Patent ID: 6471231
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: A61G,B60T,B62B,B62K,F16D

Abstract:
A lightweight manual wheelchair having an electrical braking system for use by an individual with a disability, said electrical braking system being connectable to an external source of power, said lightweight manual wheelchair comprising:a lightweight frame; a seat having a bottom portion and back portion mounted within said frame; hand operated wheels rotatably mounted on said frame for rotation by said individual; caliper type brake on each of said hand operated wheels; braking cable connectable from said caliper type brakes to an electrical actuator mounted on said lightweight frame; electrical storage device mounted on said lightweight frame for providing power to said electrical actuator; pulley connecting said braking cable and said electrical actuator to provide substantially equal force on each of said caliper type brakes; and switch between said electrical storage device and said electrical actuator for (a) moving said electrical actuator a first direction to apply braking force by said caliper type brakes, (b) moving said electrical actuator a second direction to remove said braking force of said caliper type brakes and, (c) removing said power from said electrical actuator to maintain said braking force of said caliper type brakes when said power is removed.