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US 12,714,614 B2Granted
Wheelchair drive apparatus and method
OwnerKent A Tabor, Kirk J Noll +1inventors
InventorsKent A Tabor, Kirk J Noll, Denis A Pettee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drive apparatus includes a drive assembly and an engagement assembly. The drive assembly includes a motor and a sprocket operatively coupled to the motor. The sprocket defines an engagement hole. The engagement assembly includes an engagement pin and an engagement control member configured to insert the engagement pin into the engagement hole of the sprocket in a first position and withdraw the engagement pin from the engagement hole of the sprocket in a second position.
Claims20
A drive apparatus, comprising:
- a drive assembly comprising:
- a motor;
- and
- a sprocket operatively coupled to the motor, the sprocket defining an engagement hole;
- and
- an engagement assembly, comprising:
- an engagement pin;
- and
- an engagement control member configured to insert the engagement pin into the engagement hole of the sprocket in a first position and withdraw the engagement pin from the engagement hole of the sprocket in a second position.
6 more elements
A wheelchair, comprising:
- a wheel comprising an axle;
- a frame defining a first axle mount and a second axle mount;
- a drive assembly comprising:
- a first mounting bracket;
- a motor mounted to the first mounting bracket;
- a sprocket operatively coupled to the motor, the sprocket defining an engagement hole;
- an axle guide laterally offset from the first axle mount and the second axle mount;
- and
- a bearing, comprising:
- an outer race engaging the sprocket;
- and
- an inner race engaging the axle guide;
- a second mounting bracket defining a first mounting hole aligned with the first axle mount and a second mounting hole aligned with the second axle mount;
- a first fastener extending from the first mounting bracket through the first axle mount and through the first mounting hole in the second mounting bracket;
- and
- a second fastener extending from the first mounting bracket through the second axle mount and through the second mounting hole in the second mounting bracket;
- an engagement assembly connected to the wheel, the engagement assembly comprising:
- an engagement pin;
- and
- an engagement control member configured to insert the engagement pin into the engagement hole of the sprocket in a first position and withdraw the engagement pin from the engagement hole of the sprocket in a second position;
- and
- an axle connecting the wheel to the second mounting bracket through the axle guide.
19 more elements
A method for mounting a drive apparatus to a wheelchair, comprising:
- providing a drive assembly comprising:
- a first mounting bracket;
- a first fastener extending from the first mounting bracket;
- a motor mounted to the first mounting bracket;
- a sprocket operatively coupled to the motor, the sprocket defining an engagement hole;
- an axle guide;
- and
- a bearing, comprising:
- an outer race engaging the sprocket;
- and
- an inner race engaging the axle guide;
- inserting the first fastener through a first axle mount of a frame of a wheelchair;
- attaching a second mounting bracket defining a first mounting hole aligned with the first axle mount and the first fastener to the first mounting bracket using the first fastener;
- connecting a second fastener extending from the first mounting bracket through a second axle mount in the frame of the wheelchair and through a second mounting hole in the second mounting bracket;
- attaching an engagement assembly to a wheel of the wheelchair, the engagement assembly comprising:
- an engagement pin;
- and
- an engagement control member configured to insert the engagement pin into the engagement hole of the sprocket in a first position and withdraw the engagement pin from the engagement hole of the sprocket in a second position;
- inserting an axle of the wheel through the axle guide;
- and
- securing the axle to the second mounting plate.
18 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.