Leg rest device for a wheelchair

Abstract

A leg rest device for a wheel chair includes a coupling base, a rotary frame unit, a positioning unit, and a footrest. The coupling base is to be fixed to one side of a chair frame of the wheelchair, and defines a rod hole that extends along a hole axis. The rotary frame unit includes a coupling rod that is extended rotatably into the rod hole of the coupling base, and a leg frame member that is connected to and that extends forwardly from the coupling rod. The rotary frame unit is rotatable relative to the coupling base between a first position, where the leg frame member is disposed frontward relative to the coupling base, and a second position, where the leg frame member is disposed sideward relative to the coupling base. The positioning unit retains releasably the rotary frame unit at one of the first and second positions on the coupling base. The footrest is coupled to the leg frame member.

1 . A leg rest device for a wheelchair that includes a chair frame, said leg rest device comprising: 
 a coupling base adapted to be fixed to one side of the chair frame and defining a rod hole that extends along a hole axis;    a rotary frame unit including a coupling rod that is extended rotatably into said rod hole of said coupling base, and a leg frame member that is connected to and that extends forwardly from said coupling rod, 
 said rotary frame unit being rotatable relative to said coupling base between a first position, where said leg frame member is disposed frontward relative to said coupling base, and a second position, where said leg frame member is disposed sideward relative to said coupling base;  
   a positioning unit for retaining releasably said rotary frame unit at one of the first and second positions on said coupling base; and    a footrest coupled to said leg frame member.    
   
   
       2 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said coupling base is formed with a coupling flange that extends in radial outward directions relative to the hole axis and that is formed with a first locating hole;    said rotary frame unit further includes a coupling plate that is connected to said coupling rod and that is disposed adjacent to said coupling flange; and    said positioning unit is mounted to said coupling plate and is capable of removable engagement with said first locating hole to retain releasably said rotary frame unit at the first position.    
   
   
       3 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said positioning unit includes a spring-loaded pin.  
   
   
       4 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said coupling flange is further formed with a second locating hole, and said positioning unit is further capable of removable engagement with said second locating hole to retain releasably said rotary frame unit at the second position.  
   
   
       5 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said positioning unit includes: 
 a retaining sleeve mounted on said coupling plate;    a pin having an engaging end that extends through said retaining sleeve and said coupling plate for engaging a selected one of said first and second locating holes;    a spring for biasing said engaging end of said pin to engage the selected one of said first and second locating holes; and    a pull cap disposed outwardly of said retaining sleeve, connected to said pin opposite to said engaging end, and operable so as to pull said pin away from said coupling plate.    
   
   
       6 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said spring is a coil spring that is disposed in said retaining sleeve around said pin and that abuts against said engaging end.  
   
   
       7 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said retaining sleeve is mounted threadedly on said coupling plate, and said pin includes 
 a shank disposed in said retaining sleeve,    an enlarged head formed on one end of said shank and serving as said engaging end of said pin, and    an externally threaded tip formed on said shank opposite to said enlarged head, extending out of said retaining sleeve, and coupled to said pull cap.    
   
   
       8 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said rotary frame unit further includes a pivot shaft for coupling pivotally said leg frame member to said coupling rod.  
   
   
       9 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said rotary frame unit further includes: 
 a screw nut fixed on said leg frame member and disposed between said leg frame member and said coupling plate; and    an externally threaded adjustment rod extending through said leg frame member in a direction transverse to said pivot shaft, threadedly engaging said screw nut, and having a tip that abuts against said coupling plate.    
   
   
       10 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said leg frame member includes: 
 a tubular first frame part connected to said coupling rod;    a second frame part extending into said first frame part and connected to said footrest; and    a first positioning component for retaining said second frame part at a desired extended length relative to said first frame part.    
   
   
       11 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said leg frame member further includes: 
 a sleeve part having said second frame part extending therethrough;    a leg cushion connected to said sleeve part; and    a second positioning component for retaining said sleeve part at a desired position on said second frame part.    
   
   
       12 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein: 
 said first frame part is formed with a set of first button holes along a length thereof;    said sleeve part is formed with a set of second button holes along a length thereof;    said second frame part is tubular and has said first and second positioning components disposed therein; and    each of said first and second positioning components includes a U-shaped resilient arm and a coupling button that is mounted on one end of said resilient arm and that extends through said second frame part and into a selected one of said first and second button holes in the corresponding one of said first frame part and said sleeve part.    
   
   
       13 . The leg rest device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said leg frame member further includes a leg cushion spaced apart from said footrest.