IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FOLDING FRAMEWORKS AND WHEELCHAIRS

摘要

A folding framework for a wheelchair has side frames interconnected by front and rear toggle braces each preferably formed from a pair of U-shaped arms of spring wire and a linkage extends between the hinges of the toggle braces. A securing arm is latchable with the linkage to hold the structure in an erected condition, the arrangement being such that the side frames are maintained parallel to one another. Direct drive motors may be mounted on wheels and to facilitate folding the hinges of the toggle brace may be offset relative to the fore and aft line of the vehicle so that when folded the side frames are offset relative to one another and the motors overlap. Preferably a diagonal brace extends below the folding framework to maintain parallel alignment of the side frames and a latching arm co-operates with the linkage between the toggle braces so that on lifting the latching arm, the linkage and the toggle braces are displaced in the closing direction.