Land vehicles – Wheeled – Extensible
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-18
2001-02-06
Nelson, Jr., Milton (Department: 3636)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Extensible
C297SDIG004
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182982
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to wheelchairs, and in particular, to a mount for a caster wheel on an adjustable height wheelchair. A legrest or a footrest may be attached to the waster wheel mount.
Wheelchairs are frequently made so that the height of the seat above the ground may be adjusted to either of two heights: a higher standard height and a lower “hemi” height. The standard height is used when a wheelchair occupant desires to keep his or her feet off the ground. The feet may be supported by a footrest assembly. The hemi height is sometimes used by hemiplegics who have the use of one foot which can be used to assist propelling the wheelchair. In an adjustable height wheelchair, multiple mounting locations are provided for the larger rear wheel. Adjustment of the front caster wheels may be more difficult. In some wheelchairs, a telescoping tubes may be provided for mounting the front caster wheels. However, this arrangement provides some disadvantages when a footrest or a leg rest is provided. Wheelchair attachments such as a detachable footrest or an elevating legrest have been mounted directly on the wheelchair frame. The footrest or legrest will keep its position relative to the seat surface with a telescoping caster wheel mount. However, these attachments have needed adjustment when the height of the wheelchair is changed, for example, raising so as to not interfere with the ground when the wheelchair is lowered to a hemi position.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a mount for caster wheels on an adjustable height wheelchair and to a footrest assembly and a legrest assembly that are mounted on the caster wheel mount. Front tubular members are adapted to attach to the front of each side of the wheelchair frame. A caster wheel is secured to a lower end of the front tubular member. Each front tubular member is provided with at least one pair of vertically spaced mounting holes or apertures which may be selectively secured to any of at least two pairs of vertically spaced mounting holes or apertures on the front of each side of the wheelchair frame. Different pairs of mounting holes are provided on the wheelchair frame for use when the larger rear wheels are mounted in the standard position and in the hemi position. Optional attachments such as an optional footrest assembly or an optional legrest assembly may be secured to the front tubular member rather than to the wheelchair frame. Thus, the spacing of the optional attachments relative to the ground remains the same when the wheelchair height is changed.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a caster wheel mounting for an adjustable height wheelchair and a wheelchair incorporating such mounting.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.
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Jr. Milton Nelson
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
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