Wheel chair abstract
A wheel chair is arranged to include first and second tubular handles
extending from the wheel chair, wherein the tubular handles are
each arranged to receive respective handle extensions of a generally
"Z" shaped configuration. The extensions are arranged
for storage in a lowered orientation relative to the wheel chair
assembly and pivotal to a raised orientation to permit ease of manipulation
of the wheel chair relative to stairs and the like when presenting
the wheel chair for manipulation along a descending or ascending
orientation.
Wheel chair claims
What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is as follows:
1. A wheel chair handle extension assembly in combination with
a wheel chair, wherein the wheel chair includes a seat and seat
framework, with wheel members mounted rotatably and projecting exteriorly
of the seat and seat framework, with a seat back, and
a first frame leg and a second frame leg oriented obliquely relative
to the seat framework, wherein the first frame leg and the second
frame leg are arranged in a parallel coextensive relationship, with
the seat back extending between the first frame leg and the second
frame leg, and the first frame leg having a first tubular handle,
the second frame leg having a second tubular handle, the first tubular
handle and second tubular handle are arranged in a parallel coextensive
relationship, and
a first generally "Z" shaped handle extension pivotally
mounted within the first tubular handle and a second "Z"
shaped handle extension mounted rotatably within the second tubular
handle, and
first lock means mounting the first handle extension to the first
tubular handle, and second lock means mounting the second handle
extension to the second tubular handle, and
the first lock means includes a first handle aperture directed
through the first tubular handle, and the second lock means includes
a second handle aperture directed through the second tubular handle,
and the first handle extension includes a first central leg, with
the first central leg having a first central leg first end and a
first central leg second end, the first central leg first end having
a first extension leg fixedly mounted thereto orthogonally oriented
relative to the first central leg, and the first central leg second
end having a first handle leg orthogonally mounted to the first
central leg second end in a fixed relationship, wherein the first
extension leg and the first handle leg are parallel relative to
one another projecting on opposed orientations relative to the first
central leg, and the first lock means further includes a first handle
leg bore directed through the first extension leg, and a first lock
pin slidably directed through the first leg bore and the first handle
aperture, and the second handle extension having a second central
leg and a second central leg first end and a second central leg
second end, the second central leg first end having a second extension
leg fixedly and orthogonally mounted thereto, the second central
leg second end having a second handle leg fixedly mounted thereto
in an orthogonal relationship, wherein the second extension leg
and the second handle leg are each in a parallel relationship directed
in opposed orientations relative to the second central leg, with
the second lock means including a second handle leg bore directed
through the second handle leg, and a second lock pin directed through
the second handle leg bore and the second handle aperture, and the
first handle extension and the second handle extension are arranged
to project above the respective first tubular handle in a first
position, and wherein the first handle extension and the second
handle extension project below the respective first tubular handle
and the second tubular handle in a second position.
2. A wheel chair handle extension assembly as set forth in claim
1 wherein the first frame leg and the second frame leg each include
a respective first lock member and second lock member, wherein the
first lock member and the second lock member are arranged to secure
the first handle extension and the second handle extension respectively
in the second position.
3. A wheel chair handle extension assembly as set forth in claim
2 wherein each lock member of said first lock member and second
lock member includes a hinge member, wherein the first lock member
includes a first hinge member mounted to the first frame leg, and
the second lock member includes a second hinge member mounted to
the second frame leg, each hinge member includes a first lock flange
and a second lock flange spaced from the first lock flange to define
a gap therebetween, wherein the first lock flange and the second
lock flange are spring biased towards one another, and the second
lock flange includes a row of resilient plug members in confronting
relationship relative to the first lock flange within the gap.
Wheel chair description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to wheel chair structure, and more
particularly pertains to a new and improved wheel chair handle extension
assembly wherein the same is arranged to enhance ease of manipulation
of the wheel chair.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Wheel chairs of various types are utilized throughout the prior
art and are typically of conventional construction having a seat
and a back, with the seat having a seat framework mounting wheels
in a parallel relationship on opposed sides of the seat. The instant
invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by
providing for handle extensions arranged for mounting to the wheel
chair handles to provide for ease of manipulation of the wheel chair
during ascent and descent of the wheel chair relative to a staircase,
ramp structure, and the like during assist by an individual.
The prior art has heretofore failed to address the ease and assistance
in the manipulation of a wheel chair by utilization of such handle
structure, wherein prior art handle structure is exemplified in
the U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,650 to Eberle, Jr. wherein a unitary handle
member is arranged for reception within wheel chair tubes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of wheel chair apparatus now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a wheel chair handle extension assembly wherein
the same is arranged for pivotally mounting to and reception within
wheel chair handles. As such, the general purpose of the present
invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail,
is to provide a new and improved wheel chair handle extension assembly
which has all the advantages of the prior art wheel chair apparatus
and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention provides a wheel chair arranged
to include first and second tubular handles extending from the wheel
chair, wherein the tubular handles are each arranged to receive
respective handle extensions of a generally "Z" shaped
configuration. The extensions are arranged for storage in a lowered
orientation relative to the wheel chair assembly and pivotal to
a raised orientation to permit ease of manipulation of the wheel
chair relative to stairs and the like when presenting the wheel
chair for manipulation along a descending or ascending orientation.
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but
rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed
and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular
combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be
described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of
the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily
be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially
the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not
familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine
quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the
technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither
intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured
by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope
of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved wheel chair handle extension assembly which has
all the advantages of the prior art wheel chair apparatus and none
of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved wheel chair handle extension assembly which may be
easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved wheel chair handle extension assembly which is of a
durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved wheel chair handle extension assembly which is
susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials
and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices
of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such wheel chair
handle extension assemblies economically available to the buying
public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide
a new and improved wheel chair handle extension assembly which provides
in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages
thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages
normally associated therewith.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with
the various features of novelty which characterize the invention,
are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and
forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of
the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description
makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of the extension handles utilized
by the invention.
FIG. 3 is an orthographic side view of the handles oriented in
a lower orientation.
FIG. 4 is an orthographic side view of the handle extensions arranged
in a raised orientation for ease of manipulation of the wheel chair
relative to a stairway and the like.
FIG. 5 is an isometric enlarged illustration of the use of handle
extension clamp structure optionally employed by the invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged isometric illustration of section 6 as set
forth in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 7--7 of FIG.
6 in the direction indicated by the arrows.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged isometric illustration of section 8 as set
forth in FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS.
1 to 8 thereof, a new and improved wheel chair handle extension
assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention
and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
More specifically, the apparatus 10 of the instant invention essentially
comprises a wheel chair 11 having a wheel chair seat and framework
12 mounting wheel members 13 rotatably to each side thereof relative
to first and second frame legs 15 and 16 substantially orthogonally
oriented relative to the seat framework 12. A seat back 14 extends
between the first and second frame legs 15 and 16, with first and
second frame leg tubular handles 17 and 18 substantially orthogonally
mounted to the first and second frame legs 15 and 16 respectively
projecting rearwardly of the frame legs as the seat and framework
12 projects forwardly of the frame legs. First and second handle
apertures 19 and 20 are directed through the first and second tubular
handles 17 and 18 in adjacency to the respective first and second
frame legs 15 and 16, with the first and second handle apertures
19 and 20 receiving a respective first and second lock pin 21 and
22 therethrough arranged to fixedly secure the first and second
handle extensions 23 and 24. The first and second handle extensions
23 and 24 include respective first and second handle legs 29 and
30, with the first and second handle legs 29 and 30 having respective
first and second handle leg bores 31 and 32 that are coaxially aligned
with the first and second handle apertures 19 and 20 to permit projection
of the associated first and second lock pins 21 and 22 simultaneously
through the first and second tubular handles 17 and 18 and the first
and second handle legs 27 and 30. In this manner, the first and
second handle extensions 23 and 24 may be oriented to project above
the first and second tubular handles 17 and 18, in a manner as indicated
in FIGS. 1 and 4 for example, or to project below the first and
second tubular handles, in a manner as indicated in FIG. 3, during
periods of non-use.
The first and second handle extensions 23 and 24 include respective
first and second central legs 25 and 28, with the first central
leg 25 having a first extension leg 26 orthogonally mounted to a
first end of the central leg 25, with the first handle leg 27 orthogonally
mounted to a second end of the first central leg 25, with the first
extension leg and the first handle leg oriented parallel relative
to one another and projecting in opposed orientations relative to
one another on opposed sides of the first central leg 25. Similarly,
the second central leg 28 includes a second extension leg 29 fixedly
and orthogonally mounted to the second central leg first end, with
the second central leg having a second central leg second end orthogonally
and integrally mounting the second handle leg 30 in an opposed orientation
to the second extension leg 29 on opposite sides of the second central
leg 28.
The FIGS. 5-7 indicate the use of optionally employed latch members
having a first and second hinge 33 and 34 mounted in confronting
relationship relative to one another to the respective first and
second frame legs 15 and 16 of the wheel chair 11. The first and
second hinges 33 and 34 include a first lock flange 35, with a second
lock flange 36 arranged in spring biased and confronting relationship
relative to the first lock flange 35 defining a gap 37 therebetween
to permit storage of the first and second central legs. It should
be noted that the first and second hinges 33 and 34 may be positioned
as desired angularly relative to the respective first and second
frame legs 15 and 16 to receive the first and second central legs
respectively dependent upon the extent of projection of the first
and second central legs upon their downward pivotment in the second
position as indicated in FIG. 3, from the first position as indicated
in FIG. 4.
To assist in securement of the first and second central legs 25
and 26 within a respective gap 37 of the first and second lock members,
a row of resilient plug members 38 are mounted to the second lock
flange 36 in confronting relationship relative to the first lock
flange 35 within the gap 37. In this manner, the resilient plug
members 38 assist in maintaining the central legs therewithin, even
should the extension legs be removed relative to the respective
first and second tubular handles 17 and 18 for storage of the extension
legs relative to the associated wheel chair 11.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention,
the same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly
no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation
of the instant invention shall be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
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.
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. |