Patent ID: 7641210

Claim:
A wheelchair comprising: a) a framework including a seat and first and second primary drive wheels mounted to said framework and each accessible to a seated user for rotation by hand to move said wheel chair; and b) a secondary drive assembly comprising 1) a third wheel, 2) a handle, 3) a multi-axis coupler mounted to said framework, wherein said handle is coupled to said multi-axis coupler to pivot to and fro about a first axis of said coupler and rotate about a second axis of said coupler, and 4) a rigid linkage coupled to said handle and extending to a clutch linkage coupled to said third wheel, wherein said handle is responsive to reciprocating, pivoting hand movements along said first axis to direct said rigid linkage to rotate and drive said third wheel and said framework over a support surface, and wherein said handle is independently responsive to rotational hand movements about said second axis to direct said rigid linkage to rotate said third wheel about said second axis to steer said third wheel and framework independent of said first and second wheels.