Invacare Corporation

Invacare Coporation

Robert Bekoscke

Damon Thomas Jurkiewicz

Daniel James Yee

Traian Mohan

Gerald E Fought

Howard L Loewenthal

Robert L Cuson

Thomas Tuckowski

Joseph Spalding

Daniel J Stothard

Kevin Burns

Damon Jurkiewicz

Joshua Hamilton Greiner

Gerald Fought

Daniel Martin Watson

Thomas Strothmann

Daniel John Watson

Nirav Pandya

John Jindra

Howard Lowenthal

Daniel J Strothard

Damon Jukiewicz

George H Waterman

George Waterman

Several embodiments of wheeled vehicles, such as wheelchairs, that are adapted to traverse obstacles are disclosed. The wheeled vehicles include a frame, drive wheels, front anti-tip wheels positioned in front of the drive wheels, and rear anti-tip wheels positioned behind the drive wheels. One exemplary vehicle includes front anti-tip wheels supported by rigid arms that are fixed to the frame and drive assemblies that are independently suspended from the frame. Another exemplary vehicle includes a linkage that links the front and rear anti-tip wheels, such that movement of one of the front anti-tip wheel or the rear anti-tip wheel relative to the frame causes movement of the other wheel relative to the frame.

Wheelchair suspension

Embodiments of a wheelchair and suspension system are provided. In one embodiment, a wheelchair or other vehicle having a wheel assembly is provided. The assembly includes, for example, a housing, a resilient member between two sleeves or casings, and a wheel support connected to a wheel. The resilient member compresses when there is an impact on the wheel and decompresses after the impact. In another embodiment, a wheelchair or other vehicle having a multi-purpose suspension system is provided. In one instance, the system provides suspension between to the main drive wheels and the frame. In a second instance, the system provides suspension between the anti-tip wheels and the frame.

Wheelchair and suspension systems

Embodiments of a wheelchair and suspension system are provided. The suspension includes a drive assembly that is pivotably connected to a base frame at multiple locations. In one embodiment, the connection is via intermediary pivoting links or arms. Embodiments of the links or arms including rigid links, resilient links, elastic links, shocks, springs, gas cylinders and lockable gas cylinders (or combinations of the foregoing). The drive assembly can, via the pivot connections, pivot to accommodate and traverse variations and obstacles on ground surfaces.

Wheeled vehicles, such as wheelchairs, that are adapted to traverse obstacles are provided. The wheeled vehicles include a frame, drive wheels, front anti-tip wheels positioned in front of the drive wheels and rear anti-tip wheels positioned behind the drive wheels. One exemplary vehicle includes front anti-tip wheels supported by rigid arms that are fixed to the frame and drive assemblies that are independently suspended from the frame. Another exemplary vehicle includes a linkage that links the front and rear anti-tip wheels, such that movement of one of the front or rear anti-tip wheel relative to the frame causes movement of the other wheel relative to the frame.

Embodiments of a suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame and a locking assembly. The locking assembly inhibits tipping of a frame of the vehicle when tipping of the frame is detected.

Stability control system

A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.

A suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame, at least one drive assembly and at least one caster pivot arm. The at least one drive assembly and the at least one caster pivot arm are pivotally connected to the frame at a common pivot axis such that the drive assembly and the front caster pivot arm are pivotable relative to one another.

A wheelchair suspension includes a frame, a drive assembly pivot arm, a drive assembly, a front caster pivot arm, a front caster, and a spring and shock absorbing assembly. The drive assembly pivot arm is pivotally connected to the frame. The drive assembly includes a drive wheel and is mounted to the drive assembly pivot arm. The front caster pivot arm is pivotally mounted to the frame and coupled to the drive assembly pivot arm. The front caster is coupled to the at least one front caster pivot arm. The spring and shock absorbing assembly is pivotally connected to the drive assembly pivot arm at a first pivotal connection and pivotally connected to the front caster pivot arm at a second pivotal connection. The first and second pivotal connections are positioned such that a majority of the force applied by the spring and shock absorbing assembly is applied to the drive wheel when the suspension is on a flat, horizontal support surface.

Growing community of inventors

Medina, OH, United States of America

Robert Bekoscke