A dampening system is efficient in dampening vibration through a wheelchair frame. The system allows a lower base frame and wheels to be rigidly attached, while an upper seat frame is joined to the base frame through elastomeric dampening bushings to isolate the seat frame from the base frame. The bushings may be hidden in vertical upright tubes of the base frame. The bushings can also be used for supporting front caster forks and/or a rear axle assembly in isolation to the base frame.

The present invention relates to a foldable wheelchair (10) comprising two side frame components (11a, 11b), respectively a left and a right side frame components, each mounting front and rear wheels (12a, 13a; 12b, 13b), respectively left and right, front and rear wheels, said rear wheels (13a, 13b) having an axis of rotation (XX′), said side frame components (11a, 11b) being connected together for relative folding movement between an erected position and a folded position by foldable link element (20) extending between said two side frame components (11a, 11b), wherein the left, respectively the right, side frame component (11a, 11b) comprises a T-shaped bracket (17), along which is connected both a rear wheel suspension (19) of the left, respectively the right, rear wheel (13a, 13b) and a left, respectively a right, end (21a, 22b) of the foldable link element (20), wherein the position of T-shaped bracket (17) is adjustable along the back-to-front direction of the wheelchair so as to permit the adjustment of the position of the center of gravity of the wheelchair.

The present disclosure relates to a chassis arrangement (1) for an electrically powered wheelchair (35). The chassis arrangement (1) comprises a main chassis member (3) having a first side panel (3a) defining a first side of the main chassis member (3), and a second side panel (3b) defining a second side of the main chassis member (3), the second side being opposite to the first side, wherein each of the first side panel (3a) and the second side panel (3b) has spring attachment arrangements (3g, 3h) for attachment of spring assemblies (9a, 9b, 11a, 11b), wherein each of the first side panel (3a) and the second side panel (3b) has pivot arm attachment arrangements (3e, 3f) for attachment of pivot arms (5a, 5b, 7a, 7b), wherein the main chassis member (3) has a torsional stiffness greater than 1200 Nm/degree. An electrically powered wheelchair comprising a chassis arrangement (1) is also presented herein.

The present invention relates to wheelchair improvements and, in particular, to a wheelchair including a monocoque structural skin according to one aspect, and a suspension assembly according to another aspect.

A wheelchair including a frame and a suspension system. The suspension system may have at least one front caster arm pivotally connected to the frame, a front caster connected to the front caster arm, a first link, and a second link. The first link is pivotally connected to the frame, and the second link is slidably connected to the front caster arm and pivotally connected to the first link.

A wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a drive assembly pivot arm, a drive assembly, a front caster pivot arm, a front caster, and a spring and shock absorbing assembly. The drive assembly pivot arm is pivotally connected to the frame. The drive assembly includes a drive wheel and is mounted to the drive assembly pivot arm. The front caster pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the frame and coupled to the drive assembly pivot arm. The front caster is coupled to the at least one front caster pivot arm. The spring and shock absorbing assembly is pivotally connected to the drive assembly pivot arm at a first pivotal connection and pivotally connected to the front caster pivot arm at a second pivotal connection. The first and second pivotal connections are positioned such that a majority of the force applied by the spring and shock absorbing assembly is applied to the drive wheel when the suspension is on a flat, horizontal support surface.

A suspension for a wheelchair, wherein the suspension comprises: a frame, a motor carrier pivotally mounted on the frame to rotate about a motor carrier axis, a drive wheel having a bottom and mounted on the motor carrier to rotate about a drive wheel axis, a swing arm pivotally mounted on the frame to rotate about a swing arm axis, a swing wheel having a bottom and mounted on the swing arm to rotate about a swing wheel axis, a first contact surface coupled to move in concert with the motor carrier, and a second contact surface coupled to move in concert with the swing arm and configured to contact the first contact surface and transfer an upward force on the swing wheel into a downward force on the drive wheel.

A powered wheelchair comprises a frame and an arm assembly that includes an arm that is pivotably coupled to the frame. The arm assembly includes a wheel coupled to the arm. A drive system is coupled to the arm assembly and configured to drive a drive wheel. An arm limiter is pivotably coupled to the suspension and coupled to one or more of the arm assembly and the drive system in an engaged position. The arm limiter is configured to limit movement of the arm assembly in the engaged position.

Embodiments of a suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame and a locking assembly. The locking assembly inhibits tipping of a frame of the vehicle when tipping of the frame is detected.

Wheeled vehicles, such as wheelchairs, that are adapted to traverse obstacles are provided. The wheeled vehicles include a frame, drive wheels, front anti-tip wheels positioned in front of the drive wheels and rear anti-tip wheels positioned behind the drive wheels. One exemplary vehicle includes front anti-tip wheels supported by rigid arms that are fixed to the frame and drive assemblies that are independently suspended from the frame. Another exemplary vehicle includes a linkage that links the front and rear anti-tip wheels, such that movement of one of the front or rear anti-tip wheel relative to the frame causes movement of the other wheel relative to the frame.