Hand-pedalling attachment for wheel-chairs

Claim 2

A hand-powered pedalling apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a. an attachment frame incorporating a pedalling mechanism and having: 1. an adjustment frame slidably insertable therein, said adjustment frame including: A. attachment means affixed thereto for securing said apparatus to said wheelchair: 2. said adjustment frame being incrementally rotatable with respect to said attachment frame, and incorporating: A. a hollow tube having a shaped opening in an end thereof, said shaped opening being of a regular configuration about an axis; 3. said attachment means being: A. incrementally adjustable with respect to said attachment frame; I. rotatably about said axis; and II. axially with respect to said end thereof.

Claim 3

In the hand-powered pedalling apparatus of claim 1, said attachment means comprising: a. clamp means having an extension rotatably attached at a point thereof, said extension shaped to fit rotatably and insertably into said shaped opening in a multiplicity of rotational positions; and b. means for fixedly securing said extension in any of said multiplicity of said rotational positions with respect to said shaped opening: 1. said point of attachment of said extension to said clamp means being at a position eccentrically removed from said axis, whereby to obtain said incremental adjustment of said position of said clamp means with respect to said attachment frame, in any of said multiplicity of said rotational positions.

Claim 4

In a hand-powered pedalling apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle, said pedalling apparatus incorporating the steering function for said vehicle, wherein said wheelchair has: I. side frames having first and second attachment points thereon; and II. castering wheels on said side frames contacting a rolling surface when said wheelchair is used separately; and said apparatus has: III. an attachment frame having first and second attachment means thereon for securing said apparatus to said wheelchair; The Improvment Comprising: a. lifter means on said attachment frame, including: 1. a lifter lever rotatably attached to said attachment frame; 2. a lifter post rotatably attached to said attachment frame; and 3. a connecting link rotatably connecting said lifter lever to said lifter post; and b. said first attachment means is secured first to said first attachment point; c. said lifter post is rotated down into contact with said rolling surface when said lifter lever is rotated; d. said wheelchair is rolled up onto said lifter post thereby lifting said castering wheels clear of said rolling surface; and e. said second attachment means is secured to said second attachment point.

Claim 5

In a hand-powered pedalling apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle, said pedalling apparatus incorporating the steering function for said vehicle, wherein said wheelchair has: I. side frames having first and second attachment points thereon; and II. castering wheels on said side frames contacting a rolling surface when said wheelchair is used separately; and said apparatus has: III. an attachment frame having first and second attachment means thereon for securing said apparatus to said wheelchair; The Improvment Comprising: a. lifter means on said attachment frame, including: 1. a lifter lever rotatably attached to said attachment frame; 2. a lifter post rotatably attached to said attachment frame; and 3. a connecting link rotatably connecting said lifter lever to said lifter post; and b. said first attachment means is secured first to said first attachment point; c. said lifter post is rotated down into contact with said rolling surface when said lifter lever is rotated; d. said wheelchair is rolled up onto said lifter post thereby lifting said castering wheels clear of said rolling surface; and e. said second attachment means is secured to said second attachment point.

Claim 6

In a hand-powered pedalling apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle, wherein said pedalling apparatus incorporates the steering function for said vehicle, wherein said wheelchair has: I. side frames having first and second attachment points thereon; and II. castering wheels on said side frames contacting a rolling surface when said wheelchair is used separately; and said apparatus has: III. an attachment frame with first and second clamp means thereon for securing said apparatus to said wheelchair, said clamp means being incrementally adjustable thereon, and further including: A. a hollow tube having a shaped opening in an end thereof, said shaped opening being of a regular configuration about an axis; B. said clamp having an extension rotatably attached at a point thereof, said extension shaped to fit insertably into said shaped opening in any of a multiplicity of positions; and C. means for fixedly securing said extension in any of said multiplicity of positions with respect to said opening; The Improvement Comprising: a. lifter means on said attachment frame, including:

Claim 7

In a hand-powered pedalling apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle, wherein said pedalling apparatus incorporates the steering function for said vehicle, wherein said wheelchair has: I. side frames having first and second attachment points thereon; and II. castering wheels on said side frames contacting a rolling surface when said wheelchair is used separately; and said apparatus has: III. an attachment frame with first and second clamp means thereon for securing said apparatus to said wheelchair, said clamp means being incrementally adjustable thereon, and further including: A. a hollow tube having a shaped opening in an end thereof, said shaped opening being of a regular configuration about an axis; B. said clamp having an extension rotatably attached at a point thereof, said extension shaped to fit insertably into said shaped opening in any of a multiplicity of positions; and C. means for fixedly securing said extension in any of said multiplicity of positions with respect to said opening; The Improvement Comprising: a. lifter means on said attachment frame, including:

Claim 8

lifter lever rotatably attached to said attachment frame; 2. a lifter post rotatably attached to said attachment frame; and 3. a connecting link rotatably connecting said lifter lever to said lifter post; and b. said first attachment means is secured first to said first attachment point; c. said lifter post is rotated down into contact with said rolling surface when said lifter lever is rotated; d. said wheelchair is rolled up onto said lifter post thereby lifting said castering wheels clear of said rolling surface; e. said second attachment means is secured to said second attachment point; and f. said point of attachment of said extension to said clamp being at a position eccentrically removed from said axis; whereby to obtain said incremental adjustment of said position of said clamp with respect to said attachment frame, in any of said multiplicity of positions.

Claim 9

lifter lever rotatably attached to said attachment frame; 2. a lifter post rotatably attached to said attachment frame; and 3. a connecting link rotatably connecting said lifter lever to said lifter post; and b. said first attachment means is secured first to said first attachment point; c. said lifter post is rotated down into contact with said rolling surface when said lifter lever is rotated; d. said wheelchair is rolled up onto said lifter post thereby lifting said castering wheels clear of said rolling surface; e. said second attachment means is secured to said second attachment point; and f. said point of attachment of said extension to said clamp being at a position eccentrically removed from said axis; whereby to obtain said incremental adjustment of said position of said clamp with respect to said attachment frame, in any of said multiplicity of positions.

Claim 10

In a hand-powered pedalling apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle, wherein said pedalling apparatus incorporates the steering function for said vehicle, and includes; I. a steering column having; A. a driving wheel mounted on a rotating axis at the lower extremity thereof; and B. a rotating hand-propelled power crank mounted at the upper extremity thereof, said power crank being drivingly connected to said driving wheel; C. said driving wheel having a contact point with a rolling surface; II. said steering column being rotatingly movable about a steering axis mounted at an obtuse vertical angle with respect to the direction of the forward motion of the composite vehicle; and III. said wheelchair has: A. side frames having first and second attachment points thereon; and B. castering wheels on said side frames contacting a rolling surface when said wheelchair is used separately; and IV. said apparatus has: A. an attachment frame with first and second attachment means thereon for securing said apparatus to said wheelchair; The Improvement Comprising: a. lifter means on said attachment frame, including

Claim 11

In a hand-powered pedalling apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle, wherein said pedalling apparatus incorporates the steering function for said vehicle, and includes; I. a steering column having; A. a driving wheel mounted on a rotating axis at the lower extremity thereof; and B. a rotating hand-propelled power crank mounted at the upper extremity thereof, said power crank being drivingly connected to said driving wheel; C. said driving wheel having a contact point with a rolling surface; II. said steering column being rotatingly movable about a steering axis mounted at an obtuse vertical angle with respect to the direction of the forward motion of the composite vehicle; and III. said wheelchair has: A. side frames having first and second attachment points thereon; and B. castering wheels on said side frames contacting a rolling surface when said wheelchair is used separately; and IV. said apparatus has: A. an attachment frame with first and second attachment means thereon for securing said apparatus to said wheelchair; The Improvement Comprising: a. lifter means on said attachment frame, including

Claim 12

a lifter lever rotatably attached to said attachment frame; 2. a lifter post rotatably attached to said attachment frame; and 3. a connecting link rotatably connecting said lifter lever to said lifter post; and b. said first attachment means is secured first to said first attachment point; c. said lifter post is rotated down into contact with said rolling surface when said lifter lever is rotated; d. said wheelchair is rolled up onto said lifter post thereby lifting said castering wheels clear of said rolling surface; e. said second attachment means is secured to said second attachment point; and f. all of the pedalling and steering forces of said apparatus are located forward of the steering axis.

Claim 13

a lifter lever rotatably attached to said attachment frame; 2. a lifter post rotatably attached to said attachment frame; and 3. a connecting link rotatably connecting said lifter lever to said lifter post; and b. said first attachment means is secured first to said first attachment point; c. said lifter post is rotated down into contact with said rolling surface when said lifter lever is rotated; d. said wheelchair is rolled up onto said lifter post thereby lifting said castering wheels clear of said rolling surface; e. said second attachment means is secured to said second attachment point; and f. all of the pedalling and steering forces of said apparatus are located forward of the steering axis.

Claim 14

In a hand-powered pedalling apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle, said pedalling apparatus incorporating the steering function for said vehicle, wherein said wheelchair has: I. side frames having: A. first and second attachment points thereon; and B. castering wheels on said side frames contacting a rolling surface when said wheelchair is used separately; and said apparatus has: II. an attachment frame with first and second attachment means thereon for securing said apparatus to said wheelchair, said attachment frame including: A. a steering column having: i. a driving wheel mounted on a rotating axis at the lower extremity thereof; ii. a rotating hand-propelled power crank mounted at the upper extremity thereof, said power crank being drivingly connected to said driving wheel; iii. said driving wheel having a contact point with a rolling surface; B. said steering column being rotatably movable about a steering axis mounted at an obtuse vertical angle with respect to the direction of the forward motion of said composite vehicle: The Improvement Comprising: a. lifter means on said attachment frame, including:

Claim 15

In a hand-powered pedalling apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle, said pedalling apparatus incorporating the steering function for said vehicle, wherein said wheelchair has: I. side frames having: A. first and second attachment points thereon; and B. castering wheels on said side frames contacting a rolling surface when said wheelchair is used separately; and said apparatus has: II. an attachment frame with first and second attachment means thereon for securing said apparatus to said wheelchair, said attachment frame including: A. a steering column having: i. a driving wheel mounted on a rotating axis at the lower extremity thereof; ii. a rotating hand-propelled power crank mounted at the upper extremity thereof, said power crank being drivingly connected to said driving wheel; iii. said driving wheel having a contact point with a rolling surface; B. said steering column being rotatably movable about a steering axis mounted at an obtuse vertical angle with respect to the direction of the forward motion of said composite vehicle: The Improvement Comprising: a. lifter means on said attachment frame, including:

Claim 16

a lifter lever rotatably attached to said attachment frame; 2. a lifter post rotatably attached to said attachment frame; and 3. a connecting link rotatably connecting said lifter lever to said lifter post; and b. said first attachment means is secured first to said first attachment point; c. said lifter post is rotated down into contact with said rolling surface when said lifter lever is rotated; d. said wheelchair is rolled up onto said lifter post thereby lifting said castering wheels clear of said rolling surface; e. said second attachment means is secured to said second attachment point; and f. all of the pedalling and steering forces of said apparatus are located forward of said steering axis.

Claim 17

a lifter lever rotatably attached to said attachment frame; 2. a lifter post rotatably attached to said attachment frame; and 3. a connecting link rotatably connecting said lifter lever to said lifter post; and b. said first attachment means is secured first to said first attachment point; c. said lifter post is rotated down into contact with said rolling surface when said lifter lever is rotated; d. said wheelchair is rolled up onto said lifter post thereby lifting said castering wheels clear of said rolling surface; e. said second attachment means is secured to said second attachment point; and f. all of the pedalling and steering forces of said apparatus are located forward of said steering axis.

Claim 18

A handpowered pedalling apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle, wherein: I. said pedalling apparatus has a steering column having a driving wheel in contact with a rolling surface; and II. said wheelchair has side frames having first and second attachment points thereon, and castering wheels on said side frames contacting said rolling surface when said wheelchair is used separately; The Improvement Comprising: a. said apparatus has: 1. an attachment frame including said steering column, and further including first and second attachment means thereon for securing said apparatus to said wheelchair, said attachment frame having: A. a hollow tube having a shaped opening in an end thereof, said shaped opening being of a regular configuration about an axis; B. said attachment means having an extension rotatably attached at a point thereof: I. said extension shaped to fit insertably into said shaped opening in any of a multiplicity of positions; and II. said point of said attachment means of said extension being eccentrically located with respect to said axis; C. means for fixedly securing said extension in any of said multiplicity of positions with respect to said opening, whereby to obtain said incremental adjustment of said position of said attachment means with respect to said attachment frame, in any of said multiplicity of positions;

Claim 19

A handpowered pedalling apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair to form a composite vehicle, wherein: I. said pedalling apparatus has a steering column having a driving wheel in contact with a rolling surface; and II. said wheelchair has side frames having first and second attachment points thereon, and castering wheels on said side frames contacting said rolling surface when said wheelchair is used separately; The Improvement Comprising: a. said apparatus has: 1. an attachment frame including said steering column, and further including first and second attachment means thereon for securing said apparatus to said wheelchair, said attachment frame having: A. a hollow tube having a shaped opening in an end thereof, said shaped opening being of a regular configuration about an axis; B. said attachment means having an extension rotatably attached at a point thereof: I. said extension shaped to fit insertably into said shaped opening in any of a multiplicity of positions; and II. said point of said attachment means of said extension being eccentrically located with respect to said axis; C. means for fixedly securing said extension in any of said multiplicity of positions with respect to said opening, whereby to obtain said incremental adjustment of said position of said attachment means with respect to said attachment frame, in any of said multiplicity of positions;

Claim 20

lifter means on said attachment frame, including: A. a lifter lever rotatably attached to said attachment frame; B. a lifter post rotatably attached to said attachment frame; and C. a connecting link rotatably connecting said lifter lever to said lifter post; b. whereby to lift said castering wheels from said rolling surface when said pedalling attachment is secured to said wheelchair.

Claim 21

lifter means on said attachment frame, including: A. a lifter lever rotatably attached to said attachment frame; B. a lifter post rotatably attached to said attachment frame; and C. a connecting link rotatably connecting said lifter lever to said lifter post; b. whereby to lift said castering wheels from said rolling surface when said pedalling attachment is secured to said wheelchair.

Claim 22

The hand-powered pedalling apparatus of claim 9, wherein said attachment frame includes; a. adjustment frames comprising: 1. slidable members having cross members rigidly fabricated thereto, said slidable members removably insertable into said attachment frame in either of two positions and having; A. means for fixedly securing said slidable members in said either of said two positions with respect to said attachment frame; B. said cross members being said hollow tube thereof; whereby to obtain an increased range of said incremental adjustment of said attachment means to accomodate a wide range of sizes and types of said wheelchairs.