GB1565986A - Wheel chairs - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEEL CHAIRS (71) We, VESSA LIMITED, a British Company of Paper Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire GU34 2PY, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention is concerned with wheelchairs and more particularly to wheelchairs having foot rest assemblies which can be swung aside to a retracted position.

Such wheelchairs allow close approach to a desk, enable certain users to dangle their feet to obtain exercise, and help transfer into and out of a chair from one side. A design of foot rest is shown in U.K. Patent Specification No. 1185160 and is retained in a predetermined angular position by a spring loaded detent having a plunger sliding along a vertical line of action to engage a recess in the periphery of a circular lug fixed to an upright member of the wheelchair frame.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair having a pivoted foot rest assembly provided with an improved locking device.

The invention provides a wheelchair including: a foot rest assembly which automatically locks in a normal position but may be released for outward pivoting movement and which includes a tubular frame member within which slides a plunger having a generally horizontal line of action; and a vertical side member of said wheelchair to which the foot rest assembly is pivoted about a vertical axis and which has a hole aligned with the line of action of the plunger when the foot rest assembly is in the normal position, the plunger being spring-loaded into locking engagement with the hole to resist pivoting movement of the foot rest assembly and being retractable by operation of a release member directly engaged with the plunger.

According to a further feature of the invention, the plunger is tapered to compensate automatically for tolerance build-up and wear.

Other parts of the invention are embodied in the preferred form which will now be described in some detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the front part of a wheelchair; Figure 2 is a side view of a detachable and swingable foot rest assembly; Figure 3 is a view in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the foot rest assembly being swung into locking position.

As shown in Figure 1, the wheelchair has a slide frame 1 including a tubular front side member 2. A pair of spaced lugs 3 extend outwardly from the front side member 2 and are formed with holes to receive pivot pins 5 carried by a foot rest assembly 6.

The foot rest assembly 6 comprises a top substantially horizontal portion 7, and a forwardly inclined portion 8 to the bottom of which is attached a foot rest 9. A tubular strut 10 extends parallel to the top portion 7.

Plates 11 extend outwardly from the sides of the portion 7 and the strut 10 and carry the downwardly directed pivot pins 5.

The foot rest assembly is attached to the front side member 2 by engaging the pivot pins 5 in the holes in the lugs 3 and can then be swung to one side by pivoting about the pins 5. It can be lifted to disengage the pins 5 when it is desired to remove it.

Means for locking the foot rest assembly in a normal position to prevent its swinging or removal are mounted in the top hori zontal portion 7 of the assembly. A body 12 secured in the open end of the portion 7, is formed with a bore 13 in which a plunger 14 is slidable. A spring 15 between the end of the plunger 14 and the bottom of the bore 13 biasses the plunger towards a position in which it protrudes from the end of the portion 7.

A bracket 16 extends downwardly from the underside of the portion 7 and a bell crank lever 17 is pivoted about a pin 18 carried by this bracket. One arm 17a of this lever lies in a position convenient to the hand of the user and is covered with a sleeve 19 of polyvinyl chloride or the like.

The other arm 17b of the lever 17 extends through a slot 20 in the top portion 7 and the body 12 and its end engages a recess 21 in the plunger 14.

A lug 22 projecting forwardly from the front side member 2 has a recess 23 in position to receive the plunger 14 when the foot rest assembly is in its normal position.

The plunger 14 and the recess 23 are tapered so that build-up of tolerances during manufacture or wear in use is automatically compensated for.

It will be seen that when the foot rest assembly has been attached to the side frame by engaging the pivot pins 5 in the holes in the lugs 3, and swung towards its normal position, the lug 22 will automatically engage the plunger 14 and push it backwardly. When the plunger is aligned with the recess 23, it will be pushed forward by the spring 15 and automatically lock the foot rest assembly in its normal position.

By operation of the lever 17, i.e. pivoting clockwise, Fig. 2, the plunger 14 will be withdrawn from the recess 22 and the foot rest assembly can be swung to one side or removed.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A wheelchair including: a foot rest assembly which automatically locks in a normal position but may be released for outward pivoting movement and which includes a tubular frame member within which slides a plunger having a generally horizontal line of action; and a vertical side member of said wheelchair to which the foot rest assembly is pivoted about a vertical axis and which has a hole aligned with the line of action of the plunger when the foot rest assembly is in the normal position, the plunger being spring-loaded into locking engagement with the hole to resist pivoting movement of the foot rest assembly and being retractable by operation of a release member directly engaged with the plunger.

2. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said vertical side member has a pair of substantially horizontal members, are provided holes in vertical alignment and the foot rest assembly carries a pair of downwardly projecting pivot pins removably engaged in said holes.

3. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 2, in which the foot rest assembly comprises a pair o fsubstantially horizontal members, each of which carries one of said pivot pins in an outwardly offset position in relation to the horizontal members so that, with the pivot pins engaged in said holes, the foot assembly may be swung to a position in which the plunger is aligned with and engageable in the hole in said side member.

4. A wheel chair as claimed in Claim 3, in which the hole in said side member is formed in a lug projecting forwardly from said side member, said lug engaging said plunger and retracting it during movement of the foot assembly from a swung-back position and until said plunger is aligned with said hole.

5. A wheel chair according to any of the preceding claims, in which the generally horizontal tubular member within which the plunger slides has a downwardly projecting bracket to which is pivoted a two-armed lever, one arm of said lever passing through the wall of said tubular member and engaging a longitudinal slot in said plunger and the other arm extending in a position accessible to a user of the chair.

6. A wheel chair according to any of the preceding claims, in which the end of the plunger is tapered.

7. A wheel chair substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. zontal portion 7 of the assembly. A body 12 secured in the open end of the portion 7, is formed with a bore 13 in which a plunger 14 is slidable. A spring 15 between the end of the plunger 14 and the bottom of the bore 13 biasses the plunger towards a position in which it protrudes from the end of the portion 7. A bracket 16 extends downwardly from the underside of the portion 7 and a bell crank lever 17 is pivoted about a pin 18 carried by this bracket. One arm 17a of this lever lies in a position convenient to the hand of the user and is covered with a sleeve 19 of polyvinyl chloride or the like. The other arm 17b of the lever 17 extends through a slot 20 in the top portion 7 and the body 12 and its end engages a recess 21 in the plunger 14. A lug 22 projecting forwardly from the front side member 2 has a recess 23 in position to receive the plunger 14 when the foot rest assembly is in its normal position. The plunger 14 and the recess 23 are tapered so that build-up of tolerances during manufacture or wear in use is automatically compensated for. It will be seen that when the foot rest assembly has been attached to the side frame by engaging the pivot pins 5 in the holes in the lugs 3, and swung towards its normal position, the lug 22 will automatically engage the plunger 14 and push it backwardly. When the plunger is aligned with the recess 23, it will be pushed forward by the spring 15 and automatically lock the foot rest assembly in its normal position. By operation of the lever 17, i.e. pivoting clockwise, Fig. 2, the plunger 14 will be withdrawn from the recess 22 and the foot rest assembly can be swung to one side or removed. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A wheelchair including: a foot rest assembly which automatically locks in a normal position but may be released for outward pivoting movement and which includes a tubular frame member within which slides a plunger having a generally horizontal line of action; and a vertical side member of said wheelchair to which the foot rest assembly is pivoted about a vertical axis and which has a hole aligned with the line of action of the plunger when the foot rest assembly is in the normal position, the plunger being spring-loaded into locking engagement with the hole to resist pivoting movement of the foot rest assembly and being retractable by operation of a release member directly engaged with the plunger.

2. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said vertical side member has a pair of substantially horizontal members, are provided holes in vertical alignment and the foot rest assembly carries a pair of downwardly projecting pivot pins removably engaged in said holes.

3. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 2, in which the foot rest assembly comprises a pair o fsubstantially horizontal members, each of which carries one of said pivot pins in an outwardly offset position in relation to the horizontal members so that, with the pivot pins engaged in said holes, the foot assembly may be swung to a position in which the plunger is aligned with and engageable in the hole in said side member.

4. A wheel chair as claimed in Claim 3, in which the hole in said side member is formed in a lug projecting forwardly from said side member, said lug engaging said plunger and retracting it during movement of the foot assembly from a swung-back position and until said plunger is aligned with said hole.

5. A wheel chair according to any of the preceding claims, in which the generally horizontal tubular member within which the plunger slides has a downwardly projecting bracket to which is pivoted a two-armed lever, one arm of said lever passing through the wall of said tubular member and engaging a longitudinal slot in said plunger and the other arm extending in a position accessible to a user of the chair.

6. A wheel chair according to any of the preceding claims, in which the end of the plunger is tapered.

7. A wheel chair substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.