Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-13
2001-02-13
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S304100, C280S304500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186528
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wheelchair and trailer system and more particularly pertains to rolling a trailer coupled to a wheelchair.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of trailers of various designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, trailers of various designs and configurations heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of pulling trailers and other devices through various methods and apparatuses are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,601 to Berge discloses a Shopping Cart for the Handicapped. U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,320 to Creps et al. discloses a Bicycle Trailer Hitch. U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,853 to Sparks discloses a Delivery Bicycle Trailer. U.S. Pat. No. 3,271,048 to A. E. Beesley et al. discloses a Sulky Vehicle Attachment for Bicycles. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 376,773 to Bell discloses a Bicycle Trailer. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,468,894 to Peek discloses a Bicycle Trailer Coupling.
In this respect, the wheelchair and trailer system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of rolling a trailer coupled to a wheelchair.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved wheelchair and trailer system which can be used for rolling a trailer coupled to a wheelchair. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of trailers of various designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved wheelchair and trailer system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved wheelchair and trailer system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a an improved wheelchair and trailer system for rolling a trailer coupled to a wheelchair comprising a wheelchair. The wheelchair has a rearwardly extending projection with a vertical hole therethrough. The system also comprises a trailer which has a planar support which is in a generally rectangular configuration with a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, a forwardly extending rod with an aperture therethrough postionable over the hole of the wheelchair and an associated pin to selective effect the coupling between the trailer and the wheelchair. Also provided are two rear wheels rotatable about a common horizontal axis coupled to the trailer adjacent to the rear edge. A front wheel rotatable about a horizontal axis is coupled to the trailer adjacent to the front edge. The front wheel is secured to the forwardly extending rod to allow rotation of the front wheel about a vertical axis for steering purposes. A pair of cups are provided with open tops coupled to extend outwardly from each edge of the trailer at spaced locations. Four side supports are provided, each with horizontal rails and vertical support posts. The support posts having free lower ends selectively positionable within the pairs of cups.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved wheelchair and trailer system which has all of the advantages of the prior art trailers of various designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved wheelchair and trailer system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved wheelchair and trailer system which is of durable and reliable constructions.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved wheelchair and trailer system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such wheelchair and trailer system economically available to the buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a wheelchair and trailer system for rolling a trailer coupled to a wheelchair.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved wheelchair and trailer system comprising a trailer which has a planar support in a generally rectangular configuration. The trailer has a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges. Also provided is a forwardly extending rod with an aperture therethrough for positioning over the hole of the wheelchair. It also has an associated pin to selective effect the coupling between the trailer and the wheelchair. Two rear wheels are provided for rotation about a common horizontal axis coupled to the trailer adjacent to the rear edge. A front wheel is provided for rotation about a horizontal axis coupled to the trailer adjacent to the front edge. The front wheel is secured to the forwardly extending rod to allow rotation of the front wheel about a vertical axis for steering purposes.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2168147 (1939-08-01), Arehart
patent: 2268064 (1941-12-01), Straus
patent: 2605114 (1952-07-01), Ronning
patent: 4037853 (1977-07-01), Sparks
patent: 5054800 (1991-10-01), Christensen et al.
patent: 5123668 (1992-06-01), Ligas
patent: 5330217 (1994-07-01), McCarthy
patent: 5769440 (1998-06-01), Jones
patent: 5785334 (1998-07-01), Robinson
patent: 5794957 (1998-08-01), Mendon
patent: 5829771 (1998-11-01), Hsu
Walker Janice
Walker, Sr. David W.
Cuff Michael
Swann J. J.
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