EP0584121B1 - Wheelchair, in particular for paraplegics - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheelchair may be if necessary equipped with a standing up device that has two spars (1) vertically arranged during use, linked to the wheelchair (13) and provided with means for converting a manual or mechanical force that lifts the user into a lifting force that acts upon the body of the user by means of holding means and at least a lifting cable (2) linked thereto, whereas the device may be secured in the standing position of the user. When the device is used as an aid that allows the user to stand up, at least two deflection rollers (3, 4) are used as converting means on each of the spars (1) that can be removed from the wheelchair. One of the deflection rollers (3) converts the lifting force that acts on the body of the user over a seating band (7) designed as a holding means into a forwardly and upwardly directed force that aids the user to stand up, so that it is possible to equip any wheelchair with a standing up device that imitates by simple means the natural standing up movement.

Description

The invention relates to a wheelchair, in particular for paraplegic people, according to the preamble of claim 1.

From DE-A-22 59 383 it is known to make it easier for a wheelchair user to get up by providing slanted guide tubes on the wheelchair for receiving largely horizontally guided curved spars. Tension levers are attached to the end of the spars, which can tighten the elastic bands. These elastic bands engage with a seat belt on the buttocks of the user, so that the user can stand up when the tensioning lever is actuated. In order to prevent the knees from evading, a knee belt is also provided. The user is thus held backwards in the area of the hip joint, but has to support himself with one hand on one of the bars. Thus, the user cannot be kept in an upright position on his own, so that he always has only one hand available for further activities.

From US-A-4,530,122 it is known to lift the user of the wheelchair slightly to relieve the flesh. For this purpose, the wheelchair has spars fixed to its rear, at the upper end of which a disc is arranged eccentrically. A lever is articulated on this disc on the one hand and a rope is fixed on the other hand, which is connected to the user via a vest. If the user pulls the lever towards himself, the body is raised. In this position the lever can be locked on the wheelchair. However, this device is not suitable for moving the user into an upright position, especially since the intention is not to shift the user's center of gravity from the center of gravity of the wheelchair.

Wheelchair users often cannot stand up on their own. However, since a temporary stand-up is required both for medical reasons, for example to stimulate the circulation, and for practical reasons, for example to reach tall shelves or cupboards, various standing wheelchairs have been proposed. A special mechanism is provided in these standing wheelchairs, with which the seat and the backrest can be folded up to a vertical surface and the user is then supported in this position (EP-B-0 159 562, Leaflet of LEVO AG, Bleicheweg 5, CH-5605 Dottikon, "The standing aid in a wheelchair"). However, these wheelchairs are relatively heavy and unsightly. These wheelchairs cannot be compared with modern light and "active wheelchairs", particularly with regard to their handling, for example when loading them into a motor vehicle. A comparable mechanism is proposed on an immovable chair in GB-A-531,184.

Furthermore, it is also known to use conventional "standing devices" or "free-standing bars" as a standing aid without a connection to a wheelchair. However, these devices are heavy and bulky, can hardly be moved without help and are usually not as flexible, or exactly where you need them now (DE-U-81 35 530).

The invention is based on the object of providing any wheelchair of the type mentioned at the outset with a stand-up device which allows imitation of the most natural possible stand-up movement using simple means.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

With such a training, the user can, as long as he has sufficient strength and function of the arms, stand up independently and without outside help whenever and wherever he wants. Getting up is facilitated by the fact that the natural uprighting movement is naturally simulated by the force acting on the seat belt, so that the user does not have to internalize any new movements. Complete erection can thus be safely accomplished. When seated, the seat belt supports the buttocks and the spars support the upper body.

According to claim 2 or 3, the basically removable spars can also be pivoted out of use on the wheelchair, so that it is not necessary to replace the spars each time from one position to another. It does not matter whether the guide sleeve is now arranged on the spar or stationary on the wheelchair. The device can be attached and removed in a few simple steps and is easy to operate.

Through a design according to claim 4, greater stability is achieved, in particular with respect to further shifting of the center of gravity, an independent transfer to the supporting position being possible if necessary.

According to claim 5, the stand-up device for transport and out of use e.g. be pushed together in a pocket on the wheelchair. This means that the user has the option at any time to convert his wheelchair into a stand-up device. If the spars are also arranged so that they can be swiveled, all the other components that are not currently required can be stored in a pocket.

Without a safety device according to claim 7, there may be a risk that the knees will move forward when standing up due to the movement of the body or buckle away when standing, which can be safely avoided by arranging the knee holder appropriately. The cutouts also reliably avoid the risk of pressure points (pressure ulcers) on the skin above the kneecaps.

According to claim 8, the user's feet can not slip or slide away in any direction. Of course, this further optimizes the safety of the entire stand-up device.

Fig. 1

den Rollstuhl mit der daran angebauten Aufstehvorrichtung in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 2

einen Rollstuhl gemäß Fig. 1, jedoch mit dem Benutzer im Moment des Aufstehens bzw. Hochziehens.

Fig. 3

den Rollstuhl in einer weiteren Ausführungsform mit schwenkbar gelagerten Holmen.

The invention is explained in more detail below using two exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a side view of the wheelchair with the stand-up device attached to it,

Fig. 2

1, but with the user at the moment of getting up or pulling up.

Fig. 3

the wheelchair in a further embodiment with pivotably mounted bars.

On a wheelchair 13 (FIG. 1), which consists of a frame 13 a with a seat 15 and backrest 16 and which is movable over two large wheels 17 and two small wheels 18 which are arranged on the frame 13a, means are attached for fastening two side rails 1 which are arranged approximately vertically in the use position. These means in the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 around an upper guide sleeve 11 and a lower guide sleeve 12. Of course, a clamping device or something similar can also be used instead for fixing the bars. The spars 1 can be inserted or fastened at any time by the user in a few simple steps, so that he is given the opportunity, wherever and whenever he wants, to transform his wheelchair into a stand-up device that enables the user to stand up.

These spars 1 are thus part of a lifting device designed as a stand-up device, which transfers the user's center of gravity to the center of gravity of the wheelchair 13 or at least leads to a relative movement of the two centers of gravity to one another. As deflection means for deflecting a lifting force of the user by hand or motor force into a lifting force that acts on the body of the user via a seat belt 7 designed as a holding means and at least one lifting cable 2 connected to it, at least two bars 1 can be removed from each wheelchair Deflection rollers 3.4 are provided. A deflecting roller is arranged in such a way that it deflects the lifting force acting on the body of the user into a resultant force which is directed upwards and supports the erecting movement. This redirection is essential because this is the only way to effectively support straightening.

In the embodiment, the seat belt 7 is under the buttocks of the user. The hoist rope either has handles 5 or is driven by an electric motor. Here are the Handles 5 at one end of the rope, while the seat belt 7 is fastened to the opposite end of the lifting rope 2 or to the end of the two rope halves of the lifting rope 2. Of course, two hoisting ropes can also be used. When standing up, the user can now pull the rope using the handles in such a way that he is brought into an upright position. After the movement has taken place, the hoisting rope 2 or an equivalent band is secured in at least one fastening device on the spars. This fastening device is designed in the form of clamps 6. For example, rope, sheet or slip clamps can be considered as clamps and, of course, hooks or eyes can also be provided instead of such clamps. After locking the rope, the user can move his hands freely in his upright position.

While in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 the spars are inserted into guide sleeves, according to the second embodiment of FIG. 3 the detachable spars are pivotally mounted on the wheelchair about a pivot point 19, so that the spars do not have to be removed from each point of view. The fulcrum 19 is preferably arranged on an angle plate 25 which is attached below the seat. The fulcrum is preferably arranged in a region which is bounded at the front by the plane of the vertically standing bars and at the top by a plane through the seat surface. The pivot point and spars are connected to one another via a connecting piece 26. Due to the distance gained from the pivot point, it is possible that the spars automatically move during the transfer movement from the rest position into the use position, e.g. thread into the lower guide sleeve 12.

In the rest position, the spars 1 are fixed in the area of the backrest on a holder, preferably on a holding fork, and can be secured against unintentional loosening by a quick-release fastener. This quick release can either Area of the holding fork 23 or, for example, by a rocker arm or a ball lock pin in the area of the fulcrum 19. After transferring the spars into the use position, a quick-release fastener arranged on the connecting piece 26 comes into connection with a detent arranged on the angle plate 25 in such a way that the spars 1 are also secured in this position. This securing can then be released again in the simplest way, for example by a push button.

Basically, floor supports can be used in both embodiments, which are designated with '20' in the second embodiment. These floor supports have the task of ensuring greater stability to the front when using the stand-up device. If the floor supports are connected to the spars, there is the possibility, in particular in the case of pivotable mounting of the spars 1, that the floor supports can be automatically transferred into their supporting position during the transfer movement of the spars. For this purpose, the floor support 20 and the spars are connected to one another at the front end of the pushed-together spars 1, and the floor supports 20 are also guided in the region of the guide sleeve. However, it is also possible to design the spars 1 so that they also serve as floor supports.

So that this device does not make it difficult to transport the wheelchair, in particular in motor vehicles, or in order not to hinder movement of the wheelchair with the device attached, the spars can be telescopically pushed together. Furthermore, it is also possible to lock them in full or partial lengths in end or intermediate positions.

In order to further facilitate the stand-up movement, a knee holder 8 can be provided which protects the user's knees against evasion or kinking forward. The knee holder 8 is preferably designed as at least one textile band or at least one padded surface, the cutouts in the area of the Has kneecaps and is padded between the knees to avoid the risk of skin injury over the kneecaps. The knee holder 8 is placed around the spars 1 and closed or fixed there in any position, for example by means of a Velcro strip, a clamping plate or a plastic clamp. But it can also be attached directly to the wheelchair. As a further safeguard, a special foot part or a foot plate is provided, which, however, can also be permanently attached to the wheelchair and in which the user's feet are secured. This foot section is attached to the front of the wheelchair using hooks or a suitable pad or Velcro and is adjustable. At the back, it is hung in the wheelchair with at least one tether 10. The tether 10 is widened in the area of the user's heels and provides support from behind and from the side.

The seat belt 7 connected to the handles 5 and the rope 2 has a shape that is anatomically adapted to the buttocks of the user, preferably a curvature that allows the buttocks to be securely held in the seat belt. This curvature can e.g. can be achieved by vertically inserted strips of metal, plastic fibers or similar material, which are also suitable for transmitting the forces that occur to the hoisting rope 2. The seat belt can be designed as an anatomically shaped plastic part or as part or all of the seat and / or backrest cushions to which the lifting rope is attached indirectly or directly.

Claims (10)

1. Wheelchair (13), in particular for paraplegics, comprising a frame (13a), seating area (15), backrest (16) and wheels (17, 18), with a standing-up device for lifting the user comprising two spars (1) connected with the wheelchair (13) and converting means for converting a manual force, that lifts the user, into a forwardly and upwardly directed lifting force, that acts upon the body of the user via a seating band (7) and at least one lifting cable (2) linked thereto and supports the lifting of the user, whereas the device may be secured in the standing-up position of the user,
   characterized in that the spars (1) for holding the user in the standing position are almost vertically arranged during use and support the upper part of the body and that as converting means on each spar (1) at least two deflection rollers (3, 4) are provided, of which one (3) converts the manual effected lifting force into a force supporting the standing-up movement.
2. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable spars (1) are swingable around a pivot point (19) on the wheelchair (13) and are securable in the vertical position.
3. Wheelchair according to claim 2, characterized in that the pivot point (19) is located between a level determined by the location of the spars (1) in their function position and the rear wheels, preferably below a level determined by the seating area, whereby the spars (1) are secured in their function position via a quick-release device or stop (22, 24) and in the rest position by means of a quick-release device near the pivot point (19) and in a holding bracket (23).
4. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the standing up device in its function position is supported at the front via floor supports (20).
5. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable spars (1) can be fully or partially telescopically stored when not required.
6. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting cable (2) can be secured in a holder (6) located on the spars (1) when the user is in the standing up position.
7. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that, the user's knees are prevented from bending or buckling in a forward direction via a knee holder (8) comprising cut-outs for the kneecaps.
8. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the user's feet are located on a foot plate (foot piece 9) and secured by at least one safety band (14).
9. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that, the seating band (7) is formed to the anatomical shape of the user's backside and is reinforced by means of vertically inserted metal, plastic or similar materials, whereas as seating band (7) an anatomically shaped plastic section or a part of or the complete seat and/or backrest padding is used.
10. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting force is effected by a motor drive instead of manually and by means of a cable winch instead of the deflection rollers (3, 4) effects the forwardly and upwardly directed force.

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