ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN WHEELCHAIR WITH WORKTOP AND CONTROL UNIT

Abstract: Electrically driven wheelchair with an essentially horizontal worktop (7) and a control unit (1) connected thereto, said control unit (1) in the operational position fits into a corresponding aperture in the worktop (7) and is connected to the worktop (7) in such a way that it pivots and slides in a horizontal plane, and after pivoting and sliding the bottom side of the control unit (1) fills the gap in the worktop (7).

Description: The invention relates to an electrically driven wheelchair with an essentially horizontal worktop and a control unit which is pivotable about a horizontal axis. Such wheelchairs are known from US-A-4,323,829. In practice each wheelchair is provided with a worktop, see for instance US-A-4,632,451. A wheelchair with the control unit on, in or under the worktop is mainly used for wheelchair users with very limited hand/arm function and limited trunk stability. The wheelchair is used for all kinds of purposes, such as eating and drinking, holding books, toys, learning material, etc. It will be clear that the control unit constitutes an obstacle for the functioning of the worktop if the unit projects beyong the surface of the worktop, even if the control unit can be pushed away from the user over the worktop. This solution has disadvantages, such as inconvenient position and thus operation of the unit, and many actions are needed to clear the worktop. The object of the invention is to eliminate these disadvantages, and this is achieved in that the control unit in the operational position fits into a corresponding aperture in the worktop and is pivotably connected to the worktop, which control unit is also slidable in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis, and after pivoting and sliding the bottom side of the control unit fills the aperture in the worktop. With this measure the control unit can be placed into the non-operational position, whereby the bottom side of the control unit fills the aperture in the worktop. In this way the control unit can be pivoted through 180 degrees, through the fact that the pivota pins can move parallel to themselves. In the non-operational position the control unit thus lies upside down in the aperture. The wheelchair is preferably provided with two pivot pins which are fixed in the control unit near one of the ends thereof. While it is being flipped over, the control unit thus does not project from under the worktop, which means that the legs of the wheelchair user are not obstructed. In order to obtain a smooth working surface in the non-operational position of the control unit, it is preferable for the bottom side of the control unit in the non-operational position to lie flush with the top surface of the worktop. The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a worktop containing the control unit in the operational position, and Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show a side view of the control unit in various positions. The control unit 1 is preferably a rectangular shape in top view. This control unit 1 comprises a control handle 2 and a number of switches for ON/OFF, light, horn, direction indicators and the like. Two pivot pins 4, at least one of which is hollow for passing through an umbilical cord 5, project laterally near one end of the unit 1. These pivot pins 4 can slide into two slots 6 under the worktop 7. Lobes 8 at the end of the unit 1 hold the top face of the unit 1 in the operational position and the bottom face of the unit 1 in the non-operational position flush with the top face of the worktop 7. Fig. 2 shows the control unit 1 in the operational position, accommodated in a suitable aperture in the worktop 7. In Fig. 3 the control unit 1 is on the way to the non-operational position, which is achieved in Fig. 4. It can be seen from Fig. 3 that even in this intermediate position the unit 1 projects only slightly under the worktop 7. The legs of the wheelchair user are therefore not obstructed. In Fig. 4 the bottom face of the control unit 1 is flush with the top face of the worktop 7. The unit 1 is moved to the operational position in the reverse order.

Claims: Electrically driven wheelchair provided with an essentially horizontal worktop (7) and a control unit (1) which is pivotable about a horizontal axis (4), characterized in that the control unit (1) in the operational position fits into a corresponding aperture in the worktop (7) and is pivotably connected to the worktop (7) which control unit (1) is also slidable in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis (4), and after pivoting and sliding the bottom side of the control unit (1) fills the aperture in the worktop (7). Electrically driven wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (1) is provided with two pivot pins (4) which are fixed in the control unit (1) near one of the ends thereof. Electrically driven wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bottom side of the control unit (1) in the non-operational position is flush with the top face of the worktop (7).

Inventors: JANSSEN, HENRICUS THEODORUS JOZEF
Applicants: HUKA DEVELOPMENTS B.V.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A61G5
IPC codes: A61G5