EP2796121A1 - Folding wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a foldable wheelchair (1) with two side frames (2) in each of which a front wheel (3) and a rear wheel (4) is mounted, and with a between the side frame (2) arranged scissor element (5), the two scissor arms (6), wherein the scissor arms (6) in the region of the one scissors element end (7) are pivotally mounted in the side frame (2). In such a wheelchair, it is provided according to the invention that the scissor arms (6) are mounted pivotably in manually operable actuators (11) in the region of the other scissor element end (9), spaced apart from the pivot axis of the other scissor element end (9) in the actuators (11 ), pivotally mounted in the side frame (2) are mounted, and at a distance from the other scissors end (9) a folding hinge (12) is arranged, which is pivotally mounted in the side frame (2), further comprising an adjusting means (13) with the folding hinge (12), at a distance from its bearings in the side frame (2), pivotally connected and between the folding hinge (12) and one of the actuators (11), at a distance from the pivot axis of this actuator (11) in this associated side frame (2) is effective, further comprising means (14) for fixing at least one actuator (11) relative to the said actuator (11) associated with the side frame (2) in the unfolded position d it's wheelchair (1).

Description

The invention relates to a foldable wheelchair with two side frames, in each of which a front wheel and a rear wheel is mounted, as well as with a arranged between the side frame scissor element having two scissor arms, wherein the scissor arms are pivotally mounted in the side frame in the region of a Scherenelementendes.

Such folding wheelchairs are well known from the prior art, for example from the DE 20 2008 009 608 U1 , There is a scissor element, also called cross strut, use. The pivot axis of the scissor arms of the scissor element is in this case arranged parallel to the footprint of the wheels of the wheelchair on a floor. Thus, with horizontally arranged bottom, the common pivot axis of the two scissor arms of the scissor element is arranged horizontally. When folding the wheelchair, this pivot axis moves upward, thus in a vertical plane. The lower ends of the scissor arms are rotatably mounted on lower horizontal frame tubes of the side frames. At the upper ends of the scissor arms in each case a seat tube is welded horizontally. These horizontally welded seat tubes rest in the unfolded state of the wheelchair on the seat tubes matched bearings that are attached to upper horizontal tube sections of the seat frame. During the folding process, the horizontally welded seat tubes move freely upward while the side frames move towards each other. Depending on a tab, which is rotatably connected both with a scissor element half as well as with the corresponding side frame, ensures that the side frames are guided in parallel during the folding process and the seat tubes of the scissor element are positioned exactly in the camps.

Foldable wheelchairs are also from practice by the company Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH, D-37115 Duderstadt, ( www.ottobock.de ) according to the series "AVANTGARDE", the company Sunrise Medical GmbH & Co. KG, D-69254 Malsch, ( www.sunrisemedical.de ) under the series "EASY", as well as by the company PROACTIV Reha-Technik GmbH, D-72359 Dotternhausen, ( www.proactiv-gmbh.de ) under the series "Traveler4you" known.

Object of the present invention is to develop a foldable wheelchair of the type mentioned so that, with high stiffness of the wheelchair in unfolded state, the wheelchair with respect to its width can be folded to a compact Faltmaß. The handling The wheelchair for unfolding and folding should be very easy.

The object is achieved in that the scissor arms are mounted in the region of the other Scherenelementendes pivotally in manually operable actuators, which are mounted at a distance from the pivot axis of the other Scherenelementendes in the actuators, pivotally mounted in the side frame, and at a distance from the other Scherenelementende a Faltscharnier is arranged, which is pivotally mounted in the side arms, further comprising an adjusting means, which is pivotally connected to the folding hinge, at a distance from the bearings in the side frame, and between the folding hinge and one of the actuators, at a distance from the pivot axis of this actuator in the associated therefrom, is effective, further comprising means for fixing at least one actuator relative to the said actuator associated side frame in the unfolded position of the wheelchair.

In the wheelchair according to the invention the particularly high rigidity of the wheelchair in unfolded state is due to the formation of the wheelchair with both the scissor element and the folding hinge causes. Here, the fixed ends of the scissor element are associated with the side frame and it is associated with the loose ends of the scissor element the manually operable actuators which are pivotally mounted in the side frame. The change in the pivotal positions of the manually operable actuators results in pivoting the actuators in one direction to a greater spread of the scissor arms of the scissor element and thus to a unfolding of the wheelchair, while pivoting the actuators in the opposite direction to a stronger closing of the scissor element, with the consequence of folding the wheelchair leads. In the defined, unfolded end position of the wheelchair is held by the means for fixing the at least one actuator relative to the said actuator associated side frame in the retracted position of the wheelchair. This determination can be made quite indirectly. Is this determines at least one actuator, this means that the at least one loose end of the scissor element and the kinematics of the scissor element and the other loose end of the scissor element is set and thus the side frames are kept at a defined distance, thus in the state of unfolded wheelchair. A particularly high rigidity of the wheelchair in unfolded state results when in this position of the wheelchair, the folding hinge occupies a kink-stable position, based on the orientation of the folding hinge to the two scissor arms. In this aspect, it is considered particularly advantageous if the bearing points of the folding hinge in the side frame and the pivot axis, which is formed by the two hinge parts of the folding hinge, are arranged in the unfolded position of the wheelchair on a straight line.

The design of the wheelchair with the scissor element and the folding hinge allows a compact or low Faltmaß the wheelchair in the folded state of the wheelchair. In this state, the scissor element is largely closed and it is the legs of the folding hinge almost together.

The adjusting means, which is pivotally connected to the folding hinge, at a distance to its bearings in the side frame, serves to couple the movement of the folding hinge and the one manually operable actuator. This coupling can be designed differently and also be effective differently, for example linear or non-linear. In principle, with a corresponding kinematic design, the adjusting means directly transfer the movement of the actuator to the folding hinge, both in the direction of movement of the folding hinge for transferring the wheelchair in the unfolded position and in the other direction of movement for transferring the wheelchair in its folded position. In this case, the adjusting means may well be associated with the cooperating with the actuator loose end of the scissor element. The adjusting means may be formed as a rigid or even as a variable-length component; latter design in particular, in cooperation with spring means, which are effective between a side frame and the folding hinge or a side frame and the actuating means.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, it is provided that in the respective actuator, a bearing rod is mounted for a push handle for pushing the wheelchair. This bearing rod forms in particular a back tube for receiving a back cover, thus a tube in the area of the back of the person using the wheelchair. Since it is necessary for the transfer of the wheelchair from the unfolded state in the folded state, to operate the actuators manually, this can be done according to the aforementioned development in a simple manner that by pivoting the bearing rod in consequence of introducing forces in the push handle , this folding process is completed. In addition to this possibility to transfer the wheelchair due to this simple movement from the unfolded state in the folded state, and vice versa, this makes it possible to convert the wheelchair when folding in a particularly space-saving arrangement. This is because the bearing rods or the back tubes can be pivoted with the push handles in particular on the side frames, preferably to almost to rest the bearing rods on the side frame. In the folded state, the extent of the wheelchair is thus reduced not only in the width direction, but also in the height direction to a minimum.

Preferably, the respective storage bar, with unfolded position of the wheelchair, perpendicular to the ground plane of front wheels and rear wheels on a floor on which the wheelchair is placed, and it is in the folded position of the wheelchair, the bearing rod in the region of the push handle receiving end adjacent arranged the associated page frame.

It is considered particularly advantageous if the respective actuator, for transferring the wheelchair from its unfolded position to its folded position, by an angle of 80 to 90 °, in particular 90 °, is pivotable. In such a pivoting angle is particularly ensured that a cooperating with the respective actuator bearing rod or a back tube in the frame facing the end position, in a folded wheelchair, can be transferred.

Preferably, the folding hinge is foldable in a plane which is parallel to the contact surface of front wheels and rear wheels on a floor. If the floor is horizontal, this means that the folding hinge is foldable in a horizontal plane. This arrangement of the folding hinge is particularly advantageous in terms of space and a particularly simple connection of the folding hinge to the actuator.

In particular, it is provided that the folding hinge in the folded state is directed to the rear axle of the wheelchair formed by the rear wheels. When folding the folding hinge this is thus directed to the scissor element. This folding direction is also seen under the aspect of a compact arrangement of folding hinge and scissor element in the wheelchair.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the one scissors element ends and the folding hinge are connected to the side frame in front of the rear axle formed by the rear wheels, and the other scissors element ends are mounted behind the rear axle in the actuators. This results in points of attack of Scherenelementenden, based on the user of the wheelchair related front and rear orientation of the wheelchair, which are quite far apart and it is also the folding hinge usually located in the front half of the wheelchair. According to a concrete structural design of the wheelchair is provided that the scissor arms of a scissor element end are pivotally mounted about parallel axes in first receptacles, and these receptacles are mounted about a perpendicular to these parallel axes arranged axis pivotally in the side frame, and the pivot arms of the other Scherenelementendes are mounted pivotably about parallel axes in second receptacles, and these receptacles are mounted pivotably about an axis arranged perpendicular to these parallel axes axis in the actuators. This design results in a particularly simple connection of the scissor element with respect to the two side frames and the two actuators.

Under the aspect of optimal space between the scissor element and folding hinge when folding the wheelchair and optimal arrangement of the cross-connections of the wheelchair under the aspect of stiffening the wheelchair, it is considered particularly advantageous if one scissors element ends are stored in lower portions of the side frame and the other scissors element ends receiving actuators are stored in the upper regions of the side frame. Accordingly, the axis of the scissors element, thus the axis of rotation of the two scissor arms to each other, not vertically arranged, but at an acute angle to the vertical, in particular in a vertical plane.

According to a particular embodiment, it is provided that the adjusting means, in the region of its end facing away from the folding hinge, is pivotally mounted in one of the actuators or pivotally mounted in an actuator mounted in the receptacle for one of the scissor arms. This end of the actuating means thus undergoes a movement corresponding to the actuator or the receptacle for the one scissor arm during pivoting of the actuator.

Against this background, it is considered to be particularly advantageous if the adjusting element is telescopic and a stop for limiting the collapsing movement of the actuating element when unfolding the wheelchair having. When swinging the actuator for transferring the wheelchair in its unfolded position, the length of the telescopic actuator decreases until the stop is effective and thus the actuator as a rigid element, the movement of the actuator on the one hinge arm of the folding hinge geometrically positively coupled transmits, in particular so far, to unfolded wheelchair, the folding hinge assumes its extended position. In order to move the folding hinge from this extended position for transferring the wheelchair to its folded position, means, in particular spring means are provided which are effective between one of the side frames and one of the hinge parts of the folding hinge. These means exert a force on this hinge part for moving the folding hinge in the direction of its folded position. While moving the actuating means for folding the wheelchair, although the telescopic actuator extends, since there is no stop in this direction of movement. However, the means ensures that the folding hinge is moved out of the extended end position and the folding hinge can be converted into its folded position by the juxtaposition of the side frame as a result of attack of the scissor element on the side frame.

Preferably, the actuators are pivotally mounted in the region of the rear ends of the side frames and arranged bearing shafts of the scissor element in the region of the other Scherenelementendes below and behind bearing axes of the actuators in the side frame. This ensures that on the one hand the other scissors element ends can be stored stable and low-backlash and on the other hand, the bearing rods or back tubes defined position on the rear ends of the side frame and can support.

It is particularly advantageous if the bearing points of the folding hinge in the side frames and the bearing points of the scissor element ends in the adjusting means, for changing the width of the side frame arrangement formed by the side frames, are variable.

The present invention including its development thus proposes a wheelchair in which the side frames and the bearing rods or back tubes are guided in one operation to a compact Faltmaß by the side frames to move toward each other and the bearing rods or back tubes approximately parallel and in low Distance to the side frames can be positioned.

The design can be interpreted so that the wheelchair frame has maximum rigidity and a seat width change of the wheelchair frame without replacement of components is possible. A simultaneous folding of side frames and bearing rods or back tubes is possible.

Further features of the invention are set forth in the subclaims, the description of the figures and the figures themselves, wherein it is noted that all individual features and all combinations of individual features represent further inventive embodiments.

Figur 1

in einer Ansicht, schräg von vorne gesehen, den faltbaren Rollstuhl in auseinandergefaltetem Zustand, allerdings ohne Sitz, insbesondere ohne Sitz- und Rückenbespannung des Sitzes veranschaulicht,

Figur 2

den in Figur 1 veranschaulichten Rollstuhl, allerdings, zum besseren Verständnis der vorliegenden Erfindung, bei nicht veranschaulichten Rädern, Schutzblechen, Radlagern und Fußstützen des Rollstuhls gezeigt, in einer Ansicht, schräg von vorne gesehen,

Figur 3

die Anordnung gemäß Figur 2, schräg von hinten gesehen,

Figur 4

eine Unteransicht der Anordnung gemäß der Figuren 2 und 3,

Figur 5

die Anordnung gemäß der Figuren 2 und 3, schräg von vorne gesehen, in einer teilweisen Explosionsdarstellung veranschaulicht,

Figur 6

Details des Rollstuhls im Verbindungsbereich von einer Lagerstange bzw. einem Rückenrohr mit einem mit einem rechten Seitenrahmen des Rollstuhls verbindbaren Stellmittel, veranschaulicht in einer Explosionsdarstellung,

Figur 7

ein Scherenelement des Rollstuhls, mit dessen Elementen zum Verbinden mit einem rechten Seitenrahmen und einem linken Seitenrahmen des Rollstuhls,

Figur 8

ein teleskopierbares Stellmittel des Rollstuhls mit dessen endseitigen Anschlusselementen,

Figur 9

eine Ansicht eines Teilbereich der Anordnung gemäß der Figuren 2 und 3, schräg von der Seite gesehen

Figur 10

die Anordnung gemäß der Figur 2, allerdings in einem Faltzustand, der dem teilweise zusammengefalteten Zustand des Rollstuhls entspricht,

Figur 11

die Anordnung gemäß Figur 10 in einer Ansicht gemäß dieser Figur, veranschaulicht für den vollständig zusammengefalteten Zustand,

Figur 12

die Anordnung gemäß Figur 11, für den vollständig zusammengefalteten Zustand, in einer Ansicht von unten.

In the figures, the invention is explained with reference to a preferred embodiment, without being limited thereto. It shows:

FIG. 1

seen in a view obliquely from the front, the foldable wheelchair in unfolded state, but without a seat, especially without seat and back cover of the seat illustrated,

FIG. 2

the in FIG. 1 illustrated wheelchair, however, for better understanding of the present invention, shown in non-illustrated wheels, mudguards, wheel bearings and footrests of the wheelchair, in a view obliquely seen from the front,

FIG. 3

the arrangement according to FIG. 2 seen obliquely from the back,

FIG. 4

a bottom view of the arrangement according to the FIGS. 2 and 3 .

FIG. 5

the arrangement according to the FIGS. 2 and 3 seen obliquely from the front, in a partially exploded view,

FIG. 6

Details of the wheelchair in the connection region of a bearing rod or a back tube with a locking means connectable to a right side frame of the wheelchair, illustrated in an exploded view,

FIG. 7

a scissor element of the wheelchair, with its elements for connecting to a right side frame and a left side frame of the wheelchair,

FIG. 8

a telescopic adjusting means of the wheelchair with its end connection elements,

FIG. 9

a view of a portion of the arrangement according to the FIGS. 2 and 3 , seen obliquely from the side

FIG. 10

the arrangement according to the FIG. 2 but in a folding condition corresponding to the partially folded state of the wheelchair,

FIG. 11

the arrangement according to FIG. 10 in a view according to this figure, illustrated for the fully collapsed state,

FIG. 12

the arrangement according to FIG. 11 , for the fully folded state, in a view from below.

FIG. 1 shows a foldable wheelchair 1 without the seat of a person serving seat. Against the background of the orientation of a person sitting on the wheelchair 1 person, the following specifications regarding front, rear, right, left, up, down to understand.

The wheelchair 1 has two side frames 2 arranged parallel to one another, in each of which a steerable front wheel 3 and a manually drivable rear wheel 4 are mounted, furthermore two footrests 50 and brakes 51 for the rear wheels 4. Between the side frames 2 a scissor element 5 is arranged. which has two identical trained scissor arms 6. The scissor arms 6 are pivotally mounted in the side frame 2 in the region of a scissor element end 7, specifically in the region of the end 8 of the respective scissor arm 6. In the region of the other scissors element end 9, specifically the ends 10 of the scissor arms 6, the scissor arms 6 are pivotally mounted in manually operable actuators 11. These are, in distance to the pivot axis of the scissor element end 9 in the actuators 11, pivotally mounted in the side frame 2. At a distance from the other scissors end 9, a folding hinge 12 is arranged. This is pivotally mounted in the side frame 2. A telescopic adjusting means 13 is pivotally connected to the folding hinge 12, at a distance from its bearings in the side frame 2. The adjusting means 13 is effective between the folding hinge 12 and one of the actuators 11, at a distance from the pivot axis of this actuator 11 in the side frame 2 facing it. Means 14 (see FIG. 3 ) are used to set the actuators 11 relative to their associated side frame 2 in the unfolded position of the wheelchair first

By means of the thus arranged diagonal scissor element 5 of the wheelchair 1 is foldable in two levels. As a result, both the two side frames 2 can be moved relative to one another with a folding movement, as well as with the actuators 11 connected Rückenrohe 15 with integrated push handles 16 parallel and close to a small distance to the upper, horizontally disposed pipe parts 17 of the side frame 2 pivot, wherein horizontally based on resting on a horizontal surface or floor wheelchair 1. By moving the folding hinge 12 with respect to its side frame side pivot bearings and displacement of the scissor element 5 with respect to their actuator side or side frame side pivot bearings, the frame width, thus the maximum representable distance of the side frame 2 (thus the unfolded wheelchair 1) can be varied. The arrangement of scissor element 5, folding hinge 12 and adjusting means 13 ensures a high rigidity of the wheelchair frame.

Below is on the representation of the FIGS. 2 to 9 Referring to illustrate the essential for the implementation of the folding process of the wheelchair components of the wheelchair or illustrate their individual components.

The side frames 2 left and right are connected in their front, upper area at their hinge bearings 18 by the folding hinge 12. The hinge bearing 18 have a plurality of holes, for example, three holes 19 at a distance of 10 mm. The folding hinge 12 consists of two identical hinge halves 20, which are pivotally connected to each other by means of a hinge center axis 21. The outer ends of the hinge halves 20 have bores 22 for pivotable mounting in hinge bearing axles 23. The hinge bearing axles 23 in turn are firmly screwed into each one of the bores 19 of the hinge bearing 18. By moving the hinge bearing axles 23, the seat width can be changed in three stages by 20 mm.

A leg spring 24 is mounted at the lower end of one of the hinge bearing shafts 23 and acts on the corresponding hinge half 20 such that the folding of the folding hinge 12 is initiated and supported. This is only an exemplary solution for a Federkraftbeaufschlagung. It can be realized in many different ways.

At the upper end of the respective rear, vertically arranged tubes 25 of the side frames 2, the back tubes 15 are pivotally mounted in the regions 26. The configuration and arrangement of the respective back tube 15 described below is only an example and can be realized in many other ways. The back tube 15 is guided in a back tube base 27 and fixedly connected in the region 28. In area 29, the back tube 15 is additionally jammed without play. Two control plates 30 are connected to the left and right of the dorsal base 27 in the region 28 and one of the holes 31 with this firmly. In the area of the holes 32 of the control plates 30, the control plates 30 and thus the back tube 15 in the region 26 are pivotally mounted in the tube 25. Between the control plates 30 of the right and left side of the wheelchair 1, a locking piece 33 is fixedly connected to the control plates 30 in each case one of the bores 34 and 35 in the lower regions thereof. In this case, one of the bores 34 serves at the same time as a rotatable support for the respective end 10 of the scissor element 5 by means of a Scherenendgelenkes 36. The locking piece 33 has congruent with the holes 34 and 35 in the control plates 30 also equal holes. The two arranged respectively on the right and left side of the wheelchair 1 control plates form part of the respective, manually operable actuator 11, wherein the manual actuation of the actuator 11 and the control plates 30 via the associated back tube 15 with push handle 16.

A plurality of bores 31 are arranged in a circle around the bore in the region 28 and thus enable an angular displacement between the back tube base 27 and the control plates 30. Thus, different back angles are adjustable.

On the respective side frame 2, a latch housing 37 is attached. In this, a bolt 38 is guided under compression spring load and locked in unfolded State of the wheelchair 1, the respective back tube 15 via this associated locking piece 33 with the associated side frame 2. The two bars 38 are connected via a tripping cable 39. By operating the triggering cable 39, the bolts 38 are pulled against the spring pressure in the latch housing 37 and release the pivoting of the back tubes 15 free. The locking of the back tubes 15 can be realized in many other ways and is only exemplary in the above description. The locking piece 33 has on the side facing the vertical tube 25 a trough-shaped recess 40, so that it produces a positive connection with the vertical tube 25 in the locked state and gives the compounds of the side frame 2 with the rear tubes 15 a high rigidity.

The holes 34 are arranged below and behind the bore 32, thus lie behind the vertical tube 25. This ensures that on the one hand the rear, upper Scherenendgelenke 36 can be stored stable and low backlash in the back tube constructions and on the other hand, the back tube construction by means of the locking pieces 33 against the Vertical tubes 25 can be positively positioned and supported.

The scissors element 5 with the two scissor arms 6, a scissor arms 6 passing through the central axis 41 and the four Scherenendgelenken 36 is disposed diagonally between the side frame 2. Axes 48 which connect the respective end 8 or 10 of the scissor arm 6 with the Scherenendgelenk 36 are arranged parallel to the central axis 41. The scissor element 5 is pivotally mounted with its front, lower Scherenendgelenken 36 by means of axes 49 in holes 42 in the lower, central region of the side frame 2, and with its rear upper Scherenendgelenken 36 by means of axes 49 in one of the holes 34 of the back tube constructions. Regarding the respective Scherenendgelenk 36, the axes 48 and 49 are arranged perpendicular to each other. Due to the different positioning of the rear, upper Scherenendgelenke 36 in one of the holes 34, corresponding to the Positioning of the hinge bearing axles 23, different seat widths generated.

The telescopic adjusting means 13, which is designed as a telescopic push rod, with essentially a cylinder tube 43, a push rod 44, two angle joints 45, a control lever 46 and two adjusting nuts 47, on the one hand means of the angle joint 45 on the push rod 44 with one of the rear upper (Here in the direction of travel left) Scherenendgelenken 36 connected, on the other hand connected by means of the angle joint 45 to the cylinder tube 43 and the control lever 46 with the corresponding (here also left) hinge half 20 of the folding hinge 12.

The Figures 10 and 11 show the relevant area of the wheelchair 1 in partially or completely folded position.

The folding dimension of the wheelchair 1 to be achieved is achieved as described below:

After actuation of the release cable 39, the bolts 38 release the locking pieces 33 and thus the back tube constructions, so that the back tubes 15 can be pivoted forward, for example by gripping in the region of the push handles 16, in the direction of the tubes 17 of the side frames 2. By this pivotal movement of the back tubes 15 and thus also the control plates 30, consequently, the pivotal movement of the actuators 11, the means of the rear, upper Scherenendgelenke 36 in the holes 34 pivotally mounted scissors element 5 is folded. Since the scissor element 5 is also pivotally connected by means of the front, lower scissor end joints 36 in the holes 42 in the lower central region of the side frame 2 with these, the side frames 2 are simultaneously supplied to each other. In this case, the acted upon by means of the leg spring 24 with spring force folding hinge 12 is also folded. Through the different ways, covering the angle joints 45 on folding hinge 12 and the one Scherenendgelenk 36, the adjusting means 13 is telescoped apart.

When unfolding the wheelchair 1, the back tubes 15 are pivoted to the rear, above, until they lock in the end position with the locking pieces 33 behind the bars 38. In this case, the adjusting means 13, thus the push rod, during the last phase of the pivoting process moved together on block, since the cylinder tube 43 contacted the countered adjusting nuts 47 and it performs the push rod, the folding hinge 12 against the spring pressure of the leg spring 24 in the neutral position, thus the dead center, in which all three pivot points of the folding hinge 12 are in line. In this position, the folding hinge 12 makes a very rigid connection between the two side frames 2, without any further pressure than that caused by the leg spring 24, to exert on the push rod.

In order to guide the folding hinge 12 exactly in the neutral position, the block length of the actuating means 13 and the push rod can be adjusted by means of the two mutually counterclockable adjusting nuts 47. For this purpose, the push rod 44 is provided at its the angle joint 45 facing side with a correspondingly long thread.

The locking piece 33 and the bolt 38 are designed in the region of their contact surfaces in the locked state so that they are at an angle between optimally 10 ° and 20 ° to the axis of movement of the bolt 38. This is on the one hand ensures that the locking pieces 33 are pressed by the bolt 38 without play on the vertical tube 25 and on the other hand, the bolt 38 when pushing the wheelchair, thus upon exercise of pressure on the back tubes 15 forward, not pressed by the locking pieces 33 down and unintentionally unlock the back tube construction.

1. a) die gleichmäßige Verteilung von Querverbindungen der beiden Seitenrahmen 2,
   • aa) mit den hinteren, oberen Verbindungen (mittels Scherenendgelenken 36) des diagonal angeordneten Scherenelementes 5 an den Rückenrohrkonstruktionen in jeweils einer der Bohrungen 34,
   • ab) mit den vorderen, unteren Verbindungen (mittels Scherenendgelenken 36) des diagonal angeordneten Scherenelementes 5 an den Seitenrahmen 2 in jeweils einer der Bohrungen 42,
   • ac) mit der vorderen, oberen Verbindung in den Bohrungen 19 der Scharnierlager 18, durch das in neutraler Lage befindliche Faltscharnier 12,
2. b) die Verbindung von Scherenelement 5 in einem der hinteren, oberen Scherenendgelenke 36 mit dem Faltscharnier 12 durch das Stellmittel 13 bzw. das Schubgestänge,
3. c) den formschlüssigen und spielfreien Kontakt der Arretierstücke 33 mit den Vertikalrohren 25.

The rigidity of the wheelchair frame is achieved by:

1. a) the uniform distribution of cross connections of the two side frames 2,
   • aa) with the rear, upper connections (by Scherenendgelenken 36) of the diagonally disposed scissor element 5 on the back tube constructions in each one of the holes 34,
   • ab) with the front, lower connections (by Scherenendgelenken 36) of the diagonally disposed scissor element 5 to the side frame 2 in one of the holes 42,
   • ac) with the front, upper connection in the holes 19 of the hinge bearing 18, by the folding hinge 12 located in a neutral position,
2. b) the connection of scissors element 5 in one of the rear, upper scissors end joints 36 with the folding hinge 12 by the adjusting means 13 or the push rod,
3. c) the positive and play-free contact of the locking pieces 33 with the vertical tubes 25th

The seat width adjustment of the wheelchair frame is achieved on the one hand by the displacement of the hinge bearing axles 23 in the holes 19 of the hinge bearing 18 and on the other hand by moving the rear, upper Scherenendgelenke 36 of the scissor element 5 in the holes 34. The holes 34 in the control plates 30 and in the locking pieces 33 are positioned so that the seat width, as in the scissor element 5, is adjusted in a 2 cm grid. The wheelchair can be adjusted with the existing scissor element 5 and the existing folding hinge 12, for example, on the seat widths 32 cm, 34 cm and 36 cm.

The holes 35 are used in the embodiment, only the fixation of the locking pieces 33. With a next smaller set of scissor element 5 and folding hinge 12 of the wheelchair can be adjusted to the seat widths 28 cm, 30 cm and 32 cm. In this case, the holes 35 serve to connect the rear, upper Scherenendgelenke 36 and the holes 34 of the fixation the locking pieces 33. Thus, a total of five seat widths can be generated with the embodiment described here.

Claims (15)

Foldable wheelchair (1) with two side frames (2) in each of which a front wheel (3) and a rear wheel (4) is mounted, and with a between the side frame (2) arranged scissor element (5) having two scissor arms (6) in which the scissor arms (6) are mounted pivotably in the side frame (2) in the region of the one scissor element end (7), characterized in that the scissor arms (6) are pivotable in manually operable actuators (11) in the region of the other scissor element end (9). are mounted, which, at a distance from the pivot axis of the other scissor element end (9) in the actuators (11), are pivotally mounted in the side frame (2) and at a distance from the other scissor element end (9) a folding hinge (12) is arranged, which is pivotally mounted in the side frame (2), further comprising an adjusting means (13) which is pivotally connected to the folding hinge (12) at a distance from its bearings in the side frame (2) and between the folding hinge (12) and one of the actuators (11), at a distance from the pivot axis of this actuator (11) in the side frame (2) associated therewith, further comprising means (14) for fixing at least one actuator (11) relative to that actuator (11). 11) associated side frame (2) in the unfolded position of the wheelchair (1). Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that in the respective actuator (11) is mounted a bearing rod (15) for a push handle (16) for pushing the wheelchair (1). Wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the respective bearing rod (15), in unfolded position of the wheelchair (1), perpendicular to the support plane of front wheels (3) and rear wheels (4) is arranged on a floor and in the folded Position of the wheelchair (1) the respective bearing rod (15) in the region of which, the push handle (16) receiving end adjacent to the associated side frame (2) is arranged. Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the respective actuator (11), for transferring the wheelchair (1) from its unfolded position to its folded position, by an angle of 80 to 90 °, in particular 90 ° is pivotable , Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the folding hinge (12) is foldable in a plane which is parallel to the contact surface of front wheels (3) and rear wheels (4) on a floor. Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the folding hinge (12) in the folded state on the by the rear wheels (4) formed rear axle of the wheelchair (1) is directed. Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the scissor element (5), in the region of a scissor element end (7), and the folding hinge (12) in front of the rear axle formed by the rear wheels (4) with the side frame (2) are connected, and the scissor element (5) in the region of the other scissors element end (9) are mounted behind the rear axle in the actuators (11). Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the scissor arms (6) in the region of a scissors element end (7) about pivotal axes (48) in first receptacles (36) are pivotally mounted, and these receptacles (36) to a Arranged perpendicular to these parallel axes (48) axis (49) are pivotally mounted in the side frame (2), and the scissor arms (6) in the region of the other Scissor element end (9) are mounted pivotably about parallel axes (48) in second receptacles (36) and these receptacles (36) are mounted pivotably in the actuators (11) about an axis (49) arranged perpendicular to these parallel axes (48). Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the scissor element (5) is mounted in the region of the one scissor element end (7) in lower regions of the side frames (2) and the scissors element (5) in the region of the other scissors element end (9 ) receiving actuators (11) are mounted in upper regions of the side frames (2). Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the adjusting means (13), in the region of the folding hinge (12) facing away from the end, pivotally mounted in one of the actuators (11) or pivotally mounted in an actuator (11) receiving ( 36) for one of the scissor arms (6) is mounted. Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the adjusting means (13) is telescopic and a stop (47) for limiting the collapsing movement of the actuating means (13) when unfolding of the wheelchair (1). Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 11, that means (24), in particular spring means (24), between one of the side frames (2) and one of the hinge parts (20) of the folding hinge (12) are effective for exerting a force on this hinge part (20) for moving the folding hinge (12) in the direction of its folded position. Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the bearing axes (22) of the folding hinge (12) in the side frame (2) and the pivot axis (21) of the two hinge parts (20) of the folding hinge (12) are arranged in the unfolded position of the wheelchair (1) on a straight line. Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the actuators (11) are pivotally mounted in the region of the rear ends of the side frame (2) and bearing shafts (49) of the scissor element (5) in the region of the other scissors element end (9) below and behind bearing axles (28) of the actuators (11) in the side frame (2) are arranged. Wheelchair according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the position of the mounting of the folding hinge (12) in the side frame (2) and the position of the bearing points of a scissor element end (7 or 9), to change the width of the side frames (2) formed side frame assembly, are changeable.

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