Wheelchair Interfacing Device for Grocery Cart Maneuvering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wheelchair users face difficulties in maneuvering additional wheeled apparatuses, such as grocery carts, due to the need to simultaneously control both devices, which is challenging and often impossible.

Innovation Solution

A device with a frame and pivotable ramps that allows the front wheels of a wheelchair to engage with and pivotally support the interfacing device, enabling the wheelchair user to control another wheeled apparatus by transferring force through the device's casters, allowing the user to maneuver both devices as a single unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wheelchair user attempts to simultaneously control both the wheelchair and another wheeled apparatus (e.g., grocery cart), then the user can access additional functionality and perform more tasks, but the operational complexity and difficulty increase significantly making it nearly impossible to perform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to maneuver multiple wheeled apparatusesVSAvoiddifficulty of controlling multiple devices simultaneously

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the wheelchair and another wheeled apparatus (such as a grocery cart) into a single integrated unit through an interfacing device. The interfacing device includes a frame with casters that attach to the wheelchair, and ramps that receive and secure the wheeled apparatus, allowing both devices to be maneuvered together as one unit by a single user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The interfacing device serves as an intermediary component between the wheelchair and the wheeled apparatus. It includes a frame with casters that interface with the wheelchair and ramps that interface with the wheeled apparatus, mediating the connection and enabling force transfer from the wheelchair to control the combined system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the wheelchair user needs to perform tasks requiring additional wheeled apparatuses like grocery carts, then task capability increases, but the user must simultaneously control multiple independent devices which is very difficult or nearly impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to perform tasks like grocery shoppingVSAvoiddifficulty of simultaneous control of multiple devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of the wheelchair and the wheeled apparatus into a single maneuverable unit. The interfacing device structurally combines these elements, allowing the user to perform tasks requiring the wheeled apparatus (such as grocery shopping) while maintaining control through the wheelchair's existing control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The interfacing device provides multi-functionality by enabling the wheelchair to not only serve its primary mobility function but also to control additional wheeled apparatuses. This universal interface allows the wheelchair to perform multiple tasks including transporting goods, assisting with shopping, and providing mobility assistance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11963917B2Interfacing wheelchairs with wheeled apparatuses

Publication Date: 2024.04.23 CARR KEVIN JON

AI summary

Devices described in this disclosure can interconnect a wheelchair with another wheeled apparatus. For example, this document describes interfacing devices that releasably receive the front wheels of a wheelchair and the rear wheels of another wheeled apparatus in such a way that a user of the wheelchair can conveniently maneuver the wheeled apparatus in conjunction with the operation of the wheelchair.