Wheelchair suspension

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11096845-B2
Application number	US-201815918730-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 12, 2018
Priority date	Oct 9, 2009
Publication date	Aug 24, 2021
Grant date	Aug 24, 2021

Abstract

Wheeled vehicles, such as wheelchairs, that are adapted to traverse obstacles are provided. The wheeled vehicles include a frame, drive wheels, front anti-tip wheels positioned in front of the drive wheels and rear anti-tip wheels positioned behind the drive wheels. One exemplary vehicle includes front anti-tip wheels supported by rigid arms that are fixed to the frame and drive assemblies that are independently suspended from the frame. Another exemplary vehicle includes a linkage that links the front and rear anti-tip wheels, such that movement of one of the front or rear anti-tip wheel relative to the frame causes movement of the other wheel relative to the frame.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A power wheelchair comprising:
a frame;
a suspension assembly having:
a rear arm having a pivot connection to a lower portion of the frame and a body extending rearward and upward from the pivot connection and extending rearward of the frame;
a drive assembly mounting arm having a pivot mount and a body extending forward of the pivot mount, the pivot mount located forward of the rear arm pivot connection;
a link having a body connecting the rear arm to the drive assembly mounting arm;
a first biasing member in contact with the frame and the rear arm;
a second biasing member in contact with the frame and the drive assembly mounting arm; and
a rear wheel connected to the rear arm.

2. The power wheelchair of claim 1 further comprising a front anti-tip assembly having:
a front arm pivotably connected to a lower front portion of the frame and extending forward of the frame; and
an anti-tip wheel connected to the front arm, the front arm maintaining the anti-tip wheel above a horizontal supporting surface of the wheelchair.

3. The power wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the first biasing member contacts a central portion of the rear arm.

4. The power wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the first biasing member comprising a spring.

5. The power wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the first biasing member comprises a spring and shock absorber.

6. The power wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the drive assembly mounting arm independently pivots with respect to the rear arm.

7. The power wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the link transfers motion from the rear arm to the drive assembly mounting arm.

8. The power wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the link allows the drive assembly mounting arm to independently move with respect to the rear arm.

9. The power wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the link comprises a rigid link.

10. The power wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the link comprises a flexible link.

11. The power wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the link comprises an extendable link.

12. The power wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the link comprises a spring and shock absorber.

13. The power wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the rear arm pivot connection and the drive assembly mounting arm pivot mount are proximate a central lower portion of the frame.

14. A power wheelchair comprising:
a frame;
a suspension system having a plurality links; the plurality of links comprising:
a first link pivotably connected to a lower central portion of the frame and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom;
a second link pivotably connected with respect to a lower portion of the frame and forward of the first link;
a third link connected to the first and second links;
wherein the first link movement is transferred to the second link by the third link;

a drive wheel connected to the second link to provide a front wheel drive configuration; and
a rear wheel connected to the first link.

15. The power wheelchair of claim 14 further comprising:
a fourth link pivotably connected to a lower front portion of the frame and extending forward of the frame; and
an anti-tip wheel connected to the fourth link, the fourth link maintaining the anti-tip wheel above a horizontal supporting surface of the wheelchair.

16. A power wheelchair comprising:
a frame;
a first pivot connection disposed proximate a lower central portion of the frame and on the frame;
a second pivot connection disposed proximate a lower central portion of the frame and forward of the first pivotal connection;
a first arm extending rearward and upward from the first pivot connection and extending rearwardly of the frame;
a second arm connected to the second pivot connection and extending forward from the second pivot connection;
a link connected to the first and second pivot connections;
a drive wheel connected to the second arm and wherein the drive wheel axis is forward and above the second pivot connection; and
a front wheel connected to the frame and wherein the front wheel is maintained above a horizontal supporting surface of the wheelchair.

Assignees

• Invacare Corp

Inventors

• Cuson Robert L
• Bekoscke Robert A
• Stothard Daniel J

Classifications

• A61G5/06 Primary

  with obstacle mounting facilities, e.g. for climbing stairs, {kerbs or steps} · CPC title

• B60G2300/24

  Wheelchairs · CPC title

• Y10S180/907

  Motorized wheelchairs · CPC title

• A61G5/1089

  Anti-tip devices · CPC title

• A61G5/10 Primary

  Parts, details or accessories · CPC title