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In order to provide means which shall enable the occupant of the chair to propel the same, I have provided the following attachments: 43 designates two horizontal shafts which are located at opposite sides of the chair, directly beneath the seat-frame and adjacent to the inner sides of the main carrying-wheels 6 thereof. Each of these shafts extends longitudinally of the chair, from the main axle 5 forward nearly to the pendent standards 8, and the rear end portion of each shaft is journaled in a bearing 44 which is formed at the outer end of a U-shaped bearing-bracket 45. This bracket is preferably formed by bending a single bar at its middle, so as to form the bearing 44, and then bringing the two body-portions of the bar side by side, and rendering them of the described U-form. The opposite extremities of the bar are bent outward parallel with each other, so as to form two arms 46 which embrace the end-portion of the axle between them, a bolt 47 being passed vertically through the rear ends of the arms, 46, so as to retain said arms securely upon the end-portion of the axle. The front end-portions of the shafts 43 are journaled in bearings 49 which are formed at the upper ends of two brackets 48; these brackets being of approximately L-form and secured at their outer ends, each to the outer side of one of the pendent standards 8. At its rear end each shaft 43 carries a beveled gear-pinion 49a the teeth of which mesh with a beveled gear-pinion 50; the said gear-pinions 50 being rigidly secured to the inner ends of the hubs of the carrying-wheels 6. At its front end each shaft 43 carries a beveled gear-pinion 51 the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of a beveled gear-pinion 52. Each beveled gear-pinion 52 is carried by the lower end of a vertical actuating-shaft 53. There are two of these shafts 53, one at each side of the front end of the seat-frame 1, and the lower end-portion of each of said shafts works through a vertical bearing 54 which is formed at the outer end of a bracket 55; these two 70 brackets being secured to the outer sides of the pendent standards 8, at a point about midway of the length of said standards. The upper end-portion of each shaft 53 is journaled in a vertical bearing 56 which is formed upon the upper end of a bracket 57; the lower ends of said brackets being secured to the outer sides of the seat frame, and said brackets extending obliquely upward and forward from said frame. At their upper ends, the shafts 53 carry each a crank arm and handle 58; these handles being thus conveniently located for manipulation by the occupant of the chair.

From the foregoing construction it is apparent that the seat-frame may reciprocate vertically upon the springs 5, without in the least disturbing the power or propelling mechanism, as the bearings carried by the seat-frame and the pendent standards move loosely upon the vertical shaft 53.

The chair is provided at each side with a dust-guard 59 which is of canvas, rubber or of any other suitable or preferred material, and which is of approximately oblong rectangular form, so as to extend from the back of the chair outward at the front of the same. While the dust-guards have been described as of approximately oblong rectangular form, such is not precisely the preferred shape of the guards, the upper margin of the front end of each guard being of segmental form, and said front end of the guard projecting outwardly at the front of the chair. These dust-guards are retained removably in position by the pivotal studs connecting the standards with the seat-frame, and the pivotal studs connecting the arms with the standards and the back, and the studs upon which the cams for operating the bars 62 are mounted, as shown.

In order to adapt the chair to be propelled by an attendant, in cases where the occupant of the chair is incapable of propelling it, two side-standards 58a are provided, the lower ends of these standards being suitably secured to the under side of the rear part of the bottom-frame 1. These standards 58 project upwardly and rearwardly and are connected together by a cross-bar 59a which is to be grasped by the hands of the attendant.

From the above description it will be seen that I have produced an invalid-chair which is simple, strong, durable, and inexpensive in construction, and easy of propulsion.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is --

In an invalid chair, the combination with a wheeled frame, springs carried thereby, gear-pinions upon the axle of the frame, bearings carried by said axle, a seat-frame mounted upon said springs and provided with depending standards, horizontal and vertical bearing-brackets carried thereby, horizontal shafts mounted in said horizontal bearing-brackets and in the bearings carried by the axle, and provided at either end with gear-pinions, the rear ones meshing with the axle gear-pinions, bearing-brackets carried by the seat-frame proper, vertical shafts journaled therein and in the vertical bearing-brackets of the said standards, and provided at their upper ends with crank-handles and at their lower ends 10 with gear-pinions which mesh with the gear-pinions at the front end of the horizontal shafts, a hinged back, and arm-rests pivotally carried by the seat-frame and said back, substantially as set forth.