Front add-on for a wheelchair
A steering system for a wheelchair includes a steering device configured to be engaged by a user, a front wheel operably connected to the steering device, and a frame assembly configured to carry the steering device and the front wheel. The frame assembly is configured to removably engage a mounting member of the wheelchair. A mounting assembly can be coupled to the frame assembly. The mounting assembly is configured to selectively couple to the mounting member of the wheelchair and selectively electrically connect to a motorized drive assembly coupled to the wheelchair.
1 . A steering system for a wheelchair comprising:
a steering device configured to be engaged by a user;
a front wheel operably connected to the steering device; and
a frame assembly configured to carry the steering device and the front wheel,
wherein the frame assembly is configured to removably engage a connection assembly fastened to an axle of the wheelchair,
wherein a motorized drive assembly is configured to removably engage the wheelchair, the motorized drive assembly being positioned rearward of the axle of the wheelchair, the axle defines an axis of rotation of a pair of rear wheels of the wheelchair, and
wherein the connection assembly is configured to electrically connect the motorized drive assembly to the steering device.
2 . The steering system of claim 1 , wherein the motorized drive assembly is configured to removably engage the axle of the wheelchair.
3 . The steering system of claim 2 , wherein in response to the frame assembly being removably engaged with the connection assembly of the wheelchair, the steering device is in operable communication with the motorized drive assembly.
4 . The steering system of claim 2 , wherein the steering device includes a first user actuatable member operably connected to the motorized drive assembly, wherein in response to actuation of the first user actuatable member the motorized drive assembly accelerates the wheelchair.
5 . The steering system of claim 4 , wherein the steering device includes a second user actuatable member operably connected to a brake assembly associated with the front wheel, wherein in response to actuation of the second user actuatable member the brake assembly applies a braking force to the front wheel.
6 . The steering system of claim 1 , wherein in response to rotation of the steering device, the front wheel responsively rotates relative to the frame assembly.
7 . The steering system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a mounting assembly coupled to the frame assembly, the mounting assembly is electrically connected to the steering device, the mounting assembly including a first electrical connector,
wherein the connection assembly included a second electrical connector,
wherein the mounting assembly is configured to removably fasten to the connection assembly,
wherein the motorized drive assembly is configured to electrically connect to the connection assembly, and
wherein in response to the mounting assembly removably fastening to the connection assembly, the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are configured to operably connect to electrically connect the motorized drive assembly to the steering device.
8 . The steering system of claim 7 , wherein the mounting assembly includes a first portion of a latch assembly, and the connection assembly includes a second portion of the latch assembly, wherein the first portion of the latch assembly is configured to engage the second portion of the latch assembly to removably fasten the mounting assembly to the connection assembly.
9 . A method of selectively connecting a steering assembly to a wheelchair comprising:
lifting a first end of a frame assembly, the first end of the frame assembly carrying a mounting assembly, a second end of the frame assembly, opposite the first end, carrying a steering member and a front wheel operably connected to the steering member;
maintaining contact of the front wheel with a surface; and
engaging the mounting assembly with a connection assembly coupled to the wheelchair while a motorized drive assembly is coupled to the wheelchair, the motorized drive assembly positioned rearward of an axis of rotation of a pair of rear wheels of the wheelchair, the connection assembly is electrically connected to the motorized drive assembly, the engaging step includes fastening the mounting assembly to the connection assembly, and connecting a first electrical connector of the mounting assembly with a second electrical connector of the connection assembly electrically connecting the steering assembly to the motorized drive assembly.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein coupling the electrical connector to the motorized drive assembly is by a magnetic connection.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the first electrical connector is electrically connected to a first actuator positioned on the steering member.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the mounting assembly includes a latch, the engaging step further comprising:
engaging the latch with a member carried by the connection assembly.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
actuating a second actuator operably connected to the latch to disengage the latch from the member; and
lowering the first end of the frame assembly.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the second actuator is a lever.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the second actuator is positioned on the steering member.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein lowering the first end of the frame assembly disengages the first electrical connector of the mounting assembly from the second electrical connector of the connection assembly.
17 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the connection assembly is coupled to an axle of the wheelchair.
18 . A steering assembly for a wheelchair comprising:
a steering member;
a front wheel operably connected to the steering member;
a frame assembly configured to carry the steering member and the front wheel at a first end of the frame assembly; and
a mounting assembly coupled to a second end of the frame assembly, opposite the first end, the mounting assembly configured to selectively couple to a rear axle of the wheelchair and selectively electrically connect to a motorized drive assembly removably coupled to the rear axle of the wheelchair
wherein the mounting assembly is configured to electrically connect and selectively couple to a connection assembly fastened to a rear axle of the wheelchair, the connection assembly being electrically connected to the motorized drive assembly, and
wherein in response to the mounting assembly electrically connecting to the connection assembly, the steering member is in electronic communication with the motorized drive assembly.
19 . The steering assembly of claim 18 , the mounting assembly further comprising:
a first connection assembly; and
a second connection assembly,
wherein the first connection assembly is configured to selectively couple to the rear axle of the wheelchair.
20 . The steering assembly of claim 19 , wherein the first connection assembly is a latch assembly configured to selectively engage a member coupled to the rear axle of the wheelchair.
21 . The steering assembly of claim 20 , wherein the steering member includes a first actuator operably connected to the latch assembly, wherein in response to actuation of the first actuator, the latch assembly is configured to disengage with the member coupled to the rear axle of the wheelchair.
22 . The steering assembly of claim 19 , wherein the second connection assembly is an electrical connector configured to selectively connect to the motorized drive assembly.
23 . The steering assembly of claim 22 , wherein the electrical connector includes a magnet to selectively connect to the motorized drive assembly.
24 . The steering assembly of claim 22 , wherein the steering member includes a second actuator operably connected to the electrical connector, wherein in response to actuation of the second actuator while the electrical connector is selectively connected to the motorized drive assembly, the motorized drive assembly accelerates the wheelchair.
25 . The steering assembly of claim 18 , wherein the frame assembly includes a first end opposite a second end, wherein the mounting assembly is positioned at the first end of the frame assembly, and the steering member and the wheel are carried by the frame assembly at the second end of the frame assembly, the motorized drive assembly being rearward of an axis of rotation of the rear axle.
26 . A removable steering system for a wheelchair comprising:
a frame assembly defining a first end opposite a second end;
a wheelchair mounting assembly coupled to the first end of the frame assembly;
a steering assembly including a steering member operably connected to a front wheel, the steering assembly coupled to the second end of the frame assembly; and
an actuation member coupled to the steering assembly, the actuation member operably connected to the wheelchair mounting assembly,
wherein, while the front wheel remains in contact with a surface, the frame assembly is configured to be moved between a first position, where the wheelchair mounting assembly engages a portion of the wheelchair to attach the steering system to the wheelchair, and a second position, where the wheelchair mounting assembly disengages the portion of the wheelchair to detach the steering system from the wheelchair,
wherein a motorized drive assembly is removably mounted to the wheelchair while the frame assembly is moved between the first and second positions, and
wherein actuation of the actuation member disengages the frame assembly from the portion of the wheelchair.
27 . The removable steering system of claim 26 , wherein the portion of the wheelchair is an axle extending between wheels of the wheelchair.
28 . The removable steering system of claim 27 , wherein the wheels of the wheelchair are rear wheels of a manual wheelchair.
29 . The removable steering system of claim 26 , wherein the steering member is a handlebar configured to be engaged by a user.
30 . The removable steering system of claim 26 , wherein the steering member is configured to rotate the front wheel.
31 . The removable steering system of claim 26 , wherein the surface is a surface upon which the wheelchair is configured to traverse.
32 . The removable steering system of claim 26 , wherein the motorized drive assembly is coupled to the portion of the wheelchair.
33 . The removable steering system of claim 32 , wherein in the first position, the frame assembly is in operable communication with the motorized drive assembly, and in the second position, the frame assembly is detached from operable communication with the motorized drive assembly.
34 . The removable steering system of claim 33 , wherein the wheelchair mounting assembly includes an electrical connector configured to electrically connect to the motorized drive assembly in the first position, and electrically disconnect from the motorized drive assembly in the second position.
35 . The removable steering system of claim 34 , wherein the electrical connector includes a magnetic connection to facilitate the connection to the motorized drive assembly.
36 . The removable steering system of claim 26 , wherein the wheelchair mounting assembly includes a latch assembly, wherein in response to actuation of the actuation member, the latch assembly disengages from a member mounted to the portion of the wheelchair.
37 . The removable steering system of claim 26 , wherein moving the frame assembly between the first position and the second position includes pivoting the first end of the frame assembly relative to the front wheel.