Abstract: A wheelchair includes a chassis having a pair of side frame assemblies that are rigidly connected to each other by a seat pan. Mounted on each side frame assembly is an interchangeable axle receiving platform for orienting drive wheels at a desired camber angle. One end of a seat member is pivotally attached to a foot member for adjustment of the seating angle. By moving an opposite end of the seat member along a curved portion of a bottom member of each side frame assembly, the seat angle is changed. A one piece caster assembly is disposed forward of the drivewheels on the chassis. Through the one-piece caster assembly, each caster can be simultaneously adjusted to a particular location along the frame.

Abstract: A wheelchair frame assembly is provided with a foot rest mounting assembly and a caster mounting assembly that are mounted on side frame assemblies. The foot rest mounting assembly includes two foot plate mounting bars connected to respective side frame assemblies for mounting a foot plate. The foot plate mounting bars are positioned such that they angle inwardly towards one another to provide support for the lower portions of the legs and to allow easier movement into tight spaces. A foot plate is mounted to the end of each foot plate mounting bar in a manner that compensates for the obliquely downwardly extending and inwardly tapered nature of the foot plate mounting bar. The caster mounting assembly includes a fork that is provided with a plurality of holes for mounting casters of progressively greater diameter and for providing greater trail for progressively greater diameter casters.

Abstract: A chassis is provided having two longitudinal sides, one or more cross-bars between the sides, and two torsion forwardly and downwardly extending arms terminating in sleeves for holding snap-in casters. When attached to the other wheelchair components, the arms create a space therebetween and under the wheelchair seat for storage of optional items. The molded chassis may be tailored to performance specifications and is constructed from composite material, preferably by compression molding using sheet molding compound or by resin transfer molding. Shock and vibration attenuating characteristics are selectable and the chassis sides may be of one or multiple piece construction. Each longitudinal side includes two vertically extending posts for attaching a seat, the posts providing a height, seat pan angle and center of gravity adjustment mechanism for the seating system relative to the chassis. The drive wheels are attached to camber plugs which are secured within recesses in the sides.

Abstract: A foldable wheelchair having a folding mechanism connecting two side frame assemblies to each other. The side frame assembly supports a castor frame piece, pivoting shafts of the folding mechanism, drive wheel axles and a seat back tube. The side frame assemblies are made of two halves that are secured together and may be fabricated from compression or injection molded composite plastics. The seat angle is adjusted by pivoting the side frame assemblies around a pivot point located in an upward and forward region of the side frame assembly.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a chassis having a pair of side frame assemblies that are rigidly connected to each other by a seat pan. Mounted on each side frame assembly is an interchangeable axle receiving platform for orienting drive wheels at a desired camber angle. One end of a seat member is pivotally attached to a foot member for adjustment of the seating angle. By moving an opposite end of the seat member along a curved portion of a bottom member of each side frame assembly, the seat angle is changed. A one piece caster assembly is disposed forward of the drivewheels on the chassis. Through the one-piece caster assembly, each caster can be simultaneously adjusted to a particular location along the frame.

Abstract: A multipurpose patient support surface is provided with support surface segments connected to one another in series. The segments are formed of a sandwich laminate including a top and a bottom load bearing skin layer separated by a core material. The segments are connected to one another at transverse edges by a hinge area and are locked in position relative to one another to form substantially planar support surface.

Abstract: A generally hollow or foam filled, light-weight wheelchair chassis is constructed from composite materials preferably by compression molding using sheet molding compound for volume production, or by resin transfer molding for the production of smaller numbers of units. Each chassis side may be formed in one or two side portions Two-portion side construction is preferred for compression, and the portions may be molded as a left segment and a right segment that are joined vertically, or as an upper segment and a lower segment that are joined horizontally. Joining may be by conventional pin and socket devices, lap joints, or tongue and groove joints. Manufacture by resin transfer molding is preferred when each chassis side is to be made in one-piece. Metallic elements may be placed into the molds prior to curing, or bonded to the chassis following curing. Reinforcing ribs may also be integrally formed with the sides, or separately formed and attached by suitable bonding or attachment techniques.

Abstract: A modular wheelchair that may be rapidly assembled and disassembled includes an adjustable chassis for releasably attaching a wheel module and a seating module having a detachable leg rest module. The one-piece chassis is constructed from composite materials and has hollow or foam filled longitudinal sides and cross-bars connecting the sides, and two cantilevered or trussed forwardly extending arms which connect swivel castors. The sides include mounts for adjustably attaching the seat module at a selectable center of gravity and height. The composite materials of the arms provide shock and vibration protection and further provide a space behind the arms and beneath the seating assembly for storing and attaching optional equipment. The wheel assembly includes drive wheels constructed from composite materials, smaller travel wheels for traversing narrow openings, anti-tip wheels and wheel locks.

Abstract: A caster retention device is disclosed that supresses flutter or shimmy of a caster wheel and that is easily adjustable. The device includes a caster stem receiving chamber in which a bushing is disposed. The bushing receives a caster stem assembly that includes bearing elements. An adjustable locking device secures the stem assembly within the bushing and is positioned at an opening of the receiving chamber. In one embodiment the device may include first and second collars that are useful for adjusting a preload on the bearings.

Abstract: A modular wheelchair that is fully adjustable for a wide range of users in a wide range of uses includes a wheelchair chassis, a wheel assembly and a seat assembly. Drive wheels of the wheel assembly may be adjusted to have a different camber angle without changing the wheel base or the height of the wheelchair chassis. The modular wheelchair may also include a leg rest assembly that is adjustable to provide easy access to the wheelchair. The seat assembly and the leg rest assembly are each foldable so that the wheel chair may be easily stored.

Abstract: A number of pairs of plug-in chamber angle adjustment plugs are provided having preset angled bores for selection of a desired camber angle for the wheels of the wheelchair. The preset angles are embodies in cylindrical bores longitudinally disposed in the plugs, the bores attached or formed within the plugs at the desired camber angle and so positioned as to compensate for the change in wheelbase which would normally result from changing the camber angle. The stationary axle of the wheel is received and secured within the angled bore. The plugs bear a pattern of holes that may only be inserted in one alignment to attach to a mating pattern of holes in mounting plates formed in the rcesses in the sides of the chassis of the wheelchair. Alternatively, the mounting plate may have a keyway for attaching the plugs. Conventional screws are used to further secure the plugs within recesses in the chassis of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A seating system is provided for a wheel chair including a chassis, two drive wheels, and two swivel mounted casters. The seating system comprises a frame which is adjustably mountable to the chassis. The frame includes two side members and at least one cross-brace member. A seat is removably mounted to the frame for seating a user. The seat may be padded, have webbing material, be sling-back, or be of molded construction. A back rest is mounted to the frame and may include a locking mechanism cooperating with the frame for locking the back rest at an adjustable upright position. A leg rest including a foot rest is adjustably mounted to the frame and includes a leg rest clamping mechanism for clamping the leg rest at a fixed angular orientation relative to the frame. The foot rest may be pivoted to adjust the ankle angle of the user.