Abstract:
The wheelchair attachments are configured for removable attachment to a wheelchair to facilitate use of the wheelchair by occupants and/or attendants. One attachment is a retractable tray spanning the armrests at the front of the chair when deployed and retracting between the chair structure and a wheel for storage. Another attachment is a series of interchangeably installable handgrips or handles removably installable to the front or back of the chair for use by an attendant. At least some of the various handgrips or handle assemblies provide horizontal and/or vertical adjustment. Yet another attachment is an underseat storage compartment, primarily accessible by an attendant from the back of the chair. All of the various attachments may be installed upon and/or used with a wheelchair independently of one another or in combination with one another, or may be adapted for use with other devices as well.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/734,753, filed Nov. 9, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to wheelchairs and similar conveyances for the physically handicapped. More specifically, the present invention comprises a series of attachments that may be installed upon a conventional wheelchair with little or no modification to the chair. The attachments comprise a retractable tray, a series of removably installable handles at front and back, and an underseat storage compartment.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     The wheelchair has been known for a considerable time as a means for increasing the mobility and independence of the physically handicapped. However, the wheelchair is not without its problems and limitations, primarily due to the size and bulk of the typical wheelchair, and the seating configuration provided to the person using the chair.  
         [0006]     One of the major problems with the conventional wheelchair is the relative bulk and volume required at the front of the chair. The conventional footrests extend forwardly from the chair for some span, and the widths and heights of the armrests and wheels require somewhat more room than would a seated person not requiring the wheelchair. This greatly limits the ability of a person in a wheelchair to position himself or herself reasonably close to a table, desk, or similar surface for dining, writing, or other activities requiring such a surface, as the height of the table or desk surface, as well as the structure supporting the surface, often preclude maneuvering the forward portion of the wheelchair beneath the surface to allow the person in the wheelchair to position himself or herself very close to the surface.  
         [0007]     Another problem with conventional wheelchairs is the lack of storage space provided, particularly for an attendant accompanying the person in the wheelchair. While some storage has been developed for use by persons confined to wheelchairs, it is generally somewhat limited due to the proximity of the relatively large wheels on each side of the chair and other structure. In any event, practically nothing has been done to provide storage space for an attendant accompanying a person confined to a wheelchair. Typically, such an attendant must resort to asking the person in the wheelchair to carry any articles in his or her lap.  
         [0008]     Yet another problem with wheelchairs is the lack of versatility and provision for handling the chair by an attendant. Conventionally, wheelchairs are provided with only a pair of rearwardly turned grips, which extend from the uprights supporting the backrest of the chair. Typically, these handgrips lack any means for adjustment or repositioning, thus limiting the manipulation of the chair by an attendant. Very little has been done in the past relating to any forwardly positioned handgrips or the like for an attendant to manipulate the chair from the front while facing a person seated in the chair, or to provide for any interchangeability for different handgrip configurations to the front or rear of the chair.  
         [0009]     The present inventors are aware of a few devices that have been developed in the past for increasing the utility of a wheelchair. One such device is found in Japanese Patent No. 6-154,269, published on Jun. 3, 1994. This reference describes (according to the drawings and English abstract) a wheelchair that is convertible to a gurney or stretcher by means of a lever and mechanism, which may be manipulated by a person using the chair. No retractable table or desk surface, underseat storage, or variable handle configurations are disclosed.  
         [0010]     Japanese Patent No. 6-169,968, published on Jun. 21, 1994, describes (according to the drawings and English abstract) a wheelchair that is especially configured to facilitate bathing by the occupant. A narrow open tray or shelf and a closable storage compartment are positioned along the opposite arms of the chair for access by the occupant of the chair. No retractable table or desk surface, underseat storage, or variable handle configurations are disclosed.  
         [0011]     A web page published on the World Wide Web by MedicalProductsDirect.com, at least as of Apr. 4, 2005, describes a tilt and recline wheelchair by Invacare Company. The chair includes a small table or tray for the occupant, but no means for folding or retracting the tray is apparent. No underseat storage or variable handle configurations are disclosed.  
         [0012]     Finally, a web page published on the World Wide Web by westons.com, at least as of Apr. 4, 2005, describes a series of accessories for a wheelchair, including an armrest pocket, a folding half lap tray, a tray that secures removably across the arms of the chair, a day pack, and a forwardly disposed underseat storage container. No retractable full width tray that remains attached to the wheelchair is provided, nor are any variable handle configurations disclosed.  
         [0013]     None of the above patent publications and disclosures, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, wheelchair attachments solving the aforementioned problems are desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The wheelchair attachments include a series of devices configured for removable attachment to a conventional or slightly modified wheelchair to facilitate use of the wheelchair by occupants and/or attendants. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a retractable tray which folds between the chair and one wheel of the chair, and which deploys on an articulated arm to extend across the front of the chair for an occupant therein. Another embodiment comprises a series of interchangeable handles and grips, which may be installed upon the front or back of the chair for use by an attendant. The various handles and grips provide height adjustment for the attendant, as desired. A third embodiment comprises an underseat storage compartment, primarily accessible from the back of the chair by an attendant. Any of the above devices and accessories may be installed upon and/or used with a wheelchair in combination with or separately from one another as desired.  
         [0015]     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wheelchair including the retractable tray attachment of the present invention, showing the tray in a retracted and stored configuration.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the wheelchair and retractable tray of  FIG. 1 , showing initial stages of deploying the tray.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the wheelchair and retractable tray of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing the tray in an intermediate stage of deployment.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an environmental perspective view of the wheelchair and retractable tray of  FIGS. 1 through 3 , showing the tray completely deployed.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a series of removably attachable handgrips for a wheelchair according to the present invention, showing their installation upon a wheelchair.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a wheelchair as seen from the left front with an alternative embodiment rear handle assembly according to the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a left side and rear perspective view of a wheelchair with the left wheel and seat removed to show clearly the installation of an underseat storage compartment in the chair structure according to the present invention, as well as yet another adjustable handle embodiment. 
     
    
       [0023]     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     The present invention comprises a series of attachments or accessories for installation upon and use with a wheelchair, either as separate, individual devices or in combination with one another. The various attachment embodiments of the present invention are adapted or configured for use with a conventional wheelchair C, generally as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7  of the drawings. Such wheelchairs C conventionally include a pair of armrests A 1  and A 2 , which extend from a laterally folding or collapsible seat and wheel support structure or frame F. The frame F includes a pair of seatback support uprights U 1  and U 2  extending upwardly therefrom, with the corresponding armrests A 1  and A 2  extending forwardly from the uprights U 1  and U 2 . A folding seat S and seatback B extend respectively across the frame F and uprights U 1  and U 2 , with a pair of main support wheels W 1  and W 2  being positioned immediately outboard the frame F and arms A 1  and A 2 . The above-described structure is conventional, with the attachments of the present invention being removably secured to the wheelchair C.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 1 through 4  illustrate a first embodiment of the present attachments, comprising an articulating tray  10  which folds pivotally between one of the armrests of the chair C and the adjacent wheel, e.g., between the right hand armrest A 1  and right wheel W 1 . It will be understood that the installation may be a mirror image of that shown, with the tray  10  extending from the left armrest A 2  of the chair, if so desired. The tray  10  comprises two portions, respectively  12   a  and  12   b,  joined by hinges  14  defining a lateral hinge line when the tray  10  is deployed to the front of the wheelchair C. This allows the tray  10  to have a relatively narrow span from front to rear when folded, yet provides good fore and aft depth for the tray assembly  10  when fully deployed across the front of the chair C, as shown in  FIG. 4  of the drawings.  
         [0026]     In  FIG. 1 , the tray  10  is shown completely retracted and folded immediately outwardly of the right side of the wheelchair frame F, generally forwardly of the right wheel W 1  but in the plane of the space between the wheel W 1  and the right side of the frame F. Subsequent  FIGS. 2 through 4  show the deployment of the tray  10  to its completely deployed and extended position across the front of the two armrests A 1  and A 2 .  
         [0027]     In  FIG. 2 , the tray  10  is shown extended forwardly by means of its pivotal attachment to a telescoping tray extension arm  16 , which is attached to one of the armrests (e.g., the right hand armrest A 2 ) by clamps or other attachment means, and which extends forwardly therefrom and parallel thereto. The tray extension arm  16  includes a relatively fixed (i.e., it does not move relative to the armrest) armrest attachment portion  18 , and a distal tray attachment end portion  20 , which extends telescopically from the relatively fixed portion  18 . (The extension arm assembly  16  may comprise more than two sections, as required.) The telescoping extension arm assembly  16  may have the configuration of a drawer slide or guide, or other telescopically extending configuration, if desired. The tray assembly  10  includes a tray attachment arm attachment end  22  and an opposite distal end  24 . The tray  10  may have a cantilevered configuration when completely deployed, or the distal end  24  may be supported by a telescoping tray support arm  26  extending from the chair armrest opposite the tray attachment arm  16 , e.g., the tray attachment arm  16  may extend from the first armrest A 1  and the tray support arm  26  from the opposite second armrest A 2 .  
         [0028]     In  FIG. 2 , the telescoping tray attachment arm  16  has been extended but the tray  10  remains in the same orientation as in its stored position, i.e., with its distal end or edge  24  extending downward below the opposite tray attachment arm attachment end  22  and tray attachment arm  16 . However, in  FIG. 3 , the tray  10  has been swiveled through about 180° in a generally vertical plane about its swivel or pivot connection to the distal tray attachment end  20  of the telescoping arm  16  to arrive at the intermediate deployment configuration shown with the distal end  24  of the tray  10  positioned generally above the tray attachment arm end  22  thereof. The mechanism permitting this articulation is conventional, with such mechanisms being used in articulating desktops and writing surfaces often found in school auditorium seating and the like.  
         [0029]     In  FIG. 4 , the tray  10  has been swung through an arc of about ninety degrees from the vertical to the horizontal to position the tray  10  in its fully deployed configuration and ready for use. The tray  10  may be cantilevered, depending upon the support structure provided by the swivel or pivot mechanism and the telescoping arm assembly  16 . However, additional support may be desired for the distal end  24  of the tray. If such is the case, an opposite tray support arm  26  may be provided to extend telescopically from the armrest opposite the tray extension arm  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and noted briefly further above. The tray  10  is stored by reversing the above-described procedure, to fold back into its stored configuration  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  of the drawings illustrates another embodiment of the present wheelchair attachments invention, comprising a series of interchangeably attachable handgrip attachments  28   a  through  28   c  for use by an attendant accompanying or propelling the wheelchair C. Each of the attachments  28   a  through  28   c  comprises a laterally symmetrical handgrip assembly, which spans the width of the chair C as a contiguous, unbroken structure when attached thereto, as can be seen in any of the four examples  28   a  through  28   c  in  FIG. 5 . All of the various handgrip attachments  28   a  through  28   c  install removably and interchangeably to the generally horizontal upper end extensions E 1  and E 2  of the conventional seatback uprights U 1  and U 2 , or concentrically within the two parallel telescoping tray support arms  16  and  26  extending from the front of the wheelchair C.  
         [0031]     The extension sleeves E 1  and E 2 , as well as the forward ends of the tray support arms  16  and  26 , are preferably provided with a series of lateral holes or passages H therethrough. The handgrip attachments  28   a  through  28   c  are each provided with opposed inserts  30   a  and  30   b  extending therefrom, which fit removably into the extension sleeves E 1  and E 2  or into the passages in the distal ends of the tray support arms  16  and  26 , as desired. Each of the inserts  30   a  and  30   b  includes a locking sleeve  32 , with each sleeve  32  having a button therein that selectively disengages an internal pin when depressed. The pin in turn engages a corresponding hole or passage H in the tubular member to which the selected handgrip attachment is secured when the lock sleeve button is in its relaxed configuration. Pushing the sleeve buttons disengages the pins from the selected holes H of the wheelchair C, allowing the handgrip attachment to be removed from the chair C. Multiple holes H, as shown in the handgrip extensions E 1  and E 2  and in the left hand telescoping tray support arm  26  in  FIG. 5 , allow the handgrip attachments  28   a  through  28   c  to be positionally adjusted as they are secured to the wheelchair C.  
         [0032]     The first handgrip attachment  28   a  comprises a wide, generally U-shaped component having forward extensions  30   a  and  30   b,  which plug into the existing ends of the seatback uprights U 1  and U 2 . The lateral handlebar portion may include relatively soft and resilient covers  34  thereover, if so desired. The provision of a lateral handlebar allows an attendant pushing the chair C to have a much more ergonomically comfortable grip, rather than being required to twist the wrists to grip the conventional longitudinally extending handgrips G 1  and G 2 .  
         [0033]     Another handgrip attachment  28   b,  shown at the front of the chair C in  FIG. 5 , comprises a pair of generally longitudinally extending lateral members  36   a  and  36   b,  with interconnecting crossmembers  38  joining the lateral members. The two lateral members  36   a  and  36   b  preferably each include an offset  40  therein, in order to allow the handgrips  42   a  and  42   b  to be positioned at a different height from the extension tubes  16  and  26  at the front of the chair C or from the handgrip extensions E 1  and E 2  at the back of the chair. It will be seen that the offsets  40  may be made to any practicable length and/or may include adjustable locking sleeves  32  therein in the manner described above for the positional adjustability of the various handgrip attachments to the chair C. Moreover, the two handgrips  42   a  and  42   b  may be replaced by the single lateral handlebar of the first described handgrip extension  28   a,  if so desired. The height adjustment made possible by the adjustable offsets  40  enable an attendant to stand comfortably upright while manipulating the chair C from the front.  
         [0034]     Finally, a third handgrip extension assembly  28   c  is shown at the back of the chair C, beneath the first extension  28   a  in  FIG. 5 . As in the other handgrip extensions  28   b  and  28   c,  the two separate handgrips  42   a  and  42   b  may be interchanged with a single lateral handlebar, if so desired. The handgrip extension assembly  28   c  may include a laterally disposed tray  48 , e.g., a two-place cup holder. It will be understood that the tray  48  may be modified to have any practicable size and/or configuration.  
         [0035]     Any of the various handgrip extensions  28   a  through  28   c  may be interchanged with one another at the front or back of the wheelchair C. It will be noted that the lateral span between the two forward tray support tubes  20  and  26  is slightly wider than the lateral span between the two handgrips G 1  and G 2 . This is accommodated by providing a telescoping mechanism in each of the crossmembers extending between the respective lateral members of each of the handgrip attachments  28   a  through  28   c.  Each of the crossmembers, e.g., crossmembers  38  of the second extension  28   b  and crossmember  38   c  of extension  28   c,  comprises a pair of concentric telescoping tubes with a cam lever-type locking mechanism  39  disposed thereon. Opening the lever frees the two tubes to slide relative to one another, while closing the lever compresses the outer tube against the inner tube to lock the length of the assembly. This provides infinitesimal adjustment for the width of the handgrip attachments  28   a  through  28   c,  allowing them to be transferred between the front and the back of the wheelchair C, or to be adapted for use on other devices. The crossmember supporting the tray  48  of the third extension assembly  28   c  may also comprise two telescoping members, but need not include a locking mechanism as such a mechanism  39  is provided for the other crossmember  38   c.    
         [0036]      FIG. 6  provides an illustration of additional handgrip attachments  28   d  for the wheelchair C. The attachments  28   d  comprise upright members  60 , which telescope concentrically into the seatback support uprights U 1  and U 2  of the chair C. The upper ends of the two seatback support uprights U 1  and U 2  each include a locking sleeve  32  thereon, as in the lock sleeves  32  installed on the various extensions  28   a  through  28   c  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . An extension handle portion  64  having a rearwardly disposed bend extends from the upper end of each of the upright members  60  for attachment of the handgrips  66  and/or additional horizontally telescoping extensions. Much the same mechanism as used for the vertically telescoping extensions  60  provides for rearward extension of the handgrips  66  at the distal ends of the extension handles  64 . Thus, the attachments  28   d  allow a person operating the chair C from behind to adjust both the height and rearward extension of the extension handgrips  66 . The other handgrip extensions  28   a  though  28   c  of  FIG. 5  may also be removably secured to the attachments  28   d,  if so desired.  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  illustrates yet another removable and adjustable handle configuration, comprising handle assemblies  28   e.  The two handle assemblies  28   e  are identical to one another, although they appear to be mirror images of one another. This is due to the vertically adjustable handle extension provided with each assembly  28   e,  as the bodies of the assemblies  28   e  may be rotated about their respective handle extensions to secure to either the left or right wheelchair rear handle extension E 2  or E 1 , as desired. Each handle assembly  28   e  includes a tubular sleeve  68 , through which a handle extension  70  is concentrically installed.  
         [0038]     The positions of the handle extensions  70  may be locked relative to their respective sleeves  68  by means of a lock sleeve  32 , as provided for adjustment of other components of the wheelchair C and discussed further above. The handle extensions  70  each include a generally right angle bend with a distal end portion  72  having a supplemental handgrip  74  thereon. Each of the sleeves  68  is affixed to a lower clamp half  76  having a semicircular channel therein, for fitting about the underside of the conventional rearwardly extending handle extension E 1  or E 2  of the wheelchair C. A series of reinforcing braces  78  may be provided between the lower clamp halves  76  and their respective sleeves  68 . Each of the assemblies  28   e  further includes a pair of removable upper clamps  80 , which secure removably to the lower clamp halves by means of a series of thumb screws  82  or the like. The above described apparatus allows a person to install vertically adjustable handgrips to a conventional, unmodified wheelchair.  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  also provides a detailed illustration of an underseat storage compartment  50 , which may be removably installed to the seat S and wheel support frame structure F beneath the seat S of the wheelchair C. Portions of this storage compartment  50  are also shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5  of the drawings. The storage compartment  50  is removably attached to the lateral structure of the wheelchair C by means of a series of lateral straps or flaps  52  using conventional connection means (e.g., Velcro®, snaps, ties, buttons, etc., as desired). The compartment  50  is located behind the conventional diagonal crossmembers of the wheelchair C when installed, thereby providing accessible storage space for an attendant accompanying the chair C and its occupant (if any) from behind the chair C.  
         [0040]     The back of the storage device  50  includes opposed loops  54  or the like extending from the upper edges thereof, with the two loops  54  passing around the rearwardly disposed distal bases of the seat support members on each side of the chair C to support the rear of the storage container  50 , generally as shown in  FIG. 7 . The underseat storage container  50  is preferably formed of a folding, flexible sheet material, e.g., an open mesh or more closely woven fabric material, flexible plastic sheet material, etc. However, rigid panels may be used in the bottom and/or walls of the device, so long as they are flexibly joined together to allow the container  50  to fold flat laterally when the wheelchair C is folded.  
         [0041]     In conclusion, the wheelchair attachments in their various embodiments greatly improve the utility and convenience of a conventional wheelchair when installed thereon. Not only do the attachments make life easier for a person confined to a wheelchair, but they also ease the task of an attendant accompanying the chair. Accordingly, the wheelchair attachments will prove to be extremely popular additions to virtually any wheelchair, and may be adapted for use on other devices as well.  
         [0042]     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.