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: 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 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: 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).