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Adjustable seat cushion for a wheelchair

a seat cushion and wheelchair technology, applied in the field of wheelchair seats, can solve the problem that the seat cushion cannot be adjusted to conform to the contour of different sized torsos, and achieve the effect of accommodating variations in the curvature of the shell

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-06-09
HOLCOMB MALIN E +2
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] A cushion is attached to the shell and has a body of a resilient material, such as a closed cell foam for example. The body comprises a central section adjacent the central portion of the shell, a first lateral section adjacent the first wing, and a second lateral section adjacent the second wing. Preferably, the body has pleated sections which overlap the lateral portions of the shell. The pleated sections allow the width of the cushion to stretch and contract, thereby accommodating variation in the curvature of the shell due to adjustment of the wing positions.

Problems solved by technology

The cushion can not be adjusted to conform to the contour of different sized torsos.

Method used

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  • Adjustable seat cushion for a wheelchair
  • Adjustable seat cushion for a wheelchair
  • Adjustable seat cushion for a wheelchair

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0018] With initial reference to FIG. 1, a wheelchair 10 has a tubular metal frame 12 that includes a pair of vertical posts 14 and 16 and two horizontal members 19. A seat 15 of the wheelchair comprises a seat bottom 18 and a seat back 20. The seat bottom is formed by a sheet of fabric hung between the horizontal frame members 19.

[0019] The seat back 20 includes a back portion 26 from which two lateral supports 28 extend on each side toward the front of the wheelchair 10. The back portion 26 and lateral supports 28 form a curved, U-shaped structure within which the wheelchair user can rest and be supported to the rear and both sides. The seat back 20 is fabricated with a rigid, curved plastic shell 22 to which a cushion 24 is attached on the front. The rear of the plastic shell 22 is fastened to the vertical posts 14 and 16 of the frame 12, as will be described.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, the shell 22 comprises several pieces 30, 38, and 42 of a rigid plastic, for example, adjust...

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Abstract

The seat of a wheelchair has a back that is deeply contoured to provide lateral support for a user, and which is adjusted to conform to user torsos of various sizes. The seat back has a rigid, curved shell formed by a back panel with separate wings adjustably projecting forward from opposite sides of the back panel. Adjustment of the wings alters the length of curvature of the shell to conform to user torsos of different sizes. A cushion is attached to the shell and has pleated sections which expand and contract as the shell is adjusted.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 725,048 filed on Dec. 1, 2003. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates to wheelchairs, and more particularly to the back for the seat of the wheelchair. [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art [0006] Wheelchairs are commonly used by people who are unable to walk. The typical wheelchair has tubular metal frame with large rear wheels at each side and smaller front wheels which typically swivel. In its simplest form, the seat of the wheelchair comprises a sheet of material which is hung between two horizontal arms of the frame and a similar vertical sheet of material strung between two vertical posts at the rear of the wheelchair. Such sheets of material are flexible thereby conforming to the contour of the user's body. [0007] This simpl...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A47C7/02A47C7/46A61G5/10A61G5/12
CPCA61G5/12A61G2005/1091A61G2005/1054A61G5/1054A61G5/1091
Inventor HOLCOMB, MALIN E.ROBERTSON, DANKASTEN, JON-MICHAEL
Owner HOLCOMB MALIN E
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