Front add-on for a wheelchair
AssigneePermobil AB
InventorsWilliam Alexander Emfinger, Benjamin William Gasser, Benjamin Phillip Hemkens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steering system for a wheelchair includes a steering device configured to be engaged by a user, a front wheel operably connected to the steering device, and a frame assembly configured to carry the steering device and the front wheel. The frame assembly is configured to removably engage a mounting member of the wheelchair. A mounting assembly can be coupled to the frame assembly. The mounting assembly is configured to selectively couple to the mounting member of the wheelchair and selectively electrically connect to a motorized drive assembly coupled to the wheelchair.
Claims38
A steering system for a wheelchair comprising:
- a steering device configured to be engaged by a user;
- a front wheel operably connected to the steering device;
- and
- a frame assembly configured to carry the steering device and the front wheel,
- wherein the frame assembly is configured to removably engage a mounting member fastened to the wheelchair, and
- wherein a motorized drive assembly is configured to removably engage the wheelchair, the motorized drive assembly being positioned rearward of an axis of rotation of a pair of rear wheels of the wheelchair.
A method of selectively connecting a steering assembly to a wheelchair comprising:
- lifting a first end of a frame assembly, the first end of the frame assembly carrying a mounting assembly, a second end of the frame assembly, opposite the first end, carrying a steering member and a front wheel operably connected to the steering member
- maintaining contact of the front wheel with a surface;
- and
- engaging the mounting assembly with a mounting member of the wheelchair while a motorized drive assembly is coupled to the wheelchair, the motorized drive assembly positioned rearward of an axis of rotation of a pair of rear wheels of the wheelchair.
A steering assembly for a wheelchair comprising:
- a steering member;
- a front wheel operably connected to the steering member;
- a frame assembly configured to carry the steering member and the front wheel;
- and
- a mounting assembly coupled to the frame assembly, the mounting assembly configured to selectively couple to a rear axle of the wheelchair and selectively electrically connect to a motorized drive assembly removably coupled to the rear axle of the wheelchair.
A removable steering system for a wheelchair comprising:
- a frame assembly defining a first end opposite a second end;
- a wheelchair mounting assembly coupled to the first end of the frame assembly;
- and
- a steering assembly including a steering member operably connected to a front wheel, the steering assembly coupled to the second end of the frame assembly,
- wherein, while the front wheel remains in contact with a surface, the frame assembly is configured to be moved between a first position, where the wheelchair mounting assembly engages a portion of the wheelchair to attach the steering system to the wheelchair, and a second position, where the wheelchair mounting assembly disengages the portion of the wheelchair to detach the steering system from the wheelchair, and
- wherein a motorized drive assembly is removably mounted to the wheelchair while the frame assembly is moved between the first and second positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.