The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 28, 1993
Filed:
Nov. 01, 1990
Baxter R Watkins, Foster City, CA (US);
Douglas J Littlejohn, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
John H Hessler, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Havard L Staggs, Mountain View, CA (US);
Chi-Foun Kuen, Mountain View, CA (US);
Quest Technologies, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
An electronic control system for a stair climbing vehicle, such as a wheelchair is disclosed. Front and back sensors are provided for detecting a stairway or slope. The electronic control system determines from the sensor data whether the slope has an acceptable incline for traversing. If it is not acceptable, the vehicle will be prevented from entering onto the stairway or slope. A seat for a user is tilted in accordance with electronic controls to keep the user approximately vertical with respect to gravity as the vehicle traverses the stairs. The allowed operation of the vehicle is controlled via parameters which can be changed by removable memory which configures the vehicle for a particular user or group of users.