Multi-function, comfort wheel chair

• US 6,539,558 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kathryn Shero
• Original Assignee: Kathryn Shero
• Inventors: Shero, Kathryn
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US09/803,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20010010099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 448/0, 297/DIG.4
• US Class Current: 4/480
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 11/04 Room closets; Chairs with toilet conveniences or specially adapted for use with toilets, e.g. night chairs ; Closets for children, also with signalling means, e.g. with a music box, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/14 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/006 convertible to stretchers or beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/045 Rear wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/0825 comprising a scissor-type frame, e.g. having pivoting cross bars for enabling folding
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/0891 having rigid supports, e.g. seat or back supports which retain their shape after folding of the wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1002 with toilet facilities room closets, night chairs A47K11/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1054 Large wheels, e.g. higher than the seat portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/121 for head or neck
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/04 Wheelchair

Abstract

An improved, multi-function, comfort wheelchair is provided with interchangeable padded seats. A bedpan is positioned on a rail underneath a hole in the seat and accesses a waste storage chamber. The bedpan can be emptied through a door in the front of the containment.

Claims

1. An improved, multi-function, comfort wheel chair, comprising:

conventional wheel chair structure including arm rests, a back support member, a seat, and a pair of adjustable leg members;

an electric motor, said electric motor used to move said leg members;

a control means, said control means designed to facilitate control of said electric motor, with said control means located on one of said armrests of said wheelchair;

an assembly housing, said assembly housing containing a bedpan, said electric motor, filtration means, and a sealing system to make said commode generally airtight, and having a unit covering said assembly housing and its contents;

said seat and unit each having an opening therethrough aligned with said bedpan to facilitate sanitary urination and excretion of bodily fluids through said holes into said bedpan;

a waste storage chamber, said waste storage located underneath said seat and unit, and being designed to hold said bedpan on rails securely, directly under said unit hole;

a chamber sealing means, said chamber sealing means used to seal said chamber after use, wherein said chamber sealing means is a slidable sheet that covers said unit hole;

a connector extending from said electric motor to said slidable sheet so as to, upon activation thereof, move said sheet from a position over said unit hole in a sealing mode of said chamber, to a position beside said unit hole.

2. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein said detachable seat comprises:

a seat insert element having a first lateral side opposite a second lateral side;

a first attachment flap, said attachment flap being affixed at one end to said wheelchair and having a first attachment end opposite thereto supporting a plurality of linearly aligned retaining clasps;

a second attachment flap, said second attachment flap being affixed to one end of said wheelchair opposite said first attachment flap and having a second attachment end supporting a plurality of linearly aligned retaining clasps;

a plurality of linearly aligned protrusion clips extend outward from said first lateral side and said second lateral side;

and wherein said seat can be fastened or removed from said chair by connecting or releasing said protrusion clips with said retaining clasps.

3. The wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises:

said back support member being adjustable to allow the user to position himself or herself between an upright and a reclined position.

4. The wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the reclining of said back support member is achieved via an electric motor in order to recline the back support member to a variety of angles, for the comfort of the user.

5. The wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises said seat being detachable.

6. The improved, multi-function, comfort wheelchair describer in claim 1, wherein said multi-function, comfort wheelchair further comprises a pair of handles, said handles located at the posterior of said back, and are designed to be vertically adjustable, so as to accommodate people of varying heights.

7. The improved, multi-function comfort wheelchair described in claim 1, wherein said multi-function, comfort wheelchair further comprises a headrest, said headrest located at the top portion of said back member of said wheelchair, said headrest spanning the entire lateral width of said wheelchair that can be detachable or secure.

8. The improved, multi-function comfort wheelchair described in claim 1,

wherein said multi-function, comfort wheelchair further comprises:

a detachable or secure article carrying means, said article carrying means located along the posterior surface of said back member; and

a detachable or secure multi-sized cup holder, said multi-sized cup holder located on said wheelchair.