Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A multiposition handbrake for a wheelchair or the like is provided in accordance with this invention, which involves a housing in which an elongate handle is pivotally disposed. A portion adapted to be grasped by the user of the wheelchair is provided above the pivot point of the handle, and a wheel-contacting braking assembly is provided below the pivot point. The housing is provided with a plurality of notches in which a midportion of the handle may be placed. With the notch in which the handle is residing at a given moment determining the relationship of the braking assembly to a wheel of the wheelchair. The wheel-contacting portion includes a toothed pad which may be slidably mounted such that on occasion, a brake-intensification action occurs. When the handle is in the first notch, the teeth are spaced away from the tread portion of the wheel, whereas when the handle is in the second notch, the teeth of the pad have light contact with the tread of the wheel. The arrangement of the pad is preferably such as to inhibit wheel rotation only in one direction, thereby simplifying the efforts of the wheelchair user to ascend a ramp or hill. The handle, when in the third notch, causes said teeth of the pad to forcibly contact the tread of the wheel, and thus provide considerable security to the wheelchair user, in that any rotation of the wheels is effectively prevented.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim