GB2368273A

GB2368273A - Retractable wheelchair leg support

Info

Publication number: GB2368273A
Application number: GB0124471A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Haddon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-14
Filing date: 2001-10-12
Publication date: 2002-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-12
Also published as: GB0124471D0; GB0025228D0; GB2368273B

Abstract

The leg support 17 of a wheelchair pivots on arm 18 between deployed and retracted positions by linking the arm to a control mechanism on the chair, eg pivotally mounted armrests 22, a pivotable wheelchair handle (12, Fig 1) or an electric or hydraulic drive. The leg support may comprise two individual supports movable together or individually. A brake mechanism may be applied when the support is retracted. The wheelchair may be non-folding and shaped to allow nesting of the frames of a row of chairs.

Description

WHEELCHAIRS Field of the Invention This invention relates to wheelchairs and is concerned with the provision of a wheelchair which is designed to be used indoors, for example, in a nursing home, care home or hospital, for transferring infirm people from one location to another. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a wheelchair which includes a frame and a leg support movable relative to the frame between a leg-supporting position and a retracted position, operating means for effecting such movement of the leg support and actuating means for actuating the operating means.

There are preferably two leg supports and the operating means may be such that the leg supports are moved together between their leg-supporting and their retracted positions.

Alternatively, the operating means may be such that the leg supports can be moved independently between their leg-supporting and their retracted positions.

The actuating means may be linked to a brake mechanism for the wheelchair such that, when the actuating means is operated to produce movement of the leg supports into their retracted positions, the brake mechanism is applied whereas, when the actuating means is operated to produce movement of the leg supports into their leg-supporting positions, the brake mechanism is released.

The operating means for effecting movement of the leg supports may comprise a linkage system and the actuating means preferably comprises armrests pivotally mounted on the frame. The actuating means may alternatively comprise a handle pivotally mounted on the frame. The handle may be arranged for movement between a vertical position (corresponding to the leg supports being in their leg-supporting positions) and a horizontal position (corresponding to the leg supports being in their retracted positions).

The operating means may, as a further alternative, comprise a hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanism connected to each leg support for effecting movement of the leg supports between their two positions, with operation of the hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanisms initiated by movement of the handle between its vertical and horizontal positions.

Each of the leg supports preferably comprises a generally cotton-reel shaped resiliently deformable member arranged with its longitudinal axis substantially horizontal, said member being freely rotatable relative to a coaxial spindle which is attached at its ends to arms which are pivotally connected to the frame of the wheelchair.

The operating means may alternatively comprise electric motors, one for moving each leg support between its leg-supporting position and its retracted position, and one for applying and releasing the braking mechanism. The actuating means may then comprise one or more switches movable between the appropriate positions.

The frame of the wheelchair preferably has an upwardly facing support surface which is inclined to the horizontal and the sides of the frame are preferably angled such that the frame of one wheelchair can fit within the frame of another wheelchair, thereby reducing the amount of space needed for storing a number of wheelchairs.

A removable seat and back cushion assembly is preferably provided for attachment to an upright portion of the frame. The removable seat and back cushion assembly is so shaped that, when it is placed on top of the inclined upwardly facing support surface of the frame, a generally horizontal support surface is afforded for the occupant of the wheelchair. A range of cushions is preferably provided, the different cushions in the range being of different depths so that the wheelchair can be used for occupants of different heights.

The wheels of the wheelchair are preferably of substantial width so that, when the wheelchair is being pushed over a carpet, it will not mark the carpet. The wheels are thus typically plastic wheels, such as are used on golf trolleys.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a side view of a first form of wheelchair, Figure 2 is a side view of a second, preferred form of wheelchair, Figure 3 is plan view of the wheelchair shown in Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a front view of the wheelchair shown in Figure 2.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments The wheelchair shown in Figure 1 of the drawings is designed to be used indoors for transferring infirm people from one location to another in, for example, a hospital, nursing home or care home. It is not capable of being folded for fitment in the boot of a motor vehicle and it is not intended that occupants of the chair should sit in it for longer than about an hour without special pressure-relieving cushioning being provided. It is thus a transfer wheelchair.

The wheelchair has a frame 10 at the rear of which there are upright members 11 to which handles 12 are connected for pivotal movement about axes 13 between a vertical position (as shown in the drawing) and a horizontal position, turned 900 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in the drawing.

Each handle 12 is connected by a linkage system (not shown) to a brake mechanism 14 which is arranged to act on a rear wheel 15 of the wheelchair. Each of the wheels 15 of the chair is a wide plastic wheel, such as is used on a golf trolley, to prevent marking of any carpets over which the wheelchair is pushed. The wheels 15 are mounted beneath the frame 10 of the wheelchair by means of a suspension system 16, thereby providing a comfortable ride for the occupant of the wheelchair.

The arrangement is such that, when the handles 12 are in their upright positions (as shown in Figure 1), the brake mechanisms 14 are released whereas, when the handles 12 are turned through 900 into their horizontal positions, the brake mechanisms 14 will be applied. Thus, when the wheelchair is in its parked, non-occupied condition, the handles 12 will be horizontal.

A pair of leg supports 17 are provided on the front of the frame 10 of the wheelchair. Each leg support 17 comprises a resilient support member which has a shape similar to that of a cotton reel, i. e. it includes a generally cylindrical main body portion and end portions which are tapered and of increased diameter as compared to the main body portion. The resilient support members are rotatably mounted on spindles attached at their ends to arms 18 which are arranged for pivotal movement relative to the frame 10 about horizontal axes 19 at the top of the front of the frame 10.

Linkage systems (not shown) interconnect the handles 12 and the arms 18 of the leg supports 17 such that, when the handles 12 are in their vertical positions, the leg supports 17 are in their legsupporting positions whereas, when the handles 12 are moved into their horizontal positions, the arms 18 will be pivoted in an anticlockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, and the leg supports 17 will be moved into their retracted positions, in which they do not project forwardly of the frame 10.

Thus, when the wheelchair is in its parked, non-occupied condition, the brake mechanisms 14 will be applied and the leg supports 17 will be retracted. Once, therefore, the wheelchair is occupied, a care assistant (or other user) will move the handles 12 from their horizontal positions into their vertical positions to release the brake mechanisms 14 and, at the same time, cause the arms 18 carrying the leg supports 17 to move in a clockwise direction.

The resilient support members of the leg supports 17 will thus gently engage the legs of the occupant of the wheelchair and lift the occupants'feet clear of the ground.

After the wheelchair occupant has been moved from one location to another, the carer will move the handles 12 into their horizontal positions to apply the brakes and to lower and retract the leg supports 17 so that the feet of the occupant of the wheelchair will be lowered gently to the ground. It will be appreciated that the wheelchair does not have footrests so that the problems associated with the use of footrests are avoided.

It will also be appreciated that, although specific reference has been made to the use of linkage systems for operating the brake mechanisms 14 and for effecting movement of the leg supports 17, other operating and actuating means may be provided, as referred to above.

The frame 10 of the wheelchair is a rigid structure which is open at the front to allow retraction of the leg supports 17. It has an inclined upwardly presented surface on which a cushion 20 is supported, the cushion 20 being connected by releasable fastenings 21 (for example, straps) to the upright members 11 of the frame. The sides of the frame 10 are angled and the arrangement is such that, when the cushions 20 are removed, a number of wheelchairs can be fitted together, in a manner similar to supermarket trolleys, so that one frame is located within another, thereby reducing the amount of space required for parking or storing the wheelchairs.

The cushion 20 has a lower surface which is inclined to the horizontal so as to complement the upwardly presented surface of the frame 10, the cushion 20 including a squab portion and a backrest portion and being so shaped as to locate the occupant correctly in the chair. Cushions of different depths will be provided for persons of different height as the depth of the cushion determines the size of the person for whom the wheelchair can be used.

The form of wheelchair shown in Figures 2 to 4 is compared as to that shown in Figure 1 in that it includes armrests 22 which are pivotally mounted on the frame 10 and are connected to the arms 18 of the leg supports 17 by linkages which include links 23 and 24 and a bell-crank lever 25 pivotally mounted on the frame 10.

The arrangement is such that, when the wheelchair is occupied and the user of the wheelchair has his or her arms resting on the armrests 22 so as to be supported thereby, the links 23 and 24 and the leg supports 17 will be in the positions shown in Figure 2.

When, however, the carer has taken the wheelchair and its occupant to the required location, the carer will lift the armrests 22, pivoting them in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 and causing movement of the links 23 and 24 of the linkage and thus pivotal movement of the arms 18 of the leg supports in a clock-wise direction as viewed in Figure 2. This will serve to displace the resilient support members of the leg supports 17 into positions in which they no longer project from the frame 10 and the occupant of the wheelchair is free to put his or her feet onto the ground.

The arrangement may be such that lifting of the armrests 22, as described above, serves to apply a brake mechanism (not shown). If desired, however, a separate operating means, e. g. a lever mounted on the frame 10, may be provided for operating the brake mechanism.

Claims

Claims : -

1. A wheelchair which includes a frame and a leg support movable relative to the frame between a leg-supporting position and a retracted position, operating means for effecting such movement of the leg support and actuating means for actuating the operating means.

2. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 1, which includes two leg supports and in which the operating means is such that the leg supports are moved together between their leg-supporting and their retracted positions.

3. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 1, which includes two leg supports and in which the operating means is such that the leg supports can be moved independently between their leg-supporting and their retracted positions.

4. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 2, in which the actuating means is linked to a brake mechanism for the wheelchair such that, when the actuating means is operated to produce movement of the leg supports into their retracted positions, the brake mechanism is applied whereas, when the actuating means is operated to produce movement of the leg supports into their leg-supporting positions, the brake mechanism is released.

5. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 4, in which the operating means for effecting movement of the leg supports comprises a linkage system.

6. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 5, in which the actuating means comprises a handle pivotally mounted on the frame.

7. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 6, in which the handle is arranged for movement between a vertical position (corresponding to the leg supports being in their leg-supporting positions) and a horizontal position (corresponding to the leg supports being in their retracted positions).

8. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 4, in which the operating means comprises a hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanism connected to each leg support for effecting movement of the leg supports between their two positions, with operation of the hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanisms initiated by movement of a handle between its vertical and horizontal positions.

9. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 5, in which the actuating means comprises armrests pivotally mounted on the frame.

10. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 2, in which each of the leg supports comprises a generally cotton-reel shaped resiliently deformable member arranged with its longitudinal axis substantially horizontal, each such member being freely rotatable relative to a coaxial spindle which is attached at its ends to arms which are pivotally connected to the frame of the wheelchair.

11. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 4, in which the operating means comprise electric motors, one for moving each leg support between its leg-supporting position and its retracted position, and one for applying and releasing the braking mechanism.

12. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 11, in which the actuating means comprises one or more switches movable between the appropriate positions.

13. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the frame has an upwardly facing support surface which is inclined to the horizontal.

14. A wheelchair as claimed in Claim 13, in which a removable seat and back cushion assembly is provided for attachment to an upright portion of the frame, the removable seat and back cushion assembly being so shaped that, when it is placed on top of the inclined upwardly facing support surface of the frame, a generally horizontal support surface is afforded for the occupant of the wheelchair.

15. A wheelchair substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A wheelchair substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.