Wheelchair and drive system therefor

摘要

A wheelchair includes a chassis, a pair of side wheels for supporting and driving the chassis, at least one front wheel for cooperating with the side wheels in supporting the chassis, and a seat mounted on the chassis for supporting the body of a disabled person. A pair of individually moveable footrests support the feet of the person. A driving gear is mounted for rotation concentrically and in conjunction with each of the side wheels, and a lever is pivotally mounted for rotation concentric with but independent from each of the driving gears. A pawl is mounted on each of the levers for engagement and disengagement with the corresponding driving gear. A pivoted arm and a series of rods connect each lever and pawl with one of the footrests, such that movement of the footrest by the leg of the disabled person in one direction causes the pawl to engage the driving gear and the lever to drive the gear for propelling the wheelchair. Movement of the footrest in the opposite direction causes the pawl to disengage and the lever to return to its original position. The disclosed wheelchair may be adapted such that the legs of a paralyzed individual can propel the chair through use of electrical muscle stimulation.