Patent ID: 7055840

Claim:
A wheelchair that enables an occupant to lower and raise their self to and from the surface on which the wheelchair is resting so that the occupant may enter the wheelchair from said surface without the aid of another person, the wheelchair comprising: a. a lower support frame having two drive wheels and two casters connected thereto, b. a seat frame assembly vertically movable between said two drive wheels, said seat frame assembly having a horizontal seat connected thereto, c. a lifting assembly connected to said lower support frame and to said seat frame assembly for vertically moving said seat frame assembly upward and downward between said two drive wheels, d. a planar ramp rotatably connected to said seat frame, said planar ramp rotating to form an inclined plane relative to the plane of said horizontal seat to provide an inclined planar surface for said occupant to slide upon when said occupant is exiting or entering said horizontal seat when said seat frame is at the lowest vertical position, said planar ramp rotating to a vertical position relative to said horizontal seat beneath said horizontal seat when said seat frame assembly is at the highest vertical position, and e. a footrest rotatably connected to said lower support frame for supporting the feet of said occupant when said seat frame assembly is at the highest vertical position, said footrest rotating to a horizontal position when said seat frame assembly is at the highest vertical position, said footrest rotating downward beneath said ramp when said seat frame assembly is at the lowest vertical position.