Mobility support device

An occupant propelled mobile support device for a handicapped person and rollable along a reaction surface, the mobile support device comprising:

• frame means including first and second longitudinally extending frame sections oriented in spaced relationship, each of said frame sections having a lower portion and a front portion;
• a back support portion extending between and coupled with the first and second frame sections;
• a seat portion extending between and coupled with the first and second frame sections and centrally disposed above said lower portions;
• and
• a wheel assembly mounted on said lower portions so as to engage the reaction surface, said wheel assembly including a pair of front caster wheels, a pair of rear caster wheels, and a pair of intermediate wheels, each of said intermediate wheels having a fixed transverse axis of rotation and being positioned intermediate said front and rear caster wheels to inhibit transverse motion, each of said frame sections carrying one of said front caster wheels, one of said intermediate wheels and one of said rear caster wheels, each of said wheels having a lower most tangent lying in a common plane, said spaced frame sections defining a free region in front of said seat portion through which said handicapped person's feet can reach said reaction surface and provide a propelling force to said mobile support device, said wheels being disposed outside of said free region, said lower portions being rigid to inhibit relative vertical displacement between said caster wheels and said fixed axle wheels so that said wheel assembly constitutes means to inhibit rocking of said first and second frame sections about said intermediate wheels so that contact between all of said wheels with said reaction surface is maintained, the front portions of said frame sections being spaced from one another so that unrestricted access is provided for the handicapped person to said seat portion, said back support portion, and said free region, said device further comprising a braking means for braking at least one wheel on each of said frame sections.