Invacare Corporation

Jason D Hunt

Roland A Mentessi

John Jindra

James R Miadock

A mid-wheel drive wheelchair can have various suspensions for the drive wheel such as a rigid connection to the wheelchair frame or a resilient connection thereto. The wheelchair has at least one anti-tip front wheel stabilizer, which is rigidly, i.e. non-resiliently, connected to the frame and accordingly the wheelchair frame moves up and down with the anti-tip wheel upon encountering a bump, hill, etc. The height of the anti-tip wheel above the travel surface is adjustable and accordingly the wheel can be set to a specific height.

Mid-wheel drive wheelchair with rigid front wheel anti-tip stabilizer

A wheelchair includes a rigid upholstered seat removably mounted on a crossbrace-type chassis. The seat includes a generally square-shaped frame having a clevis assembly depending from each of the four corners of the frame. Each one of a first pair of the clevis assemblies disposed at diagonally opposed front and rear corners of the seat frame is formed with aligned generally pear-shaped openings. Each one of a second pair of the clevis assemblies disposed at the other diagonally opposed front and rear corners of the seat frame is formed with aligned generally horizontal elliptical-shaped openings. An inverted generally U-shaped mounting bracket formed with aligned openings is disposed on each end of each one of a pair of chassis sideframes. Each clevis assembly is engageable with a respective one of the U-shaped brackets so that the respective openings of the engaged brackets are aligned. A quick release pin is passed through each set of aligned openings to secure the seat to the chassis. The pear-shaped openings allow vertical articulation of the chassis relative to the seat in certain instances when a bump, depression or other irregularity on a travel surface is encountered by usually one of the wheels of the wheelchair. This articulation enables the wheelchair to insulate its occupant from shocks caused by such irregularities, and also maintains all wheels of the wheelchair in continuous contact with the travel surface to preserve occupant steering control and stability of the wheelchair.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Jason D Hunt