GB2047528A

GB2047528A - Wheelchair having a detachable armrest

Info

Publication number: GB2047528A
Application number: GB7911615A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Vessa Ltd
Current assignee: Vessa Ltd
Priority date: 1979-04-03
Filing date: 1979-04-03
Publication date: 1980-12-03

Abstract

A wheelchair has a detachable armrest having a tubular frame 65 which locks at one end 66 in a front corner post 40 of the wheelchair lateral frame and at its other end 72 in a semi-oval bracket 69 secured to the lateral frame adjacent a backrest lateral member 35. A pin 67 normally biased into locking engagement with a slot in the front post 40 can be released through lever 75 by pressure on handle 79, after which the armrest can be rotated upwardly about end 72 substantially in the plane of the lateral frame until a locking pin 80 in the bracket 69 disengages from the other end 72. The arrangement has the advantage that the armrest can be locked in position automatically at both ends but can be removed one-handed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wheelchair having a detachable armrest The present invention relates to a detachable armrest for a wheelchair.

In known designs of detachable armrests for wheelchairs, the armrest is required to lock into a wheelchair lateral frame to which it is normally fixed, but the required locking mechanism is conventionally provided at one end of the armrest only. While the wheelchair is being lifted by the armrests (e.g., when a wheelchair and its occupant are being lifted into an ambulance) it is easy for damage to occur. It is possible to provide locks at each end of the armrest, but the difficulty then arises that it is necessary to use two hands to operate the release mechanism and the handicaps of many wheelchair patents are such that release by one hand is necessary. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a wheelchair which has a detachable armrest which automatically locks in position at both ends, but which can be removed one-handed.

The invention relates to a wheelchair having a detachable armrest including a tubular frame member, a first end of which is slidably located in a post of a respective wheelchair lateral frame and a second end of which is located in locking engagement in a bracket secured to the lateral frame, a locking pin for the first end being resiliently biassed into engagement with a slot in the post to retain the first end in position and being withdrawable by a release mechanism within a region of the frame member adjoining said first end to release said first end and to allow the armrest to be pivoted about its second end substantially in the plane of the lateral frame to unlock the second end from the bracket.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a fragmentary side view of the upper portion of a wheelchair lateral frame showing an armrest in position, parts of the armrest being cut away to show its internal structure.

A detachable armrest generally designated 63 comprises a pad 64 secured to a generally U-shaped tubular frame 65. The forward limb of the frame 65 has a reduced diameter spigot 66 which is a sliding fit in the top end of the front post 40 of the wheelchair lateral frame. The rearward limb of the frame 65 also has a reduced diameter spigotted end 72 which is received in a locating bracket 69 secured to a back rest mounting tube 35 or to another suitable support. A side trim panel 73 of the armrest extends between the forward and rearward limbs of the frame 65 and its top edge 74 has a small clearance below the horizontal leg of the U-shaped frame, into which a hand can be inserted.

Within the forward limb of the frame 65 is a release operating rod 75 pivoted at an intermediate longitudinal position on a transversely directed pivot pin 76. The lower end of the rod 75 extends below the spigot 66 and carries a forwardly directed locking pin 67 which is biased by means of a spring 78 into engagement with a vertical locating slot formed in the front corner post 40. The top end of the operating rod 75 is connected through a slot in the frame member 65 with a release handle 79 of arcuate profile which is positioned level with the top edge 74 of trim panel 73, where it is in sufficiently close proximity to the top portion of the arm rest tube so that the tube can be grasped and the catch operated with one hand in one movement.

The locating bracket 69 for the rear limb of the frame 65 is semi-oval in plan and has a horizontally directed locking pin 80 which locates in an aperture in the spigotted lower end 72 of the frame member 65. The bracket 69 and pin 80 are arranged so that the pin 80 locks automatically into the spigot 72 as the armrest is placed in position, but when the front spigot 66 is disengaged from the front post 40 and the armrest is pivoted upwards in the plane of the lateral frame of the wheelchair, the locking pin 80 disengages from the spigot 72, after which the arm rest can be lifted clear. Disengagement of the locking pin 67 to release the spigot 66 can be effected by simple manual pressure on the release handle 79.

It will be appreciated that the armrest frame need not be of U-section, but may, for example, have a step in the front leg thereof to allow the wheelchair to be slid under a table.

1. A wheelchair having a detachable armrest including a tubular frame member a first end of which is slidably located in a post of a respective wheelchair lateral frame and a second end of which is located in locking engagement in a bracket secured to the lateral frame, a locking pin for the first end being resiliently biased into engagement with a slot in the post to retain the first end in position and being withdrawable by a release mechanism within a region of the frame member adjoining the first end to release said first end and to allow the armrest to be pivoted about its second end substantially in the plane of the lateral frame to unlock the second end from the bracket.

2. A wheelchair according to Claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises a spring-loaded lever pivotally mounted within the first end and carrying the locking pin at one end, the lever being actuated by a handle connected to its other end through a slot in the frame member.

3. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 2, wherein a trim panel is fixed between first and

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Wheelchair having a detachable armrest The present invention relates to a detachable armrest for a wheelchair. In known designs of detachable armrests for wheelchairs, the armrest is required to lock into a wheelchair lateral frame to which it is normally fixed, but the required locking mechanism is conventionally provided at one end of the armrest only. While the wheelchair is being lifted by the armrests (e.g., when a wheelchair and its occupant are being lifted into an ambulance) it is easy for damage to occur. It is possible to provide locks at each end of the armrest, but the difficulty then arises that it is necessary to use two hands to operate the release mechanism and the handicaps of many wheelchair patents are such that release by one hand is necessary. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a wheelchair which has a detachable armrest which automatically locks in position at both ends, but which can be removed one-handed. The invention relates to a wheelchair having a detachable armrest including a tubular frame member, a first end of which is slidably located in a post of a respective wheelchair lateral frame and a second end of which is located in locking engagement in a bracket secured to the lateral frame, a locking pin for the first end being resiliently biassed into engagement with a slot in the post to retain the first end in position and being withdrawable by a release mechanism within a region of the frame member adjoining said first end to release said first end and to allow the armrest to be pivoted about its second end substantially in the plane of the lateral frame to unlock the second end from the bracket. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a fragmentary side view of the upper portion of a wheelchair lateral frame showing an armrest in position, parts of the armrest being cut away to show its internal structure. A detachable armrest generally designated 63 comprises a pad 64 secured to a generally U-shaped tubular frame 65. The forward limb of the frame 65 has a reduced diameter spigot 66 which is a sliding fit in the top end of the front post 40 of the wheelchair lateral frame. The rearward limb of the frame 65 also has a reduced diameter spigotted end 72 which is received in a locating bracket 69 secured to a back rest mounting tube 35 or to another suitable support. A side trim panel 73 of the armrest extends between the forward and rearward limbs of the frame 65 and its top edge 74 has a small clearance below the horizontal leg of the U-shaped frame, into which a hand can be inserted. Within the forward limb of the frame 65 is a release operating rod 75 pivoted at an intermediate longitudinal position on a transversely directed pivot pin 76. The lower end of the rod 75 extends below the spigot 66 and carries a forwardly directed locking pin 67 which is biased by means of a spring 78 into engagement with a vertical locating slot formed in the front corner post 40. The top end of the operating rod 75 is connected through a slot in the frame member 65 with a release handle 79 of arcuate profile which is positioned level with the top edge 74 of trim panel 73, where it is in sufficiently close proximity to the top portion of the arm rest tube so that the tube can be grasped and the catch operated with one hand in one movement. The locating bracket 69 for the rear limb of the frame 65 is semi-oval in plan and has a horizontally directed locking pin 80 which locates in an aperture in the spigotted lower end 72 of the frame member 65. The bracket 69 and pin 80 are arranged so that the pin 80 locks automatically into the spigot 72 as the armrest is placed in position, but when the front spigot 66 is disengaged from the front post 40 and the armrest is pivoted upwards in the plane of the lateral frame of the wheelchair, the locking pin 80 disengages from the spigot 72, after which the arm rest can be lifted clear. Disengagement of the locking pin 67 to release the spigot 66 can be effected by simple manual pressure on the release handle 79. It will be appreciated that the armrest frame need not be of U-section, but may, for example, have a step in the front leg thereof to allow the wheelchair to be slid under a table. CLAIMS

3. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 2, wherein a trim panel is fixed between first and second downwardly directed limbs of the frame member with its top edge is spaced parallel relationship below a horizontal armsupporting leg of the frame member to define therewith a slot into which a hand can be inserted, the operating handle being in register with the forward end of said slot.

4. A wheelchair according to -any preceding claim, wherein the bracket is semi-oval in plan and has a horizontally directed locking pin centrally positioned in the curved region thereof which is received in a corresponding aperture in the second end of the frame member.

5. A wheelchair having a detachable armrest constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.