Abstract An apparatus adapted to carry a wheelchair comprises a frame having side members between which the wheelchair is mounted which frame members carry adjustable support means for raising and lowering the frame means and the wheelchair mounted therein. The adjustable support means of the apparatus comprises four pairs of jacks which are carried on the frame members with the four pairs of jacks being longitudinally spaced relatively to each other and with the jacks of each pair being transversely spaced relative to each other on the side frame members. Drive means are provided for extending and retracting the jacks with control elements regulating the drive means so that the jacks of each pair can be operated in unison to effect the simultaneous extension or retraction of any selected pair of jacks. In addition, means are provided to propel the apparatus horizontally whereby through the extension and/or retraction of selected pairs of jacks and the propulsion of the apparatus in the horizontal direction, the apparatus can ascend or descend a stair flight.
Wheelchair apparatus for ascending and descending stair flights comprising: frame means for supporting a wheelchair, said frame means having side frame members between which a wheelchair can be mounted; adjustable support means for raising and lowering said frame means, said adjustable support means comprising four pairs of jack means carried by said frame means with said four pairs of jack means being longitudinally spaced relative to each other and with the jack means of each pair being transversely spaced relative to each other and carried on said side Frame members; means for actuating the jack means of each pair in unison to effect the simultaneous extension or retraction of a selected pair of jack means when traversing a stair flight; and means for propelling said frame means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
Wheelchair apparatus for ascending and descending stair flights comprising: frame means for supporting a wheelchair, said frame means having side frame members between which a wheelchair can be mounted; adjustable support means for raising and lowering said frame means, said adjustable support means comprising four pairs of jack means carried by said frame means with said four pairs of jack means being longitudinally spaced relative to each other and with the jack means of each pair being transversely spaced relative to each other and carried on said side Frame members; means for actuating the jack means of each pair in unison to effect the simultaneous extension or retraction of a selected pair of jack means when traversing a stair flight; and means for propelling said frame means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
In the wheelchair apparatus of claim 1: said four pairs of jack means comprising two forward pairs of jack means and two rearward pairs of jack means; said forward pair of jack means being longitudinally spaced a selected distance relative to each other so that said forward pair of jack means can rest on the same stair tread; said rearward pair of jack means being longitudinally spaced a selected distance relative to each other so that said rearward pair of jack means can rest on the same stair tread; and said forward and rearward pairs being longitudinally spaced relative to each other a distance greater than either of said selected distances.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
In the wheelchair apparatus of claim 1: said jack means comprising telescoping hydraulic jacks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the wheelchair apparatus of claim 1: said means for propelling said frame means comprising means for driving wheels of two forward pairs of said jack means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the wheelchair apparatus of claim 1: said means for propelling said frame means comprising manual means for driving wheels of two forward pairs of said jack means.