Height adjustable wheelchair seat

• US 8,876,138 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2013
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Francis Wilde
• Original Assignee: Francis Wilde
• Inventors: Wilde, Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): Boehler, Anne Marie
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, MAURICE L
• Application Number:
  US14/067,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20140167388A1
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 280/250.1, 280/304.1, 280/647, 280/650, 297/183.6, 297/183.9, 297/313, 297/331, 297/335, 297/DIG.10
• US Class Current: 280/304.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/043 Mid wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1043 Cushions specially adapted for wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1045 for the seat portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1054 Large wheels, e.g. higher than the seat portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids

Abstract

The present invention provides a wheelchair device configured to reduce the likelihood that a user might fall out of a wheelchair. The device includes a wheelchair frame, a lever, and a seat cushion, whereby the seat cushion is flexible and configured to sink into a recessed and angled orientation when occupied by a user. The sunken seat cushion serves to encourage a user to attain proper posture and further serves to reduce the chances that a user might fall forward out of the seat. The lever of the present invention is attached to the underside of the wheelchair device and comprises a handle portion and a flat base portion with a curved upper surface. A forward actuation of the handle results in the lever rotating about the wheelchair, causing the base to contact and lift the seat cushion to a level that facilitates the exiting of the wheelchair device.

Claims

1. An adjustable height wheelchair device, comprising:

a wheelchair frame having a seat area, a first set of rear wheels, and a second set for forward wheels;

a lever pivotally connected to said frame, whereby said lever comprises a lower portion that is directly connected to a base member and an upstanding handle section;

a seat cushion comprising an outer frame and an inner surface, whereby said inner surface is flexible and configured to maintain a sloping, recessed rear portion and a shallow forward portion;

wherein said seat cushion is height adjustable by actuation of said lever, whereby said base member is adapted to bear into said recessed rear portion;

wherein forward actuation of said upstanding handle section affects contact between said seat cushion and said base member to lift said recessed rear portion to a level equal to or beyond horizontal.