Abstract:
A method and apparatus that provides a means to fold a powered mobility device into a vehicle is disclosed. This invention enables powered mobility devices to fit into the trunk of a vehicle and into other small areas.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to provisional application No. 61/108,905 filed Oct 28, 2008 and titled “Portable Powered Mobility Device—Method and Apparatus”. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    None 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention is intended to help disabled persons and those with limited mobility place personal mobility devices into rear vehicle storage compartments. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Powered mobility devices have been helping people with limited mobility for several decades. One of the downsides of the devices is the limited capability to fit into passenger vehicles. This created a market for rear-vehicle mounted platforms that hold the chair outside of the vehicle and expose it to the elements. The problem is limiting market participation among sedan and other owners of small passenger vehicles. This invention addresses the issue by teaching a method and apparatus to enable a powered mobility device to fold more compactly so that it can fit into the trunk or other storage area of smaller vehicles. The invention relies a plurality of detachable cushions and pivoting mechanisms that allow the chair to fold into a compact state. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Prior art abundantly teaches foldable wheelchairs and various combinations of sectional powered mobility devices that fit into small storage areas like trunks and hatchback regions of small passenger cars. Prior art also teaches wheel chair and powered mobility devices with removable seats that reduce the size of the stowed state. However, prior art fails to teach an easier and more cost effective means to improve size reduction that relies on simply removing seat cushions to increase folding capacity. Prior art instead teaches complete removal of the seat. The method and apparatus taught herein employs recoverably installable cushions that are removed before the chair is folded, which allows the back-rest to fold to a flat position. Select embodiments benefit further from a removable or foldable arm rests of prior art that provide a further reduction in overall height. The principal differentiation of this invention over prior art is the use of quick-detachable seat cushion components. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment that encompasses the scope of the invention. These drawings are illustrative and are not intended to limit the spirit or scope of this invention, which is to provide a means to fold a powered mobility device into a state that minimizes its height. The full scope of the invention is best understood by studying the drawings. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is an embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an embodiment of the present invention with the bottom cushion removed. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an embodiment of the present invention in a folded state. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the present invention that uses slip-connectors to detachably fasten the cushion to the base of the chair. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the present invention in a folded state and with a recoverably installed D-ring coupler attached via an eye-bolt to the chair base. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the present invention in a folded state and with a recoverably installed eye-bolt lift couple affixed to the chair base. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the present invention in a folded state and with a recoverably installed cable lift couple affixed to the chair base. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  shows how an embodiment of the present is able to fit into the trunk of a sedan style passenger car. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention teaches a means to allow powered mobility devices, also known as powered mobility chairs, to fold into a compact state that is small enough to fit in the storage compartment of most passenger vehicles. This is particularly well suited for sedan style vehicles with rear trunks. The principal components of the device include a removable seat cushion  101 , a base  201  adapted to support said cushion, and optionally a detachable backrest  103 . 
       PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    All embodiments have a base  201  that is capable of supporting and balancing the intended load of the removable cushion  101 . To assist in the latter, preferred embodiments rely on a base  201  that has approximately the same dimensions as the bottom of the seat cushion  101  that is designed for the powered mobility device. In some embodiments the seat is detachably coupled to the base using Velcro  202 . This enables quick and easy removal by simply pulling on the seat cushion. Other mechanical means including snap-clips  102 , wing nuts, and channel slots  401  and fastening elements  402  will work with other embodiments this invention. Alignment pins  203  or channel slots  401  and fastening elements  402  are recommended to prevent the seat cushion from slipping when in use. Other means to prevent slippage of the cushion  101  relative to the base  201  are possible without deviating from this invention. 
         [0017]    Select embodiments of this invention use a detachable rear back rest. These embodiments are well suited for powered mobility devices having large or substantially thick backrest components that do not clear the physical limitations of a trunk when the seat is folded. Installation of quick-release pins, wing-nuts, tabbed pins, hooks, clamps, and the like may be used to make it easier to remove and replace the seat back-rest. Preferred embodiments rely on various combinations of threaded screws and channel slots  401  and fastening elements  402  to make the backrest easy to remove while providing sufficient strength to hold it in position during use. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments a coupling device  501  is optimally affixed to the center of mass of the powered mobility device. Recoverably installable methods are preferred for existing chairs that are retro-fitted with this invention. Exemplary coupling device embodiments include eye-hooks  601 , cables  701 , pipe-inserts with through-holes, flat stock with through holes, and d-rings  501  installed directly to the chair. Other embodiments may be used to couple the chair to a lifting device without deviating from this invention. 
       PREFERRED METHODS 
       [0019]    The bottom cushion  201  of the chair is preferably removed as a first step to begin stowage. The rear-back rest  103  is subsequently folded or optionally removed and the arm rests  104  are adjusted downward or removed. For some vehicles, the chair may be lifted, set in the trunk  801  or other storage area, and subsequently folded into a stowed state as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Removal of the back-rest  103  may be necessary as the chair is hoisted, particularly if the back-rest interferes with placement of the hoist into the host vehicle.