FR2548997A1 - Motorised tricycle for individual movement of the physically handicapped and their wheelchairs - Google Patents

Abstract

Tricycle vehicle with an engine allowing autonomous and simultaneous movement of a physically handicapped individual as well as of his wheelchair. The invention consists in laterally transporting a wheelchair on a specially devised platform 3. This vehicle consists of a mechanically joined tubular chassis. It is motorised from a heat engine or electric motor. It can be moved in reverse gear or forwards gear by virtue of a mechanical reverser. This vehicle has hydraulic braking - a handlebar 24 which can be adjusted to various positions - a suspension with dampers 10. Its seat can pivot and can be set by adjustments to any desired positions. Integral bodywork may furthermore be provided.

Description

 The present invention relates to a new type of motorized tricycle for the individual movement of the physically handicapped and their wheelchairs.

 This vehicle is of a new design, it is primarily intended for the disabled but it can also be equipped for sport - leisure - the work of so-called able-bodied people.

 The main objective is therefore to bring the maximum of individuality, autonomy to the handicapped without these being isolated by the absence of their armchairs.

 The innovative idea is the lateral transport of the wheelchair by a light motorized vehicle having 3 wheels 1 front steering - 2 rear driving wheels. The technique of lateral transport of the wheelchair not being yet exploited this realization will bring to the handicapped a greater individuality for their displacements.

 Its design therefore starts from a tubular mechanically welded chassis (1) specially designed to allow the steering axis to be offset. Therefore the driving position (2) being moved this will provide a sufficient lateral surface (3) to load a folded wheelchair1 or a second seat or a small box for transport.

 It should be noted that the front part of the chassis (4) must be formed by bending, therefore the use of round tubes is essential.

 The rear axle (5) is welded to the frame to allow greater rigidity of the assembly.

 This axle therefore receives at its ends the 2 suspension arms (6) (7) articulated on nylon rings.

 These two arms are of unequal length. Indeed one of them (7) will ensure the offset in order to be able to find the area useful for transporting the wheelchair.

 At the ends of these suspension arms (6) (7) are fixed in (8) the hubs - drums - brakes assemblies.

 On the articulations of these same suspension arms, the levers (9) are welded. These levers are thus positioned to allow the shock absorbers (10) to be fixed. These shock absorbers will then be connected to the chassis in (11).

 On the fasteners (12) will be installed a dummy frame allowing the adaptation of the gearbox gearbox motor assembly as well as all the electrical - mechanical - fuel tank equipment.

 The rear part of the chassis will receive a reinforcement strip (13) to fix the bumper as well as the supports for the bodywork.

 The front langeron (14) will also receive supports for the bodywork. It will also be used to support the articulation system (15) of the chair loading ramp (16). This ramp is covered with a ridged aluminum plate. The ramp will be articulated on the bearings (17), it may be maneuvered either by hand or by a known electromechanical system, acting on the lever (18). The ramp will be in the low position to load the chair. After loading it will be raised and the curved part (19) will serve to immobilize the chair during its transport.

 The sheath (20) will receive a direction (21) already existing on the market. This one will be like a scooter.

 This vehicle could be powered by a 49.9 cc heat engine or an electric motor with a voltage of 12 volts.

 Figure 1/4 shows the vehicle seen from the left side.

 Figure 2/4 shows the vehicle seen from above.

 Figure 3/4 shows the vehicle viewed from the front.

 Figure 4/4 shows the chassis of the vehicle.

 The motor will be equipped with a mechanical variator, and will be coupled to a reverse gearbox.

 The transmission between the 2 will be established by a belt.

 Power transmission to the rear wheels will be ensured by 2 shafts fitted with so-called cardan joints.

 Reverse gear can be controlled mechanically using a lever under the driver's seat or by an electromechanical system controlled from the driver's seat, more precisely from the dashboard (22).

 Braking on the rear wheels will be done using Ferodo drums and segments. It will be hydraulic for road use - a manual control will be used for the parking brake.

 The driving position consists of a handlebar (24) adjustable in different positions. On this handlebar is fixed a dashboard console (22) comprising an odometer various indicators and the electric controls.

 The driver's legs will be protected by a polyester apron (23). The bottom of the vehicle (25) is constituted by an aluminum plate going up to the gearbox engine cell.

 The engine will receive a polyester cowling (26) allowing an easy intervention. The transmission components, the wheels will be protected by a large polyester cover (27).

 The driver's seat will be of the car type (28), it will be modified to receive safety armrests.

 It can be adjusted in several ways and will rotate.

 A complete body of the vehicle will be made to ensure total protection of the driver.

Claims (8)

 10) Motorized tricycle vehicle characterized by the fact that it allows the individual short and long distance movement of a physically handicapped person as well as of his wheelchair. This vehicle has a platform (3) lateral left or right, specially studied serving to support and transport a folded wheelchair.  20) Vehicle characterized in that it can be motorized either by a heat engine - or electric or hydraulically.  30) Vehicle whose front side part of the platform supporting the chair (3) is characterized by a mobile access ramp (16) which proves to be operated either by hand or by a known electromechanical system.  40) Vehicle characterized by the fact that it has a car-type seat (28) which pivots - advances - moves backward - rises - descends - reclines and has safety armrests.  50) Vehicle characterized for also being used for professional purposes by placing a small transport box on the platform.  60) Vehicle characterized to also be used for sport and leisure by the installation of a second seat.  70) Vehicle characterized in that it can undergo a shortening of the rear axle (5) and transform into an individual extra light vehicle.  80) Vehicle characterized by the fact that the rear part of the chassis can receive special equipment allowing direct access by the disabled person on his chair, this thanks to a central electromechanical lifting platform according to a known technique.