Patent ID: 8454048
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: A61G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus that supports and adjusts the width of a wheelchair comprising: a first side frame assembly that rigidly affixes the position and orientation of a right rear wheel and a right front wheel of said wheelchair; a second side frame assembly that rigidly affixes the position and orientation of a left rear wheel and a left front wheel of said wheelchair; a right scissor linkage pivot secured to a rearward portion of said first side frame assembly and left scissor linkage pivot secured to a rearward portion of said second side frame assembly; a first scissor linkage pivotally secured between said right scissor linkage pivot on one end, and pivotally secured with a forward pivot to a left pivot linkage on an opposing end of said first scissor linkage, wherein said axis of said right scissor linkage pivot and said axis of said left forward pivot are approximately parallel, thereby facilitating coplanar rotation of said first scissor linkage and said left pivot linkage, said right scissor linkage pivot that is affixed to a rearward portion of said first side frame assembly and said left forward pivot that is pivotally secured to a forward portion of said first side frame assembly; a second scissor linkage pivotally secured between said left scissor linkage pivot on one end, and pivotally secured with a forward pivot to a right pivot linkage on an opposing end of said second scissor linkage, wherein said axis of said left scissor linkage pivot and said axis of said right forward pivot are approximately parallel, thereby facilitating coplanar rotation of said second scissor linkage and said right pivot linkage, said left scissor linkage pivot that is affixed to a rearward portion of said second side frame assembly and said right forward pivot that is pivotally secured to a forward portion of said second side frame assembly; a central pivot that pivotally secures said first scissor linkage to said second scissor linkage approximately midway between, and parallel to, said pivot axis of said scissor linkage pivots and said forward pivots of each said scissor linkage; a left release cross member pivotally secured at a lateral end to said first scissor linkage between, and parallel to, said pivot axis of said central pivot and said left forward pivot; a right release cross member pivotally secured at a lateral end to said second scissor linkage between, and parallel to, said pivot axis of said central pivot and said right forward pivot; and, a release shaft pivotally secured to a medial end of said right release cross member and said left release cross member, and positioned such that when said release shaft is displaced in a forward direction, said release cross members apply force to said scissor linkages in a medial direction, causing said scissor linkages to close, thereby causing the distance between said first side frame assembly and said second side frame assembly to decrease, and when said release shaft is displaced in a rearward direction, said release cross members apply force to said scissor linkages in a lateral direction, causing said scissor linkages to open, thereby causing the distance between said first side frame assembly and said second side frame assembly to increase.