JP2004261415A - Wheelchair cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To comfortably utilize a wheelchair by safely and effectively preventing hematogenous disorder of a wheelchair user. <P>SOLUTION: The cushion uses cushion material 102 which has a plurality of lines of replenishing chambers adjacent in parallel. The replenishing chambers are formed of flexible sheet, a gel-like heating medium is sealed into the replenishing chambers, and each replenishing chamber expands with the own pressure of the heating medium. A wheelchair cushion 1 obtained by housing the cushion material 102 which can be heated by a heating means in an elastic housing body 101 made of foaming resin and covering the body is provided on the seat surface of the wheelchair. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wheelchair cushion that can prevent a blood circulation disorder in a contact area between a wheelchair user and a wheelchair user.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When sitting in a wheelchair for a long period of time, blood circulation in the buttocks and back is obstructed, causing numbness, redness, and, in severe cases, pressure ulcers.
In addition, some wheelchair users, such as the elderly, do not have enough pressure sores, but some people feel pain in the buttocks due to their use. There was a problem that only the required minimum actions were taken, and the physical strength and energy gradually declined.
[0003]
Such a blood circulation disorder of the user can be reduced by putting a cushion between the user and the wheelchair, and various types of cushions have been conventionally used.
The cushion currently used is generally a foam resin wrapped in a cover.
In the case of cushions made of foam resin as cushioning material, in order to reduce blood circulation disorders on the user's seat side, it is necessary to ensure sufficient cushioning by thickening the cushion, and the conventional cushion is also thick Is the most.
[0004]
However, a general-purpose wheelchair is assumed to be used without a cushion, and the armrest, the backrest, and the step height are designed in consideration of a state of being directly seated on the seating surface of the wheelchair.
If a thick cushion is laid on such a general-purpose wheelchair, the height of the seat surface will rise, and the height of the armrests and backrest when the user sits will be relatively low, and the upper body of the user will be improper. It will be stable.
[0005]
When a wheelchair user is an elderly or physically handicapped person, in addition to the walking function, the motor function of the upper body is often reduced, and an excessive burden is imposed on the user to maintain a sitting position. There was a problem that would.
In particular, if the height of the armrests is low, when the user puts his or her arm on one armrest, puts weight on the wheelchair, or loses balance in the horizontal direction during use, in order to get on and off the wheelchair In addition, there was a danger that the upper body could get over the armrests and fall from the wheelchair, or fall over with the wheelchair.
[0006]
Also, if the seating surface is high, the distance to the step will be long, and if the foot can not be firmly put on the step, the foot will be easily fatigued, and furthermore, the wheelchair will be moved by kicking the floor with the foot while sitting Becomes difficult.
In order to avoid the problem caused by the height of the seat surface, the thickness of the cushion laid on the seat surface of the wheelchair must be about 4 cm, but if the conventional foam resin cushion is made about 4 cm thick, Sufficient cushioning properties cannot be ensured, and even if used, blood circulation disorders cannot be prevented.
[0007]
For wheelchair users who have an affected area around the anus such as hemorrhoids, there is also a cushion in which the center of the cushion material is hollowed out.
However, by hollowing out the center of the cushion material, the contact area between the user's buttocks and the seating surface is reduced, and the load pressure in the contact area is increased, thereby promoting blood circulation disorders.
For this reason, such a hollowed-out cushion is hardly used.
[0008]
Also, general-purpose wheelchairs have a problem in that the backrest often has a woven fabric, a resin sheet, or the like stretched between left and right supports, resulting in poor cushioning and poor sitting comfort.
In addition, when the user leans against the backrest, the back is stuck to the backrest entirely, and the back tends to be stuffy, causing the user to feel uncomfortable or unsanitary.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to prevent a blood circulation disorder of a wheelchair user safely and effectively, and to make it possible to use a wheelchair comfortably.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The purpose of the above is
Cushion material having a plurality of filling chambers adjacent in parallel, wherein the filling chamber is formed of a flexible sheet, a gel-like heat medium is sealed in the inside of the filling chamber, and each filling chamber expands by the self-pressure of the heat medium. The cushion material which can be heated by the heating means is accommodated in an elastic container made of foamed resin, for example, urethane foam, and a wheelchair cushion having a cover is provided on a seating surface of the wheelchair. Achieved by
[0011]
Specifically, in wheelchair cushions,
Cushion material having a plurality of filling chambers adjacent in parallel, wherein the filling chamber is formed of a flexible sheet, a gel-like heat medium is sealed in the inside of the filling chamber, and each filling chamber expands by the self-pressure of the heat medium. When,
Heating means for the cushioning material,
An elastic container made of foamed resin in which the cushion material is housed, for example, urethane foam,
A cover for covering the elastic container in which the cushion material is stored,
And a wheelchair cushion provided on a wheelchair seating surface.
[0012]
Examples of the heating means include a heating device having a sheet-shaped heating element, and it is recommended that the sheet-shaped heating element be provided inside the cover.
Further, the elastic container includes a bottom portion, a wall portion provided along an edge of the bottom portion, and a lid portion capable of closing an opening of the wall portion,
Plural irregularities are provided on the inner surface side of the bottom part,
It is recommended that the cushion material be accommodated in the elastic container while being placed on the uneven surface of the bottom surface.
[0013]
Further, an elastic holding body may be provided which can press at least a part of the edge of the cushion material toward the lid when the cushion is housed and the lid is closed.
Further, a back cushion portion attached along the backrest of the wheelchair may be provided on an edge of the above-described cushion for a wheelchair on the backrest side of the wheelchair.
[0014]
In this case, the back cushion is
A plurality of rod-shaped cushions,
A cushion loading section having a plurality of loading chambers in each of which a rod-shaped cushion is loaded, adjacent to each other in a row, and each of which extends vertically,
A wrap-around part that protrudes from the upper side of the cushion loading part,
A pair of belt portions projecting outward from a predetermined region near the winding portion side end edge on both sides of the cushion loading portion,
Consisting of
The hanging part is wrapped around the back side of the backrest beyond the upper edge of the backrest of the wheelchair, and a planar fastener is provided near an edge of the wrapped side,
It is recommended that a fastener capable of engaging with the planar fastener of the winding portion be provided at the end of the belt portion.
[0015]
In addition, this rod-shaped cushion is formed by sealing a semi-cylindrical foamed resin elastic body having a semicircular cross section perpendicular to the axis in a soft resin bag, and the flat side of the elastic band is It is advisable to load each cushion loading section one by one so as to face the back of the wheelchair.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a developed view showing an embodiment of a wheelchair cushion according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wheelchair cushion shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an AA of the seat cushion shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the seat cushion shown in FIG. 3, taken along the line BB. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the seat cushion shown in FIG. 3 with the lid removed, and FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a development view of the back cushion part shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a DD end view shown in FIG. It is.
[0017]
First, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 will be described.
In the figure, 1 is a wheelchair cushion including a seat cushion 10 and a back cushion 11, 100 is a cover, and 100a is a planar fastener.
The seat cushion portion 10 is a substantially rectangular flat thin plate-shaped cushion, the entire surface of which is covered with a cover 100, and is placed on a seat surface of a wheelchair in use.
The cover 100 accommodates an elastic container 101 described later.
[0018]
The cover 100 is provided with a single fastener on three sides, and the elastic container 101 can be stored and removed therefrom.
In the vicinity of one end on the back surface side of the seat cushion portion 10, a planar fastener 100a is provided.
The thickness of the seat cushion 100 is set to about 4.0 to 4.5 cm.
[0019]
Next, the seat cushion 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
In these drawings, the cover 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is omitted.
In the figure, 101 is an elastic container, 1010 is a bottom portion, 1011 is a wall portion, 1012 is a lid portion, 1013 is an elastic holding member, 102 is a cushion material, and 103 is a sheet-like heating element.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the cushion material 102 has seven filling chambers adjacent to each other in parallel, the filling chamber is formed of a flexible sheet, and a gel-like heat medium is sealed in the filling chamber. Then, each filling chamber expands by the self-pressure of the heat medium.
The cushion material 102 is welded in an embossed state with both ends of each filling chamber crushed in order to increase its own pressure.
[0021]
Next, the elastic container 101 will be described.
The bottom surface portion 1010 is a rectangular urethane foam sheet having a plurality of irregularities formed by profile processing on one surface of a relatively high-density urethane foam sheet as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7. .
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the wall 1011 is provided with a long urethane foam sheet along the edge of the bottom 1010 so as to surround the uneven surface of the bottom 1010.
[0022]
The lid 1012 is a substantially rectangular urethane foam sheet capable of closing the opening of the wall 1011, and is provided so as to close the opening.
The elastic holding member 1013 is a member made of urethane foam, and is provided along a pair of inner surfaces of the wall portion 1011 as shown in FIGS.
When the cushion member 102 is accommodated in the elastic container 101, the edge on the end side of the filling chamber of the pair of edges of the cushion material 102 is placed on the bottom surface portion 1010 so as to rest on the elastic holding member 1013. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lid 1012 is put on the cushion material 102, the periphery thereof is overlapped with the opening edge of the wall 1012, and three of the four overlapping sides are bonded.
[0023]
The operation of the sheet heating element 103 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) having a battery.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sheet-shaped heating element 103 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the cushion material 102, and is formed from one side of the elastic container 101 where the lid 1012 is not adhered. It is inserted between 1012 and the cushion material 102.
[0024]
Further, a control unit (not shown) of the sheet heating element 103 is also accommodated in the cover 100.
The battery of this control unit is a rechargeable battery that can be charged from a household outlet.
Further, the control unit automatically turns off its function after a lapse of a predetermined time when the switch is turned on, so that the sheet-like heating element 103 does not continue for a predetermined time or more.
[0025]
Next, the back cushion portion 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the figure, 110 is a cushion loading portion, 111 is a winding portion, 112 is a belt portion, and 113 is a connecting portion.
The cushion loading section 110 has six loading chambers 110a adjacent to each other in parallel and each extending in the vertical direction, and a rod-shaped cushion (not shown) is loaded in each loading chamber.
[0026]
This rod-shaped cushion is formed by secretly enclosing a semi-cylindrical elastic body made of urethane foam having a semicircular cross section perpendicular to the axis in a flexible resin bag, as shown in FIG. One cushion is loaded into each cushion loading chamber 110a such that the flat side of the elastic body faces the backrest of the wheelchair.
The winding portion 111 is a flexible sheet-like member extending from the upper edge of the cushion loading portion 110 in the axial direction of the loading chamber 110a.
[0027]
When the cushion loading section 110 is arranged along the backrest of a wheelchair (not shown), the winding section 111 is wound around the back side of the backrest over the upper edge of the backrest. Near the outer surface on both sides of the winding portion 111, a planar fastener 111a is provided.
The belt portion 112 is provided so as to project outward from the vicinity of the winding portion 111 on both sides of the cushion loading portion 110.
[0028]
The belt portion 112 is wound back on the back side of the backrest of the wheelchair so that the tip thereof overlaps the planar fastener 111a of the winding portion 111 wound around the upper edge of the backrest of the wheelchair. The area | region which overlaps with the planar fastener 111a is provided with the planar fastener 112a which can be engaged with it.
The connecting portion 113 is a flexible sheet-like member extending from the lower edge of the cushion loading portion 110 in the axial direction of the loading chamber 110a.
[0029]
The connecting portion 113 is sandwiched between a seat surface of a wheelchair (not shown) and the planar fastener 100a of the seat cushion portion 10 placed thereon.
A planar fastener 113a that can be engaged with the planar fastener 100a is provided in a region of the connecting portion 113 that comes into contact with the planar fastener 100a of the seat cushion portion 10.
[0030]
When using the above-mentioned wheelchair cushion 1, first, the back cushion 11 is leaned up along the backrest of the wheelchair so that the connecting portion 113 spreads on the seating surface of the wheelchair, and the winding portion 111 is moved from the upper edge of the backrest to the back. The belt portion 112 is wound back from the side of the backrest to the back side, and the planar fastener 112a of the belt portion 112 is engaged with the planar fastener 111a of the winding portion 111.
[0031]
Next, the seat cushion 10 is placed on the seat surface of the wheelchair so that the planar fastener 100a on the back surface of the seat cushion 10 overlaps the planar fastener 113a of the connecting portion 113, and attached to the wheelchair.
Next, the zipper of the cover 100 of the seat cushion 10 is opened, the control unit of the sheet-like heating element 103 is taken out of the zipper, the switch is turned on, the zipper is closed in the cover 100, and the wheelchair is used. To do.
[0032]
The cushion material 102 in the seat cushion 10 is heated by the heat from the sheet-like heating element 103 and the body temperature of the user.
At this time, the heat from the sheet-shaped heating element 103 is insulated by the user's body, stays inside the seat cushion section 10, and heats the cushion material 102 efficiently.
After a lapse of a predetermined time, the sheet-like heating element 103 stops generating heat, but the gel-like heating medium enclosed in the cushion material 103 once warmed is hard to cool down, is kept at the user's body temperature, and is used during use. Its temperature never drops below body temperature.
[0033]
Further, since the bottom portion 1010 of the elastic container 101 is made of urethane foam having a relatively high density, heat loss from the bottom portion 1010 side is small, and the cushion material 102 is not easily cooled.
Further, a plurality of irregularities are provided on the bottom surface portion 1010. Further, since both ends of the cushion material 102 are sandwiched between the elastic sandwiching body 1013 and the lid portion 1012, the cushion material 102 is elastic during use. There is no bias in the container 101.
The battery of the sheet-shaped heating element 102 is charged when the wheelchair is not used, such as at bedtime.
[0034]
The above-described wheelchair cushion supports the buttocks of the user with the warm cushioning material 103, so that sufficient cushioning properties can be obtained without increasing the thickness of the seat cushion portion 100, and the seat cushion portion of the user can be used during use. The blood flow on the contact surface with the 100 is not hindered, and the buttocks do not become numb or reddened even after riding for a day.
Further, since the seat cushion 100 is thin, there is no danger of the user falling over the armrest or falling down the wheelchair.
Further, the cushion loading portions 110 are arranged in the back cushion 11 in the vertical direction, so that even when leaning against the backrest, the ventilation is good in the vertical direction, so that the back cushion 11 is less likely to be stuffy and the rod-shaped cushion disperses the contact pressure. In addition, the back is softly supported, so it can be used comfortably.
[0035]
The wheelchair cushion according to the present invention includes a cushion material having a plurality of parallel-filled filling chambers in which a heat medium is enclosed by a predetermined heating means, and is used by laying it on a seating surface of a wheelchair, The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
Specifically, the heating means for the cushion material may be any means that can heat the cushion material, and may be disposed between the cover of the seat cushion and the lid of the elastic container. It may be arranged between the cushion member and the bottom of the elastic container, or may be provided inside the cushion member.
[0036]
The number, shape and arrangement of the heat medium filling chambers of the cushioning material can be freely changed within the scope of the present invention.
Further, the heating means may be of a type mounted on the seat cushion, and may be provided outside the seat cushion of the cushion material, such as heating the cushion material by the heating means mounted on the seat cushion before use. .
[0037]
Further, the heating means is not limited to the one provided with the sheet-shaped heating element, and may be any means capable of heating the cushion material.
Further, for safety, it is recommended that the control system of the heating means is provided with a timer that automatically switches off after a predetermined time has elapsed when the switch is turned on. It may be provided so that the user can freely operate it, or the heating temperature can be adjusted.
Also, a switch is not provided for the heating means, and a battery is connected to the sheet-shaped heating element so that the sheet-shaped heating element generates heat, and when the battery is completely discharged, the sheet-shaped heating element stops generating heat. It may be.
[0038]
In addition to batteries that can be rechargeable, dry batteries can also be used, and a safety device that detects abnormalities such as overheating of the battery and heating element and leakage current and immediately disconnects the circuit can be provided. Recommended.
In addition, the shape of the elastic container in which the cushion material is accommodated and the accommodation method are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, a cut is made in a flat member made of urethane foam, and the cushion material is inserted into the cut. Any material can be used as long as it can accommodate the cushion material.
[0039]
In addition, the urethane foam constituting the elastic container uses a low heat insulating material in a portion located in a region sandwiched between the user and the cushion material, that is, a component portion corresponding to the lid portion, and in other portions, It is recommended to use a material with high heat insulation and to enhance the heat retention, but urethane foam of the same quality may be used.
Further, in the above embodiment, the unevenness is provided by the profile processing on the cushion mounting surface in the elastic container. However, the unevenness may be provided by other methods. Anything may be used.
[0040]
The shape and size of the wheelchair cushion according to the present invention is preferably, for example, a seat cushion having a length and width of about 35 to 45 cm and a thickness of about 4.5 cm or less in a substantially flat shape. However, it is within the scope of the present invention and may be anything as long as it can be attached to the wheelchair to be used, but if a normal general-purpose wheelchair is used, the thickness of the seat cushion is Should not exceed at least 5 cm to prevent accidents over wheelchair armrests.
However, if the center of gravity of the wheelchair is lowered so that it does not fall over and the armrests of the wheelchair are high or protective parts are installed to prevent falling to the side, use a thick seat cushion. can do.
Further, as a material constituting the elastic container, a foamed resin other than urethane foam may be used.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, according to the present invention, a blood circulation disorder of a wheelchair user can be safely and effectively prevented, and the wheelchair can be used comfortably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a developed view showing one embodiment of a wheelchair cushion according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wheelchair cushion shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of the seat cushion shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a sectional view of the seat cushion shown in FIG. 3 taken along line BB.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the seat cushion shown in FIG. 3 with a lid removed.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the seat cushion shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line CC shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a view of the back cushion shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line DD shown in FIG. 8;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wheelchair cushion 10 Seat cushion part 100 Cover 100a Sheet fastener 101 Elastic container 1010 Bottom part 1011 Wall part 1012 Cover part 1013 Elastic holding body 102 Cushion material 103 Sheet heating element 11 Back cushion part 110 Cushion loading part 110a Loading room 111 Winding part 111a Planar fastener 112 Belt part 112a Planar fastener 113 Connecting part

Claims (6)

In wheelchair cushions,
Cushion material having a plurality of filling chambers adjacent in parallel, wherein the filling chamber is formed of a flexible sheet, a gel-like heat medium is sealed in the inside of the filling chamber, and each filling chamber expands by the self-pressure of the heat medium. (102),
Heating means for the cushion material (102);
An elastic container (101) made of a foamed resin in which a cushion material (102) is stored;
A cover (100) for covering the elastic container (101) in which the cushion material (102) is stored;
A wheelchair cushion provided on the seat of a wheelchair. The wheelchair cushion according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is a heating device having a sheet-shaped heating element (103), and the sheet-shaped heating element (103) is provided inside the cover (100). An elastic container (101) has a bottom (1010), a wall (1011) provided along an edge of the bottom (1010), and a lid (1012) capable of closing an opening of the wall (1011). )
A plurality of irregularities are provided on the inner surface side of the bottom portion (1010),
The wheelchair cushion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cushion material (102) is housed in the elastic housing body (101) while being placed on the uneven surface of the bottom portion (1010). Along the inner surface of the wall (1011) of the elastic container (101), when the cushion (102) is stored and the lid (1012) is closed, at least a part of the edge of the cushion (102) is closed. The wheelchair cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an elastic holding body (1013) that can be pressed against the lid (1012). A back cushion portion (11) provided along a backrest of the wheelchair, is provided on an edge of the cushion for a wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is located on a backrest side of the wheelchair.
The back cushion part (11)
A plurality of rod-shaped cushions,
A cushion loading portion (110) having a plurality of loading chambers each having a rod-shaped cushion loaded therein, adjacent to each other in a row, and extending in a vertical direction;
A winding portion (111) extending from an upper edge of the cushion loading portion (110);
A pair of belt portions (112) projecting outward from predetermined regions on both sides of the cushion loading portion (110) near the winding portion (111) side edge;
Consisting of
A wrapping portion (111) is wound around the back side of the backrest beyond the upper edge of the backrest of the wheelchair, and a planar fastener (111a) is provided near an edge of the wrapped side;
The cushion for a wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a planar fastener (112a) that can engage with the planar fastener (111a) of the winding portion is provided at a tip of the belt portion (112). A rod-shaped cushion is formed by sealing a semi-cylindrical foamed resin elastic body having a semicircular cross section perpendicular to the axis in a flexible resin bag, and the flat side of the elastic body is a wheelchair. The cushion for a wheelchair according to claim 4 or 5, wherein one cushion is loaded into each cushion loading portion so as to face the backrest.

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