Support devices including movable leg segments and methods for operating the same
AssigneeToyota Motor North America, Inc.
InventorDouglas A. Moore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support device includes a wheel, a base member, a leg coupled to the wheel and the base member, the leg including an upper leg segment, a lower leg segment positioned below the upper leg segment, a joint positioned between the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, the joint including a cam defining a non-circular perimeter, and an actuator coupled to one of the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, the actuator including an engagement member that is engaged with the non-circular perimeter of the of the cam of the joint, where the actuator selectively moves the engagement member to move the cam and the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment about the joint.
Claims20
A support device comprising:
- a wheel;
- a base member;
- a leg coupled to the wheel and the base member, the leg comprising:
- an upper leg segment;
- a lower leg segment positioned below the upper leg segment;
- a joint positioned between the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment and rotatably coupling the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, the joint comprising a cam defining a non-circular perimeter;
- and
- an actuator coupled to one of the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, the actuator comprising an engagement member that is engaged with the non-circular perimeter of the of the cam of the joint, wherein the actuator selectively moves the engagement member to move the cam and the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment about the joint.
A wheelchair comprising:
- a base member for supporting a person;
- a wheel;
- and
- a leg as coupled to the base member and the wheel, the leg comprising:
- an upper leg segment;
- a lower leg segment positioned below the upper leg segment;
- a joint positioned between the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment and rotatably coupling the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, the joint comprising a cam defining a non-circular perimeter;
- and
- an actuator coupled to one of the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, the actuator comprising an engagement member that is engaged with the non-circular perimeter of the of the cam of the joint, wherein the actuator selectively moves the engagement member to move the cam and the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment about the joint.
A method for moving a leg of a support device, the method comprising:
- moving a wheel of a support device along a surface, wherein the support device comprises an upper leg segment, a lower leg segment positioned below the upper leg segment, the wheel coupled to the lower leg segment, and a joint positioned between the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, wherein the joint comprises a cam defining a non-circular perimeter;
- and
- moving an engagement member engaged with the non-circular perimeter of the cam, thereby moving the lower leg segment with respect to the upper leg segment about the joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.