Wheelchair Tow Device

Abstract

A wheelchair tow device which includes a frame sub-assembly, at least one front ground engaging wheel, at least one rear ground engaging wheel, a motive source capable of rotating at least one of the at least one front ground engaging wheel and the at least one rear ground engaging wheel, an energy storage device, wherein the energy storage device is in electrical communication with the motive source, and a handle assembly.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A wheelchair tow device, comprising:
 a frame sub-assembly;   at least one front ground engaging wheel, wherein the at least one front ground engaging wheel is rotatably connected to the frame sub-assembly and positioned substantially coplanar with a first horizontal plane;   at least one rear ground engaging wheel, wherein the at least one rear ground engaging wheel is associated with the frame sub-assembly and positioned substantially coplanar with a second horizontal plane, wherein the second horizontal plane is positioned below the first horizontal plane;   a motive source capable of rotating at least one of the at least one front ground engaging wheel and the at least one rear ground engaging wheel;   an energy storage device, wherein the energy storage device is in electrical communication with the motive source; and   a handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly is pivotally connected to the frame sub-assembly and wherein the handle assembly comprises means for operating the motive source.   
     
     
         2 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame sub-assembly further comprises an extension member for rotatably supporting each of the at least one rear ground engaging wheels in such a way that each of the at least one rear ground engaging wheels may pivot relative the frame sub-assembly to change the trajectory of the wheelchair tow device during translation of the same. 
     
     
         3 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least two front ground engaging wheels, wherein the at least two front ground engaging wheels comprise a center of rotation wherein the center of rotation of the at least two front ground engaging wheels is positioned substantially coplanar with the first horizontal plane. 
     
     
         4 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame sub-assembly further comprises a main plate and a motive source plate, wherein the motive source plate extends from the main plate at an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         5 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 4 , further comprising an axle, rotatably supported by at least one of the frame sub-assembly and the motive source plate and wherein the axle is connected to the at least one front ground engaging wheel, and means for connecting the axle to the motive source. 
     
     
         6 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 1 , wherein the motive source is an electric motor. 
     
     
         7 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 5 , wherein means for connecting the axle to the motive source includes:
 at least one gear associated with the axle;   an output shaft connected to the motive source; and   a drive member operatively connecting the at least one gear associated with the axle with the output shaft connected to the motive source.   
     
     
         8 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 6 , wherein the drive member comprises a chain. 
     
     
         9 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device comprises an electrochemical cell, wherein the electrochemical cell comprises at least one of an alkaline, a lead acid, a nickel-cadmium, a nickel metal hydride, a lithium-ion, and a lithium-ion polymer electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         10 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 9 , wherein the wheelchair tow device further comprises a charging port, wherein the charging port is in electrical communication with the energy storage device. 
     
     
         11 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 7 , wherein the wheelchair tow device further comprises an electronic control module, wherein the electronic control module comprises:
 a speed regulator module, wherein the speed regulator module controls the rotation of the output shaft; and   a throttle control module.   
     
     
         12 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 11 , wherein the handle assembly further comprises:
 a brake actuator, wherein the brake actuator is in at least one of mechanical and electrical communication with a brake member, and wherein the brake member is associated with the at least one front ground engaging wheel; and   a directional switch.   
     
     
         13 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 12 , wherein the electronic control module is in electrical communication with at least one of the energy storage device, the motive source, means for operating the motive source, and the brake actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 13 , wherein the motive source is in electrical communication with at least one of the drive actuator and the brake actuator via the electronic control module. 
     
     
         15 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 12 , wherein the directional switch controls the direction of rotation of the output shaft of the motive source. 
     
     
         16 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 15 , wherein the directional switch comprises a toggle switch, wherein the toggle switch comprises a forward position and a reverse position. 
     
     
         17 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wheelchair tow device further comprises an ignition member, wherein the ignition member is in electrical communication with the electronic control module, and wherein the ignition member comprises a start position and a stop position. 
     
     
         18 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wheelchair tow device further comprises a cover member, wherein the cover member is associated with the frame sub-assembly, such that the cover member and the frame sub-assembly cooperate to form a substantially polygonal housing. 
     
     
         19 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the motive source, the electronic control module, and the energy storage device are at least partially contained within the cover member. 
     
     
         20 . The wheelchair tow device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a receptacle releaseably connectable to the frame sub-assembly.