Dual function wheelchair

Abstract

The present invention implements a releasable wheel mounting mechanism and a dual braking system to provide a wheelchair that transforms from a conventional wheelchair to a companion wheelchair. A set of small rear wheels traditionally found on a companion wheelchair is mounted on the rear of the chair, along with a means for removably mounting a set of large wheels. When the large wheels are removed, the chair reverts to a companion chair having handles on the rear of the chair for steering by a second person. With the large wheels mounted on the chair, the chair serves as a conventional wheelchair capable of being steered and propelled by the chair's occupant. To enable the dual nature of the chair, the present invention employs a braking system that allows the chair to be stopped by the occupant in either mode. A mechanical lever system applies a braking force to the large wheels when the chair is in the conventional mode, and a cable connection allows the same lever to actuate a similar braking operation on the small wheels in the companion mode.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.