Abstract:
A mobility chair is arranged for a high degree of maneuverability, and is particularly useful for handicapped individuals in need of a highly stable and maneuverable carriage. The mobility chair may be particularly useful for children, and includes a seat positioned between first and second wheels of a first wheel set, wherein the axial spacing dimension of the first and second wheels is greater than the axle height. The mobility chair is arranged for pivotability about the first wheel set axle to permit the user to freely pivot forward while in the seat of the chair, with the pivoting being limited in both circumaxial directions about the axle axis.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/467,344, filed on May 9, 2012 and entitled “Child Mobility Chair”, which itself claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/527,764, filed on Aug. 26, 2011 and entitled “Child Mobility Chair”, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/519,861, filed on Jun. 1, 2011 and entitled “Child Mobility Chair”, the contents of which being incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to mobility devices generally, and more particularly to a wheelchair type device that may be particularly useful for children. The device of the present invention offers secure mobility not obtainable in conventional wheelchairs, and therefore improves the quality of life for children with physical limitations to their hips and legs. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wheel chair-type mobility devices for individuals with physical limitations have been employed for centuries with various designs intended to assist the user in moving from place to place. Most commonly, wheel chair-type devices present a substantially conventional chair arrangement that is made mobile through motorized or manually-operated wheels. Conventional wheel chair-type devices therefore provide stability and limited mobility to users with physical limitations. 
     While wheel chair-type devices have been extensively designed to accommodate adults, child-size wheel chairs are typically nothing more than adult-configured chairs in a reduced size. Such a conventional approach to the design of child wheel chairs, however, fails to address the unique needs and desires of child users. For example, children, and particularly small children and toddlers commonly interact with objects on or near the floor, such as toys. Conventional wheel chair designs inhibit, or outright prevent child users from reaching to objects on the floor with their hands, and particularly to a position on the floor in front of the wheel chair. 
     In addition to the lack of access to the floor or ground surface, conventional child wheel chair devices have limited maneuverability, in that they typically employ relatively large wheels and a seating position substantially elevated off from the floor. The overall relatively large chassis of typical child wheel chair devices results in difficult turning, as well as an increased mass that may be difficult for small children and toddlers to manipulate on their own. Typical wheel chairs position the user so that the center of gravity of the combination of the user and the chair is forward of the main wheel axis, and therefore requires front wheels or casters in constant contact with the ground or floor surface to maintain the stability of the wheel chair. Such an arrangement results in a static seating orientation for the user, and limits the maneuverability around corners and in small spaces. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mobility chair that may be particularly well adapted for child users, and which is relatively low to the ground and compact to dramatically increase the maneuverability in comparison to conventional wheel chair devices. Moreover, the present mobility chair not only lowers the overall center of gravity, rendering a highly stable device, but also positions the center of gravity behind the main wheel axis. In this manner, the user may shift the center of gravity of the combined weight of the user and the chair to a position forward of the main wheel axis by leaning their upper body slightly forward, causing the mobility chair to pivot downwardly at its front about the main wheel axis to an orientation which the user has ready axis to the ground or floor surface in front of the mobility chair. Pivot stops or front casters limit the forward pivoting, while not coming into contact with the ground or floor surface when the combined center of gravity is behind the main axis. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobility chair that facilitates user access to a ground or floor surface in front of the chair apparatus. 
     The mobility chair is designed to be low to the ground and compact giving the user the ability to reach things as they maneuver the two main wheels that are close to the side of the chair. The chair is designed with the center of gravity behind the main axis of the main wheels such that rear casters are employed to distribute the weight between the main wheels and the rear casters, and to minimize rearwardly tipping in a first operational mode. The user may lean forward to shift the overall center of gravity in front of the main axis to pivot the chair about the main axis, and to lift the rear casters from engagement with the ground or floor surface. This situation is a second operational mode to facilitate user access to the ground or floor surface to the front and sides of the chair. The compact design of the chair and wheels allows the user greater freedom and flexibility to interact with objects around them. 
     The mobility chair may employ raised front casters to permit the chair to tip slightly forward about the main axis without tipping over, such as in the case of a user shifting forward to pick something up or play with something in front of the chair in the second mode of operation. As the user moves back to an upright position, the chair returns to its normal position by pivoting about the main axis to re-establish engagement with the rear casters and main wheels in the first mode of operation. 
     A polyurethane molded seat is preferably used to hold the user in an upright position freeing their arms for maneuvering the mobility device. 
     The use of rear swivel casters provides stability to the chair and allows it to be quickly maneuvered without tipping. The arrangement of the main wheels and the rear casters permit changes in direction, thus being easily pivotable about an axis extending through the chair to enhance the overall maneuverability of the chair. 
     A foot rest on the front of the chair provides a space for the user to put their feet, and helps prevent feet from dragging on the floor and from bumping objects that could cause injury. 
     Bumpers on the front and back of the chair are used to prevent the chair from marking furniture, walls, and other objects that it may come in contact with. 
     The chair is made of lightweight materials and may include a handle allowing the chair to easily be carried and/or directed by another individual to assist in maneuvering the chair while the user is seated. The handle is therefore typically secured to, or is part of the frame, so that an extension handle member may be employed to allow tall individuals (adults) to selectively control the chair. 
     The mobility chair can be of various different sizes to accommodate users with varying body dimensions, and typically is configured for use by a child. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     By means of the present invention, individuals with physical limitations of their legs due to injury or illness may have a highly maneuverable carriage that may be operated in a manner similar to wheelchairs. The apparatus of the present invention facilitates interaction by the user with a ground or floor surface adjacent the mobility apparatus. Specifically, a user may selectively pivot the apparatus circumaxially about a main axle, so as to “tip” the apparatus forward and backward to a desired limited extent. In some embodiments, the ability to tip the mobility apparatus circumaxially about the main axle, in combination with a low overall height of the device, permits the user to reach with their hands to pick up and manipulate objects on the ground or floor surface while remaining secured in the mobility apparatus. 
     In one embodiment, a mobility chair of the present invention includes a frame having an upper side and a lower side, with the frame being bisected by a vertical bisecting plane into a front portion and a rear portion. A first wheel set is rotatably secured to the frame about a first axle axis, wherein the first wheel set has first and second wheels axially spaced apart along the first axle axis by a first wheel spacing dimension. The first and second wheels have a first radius having a first axle height of the first axle axis, with the first wheel spacing dimension being greater than the first axle height. A first axle plane parallel to the bisecting plane and a second axle plane perpendicular to the bisecting plane each extend through the first axle axis. The seat is secured to the frame and is positioned at the upper side of the frame and between the first and second wheels to locate a center of gravity of the chair rearwardly from the first axle plane. The seat has a base portion with a seating surface defining a seating zone at which a user sits facing generally frontwardly. The seating surface is below the second axle plane. A second wheel set is secured to the frame rearwardly of the first axle plane, and includes one or more pivotable first casters each having a first pivot axis that is parallel to the bisecting plane, and a first rotation axis that is perpendicular to the first pivot axis and below the second axle plane. The one or more first casters are pivotable about a respective first pivot axis and rotatable about a respective first rotation axis. 
     In another embodiment, a mobility chair of the present invention includes a first wheel set having first and second wheels that are axially spaced apart along a first axle axis by a first wheel spacing dimension. A first radius of at least one of the first and second wheels define a first axle height, wherein the first wheel spacing dimension is greater than the first axle height. First and second mutually perpendicular axle planes extend through the first axle axis. A seat having a front portion and a rear portion bisected by a bisecting plane that is parallel to the first axle plane is included and has a first base portion with a seating surface defining a seating zone at which a user sits facing generally frontwardly. The seating surface is below the second axle plane. A second wheel set is positioned rearwardly of the first axle plane, and includes one or more third wheels each defining upper and lower third wheel tangent points on a circumference thereof. The lower third wheel tangent point is distal from the second axle plane relative to the upper third wheel tangent point, and is contained within a first lower tangent plane that is perpendicular to the bisecting plane. The first lower tangent plane extends through a first wheel set tangent point of the first and second wheels at an intersection with the first axle plane. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a mobility chair of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of the mobility chair illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the mobility chair illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational schematic illustration of the mobility chair illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational schematic illustration of the mobility chair illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a mobility chair of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the mobility chair illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the mobility chair illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the mobility chair illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the mobility chair illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear elevational view of the mobility chair illustrated in  FIGS. 6-10 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of hidden structure of the mobility chair illustrated in  FIGS. 6-11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The objects and advantages described above together with other objects, features, and advances represented by the present invention will now be presented in terms of detailed embodiments described with reference to the figures which are intended to be representative of various embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are recognized as being within the grasp of those having ordinary skill in the art. 
     Unless otherwise apparent or stated, directional references, such as “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “frontward”, “rearward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “upwardly”, and the like are intended to be relative to the orientation of a particular embodiment of the invention as shown in the figures. In addition, a given reference numeral in the drawings indicates the same or similar structure when it appears in different figures, and like reference numerals identify similar structural elements and/or features of the subject invention. 
     With reference now to the drawing figures, a mobility chair  10  includes a frame  12  and a seat  14  secured to frame  12 , wherein seat  14  includes a base portion  16  with a seat surface  18  defining a seating zone  20  at which a user sits. Mobility chair  10  further includes a first wheel set  22  rotatably secured to frame  12  about a first axle axis  24 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , mobility chair  10  may include protective bumpers  26  secured to frame  12 , and a footrest  28 . 
     Frame  12  includes an upper side  32  and a lower side  34 , and a front portion  36  and a rear portion  38  bisected by a vertical bisection plane  40  that extends vertically through a midline of frame  12  as mobility chair  10  is positioned in its primary operational orientation on a flat floor or ground surface  8 , such as that illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Therefore, frame  12  is bisected by bisection plane  40  into front portion  36  and rear portion  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, frame  12  is constructed of aluminum extrusion members, including first and second members  42 A,  42 B, front and rear members  44 A,  44 B, and cross-brace members  46 A,  46 B. The individual members may be secured together with fasteners, adhesives, weldments, soldering, and the like. It is also contemplated that frame  12  may be fabricated from other materials, including metals and/or plastics, and may be constructed from a plurality of individual members, or may instead be integrally molded, stamped, or forged. Footrest  28  may be secured to front portion  36  of frame  12  with fasteners, adhesives, or the like in a position frontwardly of seat  14  to provide a surface upon which a user may rest their feet. In one embodiment, footrest  28  may be manufactured from ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) plastic, though other durable materials are contemplated as being useful therefor. Likewise, protective bumpers  26  may be secured to frame  12  in any suitable manner, and are fabricated from plastics or other material which serve to protect objects from damage upon impact by mobility chair  10 . 
     Seat  14  may be variously configured and fabricated to meet the needs of mobility chair  10 . In one aspect of the present invention, mobility chair  10  may be specifically arranged for use by small children who may not possess strong upright sitting abilities. Consequently, seat  14  may be configured to assist the user in maintaining an upright seated orientation, and for securely retaining the user at seating zone  20  during the maneuvering of mobility chair  10 . The illustrated embodiment of seat  14  involves a unitary molded body having sidewalls  52 ,  56  and a rear wall  54  extending upwardly from a perimeter  21  of seating zone  20  to aid in retaining the user at seat  14 . Seating zone  20  may be depressed relative to leg openings  58 ,  60  that are defined between a torso retainer  62  and respective sidewalls  52 ,  56 . The depressed region defining seating zone  20 , in combination with torso retainer  62  and sidewalls  52 ,  56  and rear wall  54  provide a secure seating environment for the user. The one-piece unitary molded body of seat  14  in the illustrated embodiment may be molded from a polyurethane or other plastic material. It has been determined that the moldable polyurethane polymer may result in a soft and resilient seating surface  18  for seat  14 . 
     First wheel set  22  may be rotatably secured to frame  12  about first axle axis  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, first wheel set  22  includes first and second wheels  64 ,  66  that are axially spaced apart along first axle axis  24  by a first wheel spacing dimension “A”, which is measured between the respective vertical centerplanes of first and second wheels  64 ,  66 . In order to enhance the maneuverability of mobility chair  10 , first wheel spacing dimension A is preferably minimized, but not to an extent that jeopardizes stability. In one embodiment, first wheel spacing dimension A may be between about 10-16 inches, and is preferably only slightly larger than a seat width dimension “B”. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , first and second wheels  64 ,  66  may be secured to frame  12  through first wheel brackets  68 ,  70 , which may include a plurality of apertures  72  through which a mounting bolt  74  may be inserted to secure a respective wheel  64 ,  66  to bracket  68 ,  70 . The various apertures  72  provide for adjustment of first axle axis  24  relative to frame  12 . First wheel brackets  68 ,  70  may be secured to frame  12  by fasteners or the like. Mounting bolt  74  may secure a respective wheel  64 ,  66  to one of first wheel brackets  68 ,  70  in a manner permitting rotation of the wheel about first axle axis  24  defined by bolt  74 . Such a rotational engagement is well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     First and second wheels  64 ,  66  include a first radius  76  that defines a first axle height dimension “C” of first axle axis  24 . It has been determined by the applicants that a desirably stable mobility chair  10  may be obtained with a relatively large ratio of first wheel spacing dimension A to first axle height C, in effect creating a “low” and “wide” mobile platform for mobility chair  10 . First wheel spacing dimension A may preferably be greater than first axle height C, and may more preferably be at least twice the magnitude of first axle height C for an A:C ratio of &gt;2:1. In some embodiments, first axle height dimension C may be between 4-8 inches. Wheel diameter dimension “D” may typically be between about 8-16 inches, though other wheel sizes are contemplated as being useful in the present invention. First and second wheels  64 ,  66  may include pneumatic tires  80 , though solid plastic wheels  64 ,  66  are also contemplated in the present invention. The dimensions herein described for wheels  64 ,  66  include any “tire” portion of the wheel, wherein the tires are considered to be a portion of the wheels insofar as the wheel dimensions are construed herein. 
     In some embodiments, wheel diameter dimension D is greater than a sidewall height dimension “E”, as measured from ground or floor surface  8  to an upper edge  53 ,  57  of sidewalls  52 ,  56  of seat  14 . In such an arrangement, an upper portion of first and second wheels  64 ,  66  extend beyond upper edges  53 ,  57  of sidewalls  52 ,  56  of seat  14 , thereby providing easy access to manipulation of first and second wheels  64 ,  66  by the user. Motivation of mobility chair  10  is primarily provided by the user manipulating first and second wheels  64 ,  66  of first wheel set  22 . By configuring seat  14  between first and second wheels  64 ,  66 , and with upper edges  53 ,  57  of sidewalls  52 ,  56  below an upper portion of wheels  64 ,  66 , the user may easily grasp the wheels  64 ,  66  to selectively rotate them about first axle axis  24 . Preferably, first and second wheels  64 ,  66  have independent axles defined by mounting bolts  74  to respective first wheel brackets  68 ,  70  so that first and second wheels  64 ,  66  may be independently rotated about first axle axis  24 . In fact, first and second wheels  64 ,  66  may be simultaneously oppositely rotated about first axle axis  24  to pivot mobility chair  10  about a vertical pivot axis  82  extending through chair  10 . 
     A first axle plane  84  extends through first axle axis  24 , and in parallel to bisecting plane  40 . A second axle plane  86  also extends through first axle axis  24 , and is perpendicular to bisecting plane  40 . First and second axle planes  84 ,  86 , as well as bisecting plane  40  are used herein to assign relative locations and dimensions of various elements of mobility chair  10 . Such reference planes are illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     Seat  14  may be secured to frame  12  at seat brackets  90 ,  92 , such as through fasteners and the like. In one embodiment, bolts  94  may extend through seat  14  and secured to respective seat brackets  90 ,  92  with nuts  96  and washers  98 . Seat brackets  90 ,  92  may themselves be secured to frame  12  with fasteners, weldments, soldering, or the like. Seat  14  may be secured to frame  12  at a specific position with respect to first wheel set  22  so that a center of gravity of a combined weight of a user and mobility chair  10  is located rearwardly from first axle plane  84  when the user is seated at seat  14  with the user&#39;s back against rear wall  54  of seat  14 . To assist in locating the center of gravity rearwardly of first axle plane  84 , seat  14  may be secured to frame  12  in a somewhat rearwardly shifted position so that seating zone  20  is located rearwardly of first axle plane  84 . Such an arrangement is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and causes mobility chair  10  to have the tendency in use to pivot about first axle axis  24  against second wheel set  110 . Mobility chair  10  therefore tends to pivot rearwardly urging the user back against rear wall  54  of seat  14 . Preferably, however, such rearward pivot results only in a substantially horizontal orientation for frame  12  and base portion  16  of seat  14  when chair  10  is on a horizontal ground or floor surface  8 . In the event that the user leans forward toward front portion  36  of frame  12 , the center of gravity of the combined weight of the user and the mobility chair  10  may shift forwardly of first axle plane  84 , thereby causing mobility chair  10  to pivot forwardly upon third wheel set  180 . As will be described in greater detail below, such forward pivoting of mobility chair  10  facilitates access by the user to the ground or floor surface  8  in front of and around mobility chair  10 , including access to toys and other objects on ground or floor surface  8 . Upon movement by the user back into a more upright orientation with respect to rear wall  54  of seat  14 , the center of gravity of the combined weight of the user and mobility chair  10  again shifts rearwardly of first axle plane  84 , causing mobility chair  10  to pivot rearwardly upon second wheel set  110  for a more natural and comfortable operating position for the user in motivating mobility chair  10 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, frame  12  may have a length dimension “F” of between about 12 and 24 inches, such as about 18 inches, and a width dimension “G” of between about 6 and 18 inches, such as about 10.5 inches. Chair  14  may have a length dimension “I” of between about 12 and 18 inches, such as about 14 inches, a width dimension B of about 8-12 inches, such as about 10.5 inches, and a height dimension “J” at rear wall  54  of between about 6-12 inches, such as about 9.25 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, seat  14  is non-centrally positioned at frame  14 , in order to assist in accomplishing the rearward center of gravity location, and a rearwardly-pivoting tendency for mobility chair  10 . Seating surface  20  of chair  14  is preferably located below second axle plane  86 , so that seating surface  20  is relatively low with respect to first axle axis  24 . Such a relative position assists in lowering the center of gravity of the combined weight of the user and mobility chair  10 , and thereby enhancing the stability and maneuverability thereof. In some embodiments, seating surface  20  is positioned so as to have the seating surface height dimension “K” above a ground or floor surface  8  of about 2-6 inches, such as about 4.5 inches. 
     Second wheel set  110  may be secured to frame  12  rearwardly of first axle plane  84  in order to support mobility chair  10  in its operable pivoting about first axle axis  24  rearwardly when the center of gravity location is rearward of first axle plane  84 . A bottom view of mobility chair  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 10 , wherein second wheel set  110  includes one or more pivotable first casters  112  secured to lower side  34  of frame  12 . Each of pivotable first casters  112  includes a first pivot axis  114  parallel to bisecting plane  40 , and a first rotation axis  116  perpendicular to first pivot axis  114  and below second axle plane  86 . Accordingly, casters  112  are pivotable about a respective first pivot axes  114 , and rotatable about a respective first rotation axis  116 . 
     First casters  112  of second wheel set  110  each define upper and lower first caster tangent points  118 ,  120  on a circumference thereof. Lower first caster tangent point  120  is distal from second axle plane  86  relative to upper first caster tangent point  118 , and is contained within a first lower tangent plane  122  that is perpendicular to bisecting plane  40 . Lower tangent plane  122  extends through a first wheel set tangent point  124  of first and second wheels  64 ,  66  at an intersection with first axle plane  84 . In the illustrated embodiment, second wheel set  110  includes first and second casters  112  secured to frame  12  by caster brackets  113  through fasteners, or the like. In one embodiment, first and second casters  112  may be spaced apart by a first caster spacing dimension “L” of between about 6-12 inches, such as about 8.25 inches, and may have a caster diameter dimension “M” of about 1-4 inches, such as 2 inches. The pivotable casters employed in second wheel set  110  are understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as being readily commercially available. 
     Third wheel set  180  may be secured to frame  12 , such as lower side  34  frame  12 , frontwardly of first axle plane  84  to engage ground or floor surface  8  when the center of gravity of the combined weight of the user and mobility chair  10  is shifted frontwardly of first axle plane  84 . Third wheel set  180  includes one or more second casters  182  each having a second pivot axis  184  parallel to bisecting plane  40 , and a second rotation axis  186  perpendicular to bisecting plane  40  and below second axle plane  86 . Second casters  182  may be pivotable about a respective second pivot axis  184 , and rotatable about a respective second rotation axis  186 . 
     Second casters  182  of third wheel set  180  each define upper and lower second caster tangent points  188 ,  190  on a circumference thereof. Lower second caster tangent point  190  is distal from second axle plane  86  relative to upper second caster tangent point  188 , and is contained in a second lower tangent plane  192  that is perpendicular to bisecting plane  40  and extends parallel to and between second axle plane  86  and first lower tangent plane  122 . Therefore, the positioning of third wheel set  180 , with the configuration of second casters  182  resulting in a second lower tangent plane  192  above first lower tangent plane  122 , permits the pivoting characteristic of mobility chair  10 , as described above. 
     In one embodiment, second casters  182  may be secured to frame  112  by second caster brackets  194 . Second casters  182  may possess a wheel diameter dimension “N” of between about 0.5-3 inches, such as about 1 inch. 
     Second casters  182  do not touch the floor during normal movement of the chair except when it is tipped forward giving the child the ability to reach things on the floor. These can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of tipping forward that is allowable and safe. Moreover, second casters  182  may be replaced by one or more pivot stops that act to arrest forward pivoting motion about first axle axis  224 , but do not necessarily include wheels or other rotatable and/or pivotable elements. First casters  112  do not need any adjustments. The height of first casters  112  are typically so that frame  12  is generally level for normal movement of the chair across the floor. 
     Various alternative embodiments of mobility chair  10  have been envisioned by the applicant. An example alternative embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 6-12 , wherein mobility chair  210  employs a molded seat  214  that is secured about a frame  212 . In this approach, mobility chair  210  assumes an integrated aesthetic appearance, with footrest  228  integrally formed with seat  214 . The overall configuration of mobility chair  210 , however, shares the general concepts described above with respect to mobility chair  10 , in particular a relatively low center of gravity and a relatively small first wheel set spacing dimension “A” to obtain both stability and maneuverability. Moreover, mobility chair  210  permits the pivoting characteristic about first axle axis  224  to allow users to reach forward and easily access objects at floor or ground surface  8  without becoming dislodged from seat  214 . 
     The mobility chair may be made for larger children by proportionally increasing the sizes of the parts. At least three sizes can be made to account for various progressions of a child&#39;s growth. 
     The frame may be fabricated from a flat plate that is cut out per a detailed print that identifies the required shape, location and size of holes, and then specifications on which holes are tapped. The plate includes a couple of longer portions that are bent approximately 90 degrees upward and become the connection points for first and second wheels  64 ,  66 . Additional posts may be added to act as anchor points for the molded chair to secure to the frame when it is molded to the frame. 
     A molded chair may be made to be a fully molded design that is injection molded around the frame and becomes one integrated part with only wheels, casters, and minor accessories needing to be added after the molding process is complete. A variation in colors of the mold may be made by changing the colorant in the polyurethane raw materials prior to the injection process. 
     A fully integrated molded chair also acts as guarding along the perimeter edges eliminating the need for any additional bumpers/guards. 
     A foot rest may also be part of the integrated mobility chair design so there are no exposed metal parts anywhere on the upper portion of the footrest, chair and frame. 
     Seat  214  is integrally molded about a frame  212  and a handle  215  is provided in the footrest  228 . Handle  215  may be used alone or in combination with an extension tool so that another user, such as an adult, may easily grasp and manipulate the mobility chair. In addition, footrest sidewall portions  217  are provided in seat  214  in order to secure a user&#39;s legs inboard of the wheels. Such a utility may be particularly useful for users with spina bifida or other disabilities which inhibit leg control. 
     The invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent statutes, and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use embodiments of the invention as required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different methods/devices and that various modifications can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.