An access system includes a laterally extending frame, a carriage in operative connection with the laterally extending frame and including a drive to move the carriage laterally on the frame, a seat support attached to the carriage including a seat assembly interface and a lift to raise and lower the seat assembly interface within a range of positions, a seat assembly attached to the seat assembly interface, a controller in operative connection with the drive of the carriage and the lift of the seat support via which the position of the seat support is controllable, and a controller interface in operative connection with the controller.

A motor-driven chair has a central drive wheel located beneath the seat and linked so as to be aligned with the facing direction of the seat. A user turns the direction of motion by rotating the seat relative to a surrounding stabilizer assembly so as to turn the seat and the drive wheel towards a direction in which he wishes to move. A suspension arrangement maintains a desired distribution of user load between the drive wheel and the stabilizer assembly. A combination of fixed-axis wheels with castered wheels provides angular anchoring of the stabilizer assembly to facilitate the seat steering process. The entire structure is preferably foldable for easy transportation and storage.

An articulating chair and a method of using same, include at least one actuator, a programmable controller, and movable upper back, lower back and seat bottom sections. In another aspect, an articulating wheelchair and a method of using same, include a seat bottom section, a lower frame to which the seat bottom section is coupled, floor-contacting wheels rotatably coupled to the lower frame, an upper back section, a lower back section, a back frame to which the upper back section and the lower back section are movably coupled, electromagnetic actuators coupled to the back sections, a battery mounted to at least one of the frames, and a programmable controller connected to the actuators and the battery.

A lift-assist chair is provided. The presently-disclosed lift-assist chairs can comprise a seat frame, a seat base that is pivotally coupled to the front edge of the seat frame and can be moved between a depressed position and an extended position, an arm support having a proximate end that is coupled to a lateral edge of the seat frame and a distal end that extends from the top side of the seat frame, an arm that is pivotally coupled to the arm support about a point located between a front end and a rear end of the arm, and an arm connector coupling the arm to the seat base and disposed towards the rear end of the first arm relative to the first arm support. Movement of the seat base between a depressed position and an extended position can assist an individual when sitting or standing from the chair.

A lift-assist chair is provided. The presently-disclosed lift-assist chairs can comprise a seat frame, a seat base that is pivotally coupled to the front edge of the seat frame and can be moved between a depressed position and an extended position, an arm support having a proximate end that is coupled to a lateral edge of the seat frame and a distal end that extends from the top side of the seat frame, an arm that is pivotally coupled to the arm support about a point located between a front end and a rear end of the arm, and an arm connector coupling the arm to the seat base and disposed towards the rear end of the first arm relative to the first arm support. Movement of the seat base between a depressed position and an extended position can assist an individual when sitting or standing from the chair.

An articulating chair and a method of using same, include at least one actuator, a programmable controller, and movable upper back, lower back and seat bottom sections. In another aspect, an articulating wheelchair and a method of using same, include a seat bottom section, a lower frame to which the seat bottom section is coupled, floor-contacting wheels rotatably coupled to the lower frame, an upper back section, a lower back section, a back frame to which the upper back section and the lower back section are movably coupled, electromagnetic actuators coupled to the back sections, a battery mounted to at least one of the frames, and a programmable controller connected to the actuators and the battery.

A waterproof chair for use when bathing is provided. The chair may include an on-board system for raising and lowering the chair between sitting and raised positions. The chair may be used by elderly persons to assist them in sitting and standing in a shower, for example. The chair may include a rechargeable battery for powering a linear actuator for moving the chair between sitting and raised positions. The chair may also be adapted to allow a seat on the chair to swivel relative to a base of the chair. The chair may include an automatic lock to restrict relative movement of the seat and the base when the seat is being raised, and then automatically unlock to again allow for swivel motion when the seat has been moved back into its sitting position. Hydraulic and pneumatic embodiments are also disclosed.

A waterproof chair for use when bathing is provided. The chair may include an on-board system for raising and lowering the chair between sitting and raised positions. The chair may be used by elderly persons to assist them in sitting and standing in a shower, for example. The chair may include a rechargeable battery for powering a linear actuator for moving the chair between sitting and raised positions. The chair may also be adapted to allow a seat on the chair to swivel relative to a base of the chair. The chair may include an automatic lock to restrict relative movement of the seat and the base when the seat is being raised, and then automatically unlock to again allow for swivel motion when the seat has been moved back into its sitting position. Hydraulic and pneumatic embodiments are also disclosed.