Patent ID: 6484829
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: A61G,B62D

Abstract:
A battery-powered wheelchair being adapted for use in a level mode and a stair mode, comprising:(1) a frame including a seat upon which a driver is intended to sit and said frame defining a plane whose pitch attitude with respect to a level surface is capable of being measured, (2) a pitch-attitude-sensing means for sensing the pitch attitude of said frame with respect to said level surface, (3) a powered-pitch-attitude-adjustment means including at least one skid for changing the pitch attitude of said frame with respect to said level surface, (4) a control means for powering said powered-pitch-attitude-adjustment means in response to signals generated by said pitch-attitude-sensing means, and (5) a pair of spider wheels mounted for rotation with a spider wheel shaft about a central axis of rotation, and each spider wheel having multiple drive wheels, with no more than two of said multiple drive wheels per spider wheel being in supporting contact with the stairs at a given time, and said spider wheels being driven by a motor mounted to said frame.