Connecting device for a joystick controller on an electric wheelchair

Abstract

A connecting device for a joystick controller on an electric wheelchair has a post, two rods and a base. The post has two brackets attached to the post. The two rods are pivotally attached respectively to the two brackets in parallel with each other. The base is pivotally attached to the two rods to achieve a four-bar linkage. The joystick controller is adjustably and detachably mounted on the base. The four-bar linkage keeps the joystick controller oriented in a constant direction when the base moves relatively to the electric wheelchair. Therefore, the joystick controller has a fixed orientation relative to the wheelchair.

1 . A connecting device for ajoystick controller on an electric wheelchair, the connecting device comprising: 
 a post ( 10 ) having two brackets ( 102 ) attached to the post ( 10 ) in a single horizontal plane;    two rods ( 20 ) pivotally attached respectively to the two brackets ( 102 ) in parallel with each other; and    a base ( 30 ) pivotally attached to the two rods ( 20 ).    
   
   
       2 . The connecting device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the post ( 10 ) is a rectangular tube and has 
 a front face;    an outer face; and    the two brackets ( 102 ) attached respectively to the front face and the outer face, and each bracket ( 102 ) being U-shaped and having a cross member attached to the post ( 10 ) and two wings connecting to the cross member and extending outward from the post ( 10 ).    
   
   
       3 . The connecting device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein 
 each rod has 
 two ends; and  
 two transverse end sleeves ( 22 ) formed respectively at the two ends, each transverse end sleeve ( 22 ) has a top, a bottom, and two bushings ( 202 ) mounted respectively in the top and the bottom; and  
   each bracket ( 102 ) has a pivot pin ( 104 ) penetrating the wings of the two bracket ( 102 ) and the transverse end sleeves ( 22 ) of the two rods ( 20 ).    
   
   
       4 . The connecting device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the base ( 30 ) is rectangular and has: 
 four corners;    a top face;    a rear edge;    a front edge;    an inner edge;    an outer edge;    two mounting holes ( 302 ) formed diagonally through the base ( 30 ) respectively at one of the four corners between the rear edge and the outer edge and at one of the four corners between the front edge and the inner edge;    two pivot pins ( 308 ) extending respectively through the mounting holes ( 302 ) and pivotally attaching the rods ( 20 ) to the base ( 30 );    multiple adjustment holes formed in a line through the base ( 30 ) parallel to the outer edge near the front edge;    a U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ) attached to the top face of the base ( 30 ) and having 
 a channel defined between the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ) and the base ( 30 ); and  
 multiple through holes ( 306 ) defined through the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ), communicating with the channel and correspondingly to align with the adjustment holes in the base ( 30 );  
   a T-shaped connector ( 32 ) engaging the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ) and having 
 a crossbar having two ends;  
 a longitudinal adjustment leg mounted in the channel in the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 );  
 three attachment holes ( 322 ) with two attachment holes ( 322 ) formed respectively through the crossbar near the ends and the other attachment hole ( 322 ) formed through the longitudinal adjustment leg to selectively align with one through hole ( 306 ) in the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ); and  
 two fasteners passing through the attachment holes ( 322 ) in the crossbar and attaching to the joystick controller ( 40 ) to attach the T-connector ( 32 ) to the joystick controller ( 40 ); and  
   a knob ( 34 ) screwing through the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ) and the attachment hole ( 322 ) in the longitudinal adjustment leg.    
   
   
       5 . The connecting device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the base ( 30 ) is rectangular and has: 
 four corners;    a top face;    a rear edge;    a front edge;    an inner edge;    an outer edge;    two mounting holes ( 302 ) formed diagonally through the base ( 30 ) respectively at one of the four corners between the rear edge and the outer edge and at one of the four corners between the front edge and the inner edge;    two pivot pins ( 308 ) extending respectively through the mounting holes ( 302 ) and pivotally attaching the transverse end sleeves ( 22 ) at the ends of the two rods ( 20 ) to the base ( 30 );    multiple adjustment holes formed in a line through the base ( 30 ) parallel to the outer edge near the front edge;    a U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ) attached to the top face of the base ( 30 ) and having 
 a channel defined between the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ) and the base ( 30 ); and  
 multiple through holes ( 306 ) defined through the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ), communicating with the channel and correspondingly to align with the adjustment holes in the base ( 30 );  
   a T-shaped connector ( 32 ) engaging the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ) and having 
 a crossbar having two ends;  
 a longitudinal adjustment leg mounted in the channel in the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 );  
 three attachment holes ( 322 ) with two attachment holes ( 322 ) formed respectively through the crossbar near the ends and the other attachment hole ( 322 ) formed through the longitudinal adjustment leg to selectively align with one through hole ( 306 ) in the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ); and  
 two fasteners passing through the attachment holes ( 322 ) in the crossbar and attaching to the joystick controller ( 40 ) to attach the T-connector ( 32 ) to the joystick controller ( 40 ); and  
   a knob ( 34 ) screwing through the U-shaped mounting bracket ( 304 ) and the attachment hole ( 322 ) in the longitudinal adjustment leg.