Wheelchair weather breaker cover

• US 5,168,889 A
• Filed: 11/08/1989
• Issued: 12/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daniel G. Diestel
• Original Assignee: Daniel G. Diestel
• Inventors: Diestel, Daniel G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAI, LANNA
• Application Number:
  US07/433,149
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 135/90, 135/96, 135/88, 135/106, 297/184, 297/191, 297/391, 297/397, 297/440, 297/DIG. 2, 297/DIG. 4
• US Class Current: 135/88.01
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/66 Means to protect against weather
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/10 Parts, details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1054 Large wheels, e.g. higher than the seat portion

Abstract

The invention provides a simple removable and storable weather and sun covering for a wheelchair. Two embodiments include a soft cover version which can be dismantled and stowed in a container on the wheelchair and a hard top version which can be easily removed and stored when not needed. Common to both covers is a cover support clamp bracket uniquely suited for securing a variety of covers and cover frames to the frame of most any wheelchair. The cover support clamp bracket can be left on the wheelchair even when not in use or easily removed when not needed. A tubular extension fitting the clamping bracket increases wheelchair cover stability. No special frame work retainers are required in the framework of the soft cover such as corner joints or collars as seen in other cover frameworks.

Claims

1. In combination, a wheelchair having a dismantlable weather breaker cover removably attached thereto, and a storage case with hinged lid attached to said wheelchair and sized to contain and conveniently carry said weather breaker cover in a dismantled condition;

said weather breaker cover comprising two short tubular members each attached by releasable clamping means to vertical posts of said wheelchair positioned adjacent handles of said wheelchair, one said tubular member and clamping means per each of two said vertical posts of said wheelchair, said weather breaker cover further comprising two vertical frame members each removably inserted into said tubular members, one said vertical frame member per each of said tubular members, said weather breaker cover further comprising at least three generally horizontal frame members of which a first two are removably attached by connective means to upper ends of said vertical frame members, and a third said horizontal frame member being removably attached by connective means transversely to the first two horizontal members, said weather breaker cover further comprising a plurality snap-fittings attached to said vertical frame members and said horizontal frame members, said weather breaker cover further comprising a foldable covering removably attached to said vertical frame members and said horizontal frame members by corresponding snap-fittings attached to said foldable covering and releasably snapped onto the snap-fittings of the vertical and horizontal frame members, said foldable covering shaped and positioned to define a weather protective top over said wheelchair, said foldable covering further shaped and positioned to define a weather protective backing adjacent said handles and a backrest of said wheelchair, said weather protective backing of said foldable covering including at least one transparent window to allow for viewing through the protective backing, said weather breaker cover inclusive of said vertical and horizontal frame members and said foldable covering further being structured to be readily dismantlable into a sufficient number of components of sufficiently small size as so allow storage of said weather breaker cover within said storage case attached to said wheelchair with said tubular members and said clamping means being left attached to said vertical posts of said wheelchair to allow for convenient re-assembly and attachment of said weather breaker cover to said wheelchair.