Land vehicles – Wheeled – Extensible
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-14
2001-06-05
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Extensible
C280S639000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241275
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Foldable wheelchairs generally comprise cross-tubes pivotally mounted between the wheelchair side frames. The cross-tubes generally form a scissors-like arrangement that requires the side frames to be arranged parallel to one another. This parallel arrangement is usually not well suited for withstanding lateral deflection resulting from lateral loading. Moreover, the physical requirements of the cross-tubes affect the dimensions within which the wheelchair may be folded.
Foldable panels or struts may be used in the place of cross-tubes. Foldable panels and struts may be used in combination with one another. For example, a foldable seat panel is commonly used in combination with a foldable strut. Foldable panels and struts generally employ a variety of centering and locking configurations used to lock the panels and struts in an unfolded position to prevent the panels and struts from inadvertently folding. Centering and locking configurations are often cumbersome and typically require the performance of a series of steps to be implemented.
A simple, lightweight and dependable low-cost link configuration capable of withstanding lateral deflection is needed.
SUMMARY
The invention is directed to a link configuration that satisfies the foregoing as well as other needs. A link configuration for a wheelchair having laterally spaced side frames comprises a plurality of links extending between the wheelchair side frames. Each link has opposing ends. One of the ends of each link is pivotally coupled to one of the side frames. The other end of each link is pivotally coupled to the other side frame. Each link has a hinge to permit the links to fold. The links are foldable in non-parallel planes relative to one another. An interference member coupled to the hinge of one of the links is engageable with the hinge of the other link upon unfolding the links to couple the links together.
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Dickson Paul N.
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
Yeagley Daniel
LandOfFree
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