GB2425464A

GB2425464A - Wheelchair footrest automatic return device

Info

Publication number: GB2425464A
Application number: GB0508588A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tien-Yu Tsai; Yung-Chun Chen
Original assignee: Karma Medical Products Co Ltd
Current assignee: Karma Medical Products Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-04-28
Filing date: 2005-04-28
Publication date: 2006-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-28
Also published as: GB2425464B; GB0508588D0

Abstract

A wheelchair footrest automatic return device comprises a pair of pedals 1, a pair of elastic elements 2 and a pair of fixtures 3, all of which are mounted to a pair of rods 41 of the wheelchair. Each rod has a support 411 extending forwardly for a relative pedal to secure thereon. The support comprises a trough 412. The pedal comprises a connecting section 11 and a locating member 12 corresponding to the connecting section. The fixture is secured to the support corresponding to the pedal to secure the pedal in place onto the support. The elastic element has its two ends secured to the locating member and the support, respectively, to restore the pedal to its original vertical position.

Description

TITLE: WHEELCHAIR PEDAL AUTOMATIC COLLAPSING

DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a wheelchair pedal, and more particularly to a pedal able to collapse automatically.

Description of the Prior Art

A traditional wheelchair A on the market, as shown in FIG. 7, has a pair of rods Al. Each rod Al has a support All extending forward.

The support All is secured with a pedal B. The pedal B comprises a sleeve BI at one side for insertion of the support Al 1.

When a user seats on the traditional wheelchair, he/she has to place the pedals B flat for the user to rest his/her feet thereon. When he/she wants to stand up, the pedals have to be lifted up for the user to stand.

is The pedals of the tradition wheelchair may get loosened, and there is no support between the support and the sleeve. The pedal may accidentally drop to be a flat position and trap the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary advantage of the present invention to provide a wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, which pedal can automatically restore its original position for the user to walk in or out of the wheelchair. To achieve the advantage, the present invention comprises a pair of pedals, a pair of elastic elements and a pair of fixtures, all of which are mounted to a pair of rods of a wheelchair, wherein: each rod comprising a support extending forwardly to secure a relative pedal thereon; each pedal comprising at least a connecting section for insertion of said support and a locating member corresponding to said connecting section; each fixture being mounted to said support to secure said pedal onto said support; each elastic element having two ends secured to said locating member and said support, respectively; said connecting section of each pedal comprising a trough; said connecting section of each pedal being provided with two lugs; said locating member of each pedal being a bolt; said locating member of each pedal being a rod; said locating member of each pedal being a tab integrated with said connecting section; each fixture being a soft sleeve; each fixture being a pin; each fixture being a retaining ring, and each elastic element being a torque spring.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, which is convenient in use.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, which is automatic to collapse the pedals without affecting the action of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment of the present invention, partially sectioned; FIG. 3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG 6 is a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG 7 is a perspective view of a prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention comprises a pair of pedals 1, a pair of elastic elements 2 and a pair of fixtures 3, all of which are mounted to a pair of rods 41 of a wheelchair 4, respectively.

The rods 41 extend from the frame of the wheelchair 4.

Each rod 41 is provided with a support 411 extending forwardly.

The support 411 comprises at least a trough 412.

Each pedal I comprises at least a connecting section 11 with a connecting hole ill therein for the support 411 to insert therein. In this present embodiment, the connecting section 11 comprises a hollow trough, and the connecting hole 111 is part of the trough for connection with the support 411. The pedal I further comprises a locating member 12. In this embodiment, the locating member 12 is a bolt.

Each elastic element 2 has its two ends 21 and 22 engaging with the locating member 12 and the support 411, respectively. In this embodiment, the elastic element 2 is a torque spring.

Each fixture 3 is a hollow soft sleeve corresponding to the diameter of the support 411, and secured to the end of the support 411, thus the pedal 1 is mounted to the support 411 in place.

To assemble the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the elastic element 2 is inserted into the connecting section 11, and then the support 411 is inserted into the connecting hole 111 of the connecting section 11. The end 22 of the elastic element 2 is inserted through the trough 412 of the support 411 and secured thereat, while the other end 21 of the elastic element 2 is hooked to the locating member 12 of the connecting section 11. The fixture 3 is inserted into the connecting hole 111 of the connecting section 11 of the pedal I to confine sliding movement of the pedal I along the support 411.

When not in use, the pedal 1 is urged by the elastic element 2 to stand upwardly with respect to the rod 41, which facilitates the user to walk in or out of the wheelchair.

When in use, as shown in FIG. 4, the user steps on the pedal 1, the end 21 of the elastic element 2 in the pedal I is linked to rotate the other end 22 clamped in the trough 412 by the stepping force, thus the pedal 1 is swung to a flat position. Upon the stepping force on the pedal I is released, the elastic element 2 urges the pedal 1 to its original position.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The pedal I comprises a connecting section 11 A integrated with a pair of lugs.

Each lug has a connecting hole lilA. A locating member 12A is a rod formed integrally to the pedal 1. The rod comprises a locating hole 1 21 A for the end 21 of the elastic element 2 to insert and secure therein.

The end of the support 411 is provided with a fixture 3A which may be a pin longitudinally inserting through the support 411, thus, the pedal 1 is confined by the pin to a secured place.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The connecting section 11 of the pedal 1 is provided with a locating member 1 2B which is a tab integrated with the connecting section Ii. The support 411 is provided with a fixture 3B which is a retaining ring clamped to the support 411 directly. To assemble the present invention, the end 22 of the elastic element 2 is inserted and secured to the trough 412 of the support 411, while the other end 21 is secured to the locating member 12B. The pedal 1 is confined to secure on the support 411 by the retaining ring.

I CLAIM: 1. A wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device comprising a pair of pedals, a pair of elastic elements and a pair of fixtures, all of which being mounted to a pair of rods of a wheelchair, wherein each rod has a support extending forwardly, and characterized in that: said support comprising at least a trough; each pedal comprising at least a connecting section, said connecting section comprising a connecting hole, each pedal further comprising a locating member corresponding to said connecting section; each elastic element comprising two ends; said connecting hole of said connecting section of each pedal being inserted with said support of a relative rod, said two ends of said elastic element being secured to said locating member and said support, respectively, said fixture being mounted to said support to secure said pedal onto said support, and said elastic element urging said pedal to restore its original position.

2. The wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, as recited in Claim 1, wherein said connecting section of each pedal comprises a trough.

3. The wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, as recited in Claim 1, wherein said connecting section of each pedal is provided with two lugs.

4. The wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, as recited in Claim 1, wherein said locating member of each pedal is a bolt.

5. The wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, as recited in Claim 1, wherein said locating member of each pedal is a rod.

6. The wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, as recited in Claim 1, wherein said locating member of each pedal is a tab integrated with said connecting section.

7. The wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, as recited in Claim 1, wherein each fixture is a soft sleeve.

8. The wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, as recited in Claim 1, wherein each fixture is a retaining ring.

9. The wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, as recited in Claim 1, wherein each fixture is a pin.

10. The wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, as recited in Claim 1, wherein said elastic element is a torque spring.

Claims

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS

1. A wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device comprising a pair of pedals, a pair of resilient elements and a pair of fixtures, all of which are mounted on a pair of rods of a wheelchair, wherein each rod has a support extending forwardly, and charaterised in that: said support comprises at least a trough; each pedal comprises at least a connecting section, said connecting section comprising a connecting hole, each pedal further comprising a locating member corresponding to said connecting section; each resilient element comprises a first end and a second end; said connecting hole of said connecting section of each pedal is connected to said support of a relative rod, said first and second ends of said resilient element being secured to said locating member and said support, respectively, said fixture being mounted on said support to secure said pedal onto said support, and said resilient element urging said pedal onto said support, and said resilient element urging said pedal to restore it to its original position.

2. The wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, as recited in Claim 1.

wherein said connecting section of each pedal comprises a trough.

10. The wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device, as recited in Claim 1, wherein said resilient element is a torque spring.

11. A wheelchair pedal automatic collapsing device generally as hereinbefore described with reference to arid/or illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

S