GB2422358A - A wheelchair wheel grip - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheelchair wheel grip 30 comprises a gripping element 28 having an uninterrupted endless annular rim supporting portion 32 and an uninterrupted endless annular rim 34 supported by the rim supporting portion 32. The grip 30 also includes an uninterrupted endless annular grip support 26, other than a tyre mounting channel 20 of a wheel, which supports the gripping element 28. Trapping and/or injury of a user's hand when operating a wheelchair wheel having the grip is thereby eliminated or reduced. The wheel grip may be unitarily formed with the wheel 10, or may be removably attachable thereto (figures 4 and 5).

Description

I

A WHEELCHAIR WHEEL GRIP

This invention relates to a wheelchair wheel grip.

It is common to see an annular or ring-shaped grip attached in slightly spaced relationship to a wheel of a wheelchair. A user urges the annular grip to manually move the wheelchair in a desired direction.

A problem which becomes apparent with this type of arrangement is that it is easy to catch one's fingers either on the supporting pegs holding the annular grip to the wheelchair wheel, and/or in the spokes of the wheel itself.

JPO7-304302A attempts to provide a solution to this problem by forming the annular grip continuously to the lyre mounting channel of the wheel. However, this arrangement makes assembly of the wheel rim problematic, and does not prevent digits being caught in the spokes of the wheel when in use.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheelchair wheel grip comprising a gripping element having an uninterrupted endless annular rim supporting portion and an uninterrupted endless annular rim supported by the rim supporting portion; and an uninterrupted endless annular grip support other than a tyre mounting channel of a wheel which supports the gripping element.

Preferable andlor optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 12, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheelchair wheel having a grip in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Preferably, the grip is unitarily formed as part of the wheel.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a wheelchair wheel grip, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, provided on a wheelchair wheel in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the wheel shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a second embodiment ot' a wheelchair wheel grip, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, provided on a wheelchair wheel in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a third embodiment of a wheelchair wheel grip, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a fourth embodiment of a wheelchair wheel grip, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a wheelchair wheel 10 with part of an axle 12. The wheel 10 is formed from any suitable material, and may he formed from moulded, cast or fabricated plastics or metal. The wheel 10 includes radial spokes 14 which extend a short distance from a hub 16 of the wheel 10, and a smooth uninterrupted annular portion 18 between the ends ofthe spokes 14 and a tyre mounting channel 20 which is an integral part, and extends continuously around the circumference, of the wheel 10.

It will be appreciated that the spokes 14 can be dispensed with, or may only be provided on an inner face 22 of the wheel 10 while the outer face 24 of the wheel 10 is plane or substantially plane.

The uninterrupted annular portion 18 between the spokes 14 and the tyre mounting channel 20 forms a grip support 26 on which a gripping element 28 is provided. The grip support 26 and gripping element 28 form part of a wheelchair wheel grip 30 by which the wheel 10 can be manually moved.

The gripping element 28 comprises a smooth uninterrupted endless annular rim supporting portion 32 having radially outer and inner smooth uninterrupted surfaces 32a and 32b, and a smooth uninterrupted endless annular rim 34 supported by the rim supporting portion 32.

The rim supporting portion 32 of the gripping element 28 extends axially from an axially outer surface 36 of the grip support 26. The radially outer surface 32a of the supporting portion 32 is uninterrupted and contiguously formed with a radially outer surface portion 36a of the outer surface 36; and the radially inner surface 32b of the supporting portion 32 is uninterrupted and contiguously formed with a radially inner surface portion 36b of the outer surface 36.

A distal portion of the rim supporting portion 32 flares radially outwards in the general direction of the tyre mounting channel 20. The annular rim 34 is provided on the distal edges of the surfaces 32a, 32b of the rim supporting portion 32. As a consequence, the annular rim 34 projects radially beyond the rim supporting portion 32.

The annular rim 34, as can best be seen in Figure 2, has a circular or substantially circular lateral cross-section. However, other crosssectional shapes can be used.

The wheelchair wheel grip 30 also includes an uninterrupted endless annular hand guard 38 which is supported by the grip support 26 of the wheel 10. The hand guard 38 is spaced radially inwards of the gripping element 28 by a distance sufficient to allow unhindered access of a users fingers therebetween. The hand guard 38 extends axially from, and transversely, typically perpendicularly, to, the radially inner surface portion 36b of the axially outer surface 36 of the grip support 26 by a distance sufficient to project beyond a user's third knuckles when the user's hand is gripping the gripping element 28. A distal portion of the hand guard 38 flares radially outwards to provide further protection to the user's hand.

Since the grip support 26 of the wheelchair grip 30 is smooth, uninterrupted by any openings, and extends transversely, typically perpendicularly, to both sides of the gripping element, a user's fingers simply abut the radially outer and inner surface portions 36a, 36b of the axially outer suruitce 36 of the grip support 26 without passing through the wheel 10.

Furthermore, when gripping the gripping element 28, an endless smooth run is offered to the user's hands by the radially outer and inner surfaces 32a, 32b of the annular rim supporting portion 32 and annular rim 34.

The hand guard 38 protects a user's knuckles when, for example, manoeuvring the wheelchair through a doorway or other opening. Since the hand guard 38 is continuous without interruption, it prevents a user's fingers projecting through the hand guard 38 and/or being accidentally impeded or caught in an opening between spokes.

Referring now to Figure 3, a wheelchair wheel 10' having a second embodiment of a wheelchair wheel grip 30' is shown. This embodiment corresponds to that of the first embodiment, except that the hand guard is dispensed with. Parts which correspond to those of the first embodiment have similar references, and further description is omitted.

Although not as preferable, by dispensing with the hand guard, access to the gripping element 28' is simplified. As in the first embodiment, by providing a smooth uninterrupted endless annular grip support 26' having axially outer surface 36' with smooth uninterrupted radially outer and inner surface portions 36a' and 36b', rim supporting portion 32' having smooth uninterrupted radially outer and inner surfaces 32a' and 32b', and rim 34', all without protrusions and/or openings, hindrance and possible injury of a user's fingers is prevented.

It is intended that the wheelchair wheel 10;lO', including the wheel grip 30;30', as described above is unitarily formed as a single part. As such, since the grip support extends transversely to both sides of the rim supporting portion with uninterrupted and contiguously formed surfaces, no undesirable protrusions or openings are incorporated which can possibly lead to hindering or injuring a user's hand.

Referring to Figure 4, a third embodiment of a wheelchair wheel grip 30" is shown. Like references refer to like parts, and further detailed description is omitted.

In this embodiment, the grip 30" is intended to be releasably fastenable to either an existing wheelchair wheel, such as one having long, radially extending spokes, or a wheel as shown in Figures 1 and 2 when not provided with a unitarily formed grip.

The wheelchair wheel grip 30" comprises a smooth uninterrupted endless annular grip support 26", and a gripping element 28" which is supported by the grip support 26".

The grip support 26" is in the form of a flat ring, and includes means (not shown) lbr fastening the grip to a wheelchair wheel. The grip support 26" has an axially outer surface 36" including radially outer and inner surface portions 36a" and 36b". The fastening means, by way of example, may take the fbrm of screw- threaded fastening devices for screwing or bolting the grip 30" directly to the wheel, or strap or clipping devices.

The gripping element 28", similarly to the first two embodiments, comprises a smooth uninterrupted endless annular rim supporting portion 32" having radially outer and inner surfaces 32a" and 32b", and a smooth uninterrupted endless annular rim 34" supported by the rim supporting portion 32".

The rim supporting portion 32" is provided partway between radially inner and outer edges of the grip support 26", so that radially outer surface 32a" and radially outer surface portion 36a", and radially inner surface 32b" and radially inner surface portion 36b" are uninterrupted and contiguous with each other, respectively. The rim supporting portion 32" extends transversely, typically perpendicularly, from the axially outer surface 36" of the grip support 26".

A distal portion of the rim supporting portion 32" flares radially outwards, and the annular rim 34" is formed thereon. This arrangement results in the annular rim 34" projecting radially beyond the rim supporting portion 32".

The lateral Cross-section of the annular rim 34" is non-circular. However, as mentioned previously, a circular cross-section can be utilised.

Although a hand guard is not provided, since the grip support 26" extends transversely to both sides of the gripping element 28", an uninterrupted endless hand guard, similarly to that described with regard to the first embodiment, can be provided on or adjacent to the inner radial edge of the grip support 26".

The grip support 26", having radially outer and inner surface portions 36a", 36b" of the axially outer surface 36" which extend to either side of the gripping element 28" respectively, prevents or limits the likelihood of a user's fingers being caught or trapped in openings in a wheelchair wheel to which the grip 30" is attached.

Similarly, the continuous gripping element 28" eliminates the chance of injury sustained through a digit being caught, since no openings and/or protrusions are provided.

A fourth embodiment of a wheelchair wheel grip 30", shown in Figure 5, is similar to that of the third embodiment. As such, like references refer to like parts and

further description is omitted.

In this embodiment, an uninterrupted endless annular gripping element 28" is supported by an uninterrupted endless annular grip support 26". The grip support 26" is again in the form of a flat or planar ring. A rim supporting portion 32" of the gripping element 28" extends transversely, typically perpendicularly, to an axially outer surface 36" of the grip support 26".

The rim supporting portion 32" of the gripping element 28" is provided on a radially outer edge of a radially inner surface portion 36b" of the axially outer surface 36". As such, the grip support 26" is uninterrupted and contiguously formed with the gripping element 28". The grip support 26" also projects radially inwards relative to the gripping element 28".

As in the third embodiment, a distal portion of the rim supporting portion 32" flares radially outwards, and an uninterrupted endless annular rim 34" of the gripping element 28" is provided thereon.

The lateral cross-section of the annular rim 34" is non-circular. However, as mentioned previously, a circular cross-section can be utilised.

Although a hand guard is not provided, since the grip support extends radially inwards, an uninterrupted endless hand guard, similarly to that described with regard to the first embodiment, can be provided on or adjacent to the inner edge of the grip support 26".

The grip 30" includes means (not shown) for fastening the grip to a wheelchair wheel. The fastening means, again by way of example, may take the form of screw- threaded fastening devices for screwing or bolting the grip directly to the wheel, or strap or clipping devices.

Although the wheelchair wheel grip of the third and fourth embodiments is unitarily formed as a single item, it is possible that the grip support and the gripping element could be formed as separate items which can be fastened together.

Although the hand guard has been described above as flaring outwards, the hand guard can be of any suitable shape or form.

Similarly, the rim supporting portion does not necessarily have to flare outwards, and may take any suitable form.

It is thus possible to not only provide an improved wheelchair wheel, but also to provide an improved grip by which a wheelchair wheel can be manually moved. It is further possible to provide a wheelchair wheel grip which prevents or limits the possibility of a user's hand being injured when operating the wheelchair wheel.

The embodiments described above are given by way of examples only, and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the grip support of the!burth embodiment could, alternatively, project radially outwards relative to the rim supporting portion.

Claims (16)

1. A wheelchair wheel grip comprising a gripping element having an uninterrupted endless annular rim supporting portion and an uninterrupted endless annular rim supported by the rim supporting portion; and an uninterrupted endless annular grip support other than a tyre mounting channel of a wheel which supports the gripping element.

2. A wheelchair wheel grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rim supporting portion and the grip support extend transversely relative to each other.

3. A wheelchair wheel grip as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the annular rim projects radially beyond the rim supporting portion.

4. A wheelchair wheel grip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grip support extends inwardly relative to the rim supporting portion of the gripping element.

5. A wheelchair wheel grip as claimed in any one of claims Ito 3, wherein the grip support extends outwardly relative to the rim supporting portion of the gripping element.

6. A wheelchair wheel grip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the grip support extends inwardly and outwardly relative to the rim supporting portion of the gripping element.

7. A wheelchair wheel grip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an uninterrupted endless annular hand guard which is radially spaced from the gripping element.

8. A wheelchair wheel grip as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hand guard projects beyond the gripping element.

9. A wheelchair wheel grip as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the hand guard extends transversely relative to the grip support.

10. A wheelchair wheel grip as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the hand guard is supported by the grip support.

II. A wheelchair wheel grip as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the hand guard flares outwardly.

12. A wheelchair wheel grip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grip is removably attachable to a wheelchair wheel.

13. A wheelchair wheel grip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A wheelchair wheel having a grip as claimed in any one of claims Ito 12.

15. A wheelchair wheel as claimed in claim 14, when dependent on any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the grip is unitarily formed as part of the wheel.

16. A wheelchair wheel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.