AU726624B2

AU726624B2 - Chair with storage compartment

Info

Publication number: AU726624B2
Application number: AU64378/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian John Salfinger; Paul Francis Salfinger
Original assignee: Lendal Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Lendal Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1995-08-30
Filing date: 1996-08-30
Publication date: 2000-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-30
Also published as: AU6437896A

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD

PATENT

Name of Applicant: LENDAL PTY LTD a a.

a a.

a Actual Inventor(s): Address for service is: PAUL FRANCIS SALFINGER and BRIAN JOHN SALFINGER WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Chair With Storage Compartment" Details of Associated Provisional Application No: PN5133 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- The present invention relates to a chair having a storage compartment.

The invention has been devised particularly, although not solely, for a motorised wheelchair having a storage compartment for batteries to power electric controls such as electric motors for propelling and otherwise controlling operation of the wheelchair.

With motorised wheelchairs, it can be difficult to provide a way of conveniently carrying batteries for powering electrical controls including motors of the wheelchair in a manner which is convenient and accessible. It is important for the batteries to be carried in a manner in which they are readily accessible as it is necessary to periodically remove the batteries for re-charging.

The present invention provides a chair comprising a frame structure including a pair of spaced apart rails, of generally circular cross-section and located below an .occupant supporting portion, and a storage compartment adapted to be slidably supported on the rails, the storage compartment having two longitudinal recesses on opposed sides thereof in sliding engagement with the rails to facilitate movement of the compartment along the rails while supported thereon, the i longitudinal recesses comprising channels having the open faces thereof in opposed relationship, the channels each being of arcuate cross-section and the rails being snugly received therein.

20 Preferably, the compartment is entirely removable from supporting engagement on the frame structure.

Conveniently, the compartment is formed of plastics material and the engaging means is formed separately of the compartment and attached thereto. It may, -3however, be possible to form the engaging means integrally with the compartment.

The compartment is conveniently of a generally box construction having a removable lid. With this arrangement, the engaging means are conveniently located on a pair of opposed side walls of the box.

A retaining means may be provided for releasably retaining the compartment in position within the frame structure. The retaining means may simply comprise a strap providing a barrier for preventing removal of the compartment.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a motorised wheelchair according to the embodiment; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of part of the frame structure of the 15 wheelchair and a storage compartment supported thereby; .Fig. 3 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a schematic rear view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 5; and Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the compartment out of engagement 20 with the frame structure.

The embodiment shown in the drawings is directed to a motorised wheelchair in which the electric controls thereof are powered by batteries.

*The wheelchair 10 comprises an occupant supporting portion 11 which is •mounted on a mobile base structure 13. The occupant supporting portion 11 includes a seat 15, a back rest 17 and arm rests 19. The seat 15 comprises a cushioned seat portion 21 supported on a seat frame structure 23.

-4- The occupant supporting portion 11 is detachably mounted onto the mobile base structure 13 to facilitate collapsing of the chair for transportation and storage.

The mobile base structure 13 comprises a base frame structure 25 which is supported on front wheels 27 and rear wheels 28. The front wheels 27 are in the form of castor wheels, and the rear wheels 28 are driven by way of electric motors (not shown).

The electric motors and other electrically operated controls for the wheelchair are powered from the batteries which are accommodated in a storage compartment 31.

The storage compartment 31 is accommodated within the interior of the base frame structure 25, as will be explained in more detail later. The compartment 31 is of box construction and comprises two opposed longitudinal side walls 33, a front wall 35, a rear wall 37 and a base 39. The arrangement defines an open top 41 which is closed by a removable lid (not shown). The compartment 31 is 15 formed of durable plastics material and the side walls 33, front wall 35, rear wall 37 and base 39 are of integral construction.

S. The compartment 31 is removably supported within the interior of the base frame structure 25. For this purpose, the base frame structure 25 includes two spaced *apart longitudinal frame elements 45 each of which defines a supporting rail. The frame elements 45 are of circular cross-section. Each frame element 45 has a *rear end section 46 which is turned outwardly to assist in guiding the compartment 31 into engagement with the rails 47 as will be explained later.

The rear end of the base frame structure 25 is open in the region between the "rails 45. The front end of the base frame structure 25 is closed between the rails by transverse frame element 44.

The compartment 31 includes a pair of opposed engaging means 47 on the side walls 33. Each engaging means 47 comprises a metal extrusion defining a channel 51 of arcuate cross-section. The channels have open faces 53 which are positioned in opposed relation to each other. The metal extrusions are attached to the side walls 33 in any suitable manner.

The channels 51 and the spacing therebetween are dimensioned such that they can be slidingly received on the rails provided by the longitudinal frame elements of the frame structure 25. In this way, the compartment is slidably mountable onto the frame structure 25 to be supported thereby. The outwardly directed configuration of the end sections 46 of the rails 45 serve to guide the compartment 31 into engagement with the rails.

An arcuate cross-section of the channels provides for ease of sliding engagement with the rails In this way, the compartment 31 can be moved between a first position in which it is supported within the confines of the frame structure 25 (as best seen in Figs. 2 and 4) and a further position in which it is removed entirely from the frame 0 *915 structure .4 .9.

A securing system (not shown) may be provided for releasably securing the compartment 31 in position on the frame structure 25 so that it cannot inadvertently slide outwardly, particularly when the wheelchair is traversing irregular surfaces and inclines. The securing means may simply comprise a strap e 4.

adapted to extend between the outer ends of the rails to close the rear end of the base frame structure.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the embodiment provides a simply yet highly effective storage arrangement for batteries in a motorised wheelchair. The 4 compartment is easily installed on, and removed from, the wheelchair as required.

It should also be understood that the invention may have application to chairs other than wheelchairs.

Claims

1. A chair comprising a frame structure including a pair of spaced apart rails of generally circular cross-section and located below an occupant supporting portion, and a storage compartment adapted to be slidably supported on the rails, the storage compartment having two longitudinal recesses on opposed sides thereof in sliding engagement with the rails to facilitate movement of the compartment along the rails while supported thereon, the longitudinal recesses comprising channels having the open faces thereof in opposed relationship, the channels each being of arcuate cross-section and the rails being snugly received therein.

2. A chair according to claim 1 wherein the compartment is entirely removable from supporting engagement on the frame structure.

3. A chair according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the compartment is of a generally 9 °.box construction and the engaging means are located on a pair of opposed side walls of the box.

4. A chair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a retaining :III means is provided on the frame structure for releasably retaining the compartment in position within the frame structure. A chair substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this fourth day of August 2000. LENDAL PTY LTD Applicant WRAY ASSOCIATES Perth, Western Australia SPatent Attorneys for the Applicant -7-

9. A chair substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATEDthis thirtieth dayof August, 1996. LENDAL PTY LTD Applicant WRAY ASSOCIATES Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant *oo o o o o *o o oo*