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US 8,272,461 B2Granted
Wheelchair suspension
AssigneeInvacare Corporation
InventorsRobert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are coupled to enhance the vehicle's ability to traverse obstacles.
Claims52
A wheelchair suspension comprising:
- a frame;
- a drive assembly pivot arm pivotally connected to the frame;
- a drive assembly mounted to the drive assembly pivot arm;
- at least one front caster pivot arm pivotally mounted to the frame and coupled to the drive assembly pivot arm;
- a front caster coupled to the at least one front caster pivot arm;
- wherein the drive assembly pivot arm and the at least one front caster pivot arm are disposed in a crossed configuration such that the drive assembly pivot arm intersects the at least one front caster pivot arm when viewed from the side when the wheelchair is in a neutral operating position and wherein torque applied by the drive assembly urges the front caster upward with respect to a support surface.
3 more elements
A wheelchair comprising:
- a frame;
- a seat supported by the frame;
- a pair of suspension assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the frame, each suspension assembly comprising:
- a drive assembly pivot arm pivotally connected to the frame;
- a drive assembly mounted to the drive assembly pivot arm;
- at least one caster pivot arm pivotally mounted to the frame and coupled to the drive assembly pivot arm;
- a front caster coupled to the at least one front caster pivot arm;
- wherein the drive assembly pivot arm such that the drive assembly pivot arm intersects the at least one front caster pivot arm when viewed from the side when the wheelchair is in a neutral operating position and the at least one caster pivot arm are disposed in a crossed configuration and wherein torque applied by the drive assembly urges the front caster upward with respect to a support surface.
5 more elements
A wheelchair suspension comprising:
- a frame;
- a drive assembly pivot arm pivotally connected to the frame;
- a drive assembly mounted to the drive assembly pivot arm;
- at least one front caster pivot arm pivotally mounted to the frame and coupled to the drive assembly pivot arm;
- a front caster coupled to the at least one front caster pivot arm;
- wherein the drive assembly pivot arm and the at least one front caster pivot arm are disposed in a crossed configuration such that the drive assembly pivot arm intersects the at least one front caster pivot arm when viewed from the side when the wheelchair is in a neutral operating position.
3 more elements
A wheelchair comprising:
- a frame;
- a seat supported by the frame;
- a pair of suspension assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the frame, each suspension assembly comprising:
- a drive assembly pivot arm pivotally connected to the frame;
- a drive assembly mounted to the drive assembly pivot arm;
- at least one caster pivot arm pivotally mounted to the frame and coupled to the drive assembly pivot arm;
- a front caster coupled to the at least one front caster pivot arm;
- wherein the drive assembly pivot arm such that the drive assembly pivot arm intersects the at least one front caster pivot arm when viewed from the side when the wheelchair is in a neutral operating position and the at least one caster pivot arm are disposed in a crossed configuration.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.