Adaptable Wheelchair Technology for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept applies the core technology of a wheelchair to various industries, enhancing accessibility and usability in marine, recreational, agricultural, theme park, and emergency response applications.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed a wheelchair with a seat back that can be fixed to a vehicle body structure, primarily designed for use in vehicles. However, this limitation restricts the wheelchair's versatility and adaptability to other industries. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by applying the core technology to diverse industries, providing enhanced accessibility and usability in various environments.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises a wheelchair adapted for use in various industries, including marine transportation, recreational vehicles, agricultural applications, theme parks, and emergency response situations. The wheelchair features a seat, body frame, wheel, seat back, and an engager to fix the seat back to a respective industry-specific body structure. For instance, in marine transportation, the wheelchair is adapted for use on a boat, with the engager fixing the seat back to a boat body structure. Similarly, in recreational vehicles, the wheelchair is adapted for use in a recreational vehicle, providing enhanced accessibility and usability.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel and non-obvious applications of the core wheelchair technology, departing from the original patent's vehicle-centric design. The inventive step lies in the recognition of the technology's versatility and its adaptation to diverse industries, providing enhanced accessibility and usability.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include modifying the wheelchair's design to accommodate specific industry requirements, such as waterproofing for marine use or reinforced materials for agricultural applications. Variations may also include integrating additional features, such as sensors or communication systems, to enhance the wheelchair's functionality and user experience.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including marine transportation, recreational vehicles, agricultural applications, theme parks, and emergency response situations. The target market includes companies and organizations operating in these industries, as well as individuals with disabilities seeking enhanced accessibility and usability.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61G5/1067 |
| A | A61 | A61G3/02 |
| A | A61 | A61G3/0808 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Mobility Assistive Devices, specifically wheelchairs and adaptive transportation technologies, encompassing medical, recreational, and industrial mobility solutions
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or mobility device designer with expertise in adaptive technologies, familiar with wheelchair mechanics, structural adaptations, and cross-industry design principles
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the core wheelchair technology disclosed in US 11857472 represents a modular design with transferable mechanical principles that can be readily adapted across different transportation and industrial contexts. The fundamental engagement mechanism and structural components of the wheelchair are sufficiently generic to be applied in marine, agricultural, and emergency response environments with minimal substantive modifications. The variations represent predictable engineering adaptations that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to extend wheelchair functionality into diverse operational domains.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,472 |
|---|---|
| Title | Wheelchair |
| Assignee(s) | MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION |