Releasable forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair

1. A forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising rear wheels, forward wheels, a primary frame having a first side and a second side, the primary frame connected to the rear wheels and the forward wheels, a seat attached to the primary frame and disposed between the first and second sides, the first side comprising a portion to which the forward wheel apparatus is releasably securable, the forward wheel apparatus comprising:

a. a caster having a pivot axis;

b. a forward wheel support attached to the caster;

c. a mounting member comprising a first opening to receive the forward wheel support, the mounting member further comprising a second opening to receive a pin for aligning the forward wheel support in an orientation relative to the mounting member, and the mounting member further comprising a clamp to facilitate releasable securing of the forward wheel apparatus to the portion;

wherein the pivot axis of the caster is securable in a desired orientation relative to the wheelchair, and

wherein attaching the forward wheel apparatus to the portion leaves a substantially unobstructed opening for a user to pass through while transferring into or out of the wheelchair.

2. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 1 , wherein the pivot axis of the caster is securable in a substantially vertical orientation.

3. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 1 , wherein the caster is adjustably securable in a lateral position.

4. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 1 , wherein the caster is adjustably securable to the forward wheel support.

5. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 1 , wherein the forward wheel support is nonlinear.

6. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 1 , further comprising an elastomeric member that is in contact with the portion.

7. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 1 , wherein the forward wheel apparatus may be releasably attached to the wheelchair in a stowed position.

8. A forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising a primary frame, a pair of rear drive wheels and a pair of primary caster wheels, the forward wheel apparatus comprising:

a. a forward wheel support having first and second end portions and a wheel, said wheel being detachably attached to the second end portion;

b. a mounting member including a receptacle, wherein the first end portion is releasably inserted into the receptacle;

c. an alignment element located on the first end portion for preventing the forward wheel support from rotating within the receptacle, wherein a desired orientation of the wheel is secured relative to the mounting member; and

wherein the wheel may be adjustably secured to the wheelchair in a substantially vertical position.

9. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 8 , wherein fastening the forward wheel attachment to the wheelchair substantially lengthens the wheelchair to provide increased forward stability and to facilitate traversal over rugged terrain by the user.

10. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 8 , wherein the mounting member further includes an attachment means for releasably attaching the first mounting member to the wheelchair.

11. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 10 , wherein securing the forward wheel apparatus to the wheelchair and engaging the wheel with a ground surface distributes a portion of a load supported by the wheelchair to the forward wheel apparatus and relieves the load from the primary caster wheels.

12. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 11 , wherein securing the forward wheel apparatus to the wheelchair leaves a central forward region between the wheel and the primary frame substantially unobstructed such that a user can pass through the central forward region in the process of transferring into or out of the wheelchair.

13. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 8 , wherein securing the forward wheel apparatus to the wheelchair and engaging the wheel with a ground surface distributes a portion of a load supported by the wheelchair to the forward wheel apparatus and relieves the load from the primary caster wheels.

14. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 13 , wherein securing the forward wheel apparatus to the wheelchair leaves a central forward region between the wheel and the primary frame substantially unobstructed such that a user can pass through the central forward region in the process of transferring into or out of the wheelchair.

15. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 8 , wherein securing the forward wheel apparatus to the wheelchair leaves a central forward region between the wheel and the primary frame substantially unobstructed such that a user can pass through the central forward region in the process of transferring into or out of the wheelchair.

16. The forward wheel apparatus for a wheelchair of claim 15 , wherein the mounting member further includes an attachment means for releasably attaching the first mounting member to the wheelchair.

17. A conversion means for a wheelchair, the wheelchair comprising rear wheels, conventional casters, a primary frame connected to the rear wheels and the conventional casters, a seat attached to the primary frame, the primary frame comprising a portion to which a releasable wheel assembly may be attached, the conversion means comprising:

a. the releasable wheel assembly including a forward wheel support and a mounting member;

b. the forward wheel support having first and second end portions and a wheel, said wheel being detachably attached to the second end portion;

c. the mounting member including a receptacle, and the first end portion being releasably connected to the receptacle, and wherein the mounting member fastens the releasable wheel assembly to the portion;

d. means for preventing rotation of the first end portion relative to the receptacle;

wherein the conversion means may share in load-bearing with the conventional casters or may fully relieve the conventional casters from load-bearing, and

wherein the releasable wheel assembly may be adjustably fastened in a desired angular orientation relative to the primary frame.

18. The conversion means for a wheelchair of claim 17 , wherein the mounting member is permanently affixed to the wheelchair.

19. The conversion means for a wheelchair of claim 17 , the conversion means further comprising a quick-release clamp.

20. The conversion means for a wheelchair of claim 17 , wherein the releasable wheel assembly may be fastened to the wheelchair in a stowed position.