Suspension for wheeled vehicles

Abstract

A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.

1 . A suspension for a vehicle comprising:
 a frame;   a releasable locking assembly comprising:
 a first assembly movably coupled to the frame; 
 a second assembly movably coupled to the frame; 
 wherein movement of the frame relative to the first and second assemblies causes the first and second assemblies to engage each other to limit further movement of the frame in at least a first direction. 
   
     
     
         2 . The suspension of  claim 1  wherein the first assembly is pivotably coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The suspension of  claim 1  wherein the second assembly is pivotably coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The suspension of  claim 1  wherein the first assembly comprises a first undulating portion. 
     
     
         5 . The suspension of  claim 4  wherein the second assembly comprises a second undulating portion. 
     
     
         6 . The suspension of  claim 4  wherein the first undulating portion comprises a toothed surface. 
     
     
         7 . The suspension of  claim 5  wherein the second undulating portion comprises a toothed surface. 
     
     
         8 . The suspension of  claim 4  wherein the toothed surface comprises a stepped surface. 
     
     
         9 . The suspension of  claim 5  wherein the toothed surface comprises a stepped surface. 
     
     
         10 . The suspension of  claim 1  further comprising a caster coupled to the second assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The suspension of  claim 1  wherein the second assembly comprises a first portion and a second portion and a resilient member between the first and second portions. 
     
     
         12 . The suspension of  claim 11  wherein the first portion and the second portion are coupled to the frame at a first location. 
     
     
         13 . The suspension of  claim 11  wherein the first portion is coupled to the frame at a first location and the second portion is coupled to the frame at a second location. 
     
     
         14 . The suspension of  claim 11  wherein the first portion is pivotably coupled to the frame at a first location and the second portion is pivotably coupled to the frame at a second location. 
     
     
         15 . The suspension of  claim 1  wherein the first assembly's moveably coupling to the frame comprises a mounting to a pivot arm movably coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         16 . The suspension of  claim 1  wherein movement of the frame in a first direction is limited by engagement of the first and second assemblies and wherein movement in a second direction is not limited by engagement of the first and second assemblies. 
     
     
         17 . The suspension of  claim 1  wherein pivotal movement of the second assembly causes the second assembly to come into engagement with the first assembly to limit the movement of the first assembly. 
     
     
         18 . A suspension for a vehicle comprising:
 a frame;   a locking assembly comprising:
 a first member coupled to the frame, the first member having a first undulating portion; 
 a second member coupled to the frame, the second member having a second undulating portion; and 
 wherein movement of the frame relative to the first and second members causes the first and second members to physically engage each other to limit further movement of the frame in at least a first direction. 
   
     
     
         19 . The suspension of  claim 18  wherein the first undulating portion comprises a toothed surface. 
     
     
         20 . The suspension of  claim 19  wherein second undulating portion comprises a toothed surface.