CA2279216A1

CA2279216A1 - A set of releasably interconnectable members for building up a chair for disabled persons

Info

Publication number: CA2279216A1
Application number: CA002279216A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Henrik Nohr Kofoed; Gert Steen Ronne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Borringia Industrie AG
Priority date: 1997-02-06
Filing date: 1998-02-06
Publication date: 1998-08-13
Also published as: ATE299008T1; EP1011587B1; EP1011587A1; JP2001510372A; WO1998034576A1; DE69830797T2; AU5749798A; DE69830797D1

Abstract

A set of releasably interconnectable members for building up a chair for disabled persons is disclosed. The set comprises a frame, a lavatory or toilet seat to be mounted on the frame, a cover seat to be mounted so as to cover the lavatory seat, legs for supporting the frame, and wheels to be mounted on the frame or on the legs so as to support the chair. The set may comprise accessories, such as a lavatory bowl, arm, back or foot rest(s). A bag for transporting the set is disclosed.

Description

A SET OF RELEASABLY INTERCONNECTASLE MEMBERS FOR BUILDING UP
A CHAIR FOR DISABLED PERSONS
The present invention relates to a set of releasably interconnectable members for building up a chair for disabled persons. The present invention further relates to a chair built up of a set of releasably interconnectable members and to a bag for containing and transporting a set according to the present invention.
People being physically disabled to a certain extent are normally fully dependent on wheel chairs not only for moving themselves but also for showering and for lavatory visits. In private homes, such people typically possess specialised wheel chairs and/or furniture for different purposes, and their homes are usually arranged so as to allow wheel chairs to access all rooms.
In general, the width of a lavatory door in private homes is limited to 60 cm) which does not allow a conventional wheel chair to enter the room. In public places, the problem of giving disabled people using a wheel chair access to a lavatory room, is dealt with by constructing special "handicap lavatories" having wider doors and ample room allowing a standard wheel chair to enter and manoeuvre. Thus, when travelling, disabled people using a wheel chair have satisfactory access to lavatories, e.g., in air ports and at railway stations. However, most modern hotels with lifts cannot be used by wheel chair users, as the standard lavatory door of 60 cm does not allow a wheel. chair to access, the lavatory room. Therefore, disabled people using a wheel chair and their companions are forced to limit themselves to stay at special "handicap hotels" or, alternatively, to bring along one or more specialised wheel chairs on their journey.
However, bringing several wheel chairs when travelling is normally not possible, in particular. when travelling by air

2 plane. Thus, in many cases, disabled people have so for been forced to limit themselves to special "handicap hotels".
The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a low weight combined bath-, lavatory-, and transport wheel chair, which may also be used as a stationary chair, and which is easy to disassemble and to pack into a travel case.
Conventional, collapsible wheel chairs, such as those disclosed in U.S. patent 4,957,303 or in German patent 1268315, are rather difficult to carry and not suitable for travelling purposes. In particular, these known collapsible wheel chairs are not suited for being carried by a companion accompanying the disabled person, e.g " during an air plane fare. A further disadvantage of these chairs and of most available wheel chairs is that their design differ from the design of common stationary chairs to such an extent that a disabled person using a wheel chair may suffer from indignity when using the chair due to other people's attention caused by the chair, e.g., when the disabled person is visiting a restaurant.
A chair built of a set according to the present invention combines a lavatory) bathing and transportation wheel chair.
A combined wheel chair and commode chair is disclosed in U.S
patent 3,769,638. This chair, however, may not be disassembled and is not useful for travelling purposes.
Due to the design of a chair built up of a set according the present invention, it may pass over a standard lavatory bowl, while it is sufficiently narrow to pass through a standard lavatory door having a width of approximately 60 cm. This allows a disabled person to access a normal lavatory room instead of being dependent on the presence of a lavatory basin or on the presence of a special "handicap lavatory".
A chair built up of a set according to the present may further be used for a disabled person to shower while seated in the chair.

3 In particular, the present invention relates to a set of releasably interconnectable members for building up a chair for disabled persons, said set comprising - a frame member, - a lavatory seat to be mounted on the frame member, - a cover seat to be mounted so as to cover the lavatory seat, - leg members for supporting the frame member, and - wheel members to be mounted on the frame member or on the leg members so as to support the chair.
The frame member or frame is the bearing element of the chair to be built up from the set. Preferably the frame is made from rods and/or tubes attached together, e.g. by welding, soldering, gluing or any other process of assembling.
However, the frame may also be made from rods and/or tubes which are bent so as to form the da_sired shape of the frame.
In order to minimize the weight of the frame, it is preferred that low weight materials are used for the frame. The strength of the frame should be sufficient for it to withstand the load applied thereto when a person is seated in the chair, and when a person raises or sits down in the chair. A material combining the desired properties is aluminium. Thus, it is preferred to make the frame from aluminium or aluminium alloy profiles, such as square profile, U-profiles, I-profiles, tubes or any other kind of profiles.
The frame is prepared for releasably connecting leg members and for attaching or releasably connecting a lavatory seat thereto. Preferably, the frame is further provided with means for releasably interconnecting other members thereto, as will be described in detail below. These means preferably comprise

4 pieces of tube attached to the frame, e.g., by soldering, welding, gluing or by any other suitable process of assembling. However, many other means for releasably interconnecting members to the frame are possible, e.g., spring loaded mechanisms attached to the frame, magnetic means etc.
Preferably, the frame defines a plane, said plane thereby defining the plane of the lavatory seat. However, the frame may have any shape.
The lavatory seat is preferably attached to the frame.
However, it is preferred that the frame and the lavatory seat may be disassembled, so as to allow easier cleaning of the chair. The lavatory seat has a throughgoing hole defined therein, the size and the position of the hole being such that it may be used as a lavatory hole.
The cover seat for covering the lavatory seat when a chair built up of a set according to the invention is used as a normal wheel chair or as a stationary chair, preferably covers the lavatory seat over its entire surface. The cover seat may be upholstered so as to increase the comfort.
However, for special applications of the chair, it may be convenient that the cover seat is not upholstered.
The set according to the invention further comprises leg members or legs for supporting the frame. Preferably, the legs are made from rods and/or tubes made from low weight materials having a sufficient strength so as to withstand the load applied to the legs when a disabled person is sitting in the chair or when the disabled person sits down or raises from the chair. Thus, it is preferred to make the legs from the same kind of profiles as the profiles comprised in the frame. However, it is most preferred to make the legs from tubes. Each leg comprises at one end means for releasably interconnecting the leg to the frame. Preferably, the end of a leg may interengage with a piece of tube attached to the frame suited for interengaging with an end of a leg. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each leg may be locked to the corresponding piece of tube' attached to the frame by suited locking means. The locking means may comprise spring

5 loaded mechanisms, or, alternatively and/or additionally, the locking force may be provided by a ring of elastic material twisted around one of the tubes ir, connection with a pawl extending through a bore extending' in the transversal direction of the leg and a corresponding bore extending through the piece of tube attached. to the frame. The locking means may alternatively and/or additionally comprise at least one screw and at least one nut, the position of a leg being locked by fastening the screw and the nut.
Each leg may be provided with wheels at the end opposite to the end at which the leg is connected to the frame. The wheels may be attached to the leg or they may be releasably mounted thereon. The wheels may either be small wheels having a diameter of 5-20 cm, or they may be driving wheels having a diameter of 30-80 cm or more allowing a disabled person sitting in the chair to turn the driving wheels with his/her hands. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising four legs - two front legs and two rear legs - all four legs may be provided with small wheels or, alternatively, the front wheels may be provided with ;small wheels and the rear legs with driving wheels. As it is very easy to change the configuration of the chair, the owner of the chair may possess both a set of small wheels and a set of driving wheels for the rear legs. The smal:L wheels as well as the driving wheels may be provided with brakes for locking the wheels, e.g., when a disabled person sits down or raises from the chair, or when a chair with wheels is used as a stationary chair. Preferably, at least one of the front wheels is provided with a brake, and preferably, at least one of the driving wheels is provided with a brake.
Preferably, the cover seat is provided with means for releasably interconnecting the cover seat to the lavatory

6 PCT/DK98/00049 seat, or, alternatively and/or additionally, the cover seat may be provided with means for pivotally interconnecting the cover seat to the lavatory seat, such as, e.g., standard pivot means known from usual lavatory bowls. It is preferred, however, that the cover seat comprises mechanical means for releasably interconnecting it to the lavatory seat. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a projection is formed on the underside of the cover seat, said projection fitting the lavatory hole defined in the lavatory seat. Other possible means for interconnecting the cover seat to the lavatory seat are possible within the scope of the invention, and means for locking the cover seat to the lavatory may further be provided.
Preferably, a set according to the invention comprises at least four legs, which may be mounted on the frame at intervals allowing the chair to be placed over a standard lavatory bowl with at least two legs on either side of the lavatory bowl. A most preferred embodiment of the invention comprises four legs. However, for special applications it may be convenient to mount only three legs or, for other applications, five or more legs.
Each of at least two legs preferably comprise means for adjusting its length. These means may comprise infinitely variable configurations, including telescopic configurations, or, alternatively, each leg may selectively be positioned in one of a finite number of predetermined positions. The adjustment of the length of a leg may be carried out by hand, or by hydraulic or pneumatic means or by means of an electromotor connected to a mechanical system comprising, e.g., a spindle or a rack and pinion drive.
Preferably, the means for adjusting the length of a leg comprise a telescopic interconnection. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the telescopic interconnection comprises two interengaging tubes which may be displaced - by hand - relative to each other in their longitudinal WO 981345'76 PCT/DK98/00049

7 direction. Preferably, equivalent means for interlocking the tubes as described above for interlocking the legs and the frame are provided.
The Legs preferably extend outwardly from the frame member in a direction being substantially different from the perpendicular direction relative t.o the frame member, so as to stabilize the chair. The legs may extend outwardly in only one plane, or they may extend outwardly in two planes. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the front legs extend outwardly in two planes, while the rear legs do not extend outwardly in a sidewards/transversal direction, so as obtain a stable configuration, when driving wheels are mounted on the rear legs.
Preferably, the angle between a leg member and a vertical direction is substantially the same for all leg members, such that the design of all four legs is identical.
The set according to the invention preferably further comprises a chair back member or chair back, allowing a disabled person using the chair to lean back. The chair back may be mounted on the frame. Preferably, the frame comprises pieces of tube attached to the frame, the pieces of tube being designed so as to receive rods and/or tubes comprised in the chair back. However, other means for interconnecting the chair back to the frame are possible. The rods and/or tubes comprised in the chair back may be received in said pieces of tube attached to the frarne, whereby the fit between the interengaging parts may be relatively tight, so as to avoid the chair back from being removed from the frame by mistake. However, alternatively and/or additionally locking means, such as, e.g., those described above for interlocking the legs and the frame, may be applied. Preferably, a portion of the chair back is upholstered with textile, so as to increase the comfort of the chair.

8 The chair back preferably comprises means for adjusting its position relative to the frame in the assembled condition of the members, including both means for adjusting the height of the chair back as well as means for adjusting the position of the chair back relative to the frame in a longitudinal direction, i.e. means for adjusting the distance to the seat.
These means preferably comprise telescopic means as those described above in connection with the means for adjusting the length of the legs. Identical locking means as those described above for the legs may be applied.
Preferably, the chair back member further comprises hand grip means allowing a person to push the chair. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hand grip means comprise a portion of a rod bent outwardly from the chair back. However, all kinds of hand grips may be mounted on the chair back.
Alternatively, the hand grip means may be mounted directly on the frame.
Preferably, the set according to the invention, further comprises arm rest members or arm rests to be mounted on the frame. The frame preferably comprises means for interconnecting the arm rests thereto. These means may comprise identical or equivalent means as those described above for the chair back. The arm rests preferably comprise arm rest pads attached thereto, so as to protect the elbows and/or the arms of the disabled person using the chair. The arm rest pads may be made from or covered by textile.
The arm rests preferably comprise means for individually adjusting their positions relative to the frame member in the assembled condition of the members. Preferably, the arm rests comprise means for both adjusting their height as well as their position in a sidewards/transversal direction. These means may comprise identical or equivalent means as those described above for the chair back.

9 Preferably, the set according to the invention further comprises a foot rest member or foot rest. The foot rest may comprise at least one rod and/or tube suited for being connected to the frame, the frame comprising means suited for that purpose. The rods and/or tubes comprised in the foot rest are bent, such that a portion of at least one rod and/or tube defines a foot rest for the disabled person sitting in the chair. Other foot rest members, e.g., plates for supporting the feet of a disabled person seated in the chair, may be mounted on the rods and/or tubes. In particular, plates may be pivotally mounted on the rods and/or tubes. The means comprised in the frame for connecting the foot rest thereto preferably comprise identical and/or equivalent means as those described above in connection with the arm rests, the chair back and the legs. Identical and/or equivalent locking means as those described above may also be applied.
The foot rest may comprise means for adjusting its position relative to the frame in the assembled condition. These means may comprise telescopic means as those described above in connection with the arm rests, and identical and/or equivalent locking means may be applied.
In a set according to the invention) at least the frame member, the leg members, the wheel members and the lavatory seat are made from water resistant materials or from other materials provided with a water resistant coating, so as to avoid the frame and the other members from being damaged when using the chair for lavatory visits, showering etc.
Preferably at least a substantial part of the frame) and more preferred the entire frame, is made from aluminium rods and/or aluminium profiles. The rods and/or profiles may be attached together by welding. For optical purposes, the rods and/or profiles may be provided with a coating and/or paint.
Preferably, also the legs, the arm rests and the chair back -except for the textile parts comprised in the chair back WO 98/345?6 PCT/DK98/00049 and/or in the arm rests - may are made from aluminium or aluminium alloy rods and/or aluminium or aluminium alloy profiles.
The set according to the invention may further comprise 5 coding means for identifying corresponding members, so as to avoid non-corresponding parts from being put together. These coding means may comprise colour identifying of corresponding members, or alternatively and/or additionally, the coding means comprise interengaging portions of corresponding

10 members, so as to allow only corresponding members to be interconnected and so as to allow only a correct assembling of the members.
The set according to invention may further comprise angular positioning means for positioning corresponding members relative to each other. Preferably, the legs comprise such means for positioning them in their correct angular position relative to the frame. The angular positioning means may comprise interengaging portions of corresponding members so as to allow only a correct assembling of the members. A
projection extending in the longitudinal direction of a leg connecting piece attached to the frame may interengage with a corresponding groove defined in the surface of a leg.
Alternatively, a projection defined on a leg and extending in the longitudinal direction of the leg may interengage with a corresponding groove defined in a leg connecting piece.
Obviously, many other angular positioning means for the legs are possible.
The set according to the invention may further comprise a lavatory basin to be mounted beneath the toilet seat.
Preferably, the frame is provided with means, such as rods and/or tubes, for mounting the lavatory basin thereon. The lavatory basin may be collapsible, so as to facilitate the basin to be carried, e.g., by a person accompanying the disabled person using the chair, e.g., while travelling. The lavatory basin may be disposable.

11 The invention further relates to a. chair built up of a set according to the invention. Preferably, the width of the chair including arm rests is less than or equal to 60 cm, so as to allow the chair to pass through a standard lavatory door. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the width of the chair is less than or equal to 54 cm.
The invention further relates to a bag for containing and transporting a set according to the invention. The design of the set according to the invention allows the set to be packed into a travel case complying with the maximum measurements for cabin baggage for air planes. Preferably, the sum of the width, the length and the height of the bag is less than or equal to 150 cm. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, said sum is less than or equal to 115 cm.
The bag may be made from textile and/or from synthetic materials. It may be rigid or collapsible, and it may, optionally, be formed as a rucksack. Preferably) the bag is made from water proof materials.
The invention, in particular preferred embodiments thereof, will now be further described with reference to the drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a set according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of an undercarriage of a chair according to the invention having small wheels at the front legs and at the rear legs, Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical illustration of an undercarriage of a chair according to the invention having small wheels at the front legs and driving wheels at the rear legs, Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical illustration of an undercarriage of a chair according to the invention having no wheels, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a frame member,

12 Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical illustration of the frame member in transversal plane, a Fig. 7 is a diagrammatical illustration of the frame member in longitudinal plane, a Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of a leg member, including small wheel and a portion of the frame, a Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of a portion of a first embodiment of a leg member, Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of a portion of a second embo diment of a leg member, Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of a leg with a small wheel mount ed thereon, Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view of a leg with a driving wheel mount ed thereon, Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view showing a first embodiment of the interconnection between a wheel and a leg member, Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view showing a second embodiment of the interconnection between a wheel and a leg member, Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a locking device for interlockin g leg parts, Fig. 16 is a plane view of the locking device shown in fig. 15, Fig. 17 is a plane view of a chair back, Fig. 18 is a side view of a portion of the chair back, Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the chair back, Fig. 20 is a side view of an arm rest, Fig. 21 is a diagrammatical illustration showing a side view of the arm rest, Fig. 22 is a diagrammatical illustration showing a front view of the arm rest, Fig. 23 is a partly cross sectional front view of a foot rest, Fig. 24 is a side view of a portion of a foot rest, Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a foot rest, and Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the frame with a lavatory basin mounted thereon.

13 Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a set of releasably interconnectable members for building up a chair for disabled persons, indicated by the general reference numeral 1. The set comprises a lavatory seat 2 having a lavatory hole 2a formed therein, the hole 2a being sufficiently large for a chair built up of the set according to the invention to be used as a lavatory chair. The lavatory seat 2 is connected to a frame member or frame 11 (not visible in fig. 1), shown in fig. 5, the frame being positioned at the lower surface of the lavatory seat 2. The set further comprises a cover seat 3 having a projection (not shown in l~he drawings) formed on its lower surface, the projection fitt_Lng in the hole 2a. When the cover seat is mounted on the lavatory seat 2, the outer surface of the projection formed on the lower surface of the cover seat 3 will abut the inner surface 2b of the lavatory hole 2a. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cover seat is pivotally connected t:o the lavatory seat (not shown in the drawings). The set further comprises four leg members or legs 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d mounted so as to support the frame 11. Small wheels 5 or driving wheels 6 may be mounted at the free end of the legs. All four legs may be provided with small wheels 5 or, alternatively, the rear legs 4c and 4d may be provided with driving wheels 6 and the front legs 4a and 4b with small wheels 5 as illustrated in figs. 2 and 3. One or more wheels 5 and/or 6 may be provided with brakes so as to prevent the chair from rolling and so as to stabilize the chair, e.g., while a disabled person sits down or raises from the chair, as will be described in detail below. A further possible configuration is to mount no wheels on the legs. In order to stabilize the chair in this configuration, knobs 7 may be mounted at the free end of the legs, as illustrated in figs. 1 and 4.
The set further comprises a chair back member or chair back 8 to be mounted on the frame 11. Left and right arm rests or arm rest members 9a and 9b may further be mounted on the frame. Each of the arm rests 9a and 9b may be provided with a peg 9c for carrying articles needed by the disabled person

14 using the chair) e.g., a roll of toilet paper or a hand bag.
The set may further comprise a foot rest member or foot rest to be mounted on the frame.
In order to adjust the chair to the disabled person using the 5 chair, the positions of the chair back 8, the arm rests 9a and 9b and the foot rest 10 relative to the frame 11 are adjustable. The height of the foot rest, the arm rests and the chair back is adjustable, while the position of the arm rests is further adjustable both in a transversal and in a 10 longitudinal direction, as will be described in detail below.
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the frame or frame member 11. The frame 11 comprises rods and/or tubes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d attached together. Means for interconnecting the lavatory seat 2, the legs 4a, 4b) 4c and 4d, the chair back 8, the arrn rests 9a and 9b, the foot rest ZO and/or other members to the frame 11 are attached to the rods and/or tubes. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, these means comprise relatively short pieces of tube serving as leg connecting pieces 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, arm rest connecting pieces 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d, chair back connecting pieces 17a and 17b and foot rest connecting pieces 18a and 18b.
Preferably, said connecting pieces comprise short pieces of tube attached to the rods and/or tubes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d.
Bores 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d extending in a direction perpendicular to the leg connecting pieces 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d serve as means for releasably interconnecting the legs 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d to the frame 11, as will be described in detail below.
The frame 11 may further be provided with means for releasably interconnecting or for attaching the lavatory seat 2 to the frame. These means may, e.g., comprise one or more screw connections (not shown in the drawings), i.e. one or more bores extending through the rods and/or tubes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d in a substantially vertical direction and one or more corresponding holes provided with inner threads in the lower surface of the lavatory seat: 2, said holes receiving a screw extending through the bores through the rods and/or tubes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, whereby the surface of each screw head abuts the surface of the rods and/or tubes. Preferably, 5 the interconnection between the frame 11 and the lavatory seat 2 is releasable so as to facilitate cleaning of the lavatory seat and the frame. However, when disassembling the chair and packing the set into a bag or suit case, the frame 11 and the lavatory seat 2 need nc~t be disassembled.
10 In order to increase the stability of the chair, the legs 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d may be mounted so that they extend in an angle outwardly from the chair seat to their respective points of support on the ground. Thus, the leg connecting pieces 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d extend outwardly from the frame, as

15 illustrated in figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 shows the frame 11 in a transversal plane. The angle y between the leg connecting pieces 12a, 12b and a horisontal plane may vary upon the length of the legs and the requirements for the width of the chair. Preferably, the angle y lies in the interval 85°sys97°. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle ~y is approximately equal to 93.75°.
Preferably, the leg connecting pieces 12c, 12d extend in the horisontal direction in the transversal plane as illustrated in fig. 6. Thereby the rear legs 4c, 4d will extend in the vertical direction in the transversal plane, which allows the driving wheels 6 to be mounted on ~~the rear legs 4c, 4d so that the driving wheels will be parallel to the vertical plane.
Fig. 7 shows an illustration of the frame 11 in a longitudinal plane. In order to stabilize the chair, the leg connecting pieces extend outwardly from the plane of the chair seat. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sum of the angle 90°-y and the angle 90°-a, a denoting the angle between the front leg connecting pieces 12a, 12b and the horisontal plane, is equal to the angle 90°-a, f3 denoting

16 the angle between the rear leg connecting pieces 12c, 12d, and the horisontal plane i.e. (90°-y)+(90°-a)=(3. Thereby the design of wheel holding parts is facilitated, as will be described in detail below. However, other embodiments of the invention and/or for special applications thereof, it may be convenient that this is not the case. Preferably, the angles a and ~i vary within the following intervals: 85°sas97°, 80°sas94°. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, cx is approximately equal to 93.75° while /3 is approximately equal to 87.5°. Preferably, the legs 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d are identical as well as the leg connecting pieces 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, so that no coding means are needed for interconnecting corresponding legs and leg connecting pieces. However, in other embodiments of the invention, wherein one or more legs have a differing design) coding means such as colour coding means or interengaging portions of the members allowing only corresponding members to be interconnected are used.
Fig. 8 shows a cross sectional view of one of the rear legs 4c in a transversal plane. The leg 4c comprises an upper part 4c' and a lower part 4c " , both parts preferably being made from tube. The leg connecting piece 12c is received in the upper leg part 4c'. A stop 30 for the leg connecting piece 12 is positioned in the upper leg part 4c, such that when the free end of the leg connecting piece 12c abuts the stop 30, the bore 22c extending through the leg connecting piece 12c is aligned with a bore 29 through the upper leg part 4c, thereby allowing a locking device (not shown in fig. 8) to be inserted through the bores 22c and 29, as will be described in detail below.
In order to adjust the angular position of the upper leg part 4c relative to the leg connecting piece 12c, a projection (not shown in the drawings) extending in the longitudinal direction of the leg connecting piece 12c on its outer surface may interengage with a corresponding groove (not shown in the drawings) defined in the inner surface of the upper leg part 4c. Alternatively, a projection defined on the WO 98/34576 PCT/DK98/t10049

17 inner surface of the upper leg part 4c and extending in its longitudinal direction may interengage with a corresponding groove defined in the outer surface of the leg connecting piece 12c. Obviously, many other angular positioning means for the upper leg part 4c are possible.
The lower leg part 4c " is received in the upper leg part 4c'. A bore 28 extending through t:he lower leg part 4c " is aligned with a bore 27 extending through the upper leg part 4c. Equivalent angular positioning means as described above for adjusting the angular position. of the upper leg part 4c' relative to the leg connecting piece 12c may be used for adjusting the angular position of the lower leg part 4c "
relative to the upper leg part 4c'. As will be described in detail below, the lower leg part 4c " may be provided with a plurality of bores 28, so as to allow the length of the leg 4c to be adjusted.
The small wheel 5 is mounted on a wheel holding member 21 connected to a wheel holding piece 20 received in the lower leg part 4c " . The wheel holding piece 20 may be attached or releasably interconnected to the lower leg part 4c with a pawl 31.
Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the leg 4c in a cross sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the cross sectional view of fig. 8. An upper leg part 4e, preferably made from tube comprising a bore 32 extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the upper leg part 4e is received in the leg connecting piece 12c. The bore 22c (not visible in :Eig. 9) through the leg connecting piece 12c is aligned with the bore 32 through the upper leg part 4e. A stop (not shown in fig. 9) for positioning the upper leg part 4e relative to the leg connecting piece 12c in the longitudinal direction of the leg may be applied. The stop may be obtained in an equivalent way as described above for the embodiment shown in fig. 8.

18 The lower leg part 4c " having a plurality of bores 28 for adjusting the length of the leg 4e is received in the upper leg part 4e. A locking device (not shown in fig. 9) may be inserted through one of the bores 28 aligned with a bore (not visible in fig. 9) through the upper leg part 4e.
Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the leg 4e corresponding to the embodiment shown in fig. 8 in a cross sectional plane perpendicular to the cross sectional plane of fig. 8. Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the stop for positioning the upper leg part 4e' relative to the leg connecting piece 12c. The stop is obtained by folding a flap 33 formed on the tube defining the upper leg part 4c. When the free end of the leg connecting piece 12c abuts the flap 33, the bore 22c through the leg connecting piece 12c will be aligned with the bore 29 through the upper leg part 4c.
It should be understood that the above description of the leg 4e also applies to the other legs 4a, 4b and 4d, which may be designed in an identical way as described above.
Fig. 11 shows a cross sectional view of one of the front legs 4b. The leg 4b is designed in an identical way as described above for the leg 4c, the leg 4b comprising an upper leg part 4b' receiving the leg connecting piece 12b. The bore 22b extending through the leg connecting piece 12b is aligned with a bore 29' extending through the upper leg part 4b'. A
locking member (not shown in fig. 11) may be inserted through the bores 29' and 22b. The leg 4b further comprises a lower leg part 4b " having a plurality of bores 28' extending therethrough. The length of the leg 4b may be adjusted by selectively aligning one of the bores 28' with a bore 27' extending through the upper leg part 4b'. The wheel holding piece 20 is received in the lower leg part 4b " and attached to it or releasably connected thereto by a pawl 31.

19 The wheel holding member 21 is connected to the wheel holding piece 20 by a screw 21' interengaging with an inner thread defined in the wheel holding piece 20.
Fig. 12 shows a cross sectional view of a rear leg 4d having a driving wheel 6 mounted thereon. The leg 4d comprises an upper leg part 4d' receiving the leg connecting piece 12d and a lower leg part 4f. Due to the large diameter of the driving wheel 6 compared to the diameter of the small wheel 5, the lower leg part 4f is substantially shorter than the lower leg parts of the front legs. The length of the leg 4d shown in fig. 12 may be adjusted by aligning a bore 27" extending through the upper leg part 4d' with bores extending through the lower leg part 4f in an equivalent way as described above for the leg 4b.
The driving wheel 6 comprises a hub 6c pivotally mounted on a shaft 34 attached to the lower leg part 4f. The hub 6c may be mounted on a bearing (not shown in the drawings). The driving wheel 6 further comprises a disk or) alternatively, a plurality of spokes 6b and an outE~r race 6a. Preferably, the outer race 6a is made from an resilient material. The outer race may comprise a cavity filled with compressed air. A rim (not shown in the drawings) connected to the disk or the spokes 6b along their periphery supports the outer race 6a.
In a preferred embodiment of the _Lnvention, the driving wheel 6 is further provided with a hand brake (not shown in the drawings).
Obviously, angular alignment means as described in connection with fig. 8, may also be applied t:o the embodiments shown in figs. 9. 10, 11 and 12.
Figs. 13 and 14 shows two possible embodiments of the wheel holding pieces 20 and 20' and its interconnection with the wheel holding member 21. The wheel. holding member 21 comprises an upper, fixed part 21b and a lower part 21a pivotally mounted on the upper part 21b. Fig. 13 shows a most WO 98/34576 PCT/DK98l00049 preferred embodiment of the interconnection between the upper part 21b and the wheel holding piece 20. The wheel holding piece 20 forms a kink 20a so as to substantially align the terminal surface of the lower part 20b of the wheel holding 5 piece 20 with a horisontal plane. The angle formed by the kink 20a should thereby be equal to (90°-a)+(90°-y), which is equal to 90°-/3, cf. figs. 6 and 7 and the above description.
The upper part 20c of the wheel holding piece 20 is received in the lower leg part 4c " , while the lower part 20b is 10 attached to the stationary portion 21b of the wheel holding member 21 by means of a screw 21' interengaging with an inner thread defined in the lower part 20b of the wheel holding piece 20. Fig. 14 shows a slightly different embodiment of a wheel holding piece 20' forming a funnel-like extension 20" , 15 the terminal surface of the funnel-like extension 20" being substantially parallel with a horisontal plane. In case the angles a, a and y satisfies the condition a+y=a (cf. figs. 6 and 7 and the above description), identical wheel holding pieces 20 or 20', respectively, may be used for all four

20 legs.
One or more of the wheels 5 may be equipped with a brake (not shown in the drawings) for locking the wheel, e.g., while a disabled person sits down or raises from the chair, or while the chair with wheels mounted thereon is used as a stationary chair. Preferably, at least one of the front wheels is equipped with a brake, which may be activated by pressing a foot against the activating means of the brake. Preferably, standard wheels equipped with brakes are used.
Obviously, the interconnection between the wheels 5 and the legs 4a, 4b, 4d may be established in an identical way.
Figs. 15 and 16 show a locking device 35 for locking the lower leg parts to the upper leg parts. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the locking device, while fig. 16 is a plane view. The locking device 35 comprises a flexible ring 36 made from a resilient material and a rigid pin 37. The

21 locking device further comprises a string 38 for attaching the locking device to one of the leg parts. As indicated in figs. 9, 10 and 11, a number of bores 28 and 28' extend through the lower leg parts 4c " and 4b " in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the leg. When one of these bores is aligned with a bore 27 or 27', respectively (cf. figs. 8 and 11), the flexible ring 36 is twisted around the upper leg part 4c' or 4b', respectively, while the rigid pin 37 is inserted into the bores so that it extends through the upper leg part. The force needed for mounting and releasing the locking device should be sufficiently large to ensure that the locking device is not removed by mistake, but still sufficiently small for a disabled person to easily mount and release the locking device. In order to facilitate the mounting and releasing of the locking, a knob 36a is defined on the flexible ring 36. The rigid pin 37 may optionally be provided with a spring loaded ball providing an additional locking force. The locking device 35 may be used for all four legs as well as for the arm rests, the foot rest and the chair back.
Figs. 17, 18 and 19 show a preferred embodiment of the chair back 8 comprising two tubes 39, hand grip means or a hand grip portion 40, preferably made from a piece of rod or tube.
The chair back 8 further comprises a back piece 41 made from, e.g., textile and optionally stiffened by a rigid member (not shown in the drawings) surrounded by the textile. In order to allow easy cleaning of the back piece, the two ends of the piece of textile are joined together by a zip fastener or a band of velcro~ tape 41a, As illustrated in fig. 18, a first rod or tube 39a is received in the tube 39 so as to allow the height of the chair back to be adjusted by displacing the rod or tube 39a up or down in the tube 39. The positioning of the rod or tube 39a relative to the tube 39 may be infinitely variable or, alternatively, a finite number of predetermined positions may exist.

22 A second rod or tube 39a is received in each of the tubes 39.
The tubes or rods 39b are to be inserted in holes 27a, 27b defined in the chair back connecting pieces 17a, 17b attached to the frame 11, cf. fig. 5. The tubes or rods 39b may be fixed to the chair back connecting pieces 17a, 17b by locking means) or, alternatively/additionally, the fit between the rod or tube 39b and the holes 27a, 27b may be formed as a relatively tight fit. The position of the chair back 8 relative to the frame 11 may be adjusted by varying the penetration depth of the rod or tube 39b in the holes 27a, 27b.
Fig. 20 shows a partly cross sectional view of an arm rest 9a, comprising an arm rest pad 46, a supporting plate 47, a bearing plate 45, the supporting plate 47 and the bearing plate 45 being interconnected, e.g., by a screw 48. The arm rest pad 46 may be attached to the supporting plate 47, e.g., by means of glue, nails or any other suitable means. The bearing plate 45 is attached to inner rods or tubes 49 received in outer tubes 42, the outer tubes 42 being bent at an angle of approximately 90° at their lower ends, as illustrated diagrammatically in fig. 22, the free end portion 42a being suited for being received in holes 25a, 25b, 25c defined in the arm rest connecting pieces 15a, 15b, 15c) cf.
fig. 5. The free end portion 42a may be fixed to the arm rest connecting pieces 15a, 15b, 15c by locking means, or, alternatively/additionally, the fit between the free end portion 42a and the holes 25a, 25b, 25c may be formed as a relatively tight fit. The position of the arm rest 9a relative to the frame 11 may be adjusted by varying the penetration depth of the rod or tube 42a in the holes 25a, 25b, 25c. As shown in fig. 5, three arm rest connecting pieces 15a, 15b, 15c are attached to the rods and/or tubes 14d and 14b, respectively. Thereby the position of the arm rest 9a relative to the frame 11 may be adjusted by selectively inserting the two free end portions 42a into the holes 25a and 25b or into the holes 25b and 25c. Obviously, many other embodiments for adjusting the position of the arm WO 98/34576 PCT/DK9$~0049

23 rest 9a relative to the frame 11 are possible, including infinitely variable configurations. The height of the arm rest may be adjusted by displacing the inner rods or tubes 49 relative to the outer tubes 42 in their longitudinal direction, and by locking the inner tubes or rods 49 in a desired position by fastening the screws 43 and the nuts 44.
The peg 9c may be used for carrying articles needed by the disabled person using the chair, e.g., a roll of toilet paper or a hand bag.
The above description of the left arm rest 9a also applies to the right arrn rest 9b .
Fig. 23 shows a partly cross sectional view of the foot rest 10, comprising two outer tubes 50, an inner rod or tube 51, the two ends of the inner rod or tube 51 being received in the outer tubes 50. A straight intermediate portion 51a formed from inner rod or tube 51 serves as a foot rest.
Optionally, other foot rest member:3, e.g., plates may be mounted on the straight portion 51a. The height of the arrn rest may be adjusted by displacing the inner rod or tube 51 relative to the outer tubes 50 in t:he longitudinal direction of the outer tubes, and by locking the inner tubes or rods 51 in a desired position by fastening the screws 53 and the nuts 54. As shown in fig. 24, the outer tube 50 is bent at an angle greater than 90°, such that the foot rest will extend outwardly from the frame 11. A rod or tube 52 is received in each of the outer tubes 50. The tubes or rods 52 may be fixed to the foot rest connecting pieces 18a, 18b by locking means, or, alternatively/additionally, the fit between the rods or tubes 52 and holes 28a, 28b defined in the foot rest connecting pieces may be formed as a relatively tight fit.
The position of the foot rest 10 relative to the frame li may be adjusted by varying the penetration depth of the rod or tube 52 in the holes 28a, 28b.
Fig. 26 shows the frame il having two bent rods 56 carrying a lavatory basin 55, the rods 56 supporting a flange portion

24 55a of the basin 55. The rods 56 may be attached or releasably connected to the frame 11. As shown in fig. 26, the rods 56 are bent such that the basin 55 may only be displaced in the direction of the arrow 58. Thus, the basin 56 will not drop out of its position, when the length of the front legs 4a, 4b is chosen to be smaller than the length of the rear legs 4c, 4d, which may be convenient, e.g., to help a disabled person to sit down or to raise from the chair. The basin 55 may be made from a collapsible material. In particular - but not only - for travelling purposes, the basin 55 may be disposable and made from plastic material.
Preferably, all parts of the set according to the invention, are made from lightweight materials. All tubes, rods, the frame, the basin and other rigid parts may be made from, e.g., aluminium or its alloys or from any suitable plastic.
The lavatory seat and the chair seat may be made from plastic, wood having a water proof coating, aluminium or its alloys or any other suitable material. The chair seat may be covered with a suitable textile.
The invention further relates to a bag or suit case (not shown in the drawings) for containing and transporting a set for building up a chair according to the invention. The bag is designed such that its dimensions does not exceed the IATA
limits for cabin baggage. Preferably, the dimensions of the bag according to the invention are approximately 50 cm x 45 cm x 14 cm. Due to the relative large dimension of the lavatory basin 55, the bag complying with the IATA limits for hand baggage can only contain the lavatory basin in its collapsed condition. Preferably, the bag is made from a collapsible material, but, alternatively, it may be rigid.
The bag may be designed as a rucksack.
It should be understood that the invention is described by way of example and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A set of releasably interconnectable members far building up a chair for disabled persons, said set comprising - a frame member, - a lavatory seat to be mounted on the frame member, - a cover seat to be mounted so as to cover the lavatory seat, - members for creating at least three legs for supporting the frame member, the members for creating legs being releasably interconnectable to the frame member, and - wheel members to be mounted on the frame member or on the legs so as to support the chair.

2. A set according to claim 1, wherein the cover seat is provided with means for relessably interconnecting the cover seat to the lavatory seat.

3. A set according to claim 1, wherein the cover seat is provided with means for pivotally interconnecting the cover seat to the lavatory seat.

4. A set according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame member comprises rods andlor tubes, which are bent andlor attached together.

5. A set according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the members for creating legs are adapted to create at least four legs, which may be mounted on the frame at intervals allowing the chair to be placed ever a standard lavatory bowl with at least two leg members on either side of the lavatory bowl.

6. A set according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of at least two legs comprise means for adjusting its length.

7. A sat according to claim 6, wherein the means for adjusting the length of a leg comprise a telescopic interconnection.

8. A set according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the legs extend outwardly from the frame member in a direction being substantially different from the perpendicular direction relative to the frame member, so as to stabilize the chair.

9. A set according to claim 8, wherein the angle between a leg and a vertical direction is substantially the same for all legs.

10. A set according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a chair back member.

11. A set according to claim 10, wherein the chair back member comprises means for adjusting its position relative to the frame member in the assembled condition of the members.

12. A set according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the chair back member further comprises hand grip means allowing a person to push the chair.

13. A set according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising arm rest members.

14. A set according to claim 13, wherein the arm rest members comprise means for individually adjusting their positions relative to the frame member in the assembled condition of the members.

15. A set according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a foot rest member.

16. A set according to claim 15, wherein the foot rust member comprises means for adjusting its position relative to the frame in the assembled condition.

17. A set according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least the frame member, the legs, the wheel members and the lavatory seat are made from water resistant materials or from other materials provided with a water resistant coating.

18. A set according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a substantial part of the frame is made from aluminium rods and/or aluminium profiles.

19. A sat according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising coding means for identifying corresponding members.

20. A set according to claim 19, wherein the coding means comprise colour identifying of corresponding members.

21. A set according to claim 19 or 24, wherein the coding means comprise interengaging portions of corresponding members so as to allow only corresponding members to be interconnected and so as to allow only a correct assembling of the members.

22. A set according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising angular positioning means for positioning corresponding members relative to each other.

23. A set according to claim 22, wherein the angular positioning means comprise interengaging portions of corresponding members so as to allow only a correct assembling of the members.

24. A set according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a lavatory basin to be mounted beneath the toilet seat.

25. A set according to claim 24, wherein the lavatory basin is collapsible.

26. A set according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the lavatory basin is disposable.

27. A set according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a bag for containing the set according to any of the preceding claims, the sum of the width, the length and the height of the bag being less than or equal to 150 cm.

26. A set according to claim 27, wherein the sum of the width, the length and the height of the bag is less than or equal to 115 cm.

29. A chair build up of a set according to any of claims 1-26.

30. A chair according to claim 29, having a width of 60 cm at the most so as to allow the chair to pass through a lavatory door.

31. A chair according to claim 29, having a width of 54 cm at the most so as to allow the chair to pass through a lavatory door.