Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-16
2001-07-10
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S210000, C280S219000, C280S250100, C180S315000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257610
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to foot-operated propulsion devices for moving items such as wheelchairs, desk chairs and furniture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wheelchairs typically include a frame, three or four wheels rotatably mounted to the frame, and a seat in which the user sits. The wheelchair can be propelled by one or more of several methods. For example, the wheelchair frame can include handles projecting rearwardly behind the seat. The handles are accessible to an operator who can push or pull the wheelchair from behind. One drawback with this arrangement is that the user is dependent upon the operator for propulsion and may not be able to easily move about when the operator is not present.
One approach to addressing this problem is to provide the wheelchair with an on-board propulsion device, such as an electric motor. However, the motor can significantly increase the cost and weight of the wheelchair. Another approach is to provide the rear wheels of the wheelchair with inwardly or outwardly extending rims that users can engage with their hands to roll the wheelchair along. This approach may not be efficient because it relies on the user's hands and arms, which may not be as strong as the user's legs or may be otherwise engaged. Accordingly, many users who still have some use of their legs propel themselves by kicking the ground in front of them to push the wheelchair backwards. This approach also suffers from several drawbacks. For example, the wheelchair users face opposite their direction of travel and cannot easily see where they are going. Some users may attempt to address this drawback by digging their heels into the ground ahead of them and pulling themselves and the wheelchair forward. However, this method is difficult to perform and is not very efficient due to the structure of the leg.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward foot-operated propulsion apparatuses for use with wheelchairs, office chairs, furniture or other selected devices. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus can include a support structure having a coupling portion for coupling to the selected device. The support structure can further include at least one roller aperture that receives a roller element, at least a portion of which has a circular cross-sectional shape. The roller element is rotatable relative to the support structure about rotation axis and has a first external surface portion projecting upwardly through the roller aperture and shaped to releasably engage a user's foot. The first external surface portion is rotatable relative to the support structure at a first angular rotation rate. The roller element further includes a second external surface portion projecting downwardly through the roller aperture to engage a support surface. The second external surface portion is rotatable with the first external surface portion at a second angular rotation rate equal to the first angular rotation rate to roll along the support surface and propel the support structure in a selected direction as the user's foot rotates the first external surface portion.
In one aspect of the invention, the roller element can have a generally cylindrical shape and can be rotatable about a single axis relative to the support structure. Alternatively, the roller element can have a generally spherical shape and can be rotatable about a plurality of co-planar axes relative to the support structure. In a further aspect of the invention, two or more spherical roller elements can be coupled to the frame of a wheelchair for propelling the wheelchair in a selected direction. The external surface of each roller element can include raised traction elements for engaging the support surface and/or recessed cavities for engaging the user's feet. In still a further aspect of the invention, the roller element and support structure can be coupled to an office chair or can be releasably coupled to a piece of furniture.
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Draper Deanna
Johnson Brian L.
Perkins Coie LLP
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