초록 ▼

A wheelchair frame includes a pair of side frame assemblies, a connector connecting the two side frame assemblies, a seat, caster wheel mountings, drive wheel mountings, and a leg rest mounting. Each of the side frame assemblies have an upper frame member and a lower frame member. The upper frame me

A wheelchair frame includes a pair of side frame assemblies, a connector connecting the two side frame assemblies, a seat, caster wheel mountings, drive wheel mountings, and a leg rest mounting. Each of the side frame assemblies have an upper frame member and a lower frame member. The upper frame member is pivotally connected at its forward end to the forward portion of the lower frame member and supported at its rearward end by a suspension support member (i.e., shock absorber) connected to the rearward end of the lower frame member. The seat is attached between the upper frame members of each side frame assembly. With this configuration, the upper frame members and the seat are free to pivot about the pivotal connection between the upper frame member and the lower frame member. In operation, the upper frame members and seat "float" up and down on the shock absorber to provide cushioning to the user. With this novel configuration, the drive wheels, caster wheels and the lower frame members remain relatively rigid and therefore maintain stability, wheel alignment and maneuverability of the wheelchair. The invention also includes a foldable embodiment of the suspension wheelchair.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A wheelchair frame, comprising:a pair of side frame assemblies, each having a lower frame member having forward and rear ends, an upper frame member having forward and rear ends, a pivotal connection coupling the forward end of the upper frame member to the lower frame me

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A wheelchair frame, comprising:a pair of side frame assemblies, each having a lower frame member having forward and rear ends, an upper frame member having forward and rear ends, a pivotal connection coupling the forward end of the upper frame member to the lower frame member, a caster wheel connected to the lower frame member, and a drive wheel connected to the lower frame member;a footrest mounted to the side frame assemblies at the forward end of each lower frame member below the pivotal connection;connecting means for connecting the pair of side frame assemblies together;suspension means connecting the upper frame members and the lower frame members so that the upper frame members rearward of the pivotal connections are supported by the suspension means and the upper frame members pivot about the pivotal connections without rotation of the footrest relative to the lower frame members, the suspension means comprising at least one suspension member having first and second ends, the first end being mounted in relation to the lower frame members for applying downward load to the lower frame members, and an adjustment bracket mounted between the second end of said at least one suspension member and the upper frame members for applying downward force from the upper frame members to said at least one suspension member, the adjustment bracket being adapted to enable the height of the upper frame members rearward of the pivotal connections to be upwardly and downwardly adjusted relative to the lower frame members while transferring vertical loads between the upper and lower frame members to said at least one suspension member.