FR2746280A1 - Foot-rest for wheel chair adjusted by gas strut - Google Patents

Abstract

The foot-rest has a platform (1) joined to the chair by two U-shaped tubes (3,9). An intermediate U-shaped tube (19) joins them and slides on them via rings (17,23) on the tubes. Screws (21) through the upper rings (17) lock the intermediate tube in place. A gas strut (11) is mounted between the intermediate tube and the tube (9) joined to the chair. It exerts a vertical force (F) at its strength is between the weight of the patient's legs and the weight of the patient and is preferably equal to 25 daN.

Description

FOOTREST AND ARMCHAIR FOR PERSONS WITH MOBILITY
REDUCED WITH SUCH A FOOTREST
The present invention relates mainly to a footrest and a wheelchair for people with reduced mobility comprising such or such footrest.

 The movement of certain people with reduced mobility is made possible or at least facilitated by the use of wheelchairs provided with footrest platforms. The comfort provided by such an armchair can be improved by adjusting the height of the footrest platforms so as to adapt the armchair to the morphology of the patient.

 Unfortunately, since the foot platforms are located beyond the front casters of the chair, a vertical force exerted towards the ground on the foot platforms generates a torque which tends to tilt the chairs towards the front. If the patient trying to get up transfers his weight to the footrest platform, this couple no longer being compensated by the weight of the patient risks tipping the chair causing the patient to fall. Thus, chairs of known type cannot simultaneously ensure the comfort and safety of patients with reduced mobility.

 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair ensuring the safety of people with reduced mobility.

 It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair ensuring the comfort of people with reduced mobility, in particular by adjusting the height of the platform (s) on the footrest.

 It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair capable of easily adapting to the morphology of the different patients.

 It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair that is easy to leave for people capable of getting up.

 These objects are achieved by a footrest according to the invention provided with an intermediate element, in particular a tubular frame mounted in translation, on the one hand with respect to a structure for connecting with the chair and, on the other hand , relative to a support of the platform (s) footrest. Locking means make it possible to immobilize the footrest platform in a position corresponding to the morphology of the patient.

 Return means, advantageously a gas spring, ensure the maintenance of the platform (s) platform (s) footrest in this position adapted to the morphology of the patient, under normal conditions of use of the chair, without opposing a downward movement of the foot platform (s) to rest on the ground if a force exceeding a threshold is exerted on it. This force corresponds for example to the transfer of the weight of the patient who is trying to get up.

 In an advantageous variant, the chair according to the invention comprises means allowing limited tilting of the seat allowing the patient to more easily leave the chair, while preventing the chair from tilting.

 The main object of the invention is a footrest comprising a footrest platform, characterized in that it comprises a first elongated part capable of being secured to a chair, in particular a wheelchair for people with reduced mobility, a second piece secured to the footrest platform and an intermediate piece mounted in translation relative to the first and second pieces, means for locking in translation at least in one direction of the intermediate piece relative to the first piece or to the second part and return means exerting on the footrest platform a substantially vertical force whose intensity is between the weight of the legs of a patient and less than the weight of the patient, preferably between 20 and 35 daN, preferably substantially equal to 25 daN.

 The invention also relates to a footrest, characterized in that the return means are mounted between the intermediate part and the first part, and in that the blocking means provide on command the blocking in translation of the second part by compared to the intermediate piece.

 The invention also relates to a footrest, characterized in that the return means prevent the relative movement of the footrest platform relative to the first part capable of being secured to a chair as long as the a force exceeding a predetermined threshold is not exerted on the footrest platform and in that the return means allow the almost instantaneous lowering of the footrest platform to the ground when the force exerted on the footrest platform exceeds a predetermined threshold.

 The invention also relates to a footrest, characterized in that the return means comprise a gas spring.

 The invention also relates to a footrest, characterized in that the first part, the second part and / or the intermediate part comprise tubular frames, in particular in U shape.

 The invention also relates to a footrest, characterized in that the parts are mounted in translation by means of the sliding rings.

 The invention also relates to a footrest, characterized in that the means for locking in translation comprise clamping screws.

 The invention also relates to a footrest, characterized in that the blocking means provide unidirectional blocking in extension without preventing its retraction.

 The invention also relates to a footrest, characterized in that the locking means comprise a ring provided with clamping means, in particular a screw, disposed under the means for guiding the second part with respect to the part intermediate.

 The invention also relates to an armchair, characterized in that it comprises at least one footrest according to the invention.

 The invention also relates to an armchair, characterized in that said armchair is a wheelchair for people with reduced mobility.

 The invention also relates to an armchair, characterized in that the translation between the intermediate piece and the piece secured to the footrest platform allows the height of the footrest platform to be adjusted relative to the 'seat of the chair with an amplitude between 10 and 500 mm, preferably between 100 and 300 mm.

 The invention also relates to an armchair, characterized in that it comprises a tilting seat facilitating the evacuation of the patient.

The present invention will be better understood by means of the description below and the drawings in which
- Figure 1 is an elevational view with partial cutaway of the preferred example of the footrest according to the present invention, in a first condition corresponding to the rolling of the chair on the floor
- Figure 2 is a similar view of the footrest of Figure 1 in an anti-tilt safety condition, when a patient tries to get up;
- Figure 3 is a similar view of an alternative embodiment of a footrest according to the invention of Figure i
- Figure 4 is a side view of an armchair according to the invention in the first condition corresponding to a rolling of the armchair on the floor
- Figure 5 is a similar view of the chair of Figure 4 in the anti-tip safety condition.

 In FIGS. 1 to 5, the same references have been used to designate the same elements.

 A wheelchair for a person with reduced mobility can be provided with a footrest according to the invention comprising a footrest platform of sufficient width to receive the patient's two feet or, two footrest according to the present invention, each provided of a platform, each having a width sufficient to receive a foot of the patient.

 The preferred example of the footrest illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a footrest platform 1 intended to receive one or two feet of the patient, a support 3 for the footrest platform, adjustment means 5 in height e 2 of the footrest platform 1 relative to the seat of an armchair 7, means 9 for fixing the footrest on the armchair 7 and means 11 for anti-tilting safety of the armchair 7 ensuring when exerting a force having a vertical component exceeding a predetermined threshold, the lowering of the footrest platform 1 by a height e 1 so that it rests on the ground 13, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The sum of the heights e 1 and e 2 corresponds to the distance e 3 between the anchoring point on the chair 7 of the footrest according to the invention and the ground 13. The height e 2 depends on the patient's morphology, in particular the length of his legs. The support 3 of the footrest platform 1 comprises for example a tubular U-shaped frame connected to the footrest platform by two uprights 15. The U-shaped frame of the support 3 comprises means 17 for guiding in translation relative to to an intermediate piece 19 advantageously produced in the form of a tubular frame in inverted U.

In the advantageous example illustrated, the means 17 for guiding in translation comprise sliding rings on the tubes of the intermediate piece 19.

 The height adjustment means 5 (e 2) of the footrest platform 1 advantageously comprise at each sliding ring 17 a clamping screw 21 ensuring the immobilization of the support 3 on the intermediate piece 19.

 The intermediate part 19 comprises means 23 for guiding in translation relative to the part 9 for fixing the footrest according to the invention on a wheelchair 7. In the advantageous example illustrated, the part 9 for fixing has a shape in U, the intermediate part being provided on each of the two vertical branches of the U of part 9 with two sliding rings 23.

 Advantageously, the uprights of the parts 3, 9 and 19 are vertical or substantially vertical. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the implementation of the tubular frames but extends to any structure allowing the height adjustment of the footrest platform 1 as well as its almost instantaneous lowering d 'a height e 1 to rest on the ground when a force whose intensity exceeds a threshold is exerted on this platform. It is possible, for example, to implement, without departing from the scope of the present invention, rods of tubes with square section, uprights or columns, rack and pinion assemblies or the like.

 The anti-tilt safety means 11 comprise a return device exerting a force F upwards, for example on the intermediate part 19, in the rolling condition illustrated in FIG. 1 without opposing a lowering of the footrest platform 1 in the safety position illustrated in FIG. 2. In the advantageous example illustrated, the anti-tilt safety means 11 employ expansion return means mounted between a horizontal arm 25 of the part 9 for fixing in a U on the chair 7 and a horizontal arm 27 of the intermediate part 19 in an inverted U. Advantageously, means are used whose displacement is not a linear function of the force exerted on the footrest platform 1. In the advantageous example, the means 11 of anti-tilt security are provided with a return element that undergoes practically no deformation up to a threshold of the intensity of the force and opposing a negligible resistance to displacement beyond this threshold. In the preferred embodiment of the footrest according to the present invention, the anti-tilt safety means 11 are provided with a calibrated gas spring.

 Advantageously, the calibration is carried out in the factory without the possibility of modifying this setting by the user. Thus, any disruption of the safety device 11 is avoided. The patient's comfort is guaranteed by a triggering point of the gas spring greater than the weight of the legs, for example equal to 10 kg. The safety of the chair according to the present invention is guaranteed by a threshold lower than the weight that can be exerted by the patient on the footrest. Advantageously, the threshold for triggering the gas spring is between 20 and 30 daN, for example equal to 25 daN.

 It is understood that the implementation of other return devices, such as for example springs, electromagnetic devices, ball or counterweight devices with or without stop preventing the ascent of the footrest platform at- beyond the adjustment position, does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

 In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, in the first condition of use corresponding to the wheelchair rolling on the ground, the blocking means 21 are replaced by two stops 22 advantageously adjustable in height. Each stopper 22 limits the elongation of the footrest according to the invention without limiting its retraction because the support 3 can freely slide on the intermediate piece 19 according to arrow A. Each stopper 22 forms a device for locking in translation unidirectional. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the stops 22 include rings provided with clamping screws 21 ′ arranged on the intermediate piece 19 below the sliding rings 17. The footrest of FIG. 3 allows a limited tilting of the seat of the chair 7 (illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 where e '2> e "2) allowing the patient to leave the chair more easily while memorizing the adjustment of the chair which is instantly found when tilting the seat backwards (figure 4).

 We will now explain the operation of the wheelchair according to the present invention.

 First, we adapt the chair to the patient's morphology, in particular the length of his legs. The patient sits in the seat (not shown) and places his feet on the foot platform (s) 1. Insofar as the patient's weight rests mainly on the seat, the return means 11 anti-tilt security ensure the ascent of the support 3 of the footrest platform (s) as well as of the intermediate piece 19 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The nursing staff releases the means 21 for translational locking of the support 3 of the or footrest platforms, for example by unscrewing the clamping screws 21 and translating the sliding rings 17 on the vertical or substantially vertical uprights of the part 19 to the most comfortable position corresponding in most cases with maximum extension of the patient's legs. The nursing staff ensures the locking in the most comfortable position for the patient of the support 3 of the footrest platform (s) 1 relative to the intermediate piece 19, for example by tightening the clamping screws 21 of the sliding rings 17.

 When the patient is seated in the chair 7 according to the present invention or when the chair is empty, the return means 11 of the safety means ensure the maintenance of the footrest platform (s) 1 in the high rolling condition illustrated in figure 1.

 When the patient wants to get up, he transfers his weight through his legs and feet to the platforms resting on the foot, the support 3 and the intermediate piece ensure the transmission of a force greater than the setting of the gas spring of the safety means 11 causing the part 19 to descend relative to the part 9 for fixing to the chair 7 until the foot platform (s) 1 rest on the ground 13 as illustrated in the figure 2.

 When the patient descends from the footrest platforms 1 or if he sits on the seat of the chair 7, the force exerted on the return means 11 of the safety means is below the setting threshold and, there results in a rise of the footrest platforms 1 to the rolling condition illustrated in FIG. 1.

 The present invention applies mainly to paramedical equipment, in particular to a wheelchair for people with reduced mobility.

 The present invention also applies to other types of seats, for example office chairs, rocking chairs or vehicle seats.

Claims (13)

 1. Footrest comprising a platform (1) footrest, characterized in that it comprises a first elongated part (9) capable of being secured to a chair (7), in particular a wheelchair for people with reduced mobility, a second part (3) secured to the footrest platform (1) and an intermediate part (19) mounted in translation relative to the first (9) and second (3) parts, means (21, 21 ′, 22) for locking in translation at least in one direction of the intermediate part (19) relative to the first part (9) or to the second part (3) and return means (11) acting on the plate - footrest shape (1) a substantially vertical force (F) whose intensity is between the weight of a patient's legs and less than the weight of the patient, preferably between 20 and 35 daN, preferably substantially equal to 25 daN.  2. Footrest according to claim 1, characterized in that the return means are mounted between the intermediate part (19) and the first part (9), and in that the locking means (21, 21 ', 22) provide on command the locking in translation of the second part (3) relative to the intermediate part (19).  3. Footrest according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the return means (11) prevent the relative movement of the footrest platform (1) relative to the first part (9) capable of be secured to a chair as long as one does not exert on the footrest platform (1) a force exceeding a predetermined threshold and in that the return means (11) allow the almost instantaneous lowering of the footrest platform (1) to the ground (13) when the force exerted on the footrest platform (1) exceeds a predetermined threshold.  4. Footrest according to claim 3, characterized in that the return means (11) comprise a gas spring.  5. Footrest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (9), the second part (3) and / or the intermediate part (19) comprise tubular frames, in particular in a U shape.  6. Footrest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the parts (9, 19 and / or 3) are mounted in translation by means of the sliding rings (17, 23).  7. Footrest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for locking in translation (21) comprise clamping screws.  8. Footrest according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means (21 ', 22) provide unidirectional locking in extension without preventing its retraction.  9. Footrest according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking means comprise a ring (22) provided with clamping means, in particular a screw (21 '), arranged under the guide means of the second part (3) relative to the intermediate piece (19).  10. Armchair, characterized in that it comprises at least one footrest according to any one of the preceding claims.  11. Chair according to claim 10, characterized in that said chair (7) is a wheelchair for people with reduced mobility.  12. Chair according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the translation between the intermediate piece (19) and the piece (3) secured to the footrest platform (i) allows the height of the platform to be adjusted -form footrest (1) relative to the seat of the chair (7) with an amplitude between 10 and 500 mm, preferably between 100 and 300 mm.  13. Chair according to claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises a tilting seat facilitating the evacuation of the patient.