US2982336A - Portable and adjustable wheel chair - Google Patents

Description

May 2, 1961 J. P. MlNlCl PORTABLE AND ADJUSTABLE WHEEL CHAIR Filed Feb. 13, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Innnnnnnnn nnnnnv' INVENTOR. -JO\E F: MINICI FIG.5

y 2, 1961 J. P. MlNlCl 2,982,336

PORTABLE AND ADJUSTABLE WHEEL CHAIR Filed Feb. 15, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOE P. MINICI May 2, 1961 J. P. MlNlCl PORTABLE AND ADJUSTABLE WHEEL CHAIR S Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 13, 1959 INVENTOR. JOE P. MINICI This invention relates to portable wheel chairs and in particular to an improved wheel chair having a seat preferably carrying a foldable backrest and removable arm rests, said chair being provided with supporting mechanism for the seat which is manually adjustable for raising and lowering theseat.

An important objective of the invention is to construct and arrange the adjustable seat supporting mechanism beneath the seat in improved and compact manner while at the same time enabling this mechanism to be readily operated through hand crank actuated means so as to adjust the seat from a position in close proximity to the floor level to any desired elevated position upto, for example, hospital bed height. Thus, the seat supporting mechanism is capable of being adjusted to lift a person thereon from normal sitting elevation to an elevation enabling easy transfer of the person to another supporting medium.

In accordance with the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, by way of example, there is provided a sturdy, relatively simple and lightweight chassis or frame supported by a pair of front wheels on a fixed axle and a pair of rear caster mounted wheels, the central portions of the frame being preferably depressed well below the tops of the wheels. Adapted to be adjustably supported above the wheels is a suitable seat the front section of which ispreferably of such width as to be capable of disposition betweenthe front wheels when the seat is downwardly adjusted to its lowermost position. A backrest is hinged to the rearof the seat and in the present embodiment is supported by a pair ofbraces or arm rest members, eaeh being preferably detachably connected at oppositeiends to the seat and backrest. The seat is adjustably'supported from the frame by means of pivotally connectedupper. and lower pairs of foldable tubular link members which areconstructed and arranged in improved mannerto provide a sturdy, compact mechanism. The link members of each pair cross each other at locations substantially midway thereof and are pivotally connected at such locations. Byvirtue'of improved hand crank actuatedxmeans the upper end of a link member of the upper pair is adjustable longitudinally in one direction or the other thereby imparting upward .or downward' swinging motion to all ofthe link members to raise or lower the seat. The improved construction and arrangement of the seat supp'o'rting'link mechanism are such as to provide,-when the seat is elevated,- considerable unobstructed space outwardly of themechanism and below opposite sides of the seat, thereby enabling the wheels at one side, .forexample, to be rolled under and inwardly of the lower side edge of an automobile below the front door opening so 'asito dispose the chair seat against the United States Patent C) ice specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. l is a side elevation of a wheel chair constructed in accordance with the present invention, the seat being raised to an intermediate position.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the wheel chair illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the chair with the backrest folded down against the seat.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the entire chair folded to its lowest position.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the seat elevating and lowering mechanism only, this view being taken immediately below the bottom of the seat.

Fig. 6 is a detail view in side elevation of the link and base frame structure.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodimentsand of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

This application is a continuation in part of my appli- V cation Serial No. 549,300, filed November 28, 1955, now

abandoned. 7

Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated one embodiment of the invention applicable to a portable and adjustable wheel chair especially useful, among'other purposes, in conducting and transferring a handicapped or. semi-invalid person to and from an automobile or hospital bed. A pair of relatively small diameter rubber tired front wheels 10 are mounted through ball bearings on a transverse tubular front axle 11 which is centrally offset downwardly at 11a. A pair of laterally spaced tubularside frame members 12 are attached at their forward ends to opposite ends of the axle 11 adjacent to but inwardly of the wheels 10. The frame members 12 are inclined upwardly and rearwardly in the direction of 1 a pair of rubber tired rear Wheels 13. Each rear wheel extends freely within a caster fork member 14 and is rotatably supported on the lower spaced ends thereof by a short shaft 15, see Figs. 3 and 4. The upper closed end 14a of each fork member carries a stud 16 which 3 extends upwardly through a caster spindle bearing housing 17 welded to the rear end of the associated side frame member 12. The upper end of each stud 16 is revolubly mounted in the housing '17 through a ball bearing race The side frame members 12 are joined together intermediate their ends by a tubular cross frame member 19 the ends of which are welded to the members 12. The member 19 is downwardly bowed throughout its major length between the side frame members. A U-shaped base frame has laterally spaced longitudinally extending side members 20 supported on the cross frame member 19 and has the spaced front ends thereof supported on the front axle 11, the base frame members 20' being welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the frame member 19 and axle 11 a substantial distance inwardly of the front and rear wheels, see Fig. 2. The spaced side members 20 of the base frame are angle shaped a suitable distance from the forward ends thereof and thence in the major length thereof the members comprise inwardly end of the car seat cushion for easy transfer of a pasopening channels 20a, see Fig. 6.

Mounted above the base frame is a vertically adjustable seat 21 fabricated of suitable material, such as plywood board, so as to berelatively lightweight while providing the desired strength. In the present embodi- P tented May 2, 1961 l ment the seat 21 is inwardly offset at opposite sides at 21a to provide a narrower rear section capable of passing downwardly between the frame members 12 when the seat, operating linkage and back are folded down into compact relationship with the frame as shown in Fig. 4. Mounted upon the seat is a foldable tubular backrest 22 the sides of which are joined by a reinforcing tubular cross bar 23. Welded to opposite sides of the backrest are laterally projecting brace pins 24. Pivoted to the slotted end of each pin 24 is a pivot key 25 which may be positioned, as shown in Fig. 2, to provide an abutment or turned at right angles thereto for disposition in the length of the pin 24. The lower ends of the backrest side members carry sleeve bearings 26 (Fig. 3) each disposed between the spaced projecting flanges 27 of a supporting yoke attached to the seat, each bearing 26 being pivoted to the flanges by a sleeve bearing pin 28. The foregoing construction provides a pivotal mounting for the backrest permitting it to be swung to the elevated position shown in Fig. 1 or folded down to substantially horizontal position shown in Fig. 4. The elevated position of the backrest 22 is determined by means of backrest braces 29 forming arm rests. The upper rear end of each brace 29, when positioned as in Figs. 1 and 2, is apertured to slip over the brace pin 24 and pivot key 25, when the latter is extended, and is held in place by turning the key at right angles to the brace pin. The lower forward end of each brace 29 is pivotally connected at 30 to a swivel mounting member 31 the lower end of which screws into a short threaded insert firmly pressed into an aperture in the seat. This insert is flush with the top surface of the seat and, therefore, does not project above said surface. After detaching the upper ear end of the arm or brace 29 the latter may be removed along with the member 31 by unscrewing the latter, thereby providing a clear, unobstructured space at one side or the other of the seat to permit the occupant to slide across it without any interference.

The mechanism for adjustably supporting the seat 21 from the base frame members 20 comprises pivotally connected upper and lower pairs of foldable tubular links which are all of the same length. The links of each pair cross each other at their midpoints where they are pivotally interconnected. In the present embodiment two corresponding links of the upper and lower pairs are each in the form of a rigid double tubular member. The other two corresponding links of the upper and lower pairs are in the formof single tubular members.

The lower double supporting link, generally indicated at 32, comprises a pair of laterally spaced tubular members 32a and 32b (Fig. 2) having their forward lower ends disposed between the vertical flanges of the front spaced ends of the U-shaped base members 20. Extending between the spaced lower ends of link members 32a and 32b is an anchor pin 33 having reduced ends 33a extending therethrough and also extending through and suitably journalled in the vertical flanges of the base members 20. The upper rear end of double supporting link 32 embraces the lower ear end upper single link 34 and is pivotally connected thereto by means of a transverse pivot pin 35. Attached to and extending through the enlarged upper forward end of tubular link member 34 is an anchor or pivot pin 36 (Fig. 2) having reduced ends 36a extending through and pivotally mounted in bearing holes in the spaced depending flanges 37a of a pair of spaced upper front angle brackets 37 rigidly attached, as by screws, to the bottom of seat 21 at the forward end thereof.

The single tubular link member 38 of the lower pair of supporting links terminates at its lower end centrally between the laterally spaced channels 20a of the base frame members 20. Attached to this lower rear end of the link member 38 and extending laterally from opposite sides thereof is a pivot pin 39 similar to the upper pin 36. Opposite ends of pivot pin 39 carry roller bearing sleeves 40 which are guided and supported in the channels 20a, see Fig. 6. By virtue of this construction the lower rear end of link member 38 is free to travel forwardly and rearwardly in guided relation to the guide channels 20a. Link member 38 at its central point is disposed between central portions of the spaced tubular members 32a and 32b of double supporting link 32 and is pivoted thereto by a transverse pivot pin 41. The upper forward end of link member '38 is snugly disposed between the lower forward ends of a pair of spaced tubular members 42a and 42b, see Fig. 2, forming the upper double supporting link 42 similar to the lower double supporting link 32. The upper forward end of link member 38 is pivoted to the lower ends of members 42a and 42b by a transverse pivot pin 43. The tubular members 42a and 42b forming the upper double link 42 embrace the link 34 at their central points of crossing and are'pivotally connected thereto at this locality by a transverse pivot pin 44.

interposed between the upper ends of tubular members 42a and 42b is an operating screw nut 45, see Fig. 5, secured to the central portion of a transverse pivot pin 46 extending through the nut. Mounted on each end of the pin 46 is a roller sleeve 47 which engages and rides on the lower surface of a track 48 secured, as by means of screws, to the underside of seat 21. The outer ends of the pivot pin 46 extend freely through the upper ends of the link members 42a and 42b. Extending through a tapped hole in the nut 45 is an operating screw 49 adapted to be rotated by means of an operating crank 50 to cause the nut 45 to travel along the length of the operating screw in one direction or the other, which travel is transmitted by pivot pin 46 to the upper ends of link members 42a and 42b. Operating screws 49 is rotatably supported at its front end by means of a front bearing support 51 and at its rear end by a rear bearing angle bracket 52, said support and bracket being attached, as by means of screws, to the bottom of the seat 21. A suitable crank handle or knob 56 is revolubly mounted on the outer end of crank 50.

The utilization of the double- tubular link members 32 and 42 closely straddling respectively the link members 38 and 34 with the minimum of space therebetween, as shown in Fig. 2, reduces materially the stress on the anchor or pivot pins and additionally enables the provision of the maximum in clearance spaces at opposite sides of the lifting and lowering link mechanism. Thus, the tubular link mechanism provides maximum strength, compactness and lightness while being capable of convenient operation by nut and screw members 45 and 49 respectively and hand crank 50, all carried by the seat and movable therewith for convenient operation. The entire unit may be folded into compact volume as shown in Fig. 4, and by utilizing light, strong alloys, such as aluminum alloy, in the fabrication of the tubular members constituting the lower frame, the seat back frame and the lifting and lowering mechanism, the weight of the portable chair may be reduced to approximately twenty five pounds or less, thus facilitating handling of the chair when transferred to storage.

The seat of the wheel chair is adapted to be elevated from the folded position shown in Fig. 4 by turning the operating crank counterclockwise as viewed from the rear of the chair. To provide the desired clearance between the crank handle and the floor and relieve the stress on the operating mechanism at the low angle between the supporting link members the back of the chair is raised by lifting the rear of the seat with the left hand while turning the crank with the right hand. The seat from its lowest position, as shown in Fig. 4, elevates rapidly in the first few turns of the handle after which the crank will clear the floor and the seat without further manual lift will rise with moderate stress on the operating screw and supporting link members.

shown in Fig. 1. Using the upper tubular member of the backrest as a handle, thewheel chair can be pushed to the chair or seat of a handicapped or semi-invalid person. With the wheel chair in the most suitable location and its seat slightly lower than that of the invalid the operator, holding it in position with his body, can reach across and gently slide the passenger onto the seat of the wheel chair. If the. passenger is to be transferred to the right front seat of an automobile, the chairis wheeled out to the side of the car. The car door is opened, the chair seat cranked to the height of the car seat and the lefthand backrest brace removed. The chair is pushed so that the. wheels and chassis at the left side are under the car andv lefthand edge of seat is against the car seat thereby forming a single continuous surface. The operator with his body resting against the wheel chair can gently slide the passenger onto theautomobile seat. The chair can then be removed, the seat cranked to its lowest position, the backrest folded down, and-the entire unit stowed in the automobile trunk ready for use at the destination of the automobile. Transferring of a person from the front seat of an automobileto the wheel chair is accomplished similarly to the above except in reverse.

Although the wheel chair herein shown is especially useful in connection with automobile travel; it-is, of course, suitable forhandling invalids and patients at home and in hospitals. It can be used to help persons into and out of chairs, beds, bathtubs, etc. and to move'persons about a home or hospital and from place to place. It will, of course, be apparent that the desired comfort may be afforded the occupant of the wheel chair by suitable padding or cushioningmeans Or any other conventional upholstery on the backrest or seat or both.

Also, it will be understood that the combined arm rest and back brace members 29 may be variously designed and shaped for the purpose of serving as arm rests as may be desired.

I claim:

1. A wheel chair comprising a pair of main wheels and a transverse axle upon which said wheels are mounted, a pair of caster wheels longitudinally spaced from said main wheels, a pair of main side frame members having certain ends thereof secured to said axle, said main frame members being inclined upwardly and having' the opposite ends thereof terminating at localities above said caster wheels and connected thereto, a pair of base frame members disposed substantial distances inwardly of said wheels and having certain end portions thereof mounted on the axle, means for supporting the opposite end portions thereof from said upwardly inclined main frame members at localities therebelow, said means comprising a downwardly bowed cross frame member secured at opposite ends to said main frame members, a vertically adjustable seat, means for raising and lowering said seat and including adjustable link mechanism connected to said seat and also connected to said base frame members.

2. A wheel chair comprising a pair of main wheels and a transverse axle upon which said wheels are mounted, a pair of caster wheels longitudinally spacedv from said main wheels, a pair of longitudinally extending main side frame members having certain ends thereof connected to said axle, said main frame members being inclined upwardly and having the opposite ends thereof terminating at localities above said caster wheels and connected thereto, a pair of spaced longitudinally extending base frame members disposed substantial distances inwardly of said side frame members and having certain end portions thereof mounted on the axle, transverse frame means for connecting opposite end portions thereof to said upwardly inclined main frame members at localities therebelow, a vertically adjustable seat,-

having connections to said base frame members, said mechanism and connections being disposed substantial distances inwardly of the outer edges of the seat and of said wheels to provide unobstructed spaces to receive the frame of an adjoining structure with the wheels at one side disposed therebeneath and the side edge of the seat disposed proximate to and at the level of said structure to or from which a person may be readily transferred.

3. A wheel chair comprising a pair of main wheels and a transverse axle upon which said wheels are mounted, a pair of caster wheels longitudinally spaced from said main wheels, a pair of longitudinally extending main side frame members having certain ends thereof connected to said axle, said main frame members being incally adjustable seat, means for raising and lowering said I seat and including adjustable link mechanism provided, when the seat is raised, with upper laterally spaced ends having connections to the seat and lower correspondingly spaced ends having connections to said base frame members, said mechanism and connections being disposed substantial distances inwardly of the outer edges of the seat and of said wheels to provide unobstructed spaces to receive the frame of an adjoining structure with the wheels at one side disposed therebeneath and the side edge of the seat disposed proximate to and at the level of said structure to or from which a person may be readily transferred, and manually operable means including a longitudinal rotatable shaft mounted on the underwheels and connected to the latter, a pair of longitudinally extending base frame members disposed inwardly of said side frame members and having certain end portions thereof mounted on the axle, transverse frame means for supporting theopposite end portions thereof from said upwardly inclined main frame members at localities therebelow, a vertically adjustable seat, means for raising and lowering said seat and including adjustable link mechanism connected to said seat and also connected to said base frame members, said seat having a portion thereof of less width than the distance between said frame members, and adapted when fully lowered to extend therebetween.

5. A wheel chair comprising a pair of main wheels and a transverse axle upon which said wheels are mounted, a pair of caster wheels longitudinally spaced from said main wheels, a pair of longitudinally extending main side frame members having certain ends thereof connected to said axle, said main frame members being inclined upwardly and having the opposite ends thereof terminating at localities above said caster wheels, means pivotally connected to said ends and extending downwardly therefrom for rotatably supporting said caster Wheels, a pair of longitudinally extending base frame justable seat, means for raising and lowering said seat and including adjustable link mechanism connected to said seat and also slidingly connected to said base frame members for travel longitudinally thereof, said seat when fully lowered having a portion adapted to extend between the main wheels and a portion of less width adapted to extend between the upwardly inclined main frame members.

6. A wheel chair comprising a pair of main wheels and a transverse axle upon which said wheels are mounted, a pair of caster wheels longitudinally spaced from said main wheels, a pair of longitudinally extending outer main side frame members having certain ends thereof connected to said axle, said main frame members having the opposite ends thereof terminating at localities above said caster wheels, means pivotally connected to said ends and extending downwardly therefrom for rotatably supporting said caster wheels, 8. pair of spaced longitudinally extending inner base frame members disposed inwardly of said side frame members and having certain end portions thereof mounted on the axle, a downwardly bowed cross frame member for supporting opposite end portions of said inner base frame members from said outer main frame members, a vertically adjustable seat adapted to be raised and lowered, and means for lowering said seat from its raised position to dispose an end portion thereof means including adjustable link mechanism having upper portions connected to said seat and also having lower portions extending between the end portions of said cross frame member and having a sliding connection with said base frame members for travel longitudinally thereof.

7. A wheel chair according to claim 6 including a three sided back rest frame comprising a transverse top member and downwardly extending side members'partially converging toward each other and hinged to the seat at localities intermediate said main frame members.

8. A wheel chair according to claim 6 wherein said link mechanism comprises at least one pair of crossed links pivoted together at the locality of their crossing, the lower end of one link'havin'g means coacting with a base frame member to provide said sliding connection, one link being pivoted at its upper end to the seat, and manually operable means including a shaft mounted on the underside of the seat and movable therewith and connected to the upper end of the other link for adjusting the link mechanism to raise and lower the seat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,945,574 Silverman Feb. 6, 1934 2,592,025 Gray Apr. 8, 1952 2,678,087 McKinley May 11, 1954 2,707,019 Sober Apr. 26, 1955 2,821,242 Manegold Jan. 28, 1958

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