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Power lift and tilt modulesPower lift and tilt modules description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060087166, Power lift and tilt modules. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/621,439, filed on Oct. 22, 2004. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] This invention relates in general to personal mobility vehicles and more particularly, to seating systems for personal mobility vehicles. Most particularly, this invention relates to the mechanisms for lifting and/or tilting seat assemblies for wheelchairs and like vehicles. [0003] Mechanisms for lifting and/or tilting wheelchair seat assemblies are well known. Such mechanisms typically include an actuator (i.e., a lead screw, nut, motor, and gearbox). By convention, parts of the actuator are integrated in the base and parts of the actuator are integrated in the seat assembly. Such actuators encounter a high load from an initial or lowered position. This high load typically causes premature wear of the actuator. A lifting and/or tilting mechanism is needed that is in the form of a compact unit that is capable of lifting heavy loads. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0004] The present invention is directed towards a modular actuator that meets the foregoing needs. According to one embodiment of the invention, the modular actuator has a cam member in combination with a scissors mechanism in a compact unit that is capable of lifting heavy loads. Moreover, the invention is directed towards an actuator having component parts that may be integrated with the base or the seat assembly in such a manner that the parts are not integrated with both the base and the seat assembly. The invention is also directed towards a pull member that is capable of controlling and combining two different mechanisms that travel at different rates through two ranges of motion. The invention is still further directed towards a lifting and/or tilting assembly that includes two different actuator mechanisms that function to apply lifting and/or tilting force throughout different periods of operation, whereby transition from one mechanism to the other mechanism is substantially undetected by one supported by the assembly. The invention is further directed towards a cam member having a profile that is dimensioned and configured to maintain a constant range of motion and keep a constant load on the actuator. [0005] Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0006] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a wheelchair and a modular actuator according to the present invention. [0007] FIGS. 2A and 2B are enlarged front perspective views of lift modules according to alternative embodiments of the present invention. [0008] FIG. 3 is an enlarged front perspective view of a nut assembly of the lift modules shown in FIG. 2B. [0009] FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views in elevation of the lift modules shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B in lowered positions. [0010] FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views in elevation of the lift modules shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B in partially raised positions. [0011] FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views in elevation of the lift modules shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B in fully raised positions. [0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial front perspective view of the lift module shown in FIG. 2B in a lowered position. [0013] FIG. 8 is a graph of the load profile of the lift modules. [0014] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a tilt module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a tilt module according to another embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 11 a rear perspective view of the tilt module shown in FIG. 10 with portions removed to permit viewing of a secondary over-tilt lock and a one-way clutch and further showing enlarged detail views of the secondary over-tilt lock and the one-way clutch. [0017] FIG. 12 a front perspective view of the tilt module shown in FIG. 10 with portions removed to permit viewing of an over-tilt lock and a position sensor and further showing enlarged detail views of the over-tilt lock and the position sensor. [0018] FIG. 13 is front perspective view of the lift and tilt modules stacked upon one another. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0019] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a wheelchair 10 and a modular actuator according to the present invention. The wheelchair 10 is a power wheelchair and more particularly, a mid-wheel drive wheelchair, although the invention can be practiced with other suitable drive configurations, such as front and rear wheel drive configurations. The wheelchair 10 comprises a base 12, which includes a frame supported on a supporting surface by a plurality of wheels, such as drive wheels 14, front wheels 16, and rear wheels 18, as shown in the drawing. The drive wheels 14 can be powered by any suitable power source and can be controlled by any suitable input device, including but not limited to a joystick (not shown). A seat assembly 20 is supported by the base 12. The seat assembly 20 comprises a seat 22 and a seat back 24, which may articulate (i.e., recline) relative to the seat 22. According to the present invention, the seat assembly 20 is adapted to be supported by one or more modular actuators 26, 76 that may be controlled to tilt and/or lift the seat assembly 20. Continue reading about Power lift and tilt modules... Full patent description for Power lift and tilt modules Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Power lift and tilt modules patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Power lift and tilt modules or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Glow chair Next Patent Application: Vehicle seat with a headrest and headrest adjustment assembly Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Power lift and tilt modules patent info. 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