A foldable tiltable wheelchair that overcomes the foregoing deficiencies comprises a base frame comprising laterally spaced side frames. A tiltable seat frame is supported for pivotal movement in relation to the base frame. The tiltable seat frame comprises laterally spaced seat rails. A first foldable cross-member provides a rigid connection between the seat rails when in an unfolded position. According to one embodiment, a second foldable cross-member provides a rigid connection between the side frames when in an unfolded position. The first and second foldable cross-members coupled so that moving one cross-member moves the other cross-member. According to another embodiment, the tiltable seat frame comprises a seat back supported in relation to the seat frame. The seat back comprises laterally spaced back canes. The first foldable cross-member is coupled to the seat frame so that the back canes are supported in relation to the first foldable cross-member so as to limit lateral flexure of the back canes. The first foldable cross-member is foldable to a folded position to fold the wheelchair.

A dynamic support system mounted to a chair to permit a user to be supported in one of a plurality of positions is provided. The dynamic support system includes a seat assembly coupled to the chair and having a cushion and a pair of support plate assemblies coupled to the cushion, each support plate assembly having a central interface plate coupled to the chair and disposed between an inner interface plate and an outer interface plate, the central interface plate of each support plate assembly having a pair of pivot slots, the inner and outer interface plates of each support plate assembly coupled to the cushion by a pair of bolts extending through the inner interface plate, the pair of pivot slots in the central interface plate and the outer interface plate of each support plate assembly. The seat assembly can adjust between an anterior position and a posterior position.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a wheelchair for a wheelchair rider, the wheelchair having first and second wheel arms each pivotally mounted so as to allow the alignment of the first arm to move relative to the second arm through a range of relative alignment in response to the rider leaning laterally. First and second wheel mounts are provided on first and second arms respectively to mount respective first and second wheels with central axes of first and second wheels able to move in an arc about the point of pivotal mounting of the respective first or second arm.

A wheelchair is described herein, including wheels, a support frame that engages with the wheels, a seat base fitted to the support frame, and suspension between the frame and the seat base, wherein the seat base is adapted to move with respect to the support frame when a human occupant is seated on the seat base such that the suspension dampens body weight force between the seat base and the support frame.

An ergonomically designed seating apparatus having a seat and a backrest. The seat having a seat frame securable to a chassis, a seat support pivotally connected to the seat frame, and at least one first resilient member positioned between the seat frame and the seat support permitting resilient relative pivotal tilting between them. The backrest having a back frame securable to the chassis, a lumbar support connected to the back frame, a back support pivotally connected to the lumbar support, at least one second resilient member positioned along surfaces of the lumbar support and the back support permitting resilient relative pivotal tilting between them, at least one pivot arm connected to the back support configured to limit the pivotal range of motion of the back support, and at least one pivot block connected to the lumbar support configured to interact with the at least one pivot arm.

A personal lift mechanism and method are disclosed. The personal lift mechanism comprises: a lift having a base structure which pivotally retains a pair of struts which are pivotally coupled with a lift platform; an actuator coupled with at least one of the pair of struts; and a damper coupled with the actuator and operable to dissipate kinetic energy transferred between the lift platform and the actuator. In this way, less mechanically-robust components are required for the lift mechanism, damage to those components and the actuator is less likely, and any load on the lift platform and/or base structure will experience reduced shock due to the energy being instead dissipated within the damper.

A wheelchair can comprise: a frame comprising an upper portion and a lower portion that is coupled to the upper portion so that the upper portion is vertically adjustable with respect to the lower portion. A pair of drive wheels can be coupled to the frame. A plurality (e.g., a pair) of casters are coupled to the frame. Each caster can have a respective swivel axis. At least one caster of the plurality of casters can be configured to be locked to prevent swiveling about its respective swivel axis and unlocked to enable swiveling about its respective swivel axis.

Patient transfer chairs are disclosed, with the transfer chairs comprising; a rigid frame supporting a seating surface, with the seating surface being deployable under a patient in a plurality of incremental configurations between a first configuration where the seating surface supports a patient only underneath the bend of their knee and a second configuration where the seating surface supports the majority of a patient's femur.

A support arrangement and corresponding method, is provided for supporting a user in a seated invalid appliance, the arrangement comprising a support member and at least one reconfigurable connection arrangement arranged to enable connection of the support member to the appliance and the application an adjustable tensile load to the support member. The connection arrangement may comprise a bridging element configured to extend between the support member and the appliance, such as a clip or hook. The hook or clip may be S-shaped or C-shaped in cross section. The connection arrangement may be received in an aperture or recess provided in the support member and/or the appliance to bridge the gap there between. The invention is particularly suited for use with wheelchairs or seated sports appliances for a disabled user.

The invention relates to an apparatus that can be used by people who are either restricted in their movements by allowing them to transit locations either in a sitting or standing position with simple hand controls to increase their mobility. The apparatus is further useful for those needing to travel long distances to retrieve objects, bring repair or maintenance personnel to their assigned task with their equipment in an office or warehouse environment. Safety features include the ability to transit through normally experienced hazards of speed bumps, dips and valleys of parking lots and sidewalks without the fear of pitching forward. Furthermore, the apparatus is used by those of limited movement who require assistance getting up from chairs or toilets or prone positions on a bed, where the apparatus is capable of raising the person into the apparatus while moving the center of gravity towards themselves preventing the pitching of the apparatus into themselves.