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WO1993014968A1 - Vehicule de deplacement individuel - Google Patents

Vehicule de deplacement individuel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1993014968A1
WO1993014968A1 PCT/US1993/000583 US9300583W WO9314968A1 WO 1993014968 A1 WO1993014968 A1 WO 1993014968A1 US 9300583 W US9300583 W US 9300583W WO 9314968 A1 WO9314968 A1 WO 9314968A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
frame
personal mobility
mobility vehicle
front wheel
ring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1993/000583
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas E. Kruse
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sunstate Mobility Corp
Original Assignee
Sunstate Mobility Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sunstate Mobility Corp filed Critical Sunstate Mobility Corp
Publication of WO1993014968A1 publication Critical patent/WO1993014968A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/04—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs motor-driven
    • A61G5/041—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs motor-driven having a specific drive-type
    • A61G5/042—Front wheel drive
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1051—Arrangements for steering
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D61/00—Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern
    • B62D61/06—Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern with only three wheels
    • B62D61/08—Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern with only three wheels with single front wheel
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
    • A61G2203/70—General characteristics of devices with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort
    • A61G2203/72—General characteristics of devices with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort for collision prevention
    • A61G2203/723—Impact absorbing means, e.g. bumpers or airbags

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to self-propelled personal mobility vehicles *"# for the handicapped and physically impaired, and more particularly to a compact, low center-of-gravity personal mobility vehicle which is uniquely adapted to negotiate within tightly confined spaces.
  • the drive arrangement may include a propulsion motor operably connected to either one or both of the rear drive wheels or incorporated into a front steerable wheel.
  • these available personal mobility vehicles are relatively massive in structure, some of which are also designed for outdoor operation in grass and dirt. Additionally, the center of gravity of the user seated atop such available vehicles is relatively high, producing a somewhat compromised stability.
  • a further limitation of personal mobility vehicles presently known to applicant resides in the limited ability of these larger vehicles to negotiate narrow hallways, to avoid running over the toes of others nearby on foot, and to be able to maneuver in dimensionally tight environments such as through a doorway of a narrow hallway.
  • Those individuals who live in mobile homes or the like having narrow hallways, typically approximately 24" in width, are unable to utilize any such product currently on the market for this environment.
  • the present invention provides an extremely maneuverable, low center of gravity personal mobility vehicle which, in the preferred embodiment, will easily maneuver down narrow hallways, through narrow doorways at 90 degrees to such hallway, and into other dimensionally tight situations. This invention also reduces the likelihood of running over the foot of an able bodied pedestrian who may inadvertently get too close to the vehicle while underway.
  • This invention is directed to a personal mobility vehicle having a very low center of gravity and compact overall size which facilitates travel in narrow hallways and in negotiating sharp turns as into a doorway along a narrow hall.
  • the vehicle includes a generally horizontally disposed preferably circular or disc ⁇ shaped frame supported in close proximity above the ground by a front wheel and two spaced rear wheels.
  • One wheel is motor driven for propulsion, the battery arrangement connected to and supported by the frame.
  • a seat is provided whereby a user's feet may be comfortably supported on the frame.
  • a circular cushioning ring either fixed or preferably rotatably mounted and extending radially from the perimeter of the frame and the rear wheels, contacts fixed objects such as walls, doorways and the like to facilitate tight maneuvers not heretofore possible with other such vehicles and also contacts a pedestrians shoe or ankle before being run over by the rear wheels.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a front elevation view of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the invention shown in Figure 1 in use.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the invention shown in Figure 1 positioned to travel around a corner of a wall.
  • Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the circular frame of Figure 1.
  • Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the frame shown in Figure 5 after removal of its bottom plate.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of the frame shown in Figure 5 after removal of the upper plate.
  • Figure 8 is a section view in the direction of arrows 8-8 in Figure 4.
  • the invention is shown generally at numeral 10 and includes a frame assembly 12 and a motor driven front wheel assembly 14 which renders front wheel 18 steerable about axis A with respect to frame 12.
  • the rear support arm 32 of front wheel assembly 14 is connected to frame 12 by plate 34.
  • the invention 10 also includes a seat 16 rigidly mounted and upwardly extending from the disc-shaped circular frame 12.
  • Frame 12 includes two spaced apart rear wheels 20 and 22 positioned astride the pedestal of seat 16 and supporting a battery 24 and control circuitry 26 which are operably connected between motor 28 and hand actuator 44 on handle 42.
  • a user steerably controlling the device 10 by handle 42 on steering shaft 46 may controllably energize motor 28 through control 44 to propel the vehicle 10.
  • Frame 12 is cooperatively structured with seat 16 so that, as best seen in Figure 3, a user's feet may comfortably rest atop frame 12 without the need for additional foot support structure.
  • Frame 12 is constructed, as best seen in Figures 5 to 8, of two spaced apart circular or disc-shaped plates 38 and 40, both of which include wheel clearance apertures 68/70 and 50/52, respectively.
  • Rear wheels 20 and 22 are rigidly mounted about axles 72 so as to downwardly extend below lower plate 40 for ground engagement.
  • Upper and lower plates 38 and 40 are held spaced apart by a plurality of spacers 58 and threaded fasteners therethrough strategically arranged for adequate support over the entire surface of frame 12. This arrangement affords convenient support of battery 24 through aperture 54 so as to rest atop lower plate 40.
  • a plurality of rollers 56 which are mounted concentrically spaced about the common centers of plates 38 and 40 slightly inboard of the perimeters thereof. These rollers 56, as best seen in Figure 8, are rotatably mounted about two part aligned shafts 62 which are held within aligned holes within upper and lower plates 38 and 40 by shaft extensions 66.
  • Flanges 64 properly space each roller 56 sufficiently from upper and lower plates 38 and 40 provide free roller action.
  • a rubber cushioned ring 36 Lockably engaged to surround the circular perimeter defined by the plurality of rollers 56 is a rubber cushioned ring 36 having a metal inner rim 60 which rotatably engages within the roller 56.
  • the cushioned ring 36 is free to rotate back and forth in the direction of arrow B about upper and lower discs 38 and 40.
  • FIG. 4 the functioning and usefulness of rotatable cushioned ring 36 is there depicted.
  • the device 10 is depicted encountering a corner C along a wall or hallway.
  • the handle 42 is turned as shown so as to aim front wheel 18 in the direction of the turn.
  • the cushioned ring 36 contacting against corner C, rotates in the direction of arrow B with respect to frame 12.
  • cushioned ring 36 remains somewhat stationary at its contact point with corner C, while the remainder of frame 12 and device 10 are propelled around corner C.
  • the frame may also be structured of braces or the like rather than plate material, which braces include support elements for each roller as previously described.
  • foot supports may be included astride the front wheel.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention se rapporte à un véhicule de déplacement individuel (10) ayant un centre de gravité très bas et un encombrement total compact, pour faciliter les déplacements dans les couloirs étroits et dans les virages serrés par exemple pour passer une porte après avoir longé une pièce étroite. Ce véhicule (10) comprend un châssis en forme de disque circulaire disposé généralement à l'horizontale (12), maintenu en support à proximité étroite au-dessus du sol par une roue avant (18) et par deux roues arrière espacées (20 et 22). L'une des roues (18, 20 ou 22) est mue par un moteur et l'ensemble batterie (24) est connecté au châssis (12) et soutenu par lui. Un siège (16) est prévu pour que les pieds de l'utilisateur puissent être placés confortablement sur le châssis (12). Une garniture d'amortissement circulaire (36), soit fixée soit de préférence montée rotative et s'étendant radialement depuis le périmètre du châssis (12), vient en contact avec les objets fixes tels que murs, encadrements de portes et similaires, pour faciliter les man÷uvres en espace restreint, jusqu'ici impossibles avec d'autres véhicules de ce type.
PCT/US1993/000583 1992-02-04 1993-01-29 Vehicule de deplacement individuel Ceased WO1993014968A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US83064792A 1992-02-04 1992-02-04
US07/830,647 1992-02-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1993014968A1 true WO1993014968A1 (fr) 1993-08-05

Family

ID=25257389

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1993/000583 Ceased WO1993014968A1 (fr) 1992-02-04 1993-01-29 Vehicule de deplacement individuel

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3589793A (fr)
WO (1) WO1993014968A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5479998A (en) * 1994-02-24 1996-01-02 Namco Ltd. Electronic powered motor vehicle
US5524720A (en) * 1994-08-19 1996-06-11 Lathrop; John Powered walker having integrated parallel bars
US6044924A (en) * 1996-11-04 2000-04-04 Adli; Manoucher Hot compressed gas powered vehicle
BE1015829A3 (nl) * 2003-12-23 2005-09-06 Slegers Ludo Robert Leo Verrijdbare kruk.
NL1028058C2 (nl) * 2005-01-18 2006-07-19 Univ Delft Tech Inrichting voor het bieden van verplaatsingshulp.

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB317930A (en) * 1928-06-02 1929-08-29 Hugo Haase Improvements in motor vehicles for amusement purposes
US2222835A (en) * 1939-07-25 1940-11-26 Gambardella Vincent Floor scrubbing, brushing, and polishing machine
DE2321439A1 (de) * 1972-05-03 1973-11-15 Calzada Gabriel Sanchez Stossfaengerrahmen
US4403673A (en) * 1981-01-06 1983-09-13 Douglas Ball Powered vehicle
US4988138A (en) * 1990-03-29 1991-01-29 Baby Bumpers, Inc. Bumper guard for baby walker

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB317930A (en) * 1928-06-02 1929-08-29 Hugo Haase Improvements in motor vehicles for amusement purposes
US2222835A (en) * 1939-07-25 1940-11-26 Gambardella Vincent Floor scrubbing, brushing, and polishing machine
DE2321439A1 (de) * 1972-05-03 1973-11-15 Calzada Gabriel Sanchez Stossfaengerrahmen
US4403673A (en) * 1981-01-06 1983-09-13 Douglas Ball Powered vehicle
US4988138A (en) * 1990-03-29 1991-01-29 Baby Bumpers, Inc. Bumper guard for baby walker

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5479998A (en) * 1994-02-24 1996-01-02 Namco Ltd. Electronic powered motor vehicle
US5524720A (en) * 1994-08-19 1996-06-11 Lathrop; John Powered walker having integrated parallel bars
US6044924A (en) * 1996-11-04 2000-04-04 Adli; Manoucher Hot compressed gas powered vehicle
BE1015829A3 (nl) * 2003-12-23 2005-09-06 Slegers Ludo Robert Leo Verrijdbare kruk.
NL1028058C2 (nl) * 2005-01-18 2006-07-19 Univ Delft Tech Inrichting voor het bieden van verplaatsingshulp.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3589793A (en) 1993-09-01

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