FR2903885A1 - ASSISTING DEVICE FOR A USER WITH REDUCED MOBILITY TO SIT AND STAND ON A SEATING ELEMENT. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an assistance device enabling a user to sit on a seat element such as the seat of a seat, a toilet seat, and to stand up, said device comprising a frame (C ) provided in particular with support means for the user, pneumatically controlled telescopic means such as at least one jack (V1) carrying the seat member (4), means for pressurizing said telescopic means with pneumatic control and a reservoir for the fluid such as air, the reservoir being preferably constituted by the frame (C) of the device, the seat member (4) being held in the up position by the pneumatically controlled telescopic means under the effect of pre-pressurizing means and preferably inclined forward.The invention consists in that it further comprises locking means in position of said seat member relative to on the ground and / or ha in such a way as to ensure secure use of said assistance device.Application for assistance to persons with reduced mobility.

Description

2903885 Assist device for a mobility user

  The present invention relates to a support device enabling a user with reduced mobility to sit and stand on a seat element, said device for assistance including, in particular, means ensuring complete security of use of such a device. An assistive device for sitting and getting up effortlessly for persons with reduced mobility has been provided by the applicant. This device is intended to equip a seat element such as an armchair seat, a toilet seat so as to assist the user when she gets up but also when she sits and without effort and in sweetness.

  Such an assistive device is intended for people who are physically impaired due to their age and / or health problems and / or overweight and who often find it very difficult to sit and raise. As a result, the assistance system proposes to help them and to allow them to maintain a certain autonomy by no longer systematically requiring outside help to sit down and get up. Thus, this assistance device comprises a frame provided with support means, pneumatically actuated telescopic means such as a jack carrying the seat member, means for pressurizing said cylinder and a reservoir for the control fluid, this reservoir can be directly constituted by the frame made in the form of a sealed tubular assembly. Thus, in the upper position of the seat element, that is to say ready to accommodate a user who wishes to sit, the cylinder rod is in the fully deployed position under the effect of pressurizing means prior. When a user is positioned on the seat member, a thrust is exerted on the seat member and the air contained in the cylinder is sent to the frame constituting the reservoir so that the rod then slides to the inside the cylinder housing under the weight of the person thus making a gentle descent to the sitting position.

2903885 2 To get up the user only has to tilt slightly forward, relying on the support means so that the seat can go up under the effect of the air which, compressed in the tank, tends to circulate again in the cylinder and thus exert a thrust on the rod to the upper position thus helping to lift the person. Such a device therefore has many advantages since it allows a help not only to the lifting of a user, but in addition, it allows a soft and soft seat not rushing the user.

Thus, such an assistance device can be used for seats. Preferably, the frame of the assistance device has the form of a seat frame comprising a base part bearing on the ground and further comprising at least one seat and possibly a backrest, the means of support of the chassis forming then armrests. This frame is further connected to a pneumatic cylinder centrally located relative to the seat cushion. The assistance device may also comprise a guiding member such as a rod sliding in a slideway and extending parallel to the rod of the jack, this guiding member preventing the seat from pivoting about the axis of the jack . The assistance device is thus an integral part of the seat.

When the assistance device is intended to equip toilets, the frame of said device is shaped so as to be positioned at the toilet bowl, fixed or not with respect to this bowl, the support means being disposed on either side of said bowl as two cylinders are preferably disposed on either side of the bowl, the bezel preferably being releasably connected to the rod of each cylinder. Thus, when the assistance device is intended to equip mixed premises, that is to say premises where valid persons coexisting do not need the assistive device and persons with reduced mobility in need, it is possible to provide the assistance device 30 arranged so that the telescope is foldable on the toilet bowl if necessary and lift when it is useless.

Such a support device promotes a certain autonomy of the user with reduced mobility allowing him to maintain privacy in a place of ease. In addition, this assistive device allows access to a user without needing the help of a third party in a place where the space is often reduced and limits the possibilities of assistance by this third party. In order to favor the correct positioning of the user facing the seat element in order to sit down, the seat element is tilted forward. In this way, it is sufficient for one person to position himself in front of this sitting element and then to let go slightly bitterly to sit down. As mentioned above, such an assistance device has many advantages. However, during an implementation of this device, it has been noted that when a user tries to sit down, he abuts against the seat member 15 possibly taking support from the gripping means. support, however given the physical weakness of the user, this abutment against the seat member can cause inadvertent movement of the latter and thus the risk of a fall for the user.

Furthermore, since the seat element is tilting to promote both the seating and the lifting of the person, there is a risk that a person sits while it is not well positioned on said This can cause an uncomfortable situation, but there is also the risk that the lifting by the assistance device will occur while the seated person has simply bent over, and thus again risks falling. Also, the present invention has the main purpose of providing an assistance device as described in the preamble substantially more efficient especially in terms of safety of use. For this purpose, the object of the present invention is to propose an assistance device guaranteeing a safe use for users with reduced mobility who, by definition, have a certain physical weakness which does not always allow them easy handling of the device. . To this end, the invention relates to an assistance device for a user 5 to sit on a seat element such as the seat of a seat, a toilet seat, and to stand up, said device comprising a frame provided in particular with support means for the user, pneumatically controlled telescopic means such as at least one jack carrying the seat member, means for pressurizing said telescopic means. pneumatically controlled and a reservoir 10 for the fluid such as air, the reservoir being preferably constituted by the frame of the device, the seat member being held in the up position by the pneumatically operated telescopic means under the effect of the pre-pressurizing means and preferably inclined forwards, characterized in that it further comprises locking means in position of said seat member with respect to the ground and / or at the top in order to guarantee secure use of said assistance device. Thus, advantageously, the assistance device according to the invention can be used in a totally secure manner by people with reduced mobility since the locking means in position of the seat element guarantee safe handling of the device. Of course, the locking means in position are also unlockable to allow the use of the device. Preferably, the pneumatic telescopic means comprise at least one jack and the air tank associated with said jack is preferably constituted by the frame itself 25 of the assistance device. The cylinder can be simple effect or even double effect. This frame is made in the form of a sealed tubular assembly connected by means such as a valve to the jack which allows to have a large volume of air or other suitable fluid. Thus when one relies to sit on the seat member, it pushes air from the jack to the air tank, the air preferably passing through a flow limiter so to guarantee a slow downward stroke of the cylinder rod. During the ascent, the compressed air tends to return to the cylinder and push the piston thereof in the direction of an elongation of the rod thus helping the relief of the seated person. In order to obtain a gentle stroke, a flow limiter is also positioned at the inlet of the jack. In order to favor the seat and the lift, the seat element is articulated directly or indirectly on the end (s) of the rod (s) of the cylinder (s) so as to obtain a natural inclination towards the front, means of maintaining this inclination at least in the upper position of the seat element being provided. This inclination can therefore be obtained either by a point of articulation of the seat element on the cylinder offset towards the rear of the seat element or by means of a means of return of the element 10 seated towards a forward inclination such as a ballast element. This inclination can be adjustable possibly. When the assistance device relates to a seat, the frame of said assistance device forms a seat frame having a base part bearing on the ground, armrests forming the support means and possibly a backrest support. The chassis comprises at least one pneumatic jack, preferably arranged centrally, the seat element being hinged to the end of the cylinder rod and to avoid its rotation about the axis of the jack, there is also a sliding guide rod in a slide, mounted parallel to the cylinder rod whose rod is hinged to the seat element also. When the assistance device is used with a seat element such as a toilet seat, the frame comprises lateral support means positionable on either side of a toilet bowl, and means for fixation on the bowl itself, side supports, a cylinder being further positioned on each side at the lateral support means, the end of the rod of each jack being hinged under a toilet seat, that it being preferably mounted so as to be tilted forward.

Preferably, the toilet seat is removably mounted on at least one of the cylinder rods so that it can be folded to the side when not in use leaving access to the toilet for other people. not needing help.

It can also be provided that the frame of the assistance device is mounted on wheels and in this case, it is movable to be placed in position on the toilet or removed.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the locking means in position of the seat element relative to the ground, the assistance device according to the invention are constituted by ground locking means of the device of assistance itself, said ground locking means being arranged so that they are in the active position at least when the seat element is in the up position and in the inactive position at least when the element of sitting is in the down position. Thus very advantageously, when a user is ready to sit on a seat provided with such an assistance device, the seat is locked in position allowing the seat since the ground locking means are in active position so that the user can rely on the assistance device to position itself correctly with respect to the seat element without the risk that it will move unintentionally. Indeed, a seat provided with such an assistance device is intended for people with reduced mobility whose movements are not always very skillful and / or precise, so that there is a risk that the seat s' move away when approaching the person wanting to sit. This risk exists of course on seats with wheels but it can also exist on those who do not. By providing ground locking means including the latter type of seat a priori fixed, we offer an additional 25 safety avoiding falls that may occur when the person tries to sit and the seat is shirking. The ground locking means provided with the assistance device according to the invention therefore lock in position the seat member since they prevent inadvertent movement 30 of the seat member during use. In the particular case, the assistance device for a toilet seat, when it is movable, the ground locking means can be arranged so that they are in the active position at least when the element seat is in the lower position, unlike ground locking means for a seat. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the ground locking means 5 consist of a flexible control member such as a cable connected at one end to the seat element and at its other end to the seat. end of a pivoting element carrying at its other end at least one ground locking member such as a friction pad, said control member when the seat member is in the upper position, is tensioned and maintains the pivoting element so that the locking member is on the ground in so-called active position against the action of elastic return means acting on the pivoting element, the seat of a person on the seat element breaking the tension of the control member on the pivoting element so that it under the effect of the elastic return means pivots, the ground locking member passing to the inactive position.

In this way, it is possible for the user to approach a chair equipped with the assistance device and to be able to sit on the seat element (seat of the chair) without the chair moves because of the locking means on the ground, and once in a sitting position, the wheelchair possibly equipped with wheels for example, may, with the help of a third party, be moved.

According to an alternative embodiment of these ground locking means, there is provided at least one blocking device on the ground such as a friction pad held in the active blocking position on the ground under the effect of a single-acting jack, the rod of the cylinder at the end of which is mounted the locking member being held deployed by means of a spring 25 in the cylinder of the jack, so that the pad is locked to the ground, and the fluid such as that the air is intended to act on the piston of the jack and bring said locking member in the inactive position against the effect of the spring, this jack being actuated when a user sits on the seat member, by the air evacuated from the cylinder of the seat element and entering the tank in communication with the single cylinder effect locking means to the ground. In this way, the unlocking of the seat provided with the assistance device relative to the ground occurs during the sitting of the user, it can therefore be positioned correctly in relation to the seat element without incurring the risk of an unforeseen displacement of the seat. When the user stands up, the air escapes from the tank, and the jack no longer exerts thrust on the ground locking member which resumes its active position under the effect of the elastic return means of said cylinder. It can be provided that the same means are arranged in reverse to ensure a locking relative to the ground in the lower position of the seat element, for example in the case of a toilet assistance device mounted on a wheel.

According to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking means in position of the seat element in height are arranged to lock the seat element at least in its extreme positions, namely in the up position. and in the low position and possibly in any intermediate position between these two extreme positions.

Thus, this locking of the seat element in the raised position allows a user to position themselves correctly on the seat element before unlocking to allow the lowering of said seat element. This prevents the user from going into a sitting position when he is not properly installed on the seat element. Likewise, when the seat element is in the low position, the locking means in position make it possible to prevent any inadvertent raising of the seat element, particularly in the case where the person leans forward then that she does not want to get up. Insofar as this device is intended for physically weak persons, the locking means in position avoid the risk of falling due to the unwanted activation of the lift or the seat. The locking means are preferably constituted first of first means for locking in the high position of the seat element. These first means may consist, in the case of a seat, of mechanical means such as a pin engageable reversibly in an orifice of the guide rod or an electromagnet acting on a magnet in the guide rod or cylinder, for example. Thus, when the locking means in the high position are active and a person sits on the seat element, the jack is prevented from acting under the effect of the thrust exerted by the person because the guide pin is blocked, for example. To allow the lowering of the seat element, the unlocking is commanded.

The locking means further comprise second means for locking in the lower position and possibly in the intermediate position of the seat element so as to prevent any accidental raising of the seat element. Thus, these second means consist of a clamping member such as a clamp 10 enclosing the guide member provided in the assistance device, said clamp being drivable between a clamping position and a loosening position of said member guiding with the aid of a control member such as a single-acting pneumatic cylinder, in communication with the reservoir of the assistance device, a valve controlling said communication.

Thus, this clamp encloses the guide member, the ends of the clamp being adjustable in position relative to each other under the action of the rod of a single-acting jack. This rod holds the clamp in the inactive position (not tightened) under the effect of the spring in the cylinder of the cylinder while the opening of the valve puts in communication the tank and the cylinder which under the effect of the incoming air. acts against the spring in the direction of a retraction of the rod which then tightens the ends of the clamp which goes to the active position of clamping the guide member. When it rises, the air passes from the tank to the cylinder of the seat member so that it also leaves the cylinder controlling the clamp which returns to its inactive position.

Such means are particularly advantageous because they fit snugly into the assisting device utilizing the circulation of the fluid in the reservoir to be actuated.

It can be envisaged that a valve controlling the fluid between the reservoir and the seat element is also closed in the lower position of the seat element. This valve is therefore an additional means to the locking means in the lower position of the seat element.

According to a third embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises, as locking means in the position of the seat element, ground locking means and locking means in height of the element of the invention. sitting as defined above. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a seat provided with an assist device 10 according to the invention; FIG. 2 represents a schematic view of an assistance device according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic view of an assist device according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 represents a schematic perspective view of a portion of an assistance device according to a third embodiment of the invention and FIG. 5 represents a view from above of the device of FIG. 4. The chassis of the device of assistance according to the invention is embodied in the form of a seat frame thus having a base portion 9, two armrests 3 constituting the support support means for the user of the assistance device, a support 7 of folder 1 being connected to the frame with a knob 12. The frame forms the reservoir C of the assistance device and is defined by a single tube closed on itself.

This device further comprises a double-acting jack V1 preferably mounted in a central position and carrying at the free end of the rod T1 of said jack VI the seat element 4 tilting towards the front, with the aid of a chain 11 fixed to a hook 19 under the seat 4, which when the seat element 4 is in the up position (as can be seen in FIG. 1) keeps the latter tilted forwards. Thus, when sitting on the seat element 4, the air in the cylinder VI is driven to the tank C through an air limiter L which thus ensures a smooth descent of the cylinder. seat element 4. The ascent can also be done smoothly using a second air limiter. The control of the internal pressure is carried out using a manometer 13 which also serves to put the device under pressure in an adjustable manner according to the weight of the user. A pressurizing valve 8 allows the device to be pressurized in an adjustable manner depending on the weight of the user. A valve R controls the passage of air between the cylinder V1 and the tank C.

To avoid rotation of the seat element 4 relative to the cylinder VI, a guide rod 5 is mounted parallel to the cylinder V1 in a slide 5 '. In addition, in the device represented in FIG. 1, two ground-locking means are provided for the assistance device and thus for the seat element. These locking means 20 consist respectively of a blocking pad 10 carried by a support, the locking pad 10 being held against the ground under the action of a single acting jack V2, the elastic return means such as a spring R2 provided in the cylinder V2 now on the ground the shoe mounted at the end of the rod T2 of the cylinder V2, in the active position.

When a person sits on the seat element, the air is driven from the cylinder VI to the tank C which is in communication with the cylinder V2, so that, under the effect of the air driven of the jack V1 during the descent of the seat member under the effect of the force F, the air enters the cylinder V2 and acts (S2) on the rod T2 against the effect of the spring R2, which allows to move the skate off the ground.

When raising the seat element, the air flows again to the cylinder V1 and the spring R2 pushes the rod T2 and thus the pad to the ground position.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the means for locking the height of the seat element in order to block it in a low or even an intermediate position. As can be seen, the assistance device according to the invention further comprises a guide member such as a rod 5 sliding in a slide 5 'and which prevents the seat element 4 from pivoting around the seat. cylinder rod VI. The locking means consist of a clamp 50 enclosing the rod 5, the ends 50a of the clamp 50 being adjustable in position relative to each other under the action of the rod T3 of a jack V3 simple effect. This jack V3 can be actuated by means of a valve R '(see FIG. 3) so that the clamping or loosening of the clamp 50 is controlled by means of said jack V3, thus preventing actuation of the jack VI. The rod T3 of the jack V3 is slidably engaged through a first end 50a1 of the clamp 50 and is fixed to the other end 50a2 of the clamp 50 so that the actuation of the rod T3 allows the connection or the spacing said ends. This rod T3 is held in the extended position under the effect of the spring R3 in the cylinder of the jack V3, the ends of the clamp 50 being spaced apart, the latter being inactive, and the valve R 'being closed. When the bottom position of the seat element is reached, the air is compressed in the tank C. If the valve R 'is open, the air can then enter the cylinder V3 and act against the effect spring R3 of the jack V3, to retract the rod T3 so that the ends of the clamp 50 are close together and that it blocks the sliding of the guide member. Once this tightening is done, the valve R 'is closed again, cutting the flow between the tank C and the jack V3.

Thus, it prevents the rise of the seat member by blocking the guide member. To allow the raising of the seat element, it is sufficient to open the valve R 'again, the air circulating again from the tank C to the cylinder V 1 can thus escape the V3 cylinder V3 also, the spring R3 can push the rod T3 and thus move the clamp 50 to release the guide member. It is also possible to close the valve R in addition to the locking in the low position. In Figure 3 is shown schematically the assistance device provided with the locking means of the seat element 4 both in height and relative to the ground. The invention is not limited to the embodiments of the invention which are described above and which are purely indicative and not limiting, and that many modifications can be easily made by the man of the invention. art without departing from the scope of the invention. It can in particular be applied in a non-limiting manner and as an example: to sofas, beds, wheelchairs, outdoor lounge chair, shower seat, cinema seat, office chair, etc. 14

Claims (11)

  1. Assist device for a user to sit on a seat element such as the seat of a seat, a toilet seat, and get up, said device comprising a frame (C) provided in particular support means for the user, pneumatically operated telescopic means such as at least one jack (V1) carrying the seat member (4), means for pre-pressurizing said telescopic means to pneumatic control and a reservoir for the fluid such as air, the reservoir being preferably constituted by the frame (C) of the device, the seat member (4) being held in the upper position by the telescopic means to pneumatic control under the effect of pre-pressurizing means and preferably inclined forwards, characterized in that it further comprises locking means in position of said seat member relative to the ground and / or in height in order to guarantee ir a secure use of said assistance device.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means in position of the seat member relative to the ground are constituted by ground locking means of the assistance device itself, said means ground locking means being arranged so that they are in the active position at least when the seat member is in the up position and in the inactive position at least when the seat member is in the low position.   3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means in position of the seat element relative to the ground are constituted by ground locking means of the assistance device itself, said means ground locking means being arranged so that they are in the active position at least when the seat member is in the low position and in the inactive position at least when the seat member is in the up position. 30   4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the ground locking means consist of a flexible control member such as a cable connected at one end to the seat element and its other end to 2903885 the end of a pivoting element carrying at its other end at least one ground locking member such as a friction pad, said control member, when the seat member is in the upper position, being tensioned and now the pivoting element so that the locking member is on the ground in so-called active position against the action of elastic return means acting on the pivoting element to position the blocking member on the ground in the inactive position.   5. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the ground locking means consist of at least one blocking member 10 on the ground such as a friction pad (10) held in the active position of ground locking under the effect of a single acting cylinder (V2), the rod (T2) of the cylinder (V2) at the end of which is mounted the locking member (10) being held deployed by means of a spring (R2) in the cylinder of the cylinder (V2), so that the pad (10) is locked to the ground, and the fluid such as air being provided to act on the cylinder piston (V2), in communication with the reservoir (C), and bringing said locking member (10) in an inactive position, against the effect of the spring (R2), this jack being actuated when a user sits on the seat element (4). ), by the exhaust air cylinder (V1) of the seat member (4) and entering the tank in communication with the single-acting cylinder (V2) of the ground locking means.   6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means in position of the seat element in height are arranged to lock the height of the seat element at least in its extreme positions, namely in position high and in the low position.   7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means are constituted in the first place first means for locking in the upper position of the seat member. 30   8. Device according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the locking means are constituted secondly second means for locking in the low position, consisting of a clamping member such as a clamp (50). ) enclosing a guide member (5), mounted parallel to the jack V1 provided in the assistance device, said clamp (50) being drivable between a clamping position and a loosening position of said guide member (5) to using a control member such as a single-acting pneumatic cylinder (V3) in communication with the reservoir of the assistance device, a valve (R ') controlling said communication.   9. Assist device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the frame (C) constitutes the frame of a seat comprising in particular a base portion on the ground (9), armrests (3) and comprises at least one pneumatic cylinder (V 1), preferably double acting, preferably arranged centrally, the seat element (4) being articulated at the end of the rod (Ti) of the jack and for avoid its rotation around the axis of the jack, is provided a guide member such as a guide rod (5) sliding in a slide and mounted parallel to the rod (Tl) of the cylinder (Vl), the guide rod (5) ) being articulated on the seat element (4) also. 15   10. Assist device according to claim 9, characterized in that the seat member (4) is articulated directly or indirectly on the end or ends of the rod of the cylinder or cylinders so as to obtain a natural inclination towards the front, means for maintaining this inclination at least in the upper position of the seat element being provided.   11. Assist device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the frame (C), preferably mounted on wheels, is designed to be positioned at the toilet bowl, the means forming support 25 being positioned on either side of said bowl, a double-acting jack being positioned at said support means, the seat member constituted by the toilet seat being hingedly mounted at the end of each stem of cylinder.