Patent ID: 6290011
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: A61G,Y10S

Abstract:
A powered wheelchair for use by disabled persons, comprising:a frame, said frame having a first end and a second end, said frame including at least one tubing member having a first end and a second end;a seat support coupled to said frame between said first end and said second end;a pair of swivel wheels coupled to said frame proximate said first end;a pair of motor driven wheels coupled to said frame proximate said second end;a pair of motors, each of said motors being coupled to a corresponding driven wheel, said motors being adapted to allow a change in the rotational direction of the driven wheel to which it is coupled, wherein the rotational direction of said motors may be changed when said wheelchair is converted from a rear wheel drive wheelchair to a front wheel drive wheelchair;at least one battery coupled to said motors, said batteries providing power to said motors;an electronic controller coupled to said motors and said at least one battery, said controller having a user interface usable to direct the speed and direction of the wheelchair;a seat assembly reversibly coupled to said seat support and extending upwardly above said frame, said seat assembly having an extension member coupled thereto and adapted to be reversed in direction relative to said seat support, said seat assembly further including a seat base having a front edge, andat least one footplate adapted to be removably received within either said first end or said second end of said tubing member of said frame, anda first coupling mechanism associated with said frame and said footplate, said first coupling mechanism removably coupling said footplate to said tubing member,wherein said footplate may be coupled to said first end of said tubing member when said seat is positioned to provide a rear wheel drive wheelchair and wherein said footplate may be repositioned to said second end of said tubing member when said seat is positioned to provide a front wheel drive wheelchair, andwherein said seat base may be located so that said front edge is located generally over said swivel wheels to provide a rear wheel drive wheelchair and wherein said seat base may be reversed so that said front edge is located generally over said driven wheels to provide a front wheel drive wheelchair, andwherein the rotational direction of the driven wheels may be reversed so that a forward command from the controller results in a different rotation when the wheelchair is in a rear wheel drive configuration as compared to a forward command when the wheelchair is in a front wheel drive configuration.