Self-propelled carry-all table for invalids

Claim 1

A machine for use by a partially invalid or handicapped or walking-assistance-dependent person, for transporting objects and following the person within an interior living space, comprising: (a) propelling means for propelling said machine, including wheels adapted only for use in said interior living space; (b) carrying means for carrying objects to be transported; (c) control means for detecting the approximate position of said machine relative to the person using said machine and for activating the propelling means; and (d) digital electronic circuitry means connected to the control means and effective to cause said machine to propel itself in the approximate direction of said person using the machine in any and all orientations of the user person with respect to the front, sides and rear of the machine, said control means including separate contacts for respective forward, right, rear and left drive, and said control means including joystring post means for engaging and activating said contacts responsive to the direction in which said joystring post means is pulled; said control means including an elastic stretchable joystring attached to said joystring post means and at least indirectly to the person, and said digital electronic circuitry means including means for effecting gradual acceleration and deceleration of the machine to avoid tipping of the machine or spilling of liquids carried on the machine; whereby the person can walk forward at varying rates and can make turns and the machine will closely follow the person, carrying said objects for the convenience of the person.