Wheelchair and suspension systems
AssigneeInvacare Corporation
InventorRobert Bekoscke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of a wheelchair and suspension system are provided. The suspension includes a drive assembly that is pivotably connected to a base frame at multiple locations. In one embodiment, the connection is via intermediary pivoting links or arms. Embodiments of the links or arms including rigid links, resilient links, elastic links, shocks, springs, gas cylinders and lockable gas cylinders (or combinations of the foregoing). The drive assembly can, via the pivot connections, pivot to accommodate and traverse variations and obstacles on ground surfaces.
Claims20
A wheelchair comprising:
- a base frame having an upper pivot connection and a lower pivot connection;
- a drive assembly having first and second pivot connections;
- a plurality of links connecting the drive assembly to the base frame, the plurality of links including:
- a first pivoting link connecting the drive assembly first pivot connection to the base frame upper pivot connection;
- and
- a second pivoting link connecting the drive assembly second pivot connection to the base frame lower pivot connection.
A wheelchair comprising:
- a base frame having an upper pivot connection and a lower pivot connection;
- a drive assembly having first and second pivot connections, the first pivot connection connected to the base frame upper pivot connection;
- and
- a pivot arm connected to the base frame lower pivot connection and the drive assembly second pivot connection.
A wheelchair comprising:
- a base frame having an upper pivot axis and a lower pivot axis;
- a pivot arm connected to the base frame lower pivot axis;
- and
- a drive assembly connected to the base frame upper pivot axis by a link and connected the pivot arm, wherein the drive assembly pivots about the pivot arm connection and pivots about the base frame upper pivot axis via the link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.