Wheelchair

Abstract

 A wheelchair (10) is described including a pair of side frames (14, 16), each side frame (14, 16) having a lower frame part (14a, 16a) and an upper frame part (14b, 16b) which are moveable relative to each other between a 'storage' condition, in which an uppermost part of each upper frame part (14b, 16b) is positioned remotely from its respective lower frame support (14a, 16a), and an 'in use' condition, in which the uppermost part of each upper frame part (14b, 16b) is positioned closer to its respective lower frame part (14a, 16a), wherein movement of the upper frame parts (14b, 16b) from their 'in use' condition to their 'storage' condition effects movement of the side frames (14, 16) towards each other.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a wheelchair.

[0002] Wheelchairs are often used in environments where space is a premium. One example is the interior of an aircraft. Aircrafts are typically provided with an onboard wheelchair which can be used by non-able-bodied passengers to assist them in travelling from their aircraft seat to an onboard toilet. The prior art wheelchairs which have been designed for this purpose are over-engineered and due to their construction take up too much space when stored on the aircraft.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved wheelchair which addresses the above issues.

[0004] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention, we provide a wheelchair including a pair of side frames, each side frame having a lower frame part and an upper frame part which are moveable relative to each other between a 'storage' condition, in which an uppermost part of each upper frame part is positioned remotely from its respective lower frame support, and an 'in use' condition, in which the uppermost part of each upper frame part is positioned closer to its respective lower frame part, wherein movement of the upper frame parts from their 'in use' condition to their 'storage' condition effects movement of the side frames towards each other.

[0005] Further features of the invention are listed in claims 2 to 6 appended hereto.

[0006] Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the wheelchair in accordance with the invention in an 'in use' condition; and

Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the wheelchair in accordance with the invention in a 'storable' condition.

[0007] Referring to the figures, there is a shown a wheelchair in accordance with the invention, generally at 10. The wheelchair 10 is manufactured from a plurality of tubular members, each of which is made from an Aluminium alloy, and is circular in cross-section. However, it must be appreciated that the wheelchair 10 could be made from any desired material, so long as it is strong enough to support the wheelchair user.

[0008] The wheelchair 10 includes two side frames 14, 16 which are spaced from each other and which are connected to each other by a pair of cross members 18. The side frame 16 is a mirror image of the side frame 14, and thus for clarity only the side frame 14 will be discussed in detail.

[0009] The side frame 14 comprises a lower frame part 14a and an upper frame part 14b, which are telescopically slideable relative to each other. The lower frame part 14a is substantially U-shaped, i.e. it has two upright members 14d, 14e, which are substantially parallel to each other and which are connected at their lower ends by a connecting member 14c. Each end of the connecting member 14c supports a castor wheel 20.

[0010] The upper frame part 14b is substantially h-shaped, i.e. it has two substantially upright members 14f, 14g, which are substantially parallel to each other and which are connected by a connecting member 14h. In the present example the member 14g is a continuation of connecting member 14h. Hingeably connected (for compact storage purposes) at 24 to the upper end of the member 14f is a handle 22 to aid in pushing or pulling of the wheelchair 10.

[0011] The downwardly facing free ends of the members 14f, 14g of the upper frame part 14b are provided with recesses to receive the upwardly facing free ends of the members 14d, 14e of the lower frame part 14b. Thus the upper 14b and the lower 14a frame parts are telescopically slideable relative to each other. Of course, it must be appreciated that, instead of the above configuration, the upwardly facing free ends of the members 14d, 14e could be provided with recesses to receive the downwardly facing free ends of the members 14f, 14g.

[0012] One cross member 18 is pivotally connected at one end to the connecting member 14c of the lower frame part 14a and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the connecting member 16h of the upper frame part 16b. The other cross member 18 is pivotally connected at one end to the connecting member 14h of the upper frame part 16a and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the connecting member 16c of the lower frame part 16a. The cross members 18 are pivotally connected to each other at the mid-region between their ends.

[0013] Although not shown in the figures, the wheelchair 10 includes a seat which extends between connecting members 14h, 16h of the upper frame parts 14b, 16b. The seat is made from a flexible material, e.g. a plastics composite material, although any appropriate material could be used.

[0014] The wheelchair 10 includes a pair of self-transfer members 12a, 12b. One member 12a is connected to the connecting member 14h of the upper frame part 14b and the other member 12b is connected to the connecting member 16h of the upper frame part 16b. The member 12b is a mirror image of the member 12a, and thus for clarity only the member 12a will be discussed in detail.

[0015] The member 12a is substantially planar and includes a U-shaped frame 26. Connected to the U-shaped frame 26 is a substantially rigid sheet 27, e.g. an aluminium sheet (although any other appropriate material could be used, e.g. a plastics material). The U-shaped frame 26 is pivotally connected to the connecting member 14h of the upper frame part 14b by a pair of hinges 30, and is moveable between a first position (that of the member 12b as shown in the figures) and a second position (that of the member 12a as shown in the figures). In the first position the member 12a is substantially vertical and provides a side wall to a seat region of the wheelchair 10.

[0016] In the first position a part of the U-shaped frame 26 also provides an armrest for a user of the wheelchair 10. The member 12a is lockable in the first position by a lock mechanism indicated at 34.

[0017] In the second position the member 12a is pivoted outwardly away from a centreline of the wheelchair 10 so as to engage an object, e.g. an aircraft seat. In the second position the aluminium sheet 27 provides a self-transfer surface over which the wheelchair user can move. In the second position the sheet 27 and the seat (not shown) provide a substantially continuous surface which assists the wheelchair user to self-transfer.

[0018] The wheelchair 10 also includes a pair of footrests 32 which are a mirror image of each other. Thus, only the footrest 32 connected to the side frame 16 will be discussed in detail.

[0019] The footrest 32 includes a U-shaped foot support 33. Each end of the U-shaped foot support 33 is provided with a sleeve which is slidably received on a rod or tube 35. Connected to the rod or tube 35, at a mid-region thereof, is a support rod or tube 36, which extends away from the rod or tube 35 towards the side frame 16 where it is pivotally connected to an upper region of the frame member 16b. Pivotally connected at 38 to a mid-region of the rod or tube 36 is an elongate link member 39. The opposite end of the link member 39 has an elongate aperture 40 which receives a projecting member 41, which projecting member 41 is connected to the frame member 16c.

[0020] The wheelchair 10 is operated as follows.

[0021] When the wheelchair 10 is in the storage condition, as shown in figure 2, and it is desired to use the wheelchair 10, all that is required is for the user to push downwardly on one or both of the upper frame parts 14b, 16b, so as to effect relative movement of the uppermost parts, in this case the connecting members 14h, 16h, of the upper frame parts 14b, 16b towards the lower frame parts 14a, 16a. Due to the pivotal connection of the cross members 18 to each other and to the upper and lower frame parts 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, downward movement of the upper frame parts 14b, 16b effects movement of the side frames 14, 16 away from each other. The side frames 14, 16 continue to move away from each other until the upwardly facing free ends of the members 14d, 14e, 16d, 16e of the lower frame parts 14b, 16b are fully received in the recesses in the downwardly facing free ends of the members 14f, 14g, 16f, 16g of the upper frame parts 14b, 16b. In this position the seat extends substantially horizontally between the side frames 14, 16.

[0022] Downward movement of the upper frame parts 14b, 16b also deploys the footrests 32. Due to the connection of the link member 39 to the rod or tube 37, when the upper frame parts 14b, 16b are moved towards the lower frame parts 14a, 16a, the rod or tube 37 is pivoted outwardly away from its respective side frame 14, 16. The footrests 32 continue to move away from the side frame 14, 16 until the upwardly facing free ends of the members 14d, 14e, 16d, 16e of the lower frame parts 14b, 16b are fully received in the recesses in the downwardly facing free ends of the members 14f, 14g, 16f, 16g of the upper frame parts 14b, 16b. In this position the rod or tube 37 extends away from its side frame 14, 16 as it extends towards a ground surface supporting the wheelchair 10. The user then pivots each foot support 33 about its respective rod or tube 35 until the foot support is in a desired position (e.g. usually slightly inclined to the ground surface).

[0023] In order to return the wheelchair to its storage condition, it is necessary to effect movement of the uppermost parts, e.g. the connecting members 14h, 16h, of the upper frame parts, in this case the connecting members 14h, 16h, away from the lower frame parts 14a, 16a. This is most easily achieved by lifting one or both of the upper frame parts 14b, 16b away from the ground surface. Due to the weight of the lower frame parts 14a, 16a, and the castor wheels 20 connected thereto, the lower frame parts 14a, 16a will tend to remain close to the ground surface when the upper frame parts 14b, 16b are lifted. Due to the pivotal connection of the cross members 18 to each other and to the upper and lower frame parts 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, lifting of the upper frame parts 14b, 16b effects movement of the side frames 14, 16 towards each other, thus returning the wheelchair 10 to its storage condition. The footrests 32 are also returned to their storage condition, positioned adjacent each other and between the side frames 14, 16, due to the linkage arrangement between the rod or tube 37 and the link member 39 (it is necessary for the foot supports 33 to be pivoted to their storage condition before one or both of the upper frame parts 14b, 16b are lifted).

[0024] The wheelchair 10 is advantageous over prior art wheelchairs in many ways. For example, in order to fold or collapse some prior art wheelchairs to their storage condition, it is necessary to apply a downward pressure to the seat of the wheelchair, after a lock or safety mechanism has been deactivated. If the lock or safety mechanism is not correctly activated prior to the wheelchair being used, it is thus possible for the wheelchair to collapse/fold upon a person mounting the wheelchair, which could lead to injury.

[0025] Furthermore, in prior art wheelchairs the footrests require to be positioned manually once the wheelchair has been unfolded, which is time-consuming. Often the footrest are not deployed at all, or not deployed correctly, which means that the wheelchair user may have difficulty in positioning his/her feet. This could result in discomfort to the wheelchair user or possibly injury due to the increased pressure on the user's thighs. In addition, on prior art wheelchairs the footrests project outwardly beyond the periphery of the wheelchair frame structure, which is undesirable as a person walking past the wheelchair could hurt his/her legs on the projecting footrests.

[0026] Having footrests which are deployed automatically, when the wheelchair is moved to its 'in use' condition, and which are substantially concealed when in the storage condition, therefore reduces the likelihood of the above problems occurring.

[0027] Although the wheelchair 10 described above has a pair of footrests 32, it could be provided with one footrest which has a large enough foot support 33 to support two feet, but which is still moveable in the same was as the footrests 32.

[0028] When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0029] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A wheelchair including a pair of side frames, each side frame having a lower frame part and an upper frame part which are moveable relative to each other between a 'storage' condition, in which an uppermost part of each upper frame part is positioned remotely from its respective lower frame support, and an 'in use' condition, in which the uppermost part of each upper frame part is positioned closer to its respective lower frame part, wherein movement of the upper frame parts from their 'in use' condition to their 'storage' condition effects movement of the side frames towards each other.

2. A wheelchair according to claim 1 wherein movement of the upper frame parts from their 'storage' condition to their 'in use' condition effects movement of the side frames away from each other.

3. A wheelchair according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lower frame part and an upper frame part of each side frame are slidably connected to each other.

4. A wheelchair according to any preceding claim wherein the lower frame part and an upper frame part of each side frame are telescopically slideable relative to each other.

5. A wheelchair according to any preceding claim wherein the side frames are connected by a pair of cross members.

6. A wheelchair according to claim 5 wherein one cross member is pivotally connected at one end to the upper frame part of a first of the side frames and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the lower frame part of the second of the side frames, and wherein the other cross member is pivotally connected at one end to the upper frame part of the second of the side frames and pivotally connected at its opposite end to the lower frame part of the first of the side frames.

7. A wheelchair for use on an aircraft having the features of any one of claims 1 to 6.

Drawing