GB1595570A

GB1595570A - Wheelchair

Info

Publication number: GB1595570A
Application number: GB46665/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: NEWTON AIDS Ltd
Current assignee: NEWTON AIDS Ltd
Priority date: 1976-11-09
Filing date: 1976-11-09
Publication date: 1981-08-12

Description

(54) WHEELCHAIR (71) We. NEWTON AIDS LIMITED, a British Company of 12 Park Crescent, London W1N 4EQ, 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 relates to wheelchairs, and is concerned with a wheelchair that can be folded and collapsed, for example for storage.

According to the present invention we provide a wheelchair comprising a foldable, wheeled chassis and a seat mounted on the chassis. the chassis including a pair of laterally spaced side members between which the seat is secured by respective mounting means provided at each side of the seat with the mounting means being releasable to allow the seat to be detached from the chassis, each side member comprising a pair of limbs hingedly connected to one another at respective one ends for folding movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis with the respective other ends mounting respective front and rear wheels of the chassis whereby each side member is longitudinally foldable to a collapsed position in which the respective front and rear wheels carried thereby lie closely adjacent to one another.

Preferably, the chassis side members are adapted so that in the collapsed position the respective front and rear wheels lie alongside one another. As a result the chassis is relatively compact in the collapsed position thereby facilitating storage of the chassis either in the house or in the boot of a car.

Conveniently the seat has a pair of mounting members each of which is in engagement with a respective element on each of the chassis side members to secure the seat to the chassis. The seat is preferably pivotal relative to the chassis on the mounting means and a tilt adjuster extending between the chassis and the seat allows the seat to be locked in any desired angular position relative to the chassis.

The wheelchair may include a footrest mounted on the seat. The footrest is conveniently pivotal relative to the seat and is adjustable to any angular position. The footrest is also preferably adjustable to accommodate different leg lengths.

Preferably, the seat has substantially flat, back and underneath surfaces so that when the seat is detached from the chassis it can be placed on another seat. The seat may comprise a seat frame on which suitably padded and upholstered seat, back and side members are mounted.

One preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure I is a schematic side view of a wheelchair according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the wheelchair shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the wheelchair chassis in the folded-down position.

The wheelchair shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a chassis 1 a seat 2 mounted on the chassis I and a footrest 3 secured to the seat 2.

The seat 2 comprises a seat frame 4 on which a seat member 5, back member 6 and side members 7 incorporating respective arm rests 8 are secured. The seat, back and side members each comprise a respective rigid panel provided on one side or along one edge with a resilient material, for example a foamed plastics material, and covered with a flexible durable material. for example a plastics material.

The seat frame 4 includes a first pair of relatively spaced L-shaped members 9. respective one limbs 9a of which support the seat member 5, the respective other limbs 9b of which are connected by a pair of cross members (not shown) to which the back member 6 is connected. The members 9 are formed from metal tube cut to length and bent to the appropriate shape. Each of a second pair of L-shaped members 10 is connected to a respective one of the members 9 and forms a support for a respective one of the arm rests 8. A cross member 11 formed from metal tube connects the free ends of the limbs 9a and provides a mounting for the footrest 3 and a seat pommel 12.

The seat frame 4 further includes a channelsection member 13 comprising a pair of flanges 13a and a web 13b. Each flange 13a is connected to a respective one of the members 10 and the web 13b passes below and is connected to the members 9. Each flange 13a includes a respective mounting member 14 for mounting the seat 2 on the chassis 1. Each mounting member 14 is of channel-section closed at one end by a stop 15 and at the other end by a retainer 16.

Each mounting member 14 has a respective U-shaped slot 17 open at one end. The retainer 16 is movable between a locked position shown in full lines in Figure 2 in which the retainer closes the open end of the slot 17 and an unlocked position shown in broken lines in Figure 2.

A respective handle 18 is mounted in the free end of each of the limbs 9b. Each handle 18 is made from metal rod cut to length and bent to the shape shown. Each handle has a respective cross-pin (not shown) the free ends of which locate in slots formed in a respective insert (not shown) mounted in the free end of each limb 9b.

Each insert has four uniformly spaced slots.

Each handle is spring urged into the associated limb 9b and is locked against rotation by the engagement of the ends of the cross-pin in the slots. Each handle can be moved from the position shown to a position in which they are substantially co-planar with the back member 6 by lifting the handle against its spring loading to disengage the cross-pin from a first pair of opposed slots rotating the handle through 90" and lowering the handle to engage the cross-pin in a second pair of opposed slots.

The footrest 3 comprises a flat base member 19 made of metal and a foot board 20 substantially normal to the base member 19. The base member 19 is provided with a series of elongate apertures 21 along each side. The foot board 20 has locking means (not shown) passing through the apertures 21 and is positionally adjustable on the base member by the operation of the locking means. The central portion of the base member between the apertures 21 on which the legs of the patient rest is covered with suitable padding 22. The footrest also includes a pair of padded side supports 23 (one only of which is shown) which are also positionally adjustable on the base member 19 in similar manner to the foot board 20.

The footrest is connected to the seat 2 by means of a pair of spring loaded pivots 24 on the seat frame 3 engaging a respective aperture 25 in each of connectors 26 on the footrest. Each pivot can be withdrawn into the cross-member 11 against its spring loading to facilitate both mounting and removal of the footrest. The footrest 3 is angularly adjustable relative to the seat by means of a pair of telescopic members 27, 28 one of which is pivotally connected to the footrest, the other of which is pivotally connected to the seat frame 4. The member 27 includes a lock nut 29 for locking the members in any selected position of adjustment.

The chassis 1 comprises a collapsible frame 30 mounted on a pair of front swivel castors 31 and a pair of rear wheels 32. The frame 30 comprises a pair of spaced side members 33 connected by a rear crossmember 34 and a front cross-member 35.

Each side member comprises a pair of limbs 33a, 33b respective one ends of which are hingedly connected by a respective hinge pin 36. Each hinge pin includes an inwardly directed neck portion 37 and a head portion 3X. Each head portion 38 engages a respective one of the mounting members 14 on the seat 2 to secure the chassis to the seat.

Each side member 33 has a respective strut 39 for locking the limbs 33a, 33b in the chassis assembled position shown in Figure 2. One end of each strut is pivotally connected to the limb 33a of the associated side member and the other end has a hook 40 in engagement with an externally threaded projection 41 mounted on the limb 33b.

Each projection 41 has an associated lock nut 41a.

The front swivel castors are connected to the free ends of the limbs 33a by any suitable means (not shown) and the rear wheels are connected to the free ends of the limbs 33b by any suitable means (not shown). Each rear wheel 32 has an associated brake 42. Each brake 42 is similar and comprises a metal brake pad 43, spring loaded away from the associated rear wheel, and an operating handle 44. The handle 44 is connected to one end of a rod (not shown) located within a tubular extension member 45 mounted on the free end of the associated limb 33b. The other end of the rod is provided with a radial projection (not shown). The brake pad 43 is mounted on the free end of the extension member 45.

Operation of the brake is as follows, when the handle 44 is depressed from the position shown in the drawings the rod is rotated causing the radial projection to engage and move the brake pad 43 against its spring loading to a position in which the brake pad 43 against its spring loading to a position in which the brake pad 43 engages the rear wheel and prevents it from rotating. To release the brake the handle 44 is raised moving the radial projection away from the brake pad 43 which moves away from the rear wheel under its spring loading. The brake can be easily operated by the hand or the foot of the person pushing the wheelchair.Each extension member 45 includes a pad 46 made of rubber and by pushing down on the pad 46 the person pushing the wheelchair can raise the front of the wheelchair for example when moving the wheelchair onto the pavement from the road or over a doorstep or similar obstacle.

The chassis further includes a tilt adjuster 47 for varying the angle of the inclination of the seat 2 relative to the chassis 1. The tilt adjuster 47 comprises two telescopic members 48, 49 one of which is pivotally connected to the rear chassis cross-member the other of which is connected to one of the cross-members connecting the limbs 9b of the seat frame. The member 48 is provided with a lock nut 50 for securing the members 48, 49 against relative movement.

To locate and secure the seat 2 on the assembled chassis 1 the retainer 16 of each mounting member is moved to the unlocked position. The seat is lowered onto the chassis so that the head portion 38 of each hinge pin passes through the open end of the slot 17 in the associated mounting member 14 and is located within the mounting member 14 with the neck portion 37 extending through the U-shaped slot. The retainers 16 are then moved to the locked position in which they close the open end of the slots 17 to retain -the head portions 38 within the mounting members 14 thereby locking the seat onto the chassis 1. The front of the seat frame normally rests on the front crossmember 35 so that the seat is generally horizontal.

The seat can be pivoted about the neck portions 37 and locked in any desired angular positions relative to the chassis by adjustment of the tilt adjuster 47.

When the seat 2 is detached from the chassis 1, the chassis can be folded down to the position shown in Figure 3 simply by releasing the hooks 40 of the struts from the associated projections 41 and pivoting the limbs 33a, 33b of each side member about the associated hinge connection in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis to a position in which the limbs lie adjacent to one another.

As shown in Figure 3, the folded-down chassis is very compact thus facilitating storage, for example in the house or in the boot of a car. The back and underneath surfaces of the seat are flat so that the seat, once detached from the chassis, can be set down on another seat, for example, a car seat. If required the handles can be moved to positions in which they are substantially co-planar with the seat back to enable the seat to be properly located on another seat.

The wheelchair is therefore particularly suitable for children where the seat may be detached from the chassis and moved to a suitable location with the child still in the seat.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the above described embodiment and that various modifications may be made to the wheelchair. The seat may be of any suitable type, for example, the seat could be of the collapsible type. The seat, back and side members may be replaced by an integral moulded seat member formed from a suitable plastics material and which may be upholstered. Any suitable means may be provided for securing the seat to the chassis. One strut only may be provided for locking the side members in the chassis assembled position. The brakes may be of any suitable type. The handles 18 may be axially adjustable instead of angularly adjustable to suit the person pushing the wheelchair. Only one mounting member may be provided on the seat for securing the seat to the chassis.The neck and head portion of each hinge pin may comprise a separate element secured to the chassis. The front and rear wheels may be of any appropriate type and the side members may be adapted so that in the collapsed position the respective front and rear wheels lie closely adjacent to one another.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A wheelchair comprising a foldable, wheeled chassis and a seat mounted on the chassis. the chassis including a pair of laterally spaced side members between which the seat is secured by respective mounting means provided at each side of the seat with the mounting means being releasable to allow the seat to be detached from the chassis, each side member comprising a pair of limbs hingedly connected to one another at respective one ends for folding movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis with the respective other ends mounting respective front and rear wheels of the chassis whereby each side member is longitudinally foldable to a collapsed position in which the respective front and rear wheels carried thereby lie closely adjacent to one another.

2. A wheelchair according to claim 1 wherein the side members are adapted so that in the collapsed position the respective front and rear wheels lie alongside one another.

3. A wheelchair according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the side members are

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. loading to a position in which the brake pad 43 against its spring loading to a position in which the brake pad 43 engages the rear wheel and prevents it from rotating. To release the brake the handle 44 is raised moving the radial projection away from the brake pad 43 which moves away from the rear wheel under its spring loading. The brake can be easily operated by the hand or the foot of the person pushing the wheelchair. Each extension member 45 includes a pad 46 made of rubber and by pushing down on the pad 46 the person pushing the wheelchair can raise the front of the wheelchair for example when moving the wheelchair onto the pavement from the road or over a doorstep or similar obstacle. The chassis further includes a tilt adjuster 47 for varying the angle of the inclination of the seat 2 relative to the chassis 1. The tilt adjuster 47 comprises two telescopic members 48, 49 one of which is pivotally connected to the rear chassis cross-member the other of which is connected to one of the cross-members connecting the limbs 9b of the seat frame. The member 48 is provided with a lock nut 50 for securing the members 48, 49 against relative movement. To locate and secure the seat 2 on the assembled chassis 1 the retainer 16 of each mounting member is moved to the unlocked position. The seat is lowered onto the chassis so that the head portion 38 of each hinge pin passes through the open end of the slot 17 in the associated mounting member 14 and is located within the mounting member 14 with the neck portion 37 extending through the U-shaped slot. The retainers 16 are then moved to the locked position in which they close the open end of the slots 17 to retain -the head portions 38 within the mounting members 14 thereby locking the seat onto the chassis 1. The front of the seat frame normally rests on the front crossmember 35 so that the seat is generally horizontal. The seat can be pivoted about the neck portions 37 and locked in any desired angular positions relative to the chassis by adjustment of the tilt adjuster 47. When the seat 2 is detached from the chassis 1, the chassis can be folded down to the position shown in Figure 3 simply by releasing the hooks 40 of the struts from the associated projections 41 and pivoting the limbs 33a, 33b of each side member about the associated hinge connection in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis to a position in which the limbs lie adjacent to one another. As shown in Figure 3, the folded-down chassis is very compact thus facilitating storage, for example in the house or in the boot of a car. The back and underneath surfaces of the seat are flat so that the seat, once detached from the chassis, can be set down on another seat, for example, a car seat. If required the handles can be moved to positions in which they are substantially co-planar with the seat back to enable the seat to be properly located on another seat. The wheelchair is therefore particularly suitable for children where the seat may be detached from the chassis and moved to a suitable location with the child still in the seat. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the above described embodiment and that various modifications may be made to the wheelchair. The seat may be of any suitable type, for example, the seat could be of the collapsible type. The seat, back and side members may be replaced by an integral moulded seat member formed from a suitable plastics material and which may be upholstered. Any suitable means may be provided for securing the seat to the chassis. One strut only may be provided for locking the side members in the chassis assembled position. The brakes may be of any suitable type. The handles 18 may be axially adjustable instead of angularly adjustable to suit the person pushing the wheelchair. Only one mounting member may be provided on the seat for securing the seat to the chassis.The neck and head portion of each hinge pin may comprise a separate element secured to the chassis. The front and rear wheels may be of any appropriate type and the side members may be adapted so that in the collapsed position the respective front and rear wheels lie closely adjacent to one another. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A wheelchair comprising a foldable, wheeled chassis and a seat mounted on the chassis. the chassis including a pair of laterally spaced side members between which the seat is secured by respective mounting means provided at each side of the seat with the mounting means being releasable to allow the seat to be detached from the chassis, each side member comprising a pair of limbs hingedly connected to one another at respective one ends for folding movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis with the respective other ends mounting respective front and rear wheels of the chassis whereby each side member is longitudinally foldable to a collapsed position in which the respective front and rear wheels carried thereby lie closely adjacent to one another.

3. A wheelchair according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the side members are

connected by a cross-member.

4. A wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein respective one limbs of each side member mounting a front wheel are connected by a front crossmember and the respective other limbs of each side member are connected by a rear cross-member.

5. A wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the chassis includes strut means acting between the limbs of one side member to prevent the folding movement, with the strut means being releasable to allow the folding movement.

6. A wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mounting means is arranged and adapted to permit pivotal movement of the seat relative to the chassis.

7. A wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mounting means comprises a mounting member having a slot in which an element on the chassis is received and retained by a manually operable retainer, the retainer being movable to an unlocked position to allow the seat to be detached from the chassis.

8. A wheelchair according to claim 7 wherein the slot is open at one end, the element has a neck portion and a head portion and the head portion is received and retained within the slot by the retainer which closes the open end of the slot.

9. A wheelchair according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the limbs of each side member are connected by a respective hinge pin and the element is an extension of one hinge pin.

10. A wheelchair according to claim 9 wherein the chassis has a pair of elements, each element being an extension of a respective hinge pin and the seat has a pair of mounting members, each mounting member being in engagement with a respective element on the chassis.

11. A wheelchair according to claim 6 including a tilt adjuster extending between the chassis and the seat for adjusting the angle of inclination of the seat when pivoted on the mounting means relative to the chassis.

12. A wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims including a footrest mounted on the seat.

13. A wheelchair according to claim 12 wherein the footrest is pivotally mounted on the seat and the wheelchair includes means extending between the footrest and the seat for adjusting the angle of inclination of the footrest relative to the seat.

14. A wheelchair according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the footrest comprises a base member and a footboard, the footboard being adjustable along the base member.

15. A wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seat has substantially flat, back and underneath surfaces whereby when the seat is detached from the chassis the seat can be placed on a surface, such as another seat.

16. A wheelchair according to claim 15 wherein the seat comprises a seat frame on which a seat member, back and side members are mounted.

17. A wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seat frame has a pair of laterally spaced side elements each of which is secured to a respective chassis side element.

18. A wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the chassis has manually operable brake means for locking a pair of wheels against rotation.

19. A wheelchair according to claim 18 wherein the pair of wheels are rear wheels and each rear wheel has a respective brake.

20. A wheelchair according to claim 19 wherein each brake comprises a respective brake pad resiliently biassed away from the associated rear wheel and a respective handle for moving the brake pad into engagement with the associated rear wheel.

21. A wheelchair substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.