A mobile chair apparatus is described that comprises a drive assembly that preferably includes one or more moveable foot pedals, and drive wheels which rotate in response to rotation of the foot pedals by the mobile chair occupant, and a steering assembly which comprises two steering wheels and two armrests, wherein movement of just one armrest will translate into movement of both steering wheels, and wherein the drive assembly and the steering assembly concurrently enable the mobile chair occupant to propel and steer the mobile chair apparatus without assistance from another person.

Apparatus for a manually-powered wheelchair comprising a frame and first and second wheel rotatably coupled to the frame. Each wheel includes a hand rim and a drive wheel. For each of the first and second wheels, a multiple speed transmission coupled to the wheel comprises a transmission output coupled to the drive wheel, a transmission input coupled to the hand rim, and at least two gears selectively coupling the transmission output to the transmission input. The transmission allows the drive wheel and the hand rim to rotate concentrically with one another but at different speeds. A selector is provided for selecting one of the at least two gears. A controller controls the selector to operate the transmission for the first and/or second wheel.

Embodiments according to the present invention include a load transitioning mechanism which enables attachment and release of at least one ground-contacting adaptive implement, such as a multi-terrain caster wheel assembly, a motorized wheel, or a ski; embodiments further enable reversible reconfiguration of the wheelchair by a user between a.) an original load-bearing configuration utilizing the conventional forward caster wheels of the wheelchair, and b.) a modified load-bearing configuration utilizing the ground-contacting adaptive implement.

A walking assist apparatus includes a pair of wheels, at least one first driving unit that drives the pair of wheels, a main body that rotatably supports the pair of wheels, and a grip that is disposed at one end of the main body to be able to be gripped. The walking assist apparatus includes a sensor unit configured to detect an angular change in an inclination angle of the main body in a pitch direction, and a first control unit configured and programmed to control an operation of the at least one first driving unit based on an output of the sensor unit such that the angular change of the main body is zero.

In one embodiment, a wheelchair drive mechanism adapted to mount to a wheelchair includes a drive lever adapted to be rotated forward and rearward by a user of the wheelchair, a clutch mechanism associated with the drive lever, wherein actuation of the clutch mechanism causes the drive lever to be coupled to a wheel of the wheelchair such that they rotate together, and a clutch actuation device provided on the drive lever that is operable by the wheelchair user to actuate the clutch mechanism.

A conveyance to carry humans, such as a wheelchair, is described having levers on each side of the wheelchair that are manually moved forward and backward to propel the conveyance. The user is able to shift into forward, reverse or neutral, brake, and change mechanical advantage (gear ratio), all this without removing the user's hands from the drive levers.

A wheel assembly comprising a wheel (5) for a wheelchair (1), a gripping ring (6) connected to the wheel, and a gear-shift arrangement (7; 10; 40; 70); the wheel being provided with a wheel axle (17; 47; 77); the gear-shift arrangement being configured to change a gear ratio between the wheel and the gripping ring; the gear-shift arrangement comprising an internal-gear hub (8; 16; 46; 76) comprising a number of internal gears (18, 18, 18; 48, 48, 48; 78, 78, 78), a shift member (15; 45; 75), and a gear selector (9; 11; 41; 71) located on the same side of the wheel as the gripping ring, wherein the gear selector is operatively connected to the shift member (15; 45; 75) that is axially moveable within the internal-gear hub to engage a specific gear of said number of internal gears, and that the gear selector has an inner base portion (12; 42; 72) and an outer handle portion (13; 43; 73) and extends radially away from the wheel axle.

A manual wheelchair including a collapsible frame having a first lateral member that is connected to first and second braces at their respective first ends. A drive wheel axel extends along a first axis of rotation and engages a drive wheel, the first brace, and a portion of a transmission. A push rim axel extends along a second axis of rotation and engages a push rim wheel, the second brace, and a portion of the transmission, which transmits rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. The collapsible frame additionally includes a second lateral member that is connected to the first and second braces as their respective second ends. The first and second braces are configured to release the second lateral member to collapse the manual wheelchair.