Wheelchair with lever drivetrain

US8844959B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Global Research Innovation and Technology Inc. · US

Inventors

• Amos G. Winter · Somerville, US
• Mario Bollini · Boston, US
• Danielle M. DeLatte · Ellicott City, US
• Harrison F. O'Hanley · Ipswich, US
• Natasha K. Scolnik · Washington, US
• Gwyndaf M. Jones · Carlisle, US
• Daniel D. Frey · Natick, US
• Benjamin Michael Judge · Tewksbury, US
• Benjamin Gallup · Acton, US
• Danielle Hicks · Modesto, US
• Nydia Ruleman · Germantown, US
• Xuefeng Chen · Burke, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 10, 2011
• Grant date: Sep 30, 2014
• Expiry date: Jun 10, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61G5/1075
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A manually powered wheelchair includes a first lever associated with a first rear wheel and demountably coupled to a first drivetrain, the first lever having a first brake thereon. The wheelchair also includes a second lever associated with a second rear wheel and demountably coupled to a second drivetrain, the second lever having a second brake thereon. Each drivetrain includes a chainring, a chain, and a freewheel, and each drivetrain has a fixed gear ratio. The freewheel of each drivetrain is actuated by manual pivoting of the lever associated therewith. In use, the wheelchair achieves changes in mechanical advantage when a user shifts the user's hands up and down the first and second levers.