| 摘要 |
A positively steered racing wheelchair is disclosed which includes a frame support on a pair of large wheels and a positively steerable trailing wheel. A seat for the athlete is suspended from a central position of the frame and is configured such that the athlete sits in a very low position to improve stability and to advantageously place the leverage of the athlete's arms with respect to a pair of drive rings situated outboard the large wheels. Positive steering of the may be accomplished in various ways. One embodiment employs a laterally pivotal seat structure with actuating cables connected to the seat back such that pivotal motion of the seat, as the athlete leans into a turn, is communicated to the trailing wheel to effect steering. Another embodiment utilizes actuating cables attached to cuffs around the athlete's biceps such that the natural tendency to twist into a turn can be translated into steering forces. Yet another embodiment utilizes a harness strapped to the athlete with the actuating cables being attached to shoulder straps of the harness or at a lower position according to the preference and/or capability of the athlete. Still another, and currently the preferred, embodiment employs a hand operated handle adapted for fore and aft movement and coupled through cables to the steerable trailing wheel.
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