Brakes – Vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-28
2003-11-11
Lavinder, Jack (Department: 3683)
Brakes
Vehicle
C188S031000, C188S069000, C188S060000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06644443
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a transportation device, especially a wheelchair, having a braking system comprising a locking brake, as well as a method for locking said transportation device.
The invention will be described in the following in conjunction with a wheelchair. This description should, however, not be understood in any way as a restriction to the application of the invention. On the contrary, the invention is also applicable to other transportation devices provided with wheels, etc., and having at least one rotating wheel.
A wheelchair with a locking brake is already known in which a locking force is exerted on at least one air-filled tire of the wheelchair by way of a manually actuated toggle lever such that said tire is substantially non-rotatably coupled to the supporting parts of the wheelchair.
The arrangement of such a toggle brake on a wheelchair represents a suitable measure for preventing an undesired rolling movement of the wheelchair in certain situations. For example, in many situations the rolling of a manned or unmanned wheelchair on an incline can be prevented with a set toggle brake.
However, the braking power of such a wheelchair having a toggle brake depends to a not insignificant degree on the air pressure in the tires. Thus, a toggle brake adjusted for a tire with, for example, high air pressure exerts a lower braking force on the wheelchair when the tires actually have a lower air pressure. There is obviously a considerable degree of danger inherent in such diminished braking power. Especially if the wheelchair is manned, there is a danger that a user can inadvertently put his wheelchair into motion, which can result in a situation where the wheelchair user, not expecting this rolling movement, is not in command of the traffic situation or does not have sufficient control over the wheelchair and crashes.
Since those in wheelchairs are generally restricted in the ability to move their limbs, such a crash can cause significant injuries to the wheelchair user, which in particular is also due to the fact that the wheelchair user, restricted in his mobility, cannot necessarily support himself to a sufficient extent. In an unfavorable situation, there is the danger that a crash could occur with another user of the road. Thus, for example, the known wheelchairs with toggle brakes do not rule out a situation in which the wheelchair—manned or unmanned—rolls into a street and is struck there by a moving vehicle. In addition to any material damage, other road users could also suffer physical injuries.
Consequently, the task of the present invention is to provide a transportation device for bodies, such as a wheelchair, which has a simple construction and can be manufactured economically and having a brake such as a parking or locking brake which ensures a high degree of traffic safety based on high braking reliability being independent of uncontrollable operational parameters of the transportation device.
This task is solved in accordance with the present invention by a transportation device for bodies according to claim
1
.
The inventive method for locking a transportation device is the object.
Preferred embodiments of the invention constitute the subject matter of the subclaims.
The present invention thus provides for a transportation device for bodies having a braking system in which the braking force exerted is essentially independent of the elasticity of the tires of said transportation device.
The braking system preferably comprises a lockable braking means and provides for same as an especially preferred embodiment.
Since tire elasticity can be, for example, a contingency based on the fact that the tires are filled with air, respectively that the tires comprise an air-filled tube, the braking power according to the present invention is preferably essentially independent of the air pressure within the tube.
The transportation device, for example a wheelchair, a bicycle trailer, a tricycle, a Kettcar (push-pedal chain gear operated vehicle) or the like, comprises a frame means. The term “frame means” is to be broadly interpreted here and includes in particular a tubular construction or any other such related supporting construction. A receiving means for receiving a body is integrated directly or indirectly into said frame means. A body is, for example, an inanimate object or a human body.
At least two moveable wheels are opposingly arranged on the frame means. These wheels, supporting for example a tire which is preferably an outer casing-tube arrangement, have a radially inward situated hub disposed to be moveable at least intermittently relative the frame.
At least three wheels are preferably provided; at least four are particularly preferred. Preferable in this case is that some of said wheels comprise the above-mentioned hub. Especially preferred are all of said wheels having the above-mentioned hub.
An axle is disposed situated concentrically inside the hub, arranged concentrically around a central axis. Said axle preferably projects out from the hub; especially preferable is the axle running through the hub such that it axially projects out of same at both hub ends.
It is preferable for one axle to extend into at least two hubs; especially preferred is that each hub is allocated to just one axle.
Said axles are at least partially fixedly arranged relative the frame means. Preferably, the axles are supported directly and/or indirectly on the frame means at both sides of same. Especially preferred is the one-sided, meaning unilateral, supporting of the axles directly and/or indirectly to the frame means.
Especially preferred is the disposing of at least one bearing, such as a radial bearing and/or axial bearing and/or radial-axial bearing or the like, between the axle and the hub.
The transportation device further has a gearing means for receiving a signal for the triggering or terminating of at least one braking and/or locking procedure. The term “signal” is to be understood here in a broad sense. A signal in the sense of the present invention is, for example, a torque or a force, a pivotal or a helical movement. The signal is preferably of mechanical or hydraulic type. Especially preferred is an electrical or electromagnetic or pneumatic signal. Preferably, this signal is initiated by a Bowden cable and/or a rotary knob and/or a control lever and/or an eccentric means.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the braking system has at least a first and at least a second contact surface area. The first contact surface area is at least intermittently essentially non-rotatably coupled relative the central axis with a wheel. The second contact surface area is at least intermittently essentially non-rotatably coupled relative the central axis with the frame. It is hereby preferred that at least one of the above-cited non-rotatable couplings be released when the brake is in an unlocked position. It is especially preferred that the non-rotatable couplings are also in place when the brake is in a released position.
Said contact surface areas are distinguished in that they at least partially position upon one another upon an actuated brake and/or locking brake.
Preferable is having at least one of said contact surface areas being arranged moveable relative the wheel, respectively relative the frame, thus for example axially displaceable. Especially preferred is that at least one of said areas is arranged fixedly relative the wheel, respectively frame.
It is preferred to reduce the existing torque difference between the wheel and the frame with respect to the central axis when the first contact surface area is non-rotatably coupled to the wheel and the second contact surface area is non-rotatably coupled to the frame relative the central axis and these contact surface areas are in at least partial contact with one another.
Especially preferred is the preventing of a torque difference between the wheel and the frame with respect to the central axis when the first contact surface area is non-rotatably coupled to the wheel and th
DT Swiss AG
Lavinder Jack
Sy Mariano
LandOfFree
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