Patent attributes
A stair-climbing wheelchair has a pair of track assemblies that can be placed in an operative drive mode to propel the wheelchair along ascending and descending paths of travel relative to an obstacle such as a stairway, curb, or the like. Each track assembly includes a guide member with rollers at opposite ends thereof carrying an endless cleated belt. The guide member is arched between its end sections thereby permitting the endless belt to deflect upwardly between the rollers when the endless belt engages an obstacle such as a step, curb or the like. This permits a smooth gradual transition of the wheelchair onto and/or off the top step of a staircase. Preferably, each track assembly also includes an inclined tail section having a separate endless cleated belt. The track assemblies can also be utilized in connection with remote control and/or unmanned motorized vehicles.
