FR3073393A1 - DEVICE FOR ASSISTANCE TO VERTICALIZATION - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a raising device (1) for a walker device (2) comprising: • a support frame (10) comprising two fixing rods (12) configured to be inserted into associated housings (26) of a a walker device (2) and a structural rod (14), connecting the two fixing rods (12), and • verticalizing means (11) fixed to the support frame (10), the standing device (1) being characterized in that the structural rod (14) is telescopic in order to make the universalizing device (1) universal.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to vertical assist devices for the elderly.

STATE OF THE ART

Mobility assistance for the elderly covers various functionalities, such as stability when walking, preventing falls, or standing up. In all cases, it is a question of guaranteeing the safety of the user, while providing him with simple and inexpensive assistance devices, the use of which is intuitive.

Walking devices are known and widely used. There are many types, more or less complex, motorized and / or robotic. Such devices allow a user to move around safely, limiting efforts. However, these devices are configured to assist a user in his movements in a standing position. For this reason, a user will need additional help to switch from sitting to standing, and vice versa, in order to get around. This aid can be provided to him by a third party, or by verticalization devices which can be motorized and / or robotized. Such verticalization devices can also be implemented by third parties, for example constituting the assisting staff of reception structures for the elderly.

The verticalization process for a person is relatively complex. In fact, the risk of falling during this phase of displacement is very important. Numerous studies, including some in the name of the Applicant, have therefore been carried out in order to propose verticalization devices whose movement is adapted to each user. These devices are generally integrated into a walker-type support. However, these are generally bulky and expensive items. This makes the devices offered until now difficult to use in structures such as retirement homes, where most of the assistance devices are shared between the users.

There is therefore a need for simple, safe and inexpensive standing devices which also make it possible to assist a user in his movements once he has reached the standing position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an efficient and intuitive verticalization device which can be used and adapted universally.

Another object of the invention is to ensure the verticalization of a user using a device which is familiar and inexpensive.

The invention provides in particular a stand-up device for a walker device comprising:

- a support frame, comprising two fixing rods configured to be introduced into associated housings of a walker device and a structural rod, connecting the two fixing rods, and

- verticalizing means fixed on the support frame, the verticalizing device being characterized in that the structural rod is telescopic in order to make the verticalizing device universal.

Thanks to the telescopic structural rod, it is possible to adapt the support frame to any walker device. An advantageous universality of the stand-up device is thus obtained. It is thus possible to use the same stand-up device successively on several walkers. An advantageous reduction in the costs of assistance in standing is thus obtained. Furthermore, the simplicity and modularity of the stand-up device allow intuitive use which guarantees the safety of a user's movements.

The stand-up device according to the invention may further comprise the following characteristics taken alone or in combination:

- it further comprises a force sensor and a control unit configured to control a movement of the verticalizing means as a function of information relating to the forces measured by the force sensor,

- the control unit is housed in the structural rod,

the verticalizing means comprise at least one handle, preferably two handles,

- the force sensor is housed at the level of the handle,

- the handle is removable,

- the force sensor is configured to measure stress components in six different directions of space,

the verticalizing means are configured to perform a movement according to two degrees of freedom,

the verticalizing means comprise a motor, for example of the electric type, configured to drive the movement of the verticalizing means, a battery of the motor being housed in the structural rod, and

- It also includes a security system configured to block the movement of the stand-up means in the event of an engine failure.

The invention also relates to a walker comprising a device as described above.

QUICK DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting example and in which:

- Figure 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the verticalization device according to the invention, reported on a walker device,

FIG. 2a is a schematic front view of an exemplary embodiment of the verticalization device according to the invention,

- Figure 2b is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the verticalization device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A stand-up device 1 will now be described, with reference to the figures. As we will see later, such a stand-up device 1 can thus be universal, that is to say that it can be adapted to any type of walker device 2.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a stand-up device 1 fixed to an example of a walker device 2.

Usually, a walking device 2 allows a user to relieve the weight of his body in order to facilitate his movements. For this purpose, a walker 2 generally comprises at least two feet 20, in the example illustrated four feet, and a support frame 22, connecting the feet 20 together. The user leans on the support frame 22, then sets in motion his lower limbs, before moving the walker 2 in a given direction. This process is then repeated as many times as necessary to assure the user in his walk.

There are different types of walker 2, which vary mainly from one another depending on the number of wheels 24 (between no wheel and several wheels) with which the feet 20 are fitted in order to facilitate the successive movements of the walker 2. Some walkers 2 also have optional features such as a partial, generally electric, motorization or supports that also relieve the back when walking.

In any event, the support frame 22 of the walkers 2 is adapted to receive a handle or even a support structure.

A stand-up device 1 then comprises a support frame 10 and stand-up means 11 fixed on the support frame 10. The support frame comprises two fixing rods configured to be introduced into associated housings of a walker device 2, for example the housings 36 , and a structural rod 14, connecting the two fixing rods 12.

Insofar as each type of walker device 2 has its own dimensions and characteristics, in particular in width, the structural rod 14 is advantageously telescopic, in order to make the stand-up device 1 universal. The dimension of the housings 26 is however common, so that the stand-up device 1 can be attached to any type of walker device 2. Thus, a user can simply adapt the stand-up device 1 to his walker device 2 and get up and get up sit alone without difficulty and without the risk of falling for a lower cost.

The various elements of the support frame 10, and in particular the structural rod 14, may have a certain number of optional characteristics, taken alone or in combination, and adapted to its use. They can for example be formed from a metallic or plastic, rigid, or flexible material. They can also have a cylindrical section, for example rectangular, polygonal or circular. Furthermore, they can be hollow over all or part of their length, in particular for accommodating other elements of the stand-up device 1. The structural rod 14 can finally comprise itself one or more housings on which additional devices can be fixed.

With reference to FIG. 2a, in a first embodiment, the verticalizing means 11 are controlled by a control unit 13 configured to control a movement of said verticalizing means 11. This command can be transmitted remotely, for example by means of protocol communication type "Bluetooth" or "Wifi", or by means of a network of cables integrated into the stand-up device 1. The command then comprises the direction (s) and the speed of movement of the stand-up means 11. The control unit 13 can be autonomous, or be itself remotely controlled, for example by a third party responsible for assisting the user.

Advantageously, this movement can be driven by a motor 15, for example of the electric type. In this case, the control unit 13 is configured to drive the motor 15. Even more advantageously, at least one of the battery 150 of the motor 15, of the control unit 13 and / or of the means of communication between the control unit 13 and the verticalizing means 11, is housed in the telescopic structural rod 14.

The device 1 can also include a security system 17 configured to block the movement of the stand-up means 11, in the event of an engine failure 15. This safety system 17 makes it possible to prevent any fall of the user during possible malfunctions of the stand-up device 1. By way of nonlimiting example, such a security system 17 can be of the trigger brake type.

In a second embodiment, which may be complementary to the first embodiment, the control unit 13 acts on the verticalizing means 11 as a function of information relating to the forces supplied by the user during the verticalization process. This information is measured by one or more force sensors 160 also integrated in the stand-up device 1. This information can be transmitted remotely, for example by means of communication protocol of the “Bluetooth” or “Wifi” type, or by means of a network of cables, different or not from the communication network between the control unit 13 and the stand-up means 11, and also integrated into the stand-up device 1.

The force sensor 160 is configured to measure stress components in six different directions of space, in order to provide the control unit 13 with information that is as precise as possible.

Advantageously, the stand-up device 1 comprises a handle 16, preferably two handles 16, projecting from the stand-up means 11, and on which the user is able to rest when moving from the seated station to the standing station. The force sensors 160 can then be housed at the level of the handles 16. The handle (s) 16 (s) may also be removable. This allows on the one hand to offer more compactness to the stand-up device 1, but also to increase its modularity and maintenance. In addition, this allows the stand-up device 1 to be removed from the walker device, and the removable handles 16 to be adapted to it, when the walker device is motorized.

In a third embodiment, which may be complementary to the first or the second embodiment, alone or in combination, the verticalizing means 11 are configured to perform movements in two directions of space.

For this, the support frame 10 comprises two arcs 18, each connected to one of the fixing rods 12 and the verticalizing means 11 comprise at least one ramp 19, preferably two ramps 19 parallel, each fixed on an arc 18 of the frame support 10. These are the handles 16 which describe the movement necessary for the verticalization of the user, as a function of the forces measured by the force sensor 160, by sliding along the ramps 19, for example under the action of the motors 15. The motors 15 can for example be arranged at one end of the ramp 19, as visible in the figures. As also visible in the figures, the security system 17 is then housed at the rear of the ramp 19 relative to the handle 16, near the motor 15. A user wishing to switch from the seated station to the standing station, and / conversely, leans on at least one handle 16, the time to tilt the weight of his body forward, then the upward (or downward) movement of the handles 16 engages so as to assist the person in his movement.

Consequently, the movement of the verticalizing means 11 is advantageously adapted to each user, as a function of the forces which it exerts on the verticalizing device 1 during the transition from the sitting position to the standing position, or vice versa.

Claims (11)

1. Stand-up device (1) for a walker device (2) comprising: • a support frame (10), comprising two fixing rods (12) configured to be introduced into associated housings (26) of a walker device (2) and a structural rod (14), connecting the two fixing rods ( 12), and • stand-up means (11) fixed on the support frame (10), the stand-up device (1) being characterized in that the structural rod (14) is telescopic in order to make the stand-up device (1) universal. 2. Stand-up device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a force sensor (160) and a control unit (13) configured to control a movement of the stand-up means (11) according to information relating to the forces measured by the force sensor (160). 3. Stander device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (13) is housed in the structural rod (14). 4. Stand-up device (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the stand-up means (11) comprise at least one handle (16), preferably two handles (16). 5. A stand-up device (1) according to claim 4, in which the force sensor (160) is housed at the level of the handle (16). 6. Stand-up device (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, in which the handle (16) is removable. 7. Stand-up device (1) one of claims 2 to 6, in which the force sensor (160) is configured to measure force components in six different directions of space. 8. Stand-up device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the stand-up means (11) are configured to perform a movement according to two degrees of freedom. 5 9. Stand-up device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 8, in which the stand-up means (11) comprise a motor (15), for example of the electric type, configured to drive the movement of the stand-up means (11), a battery (150) of the engine (15) being housed in the structural rod (14). 10. A stand-up device (1) according to claim 9, further comprising a security system (17) configured to block the movement of the stand-up means (11) in the event of an engine failure (15). 11. Rollator device comprising a stand-up device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.