FR3054196A1 - MOTOR DISABLED VEHICLE, SUCH AS A SCOOTER, FACILITATING TRANSFER FROM AND TO THE VEHICLE, AND KIT FOR MAKING SUCH A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Individual vehicle for the disabled, comprising a seat (9), characterized in that the seat (9) is slidably mounted laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle on a telescopic guide device (7) carried by the chassis of the vehicle, between a position centered on the vehicle, and a position spaced apart from the vehicle, said seat (9) being provided with at least one foot (27) provided, at its lower end, with a member wheel or wheel (28), retractable between a raised position and a lowered position to roll on the ground, said guide device (7) being substantially retracted under the seat (9), when in the retracted state on the vehicle. This device can form a kit that can be mounted in one piece on the vehicle.

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY © Publication number: 3,054,196 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 16 01137

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : B 62 K 5/023 (2017.01), A 61 G 3/02, 3/04, 3/06, 5/00, 5/10

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 07.22.16. © Applicant (s): BERTRAND CLAUDE— FR, BER- (30) Priority: NASCONI JEAN - FR and PEILLEX PIERRE - FR. @ Inventor (s): BERTRAND CLAUDE, BERNASCONI JEAN and PEILLEX PIERRE. (43) Date of public availability of the request: 26.01.18 Bulletin 18/04. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents ® Holder (s): BERTRAND CLAUDE, BERNASCONI related: JEAN, PEILLEX PIERRE. ©) Extension request (s): © Agent (s): BERTRAND CLAUDE.

MOTOR HANDICAP VEHICLE, SUCH AS SCOOTER, FACILITATING TRANSFER FROM AND TO VEHICLE, AND KIT FOR REALIZING SUCH VEHICLE.

FR 3 054 196 - A1 (5 /) Individual vehicle for the physically handicapped, comprising a seat (9), characterized in that the seat (9) is slidably mounted laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, on a telescopic guide device (7) carried by the chassis of the vehicle, between a position centered on the vehicle, and a position spaced apart from the vehicle, said seat (9) being provided with at least one foot (27) provided , at its lower end, a rolling member or caster (28), retractable between a raised position and a lowered position for rolling on the ground, said guide device (7) being substantially retracted under the seat (9) , when it is in the retracted state on the vehicle. This device can form a kit that can be mounted in one piece on the vehicle.

Motor disabled vehicle, such as a scooter, facilitating transfer from and to the vehicle, and kit for making such a vehicle

The present invention relates to a motor handicapped vehicle, for example a scooter, allowing rapid and effortless transfer between said vehicle and another vehicle or device, as well as to a kit making it possible to transform a usual handicapped vehicle into a vehicle according to the invention.

The autonomy of motorists or passengers with motor disabilities or reduced mobility, that is to say, in the context of the present invention, substantially incapable, or hardly able to move on foot, is limited by the absence, to parking places reserved for them, efficient and inexpensive means of easily having an individual vehicle for the disabled, for example a tricycle or a scooter, preferably electric, and of transferring there from and then to their vehicle. When scooters are made available to the motorist, for example, in places open to the public, it is practically necessary to have assistance staff for the disabled, which is also very expensive.

Applications EP 3035900 and FR 3026941 describe devices, for example in a body or container of the street furniture type, or a room, comprising an individual vehicle, for example a scooter, and a folding seat, arranged in respective positions removed inside. of the body, the respective transfer locations, preferably inside the body, in which the chair and the folding seat are located next to each other and in close proximity, said movable folding seat being able to be moved over guiding means between an advanced position located next to and near the seat of the user's automobile, stopped in its determined position, and its transfer location, the seat intended to support the user being able to be horizontally movable between a position on said folding seat and a position on said individual vehicle, along respective guide means forming a trajectory allowing its movement when said vehicle and said folding seat are in their respective transfer locations.

These solutions are effective but however require specific installations.

The present invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks and to provide an individual vehicle device, such as, in particular, scooter or tricycle or other vehicle, in particular motorized, for the physically disabled, efficient, inexpensive, and capable of being installed economical, allowing use, simple, safe and effective for the disabled user. Another objective of the invention is to reduce the duration of transfer of the user between the individual vehicle and another device, for example an automobile , which makes it possible in particular to reduce its fatigue and, where appropriate, its duration of exposure to air pollution, for example in confined parking lots.

By motor handicap, within the meaning of the present invention, is meant people with non-existent or reduced mobility, but capable of driving a motor vehicle, or at least of using it, and having sufficient autonomy to drive an individual vehicle for disabled. These are, for example, people who are paraplegic, or who have lost the use of their legs, or who can only walk with difficulty, for example people who are obese. Also included in this term are people with normal or slightly impaired mobility, but who get tired or short of breath very quickly.

The subject of the invention is an individual vehicle for the physically handicapped, comprising a seat, characterized in that the seat is slidably mounted laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, on a telescopic guide device carried by the chassis of the vehicle, between a position centered on the vehicle, and a deployed position spaced apart from the vehicle, said seat being provided with at least one foot provided, at its lower end, with a rolling member or caster, retractable between a raised position and a lowered position for rolling on the ground, said guide device being substantially retracted under the seat, when it is in the retracted state on the vehicle.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the seat can be secured to the sliding element which is most separable from the telescopic guide, so that the part of the guide deployed between the vehicle and the seat in the separated position is not traversed by the seat. , whose weight, including the weight of the user, is, at least in large part, supported by the feet rolling on the ground. It is thus possible to use a telescopic guide device of light structure.

The guide may advantageously include superimposable telescopic elements, for example a first base element, integral with the chassis, at least one second movable intermediate element on the first, and an extreme movable element on the previous one, and carrying the seat, said elements or stages of the guide being guided relative to each other by sets of elongated rails and slides. The guide may however also provide more telescopic elements.

Preferably each element slides with respect to the neighboring element by two parallel sets spaced apart from rail and slide.

In a preferred embodiment, each stage of this guide device comprises a horizontal plate or surface having the guide elements cooperating with those of the consecutive plate, preferably on two vertical lateral sides, so that the plates come to overlap when the seat is centered on the vehicle, and form, in the deployed state, a continuous succession of horizontal surfaces preventing the interposition of a hand or body part, or any object in the path of the stages of the guide device.

The distance traveled by the seat is preferably greater than 100 cm, for example 140 cm or more.

Preferably, the direction of the guide is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. It is also possible to provide a bridge for the guide on a plate or a structure that can pivot horizontally on the vehicle, to modify the direction of movement.

In a particularly preferred manner, the seat can be mounted on a seat structure integral with the guide, and itself comprising a short seat guide making it possible, when the seat is in the separated position, to further move the seat partially cantilevered forward and / or obliquely forward and sideways, and / or laterally toward the car seat. The user can thus, once the seat in the separated position, advance the seat longitudinally or obliquely until it is in the exact position at the immediate side of a car seat. One can advantageously provide two superimposed guides in this structure, one for moving forward, the other to the side.

In the simplest embodiment, the short guide presented by this structure is oriented parallel to the guide device, allowing, once the position of the structure reached a short distance from the edge of the automobile, preferably with a cushion shock absorber preventing contact with its body, bringing the seat completely closer to the car seat. In order not to be obstructed by the open door, which is generally inclined by 60 ° relative to the longitudinal axis of the automobile, the vehicle according to the invention can be placed in the transfer standby position by making a corresponding angle with the longitudinal axis of the automobile.

In another embodiment, in which the direction of the guide is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the automobile, the seat is mounted so as to be able to move in partial overhang parallel or inclined relative to said axis.

It is advantageously possible to mount the seat so as to be able to pivot about a vertical axis or pivot, so that in the extreme deployed position of the seat, the outer edge thereof can be arranged parallel to the corresponding edge of a seat to which the user must transfer, such as a car seat.

Preferably, one or two feet are provided, arranged on the lateral side of the seat which will move away from the vehicle. In this way, when the seat is in a position centered on the vehicle, the feet are arranged practically on the corresponding lateral edge of the vehicle. Preferably, the feet include a telescopic vertical part which carries the caster, movable between a lowered position on the ground and the raised position, preferably by a spring, latching means being provided for locking the foot in the lowered position.

It can optionally be provided that the seat is adjustable in height, by means per se well known, actuated, for example, by a lever or a pump.

During the transfer of the user, the vehicle can be immobilized, for example by a vehicle brake. However, it is preferred to provide an immobilizer, preferably carried by the vehicle, for example a controlled stand device, for example by a lever for lifting the vehicle. One can also provide an actuator, sensitive to the movement of the seat to ensure, or complete immobilization, for example by cutting the power to the motor of the scooter.

Preferably, in addition to a seat blocking device centered on the vehicle to prevent movement of the seat while driving, the device may include a braking device, for example braking the running gear, in particular to block the device deployed during the transfer of the user between the seat and a seat, for example a car seat. Preferably, such a brake is actuated by an armrest.

Preferably a backrest is carried by the seat structure. If the seat can move over a short cantilever stroke, laterally towards the car seat, it is preferable that the backrest does not follow the seat itself. Preferably, the seat structure carries at least one retractable armrest on the deployment side of the seat.

The device can comprise, for example at the level of an armrest, or on the edge of the backrest on the deployment side, an elongated handle or handle tending to be disposed elastically laterally in a horizontal position, to allow a small user, sitting on the seat of an automobile, grab the handle to pull the seat to it, or push it back towards the scooter.

The device may include a motor, for example an electric motor, for example a low voltage motor, for controlling the movement of the seat and the guide ,. However, it is found that the device according to the invention requires very little effort from the user, who can easily be transferred by his muscular force alone.

The invention also relates to an assembly in the form of a kit, comprising the guide, the seat, the foot (s), and, where appropriate, the other elements carried by the device, or the accompanying. This kit makes it possible to easily mount the device on a disabled vehicle, for example a scooter, by simple fixing of the fixed element of the guide on the chassis.

Preferably, this assembly is fixed to the top of a vertical element or axis, capable of being mounted, and preferably adjusted in height, on a vehicle chassis, for example a scooter.

The vehicle according to the invention can be used in any location, parking lot or garage or on roads. One can provide, for example, to have the vehicle in a transfer position, in a box or shelter or other urban furniture, provided with a door operable by the user, means of marking or ruts or signaling being, preferably designed to immobilize a car in the correct location allowing the seat to arrive next to the car seat.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of nonlimiting example, and referring to the appended drawing, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 show schematic rear views of a scooter according to the invention in centered position, respectively deployed, Figures 3 and 4 show schematic profile views of this scooter in centered position, with the seat in normal position , respectively advanced in cantilever, Figure 5 shows a schematic profile view of the guide device of this scooter, Figures 6 to 8 show schematic rear views of this scooter in respective positions centered waiting, deployed next to an automobile, and advanced cantilevered.

The scooter shown has a conventional chassis 1 containing an electric motor (not shown) driving the rear wheels 2, with, at the front, a steering column 3 and a front wheel 4.and a handlebar 5. On the part 6 of chassis 1 which contains the motor is arranged a telescopic guide device 7 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction or axis of the scooter, in order to be able to deploy laterally on the right side. This guide device 7 supports a structure or seat base 8 supporting the actual seat 9. The seat structure 8 has, at the rear, a backrest 10, and two folding armrests left and right 11. The scooter may have a lifting stand 12, actuable by a usual actuating member, for example a lever (not shown), to prevent any movement of the scooter. The handlebars, with its handles 13, have all the usual on, off and signaling controls (not shown).

On the upper flat face of the scooter part 6, a first element or stage 14 of the guide device 7 is fixed. This element has a rectangular profile shape, the two vertical lateral faces of which each have a fixed horizontal elongated bar 15 forming a slide slide. A second stage of the device comprises an element 16 in the form of a U-shaped profile with a wide base open towards the bottom, the vertical faces of which carry, on the inside, two fixed rails 17 of C section, sliding on the bars 15. The element 16, has, on its outer faces, two slides 18 similar to the bars 15. The third stage of the device comprises a part 19 with a U-shaped section with a wide base, the vertical faces of which have, on the inside, elongated rails 20 similar to the rails 17 and sliding on the slides 18, and on the external faces, two bars 21 similar to the other bars. Finally, the fourth stage of the device comprises a part 22 with a U-shaped section with a wide base, the vertical faces of which have, inside, elongated rails 23 with a C section, similar to the rails 17 and 20, sliding on the slides 21.

In one embodiment, the element 22 can directly carry the seat base 8, or form it. However, it is preferred that the seat can slide on the element 22, for example by being fixed on a U-shaped piece 24 sliding by two sets of rails and slides 25 arranged between the internal faces of the wings of the piece 24 and a rectangular profile. 26 carried by element 22.

Provision can be made to mount the seat base 9 on the part 24, or the element 22, not fixedly, but pivotally about a vertical axis. As a variant, it is possible to interpose, between the seat and the part 24, a telescopic device allowing partial sliding of the seat in a direction perpendicular to that of the telescopic elements, or even simply placing the guide device 25 in an oblique direction, forward and side of the scooter.

The length of the elements 14, 16, 19 and 22 and therefore of their rails and slides is, for example of the order of 50 cm, and the slides can come out of their rail from a distance of the order of 45 cm, the remaining length ensuring the horizontal position in their rail. Conventional stops prevent the slides from coming out of their rails further. As a result the seat can deploy laterally from a distance of about 135 cm from the corresponding edge of the scooter. If the seat 8 is slidably mounted on the extreme telescopic element, such as 22, it is preferred that the course of the seat on this element does not exceed 30 cm.

We see, moreover, that the elements 14, 16 and 19 overlap each other, so that no foreign object can come between them from the top or the sides.

The sets of rails and slides described are readily available commercially, and generally include small balls or rollers that eliminate friction during their relative sliding.

The extreme telescopic element 22 carries, at its lateral end, which is arranged, at rest, at the level of the corresponding side of the scooter (in this case the right side), two vertically telescopic legs 27, the lower ends of which carry rollers 28 with axes perpendicular to the direction of sliding of the telescopic elements 16, 19, 22. These rollers can thus be either in the raised position (FIGS. 1 to 3) or lowered to the ground level (FIGS. 4 to 6), by being immobilized, in this lowered position, for example by a pawl (not shown) operable by the user. For example, the telescopic element 29 of the foot can be biased by a spring (not shown) between these two positions. Preferably the power supply to the scooter can be interrupted when the casters 28 are in the low position, to prevent inadvertent movement of the scooter.

Preferably the device according to the invention is mounted on a vertical central axis 30 located in the middle of the fixed part 14, so that the assembly described in Figure 3, forms a kit, which can be easily mounted, by the axis 30, in the usual hollow receptacle of the scooter, the usual seat of which has been previously deposited, with the possibility of adjusting the vertical level of the kit on the scooter.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, we see the assembly according to the invention in the retracted position (Figure 4), in the deployed position (Figure 5), in which the end element 22 can be brought practically next to a side of an automobile, and in an advanced position partially cantilevered from the seat 9, practically in contact with the lateral edge of the automobile seat.

We refer to Figures 7 and 8.

The scooter is in the standby position, the seat being centered on the scooter, as seen in Figure 7, the longitudinal direction of the scooter making an angle of about 25 to 30 ° relative to that of the car 31 The motor disabled motorist stops the car in the position shown in Figure 8 and opens its door 31, the door remaining in an oblique position, usually of the order of 60 °. He can, with his left hand, grasp an elastically retractable handle and stretching spontaneously towards him, and thus pull the backrest 10 or the armrest 11, so that the device deploys towards the car. Once the side edge of the element 22 in the immediate vicinity of the side of the car, it can then pull the seat 9 towards it and rotate it until it is parallel to the edge of its seat 33. The armrest being raised , it can transfer and slide on the seat 9, then pivot the seat and push it back on the element 22, until the latter is placed exactly in front of the backrest 10. It can then, by its simple muscular force, push the element 22, on its casters 28, towards the scooter, and close the door 32, then end up focusing on the scooter. He then lowers the armrest 11, and causes the wheels 28 to rise. He can then drive his scooter. On return, it reproduces these steps in reverse.

In practice, if the standby position of the scooter is far enough from the car, at a distance significantly greater than the length of the door 31, it can be provided that the seat 9 is already deployed laterally over a certain distance, allowing opening the door, but leaving the edge of the seat or armrest or backrest within easy reach of the user seated on the seat 33. On return, the user can, after transferring from the seat 9 on its seat, push the seat back to this intermediate waiting position, which can, for example, be materialized by a slight click, easily overcome by the manual force of the user. If the distance is slightly greater than the length of the door, the seat 9 can remain in the waiting position, centered on the scooter (Figure 7).

In the example of embodiment described, the guide 7 can be deployed laterally from the right side of the vehicle. We understand that it would suffice to rotate the guide (7) 180 ° so that it can deploy on the left side, provided that a structure carrying the backrest 10 and the armrests is provided, which can be dismantled and then reassembled on the opposite side of element 22.

Although having been described in the form of a scooter, the invention applies to other vehicles, for example motorized wheelchairs or with manual drive, for example made available to the disabled next to a pump, or between two pumps consecutive gas station, or parking, roads, hotel, shopping centers, or any place open to the public, garage or home.

Claims (11)

1. Individual vehicle for the physically disabled, comprising a seat (9), characterized in that the seat (9) is slidably mounted laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, on a telescopic guide device (7 ) carried by the vehicle chassis, between a position centered on the vehicle, and a position spaced apart from the vehicle, said seat (9) being provided with at least one foot (27) provided, at its lower end, with a rolling member or caster (28), retractable between a raised position and a lowered position for rolling on the ground, said guide device (7) being substantially retracted under the seat (9), when it is at condition retracted on the vehicle. 2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat (9) is integral with a sliding element (22) most separable from the telescopic guide (7), so that the part of the guide deployed between the vehicle and the seat (9) in the separated position is not traversed by the seat, the weight of which, including the weight of the user, is, at least in large part, supported by the feet (27) rolling hard ground. 3. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the guide (7) comprises superimposable telescopic elements, comprising a first base element (14), integral with the chassis, at least a second intermediate element (16 , 19) movable on the first, and an end element (22) movable on the previous one, and carrying the seat (9), said elements of the guide being guided relative to each other by sets of rails and elongated slides ( 15, 17; 18, 20; 21, 23). 4. Vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that at least some of said elements (14, 16, 19, 22) of the guide comprise a horizontal plate with two vertical lateral sides having the guide assemblies cooperating with those of the plate consecutive, so that the plates are superimposed when the seat (9) is centered on the vehicle, and form, in the deployed state, a continuous succession of horizontal surfaces. • 5. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the seat (9) is mounted on a seat structure integral with the guide, and itself comprising a short seat guide (24, 25 ) allowing, when the seat is in the separated position, to move the seat partially cantilevered forward and / or obliquely forward and sideways, and / or laterally towards the seat of the car. 6. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the seat (9) is pivotally mounted about a vertical axis or pivot, 7. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises two feet (27), arranged on the lateral side of the seat (9) which will move away from the vehicle, so that, when the seat is in a position centered on the vehicle, the feet are arranged practically on the corresponding lateral edge of the vehicle. 8. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the feet (27) comprise a vertical telescopic part (29) which carries a caster (28), movable between a lowered position on the ground and the raised position . 9. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a seat structure carrying a backrest (10) behind the seat and at least one retractable armrest (11) on the deployment side of the 'seated. 10. An assembly or kit that can be mounted on a vehicle and comprising a seat (9) mounted, sliding laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, on a telescopic guide device (7), between a position centered on the vehicle, and a position spaced apart from the vehicle, said seat (9) being provided with at least one foot (27) provided, at its lower end, with a rolling member or caster (28), retractable between a position raised and a lowered position for rolling on the ground, said guide device (7) being substantially retracted under the seat (9), when it is in the retracted state on the vehicle. • 11. The assembly of claim 10, characterized in that it is fixed to the top of a vertical element or axis (30), capable of being mounted in one piece on a vehicle chassis. 1/4