Wheelchair and method of deployment for rearward pushing
The wheelchair's secondary push members enable rearward pushing, addressing communication challenges by allowing the assistive user to face the seated occupant, while maintaining a compact stowed position to avoid personal space intrusion.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MCLEAN JOHN
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-18
AI Technical Summary
Conventional wheelchairs are designed for pushing from behind, making communication and interaction between the seated occupant and the assistive user challenging, particularly for young children and individuals with cognitive impairments or anxiety issues.
A wheelchair with secondary push members that can be pivoted and extended to facilitate rearward pushing, allowing the assistive user to face the seated occupant, while maintaining a compact stowed position to avoid encroachment into personal space.
Enables natural interaction and enhanced communication between the seated occupant and the assistive user by allowing rearward pushing without intruding into the occupant's personal space, ensuring safety and comfort for vulnerable users.
Smart Images
Figure GB2025052398_18062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] 3628P. GB.01
[0002] 1
[0003] WHEELCHAIR AND METHOD OF DEPLOYMENT FOR REARWARD PUSHING
[0004] Technical Field
[0005] The present disclosure relates to a wheelchair pushing apparatus, and particularly, though not exclusively, to apparatus configured to enable a manually operated wheelchair to be pushed from both behind and in front of a seated occupant.
[0006] Background
[0007] Conventional wheelchairs are typically designed to be pushed via handles from behind their seat, with the assistive user (pusher) located behind the seated occupant. As a consequence, the seated occupant faces away from the assistive user thereby making both verbal and non-verbal communication between the assistive user and the seated occupant challenging or impossible. For some wheelchair occupants their inability to see the person pushing the wheelchair can be distressing. For example, wheelchair occupants such as young children, orthose with cognitive impairments or suffering from anxiety issues would benefit from an ability to see and communicate directly with their assistive user.
[0008] To address this issue, the present disclosure facilitates a reverse pushing arrangement for manually operated wheelchairs. This apparatus allows the wheelchair to be propelled in reverse, thus allowing natural interaction between its seated occupant and its assistive user.
[0009] Summary
[0010] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a wheelchair comprising: a frame; a plurality of wheels rotationally coupled to the frame; a seat coupled to the frame; a pair of armrests located at opposite sides of the seat; at least one primary push member located rearwardly relative to the seat facilitating forward pushing of the wheelchair by an assistive user; and a pair of secondary push members coupled to the frame; wherein the pair of secondary push members is configured to move about a substantially vertical axis
[0011] 09 December 2024 3628P. GB.01
[0012] 2
[0013] between a stowed position and an operative position in which the secondary push members extend forwardly of, and optionally above, the pair of armrests to facilitate rearward pushing of the wheelchair by an assistive user while facing its occupant.
[0014] It will be appreciated that the pair of secondary push members may be provided as a removable accessory for a conventional wheelchair.
[0015] Optionally, each secondary push member, in its stowed position, is located outside a vertical occupant volume defined by lateral boundaries of the seat and the armrests.
[0016] Optionally, each secondary push member, in its stowed position, is configured to avoid entering a lateral arm movement zone adjacent to the armrests, wherein the lower boundary of the lateral arm movement zone is defined by the upper surface of the armrests.
[0017] Advantageously, the positioning the secondary push members outside of, and below the level of, the upper surfaces of the armrests whilst in their stowed position substantially avoids any encroachment into the personal space of a wheelchair's seated occupant. Indeed, from the perspective of its seated occupant, when pushed by an assistive user from the rear, the wheelchair is no different from a conventional wheelchair. Furthermore, whilst in their stowed position, the secondary push members lie closely alongside the armrest thus providing a compact volume for ease of transportation and storage when not in use.
[0018] Optionally, each of the secondary push members is defined by an elongate handlebar, a proximal section of which is coupled to the frame below the seat and pivotable about said substantially vertical axis to move each secondary push member between said stowed and operative positions.
[0019] Optionally, the elongate handlebar is defined by multiple sections having longitudinal axes that intersect to define an obtuse angle relative to one another.
[0020] 09 December 2024 3628P. GB.01
[0021] 3
[0022] It will be appreciated that the multiple sections of the elongate handlebar may collectively be formed from a unitary part, or they may be formed from multiple adjoining parts.
[0023] Optionally, at least two sections of the elongate handlebar are hingedly connected to permit adjustment of the obtuse angle formed between their longitudinal axes.
[0024] Optionally, at least one section of the elongate handlebar is telescopically extendable.
[0025] It will be appreciated that hinged connections and / or length adjustment between adjacent sections allows the elongate handlebar to be optimally positioned in its deployed position according to the characteristics or comfort of the assistive user.
[0026] Optionally, one section of the elongate handlebar defines a gripping portion provided at or towards a distal end thereof.
[0027] Optionally, the gripping portion is configured to extend substantially horizontally in both the stowed and operative positions of the secondary push members.
[0028] Advantageously, the gripping portion extends substantially parallel to, and alongside, the armrests when in the stowed position. In doing so, the visual impact of the secondary push members is minimised.
[0029] Optionally, the proximal section of the elongate handlebar is configured to extend substantially vertically in both the stowed and operative positions of the secondary push members.
[0030] Advantageously, the proximal section extends substantially parallel to, and alongside, a lower portion of the frame when in the stowed position. In doing so, the visual impact of the secondary push members is minimised.
[0031] 09 December 2024 3628P. GB.01
[0032] 4
[0033] Optionally, an intermediate section of the elongate handlebar is configured to extend between the gripping portion and the proximal section at an oblique angle in both the stowed and operative positions of the secondary push members.
[0034] Optionally, the intermediate section of the elongate handlebar is telescopically extendable and lockable to present and fix the gripping portion at a suitable height for pushing.
[0035] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure also provides a method of deploying the wheelchair of the first aspect for rearward pushing by an assistive user while facing its occupant, the method comprising: (i) pivoting the secondary push members away from the respective armrests whilst maintaining them at a level at or below that of upper surfaces of the armrests; (ii) locking the secondary push members relative to the frame; and, optionally, (iii) extending the length of the secondary push members once they are positioned forward of the secondary push members.
[0036] Advantageously, by pivoting the secondary push members away from a seated occupant, and maintaining them below the level of the upper surfaces of the armrests during their deployment, this avoids any encroachment into the seated occupant's personal space. This may be particularly important in the case of injured or frail occupants susceptible to bruising or abrasions caused by, e.g. arms, hands, or fingers, impacting against the secondary push members as they are moved.
[0037] Further features and advantages of the first and second aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the claims and the following description.
[0038] Brief Description of Drawings
[0039] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which:-
[0040] 09 December 2024 3628P. GB.01
[0041] 5
[0042] Fig. 1 is a side view of a wheelchair according to the present disclosure showing the presence of a secondary pushing member in its stowed position coupled to a lower portion of its frame;
[0043] Fig. 2 shows the secondary pushing member after it has been pivoted approximately 180 degrees about a substantially vertical axis, X into a partially deployed position; and
[0044] Fig. 3 shows the secondary pushing member in its fully deployed position after its intermediate section has been telescopically lengthened.
[0045] Detailed Description
[0046] As shown in Fig. 1, the present disclosure provides a wheelchair 10 comprising a frame 12. A pair of large rear wheels 14 is rotationally coupled to a rear portion of the frame 12. A pair of relatively smaller front castors 16 is rotationally coupled to towards a front portion of the frame 12. A seat 18 and a pair of armrests 20 is also coupled to the frame 12. A pair of handles 22 extends from the rear of the frame 12 to allow the wheelchair 10 to be pushed in a conventional manner by an assistive user.
[0047] A pair of elongate handlebars 24 is coupled, via proximal section 30 thereof, to the frame 12 at a location above the front castors 16 and below the seat 18. The handlebars 24 comprise three sections, namely: (i) the proximal section 30; (ii) an intermediate section 32; and (iii) a distal section 34. Each of the sections 30, 32, 34 has longitudinal axes, SI, S2, and S3. The axes, S intersect to define obtuse angles 0 relative to one another. Each of the sections 30, 32, 34 are coplanar with one another in a plane coincident with the forwardrear direction of travel of the wheelchair 10.
[0048] The proximal section 30 is configured to be pivotably coupled to the frame 12 via a coupling member 26. The coupling member 26 may be in the form of a compression joint, comprising two interfacing components designed to securely fasten against both the frame 12 and the proximal section 30 at a location above the front castors 16 and below the seat 18. Fastening may be via the application of clamping force. The interfacing components
[0049] 09 December 2024 3628P. GB.01
[0050] 6
[0051] may be aligned and tightened using an Allen key / bolt, which applies a compression force leading to a secure, rigid connection between the coupled elements. When pivoting of the proximal section 30 is required, the Allen key is used to loosen the interfacing components thus allowing the proximal section 30 to rotate relative to the frame 12 before being retightened when in a deployed position.
[0052] Pivoting of the proximal section 30 occurs about its longitudinal axis SI which extends substantially vertically. It will be appreciated that, for the purpose of the present disclosure, the term vertical encompasses minor angular deviations from true vertical of up to 15 degrees, or preferably no more than 10 degrees, or most preferably no more than 5 degrees. The proximal section 30 extends above its coupling member 26 with its uppermost end 30u being substantially level with the lowermost portion 181 of the seat 18.
[0053] A lowermost end 321 of the intermediate section 32 is connected to the uppermost end 30u of the proximal section 30. The intermediate section 32 extends away from the proximal section 30 rearwardly at an oblique angle. The longitudinal axes SI, S2 intersect to define an angle 0 of approximately 135 degrees (plus or minus 15 degrees] relative to one another. The uppermost end 32u of the intermediate section 32 is substantially level with the lowermost portion 20u of the armrest 20.
[0054] The distal section 34 is connected to the uppermost end 32u of the intermediate section 30. The distal section 34 extends away from the proximal section so as to lie substantially parallel with, and slightly below, the lowermost portion 20u of the armrest 20. The longitudinal axes S2, S3 intersect to define an angle 0 of approximately 135 degrees (plus or minus 15 degrees) relative to one another.
[0055] The distal section 34 comprises a gripping portion 34g for use by an assistive user as will be described subsequently.
[0056] In use, an assistive user of the wheelchair 10 releases or loosens a locking or restraining means associated with each coupling member 26 to permit the proximal section 30 of each handlebar 24 to pivot about axis SI away from the frame 12. It will be appreciated that
[0057] 09 December 2024 3628P. GB.01
[0058] 7
[0059] pivoting of the handlebar visible in Fig. 1 will be in the counterclockwise direction whereas pivoting of the other handlebar 24 (not visible in Fig. 1) would be in the clockwise direction. Each handlebar 24 is pivoted through an angle of substantially 180 degrees to move it from the stowed position shown in Fig. 1 to the partially deployed position shown in Fig. 2.
[0060] It will be appreciated that during movement of each handlebar 24 between those positions, no part of the handlebar 24 interferes with the personal space of a seated occupant of the wheelchair 10. More specifically, since the direction of movement is away from the seat 18, and since all parts of each handlebar 24 is continuously maintained below the lowermost portion 201 of the armrest 20 during the first stage of its deployment, this avoids any unintended impact against the arms, hands, or fingers of the seated occupant.
[0061] Once each handlebar is located in the partially deployed position of Fig. 2, its locking or restraining means associated with each coupling member 26 is reengaged or tightened to prevent any further pivoting of each handlebar relative to the frame 12 about its axis SI.
[0062] Finally, each intermediate section 32 may be telescopically lengthened to present its distal section 34 and its associated gripping portion 34g at an appropriate height according to the height and / or comfort of the assistive user. Once in a suitable position, the telescopic parts of the intermediate section 32 may be locked relative to one another in a conventional manner to place the wheelchair 10 in its fully deployed position as shown in Fig. 3.
[0063] It will be appreciated that the features of the present disclosure provide significant benefits for both the seated occupant of the wheelchair 10, and its assistive user. The ability to communicate, both verbally and non-verbally, is restored or at least greatly enhanced because the assistive user now faces the seated occupant whilst pushing him / her in a reverse direction. Furthermore, the wheelchair’s features have been designed to ensure that the elongate handlebars 24 are physically and visually unobtrusive when the wheelchair 10 is used in a conventional manner; and to ensure that the process of deploying the elongate handlebars 24 into a position enabling reverse pushing is safe and non-disruptive for the seated occupant. In particular, the features of the wheelchair and its
[0064] 09 December 2024 3628P. GB.01
[0065] 8
[0066] method of deployment take account of the needs of particularly frail or vulnerable seated occupants.
[0067] Although a particular embodiment of the disclosure has been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims. It is contemplated by the inventor that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. As an example, two or more of the handlebar 24 sections may be provided with hingeable connections to permit additional adjustment of the obtuse angle formed between their longitudinal axes.
[0068] 09 December 2024
Claims
3628P. GB.019CLAIMS1. A wheelchair comprising:a frame;a plurality of wheels rotationally coupled to the frame;a seat coupled to the frame;a pair of armrests located at opposite sides of the seat;at least one primary push member located rearwardly relative to the seat facilitating forward pushing of the wheelchair by an assistive user; anda pair of secondary push members coupled to the frame;wherein the pair of secondary push members is configured to move about a substantially vertical axis between a stowed position and an operative position in which the secondary push members extend forwardly of, and optionally above, the pair of armrests to facilitate rearward pushing of the wheelchair by an assistive user while facing its occupant.
2. A wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein each secondary push member, in its stowed position, is located outside a vertical occupant volume defined by lateral boundaries of the seat and the armrests.
3. A wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each secondary push member, in its stowed position, is configured to avoid entering a lateral arm movement zone adjacent to the armrests, wherein the lower boundary of the lateral arm movement zone is defined by the upper surface of the armrests.
4. A wheelchair according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the secondary push members is defined by an elongate handlebar, a proximal section of which is coupled to the frame below the seat and pivotable about said substantially vertical axis to move each secondary push member between said stowed and operative positions.
5. A wheelchair according to claim 4, wherein the elongate handlebar is defined by multiple sections having longitudinal axes that intersect to define an obtuse angle relative to one another.09 December 20243628P. GB.01106. A wheelchair according to claim 5, wherein at least two sections of the elongate handlebar are hingedly connected to permit adjustment of the obtuse angle formed between their longitudinal axes.
7. A wheelchair according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one section of the elongate handlebar is telescopically extendable.
8. A wheelchair according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein a distal section of the elongate handlebar defines a gripping portion provided at or towards a distal end thereof.
9. A wheelchair according to claim 8, wherein the gripping portion is configured to extend substantially horizontally in both the stowed and operative positions of the secondary push members.
10. A wheelchair according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the proximal section of the elongate handlebar is configured to extend substantially vertically in both the stowed and operative positions of the secondary push members.
11. A wheelchair according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein an intermediate section of the elongate handlebar is configured to extend between the gripping portion and the proximal section at an oblique angle in both the stowed and operative positions of the secondary push members.
12. A wheelchair according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate section of the elongate handlebar is telescopically extendable and lockable to present and fix the gripping portion at a suitable height for pushing.
13. A method of deploying the wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for rearward pushing by an assistive user while facing its occupant, the method comprising:(i) pivoting the secondary push members away from the respective armrests whilst maintaining them at a level at or below that of upper surfaces of the armrests;09 December 20243628P. GB.0111(ii) locking the secondary push members relative to the frame; and, optionally; (iii) extending the length of the secondary push members once they are positioned forward of the secondary push members.09 December 2024