The present invention relates to a device and method for adjusting a wheelchair leg rest. More, specifically, the invention relates to a device and a method as disclosed respectively in the preambles of claims 1 and 7.

The device according to the invention is an improvement of an existing known solution, and can far more easily be adjusted to the needs of different users as regards adjustment of the leg angle of the leg rest. Traditionally, this is often solved by offering different leg rests mounted at fixed angles. This means that the whole leg rest must be changed in order to change the desired angle. Legs rests that give fixed angles of 70°, 80° or 90°, measured from the horizontal plane down to the leg rest (see Fig. 1), are often used.

As examples of prior art in the field, mention may also be made of US 3,282,605 and US 3,337,261, which describe almost identical solutions for changing the angle of the foot/leg rest, both of which are far more complex than the solution according to the invention. The upper end of the rest is hinge-attached to the other parts of the wheelchair, and at a distance below the hinge point, there is mounted on the rest a toothed rack-like device having a circular arc form. The toothed rack is intended to cooperate with a locking device that is fixed to the other parts of the wheelchair, and the locking device comprises a mechanism in the form of teeth or the like for engagement with the teeth on the toothed rack, and also a mechanism for side shifting the toothed rack so that it disengages from the teeth in the locking device. In this position, the desired angle for the rest can be adjusted in steps, and once the desired angle has been found, the locking mechanism effects side shifting of the toothed rack so that it re-engages with the teeth in the locking device.

The prior art also includes US 4 893 827 A, which describes a wheelchair having an adjustable leg rest. The wheelchair includes a foot rest member with a body having a bracket which slideably accommodates one leg of a two-legged support, the opposite leg of which is slidably accommodated in a tube secured to the bottom of the wheelchair seat. Legs are joined to one another by a pivot to enable the included angle between the legs to be adjusted. This angle is maintained by means of a tubular bracket pivoted to a link fixed on the wheelchair seat and a rod pivoted at one end to a link secured to the leg and having its other end slideably accommodated in the bracket. A set screw reacts between the members and to maintain them in selected positions of adjustment.

The prior art also includes US 153 478 A which discloses a chair having an adjustable back, seat and leg rest. One arcuate part is attached to the leg rest and another is attached to the seat, which is also pivotal. The leg rest may be adjusted by locking encircling clasps or keepers.

The device and the method according to the invention are characterised by the features disclosed in the characterising clauses of claims 1 and 7 respectively.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims. The device according to the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

• Fig. 1 shows different leg rests with fixed angles according to the prior art;
• Fig. 2 shows an angle-adjustable leg rest according to the invention set at different angles;
• Fig. 3 shows the leg rest in Fig. 2 mounted on a wheelchair and set at different angles; and
• Fig. 4 is a perspective detailed view of the leg rest and the wheelchair shown in Fig. 3.

With reference to Figs. 2-4, there is shown an adjustable wheelchair leg rest device 1 in accordance with the present invention.

Referring in particular to Fig. 4, the device 1 comprises a supporting column 2 to the upper end 3 of which is attachable a forward, upper part 4 of a wheelchair and to the lower end 5 of which is attachable a footrest 6. The supporting column 2 further comprises an upper 2' and a lower 2" part which are hinge-connectable to the wheelchair via a pivot joint 7, or the supporting column comprises an upper part (2') and a lower part (2") which are hinge-connected at a pivot joint (7). To the lower part 2" of the supporting column 2, at a distance from the pivot joint 7, there is attached a first, preferably circular-arc-shaped part 8 having a plurality of adjustment holes 9 arranged along a circular arc with center at the pivot joint 7. The device 1 further comprises a second arc-shaped part (11). To a forward, lower part 10 of the wheelchair there is attachable a second, preferably circular-arc-shaped part 11 for locking cooperation with the first part 8, a plurality of adjustment holes 9 also being provided in the second part 11 along a similar circular arc as for the first part 8, both arc-shaped parts (8, 9) having the same centre when attached to the wheelchair, where the locking advantageously is effected by a bolt 12 passed through two adjustment holes 9 on their respective parts 8, 11 aligned with each other by turning the lower part 2" of the supporting column 2 about the pivot joint 7, and where the bolt is locked with a nut 13.

The angle adjustment of the device 1, as can be seen, is not stepless, but has predetermined angles of, for example, 70°, 80° or 90°, measured from a horizontal plane through the link 7 and down to the second part 2" of the supporting column 2. This can be seen in particular from Figure 2. Thus, fixed, predefined angles for a user's leg are obtained.

In a non-illustrated alternative embodiment, the locking bolt 12 is locked in threads provided in the adjustment holes 9 instead of using a locking nut 13.

In another non-illustrated alternative embodiment, the link 7 is arranged at the junction between the forward, upper part of the wheelchair 4 and the supporting column 2.

The aforementioned directional indications "upper", "lower", "forward" etc. are merely intended for descriptive purposes, and should by no means be regarded as limiting for the invention.