Abstract: A footrest assembly for wheelchair of the type having a structure expandable from a contracted condition to an expanded position comprises a beam assembly having a structural member having a first end and a second end. A first joint one or more rotational degrees of freedom is adapted to interface the first end of the structural member to a first side of a frame of the wheelchair. A linkage assembly is connected to the structural member by a central joint with one or more rotational degrees of freedom and a lockable translational degree of freedom joint. A second joint with one or more rotational degrees of freedom is adapted to interface the linkage assembly to a second side of the frame of the wheelchair. A connector interface releasably engages the beam assembly to the linkage assembly and/or to the second joint when the wheelchair is deployed for use.

Abstract: A housing unit for a caster assembly comprising a hollow housing body forming an inner cavity. A first bearing is connected to the hollow housing body, the first bearing defining a rotational axis through its center, and configured to rotatably support a first portion of a stem supporting a caster for rotation about the rotational axis. A support assembly is connected to the hollow housing body, the support assembly being spaced from the first bearing, the support assembly having bearing segments concurrently defining a plain bearing around the rotational axis, the plain bearing configured to rotatably support a second portion of the stem during rotation about the rotational axis.

Abstract: A spacing bar of a wheelchair frame comprising an elongated structural body having a pair of opposite ends, each of the opposite ends having a C-shaped clamp configured for being clamped to respective lateral frame members of the wheelchair frame, wherein the elongated structural body and the C-shaped clamps are integrally made of a monocoque composite construction, and a tightening assembly for each of the C-shaped clamps, the tightening assemblies being arranged in the spacing bar to loosen and tighten the C-shaped clamps to the respective lateral frame members.

Abstract: A system of bracket assemblies for a wheelchair comprises a pair of bracket assemblies adapted to be connected to respective sides of a seat frame of the wheelchair. Each of the bracket assemblies has a base adapted to be secured to a seat frame member of the seat frame, an arm adapted to be secured to a backrest frame member of a backrest frame, and a pivot pivotally connecting the base to the arm for rotational movement of the arm relative to the base. One or more blocking mechanism blocks the rotational movement of the arm relative to the base in a use orientation of the backrest frame. A rod having opposed ends connected to the base of the pair of the bracket assemblies for spacing the bracket assemblies away from one another. A rear wheel unit is also provided.

Abstract: A tube assembly for a wheelchair frame comprises a tubular member having at least a first portion and a second portion angled relative to the first portion, the first portion configured to be in a seating zone of the wheelchair frame. The second portion is configured to be in a bottom front zone of the wheelchair frame, the tubular member defining a surface concavity in its peripheral surface delimited by a peripheral step, the surface concavity located at a junction between the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member. An interface member has a peripheral contour shaped and sized for the interface member to be received in the surface concavity and contoured at least partially by the peripheral step.

Abstract: A wheelchair rear wheel support assembly and a detachable arm assembly is described. The rear wheel support assembly is adjustable by finite adjustment both in the horizontal and vertical planes whereby to adjust the position of the rear wheels at a center of gravity to suit a user person to optimize the efforts of propulsion of the wheelchair by the user and thereby significantly increasing its quality of life. The detachable armrest is easily adjustable in height and can be pivoted away from its position of use by simple hand-operating levers easily accessible to the user person. It can also be easily removed with little effort.

Abstract: A brake system for a wheelchair comprises a lever assembly adapted to be movably connected to a wheelchair frame, the lever assembly having a handle portion for hand manipulation. A brake unit is adapted to be pivotally connected to relative to the wheelchair frame, the brake unit having a brake end adapted to contact the wheel. An actuator portion and a follower portion are in the brake system, the follower portion cooperating with the actuator portion for the brake unit to be selectively displaceable between at least two configurations, including a floating configuration in which the brake end contacts the wheel so as to automatically pivot into blocking contact with the wheel when the wheel rotates rearwardly, while allowing a forward rotation of the wheel, and a locking configuration in which the brake end is manually locked into blocking contact with the wheel.

Abstract: A spacing bar of a wheelchair frame comprising an elongated structural body having a pair of opposite ends, each of the opposite ends having a C-shaped clamp configured for being clamped to respective lateral frame members of the wheelchair frame, wherein the elongated structural body and the C-shaped clamps are integrally made of a monocoque composite construction, and a tightening assembly for each of the C-shaped clamps, the tightening assemblies being arranged in the spacing bar to loosen and tighten the C- shaped clamps to the respective lateral frame members.

Abstract: A caster assembly for a wheelchair comprises a stem having a frame clamp at a first end and a fork clamp at a second end, the frame clamp configured to form a frame joint with at least one rotational degree of freedom with a frame portion of the wheelchair, a tightening of the frame clamp securing the stem to the frame portion, the frame joint having a frame rotational axis. A fork unit has a fork portion and a caster rotatably supported by the fork portion, the fork unit having swivel mechanism, and a joint portion forming a rotational joint with the fork clamp of the stem, a tightening of the fork clamp blocking rotation of the rotational joint, the rotational joint having a fork rotational axis. A vector of the fork rotational axis is normal to a fork rotational plane in which the fork rotates relative to the stem, and further wherein the frame rotational axis is not parallel to the fork rotational plane.

Abstract: A seat assembly for wheelchair of the type having a structure expandable from a contracted condition to an expanded position comprises a pair of tubular members connected to the structure. Each tubular member has a main tubular body, a secondary tubular body parallel to and inside the main tubular body, and an elongated slit extending along both the main tubular body and the secondary tubular body and common to both the main tubular body and the secondary tubular body. The slits open into an inner channel of the secondary tubular body. The main tubular body and the secondary tubular body form a hollow integral piece of composite material. A panel, e.g., of non-rigid material has rods on its opposite edges, the rods having a diameter smaller than that of the secondary tube and larger than a width of the slit to be held captive in the secondary tube, whereby the panel extends through the slit.

Abstract: A wheelchair rear wheel support assembly and a detachable arm assembly is described. The rear wheel support assembly is adjustable by finite adjustment both in the horizontal and vertical planes whereby to adjust the position of the rear wheels at a center of gravity to suit a user person to optimize the efforts of propulsion of the wheelchair by the user and thereby significantly increasing its quality of life. The detachable armrest is easily adjustable in height and can be pivoted away from its position of use by simple hand-operating levers easily accessible to the user person. It can also be easily removed with little effort.

Abstract: A light weight foldable and customizable wheelchair (4) is described. It is comprised of a tubular frame (9) formed at least in part of molded polymer matrix composite material tubes and connectors. The wheelchair has two side frame tubular assemblies (9, 9?) interconnected in side-by-side relationship by a pair of cross-brace (8, 8?) members. The side frame tubular assemblies define a seating section (6) therebetween. A rear wheel mounting post (80) is secured to each of the side frame assemblies adjacent a rear end section thereof for securing a rear wheel (86) to each of the side frame tubular assemblies (9, 9?) at a desired selected position. A front wheel assembly (7, 7?) is secured to a lowermost front end of each of the side frame tubular assemblies. The seating section (6) is configurable along three axes.