초록 ▼

A chassis is provided having two longitudinal sides, one or more cross-bars between the sides, and two torsion forwardly and downwardly extending arms terminating in sleeves for holding snap-in casters. When attached to the other wheelchair components, the arms create a space therebetween and under

A chassis is provided having two longitudinal sides, one or more cross-bars between the sides, and two torsion forwardly and downwardly extending arms terminating in sleeves for holding snap-in casters. When attached to the other wheelchair components, the arms create a space therebetween and under the wheelchair seat for storage of optional items. The molded chassis may be tailored to performance specifications and is constructed from composite material, preferably by compression molding using sheet molding compound or by resin transfer molding. Shock and vibration attenuating characteristics are selectable and the chassis sides may be of one or multiple piece construction. Each longitudinal side includes two vertically extending posts for attaching a seat, the posts providing a height, seat pan angle and center of gravity adjustment mechanism for the seating system relative to the chassis. The drive wheels are attached to camber plugs which are secured within recesses in the sides. The camber plugs are interchangeable and include a variety of selected camber angles. In another aspect of the present invention, the cross-bars are of adjustable width thereby permitting the width of the chassis to be adjusted to accommodate users of different sizes, and to accommodate different sized seating systems. In an additional aspect of the invention, the chassis disassembles into two halves, the two halves connected by cross-bars of a preselected length. In one additional aspect, seat mounting rails are attached within an inner surface of the longitudinal sides. The chassis may attach a variety of seating systems, including one piece composite seats.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A wheelchair assembly comprising: two molded longitudinal side portions formed of composite material, one end of each side portion including a molded-in means for receiving a caster assembly; at least one bridge member connecting said side portions to each other; said two molded longitudinal

1. A wheelchair assembly comprising: two molded longitudinal side portions formed of composite material, one end of each side portion including a molded-in means for receiving a caster assembly; at least one bridge member connecting said side portions to each other; said two molded longitudinal side portions each having molded-in means for receiving a drive wheel axle assembly, said means for receiving being disposed on an outer side of each of said side portions; a seat assembly that includes a frame and at least two mounting members; said two molded longitudinal side portions each having at least one molded-in opening for receiving one of the mounting members, said at least one opening being disposed at a top side of each of said side portions; means for adjusting the longitudinal position of the seat assembly relative to the side portions so that the seat assembly can be located at one of a plurality of different longitudinally disposed locations relative to the side portions; means for adjusting the height and the angle of the seat assembly relative to the side portions so that the seat assembly can be located at one of a plurality of different heights relative to the side portions and one of a plurality of different angles relative to the side portions; and said one end of each of said two molded longitudinal side portions being defined by an arm portion that is outwardly angled relative to an axis of the side portion such that said chassis has an increased expanse between each arm of said two side portions. 2. The wheelchair assembly according to claim 1, including a mounting boss extending from each side portion in the direction of the other side portion, said mounting bosses being adapted to receive the at least one bridge member. 3. The wheelchair assembly according to claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting the longitudinal position of the seat assembly relative to the side portions includes a rail extending from each side of the frame, each rail including a plurality of holes arranged along at least a portion of its length to permit each of the mounting members to be secured to one of the rails at one of a plurality of locations. 4. The wheelchair assembly according to claim 1, wherein said seat assembly includes four mounting members that comprise two forward mounting members and two rearward mounting members, each of said side portions having two molded-in openings, each of said molded-in opening receiving one of the mounting members, said mounting members being securable at different axial positions relative to the side portions to adjust the height of the seat assembly and the front mounting members being positionable at a different height relative to the rear mounting members to thereby permit adjustment of the angle of the seat. 5. The wheelchair assembly according to claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting the height and the angle of the seat assembly includes a plurality of longitudinally disposed holes passing through the mounting members. 6. The wheelchair assembly according to claim 5, including a compression clamp surrounding each of said molded-in openings for clamping the mounting members in place relative to the side portions. 7. A molded composite chassis for a lightweight modular wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein said two molded longitudinal side portions are each formed of two joined segments and said side portions each have a substantially egg-shaped cross-section. 8. A molded composite chassis for a lightweight modular wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein each of said two molded longitudinal side portions includes molded-in means for securing said side portions to said bridge member, said means for securing being disposed on an inner side of each side portion. 9. A molded composite chassis for a lightweight modular wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein said arm of each longitudinal side portion is outwardly angled from an axis of said longitudinal side portion at an angle between 5 degrees and 20 degrees. 10. A molded composite chassis for a lightweight modular wheelchair comprising: two molded longitudinal side portions formed of composite material, one end of said side portion including a molded-in means for receiving a caster assembly; at least one bridge member connecting said side portions to each other; said two molded longitudinal side portions each having molded-in means for receiving a drive wheel axle assembly, said means for receiving being disposed on an outer side of each of said side portions; said two molded longitudinal side portions each having at least one molded-in cylindrical opening for receiving means for attaching a seat, said at least one cylindrical opening being disposed at a top side of each of said side portions; and, each of said two molded longitudinal side portions including molded-in means for securing said side portions to said bridge member, said means for securing being disposed on an inner side of each side portion and including a flanged cylindrical mounting boss disposed in at said inner side and extending within a generally circular opening in said inner side, said bridge member being insertable into said circular opening to engage said mounting boss. 11. A molded composite chassis for a lightweight modular wheelchair comprising: two molded longitudinal side portions formed of composite material, one end of each side portion including a molded-in means for receiving a caster assembly; at least one bridge member connecting said side portions to each other; said two molded longitudinal side portions each having molded-in means for receiving a drive wheel axle assembly, said means for receiving being disposed on an outer side of each of said side portions; said two molded longitudinal side portions each having at least one molded-in opening for receiving means for attaching a seat, said at least one opening being disposed at a top side of each of side portions; and each of said two molded longitudinal side portions including molded-in means for securing said side portions to said bridge member, said means for securing being disposed on an inner side of each side portion and including a mounting boss disposed at said inner side of each side portion and each mounting boss extending in the direction of the inner side of the other side portion, said bridge member being engageable with each mounting boss.