Motor vehicles – Steering by driving – Independently operable drive motors
Patent
1993-04-29
1994-11-15
Hill, Mitchell J.
Motor vehicles
Steering by driving
Independently operable drive motors
180 651, 180907, 2802501, 2803041, 280DIG5, 297DIG10, A61G 504, A61G 514
Patent
active
053639340
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a wheelchair and in particular to a wheelchair from which golf may be played.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Disabled golf players have, up until now, used so-called "micro-cars". A typical micro-car is "scooter-like" in appearance and has three wheels of small diameter (e.g. 20 cm). The micro-car has a platform on which are mounted a motor and batteries. A rotatable seat projects up from the back of the platform and handlebars project up from the front of the platform to control the steering angle of the single front wheel. The disabled person drives to the playing location on the golf course and then stops the vehicle by the side of the golf ball on the ground. The seat is then rotated so that the player faces the side of the ball. The stroke is then played, whilst still sitting on the seat, by using a specially lengthened golf club which is needed because of the unorthodox stance resulting from playing from such a sitting position. Having to use a special golf club is a psychological hindrance and, because of the extra weight, may be physically difficult. Most disabled players would like to use normal golf clubs. Also, it is hard to play a proper golfing stroke whilst sitting on the seat.
The weight and design of the micro-car means that traditional golf clubs are worried that the micro-cars will damage their golf courses and particularly their greens. Moreover, the design of the micro-car leads golf clubs to believe that disabled players would play to a low standard and would have difficulty in coping with normal golfing hazards such as bunkers. Thus, traditional golf clubs will not allow them on their courses and this further restricts the ability of disabled golfers to play golf properly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a wheelchair comprising a pair of rear wheel units each having a width of at least 8 cm, a pair of front wheel units each having a width of at least 8 cm, first prime mover means for driving at least one of the wheel units, a seat movable between a first position and a second position above the first position and second prime mover means for driving the seat between its two positions.
The wheelchair is particularly suited for enabling a disabled person to play golf, but it may also be used to enable a disabled person to play other sports. The wheelchair of the present invention combines the benefits of (i) wide ("low-pressure") wheel units which do not damage the fairways, greens and bunkers of traditional golf courses and (ii) being able to raise the user from a sitting position to a position approximating that which an able-bodied golfer would adopt when playing a stroke (i.e. a substantially standing position of address over the ball).
The minimum width of each wheel unit may be at least 10 cm, 12 cm, 15 cm or 20 cm. As the width increases, the pressure exerted by the wheel units on the surface (e.g. turf) of the golf course decreases, thereby reducing the likelihood of the turf being damaged.
Preferably, the diameter of each wheel unit is less than 450 mm. Preferably, the diameter of each rear wheel unit is less than 400 mm and the diameter of each front wheel unit is less than 300mm. Having small diameter wheel units helps minimise the weight of the wheelchair. Also, if the upper surface of the seat, when it is in its first position, is above the tops of the wheel units, then the wheel units do not get in the way of the wheelchair user.
Preferably, the seat, at least when in its second position, is located closer to the front wheel units than the rear wheel units and the track of the front wheel units is wider than the track of the rear wheel units. The term "track" has its usual meaning of the separation between the outer edges of the wheel units in question. With the seat in its second (i.e. raised) position, the user is able to play a proper golfing stroke. The wider track of the front wheel units (i.e. the wheel units closer to the seat in the second po
REFERENCES:
patent: 3807795 (1974-04-01), Weant et al.
patent: 3882949 (1975-05-01), Anderson
patent: 4119164 (1978-10-01), Fogg, Jr. et al.
patent: 4249744 (1981-02-01), Andreasson
patent: 4613151 (1986-09-01), Kielczewski
patent: 5042607 (1991-08-01), Falkenson et al.
Edmund Nicholas E.
Kyffin Steven H. M.
Edmund Nicholas E.
Hill Mitchell J.
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