Wheelchair shelter
An accessory wheelchair shelter adapted to universally install onto the framework of an electric wheelchair. The wheelchair shelter of the present invention comprises: a frame structure having: a chair-attaching portion, a pair of vertical struts, and a canopy frame, a sheltering cover having: a canopy, a front-side curtain, and a rear curtain. The sheltering cover is adapted with strategic portions thereof made of a clear and resilient material thus allow satisfactory viewing area to the outside of said cover. Once assembled—by means of zippers along all mating edges—the wheelchair shelter of the present invention thereby provides protection against sun, snow, rain and the like thus allowing greater freedom, protection and comfort to persons utilizing said wheelchairs.
The present invention relates to an accessory wheelchair shelter adapted to universally install onto the framework of an electric wheelchair. The wheelchair shelter of the present invention comprises: a frame structure having: a chair-attaching portion, a pair of vertical struts, and a canopy frame, a sheltering cover having: a canopy, a front-side curtain, and a rear curtain. The sheltering cover is adapted with strategic portions thereof made of a clear and resilient material thus allow satisfactory viewing area to the outside of said cover. Once assembled—by means of zippers along all mating edges—the wheelchair shelter of the present invention thereby provides protection against sun, snow, rain and the like thus allowing greater freedom, protection and comfort to persons utilizing said wheelchairs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONUnlike conventional road vehicles, wheelchairs are and have been to date bare to the elements. The lack of such shelter has long prevented persons utilizing wheelchairs from the freedom to travel outdoors when conditions are less than desirable.
The inventor—also a wheelchair user—sought to provide the significant mass of like users, with a wheelchair shelter that is non-obtrusive, lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and especially protectively functional against the elements.
Thus the inventor presents your commissioner with a wheelchair shelter that is indeed non-obtrusive, lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and that functionally protects users against the sun, snow, rain and the like.
One attempt in prior art—in particular U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,553—teaches of a golf cart rain coat wherein the invention depicts a combination golf cart AND a rain coat for same. The invention fails to enable users to adapt a similar arrangement to any existing electric wheelchair thus again failing to satisfy the mandate of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is thus the object of the present invention to provide wheelchair users with a wheelchair shelter that is non-obtrusive, lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and especially protectively functional against the elements.
In one aspect of the invention, the shelter of the present invention is fabricated using materials protected against UV rays.
In another aspect of the invention, the canopy portion may incorporate a removable cover over a clear roof window.
In a further aspect, the chair-attaching portion of the shelter of the present invention may be adapted to engage to a manual wheelchair.
In yet another aspect of the invention, an attached trailing wagon—also sheltered—may be provided to further enhance the freedom benefits.
Accordingly, the shelter of the present invention therefore provides wheelchair users with a shelter that is non-obtrusive, lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and protectively functional against the elements.
Although the preferred embodiment illustrates the use of the present shelter in conjunction with wheelchairs, the utility of the present invention includes but is not limited to such wheelchairs.
These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following brief description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
While the invention is described in conjunction with preferred illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTIn the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.
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Upon referring to the drawing figures and the above specification, it can be understood that the present invention provides wheelchair users with a shelter that is non-obtrusive, lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and protectively functional against the elements. And with the addition of the trailing wagon, the user can also transport an impressive amount of content, and perhaps even take a child for a stroll!
Claims
1. A wheelchair shelter comprising:
- i. a wheelchair-attaching portion having a plurality of attaching points to said wheelchair for greater stability,
- ii. a frame structure having a generally rectangular form when viewed from above,
- iii. a sheltering cover having a canopy, a front-side curtain and a rear curtain, and
- iv. fastening means to said frame structure.
2. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein plurality of attaching points of said wheelchair-attaching portion provides greater stability to the frame structure by means of secure attachments to at least four points onto the wheelchair frame work.
3. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the frame structure further comprises: a pair of vertical struts extending upwardly from the wheelchair-attaching portion at the rear of said wheelchair and up to a height comfortably greater than the top of a wheelchair users head thus providing clearance during entry and exit of the wheelchair, a canopy frame, and a pair of diagonal braces firmly attached to each side member of the canopy frame near the rear portion thereof and each upper portion of the vertical struts thus forming a triangular structurally rigid combination.
4. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the shelter cover is removably attached to the canopy frame's underside by means of a flap integrally attached to the inner underside of said canopy and adapted with a plurality of mating snaps.
5. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the shelter cover is also adapted with a zipper fastener at its lower perimeter so as to provide attachment of both a front-side curtain and a rear curtain.
6. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the shelter cover is adapted with a perimeter skirt integrally attached to said canopy to the outside of the zipper fastener.
7. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the covering shelter is fabricated using impermeable materials and joinery methods.
8. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the front-side curtain of the sheltering cover has a clear and resilient front-side window across a substantially panoramic area thereby allowing optimal viewing area to the outside through said front-side curtain.
9. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the rear curtain of the sheltering cover is adapted with two corner windows so as to provide substantial rear-viewing area therethrough.
10. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the rear curtain of the sheltering cover is adapted with a ventilation screen at the rear upper portion of said rear curtain thereby allowing air passage therethrough.
11. The wheelchair shelter of claim 1 wherein the rear curtain of the sheltering cover is adapted with zipper fasteners both at its very top edge to mate with a similar zipper fastener at the rear portion of the canopy, and two vertical zipper fasteners at each vertical extremity of said rear curtain to mate with zipper fasteners of the vertical extremities of the front-side curtain.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 14, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 17, 2008
Inventor: Donna Mohns (Sudbury)
Application Number: 11/486,017
International Classification: E04H 15/06 (20060101);