Powered pedestrian apparatus

Abstract

A powered pedestrian apparatus is provided having two vertical panels, two rotatably connected articulating arms capable of rotating about a center point, a vertical lifting device located within said panels attached to said arms, and a foot platform wherein one or more of an electric motor, front tires and caster wheels enable movement of the powered pedestrian apparatus.

Claims

1. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons with increased load carrying attributes and rider comfort while transiting from location to location including vertical displacement capabilities comprising; two vertical panels separated by stiffening members with conical ends terminating at said vertical panels, said panels having an exterior and interior side and front distal portion and a proximal rear portion; and two rotatably connected articulating arms, capable of rotating about a center point, at the proximal end of said arms, through an arc described by the length of said arms, where said center point is located on said front distal portion of each said vertical panels, said arms containing slidably attached extension members located at the distal ends of said arms, said arms containing speed and direction controls; and a vertical lift device located within said panels and attached to said arms, capable of rotating said arms about said center point; and a slidably attached standing foot platform extending between and connected thereto the lowest portions of said vertical panels; and at least two independent electric motors, directly attached to respective drive tires and electrically connected to an electric power storage device; and at least two rear caster wheels, slidably attached to respective ones of the panels, said caster wheels being capable of outward adjustment thereby increasing the wheelbase of said apparatus; and at least two front tires, said front tires being of smaller diameter than said drive tires, said front tires being assembled and vertically gimbled about a front portion of said apparatus; and a seat capable of movement vertically, rotatably connected to said stiffening members.

2. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where said speed controls contain a maximum velocity restrictor limiting the speed of said apparatus.

3. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 2, where said velocity restrictor is adjustable either through electrical contact or manually adjustable limiting stops.

4. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 2 where said speed controls require positive contact by the user to maintain speed and absence of positive contact immediately stops said apparatus.

5. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 2 where said speed controls includes a momentary contact reversing switch, whose constant contact thereon is required to reverse the travel direction of said apparatus.

6. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where said articulating arms are adapted to receive a perpendicular removable support member.

7. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where said rear caster wheels are of smaller diameter than said drive wheels.

8. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 7 where said rear caster wheels are slidably able to increase said wheel base thereby moving the center of gravity rearward to facilitate the entry of a user into the apparatus.

9. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 8 where said arms have respective extending support armrests which are slidably related to the distal end of said arms.

10. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 9 where a front tire assembly is capable of vertical rotation about the lower distal portion of said vertical panels, where said vertical rotation will cause said drive tires to lose their engagement with the transit surface.

11. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where said articulating arms are designed to raise a person from a sitting or prone position by the activation of a vertical actuated rod attached near the distal end of said arms.

12. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where a front tire assembly comprises said tires, a soft plastic bumper and a foot activation step.

13. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where said independent electric motors are capable of transiting in both a forward and reverse modes, said modes being demanded through input from said speed controls.

14. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where functions of said speed control, vertical activation of arms and direction control can be accomplished through controls located on said apparatus.

15. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where said speed control, vertical activation of arms and direction control can be accomplished through a remote control fob to remotely control the functions of said apparatus.

16. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where seat can be raised vertical and rotated inwardly to allow for a user to stand on said foot platform.

17. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where seat can be raised vertical and rotated inwardly to allow for a user to walk as the apparatus transits, where said rotatably connected arms provide support for the user.

18. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where a working surface is positioned between said vertical panels, said working surface being removably rotatably connected to a stiffening member.

19. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons as in claim 1 where said rotatably connected arms are adapted to facilitate the mounting of safety equipment.

20. An improved powered pedestrian apparatus for ambulatory and non-ambulatory persons with increased load carrying attributes and rider comfort while transiting from location to location including vertical displacement capabilities comprising; two vertical panels separated by stiffening members with conical ends terminating at said vertical panels, said panels having an exterior and interior side and front distal portion and a proximal rear portion; and two rotatably connected articulating arms, capable of rotating about a center point, at the proximal end of said arms, through an arc described by the length of said arms, where said center point is located on said front distal portion of each said vertical panels, said arms containing slidably attached extension members located at the distal ends of said arms; and a vertical lift device located within said panels and attached to said arms, capable of rotating said arms about said center point; and a slidably attached standing foot platform extending between and connected thereto the lowest portions of said vertical panels; and at least two independent electric motors, directly attached to respective drive tires and electrically connected to an electric power storage device; and at least two rear caster wheels, slidably attached to respective ones of the panels, said caster wheels being capable of outward adjustment thereby increasing the wheelbase of said apparatus; and at least two front tires, said front tires being of smaller diameter than said drive tires, said front tires being assembled and vertically gimbled about said front portion of said apparatus; and a working surface removably attached to said stiffening members and located between said vertical panels; and a set of controls for speed, vertical arm displacement and transit direction; and a seat capable of movement vertically.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In FIG. 1, the apparatus is shown in a rearward oblique view where the rear wheels have been extended and the arm supports have also been extended.

(2) In FIG. 2, a right side view of the apparatus is shown with the rear wheels extended and the arm supports extended.

(3) In FIG. 3, a vertical cross section of the apparatus is shown from the right side where the seat is in the down position.

(4) In FIG. 4, a rearward view of the apparatus is shown.

(5) In FIG. 5, a cut-away view of the drive train and battery assembly is shown without the battery compartment cover for clarity.

(6) In FIG. 5a, the left side drive train is shown in detail (note: the right side is a mirror image of the left side).

(7) In FIG. 6, a left side elevation is shown with the front wheels in the downward or extended position.

(8) In FIG. 7, a close-up detail view of the front wheel in the extended position on the left side of the apparatus.

(9) In FIG. 8, a frontal oblique view is shown where the front wheels are in the extended or down position.

(10) In FIG. 9, a right side frontal oblique view is shown where the right side exterior panel has been removed for clarity to detail the battery and drive assembly compartment.

(11) In FIG. 10, a detail view of the front wheels in the retracted or running position is shown.

(12) In FIG. 11, a rearward right side oblique view is shown where the right exterior panel has been removed to improve the clarity of the lower components of the apparatus.

(13) In FIG. 12, the left rear wheel is show in the extended position.

(14) In FIG. 13, the drive button assembly is shown in detail.

(15) In FIG. 14, a cross-sectional view of the button is shown detailing the guide stops for limiting speed.

(16) In FIG. 15, a rearward oblique view is shown where the exterior panel of the right has been cross-sectioned to show the interior of the panel and the vertical actuator for the handles is seen.

(17) In FIGS. 16 and 17, the apparatus is shown with the rear wheels extended as the apparatus is slid under a bed and the arms have been raised.

(18) In FIG. 18, is a horizontal cut-away which details the two upper stiffening members as they are inserted through the left and right exterior panels.

(19) In FIG. 19, the conical male and female sections of the stiffening member attachment means are cross-sectioned.

(20) In FIG. 20, the keypad that is located on the remote fob is detailed. A similar keypad can also be located on the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(21) This invention as disclosed in the drawings has the principle use for transporting people, whether they are unable to walk due to temporary or permanent injury, medical issues, such as paralysis, arthritis or neuropathy.

(22) The apparatus 100 is shown in FIG. 1, where the apparatus is defined by two vertical panels 1,2 on the right and left side of the apparatus respectively, with the upper stiffening members 21 and 22 holding panels in place. FIG. 18 details their location in the apparatus. Stiffening members are constructed in a manner where a cylindrical hollow tube 23 whose cross-section and wall thickness are sufficient to prevent torsional movement between said panels. In this case, the cross-sections are circular but there are no limiting factors to prevent square or hexagonal tubing to be use or any other hollow member that will accomplish the similar task of restricting torsional movement between the panels. It is noted in FIG. 19 that a female conically related adaptor 24 is used at the open ends of tube 23, inserted thereinto and held in place by crimping, swaging or any other appropriate method. Male conically related adaptor 25 is threadably related to the female adaptor 24. The conical surfaces are used to mate with holes in the left and right panels, such that the members are held in the horizontal plane, parallel to the horizontal plane of the apparatus. The two conical sections sandwich the inner and outer portions of panels 1 and 2. Furthermore, member 21 has attached thereto the seat rotational pivot point 26 for the raising and lowering of the seat assembly 12. The user has the ability to move the seat into a forward position. Additionally, panel 3 is held through lower supports 27 and 28 using the same conically related adaptors whereby stiffening rods 64 and 45 are connected through the battery compartment structure 30 to lower supports 58 and 59 respectively on panel 4 through stiffening rod 64 and seat rotational rod 45 respectively. This further stiffens the apparatus torsionally.

(23) FIG. 2 shows the location of the lower stiffening members, whose construction and connection adaptors are similar to those shown with stiffening members 21 and 22. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 details the location of a working surface or desk 13 which is positioned between the interior portions of panels 1 and 2 and upwardly related to the stiffening members 21 and 22, said desk 13 being rotatably attached to stiffening member 22 thereby allowing the user to define the slope of the desk 13. Rear wheels 7 and 8 extended rearwardly from the lower portion of the apparatus 100 toward the rear of the apparatus 60. Each wheel 7 and 8 is slidably attached to the lower portion of panels 1 and 2 using rails 33 and 32 respectively. FIG. 9 is a cutaway view showing the arm 9 in location.

(24) FIG. 12 details the how the extension arm 10 is internally related to rail 32. This is similar to the relation of arm 9 and rail 32 associated with the right side of the apparatus. As disclosed herein, the purpose of the extension arms is to move the center of gravity rearwardly to accommodate a person being lifted off of a chair or bed. The apparatus is designed to allow the wheels and arms to extend and be placed under the bed or chair, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. As detailed in FIG. 1, extending supporting extension arm rests 5 and 6 further allow the user to reach the apparatus as it is placed under a chair or bed. Said arms are slidably attached to arms 3 and 4 respectively through arm receiver 5t and 6t. Arm tabs 5b and 6b are located at the proximal end of said arm rests to allow for ease of extending and replacing said arms.

(25) Arms 3 and 4 serve several purposes and are designed to be molded from plastic but this does not preclude the use of other materials whose strength and rigidity will not degrade the performance of the arms. The arm 3 is rotationally attached to the upper front portion of the panels 1 by right arm rotational rod 53. Arm 4 is rotationally attached to the upper front portion of the panels 1 by right arm rotational rod 54. Both rod 53 and 54 are held within the panel structure and do not interfere with the height adjustment of table 13. Arms 3 and 4 are used in combination to contain support rod 54 as seen in FIG. 15. This rod 54 is removable as it could interfere with the use of desk 13 and is mainly used by people as the apparatus assists them from a sitting or prone position. The user can grab onto the rod 54 to assist themselves in locating themselves in the apparatus. Furthermore, the arms are able to raise and lower as they rotate about their respective rotational rods. The arm 3 is raised and lowered through actuator 50 located in the interior 1i of panel 1. Arm 4 is raised and lowered through actuator 62. Actuator 50 is attached to arm 3 with bracket 52 which allows for the vertical movement of rod 56. Actuator 50 is driven by actuator motor 53 with sufficient drive potential that will allow for the user to be gently lifted from a sitting or prone position into the apparatus. Arm 4 is raised with actuator 62 using bracket 65 through the vertical movement of actuator rod 66. As the arms rise, the user is naturally moved into a standing position where they can use support rod member 54 to finalize their location in the apparatus. The right side panel 4 has the same actuator 61 located in the interior of the panel and is a mirror image to the right side as show in FIG. 15. An additional purpose for the arms 3 and 4 is to provide anchoring locations for safety equipment such as back supports when a user is unable to hold their vertical posture whether sitting or standing.

(26) Located on the forward portion of arm 3 is the drive switch 14 which is detailed in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. FIG. 13 also shows reversing contact 55. Reversing contact 55 is located within the normal hand position of the user but is only a momentary contact switch. This is a safety feature of the apparatus whereby the user will not be able to reverse the direction of the drive wheels without their intentionally pressing of the contact 55. This precludes accidental reversing when the user forgets whether the apparatus is in forward or reverse drive states. Drive switch 14 is designed for use with the operator's finger or thumb, as switch 14 has a positive thumb capture enclosure 62. It is an embodiment of this invention to have a recessed momentary contact button 63 recessed so that the users must have their thumb or finger attached to the slide enclosure so that accidental striking or jarring will not start the apparatus. Further safety is found in the speed limiting features of the switch 14. Speed limiting slot 58 or velocity restrictor that has several holes which allow for the insertion of a speed limiting pin 57. FIG. 14 further details an internal potentiometer which has built in linear resistance which prevents sudden starts by limiting the acceleration speed at which the apparatus can start. Can be modified for dual control on either side to accommodate those with only one arm or can be used with the remote control fob 90 by the user.

(27) The apparatus is designed with independent direct drive motors. FIGS. 5 and 5a detail the battery compartment and the independent direct drive assemblies. Batteries are located over the drive wheels to facilitate best traction and gives a more forward center of gravity to maintain stability as with the user onboard the center of gravity should be closest to the horizontal midpoint of the apparatus. In FIG. 5, battery compartment cover 31 is removed for clarity. An electric power storage device, in this case a battery 80 is held in place by battery clamp 70 which is attached at the distal end to stiffening rod 64 and threaded screw 70s is located on the proximal end of clamp 70 to secure the battery in place. In this apparatus two separate batteries are used, but this is not a limiting factor as any battery or batteries can be used that will accomplish the goals of this invention. Independent drive motors 71/72 directly drive the front tires 67/17 respectively. FIG. 5a shows the left side drive motor assembly mounted on motor plate 75 containing motor 71 with drive screw gear 73 driving axle 77. Direct drive is a preferred drive method as it provides a smoother and more responsive driving feel. This is not a limiting factor as other drive methods can be used, but direct drive is preferred to belt or chain drive. The drive components shown in FIG. 5a are replicated on the right side not shown in this figure using motor plate 76 containing motor 72 and drive screw gear 74.

(28) Located immediately aft of said motor compartment is foot platform 11, which can be retracted to allow for a user to simply rotate up the seat portion and use the apparatus as a powered walker. The act of retracting said platform is performed by sliding the platform along platform rails 34, whereby the platform 11 slides under the battery compartment 30.

(29) Located on the front of the apparatus is the bumper 20 and front wheels 19 and 69 along with foot step 47 as part affront wheel assembly 48. FIGS. 6,7 and 8 detail the down position of the front wheel assembly 48. The operator or another will step down on the foot step 47 rotating the assembly 48 downwardly about hinge 68 until it locks into position. This invention is not limited to solely foot power to lower the assembly 48 and does not preclude electric or mechanical assistance to lowering the assembly. It is critical that the front wheels 19/69 have a smaller diameter than the larger drive tires 17 and that the center line of the front wheels 19/69 extend below the center line of the drive tires 17. This allows for the apparatus to maneuver through uneven ground, especially hills and valleys, such as speed bumps, gutters and drainage channels, such as the ones that are found in parking lots. Without such smaller wheels that raise the larger drive wheels and the undercarriage of the apparatus, the undercarriage would scrape and possibly hang up over the impediment due to the distance between the front drive wheels and the rear caster wheels. When the wheels are in the down tilted position, the apparatus can use the bumper to extend the tilting moment of the apparatus in cases of quick deceleration and in impact with immovable objects. This acts as an impact isolator as the energy of the collision with the ground or immovable object is absorbed by the soft plastic bumper which decreases the energy of the tilting moment.

(30) Foot step 47 and bumper 20 serve additionally an added function of moving impediments, such as boxes, away from the front of the apparatus and also serve a purpose as guides to know where the front of the apparatus is located. Covered in non-marring plastic material, such as high density polyethylene, bumper 20 and foot step 47 are designed to protect the apparatus and objects that it runs into. The assembly 48 is rotatably connected to a lower portion of the front 50 of the apparatus 100 whereby the rotation of the assembly will achieve its goal of raising the front tire 17 off of the traveling surface. Additionally located on the forward edge of panels 3 and 4, are door guides 91 which center the apparatus in a tight doorframe and prevent marring of the door frame surface as the guides are made of a soft silicone like material.

(31) Seat 12 is shown in a saddle style seat, but this does not limit the seat to a particular style, but is chosen for the broad support that is given by this style of seat. The seat assembly 51 consists of seat 12, seat adjustment component 41 which is directly attached to seat stiffening member 44. The seat is rotatably attached to seat attachment rod 45, rod 45 passing through battery compartment cover structure 30. The seat is allowed to being placed into a upper or closed position as closing connecting rod 43 is pushed forward causing seat rotational pivot point 26 to rotate about stiffening member 21. This is seen in detail through cutaway FIG. 3 and FIG. 9 which is a frontal oblique view of the apparatus. Connecting rod 43 can also be used in conjunction with a hydraulic cylinder (not shown) to aid in the closing or opening of the seat assembly and to act as a shock absorber during transit of the user.

(32) The user can use the controls located on the apparatus itself to raise and lower the arms, but can also use a remote fob 90 as shown in FIG. 20 to control the apparatus. Another advantage of the fob 90 is that the user can move the apparatus without being on the apparatus allowing for the user to put the apparatus away from their sleeping or sitting areas and be able to call it back.

(33) It can be appreciated by those appropriately skilled in the art that changes, modifications or embodiments can be made to this invention without departing from the spirit, principles, theories, ideas or conceptions that have been disclosed in the foregoing. It is herein recognized that the embodiments disclosed by this description of the best mode of practicing this invention, which will be hereafter described in their full breadth in the claims and equivalents thereof.