EP0046109B1 - Folding roll chair - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to armchairs and more particularly to wheelchairs which must be easily foldable and take up less volume when they are folded.

Foldable wheelchairs are already known, such as that described in DE-B-1176315, very schematically comprising in their essential elements two frames forming an armature, two foldable arches connecting the two armatures, these two arches and the armatures producing two parallelograms joined by one on their side, these two parallelograms being deformable, thus allowing the two reinforcements to be brought together.

The approximation of these frames which, generally, support rolling means, being able to be controlled by a rotation of the backrest uprights which are fixed on these frames.

It is understood that when the two frames have been brought together and the backrest uprights have been pivoted on these frames, the chair takes up a minimum of space and bulk. However, you should know that these armchairs are more particularly intended for the physically handicapped who must themselves be able to handle them, fold them, put them away, and use them.

It is therefore necessary that these armchairs are foldable, advantageously in a minimum of space, for storage, especially in cars, and above all are as light as possible for everyday use, when, in particular, they must be propelled by the disabled. themselves.

Often these conditions are contradictory because folding requires a set of rods, ball joints, levers in fairly large numbers, which contributes to considerably weigh down these chairs.

• - deux armatures latérales,
• - une première entretoise reliant les deux dites armatures ladite première entretoise étant pliable, en deux parties rigides et ayant ses extrémités articulées sur les deux dites armatures,
• - une deuxième entretoise pliable comportant deux parties rigides,
• - deux montants rotatifs respectivement sur chaque armature, caractérisé par le fait que les deux dites parties rigides de ladite deuxième entretoise ont des extrémités adjacentes articulées autour d'un axe commun et que les autres extrémités des deux dites parties rigides de ladite deuxième entretoise ont des moyens de fixation sur les deux dits montants.

The object of the present invention is to produce a foldable armchair comprising at least two frames and two uprights, and the folding of which is effected by bringing the two frames together, which is, in particular, of a minimum size in width. More particularly, the present invention relates to an armchair comprising:

• - two side frames,
• a first spacer connecting the two said frames, said first spacer being foldable, into two rigid parts and having its ends articulated on the two said frames,
• - a second foldable spacer comprising two rigid parts,
• - Two rotary uprights respectively on each frame, characterized in that the two said rigid parts of said second spacer have adjacent ends articulated around a common axis and that the other ends of the two said rigid parts of said second spacer have fixing means on the two said uprights.

• la figure 1 représente, vue en perspective en partie écorchée, un mode de réalisation d'un fauteuil roulant pliable selon l'invention.
• la figure 2 représente sous forme schématique un diagramme illustrant la façon dont est obtenu le pliage du fauteuil selon la figure 1 et les figures 3 A et B représentent un mode de réalisation d'un perfectionnement selon la présente invention.
• La figure 1 illustre, en perspective écorchée, un mode de réalisation d'un fauteuil roulant repliable.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear during the following description given with reference to the drawings appended by way of illustration but in no way limitative in which:

• Figure 1 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of a foldable wheelchair according to the invention.
• 2 shows in diagrammatic form a diagram illustrating how the folding of the chair according to FIG. 1 is obtained and FIGS. 3 A and B represent an embodiment of an improvement according to the present invention.
• Figure 1 illustrates, in cutaway perspective, an embodiment of a folding wheelchair.

It has two frames 1 and 2 which are in two parallel planes. These reinforcements are advantageously in the form of a rectangular frame and are preferably made of hollow tubes of section, for example square. One of these tubes appears, cut out, in 3 on the frame 1. These two frames each support rolling means such as for example a small wheel 4 and 5 idle mounted and another wheel of larger diameter 6 and 7, ensuring the rolling of the wheelchair, in particular by hoops 8 and 9 fixed on the rims of these wheels 6 and 7.

Of course, to ensure rolling comfort, these wheels include tires mounted on the chamber, as is clearly seen in the figure at 10 in the section of the cutaway section.

In this exemplary embodiment, the two frames 1 and 2 are held relative to each other by a first spacer 11 foldable into two parts 12 and 13 around an axis 14. These two parts, affecting the shape d '' a hoop, made of material like rigid tubes, are rotatably fixed at each end around axes 15 and 16, respectively on the frame 1 and an axis 17 and 18 on the frame 2, not visible on the figure.

As said previously, the frames are made of tubes forming rigid parallelograms which are generally in planes perpendicular to the rolling plane of the chair. In this case, the axes 15 and 16 and the axes 17 and 18 are located on two straight lines which are also perpendicular to this running plane. This means that the two arches 12 and 13 are located in, respectively, two planes perpendicular to the running plane defined above, and which will be able to pivot relative to the plane of the frames around, each, two straight lines passing respectively through the couples d axes 15, 16 and 17, 18, while constantly containing a common straight line, that which passes through the axis of rotation 14 connecting the two arches 12 and 13.

The frames are shaped in a frame and their vertices 19 and 20, which are in the high position on the sides of the frames 21 and 22, respectively supporting the large diameter wheels 6 and 7, are rotatably mounted around respectively two axes 23 and 24, two uprights 25 and 26 which are able to support. a flexible canvas 27 which will constitute the file for the person who will use this armchair.

Usually, each upright comprises a curved part at its upper end forming handles 28 and 29, respectively for the uprights 25 and 26.

These two uprights additionally comprise two plates respectively 30 and 31 integral with the bars 32, 33.

These plates 30 and 31 are fixed laterally to these bars and on the sides of the frames of the frames around respectively as said above, the axes of rotation 23 and 24. Therefore, the two bars 32, 33, forming a rigid assembly, are located respectively in the plane of the frames 1 and 2 so as, as will be explained below, to minimize the size of the chair especially when it is folded.

The wheelchair further comprises connecting means between each upright 25 and 26 with each part 12 and 13 of the spacer 11, so that when these uprights pivot around axes 23 and 24 respectively, they drive into another rotation of the two parts 12 and 13 around the pairs of axes 15, 16 and 17, 18 respectively.

These means comprise for each upright and part a first lever 40 and 41, integral at one of their ends with the upright at points 42 and 43 respectively different from the axes of rotation 23 and 24. The other end of these levers is pivotally mounted in 44, 45, at the end of a rod 46 and 47 (the rod 47 is not visible in Figure 1).

These rods 46 and 47 are guided by bearings schematically represented at 48 and 49, essentially allowing only a degree of freedom in translation.

Advantageously, the rod is located inside the tubes 3 of square section forming the frame of the frames, and which allow the rods, also having a corresponding square section, to be able to slide inside these tubes 3 which form housings for said rods.

The other ends of the rods 46 and 47 opposite to that connected to the lever 40 and 41 each support a link 50 and 51, the two ends of which are rotatably mounted on axes, on the one hand, on the rods 46 and 47, and, d on the other hand, on the two parts 12 and 13 of the spacer 11. These rods make it possible to transform the translational movement of the rods into a rotational movement for the parts 12 and 13. Of course, the levers 40 and 41 and the rods 50 and 51 cooperate with their respective rods through windows 81, 82 (FIG. 2) produced in the wall of the tubes 3.

A first spacer 11 has already been described connecting the two frames 1 and 2. However, it is well known that only one is not sufficient for good stability of a wheelchair, in particular a wheelchair, for the physically handicapped.

For this, the two uprights support at their ends 55 and 56 opposite those of the handles 28 and 29 a second spacer 57 foldable into at least two rigid parts 58 and 59 around an axis of rotation 60. These two parts are produced by example in steel or aluminum tubes.

The axis of rotation 60 is advantageously parallel to the two bars of the uprights. This assembly thus forms two planes articulated around this axis 60, which therefore obliges the two bars to remain constantly parallel even while operating only one when the chair is being folded.

The two parts 58 and 59 are L-shaped and are supported respectively in the uprights 25 and 26 so that they can pivot around the axis of the bars 32 and 33, and advantageously in these to be able to obtain rigidity to rotation about an axis perpendicular to these bars.

Also, as illustrated, the bases 61 and 62 of the two parts 58, 59, respectively extend the two bars 32 and 33.

Each base 61 and 62 is connected to the frames by connection means constituting a connecting rod system 63 and 64.

Each connecting rod 63 and 64 comprises a projecting lug 65, 66, fixed integrally at 73, 74, on the base 61, 62, and a connecting rod 67, 68, one end of which is pivotally mounted on a fixed point of the armatures by a first ball joint 69, 70, and the other end of which is pivotally mounted on the end of the tab 65, 66, by means of a second ball joint 71, 72. These connecting means thus make it possible, when the uprights pivot around axes 23 and 24 respectively, in particular in the direction of arrow 75, to move the ends 55 and 56 away from the reinforcements and therefore points 73, 74.

The ball joints 69, 70, 71 and 72 thus make it possible to absorb the torsions of the connecting rods relative to the elements to which they are linked. When these uprights 25 and 26 pivot around the axes 23 and 24, the links 64 and 65 move away from the reinforcements but the fixed length of the links 67 and 68 obliges the links 65 and 66 to rotate since the distance from the axes 69, 71 , and 70, 72, is fixed.

This distance from the points 73, 74, exerts a force on the ball joints 71 and 72, by the connecting rods 67, 68, which then causes the pivoting of the two bases 61 and 62 relative to the bars 32, 33. In the case of the figure , the rotation of the two bases 61, 62, causes by the same rotation all of the two parts 58, 59, of the second spacer 57; this rotation takes place in two opposite directions around the axis 60, and has the consequence of bringing the two uprights 25, 26 closer together, and therefore the two frames 1 and 2.

As said before, the swivel ment of the two uprights as described above also causes the rotation of the two arches around the axis 14 in the direction of the bringing together of the two frames.

The pivoting of the uprights, in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrow 75, causes movements opposite to those described above. Therefore, these two frames 1 and 2 move away from each other.

Of course, the chair should include a flexible canvas which will be suspended between the two frames 1 and 2 on the top of the two frames, this canvas will be the seat means and which will allow more easy folding of the chair.

This chair may also include armrests and footrests; these latter means being known in themselves, will not be described. The chair illustrated in Figure 1 folds and unfolds as follows.

The explanation of its folding or unfolding will be made below by means of FIG. 2 which represents, seen from the side, the armchair according to FIG. 1, on which appears the illustration of the decomposition of the movement of the various constituent elements of the armchair.

It has already been said previously that the folding of the chair is done by pressing either one of the two uprights 25 or 26.

When the chair is unfolded, the uprights 25 and 26, and the spacer 11, occupy the positions P _i . When the chair must be folded, a force is then exerted, for example manually, in the direction of arrow 75 on one of the uprights. They tilt by rotation and can simultaneously occupy the intermediate position P ₂ . When the uprights pivot simultaneously, on the one hand, the first spacer "breaks" by rotation of the two arches around the axes 15, 17 and 16, 18, and their common axis 14 and, on the other hand, the second spacer 57 also breaks by rotation around the bases 61, 62, and the common point 60.

It can be seen, with reference to FIG. 2, that in the initial position the arches 12 and 13 of the first spacer are in the position P ₁ substantially in a plane perpendicular to that of the frames of the reinforcements and therefore to that of the figure in this mode of representation. On the other hand, due to the rotations and in particular in the intermediate position P ₂ , the partial rotations of the parts of the spacers begin to appear because they lie in planes forming a non-zero angle with those of the frames and the plane perpendicular to these, and therefore their projection on the plane of the figure makes them appear but not under their true magnitude (relative to the scale).

At the end of their pivoting, the uprights assume a nearly horizontal position as shown in P ₃ .

In this position, the armatures rotated 90 ° C, which allowed the four parts 12, 13 simultaneously; 58, 59, of the two spacers 11 and 57, to perform an equivalent rotation of 90 °, which therefore pressed them against the reinforcements 1 and 2 and one against the other for the first spacer, and one against the other for the second spacer 57.

In fact, the positions P ₃ in the figure represent the folded spacers, which are in planes parallel to those of the reinforcements and therefore this mode of representation, according to the figure, means that these spacer parts appear in projection in their true size. (in proportion of course with the other elements of the chair).

To unfold the chair, it is necessary to exert a force on one of the uprights in the opposite direction to that of arrow 75, which then pivots from position P ₃ to position P ₁ , passing back through the intermediate position P ₂ . This pivoting takes place until the bars 32, 33 abut against the edge of the frames or corresponding stops made on these frames, which define the position of the chair unfolded completely.

The chair can advantageously include locking means in its unfolded position. These means can be, for example, controllable hooks secured to the armatures, which can be snapped onto lugs secured, for example to the ends 55 and 56 of the uprights 25, 26.

The armchair as produced has many advantages, in particular as regards its size. Indeed, it does not for example have a spacer parallel to the first at the level of the large wheels 6 and 7, which means that the two frames 1 and 2 can be perfectly pressed against each other. This is advantageous since it is at this level that the large diameter wheels are located, which are of considerable bulk. This absence of a spacer at this level therefore contributes to reducing the overall width.

The second advantage follows from this. This chair does not include this second spacer, the weight of the latter is reduced almost as much except in fact that of the spacer 57, but which can be almost negligible.

Another advantage lies in particular in the fact that the connections and the articulations of the spacers all being linked directly or indirectly with the two uprights, it is then possible to fold or unfold the chair with one hand and with what side whatever, by acting indifferently on one or the other of the amounts.

In the example described with reference to Figure 1, the connecting means between the second spacer 57 and the two frames 1 and 2 are essentially constituted by sets of rods 63, 64, mounted on ball joints.

Figures 3 A and B show the elements of the chair necessary for understanding the present invention.

It is firstly specified that in the present description, the references which are used and which are found in the preceding figures denote the same elements, and that, moreover, the same references in FIGS. A and B denote, also, the same items.

In Figure 1 there is shown the structure of the chair comprising two frames like the frame 1 formed of a frame, at a corner of which is articulated in rotation about an axis 23 a post 25 consisting of a bar 32 completed by a curved part forming a handle 28. This hollow tubular bar 32 supports a base 61 of the spacer 57, this base being able to rotate on itself in this bar 32.

In addition, it is quite obvious, when the wheelchair is unfolded to be able to roll it with or without passenger, it is normal that this wheelchair, given that the push takes place at the level of the handles, does not tend to fold back . For this, it includes locking means in its unfolded position.

Figures 3 A and B show an advantageous embodiment of these locking means.

These means comprise a pawl 300 integral with a rod 301 which can slide in bearing means which are advantageously constituted by the very interior of the bar 32 of the upright 25.

This rod 301 then crosses at its two ends, on the one hand, the bar 32 by a slot 302, the emerging part 303 of this rod being advantageously bent, relatively close to the handle 28, to form a gripping means in a goal which will be explained below and, on the other hand, by the end 55 of the bar 32 and through the bar 61 by a guide hole 304.

In addition, this rod 301 is subjected to the action of a pushing force, given by a spring 305 cooperating with a pin 306 secured to the bar 32 and a shoulder 307 secured to the rod 301, this shoulder abutting against the end 308 of the base 61 when the spring is fully relaxed, to prevent the rod from coming out of its housing.

In addition, this shoulder can be shaped so that its side wall slides against the inner wall of the bar 32 and thus forms one of the elements of the bearing means guiding the rod in its translations.

The chair further comprises a hook 309 secured to the side 21 of the frame of the frame 1 against which the upright 25 bears when the chair is unfolded. This hook is, in the illustrated embodiment, formed by a solid piece complementary to the pawl 300 which, in this case, assumes the shape of a stirrup.

The operation of the chair according to Figures 3 A, B is as follows.

If we consider that it is being unfolded as shown in Figure 3 A.

The person, who performs this unfolding, pulls on the gripping means 303 against the spring 305 and comes, in this position of the rod, to press the upright 25 against the side 21 of the frame 1. Once in this position, the stirrup is then just opposite the hook 309, and the person can release the gripping means 303, so that the stirrup comes around the hook 309.

This operation blocks the amount which can no longer, therefore, undergo rotation for folding the chair.

This done, a push can be exerted on the handle 28 to obtain the rolling of the chair. It is, moreover, specified that due to the structure of the chair, it is not necessary to provide a second blocking for the other upright because, if one of the two uprights is kept blocked, the other remains so too.

Finally, the embodiment of the pawl and the hook must be taken in the widest sense, that is to say of two pieces of any kind which, when they cooperate with each other, prevent relative movement of a piece compared to each other. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the pawl has a female function, while the hook has a male function, and that, of course, these two functions could be very easily reversed and even combined.

Claims (19)

1. A chair comprising :

- two side frames (1, 2) ;

- a first cross member (11) interconnecting the said two frames, the said cross member being foldable into two rigid portions (12, 13) and having its ends hinged to the said two frames ;

- a second foldable cross member (57) comprising two rigid portions (58, 59); and

- two rotatable risers (25, 26) mounted on respective ones of the frames (1, 2) ; the chair being characterized by the fact that the said two rigid portions (58, 59) of the said second cross member (57) have adjacent ends hinged about a common axis (60) and that the other ends of the said two rigid portions (58, 59) of the said second cross member (57) have fixing means (61, 62) for fixing to the said two risers (25, 26).

2. A chair according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each of the said two rigid portions (58, 59) of the second cross member (57) comprises a base (61, 62), the said fixing means for fixing the ends of the said second cross member to respective ones of the said two risers (25, 26) being constituted by the said bases which are rotatably mounted about respective axes on each of the risers.

3. A chair according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the said bases (61, 62) rotatably mounted in the said risers (25, 26) are constituted by hollow bars (32, 33).

4. A chair according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it includes first link means (63, 64) between each rigid portion (58, 59) of the said second cross member (57) with each frame (1, 2) supporting the riser (25, 26) on which the said rigid portion is rotatably mounted.

5. A chair according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that each of the said first link means (63, 64) includes a crank (65, 66) projecting from each of the said rigid portions (58, 59) of the said second cross member (57) and a connecting rod (67, 68) pivotally mounted by respective knuckle joints (69, 70, 71, 72) to the two frames (1, 2) and to the said projecting cranks (65, 66).

6. A chair according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the said connecting rods (67, 68) are pivotally mounted to respective ones of the frames (1, 2) which pivotally support respective ones of the two risers (25, 26) on which are pivoted respective ones of the said rigid portions (58, 59) including the said cranks to which the said connecting rods (67, 68) are fixed.

7. A chair according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the said two rigid portions (12, 13) of the said first cross member (11) pivot about a common axis (14).

8. A chair according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that it includes second link means (40, 41, 46, 47, 50, 51) between each of the rigid portions (12, 13) of the first cross member (11) and each riser (25, 26), both of which are rotatably linked to a common frame (1, 2).

9. A chair according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that, for each rigid portion (12, 13) and riser (25, 26), the said second link means includes a slidably mounted rod (46, 47), having one of its two ends connected by pivot pins to a lever (40, 41) fixed to the corresponding one of the said risers and having its other end connected by pivot pins to a connecting rod (50, 51) rotatably mounted to the corresponding one of the said rigid portions (12, 13).

10. A chair according to claim 9, characterized by the fact the said rods (46, 47) are disposed in respective housings made in the said frames (3), the levers (40, 41) and the connecting rods (50, 51) passing through the walls of the frames via windows (81, 82) made in the said frames.

11. A chair according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the said risers (25, 26) being parallel, the said common axis (60) between the two rigid portions (58, 59) of the second cross member (57) is parallel to the said two risers (25, 26).

12. A chair according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it includes control means for locking at least one of the two said risers (25) in a determined position.

13. A chair according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the said control means for locking at least one of the said two risers (25) in a determined position comprises a catch (300) fixed to a support (301) co-operating with the said riser (25) and a hook (309) fixed to the said frame (1) on which the said riser is rotatably mounted, the said hook (309) being disposed on the said frame in such a manner as to be able to receive the said catch for a determined position of the said riser.

14. A chair according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that the said support is constituted by a rod (301) and bearing means (307, 304) fixed to the said riser (25) suitable for allowing the said rod to slide therethrough.

15. A chair according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by the fact that it includes means (305) for applying a force to the said support, and means (308) for defining a limit position for sliding of the said support (301).

16. A chair according to claim 14 or 15, characterized by the fact that the said riser (25) is made from a hollow tube (32) and that the said bearing means (307, 304) are situated in the said hollow tube (32), a portion of the said rod (301) sliding in the said tube, a first end of the said rod emerging from the said tube, this end supporting the said catch (300), the other end of the rod emerging from the said tube including handle means (303).

17. A chair according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized by the fact that the said catch (300) is constituted by a fork, and the said hook (309) is constituted by a part straddled by the said fork to prevent the said riser in which the said rod is disposed from rotating.

18. A chair according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized by the fact that the said rod (301) slides insides the rigid portion pivoting in the said tube (302) constituting the said riser (25), the said rod passing through the said rigid portion (61) via an orifice (304).

19. A chair according to claim 18, characterized by the fact that the said orifice (304) constitutes on of the bearing means for the said rod (301).

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