ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR INVALID'S WHEEL CHAIR DRIVE Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: vehicles for moving invalids in stationary hospitals and old people homes, as well as down the streets. SUBSTANCE: actuating mechanism has two electric drives with accumulator, engine, reducer and control panel. Drives are axially aligned with drive wheels of invalid's wheel chair and have electric engine, reducer, self-braking friction clutch with two driving shafts, one driven shaft, brake disks and supporting ring. Electric engine and reducer are provided with central through opening. Manual drive rim axis is extending through wheel axle and clutch driven shaft is inserted through engine and reducer. Muscle force is transmitted to wheels through two hand-controlled mechanisms, such as grip rims. Supporting rings or clutch and reducer are mounted on rotary supports and provided with blocking mechanisms, such as toothed gear with retainer. Reducer output shaft is connected with one driven shaft of clutch and driving shaft of clutch is connected with hand drive rim. Hand mechanisms and self-braking clutches are arranged so as to increase safety of invalid in all modes of independent motion. EFFECT: increased efficiency by providing independent motion of invalid, reduced consumption of muscle force for retaining invalid's chair on any inclined surface, including stair flights, in case of failure of electric drive or accumulator, reduced size and weight parameters. 2 cl, 5 dwg