A wheelchair can comprise a frame and a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to the frame, and a motor coupled to the frame. A power source can be configured to power the motor. A drive shaft can be coupled to the motor. A first sprocket can be coupled to the drive shaft. A second sprocket can be configured to be rotationally fixed to a wheel of the plurality of wheels. A drive belt or chain can extend between the first sprocket and the second sprocket. An input device can be configured to receive an input from an operator and, in response to receiving the input, cause the motor to rotate.

A patient transport apparatus operable by a user for transporting a patient along stairs. A seat section is coupled to a support structure supporting a track assembly having a belt. A motor selectively generates torque to drive the belt. A user interface is arranged for engagement by the user, and has a direction input control for selecting a drive direction of the motor, and an activation input control for operating the motor to drive the belt. A controller in communication with the motor and the user interface is configured to limit operation of the motor in response to user engagement of the activation input control preceding engagement of the direction input control to prevent driving the belt, and to permit operation of the motor in response to user engagement of the activation input control following engagement of the direction input control to drive the belt in a selected drive direction.

A system of bracket assemblies for a wheelchair comprises a pair of bracket assemblies adapted to be connected to respective sides of a seat frame of the wheelchair. Each of the bracket assemblies has a base adapted to be secured to a seat frame member of the seat frame, an arm adapted to be secured to a backrest frame member of a backrest frame, and a pivot pivotally connecting the base to the arm for rotational movement of the arm relative to the base. One or more blocking mechanism blocks the rotational movement of the arm relative to the base in a use orientation of the backrest frame. A rod having opposed ends connected to the base of the pair of the bracket assemblies for spacing the bracket assemblies away from one another. A rear wheel unit is also provided.

A system of bracket assemblies for a wheelchair comprises a pair of bracket assemblies adapted to be connected to respective sides of a seat frame of the wheelchair. Each of the bracket assemblies has a base adapted to be secured to a seat frame member of the seat frame, an arm adapted to be secured to a backrest frame member of a backrest frame, and a pivot pivotally connecting the base to the arm for rotational movement of the arm relative to the base. One or more blocking mechanism blocks the rotational movement of the arm relative to the base in a use orientation of the backrest frame. A rod having opposed ends connected to the base of the pair of the bracket assemblies for spacing the bracket assemblies away from one another. A rear wheel unit is also provided.

A tube assembly for a wheelchair frame comprises a tubular member having at least a first portion and a second portion angled relative to the first portion, the first portion configured to be in a seating zone of the wheelchair frame. The second portion is configured to be in a bottom front zone of the wheelchair frame, the tubular member defining a surface concavity in its peripheral surface delimited by a peripheral step, the surface concavity located at a junction between the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member. An interface member has a peripheral contour shaped and sized for the interface member to be received in the surface concavity and contoured at least partially by the peripheral step.

A tube assembly for a wheelchair frame comprises a tubular member having at least a first portion and a second portion angled relative to the first portion, the first portion configured to be in a seating zone of the wheelchair frame. The second portion is configured to be in a bottom front zone of the wheelchair frame, the tubular member defining a surface concavity in its peripheral surface delimited by a peripheral step, the surface concavity located at a junction between the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member. An interface member has a peripheral contour shaped and sized for the interface member to be received in the surface concavity and contoured at least partially by the peripheral step.

Provided is a steering mechanism (8) including a swing bar (81a) which swings in response to input from a rider, a cam guide (83c) slidable on a peripheral surface of a column section (5a), a ball joint (82a) which slides the cam guide (83c) in response to the swinging of the swing bar (81a), a cam follower (83b) vertically provided on the peripheral surface of the column section (5a) to rotate the column section (5a) in response to the sliding of the cam guide (83c), and a coil spring (83e) which returns the cam guide (83c) to a predetermined rotation angle. The cam follower (83b) comes in contact with a cam surface (83c4) of the cam guide (83c) which has a recess surface shape, at two positions on the peripheral surface, in a state where the column section (5a) is located at a predetermined position.

Provided is a steering mechanism (8) including a swing bar (81a) which swings in response to input from a rider, a cam guide (83c) slidable on a peripheral surface of a column section (5a), a ball joint (82a) which slides the cam guide (83c) in response to the swinging of the swing bar (81a), a cam follower (83b) vertically provided on the peripheral surface of the column section (5a) to rotate the column section (5a) in response to the sliding of the cam guide (83c), and a coil spring (83e) which returns the cam guide (83c) to a predetermined rotation angle. The cam follower (83b) comes in contact with a cam surface (83c4) of the cam guide (83c) which has a recess surface shape, at two positions on the peripheral surface, in a state where the column section (5a) is located at a predetermined position.

Provided is a lightweight and inexpensive wheelchair that can be easily operated with either a right or left hand. The wheelchair according to the present invention is provided with; a pair of handrims having a first portion connected to each handrim spoke and a second portion connected to a base of each wheel; a drive mechanism for transmitting a first rotational force generated by the first portion on one side and/or another side to the wheel on the one side and the wheel on the other side, wherein the drive mechanism includes an axle on the one side, an axle on the other side connected to the axle on the one side via a rotary shaft, a first two-way clutch located on the axle on the one side, and a second two-way clutch located on the axle on the other side.

A modular seat apparatus includes a base cushion and a back cushion that includes a plurality of segments defining a longitudinal length of the back cushion. The back cushion is pivotably coupled to the base cushion such that the back cushion is oriented at an angle relative to the base cushion. The plurality of segments is configured to translate in response to the back cushion pivoting relative to the base cushion such that the longitudinal length of the back cushion decreases as the angle increases and the longitudinal length of the back cushion increases as the angle decreases.