GB2423058A - Canopies for scooters or wheelchairs - Google Patents

Canopies for scooters or wheelchairs Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2423058A
GB2423058A GB0602709A GB0602709A GB2423058A GB 2423058 A GB2423058 A GB 2423058A GB 0602709 A GB0602709 A GB 0602709A GB 0602709 A GB0602709 A GB 0602709A GB 2423058 A GB2423058 A GB 2423058A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
support elements
canopy
frame
scooter
wheelchair
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0602709A
Other versions
GB0602709D0 (en
Inventor
John Edward O'brien
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of GB0602709D0 publication Critical patent/GB0602709D0/en
Publication of GB2423058A publication Critical patent/GB2423058A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
    • A47C7/62—Accessories for chairs
    • A47C7/66—Means to protect against weather
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
    • A47C7/62—Accessories for chairs
    • A47C7/66—Means to protect against weather
    • A47C7/666—Means to protect against weather of enclosure type with side panels
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
    • B62B5/0013—Protection covers, e.g. against rain
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B9/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for children's carriages or perambulators
    • B62B9/10—Perambulator bodies; Equipment therefor
    • B62B9/14—Equipment protecting from environmental influences, e.g. Hoods; Weather screens; Cat nets
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/04—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs motor-driven
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2202/00—Indexing codes relating to type or characteristics of transported articles
    • B62B2202/40—Sport articles
    • B62B2202/404—Golf articles, e.g. golfbags

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Automatic Cycles, And Cycles In General (AREA)

Abstract

A canopy 60 for a scooter or wheelchair 100 comprising a frame having a plurality of support elements 61-63 movable with respect to each other between a first stowed position and a second extended position, sheet material extending between the support elements, means 73,74 for stabilizing the frame when the support elements are in the second extended position, and means for securing the frame to the scooter or wheelchair (see figure 10). The canopy may also comprise a transparent skirt (120, figure 18) attachable to a lower edge so as to further protect the occupant.

Description

1 2423058 Improvements in or relatin2 to Protective Canopies for Scooters
or Wheelchairs The present invention relates to a canopy for a scooter or wheelchair.
Canopies for wheelchairs and pavement scooters are known for protecting an occupant from adverse weather conditions, particularly rain. However, existing rain canopies or hoods often fail to sufficiently protect an occupant of a wheelchair or scooter from the rain and can be cumbersome and time-consuming to install. Furthermore, such canopies are unnecessarily oversized and bulky in use which makes them difficult to disassemble from a wheelchair or scooter and store away.
A purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved canopy for a scooter or wheelchair which is versatile, easy to use, and capable of being fitted or removed with minimum effort.
According to the present invention, there is provided a canopy for a scooter or wheelchair comprising a frame having a plurality of support elements movable with respect to each other between a first stowed position and a second extended position, sheet material extending between the support elements, means for stabilizing the frame when the support elements are in the second extended position, and means for securing the frame to the scooter or wheelchair.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a scooter incorporating a canopy, the canopy comprising a frame having a plurality of support elements movable with respect to each other between a first stowed position and a second extended position, sheet material extending between the support elements, means for stabilizing the frame when the support elements are in the second extended position, and means for securing the frame to the scooter.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a wheelchair incorporating a canopy, the canopy comprising a frame having a plurality of support elements movable with respect to each other between a first stowed position and a second extended position, sheet material extending between the support elements, means for stabilizing the frame when the support elements are in the second extended position, and means for securing the frame to the wheelchair.
The canopy of the invention is particularly suitable for adult and paediatric wheelchairs, pavement scooters for physically disabled persons, and power-chairs i.e. electric chairs.
It is preferred that the support elements of the frame are pivotally connected to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the support elements are connected by common pivoting means.
The frame of the canopy may have two support elements movable with respect to one another. It is preferred that the frame has three support elements movable with respect to each other. The support elements maintain the structural configuration of the canopy when the elements are moved to their extended in-use position, that is when the canopy is opened to protect an occupant of a scooter or wheelchair from the rain or wind.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame of the canopy further comprises at least one support element which is attachable, directly or indirectly, to a scooter or wheelchair. This support element may be arranged to be immovable with respect to the scooter or wheelchair. The plurality of movable support elements may be pivotally connected, by common or separate pivoting means, to the immovable support element attached to the scooter or wheelchair.
It is preferred that each of the support elements is integrally formed. In a preferred embodiment, the movable support elements comprise at least two arm portions and an intermediate portion, in which ends of the arm portions are pivotally connected to a support element attached to a scooter or wheelchair.
It is desired that the support elements are made from a durable and robust material, such as a toughened plastics or metallic material, for example aluminium.
When it is desired to use the canopy of the invention, the plurality of support elements of the frame may be moved from a stowed, substantially vertical position to an open extended position so as to cover the occupant of a wheelchair or scooter and protect the occupant from the wind andlor rain. The support elements of the frame may be held together in the stowed position by suitable securing means. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the support elements may comprise one or more movable projections by which suitable securing means, such as webbing, may be used to hold the support elements together.
The support elements of the frame are preferably substantially flat and elongate.
The sheet material of the canopy is preferably made from a durable plastics material. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet material comprises a substantially transparent PVC material.
The means for stabilizing the frame may be movable with respect to the support elements. It is preferred that the means for stabilizing the frame comprises at least one elongate element for holding or bracing the support elements in a substantially rigid configuration when in the extended position. The at least one elongate element is preferably releasably attachable to at least one of the support elements. In an embodiment, the at least one elongate element may comprise hooking means for engaging with one or more projections on at least one of the support elements, so as to lock the support elements in a rigid configuration.
In a preferred embodiment, the means for stabilizing the frame comprises two elongate elements releasably attachable to opposite arm portions of at least one of the support elements.
The canopy of the invention may preferably further comprise means for protecting the lower part of an occupant of a scooter or wheelchair from wind and/or rain. The said means may preferably be releasably detachable from the frame. In an embodiment of the invention, that said means comprises a skirt of substantially transparent material.
The canopy of the invention may advantageously be mounted to a wheelchair or scooter. The method of mounting the canopy to a wheelchair may be different to the method of mounting the canopy to a scooter.
Mounting a canopy of the invention to a wheelchair, the weight of the said canopy may primarily be at the handle region of the wheelchair.
Preferably, the frame of the canopy comprises at least one mounting element, which may rest to the rear of the wheelchair seat or backrest, for securing the canopy to the handle region of the wheelchair by suitable securing means. It is also preferred that the canopy is secured to the at least one mounting element at a region below or to the rear of the wheelchair seat, so as to hold the canopy in a substantially upright or vertical position.
Mounting a canopy of the invention to a scooter, it is preferred that the canopy comprises at least one mounting element, which may be located to the rear of the scooter backrest, for securing the canopy to the backrest of the scooter by suitable securing means. Preferably, the canopy is also secured to the at least one mounting element at a region below or to the rear of the scooter seat, so as to hold the canopy in a substantially upright or vertical position.
Mounting a canopy of the invention to a power-chair may involve a combination of the above features and methods.
The sheet material of the canopy of the invention may desirably extend to the rear of an occupant in a wheelchair or scooter. It is preferred that the sheet material may comprise an opening or vent at a predetermined location, such as near the handle region of a scooter or wheelchair, to allow release of air which may be blown into the canopy during windy conditions.
A canopy adapted for use with a scooter.
A canopy adapted for use with a wheelchair.
The invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention.
Figure 1 illustrates a canopy 10 embodying the invention which is fitted to a scooter. The canopy 10 comprises a frame of support elements 11, 12, 13, 14 in an open extended position. The support elements 12, 13, 14 are pivotally connected to support element 11 by one common pivot 15.
A sheet of PVC material 16 is secured to the support elements 11, 12, 13, 14 of the frame. The support element 11 is attached to the scooter by two elongate tubular elements 17, 18 linked by an intermediate element 19 (see Figure 4). The tubular elements 17, 18 are secured to the scooter seat by strips 20, 21 of fabric material. A stabilizing tubular element 22 is pivotally connected to the support element 11 approximately at a midpoint along the arms of the element 11. The arms of the tubular element 22 extend toward the support element 14 and are connected thereto at approximate midpoints along the arms of element 14. A rear panel 23 of the PVC material 16 has two openings 24, 25 to allow a user access through the PVC material with their hands. Alternatively, a flap may be cut in the PVC material 16.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a canopy 50 embodying the invention which is fitted to a wheelchair. The canopy 50 has the same features as that of canopy 10 illustrated in Figures 1-5.
Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a canopy 60 embodying the invention, which is mounted to a scooter 100. The canopy 60 has a frame of movable ribs 61, 62, 63 which are pivotally mounted to supporting rib 64 by means of a common pivot 65. The supporting rib 64 has arms 64a and 64b which are attached to the ends of mounting tubes 66, 67. The mounting tubes 66, 67 are spaced apart along the arms 64a and 64b by an intermediate tube 68.
Strips 69, 70 of webbing material are tied around the backrest of the scooter and the mounting tubes 66, 67 to secure the canopy to the scooter 100. A further mounting tube 71 is attached near the ends of arms 64a and 64b of rib 64, so that webbing material 72 and locking buckle (not shown) can provide additional attachment of the canopy to the scooter 100.
A bracing elements 73, 74 are pivotally coimected to arms 64a, 64b of rib 64. Referring to Figures 14 and 15, the bracing element 73 (and 74, although not shown) has a hook 75 at a distal end for engagement with a projection 76 to Jock the bracing element 73 to the rib 63. In this way, the ribs 61, 62, 63 are held in a rigid configuration. The projection 76 is movable along a sliding element 77 provided on the arms of the rib 63.
The projection 76 may be secured a desired locations along the sliding element 77.
Figure 11 illustrates a canopy 80 for a wheelchair. The mounting tubes 81, 82 have a curved shape to rest neatly against the backrest of the wheeJchair 83. Figures 16, 17 show webbing material 90 tied to the handle region of the wheelchair 83 so as to secure the canopy thereto.
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate the ribs of the canopy being held in a stowed position by means of webbing material 91 tied to a mounting tube 92 and a projection 93 on the lowermost rib.
Figures 18, 19 show the canopy 110 fitted with a skirt 120 of PVC material for protecting the lower part of an occupant from adverse weather conditions. The skirt is detachable from the canopy 110 by means ofazip 130.
The canopy of the invention could also be used as a sun canopy by replacing at least part of the transparent sheet material with substantially opaque material.

Claims (18)

  1. Claims 1. A canopy for a scooter or wheelchair comprising a frame having a
    plurality of support elements movable with respect to each other between a first stowed position and a second extended position, sheet material extending between the support elements, means for stabilizing the frame when the support elements are in the second extended position, and means for securing the frame to the scooter or wheelchair.
  2. 2. A canopy according to Claim 1, in which the support elements of the frame are pivotally connected to each other.
  3. 3. A canopy according to Claim 2, in which the support elements are connected by common pivoting means.
  4. 4. A canopy according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which each of the support elements comprises a unitary element.
  5. 5. A canopy according to any one of the preceding Claims, in which each of the support elements comprises at least two arm portions and an intermediate portion.
  6. 6. A canopy according to any one of the preceding Claims, in which the support elements are made from a durable and robust material.
  7. 7. A canopy according to Claim 6, in which the material comprises a toughened plastics or metallic material.
  8. 8. A canopy according to any one of the preceding Claims, in which the sheet material comprises a transparent PVC material.
  9. 9. A canopy according to any one of the preceding Claims, in which the means for stabilizing the frame is movable with respect to the support elements.
  10. 10. A canopy according to Claim 9, in which the means for stabilizing the frame comprises at least one elongate element for holding the support elements in a substantially rigid configuration when in the extended position.
  11. 11. A canopy according to Claim 10, in which the at least one elongate element is releasably attachable to at least one of the support elements.
  12. 12. A canopy according to Claim 10 or 11, in which the means for stabilizing the frame comprises two elongate elements releasably attachable to opposite arm portions of at least one of the support elements.
  13. 13. A canopy according to any one of the preceding Claims, further comprising means for protecting the lower part of an occupant of a scooter or wheelchair.
  14. 14. A canopy according to Claim 13, in which the said means is releasably detachable from the frame.
  15. 15. A canopy according to Claim 13 or 14, in which the said means comprises a skirt of substantially transparent material.
  16. 16. A scooter incorporating a canopy, the canopy comprising a frame having a plurality of support elements movable with respect to each other between a first stowed position and a second extended position, sheet material extending between the support elements, means for stabilizing the frame when the support elements are in the second extended position, and means for securing the frame to the scooter.
  17. 17. A wheelchair incorporating a canopy, the canopy comprising a frame having a plurality of support elements movable with respect to each other between a first stowed position and a second extended position, sheet material extending between the support elements, means for stabilizing the frame when the support elements are in the second extended position, and means for securing the frame to the wheelchair.
  18. 18. A canopy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
GB0602709A 2005-02-10 2006-02-10 Canopies for scooters or wheelchairs Withdrawn GB2423058A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0502766.9A GB0502766D0 (en) 2005-02-10 2005-02-10 Improvements in or relating to protective canopies

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0602709D0 GB0602709D0 (en) 2006-03-22
GB2423058A true GB2423058A (en) 2006-08-16

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GBGB0502766.9A Ceased GB0502766D0 (en) 2005-02-10 2005-02-10 Improvements in or relating to protective canopies
GB0602709A Withdrawn GB2423058A (en) 2005-02-10 2006-02-10 Canopies for scooters or wheelchairs

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB0502766.9A Ceased GB0502766D0 (en) 2005-02-10 2005-02-10 Improvements in or relating to protective canopies

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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2445010A (en) * 2006-08-16 2008-06-25 John Edward O'brien Folding canopy for scooters or wheelchairs
ITRM20080669A1 (en) * 2008-12-16 2010-06-17 Christian Costantini ENDANGABLE OPENABLE SUNSET / SUNFLOWER SYSTEM FOR DISABLED WHEELCHAIR USE
ES2457165A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-04-24 Universidad De Burgos Retractable hood for motorized wheelchairs (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
GB2528329A (en) * 2014-07-18 2016-01-20 Elizabeth Haines Retractable mobility-scooter canopy system
US10093161B1 (en) 2018-01-25 2018-10-09 Swic, Llc Portable rain and sun shield for a covered golf cart
US20230000699A1 (en) * 2021-06-30 2023-01-05 Devon Wooden Wheelchair Shielding Device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7932214U1 (en) * 1980-02-21 Mennemann, Gerhard, 4400 Muenster Rain cover for the disabled chair
US5301975A (en) * 1991-12-11 1994-04-12 Eddy Rivera Overhead screen for a wheelchair
JPH11197188A (en) * 1998-01-14 1999-07-27 Takahiko Iwata Wind and rain proof/sunshade device for wheelchair
JP2003230603A (en) * 2002-02-08 2003-08-19 Kanto Auto Works Ltd Rain shelter of wheelchair
JP2004321535A (en) * 2003-04-25 2004-11-18 Yamamoto Kogaku Co Ltd Protector for passenger

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7932214U1 (en) * 1980-02-21 Mennemann, Gerhard, 4400 Muenster Rain cover for the disabled chair
US5301975A (en) * 1991-12-11 1994-04-12 Eddy Rivera Overhead screen for a wheelchair
JPH11197188A (en) * 1998-01-14 1999-07-27 Takahiko Iwata Wind and rain proof/sunshade device for wheelchair
JP2003230603A (en) * 2002-02-08 2003-08-19 Kanto Auto Works Ltd Rain shelter of wheelchair
JP2004321535A (en) * 2003-04-25 2004-11-18 Yamamoto Kogaku Co Ltd Protector for passenger

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2445010A (en) * 2006-08-16 2008-06-25 John Edward O'brien Folding canopy for scooters or wheelchairs
ITRM20080669A1 (en) * 2008-12-16 2010-06-17 Christian Costantini ENDANGABLE OPENABLE SUNSET / SUNFLOWER SYSTEM FOR DISABLED WHEELCHAIR USE
ES2457165A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2014-04-24 Universidad De Burgos Retractable hood for motorized wheelchairs (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
GB2528329A (en) * 2014-07-18 2016-01-20 Elizabeth Haines Retractable mobility-scooter canopy system
WO2016009169A1 (en) * 2014-07-18 2016-01-21 Elizabeth Haines Retractable mobility-scooter canopy system
US10040501B2 (en) 2014-07-18 2018-08-07 Elizabeth HAINES Retractable mobility-scooter canopy system
GB2528329B (en) * 2014-07-18 2021-01-06 Haines Elizabeth Retractable mobility-scooter canopy system
US10093161B1 (en) 2018-01-25 2018-10-09 Swic, Llc Portable rain and sun shield for a covered golf cart
US20230000699A1 (en) * 2021-06-30 2023-01-05 Devon Wooden Wheelchair Shielding Device
US11850193B2 (en) * 2021-06-30 2023-12-26 Devon Wooden Wheelchair shielding device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0602709D0 (en) 2006-03-22
GB0502766D0 (en) 2005-03-16

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