EP3622932A1 - Fauteuil roulant, en particulier fauteuil roulant comprenant une structure de siège ajustable en hauteur - Google Patents

Fauteuil roulant, en particulier fauteuil roulant comprenant une structure de siège ajustable en hauteur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3622932A1
EP3622932A1 EP18194661.7A EP18194661A EP3622932A1 EP 3622932 A1 EP3622932 A1 EP 3622932A1 EP 18194661 A EP18194661 A EP 18194661A EP 3622932 A1 EP3622932 A1 EP 3622932A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheelchair
central support
seat
cross
frame
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP18194661.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Andre FANGUEIRO
Christoph Keller
Kaya YAYKIRAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Invacare International GmbH
Original Assignee
Invacare International GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Invacare International GmbH filed Critical Invacare International GmbH
Priority to EP18194661.7A priority Critical patent/EP3622932A1/fr
Publication of EP3622932A1 publication Critical patent/EP3622932A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1056—Arrangements for adjusting the seat
    • A61G5/1059—Arrangements for adjusting the seat adjusting the height of the seat
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/12—Rests specially adapted therefor, e.g. for the head or the feet
    • A61G5/128—Rests specially adapted therefor, e.g. for the head or the feet for feet

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to wheelchairs, and in particular to wheelchairs of the type comprising a central support structure supporting a seat structure.
  • German Utility Model Publication No. DE 297 05 494 U1 discloses a wheelchair comprising a seat portion, including a seat structure, a foot portion, a pair of rear wheels, and a wheelchair frame extending between the seat potion and the foot portion.
  • the wheelchair frame of this known wheelchair basically consists of a cross-member, the two ends of which are coupled to the rear wheels, a pair of side frame members extending on each side of the wheelchair frame from the two ends of the cross-member to the foot portion, and a central support structure located on a middle portion of the cross-member, which central support structure supports the seat structure.
  • the central support structure comprises a cylindrical seat post that is secured to the cross-member and a hollow cylindrical seat tube that is secured to an underside of the seat structure and mounted onto the seat post.
  • a pair of bolts running through mounting holes formed in the seat post and the seat tube is further provided to secure the seat tube onto the seat post at a given position among a plurality of predefined seating height positions.
  • a fundamental drawback and weakness of this wheelchair configuration resides in the fact that the entirety of the load exerted onto the seat structure is borne by the aforementioned seat tube/seat post arrangement, with the pair of bolts carrying most of the load, quickly leading to mechanical failures due to the inherent shearing forces applied on the bolts. Furthermore, with this wheelchair configuration, the load is transferred from the central support structure to the cross-member alone, which may lead to potential weaknesses in terms of frame robustness.
  • a general aim of the invention is to provide such a wheelchair of the type comprising a central support structure supporting a seat structure that is adapted to optimally cope with the load exerted onto the seat structure.
  • Yet another aim of the invention is to provide a wheelchair of the aforementioned type that is of robust construction.
  • a further aim of the invention is to provide a wheelchair of the aforementioned type that ensures proper and adequate load transfer from the seat structure, to the central support structure, and to the wheelchair frame.
  • Still another aim of the invention is to provide a wheelchair of the aforementioned type where a seating height of the seat structure can be adjusted, without compromising load transfer or robustness of the central support structure.
  • a wheelchair comprising a seat portion, including a seat structure, a foot portion, a pair of wheels, and a wheelchair frame extending between the seat portion and the foot portion.
  • the wheelchair frame comprises a cross-member having first and second ends coupled to the wheels, first and second side frame members extending on each side of the wheelchair frame from the first end, respectively second end, of the cross-member to the foot portion, and a central support structure located on a middle portion of the cross-member, which central support structure supports the seat structure.
  • the wheelchair frame further comprises a linking structure extending from the middle portion of the cross-member to each one the first and second side frame members, at the foot portion.
  • the linking structure includes a first arm extending from the middle portion of the cross-member to an end of the first side frame member and a second arm extending from the middle portion of the cross-member to an end of the second side frame member.
  • each one of the first and second side frame members exhibits an L-shaped profile with a rearward section extending mainly horizontally from the first end, respectively second end, of the cross-member and a forward section extending mainly vertically from the foot portion, and the linking structure extends obliquely from the middle portion of the cross-member to the foot portion.
  • the linking structure may advantageously further bear a pair of caster wheels located in a vicinity of the foot portion.
  • cross-member and linking structure together form an X-shaped frame assembly.
  • the central support structure may in particular comprise a central support member secured to the middle portion of the cross-member, and preferably forming an integral part with the cross-member, and a seat post secured to the seat structure and mounted onto the central support member.
  • the seat post can especially include a shoulder portion providing support for load transfer to the central support member.
  • a wheelchair comprising a seat portion, including a seat structure, a pair of wheels, and a wheelchair frame.
  • the wheelchair frame comprises a cross-member having first and second ends coupled to the wheels, and a central support structure located on a middle portion of the cross-member, which central support structure supports the seat structure.
  • the central support structure comprises a central support member secured to the middle portion of the cross-member and a seat post secured to the seat structure and mounted onto the central support member, the seat post including a shoulder portion providing support for load transfer to the central support member.
  • the aforementioned central support structure includes a clamping mechanism designed to selectively clamp the seat post onto the central support member, and a spacer interposed between the central support member and the seat post.
  • the provision of the spacer allows adjustment of a seating height of the seat structure if need be.
  • the central support member may in particular comprise a mounting hole dimensioned to receive an engaging section of the seat post.
  • the clamping mechanism includes a clamping collar encircling a portion of an upper section of the central support member and a corresponding portion of the engaging section received inside the mounting hole.
  • the upper section of the central support member may advantageously comprise at least one radial slit allowing elastic deformation of the upper section under the action of the clamping collar.
  • the spacer may furthermore be located around the upper section of the central support member and comes in abutment against the shoulder portion of the seat post.
  • the central support structure further comprises a seat base secured to an upper portion of the seat post and to an underside of a seat of the seat structure.
  • the wheelchair frame is made, at least in part, of composite materials, especially composite materials containing graphene.
  • FIGS 1A to 1G are multiple views taken from different perspectives of a first embodiment of a wheelchair, designated globally by reference numeral 1, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention.
  • the wheelchair 1 essentially comprises a seat portion 5, including a seat structure 50, a foot portion 6, a pair of rear wheels 3, and a wheelchair frame 2 extending between the seat portion 5 and the foot portion 6.
  • the wheelchair 1 further comprises a pair of front caster wheels 4 that are each supported onto the wheelchair frame 2 by a fork element 40.
  • the foot portion 6 includes in this example a U-shaped foot rest member 65 coupled to a front-end of the wheelchair frame 2, which foot rest member 65 carries a foot rest 60 that extends rearward from the foot rest member 65.
  • Other foot rest configurations could however be contemplated.
  • the seat structure 50 is preferably made of one lightweight piece integrating a backrest and seat, as well as clothing guards as shown, it being understood that the seat portion 5 would typically further include seat and backrest cushions or padding (not shown in Figures 1A-G ) to improve comfort for the wheelchair user (see e.g. the other embodiment shown in Figure 7 ).
  • the seat structure could in essence include further elements and/or exhibit a more complex shape, as for instance illustrated in Figures 6A-6F which show another example of an integral seat structure 50* including not only a backrest 50a and a seat 50b, but also clothing and mud guards 50c shaped to cover an upper portion of the rear wheels 3 (see also Figure 7 ).
  • a pair of push handles 51 are further provided on a rear portion of the seat structure 50, resp. 50*.
  • Figures 2A to 2F are multiple views taken from different perspectives of the wheelchair frame 2 of the wheelchair 1 of Figures 1A-G
  • Figures 3A to 3F are multiple views of an X-shaped frame assembly forming a distinctive part of the wheelchair frame 2.
  • the wheelchair frame 2 comprises, as shown, a cross-member 27/28 having first and second ends coupled to the rear wheels 3, first and second side frame members 21, 22 extending on each side of the wheelchair frame 2 from the first end, respectively second end, of the cross-member 27/28 to the foot portion 6, and a central support structure 25/250/500 located on a middle portion of the cross-member 27/28, which central support structure 25/250/500 supports the seat structure 50.
  • the wheelchair frame 2 further comprises a linking structure 23/24 extending from the middle portion of the cross-member 27/28 to each one the first and second side frame members 21, 22, at the foot portion 6.
  • the cross-member 27/28 and the linking structure 23/24 together form an X-shaped frame assembly, which constitutes a visually-striking and very distinctive feature of the wheelchair 1 of this first embodiment.
  • the overall structure and configuration of this X-shaped frame assembly is more clearly apparent from the illustrations of Figures 3A to 3F .
  • the cross-member 27/28 comprises first and second cross-member elements 27, 28 that extend rearward from the central support structure 25/250/500 to connect to the rear wheels 3.
  • An outer end of each cross-member element 27, 28 is designed to form a wheel hub for connection to the rear wheels.
  • the cross-member elements 27, 28 form an integral part with a central support member 25 of the central support structure 25/250/500, which central support member 25 extends upwards from the middle portion of the cross-member 27/28.
  • the linking structure 23/24 preferably includes, as shown, a first arm 23 extending from the middle portion of the cross-member 27/28 to an end 21a of the first side frame member 21 and a second arm 24 extending from the middle portion of the cross-member 27/28 to an end 22a of the second side frame member 22.
  • end sections 23a, 24a of the first and second arms 23, 24 are further designed to act as supports for the front caster wheel assemblies 4/40.
  • the aforementioned foot rest member 65 carrying the foot rest 60 is also connected to a lower portion of the end sections 23a, 24a.
  • each one of the first and second side frame members 21, 22 exhibits an L-shaped profile (when seen from the side) with a rearward section extending mainly horizontally from the first end, respectively second end, of the cross-member 27/28 and a forward section extending mainly vertically from the foot portion 6.
  • the linking structure 23/24 extends obliquely from the middle portion of the cross-member 27/28 to the foot portion 6. This leads to a structurally very robust wheelchair frame configuration, the linking structure 23/24 ensuring proper distribution and transfer of the load.
  • this structure comprises the aforementioned central support member 25 that is secured to the middle portion of the cross-member 27/28 (and that preferably forms an integral part with the cross-member 27/28), and a seat post 250 secured to the seat structure 50 and mounted onto the central support member 25.
  • the central support structure 25/250/500 preferably further comprises a seat base 500 that is secured to an upper portion of the seat post 250 and to an underside of the seat of the seat structure 50 (see also Figures 6B-F where the seat base 500 is shown located on the underside of the seat 50b of the seat structure 50*).
  • the seat post 250 advantageously includes a shoulder portion 250b providing support for load transfer to the central support member 25 (see especially Figures 4C , 4D and 5 )
  • the central support structure 25/250/500 includes a clamping mechanism 510 designed to selectively clamp the seat post 250 onto the central support member 25, and a spacer 520 interposed between the central support member 25 and the seat post 250.
  • the spacer 520 may in particular be disposed so as to come in abutment against the aforementioned shoulder portion 250b of the seat post 250.
  • Figures 4A to 4E are partial cutaway views of the central support structure 25/250/500 of the wheelchair of Figures 1A-G
  • Figure 5 is a cutaway view of the seat post 250 forming part of the central support structure 25/250/500.
  • the seat post 250 is shown in Figures 4A-E and 5 with a portion thereof removed for the purpose of illustration. It should however be understood that the seat post 250 actually exhibits a circularly-closed configuration.
  • the central support member 25 preferably comprises a mounting hole 25A (see also Figures 3A-E ) dimensioned to receive an engaging section 250a of the seat post 250 (see also Figure 5 ).
  • the clamping mechanism 510 includes a clamping collar 515 encircling a portion of an upper section 25a of the central support member 25 and a corresponding portion of the engaging section 250a received inside the mounting hole 25A.
  • the upper section 25a of the central support member 25 is provided with at least one, here two radial slits 25B (see Figures 3A-C and 3E ).
  • the spacer 520 is here advantageously located around the upper section 25a of the central support member 25 and comes in abutment against the shoulder portion 250b of the seat post 250. In the illustrated example, the spacer 520 further bears against another shoulder portion formed by the clamping collar 515 itself, which in turn transfers the load to a corresponding shoulder portion of the central support member 25.
  • the wheelchair frame of the invention is made, at least in part, of composite materials, especially composite materials containing graphene.
  • composite materials especially composite materials containing graphene.
  • other materials could be contemplated, especially lightweight material like aluminium, magnesium, titanium, or alloys thereof.
  • Figures 7 and 8 show another possible embodiment of a wheelchair 1* in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, which wheelchair 1* essentially comprises a seat portion 5*, including a seat structure 50* (as for instance shown in Figures 6A-F ), a foot portion 6* with a foot rest 60, a pair of rear wheels 3, a wheelchair frame 2* extending between the seat portion 5* and the foot portion 6*, and a pair of front caster wheels 4 that are each supported onto the wheelchair frame 2*.
  • a seat portion 5* including a seat structure 50* (as for instance shown in Figures 6A-F ), a foot portion 6* with a foot rest 60, a pair of rear wheels 3, a wheelchair frame 2* extending between the seat portion 5* and the foot portion 6*, and a pair of front caster wheels 4 that are each supported onto the wheelchair frame 2*.
  • the wheelchair frame 2* essentially consists of a cross-member 27*/28* and two side frame members 21*, 22* similar to the cross-member 27/28 and side frame members 21, 22, except that no linking structure 23/24 is provided.
  • the two side frame members 21*, 22* are joined at the foot portion 6*, and could be made of a single piece.
  • the cross-member 27*/28* may likewise support a central support structure 25/250/500 as discussed above to support the seat structure 50*.
  • central support structure 25/250/500 discussed above includes a central support member 25 comprising a mounting hole 25A dimensioned to receive an engaging section 250a of the seat post 250, the structure could be reversed, with the seat post comprising a mounting hole dimensioned to receive an engaging section rising up from the central support member.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)
  • Carriages For Children, Sleds, And Other Hand-Operated Vehicles (AREA)
EP18194661.7A 2018-09-14 2018-09-14 Fauteuil roulant, en particulier fauteuil roulant comprenant une structure de siège ajustable en hauteur Withdrawn EP3622932A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18194661.7A EP3622932A1 (fr) 2018-09-14 2018-09-14 Fauteuil roulant, en particulier fauteuil roulant comprenant une structure de siège ajustable en hauteur

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18194661.7A EP3622932A1 (fr) 2018-09-14 2018-09-14 Fauteuil roulant, en particulier fauteuil roulant comprenant une structure de siège ajustable en hauteur

Publications (1)

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EP3622932A1 true EP3622932A1 (fr) 2020-03-18

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EP18194661.7A Withdrawn EP3622932A1 (fr) 2018-09-14 2018-09-14 Fauteuil roulant, en particulier fauteuil roulant comprenant une structure de siège ajustable en hauteur

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Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2182633A (en) * 1985-11-06 1987-05-20 James Ind Ltd Invalid hoists
EP0338689A2 (fr) * 1988-03-30 1989-10-25 Alan Salisbury Lamburn Chariot
US5301964A (en) * 1993-03-29 1994-04-12 Papac James B Wheelchair
DE29705494U1 (de) 1997-03-26 1997-05-22 Meyra Wilhelm Meyer Gmbh & Co Sport-Rollstuhl
US6412804B1 (en) * 1997-05-30 2002-07-02 M. Yves Dignat Wheelchair with improved suspension
US20070216131A1 (en) * 2006-03-14 2007-09-20 Revab B.V. Office chair
WO2008047261A2 (fr) 2006-09-18 2008-04-24 Invacare International Sarl Dispositif de support pour fauteuil roulant
US20130300083A1 (en) * 2012-05-10 2013-11-14 Jaimie Borisoff Wheelchair and frame for a wheelchair
US20160287457A1 (en) * 2015-03-30 2016-10-06 Christopher Miranda Elevating wheelchair
US20180250179A1 (en) * 2017-03-02 2018-09-06 Travelsys4u Ltd. Motor-driven chair steered by seat rotation

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2182633A (en) * 1985-11-06 1987-05-20 James Ind Ltd Invalid hoists
EP0338689A2 (fr) * 1988-03-30 1989-10-25 Alan Salisbury Lamburn Chariot
US5301964A (en) * 1993-03-29 1994-04-12 Papac James B Wheelchair
DE29705494U1 (de) 1997-03-26 1997-05-22 Meyra Wilhelm Meyer Gmbh & Co Sport-Rollstuhl
US6412804B1 (en) * 1997-05-30 2002-07-02 M. Yves Dignat Wheelchair with improved suspension
US20070216131A1 (en) * 2006-03-14 2007-09-20 Revab B.V. Office chair
WO2008047261A2 (fr) 2006-09-18 2008-04-24 Invacare International Sarl Dispositif de support pour fauteuil roulant
US20130300083A1 (en) * 2012-05-10 2013-11-14 Jaimie Borisoff Wheelchair and frame for a wheelchair
US20160287457A1 (en) * 2015-03-30 2016-10-06 Christopher Miranda Elevating wheelchair
US20180250179A1 (en) * 2017-03-02 2018-09-06 Travelsys4u Ltd. Motor-driven chair steered by seat rotation

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