US 11,518,424 B2Granted

Stair-climbing wheeled carrier

OwnerGary M. Kempinventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

The stair-climbing wheeled carrier has a U-shaped frame defined by a pair of elongated parallel handles and a crossbeam extending between the ends of the handles. Each handle has an axle mount depending therefrom having a star wheel or spider wheel mounted thereon. A dual shaft worm drive motor is mounted on the frame, the shafts driving chain drives connected to the wheels. A throttle extends from one of the handles, and controls leaf springs that operate switches for actuating the reversible motor and returning the throttle to neutral when released. A payload is attached to brackets mounted on the handles. The payload may be a seat for a person needing assistance attending/descending stairs, or a basket for carrying packages or other items upstairs. In use, an assistant uses the handles to support the frame while operating the motor to activate the wheels for climbing stairs.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A stair-climbing wheeled carrier, comprising:

a U-shaped frame having a pair of elongated parallel spaced apart handles, each of the handles having a first end and a second end, the frame further having a crossbeam extending between the second ends of the handles;
a pair of multi-spoked wheels, each of the handles having a corresponding one of the multi-spoked wheels rotatably mounted thereon, each of the multi-spoked wheels having:
a central hub;
a plurality of radially spaced spokes extending from the central hub, each of the spokes having a free end opposite the central hub;
and
a freely rotatable ground-engaging wheel mounted on the free end of the spoke;
at least one bracket extending from each of the handles;
a payload support mounted on each of the at least one brackets between the handles;
a prime mover operatively coupled to each of the multi-spoked wheels to power synchronous rotation of the multi-spoked wheels;
wherein the prime mover applies power and torque to rotate the multi-spoked wheels for climbing stairs, the elongated spaced apart handles being adapted for being gripped by an assistant to support the frame while the carrier climbs the stairs;
and
wherein each central hub rotates independently;
synchronization of the rotation of each central hub is provided by the prime mover, and wherein each central hub defines a space between the respective central hubs and the space does not contain a connecting axle connecting the central hubs.

10 more elements

A stair-climbing wheeled carrier, comprising:

a U-shaped frame having a pair of elongated parallel spaced apart handles, each of the handles having a first end and a second end, the frame further having a crossbeam extending between the second ends of the handles;
a pair of multi-spoked wheels, each of the handles having a corresponding one of the multi-spoked wheels rotatably mounted thereon, each of the multi-spoked wheels having:
a central hub;
a plurality of radially spaced spokes extending from the central hub, each of the spokes having a free end opposite the central hub;
and
a freely rotatable ground-engaging wheel mounted on the free end of the spoke;
at least one bracket extending from each of the handles;
a payload support mounted on each of the at least one brackets between the handles;
a prime mover operatively coupled to each of the multi-spoked wheels to power synchronous rotation of the multi-spoked wheels;
wherein the prime mover applies power and torque to rotate the multi-spoked wheels for climbing stairs, the elongated spaced apart handles being adapted for being gripped by an assistance to support the frame while the carrier climbs the stairs;
wherein said prime mover comprises a dual shaft worm gear motor having first and second shafts.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/752,581Filed 24 Jan 2020
Published: US 2021/0229726 A129 Jul 2021
Granted: 6 Dec 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

B62B 5/026
Providing for travelling up or down a flight of stairs: with spiders or adapted wheels
A61G 5/061
With obstacle mounting facilities, e.g. for climbing stairs, kerbs or steps: for climbing stairs
B62B 1/202
Involving parts being collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible: detachable buckets
B62B 5/0033
Propulsion aids: electric motors