EP1700541A1 - Orthopaedic tray system for a seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a set of seat surface-shell parts adjustable relative to one another, and a cushion filler filled with bulk materials, in which vacuum is produced. The shell parts are extendably connected with one another, and a distance between lateral guiding units (4) and a pad support (5) is changeable together at lateral seat surface edges. The cushion filler has a set of cushions hermitically connected among each other.

Description

The invention relates to an orthopedic seat shell system with a plurality of relatively inelastic, inelastic shell parts.

Orthopedic seat shell systems can be used by people who are temporarily or permanently physically impaired and require extra support while sitting. An attempt is made to best adapt the seat to the body and the desired posture of the person in order to allow a comfortable sitting posture over a long period of time while providing the necessary support and, if necessary, postural correction of the person sitting in the seat cover system.

There are simple seat shell systems from optionally multi-part frame racks known, which are based only with a cushion. Such seat shell systems are limited adaptable to different people and allow neither a desirable support or specification of the attitude of the seated person nor a carefree, comfortable seating for a longer period.

Usually, therefore, for example, a template is produced by a plaster cast of the body of the person concerned, after which then by mechanical or optical scanning a seat shell is formed or milled from a solid block of material. Such seats can be individually adapted to personal needs and the desired attitude and allow for a longer period of comfortable sitting. Due to the individually adapted shape of each seat, the production of such seats is associated with a considerable expenditure of time and with great costs. These disadvantages are particularly evident in a use of such seats for children, in which, due to growth, a frequent readjustment and thus new production of the seat is required. Often, the body and thus the sitting posture of the children already changed in the period between the adjustment of the seat shell and its manufacture and delivery, so that the best possible adjustment and support by the support shell can be achieved only over relatively short periods.

Although the existing of a multi-part, adjustable frame padded seat shell systems of the type mentioned allow a modular, adjustable with a few simple steps, but are in terms of individually customizable positioning and support different body, their insufficient therapeutic effect and due to the lack of seating comfort as unsuitable considered.

Object of the present invention is therefore to design a fast and inexpensive to produce orthopedic seat shell system so that as far as possible individual adaptation to the body and the posture of the user is possible.

This object is achieved in that the seat pan system has a filled with loose bulk pad insert, in which a vacuum can be generated. Such vacuum pads can be easily and arbitrarily often adapted to very different body contours. For this purpose, the person concerned is placed on or on the ventilated, for example, filled with small polystyrene balls cushion, with the cushion filling adapts to the body contours. If a vacuum is then generated in the pad, the outer shape of the pad is permanently fixed. It has therefore long been known and increasingly used that instead of a plaster cast of a body, a corresponding vacuum pad impression is made, which can be used as a template for each individual milling a seat.

By combining such a cushion insert with a plurality of, relatively adjustable, inelastic shell parts seat shells can be on the one hand reduce the cost and cost of manufacturing and on the other hand allow the best possible adaptation to the user. By successively adjusting the inelastic shell parts in each case in conjunction with a new adaptation of the cushion insert, the seat shell system according to the invention especially in connection with children or in a continuously changing posture of the user can be used advantageously. The seat shell can be constructed modularly from several shell parts and, despite a comparatively small number of basic forms, can be adapted to different body sizes and postures in a versatile manner. The filled with loose bulk pillow insert can be adjusted by generating a suitable negative pressure or previous venting both to a changed arrangement of the inelastic shell parts of the seat as well as unchanged seat shell shape to an example growth-related change in body posture or body contours. In this way, the most uniform and thus optimal pressure distribution is achieved when receiving the body in the seat pan system. At the same time, the cushion insert can be individually adjusted several times, so that a renewed reuse of the seat shell system is possible with a changed posture or for another user.

According to one embodiment of the inventive idea, it is provided that the seat shell system has two extendable seat shell parts that can be connected to one another. This makes it easy to change the width or depth of the seat in the context of the predeterminable extension length and optimally adapted. A reliable and cost-effective connection of two seat shell parts can be made possible, for example, by slot-like recesses in one of the two seat shell parts, through each of which a pin connected to the other seat shell part protrudes, wherein the two seat-shell parts can be fixed in the desired arrangement relative to each other, for example by clamping or latching. In this way, extension lengths of about 3 cm to 5 cm can be readily specified without adverse effects on the stability or handling of the seat shell system having to be accepted.

If, for example, a further adjustment and adjustment of the seat shell system is required for reasons of growth in children, it is expedient to use two or three basic models with different dimensions, each of which has a previously described adjustment option. With a few shell submodels in coordinated dimensions then all the desired sizes for a seat shell can be covered. The compensation function of the cushion insert is limited to the respective difference between two seat shell sizes, so that therefore no loss in the comfort or the functionality of the cushion insert are to be feared. Especially for children who can and must change from a smaller seat shell system into a larger seat shell system for a relatively short time due to growth, the possibility of reusing the no longer required seat shell system leads to a considerable cost savings and rapid availability of each required by different users Sitzschalensystem models ,

Advantageously, it is provided that the seat shell system has lateral guide elements whose respective distance to the associated lateral seat edge is changeable. The arrangement and shaping of the lateral guide elements serves for lateral support of the thighs and can likewise be adapted to the body contours and the posture of the user with regard to the arrangement of the lateral guide elements and through the covering cushion insert.

Preferably, it is provided that the seat shell system has pad carrier whose respective distance from the associated lateral seat surface edge is variable. The pad supports essentially serve to give the seated user a support for his upper body. Should it be necessary, it is also possible to support or specify a body posture which is desirable from a therapeutic point of view by means of lateral supports arranged on the pad support. The distance between the pad carrier to each other or to the respectively associated lateral seat edge or the seat shell side can be adjusted individually for each pad carrier and is not bound in particular to the width of the seat or the width of a backrest.

It is also provided that the height of the pad carrier is variable. Padded pads can also be placed so that they support the upper body under the armpits, even if the upper body should be twisted or crooked.

An advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept according to the invention, it is provided that the cushion insert has a plurality of separately connectable with the seat cushion. A complete seat shell system typically has six pads. In addition to a seat and a back cushion, additional cushions can be arranged on the lateral guide elements and the pelotte supports. The body of a seated user is then fully stored in the pad liner without coming into contact with an inelastic shell portion. Depending on the body shape and body posture, the filling quantity of the loose bulk material filled in each of the cushions can be adapted individually and independently of other cushion fillings. Should a single cushion be damaged, then this cushion can be replaced inexpensively and with little effort.

It is preferably provided that the plurality of cushions are connected to one another in airtight manner. Thus, the individual pillows can be connected with hoses with each other and with a vacuum pump, which can be controlled by means of an operating and control unit. By the simultaneous and uniform generation of a vacuum in the separate, mutually air-tightly connected cushion the handling of the seat shell system and in particular each adjustment process is simplified and facilitated. Likewise, each cushion can have suitable shut-off valves, so that the desired negative pressure can be preset separately for each individual cushion and, if necessary, renewed or adapted.

It is envisaged that the cushion insert has a padding. A suitable for many applications and sufficient padding can be effected, for example, by a sufficiently thick, elastic cushion cover which surrounds the individual pillow of the cushion insert.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Sitzschalensystems mit einer seitlichen Pelotte,
• Fig. 2 eine schematische Darstellung von zwei miteinander verbundenen Sitzflächen-Schalenteilen und daran befestigten lateralen Führungselementen,
• Fig. 3 eine schematisch Darstellung eines Bereichs des Sitzschalensystems mit einer höhen- und seitenverstellbaren Pelotte und
• Fig. 4 eine schematische Ansicht des in Fig. 3 gezeigten Bereichs mit einer höhenverstellbaren Pelotte.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the inventive concept will be explained in more detail, which are illustrated in the drawing. It shows:

• 1 is a schematic view of a seat shell system with a side pad,
• 2 is a schematic representation of two interconnected seat shell parts and attached thereto lateral guide elements,
• Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a portion of the seat pan system with a height and side adjustable pad and
• 4 shows a schematic view of the area shown in FIG. 3 with a height-adjustable pad.

In Fig. 1, an exemplary embodiment of an orthopedic seat shell system 1 is shown in a schematic representation by way of example, which consists of several inelastic, relative to each other adjustable fastened shell parts. The individual shell parts can be made of aluminum, plastic, wood or other suitable material. On a substantially U-shaped seat 2 are a backrest 3, two laterally arranged lateral guide elements 4 and a pad carrier 5 are each adjustably mounted. The two lateral guide elements 4 are mounted laterally adjustable on the seat shell, so that the seat width can be predetermined by the relative distance of the two lateral guide elements 4 to each other. The pad carrier 5 is attached directly to the associated lateral guide element 4, so that the adjustment and adjustment of the associated lateral guide element 4, the lateral orientation of the pad carrier 5 is specified. The pad carrier 5 is height-adjustable and can be adjusted above the associated lateral guide element 4 to the individual needs of each user.

On the seat 2, on the backrest 3, on the two lateral guide elements 4 and on the pad carrier 5 each filled with bulk loose pads 6, 7, 8 and 9 are arranged, in which a vacuum can be generated. In the ventilated state, the cushions 6, 7, 8 and 9 are deformable according to the mechanical properties of their filling and optionally elastic and can be adapted to the body contours of a person seated in the orthopedic seat-pan system 1 in a snug fit. As soon as a sufficient negative pressure is generated in the cushions 6, 7, 8 and 9, the individual cushions 6, 7, 8 and 9 are fixed in their respective shape and permanently retain their shape adapted to the body contours. The vacuum generated in the individual cushions 6, 7, 8 and 9 must be checked regularly and usually every 3-4 weeks to be improved, so the pads 6, 7, 8 and 9 are not deformed again and lose the desired surface contour.

Each of the pads 6, 7, 8 and 9 is equipped with a transfer valve, not shown, so that it can be filled differently depending on requirements and thus can be optimally adapted to the respective user. The pillows 6, 7, 8 and 9 are connected airtight to each other with hoses, not shown, and can be uniformly ventilated or vented together with a control unit, also not shown, and an associated electric air pump. For an adaptation of the cushions 6, 7, 8 and 9 to the posture and the contours of the body of the respective user, it is not necessary to first create a body print of the user and then produce an individualized, non-reusable seat shell in a complex manufacturing process. For an individual adjustment, it is sufficient if the user sits in the desired attitude in the seat pan system 1 with ventilated cushions, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and then in the cushions 6, 7, 8 and 9, a sufficient negative pressure is generated. If a first adjustment did not lead to the desired result or, for example, due to growth in children after some time a re-adjustment with minor corrections are made, so only the pads 6, 7, 8 and 9 need to be re-aerated and then therein to fix the new cushion shape to create a vacuum.

The pillows are expediently with a skin-friendly, for example, 3 mm thick elastic Case covered in nylon jersey lined neoprene or polyurethane. The loose bulk material filled in the cushions consists of sturdy, extremely fine polystyrene beads. The cushion cover may have an elastic spacer fabric in addition to improving de seat characteristics and maintaining an optimal microclimate.

2, 3 and 4 different adjustment of the individual elastic shell parts are shown schematically. The seat shell 2 consists of two substantially U-shaped seat shell parts 10, 11 which are mounted displaceable relative to each other. Pins connected to the outer, slightly larger seat shell part 10 protrude through elongated holes 12 in the seat shell part 11 and allow a clamping fixing of the seat shell parts 10, 11 longitudinally slidably interconnected according to the dimensions of the elongated holes 12.

The also two-part lateral guide elements 4 have at their upper end horizontally angled support surfaces 13 which rest on matched support surfaces 14 of the also horizontally angled seat 2 above. Due to the two-part design of the lateral guide elements 4, a simple adaptation to a variable seat depth can be made possible, which is predetermined by the arrangement of the two seat shell parts 10, 11. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided to arrange the lateral guide elements 4 so as to be displaceable or adjustable relative to the backrest 3. About slots 15 in the area of the support surfaces 13, a lateral adjustability of the lateral guide elements 4 is achieved. If necessary, spacers 16 adapted to the set arrangement of the lateral guide elements 4 can additionally support the lateral guide elements 4. In the same way, a respectively mounted on the associated lateral guide element 4 pad carrier 5 either height adjustable only (see Fig. 4) or height and side adjustable (Fig. 3) to be stored. It is also conceivable that deviating from the embodiment shown, the pad carrier 5 are arranged directly on the seat 2 or on the backrest 3. The respective adjustment possibilities of the individual shell parts relative to each other are expediently 3-5 cm, so that, for example, growth-related body contours or postural changes of 16-20 cm in height and 8-10 cm in width can be corrected with an orthopedic seat-pan system 1 shown , In order to achieve optimal adaptability of the seat shell system to different users with different body size and sitting position, three or four different seat shell system models are expediently expedient, each having different dimensions and allowing individual adaptation to almost all users. Due to the modular design each of several inelastic shell parts and, for example, six cushions, the cost and the cost of producing a customizable seat shell system 1 can be significantly reduced. Also, if necessary, individual damaged or defective parts can be replaced without the entire seat shell system 1 has become unusable or must be given out completely for a home repair.

Of course, other, multi-part seat shell constructions or, for example, a one-piece, preformed cushion insert are also conceivable. Likewise, instead of the clamping connection described in the exemplary embodiment, latching or form-fitting connections can be provided, which enable mutually adjustable mounting and fixing of the individual inelastic shell parts.

Claims (8)

Orthopedic seat shell system (1) with a plurality of relatively inelastic, inelastic shell parts, characterized in that the seat shell system (1) has a bulk material filled with loose pad insert, in which a vacuum can be generated. Orthopedic seat shell system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat shell system (1) has two extendable interconnectable seat shell parts (10, 11). Orthopedic seat shell system (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the seat shell system (1) has lateral guide elements (4) whose respective distance to the associated lateral seat edge and / or the backrest (3) is variable. Orthopedic seat shell system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat shell system (1) pad carrier (5) has, whose respective distance is variable to the associated side seat edge. Orthopedic seat shell system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the height of the pad carrier (5) is variable. Orthopedic seat shell system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cushion insert has a plurality of separately connectable with the seat shell system (1) cushion (6, 7, 8, 9). Orthopedic seat shell system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the plurality of cushions (6, 7, 8, 9) are connectable to each other airtight. Orthopedic seat shell system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cushion insert has a padding.

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