CPC A61G 5/047 (2013.01) [A61G 5/027 (2013.01)] | 14 Claims |
1. A propulsion system for a manual wheelchair, the system comprising:
a mounting clamp configured to attach to the manual wheelchair between two spaced-apart wheelchair drive wheels, the wheelchair drive wheels each defining a wheelchair drive wheel tire patch on a support surface;
a propulsion drive unit selectively attachable to the mounting clamp, the propulsion unit comprising:
a drive wheel assembly defining a drive wheel tire patch, the drive wheel tire patch generally in line with each wheelchair drive wheel tire patch when the drive wheel tire contacts the support surface; and
a support suspension configured to provide linear movement of the drive wheel and a drive hub assembly relative to the manual wheelchair, the support suspension comprising a linear bearing and slide member assembly having at least one linear bearing and a slide member for accommodating the linear movement of the drive wheel assembly and a resilient suspension member providing a tractive effort force to the drive wheel.
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