Patent ID: 7988157
Filing Date: 2011-08-02
Classification: A61G,B62B,B62D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for assisting a wheelchair and an occupant thereof to ascend or descend a stairway or stairway-like structure, the apparatus comprising: a body assembly having a left frame member with one or more left belt guides for rotatably mounting and guiding a left belt, and a right frame member with one or more right belt guides for rotatably mounting and guiding a right belt; wherein the left belt is further spaced around at least one motorized wheel and the right belt is further spaced around at least one additional motorized wheel, and wherein the motorized wheels automatically move the left and right belts around the left and right frame members, respectively, for carrying a wheelchair with an occupant up and/or down stair steps or stair step-like structures of a stairway or stairway-like structure; a drive assembly for controlling the motorized wheels; a head-rest assembly connected at least indirectly to the body assembly that is at least one of adjustable and pivotable; a handle-bar assembly connected at least indirectly to the body assembly, the handle-bar assembly having at least one tube that is at least one of adjustable and pivotable such that the handle-bar assembly is capable of telescopic movement; and an assist assembly, the assist assembly having (i) at least one wheel; and (ii) at least one support bar connected at least indirectly to the at least one wheel of the assist assembly, the at least one support bar being capable of pivotal movement to permit the assist assembly to pivot at least with respect to the frame member; a housing having a top cover and a bottom cover at least partially housing the left and right motorized belts; wherein the bottom cover includes a depression therein for storing at least a portion of the assist assembly when not deployed, with the assist assembly extending from the bottom cover when deployed; and wherein the assist assembly serves in tandem with a roller assembly that extends between the top cover and the bottom cover to provide at least a three-point support arrangement when the assist assembly is deployed; one or more chair attachment assemblies extending from the top cover that are adapted to permit mounting and dismounting of a rear portion of the wheelchair adjacent to the top cover; wherein, when the apparatus is so mounted to the wheelchair: