ES2944595T3 - Wheelchair for difficult roads - Google Patents

Abstract

Wheelchair for difficult paths, such as mountaineering and mountaineering or climbing, with a seat (1) carried by a series of wheels (2,3,4), and which has two rear wheels (4) inclined, arranged behind of the seat (1), and converging in its upper rear part, a front longitudinal extension (5) that supports: a handlebar (6) fixed in a position facing the seat (1) and a front wheel (3) arranged in front of the seat and with crazy twist.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Wheelchair for difficult roads

TECHNIQUE SECTOR

The present invention refers to a wheelchair for travel on paths that are not very practicable, for example, in mountaineering. Therefore, it can be used by people with reduced mobility in the lower body, whether they suffer from paralysis of the lower extremities, loss of limbs or injuries of any kind.

It is applicable in the field of adapted sports, for roads where a traditional wheelchair or other type of adapted vehicle cannot circulate. To facilitate mobility and sports practice or the enjoyment of leisure activities in nature.

STATE OF THE ART

People with some type of lower body injury, especially if their severity requires them to use a wheelchair, are limited in their movement to places where the chair can pass. However, the development of various types of sports adapted for people with disabilities has exponentially increased their possibilities. There are already high-performance chairs on the market for short or long races, for long journeys, etc. On flat and paved terrain. However, in natural environments, slopes, mountains, jungle or snow with high slopes and rocky or cobbled terrain, there is no chair that facilitates mobility and those that exist are still limited by the need for a path with the conditions of width, firmness of the ground and slope that allows them to climb.

If the athlete wishes to carry out some type of ascent or route that does not meet the conditions, he needs a wheelchair that can be used on roads that are not very practicable and that has aid elements to allow movement by his own means, or perhaps with the minimum of assistance in the preparation of the path.

The applicant is not aware of any wheelchair similar to the invention, which allows movement on almost any path (including rock and slope) adapted to people without mobility problems. That is, it is independent of the slope and the conditions of the pavement.

Document US5624128 describes a wheelchair for rough roads with a series of wheels.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a wheelchair that can be used on difficult paths, such as mountaineering, according to the claims. It allows progress on slopes and is mainly intended for people with reduced mobility in the lower body.

The chair is designed to be used on very narrow paths, with a steep slope (up to 60%) or with many stones. This type of path is not accessible or practicable for other types of wheelchairs or for "handbikes". Therefore, the chair of the invention increases the autonomy of people with reduced mobility.

The chair has a seat carried by a series of wheels, as usual, but these wheels are arranged differently. It has two inclined rear wheels, arranged behind the seat, and which converge at its upper rear part. That is, they are not parallel and their closest point is in the rear and upper area of the wheels. So that it can enter very narrow paths and as a point of support in the ascent between rocks and stones. In addition, a front longitudinal extension is arranged in front of the seat which supports a front wheel, with idle turning. In this way, a three-point support is formed, which is very stable. Since the front wheel rotates wildly, its size will preferably be reduced so that it does not deform the support area of the assembly too much.

The extension also features a fixed handlebar in a position facing the seat. That can be used to include optional accessories, such as spotlights, inclination sensors (longitudinal and/or transversal), water bottles, brake buttons for the front wheel, etc.

The chair also has a push wheel on each side of the seat, generally parallel, for self-propulsion, and preferably removable. More preferably, its lower part will be in a lower plane than the rear wheels.

Preferably, the extension supports brackets for fixing the user's feet.

In a more preferred embodiment, the extension supports an attachment for a cable, rope, or the like, which allows the user to progress over difficult terrain with climbing-like techniques without the need for traditional push wheels. The cable can be collected in a drum or vacuum.

Other variants will be discussed at other points in memory.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A series of figures is presented to facilitate the understanding of the invention:

Figure 1: schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 2: Top view of the schematic of a second embodiment.

MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is briefly described below, as an illustrative and non-limiting example thereof.

The chair of the embodiment shown in the figures comprises a seat (1), preferably narrow and with a harness or safety belt, carried by a series of wheels (2,3,4) that are classified into several types:

- Two thrust wheels (2) generally parallel and approximately vertical, arranged on both sides of the seat (1). They correspond to the wheels of traditional self-propelled wheelchairs. Ideally they will be removable in order to reduce the effective width of the chair.

- A front wheel (3), arranged in front of the seat (1), in a frontal extension (5). This front wheel (3) will preferably rotate loosely on a vertical axis to be able to orient itself in any direction. A speed limiter may be included. orientation angle that locks the front wheel (5) in position or that limits the possible orientations to a precise angle.

- Two inclined rear wheels (4), arranged behind the seat (1). The rear wheels (4) have a double inclination to converge to their upper rear part. That is to say, on the one hand, they converge at the top (the upper area of both rear wheels (4) is closer to the longitudinal axis of the chair than the lower area), and on the other hand, they converge at the rear (the rear end of the horizontal diameter of the rear wheels (4) is closer to the longitudinal axis of the chair than the front end).

The rear wheels (4) will be higher than the push wheels (2), so that they only touch the ground if the chair is tilted backwards or if the push wheels (2) have been removed. Thus, in the second situation, they will lower the center of gravity of the assembly to increase stability. If desired, the rear wheels (4), or any other wheel (2,3,4) or axle, will have suspension or damping equipment.

The extension (5) of this embodiment can be seen especially in figure 1. It consists of a horizontal profile attached to the lower part of the seat (1) and finished off at the front wheel (3). A fixed handlebar (6) emerges from the profile, which will be arranged at a point that is easy to reach for the user of the chair. It is used for the person with reduced mobility to support their arms and have a comfortable posture.

An inclination sensor (gyroscope, accelerometer, spirit level,...) can be placed on this handlebar (6) which allows the user to know the inclination of the chair in the longitudinal and transversal axes and therefore the risk of tipping. . A brake can also be fitted, with a Bowden cable, for the front wheel (3) or for the push wheels (2). The chair can incorporate a 360° camera to record and study the terrain, a GPS and a pivoting compass, as well as umbrellas, electric support motors (preferably on the push wheels (2)), batteries and a solar panel to recharge are.

The chair has, for example on the handlebar (6) or in front of it, a coupling (7) for a cable (8) or the like that allows the chair to be anchored to a fixed point. In this way, a safety route or lifeline can be installed, similar to those used in climbing. Furthermore, this cable (8) allows the user of the chair to climb freehand, pulling or picking it up. The collection can be in a drum with separate cranks for manual, motorized, pulse, or by means of the "rope and fist" climbing technique. If the cable (8) is not collected at that point, a collection system can be made behind the seat, or at its height. This collection system can be a drum with a light spring, which collects the slack cable (8), or a vacuum cleaner.

A more complicated solution to implement is to define a hook at one end of the cable (8) that allows the chair to be anchored, or even a launching system for that cable (8).

It can be seen in the figures that the extension (5) includes stirrups (9) for fixing the feet of the user, and it can also have a fixation for the knees. In this way it is ensured that there are no uncontrolled movements of the lower body.

The chair in the figures includes a handle (10) on the back that allows a companion of the user to assist him at specific times. On the one hand, it helps to place the chair in the starting position and, on the other hand, it allows to compensate or stop the tipping of the chair. This function is also fulfilled by the handlebar (6), at the opposite end of the chair. A handle (11) in the front part helps to move and guide the chair to the initial position.

It is convenient to minimize the weight of the chair, so the pieces will be reduced to the maximum and light materials will be chosen.

The chair may be assembled by the user or his colleagues, and may be supplied as a mechanical-type construction kit, with the parts in a suitcase, and with spare and replacement parts.

Claims (10)

1. A wheelchair for difficult roads, such as those found when practicing mountaineering, mountaineering or climbing, which has a seat (1) carried by a series of wheels (2,3,4); a front longitudinal extension (5) that supports: a handlebar (6) fixed in a position facing the seat (1); a front wheel (3) arranged in front of the seat and rotating without load; and a push wheel (2) on each side of the seat (1) for its self-propulsion; characterized in that it also has two inclined rear wheels (4), arranged behind the seat (1), and converging at its upper rear part. 2. The wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that its push wheels (2) are removable. 3. The wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that its thrust wheels (2) are in a lower plane with respect to the rear wheels (4). 4. The wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that its extension (5) supports stirrups (9) to hold the user's feet. 5. The wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that its handlebar (6) has a longitudinal and transversal inclination sensor. 6. The wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that its front wheel (3) has an orientation angle limiter. 7. The wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that its handlebar (6) comprises a front wheel brake (3). 8. The wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that its extension (5) supports a coupling (7) for a cable (8) or the like. 9. The wheelchair according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a drum or vacuum cleaner for collecting the cable (8) or the like. The wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a handle (10) behind the seat (1).