Wheelchair users are constantly encountering difficulties as they traverse various terrains during daily activities. One specific problem a wheelchair user faces is caster wheel drift while traversing side-sloped surfaces. As the wheelchair moves across a side-sloped surface, caster wheels tend to rotate down the slope, and the user’s downward limb must work very hard to keep the wheelchair climbing the incline or merely traveling straight across. This can result in pain or injury to the overworked limb.
Description
The objective of the wheelchair caster system is to reduce the risk of upper limb pain and injury to manual wheelchair users by decreasing the forces required to traverse a side-sloped surface. By applying a forward biasing force on the caster wheel and thus lowering the forces required by the downward limb, the system can prevent wheelchair drift. The caster mount in the wheelchair caster system serves as the attachment point between the caster and the front frame of the wheelchair. Additionally, the device will allow the caster fork and wheel to rotate, allowing the user to steer the wheelchair.
Applications
· Preventing wheelchair drift on sloped surfaces
· Preventing repetitive strain to arm muscles and joints
· Increased maneuverability of caster-guided wheelchairs
Advantages
· Allows user to maneuver the wheelchair without having to disengage the spring-driven forward bias
· Forward bias can be applied or removed by pulling or pushing an easily operated pin, located on the top of the caster mount housing; the pin is designed to be easy to grasp for users with reduced hand function.
· Biasing force can be raised or lowered to meet the needs of the user and changing slopes
· Can be installed on any wheelchair that features detachable caster mounts and can receive any standard caster fork and wheel
Invention Readiness
Prototype
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20110162166A1
