초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a novel approach to improving the use of wheelchairs by offering the ability for the wheelchair to transition between accommodation for a seated position, and accommodation for a standing position, more particularly, wherein the inventive mobile manual standing wheel

The present invention relates to a novel approach to improving the use of wheelchairs by offering the ability for the wheelchair to transition between accommodation for a seated position, and accommodation for a standing position, more particularly, wherein the inventive mobile manual standing wheelchair allows for a standing position during the course of mobile use, and which also permits fixed gearing of multiple speeds that also accommodates forwards and backwards motion.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A standing wheelchair comprising: a chassis having a front portion, a rear portion, a center portion, a left portion, a right portion, a top portion, and a bottom portion;a lower extremity support structure affixed in a substantially vertical fashion at said front portion of said chassis;frontal

1. A standing wheelchair comprising: a chassis having a front portion, a rear portion, a center portion, a left portion, a right portion, a top portion, and a bottom portion;a lower extremity support structure affixed in a substantially vertical fashion at said front portion of said chassis;frontal directional support wheels rotatably coupled to said lower extremity support structure;a convertible user support section affixed to said top portion of said chassis, said convertible user support section comprising at least a seat support section and a back support section, wherein said seat support section and said back support section are hingably connected together;an adjustment actuator for raising and lowering said convertible user support section between a seated position and a standing position of said wheelchair and any intermediate positions therebetween, wherein said adjustment actuator has a bottom end and a top end and is hingably affixed at said bottom end to said top portion of said chassis, and is hingably affixed at said top end to said convertible user support section;a user propulsion wheel support structure affixed to said convertible user support section;a drive system having a matching left side drive system and a matching right side drive system, said left side drive system being functionally situated on said left side of said chassis and a right side drive system being functionally situated on said right side of said chassis;wherein said left side drive system and said right side drive system each respectively have a corresponding multiplicity of connected drive system wheels comprising at least a ground drive wheel, said ground drive wheel being rotatably coupled to said chassis at said front portion of said chassis, and a user propulsion wheel rotatably affixed to said user propulsion wheel support structure;wherein said chassis further includes a set of stabilizing rear wheels situated structurally opposite said frontal directional support wheels, and wherein each said ground drive wheel is between said frontal directional support wheels and said stabilizing rear wheels, as a means for maintaining a stable center of gravity of said wheelchair at said front portion and for focusing a center of gravity and a locus of force of said ground drive wheel at said front portion; andwherein said lower extremity support structure and said frontal directional support wheels transition together from an elevated position spaced from the ground when said wheelchair is in said seated position, to a lowered position with said frontal directional support wheels contacting the ground when said wheelchair is in said standing position. 2. The standing wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein each respective said user propulsion wheel of said left side drive system and said matching right side drive system is vertically aligned with each respective said ground drive wheel of said left side drive system and said matching right side drive when said standing wheelchair is extended in said standing position. 3. The standing wheelchair according to claim 2, wherein said drive system includes at least one independent intermediate drum and wherein said multiplicity of connected drive system wheels are connected with said at least one independent intermediate drum together in a cooperative drive fashion through a linkage selected from the group consisting of chains, smooth sheaved belts, and toothed belts. 4. The standing wheelchair according to claim 3, further including a bi-directional fixed gear hub system, concentrically mounted on said user propulsion wheel, for engaging said drive wheel system at least one predetermined gear ratio, said bi-directional fixed gear hub system providing both forward and reverse propulsion and braking when said user propulsion wheel is pushed in either a forward or backwards direction. 5. The standing wheelchair according to claim 4, said lower extremity support structure further including a securing bracket for securement of lower extremities back against said lower extremity support structure, said securing bracket for securement of lower extremities being affixed to said lower extremity support structure and further including two curved cushion pieces for further securement of lower extremities during a transition. 6. The standing wheelchair according to claim 5, wherein said drive system is adjustable so that rims of each said user propulsion wheel on said left portion and on said right portion of said chassis are configured to retain alignment of user shoulders and positioning of user arms, when said standing wheelchair is in either said seated position or said standing position. 7. The standing wheelchair according to claim 5, wherein said bi-directional fixed hub system further includes an option for blocking fast propulsion when said standing wheelchair is in said standing position, and wherein said standing wheelchair further includes brakes. 8. A standing wheelchair comprising: a chassis having a front portion, a rear portion, a left portion, a right portion, a top portion, and a bottom portion;a lower extremity support structure affixed at said front portion of said chassis;frontal directional support wheels rotatably coupled to said lower extremity support structure;a convertible user support section affixed to said top portion of said chassis, said convertible user support section comprising at least a seat support section and a back support section, wherein said seat support section and said back support section are hingably connected together;a manual propulsion drive system having a matching left side drive system and a matching right side drive system, said left side drive system being functionally situated on said left side of said chassis and a right side drive system being functionally situated on said right side of said chassis;wherein said left side drive system and said right side drive system each respectively have:at least one independent intermediate drum; anda corresponding multiplicity of connected drive system wheels comprising at least: a ground drive wheel, said ground drive wheel being rotatably coupled to said chassis at said front portion of said chassis; anda user propulsion wheel;wherein said multiplicity of connected drive system wheels are connected with said at least one independent intermediate drum together in a cooperative drive fashion through linkages;wherein said chassis further includes a set of stabilizing rear wheels situated structurally opposite said frontal directional support wheels, and wherein each said ground drive wheel is between said frontal directional support wheels and said stabilizing rear wheels; andwherein said lower extremity support structure and said frontal directional support wheels transition together from an elevated position spaced from the ground when said wheelchair is in said seated position, to a lowered position with said frontal directional support wheels contacting the ground when said wheelchair is in said standing position. 9. The standing wheelchair according to claim 8, wherein said linkages are selected from the group consisting of chains, smooth sheaved belts, and toothed belts. 10. The standing wheelchair according to claim 9, wherein said independent intermediate drum is selected from the group consisting of idler sprockets, pulleys, and elbow systems.