US4966379A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reclinable wheelchair
Assignee: Mulholland Designs Inc
•
Filing: 1988-02-16
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Granted: 1990-10-30
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Expires: 2008-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A wheelchair having opposing sideframes each of which comprise a base section which is pivotally connected by a brace member to an inclinable seat section. An extender mechanism interconnects the seat section to a brace member and provides releasable securement for a wheelchair seat at selected angular positions. Backrest bars are independently adjustable with a similar extender mechanism that interconnects the bars with a respective seat section. The sideframes are spaced-apart with hinged spacer bars which includes a latching device for releasably securing the bars in an open position. The bar and frame sections have elongated slots containing fasteners for adjustable connections with fasteners from adjunct wheelchair assemblies.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence K. Mulholland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G5/00; A61G5/08; A61G5/0808; A61G5/0816; A61G5/10; A61G5/1056; A61G5/1059; A61G5/1062; A61G5/1075; A61G5/12; A61G5/128; A61G5/006; A61G5/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
In a wheelchair having two spaced-apart laterally aligned structurally independent sideframe structures which cooperatively support wheelchair wheels, a seat and backrest; each one of said sideframe structures comprising: a base frame section; an angularly adjustable seat section connected to said base section by brace means comprising a first brace member pivotally connecting a back portion of said base section with said seat section and a second brace member pivotally connecting a forward portion of said base section with said seat section whereby each brace member provides a dual axis of rotation for movement of said seat section; and, a seat extender means interconnecting one of said brace members and said seat section having a seat housing through which extends a movable seat shaft including a seat locking means for releasably securing said shaft whereby said seat section can be moved to a desired position and be releasably maintained at said position by said locking means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a wheelchair having two spaced-apart laterally aligned structurally independent sideframe structures which cooperatively support wheelchair wheels, a seat and backrest; each one of said sideframe structures comprising: a base frame section; an angularly adjustable seat section connected to said base section by brace means comprising a first brace member pivotally connecting a back portion of said base section with said seat section and a second brace member pivotally connecting a forward portion of said base section with said seat section whereby each brace member provides a dual axis of rotation for movement of said seat section; and, a seat extender means interconnecting one of said brace members and said seat section having a seat housing through which extends a movable seat shaft including a seat locking means for releasably securing said shaft whereby said seat section can be moved to a desired position and be releasably maintained at said position by said locking means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sideframe of claim 1 wherein said base section and said seat section each comprise an elongated structural element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sideframe of claim 2 wherein said brace members incline toward each other and each member has opposing ends with a joint assembly proximate each end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sideframe of claim 2 wherein said seat housing is pivotally connected to said one of said brace members and said seat shaft is connected to said seat section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sideframe of claim 2 wherein each brace means includes a side plate adjacent each brace member pivotally interconnecting said seat section and said base section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The sideframe of claim 5 wherein each of said elongated structural elements have opposing sides and said side plate is mounted on a side of each corresponding elongated structural element directly opposite and coextensive with each respective brace member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sideframe of claim 6 wherein said seat housing is pivotally connected to one of said brace members and a directly opposite side plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sideframe structure of claim 1 including a backrest bar pivotally connected to said seat section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sideframe structure of claim 8 including a backrest extender means pivotally interconnecting said backrest bar and said seat section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
The sideframe of claim 9 wherein said backrest extender means comprises a backrest housing through which moves a backrest shaft including a backrest locking means for releasably securing said backrest shaft either one of, said backrest housing or backrest shaft being pivotally connected to said seat section with the other of said backrest shaft or backrest housing being pivotally connected to said backrest bar whereby said backrest bar can be inclined to a desired position relative to said seat section and be releasably maintained at said position by said backrest locking means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sideframe of claim 1 including seat actuating means for remotely operating said seat extender means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sideframe of claim 10 including backrest actuating means for remotely operating said backrest extender means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The sideframe of claim 9 including a front leg section pivotally connected to said seat section; and, an adjustable strut means interconnecting said leg section and seat section to releasably secure the leg section at a desired angular position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a wheelchair having a seat, backrest means and wheels supported by a framework, said framework including: a pair of spaced-apart structurally independent sideframes which are aligned on each lateral side of said wheelchair, each sideframe comprising a seat section adjustably separated from a base section by a brace means providing four axes of rotation comprising a first brace member connecting a back portion of said base section to said seat section and a second brace member connecting a forward portion of said base section to said seat section, each brace member having opposing ends with joint means for forming dual axis pivot connections with said seat section and said base section; said sideframe including a seat extender means pivotally joining said seat section to one of said brace members, said seat extender means including a seat locking means for releasably securing said seat section at a desired position relative to said base section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a wheelchair having a seat, backrest means and wheels supported by a framework, said framework including: a pair of spaced-apart structurally independent sideframes which are aligned on each lateral side of said wheelchair, each sideframe comprising a seat section adjustably separated from a base section by a brace means providing four axes of rotation comprising a first brace member connecting a back portion of said base section to said seat section and a second brace member connecting a forward portion of said base section to said seat section, each brace member having opposing ends with joint means for forming dual axis pivot connections with said seat section and said base section; said sideframe including a seat extender means pivotally joining said seat section to one of said brace members, said seat extender means including a seat locking means for releasably securing said seat section at a desired position relative to said base section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The wheelchair of claim 14 including a folding assembly connected to each sideframe for releasably spacing one sideframe from the other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The wheelchair of claim 15 wherein said folding assembly includes at least one pair of spacer bars having pivotally connected inner end portions and outer ends attached to a respective sideframe.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The wheelchair of claim 16 wherein said outer ends are attached to said brace members.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wheelchair of claim 17 wherein said folding assembly includes latching means for releasably securing said spacer bars in an open position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The wheelchair of claim 14 wherein said backrest means includes a pair of backrest bars each being pivotally connected to a respective seat section; and, a backrest extender means pivotally interconnecting each backrest bar with a respective seat section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The wheelchair of claim 19 wherein said backrest extender means includes a backrest locking means for releasably securing said backrest bars at a desired position relative to said seat section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The wheelchair of claim 20 wherein said backrest bars include lateral slots which contain slidable bar fasteners and each of said backrest bars are connected to a respective seat section by backrest link means that include link fasteners which engage said slidable bar fasteners.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The wheelchair of claim 20 including a front leg section pivotally connected to said seat section; and, an adjustable strut means interconnecting said leg section and seat section to releasably secure the leg section at a desired angular position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
146 words
A wheelchair having a seat, backrest and wheels which are supported by two opposing structurally independent lateral sideframe structures, each sideframe structure comprising: a base section; a seat section spaced-apart and angularly movable on four axes of rotation relative to said base section; brace means pivotally connecting each of said seat section and said base section, said brace means comprising a first brace member interconnecting a back portion of said base section with said seat section and a second brace member interconnecting a forward portion of said base section with said seat section, each of said brace members having opposing ends provided with joint means for forming respective pivot connections with said base section and said seat section; and, seat extender means interconnecting said seat section and one of said brace members for regulating the angular displacement of said seat section relative to said base section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
146 words
A wheelchair having a seat, backrest and wheels which are supported by two opposing structurally independent lateral sideframe structures, each sideframe structure comprising: a base section; a seat section spaced-apart and angularly movable on four axes of rotation relative to said base section; brace means pivotally connecting each of said seat section and said base section, said brace means comprising a first brace member interconnecting a back portion of said base section with said seat section and a second brace member interconnecting a forward portion of said base section with said seat section, each of said brace members having opposing ends provided with joint means for forming respective pivot connections with said base section and said seat section; and, seat extender means interconnecting said seat section and one of said brace members for regulating the angular displacement of said seat section relative to said base section.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
72 words
The sideframe of claim 23 wherein said seat extender means comprises a seat housing with a seat shaft movable through said housing, either one of said housing or shaft connected to said one brace member and either one of or other of said housing or shaft connected to said sat section, said seat extender means including a seat locking means for securing said shaft at a selected position relative to said housing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sideframe of claim 23 wherein said brace members are inclined toward each other and, said seat extender means includes remote actuating means for operating said locking means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The sideframe of claim 25 wherein said brace means includes side plates pivotally connected to each of said base section and seat section, each side plate extending parallel and coextensively with a respective associated brace member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sideframe of claim 26 wherein said pivot joint assemblies include a joint shaft common to each side plate and brace member connection.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-29 | 1994-04-30 | 1994-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-29 | 1998-04-30 | 1998-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-29 | 2002-04-30 | 2002-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |