Patent ID: 6695084
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: A61G

Abstract:
A personal transportation apparatus comprising:a frame defining a surface for supporting a load; a plurality of air-cushion cells mounted to said frame and depending from a lower side thereof, said air-cushion cells each having a changeable height to accommodate variations in an underlying terrain during a translation of said frame over the terrain; a pressure source mounted to said frame and operatively connected to said air-cushion cells for supplying air under pressure to said cells, thereby generating an air-cushion support for said frame; and an elevation mechanism different from all air-cushion cells mounted to said frame, said elevation mechanism being mounted to said frame for lifting said frame to ascend said stairway from a lowermost step to an uppermost step of said stairway, wherein said elevation mechanism includes at least two extensible leg members and at least one drive operatively connected to said leg members for alternately lengthening and shortening said leg members multiple times during the ascent of said stairway.