A patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a litter supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. A user interface is employed to control the powered devices. The user interface is designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices with fewer buttons, while retaining functionality in using powered devices.

A motor unit having a motor shaft, and a speed reduction mechanism connected to the motor shaft are included. The speed reduction mechanism includes a sun gear unit disposed on the motor shaft, planetary gear units meshing with the sun gear unit and arranged in the circumferential direction, a carrier at least a part of which surrounds the planetary gear units, and an output unit connected to the planetary gear units. The carrier includes a first cylindrical portion disposed outward of and above the sun gear unit and extending in the axial direction. The first cylindrical portion rotatably supports the output unit via a bearing, and the bearing is at least partly disposed radially inward of the radially outer end of the planetary gear unit.

A drive unit usable in an electrically assisted wheelchair includes a controller to acquire an output signal from a torque sensor and an output signal from a speed sensor; measure a time period in which a first state, where the output signal from the torque sensor indicates that a forward-direction torque applied to a hand rim has a value no smaller than a first predetermined value, continues; and when the measured time period is a first time period or longer, start control of an electric motor in a cruise control mode by which the electrically assisted wheelchair runs while keeping a running speed at a target speed.

A patient support apparatus for patients. The patient support apparatus comprises a base and a litter supported by the base. The patient support apparatus also comprises powered devices that perform one or more predetermined functions on the patient support apparatus. A user interface is employed to control the powered devices. The user interface is designed to enable caregivers to cause operation of the powered devices with fewer buttons, while retaining functionality in using powered devices.

An assembly for operating a wheelchair is provided. The assembly has a support frame with a planar support surface and a motor support assembly positioned on the planar support surface such as to be able to slide. The motor support assembly supports a motor which is coupled to a pinion gear. The assembly further has a linkage assembly for coupling the motor support assembly to the support frame. A handle member is coupled to the linkage assembly and is adapted to move the motor support assembly along the planar support surface. A method for engaging gears of a motorized vehicle (e.g. a wheelchair) is also provided. The method comprises moving a handle generally upwardly, which causes the linkage assembly to slide the motor support assembly along the planar support surface of the support frame until the pinion gear engages and meshes with a bull gear of the motorized vehicle.

An electrical power assistance device designed to be removably coupled to existing transport wheelchairs to provide electric power to aid in transportation of a person sitting in the wheelchair, while being detachable to allow the transport chair to fold up for easy storage in a car or other vehicle. The electrical power assistance device includes a motor powered by a rechargeable battery, where the motor drives an internal shaft which rotates a pair of friction wheels. A clutch, provided on a separate axle coupled to the friction wheels by eccentric disks, allows the friction wheels to engage or disengage with the rear wheels of the transport wheelchair.

A family of vehicles is presented which exploit dynamic controls to stabilize in-line two wheeled vehicles. The stabilization results in improved safety at high speeds and on uncooperative surfaces. Stabilization affords balance at zero speed without auxiliary support means. Transformational wheel base length affords high visibility at low speeds and low drag at high speeds. In wheel chair configurations transforming wheel base length allows navigation up and down stairs.

A motorized mobile system includes a human machine interface (HMI) to provide control instructions to the system. A controller in the system receives the control instructions and generates a control signal, wherein the generated control signal causes one or more components of the motorized mobile system to respond. One or more sensors generate health data related to a user, wherein the health data is stored in a secure memory connected to the controller, and wherein the stored user health data is used to bias the control signal for the motorized mobile system.

A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame at a common pivot axis such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.

A mobility vehicle may comprise a frame, a first pivot arm, a second pivot arm, and a suspension assembly. The first pivot arm may be coupled to the frame and coupled to a drive wheel. The second pivot arm may be coupled to the frame and coupled to a ground engaging caster wheel. The suspension assembly may be coupled to the frame. The suspension assembly may include a first spring assembly and a second spring assembly. The first spring assembly may be disposed about a first spring axis and coupled to the first pivot arm. The second spring assembly may be disposed about a second spring axis and coupled to the second pivot arm. The first spring axis and the second spring axis may be disposed relative to each other at an angle of no greater than about 150° when the mobility vehicle is operating on horizontal ground.