(19)
(11) EP 0 490 660 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
15.07.1992 Bulletin 1992/29

(43) Date of publication A2:
17.06.1992 Bulletin 1992/25

(21) Application number: 91311534.1

(22) Date of filing: 11.12.1991
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5A61G 5/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
BE DE FR GB NL SE

(30) Priority: 13.12.1990 GB 9027068

(71) Applicant: F J PAYNE (MANUFACTURING) LTD
Oxford OX8 1JT (GB)

(72) Inventor:
  • Sanders, John, c/o F J Payne (Manufacturing) Ltd.
    Eynsham, Witney OX8 1JT (GB)

(74) Representative: Rock, Olaf Colin 
Rock and Company Trelawn
Cassington Oxford OX8 1 DN
Cassington Oxford OX8 1 DN (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Wheel chair


    (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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