CA1215908A - Body-supporting device for wheelchair for handicapped person comprising a structure allowing an upright position - Google Patents

Abstract

PATENT APPLICATION
entitled: Body-supporting device for wheelchair for handicapped person comprising a structure allowing an upright position in the name of: Bernard PILLOT
assigned to: INTERNATIONAL DIFFUSION CONSOMMATEUR
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention is concerned with assistance to handicapped persons.
The body-supporting device for wheelchair for handicapped person is characterized in that it comprises: - a first set of means comprising two rigid segments, each mounted on the backrest by an articulated system which blocks the segment in a vertical orientation as armrest or horizontal orientation as thoracic half-belt, - and a second set of means comprising two cradle elements adapted to be immobilized in the same horizontal plane in alignment to form open leg guards fitting over the front of the subject's legs. The invention is applicable to wheelchairs.

Description

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--I--lhe presell~ invclltioll relates to wheelchairs used by handicapped persons and invalids allcl is e~lu.llly well applicable to folding or non-foldinK
wheel(:llairs.
The invention reJa-tes more particularly to wheelchairs of the type cornprising an articulated structure constituted by a backrest, a seat and a footrest associated with a drive member for assisting or control-ling the raising or Jowering of the articulated structure with respect to a bearing frame.
These wheelchairs incontestably represent real progress as, in addition to allowing indispensable mobility, they enable the subject to be in an upright position, which is also indispensable to avoid the physical degradations resulting from remaining in sitting position for a long period of time.
The prior known technique proposes a certain number of solutions for making wheelchairs comprising an articulated structure allowing upright position.
These different propositions have their advantages and their drawbacks, but they generally enable a subject to remain adequately in upright position, at least partially.
~lowever, it has been observed that such wheelchairs could not be used by all handicapped persons or invalids. In fact, for certain handi-caps or invalidities, the subject has insufficient, or no muscular control to remain in stable position against the upright supporting plane represented by the raised articulated structure of a wheelchair.
In such cases, the fact of being upright represents a real danger for the subject who, in the absence of self-control, risks falling by slipping sideways or by his legs weakening or his torso collapsing.
Now, the possibility of being upright is important for all handi-capped persons or invalids and perhaps even more so for those who do not possess physical control as in the cases mentioned above.
It is an object of the present invention to solve this important problem by proposing a body-supporting device designed for wheelchairs for handicapped persons comprising an ar~iculated elevator structure making it possibJe to constitute a supporting plane in sitting position or a supporting plane in upright position Lor a subject.

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., ~"~ objec t of -the invention is to propose a bc y-suppor-ting device whicI) m.ly be fitted on any type of articulated structu~e as lon~ as the lat-ter is cor~stituted by a backrest, an armature and a ioot-rest assembly subjected to combined relative displacements.
Ar-other object of the invention is to propose ~ body-supporting device whi-:h may easily be fitted on any type of wheelchair and easily used or positioned to perform the function of supporting the body when the subject is in upright position.
It is a further object of the invention to propose a body-supporting 10 device of very small dimensions capable of performing the function for which it is intended without representing or constituting by its component elements a hindrance for the subject.
Another object of the invention is to propose ~ body-supporting device offering possibilities of adjustment as a function of the morpho-15 logical characteristics of the subject.
A further object of the invention is to propose a body-supporting device which is simple, robust, reliable and which does not require any particular rnaintenance to be in a good operational condition.
To attain the above objects, the body-supporting device for 20 wheelchairs for handicapped persons comprising an articulated elevator structure fitted on the frame of such a wheelchair and of the type consti-tuted by a backrest, by a seat articulated on the backrest and on the frame, by a footrest assembly articulated on the seat and the frame and by means for relative pivoting, is characterized in that it comprises:

2~ - a first set of means comprising two partly bent rigid segments, each mounted laterally on the corresponding upright of the backrest by an articulated system which holds and locks said segment . in a general vertical orientation in which it represents an arm-rest for a subject, . or in a general horizontal orientation in which it constitutes a thoracic half-belt for the subject, - and a second set of means comprising two cradle elements each rnounted, by two pivot pins of orthogonal directions, on the front upright of the footrest assembly, said cradle elements being associated with means 35 for relative immobiliza-tion in a position of alignment in which they consti-,.

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tu-te open leg guards fitting over the ~ront of tt-e subject's legs.
The invention will be more readily understood on readinK the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figs. I and 2 are schematic views of a wheelchair comprising an articulated structure ensuring upright position and illustrating the device according to the invention for maintaining in two particular positions of use.
Fig. 3 is a side view showing one of the means of the invention in greater detail.
Figs. 4 and 5 are sections taken, on a larger scale, along lines IV-IV and V-V of Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a transverse section, on a smaller scale, similar to Fig. 5, but illustrating another characteristic position.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating the means according to the invention in another position of use.
Fig. 8 is a part side elevation showing, in greater detail, a func-tional relationship of certain of the elements of the first means of the invention.
Fig. 9 is a side elevation illustrating the positioning of another means of the body-supporting device.
Fig. 10 is a section taken along line X-X of Fig. 9.
Fig. Il is a transverse view taken along line XI-XI of Fig. 9.
Fig. 12 is a plan view taken along line XII-XII of Fig. Il.
Fig. 13 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 9 but illustrating the same technical means in another position of use.
Referring now to the drawings, Fig. I schematically shows a wheelchair I comprising a frame 2 constituted by front uprights 3 and rear uprights 4 connected together by sills 5 and crosspieces 6 (not shown).
The frame 2 is provided, in conventionally known manner, with bearing and driving wheels 10 and with swivelling guiding wheels 11. The above frame 2 corresponds -to a wheelchair of rigid design but it is obvious that a folding wheelchair has substantially the same form. In fact, in such a case, the crosspieces 6 (not shown) are replaced by equivalent foldable elements, of clesiKn known per se, enabling the frame to be rnain-"`` ~æ~59~9~

tained in the position o~ use or, on the contrary, enabJing its dimensions in width to be reduced.
The frame 2 described hereinaboYe is fitted with an articula-ted elevator struc-ture 12 adapted to allow a subject S to be in upright position.
5 By way of example, structure 12 comprises a seat 13 comprising two lateraJ
deformable quadrilaterals principally formed by two sills 14 and 15 articula-ted on the front part of the frame 2. The structure further comprises a backrest 16 constituted by two lateral trilaterals which are articulated on the sills 14 and 15 by means of two connecting rods 17 common to the sills 14-15. The articulated structure 12 is completed by a footrest assembly 18 principally formed by two lateral deformable quadrilaterals each including a front upright 19, a connecting rod 20, a part of the sill 14 and a part of the upright 3 of the frame 2. The assembly 18 supports one or two footrests 21 of known nature, preferably fitted with heel ele-ments (not shown in Figs. I and 2).
The articulated structure 12 is connected to the frame 2 by two manoeuvring assemblies 22 each comprising a lever 23 and an articula-ted system 24 for immobilizing, by geometrical locking, the articulated structure 12 in a stable sitting position or in a stable raised upright posi-tion. The manoeuvring assemblies 22 are completed by at least one drive member 25 such as a spring jack interposed between the frame 2 and for e~(ample the seat 13.
Fig. I shows the articulated structure 12 in the stable sitting position, immobilized by the articulated systems 24 of assemblies 22.
Fig. 2 shows the same articulated structure in stable raised or upright position, immobilized by the articulated systems 24. This Figure 2 enables the relationship of articulation existing between the seat, the backrest and the footrest assembly 18, elevated by the manoeuvring assem-blies 22 and the or each drive member 25, to be understood.
The object of the invention is to provide a device for ensuring body-support of a subject S, as shown in chain-dotted lines, brought into an upright position further to the elevation of the articulated structure 12. The object of the invention aims at making up for the lack or absence of physical control of the subject S to remain safely in the stable upright position illustrated in Fig. 2.

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The bocly-supporting device according to the invention comprises a first set oI means 26 adapted to be fitted on the backres-t an~J a second set of means 27 adapted to be fitted on the footrest assemb~y 1~.
The first set of means 26 comprises two rigid segments 28 presen-5 ting a bent or arched terminal part 29. Each segment 28 is mounted onthe corresponcling upright 30 of the backrest by an articulated systern 31 described in greater detail with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.
E~ach articulated system 31 comprises a fork joint 32 fitted on the upright 30 and forming two parallel flanges 33 extending towards 10 the rear of the wheelchair. The flanges 33 support, by a substantially horizontal pivot pin 34, a stirrup 35 whose parallel arms 36 extend internal-ly and parallel to the flanges 33. The web 37 of the stirrup 35 rotatably supports a pivot 38 fast with an extension 39 of the segment 28 and exten-ding opposite the terminal part 29. The extension 39 presents two holes 15 40 and 41 of radial direction made to cooperate with a catch 42 projecting from the web of the fork joint 32. The holes 40 and 41 represent means for locking the extension 39 in rotation and are made so as to be able to maintain the plane of the segment 28 either in a substantially vertical orientation or in a substantially horizontal orientation after rotation in 20 the direction of arrow fl in Fig. 5. The holes 40 and 41 are, in the present case, separated from one another, in consideration of the direction of arrow fl with respect to the fixed reference constituted by the catch 42, by an angular area equal to 270.
The stirrup 35 supports7 from the upper edges of its flanges 25 36, a bar 43 which extends along a plane parallel to that of the backrest to be permanently disposed behind the corresponding upright 30 by being oriented towards the bar 43 of the homologous articulated system 31.
The bar 43 comprises, in its terminal part facing the upright 30, a hole 44 adapted to cooperate with a finger 45 as shown in chain-dotted lines 30 in Fig. 4.
Finger 45 extends from the upright 30 towards the rear and is borne, in the example of construction illustrated7 by a ring 46 adjustably mounted on the upright 30. The ring 46 represents an upper stop for the articulated system 3J mounted in such a case so as to bè free axially 35 but immobilized angularly, for example, via a slide block 47 fitted on ~2159~8 the upright 30. In such a case, -the slide block bears the fork joint 32.
1 he slicle block 47 is limited in downward axial slide by a ring li8 with ;~cijustabJe position, of the same type as ring 46.
Each articulated system 31 further comprises sensitive or -tactile 5 means for determining the position of locking of the segrnent 38. These means comprise a catch 49 added to the extension 39 so as to be able to cooperate with one of the flanges 36 of the stirrup 35 in register with the two locking positions established by cooperation of the catch 42 with one or the other of the holes 40 and 41. In the example illustrated 10 in Fig. 5, the catch 49 is added so as to extend tangentially, presenting a thickness and a length determined so that it can cooperate with the flange 36 by a lateral face or by a transverse edge in one and the other position as will be seen from the following.
It should be noted that the hole 40 is made in the extension 15 39 so as to immobilize or lock the segment 28 in a substantially vertical plane in which the terminal part 29 is oriented downwardly in the direction of the seat 13.
The first set of means described hereinabove is used in the follo-wing manner:
20~ In the cases of using the wheelchair according to Fig. 1, for which the articulated structure 12 offers a supporting plane in sitting position Eor a handicapped person or invalid, the two segments 28 are placed as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The two segments 28 are thus maintained by cooperation of the hole 40 with the catch 42 in a substantial-25 ly vertical plane in which the terminal parts 29 are oriented towards the seat 13.
In this state, each segment 28 represents an armrest as well as a lateral guard by extending between the backrest and the seat.
The position of each armrest is maintained without risk of untime-30 ly disengagement by the cooperation of the hole 40 with the catch 42, cooperation which is all the more consolidated as the segments 28 serve as armrests. No lateral displacement of the armrest 28 can occur in view of the angular immobilization of the fork joint 32 with respect to the upright 30, either directly or via the slide block 47.
If the articulated structure 12 is to be displaced in elevation . . .

in order to constitute a supporting plane for the subject S in upright position, each segment 28 is pivoted in the direction of arrow f~ (Fig

3) to rotate the stirrup 35 on pin 34 in order to disengage the hole 40 with respect to the catch l~2. When this disengagement occurs, the segment 28 is rotated in the direction of arrow fl (Fig. 5) over an angular area which is determined by the catch 49. In the present case, the catch 49 is guided, after a rotation through 270, in cooperation with the inner flange 36 as illustrated in Fig. 6. The subject or the user is therefore certain, by touching the stop, that the hole 41 is then placed in register 10 with the catch 42. The segment 28 is then pivoted in the direction opposite to arrow f2 50 as to establish cooperation between the hole 41 and the catch 42 effecting locking of the segment 28.
In this state, the segment 28 is oriented substantially horizontally, perpendicularly to the plane of the backrest 16. The corresponding terrninal 15 part 29 is thus directed towards the second segment 28 and then represents a thoracic half-belt following the shape of or partially surrounding the chest of the subject who is held laterally and antero-posteriorly with respect to the backrest 16 when the two segments 28 have been brought - into the above position.
The tWQ half-belts pass around the chest, below the arm joints, this ~iving the subject who is immobilized against the backrest 16 complete freedom of movement.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, each segment 28 is in addition subjected, after the relative movements 25 in the direction of arrows fl and f2, to a vertical displacement in directionf3 (~ig. 3) so as to bring the hole 44 in the bar 43 in approximate register with the finger 45 of the stop 46. This position is reached when the upper edge of the slide block 47 cooperates with the base of the ring 46. In this position, the segment 28 may be displaced in the direction opposite 30 that of arrow f2 so as to pivot, in the corresponding direction, the stirrup 35 which ensures engagement of the bar 43 by the hole 44 on the finger 45.
The segment 28 is then maintained as previously, but in an eleva-ted position with respect to that occupied as armrest guard.
This presents the advantage of being able to adapt exactly to the desired position the level oi the segment 28 in thoracic half-belt position by adjus-ting the ring 46. Such a possibility gives thc subject maximum comfort as a function of his morphology.
Fig.7 shows that the adaptation of the segrnents 2~ to the thoracic 5 belt function is carried out prior to the elevation of the articulated struc-ture 12. This Figure also shows that the adaptation of the segments 28 allows cornplete freedom of displacement for the manoeuvring assemblies 22 in the direction of arrow f~ when the subject wishes, by manually acting on these assemblies, to initiate and assist the action of the driving 10 member 25 or to control the action of the latter in order to control the relative movement of the elements constituting the articulated struc-ture 12 with a view to bringing the latter from the position according to Fig. I to the position according to Fig. 2 in the upright state.
After return into sitting position, the subject can return each 15 segment 28 into the armrest position by pivoting in the direction of arrow f2 in order to disengage the bar 43 with respect to the finger 45. When such disengagement has occurred, the slide block 47 may be descended in the direction of arrow f5 and simultaneously or thereafter the segment 28 rotated in the direction of arrow f6 as is illustrated overall in Fig.
20 8. The return of the segment 28 into correct armrest/guard position is determined by bringing the lateral face of the catch 49 against the flange 36, as illustrated in Fig. 5, determining the register of the hole 40 with the catch 42. A pivoting in direction opposite to that of arrow f2 makes it possible to pivot the stirrup 35 in order to obtain relative penetration 25 of the catch 42 in the hole 40 re-establishing locking of the segment 28 in the original position.
Although the two segments 2~ provide thoracic support for the subject S against the plane of the backrest 16, in certain cases, they are insufficient to effectively oppose a weakening of the lower limbs 30 resulting from a total or partial loss of physical control thereof. It is for this reason that the body-supporting device according to the invention also comprises the second set of means 27.
Figs. 9 to 12 show that the second set of means 27 comprises two open leg guards 50 which are adapted to fit over the front of the 35 subject s legs, abutting substantially below the tibia in order to immobilize , 2~i~8 9_ the lower limbs laterally and in the antero-posterior plane Each leg guard 50 is cons-tituted by a cradle elerr-en-t 51 comprisinK
an extension 52 which is articulated by a pin 53 on an offset fork joint 54 extending from the upper end of a cylindrical rod 55. The lower terminal 5 part of the rod 55 is mounted to rotate inside a shaft 56 adapted to be fitted on one of the uprights 19 of the footrest assembly 18.
The shaft 56 is to this end articulated by a pin 57 on a tab 58 offered by the upright 19. The shaft 56 is maintained in a substantially vertical position by a pivot 59 provided in its upper terminal part to 10 be adjusted in position inside an oblong slot 60 presented by a rod 61 for connection with the upright 19. The terminal part of the rod 61 opposite the slot 60 is provided with a pivot 62 mounted to be adjustable in position inside an arcuate slot 63 presented by a plate 64 extending laterally to the upper crosspiece constituting the corresponding lateral deformable 15 quadrilateral connecting the footrest assembly 18 to the seat 13. For reasons of facility of presentation, the construction illustrated in Fig.
2 is different from that given in Fig. I as far as the connection between the footrest assembly 18 and the seat 13 is concerned. However, it appears that this difference concerns only the structure of the technical means, 20 the ~unction assumed by this connection being in both cases the same, iOe. the pivoting of the seat 13, urged by the driving member 257 brings about the combined displacement o~ the assembly 18.
The shafts 56 of the two leg guards 50 are mounted on homologous uprights 19 and the rods 55 are rotatably engaged so that the fork joints 25 54 are oriented towards the outside opposite each other. In this way, by pivoting on pins 53, the leg guards 50 may be placed laterally and on the outside as shown in chain-dotted lines or, on the contrary, may be returned substantially horizontally in mutual alignment facing the plane of the assembly 18 passing through the uprights 19. The leg guards 30~ 50 are maintained in mutual alignment by imrnobilization means comprising a hole 65 made in one of the cradle elements 51 and a lug 66 projecting ~rom the cradle element 51 of the second leg guard.
In this way, it becomes possible to maintain the two leg guards SO efficiently in a stable position in ~vhich they are maintained by the 35 pins 53, by abutting on the upper parts of the rods 55. In this position, the leg guards 50 fit over the legs of a subject S.
The shafts 56 are adjusted in relative position via the pivo-ts 59 so as to adapt the position of the leg guards 50 in mutual alignment as a function of the morphology of the subject and in particular of 5 the length of the femurs. This adjustment is effected in correlation with that of the position of the pivot 62 so that, in the position of maximum elevation corresponding to the upright position as illustrated in Fig. 13, the two leg guards 50 fit over the front of the two legs without creating any unbearable strain and to immobilize them laterally and antero-10 posteriorly in combination with the support of the feet against the heelelements 67 borne by the footrest plane 68.
A comparison of Figs. 9 and 13 will show that the oblong slot 60 and the arcuate slot 63 offer a possibility of adjusting the leg guards 50 in the two positions as a function of the morphology of the subject 15 to give rnaximum comfort and to establish a lateral and antero-posterior support opposing any weakening or collapse in the upright position as shown in Fig. 2.
It goes without saying that the leg guards 50 are p~aced in position as illustrated in Figs. Il and 12 prior to the elevation of the articulated 20 structure 12, so as to constitute a stop for the legs in the event of accen-tuated weakening of the knees during elevation~
The subject S, supported by the two sets of means 26 and 27, is consequently efficiently and comfortably immobilized against a tendency of the torso to sag in the direction of arrow f7 or a tendency to collapse 25 in the direction of arrow f8 as a result of the knees bending and moving in the direction of arrow f9.
The means 27 may be rapidly disengaged in the sitting position.
In fact, it suffices to move the leg guards 50 successively in the direction of arrow f10 to pivot the cradle elements towards the outside, as illustrated 30 in chain-dotted lines in Fig. Il.
If desired, it is also possible to remove the leg guards 50 rapidly by extracting the rods 55 with respect to the shafts 56.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown as various modifications may be made thereto without departing 35 from its scope. Although this has not been shown, adjusting means may be provided between the shafts 56 and the rods 55.

Claims (10)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A body-supporting device for a wheelchair for handicapped person comprising an articulated elevator structure fitted on the frame of such a wheelchair and of the type constituted by a backrest, by a seat articula-ted on the backrest and on the frame, by a footrest assembly articulated on the seat and the frame and by means for relative pivoting, wherein it comprises:
- a first set of means comprising two partly bent rigid segments, each mounted laterally on the corresponding upright of the backrest by an articulated system which holds and locks said segment ? in a general vertical orientation in which it represents an arm-rest for a subject, ? or in a general horizontal orientation in which it constitutes a thoracic half-belt for the subject, - and a second set of means comprising two cradle elements each mounted, by two pivot pins of orthogonal directions, on the front upright of the footrest assembly, said cradle elements being associated with means for relative immobilization in a position of alignment in which they consti-tute open leg guards fitting over the front of the subject's legs.

2. The body-supporting device of Claim 1, wherein each articulated system comprises:
- a fork joint supporting a stirrup by a substantially horizontal pivot pin, - a pivot whose axis is substantially at right angles to the pivot axis connecting the web of the stirrup to an extension of the segment, - a catch borne by the fork joint to cooperate with one or the other of two holes presented by the extension to immobilize the segment in the horizontal or vertical position.

3. The body-supporting device of Claim 1 or 2, wherein each articula-ted system comprises, on the one hand, a fork joint borne by a slide block mounted angularly immobilized on the corresponding upright of the backrest but axially free between two adjustable stops and, on the other hand, a stirrup provided with a bar extending substantially horizontally, parallel to the upright and comprising in its terminal part a hole for the relative engagement of a finger projecting from the upper stop.

4. The body-supporting device of Claim 2 wherein the holes presen-ted by the extension are of radial direction and separated from each other by an angular area of 270°.

5. The body-supporting device of Claim 2 or 4 wherein each exten-sion comprises, in addition to the holes a stop catch cooperating with one of the flanges of the stirrup in order to determine the positions of the segment.

6. The body-supporting device of Claim 1 wherein the second set of means comprises two cradle elements each forming a lateral extension articulated by a substantially horizontal pin on an offset fork joint provided in the upper part of a cylindrical rod of which the upper end serves as support stop for the cradle element in substantially horizontal position and of which the lower terminal part is rotatably engaged in a substantially vertical shaft borne by the corresponding front upright of the footrest assembly.

7. The body-supporting device of Claim 1 wherein the shaft of each cradle element is mounted on the corresponding upright by a substantially horizontal pivot pin provided in its lower part and by a pivot provided in its upper part to cooperate with an oblong adjustment slot presented by a rod itself articulated on the footrest assembly.

8. The body-supporting device of Claim 7, wherein the rod is moun-ted opposite the oblong slot by a pivot with adjustable position in an arcuate slot presented by an offset plate fast with an upper crosspiece included in the composition of an articulated system constituting the footrest assembly and connected to the articulated seat.

9. The body-supporting device of Claim 1 wherein the means for relative immobilization of the leg guards are constituted by a hole and by a lug provided in the parts of the cradle elements opposite the exten-sions.

10. A wheelchair comprising an articulated structure defining a supporting plane for a subject in sitting position and adapted to be extended to allow the subject to be at least partly upright, said structure comprising the body-supporting means of any one of Claim 1, 2 or 4.