Wheelchair
OwnerRobert Michael Fowlesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wheelchair is disclosed that comprises a drive system that includes typically two input members carried for oscillatory movement on a frame of the wheelchair. A transmission is system disposed to mechanically interconnect each input member to a respective main ground-engaging wheel of the wheelchair. The transmission system is configured such that oscillatory movement of the input member causes rotational movement of the wheel, thereby enabling a user of the wheelchair to propel it by applying effort to the input member. Independent movement of the two input members can be used to effect steering control of the wheelchair. The wheelchair preferably also has a braking system to resist movement of the main wheels.
Claims38
A drive system for a wheelchair that includes an input member arranged for oscillatory movement, and a transmission system configured to convert oscillatory movement of the input member to rotational movement of an output member, wherein the output member of the transmission system is arranged to engage with one of a ground-engaging wheel and an intermediate component connected to the ground-engaging wheel such that, in use, oscillatory movement of the input member causes rotational movement of the wheel, thereby enabling a user of the wheelchair to propel it by applying effort to the input member, wherein the input member is mounted for sliding oscillatory movement along a substantially rectilinear path.
A drive system for a wheelchair that includes an input member arranged for oscillatory movement, and a transmission system configured to convert oscillatory movement of the input member to rotational movement of an output member, wherein the output member of the transmission system is arranged to engage with one of a ground-engaging wheel and an intermediate component connected to the ground-engaging wheel such that, in use, oscillatory movement of the input member causes rotational movement of the wheel, thereby enabling a user of the wheelchair to propel it by applying effort to the input member, wherein the transmission system includes a first drive gear that is caused to be driven by movement of the input member, a wheel gear that meshes with the first drive gear and, in use, causes the ground engaging wheel to rotate, and wherein the first dive gear is connected to the input member by a flexible connecting element.
A drive system for a wheelchair that includes an input member arranged for oscillatory movement, and a transmission system configured to convert oscillatory movement of the input member to rotational movement of an output member, wherein the output member of the transmission system is arranged to engage with one of a ground-engaging wheel and an intermediate component connected to the ground-engaging wheel such that, in use, oscillatory movement of the input member causes rotational movement of the wheel, thereby enabling a user of the wheelchair to propel it by applying effort to the input member, and further includes a brake system that is incorporated into a housing in common with the transmission system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.