Abstract: A wheelchair including at least one of the following features: (a) a patient support assembly that includes a seat (2) and a back (3) that move vertically together between the operative position and the transfer position; (b) a patient support assembly that is attached to a threaded member (15) that rotates to raise the patient support assembly; and/or (c) an articulating support for at least one of the wheels (6) comprising at least two slides (12), one of the slides (12) being attached to the wheel (6) and the other of the slides (12) being attached to the base, so that the wheel moves laterally to facilitate transfer.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a set of features which facilitate transfering a patient to an alternative surface and raising the chair to an alternative seating height. The first of these features enables each of the handwheels to be independently pivoted rearward by raising its related arm rest. The motion of the wheel is over centering and its rearward position is determined by a brake pad which engages its respective handwheel. The rearward position of the handwheel is such as to clear the rear of the seat. The forward position is determined with the arm rest in the normal down position and latched to the frame. The second feature is a lifting mechanism for raising the patient to the level of an alternative surface such as a bed. The third feature has the seat surface fabricated from a moveable belt which laterally transports the patient to the alternative surface. The wheelchair also has an embodiment which allows folding for easy transport.