초록 ▼

A folding framework for a wheelchair has side frames interconnected by front and rear toggle braces each preferably formed from a pair of U-shaped arms of spring wire and a linkage extends between the hinges of the toggle braces. A securing arm is latchable with the linkage to hold the structure in

A folding framework for a wheelchair has side frames interconnected by front and rear toggle braces each preferably formed from a pair of U-shaped arms of spring wire and a linkage extends between the hinges of the toggle braces. A securing arm is latchable with the linkage to hold the structure in an erected condition, the arrangement being such that the side frames are maintained parallel to one another. Direct drive motors may be mounted on wheels and to facilitate folding the hinges of the toggle brace may be offset relative to the fore and aft line of the vehicle so that when folded the side frames are offset relative to one another and the motors overlap. Preferably a diagonal brace extends below the folding framework to maintain parallel alignment of the side frames and a latching arm co-operates with the linkage between the toggle braces so that on lifting the latching arm, the linkage and the toggle braces are displaced in the closing direction.

대표청구항 ▼

In a motorized folding wheelchair comprising side frames mounting respective front and rear wheels, the rear wheels each having an electric motor connected thereto, the structure being adapted to carry an electric battery to drive the motors and control equipment for controlling the motors, front an

In a motorized folding wheelchair comprising side frames mounting respective front and rear wheels, the rear wheels each having an electric motor connected thereto, the structure being adapted to carry an electric battery to drive the motors and control equipment for controlling the motors, front and rear toggle braces each comprising two hingeably connected arms extending between the front and rear ends of the side frames, a linking element interconnecting the front and rear toggle braces at the region of central hinges thereof, the improvement comprising the hinges being similarly offset relative to the fore/aft central plane of the vehicle, a latching arm hingeably mounted to one of the side frames about an axis substantially parallel to the linking element, the linking element carrying latch means engageable with the arm when it is in a downwardly displaced locking position to hold the toggle braces in an extended and locked position in normal use, and a diagonal bracing element pivotally connected adjacent opposite corners of the structure and extending below the linking element and latching arm, whereby folding of the wheelchair is initiated by upward displacement of said latching arm which engages with the latch means of the linking element to displace the linking element rearwardly thereby causing said toggle braces to commence folding.