Systems and methods for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus. The patient transport apparatus has a support structure and a patient support surface. Caster assemblies are coupled to the support structure to roll about a roll axis and swivel about a swivel axis. A control system is configured to control brake mechanisms, steer-lock mechanisms, and pre-swivel mechanisms of the caster assemblies based on one or more inputs.

A wheelchair (1) is described which has two large propulsion wheels (5) for manually propelling the wheelchair, and a steering arrangement comprising a steering bar (8) on which are mounted smaller wheels (6). The small wheels may be free pivotable, as castors, or they may be locked by locking pins (12). A back-rest (4) can be tilted or rotated in a lateral plane about an axis (4) by the user leaning his or her upper body to the left or the right. Movement (19) of the back-rest is transmitted by lever (20) and Bowden cable (21) to the steering bar (8). In this manner, the wheelchair (1) may be steered by the user leaning to the left or right.

A wheelchair is disclosed that is especially designed for caretakers of severely handicapped patients. The wheelchair is pushed in a seat-backward direction that allows the caretaker to see the patient face-to-face for better evaluation of the patient's comfort status during movement of the wheelchair.

A brace that is easily attachable and detachable to a seat of a scooter. When used by an amputee the brace provides a surface to comfortably place an amputated appendage. The brace is manufactured to fit around a steering column of a scooter thereby providing ample surface. The user of the present invention can use an included cover to provide various benefits to the appendage.

A movable object includes a sensing device for detecting traveling-route reflector on a travel surface so that a region outside a floor projection region of the movable object, in particular the traveling-route reflector forward, can be detected. Detecting the traveling-route reflector across a wide range of areas allows traveling control, such as gradual deceleration before entering a curve, speed regulation based on a turning radius at the curve so that centrifugal force on a rider or load is not too great. Also the movable object can detect a branch point or an intersection beforehand, decelerate, and notify the user for user's instruction regarding the traveling direction. Furthermore, for a movable object autonomously traveling with an item mounted thereon, a single sensing device detects the traveling-route reflector and also serves as a safety sensor for avoiding collision with any other objects therearound.

An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair has at least one electrically driven drive wheel and a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to the wheelchair. The coupling mechanism includes a movable locking element which is movably supported in the coupling mechanism. The movable locking element can be in a locking position in which it causes locking in a positive-locking manner so that the auxiliary drive device is coupled to the wheelchair and, by operation of a handle, the locking element can be moved in a release position in which uncoupling of the auxiliary drive device from the wheelchair is possible.

An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair has at least one electrically driven drive wheel and a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to the wheelchair. The electrically driven drive wheel is supported at a steering shaft and freely pivotable with respect to the auxiliary drive device. The steering shaft is arranged such that, when the auxiliary drive device is coupled at a wheelchair ready to be operated, a castor is provided for the electrically driven drive wheel.

Relating primarily to the field of transporting are: a device, namely a self-controlled wheel, comprising several parts, admitting of change in the mutual position of individual parts of said self-controlled wheel, which are in contact with a support surface; and a method, namely a method to operate a wheel, comprising several parts, whereby the mutual position of individual parts of that wheel which are in contact with a support surface is changed. The technical outcome is a broader range of technical facilities.

A vehicle includes at least three wheels including a steered wheel, at least one drive source to drive at least two of the wheels, and a front suspension including an upper arm and a lower arm supporting the steered wheel. In a state where the vehicle is stationary on a level road surface, an anhedral angle of the lower arm is larger than an anhedral angle of the upper arm, and a difference between the anhedral angle of the lower arm and the anhedral angle of the upper arm is 5 degrees or more.

Systems and methods for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus. The patient transport apparatus has a support structure and a patient support surface. Caster assemblies are coupled to the support structure to roll about a roll axis and swivel about a swivel axis. A control system is configured to control brake mechanisms, steer-lock mechanisms, and pre-swivel mechanisms of the caster assemblies based on one or more inputs.