FR2662351A1 - Propulsion device intended for moving handicapped persons in a wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention describes a propulsion device intended for moving handicapped persons in a wheelchair; it proposes a special bicycle, the front part of which is in fact the actual wheelchair; this is made possible by the fact that the chair is brought into a position such that its front support no longer makes contact with the ground. In these circumstances, a companion can move a handicapped person without difficulty over long distances.

Description

The present invention deals with problems related to the movement, in a wheelchair, of disabled people.

The most common type of wheelchair is now well known; this is the classic armchair - essentially equipped, on the rear, with two large wheels called main wheels and fitted, at the front, with a castor-type support. In the majority of cases, the movement of the wheelchair and therefore the movement of the disabled person is ensured by a third person who will be named as an attendant. To move the chair, the guide usually goes behind the chair, grasps the top of the back of the said chair and pushes the assembly in the desired direction. In one possible configuration, the four wheels of the chair are in contact with the ground, the two main wheels ensuring the thrust, the two front casters for guiding the chair.

In a configuration of an armchair without front casters, it is necessary to cause the front support to come off by a slight rotation of the seat relative to the axis of the rear wheels.

It is easy to see that under these conditions it becomes tedious and tedious for the guide to make long journeys on the road, that the differences in level (descents and climbs) pose difficulties in crossing, finally, that the speed of movement of the guide (therefore that of the chair) is weak.

All this therefore does not allow the simple organization of long trips for disabled people.

The present invention solves this problem; it offers a specific device intended to be coupled to a conventional wheelchair, thus allowing an attendant to move a disabled person quickly, without difficulty and over long distances.

The present invention describes a propulsion device intended for the movement of a wheelchair, said wheelchair comprising at least: - a seat - two rear main wheels - a front support constituted for example by rollers, characterized in that said device cooperates, by temporary or permanent coupling, with said chair so as to cause a rotation of the chair around its rear main wheels so that, in the displacement configuration, the front support of the chair is no longer in contact with the ground.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description below.

Figure 1 shows a conventional wheelchair.

FIG. 2 represents a propulsion device according to the invention before it is coupled with the wheelchair.

Figure 3 shows schematically an element of the specific connection assembly (A) constituting the front part of the propulsion device.

Figure 4 shows schematically the second removable connecting element (B) intended to be fixed on the rear of the wheelchair.

Figure 5 shows the propulsion system and the wheelchair after coupling.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional wheelchair; the latter essentially consists of a seat (1), two main wheels (2) and a front support constituted for example by rollers (3). this chair is intended to be pushed onto the floor (4) by an attendant; it has been designed so that the two main wheels (2) and the front support constituted by casters (3) are simultaneously in contact with the ground (4).

FIG. 2 represents a propulsion device according to the invention; here it is in fact a cycle without handlebars, without front fork and without front wheel but with a specific frame.

The device essentially comprises a rear wheel (5), a crankset (6), a chain (7), a saddle (8), a hub (9) integrating the multi-speed functions and possibly a rear pedal brake. The frame (10) specially designed for the application according to the invention ends, in its front part, by a specific connection assembly (A); the latter is detailed in FIG. 3. This connection assembly essentially comprises a tube (12) intended to receive the parts constituting the headset of the propulsion device (balls, bowl, locknuts, etc.) and notches ( 13) all located in the same plane. It will be noted that the plane defined by the notches (13) makes with the axis (14) of the tube (12) an angle C of between at least 10 and 30 degrees, preferably 15 degrees.

FIG. 4 shows a specific connecting element (B) (plate) intended to be mounted on the seat back (1) of the wheelchair; this plate essentially comprises pins (15) intended to cooperate with the notches (13) described above and oblong holes (16) which allow the adjustment and fixing of the plate on the wheelchair.

To couple the propulsion device to the wheelchair, it therefore suffices, after having mounted the fixing plate described in FIG. 4, to make the pins (15) of this plate cooperate with the notches (13) previously described; therefore the wheelchair will pivot around its main wheels (2) until the seat back (1) aligns in a direction (17) which makes with the vertical (the axis (14) of the steering column (12) in the example chosen) an angle a of between at least 1 and 30 degrees, preferably 15 degrees, so that the front support (3) of the chair is clear of the ground (4).

This angle a is such that the assembly constituted by the chair (1) and the cycle (10,5,8, A) being coupled the weight of the person transported in position in the chair causes a torque (20) of the wheelchair and its passenger with respect to the axis (19) of the rear wheels (2) of the wheelchair, zero or which supports the rear wheel (5) of the cycle on the rolling surface (4). After coupling of the propulsion unit (10,5,8, A) with the wheelchair (1), the axis (14) which corresponds to the steering column is perpendicular to the running surface (4).

It only remains for the guide to take a seat on the saddle (8) and use the seat back (1) as handlebars and the main wheels (2) as steering wheels. The guidance of the assembly is therefore ensured by the main wheels (2).

It will also be possible to improve the comfort and performance of such a device; for example, it is possible to install on the main wheels (2): - brakes, the control of which will be arranged at the level of the seat back of the wheelchair, - mud flaps, - any element putting the propulsion assembly (10.5, 8, A) coupled with the wheelchair (1) in accordance with the highway code for example, - the propulsion unit may be motorized, ...

These accessories may remain permanently on the wheelchair.

The propulsion device itself may include a retractable lateral stabilizing stand (18) secured to the frame (10). This stand (18) preferably consists of a pivoting element such that this stand in the unfolded position allows the chair to press on the ground (4) by its two rear wheels (2) and by its front support (3), the wheel (5) of the cycle no longer touching the ground (4). In an alternative embodiment, provision may be made for mounting two crutches (18) on each side of the frame of the chair (1) so that these crutches (18) in the unfolded position, the crutches (18) and the wheel (5 ) of the cycle touch the ground (4).

The assembly and disassembly of the chair on the cycle as well as the transfer operations of the disabled are greatly facilitated.

It goes without saying that the applications indicated here by way of example are not limiting.

Various modifications can therefore be made by those skilled in the art to the embodiments described and shown without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (5)

1). Propulsion device intended for moving a wheelchair, said wheelchair comprising at least: - a seat (1) - two main wheels (2) - a front support (3) constituted for example by casters characterized by the fact that said device cooperates by coupling with said chair so as to cause a rotation of the chair around the axis (19) of its main wheels (2) so that, in the displacement configuration, the front support (3) the chair is no longer in contact with the ground. 2). Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said rotation takes place at an angle a whose value is between at least 10 and 300 (preferably 15). 3). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said coupling is obtained by the cooperation of two specific connecting elements, one (B) being mounted on the said wheelchair, the other (A) forming part of the said propulsion device such that the connecting element (A) has an axis (14) forming the steering column, perpendicular to the running surface (4). 4). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, during said movement, that is to say after the coupling of said device with said wheelchair, the latter ensures, by means of its rear wheels (2 ) from the wheelchair guiding the assembly consisting of the propulsion device and the wheelchair. 5). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (10) is provided with a retractable crutch assembly (18) intended to facilitate the transfer of the person transported on the chair and the uncoupling of the propulsion device and from the chair.