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US 5,709,154 AGranted
Monorail access system for making a boat handicapped accesible
OwnerFred R. Schottinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A monorail access system for making a boat handicapped accessible. More specifically, a battery powered chair assembly is suspended from an overhead monorail track system, whereby by activating a control mechanism an individual may maneuver anywhere in the boat where the track is installed. Once an individual is seated in the chair assembly, the monorail system allows the individual to travel to the cabins, flying bridge, downstairs to the galley, outside to the rear deck for sunbathing or fishing or over the side to a dock.
Claims15
A monorail access system for conveying an individual, comprising:
- an elongate overhead track, having a bottom portion and a top portion, said top portion being joined to an overhead support, wherein said overhead track has a channel defined therethrough;
- an engagement surface provided at the bottom portion of said elongate overhead track,
- a drive assembly housing;
- a drive assembly, said drive assembly comprising a motor, a drive shaft extending from and driven by said motor and a gear mechanism which is secured to and rotatable with said drive shaft, wherein said gear mechanism engages said engagement surface, thereby propelling the drive assembly forward or in reverse;
- a power source located within said drive assembly housing, wherein said power source powers said drive assembly;
- a pair of weight bearing wheels disposed within said channel, wherein said wheels are uniaxially movable, said wheels being connected to said top surface of said drive assembly housing;
- a chair assembly pivotally coupled to and suspended from said drive assembly housing;
- and
- a control means, for controlling movement of the drive assembly.
6 more elements
A monorail access system for conveying an individual, comprising:
- an elongate overhead track, having a bottom portion and a top portion, said top portion being joined to an overhead support, wherein said overhead track has a channel defined therethrough;
- an elongate engagement surface provided at the bottom portion of said elongate overhead track,
- a drive assembly housing;
- a drive assembly, said drive assembly comprising a motor, a drive shaft extending from and driven by said motor and a gear mechanism which is secured to and rotatable with said drive shaft, wherein said gear mechanism engages said engagement surface, thereby propelling the drive assembly forward or in reverse;
- a power source located within said drive assembly housing, wherein said power source powers said drive assembly;
- a pair of weight bearing wheels disposed within said channel, wherein said wheels are uniaxially movable, said wheels being connected to said top surface of said drive assembly housing;
- a chair assembly, having a top portion, center column and bottom platform, pivotally coupled to and moveable with said drive assembly housing;
- a chair assembly connector having a first end and a second end, wherein a pivot is formed at said first end for pivotally and romovably mounting said chair assembly to said drive assembly housing, said second end being joined to the top portion of said chair assembly;
- an axially rotating joint positioned between said chair assembly connector and said chair assembly;
- and
- a control means for controlling movement of the drive assembly.
8 more elements
A method for conveying an individual in a monorail access system, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a monorail access system, said monorail access system comprising:
- an elongate overhead track, having a bottom portion and a top portion, said top portion being joined to an overhead support, wherein said overhead track has a channel defined therethrough;
- an elongate engagement surface provided at the bottom portion of said elongate overhead track,
- a drive assembly housing;
- a drive assembly, said drive assembly comprising a motor, a drive shaft extending from and driven by said motor and a gear mechanism which is secured to and rotatable with said drive shaft, wherein said gear mechanism engages said engagement surface, thereby propelling the drive assembly forward or in reverse;
- a power source located within said drive assembly housing, wherein said power source powers said drive assembly;
- a pair of weight bearing wheels disposed within said channel, wherein said wheels are uniaxially movable, said wheels being connected to said drive assembly housing;
- a chair assembly pivotally coupled to and suspended from said drive assembly housing;
- and
- a control mechanism to control the movement of the drive assembly,
- (b) seating an individual on said chair assembly,
- (c) energizing said drive assembly by means of said control mechanism,
- (d) conveying the individual seated on said chair assembly, said chair assembly being moveable with said drive assembly housing, to any local in which said overhead track is installed.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.