GB2577123A

GB2577123A - A wheelchair for assisting with patient care

Info

Publication number: GB2577123A
Application number: GB1815093.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Beedle Anthony
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-17
Filing date: 2018-09-17
Publication date: 2020-03-18
Also published as: WO2020058661A2; GB201815093D0; WO2020058661A3

Abstract

A wheelchair comprising a frame 2, a seating means 23, a back support 15 and a raising and lowering means 13, 14. The raising and lowering means allows the user to be raised from a seated to a standing position or lowered from a standing to a seating position with their back continuously supported by the back support. Optionally during the raising operation the seat will move under and in line with the back support. The raising and lowering means may comprise a pair of parallel bars and an upright bar. The raising and lowering means may comprise a motor, a linear actuator and a battery. In one embodiment the footrests comprise a support means that extend outwards and downwards to brace against the floor to prevent the chair from toppling. It may further comprise a foot strap. The seat may be removable. The seat may be a toilet seat and may have two bowls attached to the frame. The chair may have a seatbelt which fits underneath the arms. The wheelchair may comprise an enclosing armrest positioned across the front of a user.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A wheelchair for assisting with patient care Abstract Title: A wheelchair for assisting with patient care (57) A wheelchair comprising a frame 2, a seating means 23, a back support 15 and a raising and lowering means 13, 14. The raising and lowering means allows the user to be raised from a seated to a standing position or lowered from a standing to a seating position with their back continuously supported by the back support. Optionally during the raising operation the seat will move under and in line with the back support. The raising and lowering means may comprise a pair of parallel bars and an upright bar. The raising and lowering means may comprise a motor, a linear actuator and a battery. In one embodiment the footrests comprise a support means that extend outwards and downwards to brace against the floor to prevent the chair from toppling. It may further comprise a foot strap. The seat may be removable. The seat may be a toilet seat and may have two bowls attached to the frame. The chair may have a seatbelt which fits underneath the arms. The wheelchair may comprise an enclosing armrest positioned across the front of a user.

FIG. 1

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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A wheelchair for assisting with patient care

FIELD

The present invention relates to a wheelchair for assisting with patient care. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheelchair which can be used for assisting with lifting and moving an occupant for washing, cleaning, dressing, and similar. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a wheelchair that can be reconfigured as required for assisting with lifting and moving an occupant for washing, cleaning, dressing, and similar.

BACKGROUND

Older people or those suffering from debilitating illnesses or injury can require significant care and assistance for day-to-day activities such as washing, dressing going to the toilet, and similar. When caring for a person who is wheelchair-bound, and unable to carry out some basic tasks themselves, providing care or assistance can require a significant amount of lifting and moving, often at awkward angles or positions, and therefore a degree of physical strength, in order to lift or support the person requiring care. Frequently, the burden of care falls on the shoulders of their partner, who can be of a similar age, and who may not be able to provide the physical strength necessary.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair for assisting with patient care which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

The term “comprising” as used in this specification and indicative independent claims means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting each statement in this specification and indicative independent claims that includes the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner.

As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist a wheelchair for assisting with patient care, comprising: a frame; a seating means configured to allow a user to sit thereon, the frame and the seating means configured and connected such that a user can sit in a normal seated position on the seating means when the seating means is connected to the frame; a back support extending upwards from the rear of the frame and configured to support the back of a user seated on the wheelchair; a raising and lowering means connected between the back support, the seat, and the frame; the raising and lowering means, the back support, the seating means, and the frame all configured so that a user seated in/on the chair can be raised from a seated position to a standing position, and/or lowered from a standing position to a seated position, with their back continuously supported by the back support.

In an embodiment, the back support, the seating means, and the frame are all further configured so that during a raising operation, the seat will move and rotate under and in line with the back support.

In an embodiment, the raising and lowering means comprises a pair of parallel bars running substantially along one side of the frame, and an upright bar connected to the rear ends of the parallel bars, the upright bar connected to and aligned with the back support.

In an embodiment, the raising and lowering means comprises a pair of parallel bars and an upright bar on each side of the frame.

In an embodiment, the wheelchair further comprises a mechanical movement means configured to power and move the raising and lowering means.

In an embodiment, the mechanical movement means comprises a motor and a linear actuator.

In an embodiment, the wheelchair further comprises at least one battery, configured to provide power to the motor and linear actuator.

In an embodiment, the wheelchair further comprises a pair of footrests, the footrests movable between a resting position where a user seated in/on the wheelchair can rest their feet on the footrests, and a support position where a user sitting on the chair can freely move and place their feet in front of the chair, each footrest further comprising a support means configured to locate and brace against the floor when the footrest is in the support position to assist with preventing the chair from toppling sideways.

In an embodiment, the support means comprises a pair of extensions, configured so that when the footrests are in the support position, the extensions extend outwards and downwards to the floor from the sides of the chair.

In an embodiment, the footrests can be locked into the support position.

In an embodiment, the wheelchair further comprises at least one strap configured to extend around the front of the feet of a user seated or standing in the chair.

In an embodiment, the seating means comprises a seat.

In an embodiment, the seat is removable from the frame.

In an embodiment, the seating means comprises a toilet seat, the wheelchair further comprising a toilet bowl, the frame and bowl configured so that the bowl can be positioned below the toilet seat and held in position on the frame in use.

In an embodiment, the frame and toilet bowl are further mutually configured so that the toilet bowl can be removed from the frame while remaining aligned upright.

In an embodiment, the toilet bowl further comprises a lip on the front edge, the bowl and frame mutually configured so that the bowl is held in position via a friction fit between the lip and the frame, and a camlock at the rear of the toilet seat which is configured to engage with the bowl at the rear of the bowl.

In an embodiment, the wheelchair further comprises a secondary bowl, the secondary bowl and frame configured so that the secondary bowl can be positioned below the toilet bowl.

In an embodiment, the wheelchair further comprises a seat belt, configured to extend from one side of the chair to the other across the chest and underneath the armpits of a user seated in the chair, and to prevent a user seated or standing in the chair from falling forwards.

In an embodiment, the wheelchair further comprises a trigger-operated pawl, configured to release the seat belt when the belt is in a retracted position and allow the belt to be freely extended.

In an embodiment, the wheelchair further comprises an enclosing arm rest, configured and positioned to extend across the front of a user seated in the chair so that the user can rest their arms on the arm rests to either or both of the sides or front, the arm rest configured so that it can be rotated away from the front of a user to allow access to or from the chair.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the device by way of example, and in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view from the front, and to the side and above, of a wheelchair for assisting with patient care according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the wheelchair in a seated or lowered position, and fitted with a toilet seat to allow a user to use the wheelchair as a commode, the wheelchair having a frame, to which a backrest, leg rests, upper and lower toilet bowls, push handles, wheels, and a motor and batteries are fitted.

Figure 2 shows a left-hand side view of the wheelchair of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view from the front and to one side of the frame, leg rests, wheels and push handles of the wheelchair of figures 1 and 2, in order to show detail of the frame and connections between elements.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view from the rear, and to the side and above, of the wheelchair of figures 1 and 2.

Figures 5a and 5b show perspective views from the front, and to the side and above, of the wheelchair of the preceding figures, with the chair in lowered or seated, and raised or standing configurations, respectively.

Figures 6a - 6c show the wheelchair of figure 3, with only the frame, leg rests, wheels and push handles shown, in order to show detail of a raising sequence, the chair moving from a lowered position to a raised position in the sequence.

Figures 7a and 7b show an underside view of a seat that can be used on the wheelchair of the present invention in place of the toilet seat of the preceding figures, the seat having retractable retaining pins, shown in retracted and extended configurations, respectively, a squeeze grip located at the centre of the seat to allow a user to squeeze and retract the pins from a spring-loaded extended position.

Figures 8a and 8b show a perspective view of the wheelchair fitted with the seat of figures 7a and 7b, with the wheelchair and the seat shown in a part-raised, and a fully raised position, respectively.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view from the side and to the front of the toilet seat as used in the wheelchair configuration of figures 1 and 2.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the toilet bowl as used in the wheelchair configuration of figures 1 to 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention, and variations thereof, will now be described in detail with reference to the figures.

A first embodiment of the wheelchair 1 is shown in figures 1 to 3. As best shown in figure 4, the main core of the wheelchair 1 comprises a lower frame 2, onto which other items are connected to form the wheelchair 1. The lower frame 2 has an overall outer shape that is very generally cuboid, with two roughly square side faces formed from metal tubing and arranged next to one another in a spaced parallel configuration, and connected across their lower rear corners by a further metal tube that forms a lower rear edge of the generally cuboid shape. The tubes are connected via bolts or similar connection devices. In use, a user sits over or one the top 'face' of the cube, with their shins and feet in front of the front 'face'. A pair of front wheels 3 and a pair of rear wheels 4 are connected at the lower corners of the frame 2, the front wheels 3 at the front left and right lower corners, and the rear wheels 4 at the rear left and right corners. The two upright front edges of the frame 2 are formed by a pair of upright front members 5, which are arranged substantially vertically, with the front wheels 3 connected one each to the lower ends of the front members 5, so that the front wheels 3 can freely spin around their own horizontally-aligned hub or axis, and also so that these can rotate about a substantially vertically-aligned axis, to change direction. The front edge and lower side edges of the frame are formed with a 'cut out' section at the front corners, so that the front wheels can rotates freely around the substantially vertically-aligned axis. The rear wheels 4 are connected at the lower-rear corners so as to allow movement front-rear (in a direction aligned parallel to or along the sides of the frame 2). The rear wheels 4 are fixed in position so that they can rotate around their hub or axis, but not otherwise move.

In the embodiment shown in figure 1, the wheelchair 1 is configured for use as a commode, with a toilet seat 6 forming the top 'surface' of the cuboid shape. In variations, this top surface can be a seat unit such as the seat unit shown in figures 7 and 8, which comprises a vinyl-covered padded base forming a substantially planar/flat seat unit in plan view. The commode configuration, and the manner in which configurations can be altered, will be described in detail below. The toilet seat 6 is shown in figure 9, and comprises a seat on a seat frame, with pins extending from the sides of the frame at the front and rear to engage with the frame 2 in use.

A pair of foot/leg support units 7 are connected to and extend one each from each of the front uprights 5. Each of the foot/leg support units 7 comprises a foot support extension 9 that is connected to the upright 5 so as to extend forwards, outwards and downwards at an angle, and each foot support extension has a footrest 8 at the lower end thereof, allowing a user sitting on/in the wheelchair 1 to rest their feet on the footrests 8 and for these to be supported. Each of the footrests 8 has a strap that helps to secure the feet/legs in position and prevent the legs from kicking forward. Alternatively, a single strap, passing around both footrests, can be used instead of separate straps. With the user seated, the strap is placed in front of the ankles. This locates the feet so that when the user is raised to a standing position (see below), the legs are straight and can support the user as much as they are physically able to do so. This helps to reduce the tendency for the user to slump in the chair and take all the weight on the underarm seat belt (see below). In addition, as the user is lowered, there is a transition point when the seat takes the weight and the feet come off the ground. The strap prevents the feet from kicking forward and keeps the user firmly in the seat rather than sliding to the front. It should be understood that, if necessary, the underarm straps can take the whole weight if required.

The operation of the foot/leg support units 7 and in particular the footrests 8 will be described in detail below.

In this embodiment, the wheelchair has a motor to enable movement between the seated and standing configurations, the motor in this embodiment being batterypowered. The motor and batteries are connected to the frame 2 at the upper-rear of the frame.

A pair of push handles 11 are connected to and extend from the rear of the frame 2, to allow a carer or similar to move and manoeuvre the wheelchair 1. In this embodiment, brake levers 12 and controls for the motor or motors are connected to the push handles 11, and other similar items can be connected to the push handles 11 as required. The push handles 11 are formed as an extension of the rear upright edge tubes of the frame 2.

A parallel-bar linkage assembly is connected to the frame 2, at each side of the frame. Each parallel bar linkage assembly (one on each side) comprises two parallel bars 13 (an upper bar 13a and a lower bar 13b) arranged in parallel to one another, and an upright rear bar 14. The front ends of the parallel bars 13 are pivotally connected to the frame towards the front of the frame, so that in a lower seated configuration, the parallel bars 13 are angled downward and point rearwards from the pivoting connection, as best shown in figure 2. The rear bar 14 is pivotally connected to the rear ends of the parallel bars 13 so that it extends substantially vertically, the lower end of the rear bar 14 connected to the rear end of the lower parallel bar 13b. In use, the bars 13a, 13b pivot around their connection to the frame so that the rear bar 14 moves upwards/forwards, and downwards/rearwards, as this pivoting movement takes place. This sequence is best shown in figures 5a and 5b, and 7a 7c. In this embodiment, the seat back rises 34-35cm, and moves forwards 16-17cm.

Movement of the parallel-bar linkage assembly is via a linear actuator 19 mounted top and bottom the wheelchair frame, as shown in figures 6a - 6c, and powered by the motor and batteries.

A backrest 15 is connected between the upright rear bars 14. This is formed from a vinyl material or similar, and extends between the upright rear bars 14 roughly from the top of the frame to the top of the bars 14, which for a typical user sitting in the wheelchair will mean that the top edge of the backrest 15 is in line with their shoulder blades when they are sitting on the chair 1.

A seat belt 17 is connected to the upright rear bars 14, to extend between the upright rear bars 14 in the same manner as a lap belt. The belt can be extended, and fastened/unfastened, in the same or similar manner to a lap belt, car seat belt, or similar. In use, the belt 17 will pass under the armpits of a person sitting in the seat, and support them against the back rest 15 and prevent them from falling forwards.

The strap of the seat belt 17 is padded to support the user comfortably. The seatbelt 17 is released when in the retracted position by means of a trigger-operated pawl adjacent to the battery box 29. In contrast with a typical seatbelt release pawl, which relies on pulling the belt out slowly to prevent the catch from locking, the trigger allows the strap 17 to be extended regardless of the speed, and then engaged with the latch once released.

An enclosing armrest 20 is connected to and extends forwards from the upright rear bars, comprising two side bars 21 and a front grab bar 22 that extends across the front between the front ends of the two side bars 21. This is positioned so that a person sitting in/on the chair 1 can rest their arms on the armrest, at the sides or at the front. The armrest 20 is pivotally connected to the rear bars 14 at the rear of the side bars 21, so that the armrest 20 can be rotated and raised for access to or egress from the chair 1.

As noted above, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the wheelchair 1 is configured for use as a commode, with a toilet seat 6 forming the top 'surface' of the cuboid shape. A toilet bowl 16 is located within the frame, directly below this. A second removable bowl 18 is located directly below this, in case of accidents while a user is using the wheelchair in a standing mode (described below).

As noted above, the toilet seat can be swapped for a seat 23. The seat 23 is formed on an aluminium frame, with a washable vinyl or plastic cover. As shown in figures 7a and 7b, the seat 23 has a rear spindle 24, and a pair of retracting pins 25 that are formed as steel pins sliding in nylon bushes and operated by a central squeeze catch 31 or similar. The rear spindle 24 clips into brackets at each side of the frame 2 and is locked in place by two bolts that allow it to pivot while holding it securely. The retracting pins 25 sit on top of the frame 2.

In use a user sitting in the chair on the seat can be moved from a seated position to a standing position, for washing, dressing or similar, in the following manner: as shown in figures 8a and 8b, as the parallel-bar linkage assembly moves upwards and forwards, the seat 23 is drawn up into an upright position, below and parallel with the rear backrest 15, in generally the same plane as the backrest 15. A user sitting on the seat, and wearing the seat belt 17, will be comfortably supported by the strap of the seat belt 17, and will gradually and comfortably transition from a sitting position to a supported standing position as the seat 23 is drawn up and back.

With the chair 1 in this standing position, the seat 23 can be removed by releasing (retracting) the retracting pins 25 by squeezing these together via a grip on the underside of the seat between the pins, and then pulling the seat 23 through the rear of the frame.

The wheelchair 1 can be stabilised when in the upright position, or when preparing to move to the upright position, as follows: the feet of a user sitting on the chair are moved off the footrests 8. As shown in figure 1, the footrests 8 are connected to the foot support extensions 9 at the outer edges of the footrests 8. The footrests 8 are pivotally connected to the foot support extensions 9 so that they can rotate between an inwards flat position (as shown in figure 1), and an upright position, folded upwards and outwards, by rotating the footrests 8 around the connection axis running front-rear from the foot support extension 9. Pivoting pins 26 extend from the outer sides of each of the footrests 8 (one on each footrest), to the rear of the outer edge of the footrest 8. When the footrests are rotated upright, the outer ends of the pins 26 rest against the ground. The outer ends of the pins 26 are rounded and rubberised to assist with preventing slipping and to help prevent damage to the floor. The footrests 8 can be locked in position via friction screws or similar between the footrests 8 and the support extension 9 when in this position, to prevent them rotating inwards from this position. With the pins 26 extending outwards and downwards against the floor, they provide stability for the wheelchair 1 and help to prevent tipping. In particular, these help to prevent tipping forward. Although the bars do provide lateral stability as well as forward/rear stability their principle purpose is to prevent tipping forwards. The front to back wheelbase is relatively short - only 385mm when the casters are pointing rearwards. This means that the centre of gravity of the user when standing is only just behind the centre of the casters. The stabilisers extend that base by an extra 400mm to 785mm to assist with preventing forward tipping.

The toilet bowl 16 is shown in figure 10. The toilet bowl 16 has a handle 30 that extends rearwards when the bowl is in position on/in the frame. The bowl is held in position in use by a lip 27 at the front of the bowl, which in use slides in between into a gap between the toilet seat and toilet seat frame, and also by a releasable nylon camlock that is located under the seat at the rear of the toilet seat and which engages with the toilet bowl 16 at the rear of the bowl.

The most practical way to access the bowl 16 and to remove or insert this is via the rear of the frame. As shown in figure 4, in normal use, the actuator 19 extends vertically across the rear of the chair in use, and blocks access. The actuator 19 is connected to the frame via a pivoting joint or similar at it's lower end, and is locked in an upright position via a connector 28 at the top end that extends between the frame and actuator 19. The connector 28 can be unlocked to allow the actuator to rotate downwards and away from the frame about it's lower end, to allow access for the bowl 16, and also the second removable bowl 18. The handle 30 is sized so that when the bowl 16 is in position, the actuator 19 cannot be put back and secured into an upright position, and therefore the chair cannot be configured from a seated to a lifted position with the bowl in place.

In a seated commode configuration, the seat 23 is replaced by the toilet seat 6, with the toilet bowl 16 in position. After use, the bowl 16 can be removed, the user can be raised and cleaned and then, if required, the toilet seat 6 can be replaced by the standard seat 23. The user can remain safely strapped in the chair while their carer carries out all necessary cleaning actions.

The second bowl 18 mounted underneath the seat is to catch any bodily spillages over the chair and the floor whilst the user is standing.

As outlined above, the actuator 19 is battery-powered, preferably by two Yuasa NP 2.1-12 sealed lead acid batteries or similar, although other batteries can be used as required. These have been found to provide sufficient power to raise and lower the lifter 180-200 times between charges. In the embodiment shown and described, these are located in an aluminium battery box 29 mounted on the top cross rail at the rear of the chair between the handles. In alternative embodiments, a mains power cable could be used in place of batteries, to provide power from a mains power source.

A wheelchair as described above and shown in the figures provides assistance to carers for maintaining cleanliness and health and to assist with making this a safe and easy daily routine which minimises distress or discomfort. A wheelchair according to the invention enables a person who is unable to stand or walk to be safely transported between rooms such as a bedroom, living room and bathroom, and to be gently raised from a seated to an upright position, to be dressed or undressed, and washed, without the requirement for any additional apparatus, by a single carer.

As noted above, the seat is normally in position in a seating configuration, and can be replaced by the toilet seat in commode configuration, with the bowl preventing the actuator from being in a position to raise the chair from a seated to a standing position. However, 'seating means' as used in this specification should be taken to refer to both the seat and the toilet seat.

Claims

1. A wheelchair for assisting with patient care, comprising:

a frame;

a seating means configured to allow a user to sit thereon, the frame and the seating means configured and connected such that a user can sit in a normal seated position on the seating means when the seating means is connected to the frame;

a back support extending upwards from the rear of the frame and configured to support the back of a user seated on the wheelchair;

a raising and lowering means connected between the back support, the seat, and the frame;

the raising and lowering means, the back support, the seating means, and the frame all configured so that a user seated in/on the chair can be raised from a seated position to a standing position, and/or lowered from a standing position to a seated position, with their back continuously supported by the back support.

2. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 1 wherein the raising and lowering means, the back support, the seating means, and the frame are all further configured so that during a raising operation, the seat will move and rotate under and in line with the back support.

3. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the raising and lowering means comprises a pair of parallel bars running substantially along one side of the frame, and an upright bar connected to the rear ends of the parallel bars, the upright bar connected to and aligned with the back support.

4. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 3 wherein the raising and lowering means comprises a pair of parallel bars and an upright bar on each side of the frame.

5. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a mechanical movement means configured to power and move the raising and lowering means.

6. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 5 wherein the mechanical movement means comprises a motor and a linear actuator.

7. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 6 further comprising at least one battery, configured to provide power to the motor and linear actuator.

8. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising a pair of footrests, the footrests movable between a resting position where a user seated in/on the wheelchair can rest their feet on the footrests, and a support position where a user sitting on the chair can freely move and place their feet in front of the chair, each footrest further comprising a support means configured to locate and brace against the floor when the footrest is in the support position to assist with preventing the chair from toppling.

9. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 8 wherein the support means comprises a pair of extensions, configured so that when the footrests are in the support position, the extensions extend outwards and downwards to the floor from the chair.

10. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the footrests can be locked into the support position.

11. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 further comprising at least one strap configured to extend around the front of the feet of a user seated or standing in the chair.

12. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the seating means comprises a seat.

13. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 12 wherein the seat is removable from the frame.

14. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the seating means comprises a toilet seat, the wheelchair further comprising a toilet bowl, the frame and bowl configured so that the bowl can be positioned below the toilet seat and held in position on the frame in use.

15. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 14 wherein the frame and toilet bowl are further mutually configured so that the toilet bowl can be removed from the frame while remaining aligned upright.

16. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 15 wherein the toilet bowl further comprises a lip on the front edge, the bowl and frame mutually configured so that the bowl is held in position via a friction fit between the lip and the frame, and a camlock at the rear of the toilet seat which is configured to engage with the bowl at the rear of the bowl.

17. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a secondary bowl, the secondary bowl and frame configured so that the secondary bowl can be positioned below the toilet bowl.

18. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 further comprising a seat belt, configured to extend from one side of the chair to the other across the chest and underneath the armpits of a user seated in the chair, and to prevent a user seated or standing in the chair from falling forwards.

5

19. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 18 further comprising a trigger-operated pawl, configured to release the seat belt when the belt is in a retracted position and allow the belt to be freely extended.

20. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 further comprising an enclosing arm rest, configured and positioned to extend across the front of a user

10 seated in the chair so that the user can rest their arms on the arm rests to either or both of the sides or front, the arm rest configured so that it can be rotated away from the front of a user to allow access to or from the chair.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No:

GB1815093.8