Wheel chair abstract
An adjustable wheel chair which facilitates independent seat height
and width adjustments to accommodate varying wheel chair size needs.
The wheel chair includes a pair of side frame assemblies transversely
movable relative to each other between a first closed position with
the side frame assembly closely spaced to each other and a second
opened position with the side frame assembly spaced apart from each
other. The side frame assemblies each include upper and lower frame
members and means for selectively adjusting the distance between
these members to vary the height of a seat disposed adjacent the
upper frame members. First and second cross brace assemblies are
pivotally connected to each other generally at their midpoints and
mounted transversely between the side frame assemblies in a manner
so as to form a collapsible X-like configuration. Each cross brace
assembly includes means for selectively adjusting the length thereof
to thereby permit adjustment of the distance between the side frame
assemblies when they are in the second position to thereby vary
the width of the seat and seat back areas. Each cross brace assembly
includes a seat bar member at the uppermost end thereof and to which
a flexible seat is mounted. The seat bar members are disposed immediately
adjacent an associated one of the upper frame members when the side
frame assemblies are in the second position and are spaced vertically
above the associated upper frame member when the side frame assemblies
are moved to the first position. Guide means are employed to guide
the seat bar members as the side frame assemblies are moved between
the first and second positions. The seat and a flexible seat back
include means for releasably accommodating flexible spacer members
when the seat and seat back areas are widened by adjusting the lengths
of the cross brace assemblies. An adjustable head rest structure
may also be included for the comfort of the wheel chair user.
Wheel chair claims
Having thus described my invention, I now claim:
1. A collapsible wheel chair structure for permitting independent
width and height adjustment of the seat, said wheel chair structure
comprising in combination:
a pair of side frame assemblies disposed in a spaced apart side
by side relationship, each of said side frame assemblies having
upper and lower frame members, said front and rear frame members
each being comprised of first and second portions longitudinally
movable relative to each other;
first locking means cooperating between said first and second portions
of said front and rear frame members for selectively locking said
first and second portions in a desired longitudinal relationship
with each other for varying the effective length of said front and
rear frame members and the distance between said upper and lower
frame members;
a front wheel disposed adjacent each of said front frame members
and a rear wheel disposed adjacent each of said rear frame members,
said front and rear wheels connected to said structure;
first and second cross brace assemblies pivotally connected together
and extending generally transversely between said side frame assemblies
intermediate said front and rear frame members, said cross brace
assemblies each including first and second cross brace portions
with one of said first and second cross brace portions being longitudinally
movable relative to the other of said first and second cross brace
portions, one end of one cross brace assembly being pivotally mounted
to the lower frame member of one side frame assembly with the other
end thereof extending to a position adjacent the upper frame member
of the other side frame assembly and one end of the other cross
brace assembly being pivotally mounted to the lower frame member
of said other side frame assembly with the other end thereof extending
to a position adjacent the upper frame member of said one side frame
assembly, said cross brace assemblies permitting selective movement
of said side frame assemblies relative to each other between a first
closed position with said side frame assemblies closely spaced toward
each other and a second opened position spaced apart from each other;
second locking means cooperating between the first and second cross
brace portions of each cross brace assembly for selectively locking
said first and second cross brace portions in a desired longitudinal
relationship with each other for varying the effective length of
said cross brace assemblies and the effective distance between said
first and second side frame assemblies when said assemblies are
moved to said second position;
a seat extending between said side frame assemblies and having
side edges operably connected to each cross brace assembly other
end;
a seat back extending between said side frame assemblies at said
rear frame members thereof;
means for selectively altering the size of said seat and seat back
as the spacing of the side frame assemblies is altered; and,
guide means for guiding each cross brace assembly other end in
a generally vertical direction as said side frame assemblies are
moved between said first and second positions.
2. The wheel chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the rear frame
member second portions are affixed to said lower frame members and
said front frame member second portions are affixed to said upper
frame members, said front and rear frame member second portions
telescopically receiving said first portions.
3. The wheel chair as defined in claim 2 wherein said first locking
means comprises an outwardly biased locking member in each of said
front and rear frame member first portions adapted to selectively
register with and be received in any of a plurality of locking memer
openings disposed longitudinally along the associated second portions
for adjusting the effective length of said front and rear frame
members.
4. The wheel chair as defined in claim 1 wherein said cross brace
assemblies are each comprised of two first cross brace portions
and one second cross brace portion, said first cross brace portions
being telescopically mounted to the associated second cross brace
portion at opposite ends thereof, said first and second cross brace
portions including said second locking means whereby each of said
first cross brace portions may be axially adjusted relative to the
associated second cross brace portion for varying the distance between
said side frame assemblies when said assemblies are in said second
opened position.
5. The wheel chair as defined in claim 4 wherein said first cross
brace portions are telescopically received in the associated second
cross brace portion and said second cross brace portions themselves
are pivotally connected to each other at generally the midpoints
thereof, at least one of said first and second cross brace portions
including a plurality of openings spaced longitudinally therealong
and adapted to register with at least one opening in the other of
said first and second cross brace portions to permit a locking member
to be received therethrough.
6. The wheel chair as defined in claim 1 wherein said cross brace
assemblies each include an elongated seat mounting bar disposed
at said cross brace assembly other ends with said mounting bars
extending generally parallel to said upper frame members and the
opposed side edges of said seat operably connected therewith, each
of said seat mounting bars being moved to a position spaced generally
vertically above an associated upper frame member when said side
frame assemblies are moved to said first closed position and being
moved to a position adjacent an associated upper frame member when
said side frame assemblies are moved to said second opened position,
said guide means guiding said seat mounting bars through generally
vertical planes as the side frame assemblies are moved between said
first and second positions.
7. The wheel chair as defined in claim 6 wherein said guide means
are operably disposed between each side frame assembly and the seat
mounting bar associated therewith, each guide means comprising a
telescoping structure with one end affixed to the associated of
the side frame assemblies and the other end pivotally communicating
with the associated of the seat mounting bars.
8. The wheel chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the pivotal mounting
of said one ends of said cross brace assemblies to said lower frame
members cooperates with said lower frame members so as to comprise
a portion of the length thereof.
9. The wheel chair as defined in claim 1 including means associated
with said seat back for varying the effective length thereof to
define a head rest area.
10. The wheel chair as defined in claim 9 wherein said varying
means comprises a separate head rest structure extending between
said side frame assemblies at said rear frame member thereof adjacent
at least the uppermost end of said seat back.
11. The wheel chair as defined in claim 10 wherein said head rest
structure is selectively movable relative to said wheel chair and
seat back to facilitate size adjustment for said head rest area.
12. A collapsible wheel chair structure for permitting independent
width and height adjustment of the seat, said wheel chair structure
comprising in combination:
a pair of side frame assemblies disposed in a spaced apart side
by side relationship, each of said side frame assemblies having
upper and lower frame members rigidly interconnected to front and
rear frame members, said front and rear frame members each being
comprised of first and second portions longitudinally movable relative
to each other;
first locking means cooperating between said first and second portions
of said front and rear frame members for selectively locking said
first and second portions in a desired longitudinal relationship
with each other for varying the effective length of said front and
rear frame members and the distance between said upper and lower
frame members;
a front wheel disposed adjacent each of said front frame members
and a rear wheel disposed adjacent each of said rear frame members,
said front and rear wheels connected to said structure;
first and second cross brace assemblies pivotally connected together
and extending generally transversely between said side frame assemblies
intermediate said front and rear frame members, said cross brace
assemblies each including first and second cross brace portions
being longitudinally movable relative to the other of said first
and second cross brace portions, one end of one cross brace assembly
being pivotally mounted to the lower frame member of one side frame
assembly with the other end thereof extending to a position adjacent
the upper frame member of the other side frame assembly and one
end of the other cross brace assembly being pivotally mounted to
the lower frame member of said other side frame assembly with the
other end thereof extending to a position adjacent the upper frame
member of said one side frame assembly, said cross brace assemblies
permitting selective movement of said side frame assemblies relative
to each other between a first closed position with said side frame
assemblies spaced toward each other and a second opened position
spaced apart from each other;
second locking means cooperating between the first and second cross
brace portions of each cross brace assembly for selectively locking
said first and second cross brace portions in a desired longitudinal
relationship with each other for varying the effective length of
said cross brace assemblies and the effective distance between said
first and second side frame assemblies when said assemblies are
moved to said second position;
a seat extending between said side frame assemblies and having
side edges operably connected to each cross brace assembly other
end;
a seat back extending between said side frame assemblies at said
rear frame members thereof;
means for selectively adjusting the widths of said seat and seat
back comprising releasable means for permitting installation and
removal of spacer members in both said seat and seat back; and,
guide means for guiding each cross brace assembly other end in
a generally vertical direction as said side frame assemblies are
moved between said first and second positions.
13. An improvement for permitting individual width and height adjustments
in a wheel chair of the general type having a pair of opposed side
frame assemblies with each frame assembly having interconnected
front, rear, upper and lower frame members and first and second
cross brace assemblies pivotally interconnected with at least the
lower ends of the cross brace assemblies being oppositely interconnected
to the lower frame members so as to form a generally X-shaped configuration
intermediate said front and rear frame members, a seat extending
between said side frame assemblies and operably connected to said
cross brace assemblies, a seat back extending between said rear
frame members in a generally vertical disposition above said seat,
and front and rear wheels operably interconnected to each frame
assembly, the improvement comprising:
said front and rear frame members each having first and second
portions longitudinally movable relative to each other, first locking
means cooperating between the first and second portions of said
front and rear frame members for selectively locking said first
and second portions in a desired longitudinal relationship with
each other for varying the effective length of said front and rear
members and the distance between said upper and lower frame members;
said first and second cross brace assemblies each including first
and second cross brace portions being longitudinally movable relative
to the other of said first and second cross brace portions, one
end of one cross brace assembly being pivotally mounted to the lower
frame member of one said frame assembly with the other end thereof
extending to a position adjacent the upper frame member of the other
side frame assembly and one end of the other cross brace assembly
being pivotally mounted to the lower frame member of the other side
frame assembly with the other end thereof extending to a position
adjacent the upper frame member of said one side frame assembly,
said cross brace assemblies permitting selective movement of said
side frame assemblies relative to each other between a first closed
position with said side frame assemblies closely spaced toward each
other and a second opened position spaced apart from each other,
second locking means cooperating between the first and second cross
brace portions of each cross brace assembly for selectively locking
said first and second cross brace portions in a desired longitudinal
relationship with each other for varying the effective length of
said cross brace assemblies and the effective distance between said
first and second side frame assemblies when said assemblies are
moved to said second position; an elongated seat mounting bar affixed
to each of said cross brace assembly other ends and disposed generally
parallel to said upper frame members with the side edges of said
seat operably connected thereto; means for selectively adjusting
the width of said seat and seat back comprising releasable means
for permitting installation and removal of spacer members in both
said seat and seat back; and, guide means for guiding each of said
seat bars in a generally vertical direction as said side frame assemblies
are moved between said first and second positions, whereby said
seat bars are disposed adjacent the associated of said upper frame
members when said frame assemblies are in said second position and
generally vertically above said associated of said upper frame members
when said frame assemblies are in said first position.
Wheel chair description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to the art of wheel chairs and more particularly
to adjustable wheel chairs.
The invention is particularly applicable to adjustable wheel chairs
of the type which may be folded between a normal opened or use position
and a closed or storage position and which further allow some type
of seat height and/or width adjustment and will be described with
particular reference thereto; however, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that the invention has broader applications
and could be advantageously employed in other environments.
Heretofore, there have been any number of collapsible wheel chair
designs which have been introduced and met with commercial success.
Some of these prior collapsible wheel chair designs have had fixed
seat heights and widths so that many different sizes would be required
to properly accommodate specific needs of users thereof. Some prior
designs have attempted to reduce the number of sizes required to
properly service height or seat width adjustment so as to create
a more universal type of wheel chair adaptable to the specific needs
of many situations. However, prior collapsible and adjustable wheel
chair designs have only made provision for either seat height or
seat width adjustments but not height and width adjustments independent
of each other which would render the wheel chairs truly universal
ones. Those prior designs attempting to provide both seat height
and width adjustments were such that the height and width dimensions
were both necessarily simultaneously altered when making any adjustments
allowed.
Accordingly, it has been desired in the industry to develop a wheel
chair design which would be universal from the standpoint that the
seat height and width dimensions could be altered completely independent
of each other. Such a design would then permit a substantial reduction
in the separate types and sizes of wheel chairs stocked by hospitals,
rental agencies, medical supply houses and the like since such a
design could be successfully utilized in satisfying the various
and specific needs of patients or users. Since there is no correlation
between the height and width or breadth characteristics between
different people, the desirability for having independent seat height
and width adjustments are amplified. A universal wheel chair design
would be able to eliminate special or separate wheel chairs required
to accommodate, for example in the extreme situations, short and
unusually heavy or wide persons and tall but unusually thin persons.
Moreover, a truly universal wheel chair would facilitate height
and width adjustments to suit the individual personal preferences
of users and which have not been heretofore available.
The subject invention contemplates a new and improved apparatus
which overcomes those problems noted above and provides a new adjustable
wheel chair which is simple in design, economical to manufacture,
readily adaptable to use in any number of situations and environments
and which provides independent seat height and width adjustments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a new
and improved adjustable wheel chair structure which permits independent
seat height and width adjustments. The wheel chair structure includes
a pair of side frame assemblies disposed in a spaced apart side
by side relationship with each of the side frame assemblies having
upper and lower frame members rigidly interconnected to front and
rear frame members. The front and rear frame members are each comprised
of first and second portions with one of the first and second portions
longitudinally movable relative to each other. First locking means
cooperate between the first and second portions of the front and
rear frame members for selectively locking the first and second
portions relative to each other for varying the effective length
of these frame members and the distance between the upper and lower
frame members. The structure includes a front wheel operably disposed
adjacent each of the front frame members and a rear wheel operably
disposed adjacent each of the rear frame members. First and second
cross brace assemblies are pivotally connected to each other and
extend generally transversely between the side frame assemblies
and form a collapsible, generally X-like configuration. Each cross
brace assembly includes first and second cross brace portions with
one of the first and second portions being longitudinally movable
relative to the other of the portions. One end of one cross brace
assembly is pivotally mounted to the lower frame member of one side
frame assembly with the other end thereof extending to a position
adjacent the upper frame member of the other side frame assembly
and one end of the other cross brace assembly is pivotally mounted
to the lower frame member of the other side frame assembly with
the other end thereof extending to a position adjacent the upper
frame member of the one side frame assembly. The cross brace assemblies
permit selective movement of the side frame assemblies relative
to each other between a first closed position with the side frame
assemblies closely spaced relative to each other and a second opened
position with the side frame assemblies spaced apart from each other.
Second locking means cooperate between the first and second cross
brace portions of both cross brace assemblies for selectively locking
the portions in a desired relationship with each other in order
to vary their effective length and the effective distance between
the first and second side frame assemblies when the assemblies are
moved to the second position. A seat extends between the side frame
assemblies and is operably connected to the cross brace assemblies
at the uppermost ends thereof and a seat back extends between the
rear frame members of the side frame assemblies. Guide means are
provided for guiding the uppermost ends of the cross brace assemblies
in a generally vertical direction as the side frame assemblies are
moved between the first and second positions.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the
cross brace assemblies are each comprised of two first cross brace
portions and one second cross brace portion with the first cross
brace poritions being telescopically located with regard to the
associated second cross brace portion at opposite ends thereof.
The second and both first cross brace portions of each cross brace
assembly include locking means which permit the first cross brace
portions to be axially adjusted relative to the associated second
cross brace portion.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the
cross brace assemblies each includes an elongated seat mounting
bar disposed at the uppermost end thereof with the side edges of
the seat being mounted thereto. The seat mounting bars extend generally
parallel to the upper frame members of the side frame assemblies
and each mounting bar is moved to a position spaced generally vertically
above an associated upper frame member when the side frame assemblies
are moved to the first closed position. The seat mounting bars are
then moved to a position adjacent the associated upper frame member
when the side frame assemblies are moved to the second opened position
with the guide means guiding the seat mounting bars through generally
vertical planes as the side frame assemblies are moved between the
first and second positions.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention,
the seat and seat back include means for selectively altering or
adjusting the widths thereof to accommodate seat width adjustments
made possible by the wheel chair structure.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an adjustable
head rest arrangement may also be provided for the personal comfort
of the wheel chair user.
The present invention is deemed to provide many advantages over
prior adjustable wheel chair structures of this general type. One
advantage is that the seat height and width dimensions are independently
adjustable so as to provide a universal type wheel chair structure.
Another advantage accruing from the subject new wheel chair design
is that it permits hospitals, rental facilities, medical supply
houses and the like to stock fewer individual and specially sized
wheel chairs than has heretofore been possible with prior adjustable
wheel chair designs. Another advantage to the subject invention
is the provision of a universally adjustable wheel chair which is
simple in design and relatively easy to manufacture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements
of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail
in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings
which form a part hereof and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the subject new wheel chair
design;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the wheel chair shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the subject new wheel chair
design showing only the basic framework for ease of illustration
with the wheel chair moved to a partially collapsed condition;
FIG. 4 is a front view of the structure shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of one cross brace assembly;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the cross brace assembly shown in FIG.
5;
FIG. 7 is a view showing one side of the second cross brace portion
of one cross brace assembly with the ends of the second cross brace
portions inserted in an unattached manner thereto;
FIG. 8 is a view showing the side of the second cross brace portion
in FIG. 7 rotated 90.degree. therefrom;
FIG. 9 is a partial view showing the seat back with a flexible
spacer releasably mounted thereinto;
FIG. 10 is a partial rear view of the wheel chair showing an adjustable
head rest structure; and,
FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 11--11 in FIG.
10 and slightly enlarged for ease of illustration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes
of illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention only and
not for purposes of limiting same, the FIGURES show a wheel chair
comprised of a pair of spaced apart side frame assemblies A, a pair
of pivotally interconnected cross brace assemblies B in operative
communication with the side frame assemblies and seat and seat back
assemblies C.
In view of the fact that the side frame assemblies A are identical,
description will hereinafter be made with reference to one of these
assemblies, it being understood that the other is identical thereto
unless otherwise specified. Accordingly, and with reference to FIGS.
1-4, the side frame assembly is comprised of an upper frame member
10, a lower frame member 12, a front frame member 14 and a rear
frame member 16. Lower frame member 12 is, in the preferred embodiment,
comprised of a rear portion 18 and a front, arcuate portion 20 in
order to provide a clearance area for the front wheel as will be
best seen in FIG. 1. The various frame members are conveniently
constructed from a rigid thin walled tubing and interconnected with
each other by conventional means such as welding or brazing. Typically,
the tubing will comprise steel tubing although other materials could
also be advantageously employed.
Front frame member 14 is itself comprised of a first portion 30
and a second portion 32 with the first porition being closely slidably
received in the second porition so as to form a telescoping arrangement.
Rear frame member 16 is also comprised of a first portion 34 and
a second portion 36 again, with the first portion being closely
slidably received in the second portion so as to form a telescoping
arrangement. First portion 34 is received in an elongated seat back
support or frame member 38 adjacent the intersection of first portion
34 and upper frame member 10. Seat back or frame member 38 is formed
or curved slightly over the length thereof in order to form a seat
back framework with the outermost ends thereof extending generally
outwardly from the wheel chair so as to form a typical hand grip
area 40. This hand grip area may, of course, receive or be fitted
with a rubber or plastic handle grip as is also shown. In the preferred
embodiment, seat back support or frame member 38 comprises a separate
member rigidly affixed to first portion 34 of rear frame member
16; however, it will be appreciated that a one piece construction
could be utilized by simply lengthening first portion 34 so as to
include support or frame member 38.
Cooperating between first and second portions 30, 32 and 34, 36
of both front and rear frame members 14, 16 is a first locking means
generally designated 42 which is employed to selectively adjust
the telescoping relationship between the first and second portions
to thereby allow adjustment of the distance between the upper and
lower frame members 10, 12. Since these first locking means are
identical, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 3 and
4 and to the locking means associated with first and second portions
30, 32 of front frame member 14, it being understood that the others
are identical thereto unless otherwise specifically noted.
The locking means is comprised of a bottom or locking member 44
mounted on the inside of first portion 34 to extend outwardly thereof
through a small opening. This locking member is acted upon by a
spring or other biasing means 46 to continuously urge it so as to
extend outwardly of the first portion. Second portion 32 includes
a plurality of locking member receiving openings 48 extending longitudinally
therealong for selective registry with button or locking member
44 to achieve the desired adjusted position between the components.
When it is desired to alter the adjusted position, it is simply
necessary to push the button or locking member 44 inwardly of its
engagement through the particular receiving opening 48 in order
that there may again be telescopic movement between first and secon
portions 30, 32 to still another adjusted position. Locking member
receiving openings 48 in both second portions 32, 36 have identical
spacing therebetween in order that upper frame member 10 may be
uniformly adjusted over a range of settings with both first and
second portions 30, 32 and first and second portions 34, 36 being
locked together at any of these adjusted positions. In the preferred
embodiment of the invention, locking means 42 and locking openings
48 are disposed on the inside of the side frame assemblies in order
that they cannot be accidently hit or nudged to move them from their
adjusted positions.
Conveniently mounted to the side frame assembly A adjacent the
interconnection between front frame member 14 and arcuate member
20 of lower frame member 12 is a front wheel or caster receiving
and mounting cylinder 50. This cylinder comprises a piece of tubing
adapted to closely receive the upper mounting peg or end of a conventional
wheel or caster 52. The relationship between the caster and mounting
cylinder 50 is such that the caster may be rotated about the axis
of the cylinder in order to provide ease of steering for the wheel
chair itself as is known.
A rear wheel axle lug 54 is rigidly affixed to second portiion
36 of rear frame member 16. This lug has a threaded opening therein
to retainingly receive in a conventional manner the axle for an
enlarged conventional rear wheel 56. This wheel may take the shape
and size of any number or types of known wheel chair wheels and
the lug is disposed so that the wheel is operably positiioned in
a plane generally parallel to the plane of side frame assembly A
itself.
Mounted to front and rear frame members 14,16 and generally at
the intersections thereof with upper frame member 10 are generally
cylindrical socket tube members 60, 62, 64. Each of these socket
tubes is rigidly affixed to the side frame assembly by a mounting
member 66 in a convenient manner such as welding, brazing or the
like. Socket tubes 60, 62 and 64 are adapted to receive arm rest
or other supportive equipment which may be required for a particular
patient or person utilizing the wheel chair. Upper and lower hinge
plates 68, 70 are rigidly mounted to second portion 32 of front
frame member 14 to extend outwardly from the side frame assembly.
Each of these hinge plates includes upwardly extending hinge pins
72, 74, respectively, for mounting leg and foot supports for the
comfort and convenience of the wheel chair user. Inasmuch as such
supports, as well as the ancillary equipment utilized with socket
tubes 60, 62, and 64 are conventional and do not form a part of
the present invention, they are not shown or described in further
detail herein.
Affixed to front arcuate portion 20 of lower frame member 12 so
as to extend in an upward direction generally parallel to front
and rear frame members 14, 16 is a seat guide assembly generally
designated 80. This assembly is comprised of a guide receiver portion
82 which is rigidly affixed to front arcuate portion 20 and which
receives one end of an elongated guide member 84. The outer end
of the guide member communicates with the seat assembly as will
be described in greater detail hereinafter. Seat guide assembly
80 is also constructed from thin walled tubing with guide 84 being
closely slidably received within guide receiver member 82.
With particular reference to FIGS. 1-4, cross brace assemblies
B are comprised of a first cross brace assembly 90 and a second
cross brace assembly 92 which are pivotally connected with each
other. Inasmuch as assemblies 90, 92 have the same overall structure,
description will hereinafter be made with reference to one of them,
it being understood that the other is identical thereto unless otherwise
specifically noted. Referring particularly to FIGS. 5-8, cross brace
assembly 90 is comprised of a pair of first cross brace portions
94, 96 telescopically received within a second cross brace portion
98. Portions 94, 96 and 98 are preferably constructed from a rigid
thin walled tubing dimensioned so that the first portions are closely
slidably received into opposite ends of the second portion.
First cross brace portion 94 includes an elongated seat bar member
100 rigidly affixed to the outermost end thereof and a pair of locking
member receiving openings 102, 104 adjacent the innermost end thereof.
As will be seen from FIGS. 5-8, openings 102, 104 extend completely
through first cross brace portion 94 but are spaced 90.degree. apart
from each other. The reason for utilizing two openings, as well
as their 90.degree. spacing, will be described in further detail
hereinafter.
First cross brace portion 96 includes a lower frame member portion
110 rigidly affixed to the outer end thereof and locking member
receiving openings 112, 114 adjacent the innermost end thereof.
Openings 112, 114 are similar to and perform the same functions
as openings 102, 104 as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
It should be noted from FIGS. 1-4 that elongated seat bar member
100 and lower frame member portion 110 are mounted to their respective
first cross brace portions 94, 96 in a manner such that when they
are in proper alignment, members 100, 110 will be parallel to each
other and parallel to the upper and lower frame members 10, 12.
Second cross brace portion 98 comprises an open ended cylinder
dimensioned to closely slidably receive first cross brace portions
94, 96 in the opposite ends thereof. As will be seen from FIGS.
5-8, a first set of locking member receiving openings 120 are disposed
at spaced apart intervals longitudinally along the second cross
brace portion from each end thereof. In addition, a second set of
locking member receiving openings 122 are similarly disposed at
spaced intervals longitudinally along the second cross brace portion
but spaced 90.degree. from first set 120. The spacing of individual
openings comprising sets 120 and 122 are identical at each end of
the second cross brace portion. Moreover, the individual openings
extend completely through the tube for purposes of receiving a locking
member as will be described hereinafter. It should also be noted
that the spacing of and between the openings in sets 120, 122 are
not identical and are utilized for different wheel chair height
and width adjustments as will also be described hereinafter.
Disposed generally midway between the ends of second cross brace
portion 98 and on opposite sides thereof are inwardly extending
recessed areas 124 with a pivot mounting pin 126 extending therethrough.
Recessed areas 124 are included in the second cross brace portions
of both cross brace assemblies 90, 92 and are for purposes of providing
an area of cooperation allowing scissors-like pivotal movement about
pivot mounting pin 126 which interconnects them. Locking member
receiving openings 102 in first cross brace portion 94 and locking
member receiving openings 112 in first cross brace portion 96 are
adapted for selective registry with the openings in the opening
sets 120 in the associated end of second cross brace portion 98.
Locking member receiving openings 104, 114 are similarly disposed
but for selective registry with the openings in the opening sets
122. Conventional hitch pin clips 128 (FIGS. 5 and 6) are employed
to lock the first and second cross brace portions in the desired
telescoped relationship by being passed through those locking openings
of portions 94, 96 and 98 which have been placed in selective registry.
The reason for spacing the openings in sets 120, 122 90.degree.
apart in second cross brace portion 98 is to provide some spacing
between the individual locking member receiving openings. While
it might be possible to place all the locking member receiving openings
in line and on one side of the second cross brace portion rather
than having some of them spaced 90.degree. apart from the others,
some of the locking member receiving openings would tend to be run
together so as to cause adjustment or operational difficulties.
This is particularly the case where the wheel chair design is intended
to provide quite a number of individual seat height and width adjustments.
Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that frame member
portion 110 of first cross brace portion 96 is coaxially mounted
with rear portion 18 of lower frame member 12. First cross brace
portion 96 is mounted in this position so it is, through lower frame
member portion 110, arcuately movable about lower frame member 12.
This construction may be accomplished in several different ways,
however, in the preferred structure here under discussion, lower
frame member 12 and lower frame member portion 110 have the same
cross sectional dimensions so as to receive a retaining rod 140
therethrough. This retaining rod is then positively mounted within
the lower frame member by any convenient means such as conventional
rolled pins or threaded fasteners generally designated 142. These
pass through the lower frame member into retaining bar 140 on each
side of lower frame member portion 110. The retaining bar is dimensioned
to be slidably received through lower frame member 12 and lower
frame member portion 110 thus resulting in pivotal movement of first
cross brace portion 96.
Both cross brace assemblies B are affixed in the same manner to
their associated side frame assembly A and, as best shown in FIG.
4, these assemblies form a generally X-like configuration. The lower
end of each cross brace assembly is pivotally mounted to lower frame
member 12 of one of the side frame assemblies A with the upper end
thereof which includes seat bar member 100 extending to a position
adjacent and immediately above upper frame member 10 of the other
or opposite side frame assembly. A retaining bracket 134 is rigidly
affixed to the uppermost end of guide member 84 of seat guide assembly
80 and engages the associated seat bar member 100 in a manner which
permits pivotal movement between the seat bar members and retaining
bracket. The reasons for this construction will become apparent
hereinafter. With the above described structure, upper frame members
10 of the two side frame assemblies A act as seat bar member stops
since retaining brackets 134 are configured so as to engage and
retain the seat bar members generally vertically above and immediately
adjacent to the associated upper frame member 10.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, a flexible seat 150 having a front edge 152,
a rear edge 154 and opposed side edges 156, 158 is connected to
the two opposed elongated bar members 100 along the side edges thereof.
In the preferred embodiment, mechanical fasteners 160 such as rivets,
snaps or threaded fasteners may be conveniently employed at spaced
intervals along the side edges for connecting purposes although
other means for mounting the seat could also be advantageously employed.
Seat 150 is constructed from a flexible material such as cloth,
vinyl, canvas, leather and the like in order to facilitate relative
movement between the side frame assemblies as will hereinafter be
further described.
Also as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a flexible seat back 170 having
a bottom edge 172, a top edge 174 and spaced apart opposed side
edges 176, 178 is mounted between seat back support or frame members
38 of rear frame member 16. The seat back is positioned such that
the bottom edge 172 and rear edge 154 of flexible seat 150 are closely
disposed adjacent each other. The seat back is mounted by mechanical
fasteners 180 in a similar manner as hereinabove discussed with
reference to the flexible seat and is also constructed of similar
materials.
Both the seat and seat back include longitudinally extending releasably
connected seams 190. Although a seam is only actually shown with
regard to the seat back 170 in the FIGURES, an identical seam is
included in seat 150. The seams allow flexible spacer members to
be inserted into the seat and seat back for altering or adjusting
their widths commensurate in scope with adjustments made to the
wheel chair frame itself. In the preferred embodiment of the invention,
seams 190 are comprised of zippered connections 192, 194 which can
be made to cooperate with corresponding zippers on the longitudinal
side edges of flexible spacer members. FIG. 9 shows such a flexible
spacer member 200 having zippers 202, 204 on opposite side edges
thereon engaged with zippers 192, 194 which comprise seams 190.
Other convenient connecting means besides zippers could also be
advantageously employed without departing from the intent and scope
of the present invention.
With the specific construction hereinabove described, there is
provided a wheel chair construction which may be folded between
a first closed or collapsed condition for storage wherein the two
side frame assemblies A are closely spaced to each other and a second
opened condition with the side frame assemblies spaced apart from
each other whereby the wheel chair may be employed in its intended
manner. The second position of the wheel chair is shown in FIGS.
1 and 2 and the wheel chair as moved partially toward the first
position is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
In addition to the collapsible nature of the wheel chair, the seat
height and seat width are independently adjustable relative to each
other by means of the telescoping nature of front and rear frame
members 14, 16 and cross brace assemblies 90, 92. The adjustment
distances in the front and rear side frame members are interrelated
to certain of the adjustable positions of the two cros brace assemblies.
Thus, if it is desired to only raise or lower the seat height from
one position to another, it is simply necessary to release button
or locking members 44 from their initial locked positions with particular
locking member receiving openings 48 and longitudinally extend or
contract first portions 30, 34 relative to the associated second
portions 32, 36, Of course, these adjustments are made to the front
and rear frame members of both said frame assemblies. When the height
is being adjusted, it is also necessary to adjust the length of
cross brace assemblies 90, 92 slightly to compensate for the change
in seat height. This is done by removing hitch pins 128 so that
proper registry between the various locking member receiving openings
in the first and second cross brace portions may be made and then
reinserting the hitch pins to retain the cross brace assemblies
in those positions. When only height adjustments are being made,
no modifications to the seat and seat back must be made.
In the event it is merely desired to expand or narrow the seat
width, it is only necessary to adjust the effective lengths of cross
brace assemblies 90, 92 in a similar manner as hereinabove just
described. Moreover, it will be necessary to insert the appropriate
flexible spacer member 200 to accommodate the particular width desired.
In view of the fact that there may be a substantial number of individual
height and width settings, these settings on first and second portions
30, 34 and 32, 36 of front and rear frame members 14, 16 and first
and second cross brace portions 94, 96 and 98 of cross bar assemblies
90, 92 may include convenient locating indicia. For example, numbers
or the like disposed adjacent the various locking member receiving
openings can be easily provided in order that the various available
seat height and width adjustments may be made quickly and directly
without necessitiating trial and error methods. Typical indicia
is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 by those numerals disposed adjacent the
first and second set 120, 122 of locking member receiving openings
in second cross brace portion 98. These same means are equally applicable
to the other adjustable portions of the subject wheel chair structure
and other, alternative identifying indicia could also be advantageously
employed.
When the side frame assemblies A are moved from the second toward
the first position, guide members 84, acting within guide receivers
82, direct elongated seat bar members 100 upwardly from their close
association with upper frame members 10 in a generally vertical
plane. The feature is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Moreover, when
the side frame assemblies are moved from the first back to the second
position, these seat guide assemblies guide the seat bar members
to a position spaced immediately ajdacent and above frame memers
10 and generally parallel thereto so that the upper frame members
act as seat stops. This aspect is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
In some instances, it is desirable to provide a head rest for the
comfort of a patient or user of the wheel chair. While several alternative
arrangements may be employed for this purpose, the specific arrangement
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 providing a separate head rest structure
is preferred. The head rest shown in these two FIGURES acts to define
a hear rest area and is readily adapted to use with the particular
wheel chair structure hereinabove described with reference to FIGS.
1- 9.
In FIGS. 10 and 11, the head rest structure includes a pair of
back tube brackets 220, 222 affixed to the seat back support or
frame members 38 for purposes of mounting the structure to the wheel
chair. Inasmuch as the two back tube brackets are identical to and
opposite from each other, description will hereinafter be made with
reference to bracket 220, it being understood that bracket 222 is
identical thereto.
Bracket 220 is comprised of a bracket plate 226 having an open
ended tube receiving cylinder 228 rigidly affixed thereto. The bracket
plate includes a pair of slots 230, 232 disposed adjacent the top
and bottom edges thereof. These slots are conveniently spaced apart
from each other so as to be in registry with and receive the two
uppermost mechanical fasteners 180 for purposes of fixedly mounting
bracket 220 to the wheel chair. The use of slots as a mounting means
permits some lateral adjustment of bracket 220 relative to the associated
support or frame member 38 to properly locate and mount the head
rest to the wheel chair. If desired, separate mechanical fasteners
other than fasteners 180 could be conveniently employed to mount
bracket 220 to the wheel chair. Tube receiving cylinder 228 includes
a plurality of locking member receiving openings 234 spaced longitudinally
therealong to facilitate head rest adjustment as will be more fully
described hereinafter. Although only two such openings are shown
in the FIGURES other numbers could also be employed. Also, convenient
identifying indicia can be included adjacent the openings to identify
the different adjusted positions of the head rest. It should also
be noted that tube receiving cylinder 228 is disposed to extend
generally parallel to the associated support or frame member 38.
Head rest 240 is constructed from the same or a similar flexible
material previously discussed in detail with regard to seat 150
and seat back 170. The head rest has a bottom edge 242, a top edge
244 and spaced apart side edges 246, 248. The head rest also includes
a longitudinally extending, releasably connected seam 250 substantially
identical to seams 190 as discussed above in detail with reference
to the seat and seat back. When the wheel chair is adjusted to a
width position such as that shown in FIG. 2, seam 250 will look
the same as seams 190 therein and when the width of the wheel chair
is expanded, a flexible spacer member may be added substantially
identical to spacer 200 shown in FIG. 9.
Disposed adjacent side edges 246, 248 of head rest 240 are adjustable
back tube assemblies generally designated 260, 262, respectively,
and which are adapted to be received by tube receiving cylinder
of back tube brackets 220, 222. Since these assemblies are identical,
description will hereinafter be made to assembly 260 only. A back
tube 264 which comprises a portion of assembly 260 is affixed to
the head rest adjacent side edge 246 by convenient means such as
bolts or screws 266 passing through the head rest and into the back
tube itself. A back insert tube 268 is closely received in the lower
end of back tube 264 and rigidly affixed thereto by any convenient
means. Back insert tube 268 and tube receiving cylinder 228 of bracket
220 are dimensioned such that tube 268 may be closely slidably received
in cylinder 228.
Disposed adjacent the lowermost end and inside of back insert tube
268 is a spring tube locking arrangement generally designated 270.
This locking arrangement has a portion thereof protruding outwardly
from a locking member opening 272 in tube 268. The locking arrangement
is comprised of a locking button 274 which is continuously urged
outwardly of opening 272 by convenient spring biasing means 276.
In the preferred arrangement here under discussion, a leaf type
spring is advantageously employed although other arrangements could
also be used.
With the above structure, back insert tubes 268 of back tube assemblies
260, 262 are closely slidably received in tube receiving cylinders
228 of back tube brackets 220, 222, respectively. Head rest 240
is disposed so that the rear face thereof rests adjacent the front
face of seat back 170. Bottom edge 242 of the head rest extends
toward bottom edge 172 of the seat back and top edge 244 of the
head rest is disposed above top edge 174 of the seat back. Thus,
the upper area of head rest essentially acts as a continuation or
extension of the seat back and the lower area acts as part of the
seat back. In this position, the head rest may then be adjusted
until it is in a desired position with buttons 274 registering with
and passing through selected ones of openings 234 in tube receiving
cylinders 228. The height of head rest 140 may be conveniently adjusted
by simply depressing buttons 274 from engagement with one set of
openings 234 and telescopically moving back insert tubes 268 in
tube receiving cylinders 228 until buttons 274 engage another set
of the openings 234.
In addition to the adjustable head rest arrangement specificially
described above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, other arrangements
could also be advantageously employed without departing from the
intent or scope of the present invention. For example, it would
be possible to construct seat back support or frame members 38 so
that they would be adjustable relative to first portions 34 of rear
frame members 16 and to increase the overall length of seat back
170. Here, a portion of seat back 170 itself would define the head
rest area and act or function as the head rest. Moreover, it would
be possible to construct each seat back support or frame member
38 from two sections which would be telescopically adjustable relative
to each other so as to define a desired head rest area. Here again,
a portion of the seat back would then act as the heat rest. In either
of these alternatives, it would also be possible to utilize a spacer
member for purposes of extending the effective length of the seat
back. Such a spacer member could be releasably affixed to the seat
back in a manner similar to that employed with the other spacer
members heretofore discussed in detail.
In the preferred arrangement of the present invention, the various
frame members and cross brace assemblies are constructed from thin
walled tubular steel with the components then being welded or brazed
together where rigid interconnections are required. Typically, the
tubular steel framework and components will be chrome plated for
appearance and protective reasons. However, it would be possible
to employ other materials and construction techniques without departing
from the intent and scope of the present invention.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred
embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur
to others upon the reading and understanding of this specification.
It is my intention to include all such modifications and alterations
insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or
the equivalents thereof. |