PRIORITY CLAIM The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/726,856 filed on Oct. 14, 2005 for CLAMPING ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH WHEELCHAIRS, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates generally to a retainer assembly useful for retaining items of various shapes and sizes together. More particularly, this application relates to various embodiments of removable and/or adjustable wheelchair seating assemblies and to various embodiments of retainer assemblies for use therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wheelchairs are a means of transportation for a significant portion of society. Some wheelchairs include removable and/or adjustable seating systems. The removability of
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wheelchairs are a means of transportation for a significant portion of society. Some wheelchairs include removable and/or adjustable seating systems. The removability of such seating systems allows a user of the wheelchair to easily assemble and disassemble the seat with the wheelchair.
SUMMARY Embodiments of a retainer assembly are provided. The retainer assembly includes, for example, a bracket that partially surrounds a part or component and a latching component pivotally attached to the bracket. The latching component and frame bracket retain the part or component to a portion of the wheelchair frame when the latching component is located in the closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary wheelchair;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a retainer assembly;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the retainer assembly of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a removable seating assembly including the retainer assembly of FIG. 2 with the latching component in the open position;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a removable seating assembly including the retainer assembly of FIG. 2 with the latching component in the closed position;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the retainer assembly of FIG. 2 being used with a cylindrical member; and
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a retainer assembly according to a second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present application relates to a retainer assembly for use in retaining assorted items of various shapes and sizes together and, in particular, to various embodiments of removable wheelchair seating assemblies and various embodiments of retainer assemblies for use therewith. The application is applicable to retainer assemblies and wheelchair seating assemblies of varying constructions.
Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an exemplary wheelchair 100 is shown. The wheelchair 100 has a frame 102 that includes a first side cane 104 and a second side cane 106. For the purpose of this application a frame 102 is any tubular or cylindrical (including frame components with circular, elliptical, or oval cross sections) member that defines some structural aspect of a wheelchair. The frame 102 can take a wide variety of different shapes and configurations. The frame 102 of the exemplary wheelchair illustrated in FIG. 1 is fashioned from metal, but other suitable materials such as plastic or a composite material could also be used. The wheelchair illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes a pair of wheels 110, a pair of optional leg rests 120, a pair of optional arm rests 130, a seat bottom 140 and a backrest 150.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an exemplary retainer assembly 200 is shown. The embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 can be utilized with the exemplary wheelchair 100 shown in FIG. 1. However, it should be understood that wheelchair seating assembly 200 of this detailed description is not limited to use with the exemplary wheelchair 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The retainer assembly 200 disclosed by this detailed description can be used with any type of wheelchair, including but not limited to, manually driven wheelchairs, motor driven wheelchairs, wheelchairs with rigid frames, wheelchairs with folding frames, scooters, rollators, and other mobility aids. In addition, the retainer assembly 200 disclosed by this detailed description can also be used for other devices apart from mobility aids.
The embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 generally includes a frame attachment bracket 210 and a latching component 220. The frame attachment bracket 210 can take a variety of shapes and configurations. The frame attachment bracket 210 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is generally “J” shaped with a generally planar attachment portion 230 and a frame retaining portion 240 which has a generally curved shape (as shown in more detail in FIG. 3). It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the frame attachment bracket 210 is not limited to this shape and configuration and other suitable shapes and configurations could also be used in additional embodiments. Examples of additional shapes that could be used for the frame attachment bracket 210 include, but are not limited to, a planar attachment portion 230 with a frame retaining portion 240 which has the shape of a portion of a square, or a planar attachment 230 portion with a frame retaining portion 240 which has the shape of a portion of a triangle, etc. In addition, the frame attachment bracket 210 could be fashioned without a planar attachment portion 230 and could simply be shaped like a portion of a triangle, square, circle, oval, ellipse, or have an irregular shape. The frame attachment bracket 210 can have any shape or configuration which allows it to partially surround a portion of the side canes 104, 106. The frame attachment bracket 210 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is fashioned from metal, but other suitable materials such as plastic or a composite material could also be used.
The embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a latching component 220. The latching component 220 can take a variety of shapes and configurations. The embodiment of the latching component 220 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a generally arcuate latching portion 250 (as shown in more detail in FIG. 3). As with the frame attachment bracket 210, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the latching component 220 is not limited to the shape and configuration of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 and other shapes and configurations could be used. Examples of additional shapes that can be used for the latching component 220 include, but are not limited to, a portion of a square, a portion of a rectangle, a portion of a triangle, etc. The latching component 220 can have any shape or configuration which allows it to partially surround a portion of the side canes 104, 106. The latching component 220 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is fashioned from metal, but other suitable materials such as plastic or a composite material could also be used.
The embodiment of the latching component 220 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a positioning member 260 (as shown in more detail in FIG. 3). The positioning member 260 can take a variety of shapes and configurations. The embodiment of the positioning member 260 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a protruding tab which projects from the arcuate shaped latching portion. The positioning member 260 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is adapted to be grasped or manipulated by a user when positioning the latching component 220. However, the positioning member 260 need not be included with all embodiments of the latching component 220 as the user could simply grasp a portion of the latching component 220 directly. It should also be understood that the positioning member 260 could take other forms besides a protruding tab. Examples of other items that can be used for the positioning member 260 include, but are not limited to, a string, a cable, a depression or opening defined within the surface of the latching component, etc. The positioning member 260 can have any shape or configuration which allows a user to manipulate the position of the latching component 220.
The frame attachment bracket 210 and the latching component 220 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 are coupled. The frame attachment bracket 210 and the latching component 220 can be coupled in a variety of different ways. In the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, an optional channel or cut-out 270 is defined within the frame retaining portion 240 of the frame attachment bracket 210. The optional channel or cut-out 270 divides a portion of the frame retaining portion 240 of the embodiment of the frame attachment bracket 210 illustrated in FIG. 2 into a first prong 272 and second prong 274. The embodiment of the latching component 220 illustrated in FIG. 2 is coupled to the frame attachment bracket 210 by a fastener 280. A variety of different fasteners could be used. The fastener 280 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a conventional screw.
The embodiment of the latching component 220 illustrated in FIG. 2 is mounted by the fastener 280 between the first and second prongs 272, 274 and partially fits within the channel 270 of the frame attachment bracket 210. As shown in FIG. 3, the fastener 280 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 3 extends through an opening 310 defined within the first prong 272 of the frame attachment bracket 210, proceeds through an opening 330 defined within the latching component 220, and into an opening 320 defined within the second prong 274 of the frame attachment bracket 210. The latching component 220 freely pivots on the fastener 280 relative to the frame attachment bracket 210 between an opened position and a closed position.
The fastener 280 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a screw which threads into a female threaded opening 320 defined within the second prong 274 of the frame attachment bracket 210. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the latching component 220 could be attached to the frame attachment bracket 210 in other ways. For example, the latching component 220 could be attached to the frame attachment bracket 210 by the use of a post which extends from the frame attachment bracket 210 and fits within an opening defined within the latching component 220 or vice versa. The latching component 220 could also be attached to the frame attachment bracket 210 by many other connection methods, such as a hinge, etc. In addition, it should also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the frame attachment bracket 210 need not include a channel or cut-out 270 in all embodiments. In alternative embodiments, the frame attachment bracket could be formed without a channel 270 and the latching component 220 could be affixed to another portion of the frame attachment bracket as shown in the embodiment of the retainer assembly illustrated in FIG. 7.
The embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 also includes a locating mechanism 290. The locating mechanism 290 can take a wide variety of forms. In the embodiment of the retainer assembly illustrated in FIG. 3, the locating mechanism 290 is mounted to the frame attachment bracket 210. It should be understood that the locating mechanism 290 could also be located on the latching component 220 or another portion of the retainer assembly 200. In the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 3, the locating mechanism 290 is a set screw that is threaded into a threaded opening 340 in the first prong 272 of the frame attachment bracket 210. Additional types of locating mechanism 290 that can be used include, but are not limited to, cam latches, spring latches, compression latches, rotary action latches, draw latches, magnetic latches, etc. The locating mechanism 290 can be any item or structure that provides for the fixing of the location of the latching component 220 relative to the frame attachment bracket 210, whether done selectively or automatically.
The latching component 220 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an optional detent notch 292. The detent notch 292 can take a wide variety of shapes and configurations. In the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, the detent notch 292 is a circular shaped depression defined within the surface of the latching component. Examples of additional shapes that can be used for the detent notch include, but are not limited to a square, triangle, rectangle, oval, etc.
The tip of the locating mechanism 290 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 extends below the lower surface of the first prong 272 of the frame attachment bracket 210. A portion of the locating mechanism 290 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is adapted to engage the detent notch 292 defined within the latching component 220. The engagement of the locating mechanism 290 with the detent notch 292 of the latching component 220 retains the latching component of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 in a predetermined closed position until the latching component 220 is urged out of the closed position by a user of the retainer assembly 200.
The latching component 220 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes one detent notch 292; however latching components 220 of additional embodiments of the retainer assembly 200 could include multiple detent notches, each of the detent notches defining discrete positions of the latching component 220. In addition, the retainer assembly 200 could also include multiple locating mechanisms 290 as well. It should also be understood that in additional embodiments the locating mechanism 290 could be located on the latching component 220 and the detent notch 292 could be defined within the frame attachment bracket 210.
While the locating mechanism 290 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is a set screw, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that different types of locating mechanism could be used in additional embodiments. For example, the locating mechanism 290 could be a spring loaded plunger 290a as illustrated in FIG. 7. The spring loaded plunger 290a is mounted within an opening defined within the frame attachment bracket 210a. The tip of the spring loaded plunger 290a extends above the top surface 710 of the frame attachment bracket 210a as illustrated in FIG. 7. The tip of the spring loaded plunger 290a is adapted to fit within a detent notch (not shown) defined within the latching component 220a. The locating mechanism could also simply be a protrusion which projects from a surface of the frame attachment bracket 210 or latching component 220 and fits within a detent defined within the other component. It should be understood that all embodiments of the retainer assembly need not include a detent notch or other locating mechanism. In additional embodiments of the retainer assembly, the latching component 220 could be retained in position by methods other than a detent notch.
In the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, the latching component 220 pivots freely on the fastener 280 relative to the frame attachment bracket 210. However, when the locating mechanism 290 is engaged with the detent notch 292 defined within the latching component 220, the latching component 220 is positively located in a pre-determined position. A force must then be exerted on the latching component 220 by the user to overcome the engagement force between the locating mechanism 290 and the latching component 220 to allow the latching component 220 to freely pivot on the fastener 280 relative to the frame attachment bracket 210.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of one embodiment of a removable seating assembly 400 including the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is shown. The embodiment of the seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a pair of retainer assemblies 200 with one retainer assembly for retaining each side cane 104, 106. However, alternative embodiments of the removable seating assembly 400 could include one, two or any number of retainer assemblies 200. In addition, the retainer assemblies 200 could be used to retain any component to a wheelchair frame or any two components of a wheelchair together. It should also be understood that the retainer assembly 200 of this application is not limited to use with wheelchairs only. The retainer assembly 200 could be used in connection with other medical devices, such as scooters, walkers, rollators, canes, crutches, etc., or any other type of mechanism, structure, or assembly that involves the retaining of parts together. The embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 could be use for any application that requires the retaining of a cylindrically shaped member as illustrated in FIG. 6. It should also be understood that the retainer assembly 200 could be adapted for use with items that have non-circular shaped cross sections, such as squares, triangles, etc.
The embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a backrest bracket 420 which is attached to the backrest 410 of the seating assembly 400. While the backrest bracket 420 of the embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is attached to the backrest by a plurality of screws 420, the backrest bracket 420 could be attached to the backrest 410 using nuts and bolts, rivets, glue, weldments, or any other type of fastener. The backrest bracket 420 of the embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is “L” shaped; however brackets of various shapes and sizes could also be used. The frame attachment bracket 210 of the embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 4 is attached to the backrest bracket 420. While, the frame attachment bracket 210 of the embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is attached to the backrest bracket 420 by a plurality of nuts and bolts 430, the frame attachment bracket 210 could be attached to the backrest bracket 420 using screws, rivets, glue, weldments, or any other type of fastener. In additional embodiments of the seating assembly 400, the frame attachment bracket 210 is attached directly to the backrest 410 or another portion of the seating assembly 400 without the use of any backrest bracket 420.
To use the embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4, the frame retaining portion 240 of the frame attachment bracket 210 of the seating assembly 400 is placed around a portion of the side cane 104 of the wheelchair with the latching component 220 in the open position (as shown in FIG. 4). The user then pivots the latching component 220 relative to the frame attachment bracket 210 to the closed position. In the closed position, the latching component 220 of the embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 couples with the frame attachment bracket 210 to retain the retainer assembly 200 onto a portion of the side cane 104 (as shown in FIG. 5). The locating mechanism 290 of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 engages with the latching component 220 via the detent notch 292 when the latching component 220 is in the closed position. This engagement positively locates the latching component 220 in the closed position and retains the side cane 104 within the retainer assembly 200.
The retainer assembly 200 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 can retain the backrest 410 of the seating assembly 400 to the side canes 104, 106 in a variety of ways. The size, shape and configuration of the retainer assembly 200 can be adapted to fully encircle the side cane when the latching component 220 is in the closed position and retain the backrest 410 to the side canes 104, 106 without compressing the side canes 104, 106 or the latching component 220 or frame attachment bracket 210 being deformed. Accordingly, the retainer assembly 200 would prohibit the backrest 210 from detaching from the side canes 104, 106 while the latching component 220 was in the closed position but would not actually be clamping down on the side canes 104, 106.
In addition, other embodiments of the retainer assembly 200 can retain the backrest 410 of the seating assembly 400 to the side canes 104, 106 by exerting a compressive or clamping force on the side canes 104, 106. This clamping or compressive force can be created in various ways. For example, either the frame attachment bracket 210 or latching component 220 can be adapted to be resiliently deformable. The retainer assembly 200 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 can be adapted for use with a cylindrical frame component which has a diameter which causes either the frame bracket 210 or latching component 220 to resiliently deform when the latching component is moved to the closed position. The resilient deformation of either the frame bracket 210 or latching component 220 exerts a clamping or compressive force on the side cane 104 when the latching component 220 is in the closed position.
In addition, the clamping force exerted by the retainer assembly 200 on the side canes 104, 106 could be generated by use of the retainer assembly 200 on a side cane 104, 106 made of a material adapted to resiliently deform. The retainer assembly 200 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 can be adapted for use with a cylindrical frame component which has a diameter which causes such a resiliently deformable side cane 104, 106 to resiliently deform when the latching component 220 is moved to the closed position. The resilient deformation of the side cane 104, 106 causes the frame bracket 210 or latching component 220 to exert a clamping or compressive force on the side cane 104 when the latching component 220 is in the closed position. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that such a clamping or compressive force could be achieved in many additional ways as well.
Accordingly, the latching component 220 securely attaches the backrest 410 to the side cane 104. The latching component 220 remains in the closed position until a sufficient force is placed upon the latching component 220 to overcome the engagement of the locating mechanism 290 with the detent notch 292 of the latching component. Consequently, the backrest 410 will remain securely attached to the side cane 104 until such a force is applied to the latching component 220. Additional embodiments of the seating assembly could include locking members, latches or other devices which work in concert with the locating mechanism to lock the latching component 220 in a desired position.
The embodiment of the retainer assembly 200 illustrated in FIG. 4 allows for one handed installation and removal of the backrest 410. In addition, the retainer assembly 200 does not require any tools to tighten or loosen any of its components during use.
It should be noted that while the embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is only a removable seating assembly, it could also be adjustable as well with the retainer assembly 200 providing for adjustment of the seating assembly 400 or other portion of the wheelchair. While the retainer assembly 200 of the embodiment of the removable seating assembly 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is only shown in use with a backrest, it could also be used with other components of a wheelchair seating assembly, such as a seat bottom or an entire seat including both a backrest and a seat bottom. In addition, the retainer assembly 200 of this application could also be used with other components of a wheelchair, such as legrests, armrests, etc., or with other devices apart from wheelchairs.
It should be understood that the embodiments discussed above are representative of aspects of the invention and are provided as examples and not an exhaustive description of implementations of an aspect of the invention. While various aspects of the invention are described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects may be realized in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects and features of the invention, such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the aspects, concepts or features of the invention into additional embodiments within the scope of the present invention even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the invention may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated.
