Vehicle for wheel chairs

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a vehicle that is used to transport individuals while on their wheel chairs. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an all terrain vehicle that provides access to its users from one end of the vehicle, and allows dismounting of the individual through another end.

(b) Discussion of Known Art

The problems associated with providing access to and from areas of public accommodation for people who rely on a wheelchair for mobility has gained a great deal of attention in recent years. This problem has become particularly perplexing or difficult to solve in areas of public accommodation such as ski resorts and the like, where visitors will encounter a wide variety of irregular terrain. Solutions for providing access to these places of public accommodation have included forming large ramps, roadways, or installing elevators, or other devices that pick up and carry the wheel chair and user from one level to the next.

An example of a known mechanism for carrying an individual from one level to the next is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,330 to Blokland. The Blokland device is a stair climbing apparatus that uses a pair of endless tracks that support a platform that is pivotally connected to the endless tracks to allow changing of the angle of the platform relative to the endless track. Additionally, the Blokland device includes a lower level platform that allows access to the device from the lower, or ground, level, and an upper level platform that allows the user to exit the device at the top of the stairs. The lower level platform is longer than the upper level platform. The difference in length of the lower level platform versus the upper level platform is probably dictated by the fact that if the device stops near the upper landing, the distance from the platform to the landing is smaller than the distance from the platform to the ground when the device is stopped at ground level (following a trajectory that would provide a gradient suitable for easy access to the platform). This geometry and structure makes the Blokland device particularly well suited for addressing the problems associated carrying an individual up a set of stairs, but gives little guidance to the ordinary artisan on how to solve problems associated with other types of terrain. For example, if the individual needs to travel over snow covered terrain or across a ditch or other obstacle.

Another significant limitation encountered with the Blokland device is that it is not steerable by the user, and thus does not provide the user with the ability to use the device for purposes other than climbing stairs. Still further, the structure of the lower level platform of Blokland device would not permit the user to see in the direction of travel if moving in the direction of the lower level platform.

Known devices which allow the user to steer and control the direction of movement of a device that carries an individual while seated in a wheel chair include U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,193 to Oka; U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,180 to Livingston; U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,508 to Hayata; U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,057 to McCallum; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,740 to Forster. Known devices that describe transportation devices with a pair of endless tracks include U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,483 to Randolph and U.S. Pat. No. 2,592,023 to Gleason.

A review of these known devices reveals that there remains a need for a transportation device that allows individuals on a wheelchair to climb into and exit the device without having to leave the wheelchair and without having to move the wheelchair in a backwards direction to exit the device. Still further, there remains a need for a transportation device that allows an individual on a wheelchair to negotiate a variety of terrain features, includeing snowy terrain, rocky terrain, deep sand or simply wet or irregular terrain without being constrained as to the direction of access to and from the vehicle in order to be able to steer the vehicle to and from the area being accessed.

Thus, a review of known devices reveals that there remains a need for a transportation device that is simple, robust, and allows easy access to a driving position on the device while using a wheel chair.

There remains a need for a transportation device that allows an individual on a wheel chair to sit, operate and steer the vehicle while sitting facing one direction or while sitting facing an opposite direction.

SUMMARY

It has been discovered that the problems left unanswered by known art can be solved by providing a vehicle for transporting an individual on a wheel chair over land, the vehicle being operable and steerable by the individual the vehicle including:

a) a support platform having a first end, a second end, a mid-section and generally parallel sides, the generally parallel sides being raised over the support platform to define a pathway over the support platform, the pathway extending from the first end to the second end of the support platform; and

b) a steering device attached to at least one of the generally parallel sides at a position over the mid-section of said support platform, so that the vehicle is steerable by the individual on a wheel chair while facing either the first end of said support platform or the second end of said support platform. According to a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle includes a pair of access platforms that are attached to the ends of the support platform. These access platforms will provide a gently sloping gradient for access to the support platform. In this highly preferred embodiment of the invention the platforms are hingeldy connected to the vehicle to allow the platforms to pivot from a first position where the platforms cooperate with the sides of the vehicle to enclose the area where the user will sit, to a second position, where the access platforms tilt down to provide an access ramp to the support platform. It is also contemplated that the access platforms may be removable or include a mechanism that raises and lowers the access platforms in a parallel manner relative to the support platform.

According to this highly preferred embodiment, the vehicle will be electrically propelled along a pair of generally parallel propulsion devices, such as at least two wheels, or a pair of endless tracks. In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention a pair of endless tracks that are generally parallel to the sides of the support platform are used to propel and steer the vehicle.

Additionally, it is important to note that by positioning the steering mechanism or systems on one of the sides of the support platform, at a location that is approximately equidistant form the access platform allows the vehicle to be steerable by an individual while facing either access platform. Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, the steering mechanism includes a joy stick or similar transdoucing device with a wireless remote control type signal used to send the control signal from the joy stick to the drive mechanism of the vehicle.

Additionally, it will be understood that the disclosed invention provides a transportation system that can be used over a wide variety of terrains, including snow, sand, irregular surfaces and so on, to allow individuals on a wheel chair to go over or avoid terrain that would be otherwise extremely difficult to negotiate while on a wheel chair.

It should also be understood that while the above and other advantages and results of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, showing the contemplated novel construction, combinations and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it should be clearly understood that changes in the precise embodiments of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention according to the best mode presently devised for making and using the instant invention, and in which:

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the illustrated embodiment including an optional canopy.

FIG. 2

is a plan view of the support platform used with the disclosed invention. The view also illustrates the hinged connection of the access platforms to the support platform.

FIG. 3

is a side elevational view of a highly preferred embodiment of the invention. The view also illustrates the range of motion of the access platforms and the cooperation of the access platforms with the sides extending from the support platform.

FIG. 4

is an end elevational view illustrating the path through the invention as created when the access platforms are lowered.

FIG. 5

illustrates the contemplated arrangement of an endless track system used with the invention and which allows driving and steering of the invention in either direction, without having a defined or fixed front or forward direction or fixed rear or reverse direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLAR EMBODIMENTS

While the invention will be described and disclosed here in connection with certain preferred embodiments, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described here, but rather the invention is intended to cover all alternative embodiments and modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims included herein as well as any equivalents of the disclosed and claimed invention.

Turning now to

FIG. 1

where a vehicle

10

for transporting an individual on a wheel chair over land. It is contemplated that the vehicle

10

will be operable and steerable by the individual, whether the individual faces either direction along the body

12

of the vehicle

10

.

As can be understood from

FIGS. 1 and 2

, a highly preferred embodiment of the invention will include a body

12

with a support platform

14

. The support platform

14

will preferably include having a first end

16

, a second end

18

, a mid-section

20

and generally parallel sides

22

. From the generally parallel sides

22

will extend side panels

24

that will extend over the support platform

14

to define a pathway

26

over the support platform

14

. As can be understood from

FIG. 2

, the pathway

26

will extend between the first end

16

and the second end

18

of the support platform

14

.

Also shown on

FIGS. 1 and 2

is that it is contemplated that the side panels

24

will terminate in generally flat or seat surfaces

28

that extend along both sides

22

of the support platform

14

. It is further contemplated that along these surfaces

28

, or along the sides

22

, a steering means

30

will be supported. In a highly preferred embodiment, these steering means

30

will include a joy stick

32

, which simply a pole-type control which supports hand operated buttons which can in turn control various functions of the vehicle

10

. The joy stick

32

will control the functions of the vehicle by any known means. For example, it is contemplated that the joy stick

32

will be electrically connected to a control module that will accept signals from the joy stick

32

and control functions such as velocity, direction of travel, or stopping, by controlling drive mechanism

34

that is incorporated into the system. It is important to note that while it is contemplated that the control signals may be transmitted by way of a wireless, remote control signal, allowing the vehicle to be controlled from a distance such as by a person moving along side the vehicle. Additionally, it is contemplated that the joy stick

32

will be movably or removably attached along any of the seat surfaces

28

. Attachment to the seat surfaces

28

may be accomplished by way of a hook and loop type base attachment

33

, which accepts mating material on the joy stick

32

. Signals and power to operate the joy stick

32

would then be provided by plug-in type sockets or batteries housed within the joy stick

32

, which then use infrared or electrical pulse or similar signals to transmit the control signals that will eventually be used to control the control module

44

. As will be discussed in further detail below, the drive mechanism

34

will preferably be of the type that uses a pair of means for moving the device, such as a pair of rows of wheels or a pair of endless tracks

36

as illustrated.

Referring now to both

FIGS. 2 and 3

, where a pair of access platforms have been illustrated as connected to the support platform

14

. As illustrated, it is contemplated that a first access platform

38

will be pivotally connected to the first end

16

of the support platform

14

, and that a second access platform

40

will be pivotally connected to the second end

18

of the support platform

14

. It is important to note that while the preferred embodiment includes pivotal connections, it is also contemplated that hydraulically actuated rising and lowering platforms could also be used. However, it is preferred that the access platforms include and ability to raise the platforms such that the access platforms may be used for closing off the area around the support platform.

As illustrated in

FIG. 3

, it is contemplated that the access platforms will cooperate with the side panels

24

of the body

12

to enclose the support platform. Also, as shown on

FIG. 3

, the support platform

14

is at a relatively low level to the ground, preferably below the highest point on the endless tracks

42

of the drive mechanism. This arrangement will allow the first access platform

38

and the second access platform

40

to form a gradual gentle gradient from the support platform

14

to the ground once the first access platform

38

and the second access platform

40

are lowered as shown on

FIGS. 2

,

3

, and

4

. The gradual gradient formed by the access platforms allows easy entry and exit from the device while operating a wheel chair.

It is also important to note that the disclosed arrangement allows the user to carry passengers seated along the seat surfaces

28

. The fact that the access surfaces close off the support surface, and the fact that the steering mans can be relocated, allow the vehicle

10

to be used in transporting severely handicapped individuals on a wheelchair by moving the steering means to a location along one of the sides where an assistant may steer the vehicle

10

while the severely handicapped individual in the wheelchair is retained between the side panels

24

and the access platforms.

Also shown on

FIG. 3

is that because the disclosed invention incorporates the use of a steering means such as a joy stick

32

, it is contemplated that the position of the joy stick

32

may be varied along the sides panels

24

or the seat surfaces

28

. The attachment may accomplished by way of hook and loop attachment mechanisms or other mechanical or equivalent attachment means. However, it is important to note that the fact that the location of the joy stick

32

can be changed allows the vehicle

10

to be operated by an individual who is seated facing the first access platform

38

or the second access platform

40

. This in turn allows the user to approach the vehicle from either access platform and drive the vehicle

10

in a completely bi-directional manner. attached to at least one of the generally parallel sides at a position over the mid-section of said support platform, so that the vehicle is steerable by the individual on a wheel chair while facing either the first end of said support platform or the second end of said support platform.

Turning now to

FIG. 5

where the means for propelling the vehicle

10

, in the preferred embodiment the pair of endless tracks

42

, have been illustrated in greater detail. As illustrated, it is contemplated that the tracks

42

will be generally parallel to the sides

22

of the support platform

14

and at a fixed orientation or angle relative to the support platform

14

. It is contemplated that the electrical signals generated and delivered by the joy stick

32

will be accepted by the control module or unit

44

, which in turn will control the operation of an electric motor

46

. The motor

46

will preferably be powered by a series of batteries

48

. This arrangement will allow unimpeded operation of the vehicle

10

towards the first access platform

38

or towards the second access platform

40

with little, if any, difference or variation in operation. The circuitry of the control module

44

as well as other mechanical or electrical details are contemplated to be one of many circuits or endless track mechanisms that are commercially available. Also, as mentioned above, it is also contemplated that tires or wheels could be used in place of the endless track. However, the endless track is preferred for its ability to negotiate uneven or irregular terrain.

Thus it can be appreciated that the above described embodiments are illustrative of just a few of the numerous variations of arrangements of the disclosed elements used to carry out the disclosed invention. Moreover, while the invention has been particularly shown, described and illustrated in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it should be understood that the foregoing and other modifications are exemplary only, and that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, except as precluded by the prior art.