Unilateral transition means for adapting a wheelchair
OwnerStephen C. Golden, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A transition means for adapting a wheelchair is disclosed wherein a user or an occupant of the wheelchair is enabled to repeatably alternate the wheelchair between an original mode and an adapted mode by engaging and disengaging a unilaterally-connected adaptive implement.
Claims20
A load transitioning apparatus capable of alternating a wheelchair between a first load-bearing configuration and a second load-bearing configuration, the wheelchair comprising a pair of rear drive wheels, a pair of forward caster wheels, and a frame, the load transitioning apparatus being operatively interposed between the frame of the wheelchair and a ground-contacting adaptive implement, the load transitioning apparatus comprising:
- a) an arcuate bearing surface;
- b) a moveable bearing capable of releasably engaging in load-bearing contact with the arcuate bearing surface;
- c) a first spring capable of urging of the moveable bearing out of load-bearing engagement with the arcuate bearing surface;
- d) a biasing mechanism capable of switching between a first state and a second state, the first state corresponding to a relaxed form of the first spring to prepare the load transitioning apparatus to transition from the first load-bearing configuration to the second load-bearing configuration, the relaxed form of the first spring permitting movement of the moveable bearing toward engagement with the arcuate bearing surface, the second state corresponding to a deflected form of the first spring to prepare the load transitioning apparatus to transition from the second load-bearing configuration to the first load-bearing configuration, the deflected form of the first spring urging the moveable bearing away from engagement with the arcuate bearing surface;
- wherein, while the wheelchair is in the first load-bearing configuration the moveable bearing is maintained out of engagement with the arcuate bearing surface, with the pair of rear drive wheels and the pair of forward caster wheels of the wheelchair fully bearing a forward portion of a load supported by the wheelchair and, while the wheelchair is in the second load-bearing configuration the moveable bearing is maintained in load-bearing engagement with the arcuate bearing surface with the load transitioning apparatus transmitting the forward portion of the load supported by the wheelchair to the ground-contacting adaptive implement.
A load transitioning apparatus capable of alternating a wheelchair between a first load-bearing configuration having a pair of forward caster wheels disposed on the wheelchair supporting a forward portion of a load carried by the wheelchair, and a second load-bearing configuration having a ground-contacting adaptive implement supporting the forward portion of the load carried by the wheelchair, the load transitioning apparatus comprising:
- I. a fixed member and a rotatable member, the fixed member capable of securing to a lateral frame portion of the wheelchair, the rotatable member secured to the ground-contacting adaptive implement, the rotatable member rotatably connected to the fixed member, the rotatable member capable of rotating relative to the fixed member about an axis passing through the load transitioning apparatus;
- II. an arcuate bearing surface and a moveable bearing, the moveable bearing capable of journaling along an arcuate path coaxial to the arcuate bearing surface about the axis upon rotation of the rotatable member relative to the fixed member,
- III. a bistable switching mechanism capable of togging between a first, engaging state and a second, disengaging state to switchably bias a net urging force sustained against the moveable bearing in an engaging direction to enable load-bearing engagement with the arcuate bearing surface, and to switchably bias the net urging force sustained against the moveable bearing in a disengaging direction to enable load-bearing disengagement from the arcuate bearing surface;
- wherein, while the wheelchair is in the first load-bearing configuration with the bistable switching mechanism in the first, engaging state, reclining of the wheelchair imparts movement of the moveable bearing along the arcuate path and permits movement of the moveable bearing into a predetermined position of load-bearing engagement with the arcuate bearing surface to relieve the pair of forward caster wheels from the forward portion of the load carried by the wheelchair, and
- while the wheelchair is in the second load-bearing configuration with the bistable switching mechanism in the first, engaging state, the moveable bearing remains in the predetermined position of load-bearing engagement with the arcuate bearing surface, and the load transitioning apparatus transmits the forward portion of the load carried by the wheelchair to the ground-contacting adaptive implement, with the ground-contacting adaptive implement being maintained in a predetermined deployed position, and
- while the wheelchair is in the second load-bearing configuration with the bistable switching mechanism in the second, disengaging state, reclining of the wheelchair effectuates movement of the moveable bearing out of the predetermined position of load-bearing engagement with the arcuate bearing surface and imparts movement of the moveable bearing along the arcuate path to relieve the ground-contacting adaptive implement from supporting the forward portion of the load carried by the wheelchair and to transmit the forward portion of the load to the forward caster wheels, and
- while the wheelchair is in the first load-bearing configuration with the bistable switching mechanism in the second, disengaging state, the rotatable member of the load transitioning apparatus is capable of being freely rotated relative to the fixed member of the load transitioning apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.