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US 12,263,707 B2Granted
Manually propelled floating aquatic wheelchair
OwnerSteven Baird, Michael Bowers +3inventors
InventorsSteven Baird, Michael Bowers, Tara Mensch, Brandon Cook, Halley Havlicek
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Abstract
A human-powered wheelchair for use on land and in water that comprises flotation and propulsion means. The wheelchair can be propelled by the operator on land in a manner similar to a typical wheelchair. The wheelchair can be propelled in the water by propellers that are mechanically and rotationally coupled to the side wheels of the wheelchair.
Claims14
A human-powered land and amphibious vehicle wherein;
- the vehicle comprises a wheelchair wherein the wheelchair is configured for:
- human-powered operation on land through the rotation of a first side wheel and a second side wheel located on a first side and a second side of a seat that is configured for a human occupant;
- entering and exiting a swimming pool by rolling the wheelchair up and down a ramp of the swimming pool;
- the vehicle comprises a first water propulsion unit that harnesses the angular velocity of the first side wheel of the wheelchair through a bevel gear that is fixed to the first side wheel, wherein:
- the bevel gear converts the axis of rotation of the first side wheel to an axis of rotation of a first propeller;
- and
- the axis of rotation of the first propeller is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first side wheel;
- the vehicle comprises a second water propulsion unit that harnesses the angular velocity of the second side wheel of the wheelchair through a bevel gear that is fixed to the second side wheel, wherein:
- the bevel gear converts the axis of rotation of the second side wheel to an axis of rotation of a second propeller;
- and the axis of rotation of the second propeller is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the second side wheel;
- the vehicle is configured for moving forward while in the water by simultaneously rotating the first side wheel and the second side wheel forward to create forward thrust from the first propeller and the second propeller;
- the vehicle is configured for moving backward while in the water by simultaneously rotating the first side wheel and the second side wheel backward to create backward thrust from the first propeller and the second propeller;
- and
- the vehicle is configured for rotating while in the water by simultaneously rotating the first side wheel and the second side wheel in opposite directions to create forward thrust from one propeller and backward thrust from the other propeller.
11 more elements
A human-powered vehicle for use on land and in water, wherein:
- the human-powered vehicle comprises:
- a chair;
- flotation means sufficient for the human-powered vehicle to float when it is in the water;
- a first wheel located on a first side of the chair, wherein the first wheel is configured to:
- be rotated by a human occupant of the chair when the human-powered vehicle is on land or in the water;
- be in contact with the ground when the human-powered vehicle is on land;
- and
- propel the human-powered vehicle in the water when the first wheel is rotated and the vehicle is in the water;
- a second wheel located on a second side of the chair, wherein the second wheel is configured to:
- be rotated by the human occupant when the human-powered vehicle is on land or in the water;
- be in contact with the ground when the human-powered vehicle is on land;
- and
- propel the human-powered vehicle in the water when the first wheel is rotated and the vehicle is in the water;
- propulsion of the human-powered vehicle in water comprises a first propeller;
- the first propeller rotates about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first wheel;
- the first propeller is mechanically coupled to the first wheel by a bevel gear that converts rotation of the first wheel to rotation of the first propeller;
- propulsion of the human-powered vehicle in water comprises a second propeller;
- the second propeller rotates about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first wheel the second propeller is mechanically coupled to the second wheel by a bevel gear that converts rotation of the second wheel to rotation of the second propeller.
15 more elements
A human-powered vehicle for use on land and in water, wherein:
- the human-powered vehicle comprises a first gear train that converts the rotation of a first wheel of the human-powered vehicle into propulsive force in the water;
- the first gear train comprises:
- a first main gear affixed to the first wheel;
- a first pinion gear responsive to the first main gear;
- a first shaft responsive to the first pinion gear;
- a first bevel gear responsive to the first shaft;
- a second bevel gear responsive to the first bevel gear;
- a second shaft responsive to the second bevel gear;
- a first propeller responsive to the second shaft;
- and
- the first shaft is perpendicular to the second shaft.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.