Patent ID: 6183002
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: A61G,B60L,B60Y,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
A powered mobility aid comprising a seat having a top surface and a bottom surface and a seat back flexibly engaged therewith, a foldable support frame fixed to said seat and having a plurality of wheels attached thereto, and a power source engaged with at least two of said wheels for applying a driving force to said wheels, wherein said foldable support frame includes:two track members fixed in a parallel and spaced relationship to the bottom surface of said seat, each track member extending from a point proximate said seat back to a point proximate the front edge of the seat;two front legs, each front leg engaged with a respective track member proximate the front edge of the seat, each of said front legs engaged to pivot with respect to its track member, a front cross-beam extending between and fixed to said two front legs at a location spaced from said seat and proximate the distal ends of said front legs, two of said wheels each being attached to said front cross beam proximate the respective distal ends of each of said front legs, two front struts diagonally fixed between said two front legs, such that each strut extends from a point proximate said track members to a point proximate said front cross beam such that said two struts generally form an X-shape between said two front legs;a rear cross beam engaged with and extending between said two track members, said rear cross beam being slidable in said track members from a location proximate said seat back to a location proximate said front legs, two rear legs engaged with said rear cross beam, each positioned at a location proximate a respective track member, two of said wheels each being attached respectively to the distal end of each of said two rear legs, two rear struts diagonally fixed between said two rear legs, such that each rear strut extends from a point proximate said track members to a point proximate said rear wheels, such that the two rear struts generally form an X-shape between said two rear legs;at least one side strut located on each side of said support frame, such that each of said side struts extends from a point proximate said track to a point proximate one of said wheels between a front leg and a rear leg respectively;a center strut extending from a point proximate the center of said rear cross beam to said front cross beam, said center strut being foldable at about its center to allow said frame to fold said rear wheels, rear legs and rear struts from their fully extended position to a position proximate said tracks and wherein said front wheels, front cross beam, front legs and front struts are folded toward said rear wheels, rear legs and rear struts; a locking member for locking said center strut in a fully extended position; andtrack locking members for locking said rear cross beam and rear legs in position on said tracks when said frame is fully unfolded and extended.