IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,219,755
Granted Patent B2
US 7,219,755 · App. 11/145,477 · Granted May 22, 2007

Obstacle traversing wheelchair

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,219,755
App. No.
11/145,477
Granted
May 22, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention provides a curb-climbing wheelchair having pivotal arm assemblies. The pivotal arm assemblies include at least one front caster and have the ability to rotate or pivot. The pivot arms rotate or pivot in response to moments generated by accelerating or decelerating the wheelchair thereby raising or lowering the front caster(s) through the rotational movement of the pivot arms. By raising or lowering the front caster(s) in such a manner, curb-like obstacles can be traversed in a low-impact manner.

Claims (118)

1. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles, comprising:

(a) a frame:

(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising

(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and

(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for normally contacting a supporting surface of the wheelchair;

(c) a drive assembly coupled to a third portion of said at least one pivot arm;

(d) a rear caster coupled to said frame;

wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly thereby urging said at least one front caster from said supporting surface to assist said wheelchair in traversing said obstacles; and

wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly to raise said at least one front caster between one and six inches from said supporting surface.

2. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly to raise said at least one front caster between one and four inches from said supporting surface.

3. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles, comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising

(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and

(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for normally contacting a supporting surface of the wheelchair;

(c) a drive assembly coupled to a third portion of said at least one pivot arm;

(d) a rear caster coupled to said frame;

wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly thereby urging said at least one front caster from said supporting surface to assist said wheelchair in traversing said obstacles;

wherein the drive assembly comprises a motor and the wheelchair further comprises a spring that biases the motor in a first direction with respect to said supporting surface; and

wherein the wheelchair further comprises a second spring interposed between the drive assembly and the pivot arm.

4. The wheelchair of claim 3 wherein the second spring biases the motor away from the pivot arm.

5. A wheelchair comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising:

(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and

(ii) a second portion having at least one front castor attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of said wheelchair;

(c) a drive assembly coupled to said at least one pivot arm such that the drive assembly is moveable with respect to the pivot arm;

(d) at least one rear castor coupled to the frame; and

wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly to raise said at least one front caster between one and six inches from said supporting surface.

6. The wheelchair of claim 5 wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly to raise said at least one front caster between one and four inches from said supporting surface.

7. A wheelchair comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising:

(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and

(ii) a second portion having at least one front castor attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of said wheelchair;

(c) a drive assembly coupled to said at least one pivot arm such that the drive assembly is moveable with respect to the pivot arm;

(d) at least one rear castor coupled to the frame; and

wherein the drive assembly comprises a motor and the wheelchair further comprises a spring that biases the motor in a first direction with respect to said supporting surface.

8. The wheelchair of claim 7 further comprising a second spring interposed between the drive assembly and the pivot arm.

9. The wheelchair of claim 8 wherein the second spring biases the motor away from the pivot arm.

10. A wheelchair comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising:

(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and

(ii) a second portion having at least one front castor attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of said wheelchair;

(c) a drive assembly coupled to said at least one pivot arm such that the drive assembly is able to rotate with respect to the pivot arm;

(d) at least one rear castor coupled to the frame; and

wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly to raise said at least one front caster between one and six inches from said supporting surface.

11. The wheelchair of claim 10 wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly to raise said at least one front caster between one and four inches from said supporting surface.

12. A wheelchair comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising:

(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and

(ii) a second portion having at least one front castor attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of said wheelchair;

(c) a drive assembly coupled to said at least one pivot arm such that the drive assembly is able to rotate with respect to the pivot arm;

(d) at least one rear castor coupled to the frame: and

wherein the drive assembly comprises a motor and the wheelchair further comprises a spring that biases the motor in a first direction with respect to said supporting surface.

13. The wheelchair of claim 12 further comprising a second spring interposed between the drive assembly and the pivot arm.

14. The wheelchair of claim 13 wherein the second spring biases the motor away from the pivot arm.

15. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising

(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and

(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of said wheelchair;

(c) a drive assembly coupled to a third portion of said at least one pivot arm such that the drive assembly is moveable with respect to the pivot arm, said third portion comprising a position between said first and second portions;

(d) at least one rear caster coupled to the frame; and

wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly to raise said at least one front caster between one and six inches from said supporting surface.

16. The wheelchair of claim 15 wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly to raise said at least one front caster between one and four inches from said supporting surface.

17. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising

(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and

(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of said wheelchair;

(c) a drive assembly coupled to a third portion of said at least one pivot arm such that the drive assembly is moveable with respect to the pivot arm, said third portion comprising a position between said first and second portions;

(d) at least one rear caster coupled to the frame; and

wherein the drive assembly comprises a motor and the wheelchair further comprises a spring that biases the motor in a first direction with respect to said supporting surface.

18. The wheelchair of claim 17 further comprising a second spring interposed between the drive assembly and the pivot arm.

19. The wheelchair of claim 18 wherein the second spring biases the motor away from the pivot arm.

20. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising

(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and

(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of said wheelchair;

(c) a drive assembly coupled to a third portion of said at least one pivot arm such that the drive assembly is able to rotate with respect to the pivot arm, said third portion comprising a position between said first and second portions;

(d) at least one rear caster coupled to the frame; and

wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly to raise said at least one front caster between one and six inches from said supporting surface.

21. The wheelchair of claim 20 wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly to raise said at least one front caster between one and four inches from said supporting surface.

22. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising

(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and

(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of said wheelchair;

(c) a drive assembly coupled to a third portion of said at least one pivot arm such that the drive assembly is able to rotate with respect to the pivot arm, said third portion comprising a position between said first and second portions;

(d) at least one rear caster coupled to the frame; and

wherein the drive assembly comprises a motor and a gearbox and the wheelchair further comprises a spring that biases the motor in a first direction with respect to said supporting surface.

23. The wheelchair of claim 22 further comprising a second spring interposed between the drive assembly and the pivot arm.

24. The wheelchair of claim 23 wherein the second spring biases the motor away from the pivot arm.

25. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles, comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising

(i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame;

(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for normally contacting a supporting surface of the wheelchair; and

(iii) a third portion disposed between the first and second portions;

(c) a drive assembly coupled to said third portion of said at least one pivot arm such that the drive assembly is able to rotate with respect to the pivot arm;

(d) a spring coupled to the frame and the drive assembly such that the spring biases the drive assembly in a first direction with respect to the supporting surface;

(d) a rear caster coupled to said frame; and

wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly thereby raising said at least one front caster between one and six inches from said supporting surface to assist said wheelchair in traversing said obstacles.

26. The wheelchair of claim 25 further comprising a second spring interposed between the drive assembly and the pivot arm.

27. The wheelchair of claim 26 wherein the second spring biases the motor away from the pivot arm.

28. A wheelchair comprising:

a frame;

a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame:

a front caster coupled to the pivot arm:

a drive assembly:

a rear caster coupled to the frame; and

wherein the pivot arm and the drive assembly are coupled such that movement of the drive assembly in a first direction causes movement of the drive assembly with respect to the pivot arm;

wherein movement of the drive assembly in a second direction causes the pivot arm to move upward; and

wherein the relative movement between the drive assembly and the pivot arm is dampened by a spring.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2023
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; ADAPTIVE SWITCH LABORATORIES, INC.; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; MEDBLOC, INC.; INVACARE CREDIT CORPORATION; INVACARE HOLDINGS, LLC; INVAMEX HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 063695/0106 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2023
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: ADAPTIVE SWITCH LABORATORIES, INC.; INVACARE CORPORATION; THE AFTERMARKET GROUP, INC.; ALTIMATE MEDICAL, INC.; CENTRALIZED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LLC; CHAMPION MANUFACTURING INC.; FAMILY MEDICAL SUPPLY LLC; THE HELIXX GROUP, INC.; INVACARE CANADIAN HOLDINGS, INC.; INVACARE CANADIAN HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE CONTINUING CARE, INC.; INVACARE CREDIT CORPORATION; INVACARE FLORIDA CORPORATION; INVACARE HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; INVACARE SUPPLY GROUP, INC.; INVAMEX HOLDINGS LLC; KUSCHALL, INC.; ROADRUNNER MOBILITY, INCORPORATED; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; GARDEN CITY MEDICAL INC.; INVACARE FLORIDA HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE HCS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063668/0679 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2023
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; ADAPTIVE SWITCH LABORATORIES, INC.; THE AFTERMARKET GROUP, INC.; ALTIMATE MEDICAL, INC.; CENTRALIZED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LLC; CHAMPION MANUFACTURING INC.; FAMILY MEDICAL SUPPLY LLC; THE HELIXX GROUP, INC.; INVACARE CANADIAN HOLDINGS, INC.; INVACARE CANADIAN HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE CONTINUING CARE, INC.; INVACARE CREDIT CORPORATION; INVACARE FLORIDA CORPORATION; INVACARE HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; INVACARE SUPPLY GROUP, INC.; INVAMEX HOLDINGS LLC; KUSCHALL, INC.; ROADRUNNER MOBILITY, INCORPORATED; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; GARDEN CITY MEDICAL INC.; INVACARE FLORIDA HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE HCS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063662/0430 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2023
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; GARDEN CITY MEDICAL INC.; THE AFTERMARKET GROUP, INC.; DYNAMIC MEDICAL SYSTEMS, LLC; INVACARE CONTINUING CARE, INC.; MEDBLOC, INC.; ADAPTIVE SWITCH LABORATORIES, INC.; CENTRALIZED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LLC; THE HELIXX GROUP, INC.; INVACARE CANADIAN FINANCE, LLC; INVACARE CANDIAN HOLDINGS, INC.; INVACARE CREDIT CORPORATION; INVACARE FLORIDA CORPORATION; INVACARE FLORIDA HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE HOLDINGS, LLC; INVACARE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; INVAMEX HOLDINGS LLC; INVACARE OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT LLC
Reel/Frame 063668/0639 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2023
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: INVACARE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063638/0261 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RELEASE (TRANCHE II NOTES) Recorded May 10, 2023
From: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
Reel/Frame 063601/0183 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RELEASE (DIP PAYOFF) Recorded May 10, 2023
From: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; MOTION CONCEPTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 063594/0272 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RELEASE (TRANCHE I NOTES) Recorded May 10, 2023
From: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
Reel/Frame 063594/0906 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2023
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; ADAPTIVE SWITCH LABORATORIES, INC.; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.; MEDBLOC, INC.; INVACARE CREDIT CORPORATION; INVACARE HOLDINGS, LLC; INVAMEX HOLDINGS, LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 062739/0687 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2023
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; MOTION CONCEPTS L.P.; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
To: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063090/0603 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Aug 9, 2022
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
To: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061131/0814 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TRANCHE I NOTES) Recorded Aug 9, 2022
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
To: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061131/0833 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TRANCHE II NOTES) Recorded Aug 9, 2022
From: INVACARE CORPORATION; FREEDOM DESIGNS, INC.
To: GLAS TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061131/0852 →