Manual wheelchair system for improved propulsion and transfers

A method for configuring a manual wheelchair, the manual wheelchair comprising a frame defining a base of support region and including a seat surface having a front edge, first side edge, a second side edge and a back edge, wherein the seat surface is positioned substantially within the base of support region, a drive wheel connected to the frame and configured to engage a travel surface, a push rim positioned above the travel surface, and a transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel, and a push rim repositioning mechanism including a swing arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the push rim and a second end is coupled to the drive wheel, the method comprising:

• securing the push rim in a propulsion position wherein the push rim extends along substantially the entire first side edge and above the seat surface in the propulsion position;
• activating the push rim repositioning mechanism;
• and
• moving the push rim from the propulsion position to a transfer position via a rotation of the repositioning member about a first axis of rotation such that the first end is rotated over a top of the drive wheel from a position in front of the second end to a position behind the second end.

A manual wheelchair comprising:

• a frame defining a base of support region and including a seat surface having a front edge, first side edge, a second side edge and a back edge, wherein the seat surface is positioned substantially within the base of support region;
• a drive wheel connected to the frame, having a first axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame;
• a push rim, having a second axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame, wherein the second axis of rotation is closer to the front edge of the seat surface than the first axis of rotation in a propulsion position;
• a transmission connected to the drive wheel and the push rim and positioned below the seat surface, the transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim into rotation of the drive wheel;
• a push rim repositioning mechanism configured to allow the push rim to be repositioned relative to the seat surface, wherein the push rim repositioning mechanism comprises a swing arm having a first end connected to the frame and a second end, wherein the swing arm is configured to rotate about the first end relative to the first axis of rotation from the propulsion position to a transfer position, and wherein the first axis of rotation is closer to the front edge of the seat surface than the second axis of rotation in the transfer position.

A manual wheelchair comprising:

• a frame defining a base of support region and including a seat surface having a front edge, first side edge, a second side edge and a back edge, wherein the seat surface is positioned substantially within the base of support region;
• a drive wheel connected to the frame and configured to engage a travel surface, the drive wheel having a first axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame;
• a push rim, having a second axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame, the entire push rim positioned above the travel surface;
• a transmission connected to the drive wheel and the push rim and positioned below the seat surface, the transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim into rotation of the drive wheel;
• a push rim repositioning mechanism configured to allow the push rim to be repositioned relative to the seat surface, wherein the push rim extends along substantially the entire first side edge and above the seat surface in a propulsion position and does not extend along any portion of the first side edge in a transfer position;
• and
• wherein the push rim repositioning mechanism comprises a quick release mechanism configured to allow the push rim to be disconnected from the manual wheelchair without disconnecting either of the drive wheel or the transmission from the frame, wherein the push rim is disconnected from the manual wheelchair in the transfer position.