Abstract: A vertical foldable wheelchair (10) having a pair of side frame assemblies (11, 11') each including frame members coupled together for selective movement of the side frame assemblies (11, 11') between a vertically extended deployed condition and a relatively vertically compact collapsed condition. The frame members are coupled together to provide a bi-stable, over-center, linkage assembly (13, 13') which is movable between and biased toward both of: (i) a first stable position on one side of a linkage assembly centerline when the side frame assemblies (11, 11') are in the deployed condition; and (ii) a second stable position on an opposite side of the centerline when the side frame assemblies (11, 11') are in the collapsed condition.

Abstract: A reclining backrest apparatus (10) for a wheelchair assembly (11) having a main frame (12). The backrest apparatus (10) includes a backrest frame (13) which is pivotally mounted to the main frame (12) between a normal position and a reclined position. A backrest support assembly (15) is included which slidably mounts the backrest frame (13) for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. A cord member or tendon (17) has one end (20) mounted to the backrest support assembly (15), and an opposite end (21) mounted to the wheelchair main frame (12). A pulley assembly (23) is coupled to the backrest frame (13) for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis (14) during pivotal movement of the backrest frame (13).

Abstract: An two-post armrest apparatus (10) including an armrest frame (12) having a horizontal frame member (13) and downwardly depending front post (15) and rear post (16). A latch assembly (17) includes a latch member (20) which releasably couples the armrest frame (12) to the wheelchair frame (11), and a pivot assembly (21) which cooperates with the latch member (20) for operation thereof. Upon release of the front latching or locking assembly (22) and swinging the armrest frame (12) away from the wheelchair frame (11) and about pivot assembly (21), the latch member (20) is automatically disengaged enabling removal of the armrest frame (12).

Abstract: A wheelchair (20) including a wheelchair frame (22) and a seat assembly (24) carried by the wheelchair frame (22). A detachable power drive assembly (32) having power driven wheels (40, 40') is releasably coupled to the wheelchair frame (22) and is mounted for selective removal of the drive assembly (32) as a unit from the wheelchair frame (22). Wheel mounting ports (76, 76') are also provided in the wheelchair frame (22) for releasably receiving a pair of manually-operable drive wheels (34, 34'). An anti-tip suspension (80) is also provided and includes a suspension arm (84) which is mounted to resist rearward tipping of the wheelchair by a non-linear restoring force. A wheel lock (108) is mounted for movement between a deployed operable position and a stored inoperable position. In the deployed position, the wheel lock (108) extends laterally outwardly of the wheelchair frame (22) for engagement with and braking of manually operable drive wheels (34, 34').

Abstract: A three-wheeled competition wheelchair apparatus (10) including a wheelchair frame (11) having a beam (12) extending generally from an aft portion to a fore portion thereof. A seat assembly (15) includes a seat frame (16) carried by and supported on the wheelchair frame (11). A footrest assembly (17) includes a seat support post (20, 20') having one end movably mounted to the seat frame (16), and an opposite end, carrying footrest plates (21, 21), which is movably mounted longitudinally along the frame beam (12). The three-wheeled competition wheelchair (10) permits selective adjustment of the footrest assembly (17) between the fore and the aft position of the beam (12). Hence, the cumulative center of gravity of the wheelchair apparatus (10) and the occupant can be moved closer to effect the cumulative moment of inertia about the wheelchair pivoting vertical axis to enable more stable and shorter radius turning.

Abstract: A wheelchair frame assembly and method including a plurality of hollow frame members (22-26, 28, 29, 31) connected together at joints and having a configuration suitable for use as a wheelchair frame (21). Selected ones of the frame members (23, 24) are formed with bracket mounting sites designed to accommodate bracket mounting clamping assemblies (49, 56) that will not crush the tubular frame members (23, 24). At one bracket mounting site (62), a clamping assembly (49) includes a fastener assembly (73) with a force limiting element (74) that prevents over-clamping of the hollow frame member (23). At another clamping site, a groove (91) is provided which cooperates with a locking pin (108) in the clamping assembly (56) to resist rotation of the clamping assembly (56) about the frame member (24) without the need to create high transverse clamping forces.

Abstract: A backrest latch assembly (20) is provided for a wheelchair (10) having a movable frame member (11) mounted to a stationary frame member (12) for articulation between a deployed position and a moved position. The latch assembly (20) includes a sliding bolt (22) having a first surface (30) and a base member (23) having a second surface (31). In a latched position, the first surface (30) is oriented in an angularly aligned orientation and cooperates with the second surface (31) to releasably latch the movable frame member (11) to the stationary frame member (12) in the deployed position. The bolt (22) can be axially displaced and rotated to a released position, at which the bolt (22) is retained in a stable condition with the first surface (30) out of engagement with the second surface (31) to allow manual release or disengagement of the bolt (22) without re-latching of the bolt. Thereafter, the movable frame member (11) is free to articulate from the deployed position to the moved position.

Abstract: A wheelchair (20) including a wheelchair frame (22) and a seat assembly (24) carried by the wheelchair frame (22). A detachable power drive assembly (32) having power driven wheels (40, 40') is releasably coupled to the wheelchair frame (22) and is mounted for selective removal of the drive assembly (32) as a unit from the wheelchair frame (22). Wheel mounting ports (76, 76') are also provided in the wheelchair frame (22) for releasably receiving a pair of manually-operable drive wheels (34, 34'). An anti-tip suspension (80) is also provided and includes a suspension arm (84) which is mounted to resist rearward tipping of the wheelchair by a non-linear restoring force. A wheel lock (108) is mounted for movement between a deployed operable position and a stored inoperable position. In the deployed position, the wheel lock (108) extends laterally outwardly of the wheelchair frame (22) for engagement with and braking of manually operable drive wheels (34, 34').

Abstract: A foldable frame (10) for a lightweight wheelchair (8) is disclosed. The foldable wheelchair frame (10) includes a pair of side frame assemblies (12, 14) each having a substantially horizontally oriented upper side frame member (16) extending for directly supporting a seat assembly (20). A cross bracing assembly (38) is mounted between the side frame assemblies (12, 14) for movement of the side frame assemblies (12, 14) between a deployed position and a collapsed position. The cross bracing assembly (38) includes a pair of cross bracing members (40, 42) pivotally coupled to each other by a pivot (44). The cross bracing members (40, 42) are pivotably coupled to the side frame assemblies (12, 14) by coupling proximate upper ends to the upper side frame members (16) and proximate lower ends to a remainder of the side frame assemblies (12, 14).

Abstract: An extendable leg rest assembly (20) having a footrest device (26) for a wheelchair including a mounting assembly (22) for mounting the leg rest assembly (20) to a frame (10) of the wheelchair. An elongated shaft (40) is pivotally coupled to the mounting assembly (22) to enable pivotal movement of the shaft (40) about a first pivotal axis (45) between a lowered position and a raised position. An elongated extension member (50) is telescopically mounted on the shaft (40) for reciprocating movement relative thereto. Pivotally coupled between the mounting assembly (22) and the elongated extension member (50) is a linkage (28). The linkage (28) pivots about a second pivotal axis (75) on the mounting assembly (22) spaced forwardly from the first pivotal axis (45).

Abstract: A swing-away joystick mounting assembly (20) for mounting a joystick (12) to a wheelchair frame member (11). The joystick mounting assembly (20) produces pantographic movement of the joystick device (12) between a retracted position and an extended position to adjust the placement of the joystick (12). Ingress and egress to and from the wheelchair are eased while, further, permitting the wheelchair to be moved closer to a table or desktop (14). A pair of arms (24, 24') are pivotally mounted at first ends (25, 25') to a first mounting mechanism (21) at spaced apart locations and pivotally mounted at second ends (26, 26') to a second mounting mechanism (22) at spaced apart locations. This four-bar configuration produces pantographic movement of the second mounting mechanism with the joystick device (12) carried thereby between the retracted position and the extended position. A latch mechanism (27) releasably secures the arms (24, 24') together in either the retracted position or the extended position.

Abstract: A single-post, height-adjustable and removable armrest apparatus (30) for a wheelchair having wheelchair frame (21). The armrest apparatus includes a base (31) formed for mounting to the wheelchair frame and an arm support assembly (32) having a height-adjustable armrest post (33). Interdisposed between the base and the support assembly is an elongated mounting assembly (34). A locking mechanism (37) is movably mounted to a mounting end (35) of the mounting assembly between a locked condition and a unlocked condition. In the locked condition, the mounting end is locked to the base member, while in the unlocked condition, the mounting end is released from the base. A securing mechanism (40) is movably mounted to an engaging end (36) of the mounting assembly between a secured condition and an unsecured condition. In the secured condition, the armrest post is locked to the mounting assembly, while in the unsecured condition, height adjusting movement of the armrest post is permitted relative to the engaging end.

Abstract: A single-handed manual drive wheelchair assembly (20) for a wheelchair (10) is provided for triplegic persons having use of only one hand. A first drive wheel (22) is provided rotatably mounted to one side (13) of a wheelchair frame (11), while a second drive wheel (23) is rotatably mounted to an opposite side (14) of the frame (20). A manual hand-rim assembly (26) positioned proximate the first drive wheel (22) which is mounted for rotation relative to the first drive wheel (22) about a common wheel axis (24). An elongated drive axle member (30) is coupled between the hand-rim assembly (26) and the second drive wheel (23) which is substantially axially aligned to rotate about the common wheel axis (24). The axle member (30) includes a first latching mechanism (31) on one end thereof which is releasably coupled to the hand-rim assembly (26).

Abstract: An armrest mounting assembly (20) for mounting an inverted, U-shaped, armrest assembly (14) to a wheelchair having a frame (10). The mounting assembly (20) includes a body (22) which is formed to receive an end of the armrest post portions (17). Releasable fasteners (29) couple the body (22) of the armrest mounting block to the wheelchair frame (10). The mounting assembly (20) includes a mounting groove (28) defined by the body (22) proximate a frame engaging surface (24) of the body (22). The groove (28) is formed and dimensioned to slidably receive an enlarged head (36) of the fastener (29) for movement of the mounting block (20) through a plurality of positions along the wheelchair frame member (18) when the fastener (29) is not tightened. This movement permits alignment between the armrest post portion (17) and mounting body (22).

Abstract: A mobile inclinable stander with positioning chair (2) includes a mobile frame (4) and a body support frame (18) tiltably mounted to the mobile frame for movement between upright and reclined orientations. Chest (26), waist (28) and knee (30) supports are mounted to the body support frame. A seat (78) is removably mounted to the body support frame below the waist support so that the waist support acts as a back and arm rest of a positioning chair (119) for a user seated on the seat. The positioning chair is tiltable with the body support frame. The seat frame (84) has two sides (86, 88) pivotally attached to each other to permit opposed clamp plates (100) carried by the sides to be clamped onto the tiltable body support frame. The knee supports include a generally horizontal support post (52) mounted to the body support frame and a pivot tube (56) pivotably mounted over the support post.