Adjustable wheel chair

An adjustable wheel chair which facilitates independent seat height and width adjustments to accommodate varying wheel chair size needs. The wheel chair includes a pair of side frame assemblies transversely movable relative to each other between a first closed position with the side frame assembly closely spaced to each other and a second opened position with the side frame assembly spaced apart from each other. The side frame assemblies each include upper and lower frame members and means for selectively adjusting the distance between these members to vary the height of a seat disposed adjacent the upper frame members. First and second cross brace assemblies are pivotally connected to each other generally at their midpoints and mounted transversely between the side frame assemblies in a manner so as to form a collapsible X-like configuration. Each cross brace assembly includes means for selectively adjusting the length thereof to thereby permit adjustment of the distance between the side frame assemblies when they are in the second position to thereby vary the width of the seat and seat back areas. Each cross brace assembly includes a seat bar member at the uppermost end thereof and to which a flexible seat is mounted. The seat bar members are disposed immediately adjacent an associated one of the upper frame members when the side frame assemblies are in the second position and are spaced vertically above the associated upper frame member when the side frame assemblies are moved to the first position. Guide means are employed to guide the seat bar members as the side frame assemblies are moved between the first and second positions. The seat and a flexible seat back include means for releasably accommodating flexible spacer members when the seat and seat back areas are widened by adjusting the lengths of the cross brace assemblies. An adjustable head rest structure may also be included for the comfort of the wheel chair user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention pertains to the art of wheel chairs and more particularly to 
adjustable wheel chairs. 
The invention is particularly applicable to adjustable wheel chairs of the 
type which may be folded between a normal opened or use position and a 
closed or storage position and which further allow some type of seat 
height and/or width adjustment and will be described with particular 
reference thereto; however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the 
art that the invention has broader applications and could be 
advantageously employed in other environments. 
Heretofore, there have been any number of collapsible wheel chair designs 
which have been introduced and met with commercial success. Some of these 
prior collapsible wheel chair designs have had fixed seat heights and 
widths so that many different sizes would be required to properly 
accommodate specific needs of users thereof. Some prior designs have 
attempted to reduce the number of sizes required to properly service 
height or seat width adjustment so as to create a more universal type of 
wheel chair adaptable to the specific needs of many situations. However, 
prior collapsible and adjustable wheel chair designs have only made 
provision for either seat height or seat width adjustments but not height 
and width adjustments independent of each other which would render the 
wheel chairs truly universal ones. Those prior designs attempting to 
provide both seat height and width adjustments were such that the height 
and width dimensions were both necessarily simultaneously altered when 
making any adjustments allowed. 
Accordingly, it has been desired in the industry to develop a wheel chair 
design which would be universal from the standpoint that the seat height 
and width dimensions could be altered completely independent of each 
other. Such a design would then permit a substantial reduction in the 
separate types and sizes of wheel chairs stocked by hospitals, rental 
agencies, medical supply houses and the like since such a design could be 
successfully utilized in satisfying the various and specific needs of 
patients or users. Since there is no correlation between the height and 
width or breadth characteristics between different people, the 
desirability for having independent seat height and width adjustments are 
amplified. A universal wheel chair design would be able to eliminate 
special or separate wheel chairs required to accommodate, for example in 
the extreme situations, short and unusually heavy or wide persons and tall 
but unusually thin persons. Moreover, a truly universal wheel chair would 
facilitate height and width adjustments to suit the individual personal 
preferences of users and which have not been heretofore available. 
The subject invention contemplates a new and improved apparatus which 
overcomes those problems noted above and provides a new adjustable wheel 
chair which is simple in design, economical to manufacture, readily 
adaptable to use in any number of situations and environments and which 
provides independent seat height and width adjustments. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a new and 
improved adjustable wheel chair structure which permits independent seat 
height and width adjustments. The wheel chair structure includes a pair of 
side frame assemblies disposed in a spaced apart side by side relationship 
with each of the side frame assemblies having upper and lower frame 
members rigidly interconnected to front and rear frame members. The front 
and rear frame members are each comprised of first and second portions 
with one of the first and second portions longitudinally movable relative 
to each other. First locking means cooperate between the first and second 
portions of the front and rear frame members for selectively locking the 
first and second portions relative to each other for varying the effective 
length of these frame members and the distance between the upper and lower 
frame members. The structure includes a front wheel operably disposed 
adjacent each of the front frame members and a rear wheel operably 
disposed adjacent each of the rear frame members. First and second cross 
brace assemblies are pivotally connected to each other and extend 
generally transversely between the side frame assemblies and form a 
collapsible, generally X-like configuration. Each cross brace assembly 
includes first and second cross brace portions with one of the first and 
second portions being longitudinally movable relative to the other of the 
portions. One end of one cross brace assembly is pivotally mounted to the 
lower frame member of one side frame assembly with the other end thereof 
extending to a position adjacent the upper frame member of the other side 
frame assembly and one end of the other cross brace assembly is pivotally 
mounted to the lower frame member of the other side frame assembly with 
the other end thereof extending to a position adjacent the upper frame 
member of the one side frame assembly. The cross brace assemblies permit 
selective movement of the side frame assemblies relative to each other 
between a first closed position with the side frame assemblies closely 
spaced relative to each other and a second opened position with the side 
frame assemblies spaced apart from each other. Second locking means 
cooperate between the first and second cross brace portions of both cross 
brace assemblies for selectively locking the portions in a desired 
relationship with each other in order to vary their effective length and 
the effective distance between the first and second side frame assemblies 
when the assemblies are moved to the second position. A seat extends 
between the side frame assemblies and is operably connected to the cross 
brace assemblies at the uppermost ends thereof and a seat back extends 
between the rear frame members of the side frame assemblies. Guide means 
are provided for guiding the uppermost ends of the cross brace assemblies 
in a generally vertical direction as the side frame assemblies are moved 
between the first and second positions. 
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the cross brace 
assemblies are each comprised of two first cross brace portions and one 
second cross brace portion with the first cross brace poritions being 
telescopically located with regard to the associated second cross brace 
portion at opposite ends thereof. The second and both first cross brace 
portions of each cross brace assembly include locking means which permit 
the first cross brace portions to be axially adjusted relative to the 
associated second cross brace portion. 
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the cross brace 
assemblies each includes an elongated seat mounting bar disposed at the 
uppermost end thereof with the side edges of the seat being mounted 
thereto. The seat mounting bars extend generally parallel to the upper 
frame members of the side frame assemblies and each mounting bar is moved 
to a position spaced generally vertically above an associated upper frame 
member when the side frame assemblies are moved to the first closed 
position. The seat mounting bars are then moved to a position adjacent the 
associated upper frame member when the side frame assemblies are moved to 
the second opened position with the guide means guiding the seat mounting 
bars through generally vertical planes as the side frame assemblies are 
moved between the first and second positions. 
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the seat 
and seat back include means for selectively altering or adjusting the 
widths thereof to accommodate seat width adjustments made possible by the 
wheel chair structure. 
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an adjustable head 
rest arrangement may also be provided for the personal comfort of the 
wheel chair user. 
The present invention is deemed to provide many advantages over prior 
adjustable wheel chair structures of this general type. One advantage is 
that the seat height and width dimensions are independently adjustable so 
as to provide a universal type wheel chair structure. Another advantage 
accruing from the subject new wheel chair design is that it permits 
hospitals, rental facilities, medical supply houses and the like to stock 
fewer individual and specially sized wheel chairs than has heretofore been 
possible with prior adjustable wheel chair designs. Another advantage to 
the subject invention is the provision of a universally adjustable wheel 
chair which is simple in design and relatively easy to manufacture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of 
illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for 
purposes of limiting same, the FIGURES show a wheel chair comprised of a 
pair of spaced apart side frame assemblies A, a pair of pivotally 
interconnected cross brace assemblies B in operative communication with 
the side frame assemblies and seat and seat back assemblies C. 
In view of the fact that the side frame assemblies A are identical, 
description will hereinafter be made with reference to one of these 
assemblies, it being understood that the other is identical thereto unless 
otherwise specified. Accordingly, and with reference to FIGS. 1-4, the 
side frame assembly is comprised of an upper frame member 10, a lower 
frame member 12, a front frame member 14 and a rear frame member 16. Lower 
frame member 12 is, in the preferred embodiment, comprised of a rear 
portion 18 and a front, arcuate portion 20 in order to provide a clearance 
area for the front wheel as will be best seen in FIG. 1. The various frame 
members are conveniently constructed from a rigid thin walled tubing and 
interconnected with each other by conventional means such as welding or 
brazing. Typically, the tubing will comprise steel tubing although other 
materials could also be advantageously employed. 
Front frame member 14 is itself comprised of a first portion 30 and a 
second portion 32 with the first porition being closely slidably received 
in the second porition so as to form a telescoping arrangement. Rear frame 
member 16 is also comprised of a first portion 34 and a second portion 36 
again, with the first portion being closely slidably received in the 
second portion so as to form a telescoping arrangement. First portion 34 
is received in an elongated seat back support or frame member 38 adjacent 
the intersection of first portion 34 and upper frame member 10. Seat back 
or frame member 38 is formed or curved slightly over the length thereof in 
order to form a seat back framework with the outermost ends thereof 
extending generally outwardly from the wheel chair so as to form a typical 
hand grip area 40. This hand grip area may, of course, receive or be 
fitted with a rubber or plastic handle grip as is also shown. In the 
preferred embodiment, seat back support or frame member 38 comprises a 
separate member rigidly affixed to first portion 34 of rear frame member 
16; however, it will be appreciated that a one piece construction could be 
utilized by simply lengthening first portion 34 so as to include support 
or frame member 38. 
Cooperating between first and second portions 30, 32 and 34, 36 of both 
front and rear frame members 14, 16 is a first locking means generally 
designated 42 which is employed to selectively adjust the telescoping 
relationship between the first and second portions to thereby allow 
adjustment of the distance between the upper and lower frame members 10, 
12. Since these first locking means are identical, description will be 
made with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and to the locking means associated 
with first and second portions 30, 32 of front frame member 14, it being 
understood that the others are identical thereto unless otherwise 
specifically noted. 
The locking means is comprised of a bottom or locking member 44 mounted on 
the inside of first portion 34 to extend outwardly thereof through a small 
opening. This locking member is acted upon by a spring or other biasing 
means 46 to continuously urge it so as to extend outwardly of the first 
portion. Second portion 32 includes a plurality of locking member 
receiving openings 48 extending longitudinally therealong for selective 
registry with button or locking member 44 to achieve the desired adjusted 
position between the components. When it is desired to alter the adjusted 
position, it is simply necessary to push the button or locking member 44 
inwardly of its engagement through the particular receiving opening 48 in 
order that there may again be telescopic movement between first and secon 
portions 30, 32 to still another adjusted position. Locking member 
receiving openings 48 in both second portions 32, 36 have identical 
spacing therebetween in order that upper frame member 10 may be uniformly 
adjusted over a range of settings with both first and second portions 30, 
32 and first and second portions 34, 36 being locked together at any of 
these adjusted positions. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, 
locking means 42 and locking openings 48 are disposed on the inside of the 
side frame assemblies in order that they cannot be accidently hit or 
nudged to move them from their adjusted positions. 
Conveniently mounted to the side frame assembly A adjacent the 
interconnection between front frame member 14 and arcuate member 20 of 
lower frame member 12 is a front wheel or caster receiving and mounting 
cylinder 50. This cylinder comprises a piece of tubing adapted to closely 
receive the upper mounting peg or end of a conventional wheel or caster 
52. The relationship between the caster and mounting cylinder 50 is such 
that the caster may be rotated about the axis of the cylinder in order to 
provide ease of steering for the wheel chair itself as is known. 
A rear wheel axle lug 54 is rigidly affixed to second portiion 36 of rear 
frame member 16. This lug has a threaded opening therein to retainingly 
receive in a conventional manner the axle for an enlarged conventional 
rear wheel 56. This wheel may take the shape and size of any number or 
types of known wheel chair wheels and the lug is disposed so that the 
wheel is operably positiioned in a plane generally parallel to the plane 
of side frame assembly A itself. 
Mounted to front and rear frame members 14,16 and generally at the 
intersections thereof with upper frame member 10 are generally cylindrical 
socket tube members 60, 62, 64. Each of these socket tubes is rigidly 
affixed to the side frame assembly by a mounting member 66 in a convenient 
manner such as welding, brazing or the like. Socket tubes 60, 62 and 64 
are adapted to receive arm rest or other supportive equipment which may be 
required for a particular patient or person utilizing the wheel chair. 
Upper and lower hinge plates 68, 70 are rigidly mounted to second portion 
32 of front frame member 14 to extend outwardly from the side frame 
assembly. Each of these hinge plates includes upwardly extending hinge 
pins 72, 74, respectively, for mounting leg and foot supports for the 
comfort and convenience of the wheel chair user. Inasmuch as such 
supports, as well as the ancillary equipment utilized with socket tubes 
60, 62, and 64 are conventional and do not form a part of the present 
invention, they are not shown or described in further detail herein. 
Affixed to front arcuate portion 20 of lower frame member 12 so as to 
extend in an upward direction generally parallel to front and rear frame 
members 14, 16 is a seat guide assembly generally designated 80. This 
assembly is comprised of a guide receiver portion 82 which is rigidly 
affixed to front arcuate portion 20 and which receives one end of an 
elongated guide member 84. The outer end of the guide member communicates 
with the seat assembly as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
Seat guide assembly 80 is also constructed from thin walled tubing with 
guide 84 being closely slidably received within guide receiver member 82. 
With particular reference to FIGS. 1-4, cross brace assemblies B are 
comprised of a first cross brace assembly 90 and a second cross brace 
assembly 92 which are pivotally connected with each other. Inasmuch as 
assemblies 90, 92 have the same overall structure, description will 
hereinafter be made with reference to one of them, it being understood 
that the other is identical thereto unless otherwise specifically noted. 
Referring particularly to FIGS. 5-8, cross brace assembly 90 is comprised 
of a pair of first cross brace portions 94, 96 telescopically received 
within a second cross brace portion 98. Portions 94, 96 and 98 are 
preferably constructed from a rigid thin walled tubing dimensioned so that 
the first portions are closely slidably received into opposite ends of the 
second portion. 
First cross brace portion 94 includes an elongated seat bar member 100 
rigidly affixed to the outermost end thereof and a pair of locking member 
receiving openings 102, 104 adjacent the innermost end thereof. As will be 
seen from FIGS. 5-8, openings 102, 104 extend completely through first 
cross brace portion 94 but are spaced 90.degree. apart from each other. 
The reason for utilizing two openings, as well as their 90.degree. 
spacing, will be described in further detail hereinafter. 
First cross brace portion 96 includes a lower frame member portion 110 
rigidly affixed to the outer end thereof and locking member receiving 
openings 112, 114 adjacent the innermost end thereof. Openings 112, 114 
are similar to and perform the same functions as openings 102, 104 as will 
be described in greater detail hereinafter. It should be noted from FIGS. 
1-4 that elongated seat bar member 100 and lower frame member portion 110 
are mounted to their respective first cross brace portions 94, 96 in a 
manner such that when they are in proper alignment, members 100, 110 will 
be parallel to each other and parallel to the upper and lower frame 
members 10, 12. 
Second cross brace portion 98 comprises an open ended cylinder dimensioned 
to closely slidably receive first cross brace portions 94, 96 in the 
opposite ends thereof. As will be seen from FIGS. 5-8, a first set of 
locking member receiving openings 120 are disposed at spaced apart 
intervals longitudinally along the second cross brace portion from each 
end thereof. In addition, a second set of locking member receiving 
openings 122 are similarly disposed at spaced intervals longitudinally 
along the second cross brace portion but spaced 90.degree. from first set 
120. The spacing of individual openings comprising sets 120 and 122 are 
identical at each end of the second cross brace portion. Moreover, the 
individual openings extend completely through the tube for purposes of 
receiving a locking member as will be described hereinafter. It should 
also be noted that the spacing of and between the openings in sets 120, 
122 are not identical and are utilized for different wheel chair height 
and width adjustments as will also be described hereinafter. 
Disposed generally midway between the ends of second cross brace portion 98 
and on opposite sides thereof are inwardly extending recessed areas 124 
with a pivot mounting pin 126 extending therethrough. Recessed areas 124 
are included in the second cross brace portions of both cross brace 
assemblies 90, 92 and are for purposes of providing an area of cooperation 
allowing scissors-like pivotal movement about pivot mounting pin 126 which 
interconnects them. Locking member receiving openings 102 in first cross 
brace portion 94 and locking member receiving openings 112 in first cross 
brace portion 96 are adapted for selective registry with the openings in 
the opening sets 120 in the associated end of second cross brace portion 
98. Locking member receiving openings 104, 114 are similarly disposed but 
for selective registry with the openings in the opening sets 122. 
Conventional hitch pin clips 128 (FIGS. 5 and 6) are employed to lock the 
first and second cross brace portions in the desired telescoped 
relationship by being passed through those locking openings of portions 
94, 96 and 98 which have been placed in selective registry. The reason for 
spacing the openings in sets 120, 122 90.degree. apart in second cross 
brace portion 98 is to provide some spacing between the individual locking 
member receiving openings. While it might be possible to place all the 
locking member receiving openings in line and on one side of the second 
cross brace portion rather than having some of them spaced 90.degree. 
apart from the others, some of the locking member receiving openings would 
tend to be run together so as to cause adjustment or operational 
difficulties. This is particularly the case where the wheel chair design 
is intended to provide quite a number of individual seat height and width 
adjustments. 
Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that frame member portion 
110 of first cross brace portion 96 is coaxially mounted with rear portion 
18 of lower frame member 12. First cross brace portion 96 is mounted in 
this position so it is, through lower frame member portion 110, arcuately 
movable about lower frame member 12. This construction may be accomplished 
in several different ways, however, in the preferred structure here under 
discussion, lower frame member 12 and lower frame member portion 110 have 
the same cross sectional dimensions so as to receive a retaining rod 140 
therethrough. This retaining rod is then positively mounted within the 
lower frame member by any convenient means such as conventional rolled 
pins or threaded fasteners generally designated 142. These pass through 
the lower frame member into retaining bar 140 on each side of lower frame 
member portion 110. The retaining bar is dimensioned to be slidably 
received through lower frame member 12 and lower frame member portion 110 
thus resulting in pivotal movement of first cross brace portion 96. 
Both cross brace assemblies B are affixed in the same manner to their 
associated side frame assembly A and, as best shown in FIG. 4, these 
assemblies form a generally X-like configuration. The lower end of each 
cross brace assembly is pivotally mounted to lower frame member 12 of one 
of the side frame assemblies A with the upper end thereof which includes 
seat bar member 100 extending to a position adjacent and immediately above 
upper frame member 10 of the other or opposite side frame assembly. A 
retaining bracket 134 is rigidly affixed to the uppermost end of guide 
member 84 of seat guide assembly 80 and engages the associated seat bar 
member 100 in a manner which permits pivotal movement between the seat bar 
members and retaining bracket. The reasons for this construction will 
become apparent hereinafter. With the above described structure, upper 
frame members 10 of the two side frame assemblies A act as seat bar member 
stops since retaining brackets 134 are configured so as to engage and 
retain the seat bar members generally vertically above and immediately 
adjacent to the associated upper frame member 10. 
In FIGS. 1 and 2, a flexible seat 150 having a front edge 152, a rear edge 
154 and opposed side edges 156, 158 is connected to the two opposed 
elongated bar members 100 along the side edges thereof. In the preferred 
embodiment, mechanical fasteners 160 such as rivets, snaps or threaded 
fasteners may be conveniently employed at spaced intervals along the side 
edges for connecting purposes although other means for mounting the seat 
could also be advantageously employed. Seat 150 is constructed from a 
flexible material such as cloth, vinyl, canvas, leather and the like in 
order to facilitate relative movement between the side frame assemblies as 
will hereinafter be further described. 
Also as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a flexible seat back 170 having a bottom 
edge 172, a top edge 174 and spaced apart opposed side edges 176, 178 is 
mounted between seat back support or frame members 38 of rear frame member 
16. The seat back is positioned such that the bottom edge 172 and rear 
edge 154 of flexible seat 150 are closely disposed adjacent each other. 
The seat back is mounted by mechanical fasteners 180 in a similar manner 
as hereinabove discussed with reference to the flexible seat and is also 
constructed of similar materials. 
Both the seat and seat back include longitudinally extending releasably 
connected seams 190. Although a seam is only actually shown with regard to 
the seat back 170 in the FIGURES, an identical seam is included in seat 
150. The seams allow flexible spacer members to be inserted into the seat 
and seat back for altering or adjusting their widths commensurate in scope 
with adjustments made to the wheel chair frame itself. In the preferred 
embodiment of the invention, seams 190 are comprised of zippered 
connections 192, 194 which can be made to cooperate with corresponding 
zippers on the longitudinal side edges of flexible spacer members. FIG. 9 
shows such a flexible spacer member 200 having zippers 202, 204 on 
opposite side edges thereon engaged with zippers 192, 194 which comprise 
seams 190. Other convenient connecting means besides zippers could also be 
advantageously employed without departing from the intent and scope of the 
present invention. 
With the specific construction hereinabove described, there is provided a 
wheel chair construction which may be folded between a first closed or 
collapsed condition for storage wherein the two side frame assemblies A 
are closely spaced to each other and a second opened condition with the 
side frame assemblies spaced apart from each other whereby the wheel chair 
may be employed in its intended manner. The second position of the wheel 
chair is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the wheel chair as moved partially 
toward the first position is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
In addition to the collapsible nature of the wheel chair, the seat height 
and seat width are independently adjustable relative to each other by 
means of the telescoping nature of front and rear frame members 14, 16 and 
cross brace assemblies 90, 92. The adjustment distances in the front and 
rear side frame members are interrelated to certain of the adjustable 
positions of the two cros brace assemblies. Thus, if it is desired to only 
raise or lower the seat height from one position to another, it is simply 
necessary to release button or locking members 44 from their initial 
locked positions with particular locking member receiving openings 48 and 
longitudinally extend or contract first portions 30, 34 relative to the 
associated second portions 32, 36, Of course, these adjustments are made 
to the front and rear frame members of both said frame assemblies. When 
the height is being adjusted, it is also necessary to adjust the length of 
cross brace assemblies 90, 92 slightly to compensate for the change in 
seat height. This is done by removing hitch pins 128 so that proper 
registry between the various locking member receiving openings in the 
first and second cross brace portions may be made and then reinserting the 
hitch pins to retain the cross brace assemblies in those positions. When 
only height adjustments are being made, no modifications to the seat and 
seat back must be made. 
In the event it is merely desired to expand or narrow the seat width, it is 
only necessary to adjust the effective lengths of cross brace assemblies 
90, 92 in a similar manner as hereinabove just described. Moreover, it 
will be necessary to insert the appropriate flexible spacer member 200 to 
accommodate the particular width desired. 
In view of the fact that there may be a substantial number of individual 
height and width settings, these settings on first and second portions 30, 
34 and 32, 36 of front and rear frame members 14, 16 and first and second 
cross brace portions 94, 96 and 98 of cross bar assemblies 90, 92 may 
include convenient locating indicia. For example, numbers or the like 
disposed adjacent the various locking member receiving openings can be 
easily provided in order that the various available seat height and width 
adjustments may be made quickly and directly without necessitiating trial 
and error methods. Typical indicia is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 by those 
numerals disposed adjacent the first and second set 120, 122 of locking 
member receiving openings in second cross brace portion 98. These same 
means are equally applicable to the other adjustable portions of the 
subject wheel chair structure and other, alternative identifying indicia 
could also be advantageously employed. 
When the side frame assemblies A are moved from the second toward the first 
position, guide members 84, acting within guide receivers 82, direct 
elongated seat bar members 100 upwardly from their close association with 
upper frame members 10 in a generally vertical plane. The feature is best 
seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Moreover, when the side frame assemblies are moved 
from the first back to the second position, these seat guide assemblies 
guide the seat bar members to a position spaced immediately ajdacent and 
above frame memers 10 and generally parallel thereto so that the upper 
frame members act as seat stops. This aspect is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 
2. 
In some instances, it is desirable to provide a head rest for the comfort 
of a patient or user of the wheel chair. While several alternative 
arrangements may be employed for this purpose, the specific arrangement 
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 providing a separate head rest structure is 
preferred. The head rest shown in these two FIGURES acts to define a hear 
rest area and is readily adapted to use with the particular wheel chair 
structure hereinabove described with reference to FIGS. 1- 9. 
In FIGS. 10 and 11, the head rest structure includes a pair of back tube 
brackets 220, 222 affixed to the seat back support or frame members 38 for 
purposes of mounting the structure to the wheel chair. Inasmuch as the two 
back tube brackets are identical to and opposite from each other, 
description will hereinafter be made with reference to bracket 220, it 
being understood that bracket 222 is identical thereto. 
Bracket 220 is comprised of a bracket plate 226 having an open ended tube 
receiving cylinder 228 rigidly affixed thereto. The bracket plate includes 
a pair of slots 230, 232 disposed adjacent the top and bottom edges 
thereof. These slots are conveniently spaced apart from each other so as 
to be in registry with and receive the two uppermost mechanical fasteners 
180 for purposes of fixedly mounting bracket 220 to the wheel chair. The 
use of slots as a mounting means permits some lateral adjustment of 
bracket 220 relative to the associated support or frame member 38 to 
properly locate and mount the head rest to the wheel chair. If desired, 
separate mechanical fasteners other than fasteners 180 could be 
conveniently employed to mount bracket 220 to the wheel chair. Tube 
receiving cylinder 228 includes a plurality of locking member receiving 
openings 234 spaced longitudinally therealong to facilitate head rest 
adjustment as will be more fully described hereinafter. Although only two 
such openings are shown in the FIGURES other numbers could also be 
employed. Also, convenient identifying indicia can be included adjacent 
the openings to identify the different adjusted positions of the head 
rest. It should also be noted that tube receiving cylinder 228 is disposed 
to extend generally parallel to the associated support or frame member 38. 
Head rest 240 is constructed from the same or a similar flexible material 
previously discussed in detail with regard to seat 150 and seat back 170. 
The head rest has a bottom edge 242, a top edge 244 and spaced apart side 
edges 246, 248. The head rest also includes a longitudinally extending, 
releasably connected seam 250 substantially identical to seams 190 as 
discussed above in detail with reference to the seat and seat back. When 
the wheel chair is adjusted to a width position such as that shown in FIG. 
2, seam 250 will look the same as seams 190 therein and when the width of 
the wheel chair is expanded, a flexible spacer member may be added 
substantially identical to spacer 200 shown in FIG. 9. 
Disposed adjacent side edges 246, 248 of head rest 240 are adjustable back 
tube assemblies generally designated 260, 262, respectively, and which are 
adapted to be received by tube receiving cylinder of back tube brackets 
220, 222. Since these assemblies are identical, description will 
hereinafter be made to assembly 260 only. A back tube 264 which comprises 
a portion of assembly 260 is affixed to the head rest adjacent side edge 
246 by convenient means such as bolts or screws 266 passing through the 
head rest and into the back tube itself. A back insert tube 268 is closely 
received in the lower end of back tube 264 and rigidly affixed thereto by 
any convenient means. Back insert tube 268 and tube receiving cylinder 228 
of bracket 220 are dimensioned such that tube 268 may be closely slidably 
received in cylinder 228. 
Disposed adjacent the lowermost end and inside of back insert tube 268 is a 
spring tube locking arrangement generally designated 270. This locking 
arrangement has a portion thereof protruding outwardly from a locking 
member opening 272 in tube 268. The locking arrangement is comprised of a 
locking button 274 which is continuously urged outwardly of opening 272 by 
convenient spring biasing means 276. In the preferred arrangement here 
under discussion, a leaf type spring is advantageously employed although 
other arrangements could also be used. 
With the above structure, back insert tubes 268 of back tube assemblies 
260, 262 are closely slidably received in tube receiving cylinders 228 of 
back tube brackets 220, 222, respectively. Head rest 240 is disposed so 
that the rear face thereof rests adjacent the front face of seat back 170. 
Bottom edge 242 of the head rest extends toward bottom edge 172 of the 
seat back and top edge 244 of the head rest is disposed above top edge 174 
of the seat back. Thus, the upper area of head rest essentially acts as a 
continuation or extension of the seat back and the lower area acts as part 
of the seat back. In this position, the head rest may then be adjusted 
until it is in a desired position with buttons 274 registering with and 
passing through selected ones of openings 234 in tube receiving cylinders 
228. The height of head rest 140 may be conveniently adjusted by simply 
depressing buttons 274 from engagement with one set of openings 234 and 
telescopically moving back insert tubes 268 in tube receiving cylinders 
228 until buttons 274 engage another set of the openings 234. 
In addition to the adjustable head rest arrangement specificially described 
above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, other arrangements could also be 
advantageously employed without departing from the intent or scope of the 
present invention. For example, it would be possible to construct seat 
back support or frame members 38 so that they would be adjustable relative 
to first portions 34 of rear frame members 16 and to increase the overall 
length of seat back 170. Here, a portion of seat back 170 itself would 
define the head rest area and act or function as the head rest. Moreover, 
it would be possible to construct each seat back support or frame member 
38 from two sections which would be telescopically adjustable relative to 
each other so as to define a desired head rest area. Here again, a portion 
of the seat back would then act as the heat rest. In either of these 
alternatives, it would also be possible to utilize a spacer member for 
purposes of extending the effective length of the seat back. Such a spacer 
member could be releasably affixed to the seat back in a manner similar to 
that employed with the other spacer members heretofore discussed in 
detail. 
In the preferred arrangement of the present invention, the various frame 
members and cross brace assemblies are constructed from thin walled 
tubular steel with the components then being welded or brazed together 
where rigid interconnections are required. Typically, the tubular steel 
framework and components will be chrome plated for appearance and 
protective reasons. However, it would be possible to employ other 
materials and construction techniques without departing from the intent 
and scope of the present invention. 
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred 
embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others 
upon the reading and understanding of this specification. It is my 
intention to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as 
they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents 
thereof.