Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Adjustable Wheelchair
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional US Patent Application
Serial No.
60/481,896, filed January 14, 2004 and titled "Wheelchair," which is hereby
fully
incorporated by reference.
Background
[0002] Wheelchairs provide an important means of transportation for many
people.
In addition to transportation, wheelchairs also provide a means for
recreation.
Recreation wheelchairs include wheelchairs suitable for playing tennis,
basketball,
softball, hockey, table tennis, and many other sports and activities.
Summary
[0003] In one embodiment, a wheelchair having a seat frame and at least one
side
frame is provided. The seat frame includes, for example, a first distal
portion having a
first releasable attachment and a second distal portion having a second
releasable
attachment. The at least one side frame includes, for example, a first portion
having a
substantially horizontal section and second portion having a substantially
vertical
section. The first releasable attachment of the seat frame is attachable to
the side
frame's substantially horizontal section at a plurality of positions and the
second
releasable attachment of the seat frame is attachable to the side frame's
substantially
vertical section at a plurality of positions to adjust the position of seat
frame on the side
frame.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0004] Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a wheelchair;
[0005] Fig. 2A is an exploded view of one embodiment of a releasable
attachment
assembly; Fig. 2B is a partial perspective view showing the releasable
attachment
assembly of Fig. 2A attached a wheelchair;
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[0006] Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate a second embodiment of a releasable
attachment assembly; Fig 3D illustrates a partial perspective view showing the
releasable attachment assembly of Figs. 3A-3C on a wheelchair;
[0007] Figs. 4 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of an axle tube
releasable
attachment assembly;
[0008] Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate one embodiment of a rear seat-to-floor
height
adjustment;
(0009] Figs. 6A and 6B illustrate one embodiment of a front seat-to-floor
height
adjustment;
[0010] Figs. 7A and 7B illustrate one embodiment of a center-of-gravity
adjustment;
(0011] Figs. 8A, 8B, and 8C are partial perspective view of various
embodiments of
front end configurations.
Description
[0012] The following includes definitions of exemplary terms used throughout
the
disclosure. Both singular and plural forms of all terms fall within each
meaning:
[0013] "Attachment" as used herein includes, but is not limited to, something
that
directly or indirectly attaches one thing to another including, for example, a
tie, band,
fastener,, clamp, or pin.
[0014] "Substantially horizontal" as used herein includes, but is not limited
to, being
largely but not wholly: in the plane of a horizon or primary axis; of,
relating to, or near
the horizon; or parallel to or in the plane of the horizon; at right angles to
a vertical line.
"Substantially horizontal" as used herein also includes, but is not limited
to, being
wholly: of, relating to, or near the horizon; parallel to or in the plane of
the horizon; or at
right angles to a vertical line. "Substantially horizontal" further includes,
but is not
limited to, angular deviations up to and including 45 degrees from a
horizontal line or
axis.
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[0015] "Substantially vertical" as used herein includes, but is not limited
to, being
largely but not wholly: perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a
primary axis;
upright; or located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface.
"Substantially
vertical" as used herein also include, for example, being wholly:
perpendicular to the
plane of the horizon or to a primary axis; upright; or located at right angles
to the plane
of a supporting surface. "Substantially vertical" further includes, but is not
limited to,
angular deviations up to and including 45 degrees from a vertical line or
axis.
[0016] "Attach" or "couple" as used herein includes, but is not limited to,
directly or
indirectly fastening, securing, joining, connecting, affixing, appending,
adding, or binding
two or more things or components together.
[0017] Referring now to Figure 1, a side elevational view of one embodiment of
a
wheelchair 100 is shown. Wheelchair 100 includes a seat frame 101 having an L-
shaped section 102 and a backrest section 103. L-shaped section 102 includes a
plurality of apertures 122 that provide for, among other things, front seat-to-
floor height
adjustment. A first releasable attachment assembly 112 is coupled to a forward
portion
of the seat frame 101 and a second releasable assembly 116 is coupled to a
rearward
portion of the seat frame 101. A crossbar 122 joins a second similar
configured portion
of the side frame 101. A seat cushion 118 is configured to rest on seat frame
101 so as
to provide support to a user. Backrest 103 may be an adjustable backrest that
can tilt
with respect to L-shaped section 102 of the seat frame to thereby vary the
angle
between the two components. A backrest cushion 120 may also be provided on
backrest 103.
[0018] Wheelchair 100 also includes side frame 104. Side frame 104 has a
substantially L-shaped configuration that includes a forward section having
projections
106 and at least a portion of substantially horizontal section 105. Seat frame
104 also
has a rearward portion that includes at least a portion of substantially
vertical section
108. A second substantially horizontal section 107 connects sections 105 and
108. An
axle tube 109 connects to side frame 104 a second side frame substantially
similar in
configuration to side frame 104. An axle tube releasable attachment assembly
110 is
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provided that attaches axle tube 109 to the side frames. A drive wheel 114 is
attached
to the axle tube. Front and rear caster wheels are also provided on wheelchair
100.
[0019 Illustrated in Figure 2A is an exploded view of one embodiment of the
first
releasable attachment assembly 112. The assembly 112 includes, for example, a
screw 202, coped washers 204, half clamps 206 and 208, and a ferrule nut 210.
Half
clamp 206 includes a projecting flange 216 that mates with recess 218 in half
clamp 208
thereby connecting one end of each of the half clamps. The half clamps are
retained in
position on their other ends when screw 202 and nut 210 are fastened together.
So
configured, spaces 212 and 214 of the half clamps form a space in which side
frame
section 105 is captured. The spaced formed by coped washers 204 captures seat
frame section 102 through at least one of apertures 122, which also allows
seat frame
section 102 to pivot with respect to side frame section 105. Figure 2B
illustrates a
partial perspective view showing releasable attachment assembly 112 attached
to the
seat frame's section 102 and the side frame's section 105. The loosening of
screw 202
and nut 210 allows the first releasable attachment assembly 112 to slideably
adjust its
position along the side frame's section 105. This adjustment modifies the
forward
position of the seat frame on the side frame. Tightening screw 202 and nut 210
together firmly attaches the assembly 112 to the side frame section 105. The
slideable
adjustment provides a plurality of positions for attachment.
[0020 Referring now to Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C, one embodiment of the second
releasable attachment assembly 116 is shown. The assembly 116 includes a
flange
302 and a body 306. Flange 302 has an aperture 304 for accepting a fastening
that
pivotably connects assembly 116 to the seat frame 102. Body 306 mates with a
half
clamp 312. Specifically, body 306 has an aperture 308 at one distal portion
and a
projecting flange 312 at a second distal portion. Projecting flange 312 mates
with
recess 318 of half clamp 312 to thereby connect together one end of assembly
116. A
screw 318 and ferrule nut 320 are used to connect the second end of assembly
116
together. In particular, body 306 has an aperture 308 that co-locates with an
aperture in
half clamp 312. The screw 318 and ferrule nut 320 are inserted through the
apertures
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and tightened to connect the second end of assembly 116. When connected,
spaces
310 and 314 capture side frame section 108.
[0021] Figure 3D illustrates a partial perspective view showing releasable
attachment
assembly 116 attached to the seat frame and the side frame. The loosening of
screw
318 and nut 320 holding assembly 116 together allows the assembly 116 to
slideably
adjust its position along side frame's section 108. This adjustment modifies
the seat
frame height position on the side frame. Tightening screw 318 and nut 320
together
firmly attaches assembly 116 to the side frame's section 108. The slideable
adjustment
provides a plurality of height positions for attachment.
[0022] Figure 4 is an elevational view of one embodiment of axle tube
releasable
attachment assembly 110. Assembly 110 has a first half clamp 402 and a second
half
clamp 404. Half clamps 402 and 404 are connected together at one end by a
pivot joint
406. The other end of half clamps 402 and 406 are connected together via one
ore
more screws 408, which are received in apertures of the half clamps. When
connected,
the half clamps 402 and 408 for a space 410 for capturing substantially
horizontal
section 107 of the side frame. The assembled clamp is loosened and tightened
by
turning screw or fastener 408. When loosened, assembly 110 can slideably move
along
section 107 of the side frame to adjust the axle tube's relative positioning
thereon.
[0023] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate one embodiment of a rear seat-to-floor
height
adjustment for wheelchair 100. Figure 5A illustrates a higher position and
Figure 5B
illustrates a lower position. The relative difference in height between the
two positions
is indicated at 502. In one embodiment, rear seat-to-floor height adjustments
can be
made by loosening the screw and nut of the rear releasable attachment assembly
116
and slideably moving assembly 116 to the desired position on substantially
vertical
section 108 of the side frame. Once at the desired position, the screw and nut
of the
releasable attachment assembly 116 is tightened to secure the position.
[0024] In another embodiment, rear seat-to-floor height adjustment can be made
by
loosening both the forward releasable attachment assembly 112 and rearward
releasable attachment assembly 116. As mentioned above, loosening rearward
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releasably attachment assembly 116 allows for adjusting the position of the
rear of the
seat frame on the substantially vertical section 108 of the side frame.
Loosening
forward releasable attachment assembly 112 allows for adjusting its position
on the side
frame's section 105. Positional adjustment of forward and rearward releasable
attachment assemblies 112 and 116 may be necessary to effectuate the complete
range of rear seat-to-floor adjustments. Positional adjustment of both
assemblies 112
and 116 compensates for the substantially vertical adjustment of rear assembly
116 on
side frame section 108. In embodiments where the side frame's substantially
vertical
portion 108 is arcuate, loosening and tightening of the forward releasable
attachment
assembly 112 may not be necessary to effectuate the complete range of rear
seat-to-
floor height adjustment.
[0025] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate front seat-to-floor height adjustment of
wheelchair 100. Figure 6A illustrates a higher front seat-to-floor height and
Figure 6B
illustrates a lower front seat-to-floor height. The respective difference in
height is
indicated at 602. To adjust the front seat-to-floor height, the screw and nut
of the
forward releasable attachment assembly 112 is loosened to allow the assembly's
position on side frame section 102 to be adjusted. This adjustment is made by
changing the aperture 122 through which the screw and nut of forward
releasable
attachment assembly 112 is attached to side frame section 102. Once in the
desired
aperture is selected, the screw and nut of the forward releasable attachment
assembly
112 are tightened to secure the position.
[0026] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate one embodiment of a center-of-gravity
adjustment of wheelchair 100. This adjustment is made by changing the position
of axle
tube releasable attachment assembly 110 on section 107 of the side frame.
Figure 7A
illustrates an adjustment or position where a center-of gravity of the
wheelchair may
located behind the axle tube 109. Figure 7B illustrates an adjustment or
position where
a center-of-gravity may be located forward of the axle tube 109. A plurality
of
adjustments between these two positions is also possible such as, for example,
placing
a center-of-gravity of the wheelchair or wheelchair and occupant directly or
substantially
directly above the axle tube 109. More specifically, Figure 7A illustrates a
range of
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possible adjustment of the axle tube 109 between limits 702 and 704. In the
embodiment of Figure 7A, the axle tube 109 is located a distance 706 forward
of the
rearward limit 702. This position, and positions near thereto, allow the axle
tube 109 to
be positioned forward of a center-of-gravity of the wheelchair and/or the
wheelchair
occupant. In the embodiment of Figure 7B, the axle tube 109 is located more
closely to
the rearward limit 702 thereby decreasing the distance 706. This position, and
positions
near thereto, allow the axle tube 109 to be positioned behind the center-of-
gravity of the
wheelchair and/or wheelchair occupant. Adjustments to the axle tube 109
position on
the side frame are accomplished by loosening the axle tube releasable
attachment
assembly 110. Assembly 110 is then slideably moved along side frame's section
107.
When the desired position is attained, assembly 110 is tightened to secure the
position
on side frame's section 107. Such adjustments may increase the stability of
the
wheelchair depending on its use and the characteristics of the wheelchair
occupant.
[0027] Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C are partial perspective views of various
embodiments
of front end configurations of wheelchair 100. Figure 8A illustrates one
embodiment
showing mounting projection 106 free of any attachments. Figure 8B illustrates
one
embodiment showing a bumper 802 attached to mounting projection 106. Bumper
802
includes a releasable attachment assembly 804 that includes, for example, a C-
clamp
that captures mounting projection 106 in its inner space and is secured to the
mounting
projection 106 by a screw or other fastener that tightens the ends of the C-
clamp around
projection 106. Tightening and loosening of the C-clamp allows bumper 802 to
be
attached and removed from the mounting projections 106.
[0028] Figure 8C illustrates one embodiment showing a wing 806 attached to
mounting projection 106. Wing 806 includes a releasable attachment assembly
808
that also has, for example, a C-clamp that captures mounting projection 106 in
its inner
space and is secured to the mounting projection 106 by a screw or other
fastener that
tightens the ends of the C-clamp around projection 106. Tightening and
loosening of
the C-clamp allows wing 806 to be attached and removed from the mounting
projections
106. The bumper 802, wing 808 and other similar-type attachments serve to
protect the
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wheelchair user's legs from contact with objects, including other wheelchairs,
when the
wheelchair is used for sports or other active recreational activities.
[0029] While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of
embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in
considerable
detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way
limit the scope of
the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications
will
readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, seat frame or side
frame
sections can be curved or arcuate in shape and clamps can have various
geometries
and shapes without changing their functions. Therefore, the inventive concept,
in its
broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative
apparatus, and
illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made
from
such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's
general
inventive concept.
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