GB2490489A

GB2490489A - Wheelchair anti-roll back device having ratchet mechanism and brake

Info

Publication number: GB2490489A
Application number: GB1107110.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles William Holkham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-27
Filing date: 2011-04-27
Publication date: 2012-11-07
Also published as: GB201107110D0

Abstract

An anti-roll back device for mounting to a wheelchair to prevent backwards rolling of the wheelchair when on a slope includes a ratchet mechanism having a roller 5 that can be engaged with the wheel of the wheelchair to prevent reverse rolling, and a brake device 2 that can be used in an alternative mode of operation prevent any rotation of the wheel. In particular, the anti-roll device comprises: a back plate 7 for mounting to the wheelchair, and a ratchet and brake unit 3 pivotally mounted to the back plate and which is selectively pivoted by a handle member 10 between: i) a neutral position [8, Fig. 7], ii) a brake position [10, Fig. 7], and iii) a forward position [9 in Fig. 7]; the ratchet and brake unit 3 comprising: a rubber braking pad 2 mounted to the unit and arranged to engage and grip the wheel of the wheelchair to prevent rotation of the wheel when the unit is pivoted by the handle from the neutral position to the brake position; a ratchet mechanism mounted to the unit; and a ratchet roller 5 mounted to the unit and operatively coupled to the ratchet mechanism, the roller 5 being moved to engage the wheel of the wheelchair when the unit is pivoted by the handle from the neutral position to the forward position, the ratchet mechanism allowing rotation of the wheel in one direction only.

Description

I

Specification

This invention relates to a ratchet device for self propelled wheelchairs especially for travelling up slopes and inclines.

When a wheelchair user attempts to get up a slope or incline the wheelchair starts to roll backwards when the user reposition their hands on the wheels to move fonvard again.

The ratchet unit stops the wheelchair rolling back, this allows the user to reposition and move forward again or take a rest.

The ratchet works when the user selects the forward position using the handle on the unit this makes the roller that connects onto the wheel of the wheelchair Making the roller turn the cog of the ratchet, when the wheelchair stops moving forward a locking lever springs into a locked position on the cog this stops it from moving.

The invention will now be described solely by example with reference to the accompany drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the complete unit and back plate 2 shows the back plate with holes for Use in fixing to the main wheelchair frame 3 Shows the unit with the ratchet Roller and brake roller.

Figure 2 Shows all the parts of the unit and fixings to the back plate 2 shows the rubber brake pad 3 shows the unit 4 shows The bolt that fixes the unit to the back plate S shows the rubber roller that turns the Ratchet 6 shows the spring washer 7 shows the back plate 8 shows a flat washer 9 shows a locking nut holding the unit onto the back plate 10 shows the handle Fixed to the back of the unit the handle moves the unit on the back plate.

Figure 3 shows the handle and parts 4 shows a button when pushed down it moves A spring loaded locating pin. 5 shows the case of the handle with the parts inside 6 shows the spring that pushes the locating pin up. 7 shows the locating pin that Locks the unit in the position selected forward neutral or brake Figure 4 shows The back plate 5 shows there are 6 fixing holes for fixing to the frame of the Wheelchair 6 shows the hole for fixing the unit onto the back plate. 7 shows A raised section that holds the handle in the selective position.

Specification

Figure 5 shows the ratchets left and right hand side 6 shows the spring that pushes the locking Bar towards the lock pin 7 shows the locking bar 8 shows the cog 9 shows the stop pin to stop the ratchet moving.

Figure 6 shows the brake parts 7 shows the retaining screw that holds the brake in position and Stops it from sliding out, 8 shows the rubber brake pad, 9 shows the square shaped spindle this stops the brake pad from turning.

Figure 7 shows the 3 setting of the unit 8 shows the unit in the neutral position the brake and the ratchet rollers do not come in contact with the wheelchair wheel 9 shows the unit in the brake position the brake pad gripes the wheels like a normal brake 10 shows the unit in the forward position bringing the ratchet into action.

Claims

Claims 1. This invention relates to a ratchet device for self propelling wheelchairs to stop the Wheelchair from rolling backwards on a slope or incline.
2. A ratchet unit according to claim 1, once selected allows the user to move forward when The user stops moving the wheelchair stays where it has stops.
3. The ratchet unit according to claim 1, has a locking bar that springs into place when the User stops moving forward keeping the wheelchair in the stop position.
4. The ratchet unit according to claim 1, also contains a brake, the unit has 3 settings that the user selects using a handle fixed to the back of the ratchet unit.S. The ratchet unit according to claim 1, gives the wheelchair user more control and Manoeuvrability on any incline or slope as the unit is fixed on both sides of the Wheelchair they can work independently giving the user greater manoeuvrability going around obstacles in their path.