Wheelchair Carriage with Tracks for Easy Mobility in Difficult Terrains

The present invention relates to a wheelchair apparatus that is useful for navigating through a variety of terrains, like snow or sand, which are not conveniently or safely traversed using a standard wheelchair. The apparatus includes a ramp assembly, a pair of continuous tracks, and a drive mechanism that can be used in conjunction with a standard wheelchair. The ramp assembly can have atleast one ramp for allowing entrance of a wheelchair and which also provides support of the wheelchair during use. A pair of continuous tracks is operatively connected to the ramp assembly and is oriented to act in a parallel manner. The drive mechanism is operatively connected to the pair of tracks to allow a user to propel

Benefits
Few specialized products are commercially available to users of wheelchairs that facilitate mobility in winter or other adverse conditions. Most products designed for use in adverse conditions require the user to physically move to a secondary device, which is uncomfortable. Further, many of these types of devices are bulky and require a relatively large amount of space to transport. Some other products have attachments that require secondary assistance while engaging. This greatly diminishes the independence of the wheelchair user and becomes impractical in many situations. The apparatus described in this invention avoids the above mentioned difficulties and improves the mobility of wheelchair users.

Stage of Development
A utility patent has been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This technology is part of an active and ongoing research program and has been demonstrated to work in proof-of-concept experiments and has a working prototype. It is available for developmental research support/licensing under either exclusive or non-exclusive terms.

Additional Info
*http://www.mech.utah.edu/ergo/faculty/bloswick.htm

Inventor(s): Matthew Williams, Shem Peterson, Zackery Kent Evans, Donald Bloswick, Matt Greeff

Type of Offer: Licensing



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