Bridges – Gangway – ramp – or dock leveler
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-15
2001-08-07
Bagnell, David (Department: 3673)
Bridges
Gangway, ramp, or dock leveler
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269508
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns ambulatory apparatus and, more particularly, to apparatus for allowing wheeled negotiation of an obstacle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wheelchair is a chair mounted on large wheels for the use of a sick or disabled person. Although wheelchairs provide the sick and disabled with an efficient means of travel, curbs, irregular surfaces and other obstacles can prove difficult, if not impossible, to negotiate. Short of improving the architecture and mobility of wheelchairs, little effort has been directed toward portable devices for use in aiding a user constrained to a wheelchair in negotiating curbs, irregular surfaces and other surface obstacles. In view of this deficiency, the need for certain new and useful improvements is evident.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide new and improved apparatus for allowing wheeled negotiation of an obstacle.
It is a purpose of the invention to provide new and improved apparatus that is light and easy to carry.
It is another purpose of the invention to provide new and improved apparatus that is easy to use.
It is still another purpose of the invention to provide new and improved apparatus that is inexpensive.
It is a further purpose of the invention to provide new and improved apparatus that is safe and very strong.
It is still a further provision of the invention to enhance the independence of physically challenged users that are dependent on wheelchairs.
It is yet still a further provision of the invention to reduce the burdensome costs normally associated with caring for the sick and disabled.
It is another provision of the invention to reduce depression that elderly, sick and physically challenged people constrained to wheelchairs normally experience.
It is still another provision of the invention to increase the mobility of sick and disabled people that are dependent on wheelchairs for providing day to day movement through their homes and communities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above purposes and others realized in new and improved apparatus for allowing wheeled passage between a first surface and a second surface separated by an obstacle. The apparatus is comprised of a base positionable on the first surface, and a framework having a proximal extremity mounted to the base and a distal extremity positionable on the second surface. The framework is movable between a collapsed condition and an extended condition defining a substantially planar support surface between the proximal and distal extremities for allowing wheeled passage between the first surface and the second surface. The collapsed condition preferably comprises a pleated condition, and the framework preferably comprises a plurality of plates arranged for movement between the collapsed condition and the extended condition. A plurality of extensions are supported at spaced intervals adjacent the proximal extremity of the framework. The extensions are mounted to the base for reciprocal movement for permitting movement of the framework between the collapsed and extended conditions. In a particular embodiment, the plurality of extensions are captured for reciprocal movement in an elongate groove defined by the base.
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Bagnell David
Goltry Michael W.
Lagman Frederick L.
Parsons Robert A.
Parsons & Goltry
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