GB2458169A

GB2458169A - Wheelchair having a transfer surface

Info

Publication number: GB2458169A
Application number: GB0804350A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Jinks
Original assignee: Evac and Chair International Ltd
Current assignee: Evac and Chair International Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-08
Filing date: 2008-03-08
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Also published as: GB0804350D0

Abstract

A wheelchair (10) is has a member (12a, 12b) which is moveable so as to engage an adjacent object. The member (12a, 12b) provides a surface (27) over which a user of the wheelchair (10) can self-transfer between the wheelchair (10) and the object. The member (12a, 12b) may provide an armrest for the wheelchair.

Description

Title: Wheelchair

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a wheelchair. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a wheelchair for use in confined spaces, e.g. on an aircraft, which permits a user of the wheelchair to more easily self-transfer from the wheelchair to an adjacent object, e.g. an aircraft seat.

A proportion of wheelchair users cannot use their upper body, which means that they require assistance when mounting and demounting a wheelchair.

Mounting and demounting is usually achieved by two or more able-bodied persons lifting the wheelchair user into the wheelchair or out of the wheelchair and onto another surface, e.g. an adjacent bed or chair. However, a substantial proportion of wheelchair users are able-bodied from the waist up, i.e. they are able to support their body by using their arms. A majority of such wheelchair users prefer to mount and demount their wheelchair independently, i.e. without external assistance, and this is called "self-transferring".

In unconfined environments self-transferring is not usually problematic, because the wheelchair user has ample space to position the wheelchair next to the object to which he/she wishes to transfer. However, when in confined spaces, self-transferring can be, at best, difficult, and sometimes not possible at all.

One example of a confined space is the interior of an aircraft. Aircrafts are typically provided with an onboard wheelchair which can be used by non-able-bodied passengers to assist them in travelling from their aircraft seat to an onboard toilet. The prior art wheelchairs which have been designed for this purpose are over-engineered and due to their construction it is almost impossible for the wheelchair user to self-transfer from his aircraft seat to the wheelchair and vice versa. The construction of the prior art wheelchairs renders them space consuming, which, on an aircraft, is undesirable.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved wheelchair which addresses the above issues.

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention, we provide a wheelchair including a member which is moveable so as to engage an adjacent object, the member providing a surface over which a user of the wheelchair can self-transfer between the wheelchair and the object.

Further features of the invention are listed In claims 2 to 14 appended hereto.

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of the wheelchair in accordance with the invention in an in use' condition; and Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the wheelchair in accordance with the invention in a storable' condition.

Refening to the figures, there Is a shown a wheelchair In accordance with the invention, generally at 10. The wheelchair 10 is manufactured from a plurality of tubular members, each of which is made from an Aluminium alloy, and is circular in cross-section. However, it must be appreciated that the wheelchair could be made from any desired material, so long as it is strong enough to support the wheelchair user. j 3

The wheelchair 10 includes two side frames 14, 16 which are spaced from each other and which are connected to each other by a pair of cross members 18. The side frames 14, 16 and cross members 18 are configured so as to permit the wheelchair 10 be folded to aid with storage of the wheelchair 10.

Hingeably connected (for compact storage purposes) at 24 to each side frame 14, 16 is a handle 22 to aid in pushing or pulling of the wheelchair 10. The wheelchair 10 also includes a pair of foot rests 32, one connected to each side frame 14, 16, and four castor wheels 20, one at each corner of the wheelchair 10.

Although not shown in the figures, the wheelchair 10 includes a seat which extends between upper parts of the side frames 14, 16. The seat is made from a flexible material, e.g. a plastics composite material, although any appropriate material could be used.

The wheelchair 10 includes a pair of self-transfer members 12a, 12b. One member I 2a is connected to an upper part of the side frame 14 and the other member 12b is connected to the side frame 16. The member 12b is a mirror image of the member 12a, and thus for clarity only the member 12a will be discussed in detail.

The member 1 2a is substantially planar and includes a U-shaped frame 26.

Connected to the U-shaped frame 26 is a substantially rigid sheet 27, e.g. an aluminium sheet (although any other appropriate material could be used, e.g. a plastics material). The U-shaped frame 26 is pivotally connected to an upper part of the side frame 14 by a pair of hinges 30, and is moveable between a first position (that of the member 12b as shown in the figures) and a second position (that of the member 12a as shown in the figures). In the first position the member I 2a is substantially vertical and provides a side wall to a seat region of the wheelchair 10.

In the first position a part of the U-shaped frame 26 also provides an armrest for a user of the wheelchair 10. The member 12a is lockable in the first position by a lock mechanism indicated at 34.

In the second position the member 12a is pivoted outwardly away from a centreline of the wheelchair 10 so as to engage an object, e.g. an aircraft seat.

In the second position the aluminium sheet 27 provides a self-transfer surface over which the wheelchair user can move. In the second position the sheet 27 and the seat (not shown) provide a substantially continuous surface which assists the wheelchair user to self-transfer.

If a passenger wishes to self-transfer to the wheelchair 10 from an aircraft seat the wheelchair 10 is positioned adjacent the aircraft seat and the member I 2a or 12b, as appropriate, is unlocked and moved to the second position, i.e. engaging the aircraft seat. The passenger then self-transfers to the wheelchair 10 whereafter the member 12a, 12b is moved to and locked, for the safety of the wheelchair user, in the first position. The passenger is then moved in the wheelchair 10 to a desired location, e.g. a toilet, where the member I 2a or I 2b can be used again to permit the user to self-transfer to the toilet.

When self-transferring from the wheelchair 10 back to the aircraft seat (or a toilet) the member I 2a or I 2b is unlocked and moved to the second position, i.e. engaging the aircraft seat or the toilet, whereafter the user self-transfers.

Of course, it must be appreciated that the self-transferring members I 2a, I 2b could take any desired form/shape so long as they are moveable to engage an adjacent object so as to provide a self-transferring surface. The members 12a, 12b, by providing side walls to the seat region of the wheelchair assist in protecting the wheelchair user's arms/hands from adjacent objects, when he/she is being moved in the wheelchair 10. The members 12a, 12b thus ensure that the wheelchair user's arms are maintained within the seat region.

Although not shown in the embodiment of figures 1 and 2, the members 12a, 12b may also be lockable in the second position. For example, the members may each be lockable in a position where the sheet 27 thereof is substantially horizontal.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wheelchair including a member which is moveable so as to engage an adjacent object, the member providing a surface over which a user of the wheelchair can self-transfer between the wheelchair and the object.
2. A wheelchair according to claim I wherein the member is moveable between a first position, in which a part of the member provides an armrest of the wheelchair, and a second position, in which the member provides the self-transfer surface.
3. A wheelchair according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the member is pivotally moveable between the first and second positions.
4. A wheelchair according to claim 3 wherein the member is pivotally moveable about an axis which Is substantially horizontal In use.
5. A wheelchair according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the member is pivotally moveable about an axis which is substantially parallel with a forward direction of movement of the wheelchair.
6. A wheelchair according to any preceding claim wherein the member is substantially planar.
7. A wheelchair according to any preceding claim wherein the member is connected to a main structure of the wheelchair adjacent a seat region of the wheelchair.
8. A wheelchair according to claim 7 wherein the member, when in its first position, provides a side wall to the seat region of the wheelchair.
9. A wheelchair according to any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein the member is lockable in the first position.
10. A wheelchair according to any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein the member is lockable in the second position.
II. A wheelchair according to any one of claim 2 to 10 including a seat wherein, when the member is in the second position, the seat and the member provide a substantially continuous surface.
12. A wheelchair including a pair of members, each member being in accordance with any one of claims I to 11.
13 A wheelchair according to claim 12 wherein the members are positioned one at each side of the wheelchair.
14. A wheelchair for use on an aircraft having the features of any one of claims Ito 12.
15. A wheelchair substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
16. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.