Motor vehicles – Power – Electric
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-01
2001-09-18
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Power
Electric
C180S065510, C180S329000, C180S907000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290011
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to motor driven wheelchair for disabled persons. More specifically, the invention relates to a motor driven wheelchair that is convertible from a front wheel drive wheelchair into a rear wheel drive wheelchair and vice versa.
One of the options available to physically impaired persons is the powered wheelchair. The powered wheelchair offers increased mobility and convenience to these individuals. Two basic types of powered wheelchairs are the rear wheel drive type and the front wheel drive type. Each of these types of wheelchairs offers certain advantages and disadvantages.
A rear wheel drive wheelchair is typically easier to steer that a front wheel drive wheelchair. In other words, a rear wheel drive wheelchair is much easier to steer in a straight line. Also, it is generally understood that rear wheel drive wheelchairs are safer to operate at higher speeds, as compared to front wheel drive wheelchairs. These attributes make the rear wheel drive wheelchair more suitable for use in outdoor-type settings.
A front wheel drive wheelchair, on the other hand, is typically easier to maneuver in tight surroundings. A front wheel drive wheelchair has a smaller turning radius than a comparable rear wheel drive wheelchair. Thus, a front wheel drive wheelchair is typically preferred for indoor use. Purchasers of powered wheelchairs have heretofore selected, at the time of purchase, a wheelchair having the drive wheels best suited for their needs. This requires a wheelchair purchaser to elect at the time of purchase either a wheelchair that is best used either indoors or outdoors.
To accommodate the desires of different purchasers, the retailer of these wheelchairs will typically stock both front wheel and rear wheel drive wheelchairs. When a customer is shopping, he or she may then be shown a front wheel drive wheelchair and a rear wheel drive wheelchair, and will be allowed to select which of the two wheelchairs “feels” the best and seems best suited to the customer's needs. This practice requires the dealer to stock and display both types of wheelchairs which occupy a large amount of space and which are costly to keep in stock.
A powered wheelchair is therefore needed that is convertible, by the retailer or wheelchair customer, from a front wheel drive wheelchair to a rear wheel drive wheelchair. If the wheelchair is then configured for front wheel drive, and the customer would prefer a rear wheel drive wheelchair, the retailer or wheelchair customer could convert the wheelchair to a rear wheel drive configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a powered wheelchair for disabled persons that can be easily converted from a front wheel drive wheelchair into a rear wheel drive wheelchair.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a powered wheelchair for disabled persons that has an adjustable footplate and that can be converted from a front wheel drive wheelchair into a rear wheel drive wheelchair.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are obtained by powered wheelchair for disabled persons that has a frame. The frame has a first end and a second end. A seat support is coupled to the frame between the first and second ends. A pair of swivel wheels is coupled to the frame proximate the first end and a pair of motor driven wheels is connected to the frame proximate the second end. A motor is coupled to each of the driven wheels. The motors are adapted to allow a change in the rotational direction of the driven wheel to which it is coupled, wherein the rotational direction of the motors may be changed when the wheelchair is converted from a rear wheel drive wheelchair to a front wheel drive wheelchair. At least one battery is coupled to the motors, the battery providing power to the motors. An electronic controller is coupled to the motors and the battery. The controller has a user interface that is used to direct the speed and direction of the wheelchair. A seat assembly is reversibly coupled to the seat support and extends upwardly above the frame. The seat assembly has an extension member coupled thereto that is adapted to be reversed in direction relative to the seat support. The seat assembly further includes a seat base having a front edge. The said seat base may thus be located so that the front edge is located generally over the swivel wheels to provide a rear wheel drive wheelchair and may be reversed so that the front edge is located generally over the driven wheels to provide a front wheel drive wheelchair. The rotational direction of the driven wheels may be reversed so that a forward command from the controller results in a different rotation when the wheelchair is in a rear wheel drive configuration as compared to a forward command when the wheelchair is in a front wheel drive configuration.
Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 397645 (1998-09-01), Schaffner
patent: 4951766 (1990-08-01), Basedow et al.
patent: 5435404 (1995-07-01), Garin, III
patent: 5772237 (1998-06-01), Finch et al.
patent: 5944131 (1999-08-01), Schaffner et al.
patent: 5996716 (1999-12-01), Montiglio et al.
patent: 6070898 (2000-06-01), Dickie et al.
Chauffeur Mobility Products, Viva Power Chair Owner's Manual, 24 pages, Rev. 02 -Jan. 9, 1998.
Days Medical Aids Ltd, DMA Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Everest & Jennings, The O.C. Flyer Brochure, 4 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Fortress, Mini Catalog, 4 pages, prior to Nov. 1993.
HomeCareXtra Catalog, pp. 32-34, Entitled,Mobility Focus, prior to Nov. 1998.
Hoveround Corporation, Hoveround Personal Mobility Vehicles MPV 4 Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Hoveround Corporation, Hoveround Personal Mobility Vehicle Teknique Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Invacare Corporation, Action Simply Smart, Simply Smart, PinDot, Storm, Series, Action Arrow, Action Ranger X, Action Torque, Action Range II, and Action Allegro Brochure, 6 pages, 1997.
Invacare Corporation, Action P7E Brochure, 2 pages, Form No. 97-251, 1997.
Invacare Corporation, Action Power 9000 Storm Series Brochure, 6 pages, Form No. 95-96, Nov. 1995.
Invacare Corporation, Action Storm Series Range X Brochure, 12 pages, Form No. 94-26 R020395, 1994.
Invacare Corporation, Action Storm Series Arrow & Torque Brochure, 20 pages, Form No. 94-09, 1994.
Leisure—Life, Inc., PaceSaver Sasso Power Chair Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Merits Brochure, Sales@Merits.com.tw, prior to Dec. 27, 1999.
Permobil Inc, Chairman Corpus Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Permobil Inc, Chairman Stander Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Permobil Inc, Chariman MPS Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Permobil Inc, Chairman Drivelink for Chairman Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Permobil Inc, Chairman Miniflex Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Permobil Inc, Chairman Mini Stander Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Permobil Inc, Chairman Basic Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Permobil Inc, The New Chairman Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Permobil Inc, Chairman Robo For Kids Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Pride Health Care, Inc., Jazzy Model 1100 Power Chair Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Pride Health Care, Inc., Jazzy Model 1100 Power Chair Owner's Manual, 44 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Pride Health Care, Inc., Jazzy Model 1105 Power Chairs Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Pride Health Care, Inc., Jazzy Model 1120 Power Chairs Brochure, 2 pages, prior to Nov. 1998.
Pride Health Ca
Ernst James
Kramer, Jr. DuWayne E.
Langaker John T.
Traylor Jerry L.
Burke Mobility Products, Inc.
Johnson Brian L.
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Winner Tony
LandOfFree
Front wheel/rear wheel drive convertible wheelchair does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Front wheel/rear wheel drive convertible wheelchair, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Front wheel/rear wheel drive convertible wheelchair will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2491385