초록 ▼

A mobile self-propelled chair includes a frame having at its top a pivotally mounted passenger seat and captively mounting for rotation about various possible axes a relatively large sphere, which supports the principal weight of the chair and user. Auxiliary support is provided by casters surroundi

A mobile self-propelled chair includes a frame having at its top a pivotally mounted passenger seat and captively mounting for rotation about various possible axes a relatively large sphere, which supports the principal weight of the chair and user. Auxiliary support is provided by casters surrounding the sphere. The frame has a battery and one or more drive motors for producing rotation of the sphere by drive roller engagement of the sphere surface. Posturally-effected movement of the seat actuates switches to provide power to the motor. Various arrangements allow orienting the axis of rotation of the sphere to cause turning the chair. Thus, both translation and turning movement of the chair is posturally controlled by the user.

대표청구항 ▼

A compact mobile self-propelled chair including a frame carrying a passenger seat and a prime mover and characterized by a spherical body for carrying at least in part the weight of said chair and passenger and providing frictional rolling engagement with a support surface, means for captively mount

A compact mobile self-propelled chair including a frame carrying a passenger seat and a prime mover and characterized by a spherical body for carrying at least in part the weight of said chair and passenger and providing frictional rolling engagement with a support surface, means for captively mounting said spherical body for rotation relative to said frame about a plurality of axial orientations, drive means for interconnecting said spherical body and said prime mover for driving rotation of said spherical body, and control means responsive to postural shifting by said passenger for controlling the axial orientation during rotation of said spherical body for thereby determining the direction of movement of said chair, said spherical body being substantially centered beneath the combined weight of said chair and passenger for primarily carrying said combined weight, and auxiliary support means providing rolling engagement with said support surface around said spherical body for providing stablizing auxiliary support of said combined weight, said prime mover comprising a first electric motor and first switch means operatively associated with said seat for selectively controlling the provision of said electric power to said electric motor, said source of power comprising a battery carried by said chair, said first switch means being operative in response to postural shifting by said passenger in a desired direction of translational movement to supply electric power from said battery to said motor, said control means comprising means carried by said frame for providing selective frictional engagement of said chair with said support surface upon postural shifting by said passenger in a desired direction of turning movement for causing rotation of said spherical body about an axis producing turning of said chair.