EP0026510B1 - Device for transferring a motorially handicapped person from a wheelchair to a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Device for transferring a motorially handicapped person from a wheelchair to a motor vehicle, in which, on the one hand, the wheelchair is made up of two separable parts, consisting of a lower wheeled seating (R) and an upper detachable seat (S), equipped with pickup structures (11, 12) for the purpose of the transfer of said seat and in which, on the other hand, a seat transfer assembly (E) is secured to the motor vehicle and comprises a vertically movable assembly V, carried by guiding and operating means in a vertical direction (20, 21, 25, 26), and means for gripping (P) the seat of the wheelchair, carried by means for pivoting about a vertical axis (38) and designed for being able to interact with the pick-up structures of said seat, the pivoting means moving with the assembly V, said device being characterised in that the vertically movable assembly V is equipped with transverse guiding means (28, 29) and carries a transversely movable assembly T, provided with sliding means (31, 32) which interact with said transverse guiding means (28, 29), so as to enable said assembly T to move transversely from a retracted position inside the vehicle to a pulled-out position towards the outside of the latter, the pivoting means P being secured at the edge of the transversely movable assembly T.

Description

The invention relates to a device for transhipping a motor disabled person between a wheelchair and a motor vehicle. It relates to a device of the type in which, on the one hand, the wheelchair consists of two separable parts, constituted by a lower rolling base and by a removable upper seat, on the other hand; a seat transfer assembly is secured in the motor vehicle in order to carry out the transshipment operations for the seat and the disabled person.

Patent DE 2 751 966 describes a device of this type in which the transfer assembly consists of two frames articulated one on the other about a vertical axis; one of these frames is carried by the vehicle by means of an endless screw which makes it possible to move it vertically and the other frame carries means for gripping the wheelchair seat.

However, with the exception of lifting or lowering operations, such a device does not lend itself to motorized operation: the rotational movements of the frames in order to bring the gripping means to grip the seat are necessarily carried out manually. In addition, the succession of two frames articulated in overhang one on the other about a vertical axis is mechanically ill-suited to support the heavy load that represents a person sitting on a seat. In addition, in the folded state, the frames are located at the rear seat of the vehicle, making it unavailable.

The present invention proposes to provide an improved device, which combines great structural simplicity with excellent operating reliability.

An object of the invention is in particular to allow the support of the wheelchair seat without having to position it beforehand in a very precise manner with respect to the vehicle.

Another objective is to allow this support to be achieved, without difficulty, even if the wheelchair is raised relative to the vehicle, for example due to the presence of a sidewalk on which the said wheelchair is located.

Another objective is to authorize the execution of the various maneuvers without modifying the doors of a standard vehicle, in particular without having to increase their opening angle.

Another objective is to increase the comfort of the disabled person, on the one hand, during transhipment maneuvers, on the other hand, inside the vehicle when the seat is in place therein.

Note that, in what follows, the terms referring to an orientation or a position must be interpreted, unless otherwise indicated, with reference to the motor vehicle; thus, for example, the term transverse refers to a transverse direction relative to the vehicle, going from a door thereof to the door located opposite. In addition, these terms should be interpreted, not in a strict sense, but as simply giving a general orientation of the organs they concern; thus, the term vertical does not refer to a strictly vertical direction, but a direction extending in the ascending or descending direction relative to the vehicle, direction which can tilt very appreciably with respect to the rigorous vertical.

• . des moyens de guidage et de manoeuvre dans le sens vertical portant un ensemble mobile verticalement V, ledit ensemble mobile verticalement V étant doté de moyens de guidage transversaux,
• . un ensemble mobile transversalement T, doté de moyens de coulissement coopérant avec les moyens de guidage transversaux de l'ensemble V de façon à autoriser un déplacement transversal dudit ensemble T entre une position retractée à l'intérieur du véhicle et une position déployée vers l'extérieur de celui-ci,
• . des moyens de préhension P du siège de fauteuil roulant, adaptés pour pouvoir coopérer avec les structures de prise en charge du siège et portés par des moyens de pivotement autour d'un axe vertical, ces moyens de pivotement étant assujettis en bordure de l'ensemble mobile transversalement T.

In the device according to the invention, the wheelchair seat is provided removable relative to the lower base of said chair and comprises a frame provided with support structures, constituted in particular by two gutters, which are accessible from the rear said seat (or possibly from the front); inside the vehicle is subject to a transfer assembly essentially comprising:

• . guide and maneuvering means in the vertical direction carrying a vertically movable assembly V, said vertically movable assembly V being provided with transverse guide means,
• . a transversely movable assembly T, provided with sliding means cooperating with the transverse guide means of the assembly V so as to allow transverse movement of said assembly T between a position retracted inside the vehicle and a position deployed towards the outside of it,
• . gripping means P of the wheelchair seat, adapted to be able to cooperate with the support structures of the seat and carried by pivoting means around a vertical axis, these pivoting means being secured at the edge of the assembly transversely movable T.

The guiding and operating means which carry the vertically movable assembly V advantageously comprise one or more vertical hydraulic cylinders, to the movable member from which or which said assembly V is secured.

In addition, at least one transverse hydraulic cylinder is preferably associated with the assembly T movable transversely in order to move the latter relative to the assembly V.

Furthermore, the gripping means P may in particular comprise two gripping arms joined to one another by a spacer and fixed to the assembly T by vertical hinges which constitute the above-mentioned pivoting means; the seat support structures are then formed by two gutters arranged longitudinally (relative to the seat (on either side thereof; these gutters have a shape conjugate to that of the gripping arms and preferably comprise inclined sides facilitating the centering of these arms in said gutters when the latter come into contact with the latter.

In order to facilitate understanding of the arrangement of the invention defined above in this general way, we will summarize below the operation.

This is characterized by the fact that the seat of the wheelchair is taken care of by rarrière (or possibly from the front) and in that it is then brought to undergo a rotation of approximately 90 ° (or possibly 270 °) to bring it to the appropriate position in the vehicle.

To transfer the disabled person to the vehicle, the wheelchair is positioned opposite a door of the latter so as to present itself from the back relative to said vehicle. In their initial position, the gripping arms of the transfer assembly extend inside the vehicle parallel to the longitudinal direction (relative to said vehicle); these arms are made to pivot about 90 ° to come to be located opposite the gutters of the wheelchair seat; the transversely movable assembly T is then deployed outwards so that said arms are positioned below said gutters; the vertically movable assembly V, assumed in the initial low position, is then moved upwards, so that the arms penetrate into the gutters of the seat and raise the latter until it separates it from the lower base. The transversely movable assembly T is retracted and a reverse rotation is given to the gripping arms: the seat and the disabled person are thus brought inside the vehicle in the normal position for a passenger (or if necessary of the driver) .

As will be understood better below, such a device combines the following qualities: simple and space-saving structure of the transfer assembly which can be easily accommodated in a standard motor vehicle in place of the back of one of the armchairs (after removal of the latter), operating reliability resulting from the simplicity of the maneuvers to be executed, faculty of taking charge of the seat in a wide range of positions thereof relative to the vehicle due to the kinematics of the transvert assembly including a rotation of the gripping arms, ease of passage of the seat and of the disabled person in a standard door opening (for the same reasons), small overall height of the transfer assembly below the gripping arms, allowing to have them at a very low level near the chassis of the motor vehicle so as to preserve a passage under head important for the disabled person.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, making it possible to significantly improve the comfort thereof, the guiding and operating means which carry the vertically movable assembly V are articulated at the rear of a horizontal plate positioned under the seat (when it is in place in the vehicle). These guiding and operating means can thus pivot forwards or backwards, and the disabled person can adjust the inclination of the seat, once it is in place in the vehicle; blocking means are provided to allow blocking said guide and maneuvering means with respect to said plate with a desired inclination.

In addition, this plate is preferably mounted movable in the longitudinal direction on a base anchored on the chassis of the motor vehicle; blocking means make it possible to block it on said base in a desired longitudinal position, capable of ensuring the best comfort for the disabled person.

Furthermore, the base of the wheelchair is preferably foldable so that it can be easily stored in the trunk of the vehicle after transhipment; according to a characteristic of the present invention, this base advantageously comprises a horizontal compass folding system, the latter being located in the lower part of the base so as to preserve between the lateral flanks of the base a free passage extending over a large part of the height of said base.

This arrangement leaves a large free space for the passage of the legs of the disabled person when the seat supported by the gripping arms is removed from the rear of the wheelchair.

• . la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un dispositif de transbordement conforme à l'invention en cours de fonctionnement, le siège du fauteuil roulant étant ébauché en traits discontinus sur cette figure,
• . la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un fauteuil roulant conforme à l'invention, comprenant un siège amovible S et un piètement roulant R,
• . la figure 3 est une vue en perspective montrant le pièrement roulant R à l'état replié,
• . la figure 4 est une vue partielle par arrière du siège S,
• . la figure 5 est une coupe longitudinale selon AA d'un ensemble de transfert E, constituant la partie active du dispositif de transbordement et qui est ancré dans un véhicule automobile à l'emplacement d'un des fauteuil de celui-ci (fauteuil qui a été ôté lors de la pose du dispositif ou qui est supprimé par construction),
• . la figure 6 est une vue schématique par l'arrière de cet ensemble de transfert E à l'état déployé,
• . la figure 7 est une coupe horizontale par un plan BB de cet ensemble de transfert à l'état déployé,
• . la figure 8 en est une vue de détail en coupe verticale par un plan CC et la figure 9 une vue de détail en coupe horizontale par un plan DD,
• . les figures 10, 11 et 12 sont des schémas explicatifs du fonctionnement dudit dispositif illustrant les phases de déploiement de l'ensemble de transfert et de prise en charge et de soulèvement du siège.

The invention having been explained in its general form, other characteristics, objects and advantages thereof will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example; on these drawings which form an integral part of the description:

• . FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a transfer device according to the invention during operation, the seat of the wheelchair being outlined in broken lines in this figure,
• . FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wheelchair according to the invention, comprising a removable seat S and a wheel base R,
• . FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the rolling base R in the folded state,
• . FIG. 4 is a partial rear view of the seat S,
• . Figure 5 is a longitudinal section along AA of a transfer assembly E, constituting the active part of the transfer device and which is anchored in a motor vehicle at the location of a armchairs thereof (armchair which was removed during the installation of the device or which is removed by construction),
• . FIG. 6 is a schematic view from the rear of this transfer assembly E in the deployed state,
• . FIG. 7 is a horizontal section through a plane BB of this transfer assembly in the deployed state,
• . FIG. 8 is a detail view in vertical section through a plane CC and FIG. 9 a detail view in horizontal section through a plane DD,
• . Figures 10, 11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of said device illustrating the deployment phases of the transfer assembly and support and lifting of the seat.

The transfer device shown by way of example in the figures is intended to make it possible to introduce without difficulty and in excellent conditions of comfort a disabled person into a motor vehicle from a wheelchair, and conversely, to remove this person from the vehicle to put them back on their wheelchair.

This transhipment device includes a transfer assembly E anchored in the motor vehicle (which can be seen during operation in FIG. 1) and a wheelchair which consists of a foldable wheel base R (FIGS. 2 and 3) and a removable seat S (FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIG. 1 in broken lines).

The wheelchair will first be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4; note that only the original adaptations will be described in detail, the traditional organs of the chair being simply mentioned.

The base R of the faulteuil is provided with a horizontal compass folding system 1, which makes it possible to have it in a deployed position (figure 2) to receive the seat S, or in a folded position (figure 3) to be stored in particular in the trunk of the motor vehicle. This compass 1 is arranged at the base of the sides 2 and 3 of the base so that, in the deployed state, the passage between the sides remains free above the compass 1 over a large part of the height of the base.

In the upper part, the base comprises support means such as lugs 4, on which the framework of the seat S can come to rest. In addition, tubular sections such as 5 are provided for centering said seat on the base.

The base R is conventionally provided with four wheels, two rear wheels such as 6 of larger diameter and two front wheels such as 7.

The folding system of the base R allows, while preserving the free passage between sides when the base is deployed, to fold these sides against each other in order to obtain a folded assembly of very small thickness, easy to store.

Furthermore, the seat S is provided with a framework essentially constituted by a stamped lower plate 8, by two longitudinal members 9 for the attachment of a seat fabric and by conventional uprights 10 holding the backrest and provided in particular for adjustable tilt.

The lower plate 8 forms, on either side, two gutters 11 and 12 of longitudinal direction relative to the seat. These gutters open downwards have inclined sides 11a and 12a which will serve to guide and center the gripping arms 39 and 40 which are part of the transfer assembly E (arms drawn in broken lines in FIG. 4).

At the front of the gutters protrude therein the ends of the side members 9; these ends oriented vertically downwards are intended to penetrate into the tubular sections 5 with the base in order to position the seat on the latter.

In addition, as shown in Figure 4 in rear view, each gutter 11 or 12 is equipped with locking means, adapted to block the gripping arms in said slides at the end of support for the seat S.

In the example, these locking means comprise pivoting hooks such as 13 which are recalled by elastic blades to protrude into the slides 11 and 12. These hooks each have a heel against which one of the upper tubes of the base R comes take support when the seat S rests on the base: in this position, the hooks 13 are retracted outside the gutters 11 and 12. When the gripping arms 39 and 40, in place in the gutters, raise the seat S, the hooks pivot inwards from the gutters and penetrate into openings (which can be seen at 14 in FIGS. 1 and 5) formed in the gripping arms; the cork S is thus locked on these arms.

In addition, a manual unlocking finger 13a is provided on each hook 13 to allow, if necessary, to release it manually.

It is understood that the base R is seat S of the wheelchair described above furthermore include all the accessory means which are usually fitted to wheelchairs for disabled persons.

Furthermore, the transfer assembly E which constitutes the active part of the device according to the invention, is secured in the motor vehicle in place of one of the armchairs thereof. This assembly is secured to the vehicle by means of, on the one hand, a base 15 anchored on the chassis at the location of the seat of the vehicle wheelchair, on the other hand, a horizontal plate 16 associated with a system conventional runners 17, making it movable longitudinally relative to the base. Locking means such as a conventional member with locking notches controlled by a lever 18, making it possible to block the plate 16 on the base 15 in the desired longitudinal position.

At the rear of the plate 16 are articulated around transverse axes 19 two vertical columns 20 and 21 arranged laterally on either side of this plate 16.

These columns arranged slightly at the rear of the location of the vehicle wheelchair backrest are joined together above by a connecting spacer 22 and laterally associated with an upright 23, itself articulated on the plate 16; they form a rigid unit which can be tilted in the front-rear direction, the inclination of which can be adjusted by conventional locking means, such as the conventional system 24 comprising a link connecting Icz upright 23 and the plate 16, and a rotary lever for maneuver.

One of the columns 20 serves as a transverse rod for a hydraulic cylinder 25 arranged vertically and the other column 21 guides a sliding sleeve 26.

At the rear of the body of the jack 25 and of the sleeve 26 is fixed on these elements a vertically movable assembly V; this assembly V comprises a movable plate 27 which is arranged in a vertical plane and welded to the body of the jack 25 and to the sleeve 26 so as to be able to move vertically along the columns 20 and 21; this displacement in the ascending or descending direction is generated by the jack 25.

Along the horizontal edges, high and low, of the plate 27 are fixed transverse slides 28 and 29 which are in the example inclined at 45 °. These slides carry and guide transversely another assembly called transversely movable assembly T; this assembly T comprises a movable plate 30 arranged in a vertical plane and provided, along its upper and lower edges, with slides 31 and 32 combined with the preceding ones and which cooperate with them to allow the transverse sliding of the plate 30 by relative to plate 27; conventionally, these slides are fitted with bearings in order to reduce friction.

The plate 30 can thus be operated between a retracted position located at the rear of the plate 27, and a position deployed towards the outside of the vehicle; these maneuvers are generated by two horizontal hydraulic cylinders 33 and 34 arranged in the transverse direction, parallel to one another. In the example, these jacks are positioned head to tail: their bodies are linked together, however that the rod of one is linked on one side to one of the plates and that the rod of the other is linked on the side opposite the other deck.

These jacks are supplied in parallel with fluid and their actions on the movable plate 30 are added.

Hydraulic and electrical means for controlling the jacks 33 and 34 and the jack 25 are housed at the rear of the horizontal plate 16; we see schematically in Figure 1 an electric motor 35 conventionally driving a hydraulic pump 36, and a hydraulic reservoir 37 for fluid return.

Furthermore, at the edge of the vertical plate 30 are subject, by means of vertical hinges such as 38 (Fig. 7, 8 and 9) gripping means P of the seat S; these means P comprise two gripping arms 39 and 40 joined to one another by a spacer 41. These arms have shapes conjugated with those of the gutters 11 and 12 of the seat S in order to be able to penetrate and be housed in those -this.

In the embodiment shown by way of example in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the vertical hinges 38 are secured to the plate 30 by means of a vertical edge plate 42 which the latter comprises; they carry the gripping arms 39 and 40 thanks to two vertical plates such as 43 welded to the rear of the arm 39 and to the spacer 41.

The gripping arms can thus pivot around a vertical axis to come to be arranged either in a longitudinal position (arms parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle), or in transverse positions allowing them to support the seat of the wheelchair.

Angular locking means are associated with the vertical hinges 38 to allow angular locking of the arms relative to the plate 30, on the one hand, in the longitudinal position mentioned above, on the other hand, in several transverse positions and in particular in a position 90 ° to the first.

In the example (FIGS. 8 and 9), these locking means comprise a ring 44, crenellated in the lower part and provided with a lever 45 making it possible to lift it; this ring is solid in rotation with the gripping arms (in the example thanks to the presence of the lever 45 located between the two plates (43). Said ring 44 rests on one of the hinges 38a, integral with the edge plate 42 of the plate 30. This hinge is itself crenellated on its upper part, a spring 46 keeps the ring 44 meshed with this hinge.

To release the gripping assembly P and allow rotation of the gripping arms, it suffices to lift the lever 45, which releases the ring 44 (integral in rotation with said arms) relative to this hinge 38a; in the opposite direction, the lowering of the lever 45 engages the angular locking of the gripping assembly P in the desired position (or very close to the desired position).

The mechanical characteristics of the device according to the invention having been exposed, it is will explain below with reference to Figures 10, 11 and 12 the operation thereof and its advantages.

At rest (Figure 10) the gripping arms are inside the vehicle in the longitudinal position, the plate 30 being retracted towards the interior of the vehicle and the plate 27 in the low position.

To transfer a disabled person from a wheelchair inside the vehicle, the gripping arms are manually pivoted outwards (Fig. 11) so as to place them opposite the gutters of seat S, the wheelchair rolling with the back turned towards the vehicle door. Since the arms can pivot beyond 90 °, it is always possible to arrange them opposite the seat gutters, even if the chair is not perfectly positioned at 90 ° to the vehicle.

Note that the manual rotation mentioned above can, if necessary, be automated by providing one or more additional cylinders.

The horizontal jacks 33 and 34 are then actuated to deploy the plate 30 outwards and bring the arms below the gutters of the seat S. The base R supporting the latter being open over a considerable height, the wheelchair can be offset in height with respect to the vehicle without risk that this operation is hindered.

The vertical cylinder 25 is then actuated to cause the gripping arms 39 and 40 to penetrate into the gutters 11 and 12 of the seat until they lock in them, then lift the seat S and separate it from the base R (Fig. . 12).

The plate 30 is then retracted by a reverse action of the horizontal jacks 33 and 34; the base R is removed and the arms are brought back to the appropriate low position by reverse action of the vertical jack 25.

After unlocking in rotation, the gripping arms are brought manually to pivot towards the motor vehicle to their initial position, where they are again locked in rotation. The disabled person is then installed in the vehicle; it can adjust its position, either by sliding the horizontal plate 16 longitudinally relative to the base 15, or by tilting its seat resting more or less on the gripping arms, thanks to the adjustment system 24.

The vehicle exit maneuvers take place in a similar manner, unlike the maneuvers described above.

It should be noted that the base 15 and the plate 16 are thin elements, the essential parts of the transfer device E being behind the seat back; it is thus possible to arrange the gripping arms and the seat supported by them, at low height above the vehicle chassis: a significant underhead passage is thus preserved below the upper door spar, when Is disabled person is introduced into the vehicle; in particular, it does not need to lower the head during the introduction maneuver. Of course, once the disabled person inside the vehicle, it is always possible, if necessary, to raise his level by the action of the vertical jack 25.

It should also be noted that the rotation maneuver which makes it possible to bring the disabled person inside the vehicle or to leave it, can be carried out with standard type vehicle doors opening at less than 90 °. ; the ability to adjust the longitudinal position of the disabled person relative to the base 15 further facilitates the performance of these maneuvers.

The base 15 of the transfer device E can be fixed to the anchoring points of the original wheelchair of the vehicle, provided by the manufacturer; in addition, the corresponding seat belt is not modified and remains attached to the same anchor points, so that the vehicle is not modified in its structure.

Claims (14)

1. Device for transferring a motorially handicapped person from a wheelchair to a motor vehicle, in which, on the one hand, the wheelchair is made up of two separable parts, consisting of a lower wheeled seating (R) and an upper detachable seat (S), equipped with pick-up structures (11, 12) for the purpose of the transfer of said seat and in which, on the other hand, a seat transfer assembly (E) is secured to the motor vehicle and comprises a vertically movable assembly V, carried by guiding and operating means in a vertical direction (20, 21, 25, 26), and means for gripping (P) the seat of the wheelchair, carried by means for pivoting about a vertical axis (38) and designed for being able to interact with the pick-up structures of said seat, the pivoting means moving with the assembly V, said device being characterised in that the vertically movable assembly V is equipped with transverse guiding means (28, 29) and carries a transversely movable assembly T, provided with sliding means (31, 32) which interact with said transverse guiding means (28, 29), so as to enable said assembly T to move transversely from a retracted position inside the vehicle to a pulled-out position towards the outside of the latter, the pivoting means P being secured at the edge of the transversely movable assembly T.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a horizontal stage (16), placed under the seat, when the latter is in position in the vehicle, and behind which the guiding and operating means (20, 21, 25, 26), which carry the assembly V, are fastened.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that the aforementioned horizontal stage (16) is mounted so as to be movable backwards and forwards on a base-plate (15), anchored on the chassis of the motor vehicle, locking means (18) being provided to enable said stage (16) to be locked on said base-plate (15) in a desired longitudinal position.

4. Device according to either of the claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the guiding and operating means (20, 21, 25, 26) which carry the assembly V are articulated to the rear of the aforementioned horizontal stage (16), so as to be able to pivot towards the front or towards the rear, locking means (24) being provided to enable said guiding and operating means to be locked relative to said stage in a desired sloping position.

5. Device according to one of the claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that the guiding and operating means which carry the vertically movable assembly V comprise at least one vertical hydraulic jack (25), with the movable element of which said assembly V is integrated.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the guiding and operating means which carry the assembly V comprise:

-two vertical columns (20, 21), placed vertically on either side of the assembly;

- jack (25), equipped with a permeating rod, consisting of one of the columns (20) and a movable body secured to the assembly V; and

- a guide-cylinder (26) guided vertically by the other column (21) and secured to said assembly V.

7. Device according to claims 4 and 6 taken together, characterised in that the two aforementioned vertical columns (20, 21) are connected on top by a connecting cross-bar and are articulated at their base to the aforementioned horizontal stage (16) by transverse axes (19).

8. Device according to one of the claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterised in that the vertically movable assembly V consists of a stage (27), placed approximately in a vertical plane, along the top and bottom edges of which the aforementioned transverse guiding means (28, 29) are fixed, which consist of two transverse slide-bars, the transversely movable assembly T consisting of a further stage (30), placed approximately in a vertical plane, along the top and bottom edges of which the aforementioned sliding means (31, 32) are fixed, which consist of two transverse slide-bars, coupled with the first ones and interacting with them.

9. Device according to one of the claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterised in that at least one transverse hydraulic jack (33, 34) is associated with the transversely movable assembly T, for moving the latter relative to the vertically movable assembly V.

10. Device according to the claims 8 and 9 taken together, characterised in that two parallel hydraulic jacks (33, 34), placed head to tail, are associated with the two vertical stages (27, 30) of the assemblies V and T, the bodies of these two jacks being connected to each other, the rod of one being attached on one side to one of the stages and the rod of the other being attached on the opposite side to the other stage.

11. Device according to one of the claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, characterised in that the gripping means P for the seat comprise two gripping arms (39, 40), connected to each other by a cross-bar (41) and fixed to the aforementioned pivoting means (38) which consist of vertical hinges carried by the transversely movable assembly T, the pick-up structures (11, 12), with which the seat (S) is equipped, consisting of two grooves, arranged longitudinally on either side of said seat, having a shape corresponding to that of said gripping arms (39, 40) and possessing sloping sides (11 a, 12a) for the centring of these arms.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterised in that it comprises bolting means (13) for the gripping arms in the corresponding grooves (11, 12), designed for locking said arms in said grooves at the end of the pick-up of the seat (S).

13. Device according to claim 11, characterised in that its comprises angular bolting means (44, 45, 46), associated with the vertical hinges (38) and designed to enable the gripping arms (39, 40) to be angularly locked relative to the assembly T in at least two positions, one in which these arms are placed longitudinally relative to the vehicle, the other in which they are placed crosswise.

14. Device according to one of the claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, in which the seating (R) of the chair can be folded back, characterised in that said seating comprises a folding system operated by a horizontal folding arm (1), said horizontal folding arm being situated in the bottom part of the seating, so as to keep between the side flanks (2, 3) of the seating a free passage which extends across a large part of the height of said seating.

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