WO2015053677A1

WO2015053677A1 - Motorised vehicle for older and disabled persons

Info

Publication number: WO2015053677A1
Application number: PCT/SE2014/000120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf Ingersjö
Original assignee: Rolf Ingersjö
Priority date: 2013-10-09
Filing date: 2014-09-30
Publication date: 2015-04-16
Also published as: SE536977C2; SE1300637A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a motorised vehicle comprising a chassis (1c), which comprises at least three wheels (2, 3, 5, 6), a steering device (15), a drive device (12a) and a seat arrangement (13) adjustable into different positions. In accordance with the invention, the seat arrangement (13) can be set to a walking mode (A1) for use as a walker (1a), and to a driving mode (A2) for use as a driving vehicle, wherein the drive element (12) is activated in both the walking and the driving mode.

Description

Motorised vehicle for older and disabled persons

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a motorised vehicle comprising a chassis, which comprises at least three wheels, a steering device, a drive device, and a seat arrangement that is adjustable into different positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A motorised vehicle in the form of a walker is known from US 6,378,883, DE

102012014027 and WO 2011/127023. These prior art walkers are equipped with a drive element such as an electric motor, which can be activated using activating means arranged on a handle. DE 102012014027 also has deployable footrests for use when the motor is activated. EP 0578884 describes a small vehicle that has a platform on which the user can stand when driving. WO 2011/147023 shows and describes a complicated motorised device that is not intended to be used as a walker, i.e. for walking, and is complicated in terms of both its function and design. Said prior art devices are intended to facilitate transport, but they do not simplify use and/or relieve the user entirely during use.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a motorised vehicle adapted for older persons and disabled persons. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object is achieved by means of a motorised vehicle of the type described in the introduction, which also comprises the features that the seat arrangement can be set to a walking mode for use as a walker, and to a driving mode for use as a driving vehicle, wherein the drive element can be activated in both the walking and the driving mode.

By equipping the motorised vehicle with a seat arrangement that can be set to a walking mode and a driving mode, it can be used as a driving vehicle or as a walker. When the vehicle is used as a walker, it can be used with or without a drive element.

The advantages of this type of vehicle are that the user can use it in the driving mode for longer distances, and in the walking mode can get up steep uphill slopes and over difficult obstructions such as kerbs thanks to the drive device.

Another advantage is that if the power source for the drive element should run out, the vehicle can continue to be used in walking mode without a drive element.

The seat arrangement preferably comprises a saddle and a support device, wherein the seat arrangement is disposed to be set to said walking or driving mode by means of a first articulated arrangement between the saddle and the support device.

The seat arrangement is expediently disposed to be set to said walking or driving mode by means of a second articulated arrangement relative to said chassis arranged on said support device. The user can switch here in a simple manner between moving in walking or sitting mode.

The seat arrangement is preferably adjustable into said walking mode in the direction towards said steering device, and into said driving mode in the direction away from said steering device.

A first main solution is obtained by this for the adjustment of the seat arrangement between the two positions. Said support device is expediently equipped with said first articulated arrangement relative to said saddle and with said second articulated arrangement relative to said chassis.

The first main solution is facilitated in this manner. The support device preferably comprises a single leg equipped with said first articulated arrangement relative to said saddle and with said second articulated arrangement relative to said chassis.

A solution is obtained with a small number of parts in this manner.

Said one leg is expediently equipped with a detachably arranged stay, which in the fitted position is disposed to stabilise the saddle in said driving mode, and in the detached position is disposed to permit setting of the saddle to walking mode.

The possibility is thus obtained of being able to fold the saddle forwards or backwards. Alternatively, said support device comprises two legs equipped with said first articulated arrangement relative to the saddle and with said second articulated arrangement relative to said chassis.

A stable suspension of the saddle is thus obtained for use by heavier persons.

Said two legs are preferably integrated and together form a U-shape with two limbs, wherein the second articulated arrangement is arranged at the ends of the limbs of the U-shape, and wherein the first articulated arrangement is arranged where the limbs are joined together in the base of the U-shape.

A stable support device is obtained hereby, at the same time as a small number of parts are required in assembly.

Alternatively, the support device comprises three legs equipped with the second articulated arrangement relative to the chassis, and with the first articulated arrangement relative to the saddle.

The seat arrangement thus has very high stability in all directions, so that it can be used by very heavy persons. In accordance with a second main solution, the support device comprises three legs equipped with the second articulated arrangement relative to the chassis, wherein one of said legs is provided with the first articulated arrangement relative to the saddle, and wherein two of said legs are connected detachably to the saddle.

The advantage is thus obtained that the saddle can be folded laterally to make room for the user in walking mode.

The first articulated arrangement is advantageously disposed to rotate the saddle about an axis substantially transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle.

The first main solution is obtained in this manner to ensure that the saddle is not in the way of the user in walking mode.

Alternatively, the first articulated arrangement is disposed to rotate the saddle about an axis substantially longitudinal to the driving direction of the vehicle. The second main solution is obtained in this manner to ensure that the saddle is not in the way of the user in walking mode.

Preferably at least one of said wheels is arranged in front of the seat arrangement seen in the driving direction, and wherein the steering device is disposed to permit the turning of said wheel relative to the chassis for steering of the vehicle in both walking and driving mode.

A vehicle is thus obtained with three or more wheels. The advantage of a three- wheeled vehicle is that a lighter construction is obtained.

Alternatively, two of the wheels are arranged in front of the seat arrangement seen in the driving direction, and wherein the steering device is disposed to permit turning of said wheels relative to the chassis for steering of the vehicle in both walking and driving mode. A vehicle is thus obtained with four wheels. The advantage of a four-wheeled vehicle is that a more stable construction is obtained. The chassis preferably comprises a front frame in the driving direction equipped with at least one of said wheels, a rear frame in the driving direction equipped with two of said wheels, wherein the front frame and the rear frame are connected via an articulated steering comprising a substantially vertical pivot pin for steering of the vehicle in both walking and driving mode.

Alternatively, the chassis comprises a front frame in the driving direction equipped with two of the wheels, a rear frame in the driving direction equipped with two of the wheels, wherein the front frame and the rear frame are connected via an articulated steering comprising a substantially vertical pivot pin for steering of the vehicle in both walking and driving mode.

A vehicle is thus obtained with four wheels with articulated steering.

With articulated steering good navigability is obtained due to a favourable pivot ra- dius.

In addition, articulated steering causes the walker to become much more flexible with regard to accessibility, for example when driving and walking and when using indoors in a supermarket or the like.

The articulated steering preferably comprises a link rotatable about an axis substantially in the driving direction of the vehicle to make transport on an uneven surface easier. Examples of uneven surfaces are forest paths with roots, kerbs, and snow- covered roads and slippery roads.

The rear frame is expediently divided into two, forming two mutually parallel ends for the formation of an opening backwards in the driving direction, wherein the two mutually parallel ends support each of said wheels and are separated by a predetermined distance from one another to allow a user to walk between them.

There is thus sufficient space for the user to use the vehicle as a walker.

The drive device preferably comprises an electric motor disposed to drive at least one of the wheels.

A suitable driving of the vehicle is obtained in this manner, but of course the drive device could be a combustion engine instead.

The drive device is expediently connected to a power source, such as a battery.

Alternatively, the vehicle is equipped with a power source in the form of a fuel tank intended to be filled with suitable combustible liquid such as petrol, ethanol or die- sel, or with a combustible gas, such as LPG or natural gas.

The steering device preferably comprises a frame section (4a, 4b), which is equipped at its one end with a steering shaft and is connected at its other end to the chassis.

Said frame section is expediently rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis transverse to the driving direction. The user can thus reach the handlebars more easily, as the saddle is placed in front of the walking person (cf. fig. 2a)

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which hig. 1 is a perspective view of a motorised vehicle including a chassis with front and rear frame with four wheels, articulated steering and a seat arrangement in driving mode; Fig. 2a is a perspective view of a variant of the motorised vehicle shown in Fig. 1 with the seat arrangement in a walking mode;

Fig. 2b is a perspective view of the motorised vehicle shown in Fig. 2b with the seat arrangement in a driving mode and comprising a saddle;

Fig. 2c is a perspective view of the saddle seen from underneath;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the motorised vehicle in Fig. 2a - 2b in a pivoted driving mode;

Fig. 4a is a schematic sketch of an alternative embodiment of the motorised vehicle with motors positioned in a decentralised manner;

Fig. 4b is a perspective view of a part of the chassis with one of the wheels equipped with a disc brake;

Fig. 5a - 5b are perspective views of the motorised vehicle in Fig. 1 with a first alternative seat arrangement; Fig. 6a - 6b are perspective views of the motorised vehicle in Fig. 1 with a second alternative seat arrangement;

Fig. 7a - 7b are perspective views of the motorised vehicle in Fig. 1 with a third alternative seat arrangement with a saddle;

Fig. 7c is a perspective view of the saddle in Figure 7a - 7b seen from underneath; rig. o is a perspective view οτ uie moionsea venicie in rig. ι equipped wun mree wheels;

Fig. 9a is a perspective view of the motorised vehicle in Fig. 1 equipped with an al- ternative articulated steering;

Fig. 9b is a detailed view of the articulated steering shown in Fig. 9a;

Fig. 10a is a partly exploded perspective view of the vehicle shown in Figure 1 equipped with an integrated chassis and with an alternative steering device in the form of steering stays; and

Fig. 10b is a perspective view of the steering device shown in Fig. 10b. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The expressions front and rear as used below refer to the direction of forward walker travel. Fig. 1 shows a motorised vehicle 1 in the form of a walker that comprises a chassis 1c with a front frame 4 seen in the driving direction equipped with front wheels 2, 3, and a rear frame 7, equipped with wheels 5, 6.

Arranged on the front frame 4 of the chassis 1c is a housing 12 (partly in section), which contains a drive element 12a, preferably an electric motor mounted on the frame 4 and connected to a battery 12b, which is preferably rechargeable, and a control unit 12e (see also Fig. 4). The housing 12 can also contain a storage space. In addition, the housing 12 with a suitable design can be used to carry one or more persons.

A steering device 15 comprises a steering shaft 8 equipped with handles 9, 10. The right-hand handle 10 in the driving direction is preferably twistable and equipped with a connection (see Fig. 4) to the accelerator of the motor, and the left-hand handle 9 is equipped with a brake handle 9a (see Fig. 2a). The motor r a is intended to drive the tront wheels 2, 3, while the rear wheels 5, 6 are freely rotatably mounted, i.e. supported relative to the frame 7. The motor 12 is suitably reversible or the like, so that the walker 1 can be driven both forward and in reverse.

The front frame 4 comprises a rectangular main section, on the sides of which the wheels 2, 3 are arranged. The steering device for the wheels 2, 3 comprises two essentially vertical frame sections 4b and 4c. The vertical frame sections 4b, 4c are provided at the top with a steering shaft 8.

The vertical frame sections 4b and 4c are each divided into two upper and lower sections close to the frame 4. Their lower sections are omitted in the figures, but are fixedly connected in the frame 4. The upper and lower sections are connected to an articulation 22, 23 respectively, in order thus to permit the possibility of bend- ing the handlebars backwards in walking mode (cf. Fig. 2a). The articulations 22, 23 also allow the vehicle to be made collapsible for transport in a car.

Arranged on the frame 7 is a seat arrangement 13 with a saddle 13a and a support device 14 comprising three legs 14a, 14b, 14c. One of the legs 14a is ar- ranged on the frame 7 in front of the other two legs 14b, 14c in the driving direction. The rear legs 14b, 14c are arranged on the frame 7 in front of the two rear wheels 5, 6, which on their wheel axles are provided on each side of the respective wheel with stop devices 5a, 6a, which extend in a U-shape in the driving direction obliquely upwards and forwards. The U-shape of the stop devices 5a, 6a forms support for the rear side of the rear legs 14b, 14c seen in the driving direction.

Figure 2a shows that the front frame 4 comprises a rectangular main section, on each side of which the wheels 2, 3 are arranged. The steering device for the wheels 2, 3 comprises two essentially vertical frame sections 4b and 4c, which are preferably fixedly welded to a rear frame section 4a of the frame 4. The vertical frame sections 4b, 4c are provided at the top with openings through which the steering shaft 8 is run and secured. The rear frame 7 is shaped like a Y, on the inwardly angled ends of the rear bars 7a, 7b of which the wheels 5, 6 are rotatably mounted, and the front bar 7c of which is rotatably connected, by means of an essentially vertical pivot pin 11a, to essentially the centre of the rear frame section 4a of the front frame 4. So-called articulated steering 11 , as part of the steering device 15 of the walker 1a, is achieved thereby, enabling it to turn smoothly. The inwardly angled, mutually parallel ends of the rear bars 7a, 7b on the rear frame 7 are separated by a predetermined distance from one another in order to allow a user to walk between them (in 1b). In the front end of the frame 7 between the bars 7a, 7b is a footplate16 disposed to be used when the vehicle is in driving mode.

As shown in Figure 2a - 2b, a seat arrangement 13 comprises a saddle 13a and a support device 14 in the form of a front leg 14a and two rear legs 14b, 14c. The saddle 13 is adjustable according to the arrow A1 into a front walking position and according to arrow A2 into a rear driving position.

The front leg 14a is rotatably mounted on a pin 17a that is secured between bars 7a and 7b of the rear frame 7. The rear legs 14b and 14c are rotatably mounted on respective pins 17c and 17c at a predetermined distance behind the pin 17a on the rear frame 7 and on respective bar 7a, 7b.

It is evident from Fig. 2c that the underside of the saddle 13a is equipped for this purpose with an articulated arrangement 26. More precisely, arranged at the upper ends of the rear legs 14b, 14c there is a circular-cylindrical joint 26a with an axis of rotation transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle, and at the front leg 14a by means of a detachable ball-and-socket joint 26b, so that the saddle 13a can be detached quickly and easily from the ball-and-socket joint and twisted upwards or downwards around the joints 26a of the rear legs 14b, 14c if the user has difficulties in reaching the handlebars.

Of course, the ball-and-socket joint 26b at the front leg 14a can be replaced by a circular-cylindrical joint 26a with an axis of rotation transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle if there is no need to fold the seat upwards or downwards. In Fig. 2a the walker 1 is shown in a mode in which the saddle 13a is folded forward so that the user of the walker 1 can walk behind the walker 1 and steer it by means of the steering shaft 8. In the event that the user reaches a hill, the motor can be engaged by twisting the accelerator handle 0 to facilitate walking. The ve- hide 1 can thus be used as a normal walker 1a, albeit with articulated steering, and turned to the right, driven straight ahead or turned to the left by turning the front frame 4 in the directions indicated by respective arrows B and C. Figs. 2a and 2b show the mutual positions of the frames when the walker 1 is being driven straight ahead, while Fig. 3 shows the walker 1 being turned to the left by means of its articulated steering. In this embodiment the vertical frame sections 4b and 4c are divided into two at roughly their midsections, as is depicted schematically at 20 and 21 in Fig. 1a, whereupon the upper sections of the frame sections 4b, 4c can, as is fragmentarily indicated by means of broken lines, be bent backward by means of the steering shaft at a turning point 22, 23 both so as to enable better use of the walker 1 in walking mode according to Fig. 1 and so as to facilitate collapsing of the walker 1 in connection with, for example, transport in a car.

In this embodiment the motor 12a is secured by means of blocks (not shown) to the front frame 4 in such a way that the wheels 2, 3 can run freely beneath the mo- tor. The motor 12a can alternatively be mounted directly on the essentially vertical frame sections 4b and 4c.

With the seat arrangement 13 in the position according to Fig. 2a, the user can turn around with their back towards the handlebars in order to rest while walking when the vehicle is used as a walker, i.e. in walking mode, with or without the aid of the motor. It is preferable in this case that the hand brake 9a can be locked in activated mode so that the walker cannot start to roll unintentionally.

Fig. 2b and 3 show how the walker 1 can be used as a motor-driven vehicle, wherein the user can sit on the rearward-folded seat arrangement 13 as indicated by arrow A2. The stopping devices 5a, 6a (see Fig.1a) permit the seat to be folded back into one or more predetermined positions. As noted above, the articulated steering makes the vehicle 1/walker 1a easier to steer, including in driving mode. In driving mode, both front wheels 2, 3 of the vehicle 1 are driven by means of the drive device 12a, which is activated by twisting the handle 10. The brake handle 9a is used to activate a brake of a suitable type on the wheels. Instead of a brake handle 9a, a separate foot brake (not shown) can be arranged at the bottom of either the front frame 4 or the rear frame 7.

Figure 4a shows an alternative embodiment, according to which each wheel 2, 3, 5, 6 is equipped with an electric motor 12a, connected to a control unit 12e, to a power source 12b in the form of a rechargeable battery, and to the accelerator handle 10. When the accelerator handle 10 is released, no voltage is supplied to the motor, which then switches to generator operation.

The motor is short-circuited in this phase and if any further torque moment acting on the motor shaft causes the motor to rotate in this state, the motor current produced is measured via a shunt resistor that is connected in series to the motor.

If the control circuit detects in this state that current is being produced, i.e. the motor is caused to rotate by an external torque moment, the motor circuit is switched over to motor operation with opposed polarity to create a torque moment of the same magnitude in the opposite direction and thereby brake the motor to a stop. Since the measured current thus becomes zero, the motor circuit is switched back to short-circuited generator operation and the process is repeated continuously.

The brake effect is the same regardless of whether the wheels are brought to rotate forwards or backwards, as control of the respective motor takes place in four quadrants.

When using the brake handle 9a, the wheels are braked using normal mechanical brakes, such as disc brakes (see Fig. 4b), hub brakes or drum brakes. Fig. 5a - 5b show an alternative embodiment, according to which the seat arrangement 13 is equipped with a saddle 13a, which is connected to legs 14b, 14c via a joint 26. The legs 14b, 14c together form a U-shape via an integrated connection element 14d. U† course, this implementation of integrated legs 14b, 14c and joint 26 can be used in the seat arrangement 13 shown in Fig. 2c. Likewise, the implementation of the attachment of the legs 14b, 14c via joints 26 shown in Fig. 2c can be used for the legs 14b and 14c according to Fig. 5b.

To hold the saddle 13a in the sitting position in driving mode, i.e. substantially horizontally, a stay 30 that can be detached by a cotter pin 29 is arranged between the saddle 13a and legs 14b and 14c. The saddle 13a could naturally be turned instead with the upper side of the saddle directed backwards in the driving direction.

Alternatively, the saddle can be equipped with another stay, so that the saddle can quickly be adjusted into a horizontal position in walking mode of the vehicle. The user can hereby stop and sit down on the saddle with their back towards the handlebars in order to rest while walking.

Adjustment of the saddle into a horizontal position could naturally be carried out by a friction coupling that is activated or deactivated with a screw and wing nut.

Fig. 6a - 6b show an alternative embodiment, according to which the support device 14 comprises a single leg 14a, which is connected via a joint 17a between the bars 7a, 7b on the rear frame 7, and via a joint 26 on the underside of the saddle 13a (Fig. 6a).

To hold the saddle 13a in the sitting position, i.e. substantially horizontally in driving mode, a stay 30 that can be detached by a cotter pin 29 is arranged between the saddle 13a and the leg 14a. To further stabilize the leg 14a, there is a stay 31 arranged articulatedly between a lower part 14a and the front part of the frame 7.

The walking mode is shown in Fig. 6b. The cotter pin 29 has been removed from the stay 30 at one end, which has enabled the saddle 13a to be rotated about the joint 26a into a substantially vertical position, due to the fact that the axis of the joint 26 arranged on the leg 14a extends substantially transverse to the driving di- rection of the vehicle. Thereafter the entire seat arrangement 13 has been turned about the lower shaft 17a of the leg 14a, which shaft likewise extends substantially transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle, so that there is space between the bars 7a, 7b for a person to hold the handlebars 8 and walk at the same time.

Even in this case, the saddle 13a could instead be turned with the upper side of the saddle directed backwards in the driving direction.

Even in this case, the saddle could alternatively be equipped with another stay (or with a friction coupling with a screw and wing nut), so that the saddle can quickly be adjusted into a horizontal position in walking mode of the vehicle. The user can hereby easily stop and sit down on the saddle with their back towards the handlebars in order to rest while walking. Fig. 7a - 7c show a variant of the vehicle according to Fig. 1 - 3. The left leg 4b of the support arrangement 14, seen in the driving direction, is equipped with a joint 26e on the underside of the saddle, while the right and the left leg are de- tachably connected to the underside of the saddle 13a via holders 26d. The axis of joint 26e extends substantially in the driving direction of the vehicle.

In connection with adjusting the seat arrangement 13 for walking mode, the legs 14a, 14c are detached from the holders 26d. With the legs 14a, 14c detached, the saddle 13a can be turned about the axis 26e. The legs 14a, 14b, 14c are turned at their ends about their respective joints 17a, 17b, 17c at the attachment to the rear frame 7 of the chassis 1 c.

Of course, the saddle 13a could instead be turned about a joint 26a on the front leg 14a, as shown in Figure 5a - 5b, i.e. the axis of which extends substantially transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle.

Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the vehicle 1/walker 1a equipped on the front frame 4 of the chassis 1c with a single, centrally arranged, supported wheel 2, which is connected to the motor 12a via a drive belt 12d. The front wheel can alternatively be driven by a chain or by a cardan shaft.

Fig. 9a - 9b show an alternative embodiment of the articulated steering 11. Like all embodiments described above, the rear frame 7 is connected rotatably relative to the rear frame section 4a of the front frame 4 via an essentially vertical pivot pin 11a. In this embodiment the front bar 7c is replaced by a circular-cylindrical bar or tube 7d arranged with a fixedly anchored U-shaped connection element 7e provided with a through hole in the respective limb 7e, 7f on the U-shaped connection element for receiving the pivot pin 11a.

As shown in an alternative embodiment in Fig. 9b, the rear frame section 4a of the front frame 4 is angled downwards in the direction of the rear frame 7. The U- shaped connection element 7e (see fig. 9b) is angled upwards in the direction of the front frame 4 at a corresponding degree to the angle of the rear frame section 4a.

Upon connection of the circular-cylindrical bar 7d, the U-shaped connection element is guided to the rear frame section 4a of the front frame 4, in which element a through hole is taken up. The U-shaped connection element is placed in such a way that the through hole of the limbs 7e, 7f is on both sides of the rear frame section 4a and in line with its hole. The pivot pin 11a is placed hereby in the hole of the limb 7e, the hole of the rear frame section 4a and the hole of the limb 7f. The pivot pin is then secured on the underside of the limb with a known attachment element, such as a locking pin or a locking ring.

Fig. 9b shows how the rear part of the circular-cylindrical bar 7d is fastened in an opening in such a way that the rear frame 7 can rotate relative to a pair of ball bearings 35a, 35b about a shaft along the bar 7d, i.e. about a shaft parallel to the driving direction.

Thanks to the rear frame section 4a and the angle of the U-shaped connection element together with the rotatability of the bar 7d about the ball bearings 35a, 35b, an improved stability of the vehicle is obtained when travelling on uneven roads or over kerbs. As is evident from Fig. 10, the vehicle can also be executed with four wheels that are supported on a single frame, i.e. a homogeneous or integrated chassis, wherein the steering device 15 includes steering stays 40 for the front wheels.

Likewise, the three-wheeled embodiment according to Fig. 8 can be equipped with a steering device 15 including steering stays. Alternatively, the vehicle can be equipped with steering with the type of steering coupling that occurs on bicycles. In all the embodiments described above, there is a differential arranged on the respective driving wheel to make cornering and driving easier.

All embodiments described above are equipped with frame sections 4b, 4c that can be rotated via articulations 22, 23, either articulated substantially at half of their height between the frame 4 and the steering shaft 8 (cf. Fig. 2a) or in an area closer to the frame (cf. fig. 1). Of course, the frame sections 4b, 4c can be executed in one piece and can be directly connected to the frame via articulations 22, 23. Alternatively, the frame sections 4b, 4c can be fixedly connected to the frame 4, i.e. without articulations 22, 23.

Variants of the vehicle with one-wheel drive, two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive have been described above, wherein the vehicle with four-wheel drive gives a better grip than the vehicle with two-wheel drive. Likewise, the vehicle with two-wheel drive gives a better grip than the vehicle with one-wheel drive.

In connection with fig. 4a, braking of the wheels each driven by an electric motor has been described. Naturally, the type of electric brake is applicable to the embodiments described above comprising a central motor unit, which drives one or two wheels.

The walker 1 according to the invention can be modified within the framework of the claims with respect to combinations of the detailed embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A motorised vehicle comprising a chassis (1c), which supports at least three wheels (2, 3, 5, 6), a steering device (15), a drive device (12a), and a seat arrangement (13) adjustable into different positions, characterised in that the seat arrangement (13) can be set to walking mode (A1) for use as a walker (1a), and to driving mode (A2) for use as a driving vehicle, wherein the drive element (12a) can be activated in both the walking and driving modes. 2. A motorised vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the seat arrangement comprises a saddle (13a) and a support device (14), wherein the seat arrangement (13) is disposed to be set to said walking or driving mode by means of a first articulated arrangement (26) between the saddle (13a) and the support device

(14) .

3. A motorised vehicle (1) according to claim 2, wherein the seat arrangement (13) is disposed to be set to said walking or driving mode by means of a second articulated arrangement (17) relative to said chassis (1c) arranged on said support device (14).

4. A motorised vehicle according to any of claims 1 - 3, wherein the seat arrangement is adjustable into walking mode in direction (A1) towards said steering device (15) and into driving mode in direction (B) away from said steering device

(15) .

5. A motorised vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the support device (14) is equipped with the first articulated arrangement (26) relative to the saddle (13a) and with the second articulated arrangement (17) relative to the chassis (1c). b. A motorised vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the support device (14) comprises a single leg ( 4a) equipped with the first articulated arrangement (26) relative to the saddle (13a) and with the second articulated arrangement (17) relative to the chassis (1c).

7. A motorised vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said single leg (14) is provided with a detachably arranged stay (30), which in the fitted position is disposed to stabilise the saddle in the driving mode, and in the detached position is disposed to permit adjustment of the saddle into walking mode.

8. A motorised vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the support device (14) comprises two legs (14a, 14b) equipped with the first articulated arrangement (26) relative to the saddle (13a) and with the second articulated arrangement (17) relative to the chassis (1c).

9. A motorised vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said two legs are integrated and together form a U-shape with two limbs, wherein the second articulated arrangement (17) is arranged at the ends of the limbs of the U-shape, and wherein the first articulated arrangement (26) is arranged where the limbs are connected in the base of the U-shape.

10. A motorised vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the support device (14) comprises three legs (14a, 14b, 14c) equipped with the second articulated arrangement (17) relative to the chassis (1c), and with the first articulated arrange- ment (26) relative to the saddle (13a).

11. A motorised vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the support device (14) comprises three legs (14a, 14b, 14c) equipped with the second articulated arrangement (17) relative to the chassis (1c), wherein one of said legs (14b) is equipped with the first articulated arrangement (26) relative to the saddle (13a), and wherein two of said legs (14a, 14c) are connected to the saddle (13a). rz. A motonsea venicie according to any ot claims 5 - 11 , wherein the first articulated arrangement (26) is disposed to rotate the saddle about an axis substantially transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle. 13. A motorised vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the first articulated arrangement (26) is disposed to rotate the saddle about an axis substantially longitudinal to the driving direction of the vehicle.

14. A motorised vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said wheels (2, 3, 5, 6) is arranged in front of the seat arrangement (13) seen in the driving direction, and wherein the steering device (15) is disposed to permit turning of the wheels relative to the chassis (1c) for steering of the vehicle in both walking and driving mode. 15. A motorised vehicle according to any of claims 1 - 13, wherein two of said wheels (2, 3) are arranged in front of the seat arrangement (13) seen in the driving direction, and wherein the steering device (15) is disposed to permit turning of the wheels relative to the chassis (1c) for steering of the vehicle in both walking and driving mode.

16. A motorised vehicle according to any of claims 1 - 13, wherein the chassis (1c) comprises a front frame (4) in the driving direction equipped with at least one of said wheels (2, 3), a rear frame (7) in the driving direction equipped with two of said wheels (5, 6), wherein the front frame (4) and the rear frame (7) are con- nected via an articulated steering (11) comprising a substantially vertical pivot pin (11a) for steering of the vehicle in both walking and driving mode.

17. A motorised vehicle according to any of claims 1 - 13, wherein the chassis (1c) comprises a front frame (4) in the driving direction equipped with two of said wheels (2, 3), a rear frame (7) in the driving direction equipped with two of said wheels (5, 6), wherein the front frame (4) and the rear frame (7) are connected via an articulated steering (11) comprising a substantially vertical pivot pin (11a) for steering of the vehicle in both walking and driving mode.

18. A motorised vehicle according to any of claims 16 and 17, wherein the articulated steering (11) comprises a joint rotatable about an axis substantially in the driving direction of the vehicle to make transport easier on an uneven surface.

19. A motorised vehicle according to any of claims 16 - 18, wherein the rear frame (7) is divided into two, forming two mutually parallel ends for the formation of an opening backwards in the driving direction, wherein the two mutually parallel ends bear each of said wheels (5, 6) and are separated by a predetermined dis- tance (1 b) from each other to enable a user to walk between them.

20. A motorised vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drive device (12a) comprises an electric motor disposed to drive at least one of the wheels (2, 3, 5, 6).

21. A motorised vehicle according to claim 20, wherein the drive device is connected to a power source, such as a battery.

22. A motorised vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the steering device (15) comprises a frame section (4a, 4b), which at one end is equipped with a steering shaft (8) and at its other end is connected to the chassis (1c).

23. A motorised vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the frame section (4b, 4c) is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis transverse to the driving direction (at 22, 23).