US 6,471,231 B1Granted

Electric brake system for manual wheelchairs

OwnerTodd L. Hargroderinventor

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Abstract

An electrical braking system is shown for a lightweight manual wheelchair. A rechargeable battery source on the wheelchair connects through a switch to a linear actuator for operation of an actuator rod. The actuator rod connects through a pulley to a single braking cable that connects to left and right caliper brakes mounted on the left and right wheels. Moving the center OFF switch a first direction will move the actuator rod, pull the braking cable, and apply both brakes. Moving the center OFF switch a second direction will move the actuator rod the opposite direction which releases the braking cable and hence the brakes. As soon as the switch returns to OFF, the linear actuator maintains the same amount of braking pressure, if any. A limit switch prevents too much braking pressure from being applied and protects the linear actuator.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A lightweight manual wheelchair having an electrical braking system for use by an individual with a disability, said electrical braking system being connectable to an external source of power, said lightweight manual wheelchair comprising:

a lightweight frame;
a seat having a bottom portion and back portion mounted within said frame;
hand operated wheels rotatably mounted on said frame for rotation by said individual;
caliper type brake on each of said hand operated wheels;
braking cable connectable from said caliper type brakes to an electrical actuator mounted on said lightweight frame;
electrical storage device mounted on said lightweight frame for providing power to said electrical actuator;
pulley connecting said braking cable and said electrical actuator to provide substantially equal force on each of said caliper type brakes;
and
switch between said electrical storage device and said electrical actuator for (a) moving said electrical actuator a first direction to apply braking force by said caliper type brakes, (b) moving said electrical actuator a second direction to remove said braking force of said caliper type brakes and, (c) removing said power from said electrical actuator to maintain said braking force of said caliper type brakes when said power is removed.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.