`
`(i2) United States Patent
`Wu
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`⑽ Patent n 〇.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`u s 7,179,20 0 b i
`Feb. 20,2007
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`(54) WHEELCHAIR
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: David Wu, No. 35-1, Jih Hsin Street,
`Tu Cheng City, Taipei Hsien (TW)
`
`(* ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 8 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/195,711
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Aug. 3, 2005
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A63B 21/00
`(2006.01)
`A61H 3/00
`(2006.01)
`B62M 1/00
`(52) U.S. Cl........................ 482/51; 280/87.041; 135/67
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 482/51,
`482/66-68,904; D12/130; 135/65,67;
`280/87.05, 87.041
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,907,794 A *
`3/1990 Rose ................................ 482/68
`
`(56)
`
`D451,053 S * 11/2001 Hallgrimsson ................ D12/130
`6,338,355 Bl *
`1/2002 Cheng .............................. 135/67
`6,481,730 B2* 11/2002 Sung ............................ 280/87.05
`6,877,519 B2*
`4/2005 Fink .................................. 135/67
`7,001,313 B l*
`2/2006 Crnkovich ....................... 482/68
`7,040,637 B2*
`5/2006 Owens et al............... 280/87.021
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner—Stephen R. Crow
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Troxell Law Office, PLLC
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A wheelchair is disclosed having two adjustment structures
`for allowing adjustment of the elevation of two handlebars
`relative to the two parallel vertical main frame bars thereof,
`each adjustment structure including a holder block fixedly
`provided at the top of the respective vertical main frame bar
`to accommodate the respective handlebar, a holding down
`block movably mounted in the holder block, and a locking
`lever pivoted to the holder block for moving a locating rod
`into one of a vertically aligned series of locating holes at the
`respective handlebar and forcing the holding down block
`against the respective handlebar.
`
`4 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
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`TTI
`Exhibit 1035 - Page 1
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`Rg.1 PRIOR ART
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`2
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`WHEELCHAIR
`
`BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a wheelchair and more
`particularly, to such a wheelchair, which has adjustment
`structures for allowing adjustment of the elevation of the
`handlebars.
`FIG. 1 shows a conventional wheelchair 8. According to
`this design, the wheelchair 8 comprises two handlebars 81,
`which have a respective bottom end 811 respectively
`inserted into the two parallel main frame bars 82, and two
`lock screws 83 respectively provided at the top ends of the
`two parallel main frame bars 82 for locking the respective
`handlebars 81. This handlebar locking design is not safe in
`use. If the lock screws 83 are not fastened tight, the
`handlebars 81 may fall from the main frame bars 82 acci
`dentally, resulting in an accident. Further, the lock screws 83
`wear quickly with use.
`The present invention has been accomplished under the
`circumstances in view. According to one aspect of the
`present invention, the wheelchair comprises two adjustment
`structures for allowing adjustment of the elevation of two
`handlebars relative to the two parallel vertical main frame
`bars thereof. Each adjustment structure comprises a holder
`block fixedly provided at the top of the respective vertical
`main frame bar to accommodate the respective handlebar, a
`holding down block movably mounted in the holder block,
`and a locking lever pivoted to the holder block for moving
`a locating rod into one of a vertically aligned series of
`locating holes at the respective handlebar and forcing the
`holding down block against the respective handlebar.
`According to another aspect of the present invention, the
`handlebar elevation adjustment structures are simple. Sim
`ply by turning the locking lever forwards or backwards, the
`respective handlebar is locked to the respective vertical
`frame bar or unlocked from the respective vertical frame bar
`for adjustment.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a wheelchair according to
`the prior art.
`FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a wheelchair according to
`the present invention.
`FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 2 when viewed from another
`angle.
`FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the wheelchair according to
`the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is an exploded view in an enlarged scale of a part
`of the wheelchair according to the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is an elevational assembly view of FIG. 5.
`FIG. 7 is an elevational view in an enlarged scale of the
`holder block of the wheelchair according to the present
`invention.
`FIG. 8 is a longitudinal view in section in an enlarged
`scale of a part of the wheelchair according to the present
`invention, showing the unlocking status of the locking lever.
`FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 but showing the locking lever
`turned to the locked position.
`FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 but showing the handlebar
`adjusted to another elevational position.
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`Referring to FIGS. 2~10, a wheelchair is shown com
`prised of two side frame bars 1, a back frame 2, two vertical
`main frame bars 3, and two handlebars 4.
`The side frame bars 1 are curved frame bars each having
`a top end respectively fixedly connected to the vertical main
`frame bars 3 and a bottom end fixedly mounted with a foot
`member 11. Further, a seat 12 is fixedly supported on the
`side frame bars 1 at the top in a substantially horizontal
`position.
`The back frame 2 holds the two vertical main frame bars
`3 in parallel, having two sleeves 21 fixedly provided at two
`opposite lateral sides thereof in vertical and respectively
`sleeved onto the vertical frame bars 3. Two lock screws 212
`are respectively inserted through a respective longitudinal
`sliding slot 211 at each of the sleeves 21 and threaded into
`the vertical main frame bars 3 to lock the vertical main frame
`bars 3 to the back frame 2.
`The two vertical main frame bars 3 each have a top end
`31 respectively inserted into the sleeves 21 of the back frame
`2 and locked thereto by the aforesaid lock screws 212 (see
`FIG. 2), a middle part respectively fixedly connected to the
`top end of each of the side frame bars 1, and a bottom end
`pivotally mounted with a respective wheel 30.
`The two handlebars 4 are respectively connected to the
`top ends 31 of the vertical main frame bars 3, each having
`a grip 41 for the holding of the user’s hands. Further, each
`handlebar 4 has a plurality of locating holes 411 arranged at
`different elevations and aligned in a line.
`The wheelchair of the present invention further comprises
`an adjustment structure set between each vertical main
`frame bar 3 and the respective handlebar 4 for adjustment of
`the elevation of the respective handlebar 4. The adjustment
`structure is comprised of a holder block 5, a holding down
`block 6, and a locking lever 7 (see FIGS. 5 and 8).
`Further, each vertical main frame bar 3 has a longitudinal
`sliding slot 33 in the top end 31 at one side, and a transverse
`locating hole 34 formed in the top end 31 below the
`longitudinal sliding slot 33 (see FIG. 8). The holder block 5
`is fixedly fastened to the top end 31 of the respective vertical
`main frame bar 3, comprising a vertical coupling hole 51,
`which receives the top end 31 of the respective vertical main
`frame bar 3, a transverse insertion slot 53 and a locating hole
`54 disposed in communication with the vertical coupling
`hole 51 corresponding to the longitudinal sliding slot 33 and
`locating hole 34 of the respective vertical main frame bar 3
`respectively (see FIG. 5), two parallel side lugs 52, each side
`lug 52 having a transversely extending pivot hole 521 for the
`connection of the locking lever 7, and two stop blocks 523
`respectively formed integral with the side lugs 52 for
`stopping against a respective stop block 721 of the locking
`lever 7 to limit the turning angle of the locking lever 7
`relative to the holder block 5 (see FIG. 5).
`The holding down block 6 comprises a relatively smaller
`block body 61 and a relatively greater stop wall 62. The
`block body 61 is protruded from the front side of the stop
`wall 62 and inserted through the transverse insertion slot 53
`of the holder block 5 and the longitudinal sliding slot 33 of
`the respective vertical main frame bar 3, having an inwardly
`curved front surface 611.
`The locking lever 7 comprises a cam 72 transversely
`disposed at the top, a first pivot hole 71 axially extending
`through the cam 72 and pivotally connected between the
`pivot holes 521 of the side lugs 52 of the holder block 5 by
`a pivot bolt, two stop blocks 721 extending from the two
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`distal ends of the cam 72 for stopping against the two stop
`blocks 523 of the holder block 5 to limit the turning-angle
`of the locking lever 7 relative to the holder block 5, a sliding
`groove 73 disposed at an inner side, a second pivot hole 76
`transversely extending across the sliding groove 73, and a
`locating rod 74, which has an eyelet 741 disposed at one end
`inserted into the sliding groove 73 and pivotally connected
`to the second pivot hole 76 by a pivot pin 731 and a
`positioning tip 742 disposed at the other end and insertable
`through the locating hole 54 of the holder block 5 and the
`locating hole 34 of the respective vertical main frame bar 3
`into one of the locating holes 411 of the respective handlebar
`4 to lock the respective handlebar 4 to the respective vertical
`main frame bar 3 at the desired elevation.
`When turning the locking lever 7 toward the holder block
`5, the positioning tip 742 of the locating rod 74 will be
`forced through the locating hole 54 of the holder block 5 and
`the locating hole 34 of the respective vertical main frame bar
`3 into one of the locating holes 411 of the respective
`handlebar 4 (see FIG. 9). At this time, the cam 72 will be
`forced against the holding down block 6, causing the
`inwardly curved front surface 611 of the holding down block
`6 to hold the handlebar 4 in the respective vertical main
`frame bar 3, and therefore the handlebar 4 is locked to the
`respective vertical main frame bar 3 at the desired elevation.
`On the contrary, when reversed the locking lever 7, the
`positioning tip 742 of the locating rod 74 is disengaged from
`the respective locating hole 411 of the respective handlebar
`4, allowing the handlebar 4 to be moved vertically relative
`to the respective vertical main frame bar 3 to the desired
`elevation (see FIG. 8). After the handlebar 4 has been
`adjusted to the desired elevation, the locking lever 7 is
`turned forwards to move the positioning tip 742 of the
`locating rod 74 into the corresponding locating hole 411 of
`the respective handlebar 4 and to force the holding down
`block 6 against the respective handlebar 4 (see FIG. 11),
`thereby locking the handlebar 4 to the respective vertical
`main frame bar 3 again.
`As indicated above, the invention has the following
`advantages:
`1. The locking lever 7 is pivoted to the holder block 5 at
`the respective vertical main frame bar 3 to move the locating
`rod 74 through the locating hole 54 of the holder block 5 and
`the locating hole 34 of the respective vertical main frame bar
`3 into the locating holes 4111 of the respective handlebar 4
`and to simultaneously force the holding down block 6
`against the respective handlebar 4, thereby locking the
`respective handlebar 4 to the respective vertical frame bar 3
`positively.
`2. The handlebar elevation adjustment structure is simple.
`Simply by turning the locking lever 7 forwards or back
`wards, the handlebar 4 is locked to the respective vertical
`frame bar 3 or unlocked from the respective vertical frame
`bar 3 for adjustment.
`Although a particular embodiment of the invention has
`been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
`modifications and enhancements may be made without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
`
`The invention claimed is:
`1. A wheelchair comprising:
`two vertical main frame bars, said vertical main frame
`bars each having a top end, a bottom end, and a wheel
`pivotally provided at said bottom end;
`a back frame connected between said vertical frame bars
`to hold said vertical frame bars in parallel;
`
`4
`two side frame bars respectively and fixedly extending
`from said vertical main frame bars, said side frame bars
`each having a bottom end fixedly mounted with a foot
`member;
`a seat fixedly supported on said side frame bars at a top
`side;
`two handlebars respectively connected to the top ends of
`said vertical main frame bars, said handlebars each
`having a plurality of locating holes arranged at different
`elevations and aligned in a line; and
`two adjustment structures respective set between said
`vertical main frame bars and said handlebars for lock
`ing said handlebars to said vertical main frame bars
`respectively;
`wherein said vertical main frame bars are tubular frame
`bars each comprising a longitudinal sliding slot at the
`respective top end and a transverse locating hole below
`said longitudinal sliding slot; said adjustment structures
`each comprise:
`a holder block fixedly fastened to the top end of the
`respective vertical main frame bar, said holder block
`comprising a vertical coupling hole, which receives the
`top end of the respective vertical main frame bar, a
`transverse insertion slot and a locating hole disposed in
`communication with said vertical coupling hole corre
`sponding to the longitudinal sliding slot and locating
`hole of the respective vertical main frame bar respec
`tively, two parallel side lugs, said side lugs each having
`a transversely extending pivot, and two stop blocks
`respectively formed integral with said side lugs at an
`inner side;
`a holding down block for holding down the respective
`handlebar, said holding down block comprising a stop
`wall, and a block body protruding from said stop wall
`and inserted through the transverse insertion slot of said
`holder block and the longitudinal sliding slot of the
`respective vertical main frame bar; and
`a locking lever, said locking lever comprising a top cam
`for forcing said holding down block against the respec
`tive handlebar, a pivot hole axially extending through
`said cam and pivotally connected between the pivot
`holes of the side lugs of said holder block, a sliding
`groove disposed at an inner side, and a locating rod
`pivoted to a top end of said sliding groove and inserted
`through the locating hole of said holder block and the
`locating hole of the respective vertical main frame bar
`and movable in and out of one of the locating holes of
`the respective handlebar to lock/unlock the respective
`handlebar.
`2. The wheelchair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
`locking lever comprises a second pivot hole extending
`across the sliding groove thereof; said locating rod has an
`eyelet disposed at one end and inserted into the sliding
`groove of said locking lever and pivotally connected to said
`second pivot hole with a pivot pin.
`3. The wheelchair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
`locking lever comprises two stop blocks extending from two
`distal ends of said cam for stopping against the two stop
`blocks of said holder block to limit the turning angle of said
`locking lever relative to said holder block.
`4. The wheelchair as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
`block body of said holding down block has an inwardly
`curved front surface fitting the periphery of the respective
`handlebar.
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`65
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