| US 7,472,956 B2 | ||
| Pneumatic support system for a wheelchair | ||
| Mohsen Makhsous, Chicago, Ill. (US); Fang Lin, Chicago, Ill. (US); and Susan J. Taylor, Vernon Hills, Ill. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Ill. (US) | ||
| Filed on Feb. 27, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/363,350. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/657328, filed on Feb. 28, 2005. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2006/0192362 A1, Aug. 31, 2006 | ||
| Int. Cl. A47C 7/46 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 297—284.9 [297/464] | 25 Claims |
| 1. A system for supporting a wheelchair user comprising:
a wheelchair including a seat, an upstanding backrest, and upstanding backposts for supporting the backrest;
mounting tracks affixed to the wheelchair generally parallel to the lateral edges of the backrest, the tracks being attached
to the backposts for sliding movement on the backposts within a range constrained by limiting members and shock absorbing
springs; and
bilateral postero-lateral pelvic support units each movably attached to the mounting tracks by a lockable mechanism for adjusting
and fixing the distance of the bilateral postero-lateral pelvic support units from the seat to establish a stable midline
orientation of the user's pelvis,
the bilateral postero-lateral pelvic support units including air bladders and associated control units accessible to and operable
by the user and the support provided to the user by these units being adjustable by the user through operating the control
units to inflate and deflate the air bladders;
the postero-lateral pelvic support units being mounted for superior/inferior, medial/lateral, and tilting adjustment to accommodate
the user's body habitus and required degree of stability and mobility.
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