GB2393162A

GB2393162A - Folding wheelchair with detachable power assistance unit

Info

Publication number: GB2393162A
Application number: GB0221445A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Russ Critcher; David Hayes Jackson; David John Slaughter
Original assignee: Russ Critcher; David Hayes Jackson; David John Slaughter
Priority date: 2002-09-16
Filing date: 2002-09-16
Publication date: 2004-03-24
Also published as: GB0221445D0

Abstract

A folding motorised wheelchair 2 comprises a quick release detachable power unit 11 located between two rear wheels 6 for providing propulsion assistance. The wheelchair 2 is provided with two quick release mechanisms 26 arranged one on either side of the wheelchair 2 and the power unit 11 is supported on a carrier frame 12 provided with means for inter-engagement with the quick release mechanisms 26. The power unit 11 typically comprises a single ground engaging member such as a drive drum 14 containing its own power pack. The drum 14 is mounted to a spindle (16 fig 2), which constitutes part of the carrier frame 12. The power unit 11 may be removed by operation of the quick release mechanisms 26 in unison, and may be provided with lifting handles 22.

Description

GB 2393162 A continuation (74) Agent and/or Address for Service: Graham

Watt & Company St Botolph's House, 7-9 St Botolph's Road, SEVENOAKS, Kent, TN13 3AJ, United Kingdom

2393 1 62

IMPROVEMENTS IN A POWER-ASSISTED FOLDING WHEELCHAIR

This invention is concerned with improvements in a power-assisted wheelchair and is particularly concerned with a quick release means for facilitating the ready attachment and detachment of a power unit on and off a folding wheelchair.

One of the many problems facing a disabled person, and carers who attend a disabled person, is that of readily transporting the disabled person and their power-assisted wheelchair. This is because the power unit must be detached from the wheelchair before the wheelchair can be folded. Detachment of the power unit from a folding wheelchair is not a simple matter and often causes some distress, especially to a disabled person who is without a carer.

Another problem with many wheelchairs, provided with a power unit, is that the power unit extends towards the back of the wheelchair, or in extreme circumstances rearwards of the back of the wheelchair. Thus, a carer may find some difficulty in pushing and guiding the wheelchair and it's incumbent because there will be a tendency for the carer to kick the power unit as they operate the wheelchair.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a powerassisted folding wheelchair wherein the power unit is readily attachable and detachable from the folding wheelchair.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a user-friendly power-assisted folding wheelchair.

Therefore, the present invention seeks to overcome, or at least mitigate, the problems of prior arrangements and conveniently provides a powerassisted folding wheelchair

comprising a folding frame of conventional configuration, the folding frame providing support for pair of wheels towards a rearward end thereof, the folding wheelchair, when in use, also comprising a spatial volume between the wheels for accommodating a power unit for propelling the wheelchair, characteriscd in that the power unit is readily attachable and detachable from the folding frame by the operation of a quick release mechanism.

Conveniently, the power unit comprises drive means supported on a spindle of a carrier frame, the carrier frame being formed for interaction with a quick release mechanism associated with the carrier frame and a side element of the folding frame.

Preferably, the quick release mechanism is mounted on the side clement of the folding frame. Preferably, there are two quick release mechanisms associated one with each of two side elements provided by opposite side frame portions of the folding frame.

Conveniently, the carrier frame comprises two side bars, arranged one on either side thereof, the side bars being configured so that each engages with an associated one of the quick release mechanisms when the wheelchair is in use and a power unit is to be attached to a folding wheelchair.

Preferably, the two side bars are connected by a tie rod arranged in parallel, or substantially so, with the spindle of the power unit drive means.

In one convenient arrangement, provided by the present invention, for facilitating the ready attachment of a power unit to a folding wheel chair, the carrier frame may comprise at least one lifting handle whereby a forward end of the carrier frame is raised to cause the side bars thereof to be gripped in locking engagement by the quick release mechanisms.

There now follows by of exemplification a detailed description of the invention,

which description is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings in

which:

Figure I is a diagrammatic side elevation of a power-assisted wheelchair; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a carrier frame and power unit; Figure 3 is a side view of a quick release mechanism; and, Figure 4 is a part section view as seen in the direction of the arrow IV of Figure 3.

Folding wheelchairs with power-assist are well known; however, the complexity of some of the mountings for attaching and detaching a power unit form a wheelchair leave a It to be desired.

The power-assisted wheelchair 2 of the present invention is not complex in design and is readily unfolded, assembled, or disassembled and folded by a cater and/or the wheelchair user.

To this end, the power-assisted wheelchair 2 generally comprises a folding frame 4 of conventional configuration provided with a pair of large rear wheels 6 and a pair of front wheels 8, only one each of which wheels 6 and 8 are shown in Figure 1.

The frame 4 defines a spatial volume 10 between the wheels 6 for accommodating, in use, a power unit 11 carried beneath the frame 4 on a carrier frame 12.

The power unit 1 1 is provided by a drive wheel 14, which is powered from a power pack and drive elements, not shown, located on the carrier frame.

The drive wheel 14 is mounted for rotation on a spindle 16 of the carrier frame 12, which frame 12 also comprises opposite side-bars l 8a and 1 8b connected one each to opposite end portions l 6a and 1 6b of the spindle 16, see Figure 2.

Front end portions 1 9a and 1 9b of the side-bars 1 8a and 1 8b are connected by a tie bar 20 arranged in parallel with the spindle l 6, or substantially so, see Figure 2.

Opposite end portions 20a and 20b of the tie bar 20 extend through the opposite end portions 1 9a and 1 9b of the side bars 1 8a and 1 8b respectively to provide support for

lifting handles 22a and 22b secured thereto by locking knobs 24a and 24b respectively, see Figure 2.

For attaching the carrier frame 12 and the drive wheel carried thereby to the folding frame 4, the wheelchair 2 comprises quick release mechanisms 26 fixedly mounted one each on side elements 28 respectively of the frame 12, only one of said release mechanisms and side elements being shown in Figure 1.

The quick release mechanisms 26 each comprise downward facing channel member 30 of inverted 'U' shape one leg 32 of which provides support for a spring-loaded locking bar 34.

When the power-assisted wheelchair 2 is in use a carer or the wheel chair user simply lays the carrier frame 12 on the floor and, after opening the folding frame 4, reverses the wheelchair 2 to overlie the carrier frame 12.

The carer, or wheelchair user, then raises a front end of the carrier frame 12 by use of the lifting handles 22a and 22b to allow the side bars 18a and 18b of the frame 12 to slot into their respective channel members 30 until the locking bars 34 are spring urged by a spring 36 into locking engagement with the side bars l 8a and 18b.

The quick release mechanisms 26 also each comprise a knob 38 by which the locking bars 34 may be moved to the right, viewing Figures I and 3, when the carrier frame 12 is to be detached from the folding frame 4.

Whereas the power unit 11 is described as a drive wheel 14 as shown in Figure 2, in an alternative arrangement, the power unit 11 may comprise a drive drum which contains its own power pack within the confines of the drum, the drum being mounted on the spindle 16 of the carrier frame 12.

Other modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention.

PARTS LIST

2 power-assisted wheelchair 4 folding frame 6 rear wheels 8 front wheels 10 spatial volume 11 power unit 12 carrier frame 14 drive wheel 16 spindle 16a & 16b opposite end portions 18a & 18b side bars 19a & l9b front end portions of 18a & 18b 20 tie bar 20a & 20b opposite ends of 20 22a & 22b lifting handle 24a & 24b locking knob 26 quick release mechanism 28 side elements 30 channel member 32 leg of channel member 34 locking bar 36 spring 38 knob

Claims

-6 CLAIMS

1. A power assisted folding wheelchair comprising a folding frame of conventional configuration, the folding frame providing support for a pair of wheels towards a rearward end thereof, the folding wheelchair, when in use, also comprising a spatial volume between the wheels for accommodating a power unit for propelling the wheelchair, characterised in that the power unit is readily attachable and detachable from the folding frame by the operation of a quick release mechanism.

2. A power assisted folding wheelchair according to Claim 1, characterized in that

the power unit comprises drive means supported on a spindle of a carrier frame, the carrier frame being formed for interaction with a quick release mechanism associated with the carrier frame and a side element of the folding frame.

3. A power assisted folding wheelchair according to Claim 2, characterized in that the quick release mechanism is mounted on the side element of the folding frame.

4. A power assisted folding wheelchair according to Claim 3, characterized in that there are two quick release mechanisms associated one with each of two side elements provided by opposite side frame portions of the folding frame.

5. A power assisted folding wheelchair according to Claim 4, characterized in that the carrier frame comprises two side bars arranged one on either side thereof, the side bars being configured so that each engages with an associated one of the quick release mechanisms when the wheelchair is in use and a power unit is to be attached to a folding wheelchair.

6. A power assisted folding wheelchair according to Claim 5, characterized in that the two side bars are interconnected by a tie rod arranged in parallel, or substantially so, with the spindle of the power unit drive means.

-

7 7. A power assisted folding wheelchair according to any one of Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the carrier frame comprises at least one lifting handle whereby a forward end portion of the carrier frame is raised to cause the side bars thereof to be gripped in locking engagement by the quick release mechanisms.

8. A power assisted folding wheelchair substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.