Wheelchair drive assembly

Details Wheelchair drive assembly Wheelchair drive assembly

2001-06-13

2004-06-29

DePumpo, Daniel G. (Department: 3611)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Occupant propelled type

C280S246000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06755430

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The following invention is generally related to instrumentalities and methodologies used in wheelchair propulsion. More specifically, the instant invention is directed to an apparatus and method for utilizing a gear drive assembly to aid in human propulsion of a wheelchair.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following invention reflects applicant's ongoing efforts at improving wheelchair propulsion devices.
The following prior art reflects the state of the art of which applicant is aware and is included herewith to discharge applicant's acknowledged duty to disclose relevant prior art. It is stipulated, however, that none of these references teach singly nor render obvious when considered in any conceivable combination the nexus of the instant invention as disclosed in greater detail hereinafter and as particularly claimed.
PATENT NO.
ISSUE DATE
INVENTOR
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
654,986
July 31, 1900
Krueger
3,563,568
February 16, 1971
Sasse, et al.
4,453,729
June 12, 1984
Lucken
4,503,724
March 12, 1985
Ward
4,560,181
December 24, 1985
Herron
4,735,431
April 5, 1988
Tait
4,762,332
August 9, 1988
Seol
4,840,076
June 20, 1989
Brubaker, et al.
4,858,483
August 22, 1989
Blakemore
5,020,815
June 4, 1991
Harris, et al.
5,167,168
December 1, 1992
Beumer
5,263,729
November 23, 1993
Watwood, et al.
5,303,945
April 19, 1994
Oxford
5,362,081
November 8, 1994
Beidler, et al.
5,486,016
January 23, 1996
Godin, et al.
5,577,748
November 26, 1996
Dombrowski, et al.
5,632,499
May 27, 1997
Hutcherson, et al.
5,657,836
August 19, 1997
BeVier
5,743,544
April 28, 1998
Weaver
5,846,154
December 8, 1998
Godin
5,881,854
March 16, 1999
Rougnon-Glasson
6,007,082
December 28, 1999
Watwood, et al.
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
EP 0497 999 A1
August 12, 1992
Chang
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention represents the inventor's constant evolving odyssey in providing solutions that continue to satisfy the needs of those with physical challenges.
A gear train is disclosed in the hub of each wheel of a wheelchair. The gear train includes linkage to a hand area of the chair to provide easy shifting between forward, reverse and neutral. The hand area allows power to be transferred to the wheels from a user's arms to move the wheelchair.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and novel device and method for human propulsion of a wheelchair.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method as characterized above which is simple to assemble and maintain.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device and method as characterized above which promotes self-reliance and independence.
Viewed from a first vantage point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair, comprising, in combination: a frame; a seat on said frame; a pair of lead wheels on said frame; a pair of drive wheels on said frame; a pair of driver arms coupled to said drive wheels; and transmission means coupled between said driver arms and said wheels to induce either forward or reverse motion upon driver arm activation.


REFERENCES:
patent: 654986 (1900-07-01), Krueger
patent: 1425082 (1922-08-01), Eklund
patent: 3563568 (1971-02-01), Sass et al.
patent: 4358126 (1982-11-01), Mitchell et al.
patent: 4453729 (1984-06-01), Lucken
patent: 4503724 (1985-03-01), Ward
patent: 4516648 (1985-05-01), Berger et al.
patent: 4560181 (1985-12-01), Herron
patent: 4735431 (1988-04-01), Tait
patent: 4762332 (1988-08-01), Seol
patent: 4840076 (1989-06-01), Brubaker et al.
patent: 4858483 (1989-08-01), Blakemore
patent: 5020815 (1991-06-01), Harris et al.
patent: 5167168 (1992-12-01), Beumer
patent: 5263729 (1993-11-01), Watwood et al.
patent: 5303945 (1994-04-01), Oxford
patent: 5362081 (1994-11-01), Beidler et al.
patent: 5486016 (1996-01-01), Godin et al.
patent: 5577748 (1996-11-01), Dombrowski et al.
patent: 5632499 (1997-05-01), Hutcherson et al.
patent: 5657836 (1997-08-01), BeVier
patent: 5743544 (1998-04-01), Weaver
patent: 5846154 (1998-12-01), Godin
patent: 5881854 (1999-03-01), Rougnon-Glasson
patent: 6007082 (1999-12-01), Watwood et al.
patent: 0497 999 (1992-08-01), None
patent: 2278582 (1994-07-01), None

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