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 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 lightweight wheelchair (10) including a front frame (27), footrest assembly (33), and mounting means (34,48) for mounting the footrest assembly (33) to the frame (27) for pivotal movement between a position in front of the chair and a position beside the chair is disclosed. The footrest assembly (33) is mounted to a front frame member (27) of the chair by a pivotal joint (34) and is further supported by a support bracket (48) which engages a side of the front frame member (27) below the pivotal joint (34). Mounted to the bracket (48) and front frame member (27) are cooperating subassemblies (56,57) which latch the footrest assembly (33) in a position in front of the chair and simultaneously bind or cam-down the inner end (49) of the bracket (48) against the side of the vertical front frame member (27).

Abstract: For a wheelchair, an improved handrim assembly includes a wheelrim with circumferentially spaced-apart slots formed through the wheelrim and anchor tab members loosely mounted through the slots. The anchor tabs have enlarged heads on the outer side of the rim and narrower neck portions which extend radially inward of the wheelrim. Fasteners mounted through apertures in the anchor tab necks extend transversely from the anchor tabs and are rigidly connected to portions to a handrim. Each of the slots in the wheelrim is longer in the circumferential direction than in the transverse direction, and the neck portions of the anchor tabs are flat-sided to bear against the long sides of the slots, thereby reducing shear stresses on the tab neck portions and the wheelrim.