A framework with tilting wheels for use as a wheelchair or transport cart, which can be attached to a vehicle, preferably a bicycle fork.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a framework having tilting wheels (4, 4') applicable to moving a wheelchair or transport cart, which can be coupled to a vehicle, preferably a bicycle fork, the framework incorporating a support structure (1) on which a fork (2) is coupled, an upper rotating bar (5) that tilts around the support structure (1), respective tilting arms (3, 3') connected to each of the wheels (4, 4') and to the support structure (1), and respective side tie rods (6) that pull the tilting arms (3, 3') when the rotating bar (5) pivots as the fork (2) pivots and / or tilts. Similarly, the present invention relates to a wheelchair comprising a chassis (9) on which a seat (9) and a backrest are assembled, which are integrated with the tilting wheels in the framework.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a framework in which a tilting wheel, which can be coupled to a fork of a vehicle, preferably a bicycle, tricycle, etc., is integrated with a wheelchair or cart for the purpose of facilitating the movement of a wheelchair or cart together with a bicycle for transporting goods or passengers.

[0002] The framework incorporates a mechanism that enables each of the two tilting wheels to be moved when turning a curve, reducing the turning radius and considerably facilitating the maneuverability of the bicycle coupled to the chair or cart.

[0003] The wheelchair itself having the above-described framework integrated with the wheelchair is also an object of the present invention.

Background Art

[0004] Various solutions (conventional or specially designed therefor) for attaching a wheelchair to a bicycle are known in the state of the art. For example, document DE102005053412(A1) describes a tricycle for wheelchair users and drivers, consisting of a standard bicycle, a standard wheelchair, and special fasteners, and the bicycle and wheelchair can be used independently as well. To connect the bicycle and the wheelchair, this document suggests using a straight oval tube connected to the rear half of the bicycle by a steering shaft and a connection flange that receives a bearing. This resulting tricycle presents significant problems regarding maneuverability and turning curves, resulting in a dangerous vehicle.

[0005] Document DE19652176(A1) relates to a three-wheel multi-purpose vehicle for the selective transportation of people, particularly those with walking disabilities, consisting of a two-wheel front part and a one-wheel rear part with a bicycle traction mechanism and a connection mechanism between the front and rear parts.

[0006] Document US6341791A describes a wheelchair and bicycle combined assembly attached by a coupling means comprising a coupling bar having a first end integrally attached to the bicycle frame and positioned at the junction of the seat tube and support bar, wherein the coupling bar is an extendable bar that can slide.

[0007] Document US4770431(A) relates to a wheelchair-mounted bicycle, and more specifically, to accessories adapted to be mounted to a wheelchair to enhance maneuverability. More specifically, the solution involves connecting a bicycle fork to a transition support included in the bicycle frame.

[0008] When riding a conventional bicycle, the body must lean in the direction of the curve, and the torso must be straight in line with the slope of the curve. Therefore, while the friction of the wheels stops the rider, the center of gravity is moved towards the apex of the curve to counteract the inertia or centrifugal force that would throw the rider outwards.

[0009] In all of the above solutions, the rigid connection mode between the bicycle frame and the two front wheels, which moves together with the handlebars and with a single, unified turning radius, clearly does not allow for normal steering with respect to a wheelchair where the front wheels are positioned at the front as ballast and the turning radius is determined by the front wheels, resulting in serious safety issues, tripping risks, and maneuverability problems.

[0010] Document FR3040363 describes the front end of a pedal bicycle having two tiltable front wheels connected to a deformable parallelogram mechanism, which includes at least two substantially horizontal rigid bodies rotatably mounted with respect to a substantially vertical central rigid body, and two lateral rigid bodies substantially perpendicular to the wheels and mounted to each wheel. At least one of the substantially horizontal rigid bodies includes fastening means intended for securing a module for transporting a load. In this case, tilting of the central rigid body of the front end of the bicycle results in articulated tilting of the deformable parallelogram mechanism, and thus the same parallel inclination of the wheels in the same plane.

[0011] Several tricycle solutions are also known that are designed for transporting loads on the rear axle, having two suspended rear wheels and a differential on the rear axle that transmits pedal force to both wheels simultaneously, even if the wheels are tilted or at different heights. [Overview of the project]

[0012] The present invention relates to a framework having tilting wheels that can be coupled to a fork of a vehicle, preferably a bicycle, and the framework is intended to move a wheelchair or transport cart to facilitate maneuverability and turning corners.

[0013] The vehicle on which the framework is coupled must essentially have a chassis mounted on at least one rear wheel, a seat, a swivel handlebar, and a front fork, and the vehicle can be a bicycle, electric bicycle, motorcycle, etc., with the front wheel removed while maintaining its axle.

[0014] The objective of the tilting wheel framework of the present invention is - A support structure incorporating elements that facilitate the connection of the forks, as well as a central upper pivot axis and the respective lower side hinges, - A floating upper rotating bar having two opposite ends that tilt around the axis of rotation of the support structure, - Each wheel is located on one side of the support structure, - Each tilting arm, in particular the first and second tilting arms, each tilting arm is operably mounted at its distal end to the pivot shaft of one wheel of the wheel, and at its other proximal end to the articulation shaft of the support structure, - Each side tie rod basically comprises one end articulated with the opposite ends of the rotating bar, and the other end of the side tie rod coupled to one of the tilting arms of the tilting arm, close to the wheel's axis of rotation.

[0015] In this configuration, when the vehicle's forks are in a vertical position and the vehicle moves straight without tilting, the rotating bar is in a horizontal position, the tie rods do not move, and the tilting arm on which the wheels are assembled remains substantially horizontal, with the wheels essentially in a vertical position.

[0016] However, when the forks are rotated and / or tilted as the vehicle attempts to take a curved track, the structure tilts integrally with the forks with respect to the rotating bar, and the rotating bar, as a result of its floating nature, attempts to maintain its horizontal position, driving one of the side tie rods, which in turn causes the first tilting arm to tilt upward and the other side tie rod to tilt the second tilting arm downward, thereby moving the wheel attached to the first tilting arm to a position further back with respect to its initial position, while the wheel attached to the second tilting arm moves to a position closer to the front with respect to its initial position.

[0017] As a result, the wheel closest to the turn moves slightly to a position closer to the front, moves slightly backward toward the support structure with a sharper horizontal turn angle compared to the turn angle of the opposing wheel, and, unlike what happens in more rigid mechanisms of current technology such as the mechanism shown in document FR3040363 mentioned above, significantly improves maneuverability when turning corners and making turns.

[0018] The support structure incorporates restraints, such as elastic bands, to limit the movement of the tilting arm and prevent excessive wheel movement. On the other hand, there is a support plate connected to the lower part of the support structure, which has a receptacle intended to receive a lower bar for joining the ends of the forks in order to facilitate the fitting of the forks, and there are articulated barriers that open and close, connected to the upper part of the support structure, in order to ensure that the forks are secured.

[0019] Similarly, it was envisioned that each rod intended to facilitate the coupling of a wheelchair chassis or a cart chassis for transporting people, animals, or goods would extend from the support structure.

[0020] Another object of the present invention relates to a wheelchair integrating the above framework with a tilting wheel, wherein the wheelchair incorporates a chassis on which a seat and backrest are mounted, and optionally side protectors intended to cover the tilting wheel.

[0021] In the chassis of a wheelchair, two possible positions are envisioned, namely, in the situation where the wheelchair is used while coupled to a vehicle, an adjacent position where the chassis is substantially in contact with the support structure of the framework, and in the situation where the wheelchair is used separately from the vehicle for independent use of the wheelchair, another distant position where the chassis is separated from the support structure of the framework. The incorporation of tubular portions coupled within the rods of the framework is assumed to enable the wheelchair chassis to adopt these positions. The free end of the rod has a locking element such as a pin, for example.

[0022] On the upper part of the chassis of the wheelchair, hooks are connected, and the hooks are intended to have respective clamps that fix the position of the framework with respect to the handlebar of the vehicle, prevent the framework from tilting, and ensure the connection of the framework to the handlebar (in this case, the wheelchair is coupled to the vehicle). Similarly, on the upper part of the chassis of the chair, respective grip handles for the person riding on the vehicle are connected, and it is assumed that the brake lever is assembled on the handle and has a brake connected to the lever that acts on a brake disk connected to the wheel.

[0023] On the other hand, the framework has a locking device linked to the movement of the hook, and the locking device determines the locking of the rotating bar when it is desired that the framework does not tilt in the parking position.

[0024] To supplement the description being given and to help make the features of the present invention more easily understandable, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of the above description and the following is shown for illustrative and non - limiting purposes in accordance with a preferred, practical, and exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1]It is an exploded view of the elements constituting a framework having a tilting wheel, and also shown are the fork and handlebar of a vehicle, in this case a bicycle, and the chassis of a wheelchair that can be coupled to the framework. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of a wheelchair coupled to a framework having a tilting wheel, and the framework is then coupled to the fork and handlebar of a bicycle. [Figure 3] It is a front view of a wheelchair coupled to a tilting framework, and the tilting framework is then coupled to the fork and handlebar of a bicycle in an inclined position. [Figure 4] It is a detailed view of a framework having a tilting wheel coupled to a bicycle when the bicycle tilts in the direction of a curve. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view in which the chassis of a wheelchair assembled on a framework having a tilting wheel coupled to a bicycle can be seen. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of a tilting framework coupled to a bicycle with a transport cart mounted on the tilting framework. [Figure 7] It is a plan view of the solution shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] It is a side view of the solution shown in FIG. 3, and the hook is lifted in the free circulation position. [Figure 9] It is the same figure as FIG. 8, and the hook is in the lower position to prevent the wheel from tilting. [Figure 10] It is a detailed view of a pulley connected to a locking device (not shown) by a cable and with respect to the hook. [Figure 11] It is a view of an alternative embodiment of a support structure in which its side struts are formed by telescopic tubes and vibration damping means, and it can be seen that the frame incorporates a torsion bar between the tilting arms. [Figure 12]This is a detailed diagram of a framework with a tilting wheel attached to a bicycle, when the bicycle leans in the direction of a curve, in the case where the framework incorporates a telescopic tube and vibration damping means and a torsion bar as described in Figure 11. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] A preferred embodiment of a framework having a tilting wheel, which constitutes an object of the present invention, is described below with reference to the figures. A framework with tilting wheels is connectable to a vehicle, and in this case, an application of the framework is shown for connecting to a bicycle having a frame (11), handlebars (20), and a front fork (2) from which the front wheel has been removed.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the framework with tilting wheels basically comprises a support structure (1) on which a bicycle fork (2) is joined, and first and second wheels (4, 4') assembled on the support structure (1) through other elements which will be described below.

[0028] Figure 1 shows that the support structure (1) has a central upper pivot axis (21) and each lower side hinge (22), and that the framework further comprises a floating upper pivot bar (5) having two opposite ends that tilt around the pivot axis (21) of the support structure (1), and that the framework similarly comprises two respective tilting arms (3, 3') consisting of a first tilting arm (3) and a second tilting arm (3'), each of which is operably connected at its distal end to each of the wheels (4, 4') through a slewing shaft (23) and brake disc (28), as shown in Figure 3, and at its other proximal end to one of the lower side hinges (22) of the support structure (1).

[0029] Figure 1 shows that the support structure (1) comprises an upper longitudinal member (40) having a central rotation axis (21), a lower longitudinal member (41) at its end to which joint shafts (22) are positioned, and side supports (42, 43) each connecting the end of the upper longitudinal member (40) on the same vertical line to the end of the lower longitudinal member (41).

[0030] The side supports may be formed by rigid tubes (42) in the solutions shown in Figures 1-9, or alternatively, the side supports may be formed by each telescopic tube (43) and damping means between both telescopic tubes, with one telescopic tube of the telescopic tube (43) connected to a lower longitudinal member (41) and the other telescopic tube connected to an upper longitudinal member (40), as shown in Figure 11.

[0031] The support structure (1) similarly has a central support plate (24) connected to a lower longitudinal member (41) which has a receptacle intended to receive a lower rod (14) that facilitates the fitting of the fork (2).

[0032] Meanwhile, the framework comprises tilting arms (3, 3') that tilt with respect to a support structure (1), each of which consists of a first tilting arm (3) and a second tilting arm (3') having distal and proximal ends, each of which is connected at the proximal end of the tilting arm (3, 3') to each of the articulating shafts (22) of the lower longitudinal member (41) with the capability to tilt, and each of the distal ends of the tilting arms (3, 3') is connected to a pivot shaft (23), and each of the wheels (4, 4') pivots around the pivot shaft (23).

[0033] The framework also has a floating upper rotating bar (5) with two opposite ends that tilt around the axis of rotation (21) of the upper longitudinal member (40) of the support structure, and incorporates a side tie rod (6) each, each of which is articulated at one end to the opposite ends of the rotating bar (5) and at the other end of the side tie rod (6) is connected to one of the tilting arms (3, 3') in close proximity to the slewing shaft (23), so that when the support structure (1) rotates and / or tilts along a curved trajectory, the rotating bar (5) tilts, and one side tie rod of the side tie rod (6) causes an upward tilt of the first tilting arm (3) and the other side tie rod (6) causes a downward tilt of the second tilting arm (3').

[0034] Figure 4 shows a situation in which the fork (2) is rotated and / or tilted when the vehicle attempts to take a curved track. In this situation, the support structure (1) tilts integrally with the fork (2), and the rotating bar (5) moves on a hinge with respect to the axis of rotation (21), pulling one of the side tie rods (6), which in turn causes the first tilting arm (3) to tilt upward, and the other side tie rod (6) to tilt downward, causing the second tilting arm (3') to tilt downward, thereby moving the first wheel (4) attached to the first tilting arm (3) to a position further back with respect to its initial position, while the second wheel (4') attached to the second tilting arm (3') moves to a position closer to the front with respect to its initial position.

[0035] Figure 1 shows that there are restraining parts (10), such as elastic bands, on the support structure (1) to limit the movement of the tilting arms (3, 3') in order to prevent excessive movement of the wheels (4, 4').

[0036] Similarly, Figure 1 shows the presence of articulated barriers (25), which may be similarly shown in Figure 4, that are connected to the upper longitudinal member (40) of the support structure (1) and open and close to ensure the fixation of the fork (2).

[0037] In the optional solution shown in Figure 11, in which the side supports of the support structure (1) are formed by their respective telescopic tubes (43) and vibration damping means, the incorporation of torsion bars (44) connecting the tilting arms (3, 3') was similarly envisioned.

[0038] The support structure (1) similarly has the respective rods (26) shown in Figures 1 and 4, which are intended to facilitate coupling to the wheelchair chassis (9), as can be seen in Figure 5, to which other elements of the wheelchair can be coupled, as can be seen in Figure 1, or to which a transport box (34) can be coupled, as can be seen in Figure 6.

[0039] Figure 5 shows that on the described chassis (9), there is a first anchoring element (15) that allows for the assembly of a backrest (not shown), and a second anchoring element (27) that allows for the attachment of side rails (7) that incorporate side fenders (35) intended to cover the wheels (4, 4'), as can be seen in Figure 1, or that these second anchoring elements (27) allow for the attachment of a transport box (34) according to Figure 6; similarly, on the chassis (9), there is a third anchoring element (13) intended to facilitate the attachment of support feet (8) shown in Figure 1.

[0040] As may be seen in Figure 1 or 2, within the chassis (9), there is a tubular portion (36) shown in Figure 1, which corresponds to the end of the chassis (9) that is intended to fit onto a rod (26) of the support structure (1), allowing the chassis (9) to adopt two possible positions: an adjacent position where the chassis (9) is substantially in contact with the support structure (1) when the wheelchair is used coupled to the vehicle, and another distant position where the chassis (9) is separated from the support structure (1) when the wheelchair is used separated from the vehicle for independent use of the wheelchair. The free end of the rod (26) has a locking element, such as a pin, which is not shown in the drawings, to prevent the chassis (9) from coming out accidentally.

[0041] Figure 1 shows that there is a clamp (30) that connects the chassis (9) to the upper part of the chassis (9) and secures the connection between the chassis (9) and the handlebars (20), as can be seen in Figure 7, preventing the bicycle from separating from the chassis (9) when passing over a bump, for example; the chassis (9) similarly has a hook (12), also shown in the same Figure 7, which has a lower elbow (16), and the hook (12) is articulated on the clamp (30) and can be designed for use in two positions, as can be seen in Figures 8 and 9: an upper position shown in Figure 8, where the connection between the hook (12) and the bicycle frame (11) is not established, and a lower position shown in Figure 9, where the elbow (16) of the hook (12) descends onto the bicycle frame (11), thus ensuring the stability of the assembly in a vertical position, and thus the position in which the bicycle is stationary, and preventing the wheels (4) from tilting.

[0042] Similarly, the respective handles (17, 17') are connected to the chassis (9) on the upper part of the chassis (9), as can be seen in Figure 5, and the brake lever (18), which is connected to the brake (19) shown in Figure 3 or 4 and positioned corresponding to the brake disc, is assembled on the first handle (17).

[0043] On the other hand, as can be seen in Figure 8, to secure the bicycle and chair in a parking position (as shown in Figure 9), it was envisioned that a locking device (32) would be incorporated to lock the rotating bar (5) so that the framework would not tilt. As can be seen in Figure 8, the locking device (32) is connected to the support structure (1) and has a linearly movable pin (37) that locks or unlocks the rotating bar (5).

[0044] The locking device (32) is integrated with a fix arm (39) fixed to one clamp of the clamp (30), as can be seen in Figure 10, and is connected to one end of a cable (38) having a sheath (33) connected around a fixed wheel (31). The other end of the cable (38) is then fixed to a hook (12), so that when you want to get on the ride, the hook (12) is lifted (as shown in Figure 8), which drives the cable (38) to the hook (12), which in turn pulls a pin (37) of the locking device (32), unlocking the rotating bar (5) so that the framework tilts in that manner.

[0045] On the other hand, as can be seen in Figure 2 or 10, it is assumed that a bridge exists between the clamps (30), where a fastener (45) is positioned to which the hook (12) is connected in the raised position corresponding to the situation shown in Figures 8 and 10, thereby preventing the hook (12) from easily coming loose, for example, when a vehicle passes over a recess.

[0046] It is also envisioned that the chassis (9) incorporates the upper side extensions (46) shown in Figures 8-10, which extend downward at a certain angle and form a stopping section. When the support column for steering the vehicle tilts excessively, it will hit and contact the stopping section, thereby preventing the vehicle from falling.

Claims

1. A framework having tilting wheels for use as a wheelchair or transport cart, which can be coupled to the front fork (2) of a vehicle, preferably a bicycle, A support structure (1) comprising an upper longitudinal member (40) having a central rotating shaft (21), a lower longitudinal member (41) having joint shafts (22) at its ends, and side supports (42, 43) each connecting the end of the upper longitudinal member (40) on the same vertical line to the end of the lower longitudinal member (41), and a central support plate (24) connected to the lower longitudinal member (41) having a receptacle intended to receive a lower rod (14) for facilitating the fitting of the fork (2), A floating upper rotating bar (5) having two opposite ends that tilt around the rotation axis (21) of the upper longitudinal member (40) of the support structure, The first and second wheels (4, 4'), Each tilting arm (3, 3') is inclined with respect to the support structure (1) and comprises a first tilting arm (3) and a second tilting arm (3') having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein each of the tilting arms (3, 3') is connected at its proximal end to the articulation shaft (22) of the lower longitudinal member (41) with the capability to tilt, and the distal end of each of the tilting arms (3, 3') is connected to a pivot shaft (23), and each of the wheels (4, 4') pivots around the pivot shaft (23), A framework comprising, each of the side tie rods (6), each of which is articulated at one end to the opposite ends of the rotating bar (5), and at the other end of the side tie rod (6) is connected to one of the tilting arms (3, 3') in close proximity to the slewing shaft (23), wherein when the support structure (1) rotates and / or tilts along a curved trajectory, the rotating bar (5) tilts, and one side tie rod (6) causes the first tilting arm (3) to tilt upward, and the other side tie rod (6) causes the second tilting arm (3') to tilt downward.

2. The framework according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper (10) assembled on the support structure (1) for restricting the movement of the tilting arms (3, 3').

3. The framework according to claim 1, further comprising each articulated barrier (25) assembled on the upper longitudinal member (40) of the support structure (1), which is intended to be opened and closed to fasten or release the fork (2).

4. The framework according to claim 1, wherein the support structure (1) further comprises each rod (26) intended to facilitate the coupling of a wheelchair or a transport cart (34) chassis (9) for goods or people.

5. The framework according to claim 1, wherein each of the side support columns (42, 43) is provided with a rigid tube (43).

6. The framework according to claim 1, wherein each of the side support columns (42, 43) comprises an expandable tube (43) in which one expandable tube (43) is connected to the lower longitudinal member (41) and the other expandable tube is connected to the upper longitudinal member (40), and a vibration damping means between both expandable tubes (43).

7. The framework according to claim 6, further comprising a torsion bar (44) connecting the tilting arms (3, 3').

8. A wheelchair comprising a chassis (9), on which a seat and a backrest are assembled, characterized in that it comprises a framework having tilting wheels as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The wheelchair according to claim 8, wherein the chassis (9) has a tubular portion (36) corresponding to an end of the chassis (9) that is intended to fit onto the rod (26) of the support structure (1), allowing the chassis (9) to adopt two possible positions: an adjacent position where the chassis (9) is substantially in contact with the support structure (1) when the wheelchair is used coupled to the vehicle, and another distant position where the chassis (9) is separated from the support structure (1) when the wheelchair is used separated from the vehicle for independent use of the wheelchair.

10. The wheelchair according to claim 8, further comprising a clamp (30) connected to the upper portion of the chassis (9) which can be coupled to the handlebar (20) of the vehicle.

11. The wheelchair according to claim 8, further comprising a hook (12) articulated to the chassis (9), the hook (12) comprising a lower elbow (16) for use of the hook (12) in two positions, an upper position and a lower position, the elbow (16) of the hook (12) being able to descend onto the frame (11) of the vehicle and be coupled to the frame (11) in order to ensure that the vertical position of the framework with respect to the vehicle is in a stationary position.

12. The wheelchair according to claim 8, further comprising a first handle (17) and a second handle (17') connected to the chassis (9).

13. The wheelchair according to claim 12, further comprising a brake lever (18) assembled on the first handle (17), wherein the brake lever (18) is connected to a brake (19) located corresponding to a brake disc (28) associated with the wheel (4, 4').

14. The framework further comprises a locking device (32) which locks the rotating bar (5), thereby preventing the framework from tilting to hold the vehicle and the seat in place in the stationary position where the locking device (32) is connected to the support structure (1), and in the stationary position, the locking device (32) has a linearly movable pin (37) which is connected to the support structure (1) and locks or unlocks the rotating bar (5), and the locking device (32) is fixed to one of the clamps (30) The wheelchair according to claims 10 and 11, wherein one end of a cable (38) is similarly associated with a fixed wheel (31) which is integral with a rim (39), the other end of the cable (38) is then secured to the hook (12), so that when the hook (12) is lifted, the hook (12) drives the cable (38), which then pulls the pin (37) of the locking device (32), unlocking the rotating bar (5) so that the framework tilts in that manner.

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