Assembly for translational movement of wheels of wheelchairs for people with mobility impairments

Abstract

An assembly or kit including one or two devices compatible with conventional manually propelled wheelchairs. The devices include a guide (1) with quick-attachment means and a wheel slide (15) with lateral bearings for the rear wheels. The rear wheels rotate between a forward position and a reverse position, in which they do not protrude beyond the sides of the seat. The device also includes an articulated elongated lever (28) having snap-fit ​​elements (23, 25) spaced apart by a distance equal to the distance between the forward and reverse positions. In these positions, the snap-fit ​​elements (23, 25) can be snapped into complementary snap-fit ​​elements (10). The device also includes means (10) for holding the lever in an unsnapped position, such that movement of the slide (15) automatically releases the lever from the holding means (10).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly, particularly in kit form, for a manually driven wheelchair for persons with reduced mobility, which facilitates lateral movement of the user into or out of the chair. [Background technology]

[0002] Manual wheelchairs have large diameter rear wheels that allow them to be manually driven by driving circular push wheels on the wheels. These wheels can hinder a person with a disability from moving laterally between the wheelchair seat and another adjacent seat.

[0003] Manually driven wheelchairs have already been proposed in which one or both of the large-diameter rear wheels are attached to horizontally sliding components on the rest of the chassis, allowing the wheels to be retracted between a normal use position and a retracted position that frees the sides of the seat for easier mobility for the disabled person. Chairs of this type are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,629,149, 5,629,150, 5,629,160, 5,629,170, 5,629,180, and 5,629,190. These chairs have a particularly large overall longitudinal dimension that protrudes rearward. Furthermore, unlocking the forward and retracted positions is cumbersome for the user, who must simultaneously activate the wheels. The same applies to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,629,149 and 5,629,180. The wheelchair described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,149 requires rear caster wheels and a means for lifting the seat to allow the large rear wheels to slide. U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,149 describes a wheelchair with a complex sliding chassis.

[0004] Patent documents 9 and 10 describe wheelchairs in which the wheels are activated and unlocked by a complex drive mechanism between these two positions. Patent document 10 further describes a telescopic slide device that is less bulky in the longitudinal direction but is complex and requires actuation by a lever.

[0005] Nos. 5,999,229 and 5,999,232 describe assemblies that solve these problems, and these can be in the form of a kit that can be easily attached to most existing manual wheelchairs. In the rearward or retracted position, the length of the elongated slide is allowed to extend beyond the rear end of the guide (which protrudes little or not at all from the rear of the chair), while the front of the slide remains fixed to the guide.

[0006] Nos. 5,699,299, 5,729,313, 5,729,323 and 5,729,333 describe assemblies of this type which are particularly useful for unlocking the rear wheels to allow the user to move them, and then locking them into forward and reverse positions.

[0007] US Pat. No. 5,629,999 and US Pat. No. 5,629,999 describe particularly lightweight assemblies of this type. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 133779 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 080137 [Patent Document 3] German Patent Application Publication No. 102008013453 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011104317 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-234966 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-226057 [Patent Document 7] European Patent No. 1192924 [Patent Document 8] British Patent No. 2141980 [Patent Document 9] French Patent No. 2995209 [Patent Document 10] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-178492 [Patent Document 11] French Patent No. 15 / 01566 [Patent Document 12] European Patent No. 3120818 [Patent Document 13] French Patent No. 16 / 01635 [Patent Document 14] French Patent No. 17 / 00045 [Patent Document 15] European Patent No. 3323400 [Patent Document 16] French Patent No. 17 / 00593 [Patent Document 17] European Patent No. 3412267 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, while these assemblies are relatively compact and can be attached to most existing wheelchairs, they also have a thickness that increases the distance between the large rear wheels, which can make it difficult to pass through doorways or through narrow passageways.

[0010] The present invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks and to provide an assembly of this kind that is very light, that can be more easily attached to most existing wheelchairs, that is very simple and that maintains the distance between the rear wheels. This assembly has a simple structure and is easy to install. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention relates to an assembly or kit that can be attached to a conventional wheelchair manually driven by a circular push ring on the wheels. The assembly comprises one or two devices, each of which includes two parts movable relative to one another: a guide with a horizontal position and a means for quick fixation, in particular by clamping, and a wheel slide guided by the guide. The slide has a lateral axle or sleeve on or within which the rear wheel can be mounted, so that rotation of the rear wheel moves the slide along the guide between a normally rotating forward position and a retracted position in which the rear wheel no longer protrudes into the seat side of the chair. The device also includes a means for manually actuating the locking of the slide in the forward and retracted positions. The length of the elongated slide is such that in the rear or retracted position, the slide can extend beyond the rear end of the guide while being held by the guide. The forward and retracted position fixing means includes manually unlockable clipping means and non-clipping position maintaining means, which allows a user's hands to be freed to drive the wheels of the chair between the forward and retracted positions. The device further includes automatic unlocking means, which allows the clipping means to return to the clipping position upon movement of the wheel slide.Such an assembly or kit is characterized in that the clipping means (10, 23, 25) comprises an elongated lever (20, 28) pivotally articulated to one of the parts (1, 15) and operable by a hand lever or handle (21, 31), the lever (20, 28) and the part (1, 15) not carrying it each comprise complementary clipping elements (10, 24, 26) (i.e. two elements (24, 26) spaced apart by a distance equal to the distance between the advanced and retracted positions), the device further comprises an element (10) adapted to be clipped together when the slide (15) reaches its advanced and retracted positions, respectively, and the lever (20, 28) is pivotable between a non-clipping position and a clipping position.

[0012] A. In a preferred embodiment, the clipping means comprises an elongated lever articulated for pivotal movement (preferably in a substantially vertical plane) on the slide, the lever being actuated by a hand lever or handle. The lever has clipping elements spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between the forward and retracted positions and capable of clipping to complementary clipping elements when the slide reaches each of the forward and retracted positions. The lever is pivotable between a non-clipping position and a clipped position.

[0013] B. In another embodiment, the lever is articulated to the fixed guide (1), preferably in a substantially vertical plane, and the slide (15) includes the spaced apart clipping elements, in which case the lever includes the complementary clipping elements (10).

[0014] The following features may be applied to the above two embodiments A and B individually or in combination, unless specified to apply only to embodiment A or only to embodiment B.

[0015] By "horizontal position" is meant a horizontal or slightly tilted position (preferably tilted backward at an angle of 0 to 5 degrees).

[0016] The automatic unlocking means allowing the clipping means to be moved to the clipping position upon movement of the wheel slide may for example comprise a spring for returning the lever to the clipped position, but these means preferably simply consist of the articulated position of the lever, i.e. the position which allows the lever to return to the clipped position by gravity alone after movement of the slide has moved it away from the retaining means.

[0017] According to feature A, the lever is preferably articulated to the slide and carries the spaced apart clipping elements, and the guide carries the complementary clipping elements.

[0018] The articulation is preferably located towards one end of the lever, more preferably towards the front end.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the articulated lever features clipping reliefs, holes or notches that are separated along the lever by a distance that corresponds to the movement of the slide between the forward wheel position and the reverse wheel position, and that are preferably intended to clip into complementary notches, holes or reliefs that the guide contains. Thus, in a particularly preferred version, the lever has two notches on its lower edge, so that if the lever is lifted and slightly moved by the movement of the slide, the lower edge of the lever slides on the fixed relief until the other notch reaches it and is clipped to this relief, preferably by gravity alone.

[0020] The non-clipping position maintaining means are preferably magnetic means, preferably consisting of a single magnet, preferably in the form of a small vertical disk. In the preferred situation according to feature A (the lever has a clipping notch or relief on its lower edge), these means comprise a single fixed magnet (preferably carried by the guide above the lever's track), and the upper edge of the lever comprises a ferromagnetic element at the height of each hole or notch, which can be pressed against the magnet when the lever is lifted. The ferromagnetic element located at the height of the notch corresponding to the normal forward wheel position is further from the longitudinal geometric axis of the lever than the other ferromagnetic element. This is to compensate for even the smallest amplitude of the lever's movement when it is rotated, in the preferred situation where the lever's articulation axis is located at a distance other than the distance separating the lever's clipping elements. Of course, in a variant, the lever could also carry two magnets, which cooperate with fixed ferromagnetic elements.

[0021] In the case of feature B, these means preferably comprise two magnets carried by said slide, which magnets are able to cooperate with two ferromagnetic parts carried by said lever.

[0022] Thus, the lever is automatically unlocked by the unlocked position maintaining means, whereby when the slide moves from the forward or backward position it moves away from the magnet and the lever automatically returns to the clipping position.

[0023] The device preferably includes abutment means for preventing the slide of the device from advancing beyond its normal forward rotation position within the guide, and abutment means for preventing the slide from retracting beyond its retracted position and exiting the guide, the latter means being formed simply by the rim of a forward clipping relief, hole or notch in the lever abutting against a fixed relief, hole or notch, preventing further retraction of the lever even in the unclipped raised position.

[0024] A rearwardly opening notch may be provided in the guide to advantageously receive the axle or bearing of the rear wheel in the forward position, the bottom of this notch preferably forming an abutment means to prevent the slide from slipping out forward.

[0025] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the guide comprises a thin, planar vertical element having on one side means for fixing it to a part of the chassis of the chair and on the other side a rotating member for maintaining and guiding the slide. The slide comprises a flat, thin, elongated vertical element which is held and guided by the rotating member (preferably above or below the long edge of the element). The clipping lever is in the form of a flat, elongated blade and extends parallel to the slide (which can be actuated by a hand lever or handle located towards the front and / or rear end). The lever is preferably carried by the slide and is preferably articulated on one of the faces of the slide, towards the front of the slide.

[0026] This surface-area element can preferably carry a second surface-area element parallel to it at a distance, the slide, the rotating means and the lever being arranged in the space separating the two elements. This second surface-area element can be connected to the first surface-area element by a rigid connection, for example a bolt, which prevents the slide from detaching from the chair in the event of an abnormal load that would tend to separate it from the rotating means.

[0027] This second surface-area element may advantageously be identical to the first surface-area element, which simplifies manufacturing.

[0028] The thin planar element of the guide is, for example, a plate, and is, for example, an element having a thickness of 5 mm to 12 mm, more preferably 8 mm to 12 mm. The length of the guide is preferably 8 cm to 12 cm, and the height of the guide is such that the guide and the rotating means it carries can be positioned above and below the upper and lower edges of the slide.

[0029] The means for fixing the guide to the chassis of the chair are preferably clamping collars or flanges onto which elements of the chassis of the chair (such as vertical rods or bars, which usually carry the large rear wheels of the chair before mounting the assembly according to the invention) can be clamped. These collars or flanges are preferably fixed and tightened by screwing into holes in the guide.

[0030] The thin, elongated, flat elements of the slide are, for example, plates, preferably having a thickness of 8 mm to 10 or 12 mm. The height of the slide preferably does not exceed 50 mm to 80 mm, this height being preferably about 50 mm to 60 mm. The length of the slide is preferably about 30 cm to 40 cm, the protruding length in the retracted position being preferably about 17 cm to 22 cm.

[0031] In one embodiment, the rolling and guiding members are wheels with a concave, in particular grooved, periphery that guide the rounded upper and lower edges of the slide, these edges being preferably formed by rods engaged in elongated grooves in the edges, the thickness or diameter of the rods preferably being about 4 mm to 6 mm.

[0032] In another embodiment, the wheel may have a convex outer periphery, in which case the upper and lower edges of the slide have grooves in which the wheel rolls.

[0033] The clipping lever is preferably a flat element extending over a large length of the slide and is preferably between 4mm and 6mm thick.

[0034] The distance or gap between two adjacent guides and slides and the flat clipping element is preferably 2 mm or less.

[0035] The slide may be provided on its opposite side facing the guide with a thin concealer, for example with a thickness of less than 5 mm.

[0036] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fixed lateral axles or sleeves of the slide on or in which the large rear wheels are mounted emerge from the device a distance that is shorter than the distance of the corresponding fixed axles or bearings that the chair normally has, this shorter distance preferably being approximately equal to the normal distance minus a value approximately equal to the thickness of the slide.

[0037] This distance is preferably between 5 mm and 20 mm, including 30 mm.

[0038] Therefore, the present invention allows the total thickness of each of the two devices of the assembly to be 35 mm or less, in particular 30 mm or less, which makes it possible to maintain the distance between the two rear wheels after installing the assembly according to the present invention approximately the same as the distance of the wheelchair before installing the assembly.

[0039] A transfer sleeve mounted towards the rear end of the slide, onto which the rear wheel can be mounted, may advantageously include spaced internal grooves to allow for fixing by clipping of axles of different lengths for large rear wheels.

[0040] For example, the lever articulated to the front of the slide preferably has an extension, hand lever or handle that emerges beyond the front end of the slide so that a user can actuate it to move it to a non-clipping position, and / or emerges beyond the rear end of the slide so that a helper can actuate it, but alternatively a handle or hand lever may be located between the front and rear ends to allow manual actuation.

[0041] The assembly may also include, for each device, an extendable vertical upright intended to be clamped between the lower and upper longitudinal chassis members. This upright preferably comprises two sleeves each threaded onto a stud, each sleeve having at its free end a flared (e.g. V-shaped) bracket so that it can be pressed against this longitudinal member, or conversely, two studs carrying a bracket and a central sleeve, which can be screwed together so that the brackets can be moved away from each other and the upright can be clamped vertically to the chassis.

[0042] This vertical upright can be used to secure, for example by flange, a second guide (similar to the first guide but without the clipping means and means for maintaining the unlocked position) which will be aligned in front of said first guide, thereby forming a longer guide for holding slides carrying very heavy loads in the retracted position.

[0043] This upright can also be used to secure the guide itself, for example if the chair chassis does not have a normal upright at the axle height of the large rear wheels.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the assembly preferably further comprises a detachable elongated element or cross member, for example in the form of a shaft, connecting the rear ends of the two slides of the assembly, preferably aligned with the axles of the rear wheels. This elongated element may have at each end a fixed lateral bearing of the slide emerging from the associated device, although it is preferred that the bearings are fixed directly to the slide, the elongated element being adapted to be fixed at its ends to the slide, preferably at the level of the wheel axles or bearings.

[0045] The elongate element is preferably adjustable in length so that it can be attached after the two devices of the assembly have been attached, one on each side of the wheelchair.

[0046] The slide may preferably include, at its front end, a part on which a wheel brake can be mounted, preferably the wheel brake being primarily carried by the chassis of the associated wheelchair. This part preferably includes a base that can be fixed to the upper edge of the slide and has a lateral flange on which a cylindrical or tubular section can be fixed, the section having the same diameter as the chassis part of the chair on which the brake is normally fixed.

[0047] The assembly according to the invention may further comprise a platform (for example in the form of a grid or plate) which rests horizontally on the rear ends of the slides (preferably on the elongated elements connecting the slides) and whose front edge is connected to the rear of the chair chassis or to the slides at this level, on which objects, luggage or other items can be placed.

[0048] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1] 1 is an elevational view of a guide according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is an elevational view of a slide according to the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a side view of the slide attached to the guide. [Figure 5] 1 is an elevational view of a clipping lever according to the present invention; [Figure 6] 10 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a clipping lever according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a side view of the rear ferromagnetic parts of these levers. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a side view of the front ferromagnetic parts of these levers. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a slide carrying a wheel brake stationary component. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a side view of the slide carrying the stationary part with wheel brakes. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view of a brake carrier element having a predetermined diameter of the part. [Figure 12] 12 is a side view of the brake carrier element of this part having a different diameter than that of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a top view of the mounting flange of the guide. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a guide attached to a chassis upright of a wheelchair. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a side view of the slide engaged with the guide. [Figure 16] 1 is an elevational view of a device according to the invention in a normal forward position, attached to the chassis of a wheelchair and carrying a concealer; FIG. [Figure 17] 1 is an elevational view of a device according to the invention in a retracted position, attached to the chassis of a wheelchair and carrying a concealer; FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the rear end of the slide and the large rear wheel axle carrier element. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of this rear end of the slide. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a cross member connecting large wheelchair wheels for an assembly according to the invention in a retracted position. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the cross member in the deployed position. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is an elevational view showing the slide engaged with the guide in the forward and clipped position. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is an elevational view showing the slide engaged with the guide in a forward, non-clipping position. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is an elevational view showing the slide engaged with the guide in the rearward and clipped position. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is an elevational view showing the slide engaged with the guide in a rearward, non-clipping position. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a device with an elongated guide. [Figure 27] This is a side view of the device attached to the frame of a wheelchair. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a side view of a slide guided by a wheel with a convex rounded shape. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a side view from the rear of the assembly in which the lever is articulated on the guide. [Figure 30] 10 is an elevational view of the slide of this assembly in one of its different positions. [Figure 31] 10 is an elevational view of the slide of this assembly in one of its different positions. [Figure 32] 10 is an elevational view of the slide of this assembly in one of its different positions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] 1 and 2, a guide for a device according to the invention can be seen, comprising a planar element, for example a plate 1, preferably made from aluminium. At its rear edge, the plate 1 has a notch 2 for receiving the axle of a large rear wheel. The plate 1 comprises a number of holes, preferably threaded holes, located near the upper and lower edges of the plate, respectively, and preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to the geometric horizontal axis of the plate: two rows of three holes 3, at the front, middle and rear, into which the axle can be fastened or screwed, and two rows of two holes 4, arranged between the corresponding holes 3. Flange fastening screws can be screwed or fastened into the holes 4.

[0051] The grooved wheels 5 are attached by screwing or fastening their axles 6 into the holes 3, e.g., towards the top edge the rear and front wheels are attached, and towards the bottom edge the rear, central and front wheels are attached, i.e. five wheels are attached. Six wheels may be provided as well by adding an upper central wheel, or only four wheels may be provided, i.e. two lower and two upper wheels.

[0052] Conversely, a wheel with a convex outer periphery, preferably with a rounded cross section, may be used, in which case the slide has linear grooves along its lower and upper edges (preferably recessed directly into these edges).

[0053] At the level of the upper central hole 3 is mounted a circular magnet 7 carried by a rod 8 which is screwed or fixed into the hole. The rod 8 may also be used to carry a pivot wheel 5 which is placed between the plate 1 and the magnet 7. At the front lower hole 3 is mounted an abutment part 10 (for example in the form of a small rectangular plate) by screwing or fixing a rod 9. To prevent any rotation of the abutment part 10, the abutment part 10 may carry a lower rod 11 which passes through a hole 12 located near the lower end of the plate 1.

[0054] The guide plate 1 may be characterized by having holes 14 at the same height as the notches 2 which allow the passage of the bearing surfaces of the large rear wheels. This is particularly the case for certain wheelchairs, namely those which are provided with a non-removable bearing surface which receives the axle of the large rear wheels on the rear chassis upright to which the guide 1 is to be fixed.

[0055] In some cases, to reduce the weight of a plate 1 having a standard thickness (e.g., 10 mm), a wide recess 13 may be formed in the plate without changing the width of the upper and lower ends of the plate. The thickness of the plate at the height of the recess is preferably 8 mm to 10 mm.

[0056] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the slide 15 of this device can be seen, formed from an elongated rectangular plate (preferably made from aluminum or other amagnetic material). Toward its front end, the slide 15 has a preferably threaded hole 16 capable of receiving, for example by screwing, a clipping lever articulation pin. Toward its rear end, the slide features a preferably threaded large hole 17 for receiving a bearing or shaft for rotation of the large rear wheel. The slide has two rows of threaded holes 18 toward its front end and near its upper edge, which allow for the attachment of wheel brake components (shown in Figures 10 and 15). Two similar holes may also be provided near the lower edge.

[0057] The hole 16 is located approximately at mid-height of the plate 15, but it may equally be located lower, the essential being to allow the clipping lever to rotate sufficiently.

[0058] As can be seen in Figure 4, the lower and upper edge surfaces of slide plate 15 each feature a milled groove in which an elongated cylindrical rod 19 (preferably made of steel) is clamped. Rod 19 functions as a bearing surface for wheel 5 within the groove in which it is received. Its function is such that once slide 15 is attached to guide 1 as shown in Figures 4, 10 and 15, slide 15 cannot move away from or towards guide 1, but is held so that it can only slide horizontally relative to the guide as can be seen in Figure 4.

[0059] 28, the guide wheel 5' has a rounded outer periphery that guides and holds the slide 15, and the upper and lower edges of the slide 15 feature grooves with a concave cross section. Such wheels and slides can be used in all of the described embodiments.

[0060] The slides shown in these figures can be associated in the same way with other guides provided with wheels that guide the edges of the slides.

[0061] Referring to Figure 5, a flat clipping lever 20 can be seen. From its front to rear end, the lever 20 comprises a portion 21 adapted to form a handle or to receive a separate handle, an articulating hole 22 preferably offset relative to the upper edge of the lever, a first downwardly opening forward notch or recess 23, an upwardly extending large ferromagnetic lug 24, a downwardly opening second rearward notch or recess 25, and finally an upwardly extending small ferromagnetic lug 26. The distance between the notches 23 and 25 corresponds to the amplitude of movement of the slide 15, and thus of the large wheel, between the forward and backward positions. The distance between the lugs 24 and 26 is also substantially the same.

[0062] The thickness of the lever 20 may be, for example, 3 mm to 6 mm, and the lever may be obtained, for example, by simply cutting it from a flat sheet. The width of the lever is small enough so that the lower edge 27 of the lever can pass over the top of the abutment 10 when the lever is lifted and the slide 15 moves between its advanced and retracted positions.

[0063] In the embodiment of Figure 6, the clipping lever 28 has at its shortened front end 29 a hole for fixing a handle (not shown) extending the lever, and the rear end 30 provided with the part 26 can carry a rear handle part 31, which is preferably crank-shaped, that extends upwards to form or receive a rear handle (which can be lifted by a helper walking behind the wheelchair).

[0064] 6, the width of lever 28 may be increased towards the bottom of its front portion to define the leading edge 32 of notch 23 (which drops down from the lower edge of lever 27). As a result, when slide 15 is pushed rearward, the lever is raised and the notched edge 32 eventually abuts against abutment 10, preventing the slide from escaping rearward and out of guide 1. On the other hand, when the slide is pushed towards its forward position, the wheel axle or its axle-bearing surface abuts against the bottom of notch 2. Alternatively, the rear of the lever may be made wider, with a notch 25 at its rear edge that prevents the slide from escaping forward.

[0065] In the case of a lever of constant width, such as lever 20, rearward escape of the slide can be prevented, for example, by positioning the abutment (e.g., the screw carried by the slide) toward the lower edge of the slide and having it encounter the leading edge of abutment 10.

[0066] As can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, ferromagnetic lug 24 and ferromagnetic lug 26 may be square shaped with thinner extensions 33 that can be secured to the lever by screws passing through corresponding holes in lever 14.

[0067] A removable or retractable locking element may be provided to prevent rotation of the lever outside the clipped position, for example if it is undesirable for a disabled person seated in a wheelchair to be able to operate the lever. For example, a transverse screw or detent may be screwed or otherwise fixed to the slide 15 which prevents the lever from rotating. This locking element is preferably easily accessible by a helper. Alternatively, a removable part lateral to the lever (which can quickly butt against an element or longitudinal member of the wheelchair chassis and thereby prevent or limit rotation of the lever) may be fixed to the lever so that it remains in the clipped position.

[0068] The levers shown in these figures may similarly be associated with slides different from those shown in FIGS.

[0069] 9 and 10, the slide 15 can be seen with the handbrake mounting element 34 screwed onto it. This element includes a mounting element 35, which includes a lower vertical core, a flat portion, and an upper vertical core offset relative to the lower core. The lower core is fixed to the slide 15 by screws threaded into the holes 18. Above the flat portion, the upper core has a horizontal round cylinder or tube section 36, which is supported by screws 37 emerging from the upper core. A body 38 of a brake 39, formed from two jaws, is attached and clamped onto this section, the diameter of which is the same as the diameter of the horizontal longitudinal member of the chair chassis (on which the large rear wheel manual brake is usually fixed). The body 38 has been previously removed from the chair, and the distance between the position of the brake 39 and the axle hole 17 corresponds to the offset of the large wheel axle and the brake in its initial position on the chassis. Therefore, installing the assembly according to the present invention does not require the purchase of a new handbrake.

[0070] Preferably, the assembly device according to the invention is provided with a number of cylindrical or tubular sections, such as parts 36. Parts 36 have different diameters corresponding to the diameters of the longitudinal members of the chassis of the various chairs, for example 20 mm for part 36, 22 mm for part 36a (Fig. 11) and 25 mm for part 36b (Fig. 12). The lengths of these parts are preferably between 50 mm and 80 mm.

[0071] 13 and 14, it can be seen that the guide plate 1 is attached to a conventional rear vertical upright 40 of a manually driven wheelchair chassis (with the large rear wheels previously removed). The plate 1 is clamped to the upright 40 by means of two clamping flanges 41. The clamping flanges 41 feature a rectangular notch 42 and two holes 43 which are aligned with two holes 4 in the plate 1, respectively, and through which pass clamping screws 44 (see FIG. 15) which are threaded into the threaded holes 4.

[0072] The bottom of notch 42 preferably features a recess with an arc-shaped cross section and has a threaded central hole 45 into which a screw (not shown) can be threaded. This screw will press firmly against the facing surface of upright 40, or possibly into a hole in the chassis upright (if it includes such a hole).

[0073] The width of the notch 42 is preferably about 32 mm, which corresponds to the width of a typical square or rectangular cross-section chassis upright, and therefore the notch can also accommodate a tubular upright 40 (typically having a diameter of 20 mm, 22 mm or 25 mm).

[0074] Alternatively, in the case of a tubular upright 40 of rounded cross section, two similar flanges can be provided as well, but featuring a flared notch with a beveled V-shaped edge. In all cases, a pair of flanges 41 has been found to be effective for securing the guide very securely, although it is equally possible to provide a pair of sets of flanges, each fitting a particular section of the upright 40.

[0075] Referring to Figure 15, there can be seen the arrangement of the guide 1, slide and clipping lever 27, as well as the upper magnet 7 and abutment piece 10 (both carried by the guide 1). A flat concealer 45 is attached to the slide by means of a screw 46 threaded into a threaded hole 47 (see Figure 3) in the slide 15. To simplify the drawing, the lugs 24 and 26 are not shown. It can be seen that the various flat components 1, 15, 27 are very close to each other, so that the thickness of the device, including the concealer 45, can be less than 30 mm, i.e. the distance that normally separates large wheels from the chassis of a chair.

[0076] It is also clear that, alternatively, it is possible to move the slide 15 further away from the guide 1 in order to insert the lever 20 or lever 27 between them, to move the wheel 5 further away, and to bring the magnet 7 and the abutment part 10 closer to each other. However, the arrangement shown in the drawings gives the device greater rigidity and is preferred.

[0077] Fastening means other than these flanges may also be used, for example a collar that clamps onto the frame uprights.

[0078] 16 and 17, it can be seen that the device according to the invention is mounted on the rear upright 40 of the wheelchair chassis in the forward and backward positions, respectively, and is covered by a concealer 45 (fixed by a screw 46 at a predetermined distance on the slide 15). The lever 27 carries at its front end an actuation handle 47 emerging at a large distance from the front of the slide and the concealer, the concealer being characterized by a hole aligned with the hole 17.

[0079] Please refer to Figures 18 and 19.

[0080] In a typical configuration of wheelchairs currently on the market, the hub of a large wheel is attached to an axle extending from one side of the wheel, which is attachable or fixable to an element of the chair's chassis, typically a rear upright, and which generally features a cylindrical bore for this purpose. The axle is itself hollow and includes a locking rod that is slidable within the axle and has a radial, spring-loaded detent (e.g., a ball) located at the level of the axle's free end and engages behind the chassis element to prevent the axle from backing out. The rod includes a bolt accessible from the free side of the wheel, which allows the rod to be slid to retract the detent, allowing the wheel to be easily attached or detached.

[0081] To support the large rear wheel of a wheelchair, a cylindrical wheel sleeve or bearing surface 48 intended to receive the axle of the large rear wheel is attached to the rear hole 17 of the slide 15. The length of this sleeve 48 is preferably the same as the length of the bearing surface or hole normally present in the chair to which the large wheel would normally be attached, and the diameter of the cylindrical internal passage of the sleeve 48 is the same as the diameter of this cylindrical hole or bearing surface in the frame. The sleeve 48 is attached to the hole 17 of the slide 15 and is clamped from the side of the slide facing the wheel by a nut 49, preferably with a washer 50 between them. On the opposite side, the sleeve is clamped by another nut 52 (preferably with a washer 51 between them), and the sleeve has an external thread to receive these nuts. The length of the sleeve 48 emerging from the slide on the wheel side is advantageously approximately 5 to 10 mm.

[0082] Once the sleeve is installed, it is sufficient to press the wheel axle into the sleeve 48 until the radially upstanding lugs at the free end of the sleeve 48 engage.

[0083] The device in kit form may advantageously include a number of sleeves 48 of different lengths, for example two sets of different diameters, for wheel axles of diameter 12 mm and 12.7 mm.

[0084] However, the sleeve may preferably feature, on its cylindrical inner surface where the wheel axle is mounted, one or more circular internal grooves (preferably of square or rectangular cross section, e.g. 5mm wide and 5mm high) into which spring-loaded balls can fit to prevent axle back-out. These grooves are preferably spaced in the following manner, starting from the end of the sleeve closest to the wheel: -For 12mm diameter wheel axle, 33mm, 50mm, 60mm, total sleeve length is 75mm -For 12.7mm diameter wheel axle, 51mm, 56mm, 60mm, total sleeve length is 69mm.

[0085] Please refer to Figures 20 and 21.

[0086] If two devices according to the invention are fitted, one on each side of the wheelchair, it may be advantageous to connect the two wheel sleeves, and therefore the two slides, by means of a cross member 53.

[0087] This cross member may advantageously include two tubular sleeves 54. The sleeves 54 are threaded onto opposite ends of a threaded central rod 55 and have locking nuts 56 for holding the parts in the selected position. Starting from the retracted position of FIG. 30, one of the sleeves 54 is threaded onto one of the sleeves 48, after which the sleeves 54 are moved away from each other until the other sleeve can be threaded onto the other sleeve 48. It will be apparent that fixing the cross member to the sleeves 48 or directly to the rear end of each slide may be accomplished in other ways.

[0088] The assembly according to the invention may optionally further comprise a platform (for example in the form of a rigid lattice) fixed horizontally to the chair chassis behind the seat of the chassis, with its rear edge resting on the cross member, thus allowing the transport of items such as luggage or baskets.

[0089] Please refer to Figures 22 to 25.

[0090] 22 shows the slide 15 in its normal forward rotation position, in which the lever 28 is in its gravity-lowered position with the abutment portion 10 in the rear notch 23. In this position, the rear wheel bearing 48 (not shown), mounted in the hole 17, is located in the notch 2 of the guide 1.

[0091] To reach the retracted position of the wheel, the user lowers the handle 29 of the lever 28, which causes the rear of the lever to rise and disengage the notch 25 from the abutment 10 (Fig. 23). This continues until the ferromagnetic lug 26 contacts the magnet 7, thereby holding the lever 28 in the raised position. The user then simply moves the wheel, and thus the slide 15, backwards. This action causes the lug 26 to move horizontally away from the magnet 7, causing the lever 28 to fall into the lowered position, but since the notch 25 is already slightly away from the abutment part 10, the lower edge 27 of the lever falls onto the abutment and slides over it. The backward movement of the slide can therefore continue until the front notch 23 of the lever 17 reaches the abutment 10, causing the lever to fall again and clip onto the abutment (Fig. 24). In this position, the chair's large wheels are shifted rearward and therefore no longer form an obstruction, so that a user sitting in the chair can slide laterally from their seat onto a chair, bed, other furniture or vehicle without having to be lifted.

[0092] To advance the slide 15 from this retracted position, it is sufficient to lower the handle 29 again (Fig. 25), thereby bringing the large lug 24 into contact with the magnet 7, and then to actuate the large wheel with a forward movement in the opposite direction until the lever 28 is clipped by its rear notch 25 onto the abutment part 10. It should be noted that in the retracted position of Fig. 25, the slide 15 cannot be retracted beyond this rear position, since the front edge 32 of the notch 23 may be locked by the abutment 10.

[0093] Please refer to Figures 26 and 27.

[0094] For example, if the wheelchair is to be heavily loaded, it may be useful to provide longer guides than those described above so that the slide in the retracted position is supported by the guides over a greater length.

[0095] This may also be achieved by using a guide plate that is elongated towards the front and includes wheels advantageously aligned along the lower and upper edges of the plate.

[0096] In an advantageous solution, the guide may be formed from two successive guides, namely the above-mentioned guide 1 and guide 1'. Guide 1' is identical to guide 1, but does not have means for holding the guide in the non-clipping position (e.g. magnets 7) and complementary clipping elements (e.g. abutments 10). The slide 15 is therefore also held by the wheels 5 of the guide plate 1', including in the retracted position of the rear wheels.

[0097] To secure the plate 1' to the chassis or frame of the wheelchair, an adjustable vertical upright 57 can be provided to be clamped between a lower longitudinal member 58 and an upper longitudinal member 58 of the chassis, the upright 57 including two sleeves 59 each threaded onto a stud 60 by means of two clamping nuts 61, each sleeve having at its free end a flared V-shaped bracket 62 mounted so as to rotate freely about a pin 63 and pressed against its longitudinal member 58. Thus, by moving the sleeves 59 vertically away along the studs 60, the removable upright 57 can be securely clamped. The guide plate 1' can then be aligned and fixed to the guide plate 1, for example by using a clamping flange as shown in Figures 13 and 14.

[0098] The extendable vertical uprights 58 also allow the guide 1 to be secured to chairs that do not have suitable chassis rear uprights.

[0099] An assembly for a wheelchair according to the invention may comprise one or two devices according to the invention, preferably in kit form. Each device may comprise: a guide, a wheel, a magnet, an abutment (preferably already attached to the guide), and two flanges with clamping screws; a slide; a brake mounting part (preferably already attached to the slide) and its cylindrical part(s); a clipping lever (preferably already attached to the slide) with its ferromagnetic lug; a wheel sleeve or sleeves of different lengths and / or diameters (and / or including one or more internal grooves), as well as nuts and optional rings for fixing the sleeves; preferably a concealer and its fixing screws; and a cross member (optional).

[0100] Please refer to Figures 29 to 32.

[0101] In this alternative embodiment, a lever 64 is articulated to a part or second planar element 65 parallel to the guide 1 and fixed to the planar element 65 by fixing means (not shown), for example a bolt. The slide 15 can move in the space between the plates 1 and 65, held by a wheel 5 articulated on the guide 1. The rear end of the lever 64 is articulated around a pin 66 carried by the plate 65 towards the front of the guide and can pivot in a vertical plane. The rear end 67 of the lever 64 is preferably tapered in the direction towards the pin 66.

[0102] The slide carries as a retaining means on one of its sides and towards its upper edge a rear magnet 68 which, in the advanced position of the guide, is located at the front edge of the guide 1 and thus at the level of the plate 65. A second front magnet 69 is also carried by the slide laterally towards its upper edge, the distance between magnets 68 and 69 being equal to the distance between the advanced and retracted positions of the slide 15. On the same side and towards its lower edge, the slide 15 carries two vertical abutments 70 and 71 which are spaced apart by this same distance and are preferably located approximately below magnets 68, 69.

[0103] On the lower edge of the lever 64 there is a notch 72 which allows clipping on the abutments 70, 71 by gravity alone, depending on the position of the slide. This notch 72 can advantageously be located towards the front edge of the plate 65 and the guide 1. On its upper edge, the lever 64 has two ferromagnetic parts, one front part 73 and another rear part 74, which are spaced apart from each other by the distance between the advanced and retracted positions of the slide 15. The rear part 74 is preferably located approximately above the notch 72. The ferromagnetic part 74 is further away from the upper edge of the lever 64 and is carried or formed by a lug 75.

[0104] The operation is as follows.

[0105] In the normal forward rotation position of slide 15, and thus of the large rear wheel mounted in hole 17, lever 64 is in the lowered position, with rear abutment 71 clipped in notch 72 (see FIG. 30, lever position shown in dashed lines), and therefore slide 15 is locked. To move the large wheel backward, the user sitting in the chair raises lever 64 until rear ferromagnetic part 74 contacts rear magnet 68, locking the lever in this raised position (see FIG. 30, lever position shown in solid lines). The user can then free both hands to rotate the large wheel and drive slide 15 backward. Magnet 68 is now clear of part 74, so that lever 67 returns to the lowered forward position and abutment 71 no longer faces notch 72 (see FIG. 31).

[0106] When the slide 15 reaches its retracted position (see FIG. 32), the front abutment 70 is located below the notch 72, so that the abutment 70 is clipped into the notch by gravity, thereby securing the slide 15 in its retracted position. The rear ferromagnetic component is then at the height of the vertically spaced front magnet 69.

[0107] To advance the slide 15 from this position, the user again raises the lever 64 so that the ferromagnetic part 74 contacts the magnet, securing the lever in this raised position and unlocking the clipping action. The user can then activate the wheel to advance the slide 15, causing the lever 64, now away from the magnet 69, to again lower and slide its lower edge over the abutment 70 until it reaches the advanced position (where the lever clips onto the rear abutment 70) (FIG. 30). The front portion 76 of the lever is preferably thinner than the rest of the lever, so that the lever is in a very low position during sliding of the slide.

[0108] It will be apparent that the various embodiments described could be reversed, e.g., symmetrically relative to the geometric horizontal plane, but in this case it would be necessary to apply a spring load strong enough to raise the lever to the clipping position, but weak enough to keep the lever in the low, non-clipping position when pressed against the retaining means.

[0109] If the characteristics of the chair are known, the device or kit can include only one cylindrical brake part and one wheel sleeve, which are preferably already attached to the respective supports. In this case, it is also possible to ship the device with the concealer already attached and the two flanges together with their clamping screws. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1 Guide plate 2 notches 5 wheels 7. Magnets 10 Abutment 15 slides 19 Rod 20 Lever 22 joints 23 notches 24 Clipping Factor (Lag) 25 notches 39 Wheel brakes 40 Upright 41 Clamping flange 45 Concealer 48 sleeve 53 Cross member 58 Longitudinal Member 64 Lever 65 Plate (second planar element) 66 pins 70 Abutment 71 Abutment 73 Ferromagnetic parts

Claims

1. An assembly or kit that can be attached to a normal wheelchair that is manually driven by a circular push ring on a wheel, comprising one or two devices, the devices comprising a guide plate (1) in a horizontal position and having means (41) for quick fixing by clamping, as two parts movable relative to each other, and a wheel slide (15) guided by the guide plate (1), the wheel slide (15) having a sleeve (48) on or in which a rear wheel can be mounted, so that rotation of the rear wheel moves the wheel slide (15) along the guide plate (1) between a forward position and a backward position, the device further comprising means for manually actuating the fixation of the wheel slide (15) in each of the forward position and the backward position, the length of the wheel slide (15) being in the rear or 1. An assembly or kit, wherein the length of the wheel slide (15) in the retracted position is such that it can protrude in the retracted position while being retained by the guide plate, and the forward and retracted position fixing means comprises a manually unlockable clipping means including an abutment part (10) and a clipping lever having two notches (23, 25), wherein the abutment part (10) can be clipped into the notches, and an unclipped position maintaining means (7) for maintaining the abutment part (10) in an unclipped position within the notches, thereby allowing the wheels of the wheelchair to be driven between the forward and retracted positions, and the device further comprises an unlocking means for allowing the clipping means to return to the clipped position when the wheel slide (15) is moved, 1. An assembly or kit comprising: a clipping lever pivotally articulated to one of the guide plate (1) and the wheel slide (15) and operable by a handle; the clipping lever and the guide plate (1) and the wheel slide (15) not carrying the clipping lever each comprise two ferromagnetic lugs (24, 26) spaced apart by a distance equal to the distance between the forward and retracted positions; the abutment part (10) is adapted to be clipped together when the wheel slide (15) reaches the forward and retracted positions, respectively; and the clipping lever is pivotable between a non-clipping position and a clipped position.

2. 2. An assembly or kit according to claim 1, characterized in that the clipping lever is articulated on the wheel slide (15) and comprises two spaced apart ferromagnetic lugs (24, 26), and the guide plate (1) carries the abutment part (10).

3. Assembly or kit according to claim 1, characterized in that the clipping lever is articulated on the fixed guide plate (1), the wheel slide (15) comprises two of the ferromagnetic lugs arranged at a distance from each other, and the clipping lever comprises the abutment part (10).

4. 4. An assembly or kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clipping lever includes a joint and the position of the joint hole (22) of the clipping lever allows the clipping lever to return to the clipped position by gravity alone after the clipping lever has been moved away from the non-clipping position maintaining means (7) by movement of the wheel slide (15).

5. 5. An assembly or kit according to claim 4, characterized in that said articulation hole (22) is located towards one of the ends of said clipping lever.

6. 6. An assembly or kit according to claim 1, 2 or 5, characterized in that the two notches (23, 25) are separated along the clipping lever by a distance corresponding to the movement of the wheel slide (15) between a forward wheel position and a reverse wheel position, and the abutment part (10) is intended to be clipped into one of the two notches on the guide plate (1).

7. 7. An assembly or kit according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the abutment part (10) is configured to retract and abut against the front notch (23) of the clipping lever even in a raised position when not clipped in the front notch (23) of the clipping lever, preventing the clipping lever from retracting further.

8. An assembly or kit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the non-clipping position maintaining means comprises one or more magnets.

9. 9. An assembly or kit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the upper edge of the clipping lever has, at the height of the notch, a ferromagnetic part that can be pressed against one or more magnets when the clipping lever is lifted.

10. 10. An assembly or kit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the guide plate (1) comprises a thin planar vertical element, which has on one side means (4) for fixing to a part of the chassis of the wheelchair and on the other side a rotating element (5) for holding and guiding the wheel slide (15), the wheel slide comprising a plate held and guided by the rotating element (5), and the clipping lever is in the form of a flat elongated blade extending parallel to the wheel slide (15).

11. 11. An assembly or kit according to claim 10, characterized in that the planar element of the wheel slide is held and guided above and below its long edges (19) by grooved wheels (5).

12. Assembly or kit according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the means (4) for fixing to the chassis of the wheelchair are clamping flanges or collars (41) that can be clamped to a vertical bar or rod of the chassis of the wheelchair.

13. Assembly or kit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the guide plate (1) has a rearwardly opening notch (2) for receiving the axle of the rear wheel in the forward position.

14. An assembly or kit according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises an elongated element or cross member (53) connecting the rear ends of two of said wheel slides (15).

15. 15. An assembly or kit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the wheel slide (15) has a hand brake fixing part (34) on which a wheel brake (39) can be mounted, the hand brake fixing part (34) being capable of being fixed to the upper edge of the wheel slide (15), and to which a cylindrical or tubular section (36) can be fixed, having the same diameter as the part of the chassis of the wheelchair on which the wheel brake is normally fixed.

16. 16. An assembly or kit according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that a platform, grid or plate is placed horizontally on the rear ends of the wheel slides, the front edge of which platform is connected to the wheel slides at or behind the chassis of the wheelchair, whereby luggage or other objects can be placed on this platform.

17. 17. An assembly or kit according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the guide plate (1) is a first planar element carrying, optionally at a distance, a second planar element (65) parallel to said guide plate (1), the wheel slide, the rotating means and the clipping lever being arranged in the space separating said two elements, the second planar element (65) being connected to the first planar element by a rigid connection, the rigid connection preventing the wheel slide (15) from leaving the wheelchair in case of abnormal loads tending to separate the wheel slide (15) from the rotating means (5).

18. Assembly or kit according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the device comprises an extendable vertical upright (57) intended to be clamped between the lower and upper longitudinal frame members of a wheelchair.

19. An assembly or kit according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the thickness of the device is 35 mm or less.

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