TODAY’S PATENT – WHEELCHAIR

This invention “Wheelchair” was invented by Uzi DanzigerReuven Danziger which was granted patent on 22^nd May, 1979 by the USPTO bearing patent grant number US4155588A to the patentee. The wheelchair that the current invention refers to features two propelling wheels, at least one of which can be swung backward from the seat of the chair. A wheelchair is equipped with an armrest that can be swung down so that it is horizontal and allows the wheelchair user to slide on the downswung armrest onto a seating or lying accommodation. The armrest is made up of two plate elements that are hinged to one another, and when it is unfolded, it provides a wide surface that can bridge a large gap between the wheelchair seat and an accommodation to which the wheelchair user transfers.

A wheelchair consists of a chassis, a seat for the rider mounted on the chassis, first and second propelling wheels positioned on either side of the chassis, first and second armrests attached to either side of the chassis, at least one of the said armrests consisting of two rigid plates, a first plate that is hingedly attached to the chassis near its first edge to be movable from a vertical position to a horizontal position, and a second plate and gallows-like arm including a vertical member mounted on said chassis to slide vertically and pivot about a vertical axis, and a substantially horizontal rail of inverted U-profile connected to said vertical member, said rail straddling the hingedly attached edge portions of said two rigid plates when said two rigid plates are in the vertical position. Armrest locking means are attached to said chassis to secure said two rigid plates in the vertical position.