AU2022209264B1 - A Wheelchair - Google Patents
A Wheelchair Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2022209264B1 AU2022209264B1 AU2022209264A AU2022209264A AU2022209264B1 AU 2022209264 B1 AU2022209264 B1 AU 2022209264B1 AU 2022209264 A AU2022209264 A AU 2022209264A AU 2022209264 A AU2022209264 A AU 2022209264A AU 2022209264 B1 AU2022209264 B1 AU 2022209264B1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- air
- pump
- seat according
- cooling pad
- wheelchair seat
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
- A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
- A61G5/12—Rests specially adapted therefor, e.g. for the head or the feet
- A61G5/122—Rests specially adapted therefor, e.g. for the head or the feet for the back
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
- A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
- A61G5/1043—Cushions specially adapted for wheelchairs
- A61G5/1048—Cushions specially adapted for wheelchairs for the back-rest
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
- A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
- A61G5/1091—Cushions, seats or abduction devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
- A47C7/62—Accessories for chairs
- A47C7/72—Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
- A47C7/74—Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like for ventilation, heating or cooling
- A47C7/742—Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like for ventilation, heating or cooling for ventilating or cooling
- A47C7/744—Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like for ventilation, heating or cooling for ventilating or cooling with active means, e.g. by using air blowers or liquid pumps
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
- A61G2203/70—General characteristics of devices with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G2210/00—Devices for specific treatment or diagnosis
- A61G2210/70—Devices for specific treatment or diagnosis for cooling
Abstract
Wheelchairs with air cooling fans are known, where the fan blows a positive stream of
air onto a user seated in the chair. At least some known products of this type are less
than optimal as they can undesirably overcool the person using the chair. It is an
object of preferred embodiments of the invention to go at least some way towards
addressing this problem. The invention is a seat 1 comprising a backrest 9, wherein
the backrest is adapted to suction air away from the back of a human occupant when
seated in the seat with their back facing the backrest.
Description
A Wheelchair
This invention relates to a wheelchair incorporating an air cooling system.
Wheelchairs with air cooling fans are known, where the fan blows a positive stream of air onto a user seated in the chair. At least some known products of this type are less than optimal as they can undesirably overcool the person using the chair.
It is an object of preferred embodiments of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing the above problem. While this applies to preferred embodiments, the object of the invention per se is broader, being simply to provide a useful choice.
The term "comprising" or "has", as used in this document in relation to a series of features, means they are present as a minimum combination, but does not rule out the option of their being additional features. The same applies to related terms such as "comprises" or "having".
According to one aspect the invention is a seat (eg a wheelchair) comprising a seat base and a backrest, wherein the backrest is adapted to suction air away from the back of a human occupant when seated in the seat with their back facing the backrest, the backrest comprising a cooler incorporating a cooling pad through which air can flow, wherein the cooler comprises an air pump having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet contacting the pad, the pump adapted to suck air through the cooling pad into the pump through the inlet so that the air is able to exit the pump via the outlet, the pump being positioned underneath the seat base.
Optionally the cooler comprises a pouch and the cooling pad and pump are within the pouch.
Optionally the pouch comprises a pocket and the pump is located in the pocket.
Optionally the pouch is airtight except for vents in the pouch that face the front of the seat and through which air is drawn into the cooling pad.
Optionally the cooling pad comprises a mesh.
Optionally the mesh comprises 3D spacer fabric.
Optionally the cooling pad is 6 to 14 mm thick.
Optionally the cooling pad is 8 to 12 mm thick.
Optionally the pouch comprises a pocket in which the pump is located and arranged such that an air intake of the pump applies suction to the cooling paid to pull air through it.
Optionally the air intake presses against the cooling pad.
Optionally the air intake extends to contact the cooling pad through an aperture in the pocket.
Optionally the pouch comprises an outlet via which air drawn through the cooling pad is expelled.
Optionally the outlet is located in the pocket.
Optionally the seat is in the form of a wheelchair.
Optionally the cooling pad is located in front of a cushion, the cushion is in turn located in front of a rigid panel, and these are substantially enveloped by a cover.
Optionally the pad extends to a position below the cushion, below the rigid panel, and below the seat base.
Some preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is a front isometric view of a wheelchair;
Figure 2 is a rear isometric view of the wheelchair;
Figure 3 is a side cross-section view of part of the wheelchair;
Figure 4 is a front isometric view of a cooler that forms part of the wheelchair's backrest;
Figure 5 is a rear isometric view of the cooler;
Figure 6 is a front elevation view of a cooling pad forming part of the cooler;
Figure 7 is a front isometric view of an air pump forming part of the cooler;
Figure 8 is an alternative front isometric view of the air pump; and
Figure 9 is a rear isometric view of the pump.
Referring to Figures 1 & 2, the wheelchair 1 has two primary wheels 2, 3, two smaller steering wheels 4, 5, a pair of footrests 6, 7, a seat 8, a backrest 9, and two handgrips , 11 for manoeuvring the wheelchair.
Figure 3 illustrates detail of the backrest 9. It comprises a rigid structural panel 12, a cushion 13 for comfort, and a cooler 14. Preferably these are contained within an overall upholstery cover 15. As shown, the cooler 14 comprises a mesh cooling pad 16 within a fabric pouch 17. The pouch is airtight except that it has a series of front facing air vents 18 through which air can be sucked into the cooling pad 16 through the upholstery cover 15.
Still with Figure 3, the pouch 17 incorporates a lower pocket 20 that has a wall 21 to separate its interior from the pouch's main chamber 22 that houses the cooling pad 16. As shown, there is an air pump 23 inside the pocket 20, preferably fan driven. The arrangement is such that an air inlet 24 of the pump passes through an aperture 25 between the pocket and the main chamber 22. The pump's inlet 24 physically presses against or otherwise contacts the cooling pad 16 and sucks air through it. This is possible as the pad 16 is porous or mesh-like.
The suction from the pump causes air to be drawn into the pad 16 via the vents 18, even though the cooler 14 is within the main upholstery cover 15. In this regard the cover 15 is preferably substantially porous to air. That air travels through the pad 16, into the pump 23, exits the pump via a pump outlet 26, and exists the pocket via an aligned aperture 27 of the pocket. The effect of this is that warm air is drawn away from behind the back of someone seated in the wheelchair to help cool the person.
As shown, the lower pocket 20 has a zippered opening 28 to enable access to the pump 23 inside.
Figures 4 and 5, show a particular embodiment of the cooler 14 in which the mesh cooling pad 16 is partially visible through the air vents 18. In this embodiment the cooler 14 may incorporate an upper hooked pocket 29 that sits around the top of the backrest's rigid panel 12 and cushion 13, to help hold the cooler in place. This is also aided by a lower strap 30 which also forms part of the cooler and is adapted to loop around the back of the backrest's rigid panel 12.
Figure 6 illustrates the cooling pad 16 separate from the pouch 17. As shown, its lower portion is narrowed to compliment the shape of the lower pocket 20 (not shown). The pad 16 is preferably 8-12 mm thick and optionally comprises 3D spacer fabric. The arrangement is such that the pad extends as one continuous sheet, filling the pouch 17, but is outside the lower pocket 20.
Figures 7, 8 & 9 illustrate the air pump 23, and in particular the position and configuration of its air intake 24 and air outlet 26. As shown in Figure 9, the rear of the pump has an on-off switch 31.
Because the cooler 14 serves to suck warm air away from the wheelchair occupant through the vents 18, it helps the person to stay or become cool without subjecting them to a blowing-draft. This helps to prevent over-cooling.
While it is preferred that the cooler is used with a wheelchair, in alternative embodiments it may be used with the backrest of other forms of seating.
In terms of disclosure, this document hereby envisages each item, feature or step mentioned herein, in combination with one or more of any same or other item, feature or step disclosed herein, in each case regardless of whether the combination is claimed.
While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the following claims.
Claims (15)
1. A wheelchair seat comprising a seat base and a backrest, wherein the backrest is adapted to suction air away from the back of a human occupant when seated in the seat with their back facing the backrest, the backrest comprising a cooler incorporating a cooling pad through which air can flow, wherein the cooler comprises an air pump having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet contacting the pad, the pump adapted to suck air through the pad into the pump through the inlet so that the air is able to exit the pump via the outlet, the pump being positioned underneath the seat base.
2. A wheelchair seat according to claim 1, wherein the cooler comprises a pouch, and the cooling pad and pump are within the pouch.
3. A wheelchair seat according to claim 2, wherein the pouch comprises a pocket, and the pump is located in the pocket.
4. A wheelchair seat according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pouch is airtight except for vents in the pouch that face the front of the seat and through which air is drawn into the cooling pad.
5. A wheelchair seat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling pad comprises a mesh.
6. A wheelchair seat according to claim 5, wherein the mesh comprises 3D spacer fabric.
7. A wheelchair seat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling pad is 6 to 14 mm thick.
8. A wheelchair seat according to claim 7 wherein the cooling pad is 8 to 12 mm thick.
9. A wheelchair seat according to claim 2, 3 or 4, or any one of claims 5-8, when read on at least claim 2, wherein the pouch comprises a pocket in which the pump is located and arranged such that an air intake of the pump applies suction to the cooling pad to pull air through it.
10. A wheelchair seat according to claim 9, wherein the air intake presses against the cooling pad.
11. A wheelchair seat according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the air intake extends to contact the cooling pad through an aperture in the pocket.
12. A wheelchair seat according to claim 9-11, wherein the pouch comprises an outlet via which air drawn through the cooling pad is expelled.
13. A wheelchair seat according to claim 12, wherein the outlet is located in the pocket.
14. A wheelchair seat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling pad is located in front of a cushion, the cushion is in turn located in front of a rigid panel, and these are substantially enveloped by a cover.
15. A wheelchair seat according to claim 14, wherein the pad extends to a position below the cushion, below the rigid panel, and below the seat base.
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Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2022209264A AU2022209264B1 (en) | 2022-07-27 | 2022-07-27 | A Wheelchair |
PCT/NZ2023/050065 WO2024025424A1 (en) | 2022-07-27 | 2023-06-30 | A wheelchair |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2022209264A AU2022209264B1 (en) | 2022-07-27 | 2022-07-27 | A Wheelchair |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
AU2022209264B1 true AU2022209264B1 (en) | 2023-02-02 |
Family
ID=85088139
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU2022209264A Active AU2022209264B1 (en) | 2022-07-27 | 2022-07-27 | A Wheelchair |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU2022209264B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2024025424A1 (en) |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2001327363A (en) * | 2000-05-25 | 2001-11-27 | Tetsuya Sakamoto | Body support device |
JP2004097748A (en) * | 2002-09-10 | 2004-04-02 | Kazuyuki Hijikata | Ventilation of seat by suction and vacuum suction device for vehicle |
CN203028648U (en) * | 2012-10-30 | 2013-07-03 | 捷和电机(深圳)有限公司 | Electric chair and ventilation system for electric chair |
US20150251578A1 (en) * | 2012-09-18 | 2015-09-10 | Denso Corporation | Vehicle seat air-conditioning device |
JP2018039414A (en) * | 2016-09-08 | 2018-03-15 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Vehicle seat |
JP2020083201A (en) * | 2018-11-29 | 2020-06-04 | 株式会社デンソー | Seat temperature control device, seat temperature adjustment unit and harmful insect collection method |
WO2021090377A1 (en) * | 2019-11-06 | 2021-05-14 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Air conditioning device for reclining seat, seat comprising said air conditioning device, and air conditioning system |
WO2021140880A1 (en) * | 2020-01-08 | 2021-07-15 | 株式会社デンソー | Seat air-conditioning device |
US20210261025A1 (en) * | 2018-11-26 | 2021-08-26 | Denso Corporation | Seat air-conditioner |
JP2021146976A (en) * | 2020-03-23 | 2021-09-27 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Seat temperature adjusting device |
WO2022051851A1 (en) * | 2020-09-10 | 2022-03-17 | Thuja Innovations Inc. | Thermal comfort wheelchair backrest |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JPS63229048A (en) * | 1987-03-19 | 1988-09-22 | 工業技術院長 | Bodily temperature automatic control apparatus |
ES1063359Y (en) * | 2006-06-30 | 2007-01-16 | Diaz Jose Antonio Garcia | WHEELCHAIR WITH REFRIGERATION SYSTEM |
KR20140013825A (en) * | 2012-07-27 | 2014-02-05 | 박종혁 | Ventilating seat for wheelchair |
KR101428362B1 (en) * | 2013-02-18 | 2014-08-13 | 김수권 | Coldness and warmth seat |
CN105362004A (en) * | 2015-12-10 | 2016-03-02 | 吴绍长 | Wheelchair with cooling and heating effects for old people |
KR20190002167A (en) * | 2017-06-29 | 2019-01-08 | 주식회사 템포레스트 | Seat with function of cold wind, warm wind and wind |
CN109223339A (en) * | 2017-07-10 | 2019-01-18 | 天津市天兴轮椅进出口有限公司 | Change the wheel-chair of temp.-differential |
CN107647980A (en) * | 2017-10-31 | 2018-02-02 | 依纳博(天津)智能科技发展有限公司 | A kind of ventilation mattress wheelchair |
KR200485529Y1 (en) * | 2017-11-15 | 2018-01-23 | 재단법인 노틀담수녀회 | Back seat of wheelchair |
CN108621885A (en) * | 2018-06-22 | 2018-10-09 | 吴忱 | Ventilating chair |
CN108743077B (en) * | 2018-06-29 | 2020-03-31 | 青岛市中心医院 | Patient wheelchair capable of adjusting temperature for rehabilitation of postoperative patient |
-
2022
- 2022-07-27 AU AU2022209264A patent/AU2022209264B1/en active Active
-
2023
- 2023-06-30 WO PCT/NZ2023/050065 patent/WO2024025424A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2001327363A (en) * | 2000-05-25 | 2001-11-27 | Tetsuya Sakamoto | Body support device |
JP2004097748A (en) * | 2002-09-10 | 2004-04-02 | Kazuyuki Hijikata | Ventilation of seat by suction and vacuum suction device for vehicle |
US20150251578A1 (en) * | 2012-09-18 | 2015-09-10 | Denso Corporation | Vehicle seat air-conditioning device |
CN203028648U (en) * | 2012-10-30 | 2013-07-03 | 捷和电机(深圳)有限公司 | Electric chair and ventilation system for electric chair |
JP2018039414A (en) * | 2016-09-08 | 2018-03-15 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Vehicle seat |
US20210261025A1 (en) * | 2018-11-26 | 2021-08-26 | Denso Corporation | Seat air-conditioner |
JP2020083201A (en) * | 2018-11-29 | 2020-06-04 | 株式会社デンソー | Seat temperature control device, seat temperature adjustment unit and harmful insect collection method |
WO2021090377A1 (en) * | 2019-11-06 | 2021-05-14 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Air conditioning device for reclining seat, seat comprising said air conditioning device, and air conditioning system |
WO2021140880A1 (en) * | 2020-01-08 | 2021-07-15 | 株式会社デンソー | Seat air-conditioning device |
JP2021146976A (en) * | 2020-03-23 | 2021-09-27 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Seat temperature adjusting device |
WO2022051851A1 (en) * | 2020-09-10 | 2022-03-17 | Thuja Innovations Inc. | Thermal comfort wheelchair backrest |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2024025424A1 (en) | 2024-02-01 |
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Legal Events
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FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) |