Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-31
2004-09-07
Boehler, Anne Marie (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S304100, C297S423250
Reexamination Certificate
active
06786496
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is a barrier-free wheelchair constructed entirely of non-metal components, such as plastic. The device is designed to facilitate the passage of wheelchair occupants through magnetometers, such as those utilized for security purposes in airports, government buildings, and a host of other locations.
The present invention is non-collapsible in nature, as the device may be for on-site usage and not for transport in vehicles and the like. Due to its materials and construction, the wheelchair of the present invention importantly allows for a solid, non-sling seat. Alternatively, a traditional sling-type seat may be utilized. The wheelchair is also pilferage resistant, and provides multiple surfaces upon which indicia, such as corporate graphics, may appear. In addition, consistent with pre-existing wheelchairs, the present invention allows for the removable attachment of a variety of accessories, including foot rests and trays.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous innovations for wheelchair devices have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted. The following is a summary of those prior art patents most relevant to the invention at hand, as well a description outlining the differences between the features of the present invention and those of the prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,535, Invented by Takeuchi et al., Entitled “Wheelchair”
The patent to Takeuchi et al. describes a wheelchair including a pair of frames located on opposite sides of the wheelchair, each frame being provided with a drive wheel equipped with a hand ring, and a castor; a back rest and a leg rest each formed of a web of flexible material connecting the pair of frames together; yoke members pivotally connected at lower ends to base tubular members of the pair of frames and connected for relative pivotal movements at an intersection while being connected at upper ends to a pair of seat tubular members; a seat formed of a web of flexible material hung between the seat tubular members which are adapted to be maintained at opposite ends in pressing engagement with front post members and rear post members of the pair of frames which are kept in a spaced-apart condition to bring the back rest and leg rest to a taut condition, whereby the back rest, leg rest and seat can have their lengths adjusted to thereby adjust the width of the wheelchair to a desired value.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,432, Invented by Wagner, Entitled “Wheelchair”
The Wagner invention describes a wheelchair construction particularly adaptable for collapsible wheelchairs and which may be formed of all nonmagnetic material, wherein the major components are skinned polymeric foam wheels and panels. The seat and back panels are hingedly supported on side panels, wherein the back panels include a downwardly opening V-shaped channel adjacent the center hinge which receives the upwardly foldable seat panels as the wheelchair is collapsed and the seat panels are supported in an overcenter hinge position on transverse foldable panels. The side panels include openings at their upper rearward corners forming integral C-shaped handles and the footrests are supported in a horizontal use or angled non-use position in configured slots formed in a support block.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,395, Invented by Gabriele, Entitled “Wheelchair And Method Of Making Same”
The wheelchair of the Gabriele invention is made of a non-metallic material. The wheelchair is made so that it is easily assembled, light weight and less expensive than traditional wheelchairs. The wheelchair employs a unique hinge assembly which provides support for the seat, back and foot rest. By using the hinge assembly, the seat, back and foot rest are self-supporting because the hinge assembly distributes the forces acting upon these members through the side panels. The hinge members are molded integrally with the seat, back and foot panels. Further, when the side panel of the wheelchair is formed, slots are formed therein for receipt of the hinge member. The same is true of the foot rest. The present invention also employs an improved adjusting mechanism for adjusting the pivotal relationship of the foot rest and an improved brake assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,543, Invented by Sims et al., Entitled “Composite Frame Wheelchair”
The patent to Sims describes an improved wheelchair constructed with a base frame formed from composite material tubing. The base frame comprises a pair of unitary side frames of composite material tubing which preferably has an elliptical cross section oriented to provide increased structural strength along a primary loading axis during normal use. The side frames are interconnected by a plurality of cross braces of composite material tubing, wherein the lengths of the cross braces can be selected in accordance with a desired wheelchair frame width. A folding seatback is mounted on the side frames for releasable locking in an upright orientation, with a pair of spring-loaded lock pins being releasable by pulling a pull cord to permit seatback folding to a collapsed condition.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,928, Invented by Papac, Entitled “Wheelchair”
The patent to Papac describes a wheelchair having a chassis formed of flat plate which is folded to define a lower chassis, a chassis back, and an upper chassis. The lower and the upper chassis each have a pair of elongated substantially parallel arms that extend from respective land portions of the chassis. The arms define openings in distal portions for receiving caster wheels. Drive wheels connect to axle mounts that are selectively positioned for track, camber, and height, which axle mounts connect to the chassis back. A seat support attaches to the chassis for supporting a person in the wheelchair and includes independently adjustable height, longitudinal position relative a seat back, and angle. A pair of push handles attach to the chassis back and pivotally connect to the seat support for selective positioning of the angle of the back.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,373, Invented Robertson et al., Entitled “Molded-Composite Chassis for a Wheelchair”
In the patent to Robertson et al., provided is a chassis having two longitudinal sides, one or more cross-bars between the sides, and two torsion forwardly and downwardly extending arms terminating in sleeves for holding snap-in casters. When attached to the other wheelchair components, the arms create a space therebetween and under the wheelchair seat for storage of optional items. The molded chassis may be tailored to performance specifications and is constructed from composite material, preferably by compression molding using sheet molding compound or by resin transfer molding. Shock and vibration attenuating characteristics are selectable and the chassis sides may be of one or multiple piece construction. Each longitudinal side includes two vertically extending posts for attaching a seat, the posts providing a height, seat pan angle and center of gravity adjustment mechanism for the seating system relative to the chassis. The drive wheels are attached to camber plugs which are secured within recesses in the sides. The camber plugs are interchangeable and include a variety of selected camber angles. In another aspect of the present invention, the crossbars are of adjustable width thereby permitting the width of the chassis to be adjusted to accommodate users of different sizes, and to accommodate different sized seating systems. In an additional aspect of the invention, the chassis disassembles into two halves, the two halves connected by cross-bars of a preselected length. In one additional aspect, seat mounting rails are attached within an inner surface of the longitudinal sides. The chassis may attach a variety of seating systems, including one piece composite seats.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,931, Invented by Slasor, Entitled “Lightweight Foldable
Lonczak John
Ward Gary
Boehler Anne Marie
Ward Gary
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