GB2446726A

GB2446726A - Modular wheelchair with alternate widths and wheel sizes

Info

Publication number: GB2446726A
Application number: GB0803884A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Mcnally
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-01
Filing date: 2008-03-01
Publication date: 2008-08-20
Also published as: GB0803884D0

Abstract

A wheelchair comprises horizontal tubes 4 linking side frames 5. The width of the chair may be altered changing the horizontal tubes 4 and a fabric seat unit. The wheelchair may also comprise two alternative axle housings 2 in each side frame 5, allowing the use of alternate wheel sizes to give self-propelled and transit style configurations. Front castor forks 3 may be inset such that when used with a shopping trolley designed specifically for the disabled it there is no clash between the castor wheels of the wheelchair and the rear castor wheels of the shopping trolley. A basket may also rest on the lower horizontal.

Description

S

DESCRIPTION:

The invention is a robust and versatile wheelchair which has been designed specifically for commercial use, i.e. multi-person use in environments such as a supermarket, airport, hospital etc. A series of mechanisms fimdamental to conventional wheelchair design are not applicable here, thereby eliminating the number of weak points.

The key feature of the conventional wheelchair is the sliding criss-cross mechanism. On the new wheelchair it has been replaced by 4 horizontal, telescopic tubes or cross-members -Diagram 1, figure 4. This is a more substantial amngement as there are no moving parts.

The telescopic assembly of this wheelchair can be extended laterally to accommodate various size users, for example, the standard 45 cm. seat width or the extra-wide 50 cm. seat width, whilst the modular frame remains the same for either size. This is achieved by varying the length of the horizontal telescopic tubes which hold the wheelchair together.

The one-piece slip on seat and back fabric -Diagram 2 is simple to fit and remove. The seat sleeves, Diagram 2, figure 1 are fitted over the side support tubes of the main frame -Diagram 1, figure 1, whilst the sleeves on the back rest are fitted over the upper frame section adjacent to the chair handles -Diagram I figure 5. This easily removable fabric is particularly beneficial in a hospital environment Since the material is auto-clavable at high temperature, there will be obvious hygiene benefits.

There are 2 manual wheelchair styles: I. The self-propelled model has larger tear wheels (often 60 cm.) and can be operated by the user-Diagram 3, figure 1.

2. The transit model has smaller rear wheels (often 30cm.) It is reliant upon the attendant to push the user -Diagram 3, figure 2 This new wheelchair can quickly be modified to either format -Diagram I, figure 2, and Diagram 3, figure 3, as each wheel size has its own dedicated axle housing; likewise each wheel size has its own dedicated brake housing.

For the supennarket environment, the pitch centre of the castor wheels has been reduced. This is to accommodate the pitch centre of a supermarket shopping trolley designed specifically for use with wheelchairs -Diagram I, figure 3.

NOTE; The supermarket shopping trolley which, it is claimed, is designed specifically for use with wheelchairs is, in fact, incompatible with the conventional wheelchair, as there is a castor clash between the rear castors of the shopping trolley and the front castors of the wheelchair.

DESCRIPTION

The invention is a robust versatile wheelchair which has been designed specifically for heavy duty commercial use as opposed to domestic use, i.e. multi-person use in environments such as supennarkets, airports, hospitals, militaty etc. 4,g -mj i'.ôjy pjs.

For the sake of simplicity and cost saving, the complex mechanical mechanisms associated with conventional domestic wheelchairs has been avoided in the design eliminating the usual weak points, basically as there are no moving parts there is less to go wrong.

For example the complex scissors-like sliding and folding mechanism, common to most domestic design chairs, has been replaced by four horizontal tubular cross-members These tubes can valy in length to suit individual needs, so the chair width can be extended laterally from vely narrow to extra wide. The modular chair side-frames remain the same regardless of chair width decided. poj To accommodate the various widths made available by using different lengths of tubing.

Different seat widths would also be used as appropriate.

The upholstery consists of a one-piece slip-on seat and backrest assembly. Diagram 2 fig 1 the seat support sleeves are fitted over support tubes attached to the side frames. Likewise sleeves on the backrest arc fitted over the upper side-frame adjacent to the chair handles. The easily removable upholstery is intended for high-usage environments, particularly hospitals and care facilities, were hygiene is of paramount importance. The upholstery material is capable of withstanding autoclave high temperatures to kill off bacteria.

There are two basic wheelchair styles; 1. Self-propelled, this model has larger rear wheels, and is normally operated by the user -Diagram 3, figure 1.

2. Transit model this has smaller rear wheels and relies on an attendant to operate the chair.

The new design of wheelchair can be quickly adapted to either format -Diagram 1, figure 2, and diagram 3, figure 3. Each size of wheel has its own dedicated axle housin& and each size of wheel has its own dedicated brake-housing.

For use in supermarkets the pitch-centre of the chairs castor-wheels has been reduced to accommodate the pitch centre of shopping-trolley castor wheels, a necessary feature as conventional wheelchair castor-wheels clash' with normal supermarket shopping-trolley castor-wheels. 2.

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DIAGRAM 1.

1. Side support tube for seat. The tube is hinged and seen here in the raised open position to allow seat sleeve to be fitted.

2. Axle housing unit is located in two positions to accommodate both self-propelled and attendant wheelchairs. Note: Higher position for self-propelled wheel, lower position for transit wheel.

3. Castor fork housing located inside wheelchair to reduce wheel pitch.

4. Four telescopic members are self-locating.

5. Back sleeve is fitted over upper section of main side frame.

DIAGRAM 2.

Back and seat 1bric is one piece with 2 sleeves on each side. 1-V.

DIAGRAM 3.

1. 60cm rear wheel.

2. 30cm rear wheel 3. Axle housing for 2 manual wheelchair wheelchair styles.

4. Brake housing for 2 manual wheelchair styles.

Note: higher potion for self-propelled.

lower position for transit brake.

5. Basket. p

DIAGRAM 4 1. Basket.

2. 4 telescopic cross-members. 4. -

DIAGRAM 5.

I. Telescopic tubing to determine width of the wheelchair

Claims

CLAIM

According to the present invention there is provided by Claim I: The complex folding mechanism associated with the conventional domestic wheelchair has been eliminated in favour of 4 simple horizontal telescopic tubes -see Diagram 4, figure
2. By removing all moving parts a much sturdier and robust, as well as low maintenance wheelchair has been invented.

According to the present invention there is provided by Claim 2: The versatility of the new wheelchair is achieved by simply changing the horizontal telescopic tubes to extend or reduce the width of the chair according to user requirements -Diagram 5, figure I. According to the present invention there is provided by Claim 3: The area previously restricted by the criss-cross folding mechanism now has space for a shopping basket -Diagram 4, figure 1.

According to the present invention there is provided by Claim 4: The same principle applies to the one piece slip-on seating arrangement -Diagram 2 where the sleeves in the seat and back fabric fit over the wheelchair's side frames -Diagram 1, figure 1 for seat and diagram I figure 5 for back. This design makes it simple to change the seat width and provides cleaning benefits, especially to hospitals and care homes, where hygiene is of paramount importance.

The chair width is determined by choice of horizontal telescopic tubes and seat width.

Otherwise all aspects of the flat-pack wheelchair design are identical and the side frames are readily inter-changeable, regardless of chair width.

According to the present invention there is provided by Claim 5: The pitch centre of the castor wheels has been reduced to accommodate the pitch centre of the supermarket shopping trolley designed specifically for use with wheelchairs.