Modular wheelchair frame

Abstract

A modular wheelchair frame is provided having a first side frame and a second side frame. A collapsible structural assembly is releaseably connectable to the first and second side frames to space the first and second side frames apart. A rigid unitary structural assembly is also releaseably connectable to the first and second side frames to space the first and second side frames apart. The collapsible structural assembly and the rigid structural assembly are selectively interchangeable to convert the wheelchair frame between a rigid construction and a collapsible construction.

1 . A modular wheelchair frame comprising: 
 a first side frame;    a second side frame;    a collapsible structural assembly releaseably connectable to the first and second side frames to space the first and second side frames apart; and    a rigid unitary structural assembly releaseably connectable to the first and second side frames to space the first and second side frames apart,    wherein the collapsible structural assembly and the rigid structural assembly are selectively interchangeable to convert the wheelchair frame between a collapsible construction and a rigid construction.    
   
   
       2 . The modular wheelchair frame of  claim 1 , the first and second side frames each including a first structural tube member and a second structural tube member, wherein the rigid unitary structural assembly is connectable to the first and second structural tube members of both the first and second side frames.  
   
   
       3 . The modular wheelchair frame of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid unitary structural assembly connects to the first side frame at no fewer than two connections and connects to the second side frame at no fewer than two connections.  
   
   
       4 . The modular wheelchair frame of  claim 3 , wherein the rigid unitary structural assembly connects to the first side frame at four connections and connects to the second side frame at four connections.  
   
   
       5 . A wheelchair comprising: 
 a detachable support assembly comprising: 
 a support structure having at least four ends,  
 at least two upper members each connected to one of the at least four ends, and  
 at least two lower members each connected to one of the at least four ends; and  
 a pair of side frame members spaced from one another by the detachable assembly, each of the pair comprising:  
 a first frame member having a first end, a second end, and at least one support element fixedly attached to the first frame member configured to support one of the at least two upper members,  
 a second frame member having a first end, a second end, and at least one bracket fixedly attached to the second frame member and configured for attachment to one of the at least two lower members, and  
 a connecting member having a first end connected to the first frame member and a second end connected to the second frame member, the connecting member maintaining the first frame member and second frame member in substantially parallel alignment.  
   
   
   
       6 . The wheelchair of  claim 5  further comprising a rear wheel support plate, an upper rear wheel mounting strip connected to the first frame member and a lower rear wheel mounting strip connected to the second frame member, wherein the rear wheel support plate is connectable to the upper and lower rear wheel mounting strips.  
   
   
       7 . The wheelchair of  claim 5  further comprising a rear wheel mounting plate and an upper rear wheel mounting strip connected to the first frame member, wherein the rear wheel mounting plate is connectable to the upper rear wheel mounting strip and is telescopically connectable to the second frame member.  
   
   
       8 . The wheelchair of  claim 7 , the rear wheel mounting plate further comprising a plurality of mounting holes wherein a rear wheel of the wheelchair may be adjustably connected to the rear wheel mounting plate.  
   
   
       9 . The wheelchair of  claim 5  wherein the detachable assembly is foldable.  
   
   
       10 . The wheelchair of  claim 9  wherein the support structure further comprises at least two cross-support members connected at a pivot point, each of the at least two cross-support members connected to one of the at least two upper members and one of the at least two lower members.  
   
   
       11 . The wheelchair of  claim 10  wherein each of the at least two lower members is hinged to a mounting component, wherein each mounting component is releasably attached to the bracket of one of the pair of the second frame members.  
   
   
       12 . The wheelchair of  claim 5  wherein the detachable assembly is rigid.  
   
   
       13 . The wheelchair of  claim 5  wherein each of the at least two upper members is releasably attached to the support element of one of the pair of the first frame members.  
   
   
       14 . The wheelchair of  claim 5  further comprising a leg rest assembly releasably attached to the first end of one of the pair of the first frame members and the first end of one of the pair of the second frame members.  
   
   
       15 . The wheelchair of  claim 5  wherein each of the pair of the first frame members further comprises a back-support mounting tube disposed proximate to the second end extending substantially perpendicular therefrom.  
   
   
       16 . The wheelchair of  claim 15  further comprising a back support releasably attached to each of the pair of side frame members via the back-support mounting tube.  
   
   
       17 . The wheelchair of  claim 16  wherein the back support comprises a horizontal member having at least two tubular sections extending substantially perpendicular from the horizontal member, each of the tubular sections having a first end and a second end, and 
 at least two stanchions each having a first end releasably attached to one of the pair of side frame members and a second end having a portion configured to be received within the second end of one of the at least two tubular sections.    
   
   
       18 . The wheelchair of  claim 17  further comprising a push handle releasably attached to the first end of one of the at least two tubular sections, such that the push handle telescopes within the first end.  
   
   
       19 . The wheelchair of  claim 18  wherein the push handle comprises a T-shaped groove therein.  
   
   
       20 . The wheelchair of  claim 17  wherein the first end of each of the at least two stanchions comprises a tilt adjustment mechanism.  
   
   
       21 . The wheelchair of  claim 17  further comprising a leg rest assembly releasably attached to the first end of one of the pair of the first frame members and the first end of one of the pair of the second frame members.  
   
   
       22 . A wheelchair back support comprising: 
 a horizontal member a having at least two tubular sections extending substantially perpendicular therefrom, each of the tubular sections having a first end and a second end; and    at least two stanchions each having a first end configured for attachment to a wheelchair frame and a second end having a portion configured to be received within the second end of one of the at least two tubular sections.    
   
   
       23 . The back support of  claim 22  further comprising a push handle releasably attached to the first end of one of the at least two tubular sections.  
   
   
       24 . The back support of  claim 22  wherein the push handle comprises a T-shaped groove therein.  
   
   
       25 . The back support of  claim 24  wherein the push handle telescopes within the first end of one of the at least two tubular sections.  
   
   
       26 . The back support of  claim 22  wherein the at least two stanchions comprise a T-shaped groove along a portion thereof.  
   
   
       27 . The back support of  claim 22  wherein the first end of each of the at least two stanchions comprises a tilt adjustment mechanism.  
   
   
       28 . The back support of  claim 22  wherein the horizontal member comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section and second section are attached to a bracket to facilitate the folding of the back support.  
   
   
       29 . A wheelchair frame comprising: 
 a pair of side frame members spaced from one another, each of the pair comprising: 
 a first frame member having a first end and a second end,  
 at least one support element attached to the first frame member,  
 a second frame member having a first end and a second end,  
 at least one bracket attached to the second frame member, and  
   a connecting member having a first end connected to the first frame member and a second end connected to the second frame member, the connecting member maintaining the first frame member and second frame member in substantially parallel alignment.    
   
   
       30 . The wheelchair frame of  claim 29  wherein the at least one support element is C-shaped.  
   
   
       31 . The wheelchair frame of  claim 30  wherein the at least one support element comprises a bore.  
   
   
       32 . The wheelchair frame of  claim 29  wherein the at least one bracket comprises a bore.  
   
   
       33 . The wheelchair frame of  claim 29  wherein the first frame member and the second frame member each further comprise a rear wheel mounting strip.  
   
   
       34 . The wheelchair frame of  claim 29  further comprising an axle plate support member connectable to the first frame member and the second frame member.  
   
   
       35 . The wheelchair of  claim 29  further comprising a rear wheel mounting plate and an upper rear wheel mounting strip connected to the first frame member, wherein the rear wheel mounting plate is connectable to the upper rear wheel mounting strip and is telescopically connectable to the second frame member.  
   
   
       36 . The wheelchair of  claim 35 , the rear wheel mounting plate further comprising a plurality of mounting holes wherein a rear wheel of the wheelchair may be adjustably connected to the rear wheel mounting plate by a fastener installed in one of the plurality of mounting holes.  
   
   
       37 . An assembly for use with a convertible wheelchair having at least one front caster, a pair of rear wheels, and a frame having fixed mounting points, the assembly comprising: 
 a support structure having at least four ends;    at least two upper members each connected to one of the least four ends; and    at least two lower members each connected to one of the least four ends, wherein the at least two upper members and the at least two lower members are configured for releasable attachment to the fixed mounting points.    
   
   
       38 . The assembly of  claim 37  wherein the assembly is foldable.  
   
   
       39 . The assembly of  claim 38  wherein the support structure further comprises at least two cross-support members connected at a pivot point, each one of the cross-support members connected to one of the at least two upper members and one of the at least two lower members.  
   
   
       40 . The assembly of  claim 37  wherein each one of the at least two lower members is hinged to a mounting component.  
   
   
       41 . The assembly of  claim 37  wherein the assembly is rigid.