112 results about "Manual wheelchair" patented technology

A powered propulsion apparatus that is attachable to and detachable from, a wide range of conventional wheelchairs without modification of the propulsion apparatus or the wheelchairs. The propulsion apparatus converts a conventional manually powered wheelchair into a power driven wheelchair. The apparatus clamps to the front wheels of a conventional wheelchair with a clamping mechanism that is adjustable to accommodate a wide range of wheel-spacings and wheel sizes and accommodates an inexactitude of alignment between the clamps and the wheelchair. The clamping mechanism secures the wheel chair to the propulsion apparatus without damage or stress to the wheelchair components.

The present invention provides a kit for attaching a manually operated wheelchair to a motorized scooter having a seating apparatus and supporting structure and a floor, comprising: (a) a motorized scooter attachment angle iron, wherein the angle iron comprises: (i) a vertical wall; and (ii) a horizontal wall, the horizontal wall forming approximately a right angle to the vertical wall, wherein the horizontal wall has at least two embedded elongated slots; (b) an angle iron attachment adjustable bar, wherein the adjustable bar comprises (i) a left elbow shaped tubular segment having a horizontally oriented bottom end and a vertically oriented top end; (ii) a right elbow shaped tubular segment having a horizontally oriented bottom end and a vertically oriented top end; and (iii) a straight middle tubular segment having a diameter larger than the left segment and the right segment, so as to permit the left segment to insert into a left end of the middle tubular segment and so as to permit the right segment to insert into a right end of the middle tubular segment; and (c) a pair of tubular adapters, wherein each adapter comprises (i) an elbow connecting bottom end, capable of attaching to the vertically oriented top end; and (ii) a concave top end, wherein the concave top end is generally perpendicular to the elbow connecting bottom end and wherein the concave top end is open on top.

The disclosed invention used power-assist wheelchair hubs and an array of sensors to provide obstacle-avoidance features on a wheelchair. In a power-assisted manual wheelchair, the traditional rear wheels are replaced with motorized hubs that magnify the force applied to the rear wheels by the user. The present invention uses sensors to detect obstacles and drop-offs near the wheelchair, and uses the power-assist hubs to alter wheelchair movement in response to these sensor readings.

A power add-on device for powering a manual wheelchair includes a motorized component including dual electric motors and a power source electrically coupled to the electric motors, wherein each of the motors is configured to turn a respective one of a set of drive wheels. The power add-on device includes a latching mechanism adapted to attach the power add-on device to the camber tube of the manual wheelchair; and a controller, reachable by a person sitting in the manual wheelchair, that controls the latching mechanism, the motors, and a swing arm that allows the rear wheels of the manual wheelchair to be lifted off the ground. The front wheels of the manual wheelchair are allowed to be lifted several inches off the ground to avoid obstacles, or can be lifted by the user leaning back. Advantageously, the power add-on device can be detached from the manual wheelchair and loaded into the trunk of a car when travelling or may be checked in as baggage when flying.

Attachments for a manual wheelchair are provided for navigating a wheelchair over obstacles and uneven terrain, such as a typical curb on a street. The attachments provide for regulating the movement of the wheelchair as the wheelchair descends the curb and to prevent the wheelchair from flipping over during such movement. The attachments include a front caster wheel slider assembly on each side of the wheelchair, a follower wheel assembly and a track belt damping bar. The front caster wheel slider assembly includes a piston that will quickly push the front caster wheels down after they roll over the top edge of the curb. The follower wheel assembly acts as a sensor that will release the piston in the assembly after the front caster wheels roll over the top edge of the curb. As the back wheels of the wheelchair roll over and down the curb, the track belt damping bar slows the descent of the wheelchair.

A wheelchair footrest retraction device has been developed to allow wheelchair users to easily retract the footrest and have assistance as they rise from the wheelchair. The device includes a handle that can be rotated by the user from a horizontal to a vertical position where it can then be used to provide support as the user rises from the wheelchair. Rotation of the handle acts to retract the footrest through a series of linkages that transmit force from the handle to the footrest. The device also includes a support post that prevents the wheelchair from tipping forward as the user rises from the wheelchair.

An adjustable coupling device for use with a conventional wheelchair and a conventional vehicle. The wheelchair has a transverse foot support with a length. The vehicle has a support deck with a width. The coupling device is removably secured to the support deck. The coupling device is formed with a rectangular base plate. Upstanding components extending upwardly from the base plate are configured to receive and retain the transverse foot support. The width of the base plate is less than the length of the transverse foot support. The base plate has two spaced holes laterally spaced by a distance greater than the width of the support deck. A mechanism has a central section beneath the support deck and has upstanding ends extendable upwardly through the holes in the base plate. The mechanism is adapted to hold the base plate to the support deck.

A manually powered wheelchair includes a first lever associated with a first rear wheel and demountably coupled to a first drivetrain, the first lever having a first brake thereon. The wheelchair also includes a second lever associated with a second rear wheel and demountably coupled to a second drivetrain, the second lever having a second brake thereon. Each drivetrain includes a chainring, a chain, and a freewheel, and each drivetrain has a fixed gear ratio. The freewheel of each drivetrain is actuated by manual pivoting of the lever associated therewith. In use, the wheelchair achieves changes in mechanical advantage when a user shifts the user's hands up and down the first and second levers.

Described and claimed herein is a manually operable standing wheelchair that is capable of shifting an occupant from a sitting position to a standing position, and of allowing the occupant to move himself or herself in the sitting position, the standing position, or in any position in between. The manually operable standing wheelchair has a lifting mechanism, with a cable, pulley, and ratchet, which the occupant may manually operate to shift from the sitting position to the standing position. The ratchet is manually operable, and the amount of force required for manually operating the ratchet is adjustable. There is also a lever drive system, comprising adjustable lever drive arms with friction pads adapted for allowing the occupant to move in any position. The present invention optionally includes a set of spring loaded anti-tip wheels that deploy when the manual wheelchair begins to shift from the sitting position to the standing position.

The present invention provides a kit for attaching a manually operated wheelchair to a motorized scooter having a seating apparatus and supporting structure and a floor, comprising: (a) a motorized scooter attachment angle iron, wherein the angle iron comprises: (i) a vertical wall; and (ii) a horizontal wall, the horizontal wall forming approximately a right angle to the vertical wall, wherein the horizontal wall has at least two embedded elongated slots; (b) an angle iron attachment adjustable bar, wherein the adjustable bar comprises (i) a left elbow shaped tubular segment having a horizontally oriented bottom end and a vertically oriented top end; (ii) a right elbow shaped tubular segment having a horizontally oriented bottom end and a vertically oriented top end; and (iii) a straight middle tubular segment having a diameter larger than the left segment and the right segment, so as to permit the left segment to insert into a left end of the middle tubular segment and so as to permit the right segment to insert into a right end of the middle tubular segment; and (c) a pair of tubular adapters, wherein each adapter comprises (i) an elbow connecting bottom end, capable of attaching to the vertically oriented top end; and (ii) a concave top end, wherein the concave top end is generally perpendicular to the elbow connecting bottom end and wherein the concave top end is open on top.

This invention provides wheelchair propulsion devices that do not contact the axles of the wheels to which they are attached, that decrease the amount of force required to propel the wheelchair, and that can be easily installed. The devices toggle between sliding with and engaging with the push ring depending on the force applied by the user. This invention provides kits comprising a device of this invention and instructions for assembling the device, instructions for using the device, and / or a device for the opposite side of the wheelchair. This invention provides methods for propelling a wheelchair. This invention provides non-axle-contacting, manual wheelchair propulsion devices for use by a wheelchair rider. The devices contact the push ring of a wheelchair in three or more locations.

A power add-on device for powering a manual wheelchair includes a motorized component including dual electric motors and a power source electrically coupled to the electric motors, wherein each of the motors is configured to turn a respective one of a set of drive wheels. The power add-on device includes a latching mechanism adapted to attach the power add-on device to the camber tube of the manual wheelchair; and a controller, reachable by a person sitting in the manual wheelchair, that controls the latching mechanism, the motors, and a swing arm that allows the rear wheels of the manual wheelchair to be lifted off the ground. The front wheels of the manual wheelchair are allowed to be lifted several inches off the ground to avoid obstacles, or can be lifted by the user leaning back. Advantageously, the power add-on device can be detached from the manual wheelchair and loaded into the trunk of a car when travelling or may be checked in as baggage when flying.