(57) A wheel chair (10, 50) having a fore and aft axis (A, B) and a horizontal lateral
axis at right angle to the fore and aft axis and comprising a seat (50) and a wheeled
chassis (10) which are each discrete self supporting structures; a demountable coupling
(25, 64) linking the seat (50) to the chassis (10); the coupling (25, 64) including
a latch (25) operable with the seat (50) in a mounting position relative to the chassis
(10) between a locked state when the seat (50) is secured to the chassis (10) and
a free state when the seat (10) is released from engagement with the chassis; and
a lifting point (63, 60) incorporated in the seat (50) to enable at least the seat
(50) (with or without an occupant) to be lifted whether or not coupled to the chassis;
characterized by first alignment structure (30, 31, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) mounted on the chassis (10)
and second alignment structure (53, 54, 64) mounted on the seat (50), one alignment
structure incorporating the latch (25) and the other alignment structure incorporates
a latch engaging member (64); the second structure serving to functionally interact
with the first so that:
(a) on lowering the seat (50) towards the chassis (10) to juxtapose the first and
second alignment structure the structures interact to urge the seat towards a final
mounting position in the lateral direction and in the fore and aft direction;
(b) when the seat (50) is coupled to the chassis (10) in the final mounting position
the engaging member (64) is retained by the latch (25) so as to couple the seat (50)
to the chassis (10) and to limit any tendency of the seat (50) to move relative to
the chassis (10); the latch (25) and retaining member (64) when coupled being at a
given single location permitting ready inspection of the coupled members.
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