Seat assembly for wheelchair

Abstract

A seat assembly can be mounted on various wheelchair bases. The seat assembly enables the seat width and backrest width to be adjusted independently of each other. A backrest has a plurality of open slots, the number and orientation of which contributes to depth, width, and height adjustment of the backrest as well as angular adjustment of lateral supports to permit the backrest to conform to the anatomical curves of a user. A backrest foam assembly comprises multiple foam sections that are adapted to be positioned relative to each other and thereby vary the overall width of the assembly. A cover comprises multiple sections, each covering a foam section. A multi-position adjustable armrest assembly combines large-scale and small-scale adjustments, which provides a broad range of adjustment for the armrest and its position. A power recline mechanism with programmable shear reduction includes a dual rotary recline mechanism.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 621,409, filed on Oct. 22, 2004.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] This invention relates in general to personal mobility vehicles and more particularly, to accessories for personal mobility vehicles. Most particularly, this invention relates to seating systems for wheelchairs and like vehicles. [0003] Conventional seat assemblies for wheelchairs have a seat and a backrest that are not independently adjustable. Such seat assemblies are not well suited for users having apple or pear shaped anatomies (i.e., a normal trunk and wide hips, usually due to redundant tissue). Such users would be better accommodated with a wide seat and narrow backrest. Conventional seat assemblies with a seat and a backrest that are not independently adjustable cannot accommodate such users. [0004] Conventional seat assemblies also have lateral thoracic supports. However, most of thes...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention is directed towards a seat assembly for a wheelchair, wherein the seat assembly can be mounted on various wheelchair bases, and more particularly on power wheelchair bases. The seat assembly enables the seat width and backrest width to be adjusted independently of each other.

[0011] The present invention is further directed towards a backrest foam assembly comprising foam having multiple sections that are adapted to be positioned or repositioned relative to each other and thereby vary the overall width of the foam. A cover also comprises multiple sections, each covering a foam section. The covered foam sections are adapted to be positioned or repositioned relative to each other to vary the overall width of the backrest foam assembly. The individual covers are adapted to interconnect to provide an aesthetic appearance for a complete backrest foam assembly.

[0014] Lastly, the present invention is further directed towards a roller clutch bearing (i.e., a one-way bearing) that is sleek and attractive. The roller clutch bearing is a tight aesthetically pleasing functional device. The roller clutch bearing is particularly well suited for use with a leg rest mechanism.

Problems solved by technology

Such seat assemblies are not well suited for users having apple or pear shaped anatomies (i.e., a normal trunk and wide hips, usually due to redundant tissue).

Conventional seat assemblies with a seat and a backrest that are not independently adjustable cannot accommodate such users.

However, most of these supports are limited to adjustment in a vertical plane or direction.

That is to say, these supports do not accommodate changes in width over the vertical extent of the seat assembly due to asymmetry in the anatomy of the user.

However, conventional armrest assemblies do not incorporate all these adjustment features.

Some armrest assemblies utilize a threaded fastener for infinite armrest pad angle adjustment but such an adjustment is very limited.

Also, when the seat assembly is fully reclined, there is an undesirable height differential between the seat and backrest for which there must be compensation.

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