vertical axis. The vehicle body or seat (21) is attached to the central shaft (20) and is rotatable about the center of the chassis. The vehicle body or seat is in linkage with the wheel assemblies synchronous drive member such that a rotation of vehicle body or seat relative to the chassis causes a simultaneous and equal rotation of all the wheel assemblies about their vertical axis.

Abstract: The golf vehicle has steerable front wheels on a front portion of a frame together with a steering mechanism which includes an upstanding rearwardly inclined handle bar. A pair of drive wheels and a power source drivingly connected to the drive wheels are on a rear portion of the frame. A seat unit is mounted on the rear portion of the frame and has adjustment means for moving the seat rearwardly and forwardly along a plurality of longitudinal positions and for pivoting the seat 360.degree. in any of these longitudinal positions. The pivot axis of the seat is so located that when the seat is pivoted 180.degree. from a front operating position, the front edge of the seat will extend rearwardly beyond the rear end of the frame rear portion so as to readily enable an occupant of the vehicle to make golf shots while seated. In a modification, the seat is fixed on a seat frame which is pivotable and lockable in any of the pivoted positions.

Abstract: A steerable, powered wheelchair with a mobile base, and two movable arms that are attached to a seat. The seat is attached to the arms with pivots that permit rotation of the seat in both vertical and horizontal planes. The arms can move through three positions. The first position is the at rest position. Here, the seat rests near or directly on the base. In the second position, the seat is spaced vertically above the mobile base. In the third position, the seat is extended forward of the mobile base 2 and can drop down to floor or ground level. A feature of the mobile base it that when the seat is in the third position, the mobile base can rotate vertically about the front wheels. This allows the wheelchair to run on two wheels, increasing the wheelchair's angular mobility. In this operational mode, the user can exercise his or her legs by bouncing them against the ground.

Abstract: A golf cart for persons who are obliged to traverse a golf course in a cart which includes a golf bag carrier mechanism, steering assembly, and an adjustable seat to enable the person to swing a golf club without interference with the aforementioned components. The seat may be rotated in either direction from the traversing axis of the cart to enable the person to face the golf ball to be struck. The steering mechanism and the golf bag carrier are capable of being moved to a position free from the swing pattern of the seated person.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle having two primary ground engaging wheels operatively connected to a driving motor by an automatic transmission and to a steering motor by a shiftable bevel gear which permits opposite variations in rotational speed of the ground engaging wheels.

Abstract: An electric wheelchair includes a pair of car body support posts, each having an elbow support post, a front support post and a bottom support post. The car body support posts are formed in a U-shape with the open part directed backward, and with the elbow support post and the bottom support post arranged in parallel with one another. A bottom plate firmly connects the car body support posts side-by-side. At least one back support post is provided which can be connected to the elbow support posts at the free end thereof and can be removed therefrom. A detachable seat is supported by the car body support posts. An electric driving unit includes at least one outer box, a battery, two motors and a control box, and is provided at a front portion of the bottom support posts. A pair of electric drive front wheels are provided, each directly connected to the motors, one to the right motor and the other to the left motor, and a pair of rear wheels support the rear of the wheelchair.

Abstract: There is provided, in a preferred embodiment, a device for transporting a human subject over ground having a surface that may be irregular and may include stairs. This embodiment has a support for supporting the subject. A ground-contacting module, movably attached to the support, serves to suspend the subject in the support over the surface. The orientation of the ground-contacting module defines fore-aft and lateral planes intersecting one another at a vertical. The support and the ground-contacting module are components of an assembly. A motorized drive, mounted to the assembly and coupled to the ground-contacting module, causes locomotion of the assembly and the subject therewith over the surface. Finally, the embodiment has a control loop, in which the motorized drive is included, for dynamically enhancing stability in the fore-aft plane by operation of the motorized drive in connection with the ground-contacting module.

Abstract: A multipositioning power mobility aid for physically challenged children is provided. The power mobility aid provides a transition to a power wheelchair. The power mobility aid includes a multipositioning main frame that allows a child to be placed in a sitting, semi-standing or standing position without requiring multiple adjustments. The back support rotates to a nonsupporting position to facilitate placing a child in or removing a child from the power mobility aid. The back support then locks into an upright supporting position after the child is positioned in the power mobility aid. The power mobility aid includes an adjustable arm that supports the user-operable input device in multiple locations.

Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle having a low center of gravity and compact overall size which facilitates travel in narrow hallways and in negotiating sharp turns both indoors and out of doors on smooth and uneven surfaces. The vehicle includes a generally horizontally disposed frame supported in close proximity above the ground by a pair of side-by-side spaced steerable rear wheels and two spaced motor-driven front wheels. A battery arrangement is connected to and supported by the frame and operably connected between a control lever in electrical communication with an electronic circuit and the motors for propelling the front wheels through a transaxle arrangement and for steering the rear wheel. By the side-by-side spaced rear wheel arrangement, steering angles of up to about 90.degree. are achieved without stalling propulsion. A seat is provided whereby a user's feet may be comfortably supported on the frame or separate removable or fixed foot rests.

Abstract: A Self Powered Variable Direction Wheeled Task Chair, and a personal mobility device, providing additional ranges of motion in that it has an electrically powered height adjustable seat allowing the operator's seating position to range from standard table height seating to work bench or counter top seating. Additionally and more importantly, the chair, will have directional movement capabilities well beyond typical wheel chairs, or other wheel driven personal mobility devices in that it will utilize electro-mechanical directionally pivoting propulsion, capable of not only forward, backward, and pivot turning capabilities, but also sideways movement or more precisely, movement in any direction, and a rotational movement as may be required by the operator.

Abstract: A portable wheelchair including a seat assembly having a seat and a back rest, and a footrest having at least one guiding wheel. The seat assembly and the footrest are selectively secured between a first wheel and a second wheel. The first wheel includes a first tire mounted on a first rim and the second wheel includes a second tire mounted on a second rim, wherein a first cross-brace releasably couples the seat assembly to the first wheel and a second cross-brace releasably couples the seat assembly to the second wheel. The first cross brace includes a first motor and the second cross brace includes a second motor, wherein the first motor and the second motor are respectively coupled to the first wheel and the second wheel to facilitate movement of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A power drive/steer attachment for a wheelchair having a framework supporting a plurality of front and rear wheels and a seat for accommodating an operator, is adapted for use with a motive source and includes a frame for attachment to and detachment from the framework of the wheelchair, a ground engaging mechanism, coupled to an end of a column, for driving the wheelchair by frictionally contacting a ground surface, a mechanism for driving the ground engaging means, and a mechanism, coupled to the second end of the frame, for controlling the driving mechanism and for steering the ground engaging mechanism to thereby steer the wheelchair.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that allows a user to exert a force to control a motive machine. The exerted force is transferred by a force transferring means to force sensors which detect the amount and direction in which the force is exerted. The force sensors convert the applied force into an electrical signal which is used to control the motive features of a machine.

Abstract: The powered tracked vehicle is equipped with photocells (13, 45) which monitor its backward and forward movements and automatically modify their orientation according to whether the vehicle is travelling on the level or negotiating stairs or a slope. The inclinometer (25) that monitors the attitude of the chair is located in a protected inner part of the frame (3) and is connected to the chair itself by means of a hinged parallelogram (57, 59, 103, 105). The inclinometer is mounted on one of the sides of the hinged parallelogram via a pivoting support (61) which, by means of a sheathed cable (66, 65) and a feeler (67), detects whether the vehicle's front runner (70) is raised or lowered and transmits to the chair the advance backward tilt required when beginning to descend a flight of stairs. Other devices are also provided to make the vehicle as safe to operate as possible.

Abstract: A system (200) provides control of speeds and positioning of linear or rotary actuators (14A, 14B, 342A, 342B), and the system (200) may be used to control both speeds and steering of a conveyance (10). A transducer sensitivity control apparatus (202) provides selective control of sensitivity of transducers (28A, 28B) in an X-Y controller (26). The X-Y controller (26) delivers voltages to a steering sensitivity control apparatus (156, 180) that decreases, differences as an inverse and nonlinear function, in the two voltages supplied by the X-Y controller (26), thereby reducing steering sensitivity of the conveyance (10), increasing controllability in turns by decreasing sensitivity of joystick (34) movement, and/or automatically slowing the conveyance (10) when making sharp turns.

Abstract: A stander has a collapsible supporting base including a generally U-shaped frame with a horizontal bar that forms its middle section, and a T-shaped frame having a central extremity which is secured to the bar of the U-shaped frame, the two legs of each frame being adapted to rest upon a flat supporting surface and the two frames being foldably secured together and normally separated by about ninety degrees; and an elongated center post assembly for supporting the body of a person in essentially parallel relation, the center post assembly having a head support end and a foot support end, and having a mid-point pivotally secured to the horizontal bar; and adjustable piston means extending beneath the bar and coupling the T-shaped frame to the center post assembly so that the center post assembly may be rotated by more than ninety degrees between an essentially vertical orientation in which its foot support end is lowermost, and an inclined position in which the elevation of its foot support end is higher than

Abstract: A wheelchair basically designed for mobility impaired children ages 2-6. The wheelchair is especially designed to facilitate the child's access to all objects and activities that would normally be available to a non-disabled child. The chair includes a power base, including large front drive wheels and small rear casters, and a seat that is positioned directly over the drive wheels and that is readily detachable from the base. All components of the wheelchair are positioned inboard of the side edges of the seat and inboard of the front edge of the seat so as to maximize access to areas alongside of and in front of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A vehicle which goes up and down stairs includes a vehicle body (101), front and rear wheels (102) and (103) provided at the front and rear of the vehicle body (101), respectively, front and rear auxiliary wheels (105) and (107) for lifting up or down the front and rear wheels (102) and (103) by one step of stairs, respectively, a driving unit for driving each wheel, a pivoting unit for pivoting the front and rear auxiliary wheels (105) and (107), sensors (121) to (124) for detecting a riser portion of stairs, and a control unit (120) for controlling the driving unit and the rotating unit in accordance with results of the sensors (121) to (124). Since the vehicle goes up and down stairs by rotation of the auxiliary wheels (105) and (107), a corner portion of the step of stairs is not damaged while the vehicle goes up and down stairs.

Abstract: In order to provide safe and effective surface climbing and descending vehicles, the vehicle includes a base for supporting a platform to be maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. The mechanism automatically raises and lowers the platform as the vehicle is descending or climbing the surface, respectively, in order to maintain the platform in the generally horizontal orientation. With this arrangement, the vehicle further includes a pair of endless belts normally to be maintained in driving engagement with the surface in a manner to conform to the surface during climbing and descending.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame having first and second longitudinal sides connected by a bridge and a seat module carried by the frame. A first power drive assembly is disposed on the frame first longitudinal side. The first power drive assembly includes a first swing arm pivotally secured to the frame, a first motor mounted to the first swing arm and a first wheel operably connected to the first motor. A second power drive assembly is disposed on the frame second longitudinal side. The second power drive assembly includes a second swing arm pivotally secured to the frame, a second motor mounted to the second swing arm and a second wheel operably connected to the second motor. A first resiliently biased anti-tip assembly is secured to both the frame first longitudinal side and the first motor. A second resiliently biased anti-tip assembly is secured to both the frame second longitudinal side and the second motor. A power supply is mounted on the frame for powering the first and second motors.