Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6834871
-
Patent Number
6,834,871
-
Date Filed
Friday, July 26, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, December 28, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 280 4738
- 280 2501
- 280 3041
- 297 DIG 4
- 297 4522
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair includes two upper transverse tubes and two lower transverse tubes mounted between a pair of sided front module connecting members and a pair of sided rear module connecting members, thereby forming the main frame of the wheelchair. The front wheel and the rear wheel may be respectively mounted on the upper and lower transverse tubes which may be set at different horizontal positions and different vertical heights, so that the distance between the front wheel and the rear wheel may be adjusted arbitrarily.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair, and more particularly to a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair, wherein the full-function modularized assembly structure has a simple construction, and may be produced in a modularized manner, thereby efficiently decreasing costs of fabrication.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional wheelchair comprises a main frame which is provided with a front wheel set, a rear wheel set, a soft seat cushion, a foot plate, and a push bar, thereby constructing the wheelchair. In general, when the distance between the rear wheel set and the front wheel set is longer, the stability of the wheelchair may be enhanced, and when the distance between the rear wheel set and the front wheel set is shortened, the user may operate the rear wheel set to travel forward easily and conveniently. However, the main frame has a fixed structure, so that the distance between the front wheel set and the rear wheel set cannot be adjusted, thereby decreasing the stability and operation of the wheelchair. In addition, the main frame has a fixed structure, so that the wheelchair is available for the user of a single size, and cannot be available for users of different sizes and statures, thereby decreasing the versatility of the wheelchair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair, wherein the sided front module connecting members and the sided rear module connecting members may mate with the upper transverse tubes and the lower transverse tubes of different sizes and types according to the user's practical requirements, thereby constructing wheelchairs of different sizes and specifications.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair, wherein the rear wheel axle of each of the rear wheels may be located at different horizontal positions, so that the distance between the rear wheel and the front wheel may be changed and adjusted arbitrarily, wherein the distance between the rear wheel and the front wheel may be increased for enhancing the stability of the wheelchair, and the distance between the rear wheel and the front wheel may be shortened, thereby facilitating the user operating the rear wheel to travel forward.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair, wherein the rear wheel axle of each of the rear wheels may be located at different vertical heights, so that the present invention is available for wheelchairs of different sizes.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair, wherein the full-function modularized assembly structure has a simple construction, and may be produced in a modularized manner, thereby efficiently decreasing costs of fabrication.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair, comprising:
a pair of sided front module connecting members each including a first insertion connector for insertion of an upper transverse tube, a second insertion connector for insertion of a lower transverse tube, and at least one front wheel locating screw bore for locating a front wheel; and
a pair of sided rear module connecting members each including a fourth insertion connector corresponding to the first insertion connector for insertion of the upper transverse tube, a fifth insertion connector corresponding to the second insertion connector for insertion of a lower transverse tube, and at least one rear wheel axle insertion hole for insertion of a rear wheel axle.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a side view of a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of a sided front module connecting member of the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of a sided rear module connecting member of the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4
is a side view of a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the rear wheel is closer to the front wheel;
FIG. 5
is a partially cut-away enlarged view of the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair as shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 6
is a front view of the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair as shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 7
is a folded view of the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair as shown in
FIG. 6
;
FIG. 8
is a side view of a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of a sided front module connecting member of the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10
is a perspective view of a sided front module connecting member of the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11
is a perspective view of a sided rear module connecting member of the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12
is a perspective view of a sided rear module connecting member of the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13
is a perspective view of a pad of the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 14
is a perspective view of a pad of the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings and initially to
FIGS. 1-3
, a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of sided front module connecting members
10
each formed by a plastic injection molding process or other working process, and a pair of sided rear module connecting members
20
each formed by a plastic injection molding process or other working process. The sided front module connecting members
10
and the sided rear module connecting members
20
may be used to connect upper transverse tubes
30
, lower transverse tubes
31
, front wheels
40
, rear wheels
50
, foot plates
60
, push bars
70
, and kickstands
80
in a replaceable manner, thereby forming the main frame of the wheelchair.
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, each of the two sided front module connecting members
10
is substantially U-shaped, and includes a first insertion connector
11
located at a top end and extended in a horizontal direction, a second insertion connector
12
located at a bottom end and extended in a horizontal direction, a third insertion connector
13
located at the top end and extended in a vertical direction, and multiple front wheel locating screw bores
14
located at the bottom end. The multiple front wheel locating screw bores
14
are arranged at different horizontal positions and different vertical heights.
Each of the upper transverse tubes
30
is selectively inserted into the first insertion connector
11
. Each of the lower transverse tubes
31
is selectively inserted into the second insertion connector
12
. A foot plate extension bracket
62
(see
FIG. 8
) has a first end selectively inserted into the third insertion connector
13
, and a second end provided with a foot plate
61
. Each of the front wheels
40
is rotatably mounted on a front fork
41
which is selectively locked on one of the multiple front wheel locating screw bores
14
by a locking member
42
(such as a bolt). The positions of the front fork
41
may be set to accommodate the diameter and type of the front wheel
40
.
In addition, the first insertion connector
11
is formed with at least one radial screw bore
15
for receiving a retaining bolt (not shown), so as to retain the member inserted into the first insertion connector
11
. Similarly, the second insertion connector
12
is formed with at least one radial screw bore
16
for receiving a retaining bolt (not shown), so as to retain the member inserted into the second insertion connector
12
. Similarly, the third insertion connector
13
is formed with at least one radial screw bore
17
for receiving a retaining bolt (not shown), so as to urge retain the member inserted into the third insertion connector
13
.
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 3
, each of the two sided rear module connecting members
20
includes a fourth insertion connector
21
located at a top end and extended in a horizontal direction, a fifth insertion connector
22
located at a bottom end and extended in a horizontal direction, a sixth insertion connector
23
located at the top end and extended in a horizontal direction, a seventh insertion connector
24
located at the bottom end under the fifth insertion connector
22
and extended in a horizontal direction, and multiple rear wheel axle insertion holes
25
. The multiple rear wheel axle insertion holes
25
are arranged at different horizontal positions and different vertical heights.
The fourth insertion connector
21
is corresponding to the first insertion connector
11
of each of the two sided front module connecting members
10
, so that each of the upper transverse tubes
30
is selectively inserted into the fourth insertion connector
21
. The fifth insertion connector
22
is corresponding to the second insertion connector
12
, so that each of the lower transverse tubes
31
is selectively inserted into the fifth insertion connector
22
. In certain alternate embodiments, a push bar extension bracket
72
, in a manner similar to that shown in (FIG.
8
,) may have a first end selectively inserted into the sixth insertion connector
23
, and a second end provided with a push bar
71
. Each of the kickstands
80
is selectively inserted into the seventh insertion connector
24
. Each of the rear wheels
50
is mounted on a rear wheel axle
51
which is selectively locked in one of the multiple rear wheel axle insertion holes
25
.
In addition, the fourth insertion connector
21
is formed with at least one radial screw bore
26
for screwing an urging bolt (not shown), so as to urge the member inserted into the fourth insertion connector
21
. Similarly, the fifth insertion connector
22
is formed with at least one radial screw bore
27
for screwing an urging bolt (not shown), so as to urge the member inserted into the fifth insertion connector
22
. Similarly, the sixth insertion connector
23
is formed with at least one radial screw bore
28
for screwing an urging bolt (not shown), so as to urge the member inserted into the sixth insertion connector
23
. Similarly, the seventh insertion connector
24
is formed with at least one radial screw bore
29
for screwing an urging bolt (not shown), so as to urge the member inserted into the seventh insertion connector
24
.
As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4
, the rear wheel axle
51
of each of the rear wheels
50
may be selectively locked in one of the multiple rear wheel axle insertion holes
25
. Thus, the rear wheel axle
51
of each of the rear wheels
50
may be located at different horizontal positions. Thus, the distance between the rear wheel
50
and the front wheel
40
may be changed and adjusted, wherein the distance between the rear wheel
50
and the front wheel
40
may be increased for enhancing the stability of the wheelchair, and the distance between the rear wheel
50
and the front wheel
40
may be shortened, thereby facilitating the user operating the rear wheel
50
to travel forward. In addition, the rear wheel axle
51
of each of the rear wheels
50
may be located at different vertical heights, so that the present invention is available for wheelchairs of different sizes.
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 5
, each of the two sided rear module connecting members
20
is formed with at least one pin hole
90
, so that a handle structure may be selectively and pivotally mounted on the pin hole
90
by a pin.
The handle structure includes a pivotable connecting seat
73
having a bottom pivotally mounted on the pin hole
90
, and a push bar extension bracket
74
mounted on the connecting seat
73
. The connecting seat
73
is formed with multiple pin holes
78
. The push bar extension bracket
74
has a first end provided with a push bar
70
and a second end provided with a block
75
. The block
75
of the push bar extension bracket
74
has a top pivotally mounted on a top of the connecting seat
73
by a spindle
76
, and a bottom for insertion of a fixing pin
77
which is selectively inserted into one of the multiple pin holes
78
of the connecting seat
73
. Thus, the inclined angle of the block
75
of the push bar extension bracket
74
may be changed by changing the insertion positions of the fixing pin
77
, so as to change the inclined angle of the push bar
70
relative to the connecting seat
73
as shown in
FIG. 5
, thereby facilitating the push bar
70
pushing the wheelchair.
The connecting seat
73
has a front end provided with a fixing lug
79
. A foot plate extension bracket
63
(see
FIG. 1
) has a first end locked on the fixing lug
79
of the connecting seat
73
, and a second end provided with a foot plate
60
. A pad
64
is secured on the upper transverse tube
30
for supporting the foot plate extension bracket
63
.
Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 7
, the main frame of the wheelchair includes two upper transverse tubes
30
mounted between the two sided front module connecting members
10
and the two sided rear module connecting members
20
, two lower transverse tubes
31
mounted between the two sided front module connecting members
10
and the two sided rear module connecting members
20
, and a radial connecting set
32
connecting the two upper transverse tubes
30
and the two lower transverse tubes
31
.
The radial connecting set
32
may be folded and expanded, and includes a first radial connecting lever
33
having a first end pivotally mounted on one of the two upper transverse tubes
30
, a second radial connecting lever
34
pivotally connected with the first radial connecting lever
33
by a spindle
35
and having a first end pivotally mounted on the other of the two upper transverse tubes
30
, a third radial connecting lever
36
having a first end pivotally mounted on one of the two lower transverse tubes
31
and a second end pivotally mounted on a second end of the second radial connecting lever
34
, and a fourth radial connecting lever
37
having a first end pivotally mounted on the other of the two lower transverse tubes
31
and a second end pivotally mounted on a second end of the first radial connecting lever
33
.
Thus, when the wheelchair is not in use, the radial connecting set
32
may be disposed at a folded status as shown in
FIG. 7
, so as to shorten the volume of the wheelchair, thereby facilitating storage of the wheelchair.
Referring to
FIG. 8
, a full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.
In assembly, the foot plate extension bracket
62
has a first end selectively inserted into the third insertion connector
13
of each of the sided front module connecting members
10
and a second end provided with a foot plate
61
. In addition, the push bar extension bracket
72
has a first end selectively inserted into the sixth insertion connector
23
of each of the sided rear module connecting members
20
, and a second end provided with a push bar
71
. Further, the length of each of the two upper transverse tubes
30
and each of the two lower transverse tubes
31
and the diameter of each of the front wheels
40
and each of the rear wheels
50
may be changed according to the user's practical requirements, thereby constructing wheelchairs of different sizes and specifications.
Referring to
FIGS. 9 and 10
, each of the two sided front module connecting members
10
has a different configuration or shape.
Referring to
FIGS. 11 and 12
, each of the two sided rear module connecting members
20
has a different configuration or shape.
Referring to
FIG. 13
, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the pad
64
includes two connecting pieces
640
connected with each other by bolts
641
and nuts
642
, thereby forming a substantially Y-shaped structure for supporting the foot plate extension bracket
63
(see FIG.
1
). Each of the two connecting pieces
640
is formed with multiple locking holes
643
for locking each of the two upper transverse tubes
30
.
Referring to
FIG. 14
, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the pad
64
further includes a loop-shaped cover member
644
for supporting and retaining the foot plate extension bracket
63
(see FIG.
1
).
Accordingly, the full-function modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with the present invention has the following advantages.
1. The sided front module connecting members
10
and the sided rear module connecting members
20
may mate with the upper transverse tubes
30
and the lower transverse tubes
31
of different sizes and types according to the user's practical requirements, thereby constructing wheelchairs of different sizes and specifications.
2. The rear wheel axle
51
of each of the rear wheels
50
may be located at different horizontal positions, so that the distance between the rear wheel
50
and the front wheel
40
may be changed and adjusted arbitrarily, wherein the distance between the rear wheel
50
and the front wheel
40
may be increased for enhancing the stability of the wheelchair, and the distance between the rear wheel
50
and the front wheel
40
may be shortened, thereby facilitating the user operating the rear wheel
50
to travel forward.
3. The rear wheel axle
51
of each of the rear wheels
50
may be located at different vertical heights, so that the present invention is available for wheelchairs of different sizes.
4. The full-function modularized assembly structure has a simple construction, and may be produced in a modularized manner, thereby efficiently decreasing costs of fabrication.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair, comprising:a pair of sided front module connecting members each including a first insertion connector for insertion of an upper transverse tube, a second insertion connector for insertion of a lower transverse tube, and at least one front wheel locating screw bore for locating a front wheel; and, a pair of sided rear module connecting members each including a fourth insertion connector corresponding to the first insertion connector for insertion of the upper transverse tube, a fifth insertion connector corresponding to the second insertion connector for insertion of a lower transverse tube, and at least one rear wheel axle insertion hole for insertion of a rear wheel axle; wherein each of the sided front module connecting members has multiple front wheel locating screw bores which are arranged at different horizontal positions and different vertical heights, and the front wheel is selectively located by one of the multiple front wheel locating screw bores.
- 2. A modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair, comprising:a pair of sided front module connecting members each including a first insertion connector for insertion of an upper transverse tube, a second insertion connector for insertion of a lower transverse tube, and at least one front wheel locating screw bore for locating a front wheel; and, a pair of sided rear module connecting members each including a fourth insertion connector corresponding to the first insertion connector for insertion of the upper transverse tube, a fifth insertion connector corresponding to the second insertion connector for insertion of a lower transverse tube, and at least one rear wheel axle insertion hole for insertion of a rear wheel axle; wherein each of the sided rear module connecting members is formed with at least one pin hole, so that a handle structure may be selectively and pivotally mounted on the pin hole by a pin.
- 3. The modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with claim 2, wherein the handle structure includes a pivotable connecting seat having a bottom mounted on one of the sided rear module connecting members, and a push bar extension bracket mounted on the connecting seat, the connecting seat is formed with a plurality of pin holes, the push bar extension bracket has a first end provided with a push bar and a second end provided with a block, the block of the push bar extension bracket has a top pivotally mounted on a top of the connecting seat by a spindle, and a bottom for insertion of a fixing pin which is selectively inserted into one of the pin holes of the connecting seat.
- 4. The modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair in accordance with claim 3, wherein the connecting seat has a front end provided with a fixing lug for locking a first end of a foot plate extension bracket whose second end is provided with a foot plate, and a pad is secured on the upper transverse tube for supporting the foot plate extension bracket.
- 5. A modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair, comprising:a pair of sided front module connecting members each including a first insertion connector for insertion of an upper transverse tube, a second insertion connector for insertion of a lower transverse tube, at least one front wheel locating screw bore for locating a front wheel, a pad mounted on the upper transverse tube; and, a pair of sided rear module connecting members each including a fourth insertion connector corresponding to the first insertion connector for insertion of the upper transverse tube, a fifth insertion connector corresponding to the second insertion connector for insertion of a lower transverse tube, and at least one rear wheel axle insertion hole for insertion of a rear wheel axle; wherein the pad includes two connecting pieces connected with each other by bolts and nuts, thereby forming a substantially Y-shaped structure, and each of the two connecting pieces is formed with multiple locking holes for locking the upper transverse tube.
- 6. A modularized assembly structure of a wheelchair, comprising:a pair of sided front module connecting members each including a first insertion connector for insertion of an upper transverse tube, a second insertion connector for insertion of a lower transverse tube, at least one front wheel locating screw bore for locating a front wheel, a pad mounted on the upper transverse tube; and, a pair of sided rear module connecting members each including a fourth insertion connector corresponding to the first insertion connector for insertion of the upper transverse tube, a fifth insertion connector corresponding to the second insertion connector for insertion of a lower transverse tube, and at least one rear wheel axle insertion hole for insertion of a rear wheel axle; wherein the pad has a top provided with a loop-shaped cover member.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
91204459 U |
Apr 2002 |
TW |
|
US Referenced Citations (15)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
3742547 |
Jun 1989 |
DE |
2101540 |
Jan 1983 |
GB |