Obstacle traversing wheelchair
View Patent ↗A wheelchair suspension is provided. The wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a pivot arm, a front caster, a drive assembly, and a rear caster. The pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. Movement of the drive assembly in a first direction causes the pivot arm to substantially remain in a first position. Movement of the drive assembly in a second direction urges the pivot arm away from the first position.
1. A method of traversing an obstacle with a wheelchair comprising:
energizing a drive assembly to cause pivotal movement of a drive assembly relative to a wheelchair frame such that the drive assembly urges a front caster pivot arm to pivot relative to the wheelchair frame upward over the obstacle;
engaging the obstacle with a drive wheel such that the drive assembly pivots with respect to a front caster pivot arm; and
dampening relative movement between the drive assembly and the front caster.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said dampening relative movement between the drive assembly and the front caster comprises dampening relative movement between the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein energizing the drive assembly causes acceleration of the drive assembly.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the pivotal movement of the drive assembly pushes front caster pivot arm upward over the obstacle.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the drive assembly transfers force to the front caster pivot arm at a portion of the front caster pivot arm between the front caster and a pivotal connection of the front caster pivot arm to the frame.
6. A method of traversing an obstacle with a wheelchair comprising:
energizing a drive assembly to cause pivotal movement of a drive assembly relative to a wheelchair frame such that the drive assembly urges a front caster pivot arm to pivot relative to the wheelchair frame and thereby move upward relative to the frame, such that a front caster moves onto the obstacle; and
engaging the obstacle with a drive wheel such that the drive assembly pivots with respect to a front caster pivot arm, while the front caster remains on the obstacle.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising dampening relative movement between the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein energizing the drive assembly causes acceleration of the drive assembly.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the pivotal movement of the drive assembly pushes the front caster pivot arm upward over the obstacle.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the drive assembly transfers force to the front caster pivot arm at a portion of the front caster pivot arm between the front caster and a pivotal connection of the front caster pivot arm to the frame.
11. A method of traversing an obstacle with a wheelchair comprising:
energizing a drive assembly to cause pivotal movement of a drive assembly relative to a wheelchair frame such that the drive assembly urges a front caster pivot arm to pivot relative to the wheelchair frame and thereby move upward relative to the frame, such that a front caster moves onto the obstacle; and
engaging the obstacle with a drive wheel such that the drive assembly pivots with respect to a front caster pivot arm without changing the position of the front caster relative to the obstacle.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising dampening relative movement between the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein energizing the drive assembly causes acceleration of the drive assembly.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the pivotal movement of the drive assembly pushes the front caster pivot arm upward over the obstacle.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the drive assembly transfers force to the front caster pivot arm at a portion of the front caster pivot arm between the front caster and a pivotal connection of the front caster pivot arm to the frame.
16. A method of traversing an obstacle with a wheelchair comprising:
energizing a drive assembly to cause pivotal movement of a drive assembly relative to a wheelchair frame such that the drive assembly urges a front caster pivot arm upward over the obstacle, wherein the drive assembly transfers force to the front caster pivot arm at a portion of the front caster pivot arm between a front caster and a pivotal connection of the front caster pivot arm to the frame;
engaging the obstacle with a drive wheel such that the drive assembly pivots with respect to a front caster pivot arm; and
dampening relative movement between the drive assembly and the front caster.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said dampening relative movement between the drive assembly and the front caster comprises dampening relative movement between the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein energizing the drive assembly causes acceleration of the drive assembly.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the pivotal movement of the drive assembly pushes the front caster pivot arm upward over the obstacle.
20. A method of traversing an obstacle with a wheelchair comprising:
energizing a drive assembly to cause pivotal movement of a drive assembly relative to a wheelchair frame such that the drive assembly urges a front caster pivot arm upward relative to the frame, such that a front caster moves onto the obstacle, wherein the drive assembly transfers force to the front caster pivot arm at a portion of the front caster pivot arm between a front caster and a pivotal connection of the front caster pivot arm to the frame; and
engaging the obstacle with a drive wheel such that the drive assembly pivots with respect to a front caster pivot arm, while the front caster remains on the obstacle.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising dampening relative movement between the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein energizing the drive assembly causes acceleration of the drive assembly.
23. The method of claim 20 wherein the pivotal movement of the drive assembly pushes the front caster pivot arm upward over the obstacle.
24. A method of traversing an obstacle with a wheelchair comprising:
energizing a drive assembly to cause pivotal movement of a drive assembly relative to a wheelchair frame such that the drive assembly urges a front caster pivot arm upward relative to the frame, such that a front caster moves onto the obstacle, wherein the drive assembly transfers force to the front caster pivot arm at a portion of the front caster pivot arm between the front caster and a pivotal connection of the front caster pivot arm to the frame; and
engaging the obstacle with a drive wheel such that the drive assembly pivots with respect to a front caster pivot arm without changing the position of the front caster relative to the obstacle.
25. The method of claim 24 further comprising dampening relative movement between the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein energizing the drive assembly causes acceleration of the drive assembly.
27. The method of claim 24 wherein the pivotal movement of the drive assembly pushes the front caster pivot arm upward over the obstacle.