Invacare Corporation

Allen J Boris

Walter G Lockard

Herbert J Hoekstra

Douglas M Nickles

Wieslaw Kosc

Neal Joseph Curran

Roland A Mentessi

Nathalal G Patel

A convertible wheelchair permits change over from an attended wheelchair arrangement to a self propelled wheelchair arrangement. The wheelchair accommodates both lateral and longitudinal dimensional changes. Further, the seat can pivot relative to the frame, as well as permitting a seat back to tilt relative to the seat portion. In the attended wheelchair arrangement, the rear wheels are simultaneously locked.

Attended to self propelled convertible pivoting wheelchair

Wheelchair side frames (A) include forward and rearward side frame portions (10, 12) which are telescopically interconnected such that the length of the side frames is selectively adjustable. A cross brace folding assembly (B) interconnects the side frames and selectively moves the side frames between folded and open configurations. The cross brace mechanism includes a pair of cross brace members (30, 32) which are pivotally interconnected (34) and which are each adjustable in length to adjust the width of the wheelchair in the open configuration without adjusting the height of the seat (100). A pair of rear seat support members (114) are telescopically mounted on posts (112) of the rear frame and are interconnected with stand-off members (120) for supporting a seat back portion (110). The stand-off members hold the seat back away from the rear seat support members such that the clamps from orthopedic braces and appliances may be freely mounted therealong. A front foot rest assembly (D) includes a foot rest supporting member (174) which adjusts up/down, fore/aft, and the degree of tilt. Front wheel mounting assemblies (E) are mounted to the side frame at a selectively adjustable angle.

Length and width adjustable wheelchair

A pair of identical side frames (A) are each made up of a pair of generally L-shaped tubular members which are welded together. A reinforcing tube (30) is slidably received within a forward portion (14) of each side frame to strengthen an interconnection with a front wheel assembly mounting bracket (32) with mechanical fasteners. A swing away leg rest mounting bracket (50) is also connected with the forward tubular portion and reinforcing tube for selectively supporting a swing away leg rest assembly thereon. A folding mechanism (D) includes a pair of pivotally connected seat support structures (100). The seat support structures include seat side supports (102) which have a longer free end (106) and shorter free end (108), cross members 104 and fittings (120). Circumferentially disposed grooves (124) are offset in such a manner that the seat support structures are interchangeable. An arm rest assembly (F) is releasably connected with the side frames with brackets (162, 174) such that the arm support structure can be selectively removed from the brackets or pivoted about one of them.

Symmetrically modular wheelchair

A pair of identical side frames (A) are each made up of a pair of generally L-shaped tubular members which are welded together. A reinforcing tube (30) is slidably received within a forward portion (14) of each side frame to strengthen an interconnection with a front wheel assembly mounting bracket (32) with mechanical fasteners. A swing away leg rest mounting bracket (50) is also connected with the forward tubular portion and reinforcing tube for selectively supporting a swing away leg rest assembly thereon. A folding mechanism (D) includes a pair of pivotally connected seat support structures (100). The seat support structures include seat side supports (102) which have a longer free end (106) and shorter free end (108), cross mambers 104 and fittings (120). Circumferentially disposed grooves (124) are offset in such a manner that the seat support structures are interchangeable. An arm rest assembly (F) is releasably connected with the side frames with brackets (162, 174) such that the arm support structure can be selectively removed form the brackets or pivoted about one of them.

Wheelchair side frames (A) include forward and rearward side frame fortions (10, 12) which are telescopically interconnected such that the length of the side frames is selectively adjustable. A cross brace folding assembly (B) interconnects the side frames and selectively moves the side frames between folded and open configurations. The cross brace mechanism includes a pair of cross brace members (30, 32) which are pivotally interconnected (34) and which are each adjustable in length to adjust the width of the wheelchair in the open configuration without adjusting the height of the seat (100). A pair of rear seat support members (114) are telescopically mounted on posts (112) of the rear frame and are interconnected with stand-off members (120) for supporting a seat back portion (110). The stand-off members hold the seat back away from the rear seat support members such that the clamps from orthopedic braces and appliances may be freely mounted therealong. A front foot rest assembly (D) includes a foot rest supporting member (174) which adjusts up/down, fore/aft, and the degree of tilt. Front wheel mounting assemblies (E) are mounted to the side frame at a selectively adjustable angle.

Adjustable child's wheelchair

A stroller base (A) detachably receives a seat structure (B) therein. The base includes forward wheel assemblies (12), rearward wheel assemblies (14) for rollably supporting the base, and wheel lock structures (60) for selectively locking the rear wheels against rotation. An upper base frame portion (20) is collapsable to a folded position (FIG. 3) and raiseable to a seat structure receiving position (FIG. 2). The upper base frame portion includes a channel guide (30) having a transverse slot (38) therein. The detachable seat structure includes a seat frame (80) with a plurality of patient supporting pads (90, 92, 94, 96) adjustably mounted thereon. Handles (84) selectively enable an attendant to lift a rearward portion of the detachable seat structure. A transverse seat frame member (88) is selectively received in the channel guide slot as the seat structure is positioned thereon and selectively lifted out of the channel guide slot as the seat is lifted therefrom. The seat frame adjustably mounts a footrest structure (140) and a roller (130) at a forward, lower end thereof. In operation, the attendant pivots the detachable seat structure about the transverse seat frame member to raise the roller above a door sill of a motor vehicle. The stroller is moved forward with the forward wheel assemblies passing below the door sill and the roller passing above the door sill. The attendant lifts the detachable seat structure by the handles raising the transverse bar from the channel guide and pivoting the chair about the roller until it is positioned over the seat of the motor vehicle. Thereafter, the base is folded and disposed in the trunk of the motor vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

Elyria, OH, United States of America

Allen J Boris