IES87125B2 - Motorized adjustable airport/aircraft wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

A motorized wheelchair that can be used in an airport and on an aircraft by passengers with reduced mobility. The wheelchair is adjusted when it enters the aircraft cabin to allow it to fit onto and be strapped into an existing economy class aircraft seat. The wheelchair takes the passenger from the check-in desk in the airport to their destination. The wheelchair is used throughout the passengers journey which significantly reduces the amount of seat transfers the passenger must do. The motorized wheelchair has a cantilever shaped frame which enables it to fit around an existing aircraft seat. It has removable rear wheels, 6 castor wheels for easy manoeuvres once inside the aircraft cabin, a battery and a hub motor and adjustable armrests and handles.

Description

Motorized Adjustable Airport/ Aircraft Wheelchair.

Field of the Invention This invention pertains to mobility aids in transportation. More specifically, this invention relates to a wheelchair for use in an airport and on an aircraft. The motorized wheelchair is used to transport people with reduced mobility throughout the airport and on the aircraft.

When on-board the aircraft the motorized wheelchair is adjusted to fit onto existing aircraft economy seats.

Background to the Invention At the moment, while in an airport a person with reduced mobility in transferred from their own wheelchair into an airport wheelchair, then once they reach the aircraft they are transferred in an aisle chair to be brought to their seat. Once at their seat they are then transferred into the window seat on the aircraft. This process is then carried out backwards when they reach their destination so that they can return to their own wheelchair. This process is time consuming for both the passenger and the airlines,and reduces independence for the passenger.

While on an aircraft a person with reduced mobility must be transferred onto an aisle chair to used the bathroom on-board.

Therefore, this invention reduces the number of seat transfers a passenger with reduced mobility must do by allowing the passenger to transfer once into the chair and remain on the same chair throughout theirjourney, until they reach their destination. This is done by adjusting the rear handles, armrests and large rear wheels of the motorized wheelchair once the passenger is on the aircraft. The motorized wheelchair is then pushed into the economy class aircraft seat using the front handles and secured using the aircraft seat seat-belt. The motorized wheelchair can be used on board to enable the passenger to reach the bathroom.

Statement of Invention The object of the motorized wheelchair is give passengers with reduced mobility independence while in an airport and aircraft and to reduce the number of seat transfers they must do.

The invention adopts the following technical solutions: The wheelchair includes the frame of the wheelchair which is contoured to fit around an existing aircraft economy class seat. The shape of the wheelchair frame is designed to allow the passenger to access the life-vest that is stored under an aircraft seat. The width of the wheelchair frame is designed to fit inside the armrests of an aircraft seat. The wheelchair frame supports the seat back cushion and the seat base cushion.

Further, the wheelchair frame is connected to the rear handles, used to push the wheelchair. The rear handles can be folded downwards and to the side when on the aircraft to allow the wheelchair to fit on the aircraft seat.

Further, the wheelchair frame contains a track on each side which supports the armrests and allows them to be lowered when the motorized wheelchair is being used on an aircraft seat.

Further, the armrests support the controls and joystick used to drive the motorized wheelchair.

Further, the wheelchair frame contains front handles which can be extended fon/vard and used by a companion to push the motorized wheelchair backwards into the aircraft seat.

Further, the wheelchair frame supports the battery element, which is connected to the hub motors of the motorized wheelchair.

Further, the wheelchair is supported by two large rear wheels which can be removed with a quick release mechanism.

Further, the wheelchair is supported by four small rear castor wheels once the large rear wheels are removed. These wheels allow the wheelchair to manoeuvre easily into position on the aircraft seat.

Further, the wheelchair frame is connected to two front castor wheels, these wheels contain the hub motor that drives and steers the motorized wheelchair.

Further, the wheelchair frame supports the seat-belt.

Further, the front of the wheelchair frame supports the footrest.

The invention has beneficial effects for the passenger with reduced mobility as the space in the aircraft cabin is limited. The adjustments that can be made to the motorized wheelchair while on board the aircraft, such as the fold-able rear handles, extendable front handles and removable large rear wheels, allow the passenger to fit onto an existing aircraft seat, quickly and easily while remaining in the motorized wheelchair. The large rear wheels of the motorized wheelchair allow for a smooth and stable journey for the passenger through the airport. The castor wheels on the motorized wheelchair allow for easy maneuverability once inside the aircraft and easier access to the bathroom on-board.

The shape of the wheelchair frame enable the passenger to safely access the life-vest underneath an aircraft seat. The motorized wheelchair is designed to save space in a space limited aircraft cabin while still allowing the passenger with reduce mobility to have independence. An existing aircraft seat does not need to be modified to allow the motorized wheelchair to used on-board.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a front view of the motorized wheelchair.

Figure 2 is a side view of the motorized wheelchair.

Figure 3 is a side view of the motorized wheelchair.

Figure 4 is a rear view of the motorized wheelchair.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the motorized wheelchair.

Figure 6 is a front view of the motorized wheelchair on an economy class aircraft seat.

Figure 7 is a side view of the motorized wheelchair on an economy class aircraft seat.

Figure 8 is an isometric view of the motorized wheelchair on an economy class aircraft seat.

Figure 9 is an isometric view of the motorized wheelchair with numbers relating to each component that makes up the motorized wheelchair.

As shown in Figure 9: 1, seat back cushion. 2, rear handle bars. 3, rear handle bar support frame. 4, seat back support frame. 5, seat back support. 6, joystick controller. 7, armrest. 8, seat-belt clip. 9, seat base cushion. 10, rear removable wheels. 11, rear castor wheels. 12, front handle bars. 13, rear castor wheel support frame. 14, footrest. 15, Front castor wheels with hub motor. 16, front castor wheel support frame. 17, motorized wheelchair frame with built-in battery space. 18, seat-belt buckle. 19, seat-belt. 20, armrest.

Detailed description As shown in Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 9 the invention is a motorized wheelchair that is designed to fit around the shape of an existing economy class aircraft seat. The seat includes a wheelchair frame (17) designed using a cantilever shape to allow it to fit around the seat frame and luggage bar on an economy class aircraft seat. It is also designed to fit within the width of an economy class aircraft seat. The wheelchair frame (17) is the structure that supports the seat back cushion (1) and the seat base cushion (9). The seat base cushion (9) is shaped to allow space underneath for the wheelchair battery. The seat back cushion (1) is held in place by the seat back support frame (4) and the seat back support (5). Both the seat back cushion (1) and the seat base cushion (9) are secured onto the wheelchair frame (17) with Velcro straps.

The rear handle bars (2) are supported by the rear handle bar support frame (3) at the top of the wheelchair frame (17). The rear handle bar support frame (3) allows the rear handle bars (2) to be folded down and twisted to the side of the wheelchair frame (17) to easily fit on an aircraft seat.

The wheelchair frame (17) supports the left armrest (7) and the right armrest (20). The track on the right and left side of the wheelchair frame allows the left armrest (7) and the right armrest (20) to be lowered once inside the aircraft. This is to allow the wheelchair to easily fit on an aircraft seat without the left armrest (7) and the right armrest (20) of the wheelchair interfering with the armrests already on the aircraft seat. The left armrest (7) supports the joystick controller (6) that is used to steer the motorized wheelchair. The joystick controller (6) can be placed either in the left armrest (7) or the right armrest (20) of the wheelchair at the time of manufacture.

The wheelchair frame (17) also supports the seat-belt clip (8) that is used to hold the seat- belt (19) securely to the seat. The seat-belt (19) used a seat-belt buckle (18) placed to the front of the seat-belt (19) to allow for easy access.

The wheelchair frame (17) contains the front handle bars (12) which can be extended fon/vard by a companion of the wheelchair user to allow them to manually push the wheelchair backwards into the aircraft seat. The front handle bars (12) are then retracted back into their original position once the wheelchair is in place on the aircraft seat.

The wheelchair frame (17) is supported by two large rear removable wheels (10). These two large rear removable wheels (10) are used throughout the airport to keep the wheelchair stable and to allow the wheelchair to roll over unstable ground easier. The two large rear removable wheels (10) are removed by a companion of the wheelchair user or aircraft assistance once the wheelchair is inside the aircraft cabin by a simple ‘click and release’ mechanism. This is to allow the wheelchair frame (17) to fit onto the aircraft seat.

The two large rear removable wheels (10) are then stored under the aircraft seat.

Once the two large rear removable wheels (10) are removed the wheelchair frame (17) is supported by the four small castor wheels (11). These four small castor wheels (11) allow the wheelchair to be maneuvered into the aircraft seat. The wheelchair can be moved in any direction once the two large rear removable wheels (10) are removed and the wheelchair is support by the rear four small castor wheels (11).

The wheelchair frame (17) is also supported by two front castor wheels (15) that contain the hub motor which allow the wheelchair to be controlled by the user by using the joystick controller (6). Have front castor wheels (15) allows the wheelchair to be moved in any direction.

The footrest (14) is located at the front of the wheelchair frame (17) and contains a non- slip surface. The footrest (14) is designed as a mold to fit onto the front of the wheelchair frame (17).

As shown in Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8 the motorized wheelchair can be placed onto an existing aircraft seat and will not cause any disturbance to the surrounding passengers.

Once on the aircraft the wheelchair can continued to be controlled by the user, using the joystick controller (6) to allow easy access to the bathroom on-board the aircraft.

The motorized wheelchair is designed to support each passenger throughout their journey. It contains lumbar support through the shape of the seat back cushion (1) and the angled tilt of the seat back, leg support and arm support. Add-on supports may be added to the wheelchair to secure the passengers neck, head, torso and legs, if needed.

Claims (1)

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1. A motorized adjustable airportl aircraft wheelchair for use on an aircraft comprising of: a cantilever shaped wheelchair frame which is designed to fit around an existing economy class aircraft seat and is connected to the two large removable rear wheels, four small rear castor wheels, two front castor wheels containing a hub motor, a battery support, a joystick controller that is supported by adjustable armrests, a lumbar support seat back cushion, front and rear companion handle bars and a seat base cushion.