US6186252B1 — Foldable midwheel drive power chair

Claim 1

Independent Claim 285 words

A power chair comprising: a. a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions; b. a seat connected to said frame; c. a pair of drive wheels connected to said frame and rotatable about transverse axes below a portion of said seat supporting an occupant's thighs; d. motors for driving respective drive wheels, respective motor/drive wheel combinations being pivotally connected to said frame; e. at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to said frame and located rearward of said drive wheels; f. at least one anti-tip wheel forward of said drive wheels and positioned above ground, said at least one anti-tip wheel connected to said frame for resilient movement relative to said frame upon encountering an obstacle; g. a pair of transversely spaced arms positioned on respective sides of said power chair; and h. means connected to said frame for adjustably positioning said arms at a plurality of heights, the means connected to said frame comprising i. a tongue member fixedly connected to said arm, having a plurality of recesses in the surface thereof; ii. a housing member connected to said frame and having a receptacle of varying depth formed therein, being movable among positions at which various parts of said receptacle having different depths communicate with a selected one of said recesses; and iii. movable means resident in said receptacle and being of a size for receipt of a portion thereof by a recess with which said receptacle is communicating for interfering with movement of said tongue relative to said housing when said movable means is in a relatively shallow portion of said receptacle and freely permitting movement of said tongue when said movable means is in a relatively deep portion of said receptacle.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 285 words

A power chair comprising: a. a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions; b. a seat connected to said frame; c. a pair of drive wheels connected to said frame and rotatable about transverse axes below a portion of said seat supporting an occupant's thighs; d. motors for driving respective drive wheels, respective motor/drive wheel combinations being pivotally connected to said frame; e. at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to said frame and located rearward of said drive wheels; f. at least one anti-tip wheel forward of said drive wheels and positioned above ground, said at least one anti-tip wheel connected to said frame for resilient movement relative to said frame upon encountering an obstacle; g. a pair of transversely spaced arms positioned on respective sides of said power chair; and h. means connected to said frame for adjustably positioning said arms at a plurality of heights, the means connected to said frame comprising i. a tongue member fixedly connected to said arm, having a plurality of recesses in the surface thereof; ii. a housing member connected to said frame and having a receptacle of varying depth formed therein, being movable among positions at which various parts of said receptacle having different depths communicate with a selected one of said recesses; and iii. movable means resident in said receptacle and being of a size for receipt of a portion thereof by a recess with which said receptacle is communicating for interfering with movement of said tongue relative to said housing when said movable means is in a relatively shallow portion of said receptacle and freely permitting movement of said tongue when said movable means is in a relatively deep portion of said receptacle.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

The power chair of claim 1 further comprising spring-strut assemblies for resiliently resisting upward movement of said anti-tip wheels upon encountering an obstacle.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 120 words

The power chair of claim 2 wherein said spring-strut assemblies further comprise: a. a strut connected to said anti-tip wheel and moveable upwardly therewith; b. a spring coiled about said strut; c. means connected to said frame for constraining an upper end of said spring against upward movement while permitting slidable upward passage of said strut therethrough including a shaft portion slidably receiving said strut and fitting within the interior of said spring and a cap portion connecting with an upper portion of said shaft portion, having a curved exterior upper surface facilitating relative rotary motion of said constraining means respecting said frame responsively to an associated anti-tip wheel encountering an obstacle, upwardly displacing said strut and compressing said spring.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

The power chair of claim 1 wherein said frame has a pair of rigid parallel side members connected by a plurality of cross members each comprising a plurality of pivotally connected links.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The power chair of claim 4 wherein said cross members are transverse to said side members and said pivotal connections rotate about longitudinal axes.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

The power chair of claim 1 further comprising arcuate fenders fitting about upper portions of said parallel side members of said frame.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 58 words

The power chair of claim 1 further comprising: a. manually actuable stick means for controlling speed and direction of power chair motion; and b. linkage means supportingly connecting said control stick means to said frame and permitting movement thereof between at least two positions while maintaining a fixed orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of said power chair.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

The power chair of claim 7 wherein said linkage means is a four bar linkage.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

The power chair of claim 8 wherein said four bar linkage defines a parallelogram.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 47 words

The power chair of claim 1 wherein said seat includes a generally horizontal occupant vertical support portion and said power chair further comprises: a. an occupant transfer board pivotally connected to said frame and movable between positions generally parallel and skew respecting said occupant vertical support portion.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 31 words

The power chair of claim 10 wherein said parallel position is co-planar with said occupant vertical support portion and said skew position is generally perpendicular to aid occupant vertical support portion.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 49 words

The power chair of claim 10 further comprising: a. resilient means for biasing said transfer board towards one of said parallel and skew positions; and b. detent means for retaining said transfer board at a selected position intermediate said parallel and skew positions in opposition to said resilient means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 224 words

A power chair comprising: a. a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions; b. a seat connected to said frame; c. a pair of drive wheels connected to said frame and rotatable about transverse axes below a portion of said seat supporting an occupant's thighs; d. motors for driving respective drive wheels, respective motor/drive wheel combinations being pivotally connected to said frame; e. at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to said frame and located rearward of said drive wheels; f. at least one anti-tip wheel forward of said drive wheels and positioned above ground; g. a spring-strut assembly for resiliently resisting upward movement of said anti-tip wheel upon encountering an obstacle, said spring-strut comprising i. a strut connected to said anti-tip wheel and movable upwardly therewith; ii. a spring coiled about said strut; iii. means connected to said frame for constraining an upper end of said spring against upward movement while permitting slidable upward passage of said strut there through including a shaft portion slidably receiving said strut and fitting within the interior of said spring and a cap portion connecting with an upper portion of said shaft portion, having a exterior upper surface facilitating relative rotary motion of said constraining means respecting said frame responsively to an associated anti-tip wheel encountering an obstacle, upwardly displacing said strut and compressing said spring.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 224 words

A power chair comprising: a. a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions; b. a seat connected to said frame; c. a pair of drive wheels connected to said frame and rotatable about transverse axes below a portion of said seat supporting an occupant's thighs; d. motors for driving respective drive wheels, respective motor/drive wheel combinations being pivotally connected to said frame; e. at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to said frame and located rearward of said drive wheels; f. at least one anti-tip wheel forward of said drive wheels and positioned above ground; g. a spring-strut assembly for resiliently resisting upward movement of said anti-tip wheel upon encountering an obstacle, said spring-strut comprising i. a strut connected to said anti-tip wheel and movable upwardly therewith; ii. a spring coiled about said strut; iii. means connected to said frame for constraining an upper end of said spring against upward movement while permitting slidable upward passage of said strut there through including a shaft portion slidably receiving said strut and fitting within the interior of said spring and a cap portion connecting with an upper portion of said shaft portion, having a exterior upper surface facilitating relative rotary motion of said constraining means respecting said frame responsively to an associated anti-tip wheel encountering an obstacle, upwardly displacing said strut and compressing said spring.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 32 words

The power chair of claim 13 wherein said frame has a pair of rigid parallel side members connected by a plurality of cross members each comprising a plurality of pivotally connected links.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

The power chair of claim 14 wherein said cross members are transverse to said side members and said pivotal connections rotate about longitudinal axes.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 22 words

The power chair of claim 13 further comprising arcuate fenders fitting about upper portions of said parallel side members of said frame.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 44 words

The power chair of claim 13 wherein said seat further comprises a pair of transversely spaced arms positioned on respective sides of said and said power chair further comprises means connected to said frame for adjustably positioning said arms at a plurality of heights.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 260 words

A power chair comprising: a. a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions; b. a seat connected to said frame; c. a pair of drive wheels connected to said frame and rotatable about transverse axes below a portion of said seat supporting an occupant's thighs; d. motors for driving respective drive wheels, respective motor/drive wheel combinations being pivotally connected to said frame; e. at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to said frame and located rearward of said drive wheels; f. at least one anti-tip wheel forward of said drive wheels and positioned above ground; g. a pair of transversely spaced arms positioned on respective sides of said power chair; and h. means connected to said frame for adjustably positioning said arms at a plurality of heights, the means comprising i a tongue member fixedly connected to said arm, having a plurality of recesses in the surface thereof; ii. a housing member connected to said frame and having a receptacle of varying depth formed therein, being movable among positions at which various parts of said receptacle having different depths communicate with a selected one of said recesses; and iii. movable means resident in said receptacle and being of a size for receipt of a portion thereof by a recess with which said receptacle is communicating for interfering with movement of said tongue relative to said housing when said movable means is in a relatively shallow portion of said receptacle and freely permitting movement of said tongue when said movable means is in a relatively deep portion of said receptacle.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 260 words

A power chair comprising: a. a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions; b. a seat connected to said frame; c. a pair of drive wheels connected to said frame and rotatable about transverse axes below a portion of said seat supporting an occupant's thighs; d. motors for driving respective drive wheels, respective motor/drive wheel combinations being pivotally connected to said frame; e. at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to said frame and located rearward of said drive wheels; f. at least one anti-tip wheel forward of said drive wheels and positioned above ground; g. a pair of transversely spaced arms positioned on respective sides of said power chair; and h. means connected to said frame for adjustably positioning said arms at a plurality of heights, the means comprising i a tongue member fixedly connected to said arm, having a plurality of recesses in the surface thereof; ii. a housing member connected to said frame and having a receptacle of varying depth formed therein, being movable among positions at which various parts of said receptacle having different depths communicate with a selected one of said recesses; and iii. movable means resident in said receptacle and being of a size for receipt of a portion thereof by a recess with which said receptacle is communicating for interfering with movement of said tongue relative to said housing when said movable means is in a relatively shallow portion of said receptacle and freely permitting movement of said tongue when said movable means is in a relatively deep portion of said receptacle.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 58 words

The power chair of claim 15 further comprising: a. manually actuable stick means for controlling speed and direction of power chair motion; and b. linkage means supportingly connecting said control stick means to said frame and permitting movement thereof between at least two positions while maintaining a fixed orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of said power chair.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 280 words

A power chair comprising: a. a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions; b. a seat connected to said frame; c. a pair of drive wheels connected to said frame and rotatable about transverse axes below a portion of said seat supporting an occupant's thighs; d. motors for driving respective drive wheels, respective motor/drive wheel combinations being pivotally connected to said frame; e. at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to said frame and located rearward of said drive wheels; f. at least one anti-tip wheel forward of said drive wheels and positioned above ground, connected to said frame for movement relative to said frame upon encountering an obstacle; and g. spring-strut assemblies for resiliently resisting upward movement of said anti-tip wheel upon encountering an obstacle, comprising: i. a strut connected to said anti-tip wheel and moveable upwardly therewith; ii. a spring coiled about said strut; iii. means connected to said frame for constraining an upper end of said spring against upward movement while permitting slidable upward passage of said strut therethrough including a shaft portion slidably receiving said strut and fitting within the interior of said spring and a cap portion connecting with an upper portion of said shaft portion, having a curved exterior upper surface facilitating relative rotary motion of said constraining means respecting said frame responsively to an associated anti-tip wheel encountering an obstacle, upwardly displacing said strut and compressing said spring; wherein said frame has a pair of rigid parallel side members connected by a plurality of cross members each comprising a plurality of pivotally connected links; wherein said cross members are transverse to said side members and said pivotal connections rotate about longitudinal axes.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 280 words

A power chair comprising: a. a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions; b. a seat connected to said frame; c. a pair of drive wheels connected to said frame and rotatable about transverse axes below a portion of said seat supporting an occupant's thighs; d. motors for driving respective drive wheels, respective motor/drive wheel combinations being pivotally connected to said frame; e. at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to said frame and located rearward of said drive wheels; f. at least one anti-tip wheel forward of said drive wheels and positioned above ground, connected to said frame for movement relative to said frame upon encountering an obstacle; and g. spring-strut assemblies for resiliently resisting upward movement of said anti-tip wheel upon encountering an obstacle, comprising: i. a strut connected to said anti-tip wheel and moveable upwardly therewith; ii. a spring coiled about said strut; iii. means connected to said frame for constraining an upper end of said spring against upward movement while permitting slidable upward passage of said strut therethrough including a shaft portion slidably receiving said strut and fitting within the interior of said spring and a cap portion connecting with an upper portion of said shaft portion, having a curved exterior upper surface facilitating relative rotary motion of said constraining means respecting said frame responsively to an associated anti-tip wheel encountering an obstacle, upwardly displacing said strut and compressing said spring; wherein said frame has a pair of rigid parallel side members connected by a plurality of cross members each comprising a plurality of pivotally connected links; wherein said cross members are transverse to said side members and said pivotal connections rotate about longitudinal axes.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 217 words

A power wheel chair comprising: a. a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions; b. a seat connected to said frame; c. a pair of drive wheels connected to said frame and rotatable about transverse axes; d. at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to said frame; e. a pair of transversely spaced arms positioned on respective sides of said power wheel chair; and f. means connected to said frame for adjustably positioning said arms at a plurality of heights, the means connected to said frame comprising i. a tongue member fixedly connected to said arm, having a plurality of recesses in the surface thereof; ii. a housing member connected to said frame and having a receptacle of varying depth formed therein, being movable among positions at which various parts of said receptacle having different depths communicate with a selected one of said recesses; and iii. movable means resident in said receptacle and being of a size for receipt of a portion thereof by a recess with which said receptacle is communicating for interfering with movement of said tongue relative to said housing when said movable means is in a relatively shallow portion of said receptacle and freely permitting movement of said tongue when said movable means is in a relatively deep portion of said receptacle.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 217 words

A power wheel chair comprising: a. a frame transversely foldable between operating and transport positions; b. a seat connected to said frame; c. a pair of drive wheels connected to said frame and rotatable about transverse axes; d. at least one ground-engaging idler wheel connected to said frame; e. a pair of transversely spaced arms positioned on respective sides of said power wheel chair; and f. means connected to said frame for adjustably positioning said arms at a plurality of heights, the means connected to said frame comprising i. a tongue member fixedly connected to said arm, having a plurality of recesses in the surface thereof; ii. a housing member connected to said frame and having a receptacle of varying depth formed therein, being movable among positions at which various parts of said receptacle having different depths communicate with a selected one of said recesses; and iii. movable means resident in said receptacle and being of a size for receipt of a portion thereof by a recess with which said receptacle is communicating for interfering with movement of said tongue relative to said housing when said movable means is in a relatively shallow portion of said receptacle and freely permitting movement of said tongue when said movable means is in a relatively deep portion of said receptacle.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 27 words

The power wheel chair according to claim 21 , wherein a motor drives respective drive wheels, the respective motor/drive wheel combinations being pivotally connected to said frame.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 59 words

The power wheel chair according to claim 21 further comprising: manually actuable stick means for controlling speed and direction of power wheel chair motion; and linkage means supportingly connecting said stick means to said frame and permitting movement thereof between at least two positions while maintaining a fixed orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of said power wheel chair.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 15 words

The power chair of claim 23 wherein said linkage means is a four bar linkage.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 14 words

The power chair of claim 24 wherein said four bar linkage defines a parallelogram.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-02-13	2004-08-14	2005-02-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-02-13	2008-08-14	2009-02-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-02-13	2012-08-14	2013-02-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Foldable midwheel drive power chair

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