Wheeled chair

Abstract

A kit of parts which when assembled will provide a wheeled chair and include a central frame member to which all other elements are connected.

Claims

1. A transport chair moveable between a disassembled stowed state and an assembled deployed state, the transport chair comprising: a plurality of locking pins; a left fixed side and a right fixed side, each fixed side being rectangular in shape and having a top, a bottom, a front, and a back; a flexible seat panel connected to the top of the left and right fixed sides; a pair of front cross braces and a pair of rear cross braces; a left armrest and a right armrest; a flexible back panel including a left handle support and a right handle support; a footrest including a pair of supporting arms; and a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, the front and rear wheels being a same size as one another; wherein, in the assembled deployed state: the left fixed side is spaced apart from, and arranged opposite, the right fixed side, the flexible seat panel spanning the spaced apart distance; for each of the pair of front cross braces and for each of the pair of rear cross braces: one of the cross braces of the pair is connected to the top of the left fixed side and to the bottom of the right fixed side; another one of the cross braces of the pair is connected to the bottom of the left fixed side and to the top of the right fixed side; the pair of front cross braces and the pair of rear cross braces located, respectively, toward the front and the back of the left and right fixed sides; the left and right handle supports and a forward end of the left and right arm rests are each correspondingly connected to the top of the left and right fixed sides, the right and left handle supports correspondingly being toward the back of the left and right fixed sides, the forward end of the left and right armrests correspondingly being toward the front of the left and right fixed sides, a rearward end of the left and right armrests further connected to a corresponding one of the left and right handle supports; the support arms of the footrest connected to the front of the left and right fixed sides; the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels are connected to the bottom of the left and right fixed sides so that one of each of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels are connected to the bottom of the left fixed side and another of each of the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels are connected to the bottom of the right fixed side; each connection of the transport chair when in the assembled deployed state being by way of a locking pin of the plurality of locking pins; wherein, no tools are required to move the transport chair between the disassembled stowed state and the assembled deployed state; and, wherein, when in the disassembled stowed state: the left fixed side, the right fixed side, and the flexible seat panel; the pair of front cross braces; the pair of rear cross braces; the left armrest; the right armrest; the flexible back panel including the left handle support and the right handle support; the footrest; the pair of supporting arms of the footrest; the pair of front wheels; and the pair of rear wheels, are all disconnected from one another and form a kit of parts including the plurality of locking pins.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of the disassembled component parts arranged for transport; and

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of all of the components in an array.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a wheeled chair 10, according to the present invention. The chair 10 is assembled from component subassemblies. A left and right rigid frame unit 11, 12 can be a starting point which in the preferred embodiment is square tubing horizontally and round tubing vertically. They are connected by front and rear cross members 13, 14 through mounting clips with locking pins 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 (not shown in detail). A seat panel 17 (shown in dashed lines so that the other structural members are visible) joins the left and right rigid frame units 11, 12 spanning across the top. The front wheels 18, 19 which are mounted in wheel support members 118, 119 are inserted into the lower front end of the rigid frame units 11, 12 and are secured with locking pins 25, 27 respectively.

(5) Rear wheels 20, 21 which are mounted in wheel support members 120, 121, are inserted into the lower rear end of the rigid frame units 11, 12 and are secured with locking pins 26, 28 respectively. A back support panel 22 (shown in dashed lines so that other structural members are visible) spans between the push handle support tubing 23, 24. The push handle support tubing 23, 24 is inserted into the upper rear end of the rigid frame units 11, 12 and is secured with locking pins 35, 36 respectively.

(6) The left and right armrests 15, 16 with their support tubing are inserted into the upper front end of the rigid frame units 11, 12 and secured with locking pins 33, 34 respectively. The rear end of the left and right armrest tubing 15, 16 is slotted (not shown) and locks in place over tabs (not shown) welded to the push handle support tubing 23, 24 with locking hooks 45, 46 respectively.

(7) The footrest 47 with supporting arms 29, 30 are mounted (hung) on the front of the rigid frame units 11, 12 by sliding onto the armrest locking pins 33, 34 respectively. The forward position of the footrest is held in place by the left and right locking bars 31, 32 (not detailed). Front and rear wheel locking pins 25, 26, 27, 28 (not shown in detail) are spring loaded and welded to the lower front and rear of the rigid frame units 11, 12 respectively. The locking pins 25, 26, 27, 28 have a pull ring attached for releasing them and securing them. Locking pins for cross bracing 13, 14, push handle supports 23, 24 and armrest supports 15, 16 have center buttons which control expansion and contraction of ball bearings at the end of the pins for locking them into place.

(8) FIG. 2 shows the various parts arranged in a compact configuration for transport, either in a suitcase or one or more bags sized to meet aircraft carry-on luggage limitations. It is the goal of the present invention to provide a kit of parts that can be easily stowed in an aircraft overhead bin and yet be easily and quickly assembled for the use of a passenger who needs the chair for transport from the aircraft if the stowed chair is unavailable

(9) In FIG. 3, all of the component parts are displayed in an array. Although the seat panel 17 was shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, it is shown here fastened to the rigid frame units 11, 12. Similarly, the left and right armrests can be seen with their support tubing 15, 16. The back support panel 22 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1 is here seen as attached to the push handle support tubing 23, 24.

(10) While specific examples of locking mechanisms have been described, alternatives are available. For example, spring loaded hemispheres on the ends of the female members can engage apertures in the ends of the male members. Other proprietary fasteners are available to assure a stable connection. Indices of various types can be employed to assure that parts intended to be joined are not mismatched. Embodiments using lighter weight materials may need additional elements for assembly and disassembly. However, all such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

(11) While the specification describes particular embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the present invention without departing from the inventive concept. It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide motors to drive the wheels so that a collapsible and transportable chair can be motorized.