US5401044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two piece collapsible wheelchair
Assignee: ULTRA REACH LLC
•
Filing: 1992-10-30
•
Granted: 1995-03-28
•
Expires: 2012-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight, two piece wheelchair wherein both pieces are separable and optionally foldable. The wheelchair is driven manually by rotating a pair of opposed handwheels, one of which is contacted by each of the occupant's hands. When a seat positioning crank is rotated by the wheelchair occupant, a seat raising mechanism is activated which moves the seat from a horizontal sitting position to an inclined but substantially vertical position toward the front of the wheelchair. As the seat is raised, the contour of the seat is altered to provide added comfort for the occupant in the standing position.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael H. Galumbeck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G5/00; A61G5/02; A61G5/021; A61G5/022; A61G5/024; A61G5/026; A61G5/10; A61G5/1086; A61G5/12; A61G5/128; A61G5/14; B; B62; B62M; B62M1/00; B62M1/14; A61G5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
397 words
A two piece wheelchair for transporting an occupant comprising: a support assembly means, said support assembly means including first and second spaced side frames, wheelchair support wheels mounted for rotation upon said first and second side frames, said wheelchair support wheels including at least one drive wheel, and wheelchair drive means mounted upon at least one of said first and second side frames and operative to drive said drive wheel, said wheelchair drive means including a manually rotatable hand wheel and transmission means connected between said handwheel and said drive wheel to transmit rotary motion of said hand wheel to said drive wheel, and a seat assembly means independent of said support assembly means removably mounted upon said support assembly means and including a seat for supporting the buttocks of an occupant having a front section and a rear section, and a seat back connected to the rear section of said seat and seat drive means operative to engage said support assembly means when said seat assembly means is mounted upon said support assembly means, said seat drive means operating to drive said seat and seat back relative to said support assembly means between a lowermost position relative to said wheelchair support wheels and an uppermost position spaced above said lowermost position wherein said seat assembly means operates to move an occupant of said wheelchair between a sitting position in the lowermost position of said seat and seat back to a standing position in said uppermost position of said seat and seat back, said seat being articulated with said front section being pivotally connected to said rear section, said seat assembly means including seat support means operative to cause said front section to extend outwardly in substantially the same plane as the rear section when said seat and seat back are in the lowermost position while causing the front section to pivot downwardly from the rear section when said seat and seat back are moved to the uppermost position, said rear seat section including a center portion and side portions on either side of said center portion, all of which extend in substantially the same plane when said seat and seat back are in the lowermost position, said seat support means operating to raise said side portions above said center portion of said rear section when said seat and seat back are moved to the uppermost position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
397 words
A two piece wheelchair for transporting an occupant comprising: a support assembly means, said support assembly means including first and second spaced side frames, wheelchair support wheels mounted for rotation upon said first and second side frames, said wheelchair support wheels including at least one drive wheel, and wheelchair drive means mounted upon at least one of said first and second side frames and operative to drive said drive wheel, said wheelchair drive means including a manually rotatable hand wheel and transmission means connected between said handwheel and said drive wheel to transmit rotary motion of said hand wheel to said drive wheel, and a seat assembly means independent of said support assembly means removably mounted upon said support assembly means and including a seat for supporting the buttocks of an occupant having a front section and a rear section, and a seat back connected to the rear section of said seat and seat drive means operative to engage said support assembly means when said seat assembly means is mounted upon said support assembly means, said seat drive means operating to drive said seat and seat back relative to said support assembly means between a lowermost position relative to said wheelchair support wheels and an uppermost position spaced above said lowermost position wherein said seat assembly means operates to move an occupant of said wheelchair between a sitting position in the lowermost position of said seat and seat back to a standing position in said uppermost position of said seat and seat back, said seat being articulated with said front section being pivotally connected to said rear section, said seat assembly means including seat support means operative to cause said front section to extend outwardly in substantially the same plane as the rear section when said seat and seat back are in the lowermost position while causing the front section to pivot downwardly from the rear section when said seat and seat back are moved to the uppermost position, said rear seat section including a center portion and side portions on either side of said center portion, all of which extend in substantially the same plane when said seat and seat back are in the lowermost position, said seat support means operating to raise said side portions above said center portion of said rear section when said seat and seat back are moved to the uppermost position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
The two piece wheelchair of claim 1 wherein said support assembly means and said seat assembly means are each collapsible when said seat assembly means is removed from said support assembly means, said support assembly means including cross brace means extending between said first and second side frames and operable in a first extended position to space said side frames to permit the mounting of said seat assembly on said support assembly and in a second folded position to permit said first and second side frames to be brought together to reduce the space therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The two piece wheelchair of claim 2 wherein said seat assembly means includes mounting means to connect said seat back to the rear section of said seat, said mounting means operating to permit said seat back to be folded against said seat, and leg support means connected to the front section of said seat, said leg support means being foldable against said seat when said seat assembly means is removed from said support assembly means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The two piece wheelchair of claim 3 wherein said wheelchair drive means is mounted to position said manually rotatable hand wheel adjacent to the front section of said seat when said seat assembly means is mounted on said support assembly means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The two piece wheelchair of claim 4 which includes a drive wheel mounted on each of said first and second side frames, said wheelchair drive means including a manually rotatable hand wheel and transmission means mounted on each of said first and second side frames.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The two piece wheelchair of claim 5 wherein said wheelchair drive means includes a housing mounted on each of said first and second side frames, each said manually rotatable hand wheel being mounted for rotation upon one of said housings, each said housing containing a transmission means connected between a drive wheel and the manually rotatable hand wheel mounted on said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
The two piece wheelchair of claim 6 wherein each said drive wheel includes an axle mounted on one of said first and second side frames, each of said housings being pivotally mounted upon an axle for one of said drive wheels, and housing mounting means connected to each said housing and adapted to releasably secure said housing to one of said first and second side frames, said housing mounting means being operable to release said housing from a side frame to permit the housing to pivot relative to the axle for a drive wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
303 words
A two piece wheelchair for transporting an occupant comprising: a support assembly means, said support assembly means including first and second spaced side frames, wheelchair support wheels mounted for rotation upon said first and second side frames, said wheelchair support wheels including at least one drive wheel, and wheelchair drive means mounted upon at least one of said first and second side frames and operative to drive said drive wheel, said wheelchair drive means including a manually rotatable hand wheel and transmission means connected between said handwheel and said drive wheel to transmit rotary motion of said hand wheel to said drive wheel, and a seat assembly means independent of said support assembly means removably mounted upon said support assembly means, said seat assembly means including a seat for supporting the buttocks of an occupant having a front section and a rear section, and a seat back connected to the rear section of said seat and seat drive means operative to engage said support assembly means when said seat assembly means is mounted upon said support assembly means, said seat drive means operating to drive said seat and seat back relative to said support assembly means between a lowermost position relative to said wheelchair support wheels and an uppermost position spaced above said lowermost position, said support assembly means including manually operable brake means operable in an engagement position to engage and prevent rotation of said drive wheel and in a disengagement position to permit rotation of said drive wheel and safety locking means operable by said brake means, said safety locking means operating when said seat assembly means is mounted upon said support assembly means with said seat and seat back in the lowermost position to prevent operation of said seat drive means if said brake means is in the disengagement position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
303 words
A two piece wheelchair for transporting an occupant comprising: a support assembly means, said support assembly means including first and second spaced side frames, wheelchair support wheels mounted for rotation upon said first and second side frames, said wheelchair support wheels including at least one drive wheel, and wheelchair drive means mounted upon at least one of said first and second side frames and operative to drive said drive wheel, said wheelchair drive means including a manually rotatable hand wheel and transmission means connected between said handwheel and said drive wheel to transmit rotary motion of said hand wheel to said drive wheel, and a seat assembly means independent of said support assembly means removably mounted upon said support assembly means, said seat assembly means including a seat for supporting the buttocks of an occupant having a front section and a rear section, and a seat back connected to the rear section of said seat and seat drive means operative to engage said support assembly means when said seat assembly means is mounted upon said support assembly means, said seat drive means operating to drive said seat and seat back relative to said support assembly means between a lowermost position relative to said wheelchair support wheels and an uppermost position spaced above said lowermost position, said support assembly means including manually operable brake means operable in an engagement position to engage and prevent rotation of said drive wheel and in a disengagement position to permit rotation of said drive wheel and safety locking means operable by said brake means, said safety locking means operating when said seat assembly means is mounted upon said support assembly means with said seat and seat back in the lowermost position to prevent operation of said seat drive means if said brake means is in the disengagement position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The two piece wheelchair of claim 8 wherein said handwheel is mounted for movement relative to said side frames between a lower position relative to the wheelchair support wheels and an upper position spaced above said lower position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
141 words
A wheelchair for transporting an occupant comprising, a structural frame; wheelchair support wheels mounted for rotation on said frame; manually operable brake means mounted upon said frame, said manually operable brake means operating in an engagement position to engage and prevent rotation of at least one of said support wheels and in a disengagement position to permit rotation of said support wheels, seat means mounted upon said frame, said seat means including drive means to drive said occupant supporting seat for movement relative to said frame between a lowermost position to an uppermost position spaced above said lowermost position, and safety locking means connected for operation by said brake means, said safety locking means operating when said occupant supporting seat is in the lowermost position to prevent operation of said drive means if said brake means is in the disengagement position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
141 words
A wheelchair for transporting an occupant comprising, a structural frame; wheelchair support wheels mounted for rotation on said frame; manually operable brake means mounted upon said frame, said manually operable brake means operating in an engagement position to engage and prevent rotation of at least one of said support wheels and in a disengagement position to permit rotation of said support wheels, seat means mounted upon said frame, said seat means including drive means to drive said occupant supporting seat for movement relative to said frame between a lowermost position to an uppermost position spaced above said lowermost position, and safety locking means connected for operation by said brake means, said safety locking means operating when said occupant supporting seat is in the lowermost position to prevent operation of said drive means if said brake means is in the disengagement position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The wheelchair of claim 10 which includes a manually operated handwheel means mounted on said frame for operation by an occupant, said handwheel means operating to power said drive means, and being mounted for movement relative to said frame between a lower position relative to said wheelchair support wheels and an upper position spaced above said lower position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
135 words
A wheelchair for transporting an occupant comprising: a structural frame; wheelchair support wheels mounted for rotation on said frame; seat means including an occupant supporting seat; said seat means including drive means operative to change the contour of said occupant supporting seat, and seat support means for supporting said occupant supporting seat, said occupant supporting seat including a section having an upper support surface with a center portion and side portions on either side of said center portion which extend in substantially the same plane when said occupant supporting seat is in a first position, said seat support means operating in response to operation of said drive means to raise said side portions above the plane of said center portion to dish said upper support surface from said side portions toward said center portion thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
135 words
A wheelchair for transporting an occupant comprising: a structural frame; wheelchair support wheels mounted for rotation on said frame; seat means including an occupant supporting seat; said seat means including drive means operative to change the contour of said occupant supporting seat, and seat support means for supporting said occupant supporting seat, said occupant supporting seat including a section having an upper support surface with a center portion and side portions on either side of said center portion which extend in substantially the same plane when said occupant supporting seat is in a first position, said seat support means operating in response to operation of said drive means to raise said side portions above the plane of said center portion to dish said upper support surface from said side portions toward said center portion thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
86 words
The wheelchair of claim 12 wherein said drive means operates to drive said occupant supporting seat relative to said frame between a lowermost position where said occupant supporting seat is in said first position and an uppermost position spaced above said lowermost position, said seat means including a seat supporting frame means for said occupant supporting seat, said seat supporting frame means operating to raise the side portions of said seat above the center portion when said drive means moves said seat to the uppermost position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The wheelchair of claim 13 wherein said occupant supporting seat includes a from section and a rear section, said rear section forming the section with said side portions which are raised by said seat supporting frame means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
The wheelchair of claim 14 wherein said front section is pivoted to said rear section, said seat supporting frame means operating to cause said front section to extend outwardly in substantially the plane of said rear section when said occupant supporting seat is in the lowermost position and to pivot downwardly from said rear section as said occupant supporting seat moves from said lowermost position to said uppermost position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
The wheelchair of claim 15 wherein said drive means includes a piston unit having a piston connected to said occupant supporting seat and a fluid containing cylinder, said piston being movable within said cylinder, and a hand driven unit mounted on said seat means and connected to operate said piston unit to move said occupant supporting seat between said lowermost and uppermost positions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The wheelchair of claim 16 wherein said drive means includes pump means operable by said hand driven unit to selectively supply fluid to the cylinder of said piston unit or to withdraw fluid from said cylinder.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
94 words
The wheelchair of claim 13 which includes manually operable brake means mounted upon said frame, said manually operable brake means operating in a first engagement position to engage and prevent rotation of at least one of said support wheels and in a second disengagement position to permit rotation of said support wheels, and safety locking means connected for operation by said brake means, said safety locking means operating with said occupant supporting seat in the lowermost position to prevent operation of said drive means if said brake means is in the second disengagement position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
82 words
The wheelchair of claim 12 wherein said occupant supporting seat includes a seat cushion having an upper support surface which provides the upper support surface with said center portion and side portions, said side portions extending along substantially the full extent of said seat cushion on opposite sides thereof, said seat support means operating in response to the operation of said drive means to raise said side portions, to dish the upper support surface of said seat cushion toward said center portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
The wheelchair of claim 19 wherein said drive means includes a manually rotatable handwheel mounted upon said structural frame and transmission means connected between said handwheel and said seat support means to transmit rotation of said handwheel to cause said seat support means to change the contour of said occupant supporting seat.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
56 words
The wheelchair of claim 20 wherein a wheel drive means is mounted upon said structural frame and is connected to drive at least one of said wheelchair support wheels, and shift control means are mounted upon said frame and operable to selectively and individually connect said handwheel to said wheel drive means and said transmission means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
128 words
A wheelchair for transporting an occupant comprising: a structural frame; wheelchair support wheels mounted for rotation on said frame; a seat assembly mounted on said frame including an occupant supporting seat having a front and a rear seat section, said front seat section being pivotally connected to said rear seat section, and seat support means operative in a first position to cause said front seat section to extend in substantially the same plane as the rear seat section and in a second position to cause the front seat section to pivot downwardly from the rear seat section; and rear seat section contour means operating to engage said rear seat section in said second position of said seat support means to change the contour of said rear seat section.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
128 words
A wheelchair for transporting an occupant comprising: a structural frame; wheelchair support wheels mounted for rotation on said frame; a seat assembly mounted on said frame including an occupant supporting seat having a front and a rear seat section, said front seat section being pivotally connected to said rear seat section, and seat support means operative in a first position to cause said front seat section to extend in substantially the same plane as the rear seat section and in a second position to cause the front seat section to pivot downwardly from the rear seat section; and rear seat section contour means operating to engage said rear seat section in said second position of said seat support means to change the contour of said rear seat section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
79 words
The wheelchair of claim 22 wherein said rear seat section includes a center portion, side portions on opposite sides of said center portion and an upper support surface extending across said center and side portions, said rear seat section contour means operating in the second position of said seat support means to raise said side portions of said rear seat section above said center portion to dish said upper support surface from said side portions toward said center portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
77 words
The wheelchair of claim 23 wherein said contour means includes contour arms mounted on said front seat section to extend outwardly therefrom beneath the side portions of said rear seat section in the first position of said seat support means, said contour arms pivoting upwardly into engagement with said side portions of said rear seat section to raise said side portions when said front seat section pivots downwardly in the second position of said seat support means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The wheelchair of claim 24 wherein said rear seat section includes a cushion having said upper support surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
The wheelchair of claim 24 which includes drive means mounted on said frame for selectively and individually driving at least one of said support wheels and said seat support means between said first and second positions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
The wheelchair of claim 26 wherein said drive means includes a manually rotatable handwheel mounted on said frame to power said drive means and shift control means mounted on said frame which operates to connect said drive means to selectively drive individually said at least one wheelchair support wheel and said seat support means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The wheelchair of claim 27 wherein said handwheel is mounted for movement relative to said frame between a lower position relative to said wheelchair support wheels and an upper position spaced above said lower position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
62 words
The wheelchair of claim 28 wherein said wheelchair support wheels include a drive wheel having an axle mounted on said frame, said drive means including a housing containing transmission means, said manually rotatable handwheel being mounted on said housing and said housing being pivotally mounted on an axle to raise or lower said manually rotatable handwheel between said lower and upper positions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The wheelchair of claim 26 wherein said wheelchair includes propulsion means including manually actuatable means operable to prevent movement of said wheelchair support wheels in either a forward or rearward direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US607522A
Cited
US287789A
Cited
FR720851A
Cited
US2181420A
Cited
US2397790A
Cited
US2847058A
Cited
SU776610A1
Cited
US4380343A
Cited
US4231614A
Cited
WO1982001314A1
Cited
US4294774A
Cited
US4598944A
Cited
US4574901A
Cited
US4614246A
Cited
US4625984A
Cited
US4766772A
Cited
US4758013A
Cited
US4759561A
Cited
US4809804A
Cited
US4685693A
Cited
US4733755A
Cited
US5037120A
Cited
US5096008A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-27 | 1998-09-26 | 1999-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-27 | 2002-09-26 | 2003-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-27 | 2006-09-26 | 2007-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |