초록 ▼

An improved multi-wheeled vehicle having adjustable wheelbase dimensions. The preferred embodiment is a wheelchair which is adjustable as to length and width "on-the-fly." Contracting the two side frames effects a simultaneous retraction of the forward wheel struts. Thus, the length of the wheelchai

An improved multi-wheeled vehicle having adjustable wheelbase dimensions. The preferred embodiment is a wheelchair which is adjustable as to length and width "on-the-fly." Contracting the two side frames effects a simultaneous retraction of the forward wheel struts. Thus, the length of the wheelchair is reduced at the same time the width is reduced, and vice versa. The linkage between the two side frames is preferably two cross members in an X configuration, one end of each cross member being pivotally affixed to one side frame on one side of the wheelchair, with the respective other end of each cross member being pivotally affixed to a wheel strut on the opposite side of the chair, the two wheel struts each being slidably attached to respective side frame.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A wheeled vehicle comprising:a first frame member having a first frame member forward terminus and a first frame member rearward terminus;a second frame member having a second frame member forward terminus and a second frame member rearward terminus;first primary wheel means rotata

[ We claim:] [1.] A wheeled vehicle comprising:a first frame member having a first frame member forward terminus and a first frame member rearward terminus;a second frame member having a second frame member forward terminus and a second frame member rearward terminus;first primary wheel means rotatably affixed to said first frame member;second primary wheel means rotatably affixed to said second frame member;a first wheel strut movably engaged with said first frame member and extending from said first frame member forward terminus, a first secondary wheel means being rotatably affixed to said first wheel strut, said first and said second primary wheel means and said first secondary wheel means being positioned relative to each other whereby they jointly define a single rolling plane on which said wheel means may roll;a second wheel strut movably engaged with said second frame member and extending from said second frame member forward terminus;adjustable frame connection means for expandably and contractibly connecting said first and second side frame members for enabling said first and second side frame members to reversibly move between a contracted side frame configuration wherein said first and second side frame members are juxtaposed and separated by a first distance and an expanded side frame configuration wherein said first and second side frame members are separated by a second distance, said second distance being greater than said first distance, said adjustable frame connection means having wheel strut extending and retracting means configured for extending said first and second wheel struts from said forward first and second side frame termini when said first and second side frame members are moved from said contracted side frame configuration toward said expanded side frame configuration and for retracting said first and second wheel struts toward said rearward first and second side frame termini when said first and second side frame members are moved from said expanded side frame configuration toward said contracted side frame configuration, said first and second primary wheel means and said first secondary wheel means remaining substantially positioned for simultaneous rolling on said rolling plane, with said wheeled vehicle remaining in a substantially constant vertical and horizontal orientation relative to said rolling plane, throughout said extending and retracting of said first and second wheel struts.