CA1237972A - Aids for the disabled - Google Patents
Aids for the disabledInfo
- Publication number
- CA1237972A CA1237972A CA000487053A CA487053A CA1237972A CA 1237972 A CA1237972 A CA 1237972A CA 000487053 A CA000487053 A CA 000487053A CA 487053 A CA487053 A CA 487053A CA 1237972 A CA1237972 A CA 1237972A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- aid
- condition
- folding
- latching
- latching means
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO
AIDS FOR THE DISABLED
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A folding backrest of a wheelchair has two attendant handles fixed to upper tubes hinged to vertical lower tubes so as to be turntable into lowered positions.
Supported on the upper tubes are respective cams turntable rearwardly by an attendant about a horizontal axis and in opposition to springs, from positions in which they bear against horizontal pins fixed at the rears of the lower tubes and maintain the upper tubes in their raised positions, into positions which allow them to be lowered past the pins to permit the backrest to be lowered.
AIDS FOR THE DISABLED
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A folding backrest of a wheelchair has two attendant handles fixed to upper tubes hinged to vertical lower tubes so as to be turntable into lowered positions.
Supported on the upper tubes are respective cams turntable rearwardly by an attendant about a horizontal axis and in opposition to springs, from positions in which they bear against horizontal pins fixed at the rears of the lower tubes and maintain the upper tubes in their raised positions, into positions which allow them to be lowered past the pins to permit the backrest to be lowered.
Description
-2- ~3~2 E~ACKGROt~ND OFF Involution PHYLA OF THE; INVENTION
This invention relates lo, an ail for the disabled, for example to a fo1dii~q backrest of a wheelchair.
inscription OF THY: PROP ART
.
Folding wheelchairs are commonly carried from place to place in motor cars, so that a patient may become mobile at his destination.
It is conventional for substantially the whole, or an upper part of, the backrest of a folding wheelchair to hinge down rearwardly to decrease the overall height of the wheelchair for easy accommodation of the wheelchair in a back. seat or a boot of a motor car.
For example it is known from British Patent Specification 1175684 for two side frames of a folding wheelchair to include two rear upper and two rear vertical lower side tubes, with a strip of canvas or like material extending between the two upper tubes as a rest for the patient's back. The two upper tubes are connected by rear hinge, to the respective lower tubes so that they can be turned down rearwardly from raised conditions in whictl their lower ends extend vertically upwards prom the lower tubes and their remainders extend almost vertically upwards but slightly rearwardly. The two upper tubes are releasable held in their raised positions by respective latching pins which are spring-biassed into positions in which they project as sliding fits out of the lower ends of reinforcing bushes fixed in the lower ends of the upper tubes into the upper ends of reinforcing bushes fixed in the upper ends of the lower tubes. The upper ends of the pins are bent over to project laterally out of slots along the upper tubes and are externally provided with respective knobs whereby an attendant can raise the pins out of the lower tubes against the action of the springs to allow the two upper tubes to be hinged down rearwardly.
This latching arrangement is based upon linearly I,`' Jo .
,., .
I ~3~97~
sliding parts and in practice is prone to jamming.
Unfortunately, the looser the fit between the sliding part in to latched, raised position of the bookrack, and thus the less prong to jamming, the greater the degree of tree movement between the sliding part and thus the greater the amount of rattling during use of the wheelchair.
United States Patent Specification 4,164,354 discloses similar latching mechanisms in a folding wheelchair except that, instead of the latching mechanisms being at about seat level, they are at about arm rest level.
British Patent Specification 1203431 discloses a latching mechanism for a linkage comprised of first and second rectangular strips to the first of which is riveted a triangular plate at an ape of which the second strip is pivotal mounted. On the second strip is also pivotal mounted a latching device consisting of two triangular plates fixed together by two post. The nearer end or the first strip extends between the two plates end between the two posts in the latched condition, and the latching device it urged into that position by a torsion sprint acting between the device and the second strip. One of the two plates has an edge zone bent over the outer edge of the second strip to form a latch-releasing flange or pressing by a user to move the outer post from the path of the nearer end of the first strip This mechanism is unsuitable for use in relation to a wheelchair backrest in that the elongate members of the linkage are not end-to-end in their latched condition, and thus the canvas material of the backrest could not be both smooth in that condition and well attached to the elongate members Moreover, the patient would be liable to catch, or even hurt, himself on the projecting nearer end of the foremost one of the members Another disadvantage of the mechanism is that the , I' latching device calm perform a significant amount of free movement relative to the first strip in the latched condition, iron a siqrll,ican~ rattle problem.
SUMMARY OWE THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a folding aid lot- the disabled, including first and secorld aid parts which in a latched condition are disposed end-to-end, hinge means interconnecting said aid parts such that said parts are turntable relative to each other about an axis of said hinge means between the latched condition and a folded condition, latching means tunably mounted on the first aid part so as to be manually turntable relative thereto, and detent means mounted on the second aid part so as to be releasable engage able by said latching means so as to retain said aid parts in said latched condition, said latching means being biassed towards its condition in which it releasable engages said detent means.
Owing to the invention, a folding aid in which the aid parts are disposed end-to-end in their latched condition employs a turning latching action, so reducing the likelihood of jamming of the latching mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 shows a fragmentary side elevation of folding backrest of a wheelchair, the backrest being in a raised condition, and Figure 2 is a view Seymour to Figure I but showing the backrest in a lowered condition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, the wheelchair includes a folding frame 1 which itself includes two rear, vertical members 2 (of which only one it seen). A back 3 of flexible sheet material comprises a vertical, lower .
. .
5 ~L~37g7~
part 3 attached at respective vertical edge zones thereof to the rear owe the respective members 2, a set (not shown) of simile:- mclterial ~einq attached to respective ilorizontal members (not: sown) o- thy frame l. Thy back
This invention relates lo, an ail for the disabled, for example to a fo1dii~q backrest of a wheelchair.
inscription OF THY: PROP ART
.
Folding wheelchairs are commonly carried from place to place in motor cars, so that a patient may become mobile at his destination.
It is conventional for substantially the whole, or an upper part of, the backrest of a folding wheelchair to hinge down rearwardly to decrease the overall height of the wheelchair for easy accommodation of the wheelchair in a back. seat or a boot of a motor car.
For example it is known from British Patent Specification 1175684 for two side frames of a folding wheelchair to include two rear upper and two rear vertical lower side tubes, with a strip of canvas or like material extending between the two upper tubes as a rest for the patient's back. The two upper tubes are connected by rear hinge, to the respective lower tubes so that they can be turned down rearwardly from raised conditions in whictl their lower ends extend vertically upwards prom the lower tubes and their remainders extend almost vertically upwards but slightly rearwardly. The two upper tubes are releasable held in their raised positions by respective latching pins which are spring-biassed into positions in which they project as sliding fits out of the lower ends of reinforcing bushes fixed in the lower ends of the upper tubes into the upper ends of reinforcing bushes fixed in the upper ends of the lower tubes. The upper ends of the pins are bent over to project laterally out of slots along the upper tubes and are externally provided with respective knobs whereby an attendant can raise the pins out of the lower tubes against the action of the springs to allow the two upper tubes to be hinged down rearwardly.
This latching arrangement is based upon linearly I,`' Jo .
,., .
I ~3~97~
sliding parts and in practice is prone to jamming.
Unfortunately, the looser the fit between the sliding part in to latched, raised position of the bookrack, and thus the less prong to jamming, the greater the degree of tree movement between the sliding part and thus the greater the amount of rattling during use of the wheelchair.
United States Patent Specification 4,164,354 discloses similar latching mechanisms in a folding wheelchair except that, instead of the latching mechanisms being at about seat level, they are at about arm rest level.
British Patent Specification 1203431 discloses a latching mechanism for a linkage comprised of first and second rectangular strips to the first of which is riveted a triangular plate at an ape of which the second strip is pivotal mounted. On the second strip is also pivotal mounted a latching device consisting of two triangular plates fixed together by two post. The nearer end or the first strip extends between the two plates end between the two posts in the latched condition, and the latching device it urged into that position by a torsion sprint acting between the device and the second strip. One of the two plates has an edge zone bent over the outer edge of the second strip to form a latch-releasing flange or pressing by a user to move the outer post from the path of the nearer end of the first strip This mechanism is unsuitable for use in relation to a wheelchair backrest in that the elongate members of the linkage are not end-to-end in their latched condition, and thus the canvas material of the backrest could not be both smooth in that condition and well attached to the elongate members Moreover, the patient would be liable to catch, or even hurt, himself on the projecting nearer end of the foremost one of the members Another disadvantage of the mechanism is that the , I' latching device calm perform a significant amount of free movement relative to the first strip in the latched condition, iron a siqrll,ican~ rattle problem.
SUMMARY OWE THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a folding aid lot- the disabled, including first and secorld aid parts which in a latched condition are disposed end-to-end, hinge means interconnecting said aid parts such that said parts are turntable relative to each other about an axis of said hinge means between the latched condition and a folded condition, latching means tunably mounted on the first aid part so as to be manually turntable relative thereto, and detent means mounted on the second aid part so as to be releasable engage able by said latching means so as to retain said aid parts in said latched condition, said latching means being biassed towards its condition in which it releasable engages said detent means.
Owing to the invention, a folding aid in which the aid parts are disposed end-to-end in their latched condition employs a turning latching action, so reducing the likelihood of jamming of the latching mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 shows a fragmentary side elevation of folding backrest of a wheelchair, the backrest being in a raised condition, and Figure 2 is a view Seymour to Figure I but showing the backrest in a lowered condition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, the wheelchair includes a folding frame 1 which itself includes two rear, vertical members 2 (of which only one it seen). A back 3 of flexible sheet material comprises a vertical, lower .
. .
5 ~L~37g7~
part 3 attached at respective vertical edge zones thereof to the rear owe the respective members 2, a set (not shown) of simile:- mclterial ~einq attached to respective ilorizontal members (not: sown) o- thy frame l. Thy back
3 also includes an upper part 311 which, in the raised condition ox the backrest, is slightly inclined rearwardly fryer the vertical. the par, 3'' is attached at its two upwardly extending edge zones to respective bent tubes a (of which only one is seen) which are each provided with a handle 5 for grasping by an attendant.
The back 3 has a cut-out 3''' at each lateral side to receive a latching mechanism which will now be described.
The inner end of each tube 4 has welded to its respective lateral sides vertical t parallel plates 6 each of a roughly triangular form these plates 6 embracing the upper end of the adjacent member 2 and being pivotal connected thereto by a horizontal pivot pin 7 extending transversely ox the wheelchair. These two pins 7 art co-axial with each other. Extending horizontally between the plate I; 01 each pair is 2 pin 8 on which is pivotal mounted a vertical, substantially vectorial plate 9 to which is fixed a laterally outwardly projecting pin lo torsion spring if urges the plate 9 anticloc1cwise~ in the drawings. From the rear side of each member 2 projects a pair of vertical, parallel lugs 12 welded to the member 2 and interconnected by a horizontal pin 13.
The curved, outer peripheral edge surface 14 of the plate 9 is not truly concentric with the axis of the pin 8, which is the axis of turning of the plate 90 Either the surface 14 is a true arc of a cylinder but slightly eccentric relative to the axis of the pin 8, or the surface 14 varies slightly from being a true arc, but in either case such that its radius from its axis of turning increases gradually and slightly clockwise in the drawings .
In use, an attendant can grasp the handles 5 and .
. .
-6- ~37~72 turn the parts 3'' and 4 about the pivot pins 7 to Bryan the backrest into either the raised condition shown in Figure 1 or hi lowered condition shown in Figure I. In thy rules condition, the par. 3'' is inclined slyly rearwardly from the vertical, so providing a more comfortable seating arrangement for the occupant than if it were truly vertical. Moreover, in that condition, each plate 9 extends downwardly between the upper parts of the lugs I of its associated pair and bears with an upper substantially linear surface portion 15 thereof against the member 2 and, under the action of the spring 11, with a substantially linear portion of its surface 14 against the pin 13, so that the items 3'' and 4 are prevented from being rotated downwards about the pivot pin 7 by the plate 9 abutting downwardly against its associated pin 13. The portion 15 is part of and located part-way around an arcuate external peripheral surface of the plate 9 co-axial with the pin 8. From the raised condition, and in order to bring the backrest to its lowered condition, the atterldant uses a finger to swintJ
each pin 10 rearward to swing the plate 9 beyond abutment with the pin 13, against the action of the spring 11, end then lowers the items 3'' and 4 about the pivot pins 7 into the lowered condition shown in Figure 2, in which the plate 9 bears against the member 2 and the pin 10 abuts the adjacent plate 6. If the space into which the wheelchair is to be loaded is very restricted, the items 3'' and 4 can be further lowered if the plates 9 are kept swung to near to the tubes 4. To return the items 3'' and 4 to their raised condition, the handles 5 are simply lifted to turn the items 3'' and 4 about the pins 7 and to cause the plates 9 to ride upwards over the rear sides of the pins 13 until they commingle latch behind those pins 13, as in Figure 1. Such gemming effect obtained by the gradually increasing radius of the surface 14 from its axis of turning has the advantage of giving rigid locating of the tube 4 relative to the 3797~
member 2 in the condition of Figure 1., and thereby eliminating clearance without requiring precision marlu~acture and thereby also allowing wear of the plate 9 or thy pyre, 13 during use to be taken up. Moreover, reliance upon the portion 15 abutting the member 2 to define the raised pOsitioll of the tube 4 avoids reliance upon mutual abuttinc1 of the adjacent ends of the tube 4 and the member 2 to define such raised position, thereby avoiding the need for precision manufacture in the region o those ends-.
The back 3 has a cut-out 3''' at each lateral side to receive a latching mechanism which will now be described.
The inner end of each tube 4 has welded to its respective lateral sides vertical t parallel plates 6 each of a roughly triangular form these plates 6 embracing the upper end of the adjacent member 2 and being pivotal connected thereto by a horizontal pivot pin 7 extending transversely ox the wheelchair. These two pins 7 art co-axial with each other. Extending horizontally between the plate I; 01 each pair is 2 pin 8 on which is pivotal mounted a vertical, substantially vectorial plate 9 to which is fixed a laterally outwardly projecting pin lo torsion spring if urges the plate 9 anticloc1cwise~ in the drawings. From the rear side of each member 2 projects a pair of vertical, parallel lugs 12 welded to the member 2 and interconnected by a horizontal pin 13.
The curved, outer peripheral edge surface 14 of the plate 9 is not truly concentric with the axis of the pin 8, which is the axis of turning of the plate 90 Either the surface 14 is a true arc of a cylinder but slightly eccentric relative to the axis of the pin 8, or the surface 14 varies slightly from being a true arc, but in either case such that its radius from its axis of turning increases gradually and slightly clockwise in the drawings .
In use, an attendant can grasp the handles 5 and .
. .
-6- ~37~72 turn the parts 3'' and 4 about the pivot pins 7 to Bryan the backrest into either the raised condition shown in Figure 1 or hi lowered condition shown in Figure I. In thy rules condition, the par. 3'' is inclined slyly rearwardly from the vertical, so providing a more comfortable seating arrangement for the occupant than if it were truly vertical. Moreover, in that condition, each plate 9 extends downwardly between the upper parts of the lugs I of its associated pair and bears with an upper substantially linear surface portion 15 thereof against the member 2 and, under the action of the spring 11, with a substantially linear portion of its surface 14 against the pin 13, so that the items 3'' and 4 are prevented from being rotated downwards about the pivot pin 7 by the plate 9 abutting downwardly against its associated pin 13. The portion 15 is part of and located part-way around an arcuate external peripheral surface of the plate 9 co-axial with the pin 8. From the raised condition, and in order to bring the backrest to its lowered condition, the atterldant uses a finger to swintJ
each pin 10 rearward to swing the plate 9 beyond abutment with the pin 13, against the action of the spring 11, end then lowers the items 3'' and 4 about the pivot pins 7 into the lowered condition shown in Figure 2, in which the plate 9 bears against the member 2 and the pin 10 abuts the adjacent plate 6. If the space into which the wheelchair is to be loaded is very restricted, the items 3'' and 4 can be further lowered if the plates 9 are kept swung to near to the tubes 4. To return the items 3'' and 4 to their raised condition, the handles 5 are simply lifted to turn the items 3'' and 4 about the pins 7 and to cause the plates 9 to ride upwards over the rear sides of the pins 13 until they commingle latch behind those pins 13, as in Figure 1. Such gemming effect obtained by the gradually increasing radius of the surface 14 from its axis of turning has the advantage of giving rigid locating of the tube 4 relative to the 3797~
member 2 in the condition of Figure 1., and thereby eliminating clearance without requiring precision marlu~acture and thereby also allowing wear of the plate 9 or thy pyre, 13 during use to be taken up. Moreover, reliance upon the portion 15 abutting the member 2 to define the raised pOsitioll of the tube 4 avoids reliance upon mutual abuttinc1 of the adjacent ends of the tube 4 and the member 2 to define such raised position, thereby avoiding the need for precision manufacture in the region o those ends-.
Claims (7)
1. A folding aid for the disabled, including first and second aid parts which in a latched condition are disposed end-to-end, hinge means interconnecting said aid parts such that said parts are turnable relative to each other about an axis of said hinge means between the latched condition and a folded condition, latching means turnably mounted on the first aid part so as to be manually turnable relative thereto, and detent means mounted on the second aid part so as to be releasably engageable by said latching means so as to retain said aid parts in said latched condition, said latching means being biassed towards its condition in which it releasably engages said detent means.
2. A folding aid according to claim 1, wherein said latching means includes a curved camming surface by way of which said latching means bears on said detent means under its bias, said camming surface increasing in radius progressing away from said second aid part in said latching condition, thereby to take up play in said latching condition.
3. A folding aid according to claim 1, wherein said latching means includes an arcuate peripheral surface part of said latching means which is co-axial with an axis of turning of said latching means and which, in said latched condition, bears, with a portion thereof part-way around said surface part, against said second aid part.
4. A folding aid according to claim 1, wherein said latching means comprises a substantially sectorial plate whereof a radially outer peripheral surface bears on said detent means in said latched condition.
5. A folding aid according to claim 1, wherein said detent means comprises a pin extending substantially parallelly to an axis of turning of said latching means.
6. A folding aid according to claim 1 and in the form of a folding wheelchair, at least one of said aid parts being part of a backrest of said wheelchair.
7. A folding aid according to claim 6, Warren said first aid part is the upper of the aid parts in said latched condition and includes an attendant handle.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000487053A CA1237972A (en) | 1985-07-18 | 1985-07-18 | Aids for the disabled |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000487053A CA1237972A (en) | 1985-07-18 | 1985-07-18 | Aids for the disabled |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1237972A true CA1237972A (en) | 1988-06-14 |
Family
ID=4131006
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000487053A Expired CA1237972A (en) | 1985-07-18 | 1985-07-18 | Aids for the disabled |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1237972A (en) |
-
1985
- 1985-07-18 CA CA000487053A patent/CA1237972A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |