Collapsible manual wheelchair system for improved propulsion and transfers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10695239-B2
Application number	US-201815990381-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 25, 2018
Priority date	Mar 14, 2013
Publication date	Jun 30, 2020
Grant date	Jun 30, 2020

Abstract

A manual wheelchair including a collapsible frame with at least one brace connected to at least one of the frame members. A drive wheel axel extends along a first axis of rotation and engages a drive wheel, the first brace, and a portion of a transmission. A push rim axel extends along a second axis of rotation and engages a push rim wheel, the second brace, and a portion of the transmission, which transmits rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. The at least one brace is configured to release the at least one of the frame members to collapse the wheelchair.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A manual wheelchair comprising:
a frame comprising a plurality of frame members;
a drive wheel having a first axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame;
a push rim having a second axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame,
a transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel;
at least one brace connected to at least one of the frame members;
wherein the at least one brace is configured to release the at least one of the frame members to collapse the wheelchair.

2. The manual wheelchair of claim 1 , wherein the at least two cross frame members are connected via a collapsible axis.

3. The manual wheelchair of claim 1 , wherein the at least one brace comprises a first brace having a first end connected to a frame member.

4. The manual wheelchair of claim 3 , wherein the first end of the first brace comprises a recess configured to engage a portion of the frame member.

5. The manual wheelchair of claim 4 , wherein the recess is configured release the frame member to collapse the wheelchair.

6. The manual wheelchair of claim 3 , wherein the first brace is further connected to an axel.

7. The manual wheelchair of claim 6 , wherein the axel is a drive wheel axel.

8. The manual wheelchair of claim 6 , wherein the axel is a push rim axel.

9. The manual wheelchair of claim 6 , wherein the first brace comprises a through hole aligned with an axis of rotation of the axel.

10. The manual wheelchair of claim 9 , wherein through hole is positioned at a second end of the first brace.

11. The manual wheelchair of claim 9 , wherein through hole is positioned in a middle section of the first brace.

12. The manual wheelchair of claim 1 , wherein the at least one brace comprises a second brace having a first end connected to a frame member.

13. The manual wheelchair of claim 12 , wherein the first end of the second brace comprises a recess configured to engage a portion of the frame member.

14. The manual wheelchair of claim 13 , wherein the recess is configured release the frame member to collapse the wheelchair.

15. The manual wheelchair of claim 12 , wherein the second brace further comprises a second end connected to an axel.

16. The manual wheelchair of claim 15 , wherein the axel is a drive wheel axel.

17. The manual wheelchair of claim 15 , wherein the axel is a push rim axel.

18. The manual wheelchair of claim 15 , wherein the second end of the second brace comprises a through hole aligned with an axis of rotation of the axel.

19. The manual wheelchair of claim 18 , wherein through hole is positioned at a second end of the second brace.

20. The manual wheelchair of claim 18 , wherein through hole is positioned in a middle section of the second brace.

Assignees

• Us Gov Veterans Affairs
• Univ Minnesota

Inventors

• Hansen Andrew H
• Goldish Gary D
• Nickel Eric

Classifications

• A61G5/0875

  dismountable, e.g. where the wheelchair can be disassembled for transportation or storage · CPC title

• A61G5/026

  Cranks or hand wheels · CPC title

• A61G5/1054

  Large wheels, e.g. higher than the seat portion · CPC title

• A61G5/0825

  comprising a scissor-type frame, e.g. having pivoting cross bars for enabling folding · CPC title

• A61G5/023 Primary

  acting directly on hubs or axis · CPC title