US 2016/0256337 A1Published application

Wheelchair suspension

AssigneeInvacare Corporation

InventorJames H. Molnar

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Abstract

A wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a pivoting assembly, at least one front caster, and at least one rear caster. The pivoting assembly has a first link pivotally coupled to the frame member, a second link pivotally coupled to the frame member, a drive assembly fixedly connected to a first end of the first link, and a third link pivotally connected to the first link and pivotally connected to the second link. The drive assembly causes downward pivotal movement of the first end of the first link and upward pivotal movement of a second end of the first link. The upward pivotal movement of the second end of the first link causes the second link and the caster assembly to undergo upward movement.

Claims3

Dependent claims

A wheelchair suspension defining a forward direction and a rearward direction of the wheelchair, the suspension comprising:

a frame;
at least one main drive wheel for engaging the ground;
at least one front caster for engaging the ground forward of the main drive wheel;
and
a pivoting assembly mounting the front caster to the frame so that the front caster can move upwardly and rearwardly when encountering an object, the pivoting assembly comprising an upper link and a lower link, the upper link being pivotally mounted to the front caster and to the frame at respective upper pivot axes, the lower link being pivotally mounted to the front caster and to the frame at respective lower pivot axes, the distance between the upper pivot axes being different than the distance between the lower pivot axes.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/159,264Filed 19 May 2016
Priority: 10 Oct 2001
Published: 8 Sep 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A61G 5/063
With obstacle mounting facilities, e.g. for climbing stairs, kerbs or steps: with eccentrically mounted wheels
A61G 5/043
Having a specific drive-type: mid wheel drive
A61G 5/06
Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs: with obstacle mounting facilities, e.g. for…
A61G 5/10
Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs: parts, details or accessories

Family

Application09/974,348Continuation · filed 10 Oct 2001
Application10/762,977Continuation · filed 22 Jan 2004
Application11/429,687Continuation · filed 8 May 2006
Application12/330,554Continuation · filed 9 Dec 2008
Application13/465,268Continuation · filed 7 May 2012
Application14/585,393Division · filed 30 Dec 2014
Application15/159,264Division
Application14/585,393Continuation
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US 2016/0256337 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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