IP Library Granted Patent US 6,932,369
Granted Patent B2
US 6,932,369 · App. 10/681,707 · Granted Aug 23, 2005

Wheelchair and structural elements therefore

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,932,369
App. No.
10/681,707
Granted
Aug 23, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

An assembly comprises an elongate member and a receiving member. The elongate member has an external cross-sectional shape which is substantially square and has corners replaced by circumferentially spaced circular portions of a circumscribing circle with flat portions therebetween which lie within the circle. The receiving member has a receiving formation having an internal cross-sectional shape which cooperates at least with the flat portions of the external cross-sectional shape of the elongate member to prevent relative movement between the receiving member and elongate member about a longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The assembly is adapted for use in a joining the members of a wheelchair. The invention is further directed towards a structural assembly comprising an elongate member engaging in a receiving formation of a receiving member and a clamp embracing the receiving member to clamp the elongate member in the receiving formation. The clamp includes a locating element cooperating with respective formations in the elongate member and receiving member to position the elongate member in the direction of its length relative to the receiving member. The clamp is adapted for use in a joining the members of a wheelchair.

Claims (33)

1. A vehicle frame assembly comprising:

an elongate member having an external cross-sectional shape which is substantially square having corners replaced by circumferentially spaced circular portions of a circumscribing circle with flat portions therebetween which lie within the circle;

a receiving member having a receiving formation having an internal cross-sectional shape which cooperates at least with the flat portions of the external cross-sectional shape of the elongate member, to prevent relative movement between the receiving member and elongate member about a longitudinal axis of the elongate member; and

a fastener for fastening the members together, wherein the fastener extends transversely through the receiving formation and the elongate member.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the external cross-sectional shape of the elongate member and internal cross-sectional shape of the receiving formation are substantially the same as one another.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate member and the receiving member are frame components of a personal mobility vehicle.

4. A structural assembly comprising:

an elongate member having an external cross-sectional shape which is substantially square having corners replaced by circumferentially spaced circular portions of a circumscribing circle with flat portions therebetween which lie within the circle;

a receiving member having a receiving formation having an internal cross-sectional shape which cooperates at least with the flat portions of the external cross-sectional shape of the elongate member, to prevent relative movement between the receiving member and elongate member about a longitudinal axis of the elongate member; and

a fastener for fastening the members together, wherein the fastener comprises a clamp embracing a part of the receiving member to clamp the elongate member in the receiving formation.

5. An assembly according to claim 4 further comprising a locating element engaging the receiving member and elongate member to position the receiving member and elongate member relative to one another.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the locating element is associated with the clamp and extends inwardly from the clamp through the receiving member to engage the elongate member.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein the elongate member has a plurality of the formations for adjusting the position of the elongate member relative to the receiving member.

8. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the clamp includes a locating element cooperating with respective formations in the elongate member and receiving member to position the elongate member in the direction of its length relative to the receiving member.

9. A structural assembly according to claim 8 wherein the formations comprise an aperture in the receiving member and an aperture or recess in the elongate member, the locating element extending radially inwardly through the aperture in the receiving member to engage the recess or aperture in the elongate member.

10. A structural assembly according to claim 9 wherein there is a row of the formations in the elongate member, spaced lengthwise thereof to permit adjustability in the position of the elongate member relative to the receiving member.

11. A structural assembly according to claim 10 wherein the locating element comprises a nose portion of a fastener by which the clamp is tightened.

12. An assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the elongate member and the receiving member are frame components of a personal mobility vehicle.

13. A structural frame assembly comprising:

an elongate member having an external cross-sectional shape which is substantially square having corners replaced by circumferentially spaced circular portions of a circumscribing circle with flat portions therebetween which lie within the circle; and

a receiving member having a receiving formation having an internal cross-sectional shape which cooperates at least with the flat portions of the external cross-sectional shape of the elongate member, to prevent relative movement between the receiving member and elongate member about a longitudinal axis of the elongate member; and

a member angularly movable about the longitudinal axis of the elongate member and being received on the elongate member and engaging the circular portions of the elongate member.

14. A wheelchair comprising:

two side frame structures which carry wheels, each side frame structure including an upper rail member and a lower rail member extending forward and rearward of the wheelchair; and

at least one structural assembly provided between one or more of the rail members for joining the rail members at front and/or rear of the wheelchair, the assembly comprising:

an elongate member having an external cross-sectional shape which is substantially square having corners replaced by circumferentially spaced circular portions of a circumscribing circle with flat portions therebetween which lie within the circle; and

a receiving member having a receiving formation having an internal cross-sectional shape which cooperates at least with the flat portions of the external cross-sectional shape of the elongate member, to prevent relative movement between the receiving member and elongate member about a longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

15. A wheelchair according to claim 14 further comprising a cross-brace assembly including first and second cross-brace members pivotally connected to one another between ends thereof by a pivot, each of the cross-brace members being pivotally connected at a lower end with a respective one of the side frame lower rail members and being connected at an opposite upper end with a respective seat-supporting member, and respective links pivotally connected between the cross-brace members and a respective one of the upper rail members of the side frame structures, and wherein at least one of the assemblies is provided in each cross-brace member.

16. A wheelchair according to claim 14 further comprising:

a first cross-brace member pivotally connected to a second cross-brace member, the cross-brace members each comprising an elongate member;

at least one of a seat-supporting member or a pivot member comprising a receiving member having a receiving formation engaging; the elongate member of a respective one of the cross-brace members; and

a clamp embracing the receiving member of the seat-supporting member to clamp the elongate member of the cross-brace member in the receiving formation of the receiving member of the seat-supporting member, wherein the clamp includes a locating element cooperating with respective formations in the elongate member of the cross-brace member and receiving member of the seat-supporting member to position the elongate member of the cross-brace member in the direction of its length relative to the receiving member of the seat-supporting member.

17. An assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the elongate member and the receiving member are frame components of a personal mobility vehicle.

Assignments (5)
TERMINATION OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 11, 2015
From: COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, FILIALE LUXEMBOURG, AS SECURITY AGENT
To: SUNRISE MEDICAL (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 037091/0354 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 27, 2012
From: SUNRISE MEDICAL (US) LLC
To: COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, FILIALE LUXEMBURG
Reel/Frame 029532/0516 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2011
From: SUNRISE MEDICAL HHG INC.
To: SUNRISE MEDICAL (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 026884/0005 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 14, 2009
From: SUNRISE MEDICAL HHG INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 022678/0327 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 8, 2003
From: WALSH, IAN ASHLEY; MENEAR, ROBERT
To: SUNRISE MEDICAL HHG INC.
Reel/Frame 014604/0107 →