NZ205040A - Folding wheelchair with removable padding or upholstery attachable to flexible seat and/or back rest - Google Patents

Description

-- ...... . . ; ^ ..... 205040 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, J953 N0 205,040 0ale: 27th July 1983 j^^^PATENT oFF/CS I > —. 2 8 JUN1984 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ,:: Moft iu i ry o v "_rrv, cm.'^ k « M, iTL fN "WHEELCHAIR SEATING AND/OR UPHOLSTERY THEREFOR" */We. MOBILITY AIDS LIMITED (previously named BETST0NE INDUSTRIES LIMITED), of 216 Antigua Street, Christchurch, New Zealand, a New Zealand company, ;hereby declare the invention for which S< / we pray that a patent may be granted to XHI?)/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- ;- 1 - ;t~: *- .,y. 205040 The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to wheelchairs.

The present invention consists in a folding wheelchair of a kind having two side frame sub-assemblies to each of which is mounted directly or indirectly a front and a rear wheel and between which is provided a linkage which allows the bringing together of the sideframe sub-assemblies which when the chair is being used can be locked in a spaced apart condition, the chair having slung between portions of each sideframe subassembly at least one she-it of material providing a seat when the subassemblies are spaced apart and a back rest when the sub-assemblies are spaced apart, there being provided engagement means on or adjacent the seat and the bad; rest to facilitate the fixing thereto of removable padding or upholstery arrangements and at least one removable padding and/or upholstery arrangement engageable by said enaaqement means which arrangement when engaged does not prevent movement of the unlocked two side frames together.

Preferably the sheet material is fornied from a strong woven materi al.

Preferably the material is similar to that frequently used in trampolines. 1, V? .

Preferably engagement means is provided on or adjacent the seat and the backrest to facilitate the fixing thereto of padding or •' J JVL1986»l upholstery arrangements. ^ Preferably the engagement means is means to receive a dome-like fastener which spring fits thereover.

Preferably the backrest is upholstered by a member which straddles the top of the backrest and is fixed at least partially on both sides in relation thereto. 205040 3 Preferably the seat is upholstered on the top side only.

Preferably said chair includes armrests including padded portions.

Preferably the armrests can be colour matched to the upholstery.

Preferably said colour matching is by fitting socks or the likes over such padding.

Preferably such socks include an elastic perimeter capable of being inserted over and around the paddings of the armrests.

Preferably the upholstery is substantially as hereinafter descri bed.

In another aspect the present invention consists in upholstery of a kind and for a purpose substantially as herein described and of course the use thereof.

One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a wheelchair in accordance with the present invention showing the novel seating and backrest arrangement and showing the same in the folded condition such that the sub-assemblies are pressed together, Figure 2 is a view of the under side of the two main items of upholstery in accordance with the present invention, such upholstery whether identical or mechanically equivalent being another aspect of the present invention, Figure 2 also showing the two sock like colour /: C " \ • 205040 matching members for insertion over the armrest pads, Figure 3 is a front view of an open chair as depicted in Figure 1 showing the colour matching upholstered form thereof, and Figure 4 is a rear view of a wheelchair as depicted in Figures 1 and 3 showing how the back flap of the upholstery fits.

In the preferred form of the present invention it can be seen that the wheelchair includes means defining a seat 1 and means defining a backrest 2 formed from flexible material such as is frequently used in the trampoline business and which in such a form of seat is not only comfortable, owing to its hammock or sling like nature, but is also durable especially if porous to water and of course light. They can of course be padded using elements as depicted in Figure 2. The elements comprise a seat upholstering member 3 including a plurality of fasteners capable of fitting on to the engagement means 4 as depicted in Figure 1. There is also shown the member 5 which straddles over the backrest portion so that the portion 6 attaches as depicted in Figure 4 with its fasteners 7 and the front portion 8 attaches as depicted in Figure 3 preferably being fastened only at the bottom thereof (not shown) but using the fasteners 9.

It is also possible to colour match the armrest pads 10 by the use of socks or the like members 11 preferably with an elastic perimeter which fit over to provide the aesthetic arrangement as indicated in Figure 3 and 4.

It is believed therefore that the adoption of the invention will find widespread acceptance owing to the ease of construction possible - s - 205040 with such an adoption, Its flexibility and durability and of course its lightness. The use of such a light form of construction owing to the upholstery capability which does not inhibit the folding of the chair should not detract from its marketability even with the colour and fashion conscious. 2<t>5 0"K>

Claims (11)

1. WHAT WE CLAIM IS; t. 'A folding wheelchair of a kind having two side frame sub-assemblies to each of which is mounted directly or indirectly a front and a rear wheel and between which is provided a linkage which allows the bringing together of the sideframe sub-assemblies which when the chair is being used can be locked in a spaced apart condition, the chair having slung between portions of each sideframe sub-assembly at least one sheet of material providing a seat when the sub-asseniDlies are spaced apart and a back rest when the sub-assemblies are spaced apart, there being provided engagement means on or adjacent the seat and the back rest to facilitate the fixinq thereto of removable padding or upholstery arrangements and at least one removable padding and/or upholstery arrangement engageable by said engagement means which arrangement when enqaqed does not prevent movement of the unlocked two side frames together.
2. 2. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two sheets of material slung between portions of each sideframe, one of which provides the seat and the other of which provides the back rest.
3. 3. A wheelchair as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the sheet material is formed from a strong woven material .
4. 4. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said engagement means is means to receive a dome-like fastener which spring fits thereover.
5. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanyim 1, 3 or 4. [28j°l'9S6 A. /, 2015040
6. 6.'. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the back rest is upholstered by upholstery means which straddles the top of the back rest and is fixed at least partially on both sides in relation thereto.
7. 7. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the seat is upholstered on the top side only.
8. 8. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there are arm rests including thereon padded portions.
9. 9. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein sock or the like members are provided receiveable over the padded arm rest portions.
10. 10. A wheelchair as claimed in any one of claims 6-9 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to either of the accompanying Figures 3 and 4.
11. 11. Upholstery Of a kind and for a purpose substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2, 3, or 4. &A1£DTHIS32> DAYOFfiO^ A. J. PARK & SON PER $er\ AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANTS — 1- fiN V E o\ ^"2 3 MAY 1986 d