A wheelchair includes left and right side frames and a folding mechanism for connecting the left and right side frames to each other in a folding and unfolding relationship. The folding mechanism includes cross struts rotatably connected to the lower side frame members, hinge links connected to the
A wheelchair includes left and right side frames and a folding mechanism for connecting the left and right side frames to each other in a folding and unfolding relationship. The folding mechanism includes cross struts rotatably connected to the lower side frame members, hinge links connected to the upper side frame members, and a lock for locking the hinge links together when the folding mechanism is unfolded to form a rigid truss between the left and right upper side frame members.
대표청구항▼
1. A wheelchair comprising: left and right side frames, each side frame having a lower side frame member and an upper side frame member; anda folding mechanism for connecting the left and right side frames to each other in a folding and unfolding relationship, the folding mechanism including: cross
1. A wheelchair comprising: left and right side frames, each side frame having a lower side frame member and an upper side frame member; anda folding mechanism for connecting the left and right side frames to each other in a folding and unfolding relationship, the folding mechanism including: cross struts rotatably connected to the side frame members, the cross struts including one or more cross struts from the left side frame pivotally connected to one or more cross struts from the right side frame;hinge links connected to the side frame members, the hinge links having a first end pivotally connected to the side frame member and a distal end, wherein pivoting the hinge links relative to the side frame members causes the left and right side frames to move closer together in a folding movement or farther apart in an unfolding movement, anda lock for locking the hinge links together when the folding mechanism is unfolded to form a rigid truss between the left and right side frame members, thereby fixing the distance between the left and right side members at a widest point of rotation established by the hinge links. 2. The wheelchair of claim 1 in which the cross struts are rotatably connected to the lower side frame members, the hinge links are connected to the upper side frame members, with the hinge links first end being pivotally connected to the upper side frame member, and the lock fixes the distance between the left and right upper side members at a widest point of rotation established by the hinge links. 3. The wheelchair of claim 1 in which the cross struts are rotatably connected to the upper side frame members, the hinge links are connected to the lower side frame members, with the hinge links first end being pivotally connected to the lower side frame member, and the lock fixes the distance between the left and right lower side members at a widest point of rotation established by the hinge links. 4. The wheelchair of claim 2 including a stop preventing further rotation of the hinge links beyond the widest point of rotation. 5. The wheelchair of claim 1 including a pivotal connection between the hinge links and the cross struts so that rotation of the hinge links causes rotation of the cross struts. 6. The wheelchair of claim 1 in which the lock includes a locking lever, and further includes a tension link mounted to the locking lever and at least one of the hinge links so that force on the tension link pivots the hinge links relative to the upper side frame members, thereby rotating the cross struts and causing the left and right side frame members to move closer together to fold the wheelchair. 7. The wheelchair of claim 2 in which the lock has a pivotally mounted handle, the handle being mounted so that pivoting the handle to a locked position places the handle in a toggle over center condition. 8. The wheelchair of claim 1 in which the hinge links are connected to the upper side frame members in the absence of seat rails. 9. The wheelchair of claim 2 including a seat pan supported by the left and right upper side members. 10. The wheelchair of claim 2 including a seat sling supported by the left and right upper side members. 11. The wheelchair of claim 1 including a pivotally mounted handle, the handle being mounted so that lifting the handle in an upward direction both unlocks the left and right hinge links from each other, and pivots the hinge links relative to the side frames to fold the folding mechanism, with the handle enabling vertical folding of the wheelchair with one hand by grasping and lifting the handle. 12. The wheelchair of claim 2 in which with the truss between the left and right upper side frame members is sufficiently rigid to enable the wheelchair to accommodate interchangeably both a rigid seat pan and a sling seat. 13. A wheelchair comprising: left and right side frames, each side frame having a lower side frame member and an upper side frame member; anda folding mechanism for connecting the left and right side frames to each other in a folding and unfolding relationship, the folding mechanism including: cross struts rotatably connected to the lower side frame members, the cross struts including one or more cross struts from the left side frame pivotally connected to one or more cross struts from the right side frame;hinge links connected to the upper side frame members, the hinge links having a first end pivotally connected to the upper side frame member and a distal end, with the hinge links being pivotally connected at their intermediate portions to the cross struts, wherein relative rotation of the cross struts with respect to each other causes pivoting of the hinge links relative to the upper side frame members, and causes the left and right side frames to move closer together in a folding movement or farther apart in an unfolding movement; anda lock for locking the hinge links together when the folding mechanism is unfolded to form a truss between the left and right upper side frame members, thereby fixing the distance between the left and right upper side members, the lock having a pivotally mounted handle, the handle being mounted so that pivoting the handle to a locked position places the handle in a toggle over center condition. 14. The wheelchair of claim 13 in which the handle is mounted so that lifting the handle in an upward direction both unlocks the left and right hinge links from each other, and pivots the hinge links relative to the side frames to fold the folding mechanism, with the folding capable of being accomplished with one hand by grasping and lifting the handle. 15. The wheelchair of claim 13 in which with the truss between the left and right upper side frame members is sufficiently rigid to enable the wheelchair to accommodate interchangeably both a rigid seat pan and a sling seat. 16. The wheelchair of claim 13 in which the cross braces are not in an overcenter toggle relationship when the folding mechanism is unfolded. 17. A wheelchair comprising: left and right side frames, each side frame having a lower side frame member and an upper side frame member; anda folding mechanism for connecting the left and right side frames to each other in a folding and unfolding relationship, the folding mechanism including: cross struts rotatably connected to the lower side frame members, the cross struts including one or more cross struts from the left side frame pivotally connected to one or more cross struts from the right side frame;hinge links connected to the upper side frame members, the hinge links having a first end pivotally connected to the upper side frame member and a distal end, with the hinge links being pivotally connected at their intermediate portions to a cross strut, wherein relative rotation of the cross struts with respect to each other causes pivoting of the hinge links relative to the upper side frame members, and causes the left and right side frames to move closer together in a folding movement or farther apart in an unfolding movement; anda lock for locking the hinge links together when the folding mechanism is unfolded to form a rigid truss between the left and right upper side frame members, thereby fixing the distance between the left and right upper side members, the lock having a pivotally mounted handle, the handle being mounted so that lifting the handle in an upward direction both unlocks the left and right hinge links from each other, and pivots the hinge links relative to the side frames to fold the folding mechanism, with the folding capable of being accomplished with one hand by grasping and lifting the handle. 18. The wheelchair of claim 17 in which the pivotally mounted handle is mounted so that pivoting the handle to a locked position places the handle in a toggle over center condition. 19. The wheelchair of claim 17 in which the lock is a locking lever, and further includes a tension link mounted to at least one of the hinge links so that force on the tension link pivots the hinge links relative to the upper side frame members, thereby rotating the cross struts and causing the left and right side frame members to move closer together to fold the wheelchair. 20. The wheelchair of claim 17 in which with the truss between the left and right upper side frame members is sufficiently rigid to enable the wheelchair to accommodate interchangeably both a rigid seat pan and a sling seat.
Geiger Richard (Alameda CA) Robertson A. Scott (San Francisco ; both of CA) Page Neville (San Francisco CA), Foldable wheelchair and side frame assembly for foldable wheelchair.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.