FR2796548A1 - Motor assisted walking aid and transport device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a chassis (1) supported on two non- directing wheels and a directing drive wheel (8) and a standing platform (4). Direction is set by handle bars (9). The drive system is an electrical motor (10), whose current is supplied by a battery (14) placed on the rear part (3) of the platform (4). Control and safety of the motor is managed by pressing simultaneously on two push buttons (15) by left and right thumbs. The platform (4) is removed when used as a walking aid.

Description

The present invention is intended for elderly persons and handicapped persons whose locomotion is disturbed by motor or balance disorders, and makes it possible to respond to three functions 1) transport in a standing position in order to increase the perimeter moving and developing a lack of autonomy 2) walking assistance. 3) walking rehabilitation.

 Traditionally, these functions are partially fulfilled by three different elements.

1) the transport: by the wheelchair which imposes the seated position, risks of loss of the active verticality and dependency.

2) the walker whose balance and support groan has the disadvantage of being interrupted with each step, from the moment <B> where, </ B> to advance, the patient must raise his own support ( cause of many falls).

3) parallel bars: they require a fixed and very cumbersome installation.

 x The device according to the invention overcomes these disadvantages. I1 has indeed according to a first feature a platform supported by a chassis sustanté by three wheels. This platform is automobile thanks to an electric motor and dirigible thanks to a handlebar also serving as support and balancing for the user.

It is also designed to accommodate the possible addition of a lockable walker quickly. Thus it is used as a means of transport in apartment, retirement home, hospital center etc ...

Part of this platform can be retracted to allow a walking space between the handles of the handlebar or the walker on which the patient can rest.

It then enjoys a stable and totally permanent support whose movement is managed. manually, depending on walking ability, either the handlebar or the walker. In case of fatigue the patient folds the floor and can be transported by the device.

According to particular embodiments, the chassis may include its own fixed rollator. The motor can be managed ,,, by two speeds or with speed variator. An inverter can allow a reverse. A possible articulation can be used to fold the assembly for easy transport.

The heights of the various support elements are adjustable by telescopic system.

The attached drawings illustrate the invention. FIG. 1 represents in perspective the device of the invention.

Figure 2 shows from above the variant (open floor of this device.

Figure 3 shows in perspective variant floor retracted from this device.

Figure 4 shows the closed floor variant seen from above. Figure 5 shows the device seen from the rear.

Figure 6 shows the open top floor device. Figure 7 shows the device seen from the side.

With reference to these drawings, the device comprises a frame (1) made of metal tube of rectangular section of about 70 mm 30mm U-shaped rounded at the front and whose arms deviate slightly towards the rear in a horizontal plane . The rear ends of these arms are perforated at the bottom to allow the attachment of two wheels (2) no

qui sustenteront un plateau à quelques centimètres du sol (3). Ce plateau horizontal, métallique, rigide occupe les 3/4 arrières de la surface comprise entre les bras du chassis. I1 est composé de deux parties : une partie fixe (3) solidaire du chassis (1) qui encadre en avant et sur le côté une partie postéro-centrale (4) en forme de trapèze. Cette deuxième partie amovible peut s'escamoter par glissement ou pivotage autour d'un de ses côtés.

who will susten a tray a few centimeters from the ground (3). This horizontal, metallic, rigid plate occupies 3/4 rear of the surface between the arms of the chassis. I1 is composed of two parts: a fixed part (3) integral with the frame (1) which frames in front and on the side a postero-central part (4) in trapezoidal shape. This second removable part can retract by sliding or swiveling around one of its sides.

A flat iron (5) of approximately 60mm 6mm in the shape of a convex circular arc at the top, transversely connects the two arms of the frame to the previous level of the plate (3). This arch supports above its middle part a vertical coh @ .:> two telescopic parts (6) and (7). The role of this column is to hold firmly 1) Forwards and downwards: a device wheel (8) directional drive, handlebars (9) 2) Up and back, on the mobile telescopic part, a locking device (12) ) to stabilize a possible walker on the carriage whose feet will be placed on the fixed part of the plate (3) (abutting against the internal edges of the frame (1) The current arriving at the electric motor is provided by a battery (4) which together with the engine is easily removable and lockable to allow maintenance and cleaning of the truck The battery is placed on the fixed front part of the floor (3) The engine has a wheel-to-wheel transmission system and is self-braking when the current is cut off (thus blocking any movement of the assembly) The motor control is managed by two push buttons placed according to the needs, either on the handles of the déambu on the handlebars. For safety, the patient must simultaneously press both thumbs on both pushbuttons to trigger the start.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended to allow help or recovery of walking for elderly or disabled.

Claims (10)

1) Device for allowing walking, walking assistance and standing transport of handicapped persons characterized in that it comprises a chassis (1) supported by two wheels (2) non-steered and a driving wheel (8) director and a floor (4) (see R3), the steering being effected by a handlebar (9), traction by an electric motor (10), the current being provided by a battery (14) placed on the front fixed floor (3), the motor control being managed, for safety, by simultaneously pressing two push buttons (15) (left thumb plus right thumb) 2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises an opening (16) located between the arm of the frame (1) allowing a walking space to the patient who will rely on the handlebar (9) while operating the motor ( 10) in order to be supported continuously. 3) Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the floor (4) is removable, it comes close the openwork (16) and supports the weight of the patient, which is based on the handlebar (9) will be transported according to its needs or in case of fatigue. 4) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a conventional walker (17) placed on the edge (3) of the floor (4). 5) Device according to claims 2 and 3 characterized in that it comprises a vertical column (6) integral with the frame (1) and having a quick locking system (12) immobilizing the walker on the carriage. 6) Device according to claims 1 and 4 characterized in that the two control buttons (15) of the electric motor are positioned on the handles of the walker. 7) Device according to claims i and 4 characterized in that the two control buttons of the electric motor are positioned on the handles of the handlebar (9). 8) Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the motor (10) has a transmission system to the wheel (8) by roller (13) and is self-braking when the current cuts (thus blocking any movement of the together). 9) Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that it comprises a battery (14) constituting with the electric motor (10) a detachable assembly and easily lockable to allow maintenance and cleaning of the carriage. 10) Device according to claims 2 and 8 characterized in that it comprises a variable speed variator and a reversing inverter for managing the running of the motor (10).