Wheelchair with a barrier-free footrest

A wheelchair including a first front wheel, a second front wheel, and a wheelchair frame having a front portion and being supported by the wheels such that the first wheel rotates about a first, generally vertical axis, the second front wheel rotates about a second, generally vertical axis, and the first and second axes are in a vertical plane adjacent the front portion. The wheelchair also includes a footrest having a first generally vertical support member connected to the frame so that the vertical support member is substantially in the plane, a second support member connected to the first support member so that the second support member extends generally in the plane and from the first support member in a direction transverse to vertical and transverse to horizontal, and so that the second support member has an end spaced from the first support member. The wheelchair also includes a generally horizontal foot support connected to the end of the second support member and a retaining strap connected to the footrest to secure a user's foot to the foot support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to wheelchairs, and particularly, to a footrest for a 
wheelchair. 
It is known in the art to provide a pair of footrests or a foot support for 
a wheelchair. Known constructions for wheelchair footrests typically 
position the feet substantially out in front of the wheelchair frame and 
front wheels. This construction places the user of the wheelchair in a 
posture in which it is difficult to reach out in front of the wheelchair 
to engage in simple daily tasks such as cooking, handwashing etc. 
Such a construction also limits the maneuverability of the wheelchair. 
Specifically, the footrests extending out in front of the wheelchair 
create a barrier which prevents the user of the wheelchair from closely 
approaching counters, stoves, and other structures and which reduces the 
ability of the wheelchair user to turn the wheelchair in relatively 
enclosed areas. 
At least one wheelchair, which is specifically designed for children and 
which is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,890, discloses a pair of footrests 
that do not extend outwardly in front of the wheelchair. However, such a 
footrest is not suitable for use by an adult wheelchair user because the 
additional length of the adult's legs would require that the footrests 
extend below the seat to a level at which they would interrupt with the 
normal 360.degree. rotation of the front wheels or casters of the 
wheelchair. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Thus, it is an advantage to provide, on an adult wheelchair, a pair of 
footrests that do not extend outwardly in front of the wheelchair and that 
position the lower legs (from the ankle to the knee) of the wheelchair 
user in a generally vertical position to allow the user to maneuver closer 
to obstacles. 
Accordingly, the invention provides a wheelchair including a pair of front 
wheels, and at least one rear wheel. The wheelchair includes a frame 
having a front portion. The frame is supported by the wheels such that the 
first wheel rotates about a first generally vertical axis and so that the 
second wheel rotates about a second generally vertical axis. The vertical 
axes define a generally vertical plane adjacent the front portion of the 
wheelchair frame. 
The invention also provides a footrest for the wheelchair. The footrest 
includes a first generally vertical support member that is removably 
connected to the wheelchair frame. The vertical support member is 
substantially in the vertical plane defined by the axes. The wheelchair 
footrest also includes a second support member connected to the first 
support member. The second support member extends generally in the 
vertical plane and downwardly and inwardly from the first support member 
and includes an end spaced from the first support member. A generally 
horizontal support member is connected to the end of the second support 
member. The horizontal support member includes an upper surface which is 
adapted to support the foot of a wheelchair user. 
The wheelchair of the invention is an improvement over known constructions 
in that the footrest supports the lower leg (i.e., the calf portion, from 
the ankle to the knee) in a generally vertical position directly adjacent 
the front portion of the wheelchair. In this position, the footrests and 
legs do not present a barrier to a close frontal approach of the 
wheelchair to various structures. Additionally, supporting the user's legs 
in such a position places the user in a posture that allows for greater 
upper body range of motion and maneuverability. 
The invention also provides a retaining strap for securing the foot of a 
wheelchair user to the upper surface of the support member. The retaining 
strap includes a first end having connected thereto a collar and a second 
end having connected thereto a ring. The second end is threaded through 
the collar to form a loose loop in the retaining strap to receive the 
wheelchair user's foot. The ring is easily engageable by a cane or other 
implement to allow the user to tighten the loop around her/his foot, 
thereby securing her/his foot to the footrest. A fastener is provided on 
the retaining strap to secure the second end of the retaining strap and 
secure the wheelchair user's foot on the upper surface. 
A principal advantage of the invention is the provision of a barrier-free 
footrest for a wheelchair. 
Another advantage of the invention is the provision of a footrest that is 
vertically adjustable to accommodate different user leg lengths. 
Another advantage of the invention is the provision of a barrier-free 
footrest that is removable from the wheelchair. 
Another advantage of the invention is the provision of a barrier-free 
footrest capable of pivoting away from the front of the wheelchair so as 
not to inhibit the movement of the user as the user maneuvers into or out 
of the wheelchair. 
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to 
those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed 
description, claims, and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings is a wheelchair 10 embodying the invention. 
As is known in the art, the wheelchair 10 is generally symmetrical about 
an axis 14 (FIG. 2) and includes a frame 18 for supporting a generally 
horizontal seat 22. The seat 22 is adapted to support a wheelchair user 
(not shown). A pair of front wheels or casters 26 and 30 (both are shown 
only in FIG. 2) and a pair of rear wheels 34 (only one of which is shown 
in FIG. 1) are connected to the frame 18 to support the frame 18 on a 
surface (not shown) for movement along the surface. 
As is known in the art, the front wheels 26 and 30 include (see FIG. 2) 
respective axles, 38 and 42. The axles, 38 and 42 have respective axes 46 
and 50. The wheels 26 and 30 rotate around the axes 46 and 50, 
respectively, as the wheelchair 10 moves along the surface (not shown). 
The front wheels 26 and 30 also include respective pivot assemblies, 54 
and 58. As is known in the art, the pivot assemblies 54 and 58 allow free 
360.degree. rotation of the wheels 26 and 30 about generally vertical axes 
62 and 66, respectively. As the wheels 26 and 30 rotate about the axes 62 
and 66, the wheels 26 and 30 define a rotational pathway 70 which is shown 
partially in phantom in FIG. 3 and which includes an upper border 74. 
The wheelchair frame 18 includes a front portion 78 adjacent the front 
wheels 26 and 30. The front portion 78 of the frame 18 includes a 
generally vertical frame member 82 (FIG. 2) on each side of the axis 14. 
Each frame member 82 includes (see FIG. 3) two generally parallel 
projections 86 that are connected to the frame member 82 and that extend 
horizontally outwardly or away from the axis of symmetry 14. A mounting 
pin 90 is connected to each projection 86. The mounting pins 90 extend 
vertically along a common axis 92. The purpose of the projections 86 and 
the mounting pins 90 will be discussed in greater detail below. 
The wheelchair 10 also includes (see FIG. 2) a pair of footrests 94 and 98 
mounted on the wheelchair frame 18. One footrest is mounted on each of the 
frame members 82. The footrests 94 and 98 are mounted (in a manner 
described below) for pivotal movement about the axes 92 between a first or 
use position (FIG. 2), in which the user's feet may be supported by the 
footrests, and a second or non-use position (not shown), in which the 
footrests extend in opposite directions away from the axis of symmetry 14. 
The footrests 94 and 98 are mirror images of one another. Accordingly, 
only the left footrest 98 will be described in detail. 
As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the footrest 98 includes a first, generally 
vertical support member 102 connected to the frame member 82. The support 
member 102 includes a first portion 106 having an upper end 110 (FIG. 3 
only) and a lower end 114. The upper end 110 has thereon a protective 
rubber safety cap 118. A pair of generally horizontal support brackets 122 
are welded to the first portion 106. As shown in FIG. 3, the support 
brackets 122 are generally parallel to one another and each bracket has a 
rearward surface 126 (FIG. 4) and an end 130 spaced from the first portion 
106. The rearward surface 126 has an arcuate portion 134 (best shown in 
FIG. 4) which engages the frame member 82 (FIG. 2) when the footrest 98 is 
in the use position. The support brackets 122 also each have therein (see 
FIG. 4) a through-bore 138 adjacent the end 130. Through-bores 138 receive 
respective mounting pins 90 to removably and pivotally connect the first 
portion 106 of the support member 102 to the wheelchair frame 18. In this 
position, the first portion 106 is pivotable between the use and non-use 
positions about the axis 92. 
The first portion 106 is a generally hollow conduit and has an outer 
surface 142 and an inner passageway 146 (FIG. 3). A pair of threaded 
through-bores 150 (FIG. 4) extend between the outer surface and the 
passageway. A set screw 154 is threaded into each of the through-bores 150 
to allow adjustment of the footrest 98 in a manner to be described below 
in greater detail. 
The support member 102 also includes (see FIGS. 3 and 4) a second portion 
158 connected to the first portion 106. The second portion 158 has 
opposite upper and lower ends 162 and 166 and is preferably a generally 
solid rod. The end 162 extends through the lower end 114 of the first 
portion 106 and into the passageway 146. The second portion 158 is 
telescopically and slidably adjustable in the passageway 146 relative to 
the first portion 106. The second portion 158 is secured in the desired 
vertical position relative to the first portion 106 by adjustment of the 
set screws 154 so that the set screws engage the second portion 158. 
The footrest 98 also includes a second support member 170 connected to the 
lower end 166 of the second portion 158 so that the second support member 
170 extends generally downwardly and inwardly in the vertical plane 
defined by the axes 62 and 66, i.e., in a direction transverse to vertical 
and transverse to horizontal and toward the axis of symmetry 14. The 
second portion 158 and the second support member 170 are preferably formed 
from a solid piece of material that is appropriately bent during the 
manufacturing process to form the desired shape. Alternatively, the second 
support member 170 may be welded to the end 166 of the second portion 158. 
The second support member 170 includes an end 174 spaced from the end 166 
of the second portion 158. 
The footrest 98 also includes a generally horizontal platform 178 connected 
to the end 174 of the second support member 170. The platform 178 includes 
an upper surface 182 for supporting the foot 184 (shown in phantom in FIG. 
1) of the wheelchair user. The second support member 170 and the platform 
178 extend below the upper border 74 of the wheel pathway 70. However, 
because the second support member 170 and the platform 178 extend inwardly 
at an angle toward the axis of symmetry 14, the second support member 170 
and platform 178 do not interfere with the wheel pathway 70, and 
accordingly, the footrests 94 and 98 allow free 360.degree. rotation of 
the front wheels 26 and 30. 
The platform 178 includes a front portion 186 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) and a 
retaining strap 190 mounted on the front portion 186 to secure the 
wheelchair user's foot 184 (FIG. 1) to the upper surface 182 of the 
platform 178. As shown in FIG. 4, the strap 190 includes a first end 194 
and a collar 198 connected to the first end 194. The retaining strap 190 
also includes a second end 202 extending through the collar 198. An 
engaging ring 206 is connected to the second end 202 and is easily grasped 
by the hands of the wheelchair user or, alternatively, by a cane or other 
implement (not shown) controlled by the user. The strap 190 includes, 
adjacent the second end 202, a fastener 214. The fastener 214 allows the 
user to fasten the second end 202 of the retaining strap 190 and secure 
the user's foot 184 on the upper surface 182. The fastener 214 is 
preferably a flexible fabric-type material which engages upon contact with 
itself or a similar fabric. The retaining strap 190 can be secured simply 
by engaging the ring 206 and looping the second end 202 of the retaining 
strap 190 over itself to bring one portion of the fastening fabric in 
contact with another portion of the fastening fabric. 
In operation, the footrest 98 is connected to the mounting pins 90 on the 
frame members 82 and is adjusted, using the set screws 154, to accommodate 
the leg length of the wheelchair user. As shown in FIG. 3, the platform 
178 of the footrest 98 can be lowered below the top of the wheel pathway 
without inhibiting the 360.degree. rotation of the wheel. The footrest 98 
is pivoted out of the plane about the axis and in the direction of the 
arrow A in FIG. 2 to allow the user to maneuver into the wheelchair 10. 
Once the user is seated, the footrests 94 and 98 are pivoted about the 
axis and in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2 so that the first and 
second support members 102 and 170 of the footrests 94 and 98 are 
generally in the plane. In this position, the wheelchair 10 is essentially 
barrier-free, and the footrests 94 and 98 allow greater maneuverability of 
the wheelchair 10. The user's feet are placed on the upper surface 182 of 
the respective footrest platforms 178 and beneath the loose loop of the 
retaining strap 190. The user then engages the ring 206 to loop the second 
end 202 of the strap 190 over the collar 198 and engage the flexible 
fabric fastener 214 on the retaining strap 190. The wheelchair footrests 
94 and 98 position the lower legs of the user in a generally vertical 
position (i.e., with the ankle directly below or, alternatively, below and 
slightly behind the knee) so that the wheelchair user is in a posture that 
allows greater physical, upper body flexibility and maneuverability while 
in the seated position. 
When getting out of the wheelchair 10, the user unfastens the retaining 
straps 190 by engaging and pulling upwardly on the rings 206. The feet are 
then removed from the footrests. The footrests 94 and 98 are then pivoted 
in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 out of the plane so as not to 
inhibit the user's movement from the wheelchair 10. 
Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.