US 6,648,343 B2Granted

Stair chair

AssigneeStryker Corporation

InventorsChristopher B. Way, Clifford E. Lambarth, Joshua C. Colvin

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a stair chair. The stair chair includes a seat assembly mounted to a main frame and configured to pivot about a first pivot axis. A rail assembly having two laterally spaced brackets provided at a lower end of the rail assembly is included. A back wheel is rotatably supported on each bracket for rotation about a common axis of rotation. At least two mounts are provided at a lower end of the main frame, each of which is configured to pivotally connect one of the brackets to the main frame for movement about a second pivot axis. The rail assembly and seat assembly are configured to pivot about their respective pivot axes independent of movement of one another. A first spacing exists between the axis of rotation of the front wheels and the axis of rotation of the back wheels when the rail assembly in a retracted position and a second spacing exists between the axis of rotation of the front wheels and the axis of rotation of the back wheels when the rail assembly in a deployed position.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A stair chair comprising:

a main frame;
a seat assembly mounted to said main frame and configured to pivot about a first pivot axis;
said seat assembly including a seat and a support frame pivotally mounted to said main frame wherein at least two laterally spaced front wheels are rotatably attached to a lower end of said support frame;
a rail assembly, at least two laterally spaced brackets provided at a lower end of said rail assembly, each said bracket having a back wheel rotatably supported thereon about a common axis of rotation;
at least two mounts provided at a lower end of said main frame, each of said mounts being configured to pivotally connect one of said brackets to said main frame for movement about a second pivot axis;
said rail assembly being configured to pivot about said second pivot axis independent of movement of said seat assembly and said seat assembly being configured to pivot about said first pivot axis independent of movement of said rail assembly;
and
a first spacing between an axis of rotation of said front wheels and said axis of rotation of said back wheels when said rail assembly is in a retracted position and a second spacing between said axis of rotation of said front wheels and said axis of rotation of said back wheels when said rail assembly in a deployed position.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/046,441Filed 14 Jan 2002
Published: US 2003/0132585 A117 Jul 2003
Granted: 18 Nov 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

A61G 5/061
With obstacle mounting facilities, e.g. for climbing stairs, kerbs or steps: for climbing stairs
A61G 5/066
With obstacle mounting facilities, e.g. for climbing stairs, kerbs or steps: with endless belts
A61G 5/0833
Characterised by a particular folding direction: folding front to back, e.g. reducing or expanding the overall depth of the wheelchair
A61G 5/0883
Foldable: having locking means for maintaining a folded or unfolded condition