DE102011103207A1 - Wheelchair for transporting e.g. sick people, has running wheels designed such that parts of running wheels are hinged or folded for reducing surface of running wheels within wheel plane in transport and/or storage state - Google Patents

Abstract

The wheelchair has foldable running wheels (2, 3) comprising a wheel hub (21) and running surfaces (20, 30) that are connected with a wheel axle through the wheel hub. The running wheels are designed such that parts of the running wheels are hinged or folded for reducing a surface of the running wheels within a wheel plane in a transport and/or storage state. The running surfaces of the running wheels comprise running surface segments that are releasably connected with one another. The running wheels are arranged opposite to each other. A frame (4) comprises recesses.

Description

The present application is a wheelchair with at least one impeller having a hub and a tread and is connected via the hub with a wheel axle or is connectable, wherein a surface of the impeller in a wheel plane in a transport and / or storage condition against a Operating state can be reduced.

Wheelchairs are indispensable in many areas of society. Especially in the care of sick or elderly citizens, the wheelchair provides some mobility. However, due to the large volume of the claimed space, the transport and storage of the wheelchairs are problematic. For this reason, numerous wheelchairs are known in the art, which have mechanisms to achieve a reduction in the volume of the wheelchair.

Traditional is forming the wheelchair with a frame, the frame is at least partially foldable or hinged. In this way, the wheelchair can be reduced to a lesser degree. A limiting factor in reducing the surface measure, however, are the wheels.

To solve this problem proposes the EP 0 080 881 A1 to arrange the wheels on a pivotable mechanism, so that the individual impeller can be brought opposite its operating position in a transport and / or storage position, wherein the wheel axle is no longer below the frame but in the region of the frame itself. In this way, by a displacement of the wheel, the surface of the wheelchair can be further reduced. For this alternative measures are in the DE 33 43 463 as well as the JP 2010-75221 described.

Another possibility to further reduce the area measure is in the US 4,398,736 described. The wheels of the wheelchair are connected by an axle with a strut, wherein the strut itself is hinged to another axis. Although hereby the wheels can be stowed in the area of the frame, the surface dimension is only reduced in one dimension. In the field of wheelchairs, this measure has not enforced especially for the front wheels but for the wheels, as they show a much larger diameter than the front wheels.

An alternative solution will be in the WO 2008/152391 A1 proposed. The impeller shown there comprises a wheel hub and also movably connected to the wheel hub spoke elements, which are in communication with a segmented tread. The wheel plane spanned by the tread in the operating state remains in the transport and / or storage state when the wheel is folded, but the wheel within the wheel plane is shifted from a circular shape to an ellipsoidal shape. As a result, at least a reduction of the size of the impeller can be achieved in one dimension. In particular, the surface of the impeller is reduced within the wheel plane, since a circle of radius r with respect to an ellipse with the half-axes a, b, where a + b = 2r has the larger area.

Although this measure has already achieved good improvements in the reduction of the area measure, there is still a need to further reduce the area in the wheel plane.

Object of the present invention is to provide a wheelchair, which is designed such that a reduction in the volume and surface dimensions of the wheelchair is possible.

The object is achieved by a wheelchair according to the features of claim 1. Further embodiments described in the subordinate claims and the exemplary embodiments.

According to the invention, the wheelchair is equipped in such a way that the at least one impeller is designed such that at least parts of the impeller can be folded out or folded out of the wheel plane to reduce the surface in the transport and / or storage state.

By exploiting the flap or the folding of the wheel in another dimension perpendicular to the wheel plane, it is possible to reduce the surface of the wheels in the wheel plane. Although here, if appropriate, the volume of the impeller in the transport and / or storage condition with respect to an operating condition, d. H. a state in which the wheels within the wheel plane span a round tread is increased, new opportunities for reducing the total volume of the wheelchair are created due to the reduction of the area in the wheel plane.

Under the transport and / or storage condition of the wheel is that state to understand in which a sub-element of the impeller protrudes clearly from the wheel plane, the tread no longer together with the wheel hub forms a plane.

Suitable wheels are for example the zeitranggleichen applications "folding bike" with the internal file number 1172 0780 and "Faltrad" with the internal file number 1172 0849 refer to. All aspects and embodiments of the wheels presented there can be found here featured embodiments of the wheelchairs are used. In particular, there are synergies between the features of the aforementioned wheels and the features of the wheelchair presented here.

A folding bicycle according to this invention is characterized in that the impeller comprises a limited by the tread and the wheel hub wheel body, which has a first and a second part body, wherein the second part body does not include the wheel hub and is foldable out of the wheel plane and can be folded into the wheel plane and with the help of fixing devices on the first part body can be fastened such that the entire wheel body is located in a wheel plane. Details of such folding wheels can be found in the aforementioned application.

Another alternative is a folding wheel, in which the running surface of the impeller comprises a plurality of tread elements detachably connected to each other and the tread elements are foldable from the wheel plane in the direction of the wheel axis.

Both of these wheels are suitable in the invention treated here of a wheelchair with at least one such impeller. Preferably, more than one impeller is foldable or foldable. Furthermore, combinations and folding and folding wheels in a wheelchair are conceivable, for example an impeller as a folding bicycle and a further impeller as a folding bicycle.

In one embodiment of the wheelchair according to the invention it is provided that a wheel axle attached to the wheel, with which the wheel hub of the impeller is connected, has a transport and / or storage position and a spatially different operating position to the transport and / or storage position, wherein the transport - And / or storage position relative to the operating position is at least partially laterally displaced.

Wheels of wheelchairs are usually mounted in such a way that the center of gravity of a user of the wheelchair lies between the wheel axle of the wheel and a wheel axle of the front wheel. In this way it is avoided that the user including the wheelchair can tilt backwards. With regard to a volume or area reduction, however, this arrangement is not advantageous. By moving the wheel axle from an operating position to a transport and / or storage position, wherein the axis of the impeller is preferably moved or pushed in the direction of the center of gravity or between the center of gravity of the wheelchair in the operating state and the wheel axle of the front wheel, by the wheelchair including wheels in occupied area in the wheel plane or the volume of the wheelchair can be significantly reduced.

In a further embodiment, the wheelchair is designed such that the at least one impeller is displaceable along a line lying coaxially with the wheel axis along this line. Since the wheels usually protrude laterally beyond the frame in a wheelchair viewed from the front, a further reduction of the surface and volume dimensions can be achieved by this measure.

In a further embodiment, the wheel axle, to which the at least one impeller is fastened, can be arranged on a pivotable mechanism, or preferably on a mechanism pivotable about an axis. Here, the pivoting mechanism, for example, as in the publications JP 2010-75221 respectively. EP 0 080 881 A1 be educated. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the wheel axle of the impeller is attached to a strut and this strut is formed foldable, as for example in the US 4,398,736 is proposed.

With regard to the pivoting mechanisms of the aforementioned applications, these become the subject of the disclosure of the present invention in their details.

In a further embodiment, the wheelchair comprises a frame or a frame, which at least one recess for at least partially receiving the at least one impeller in the transport and / or storage condition. By providing a recess, the folded or folded wheel can be stowed in the recess at least partially. Furthermore, in one variant, the recess may be formed such that at least 80% of the volume of the impeller can be received in the transport and / or storage condition. In this case, it is possible that the impeller is removed from the wheel axle and is then at least partially stowed in the recess or that the impeller remains on the axle and is stored together with the wheel axle in the recess. This also makes it possible to further reduce the area or volume of the wheelchair.

In a further embodiment, the impeller remains in the transport and / or storage state on the wheel axle, so that the transfer to the operating state and back to the transport and / or storage condition is simplified.

In a further embodiment, the wheelchair comprises two impellers arranged opposite one another, wherein the respective wheel axles are arranged in such a way that, in an operating state, they are arranged lying on a line coaxial with the wheel axles and in a transporting position. and / or storage condition are not both located lying on the line. In a variant of this embodiment, the wheel axles are moved or shifted from the operating state into the transport and / or storage state so that the wheel axle of the first wheel in the direction of the center of gravity and the wheel axle of the second wheel are preferably displaced or pivoted against the direction of the center of gravity , This makes it possible, for example, to position the wheels so that they are at least partially stowed in the respective transport and / or storage condition in different recesses of the frame or the frame of the wheelchair.

In a further embodiment, the respective wheel axles are arranged relative to one another in such a way that, in an operating state, they are arranged lying on a first line coaxial with the wheel axles and are arranged in a transport and / or storage state on a second line extending coaxially to the first line, and thereby preferably only be shifted laterally to the center of gravity. As a result, a simpler implementation of the mechanism for pivoting the wheel axles is possible.

Furthermore, a variant of a wheelchair with folding or folding on additional wheels or transport rollers on which the impeller or the wheelchair can be rolled in the transport state. Variants with respect to the wheels with transport rollers are described in the aforementioned applications of the wheels. Since the wheels themselves no longer roll, but are only moved by the transport rollers, in one embodiment of the wheelchair it can be designed such that movement between a frame of the wheelchair and the wheel is prevented, d. H. the frame is locked against the impeller. This can, for example, with a locking mechanism z. B. in the form of a cross in alignment holes of the frame and the impeller pin are effected. A "pendulum motion" of the frame and a concomitant possibility of damage to the frame is thus prevented. Alternatively, the transport rollers, which have a much smaller diameter than the wheels can also be arranged on the frame or torso of the wheelchair. In one embodiment of the wheelchair with preferably folding wheels, the transport rollers may be arranged on the side or at the bottom of the frame.

It is possible to mount each impeller on its own wheel axle or to use a common wheel axle for both impellers.

Further embodiments can be taken from the following exemplary embodiments. Show it:

1A to 1F various embodiments of a first variant of a wheelchair according to the invention with folding bike;

2A to 2F Further embodiments of a second variant of a wheelchair according to the invention with folding bike.

The 1A to 1D show a wheelchair according to the invention, each with an impeller constructed as a folding wheel, wherein the folding wheels are disclosed and described in their full detail in the aforementioned application "folding bike". For details on the folding bike reference is made to the corresponding application.

The wheelchair 1 includes a first impeller 2 and an impeller disposed on an opposite side 3 , which each have a tread 20 as well as a wheel hub 21 or a tread 30 and a hub, not shown 31 exhibit. The wheel hub 21 is with one on the frame 4 attached wheel axle connected, in the present case any bearings in the wheel hub 21 are arranged.

The frame is also available with two front wheels 5 and 6 in conjunction, which in each case on a strut 7 respectively. 8th are attached, these struts pivotable about the Z-axis and on the underside of the seat 40 stowable. Furthermore, the wheelchair includes footrests 9 and 10 which towards 11 in a frame 41 of the frame 4 are insertable. In addition, the frame has 4 a seat element 41 with push handles 43 on as well as armrests 44 on.

In the 1B is an opposite to the operating state of 1A illustrated transition state to the complete transport and / or storage condition, as in the 1B shown, illustrated. It can be seen that the foot rests 9 and 10 in the direction 11 have been moved. In addition, the frame was 4 pushed together in the Z direction, leaving the two opposite armrests 44 have moved closer to each other. The wheels 2 and 3 are still in the same place as in the 1A shown, with the common wheel axle of the wheels still on the line 22 runs and is in the operating position. Of course, the wheels can also be arranged in each case different axles.

In the 1C is the transport and / or storage condition of the wheels 2 and 3 shown, wherein the wheel body along a separation surface into a first and second body parts decomposes and, as can be seen, the second body part was rotated out of the XY plane. For details, see the application "Klapprad". In addition, the seat and the handles are folded around the Z-direction so that the areal volume was further restricted. The wheel axles of the wheels 2 and 3 lie still on a first line 22 , like in the 1B shown.

In the 1D the transport and / or storage condition of the wheelchair is shown. It can be clearly seen that the wheel axle is no longer along the line 22 but along the X direction parallel to the line 22 on the line 23 lie. The line 23 is here in the X direction by a distance 24 from the line 22 spaced. Furthermore, it can be seen that the front wheels have been folded in and are no longer visible.

In the in the 1D illustrated embodiment, the folding bike transport rollers 300 , which are arranged laterally in the region of a connecting surface of the folding bicycle or in the connecting surface itself. In the transport and / or storage state, the transport rollers protrude and allow easy transport of the folded wheelchair on the transport rollers 300 , To avoid pivoting of a frame of the wheelchair about the axes of the wheels, the wheels can by means of a locking mechanism relative to the z. B. be fixed to the frame mounted axis.

By transferring the wheels in the transport and / or storage condition, moving the wheel axle and the folding of the frame, the volume, which is necessary for stowing the wheelchair, compared to the operating state of the 1A has been reduced by at least 20%, preferably more than 30%. Moving the wheel axle off the line 22 to the line 23 should be based on the 1E and 1F be explained in more detail. In the 1E is a side view of the wheelchair 1A to 1D shown. You can see the sectional plane of the seat 40 the backrest 42 as well as the impeller 2 whose wheel axle with the line 22 is congruent. The wheel axle is on a pivoting lever 25 arranged, which with the frame 4 over a pivot bearing 45 connected is. To transfer the wheelchair from its operating state in the transport and / or storage condition (which was indicated by dashed lines, ie the displacement of the wheel axle), the wheel axle is about the Z-axis with the center of the locking bearing 45 in the direction 26 pivots and finally comes on the line 23 for lying. Once the wheel in transport and / or storage condition 2 ' the wheelchair is present, the wheel can 2 along the dividing surface 27 be folded around the X-axis and so a further reduction in area be effected. The distance 24 is redrawn for clarity. A possible center of gravity of the wheelchair runs to the left of the line 22 so that a user of the wheelchair in the operating state of the same can not tilt backwards. When transferring the wheelchair from the operating condition to the transport and / or storage condition 2 ' becomes the wheel 2 around the axis of the pivot bearing 45 over the lever 25 on the line 23 pivoted so that the impeller in the negative X direction to the distance 24 survives less.

In the 1F is an alternative mechanism for moving the impeller 2 from the line 22 on the line 23 around the distance 24 shown. Here, the wheel axle runs in a backdrop 46 of the frame 4 , where the scenery 46 about striving 47 is held in position. The wheel axle can be inside the scenery 46 be engaged, so that a displacement of the axle, for example, in the operating state of the wheelchair, is not possible.

It should be noted at this point that the operating state of the wheelchair on the one hand, a position of the wheel axle of the wheels on the line 22 requires and the wheels are in operating condition. In the transport and / or storage condition of the wheelchair on the one hand, the wheel axle on the line 23 shifted and the other the impeller 2 or the impeller 3 around the dividing surface 27 worked.

For locking the axle in the scenery 46 Catches, clamps or the like can be used. The same applies to an adjustment of the pivot bearing 45 ,

Another embodiment of a wheelchair is in the 2A to 2D shown, with the mechanisms in the 2E and 2F be explained in more detail. The wheelchair 101 each includes a foldable impeller 102 and 103 which is a tread 120 Includes (with tires) and a wheel hub 121 which involves one on the wheelchair 101 attached wheel axle 122 is arranged. The wheel hub 121 is about spokes 150 and 151 connected to the tread. The tread lies in individual segments 123 and 124 which in the illustrated operating state with each other in engagement and in the, for example in the 2D state not shown engaged. Further explanations on the operation of such a folding wheel are described in the application "Faltrad", which are all applicable to the Faltradrollstuhl shown here.

The wheelchair includes a frame 104 with a seat 140 , a backrest 142 , Handles 143 and armrests 144 , On the frame are also front wheels 105 and 106 attached to which struts 107 respectively. 108 are fixed, which via an unillustrated axis in the bottom of the frame 104 are foldable. In addition, are on the struts 107 respectively. 108 footboards 109 and 110 arranged. In the 1A is also a recess 145 recognizable, in which the folding bike 102 in transport and / or Storage condition is insertable. For this purpose, the axis 122 around the lever 200 be pivoted, so that the wheel axle with a cylinder axis of the cylindrical recess 145 coaxial.

In the 2 B another illustration of the same wheelchair is shown. Here again be on the frame 104 referenced, which the substructure 145 includes. In addition, the recess 146 visible, noticeable.

In the 2C the wheelchair is shown in transport and / or storage condition. It can be seen that the impeller 102 present in the transport and / or storage condition and in the recess 146 stowed. It is also recognizable as the front wheels 106 and 108 on the bottom of the frame 104 are collapsed.

Furthermore, in the 3C and 3D transport wheels 301 recognizable, which at the substructure 145 are arranged of the wheelchair and to ensure easy transport of the wheelchair in the transport and / or storage condition. An alternative arrangement of the transport rollers on other surfaces of the substructure or on the folding bike is also possible.

Based on 2D it can be seen that in addition the backrest 142 on the seat 140 was worked out to achieve a further reduction in area. In the 2D is also one of the recess 146 opposite recess 147 for the wheel 103 recognizable. In addition, in the recess 147 a guide rail 148 along which the impeller can be moved coaxially to the wheel axle.

The substructure 145 The frame is in a side view in the 2E shown. Here, solid lines are visible to the viewer, elements with dashed lines are on the opposite side by a side wall of the substructure 145 covered. In the figure, both the recess 146 as well as the recess 147 recognizable. Both recesses have guide rails 148 respectively. 149 on which pivot lever 200 respectively. 201 are fixed, at the pivotable ends of the wheel axles is arranged for receiving the wheel hub of the respective impeller. In the operating state of the wheelchair, both swivel levers 200 respectively. 201 pivoted so that the axles both on the line 202 lie, whereas in the transport and / or storage state, the pivot lever, the wheel axles on the mutually parallel lines 203 respectively. 204 swings. The movement at least partially and at least only partially in one direction and the locking of the pivot lever in transport or operating state, for example by means of hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, magnetic actuators and actuators, which combine at least two of the aforementioned principles of action, for. B. mechanical actuators, possible.

In the supervision of the 2F the operation of the pivot lever will be explained in more detail. It is the recesses 146 and 147 drawn as dashed lines. In addition, the guide rails 148 respectively. 149 coaxial with the lines 203 respectively. 204 drawn in progress. That of the recess 147 associated impeller 103 is shown in the operating state, ie the tread (here represented by the tread elements 123 and 124 ) tensions together with the wheel hub 121 one perpendicular to the wheel axle 122 extending wheel plane up. This is the tread over the respective spokes 150 . 150 ' connected to the wheel hub and held in the wheel plane.

The impeller 103 is on the pivot lever 200 attached. This is shown in its operating position, ie the wheel axle 122 gets off the line 202 punctured.

The impeller 102 is shown in another, transition into the operating state. It can be clearly seen that the wheel axle of the wheel 102 no longer parallel to the line 202 runs but due to a pivoting of the pivot lever 201 , like in the 2E represented by the (virtual) line 204 is pierced. Because the line 204 and that on the guide rail 149 fixed end of the pivot lever 201 spaced apart, may by a method of the pivot lever 201 on the guide rail 149 in that direction 149 ' the folded impeller 122 into the recess 146 be moved. In the illustrated state is the impeller 102 not completely folded yet. It is only noticeable that the spokes 150 respectively. 150 ' be folded out of the wheel plane and get on the line 204 to move. In addition, the tread element 123 opposite to the condition of the impeller 103 turned by 90 degrees. A not so far advanced folding process is based on the tread element 124 seen. With regard to the mechanisms of folding, reference is made to the application "folding bike".

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0080881 A1 [0004, 0020]
• DE 3343463 [0004]
• JP 2010-75221 [0004, 0020]
• US 4398736 [0005, 0020]
• WO 2008/152391 A1 [0006]

Claims (11)

Wheelchair ( 1 ; 101 ) with at least one impeller ( 2 . 3 ; 102 . 103 ), which has a wheel hub ( 21 ; 121 ) and a tread ( 20 ; 120 ) and via the wheel hub with a wheel axle ( 122 ) is connected or connectable, wherein a surface of the impeller in a wheel plane in a transport state relative to an operating condition can be reduced, characterized in that at least one impeller is formed such that at least parts of the impeller to reduce the area within the wheel plane in the transport state of the Wheel plane fold out or are foldable. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one impeller ( 2 . 3 ) has a wheel body with at least one first and one second part body, wherein the second part body does not comprise the wheel hub and is foldable relative to the first part body from the wheel plane. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one impeller ( 102 . 103 ) is configured such that a running surface has a multiplicity of at least two tread segments detachably connected to one another ( 123 . 124 ) and the tread segments are foldable from the wheel plane in the direction of the wheel axle. Wheelchair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wheel axle ( 122 ) of the at least one impeller has a transport position and a transport position spatially different operating position, wherein the transport position relative to the operating position is at least partially laterally displaced. Wheelchair according to one of the preceding claims, that it is designed such that the at least one impeller on a coaxial to the wheel axle lying line ( 203 . 204 ) is displaceable. Wheelchair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a frame ( 4 ; 104 ) of the wheelchair at least one recess ( 146 . 147 ) for at least partially receiving the at least one impeller in the transport state. Wheelchair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wheel axle ( 22 ; 122 ) of the at least one impeller on a pivotable mechanism ( 25 ; 200 . 201 ), preferably about an axis ( 45 ) pivotable mechanism, is arranged. Wheelchair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two opposing wheels are provided, wherein the respective wheel axles are arranged such that they in an operating state on a coaxial to the wheel axles line ( 202 ) are arranged horizontally and are not arranged lying in a transport state both on the line. Wheelchair according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that two opposing wheels are provided, wherein the respective wheel axles are arranged such that these in an operating state on a first coaxial to the wheel axles line ( 22 ) are arranged lying and in a transport state on a second line extending coaxially to the first line ( 23 ) are arranged. Wheelchair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a frame ( 4 ; 104 ) is present at which the axes are arranged and the frame is at least partially foldable. Wheelchair according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that front wheels ( 5 . 6 ; 105 . 106 ) are present, which via an axis on a strut ( 7 . 8th ; 107 . 108 ) are arranged and the strut can be folded around a further axis.

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