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US 2016/0101005 A1Published application
Wheelchair reconfiguration methods
OwnerStephen C. Golden, JR.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods are disclosed, according to the present invention, which enable reversible reconfiguration of a wheelchair by a user between a.) an original load-bearing configuration utilizing the conventional caster wheels of the wheelchair, and b.) a modified load-bearing configuration which confers improved functionality to the wheelchair, especially for traversing difficult or uneven terrain.
Claims16
A method for enabling reconfiguration of a wheelchair by a user of said wheelchair,
- the method including:
- instructing the user to perform a cyclic operation sequence to alternate the wheelchair between 1.) an original load-bearing configuration wherein a wheelchair-adapting implement may be freely attached to or removed from the wheelchair, and 2.) a modified load-bearing configuration wherein said wheelchair-adapting implement bears at least a portion of a load carried by the wheelchair, the cyclic operation sequence including:
- a) connecting a wheelchair-adapting implement in a position relative to the wheelchair to operatively interpose the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism between the wheelchair and the wheelchair-adapting implement;
- b) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from an attach/release stage to a pre-deployment stage, including toggling an alternating switch to prepare a movable bearing for moving towards a position of engagement with a bearing surface;
- c) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the pre-deployment stage to a deployment stage, including the user reclining the wheelchair rearward between about three degrees and about six degrees, wherein reclining the wheelchair enables the movable bearing to move into the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- d) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the deployment stage to a pre-release stage, including toggling the alternating switch to prepare the movable bearing for moving away from the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- e) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the pre-release stage to the attach/release stage, including the user reclining the wheelchair rearward and subsequently returning the wheelchair to an upright position, wherein reclining the wheelchair enables the movable bearing to move out of the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- and
- f) disconnecting the wheelchair-adapting implement from the position relative to the wheelchair.
6 more elements
A method for enabling transformation of a wheelchair between an original load-bearing configuration wherein a wheelchair-adapting implement may be freely attached to or removed from the wheelchair, and a modified load-bearing configuration wherein said wheelchair-adapting implement bears at least a portion of a load carried by the wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising a frame, a pair of opposing rear drive wheels, and a pair of opposing pivotable caster wheels;
- said method including:
- equipping the wheelchair for use with a single-jointed load transitioning mechanism adapted to enable the user to perform a cyclic operation sequence to alternate the wheelchair between the original load-bearing configuration and the modified load-bearing configuration, and
- instructing the user to perform the cyclic operation sequence;
- the cyclic operation sequence including the steps of:
- g) connecting a wheelchair-adapting implement in a position relative to the wheelchair to operatively interpose the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism between the wheelchair and the wheelchair-adapting implement;
- h) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from an attach/release stage to a pre-deployment stage, including toggling an alternating switch to prepare a movable bearing for moving towards a position of engagement with a bearing surface;
- i) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the pre-deployment stage to a deployment stage, including the user reclining the wheelchair rearward between about three degrees and about six degrees, wherein reclining the wheelchair enables the movable bearing to move into the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- j) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the deployment stage to a pre-release stage, including toggling the alternating switch to prepare the movable bearing for moving away from the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- k) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the pre-release stage to the attach/release stage, including the user reclining the wheelchair rearward, wherein reclining the wheelchair enables the movable bearing to move out of the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- and
- l) disconnecting the wheelchair-adapting implement from the position relative to the wheelchair.
8 more elements
A method for enabling alternation of a wheelchair system between an original load-bearing mode wherein a wheelchair-adapting implement may be freely attached to or removed from a wheelchair, and a modified load-bearing mode wherein said wheelchair-adapting implement bears at least a portion of a load carried by the wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising a frame, a pair of opposing rear drive wheels, and a pair of opposing pivotable caster wheels, the wheelchair system comprising a single-jointed load transitioning mechanism and a mounting subassembly;
- said method including:
- equipping the wheelchair for using the wheelchair system;
- instructing the user to perform a cyclic operation sequence to enable the user to switchably alternate between the original load-bearing mode and the modified load-bearing mode, the cyclic operation sequence including:
- a) connecting a wheelchair-adapting implement in a position relative to the wheelchair to operatively interpose the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism between the wheelchair and the wheelchair-adapting implement;
- b) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from an attach/release stage to a pre-deployment stage, including toggling an alternating switch to prepare a movable bearing for moving towards a position of engagement with a bearing surface;
- c) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the pre-deployment stage to a deployment stage, including the user reclining the wheelchair rearward between about three degrees and about six degrees, wherein reclining the wheelchair enables the movable bearing to move into the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- d) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the deployment stage to a pre-release stage, including toggling the alternating switch to prepare the movable bearing for moving away from the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- e) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the pre-release stage to the attach/release stage, including the user reclining the wheelchair rearward, wherein reclining the wheelchair enables the movable bearing to move out of the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- and
- f) disconnecting the wheelchair-adapting implement from the position relative to the wheelchair.
7 more elements
A method for enabling a user of a wheelchair equipped with a single-jointed load transitioning mechanism to reconfigure the wheelchair, the method including the user performing a cyclic operation sequence including:
- a) connecting a wheelchair-adapting implement in a position relative to the wheelchair to operatively interpose the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism between the wheelchair and the wheelchair-adapting implement;
- b) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from an attach/release stage to a pre-deployment stage, including toggling an alternating switch to prepare a movable bearing for moving towards a position of engagement with a bearing surface;
- c) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the pre-deployment stage to a deployment stage, including the user reclining the wheelchair rearward between about three degrees and about six degrees, wherein reclining the wheelchair enables the movable bearing to move into the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- d) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the deployment stage to a pre-release stage, including toggling the alternating switch to prepare the movable bearing for moving away from the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- e) transitioning the single-jointed load transitioning mechanism from the pre-release stage to the attach/release stage, including the user reclining the wheelchair rearward, wherein reclining the wheelchair enables the movable bearing to move out of the position of engagement with the bearing surface;
- and
- f) disconnecting the wheelchair-adapting implement from the position relative to the wheelchair.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.