Wheelchair Injury-Prevention Guard

Abstract

A collar with a relieved area (3) strategically placed in-between the upper and lower wheelchair leg-rest attachments (2) so a leg-rest can still be removed and installed and where the leg-rest locking arm (6) can lock into place unimpeded. A second collar (4) attached directly below the lower wheelchair leg-rest attachment (2). Both collars (3 and 4) are locked into place using flat-head screws (5). Collars (3 and 4) are of sufficient size to extend horizontally beyond the typically exposed mainframe leg-rest attachments (2). When installed at both leg-rest attachment areas (2) the invention protects a wheelchair user from a laceration injury.

Claims

1. One or more devices attached to a wheelchair in the main-frame leg-rest attaching area of sufficient size that, under normal circumstances, impedes an individual's leg from coming in contact with said wheelchair's main-frame leg-rest attaching area when the leg-rests are removed or swung to the side.

2. An assembly that is attached to a wheelchair in the main-frame leg-rest attaching area of sufficient size as to restrict the wheelchair occupant from coming in contact with the thin metal parts of said wheelchair mainframe leg-rest attaching area under the seating area when the leg-rests are removed or swung to the side, comprising: (a) a collar with a notched area to allow the leg-rest to lock into place (b) a 2.sup.nd collar that attaches below the mainframe leg-rest attaching area

3. The assembly of claim 2 of sufficient design and construction as to allow leg-rest to be attached and removed without the need to remove or attach said assembly.

4. A wheelchair with a raised area on the wheelchair frame sufficient enough size as to extent beyond the leg-rest attaching area where, under normal circumstances, an individual's leg is prevented from coming in contact with said wheelchair's main-frame leg-rest attaching area when the leg-rests are removed or swung to the side.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the Wheelchair Injury-Prevention Guard as it looks in its accessory form and its location in relation to one side of a wheelchair's mainframe at the leg-rest attachment area.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows the Wheelchair Injury-Prevention Guard mounted to one side of a wheelchair's mainframe at the leg-rest attachment area.

[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 shows the design of the Wheelchair Injury-Prevention Guard as a set with a relieved area on part number 3 to allow for the leg-rest to lock into place when attached to the wheelchair.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates the location of the guards on a manual wheelchair.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates how a leg-rest attaches and locks in place at the mainframe leg-rest attachment area

DRAWINGS

Reference Numerals

[0022] 1 Wheelchair Mainframe [0023] 2 Mainframe Leg-rest Attachment [0024] 3 Protective Collar with Relieved Area [0025] 4 Protective Collar [0026] 5 Flat-head Screws [0027] 6 Leg-Rest Locking Arm [0028] 7 Leg-Rest

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Referring to several of the views, the Injury-Prevention Guard invention is indicated as the combination of protective collar with Relieved Area 3 and the protective collar 4. Protective collar 3 is attached to each side of the wheelchair in-between the upper and lower leg-rest attachment 2 at a location as to not impede with the operation of the leg-rests. This includes strategically locating the relieved area of the protective collar 3 to allow for the leg-rest locking arm 6 to lock into place on the upper leg-rest attachment 2. Protective collar 4 is located immediately below the lower leg-rest attachment 2. Both protective collars 3 and 4 are locked into place using flat-head screws 5.

[0030] Once installed correctly, the protective collars 3 and 4 extend horizontally beyond the dangerously exposed mainframe leg-rest attachments 2, thus preventing a laceration injury to a wheelchair user by preventing contact with mainframe leg-rest attachments 2. Installed correctly, caregivers are able to remove and install a wheelchair's leg-rests quickly and easily.

[0031] The artwork being submitted portrays the Injury-Prevention Guard invention as being an accessory that is strategically attached to a wheelchair at the leg-rest attachment area. However, the invention could also be incorporated into the manufacturing of a new wheelchair.