Mechanism and apparatus for wheelchair reconfiguration
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
A61G-005/06
A61G-005/02
A61G-005/10
출원번호
US-0975999
(2015-12-21)
등록번호
US-10130530
(2018-11-20)
발명자
/ 주소
Golden, Jr., Stephen C.
출원인 / 주소
Golden, Jr., Stephen C.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
30
초록▼
Embodiments according to the present invention include a load transitioning mechanism which enables attachment and release of at least one ground-contacting adaptive implement, such as a multi-terrain caster wheel assembly, a motorized wheel, or a ski; embodiments further enable reversible reconfigu
Embodiments according to the present invention include a load transitioning mechanism which enables attachment and release of at least one ground-contacting adaptive implement, such as a multi-terrain caster wheel assembly, a motorized wheel, or a ski; embodiments further enable reversible reconfiguration of the wheelchair by a user between a.) an original load-bearing configuration utilizing the conventional forward caster wheels of the wheelchair, and b.) a modified load-bearing configuration utilizing the ground-contacting adaptive implement.
대표청구항▼
1. A load transitioning mechanism for alternating a wheelchair between an original load-bearing configuration and a modified load-bearing configuration upon toggling of a biasing switch and rearward shifting of a load carried by the wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising a frame having a front portio
1. A load transitioning mechanism for alternating a wheelchair between an original load-bearing configuration and a modified load-bearing configuration upon toggling of a biasing switch and rearward shifting of a load carried by the wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising a frame having a front portion, the wheelchair further comprising a pair of symmetrically-opposing rear wheels and a pair of symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels, the load transitioning mechanism comprising a rotary clutch having a joint axis, the rotary clutch comprising a bearing surface and a movable bearing, the bearing surface unified with a first one of a fixed joint body or a rotatable joint body, the movable bearing pivotably articulating with a second one of the fixed joint body or the rotatable joint body, the load transitioning mechanism adapted for selectable biasing of the movable bearing toward and away from a position of torque transmission between the fixed joint body and the rotatable joint body about the joint axis, the fixed joint body adapted to be immovably affixed to the front portion of the frame of the wheelchair, the movable bearing adapted for movement in an engaging direction to engage with the bearing surface and to establish torque transmission between the fixed joint body and the rotatable joint body about the joint axis of the rotary clutch, the movable bearing further adapted for movement in a disengaging direction to disengage from the bearing surface and to remove torque transmission between the fixed joint body and the rotatable joint body, wherein, while the wheelchair is in the original load-bearing configuration, a forward portion of a load carried by the wheelchair is supported by the pair of symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels and, while the wheelchair is in the modified load-bearing configuration, the forward portion of the load carried by the wheelchair is substantially supported by a ground-contacting implement affixed to the rotatable joint body. 2. The load transitioning mechanism of claim 1, the biasing switch adapted to enable alternation of the load transitioning mechanism between: 1.) a first biasing state, wherein the movable bearing is biased towards movement into a position of load-bearing torque transmission, and 2.) a second biasing state wherein the movable bearing is biased towards movement out of the position of load-bearing torque transmission wherein a net sustaining force applied against the movable bearing urges the movable bearing either into or out of the position of load-bearing torque transmission. 3. The load transitioning mechanism of claim 2, wherein, while the wheelchair is in the modified load-bearing configuration, upon manipulation of the biasing switch, frictional forces maintain the movable bearing in the position of load-bearing torque transmission until the ground-contacting implement is momentarily relieved from supporting the forward portion of the load carried by the wheelchair to engender relative rotation between the rotatable joint body and the fixed joint body to substantially release the movable bearing from the frictional forces acting between the movable bearing and the bearing surface to enable movement of the movable bearing and to effectuate alternation of the load transitioning mechanism between the first biasing state and the second biasing state. 4. The load transitioning mechanism of claim 2, wherein while the wheelchair is in the original load-bearing configuration with the load transitioning mechanism operatively interposed between the ground-contacting implement and the frame of the wheelchair, manipulation of the biasing switch to place load transitioning mechanism in the first biasing state, followed by rearward reclining of the wheelchair results in: Downward rotation of the ground-contacting implement about the joint axis;A position shifting of the symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels to between about one-half inch and about three inches above a ground surface;Load-bearing contact of the ground-contacting implement with the ground surface;Transmission of torque between the fixed joint body and the rotatable joint body about the joint axis by the movable bearing; andSharing of the load carried by the wheelchair among the pair of symmetrically-opposing rear wheels and the ground-contacting implement, with the wheelchair maintained in a reclined position;and wherein, while the ground-contacting implement is engaged with the ground surface and sharing the load carried by the wheelchair with the pair of symmetrically-opposing rear wheels, manipulation of the biasing switch to place the load transitioning mechanism in the second biasing state followed by rearward shifting of the load carried by the wheelchair and subsequent return of the wheelchair to an upright position results in:Upward rotation of the ground-contacting implement about the joint axis;Release from load-bearing contact of the ground-contacting implement from the ground surface;Reengagement of the symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels with the ground surface;Removal of torque transmission between the fixed joint body and the rotatable joint body about the joint axis by the movable bearing; andSharing of the load carried by the wheelchair among the pair of symmetrically-opposing rear wheels and the symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels, with the wheelchair maintained in an upright, unreclined position. 5. The load transitioning mechanism of claim 1, said movable bearing comprising at least one tooth adapted for engagement with at least one groove disposed on the bearing surface. 6. The load transitioning mechanism of claim 1, adapted for attachment and deployment of a caster wheel assembly, said caster wheel assembly comprising a wheel having a substantially greater diameter than either of the symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels of the wheelchair, the wheel of the caster wheel assembly having a rotation axis, said caster wheel assembly further comprising a pivotable portion having a vertical pivot axis, wherein, while the wheelchair is in the modified load-bearing configuration, the wheel of the caster wheel assembly rotates about the rotation axis in concert with movements of the wheelchair, and the pivotable portion of the caster wheel assembly pivots about the vertical pivot axis in response to changes in a direction of the wheelchair. 7. The load transitioning mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a spring adapted for imparting a sustaining force to the movable bearing to enable movement of the movable bearing in the disengaging direction. 8. The load transitioning mechanism of claim 1, further including a rotation-limiting detent to restrict downward rotation of the ground-contacting implement affixed to the rotatable joint body, wherein transitioning of the wheelchair to the modified load-bearing configuration results in the ground-contacting implement assuming a predetermined angular orientation relative to the frame of the wheelchair. 9. The load transitioning mechanism of claim 1, further including a skewer capable of applying force directly against the movable bearing to draw the movable bearing against the bearing surface. 10. An alternatable reconfiguration apparatus for a wheelchair for enabling attachment, positioning, and detachment of an adaptive implement by a user of the wheelchair, said alternatable reconfiguration apparatus capable of alternating the wheelchair between an original load-bearing configuration and a modified load-bearing configuration as a result of toggling of a control switch followed by rearward shifting of a load carried by the wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising a frame having a front portion, the wheelchair further comprising a pair of symmetrically-opposing rear wheels interconnected by a rear axle, the wheelchair further comprising a pair of symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels, apparatus comprising a rotary joint adapted to be operatively interposed between said adaptive implement and said front portion of the frame of the wheelchair, the rotary joint defining a primary axis of rotation about which a rotatable joint body is capable of rotating, the rotary joint having a movable bearing adapted to transmit torque about the primary axis of rotation between a fixed joint body that is immovable relative to the front portion of the frame of the wheelchair and the rotatable joint body, the movable bearing comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the movable bearing adapted to move into and out of a position which enables load-bearing torque transmission between the fixed joint body and the rotatable joint body about the primary axis of rotation to enable alternation between said original load-bearing configuration and said modified load-bearing configuration, the second end of the movable bearing being pivotably connected to one of the fixed joint body or the rotatable joint body,wherein, while the wheelchair is in the original load-bearing configuration, a forward portion of a load carried by the wheelchair is supported by the pair of symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels, and wherein while the wheelchair is in the modified load-bearing configuration, the forward portion of the load carried by the wheelchair is substantially supported by the adaptive implement. 11. The alternatable reconfiguration apparatus of claim 10, said adaptive implement comprising a caster assembly, said caster assembly comprising a wheel having a substantially greater diameter than that of either of the symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels of the wheelchair, said caster assembly comprising a pivotable portion having a vertical pivot axis wherein, while the wheelchair is in the modified load-bearing configuration, the wheel of the caster assembly rotates in concert with movements of the wheelchair, and the pivotable portion of the caster assembly pivots about the vertical pivot axis in response to changes in a direction of the wheelchair enacted by the user. 12. The alternatable reconfiguration apparatus of claim 10 further configured for releasable connection to the frame of the wheelchair. 13. The alternatable reconfiguration apparatus of claim 10 further configured for stowing below a seat of the wheelchair. 14. The alternatable reconfiguration apparatus of claim 10 being capable of simultaneous deployment and disengagement in conjunction with a second alternatable reconfiguration apparatus. 15. A reconfiguration system for a wheelchair for alternating the wheelchair between an original load-bearing configuration and a modified load-bearing configuration, the wheelchair comprising a frame having a front region, the wheelchair further comprising a pair of symmetrically-opposing rear wheels interconnected by a rear axle, the wheelchair further comprising a pair of symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels for supporting a forward portion of a load supported by the frame while the wheelchair is in the original load-bearing configuration, the reconfiguration system comprising: an adaptive implement for contacting a ground surface and for supporting the forward portion of the load supported by the frame while the wheelchair is in the modified load-bearing configuration; anda load transitioning mechanism adapted to be operatively interposed between the adaptive implement and the frame of the wheelchair to define a substantially horizontal axis of rotation in proximity to the front region of the frame of the wheelchair, the load transitioning mechanism further adapted to enable a user to switchably prepare the wheelchair for alternating between the original load-bearing configuration and the modified load-bearing configuration, the load transitioning mechanism further adapted to switchably bias a movable bearing towards and away from a position of load-bearing torque transmission between a fixed joint body and a rotatable joint body about the substantially horizontal axis of rotation, the movable bearing capable of pivoting about a bearing rotation axis defined by pivotable connection of a first end of the movable bearing to one of the fixed joint body or the rotatable joint body,wherein the reconfiguration system enables both load-bearing deployment of the adaptive implement and disengagement of the adaptive implement from load-bearing as a result of toggling of the load transitioning mechanism and rearward shifting of a load carried by the wheelchair. 16. The reconfiguration system of claim 15, said adaptive implement comprising a caster assembly comprising a wheel having a diameter that is substantially greater than the diameter of either of the symmetrically-opposing front caster wheels of the wheelchair, said caster assembly further comprising a pivotable portion having a vertical pivot axis wherein, while the wheelchair is in the modified load-bearing configuration, the wheel of the caster assembly rotates in concert with movements of the frame, and the pivotable portion of the caster assembly pivots about the vertical pivot axis in response to changes in a direction of the frame enacted by the user. 17. The reconfiguration system of claim 15 further configured for stowing of the adaptive implement below a seat of the wheelchair. 18. The reconfiguration system of claim 15 being capable of simultaneous deployment and disengagement of a pair of adaptive implements connected to symmetrically-opposing portions of the front region of the frame of the wheelchair.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (30)
Dougherty, Patrick S., All terrain adapter for a wheelchair.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.