US 4,989,890 AGranted

Length and width adjustable wheelchair

AssigneeInvacare Corporation

InventorsWalter G. Lockard, Herbert J. Hoekstra, Allen J. Boris, Douglas M. Nickles

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Wheelchair side frames (A) include forward and rearward side frame portions (10, 12) which are telescopically interconnected such that the length of the side frames is selectively adjustable. A cross brace folding assembly (B) interconnects the side frames and selectively moves the side frames between folded and open configurations. The cross brace mechanism includes a pair of cross brace members (30, 32) which are pivotally interconnected (34) and which are each adjustable in length to adjust the width of the wheelchair in the open configuration without adjusting the height of the seat (100). A pair of rear seat support members (114) are telescopically mounted on posts (112) of the rear frame and are interconnected with stand-off members (120) for supporting a seat back portion (110). The stand-off members hold the seat back away from the rear seat support members such that the clamps from orthopedic braces and appliances may be freely mounted therealong. A front foot rest assembly (D) includes a foot rest supporting member (174) which adjusts up/down, fore/aft, and the degree of tilt. Front wheel mounting assemblies (E) are mounted to the side frame at a selectively adjustable angle.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A length adjustable wheelchair, comprising:

a pair of side frames, each of said side frames including a forward frame portion and a rearward frame portion, said forward and rearward frame portions of each of said side frames being slidably interconnected;
a pair of rear wheels, each of said rear wheels being rotatably mounted to one of said rearward frame portions;
a pair of front wheels, each of said front wheels being connected with one of said forward frame portions;
adjustable interconnecting means for releasably interconnecting said forward and rearward frame portions of each of said side frames to permit repeatable selective adjustment of the length of said side frames and of the distance between said front and rear wheels;
a seat assembly operatively connected with at least one of said forward and rearward frame portions of each of said side frames;
a pair of leg rest assemblies, each of said leg rest assemblies being mounted to one of said forward frame portions and including a foot supporting portion pivotally mounted thereto for pivoting movement about a generally horizontal axis such that said foot supporting portion can be pivoted between a lowered position extending generally across the front of the wheelchair and a raised position disposed generally parallel to said side frames, whereby said foot supporting portions can be pivoted to the raised position to facilitate access to the front of the wheelchair;
and
folding means for foldably interconnecting said side frames for movement between a folded position in which said side frames are substantially contiguous and an open position, whereby positioning said foot rest portions in the raised position facilitates folding said side frames to the folded position.

5 more elements

An adjustable wheelchair, comprising:

a pair of side frames, each of said side frames including a forward frame portion and a rearward frame portion, said forward and rearward frame portions of each of said side frames being slidably interconnected;
a pair of rear wheels, each of said rear wheels being operatively connected to one of said rearward frame portions;
a pair of forward wheels, each of said forward wheels being operatively connected to one of said forward frame portions;
a pair of seat supporting members;
means for supporting said seat supporting members in a predetermined vertical relationship relative to said side frames;
a pair of the swing-away foot rest assemblies, each of said foot rest assemblies being pivotally mounted on one of said forward frame portions for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis;
adjustable interconnecting means for releasably interconnecting said forward and rearward frame portions of each of said side frames to permit repeatable selective adjustment of the distance between said forward and rear wheels such that the length of said side frames is repeatably selectively adjustable;
and
adjustable folding means for foldably interconnecting said side frames for movement between a folded position and an open position, said folding means permitting selective adjustment of the distance between said side frames in the open position, said folding means including a pair of cross brace members pivotally interconnected along a single central pivot axis by a central pivot means, each of said cross brace members having a lower end pivotally connected to one of said side frames along a lower pivot axis and an upper end connected to one of said seat supporting members, the lengths of said cross brace members being selectively adjustable to permit adjustment of the distance between said side frames while retaining the predetermined vertical relationship between said seat supporting members and said side frames.

6 more elements

A width adjustable wheelchair, comprising:

a pair of side frames;
a pair of seat supporting members;
means for supporting said seat supporting members in a predetermined vertical relationship relative to said side frames;
a pair of cross brace members pivotally interconnected along a single central pivot axis by a central pivot means, each of said cross brace members having a lower end pivotally connected to one of said side frames along a lower pivot axis and an upper end connected to one of said seat supporting members, said cross brace members including means for selectively adjusting the lengths of said cross brace members to permit adjustment of the distance between said side frames while retaining the predetermined vertical relationship between said seat supporting members and said side frames;
a seat supported between said seat supporting members;
a connecting link having a pivotal connection with one of said cross brace members and a pivotal connection with one of said side frames;
and
means for adjusting the length of said connecting link.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/284,233Filed 14 Dec 1988 · continuation
Priority: 30 Sep 1986
Granted: 5 Feb 1991
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A61G 5/00
Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons
A61G 5/0825
Folding side to side, e.g. reducing or expanding the overall width of the wheelchair: comprising a scissor-type frame, e.g. having pivoting cross…
A61G 5/125
Rests specially adapted therefor, e.g. for the head or the feet: for arms
A61G 5/128
Rests specially adapted therefor, e.g. for the head or the feet: for feet

Family

Serial931,501Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 30 Sep 1986
Serial927,802Parent of this continuation · filed 5 Nov 1986
US 4,813,693 AParent of this continuation
US 4,840,390 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 4,989,890 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.