GB2361676A

GB2361676A - Collapsible wheelchair

Info

Publication number: GB2361676A
Application number: GB0010236A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Reginald Cardy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-28
Filing date: 2000-04-28
Publication date: 2001-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-28
Also published as: GB2361676B; GB0010236D0

Abstract

A collapsible wheelchair combines a moulded body 1 with a sub frame (2, figure 9) and further components such as handles 6, arm rests 7, seat 3, main drive wheels 4 and secondary wheels 5 so that as the wheelchair is collapsed the body sides create an enclosing transportation package (see figures 6 and 8). The sides of the wheelchair when in its collapsed state provide weather resistance and protection for the seat 3 and main drive wheels 4. The further components may retract fully or partially into the same protective case. When in use the body of the wheelchair partially encloses the upper portions of the main drive wheels for a cleaner operation of the wheelchair. The wheelchair may have securing positions for aiding in transporting the collapsed wheelchair, and may also be provided with storage space within the body.

Description

2361676 COLLAPSIBLE WHEELCHAIR FOR DISABLED PEOPLE This invention relates

to a collapsible wheelchair for disabled people.

Wheelchairs for disabled people are well known. There are particular types of wheelchair whereby the same one may be self propelled, or pushed by another person. Some of these wheelchairs are collapsible to facilitate transportation.

Collapsible wheelchairs however are unwieldy items to transport, difficult to secure in transit and require seperate weather protection when carried externally.

Propulsion by hands in close proximity to the driven wheels makes soiling of hands and clothing likely.

An object of this invention is to provide a wheelchair that allows easy, secure transportation with the seat protected.

The invention presented provides a collapsible wheelchair for disabled people, with a body, at least three wheels, a seat and propulsion handles. The lightweight moulded body sides ran combine to form an enclosure for the seat in the collapsed position and with other components produce an integrated transportation package.

The body sections join with a weather resistant seal to provide protection for the seat in its collapsed position.

The light weight moulded body sides in this invention form a unitary construction with sub frames that together provide the attachment points for structural members and other components.

At least one support and restraining position is provided on the enclosing body to enable secure carriage of the wheelchair.

The body combines with hand drive discs attached to two drive wheels, to enclose these wheels for clean operation and protection in transit.

Preferably the body sides, drive discs and other enclosing elements are made in plastic material but may instead be made from metal.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1, 3, and 5 show examples in side elevation of wheelchairs. All of these examples include the fundamental claims for the invention, but illustrate variations in the methods employed to achieve retraction of the secondary wheels, handles, or arm rests. Retraction may be by means of sliding, folding, or removal for internal storage, or a combination of these.

Figure 1 shows one form of the wheelchair extended for use.

Figure 2 shows the same wheelchair retracted for transit. Handles and arm rests have been folded, secondary wheels have been retracted by sliding adjacent to the body.

2 Figure 3 shows a second form of the wheelchair extended for use.

Figure 4 shows this second example retracted for transit, in this case by sliding the handles, folding the secondary wheels into the body and removing the arm rests for storage within recesses in the inner face of the body enclosure. A seal is maintained between the body sides.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a further example of a wheelchair incorporating the same basic claims but show how they may be used within a different visual appearance. Retraction is achieved by folding the handles and secondary wheels into the body. The arm rests are also folded into the body after first raising and sliding them slightly sideways. The seal on the body enclosing the seat has again been maintained.

In figures 1 & 3 the pivoting footrests are unclipped and stored within the body while for figure 5 the footrest is moved adjacent to the wheel support arm before folding with it.

Figures 7 and 8 show typical front elevations of a wheelchair, extended for use 7 and in collapsed mode 8, with enclosing body and protected drive wheels ready for transportation.

Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the major components of the unitary construction.

Referring to the drawings the wheelchair comprises a body of unitary construction with two or more moulded sides 1, attached to a compact sub frame 2. The sub frame forms the structural fulcrum for a folding seat 3, two drive wheels 4, one or more secondary wheels 5 and handles 6. The wheelchair is also fitted with variable position, retracting arm rests 7.

From the extended position for use the wheelchair may be prepared for transportation by operating one or more folding mechanisms 8, between the two main body sides 1. The material of the seat 3, is folded or moved to facilitate storage. The secondary wheels 5, handles 6 and arm rests 7, may be retracted by folding, sliding, or detachment, according to the wheelchair type. The secondary body unit 9, is fitted over the bottom of the body while tipping the wheelchair forward or backward. This procedure also encloses the drive wheels 4, in combination with the wheel drive discs 10. The body sides for the enclosure are fastened using clips 11, at positions along the seal line 12. A foot bar 13, is braced to the sub frame.

All handles and secondary wheel arms have simple quick release locking mechanisms for retracted and extended positions. High level paddle lever hand brakes 14, are housed within the inner face of the body, with direct action on the drive wheels.

The wheelchair in the collapsed and enclosed position may be supported and secured to a roof rack, boot rack, or cycle rack using the support 1 securing positions 15, with locking discs 18. Adapters to common types of racks to be available (not shown).The body unit 9, may also be fixed, using adapters, to a boot or roof rack to form a semi permanent transportation cradle. Alternatively the collapsed wheelchair may be placed, easily and safely, within any conveyance for transportation, utilising a safety strap if positioned within the passenger compartment.

The chair can be wheeled in the collapsed position with body unit 9, removed using the exposed handles 6 or 16, 3 The wheelchair may be restored to use mode by reversing the procedure. Note, the sequence for collapsing the wheelchair may vary according to the type.

Storage space 17, is provided within the unitary construction for small items e.g. purse, alarm, personal audio etc..

4 CLAWS.

1. A collapsible wheelchair for disabled people, with a body, at least three wheels, a seat and propulsion handles. The light weight moulded body sides can combine to form an enclosure for the seat in the collapsed position and with other components produce an integrated transportation package.

Claims

2. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the sides of the

body join with a weather resistant seal to provide protection for the seat in its collapsed position.

3. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the main drive wheels, one or more secondary wheels and the handles are attached to a common sub frame.

4. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in Claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein the sub frame combines with the body sides to form a unitary construction.

5. A collapsible wheelchair is claimed under Claim 5 wherein two drive wheels may be propelled by hand via moulded disks attached to the wheels.

6. A collapsible wheelchair is claimed in Claim 6 wherein the disc as claim 5 can combine with two or more body sides to enclose the drive wheels.

7. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in any preceding claims wherein one or more secondary wheels will retract adjacent to the body or fully into it whilst maintaining the body seal.

8. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in Claim 7 wherein one or more handles for pedestrian propulsion will retract adjacent to the body or fully into it whilst maintaining the body seal.

9. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in Claims 1 - 8 wherein two arm rests may be retracted partially or totally transferred into the body.

10. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least one support and restraining position is provided on the enclosing body to enable secure carriage of the wheelchair.

11. A collapsible wheelchair is claimed as in all the above claims wherein storage space is provided within the body.

12. A collapsible wheelchair substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - 9 of the accompanying drawings.

E5 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS.

1, A collapsible wheelchair with two or more moulded body sides wherein the sides can be brought together in the collapsed position with a seal on the abutting edges to produce a weather resistant enclosure for the seat.

2. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the enclosing body is of unitary, composite construction, comprising compact sub frames that contain the fulcra for the structural members, attached to body sides made of a different light weight moulded material.

3. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein moulded discs attached to wheels to enable hand propulsion can combine with two or more body sides to enclose the drive wheels.

4. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in any Claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein one or more secondary wheels will retract adjacent to the body or fully into it whilst maintaining the body seal.

5. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in Claim 4 wherein one or more handles for pedestrian propulsion will retract adjacent to the body or fully into it whilst maintaining the body seal.

6. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in Claims 1 - 5 wherein two armrests may be fixed in variable positions.

7. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in claim 6 wherein two armrests may be retracted partially or totally transferred into the body.

8. A collapsible wheelchair as claimed in any preceding claims wherein at least one support and restraining position is provided on the enclosing body to enable secure carriage of the wheelchair.

9. A collapsible wheelchair is claimed as in all the above claims wherein storage space is provided within the body.

10. A collapsible wheelchair substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - 9 of the accompanying drawings.