Wheelchair braking system

摘要

A wheelchair braking system, for use on a wheelchair having a frame and a pair of wheels, comprising an axle assembly attached to one of the wheels. The axle assembly is supported within a block assembly. The axle assembly has a locking gear comprising a plurality of gear teeth. The block assembly is mounted within a housing and is capable of controlled vertical motion within the housing. The housing is rigidly mounted to the frame. A main spring is located between the housing and block, such that weight upon the wheelchair compresses the main spring and allows the block to move upward within the housing. A foremast assembly having a foremast body is mounted to the housing such that when the block is lowered sufficiently within the housing, the foremast body engages the gear teeth and stops the gear from rotating. Thus, when weight upon the wheelchair is reduced when a passenger gets up from the wheelchair, the block moves downward within the housing, bringing the foremast body into contact with the locking gear, and braking the wheels. A manual release lever extends rearward from the housing so that a person standing behind the wheelchair can selectively operate the manual release lever to free the foremast from the locking gear and allow the wheels to rotate.