Patent Application
20220054333
The present invention is an easily transportable electronic transportation device that selectively engages to a hoverboard, providing on-demand assistance, with shock-absorbing front wheels and height-adjustable handlebar for different heights of companions who will accompany the user.
People, whether through birth defect, injury, or age, may require the use of a transportation device to be mobile like a wheelchair. This typically includes a frame, chair, and at least one set of wheels. There are two main types of wheelchairs: manual and electric. The manual wheelchair allows an occupant to either manually rotate the wheels using his hands to move both himself and the wheelchair or an assistant can push the wheelchair using the handles of the frame. A manually powered wheelchair, however, can be physically exhausting—especially when traveling uphill or over difficult terrain. Furthermore, many wheelchair users prefer to be pushed by their partner rather than operating a motorized version themselves. This gives them a sense of security and personal connection to their companion.
Electronically powered wheelchairs, on the other hand, are powered through a battery and allow an occupant to travel without having to manually turn the wheels or have someone else push the wheelchair. Electronically powered wheelchairs exist today at a higher price than the average consumer is able or willing to pay for a premium product. People whose health requires a powered transport chair have difficulty loading and unloading them in their vehicles due to their weight and size. Most electronically powered wheelchairs weigh more than 70 pounds. Due to weight of their wheelchairs, it is difficult to transport wheelchairs in vehicles unless the vehicle is especially modified for use with a wheelchair, which is expensive. Occupants of electronically powered wheelchairs are therefore forced to remain close to home, within an area determined by the length of time a battery can power their wheelchair. Occupants must ensure that their battery will not fail unexpectedly if they travel outside of their home. Occupants therefore cannot travel far outside of their home or find it difficult to do so unless their vehicle is specially modified for use with a wheelchair, which is also expensive.
It is therefore desirable for an electronically powered wheelchair to be economically priced and easily transportable to allow users to travel outside of their homes. It is further desirable an electronic wheelchair to be lighter weight, easier to transport, has a smaller footprint, and allows an improved quality of travel for the rider and caregiver than previously offered.
The present invention discloses an electronically powered transportation device that resolves one or more of the shortcomings disclosed above.
One aspect of the present invention discloses an electronically powered, e-assist transportation device powered by hoverboard which is used on-demand by the companion who is pushing the transport chair. The transportation device further includes a drive system that bypasses a gyroscope within the hoverboard so that the transportation device does not need to be controlled through physical contact with the hoverboard.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a chassis that has a frame engagement portion and a drive frame portion that can be coupled together when using and decoupled when transporting it in the car. The drive frame portion and hoverboard may therefore be transported separately from the frame engagement portion of the chassis. This is a dramatic decrease in weight of the unit so it can be lifted into a car by most people.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a chassis that has a leg frame portion that connects to shock absorbing front wheels with suspension to improve ride quality and user safety.
Still another aspect of the present invention includes a chassis having a handle that is ergonomically shaped for easier use by the companion. It is further pivotally height adjustable to accommodate different heights of the companion. The handle also selectively pivots or folds for easier transportation.
A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views.
In the drawings:
The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description.
As illustrated in
The chassis 10 further includes a back portion 50 that extends upwards, away from the back seat portion end 35. More specifically, a lower back portion end 55 of the back portion 50 is adjacent to the back-seat portion end 35. The back portion 50 extends from the lower back portion end 55 to back side portions 60, located generally perpendicular to the lower back portion end 55, and finally to an upper back portion end 65 also located generally perpendicular to the back side portions 60 and opposite from the lower back portion end 55 Similarly, to the seat portion 25, the back portion 50 may be a solid section or piece that supports the back of the wheelchair occupant. Alternatively, the back portion 50 may include tubes, members, supports, or other structures (not shown) that extend across the lower back portion end 55, back side portions 60, and upper back portion end 65 to form a rectangular-like shape. The back portion 50 may further include a back cover 70 that extends from the lower back portion end 55 to the upper back portion end 65, as well as from one back side portion 60 to the other back side portion 60 to create a support surface for the wheelchair occupant to lean upon.
Together, the seat portion 25 and the back portion 50 form a L-like shape or a conventional portion of a chair which abuts the user when seated. The seat portion 25 and the back portion 50 are therefore each generally planar so that the seat portion 25 and back portion 50 may support the occupant. In alternative embodiments, the seat portion 25 and the back portion 50 may be curved and shaped to support the occupant more ergonomically. The seat portion 25 and/or back portion 50 may further be cushioned to be more comfortable for the occupant.
The chassis 10 also includes two arm rests 75, where each arm rest 75 extends generally perpendicular from the back side portions 60 and generally parallel to the seat side portions 40, and further positioned so that the occupant can place his arms on and be supported by the arm rest 75. In alternative embodiments, the arm rests 75 may be padded so that they are more comfortable for the occupant. The arm rests 75 may further be height adjustable. The chassis 10 further includes an ergonomic handle 80 that extends from pivot joints 85. Each pivot joint 85 may be located and positioned at the intersection of the upper back portion end 65 and back side portions 60, thereby connecting the handle 80 with the upper back portion end 65. Alternatively, the pivot joint 85 may be located and positioned so that the pivot joints 85 extend from a handle extender 88. The handle extender 88 may be a member extending from the back portion end 65. In one embodiment, the handle 80 may be a U-shaped bar. In more detail, the handle 80 may be further shaped so that the handle 80 includes handle arm portions 90 that project away from each pivot joint 85 and curve inwardly into handle concave portions 95. The handle concave portions 95 may then curve outwardly into the handle shoulder portions 100 before joining at a generally horizontal handle center portion 105.
The ergonomic handle 80 is more comfortable for an assistant when pushing the transportation device 5 because it allows the assistant's arms, wrists, and hands to be positioned naturally. Unlike when the arms, wrists, and/or hands are bent or twisted, natural arm, wrist, and hand positioning allows a person to use the same amount of energy and force to push the transportation device 5, and also reduces the likelihood of obtaining muscle injury. As illustrated in
The handle 80 further includes a controller 115 which may be located on the handle center portion 105 for easy access by the assistant pushing the transportation device 5. Other controller 115 locations on the handle 80 or transportation device 5 are envisioned and foreseeable. In one embodiment, the controller 115 includes a controller handle 120 that projects away from the controller 115. The controller handle 120 may be used to control if and the amount of assistance from a drive component or hoverboard 20 to power the transportation device 5, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter. In alternative embodiments, the controller 115 may include gears, buttons, and/or other control mechanisms to control the transportation device 5. In still other embodiments, the controller 115 may be located in other places on the transportation device 5, thereby allowing either the assistant or occupant to use the controller 115.
Turning back to
The leg frame portion 130 of the chassis 10 is further adjacent to and pivotably engages a footrest portion 155. The footrest portion 155 may include footrest connection segments 160 that engage and extend adjacent from the leg frame portion 130, and footrest horizontal segments 165, that extend generally perpendicularly from and between the footrest connection segments 160. Further, the footrest portion 155 is shaped and sized so that the wheelchair occupant can place their feet on and be supported by the footrest horizontal segments 165. Additionally, the footrest connection segments 160 pivotably engage the leg frame portion 130 thereby allowing the footrest portion 155 to rotate upwards for storage or rotate downwards for use by the wheelchair occupant. In alternative embodiments, the footrest portion 155 may engage the support frame portion 125 (or both the leg frame portion 130 and support frame 115).
Referring to
As illustrated in
The drive engagement frame segment 210 of the engagement frame portion 200 may be formed from a series of frame segments 225 that form a 90° or V-like shape thereby allowing the engagement frame portion 200 to selectively engage with the hoverboard 20. The engagement frame portion 200 further includes hook and loop straps 230 that are attached to the engagement frame portion 200, adjacent to the engagement frame segments 190 and 195. The engagement frame portion 200 also includes apertures, slits, or slots 235 located opposite from the hook and loop straps 230. The slots 235 is further shaped and sized so that each hook and loop strap 230 may extend through each slot 235 before folding back on itself to form a hook and loop engagement. In other embodiments, the straps 230 and/or slots 235 may be located in other areas of the engagement frame portion 200. The engagement frame portion 200 further includes at least one brake frame portion 240 and a brake 245 attached to the at least one brake frame portion 240. The brake 245 includes a brake pad 250 attached to a brake lever 255. In one embodiment, the brake pad 250 may be a member with the brake lever 255 located and positioned at one end of the brake lever 255 and a brake handle 260 located at the other end of the brake lever 255, opposite from the brake pad 250. The at least one brake frame portion 240 projects away from the drive engagement frame segment 210, and is further positioned so that the brake pad 250 of the brake 245 abuts a hoverboard wheel 265 when the brake 245 is engaged thereby slowing and stopping the transportation device 5 through friction.
As illustrated in
The cover 15 may be a plastic covering shaped and sized to extend between the two hoverboard wheels 265 and over the upper hoverboard surface 275. A bottom cover face 295 of the cover 15 is therefore adjacent to and abuts the upper hoverboard surface 275, while an upper cover face 300 is located and positioned opposite from the bottom cover face 295. In one embodiment, the cover 15 may be substantially planar. In alterative embodiments, the cover 15 may extend past the upper hoverboard surface 275 and also cover at least a portion of the hoverboard side surfaces 285. In yet another embodiment, the cover 15 may include aperture(s) and/or protrusions depending on the shape and structure of the hoverboard 20. In still yet another embodiment, the cover 15 may be any shape and size as long as the cover 15 is able to protect the hoverboard 20 from damage when the hoverboard 20 is engaged with the engagement frame portion 200.
In an example embodiment and as shown in
Turning to
The occupant can then sit on the transportation device 5 and the assistant can release the brake 245 by pushing the brake handle 260 downwards thereby rotating the brake lever 255 so that the brake pad 250 no longer abuts and engages the hoverboard wheels 265. The assistant can then adjust the handle 80 by pressing the button 110 and pivoting the handle 80 to lift or lower the handle 80 until the handle 80 is the desired height where the button 110 can then be released, thereby locking the handle 80 at its desired height. The assistant can then push the transportation device 5. If the assistant desires assistance in pushing the transportation device 5 and occupant, the assistant can actuate the controller handle 120 of the controller 115. In one embodiment, the greater the pressure the assistant uses to actuate the controller handle 120, the greater the amount of assistance the assistant receives from the hoverboard 20. The drive system 180 bypasses a gyroscope (not shown) within the hoverboard 20 and allows an asymmetrical amount of power directed towards the hoverboard wheels 265 when the transportation device 5 turns. The transportation device 5 can therefore smoothly turn left or right without needing to tilt or place more pressure on one side of the upper hoverboard surface 275. Without the drive system 180, either the transportation device 5 would struggle when turning due to the equal amount of power directed towards both hoverboard wheels 265 or the occupant would be forced to control the transportation device 5 through the hoverboard—by tilting or placing more pressure on the various portions of the hoverboard 20.
The assistant can also decrease the amount of power directed towards the hoverboard wheels 265 by placing less pressure on the controller handle 120 or letting go of the controller handle 120. The transportation device 5 then decelerates and eventually comes to a complete stop. The assistant can then engage the brake 245 to ensure the transportation device 5 does not roll away.
Referring to
While most electric wheelchairs weigh 70+ pounds, this transport chair easily separates without tools into two lightweight pieces, each less than 35 pounds. Its front-to-back foldable/collapsible design is lighter weight, easier to transport, has a smaller footprint, and allows an improved quality of travel for the rider and caregiver than previously offered. The new transport device 5 also gives the caregiver the option to push the transport chair manually or to engage an on-demand e-assist motor for more strenuous outings such as steep inclines, uneven surfaces, or long distances.
In alternative embodiments, the transportation device 5 may be a stroller where the hoverboard 20 can replace the rear wheels. The hoverboard 20 can then selectively assist in helping the assistant, parent, or guardian in pushing the child or children similarly to the example of a wheelchair as a transportation device 5 as described above.
It should be understood that the above description, while indicating representative embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.
Various additions, modifications, and rearrangements are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarding as the invention, and it is intended that the following claims cover all such additions, modifications, and rearrangements.
