Vehicles for travel over horizontal and inclined surfaces

摘要

1,046,444. Vehicle undercarriages. N. E. HALE, and K. GARDNER. July 18, 1963 [April 24, 1962], No. 15504/62. Headings B7D and B7H. An invalid chair comprises a pair of chassis members 4 rigidly interconnected and pivotally supporting frame and seat members 1, 2 which may be collapsed to a folded position or held locked in an operative position by means of a locking lever 22, an undercarriage assembly 7 being pivoted at 17 to the chassis 4 to which it is also pivotally connected by a pair of jacks 19. A structure 101 is pivoted to the chassis 4 and connected to the undercarriage 7 by a pair of telescopic links 18. A pair of endless tracks is carried by sheaves 9A, 23, 24 and 241 mounted in the chassis 4 and a pair of endless tracks 10 is carried by the structure 101. The chassis 4 carries a pair of castor wheels 8, a pair of front wheels 6 and a centrally disposed track 21. The sheaves 9A and wheels 6 are mounted on an axle 5 which may be driven from handles 11 through a disconnectible coupling and shafts within the arm rests 12, bevel gears 13, shafts 14 within the chassis assembly 4 and a worm drive 15. The hydraulic system comprises a pump 20 actuated simultaneously with the wheel and track drive by the handles 11, and a valve 28 by means of which the hydraulic system may be put to a neutral position. When the drive is disconnected the chair may be operated by an attendant through handles 25. The links 18 can telescope about 1 inch against spring pressure and bumpers 27 are provided on the undercarriage 7. The tracks may be rubberized V-belts with traction lugs. The vehicle may be used, with appropriate raising and lowering of the undercarriage by means of the jacks 19 for negotiating stairs or curbs, or travelling on its wheels 6 and 8. The castors 8 are spring-biased so that when relieved of load they do not hinder retraction of the undercarriage. The hydraulic jacks may be replaced by screw-jacks in an alternative construction.