초록 ▼

A battery powered steerable electric drive unit for detachable connection to a conventional wheelchair having a collapsible wheelchair frame comprises: a support releasably connectable to the wheelchair frame by an adjustable releasably lockable attachment mechanism; a drive assembly pivotably (stee

A battery powered steerable electric drive unit for detachable connection to a conventional wheelchair having a collapsible wheelchair frame comprises: a support releasably connectable to the wheelchair frame by an adjustable releasably lockable attachment mechanism; a drive assembly pivotably (steerably) mounted on the support and including a ground-engaging wheel and a battery powered electric motor for driving the wheel; a solenoid-operated brake engageable with a disc-like surface of a pulley in the drive mechanism for the wheel; a detachable steering column having a handle mounted thereon and pivotably and rotatably mounted on the support; an adjustable steering mechanism mounted on the support and connected between the steering column and the drive assembly to effect steering when the steering column is rotated about its longitudinal axis; and an electric controller comprising an off-forward-reverse switch, a speed control switch and a brake switch mounted on the handle, and further comprising a solid-state electronic control circuit mounted on the support and responsive to operation of the switches to control the motor and the brake.

대표청구항 ▼

In an electric drive unit for a collapsible wheelchair having a pair of laterally spaced apart, laterally movable frame members near the lower part of said wheelchair and a pair of movable cross members pivotally connected together by a pivot pin: support means for disposition between said pair of f

In an electric drive unit for a collapsible wheelchair having a pair of laterally spaced apart, laterally movable frame members near the lower part of said wheelchair and a pair of movable cross members pivotally connected together by a pivot pin: support means for disposition between said pair of frame members and forward of said pivot pin; adjustable connecting means mounted on said support means for releasably connecting said drive unit to said frame member sand to said pivot pin, said adjustable connecting means including connectors disposed on opposite lateral sides of said support means, each one of said connectors having an opening which faces laterally outwardly and being laterally movable into and out of mating engagement with its respective frame member, and means including a lever located between said pair of frame members near the lower part of said wheelchair and operable to effect outward lateral movement of said connectors whereby both connectors are forced into tight locking engagement with their respective frame members; drive means pivotally mounted on said supported means and comprising a reversible electric motor and a wheel driven thereby and an electrically operable brake; steering means mounted on said support means and comprising a rotatable steering column and a steering mechanism connecting said steering column to said drive means; and control means comprising switch means supported on said steering column for controlling the direction and speed of rotation of said motor and operation of said brake.