US4364580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wheelchair
Assignee: SCHOOL OF BIOENGINEERING AND BIOPHYSICS UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE Inc BY ROYAL CHARTER
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Filing: 1980-09-25
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Granted: 1982-12-21
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Expires: 2000-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A wheelchair having at least one pivotal wheel which is steerable in a mar which does not interfere with the manual driving of the wheelchair, by providing a pair of levers linked to the pivotal wheel or wheels and actuable by movement of the upper body of a user of the chair, each lever being movable to steer the wheelchair in one respective direction only.
Inventors
- 👤 Nigel G. Shapcott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G5/00; A61G5/10; A61G5/1051
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A wheelchair having a frame, a seat on the frame, road wheels mounted on axles on the frame, two of the road wheels being pivotal independently of one another about axes normal to their respective axes of rotation, and steering mechanisms one for each of the pivotal road wheels and independent of one another, the steering mechanisms arranged to be actuated by movement of the upper body of an occupant of the seat, one of the steering mechanisms having a lever actuatable to pivot its respective pivotal road wheel in one direction only and the other steering mechanism having a lever actuatable to pivot its respective pivotal road wheel in the opposite direction only, the pivotal road wheels being otherwise freely pivotal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A wheelchair having a frame, a seat on the frame, road wheels mounted on axles on the frame, two of the road wheels being pivotal independently of one another about axes normal to their respective axes of rotation, and steering mechanisms one for each of the pivotal road wheels and independent of one another, the steering mechanisms arranged to be actuated by movement of the upper body of an occupant of the seat, one of the steering mechanisms having a lever actuatable to pivot its respective pivotal road wheel in one direction only and the other steering mechanism having a lever actuatable to pivot its respective pivotal road wheel in the opposite direction only, the pivotal road wheels being otherwise freely pivotal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the levers are each pivotal about a generally horizontal axis running fore-and-aft of the chair.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the levers are each in the form of a pad pivotally mounted on the frame and arranged to lie between the chest and a respective arm of an occupant of the seat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the steering mechanism includes a flexible linkage between the lever and the pivotal road wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A wheelchair according to claim 4, wherein the flexible linkage is a Bowden cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein means are provided for selectively disengaging the steering mechanism from the pivotal road wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A wheelchair according to claim 6, wherein said means is a dog clutch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
A wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein one of the levers and its pivotal road wheel are both mounted at the left-hand side of the frame and the lever is actuated by movement to the left to cause its road wheel to pivot to the left, while the other lever and its pivotal road wheel are both mounted at the right-hand side of the frame and the lever is actuated by movement to the right to cause its road wheel to pivot to the right.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-20 | 1986-06-21 | 1986-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-20 | 1990-06-21 | 1990-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-20 | 1994-06-21 | 1994-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |