Leg-propelled wheelchair

Abstract

The wheelchair incorporates a telescoping pivoting input lever. At its lower end, the lever carries a footrest for securement to the user's feet. At its upper end, the lever is connected to a horizontal shaft rotatably mounted to the wheelchair frame, at an elevation below the top surface of the seat. The user pivots his lower legs about the knee joints to produce an oscillating pivoting motion. A drive assembly, incorporating the shaft, engages the lever with a rear wheel of the wheelchair. The drive assembly functions to convert the oscillating pivoting motion to forward rotational motion and to transmit this motion to the wheel to drive it. The telescopic nature of the lever enables the user's knees to remain stationary. Means are provided to regulate the length of the lever so that the footrest supports the lower legs. Means are also provided for manually engaging or disengaging the drive assembly so that the user can put the wheels into free-wheeling mode, when desired. The assembly is intended to enable the user to exercise the leg muscles in the course of propelling the wheelchair.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.