Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Utility Patent
1999-03-22
2001-01-02
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S286000
Utility Patent
active
06168178
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to wheelchairs and more particularly, to a wheelchair having a convertible chassis. The invention also relates to a method for converting the chassis of a wheelchair from a fixed chassis to a suspension chassis, and vice versa.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a wheelchair comprising a frame and a chassis. The frame has two side frame members. Each side frame member comprises an upper frame member. Each upper frame member has two mounting positions upon which the chassis may be mounted. The chassis comprises two mounting brackets. Each mounting bracket is removably attachable to a respective upper frame member. The mounting brackets are selectively attachable at the first and second mounting positions. That is to say, the mounting brackets can be attached to respective upper frame members at the first mounting position or the second mounting position. Each mounting bracket has a lower end. The lower ends of the mounting brackets are structured and configured to rigidly support rear wheel assemblies when the mounting brackets are attached to the upper frame members at the first mounting position to provide a fixed chassis. When the mounting brackets are attached to the upper frame members at the second mounting position, the lower ends of the mounting brackets support a swing-arm and suspension member to provide a suspension chassis. Another embodiment of the invention includes two sets of mounting brackets. One set of mounting brackets is attachable to the upper frame members at the first mounting position and rigidly supports a rear wheel assembly to provide a rigid chassis. The other set of mounting brackets is attachable to the upper frame members at the second mounting position and supports a swing-arm and suspension member to provide a suspension chassis. The invention also includes a method for converting the chassis of a wheelchair from a rigid chassis to a suspension chassis, and vice versa.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5020816 (1991-06-01), Mulholland
patent: 5326126 (1994-07-01), Weege
patent: 5593173 (1997-01-01), Williamson
patent: 5851018 (1998-12-01), Curran et al.
patent: 5851019 (1998-12-01), Gill et al.
patent: 5855387 (1999-01-01), Gill et al.
Garven, Jr. Douglas M.
Santoski Paul Richard
Slagerman Murray G.
Fischer Andrew J.
Hurley Kevin
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
LandOfFree
Convertible wheelchair and a method for converting a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Convertible wheelchair and a method for converting a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Convertible wheelchair and a method for converting a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2523770