Abstract: The invention relates to a braking device for wheeled chairs, the device (1) including at least two brake legs (2, 3) which can be lowered to, or raised from a substructure while being positionally movement-oriented with the aid of tubular members (4, 5) fixed to the chair frame, these vertical leg movements being actuable via urging structure (6, 7) situated above the respective brake leg for performing a turning movement with the aid of a shaft (8), to which they are fixed, this movement resulting in one direction in arresting the chair moving the legs (2, 3) downwards into their braking position, and in the opposite direction in upward movement of the legs into their inactive position.

Abstract: A brake device for braking a stroller, which has an axle and a wheel mounted rotatably thereon, includes a support post secured relative to and extending uprightly from the rear axle, and a mounting frame disposed on the support post and extending beyond the uppermost part of the wheel. The mounting frame includes two lug portions extending in a first direction transverse to the support post and towards the wheel. The lug portions are spaced apart from each other in a second direction transverse to the first direction. A brake shoe includes a pair of arresting portions with two anchoring ends which are mounted pivotally on the lug portions, respectively. The arresting portions extend in the first direction, are spaced apart from each other in the second direction, and form two arresting surfaces therebeneath. A biasing spring has a biasing action along a lengthwise axis, and two ends fixedly secured relative to the support post and to the brake shoe, respectively.

Abstract: A wheelchair brake comprising an activation lever, including a handle, the activation lever having a pivot, a pawl with pivot means at one end and a trapezoidal-shaped raised portion near its second end, a brake support housing having a notched bottom side plate, a U-shaped clamp for slidedly engaging a leaf spring at the bottom of the housing, the leaf spring having a handle at one end and a Z-shaped portion at an opposite end extending into the housing through the notch in the bottom side plate, the Z-shaped portion further including a lancing detent at an intermediate portion, and a stop, wherein the stop, the activation lever, the pawl with raised portion, the Z-shaped leaf spring portion and lancing detent are in cooperative engagement in various combinations depending on whether the wheelchair brake is in neutral position, locked position, or in on-guard position for up-incline aid and down-incline drag braking.

Abstract: The wheel lock assembly includes a housing that is either integrally formed on a frame, or provided as a separate component for adjustable mounting on the frame. The housing includes a circular opening that receives a disk that rotates relative to the housing. A handle is either integrally formed with the disk or, alternately, secured to the disk as a separate component, to selectively rotate the disk relative to the housing. An actuating shoe is pivotally mounted to the housing and includes a cam opening that cooperates with a pin secured to the disk at a position spaced from the central axis of rotation of the disk to convert the rotational movement of the handle and disk into translational movement of the shoe. This allows the shoe to be moved between locked and unlocked positions relative to the wheel of a wheeled apparatus such as a wheelchair, patient transport, stroller, or the like. The cam opening may also adopt alternative configurations to vary the travel of the shoe as desired.

Abstract: A brake control device is mounted on a handle of a walking frame used by a lame or elderly person as an aid in walking. The device includes a seat fastened at one end thereof with the handle, and a control handlebar fastened at one end thereof with the seat. The seat is provided with a control arm and a stop member. The control arm is fastened with the control handlebar and is connected with one end of a brake cable. The control arm is actuated by the control handlebar to swivel so as to pull the brake cable to bring about the braking action which can be sustained without having to keep holding the control handlebar. The control handlebar is made stationary temporarily by a rolling rod which is forced into a retaining recess of the stop member for sustaining the braking action.

Abstract: A wheelchair braking system, for use on a wheelchair having a frame and a pair of wheels, comprising an axle assembly attached to one of the wheels. The axle assembly is supported within a block assembly. The axle assembly has a locking gear comprising a plurality of gear teeth. The block assembly is mounted within a housing and is capable of controlled vertical motion within the housing. The housing is rigidly mounted to the frame. A main spring is located between the housing and block, such that weight upon the wheelchair compresses the main spring and allows the block to move upward within the housing. A foremast assembly having a foremast body is mounted to the housing such that when the block is lowered sufficiently within the housing, the foremast body engages the gear teeth and stops the gear from rotating.

Abstract: A wheelchair driver having a simple, efficient structure is mountable to a horizontal frame extension of a wheelchair between a wheel and the wheelchair's frame. The driver is mounted directly to a spindle sleeve fastened to the horizontal frame extension which provides a race for the driver to run upon. The spindle sleeve also isolates the driver from the wheel preventing any friction between the wheel and the driver. The driver has a lever extending upward from the spindle sleeve above the tire of the wheel. A handle is provided on the uppermost end for a user. The lever has a pawl extending over the tire of the wheel. The pawl has teeth on a lower surface and contacts against the tire. When the lever is rotated around the spindle sleeve, the pawl teeth grab the tire, causing the wheelchair to move. When the lever is stopped or rotated oppositely, the pawl teeth release the tire and allow the wheelchair's momentum to move the wheelchair until another forward rotation of the lever provides additional force.

Abstract: An automatic braking wheelchair having an automatic braking assembly which automatically locks one or both wheels of a wheelchair when the patient attempts to rise.

Abstract: A wheelchair braking device (10) adapted to automatically engage when the wheelchair (12) to which the device (10) is mounted is unoccupied. The braking device (10) includes a support structure (28) to which is pivotably mounted a sensing lever (14) and a braking lever (22). A biasing element (30) is coupled to the braking lever (22) to bias the braking lever (22) in a first rotational direction relative to the support structure (28) and into engagement with a wheel (32) of the wheelchair (12). The sensing and braking levers (14, 22) are interconnected such that the biasing element (30) operates through the braking lever (22) to bias the sensing lever (14) in a second rotational direction relative to the support structure (28), corresponding to a brake engagement position for the sensing lever (14).

Abstract: A wheelchair having a chassis formed of flat plate which is folded to define a lower chassis, a chassis back, and an upper chassis. The lower and the upper chassis each have a pair of elongated substantially parallel arms that extend from respective land portions of the chassis. The arms define openings in distal portions for receiving caster wheels. Drive wheels connect to axle mounts that are selectively positioned for track, camber, and height, which axle mounts connect to the chassis back. A seat support attaches to the chassis for supporting a person in the wheelchair and includes independently adjustable height, longitudinal position relative a seat back, and angle. A pair of push handles attach to the chassis back and pivotally connect to the seat support for selective positioning of the angle of the back.

Abstract: This wheelchair employs the use of push levers attached to drive gear sprockets, which propel the main rear wheels of the chair through bicycle chains connecting the front sprockets to gear clusters mounted on the rear wheel axles. Ratchet mechanisms allow each push lever to transmit power in either a forward or reverse direction. Derailers are mounted over the rear axles and are activated by shifter mechanisms mounted on the push levers. Calliper-type wheel brakes are mounted on the frame beside each wheel and activated by hand brake levers mounted on the push levers.

Abstract: An automatic braking system for wheelchairs which prevents rearward, downhill motion of wheelchairs while having no effect on horizontal or uphill motion. The braking system is made up of circular ratcheted plates which are attached to the axles of the driving wheels of the wheelchair and L-shaped members slightly in front of and beneath the ratcheted. The L-shaped members are rotatable about axles located in their angles. The long leg of an L-shaped member is directed downwardly by gravity and maintains the short leg in a substantially horizontal position. The short leg forms a pawl which engages the ratchets of the plate when the wheels start to roll backwards when the wheelchair is directed upwardly, thus automatically stopping the wheelchair.

Abstract: A brake system for a wheelchair is disclosed. The brake may comprise two assemblies one for each of the wheels. Each brake comprises a mounting bracket adapted to be connected to a frame portion of a wheelchair, a handle pivotally attached at a pivot point to the mounting bracket, a cable having one end connected to the handle and another end connected to a pivot arm. The pivot arm is pivotally attached to one end of a cam rod. The rod is attached to another mounting bracket adapted to be connected to another frame portion of the wheelchair and has a latching mechanism connected to a portion of the rod and biased into engagement with a splined disc by a spring. The disc is adapted to be connected to a hub of the wheel chair.

Abstract: An improved wheelchair wheel and hub assembly is described that interposes reduction gearing between the handring or rotatable hand wheel and the drivewheel of the assembly. This gearing provides some mechanical advantage to users who may lack sufficient strength to propel themselves in a conventional wheelchair, especially in a home environment. A single speed assembly is described which is operated conventionally by rotating handrings either forward or rearward to produce a corresponding rotation of the drive wheel but, unlike conventional wheels, a complete revolution of the handring results in only a partial revolution of the drive wheel. In the hub of the assembly is a wheel locking mechanism which enables the wheel to be easily and positively locked for the safety of the user, preventing rotation of the wheel in either direction. Additionally, a ratcheting mechanism is incorporated into the hub design which can be engaged to allow forward rotation but prevent rearward rotation of the drive wheels.

Abstract: An integrated device for securing a wheelchair in a position on a floor is formed of a frame-like box for mounting beneath the floor and within an opening therein. The box mounts for rotation about parallel horizontal axes, a pair of laterally spaced, horizontally extending parallel flaps which are rotatable from a position flush with a pair of openings within a horizontal floor plate receiving the flaps to raised, oppositely oblique positions forming a V. A vertically upright cover extends from one end of the floor plate and mounts a pair of push button controls on an upper surface. A vertically upright actuator is fixedly mounted to a face of the upright cover and has a projectable and re tractable plunger coupled to a flap locking member which carries an axial projection projectable into an axial bore of a retaining cylinder fixedly mounted to the box.

Abstract: A safety control grip brake for wheelchairs comprised of an internal steel sleeve adapted for rotatable coupling with an existing handle of a wheelchair. A steel spring coil is coupled with the internal steel sleeve. The steel spring coil applies a clockwise/counter clockwise tension on the internal steel sleeve. An outer hand grip is adapted for securement over the internal steel sleeve. The first end of the outer hand grip couples with the second end of the steel spring coil, and the second end of the outer hand grip is connected to a flanged pulley. The center bearing of the flanged pulley is secured to the internal steel sleeve. A steel cable is secured to the flanged pulley and extends down a frame of the wheelchair and is secured thereto by brackets. A brake mechanism is secured to the steel cable and couples with a wheel of the wheelchair to limit or stop the rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A coaster brake hub including a housing having a generally cylindrical passage therethrough, an axle, a drive shaft, a drive cone, and a brake mounted within the passage. The passage has a surrounding wall. The hub also includes a clutch disposed within the passage mounted to the axle. The clutch is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the clutch rotatably interconnects the drive shaft with the brake such that rotation of the drive shaft in a first direction forces the drive cone into engagement with a portion of the passage wall to rotate the housing in the first direction. Rotation of the drive shaft in an opposite direction forces the brake into engagement with another part of the passage wall to brake rotation of the housing.

Abstract: A lightweight wheel assembly intended primarily for use on wheelchairs is disclosed and claimed. The assembly includes an injection-moldable fiber-reinforced plastic push rim comprising a variety of fastening devices. Important advantages of the invention include very light weight compared to prior art wheel assemblies while achieving the high component strength desired, shock absorption qualities beneficial to wheelchair users not provided by other wheel assemblies, and components which may be made from the inexpensive injection molding process.

Abstract: Braking apparatus for use on wheelchairs are provided by the present invention. The braking apparatus may be used on a wheelchair having a pair of rotatable wheels and a frame member. The apparatus includes a mounting assembly connected to the frame member wherein the mounting assembly comprises first and second clamp sections for securing the mounting assembly to the frame member; a quick release assembly for compressing the first and second clamp sections around the frame member; and frictional braking means for slowing the rotation of at least one of said wheels.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arresting brake for a wheelchair, having a braking element which is articulated pivotably on a retaining element and, by pivoting a hand brake lever, can be pivoted into an arresting position in which the braking element bears, under pressure, on a wheelchair wheel or its tire. In order to provide a versatile arresting brake for wheelchairs, the invention proposes that the hand brake lever also be mounted on the retaining element, which is pivotably suspended on an adaptor which exhibits fastening device, for fixing it on the wheelchair frame, and a pivot pin which is located in the longitudinal direction of the wheelchair when the adaptor is mounted and about which the retaining element can be pivoted out of a positive locking catch position, which defines the braking function position, into a storage (rest) position located within the outer contour of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A safety or emergency brake system for a slow moving off-road passenger vehicle has a brake lever that is adapted to pivot into contact with a wheel-mounted flexible tire that partially supports the vehicle and then be further pivoted by the tire, as it rotates in a forward direction due to vehicle inertia, into an interference position with the tire that locally deflects the tire to prevent further wheel rotation. The brake is activated by a device sensing impending vehicle impact with an obstacle, or by the vehicle operator, and is initially released by rotation of the tire in a reverse direction as the vehicle is caused to reverse or move backward.

Abstract: A lightweight, two piece wheelchair wherein both pieces are separable and optionally foldable. The wheelchair is driven manually by rotating a pair of opposed handwheels, one of which is contacted by each of the occupant's hands. When a seat positioning crank is rotated by the wheelchair occupant, a seat raising mechanism is activated which moves the seat from a horizontal sitting position to an inclined but substantially vertical position toward the front of the wheelchair. As the seat is raised, the contour of the seat is altered to provide added comfort for the occupant in the standing position.

Abstract: A lightweight wheel assembly intended primarily for use on wheelchairs including an injection-moldable fiber-reinforced plastic push rim, injection-moldable fiber-reinforced plastic wedge-bottom spokes, and a lockable static in-hub brake. Important advantages of the invention include very light weight compared to prior art wheel assemblies while achieving the high component strength desired, shock absorption qualities beneficial to wheelchair users not provided by other wheel assemblies, a convenient and easy-to-operate positive-engaging static brake, and components which may be made from the inexpensive injection molding process.

Abstract: A conventional wheel chair is modified by the provision of a safety system for automatically actuating the brakes of the wheel chair and lifting the foot rests when the weight of the patient is lifted from the seat. An overcenter spring arrangement is used to bias the brake mechanism into the braking position and is pulled over center by a solenoid actuated by a switch under the seat. The actuation of the brake mechanism is communicated to the foot pedals by a connection cable which pulls a latch pin to release the spring biased foot pedal into the retracted position.

Abstract: The parking brake can be fitted to the wheelchair frame largely regardless of the nominal position of the brake element, and conversely the position of the brake element can be exactly matched to the position of the rear wheel. A two-piece clamp connects a cylindrical bearer to a part of the wheelchair frame and allows the bearer's rotation and lengthwise displacement relative to the frame. One end of the bearer holds the pivoting brake element and locking lever. One arm of the locking lever acts together with the brake element and has two recesses. When the locking lever is moved to a released position, spring action forces the brake element to engage one of the recesses and to be located beside the rear wheel approximately perpendicular to the wheel's rotational axis. When the locking lever is moved to a braking position, the brake element engages the second recess and is located more or less parallel to the rotational axis of the rear wheel.

Abstract: A wheelchair brake includes a pressing lever having a free end which pivots bout a first axis to make braking contact with a wheelchair wheel. The pressing lever is normally urged into a neutral position away from the wheel by an elastic, spring-like member, such as a rubber band or O-ring. A first brake lever for operating the brake by a companion is connected via a Bowden wire to the free end of the pressing lever, so that depression of the first brake lever causes the pressing lever to pivot into braking contact with the wheel. A manually releasable safety catch automatically engages the first braking lever when the lever is depressed, thereby locking the lever in its braking position. A second brake lever is also provided for use by the wheelchair user. The second lever pivots about a second axis causing a pressure part to bear against the same pressing lever causing a braking contact with the wheel. Further pivoting of the second lever also causes the mechanism to lock in a braking position.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A geriatric chair provides easy patient entry and exit and a stable restraint-free environment for a patient seated in a chair while left unattended. The chair includes a floor engaging foot rest portion disposed forwardly of the fulcrum member and a rearward floor engaging member on a side of the fulcrum member opposite from the foot rest portion. The chair is movable about the fulcrum member between a patient entry/exit position wherein the floor engaging foot rest portion and the fulcrum member engage the floor and a patient rest position wherein the fulcrum member and the rearward floor engaging member engage the floor in a manner such that the chair cannot be moved back to the patient entry/exit position by the patient while sitting in the chair unattended. The center of gravity of the chair is movable between a position forward of the fulcrum member when in the floor engaging position and a position rearward of the fulcrum member when in the patient rest position.

Abstract: A braking device for a wheelchair having at least one wheel and a frame having siderails adjacent the wheel is provided with a brake assembly surrounding the wheel for clamping and braking the motion of the wheel and with a connecting and mounting assembly connected to the brake assembly which mounts the brake assembly onto the siderail forward of the wheel and positions the brake assembly forward of the wheel parallel to and aligned with the axis of rotation of the wheel. Also provided is a brake actuating member connected to the mounting assembly which actuates the brake member. Still further, a locking member is provided adjacent the brake actuating member for locking the actuating member in position when the brake member is clamped to the wheel. The invention also discloses a structure for braking and clamping two wheels of a wheelchair with one brake actuating member.

Abstract: A wheelchair driver having a simple, efficient structure is mountable to a horizontal frame extension of a wheelchair between a wheel and the wheelchair's frame. The driver is mounted directly to a spindle sleeve fastened to the horizontal frame extension which provides a race for the driver to run upon. The spindle sleeve also isolates the driver from the wheel preventing any friction between the wheel and the driver. The driver has a lever extending upward from the spindle sleeve above the tire of the wheel. A handle is provided on the uppermost end for a user. The lever has a pawl extending over the tire of the wheel. The pawl has teeth on a lower surface and contacts against the tire. When the lever is rotated around the spindle sleeve the pawl teeth grab the tire causing the wheelchair to move. When the lever is stopped or rotated oppositely, the pawl teeth release the tire and allow the wheelchair's momentum to move the wheelchair until another forward rotation of the lever provides additional force.

Abstract: A lightweight, optionally foldable wheelchair which allows the user maximum control over both travel direction and seat position. The wheelchair is driven manually by an arrangement of drive gears, which are actuated by a drive gear selector and operated by rotating a pair of opposed handwheels, one of which is contacted by each of the occupant's hands. One of four or more different gears may be selected, including a "Forward Only" and a "Reverse Only" gear, which allow travel only in the direction selected. A dual function shift lever supports the drive gear selector and may be activated to disengage the drive gears and engage a seat positioning gear. When the seat positioning gear is engaged, rotation of the handwheels by the wheelchair occupant will activate a seat raising mechanism which moves the seat from a horizontal sitting position to a substantially vertical position toward the rear of the wheelchair.

Abstract: An automatic braking wheelchair having an automatic braking assembly which automatically locks one or both wheels of a wheelchair when the patient attempts to rise. The automatic braking assembly includes a movable seat, a locking bar connected to the movable seat having a cavity therein for receipt of the axle, and a locking member rigidly connected to the hub of the wheel which is received in the cavity of the locking bar to selectively lock the hub and wheel in a stationary position.

Abstract: An incline climbing brake for wheelchairs in which each of the large wheels on a wheelchair is provided with a selective ratchet assembly which enables the wheels to rotate in only one direction thereby enabling a wheelchair occupant to safely maneuver a wheelchair in order to roll it up an incline in either a forward or rearward direction. The ratchet assembly includes a ratchet gear non-rotatably secured to the wheelchair at the center of rotation of the wheel by a bracket attached to a frame member of the wheelchair and connected to the axle bolt in a manner to prevent the axle bolt from rotating in relation to the wheelchair frame member. Manually operated direction controlling pawls are engageable with the stationary ratchet wheel. Expandable arms mount the ratchet assembly from the rim of the large wheel of a wheelchair with the ratchet assembly enabling rotation of the wheel in one direction only with the pawls enabling reversal of the one-way direction of rotation of the large wheelchair wheel.

Abstract: A wheelchair security system particularly useful with vehicles used to transport individuals with ambulatory handicaps is shown having a pair of pincer elements for each wheel to be secured. The pincer elements are movable between an open wheel receiving position and a closed wheel securing position. The system is either manually or electrically actuated and can be controlled either at the wheelchair station or the driver's station.

Abstract: A wheelchair wheel lock system is provided that can be adapted for either pull-to-lock or push-to-lock operation. The wheel lock system includes a function plate with first and second pivot holes. An operating lever is attached to the function plate, and rotation of the lever causes rotation of the function plate and thereby moves a contact arm into engagement with the wheel of the wheelchair to lock the wheel against movement. The operation of the wheel lock system is changed between push-to-lock and pull-to-lock by adapting the function plate to rotate about either the first pivot hole or the second pivot hole. The operating lever can be attached to the function plate in a variety of orientations, providing added flexibility in the operation of the wheel lock system.

Abstract: A folding wheelchair has a rigid seat, leg support members stored in a compartment within the seat, a rigid backrest that can be collapsed when the wheelchair is folded, armrests that can be swung toward the seat or the backrest, and wheels that can be adjusted to raise or lower the seat and/or to shorten or lengthen the wheelbase. The rigid seat can be raised to a position in which the front or the front and rear portions are elevated.

Abstract: A braking assembly is mounted on a wheelchair so it can be operated by an attendant. The braking assembly includes friction pads that are engaged with both wheels of the chair by operating a lever mechanism. The chair also includes an occupant-actuated assembly which operates the lever mechanism to slow the chair down, and then, after the friction pads have engaged the wheels with a predetermined pressure, will engage an element against one of the wheels to stop rotation of that wheel. The occupant-actuated assembly can be foot operated or hand operated.

Abstract: A manually operable hand braking device for such as but not necessarily confined to, a wheel (23) of a wheel chair. The device including a mounting member fixed adjacent the wheel periphery (23a), and a body part (5) mounted for partial rotation about an axis (7) of the mounting member (1) (2) extending transversely of the wheel (23); movement of the body part (5) being effected by a hand grip (26) and lever part (24), extending from the body part (5). The body part (5) being provided with two projecting spaced brake lock parts (21,22) disposed adjacent the wheel periphery (23a) or tire thereon, and arranged so that either of the brake lock parts (21 or 22) are engageable with the wheel periphery (23a) or tire on rotational movement of the body part (5), in one direction or the other, there being an intermediate position permitting freedom of rotation of the wheel (23).

Abstract: A safety brake for use on an invalid wheelchair, specifically for the purpose of making travel up an incline, such as a ramp, easier and safer. When ascending an incline, the user often has difficulty getting a new grip quickly enough to avoid rolling back downhill. The present invention can, at the user's option, be set to permit travel forward only, or backward only. Thus, it permits the user to safely move up an incline either forward or backward without risk of rolling down when changing the grip of the hands. It consists of a somewhat egg shaped (when viewed from the end) cam on a housing, which has longitudinal serrations on both sides to grip the tire, and which housing is rotatably mounted on a core. The core having two cam segments engageable by a spring loaded cam follower which serves to urge the serrations of the housing against the tire of the wheelchair to permit travel in only one direction, depending upon which of the two cam segments the follower is set to engage, at the user's option.

Abstract: A U-shaped frame has opposite pivoted jaws adapted to move to and from a position closing the frame gap. A releasable locking member is pivoted to the frame in half-bearings, and is held in place by a cover plate that similarly retains the journals of an actuator plate responsible for closing the jaws around an entered wheel. The locking member is rotated out of locking position by forces on a handle that cause the chair to be pushed out of the retainer coupling. Placement of the locking member in the release position causes warning projections to appear above the housing, and these retract into the housing when the unit is in locked condition.

Abstract: A wheel chair (A) has at least one wheel (50) rotatably mounted to a side frame (14). A combined wheel lock and hill holder assembly (D) is mounted adjacent an outermost peripheral surface of a tire (60) mounted to a rim (58) of the wheel. The wheel lock and hill holder assembly has a linkage including a handle member (74) and a brake lever (80) both pivotally connected to the base. A link (84) is pivotally connected in between. Shifting the handle member causes the brake lever to move an axle (90) toward and away from the peripheral surface of the tire. A cam surface (94) having a plurality of projections (102) is rotatably mounted on the axle. In a first mode (FIG. 3), the wheel is free rolling. In a second mode (FIG. 4), the cam surface is moved by the handle into firm friction engagement with the tire peripheral surface to lock the wheel against any rotation. In a third mode (FIG.

Abstract: A restraint apparatus for wheeled chairs has a pair of spaced bumper bars that engage the outer edges of the front and rear pairs of wheels and retain the geriatric patient in a fixed position in a nursing facility.

Abstract: A brake device for use with wheelchairs of the type having a main frame and a pair of spaced apart large diameter driving wheels, such as rear wheels. The brake device is to be engaged by a secondary operator of a wheelchair and comprises a bracket or other mounting element for mounting to the wheelchair handles and a brake arm which is shiftable to a wheel locking position to move an actuator tube and attached stopper into engagement with the rear wheel of a wheelchair to lock the wheel against further rotation. The brake arm is also capable of being shifted to a reverse or non-locking position so that it moves the actuator tube and attached stopper out of engagement with the wheelchair driving wheel to a position where it can not be engaged with the driving wheel to permit free-wheeling movement thereof.

Abstract: A wheelchair propelled by rowing action includes a wheelchair frame with a pair of large main rear wheels connected by an axle, a rowing lever pivotally connected to the frame, a steering shaft with a handlebar grip mounted coaxially within the rowing lever and connected by a universal joint to a steering linkage connected to caster brackets mounting small front wheels, a pair of ratcheted sprockets mounted on the axle, a pair of sprocket chain segments connected by cables through pulleys to the rowing lever such that pulling and pushing of the rowing lever alternately causes driving engagement of one of the ratchets with the axles for propulsion and causes the other to slip. The leverage exerted by the rowing lever on the ratcheted sprockets is adjustable.

Abstract: A wheelchair locking device which attaches to both wheelchair hand brakes, thereby activating both brakes when one brake is activated, and which folds when used with a folding wheelchair.

Abstract: An electric wheelchair, or other conveyance, (10) is provided with a function control (80a) which includes a unitary control (82), and which is effective to control applying and releasing of power transmitted from an electric motor (28a) to a wheel, or to another type of propulsion element (12a), and to control applying and releasing of a parking brake (74a), in response to positioning of the unitary control (82).

Abstract: A wheelchair is provided including a forward transversely extending support mounted at one forward corner of the wheelchair for angular displacement about a horizontal axis for movement between a closed position extending between opposite side forward corner positions of the wheelchair and an open position projecting forwardly of the aforementioned one forward corner portion of the wheelchair, the other forward corner portion of the wheelchair and the support including coacting structure for releasably latching the support in the closed position and supporting the adjacent portion of the support against downward deflection relative to the wheelchair as a result of a load being supported by the support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for mounting a brake shoe (2) at a wheel (8) which is to be braked by the brake shoe (2), and for switching the brake shoe from a braking position to a release position, a lever (1) being mounted on a frame portion (7) in order to be pivotal about a mounting shaft (6) and carrying the brake shoe at its other end. A further arm (9) is moreover pivotal about the shaft (6) and carries a crank (10) at its opposing end, whose proximal end in relation to the brake shoe (2) is spring-connected to the lever (1), while the opposing end is connected to an operating member for the desired switching of the brake shoe (2).

Abstract: A brake system for a wheelchair comprises a base plate fixed to a frame of the wheelchair and a swing lever pivotally mounted to the base plate and provided with a brake member engagable with a circumferential surface of a wheel of the wheelchair. A toggle joint mechanism composed of two pivotally interconnected links is pivotally mounted to the base plate and connected to the swing lever to move the swing lever between an extended braking position and a retracted inoperative position. An operating lever is pivotally mounted to the pivot which interconnects the two links of the toggle joint mechanism. The operating lever has cam surfaces engageable with the two links to depress the latter when the operating lever is moved in either of two directions by pushing it or pulling it. Such action drives the swing lever into braking engagement with the wheel. A biasing spring is provided to urge the links of the toggle mechanism towards retracted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism which can be selectively operated by a wheelchair occupant to insure that the wheelchair will not roll backwards when on an upsloping ramp when the occupant releases both hands from the driving wheels and which mechanism can either be incorporated in a new wheelchair or easily added to an existing wheelchair.