Claims
- 1. A wheelchair pushrim system comprising:
a) a pushrim; b) a wheel connected to the pushrim; and c) an insert compressibly fit between the pushrim and the wheel.
- 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the insert is made of a substantially elastic material.
- 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the insert is a concave trough.
- 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the pushrim is substantially hollow.
- 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the pushrim has an elongated circular cross-section.
- 6. The system of claim 4 wherein the pushrim has an oval cross-section.
- 7. The system of claim 4 wherein the pushrim further comprises at least one rib which improves structural strength.
- 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the insert has a gripping texture.
- 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the pushrim has a substantially smooth texture.
- 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the pushrim is connected to the wheel with at least one tab mount.
- 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the pushrim is connected to the wheel with at least one rivet-nut mount.
- 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the insert is coated with neoprene.
- 13. A wheelchair pushrim system comprising:
a) a pushrim having a non-circular cross-section; b) a wheel; c) a connector connecting the pushrim to the wheel; and d) an insert fit between the pushrim and the wheel.
- 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the insert is compressibly fit between the pushrim and the wheel.
- 15. The system of claim 13 wherein the pushrim has an elongated circular cross-section.
- 16. The system of claim 13 wherein the pushrim has an oval cross-section.
- 17. The system of claim 13 wherein the pushrim further comprises at least one support rib.
- 18. The system of claim 13 wherein the insert has a gripping texture.
- 19. The system of claim 13 wherein the pushrim has a substantially smooth texture.
- 20. A wheelchair pushrim system comprising:
a) a pushrim; b) a wheel connected to the pushrim, wherein the pushrim has: i. an elongated circular cross-section; and ii. a support rib; c) an insert compressibly fit between the pushrim and the wheel, wherein the insert: i. is made of a substantially elastic material; ii. is a concave trough; and iii. has a gripping texture.
- 21. The system of claim 20 wherein the insert is coated with neoprene.
- 22. A metal pushrim comprising:
a) a substantially hollow tube of metal bent into a substantially circular shape, the cross-section of the tube comprising:
(i) a first round end having a first wall thickness; (ii) a second round end having a second wall thickness; and (iii) a substantially flat first side and a substantially flat second side connecting the first round end to the second round end.
- 23. The system of claim 22 wherein the pushrim is manufactured from a single piece of metal.
- 24. The system of claim 22 wherein:
a) the first wall thickness is about 0.05 inches to about 0.06 inches; and b) the second wall thickness is about 0.05 inches to about 0.06 inches.
- 25. A method of making a hollow metal pushrim, having a non-circular cross-section of substantially uniform thickness, comprising the steps of:
a) extruding a substantially hollow tube of metal in which its cross-section has:
(i) a first round end having a first wall thickness; (ii) a second round end having a second wall thickness, where the second wall thickness is greater than the first wall thickness; and (iii) a first side and a second side connecting the first round end to the second round end; and b) bending the tube into a circular shape to form a pushrim, where the first round end is the inside diameter of the pushrim.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to four related U.S. Provisional Patent Applications No. 60/422,458, filed Oct. 30, 2002; No. 60/422,459, filed Oct. 30, 2002; No. 60/468,920, filed May 8, 2003; and No. 60/468,921, filed May 8, 2003.
Provisional Applications (4)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60422458 |
Oct 2002 |
US |
|
60422459 |
Oct 2002 |
US |
|
60468920 |
May 2003 |
US |
|
60468921 |
May 2003 |
US |