Manual wheelchair system for improved propulsion and transfers

Abstract

A manual wheelchair including a collapsible frame having a first lateral member that is connected to first and second braces at their respective first ends. A drive wheel axel extends along a first axis of rotation and engages a drive wheel, the first brace, and a portion of a transmission. A push rim axel extends along a second axis of rotation and engages a push rim wheel, the second brace, and a portion of the transmission, which transmits rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. The collapsible frame additionally includes a second lateral member that is connected to the first and second braces as their respective second ends. The first and second braces are configured to release the second lateral member to collapse the manual wheelchair.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A manual wheelchair comprising:
 a frame;   a drive wheel connected to the frame, having a first axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame;   a push rim connected to the frame, having a second axis of rotation extending substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel and configured to rotate relative to the frame,   wherein the second axis of rotation of the push rim is offset from the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel in a direction orthogonal to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel; and   a transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel.   
     
     
         2 . The wheelchair of  claim 1 , further comprising a repositioning member including a swing arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the push rim and the second end is coupled to the drive wheel, wherein the repositioning member is configured to allow the push rim to be repositioned via a rotation of the repositioning member about the first axis of rotation such that the first end is rotated over a top of the drive wheel from a position in front of the second end to a position behind the second end to allow a user to transfer into and out of the wheelchair without having to lift over the push rim.