EP3307223B1 - Transfer device for people with motor disabilities, in particular passengers, uses of the device, methods for implementing the device, and components of the device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a transfer device for the motor handicapped, in particular a traveler, for example an air traveler in an airport and, where appropriate, in the plane.

It also relates to elements of this device, in particular a transfer seat.

It also relates to uses of this device and methods of implementing this device.

The transfer of air travelers with motor disabilities, or people with great difficulty in moving around, presents many difficulties. Similar difficulties arise for land travellers, especially by rail, and, in general, for the physically handicapped who must be transferred between seats, vehicles, beds, fables, etc.

Most often this manipulation requires the presence of two assistants and is very time consuming.

Various lifting devices have already been proposed to aid in such transfers, but these devices are heavy, complicated and cumbersome, and have found no real use in practice.

It has also been proposed to provide a transfer between two fixed parts and a movable seat carrying wheels rolling on rails or guides, which provide guidance and support, the fixed parts being aligned so that their respective rails or guides are aligned. precisely. Such devices are described in the following documents:
WO 2012/001423 , US2006236449 , US2008052814 , WO2007041202 , JP200132140 , GB2092077 .

Such devices are described in the following documents: These devices are, however, heavy and require high accuracy of alignment, and are easily subject to blockages.

The present invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks and in particular to reduce the fatigue of the physically handicapped passenger, to lighten the load on the assistants, and to accelerate the transfer of the passenger, for example in a transport vehicle in particular such as an airplane. or train. It also proposes to facilitate the transfer of disabled persons or persons unable to move, between vehicles and/or seats and/or supports for these persons.

By motor handicapped, within the meaning of the present invention, is meant persons with non-existent or reduced mobility, and movable, or capable of moving in an individual vehicle for the handicapped. These are, for example, people who are paraplegic, or who have lost the use of their legs, or who can only walk with difficulty, for example people suffering from obesity. This term also includes people with normal or slightly impaired mobility, but who get tired or get out of breath very quickly. We also hear people who are sick or under anesthesia.

By individual vehicle for the motor handicapped, within the meaning of the present invention, is meant in particular wheelchairs, self-propelled or not, scooters for the handicapped and tricycles, whether or not driven by the handicapped person himself.

• au moins une partie supérieure, ou assise proprement dite, mobile transférable, éventuellement rembourrée, horizontalement mobile, sur laquelle s'assoit l'utilisateur, présentant un bord antérieur, un bord postérieur et deux bords latéraux,
• au moins deux parties inférieures fixes, fixables respectivement sur les sièges ou supports entre lesquels le transfert doit être assuré, par exemple sur un siège de voyageur d'un véhicule de transport, par exemple un aéronef ou un train, et/ou sur un fauteuil roulant indétectable par des moyens de détection de sécurité, par exemple un fauteuil roulant amagnétique, et/ou sur un siège de véhicule individuel de passager handicapé dédié au transport entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur d'un véhicule de transport, lesdites parties inférieures présentant chacune un bord antérieur, un bord postérieur et deux bords latéraux, et comprenant, sur leur face supérieure, des moyens ou éléments de guidage pour guider le déplacement de la partie supérieure sur elles, essentiellement dans une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire auxdits bords latéraux, et donc au plan sagittal du voyageur assis sur ladite partie supérieure transférable, lesdits moyens de guidage coopérant avec des moyens ou éléments de guidage complémentaires présentés par la face inférieure de ladite partie supérieure, lesdits moyens de guidage autorisant un jeu, aussi bien en direction verticale qu'en direction transversale, , l'une des parties, présentant des moyens de roulement supportant le poids de l'assise, répartis sur sa surface à l'extérieur des moyens de guidage par exemple tels que des billes ou des rouleaux, permettant le roulement horizontal de l'assise par rapport à la dite partie inférieure.

The subject of the invention is a transfer device for the motor handicapped, according to claim 1, and its use according to claim 14. Said device comprises a transferable seat assembly for the motor handicapped, for example motor handicapped traveler passenger of a vehicle transport, such as in particular an aircraft or a train, comprising:

• at least one upper part, or seat proper, mobile transferable, optionally padded, horizontally mobile, on which the user sits, having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges,
• at least two fixed lower parts, respectively fixable on the seats or supports between which the transfer must be ensured, for example on a passenger seat of a transport vehicle, for example an aircraft or a train, and/or on an armchair undetectable by safety detection means, for example a non-magnetic wheelchair, and/or on a seat of an individual vehicle for a disabled passenger dedicated to transport between the inside and the outside of a transport vehicle, said lower parts each having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, and comprising, on their upper face, guide means or elements for guiding the movement of the upper part on them, essentially in a direction substantially perpendicular to the said side edges, and therefore on the sagittal plane of the traveler seated on said transferable upper part, said guide means cooperating with means or elements of complementary guides presented by the underside of said upper part, said guide means allowing play, both in the vertical direction and in the transverse direction, one of the parts having rolling means supporting the weight of the seat , distributed over its surface outside the guide means, for example such as balls or rollers, allowing the horizontal rolling of the seat relative to said lower part.

Advantageously, these rolling means are distributed over a large part of the surface of the part which carries them.

As a result, when the parts are in a horizontal position, or slightly inclined, the guide formed by the guide means is only slightly or not stressed by the weight of the user.

Preferably these rolling means are presented by the upper part, and look downwards, the lower parts having simple rolling surfaces on which the said rolling means roll, the lifting of the upper part relative to the lower parts being prevented , for example, speaks guide formed by the guide means.

In a preferred embodiment, the rolling means comprise a plurality of balls distributed either on the lower part, and then facing upwards, or alternatively under the movable upper part, and then facing downwards.

Preferably, the guide comprises at least one, and preferably two slide and slide assemblies, preferably comprising rolling means, for example rollers loaded laterally when the limit of the lateral clearance is reached. Preferably, these rolling means are rollers with a vertical axis, and therefore horizontal.

Said lower parts comprise, optionally but preferably, respectively complementary alignment and centering means arranged on at least one of their side edges substantially ensuring an alignment of their guides when their side edges are arranged substantially side by side, then allowing a lateral displacement of said upper part between said lower parts.

By transport vehicle is meant, within the meaning of the present invention, a passenger transport vehicle, such as an aircraft or train car, for example.

By lower part within the meaning of the present invention, is meant a plate fixed or fixable on an individual vehicle of a disabled person, or on a transport vehicle seat and on which the upper plate can move, slide or roll, in a guided manner.

By upper part is meant a part, part or plate on which a passenger with a motor disability can sit.

The seats or supports may also include, in particular, car or taxi seats, fixed seats, for example, in restaurants or performance halls, residential seats, seats for lifting devices for the disabled between floors, seats and stretchers for patients, tables for examination or surgical or medical intervention, beds for the disabled or patients.

In a particularly preferred manner, the movable upper part, on which the passenger is seated, comprises releasable immobilization means, preferably by snap-fastening, cooperating with the lower part, which supports it, to immobilize said upper part on the lower part in the final position where the user should be seated. These means may, for example, comprise hooks, reliefs, rods or latching balls, releasable by the user or an assistant. For example, the movable upper part may comprise a vertical rod at the level of a rear corner, pushed downwards by a spring, and the lower end of which is capable of entering a hole or a notch in the upper face of the underlying lower part, when the two parts are superimposed in the required position, this rod being able to be released manually, by being pulled upwards against the spring, preferably manually.

The guide means may comprise, for example, rails or guides, for example with a dovetail or C-section, for example slotted tubes, with complementary sliders to limit the lifting of the upper seat part.

Thus, between the guide means of the upper part and the complementary guide means of the lower part, a clearance is provided in the vertical plane and/or in the horizontal plane, the movement between the upper and lower parts not being possible, however, only substantially in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side edges. Preferably the vertical clearance does not substantially exceed 2 cm, and the horizontal clearance 1 to 2 cm. It is thus possible to have the upper part of the seat transferred between two lower parts placed end to end but still inclined with respect to each other by an angle in the vertical or horizontal planes.

The respectively complementary means or reliefs for aligning and centering the fixed lower parts arranged on at least one of their lateral edges, can have respectively complementary shapes allowing their edges to be placed in a substantially precise position when they are brought into position. adjacent positions.

In a first particular embodiment, these respectively complementary alignment and centering means may comprise, on at least one of their lateral edges, one or more male extensions, respectively female recesses, for example rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal or curved determining a precise alignment of the adjacent lower parts brought against each other in their plane. In this fore embodiment it is preferred that these extensions and recesses have self-locking complementary shapes.

In a second embodiment, these means can comprise one or more rods, preferably sliding to be retracted horizontally in the part which presents them, and which can penetrate into elongated passages of complementary section extending horizontally in the other part when said parts are brought side by side. Preferably the opening of the passage and or the end of the rod are chamfered or otherwise inclined to facilitate their centering. For example, the stem can end, at its free end, in a ball or sphere, while the corresponding elongated passage in the other part widens conically towards its opening.

In a third embodiment, these means comprise complementary bevelled or inclined surfaces carried respectively by the adjacent edges of said lower parts, and causing a relative horizontal displacement between the adjacent lower parts, when they come into contact by movement with a vertical component, up to 'to obtain a precise alignment of the seating guide means of the parts.

These surfaces can be in the form of ramps. For example, the lower parts respectively carry pieces or zones in the shape of a pyramid or dihedral with male four sides, respectively female, arranged to interpenetrate until complete abutment during the vertical movement between them. In order to ensure perfect centering, the inclined or beveled surfaces can extend in several directions. For example, they can be in the form of pyramids or inclined roofs with four sides which fit together.

Thus, when a lower part is placed or raised in contact with the other, this interpenetration ensures both the alignment of the parts at the correct level.

In the various embodiments, the lower parts may, in addition, have, on their edges, horizontal flat edges capable of being superimposed when placing the parts side by side to determine the alignment of the sides at the same level. vertical.

In a particular embodiment, the respectively complementary means for aligning and centering the fixed lower parts can be simple guides capable of being aligned when the two lower parts concerned are positioned edge to edge, substantially at the same level, the movable upper part, on which the passenger can be seated, having complementary guide means, for example an elongated slider, the ends of the guides and/or of the slider being preferably flared or tapered to facilitate the entry of said complementary guide means into guide.

It is preferred that the fixing means on the vehicles or wheelchairs, such as a non-magnetic wheelchair or dedicated wheelchair, for example airport wheelchair intended to introduce the passenger into the plane, have quick fixing means on these vehicles, for example straps or suction cups, or additional self-adhesive strips, of the well-known Velcro type.

Preferably, at least one of said lower parts has means for quick attachment to a seat of a transport vehicle, for example an aircraft, and preferably reversible, for example one or more permanently installed straps or passages, notches or depressions allowing the passage of straps. These straps can advantageously be fixed, preferably permanently, under the underside of the lower part. In a particularly preferred manner, self-adhesive bands or tapes, of the Velcro band type, can be used, and in particular, for vehicle seats covered with a fabric or textile, self-adhesive bands on fabric, which are easy to find commercially.

Preferably at least one of these lower parts is completely non-magnetic, the upper mobile seat part then also being so, and more preferably all the upper and lower parts can be non-magnetic.

In a particularly preferred manner, the lower parts may comprise releasable fastening means, for example adhesive strips, of the Velcro type, or pawls, making it possible to connect together two lower parts placed end to end. end. Provision can be made for these fastening means to be able to be implemented only when the two parts are brought edge to edge into a substantially aligned position. But, in a particularly preferred way, this connection can be simply ensured by complementary self-locking centering means.

In general, it is preferred that the total thickness of the seat means, namely upper plate and base, with the rolling and guiding means, be low, for example less than or equal to 7 cm, or even 5 cm, these means having a flat underside that is easy to place and fix on the vehicle such as an undetectable chair or a dedicated chair, and optionally on an airplane seat.

Vehicles such as non-magnetic wheelchairs and dedicated airport or train station wheelchairs usually have a standardized seat height, identical to the height of an airplane or train seat. It is therefore not, in general, necessary to adjust the vertical levels of the lower plates placed or fixed on the seats, during the transfer of the upper part of the seat between said lower parts. However, in some instances, transportation vehicle, train, or aircraft seats, when padded, may sag to a lower level when occupied, especially by a significantly overweight disabled passenger.

The assembly according to the invention can then comprise at least one thin lifting means, for example a flat jack, preferably operable manually, either by the passenger or by an assistant, inserted between the seat proper and the part lower concerned. This lifting means can be permanently secured to this lower part, but, preferably, it can be separable and simply fixable under the lower part.

If necessary, the assembly according to the invention may comprise a raising element, of determined height, which can be inserted under the lower part fixed to the vehicle such as a wheelchair, to be at the same height as the lower part provided with its means of lifting and placed on the padded chair of the transport vehicle before the latter collapses under the arrival of the passenger.

As a variant, the assembly according to the invention may comprise one or more ramps intended to be placed on the ground, for example the floor of the corridor of a transport vehicle, and/or of a room, for example a station or airport, to bring a vehicle, in particular a non-magnetic chair or a dedicated chair, to the correct height for the alignment of the lower parts concerned. It is thus possible, for example, to bring to the same horizontal level a lower part provided with an underlying lifting means placed on an airplane seat and the lower part fixed on the dedicated chair.

Preferably, the width of at least one of the lower parts, fixable on a transport vehicle seat, for example an airplane seat, is substantially equal to the width of this seat. It is thus possible to place two, three, or more lower parts end to end on the seats of a row, making it possible to transfer the passenger, on his movable upper seat part, from the seat juxtaposed to a dedicated armchair, onto a distant seat, for example next to a window.

The upper seat part may comprise a backrest and/or at least one armrest and/or a footrest. Preferably these elements are easily assembled and disassembled, to be able to be stored in a small container. The upper and lower parts are easily stackable so that they can be stored in large quantities, in the form of separate stacks, depending on their dimensions.

In a particular embodiment, adapted in particular to the transfer of patients between stretchers and medical tables, for example, the device according to the invention may comprise at least one set of upper parts and at least two sets of lower parts including a plurality of upper parts assembled together to be transferred between assemblies of lower parts.

Preferably the parts of at least one assembly are interconnected, at their front and/or rear edges, by joints, preferably lockable according to the desired angular positions.

• la Figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'une partie supérieure et d'une partie inférieure d'un ensemble selon l'invention,
• la Figure 2 représente une vue de profil de ces parties, en position séparée
• la Figure 3 représente une vue similaire à la Figure 2, à l'état assemblé,
• la Figure 4 représente une vue en élévation de ces parties, en position séparée,
• la Figure 5 représente une vue en élévation de ces parties, à l'état assemblé,
• les Figures 6 et 7 représentent des vues en perspective d'une partie inférieure d'un ensemble selon l'invention, avec des moyens de centrages différents,
• la Figure 8 représente une vue schématique, en perspective, d'un ensemble de parties inférieures lors d'un transfert dans un véhicule de transport,
• les Figures 9 et 10 représentent vue en élévation d'une partie inférieure avec un moyen de levage, en positions basse et haute,
• la Figure 11 représente une vue schématique de dessus d'un dispositif selon l'invention pour le transfert entre une voiture et un véhicule individuel,
• la Figure 12 représente une vue en élévation d'une partie inférieure destinée à un assemblage de parties inférieures,
• la Figure 13 représente la partie inférieure selon la Figure 12, avec des articulations en place,
• la Figure 14 représente une vue schématique en élévation d'un véhicule pouvant faire office de brancard,
• les Figures 15 et 16 représentent des vues schématiques d'un transfert entre le brancard et une table,
• la Figure 17 représente une vue en perspective des bords latéraux de deux plaques inférieures munies de moyens d'auto-alignement et d'auto-centrage par déplacement vertical entre elles,
• la Figure 18 représente en coupe de ces bords latéraux.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, and referring to the appended drawing, in which:

• there Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an upper part and a lower part of an assembly according to the invention,
• there Figure 2 shows a profile view of these parts, in separated position
• there Figure 3 represents a view similar to the Figure 2 , in the assembled state,
• there Figure 4 represents an elevational view of these parts, in separate position,
• there Figure 5 shows an elevation view of these parts, in the assembled state,
• THE Figures 6 and 7 represent perspective views of a lower part of an assembly according to the invention, with different centering means,
• there Picture 8 represents a schematic view, in perspective, of a set of lower parts during transfer in a transport vehicle,
• THE Figures 9 and 10 represent elevation view of a lower part with a lifting means, in low and high positions,
• there Picture 11 represents a schematic top view of a device according to the invention for the transfer between a car and an individual vehicle,
• there Picture 12 shows an elevational view of a lower part intended for a lower part assembly,
• there Figure 13 represents the lower part according to the Picture 12 , with joints in place,
• there Picture 14 shows a schematic elevational view of a vehicle that can act as a stretcher,
• THE Picture 15 And 16 represent schematic views of a transfer between the stretcher and a table,
• there Figure 17 represents a perspective view of the side edges of two lower plates provided with means of self-alignment and self-centering by vertical displacement between them,
• there Picture 18 represents a cross-section of these side edges.

We refer to the Figure 1 .

The assembly according to the invention comprises an upper part of the seat 1, mobile, and a lower part of the seat 2. The upper part 1, in the form of a plate, may have padding (not shown) for the comfort of the passenger. motor handicapped sitting on it. The upper part can, optionally, have, at each corner, a hole (not shown), in which can be inserted the uprights of parts such as backrest, armrest and footrest (not shown). Under its lower surface it has two parallel sliders 4 extending between the side edges of the seat. As seen on the Figures 2 and 3 , the section of the slides 4 has an upper base 3 fixed under the plate 1, a vertical web 5 and an angle flange 6. As can be seen in the Figures 4 and 5 , the ends of the slider profiles 4 can be bevelled, to facilitate the entry of the sliders 4 into the slides 13.

The seat 1 shown has a substantially square or rectangular shape, but it is understood that it could have other shapes, for example circular or oval.

By referring to Figure 2 to 5 , we see that the plate 1 has, on its underside, four rows of six rolling balls 7. We see, in these Figures, that these balls are mounted and retained freely rotating in corresponding housings 8, from which they partly protrude downwards, these boxes being inserted and blocked in vertical cylindrical housings 9 of part 1. Such boxes with ball are commercially available, including non-magnetic materials.

By referring to the Figure 1 we see that the lower part 2 has a flat base 10 surmounted by three parallel elements, namely a central element 11 and two outer elements 12, delimiting between them two channels 13 forming two slides parallel to the sliders 4. The elements 12 have, on their internal sides, Z profiles, 14, the upper horizontal branch 15 of which partially encroaches on the channel 13 to prevent extraction from the top of the profiles 4, once inserted into the slide channels 13. The lower horizontal branch 16 is applied against the base plate 10. The respective dimensions of these parts are such that the upper part plate 1 can be lifted slightly, for example according to a clearance of 2 cm, before the lower branches 6 of the slider profiles 4 come abut against the undersides of the upper horizontal branches 15 of the profiles 14. In the housings formed in the two sides of the plate 11, horizontal flat rollers 17 rotating on vertical axes 18 have been mounted, namely five rollers 17 in as many housings for each side of element 11. A horizontal play is also possible between the plate positions in which the rollers 17 respectively come into contact with the respective vertical webs 5 of the sliders 4, this play being preferably limited to 1 cm. The lower ends of the pins 18 are fixed in the base plate 10, and the upper ends in the element parts 11, which form the upper partitions of the plate housings.

When the lower and upper parts of the assembly are inclined, for example when the front edge is at a higher level than that of the rear edge, which is the case when the seat of a seat is inclined backwards, the rollers 17 of the lowest row of rollers come to rest against the corresponding profile 4, thus limiting movement in the sagittal plane. As a variant, the horizontal rollers can be mounted in the upper part 1, for example by being mounted on the edges 6 of the slides 4, to be able to roll, with any desired horizontal clearance, against the vertical webs of the profiles 14.

It is understood that, when the lower and upper parts are substantially horizontal, all the weight of the disabled user disposed on the upper part is taken up by the balls 7, the guide members not being subjected to any significant stress. Moreover, if the balls 7 are distributed over a large part of the surface of the plate, the weight being distributed over all the balls, each ball is relatively little stressed.

In the case where the parts are inclined, one lateral side being lower than the other, the rollers 17 of one of the guides are applied against the web of the corresponding slider 4, so that the rollers and the slider are subjected to a certain force due to the weight of the user, but another part of the weight remains supported by the balls 7, the distribution of these forces depending on the angle of inclination, the rollers 17 being little stressed when this angle is weak, for example when the lower plate supporting the seat, is fixed on a slightly inclined seat, for example in a train.

Preferably the various constituents of parts 1 and 2 are made of rigid non-magnetic materials, in particular carbon. For example, the plate forming the upper part 1 and the base plate 10 can be polyester plates, and the elements 11 and 12 cut from polyester-wood-polyester composite plates. The sliders 4 and profiles 14 can be metallic or made of plastic material, the axles of the rollers being metallic or made of carbon.

Depending on the shapes that you want to give to the lower parts 2, the plate 10 can overflow on the two lateral sides, on one of the edges with a recess on the other edge, or be set back on both edges, or on the one of the edges, the other being in line with the upper elements. These overflows 19 or setbacks 20 can ensure that the two lower parts 2 are placed at the same vertical level, by being superimposed when these parts are placed end to end.

On the face of the overflows 19 looking upwards, one or two short sections of self-adhesive tape (not shown), of the Velcro type, are glued, and the same is done on the face looking down, recesses 20, so that , when two parts 2 are placed end to end, with superposition of their overflow and shrinkage 19, 20, this superposition causes the adhesion between them of these strips, and secures said parts 2 together against any attempt at separation in the direction horizontal. To separate the parts 2, it will suffice to lift the part 2 having the recess 20 concerned, from the adjacent part 2, which separates their respective strips, as is known for this type of strip.

The means for immobilizing the upper part 1 on the lower part 1 have a button 27 emerging from the plate forming the upper part in two diagonally opposite corners, and a hole 28, made opposite on the lower plate 2, so that 'in position of alignment a rod (not shown) urged downwards by a spring, comes to sink into the corresponding hole, this rod being fixed at its upper end to the button 27, so that by pulling the button towards the top we release the stem. A second diagonally opposite hole 28 in the upper surface of part 2 allows the immobilization of part 1, when part 2 is rotated 180°.

In order to ensure the centering of two lower parts placed end to end, the side edges of the lower parts 2 can comprise, preferably on the central element 11, male extensions 21, respectively female recesses 22, thus ensuring an alignment of the slides 15 of the two parts, the alignment in height being secured by the superposition of the extensions 19 and recesses 20.

These extensions 21 and recesses 22 can have various complementary shapes, as long as they allow nesting ensuring the centered alignment of two consecutive lower parts. Preferably, they have substantially rectangular shapes ( Figures 1, 6, 7 ), or trapezoidal, or triangular, which allows their nesting by horizontal displacement as well as vertical. However in a particularly preferred embodiment, shown in the Picture 8 , self-locking complementary shapes are provided, for example trapezoidal with narrow recess opening, as seen in the Picture 8 , which requires that the juxtaposition of two consecutive parts 2 is done by vertical movement, but avoids providing fastening means to secure the parts 2 together.

In the preferred embodiments, shown in the Figures 1, 6, 7 , or on the Figure 8 , the transferable seat assembly of the device according to the invention comprises at least one part 2 or 2a with two recesses 20 ( Figure 1 ), at least one part 2 or 2b with an overflow 19 on one side and a recess 20 on the other ( Figure 6 ), and optionally, but preferably, at least one part 2, 2c ( Picture 9 ) with a recess 20, on one side, the other having neither overflow nor recess.

We refer to Fig 8.

This Figure shows three airplane seats 23, 24, 25 in a row, as well as a wheelchair 26 dedicated to the transfer of a passenger in the airplane, the height of the chair 26 being generally identical to that of airplane seats. There is also shown with regard to the armchair and the corresponding seats, the lower parts 2a, 2b, and 2c seen from above. For convenience of drawing the seats are spaced from each other, but it should be understood that in reality they are adjacent. If the seat intended for the physically handicapped passenger is seat 23, on the aisle side of the aircraft, an assistant places a lower part 2b on seat 23, which he fixes to the seat, for example by straps (not shown). If the intended seat is the central seat 24, it fixes a second lower part 2b thereto. If the seat intended is the seat 25 on the window side, it places and fixes a part 2c on it, the parts 2 concerned being centered in their positions by the fitting of the extensions and recesses 21, 22 concerned (this fitting is not not visible on the Figure 8 , the seats being shown separated). The superposition of the overhangs and recesses 19, 20 concerned ensures maintenance at the same vertical level.

• si la place du passager handicapé est le siège 25, coté hublot, il met en place la partie 2c sur le siège 25 ; il met ensuite en place une partie 2b sur le siège 24, en amenant son retrait trapézoïdal 22 autour du prolongement 21 correspondant de la partie 2c par un léger basculement ou descente; il met ensuite en place une autre partie 2b sur le fauteuil 23, en procédant comme précédemment.
• si la place du passager est le siège central 24, il omet le siège 25 et pose une partie 2b ou 2c sur le siège 24; puis il met en place l'autre partie 2b sur le siège 23, comme précédemment ;
• si la place du passager est le siège 23 coté couloir, il pose directement une partie 2b ou 2c sur le fauteuil 23 ;
• le passager arrive sur un fauteuil roulant dédié 26, assis sur la partie supérieure 1 (non représentée) montée sur la partie inférieure 2a solidaire du fauteuil 26, l'assistant immobilisant le fauteuil 26 dans une position relativement précise à côté du siège 23, de préférence à l'aide de marques ou repères (non représentés) ; il pose alors la partie 2b sur le fauteuil 23, en inclinant la partie 2b pour amener son bord coté couloir à un niveau inférieur à celui du retrait 20 correspondant de la partie 2a , après quoi il ramène la partie 2b en position horizontale, en assurant l'entrée, par le bas, de son prolongement 21 dans le renfoncement 22 de la partie 2a jusqu'à ce que le débordement 19 de la partie 2b bute contre le rebord 20 correspondant de la partie 2a, cette opération étant facilitée par la possibilité de déplacer de quelques centimètres la partie 2b sur le siège 23, étant entendu que, si des parties 2b ou 2c sont présentes sur les sièges 24, ou 24 et 25, ces parties peuvent suivre le léger déplacement de la partie 2b du fauteuil 23, grâce aux liaisons par les prolongements et retraits 21, 22.

Preferably, these operations are carried out in the following order:

• if the place of the disabled passenger is seat 25, on the window side, he sets up part 2c on seat 25; he then sets up a part 2b on the seat 24, bringing its trapezoidal recess 22 around the extension 21 corresponding to the part 2c by a slight tilting or descent; he then sets up another part 2b on the chair 23, proceeding as before.
• if the passenger's place is the central seat 24, he omits the seat 25 and puts a part 2b or 2c on the seat 24; then he sets up the other part 2b on the seat 23, as before;
• if the passenger seat is the seat 23 on the aisle side, he directly places a part 2b or 2c on the chair 23;
• the passenger arrives on a dedicated wheelchair 26, seated on the upper part 1 (not shown) mounted on the lower part 2a secured to the chair 26, the assistant immobilizing the chair 26 in a relatively precise position next to the seat 23, preferably using marks or markers (not shown); he then places part 2b on the chair 23, tilting part 2b to bring its edge on the corridor side to a level lower than that of the corresponding recess 20 of part 2a, after which he brings part 2b back into a horizontal position, ensuring the entry, from below, of its extension 21 into the recess 22 of part 2a until the overflow 19 of part 2b abuts against the corresponding rim 20 of part 2a, this operation being facilitated by the possibility of moving the part 2b on the seat 23 by a few centimeters, it being understood that, if parts 2b or 2c are present on the seats 24, or 24 and 25, these parts can follow the slight movement of part 2b of the chair 23, thanks to the connections by the extensions and withdrawals 21, 22.

The assistant can then easily push the upper part 1, on which the passenger is seated, towards the part 2b of the seat 23, then towards the others, if necessary, if necessary by manually preventing the immobilization by snap-fastening of the upper part on the intermediate lower part or parts, the snap-fastening then immobilizing the upper part on the final lower part. He can then, after having possibly moved the wheelchair, fix the lower part having received the upper part, on the final seat, for example by fixing the self-adhesive strips of this part on the fabric of the seat; then, after having removed, if necessary, the intermediate lower part or parts, he can leave with the chair 26.

On arrival at destination, after having, if necessary, placed the intermediate part or parts 2b, he proceeds to the transfer in the opposite direction to a dedicated wheelchair 26.

In general, the rigidity of airplane seat bases is sufficient for the lower part 2 under a passenger of normal weight to descend, under the effect of the sagging of the seat, by a distance recoverable by the vertical clearance between parts 1 and 2.

In the case of differences in height between vehicles or seats, it is possible to place under the lower part concerned a lifting means, preferably of small thickness in the lowered state. We see, on the Figures 9 and 10 , a lower part 2', for example provided with two rows of rollers 29 on which an upper seat part (devoid of balls), guided by a slider and slide (not shown), can roll. Between the frame 30 of the chair and the lower part 2 'is fixed a lifting device 31, of the jack type with endless screw 32 and levers 33, of a usual type, provided with a crank 34 allowing the raising or lowering of the plate attached to the jack. Preferably, the thickness of such a jack, in the stowed position, does not exceed 5 cm. Such lifting means can also be provided under each lower part represented for example on the Figure 8 , to allow alignment of the lower parts even when the passenger seat, in the plane or train, sags significantly under the weight of the passenger.

We now refer to the Picture 11 .

The device according to the invention may also comprise, preferably in one or more fixed locations, for example parking or serving station cars or airport, a transfer device having a folding seat 35 movable between a position close to the seat 36 of the disabled passenger, for example in a car or a taxi 37, and a close position next to a vehicle 38 for the physically handicapped, by example a scooter or wheelchair, in particular a non-magnetic chair or a chair, such as 26 dedicated to the transfer to the inside of a train or plane. The folding seat 35, which can be motorized or manually movable, is preferably guided by guide means, for example rails 39 placed or fixed on the ground, and whose direction is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the car 37. Furthermore, the folding seat has lifting means (not shown) making it possible to adapt the level of its seat, at the level of the automobile seat as well as that of the vehicle, for example a lifting means such as described on the Picture 10 . Such devices are described in the application for patent WO 2015025038 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Preferably, the folding seat 35 carries a lower part according to the invention, for example of type 2c (not seen in the figure), which can be brought next to a lower part 2 according to the invention, for example of type 2a or 2b carried by the vehicle 38. It is thus possible to bring an upper seat part 1 located on the jump seat, up to the immediate vicinity of the seat 36 of the car or taxi, the transfer between the seat and said part 1 being carried out manually .

The operation is as follows:
After the car has arrived in the correct position, and the door 40 has been opened, the folding seat 35 is brought close to the seat 36, in the position of the Picture 11 , then the vertical level is adjusted to that of the seat; the traveler then transfers himself, by his own strength, or with the help of an assistant, to part 1 carried by the folding seat; the folding seat is then moved on its guides 39, to the side of the vehicle 38, then its vertical level is modified, if necessary, to that of part 2 of the vehicle. In the case of self-locking extensions and withdrawals 21, 22, it is preferable that the lower part 2 carried by the individual vehicle 38 is not yet fixed, allowing an assistant to put it in a good position centered with respect to the lower part, such as 2c, of the folding seat 35; the seat part 1 is then transferred to the lower part 2 carried by the vehicle 38, then the vertical level of the folding seat is modified to release the respective centering means, such as 19 and 20, of the vehicle and of the folding seat; the door 40 can then be closed, and the vehicle 38 can move towards another destination.

If, car 37 having left, a new car is expected with a disabled passenger, an assistant then places a new upper part 1 on the lower part 2 of the jump seat.

On the way back, the transfers are carried out in the reverse order.

The device shown in the Picture 11 can also be used for transfers between wheelchairs or personal scooters of the passenger, non-magnetic vehicles, and dedicated vehicles.

We refer to Figures 12 to 17 .

The sets of upper parts 1 and lower parts 2 can also be used in the form of assemblies including a plurality of upper parts 1 assembled together to be transferred between assemblies of lower parts 2.

In the example shown, the device according to the invention is intended to transfer a person between a vehicle on which the person can be seated and a table, for example a medical examination or imaging table.

We have represented, on the Figures 12 and 13 , a lower part 2", similar to part 2, but each of the two elements 12 of which has two parallel cylindrical horizontal recesses 41 opening respectively on the front edge of the front element 12, and rear of the rear element 12. In these recesses 41 can be inserted, preferably, in a sliding manner, one of the two rods 42 of a hinge 43, so that two lower parts 2" adjacent in the sagittal plane can pivot one with respect to the other. Preferably, the joints 43 are provided with means for locking the angle between their two rods 42, according to the desired angular position.

On the Picture 14 there is shown a vehicle 44 that can act as a chair and a stretcher for transporting patients. This vehicle has a base carriage 45 (schematically represented), supporting, by means of jack-jointed lifting arms 46, a central lower part 2" on the front and rear edges of which are jointed, by joints 43, two other 2" parts, one in the backrest position, the other in the leg support position. If the three parts 2" are brought into a horizontal position, a stretcher position is obtained. On each lower part 1" is mounted a corresponding upper part 1", the transported person resting on them.

To transfer this person to an imaging device table 47, three 2" lower parts are placed on the table, preferably interconnected, and having between them the same spacing as that of the 2" parts of the vehicle 44 when they are in a horizontal stretcher position.

The vehicle 44 is brought next to the table 47 and, if necessary, its vertical level is adjusted thanks to the lifting means of the carriage 45, so as to center each part 2" of the vehicle with respect to the part 2 "corresponding, it suffices to push the set of three upper parts 1", supporting the patient, towards the table, to bring them onto the corresponding lower parts 2" arranged on the table 47, after which the vehicle 44 can be moved, if necessary ( Picture 15 And 16 ). The centering between the 2" parts of the vehicle and those of the table can be preset, or it is possible, after having brought the vehicle next to the table, to place on the table, and center manually, each 2" part with respect to the corresponding 2" part of the vehicle. The entire transfer can be carried out by a single assistant, without significant physical effort.

In the embodiment of the Picture 14 the end parts or plates are very inclined, and one of their rows of rollers 17 supports a significant proportion of the applied weight. However, most of the weight of the disabled person is supported by the 1" and 2" horizontal parts in the middle, so the stresses on the guides of the inclined parts remain modest.

We refer to Figures 17 and 18 .

In this embodiment, the means for centering the lower parts 2 are arranged to allow centering and alignment directly by vertical displacement of one part 2a with respect to the other, by relative vertical displacement between them until the arrival at the same vertical level. The side edge of one of the plates has an extension 48, of reduced thickness having a relief in the form of a roof with four inclined sides 49, oriented upwards while the edge of the other lower part 2b has a rim 50 having a recess 51 of complementary four-sided shape facing downwards. The lower parts are first brought almost end to end, but at different vertical levels, part 2a being the lowest, leaving a possibility of relative play between the parts in the horizontal plane. When the part 2a is then lifted vertically towards the overlying part 2b, the top of the relief 49 can easily enter the mouth of the recess 51, and the continuation of the rise finally causes a centering and a alignment of the two parts 2a, 2b. even if they had, at the start, angular and horizontal positions slightly shifted in the horizontal plane.

On the Picture 18 , part 2a has two extensions 48, and part 2b has two flanges 50 with their two recesses, arranged each time on either side of a central slider guide 52 with a dovetail section, but it is understood that a single extension is sufficient, preferably central in the manner represented under the reference 12 on the Figure 1 and cooperating with a single rim of the other lower part. It is also understood that this extension can cooperate with recesses 22 of other lower parts for centering without vertical movement, as described on the Figures 1 to 8 .

Such centering means can be particularly indicated when using a transfer device with a vertically movable folding seat, as in the Picture 11 .

Claims (14)

1. Transfer device for the motor handicapped, comprising a transferable seat assembly for the motor handicapped, in particular a passenger, comprising

   at least one movable, transferable, possibly upholstered, horizontally movable upper part or seat proper (1, 1") on which the user sits, having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges,

   at least two fixed lower parts (2, 2', 2") fixable respectively to the seats or supports (23, 24, 25, 26, 38, 44, 47) between which the transfer is to be provided, said lower parts (2, 2', 2") each having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, and comprising, on their upper face, guiding means (13, 17) for the displacement of the upper part (1, 1") thereon essentially in a direction substantially perpendicular to said side edges, and thus to the sagittal plane of the passenger sitting on said transferable upper part (1, 1"), said guide means (13, 17) cooperating with complementary guide means (4) presented by the lower face of said upper part (1, 1"),

   characterised in that:

   - said guiding means allow for play in both the vertical and transverse directions,

   - one of the upper or lower parts has rolling means (7) distributed over its surface outside the guide means, allowing the seat to roll horizontally with respect to the said lower part and supporting the weight of the seat (1, 1"), so that, when the parts (1, 1", 2, 2', 2") are in a horizontal or slightly inclined position, the guide formed by the said guide means (13, 17) is only slightly or not at all stressed by the weight of the user, and

   - said lower parts (2, 2', 2") are plate-shaped.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said rolling means are balls (7) allowing the horizontal rolling of the seat with respect to said lower part.
3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that said running means are substantially distributed over the entire surface of the supporting part, outside said guide means (4, 1, 17).
4. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it has, between the guide means (17) and the complementary guide means (4), a clearance in the vertical plane or in the horizontal plane, in particular not exceeding 2 cm in the vertical direction and 1 cm in the horizontal plane.
5. A device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said guide means comprise rollers (17) of substantially horizontal axis cooperating with a complementary slide element.
6. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that one of the parts comprises the rolling members (7), the part opposite having three parallel plane elements, namely a central element (11) and two outer elements (12), delimiting between them two channels (13) receiving guide means (13, 17), said part comprising the rolling members having two complementary guide means (4).
7. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said lower parts (2, 2', 2") comprising, respectively, complementary alignment and centring means (19, 20, 21, 22) disposed on at least one of their lateral edges substantially ensuring an alignment of their guiding means when their lateral edges are disposed substantially side by side, thus allowing a lateral displacement of said upper part (1, 1") between said lower parts (2, 2', 2").
8. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that the respectively complementary means for aligning and centring the fixed lower parts disposed on at least one of their lateral edges, have respectively complementary shapes allowing their edges to be disposed in a substantially precise position when brought into adjacent positions.
9. A device according to one the of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that at least one of said lower parts has means for quick attachment to a transport vehicle seat.
10. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the lower parts comprise releasable fastening means, enabling two lower parts placed end to end to be connected together.
11. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that it comprises at least one thin lifting means (31) and/or at least one raising element, inserted between a seat and the lower part concerned.
12. A device according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that it comprises at least one set of upper parts (1") and at least two sets of lower parts (2") including a plurality of upper parts 1 assembled together for transfer between assemblies of lower parts (2").
13. A device according to claim 12, characterised in that the parts of at least one assembly are connected to each other at their front and/or rear edges by joints (43).
14. Use of a device according to one of claims 1 to 13 for the transfer of a person, in particular a motor disabled traveller, or patient, between a transport vehicle passenger seat (23, 24, 25) and/or a wheelchair undetectable by safety detection means, and/or an individual disabled passenger vehicle seat (26) dedicated to transport between the interior and exterior of a transport vehicle.

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