GB2379640A

GB2379640A - Paraplegic carriage having a steering and driving mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2379640A
Application number: GB0122433A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Robinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-17
Filing date: 2001-09-17
Publication date: 2003-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-17
Also published as: GB0122433D0; GB2379640B

Abstract

The mechanism comprises two hand levers 12 pivoted at respective bearings 16 and having respective drive levers 14 pivotally connected to them. At the bearings 16, the levers 12 have coupled to them respective lateral arms 13 with linkages to the front wheel for steering. In one embodiment, respective outer tubes of the levers 12 carry the pivots for the drive levers 14, handles on the lever ends being provided on respective inner tubes of the levers 12 which extend to the bearings 16 enabling handle rotation to steer the wheel and fore-aft lever swinging to drive the carriage. Alternatively, the handles are on outer lever tubes, with inner tubes extending to drive lever pivots below.

Description

Paraplegic swivel lever steering This invention relates to a pushed and pulled arm powered paraplegic transporter with hand and wrist steenng.

Paraplegic carnages are now mainly electric, relymg on battery power for drive and the hands to steer. Manual machines are available for exercise, racing, or for cheap mobility and based on rotating the rear wheels by the arms and hands and steered mainly by control of the rear wheels. Hand driving apparatus is known in the trade, pushed and pulled lever action has at times been used and is well known in toy

buggies. Steering for paraplegics can be difficult.

1. 191 There is a need to provide a right and left hand turning motion to a pushed and pulled motion which gives positive steering. Accordingly, this invention provides a steerable hand and driving linkage comprising a fulcrum bearing on a frame, holding pushed and pulled handle bar swivel tube lever assembly, connected for steering via a tie bar to the front turks and a con-rod connection, giving a cranking action tor movement.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective a transporter with added swivel bar fevers Figure 2 shows in perspective a transporter with added swivel bar levers In reverse assembly Figure 3 Illustrates left hand side of swivel lever bar, fulcrum bearing and steering links in perspective Figure 4 [llustrates left hand side of swivel lever bar in reverse assembly with fulcrum bearing and steering links in perspective.

Referring to figure 1 > the swivel lever bar IS an assembly of two bearing tubes. The outside tube 10 has at its base the fulcrum bearing 16 support which allows pushed and pulled action and carnes the connecting rod 14 to the final drive mechanism. It also supports the inner tube 11. The inside tube Il has at its lower end, on the centre line of the fulcrum bearing 16, the extended drive bar 13 for the steering linkage. At its top end is the right or left hand handle bars 12 which work in conjunction with the steering extended drive bar) 3.

With the extended drive bar 13 being on the centre axis of the fulcrum bearing 16, very little pitching or toggle action will be transmitted.

Referr*ng to fii) I Referring to figure 2, the swivel lever bar is made up of two sections which can use reverse action. The outside tube 10 and the inside tube II has the fulcrum bearing 16 support which allows the pushed and pulled action and carries at its bottom end the connecting rod 14 to the final drive mechanism. It also supports the outside tube 10.

The outside tube 10 at its base and on the centre line of the fulcrum bearing 16 has the extended drive bar 13 for the steering linkage, at its top end is the right or left handle bars 12 which work in conjunction with the steering extended drive bar 13.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, when the swivel lever bars are moved in a forward and backwards direction, connecting rods 14 supply power for a cranking action to be available at the rear wheels. If a free device is used and freewheeling, bringing the left and right handle bars 12 to neutral position, normal steering will occur ; right and left turning direction can take place.

Referring to figures 3 and 4, when turning to the right, the left and right (not shown) handle bar 12 will be turned in a clockwise direction by the hands and wrists steering, extended drive bars 13 will follow, transmitting a clockwise direction to the tie bars 15 and front steering forks 17, giving the front wheel a right turn.

Turning left will be an opposite procedure.

With the swivel lever bars in their extreme forward and backwards positions, a lifting and lowering action will take place on the outsides of the steering extended drive bars 13. This action is eliminated by the loaded ball joints 18 or universal joints 19 on the tie bar 15.

Any vertical upward pull on the swivel lever bars is controlled by the stop peg 21 or stop bearing 22. In order to provide a basic machine, the brakes and gear change can use a flexible Bowden cable connection to the split handle bars 12

Claims

Claims 1. A steerable hand and driving linkage comprising a fulcrum bearing on a frame, holding pushed and pulled handle bar swivel tube lever assembly connected for steering via a tie bar to the front forks and a connecting rod connection, giving a cranking action for movement.
2. A hand steering and driving linkage as in claim 1, wherein a bearing peg device is provided on the pushed and pulled lever to control sliding movement between the two bearing tubes.