U.S. patent application number 11/970975 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for foldable cover for the overhead protection of an occupant of a wheelchair or other wheeled vehicle.
Invention is credited to Ronald Lee Ayers, Ada Marie Bull.
Application Number | 20080106126 11/970975 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37678410 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080106126 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ayers; Ronald Lee ; et
al. |
May 8, 2008 |
FOLDABLE COVER FOR THE OVERHEAD PROTECTION OF AN OCCUPANT OF A
WHEELCHAIR OR OTHER WHEELED VEHICLE
Abstract
Two embodiments of a foldable cover for protecting the occupant
of a wheelchair or other wheeled vehicle is described. The foldable
cover includes a frame having two sections, a back section and a
top section cantileverable from the back section over the normal
space provided for an occupant. A mounting bar for rigidly mounting
the back section and, hence, the remainder of the foldable cover is
provided with both embodiments. The back section is pivotally
connected to the mounting bar for pivoting movement between a
stowed position in which such cover is out of the way of the
occupant in a protected position in which it and the cantilevered
top section cooperate to cover the occupant.
Inventors: |
Ayers; Ronald Lee;
(Sunnyvale, CA) ; Bull; Ada Marie; (Sunnyvale,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHNECK & SCHNECK
P.O. BOX 2-E
SAN JOSE
CA
95109-0005
US
|
Family ID: |
37678410 |
Appl. No.: |
11/970975 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11188291 |
Jul 22, 2005 |
7316450 |
|
|
11970975 |
Jan 8, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/184.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 5/10 20130101; A61G
5/1054 20161101; A47C 7/66 20130101; A61G 5/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/184.15 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/62 20060101
A47C007/62 |
Claims
1. A foldable cover for the overhead protection of an occupant of a
wheeled vehicle, which cover is storable on the wheeled vehicle
when not in use in a position facilitating erection to provide said
overhead protection, the cover comprising: a frame having at least
two sections: a back section and a top section cantileverable from
said back section over the normal space provided by said vehicle
for said occupant, said frame being rigidly securable to said
vehicle with said back section pivotally connected for switching
said cover between a stowed position on said vehicle and a
protective position covering the occupant space; and a flexible
covering supported by said frame sections.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.
11/188,291 filed Jul. 22, 2005; now U.S. Pat. No. 7,316,450 granted
Jan. 8, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a cover for the overhead
protection of an occupant of a wheelchair or other wheeled vehicle
and, more particularly, to such a cover which is foldable and
storable on the vehicle when not in use and includes many features
which are quite attractive to a disabled occupant.
[0003] Most wheelchairs or other wheeled vehicles designed for
disabled occupants do not include a cover providing overhead
protection for the occupant. While covers have been designed in the
past, none has been acceptable in the marketplace for various
reasons. The result of this lack of adequate covers is that many
disabled do not venture out if the existing or potential weather is
not conducive to uncovered travel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a foldable cover for
protecting the occupant of a wheelchair or other wheeled vehicle.
It can be stowed when not in use on the wheelchair itself.
[0005] In its basic aspects, the foldable cover of the invention
includes a frame having at least two sections, a back section and a
top section cantileverable from the back section over the normal
space provided for the occupant. It most desirably further includes
a mounting bar for rigidly mounting the back section and, hence,
the remainder of the foldable cover, to the vehicle.
[0006] Although the mounting bar acts to rigidly secure the cover
to a wheeled vehicle such as a wheelchair, the back section is
pivotally connected to the mounting bar for pivoting between a
stowed position in which such cover is out-of-the-way of the
occupant and a protective position in which said back section and
the cantilevered top section cooperate to cover the occupant. The
stowed or storable position is one which is selected to facilitate
erection. The cover of the invention also includes a flexible
covering which is supported by the frame sections.
[0007] The cantilever arrangement is most simply provided by the
hinge securance including an interference position between frame
members in the path of pivoting of the top section relative to the
back section. The result is that the cantilevering is provided
automatically when the top and back sections are pivotally moved
relative to one another.
[0008] One feature of the invention is that at least part of the
top section has a transverse width sized to fit within the
transverse width of the back section. This geometric arrangement
facilitates the collapsing of the frame to enable the foldable
cover to be positioned in the stowed position.
[0009] The invention includes other features and advantages which
will be described or will become apparent from the following more
detailed description of preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a foldable
cover of the invention that is lightweight, the cover of the
embodiment being shown in its erected position providing overhead
protection for an occupant.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a
foldable cover of the invention installed on a motorized
wheelchair.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the covering of the
embodiment of FIG. 2 showing an air vent.
[0013] FIGS. 4 and 5 are partial isometric views showing the
embodiment of FIG. 2 in stages of being moved to its stowed
position.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the
embodiment of the invention of FIG. 2 in its stowed position.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the frame arrangement of the
embodiment of FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the frame of FIG. 7 showing
the frame in a partially collapsed position with a component of top
section fitting within the back section.
[0017] FIG. 9 is an enlarged isometric view of the hinge securance
between the back section and the midsection component of the frame
the top section of the embodiment of FIG. 2, said view generally
being encircled in FIG. 7.
[0018] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the frame arrangement of the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, similar to the showing in FIG. 1
of the frame of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of that portion of the frame of
the embodiment of FIG. 1 encircled in FIG. 10, illustrating the
manner in which there is an interference position between the
pivoting top section and the back section resulting in the desired
cantilever.
[0020] FIGS. 12 and 13 are partial isometric views similar to FIGS.
4 and 5 showing the embodiment of FIG. 1 in stages of being moved
to its stowed position, FIG. 13 showing the same in almost its
stowed position.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a partial elevation view of the cover of FIG. 2
completely stowed.
[0022] FIG. 15 is an enlarged isometric view of the mount bar of
the FIG. 1 embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 of the mount bar
showing an attachment for securing the foldable cover of the
invention to a wheeled vehicle such as a scooter designed for use
by the disabled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The following, relatively detailed description is provided
to satisfy the patent statutes. It will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art, though, that various changes and modifications
can be made without departing from the invention.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention in
combination with a standard push-type wheelchair. It can be seen
how the foldable cover of the invention extends over the space
provided for the occupant. Many of the principles of the invention,
though, can best be understood from a description of the preferred
embodiment of FIG. 2. With reference to such figure, the foldable
cover 11 of this embodiment is an after market item attached to a
motorized wheelchair 12. Such chair includes, as is typical, a pair
of powered wheels 13 and a pair of front stabilizing wheels 14. A
platform 16 is provided, separating the occupant space of the chair
from the mechanics which result in the powering of the wheels.
Although not shown in detail since the mechanics forms no part of
the invention, such mechanics include a battery pack and motor
represented at 17.
[0026] The occupant space is defined by a chair having a back 18,
two arms 19, and the usual footrests 21.
[0027] In accordance with normal practice, the chair 12 also
includes a pair of push handles 22. It is to these push handles
that the foldable cover of the invention is rigidly secured via an
intermediate mount bar 23.
[0028] The foldable cover is made up of a frame 15 (described in
more detail hereinafter), supporting a covering 20. The covering 20
is generally opaque although it could be transparent. In this
embodiment it is generally opaque with a transparent window at the
location for the back of the head of an occupant of the wheelchair.
Such covering also defines small air vents at the location of the
window to enable air to escape and thus prevent pressure buildup
from occurring within the covering and interfering with its
location over the space defined for an occupant. This is shown in
FIG. 3 in which it is illustrated that air represented by arrow 30
is flowable between securing window fasteners from the interior of
the covering to the exterior.
[0029] As mentioned previously, the foldable cover of this
embodiment is an after market item. It is for this reason that the
mount bar 23 is provided. This mount bar 23 extends between the
push handles 22 and is rigidly secured in front of the portion of
the same designed to receive the hands of a pusher. As is best
illustrated in FIG. 8, the mount bar 23 includes a plurality of
slots 24 at two separated locations corresponding to the locations
of the push bars. Each group of slots accommodates a strap 26 or U
bolt which passes about the associated handle bar and provides a
rigid securance to the chair.
[0030] Although both embodiments being described have mount bars,
such a bar is really not necessary when one considers the basic
aspects of the instant invention. From the broad standpoint, the
foldable cover need not be an after market item and could be
integrated into the chair itself with the result that the mounting
bar is not needed. Even when the cover is integrated into the chair
itself, it is rigidly securable to the chair. However, it is
important is that the cover frame be pivotally connected for
switching between a stowed or stored position on the wheelchair and
a protective position in which it covers the occupant's space.
[0031] The stowed or stored position is selected to facilitate
erection of the cover. While it is recognized that many disabled
will not be able to erect the cover (or covers of any design at
all), this position facilitates erection and permits erection by
some disabled.
[0032] In the embodiment of FIG. 2 being described, the frame is
shown in its entirety in FIG. 7 and is made up of a plurality of
polyethylene plastic bars. It includes a back section 28 and two
top section components, a front section component 29 and a
midsection component 31.
[0033] When the cover of the invention is moved to its stowed
position, the front frame component 29 fits within the back section
28. That is, the transverse width of the front section 29 is less
than the transverse width of the back section to accommodate such
an arrangement, helping to provide the cover in a compact,
collapsed condition when it is in its stored position.
[0034] Another important feature of the invention is that the cover
extends over the full occupant space. In this connection, in this
embodiment the top section made up of its components 29 and 31 are
cantilevered from the back section 28. This is facilitated by
including a hinged securance of the top midsection component to the
back section with an interference position. This midsection is
sandwiched between the back section and the front section
component. When the cover is erected, this front component is, in
essence, an extension of the midsection component so that the two
top components are serially cantilevered from the back section.
[0035] The relationship resulting in the interference position for
this embodiment is best illustrated in FIG. 9. Such figure is a
blow-up of a portion of the frame shown in FIG. 7, but in a
somewhat different position. As illustrated, the back section 28
and midsection 31 are hingedly connected together by an L-shaped
hinge 32. However, the end 33 of the frame piece 31 is designed to
abut against the frame piece 28 and thus provide the interference
position which results in the cantilevering of the midsection frame
and, hence, the full top section from the back section as
desired.
[0036] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate steps in the folding of the cover.
As can be seen from FIG. 4, as the front component 29 of the top
section is folded rearwardly, it takes the flexible covering 20
with the same. It is folded to be generally parallel to the top
component 31. As a particularly salient feature of the instant
invention, the front section 29 has a transverse width less than
that of the back section 28 with the result that it fits within the
width of such back section when the foldable cover of the invention
is stowed. While this can be seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 (which shows
the foldable cover fully stowed) it is best illustrated in FIG. 8
which does not include the covering. This dimensional relationship
aids in assuring that when the foldable cover is in its stowed
position, it is a relatively compact arrangement.
[0037] As mentioned previously, the mount bar 23 assures that rigid
securance to the wheelchair is achieved. As discussed previously, a
pair of spaced groups of slots 24 accommodate Velcro straps or U
bolts which extend around the two push handles of a wheelchair to
enable the bar to be rigidly secured thereto. The cover itself is
then pivotally connected to the bar, i.e., the back section 28 is
so connected, to enable the cover to be moved from its protective
position to its stowed position.
[0038] It will be seen from the above how the frame is designed not
only to provide the desired foldability, but also to make sure that
the full occupant space is covered. It is not necessary, though,
that the top section be made up of a plurality of section
components to provide the desired coverage. The embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 1 is an example. Its frame is made from
spring wire. More particularly, as is best shown in FIG. 13, the
frame includes both a back section 41 out of spring wire and a
front section 42 which is cantilevered therefrom. (By "spring" wire
is meant wire which is flexible and "springs back" to its original
position once the force which is responsible for the flexing is
released.)
[0039] With reference to FIG. 1, the foldable cover of this
embodiment is also an after market item and is rigidly secured to a
regular push wheelchair 43 via a mount bar 44. (This mount bar 44
is different than the mount bar of the embodiment of FIG. 2 and
will be described in more detail hereinafter.)
[0040] The foldable cover of the FIG. 1 embodiment is made up both
of a covering 46 and the frame discussed previously. The covering
is also either fully transparent or generally opaque with a window
47 as illustrated. Such covering is secured to the frame only at
the front edge 48 and therefore follows the frame when it is
erected but enables the frame (and cover) to be folded easily. The
air vent provided by this embodiment is simple in that the window
is secured only at the upper end of the same to the remainder of
the covering by a standard hook-loop securing tape (not visible),
such as that sold with the trademark Velcro. The result is that the
full sides of the windows provide air vents. A simple hole 50 is
provided in the center of the front of the cover so that the user
can easily attach a bungee cord or the like to the front of the
cover to keep it from being blown in a strong wind or the like.
[0041] Reference is made to FIG. 10 for a better understanding of
the frame of this embodiment. The back section 41 is of a one-piece
construction of spring wire with a transverse portion 49 extending
between its two elongated side portions 51.
[0042] The top section 42 is pivotally hinged to the back section
via bolts 52. That is, with reference to FIG. 11, it is seen that
the side portions 51 of the back section are folded around to make
a loop through which bolts 52 extend. The spring wire of the back
section then continues to form the transverse portion 49. The free
ends of the spring wire making up the front section 42 are
respectively secured around the bolts 52 as illustrated, and as a
significant feature of the invention the construction results in
the top section 42 being cantilevered from the back section. That
is, as can be seen from FIG. 11 the transverse portion 49 of the
back section interferes with pivoting motion of the top section 42
relative to the back section beyond the position which is shown. In
other words, an interference position in each hinge connection is
provided to assure that the cantilever is achieved. (It will be
appreciated that although only one end is shown, the manner in
which the other end of the top section interacts with the back
section is simply a mirror image of that shown.) As illustrated,
ties are provided to enable the forward lower end of the cover to
be secured on each side to the wheelchair arms. This arrangement
helps to maintain the cover in place when it is erected.
[0043] As mentioned previously, the covering is only secured to the
frame at the front edge of the foldable cover. The result is that
when the top section of the frame is pivoted or folded to the
stowed position in the direction of the arrow 53 in FIG. 12, the
covering 46 falls away from the same and simply follows the frame.
The transverse width of the top section of the frame is slightly
less than the transverse width of the back section defined by the
wire portion 51 to thereby facilitate folding.
[0044] FIG. 12 shows an intermediate position when the cover of the
invention is being folded to the stowed or stored position. The
back section of the frame is pivotally connected to the mount bar
44 so that the whole construction can be folded into the collapsed
portion illustrated in FIG. 13. This embodiment is different than
the earlier embodiment in that it includes a bag enclosure 54 for
housing the cover when it is in its stowed position. This bag
enclosure is made up of front and back panels with the front panel
permanently secured along an edge (the edge opposite edge 56) to
the back panel, and the front panel is wrapped around the cover to
the edge 56; the bottom of the enclosure being closed by a zipper
(not shown) which extends upward along the edge 56 to thereby
secure the front panel 58 of the bag enclosure to the back panel.
The result of this construction is that the bottom and both sides
of the bag enclosure are enclosed. A flap 59 (FIG. 14) is provided
to close the top portion and provide complete protection for the
foldable cover of the invention when it is stowed. It should be
noted that while for clarity purposes, in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 the
front panel 58 of the bag enclosure is shown extending outward from
the back panel, as a practical matter when the foldable cover of
the invention is erected, the front panel is simply zipped to the
back panel to thereby provide an empty bag enclosure and for
clarity purposes, the bag enclosure is not shown in FIG. 1.
[0045] The front panel 58 of the enclosure is provided with a pouch
61 for the occupant to carry various items, such as groceries. It
should be noted that the flap 59 extends over the opening into the
pouch.
[0046] A sun visor or the like similar to those provided in
automobiles can be provided on the front of the cover to 15 enable
the occupant to obtain shade as desired.
[0047] As mentioned previously, the mount bar 44 of this embodiment
is different than the mount bar of the other earlier described
embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, such mount bar is similar to the
earlier mount bar in that it extends between the push handles 62 of
the chair to which the foldable cover is secured. However, it
differs in that it includes a pair of opposed U-shaped clamps 63
and 64 maintaining the same in position on the push bars. Clamp 63
is held rigidly in position by a bolt 66 extending through one of a
plurality of holes 67. In contrast, the clamp 64 is secured to the
remainder of the mount bar 68 via a bolt 69, which extends through
a slot 71. The result of this construction is that a quick release
mechanism is provided on the mount bar for selectively providing
the rigid securance to a wheelchair. In this connection, when the
mount bar is initially installed, the bolt 66 is tightened through
an appropriate one of the holes 67 to center the mount bar, and
then the bracket 64 is slipped on the other push handle 62 to
locate the same for the rigid securance; then the bolt 69 is
tightened. It will be appreciated that with this arrangement to
remove the mount bar and, hence, the foldable cover from the chair
it is only necessary to loosen the bolt 69 and slide the bracket 64
to disengage the same from its respective handle and the full mount
bar from the chair.
[0048] Mount bar 44 is quite versatile and can be used to mount the
foldable cover (or any other desired structure) to other vehicles,
such as the scooters typically used by the disabled. As shown in
FIG. 16 the mount bar includes a bracket 72 designed to mate with
and be secured to a channel extension 73. Such extension is
designed to be adjustably received within an L-shaped connector 74
and, in this connection, a plurality of holes 76 are provided for
interaction with a pin 77 to enable one to select an appropriate
height. The L-shaped connector 34 is, in turn, held by a pin 78
within a receiver 79 of the type typically found at the rear of
scooters and the like.
[0049] It will be recognized from the above that this embodiment is
particularly lightweight and is therefore especially useful with
push chairs. Moreover, the foldable cover of the invention is
easily moved between the fully upright condition and a stowed
position.
[0050] As mentioned at the beginning of the detailed description,
applicant is not limited to the specific embodiments and variations
described above. For example, it may be desirable to provide two
different coverings for a single foldable cover of the invention,
one covering being fully transparent for use in storms and the like
(provide protection without interfering with visibility) and one
generally opaque for protection from the sun. It will also be
recognized that the cover of the invention can be used with other
wheeled vehicles. It is not limited to use with those designed for
the disabled. The claims, their equivalents, and their equivalent
language define the scope of protection.
* * * * *