CONVERTIBLE WHEELCHAIRS WITH MOVABLE CARRIAGES FOR TRANSFERRING PATIENTS TO/FROM THE WHEELCHAIRS
First Claim
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1. A wheelchair convertible for laterally transferring a patient to and/or from the wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising:
- a seat;
at least one armrest alongside the seat and configurable between at least;
a first configuration in which the armrest is generally upright and vertical relative to the seat; and
a second configuration in which the armrest is non-vertical and extends laterally outward relative to the seat;
a carriage coupled to the seat and movable along at least a portion of the armrest when the armrest is in the second configuration, such that the carriage and seat are laterally moveable together in a transverse direction relative to a forward direction of the wheelchair;
whereby lateral movement of the carriage and seat enables lateral transfer of a patient to and/or from the wheelchair.
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Abstract
Exemplary embodiments are provided of wheelchairs. In an exemplary embodiment, a wheelchair generally includes a seat and a carriage coupled to the seat. The carriage and seat are laterally moveable together in a transverse direction relative to a forward direction of the wheelchair. In use, lateral movement of the carriage and seat outside of a wheelbase of the wheelchair enables lateral transfer of a patient to and/or from the wheelchair.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wheelchair convertible for laterally transferring a patient to and/or from the wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising:
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a seat; at least one armrest alongside the seat and configurable between at least; a first configuration in which the armrest is generally upright and vertical relative to the seat; and a second configuration in which the armrest is non-vertical and extends laterally outward relative to the seat; a carriage coupled to the seat and movable along at least a portion of the armrest when the armrest is in the second configuration, such that the carriage and seat are laterally moveable together in a transverse direction relative to a forward direction of the wheelchair; whereby lateral movement of the carriage and seat enables lateral transfer of a patient to and/or from the wheelchair. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
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16. A wheelchair comprising:
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a seat; a carriage coupled to the seat such that the carriage and seat are laterally moveable together in a transverse direction relative to a forward direction of the wheelchair; and at least one armrest alongside the seat and configured to be folded or pivotably moved outward to integrally define a path along which the carriage is slidable; whereby lateral movement of the carriage and seat outside of a wheelbase of the wheelchair enables lateral transfer of a patient to and/or from the wheelchair. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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- 19. A method relating to patient transfer to/from a wheelchair, the method comprising laterally moving a carriage and seat of the wheelchair in a transverse direction relative to a forward direction of the wheelchair outside of a wheelbase of the wheelchair, wherein the method further comprises reconfiguring an armrest of the wheelchair so that the armrest integrally defines a path along which the carriage and seat are slidable, and wherein laterally moving the carriage and seat comprises sliding the carriage and seat along the path.
Specification