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A wheelchair including three component parts: a propulsion means, a support means provided with means for receiving the legs of a chair, and a chair. The propulsion means is removably engaged with the support means by sliding the propulsion means into the support means. The propulsion means includes a ratchet and sprocket means. The occupant propels the wheelchair forward and backward by moving a handle attached to the ratchet in a rowing type motion. A chair is then engaged with the support means by inserting the chair legs into the means for receiving the chair legs on the support. The means located on the support for receiving chair legs can be varied to accommodate a variety of chair types. The chair is optionally provided with a central opening for facilitating toilet use
A manual propulsion kit for a wheelchair when the wheelchair includes a frame with two large wheels on either side of the frame journaled to axles on the frame, each of the large wheels mounting a circular handrail. The kit including a pair of manual propulsion assemblies wherein each assembly includes a lever adapted to be journaled to one of the axles for rotational movement within a predetermined angular sector determined by a substantially vertical neutral position and a position forward of the frame. A crank handle having a crank web member is pivoted for rotation, at the end of the lever arm adjacent the handrail when the lever arm is mounted to the axle, such that the crank member defines an arc and moves between a neutral position disengaged from the handrail and a forward position at a tangent to the handrail. A crank handle grip is mounted to the crank web member. Friction means are associated with the crank web member adapted to engage the handrail when pressure is applied to the crank handle to move the web member to a forward position whereby the manual propulsion assembly can be utilized to propel the wheelchair forwardly or rearwardly.
A wheelchair easy to move. The burden imposed both on the user of the wheelchair and on a person who helps him is remarkably reduced. The wheelchair comprises a chair body 5 with a seat 1 and armrests 3a, 3b, right and left large wheels 7a, 7b provided on right and left sides of the chair body, right and left front casters 9a, 9b provided in front of the chair body, each of the front casters being adapted to turn in different horizontal directions. The chair body is provided at the rear thereof with right and left rear casters 21a, 21b, each of the rear casters being adapted to turn in different horizontal directions, the position of each of the rear casters being vertically adjustable. The position of each of the large wheels is adjustable forward and backward.
An anti-tip suspension for a wheelchair having rear casters is defined. The suspension includes a rocker arm support, a rocker arm and a spring. The rocker arm is pivotally attached to the rocker arm support so that it is rotatable with respect to the rocker arm support. The spring engages the rocker arm and rocker arm support, biasing them away from one another. The rocker arm includes a rotation limiter that limits the rotation of the rocker arm with respect to the rocker arm support in one direction. |
