Adjustable wheelchair
A wheelchair having a seat frame and at least one side frame is provided. The seat frame includes, for example, a first distal portion having a first releasable attachment and a second distal portion having a second releasable attachment. The at least one side frame includes, for example, a first portion having a substantially horizontal section and second portion having a substantially vertical section. The first releasable attachment of the seat frame is attachable to the side frame substantially horizontal section at a plurality of positions and the second releasable attachment of the seat frame is attachable to the side frame substantially vertical section at a plurality of positions to adjust the position of seat frame.
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This application claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/481,896, filed Jan. 14, 2004 and titled “Wheelchair,” which is hereby fully incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUNDWheelchairs provide an important means of transportation for many people. In addition to transportation, wheelchairs also provide a means for recreation. Recreation wheelchairs include wheelchairs suitable for playing tennis, basketball, softball, hockey, table tennis, and many other sports and activities.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, a wheelchair having a seat frame and at least one side frame is provided. The seat frame includes, for example, a first distal portion having a first releasable attachment and a second distal portion having a second releasable attachment. The at least one side frame includes, for example, a first portion having a substantially horizontal section and second portion having a substantially vertical section. The first releasable attachment of the seat frame is attachable to the side frame's substantially horizontal section at a plurality of positions and the second releasable attachment of the seat frame is attachable to the side frame's substantially vertical section at a plurality of positions to adjust the position of seat frame on the side frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following includes definitions of exemplary terms used throughout the disclosure. Both singular and plural forms of all terms fall within each meaning:
“Attachment” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, something that directly or indirectly attaches one thing to another including, for example, a tie, band, fastener, clamp, or pin.
“Substantially horizontal” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, being largely but not wholly: in the plane of a horizon or primary axis; of, relating to, or near the horizon; or parallel to or in the plane of the horizon; at right angles to a vertical line. “Substantially horizontal” as used herein also includes, but is not limited to, being wholly: of, relating to, or near the horizon; parallel to or in the plane of the horizon; or at right angles to a vertical line. “Substantially horizontal” further includes, but is not limited to, angular deviations up to and including 45 degrees from a horizontal line or axis.
“Substantially vertical” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, being largely but not wholly: perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis; upright; or located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface. “Substantially vertical” as used herein also include, for example, being wholly: perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis; upright; or located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface. “Substantially vertical” further includes, but is not limited to, angular deviations up to and including 45 degrees from a vertical line or axis.
“Attach” or “couple” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, directly or indirectly fastening, securing, joining, connecting, affixing, appending, adding, or binding two or more things or components together.
Referring now to
Wheelchair 100 also includes side frame 104. Side frame 104 has a substantially L-shaped configuration that includes a forward section having projections 106 and at least a portion of substantially horizontal section 105. Seat frame 104 also has a rearward portion that includes at least a portion of substantially vertical section 108. A second substantially horizontal section 107 connects sections 105 and 108. An axle tube 109 connects to side frame 104 a second side frame substantially similar in configuration to side frame 104. An axle tube releasable attachment assembly 110 is provided that attaches axle tube 109 to the side frames. A drive wheel 114 is attached to the axle tube. Front and rear caster wheels are also provided on wheelchair 100.
Illustrated in
Referring now to
In another embodiment, rear seat-to-floor height adjustment can be made by loosening both the forward releasable attachment assembly 112 and rearward releasable attachment assembly 116. As mentioned above, loosening rearward releasably attachment assembly 116 allows for adjusting the position of the rear of the seat frame on the substantially vertical section 108 of the side frame. Loosening forward releasable attachment assembly 112 allows for adjusting its position on the side frame's section 105. Positional adjustment of forward and rearward releasable attachment assemblies 112 and 116 may be necessary to effectuate the complete range of rear seat-to-floor adjustments. Positional adjustment of both assemblies 112 and 116 compensates for the substantially vertical adjustment of rear assembly 116 on side frame section 108. In embodiments where the side frame's substantially vertical portion 108 is arcuate, loosening and tightening of the forward releasable attachment assembly 112 may not be necessary to effectuate the complete range of rear seat-to-floor height adjustment.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, seat frame or side frame sections can be curved or arcuate in shape and clamps can have various geometries and shapes without changing their functions. Therefore, the inventive concept, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
Claims
1. A wheelchair comprising:
- a seat frame having first and second distal portions, the first distal portion comprising a first releasable attachment and the second distal portion comprising a second releasable attachment;
- at least one side frame comprising a first portion having a substantially horizontal section and second portion having a substantially vertical section; and
- wherein the first releasable attachment of the seat frame is attachable to the side frame substantially horizontal section at a plurality of positions and the second releasable attachment of the seat frame is attachable to the side frame substantially vertical section at a plurality of positions to adjust at least a portion of the seat frame's height above a floor.
2. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the first releasable attachment comprises at least one releasable clamp.
3. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the second releasable attachment comprises at least one releasable clamp.
4. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the first and second releasable attachments each comprise at least one releasable clamp.
5. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the side frame comprises third portion for releasably attaching at least one wing or bumper assembly.
6. The wheelchair of claim 5 wherein the third portion comprises mounting projection.
7. The wheelchair of claim 5 wherein the third portion comprises a mounting boss for attaching a wing or bumper assembly.
8. The wheelchair of claim 5 wherein the third portion comprises a substantially cylindrical shape.
9. The wheelchair of claim 5 wherein the third portion comprises a wing or bumper clamp receiving surface.
10. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the side frame comprises a fourth portion having a substantially horizontal section.
11. The wheelchair of claim 10 wherein the fourth portion substantially horizontal section comprises an axle tube attachment receiving surface.
12. The wheelchair of claim 1 further comprising an axle tube and an axle tube attachment and wherein the side frame comprises a fourth portion having a substantially horizontal section having an axle tube attachment receiving surface.
13. The wheelchair of claim 12 wherein the axle tube attachment is attachable to the axle tube attachment receiving surface at a plurality of positions that adjust a center-of-gravity of the wheelchair.
14. A wheelchair comprising:
- a seat frame comprising a substantially L-shaped portion and a backrest portion, the substantially L-shaped portion comprising a front releasable attachment assembly and a rear releasable attachment assembly;
- a side frame comprising a substantially L-shaped portion having a substantially horizontal section and a substantially vertical section; and
- the front releasable attachment assembly attachable to the substantially horizontal section at a plurality of positions and the rear releasable attachment assembly attachable the substantially vertical section at a plurality of positions to adjust the seat frame position.
15. The wheelchair of claim 14 wherein the front releasable attachment comprises at least one releasable clamp.
16. The wheelchair of claim 14 wherein the side frame further comprises a projecting portion.
17. The wheelchair of claim 16 further comprising a wing/bumper assembly having at least one releasable attachment assembly that attaches to the wing/bumper assembly to the projecting portion of the side frame.
18. The wheelchair of claim 16 wherein the substantially horizontal section of the side frame is between the projecting portion and the substantially vertically section of the side frame.
19. A wheelchair comprising:
- a first means for supporting at least a portion of a seat;
- a second means for supporting at least a portion of a seat;
- a first means for releasably attaching the first and second means for supporting and for slideably adjusting a forward portion of the first means for supporting along a forward portion of the second means for supporting; and
- a second means for releasably attaching the first and second means for supporting and for slideably adjusting a rearward portion of the first means for supporting along a rearward portion of the second means for supporting.
20. The wheelchair of claim 19 wherein the first means for releasably attaching comprises a clamp.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 14, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 4, 2005
Applicant:
Inventor: Christopher Peterson (Tierra Verde, FL)
Application Number: 11/036,883