A gap-clearing mechanism for attachment to a wheelchair is disclosed. The gap-clearing mechanism has a lower member for attachment to the wheelchair, and an upper member spaced from and parallel to the lower member and being moveable relative thereto. The upper member has at least one support column
A gap-clearing mechanism for attachment to a wheelchair is disclosed. The gap-clearing mechanism has a lower member for attachment to the wheelchair, and an upper member spaced from and parallel to the lower member and being moveable relative thereto. The upper member has at least one support column securely attached thereto and depending therefrom. The at least one support column is slideably mounted relative to the lower member. There is a wheel assembly at a lower end of the at least one support column. The wheel assembly is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A wheelchair fitted with two such gap-clearing mechanisms is also disclosed.
대표청구항▼
The invention claimed is: 1. A gap-clearing mechanism for attachment to a wheelchair, the gap-clearing mechanism comprising: a lower member for attachment to the wheelchair; an upper member spaced from and parallel to the lower member and being moveable relative thereto; the upper member having at
The invention claimed is: 1. A gap-clearing mechanism for attachment to a wheelchair, the gap-clearing mechanism comprising: a lower member for attachment to the wheelchair; an upper member spaced from and parallel to the lower member and being moveable relative thereto; the upper member having at least one support column securely attached thereto and depending therefrom, the at least one support column being slideably mounted relative to the lower member; and a wheel assembly at a lower end of the at least one support column, the wheel assembly being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. 2. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a handle for pivotal movement between a first position and a second position, to effect movement of the wheel assembly between the retracted position and the extended position. 3. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 2 further comprising at least one compression spring extending between the upper member and the lower member; the at least one compression spring being around the at least one support column. 4. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one compression spring provides an upward lifting force on the upper member to assist in the lifting the wheel assembly off the ground as the handle is moved from the second position to the first position. 5. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a track on a top plate attached to the upper member for engagement thereby of a roller at a lower end of the handle; the roller being for movement between a first position towards a rear of the track and where the handle is in the first position; and a second position at a front of the track and where the handle is in the second position. 6. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the roller is adapted to push on the top plate to force the upper member and thus the at least one support column downwardly. 7. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one compression spring is compressed by movement of the upper member under the action of the roller. 8. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the handle is pivotally mounted to a base plate intermediate the length of the handle and comprises an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion and the inner portion being joined by an offset portion. 9. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one support column is slideably mounted in corresponding at least one opening through the lower member. 10. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one support column is able to move relative to the lower member in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the at least one support column, but not laterally. 11. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the wheel assembly is in the extended position the wheel assembly is not lower than a major wheel of the wheelchair. 12. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly, when in the extended position, limits the wheelchair so that it can move in a straight line forwards or reverse and is unable to turn without difficulty. 13. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly comprises a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted between a pair of parallel and spaced-apart identical side plates. 14. A gap-clearing mechanism as claimed in claim 13, wherein a forward wheel that is the most forward of the plurality of wheels is elevated relative to the others of the plurality of wheels; and the side plates are angled upwardly at their front end. 15. A wheelchair comprising two gap clearing mechanisms, there being one gap-clearing mechanism on each side of the wheelchair, each gap-clearing mechanism comprising: a lower member attached to the wheelchair; an upper member spaced from and parallel to the lower member and being moveable relative thereto; the upper member having at least one support column securely attached thereto and depending therefrom, the at least one support column being slideably mounted relative to the lower member; and a wheel assembly at a lower end of the at least one support column, the wheel assembly being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. 16. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a handle for pivotal movement between a first position and a second position to effect movement of the wheel assembly between the retracted position and the extended position. 17. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 16 further comprising at least one compression spring extending between the upper member and the lower member; the at least one compression spring being around the at least one support column. 18. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least one compression spring provides an upward lifting force on the upper member to assist in the lifting the wheel assembly off the ground as the handle is moved from the second position to the first position. 19. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a track on a top plate securely attached to the upper member for engagement thereby of a roller at a lower end of the handle; the roller being for movement between a first roller position towards a rear of the track and where the handle is in the first position; and a second roller position at a front of the track and where the handle is in the second position. 20. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 19, wherein the roller is adapted to push on the top plate to force the upper member and thus the at least one support column downwardly. 21. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 20, wherein the at least one compression spring is compressed by movement of the upper member under the action of the roller. 22. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 16, wherein the handle is pivotally mounted to a base plate intermediate the length of the handle and comprises an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion and the inner portion being joined by an offset portion. 23. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 22, wherein when the wheel assembly is in the extended position the wheel assembly is not lower than a major wheel of the wheelchair to enable the major wheel to contact the ground to retain the ability to drive the wheelchair. 24. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 23, wherein the major wheel is rotatably mounted to the lower member by an axle that engages a bearing that locates in a through-hole in the lower member. 25. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 24, wherein each gap-crossing mechanism is located between a main frame of the wheelchair and each major wheel. 26. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 25, wherein the bearing is also located in a second hole in the base plate so that the major wheel is rotatable relative to the gap-clearing mechanism as well as the main frame. 27. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 26, wherein the upper member and lower member are pivotally mounted to the main frame. 28. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one support column is slideably mounted in corresponding at least one opening through the lower member. 29. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one support column is able to move relative to the lower member in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the at least one support column, but not laterally. 30. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 15, wherein the wheel assembly, when in the extended position, limits the wheelchair so that it can move in a straight line forwards or reverse and is unable to turn without difficulty. 31. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 15, wherein the wheel assembly comprises a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted between a pair of parallel and spaced-apart identical side plates. 32. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 31, wherein a forward wheel that is the most forward of the plurality of wheels is elevated relative to the others of the plurality of wheels; and the side plates are angled upwardly at their front end.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
Johnson Preston (73-418 Pinyon St. Palm Desert CA 92260), Child travel seat.
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