EP1449507A1

EP1449507A1 - Orthopaedic vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP1449507A1
Application number: EP03425112A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wanda Teresa Bilotta
Original assignee: Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli
Current assignee: ISTITUTI ORTOPEDICI RIZZOLI
Priority date: 2003-02-24
Filing date: 2003-02-24
Publication date: 2004-08-25

Abstract

An orthopaedic vehicle (1) with a tubular frame (2), that has two side parts (5), each one is made of two vertical uprights (7, 8) and at least two horizontal crossbars (9, 10, 11) rigidly connected to the uprights (7, 8); it has a pair of lateral horizontal hand rails (18), that transversally support front handgrips (38), they are horizontally placed side-by-side, and each one in turn is supported by at least one horizontal crossbar (9); it has several wheels (3) onto which the frame (2) is assembled so that it can rotate; and adjusting devices (23, 24) to adjust, at least in a vertical direction, the position between the frame (2) and the handrails (18) and front handgrips (38).

Description

This invention is an orthopaedic vehicle.
This orthopaedic vehicle is especially useful for gait re-education and rehabilitation of the lower legs in patients, and the following description will explicitly deal with this use without illustrating other potential uses.
Orthopaedic vehicles composed of a tubular frame assembled onto three or, more often, four wheels so that they rotate are already in use. On these vehicles the frame, made from a single piece, has two lateral portions and an anterior one, each one made from two uprights and two crossbars rigidly connected to the uprights. The frame, by means of its two upper crossbars horizontally placed side-by-side, two handrails, and, its upper crossbar at the front, provides a grip that, along with the handrails, vertically supports the patient so that the weight of the patient is not totally borne by the lower legs.
The lateral handrails and the front handgrip are at a fixed height from the ground, and for this reason, in many cases, depending on the patient's height, the patient is made to assume wrong positions or exert damaging efforts during gait therapy. Furthermore, orthopaedic vehicles have a structure that is not very versatile for the various needs that arise during orthopaedic rehabilitation therapy.
To obviate this problem, orthopaedic vehicles, of the type described above, have been proposed and have adjusting devices to raise the frame from the wheels. In these vehicles, the handrail and handgrip are raised and lowered by adjusting the height of the entire frame and, therefore, it is rather difficult because the frame is heavy. Moreover, the structure of these orthopaedic vehicles, practically unchanged compared to that described above, is just as restricted for the various needs that arise during orthopaedic rehabilitation therapy.
The aim of this invention was to make an orthopaedic vehicle that overcomes the aforementioned problems and that above all is very versatile.
This invention is an orthopaedic vehicle that comprises a frame, with a front part and two side parts, and several wheels onto which the frame is assembled so that it may rotate. The vehicle is characterized by a pair of lateral handrails, placed horizontally side-by-side and supported by the frame, and adjusting devices to adjust the height of the handrail with respect to the frame at least in a vertical direction.
In the preferred arrangement of this invention, each of the aforementioned side parts of the frame comprises two uprights and at least two horizontal crossbars rigidly connected to the uprights, and each of the aforementioned handrails is supported by at least one of the said crossbars of the relevant side part of the frame.
The invention is described below, purely as an unrestricting example, with reference to the drawings attached, whereas:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one way the orthopaedic vehicle can by made according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the orthopaedic vehicle shown in figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a variation of a detail of the vehicle shown in figure 1.

With reference to figure 1, 1 indicates the whole of the orthopaedic vehicle, which comprises a tubular frame 2, and several wheels 3, in particular four, onto which the frame 2 is assembled so that it may rotate.
The frame 2 is made up of a front part 4, with adjustable width, and two sides 5, which are placed side-by-side and parallel and extend squarely to the front part 4 towards an open posterior part 6 of the frame 2 itself.
The sides 5 are at a variable distance from each other depending on the width of the front part 4 and each one comprises two uprights 7, 8 and three crossbars 9, 10, 11 rigidly connected to the uprights 7 and 8. In particular, the crossbars 9 extend to form an "L" from the top of the uprights 7 and 8, whereas the crossbars 10 and 11 extend to form a "T" from the middle and, respectively, from the bottom of uprights 7 and 8.
The four wheels 3 are attached, so that they rotate, to the said bottom ends of uprights 7 and 8; and those attached to the two posterior uprights 8 have their own pedal-type braking devices 12 already in use.
The front part 4 is composed of a pair of vertical elements 13, each one made of two tubular parts 14, 15 that are attached to each other telescopically. Precisely, of the two tubular parts 14, 15 of each element 13, the lower part 15 is welded to front upright 7 along upright 7 itself, whereas the upper part 14 is free to move in a vertical direction.
Besides the side elements 13, the front part 4 has two central connecting elements 16 between elements 13. Elements 16, on one side, are hinged together, by a hinge 17, at the central parts and cross over each other, and, on the other, each one is hinged, at its own ends, to one upper end 14a of one side element 13 and to one lower end 15a of the other side element 13.
Besides the frame 2, the vehicle 1 has two side handrails 18, which are placed horizontally side-by-side and supported by the frame 2 itself. Precisely, each of the handrails 18 is supported by crossbar 9 of the respective side part 5 of frame 2.
Each of the handrails 18 has a horizontal part 19, useful for support, fully coated in soft, non-slip material 20, and forms part of tubular structure 21, which has, besides the handrails 18, two vertical arms 22, each one extending to form a down-turned "L" from respective extensions of part 19, and is coaxially attached so that it runs freely inside a respective tube 23 welded to crossbar 9 supporting handrail 18 itself. Each tube 23 has its own locking and unlocking device 24 to adjust the height between the frame 2 and the respective handrail 18.
In a variation not illustrated, the tube 23, instead of on the crossbar 9, is welded transversely onto another tube, in turn attached, coaxially and so that it may slide, to the crossbar 9. In that case the above mentioned other tube has its own locking and unlocking device to adjust the height between the frame 2 and the respective handrail 18 in the longitudinal direction of the handrail 18 itself.
At the extension of part 19, which is connected to the front arm 22, the tubular structure 21 of the relevant handrail 18 forms a horizontal arm 25, which extends to make an "L-shape" from part 19 itself and is turned towards the other handrail 18. The two arms 25 are connected to each other by a tubular element 26, which is coaxially and telescopically attached to the inside of the arms 25. Element 26 has at its longitudinal ends respective locking and unlocking devices 27 to adjust the distance between the two handrails 18 and, thus, both the distance between lateral parts 5 and the width of the front part 4 of the frame 2.
To each lateral part 5 of the frame 2 a respective accessory-holding tubular support 28 is fixed, which is welded to the relevant upright 7 along upright 7 itself, in a position external to the vehicle 1 and on the opposite side of the aforementioned lower part 15 of the relevant element 13. The support 28 can be used, for example, to house telescopically, and adjustably in height, a respective drip stand, not illustrated.
To each lateral part 5 of the frame 2 another accessory-holding tubular support 29 is attached, which is supported, so that it can slide, by crossbars 9 and 11 of part 5 itself. Precisely, the support 29 is welded transversely to two tubes 30 and 31, of which tube 30 is attached coaxially, and so that it can slide, to crossbar 9 and tube 31 is attached coaxially, and so that it can slide, to crossbar 11. Tubes 30 and 31 are equipped with respective locking and unlocking devices 32 and 33 to adjust the relevant position between the support 29 and the crossbars 9 and 11 in the longitudinal direction of the crossbars 9 and 11 themselves.
The vehicle 1 also has two elements 34 of axillary supports, each telescopically supported by one accessory-holding support 29. To enable adjustment in height of elements 34, both supports 29 are equipped with locking and unlocking devices 35 of elements 34 on the inside of the supports 29 themselves.
Besides elements 34, or alternatively to elements 34, vehicle 1 has two elements 36 to support the forearm, one of which is shown in figure 3.
Elements 36 are interchangeable with elements 34 and can be adjusted in the same way as elements 34, thanks to devices 35.
Vehicle 1 includes, for each of the two handrails 18, an L-shaped arm 37, with a front handgrip 38, which is coated with non-slip, soft material 39 and extends transversely with respect to the handrail 18 itself and towards the inside of vehicle 1.
The arm 37 is formed by the tubular structure 21 of the relevant handrail 18, near the extension of part 19, which is connected to the front arm 22.
Practically, the handgrip 38 and relevant handrail 18 are made from a single piece, so that the aforementioned tubes 23 and relevant locking and unlocking devices 24 can adjust the height between the frame 2 and each block consisting of handrail 18 and relevant front handgrip 38.
However, in a variation not illustrated, the arm 37 may be formed by two parts attached to each other telescopically so as to provide the handgrip 38 with independent height adjustment of the handrail 18. In that case, locking and unlocking devices are present to adjust the relevant position of the two aforementioned parts that form the arm 37.
It is useful to point out that all the aforementioned locking and unlocking devices are rapid, i.e. by screws or levers.
Finally, notice that the numerous possibilities to adjust vehicle 1 do not jeopardise its strength or its stability because the aforementioned locking and unlocking devices are separate from the structural elements of frame 2. In particular, the rigid structure of the lateral parts 5 of the frame 2 and their connection by the above-described anterior part 4 provide a high degree of strength and safety to vehicle 1 on the whole.
The invention thus conceived is subject to numerous changes and variations, all of which are included in the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

Orthopaedic vehicle composed of a frame (2) which is made of an anterior part (4) and two side parts (5), and several wheels (3) onto which the frame (2) is assembled so that it rotates; the vehicle (1) being characterized by the fact that it has a pair of side handrails (18), placed side-by-side and supported by the frame (2), and first adjusting devices (23, 24) to adjust the relevant position between the frame (2) and handrails (18) at least in a vertical direction.
Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the said side parts (5) of the frame (2) are each composed of two uprights (7, 8) and at least two horizontal crossbars (9, 10, 11) rigidly connected to the uprights (7, 8).
Vehicle according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the said handrails (18) are each supported by at least one of the said horizontal crossbars (9, 10, 11) of one respective side parts (5) of the frame (2).
Vehicle according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said adjusting devices (23, 24) are supported, for each said lateral part (5) of the frame (2), by at least one of the said horizontal crossbars (9, 10, 11).
Vehicle according to any of claims 1 - 4 characterized by the fact that it has at least one accessory-holding supports (28, 29) connected to one respective said lateral part (5) of the frame (2).
Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that said accessory-holding support (28, 29) is a tubular support made to house telescopically a respective accessory.
Vehicle according to claims 2 and 5, characterized by the fact that said accessory-holding support (28) is fixed to a respective said upright (7).
Vehicle according to claims 2 and 5, characterized by the fact that said accessory-holding support (29) is supported so that it slides by at least one said horizontal crossbar (9, 11); second adjusting devices (30, 31, 32, 33) being able to adjust the relevant position between said accessory-holding support (29) and said crossbar (9, 11).
Vehicle according to any of the claims from 5 to 8, characterized by the fact that it has two elements (36) two support the forearm, each one supported by a respective said accessory-holding support (29); third adjusting devices (35) being able to adjust the relative position between said support elements (36) and respective accessory-holding supports (29) in a vertical direction.
Vehicle according to any of the claims 5-8, characterized by the fact that it has two axillary support elements (34), each one supported by a respective said accessory-holding support (29); third adjustment devices (35) being able to adjust the relevant position between said support elements (34) and respective accessory-holding supports (29) in a vertical direction.
Vehicle according to any of the claims 1-10, characterized by the fact that said handrails (18) are at a variable reciprocal distance; fourth adjusting devices (26, 27) being able to modify said distance.
Vehicle according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that each of the said handrails (18) forms a part of a respective tubular structure (21); the said fourth adjusting devices (26, 27) includes a connecting element (26) between the said tubular structures (21); said connecting element (26) being telescopically attached to each tubular structure (21).
Vehicle according to claims 11 or 12, characterized by the fact that said lateral parts (5) of the frame (2) are at a variable reciprocal distance; the said front part (4) of the frame (2) has a variable width.
Vehicle according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that the said front part (4) of the frame (2) includes a pair of side elements (13) arranged vertically side-by-side, each lateral element (13) being composed of two tubular parts (14,15) telescopically attached and having one end (14a) free to move in a vertical direction, and a second end (15a) rigidly connected to a respective lateral part (5) of the frame (2); and a pair of central elements (16), which, on one side are hinged together at the respective central parts and arranged so they cross over each other, and, on the other, they are each hinged at the first end (14a) of one lateral element (13) and at the second end (15a) of the other lateral element (13).
Vehicle according to any of the claims 1-14, characterized by the fact that said handrails (18) each have a useful support part (19) fully coated in non-slip material (20).
Vehicle according to any of the claims 1-15, characterized by the fact that said handrails (18) each have a useful support part (19) fully coated in soft material (20) .
Vehicle according to any of the claims 1-16, characterized by the fact that it includes braking devices (12) for at least one of the said wheels (3).
Vehicle according to any of the claims 1-17, characterized by the fact that it includes for each of the two handrails (18), an arm (37) with a front handgrip (38); said arm (37) being connected to the respective handrail (18) and said handgrip (38) extending transversely with respect to the handrail (18) itself and towards the inside of the vehicle (1).
Vehicle according to claim 18, characterized by the fact that said front handgrip (38) and relevant handrail (18) are connected rigidly to each other; the said first adjusting devices (23, 24) being able to adjust, at least in a vertical direction, the relevant position between the frame (2) and each block consisting of a handrail (18) and relevant front handrail (38).
Vehicle according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that said front handgrip (38) and relevant handrail (18) are made from a single piece.
Vehicle according to any of the claims 18-20, characterized by the fact that the said front handgrip (38) is coated in non-slip material.
Vehicle according to any of the claims 18-21, characterized by the fact that the said front handgrip (38) is coated in soft material.
Vehicle according to any of the claims 1-22, characterized by the fact that said frame (2) has a tubular structure.