Automatic Braking Device and Method

1 . An automatic locking assembly configured to be connected with a manually propelled vehicle, comprising

a. a housing, and

b. an automatic braking mechanism supported within the housing;

c. the housing configured to be connected with a portion of the vehicle to locate the automatic locking assembly in a predetermined position relative to a wheel of the vehicle, such that the automatic locking assembly will lock the wheel against movement when an occupant of the vehicle begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle

2 . A manually propelled vehicle comprising a structural frame with

a. at least one wheel,

b. a seat frame,

c. a seat for a vehicle occupant, and

d. an automatic locking assembly connected with the frame,

e. the automatic locking mechanism comprising

i. a housing, and

ii. an automatic braking mechanism supported within the housing;

iii. the housing connected with a portion of the vehicle frame to locate the automatic locking assembly in a predetermined position relative to a the wheel of the vehicle, such that the automatic locking assembly will lock the wheel against movement when an occupant of the vehicle begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle

3 . The manually propelled vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the automatic locking assembly is configured such that it continues to lock the wheel against movement until the automatic locking assembly is unlocked from the wheel.

4 . The manually propelled vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the manually propelled vehicle includes a seat rail and a chair rail, and wherein the automatic braking mechanism includes a compression plate that moves relative to the chair rail to initiate locking of the wheel against movement when the occupant begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle.

5 . A method for providing a manually propelled vehicle with an automatic locking capability, comprising

a. providing a manually propelled vehicle that comprises a seat connected with a seat frame, and at least one wheel,

b. providing an automatic locking assembly configured to be connected with the manually propelled vehicle, the automatic locking assembly comprising

i. a housing, and

ii. an automatic braking mechanism supported within the housing,

iii. the housing configured to be connected with a portion of the vehicle to locate the automatic locking assembly in a predetermined position relative to a wheel of the vehicle, such that the automatic locking assembly will lock the wheel against movement when an occupant of the vehicle begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle, and

c. connecting the automatic locking assembly with the seat frame at a location and orientation such that the automatic locking assembly will lock the wheel against movement when an occupant of the vehicle begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the manually propelled vehicle includes a seat rail and a chair rail, and wherein the automatic braking mechanism includes a compression plate that moves relative to the chair rail to initiate locking of the wheel against movement when the occupant begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle.

7 . A manually propelled vehicle so designed that has the characteristic of being automatically locked at all times unless it is volitionally unlocked.