Wheelchair driver and braking system

Details Wheelchair driver and braking system Wheelchair driver and braking system

1996-10-07

1999-12-28

Boehler, Anne Marie

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Occupant propelled type

188 2F, 280246, 2802501, B62M 116

Patent

active

06007082&

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD

The following invention relates to devices for manually moving a wheelchair with the user in the wheelchair providing the motivating force. More specifically, this device relates to wheelchair movement devices which allow the user to push on levers to cause wheelchair motion without requiring the user to continually grip and release any moving parts.


BACKGROUND ART

The usual method of wheelchair movement is for the user to grip circular handrails fixedly mounted to the outside of the wheelchair's wheels. To do this, the user must continually grab, push and release the handrail. For many users, this action is very difficult or even physically impossible. Many devices in the art provide alternative wheelchair moving means which do not require the user to continually grip and release moving parts. Each of these devices in the prior art have disadvantages not shared by the device of this application. Some of the prior art devices restrict the free motion of the wheels increasing rolling resistance of the wheels and increasing the physical exertion required to move the wheelchair. Other devices in the prior art extend outside the wheels of the wheelchair increasing the width of the wheelchair and making the wheelchair more cumbersome to maneuver in tight spaces. Still other devices in the prior art require extensive mechanical modification of the wheelchair and hamper standard adjustments of the wheelchair increasing the cost and complexity of maintenance and repair of the wheelchair.
The following patents reflect the state of the art of which applicant is aware and are 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.


______________________________________ INVENTOR PATENT NO. ISSUE DATE ______________________________________ Krueger, T. F. 654,986 July 31, 1900 Williams, T. E. December 11, 1906 Everest et al. June 30, 1953 Petersen June 15, 1965 Bulmer March 14, 1967 Good May 13, 196701 Bulmer, D. L. March 4, 1975 Barroza April 15, 1975 Saunders et al. October 19, 1982 Platt et al. June 22, 1983 Lucken, W. O. June 12, 1984 Korosue, A. March 26, 1985 Tait, R. E. April 5, 1988 Myron Medical Products Ltd. GB 2,213,438A August 16, 1989 ______________________________________
The patent to Bulmer teaches a device for moving a wheelchair without requiring the user to grip and release any moving parts. Bulmer is distinguishable from the device of this application in that the Bulmer device places the main lever arm outside the wheel on each side of the wheelchair. This increases the width of the wheelchair and increases the likelihood that the lever will catch on a passing object. Also, the lever of the Bulmer device is of a material flexible enough to allow the brake pad to engage the rim of the tire. This requires a material of sufficient flexibility.
The present invention utilizes a rigid lever with flexibility designed into the interface between the lever and its spindle sleeve. Furthermore, the device of this application has a spindle sleeve upon which the lever is mounted which isolates the lever from the wheel. This feature prevents the lever from interfering with the free rotation of the wheel and also allows the wheel to be easily removed or adjusted without removal of the wheelchair driving device.
The pawl construction of the instant invention is further distinguished over the pawl construction of the Bulmer device in that the curved toothed surface of the instant device more easily grips and releases the tires of the wheelchair. The construction of the pawl of the instant invention utilizes gravity to engage and release the pawl's curved toothed surface from the surface of the tire. This feature lessens the force necessary to engage and release the wheelchair driv

REFERENCES:
patent: 2130426 (1938-09-01), Henderson
patent: 3189368 (1965-06-01), Petersen
patent: 3301574 (1967-01-01), Good
patent: 3309110 (1967-03-01), Bulmer
patent: 3869146 (1975-03-01), Bulmer
patent: 3877725 (1975-04-01), Barroza
patent: 4354691 (1982-10-01), Saunders et al.
patent: 4538826 (1985-09-01), Lemarie
patent: 5232236 (1993-08-01), Korpi
patent: 5263729 (1993-11-01), Watwood et al.

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