Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Patent
1997-07-24
1999-07-27
Rice, Kenneth R.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
280682, B60G 21045
Patent
active
059277360
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a mobile chassis. In particular, the mobile chassis of the present invention is intended for use as a chassis for wheelchairs, industrial robots, small vehicles or the like. Further, the mobile chassis is adapted so as to provide stability when traversing uneven surfaces and when mounting and dismounting kerbs and the like.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
The problem of instability of a mobile chassis, for example the chassis of a wheelchair, on uneven surfaces has typically been addressed by providing a chassis having both a forward portion and a rear portion. Both the forward and rear portions have a pair of wheels provided thereon and spaced transversely at either side of the chassis. A pivotal connection between the forward and rear portions has allowed independent pivoting thereof about an axis running substantially longitudinally with respect to the chassis.
However, the above-mentioned prior art does not succeed in markedly decreasing the transfer of tilt to the user of the wheelchair. If, for example the seat or chair portion of the wheelchair was mounted on the rear portion of the chassis then upon a single wheel provided on that rear portion being dropped or raised with respect to the remainder of the chassis, a substantial proportion of the resultant tilt will be transferred directly to the seat or chair portion.
Further, when one wheel mounted on the forward portion of chassis encounters an obstacle that wheel will be restrained at least partially as it moves over the obstacle. This imparts a twisting force to the chassis and can make the steering of the wheelchair difficult and even dangerous in certain circumstances.
A still further example of the prior art is a chassis for mobile devices such as wheelchairs comprising a central frame having a transverse member and an axial member, side frame members and a stabiliser member. The side frame members are pivotally mounted to respective ends of the transverse member and bear front and rear wheels. The stabiliser member interconnects the side frame members and the axial member in rotatable manner and is able to pivot about the axial member. The pivotal mounting of the side frames allowing limited pivotal movement of one side frame with respect to the transverse member and the other side frame. However, the pivotal movement of the side frames is rigidly linked and limited and consequently twisting and tilting forces are subsequently transferred to the central frame. Therefore, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a mobile chassis that minimises the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a mobile chassis characterised by a central frame, two lateral frames and a forward transverse member, in which each of the lateral frames and forward transverse member are mounted to the central frame in a pivotal manner, the lateral frames having at least a single wheel provided thereon and being pivotally mounted to the central frame at either side thereof about a transverse axis whereas the forward transverse member has a pair of wheels provided thereon and is pivotal about a longitudinal axis, the central frame having provided therein a forward portion containing a pivotal mounting for the forward transverse member and further defining in part two guide members, each lateral frame and the forward transverse member having a pivotal connection provided therebetween such that pivotal forces resulting from obstacles encountered by the wheels of the forward transverse member are compensated at least in part by that pivotal connection.
Preferably, the forward transverse member has provided thereon two means for smooth engagement with the guide members so as to minimise any pivotal action in the forward transverse member about any axis other than the longitudinal axis of the mobile chassis. The two means for smooth engagement provided on the forward transverse member are preferably spaced equidistant from the longitudinal pivot thereof
REFERENCES:
patent: 3313555 (1967-04-01), Reimer
patent: 3338327 (1967-08-01), Bishop
patent: 3504928 (1970-04-01), Reimer
patent: 3537720 (1970-11-01), Irgens
patent: 3917306 (1975-11-01), Madler et al.
patent: 5547207 (1996-08-01), Madler
Salfinger Brian John
Salfinger Paul Francis
Lendal Pty Ltd
Rice Kenneth R.
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