Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
  • A61H3/04—Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
  • A61H3/04—Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons
  • A61H2003/046—Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons with braking means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/01—Constructive details
  • A61H2201/0161—Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/16—Physical interface with patient
  • A61H2201/1602—Physical interface with patient kind of interface, e.g. head rest, knee support or lumbar support
  • A61H2201/1628—Pelvis
  • A61H2201/1633—Seat

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus according to the preamble of the independent claim.
• a movable apparatus which is suit ⁇ able for use as support for people suffering from partial disability.
• Such needs exist, for example, in people suffering from problems with their balance, reduced strength in the leg muscles, a tendency to faint, etc.
• the apparatus can simply be taken in, for example, a motorcar and also be transported by nursing and other care personnel up steps, stairways, etc. Since such a support apparatus is relatively bulky, it is necessary that it can readily be collapsed when about to be moved in accordance with the fore ⁇ going.
• An imperative requirement is that the apparatus, in the raised state, possesses a reliable locking feature which prevents the apparatus from unintentionally folding together.
• the present invention relates to an apparatus which satisfies the above- outlined needs and requirements. This is attained by an apparatus ac ⁇ cording to the characterizing clause of the independent claim.
• the present invention realizes a mechanically stable support apparatus which may quickly and easily be folded together and opened out. In the folded-together state, the apparatus is very compact and, as a result, highly portable.
• the apparatus must be of such a nature that it can readily be locked also in the collapsed state.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view obliquely from the front of the apparatus
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view obliquely from the rear of the apparatus
• Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus in the collapsed state
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus in a region where the two leg frames of the apparatus are interconnected with one another;
• Fig. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 4 on com ⁇ menced collapsing together of the apparatus;
• Fig. 6 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Figs. 4 and 5, with the apparatus in the collapsed state;
• Fig. 7 is a schematic detailed view of the region illustrated in Figs. 4-6, with the apparatus in the opened state;
• Fig. 8 is a schematic detailed view corresponding to that of Fig. 7, but with the apparatus in the collapsed state;
• Fig. 9 is a detailed view of a locking device in the apparatus.
• FIGs. 1 and 2 which show a fundamental embodiment of the apparatus, there is shown a front (first) leg frame 1, and a rear (second) leg frame 2 interconnected with one another by means of articulated connec ⁇ tion members 4a,4b.
• the front (first) leg frame 1 includes a first leg 10a and a second leg 10b which are connected with a substantially horizontal crossbar 18. Each one of the legs has a lower portion 11a,lib and an upper portion 12a,12b. Each respective upper portion has a bent section 19a,19b pro- vided with handles 13a,13b.
• the legs are designed as tubes, but it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, in other embodiments, the legs are given other design.
• the upper portions 12a,b of the legs are shown in the Figures in one version in which they are telescopically slidable into the lower por ⁇ tions 11a,lib of the legs for adjusting the level of the handles 13a,b. Locking members 14a,14b are provided for fixing the upper portions in the adjusted position.
• each respective leg 10a,b is terminated by a bracket 16a,16b in which wheels 17a,17b are mounted.
• the brackets are movably journalled in the legs by means of journals 15a,15b which, as a rule, are provided so as to permit the brackets and thereby the wheels to rotate about a vertical axis.
• the rear (second) leg frame 2 comprises a first leg 20a and a second leg 20b with an upper portion 22a,22b and a lower portion 21a,21b. Each one of the lower portions is provided with a wheel 27a,27b. Both of the legs are interconnected with one another by means of a connection member 29 shown in the Figure as a bent portion which connects the upper portions 22a,b for forming a transition between the first leg 20a and the second leg 20b. It will be obvious to the skilled reader that the member 29 for interconnecting the two legs 20a,20b of the rear leg frame 2 is, in cer ⁇ tain embodiments, formed by a connection member of other design, for example a substantially horizontal crossbar.
• the two leg frames 1,2 are interconnected by means of the articulated connection members 4a,b in which the leg frames, while retaining their interconnection, are moved in relation to one another when they are switched between the folded and opened positions.
• the connection members 4a,b are disposed between the first leg 10a of the front leg frame 1 and the first leg 20a of the rear leg frame 2, and between the second leg 10b of the first leg frame 1 and the second leg 20b of the second leg frame 2.
• the two leg frames 1,2 each form mechanically cohesive and rigid units, the frames 1 and 2 in addition being substantially oriented transversely of the direction of movement of the apparatus. Moreover, in the opened- out state, their main direction of orientation entails that planes through the major orientation of each respective leg frame 1,2 make an acute angle with one another which is upwardly turned.
• a stable design and construction will be achieved with requisite spacing between the wheels 17a, ; 27a,b of the apparatus, at the same time as a user of the apparatus will gain good access to the space between the legs 20a,b of the rear leg frame 2 and ready access to the handles 13a,b.
• a collapsible panel 61 is connected to the front leg frame 1.
• the panel In Figs. 1 and 2, the panel is shown in the lowered position, but is shown in the raised position in subsequent Figures, for example Fig. 4.
• the panel 61 In the lowered position, the panel 61 is suitable as a storage surface for goods to be transported, but it is also usable as a seat.
• no brake devices and operating devices for them are shown in the Figures.
• brake devices are in actual fact provided, for example in associa ⁇ tion with the handles 13a,b in order that the apparatus does not roll away from the user unintentionally.
• the brake devices are connected to the wheels 27a,b of the rear leg frame 2, and are operated by brake levers provided at the handles 13a,b.
• the brake de ⁇ vices are used both as travelling brake and as parking brake.
• a sus ⁇ pension device 63 for, for example, a bag is provided in the illustrated embodiment in connection with the crossbar 18.
• the rear leg frame 2 has, in the illustrated embodiment, substantially only a support function, while the more complex functions in the form of rotary wheel suspension, adjustable height of the handles and foldable transport panel are concentrated to the front leg frame 1.
• Fig. 3 shows a fundamental view of the apparatus in the folded state. It will be apparent from the Figure that the folded apparatus is extremely compact. As a result, the apparatus is also easy to take along on, for example, longer journeys or on other occasions when it needs to be transported.
• Figs. 4-8 show in detail the connection member 4a which is composed of a first link 30 and a second link 40. The first link 30 is fixed to the first leg 10a of the front leg frame 1 and the second link 40 to the first leg 20a of the rear leg frame 2.
• first link 30 has an anchorage portion 31 with which it is fixed to the above-men ⁇ tioned front first leg 10a
• the second link 40 has an anchorage portion 41 with which it is fixed to the above-mentioned rear, first leg 20a.
• first link 30 and the second link 40 have a portion 32 and 42, respectively, which cooperate with one another in that they are rotatably connected to one another via a journal 60.
• the axis of the journal is directed sub ⁇ stantially parallel with the main orientations of both of the leg frames 1 and 2.
• the second end portion 32 of the first link 30 is provided with a sub ⁇ stantially horizontally directed arrest member 33 which, in Fig. 7, is shown as projecting over an upper edge 43 of the second link 40. In the illustrated position, the projecting arrest member is located closely adjacent the surface of the upper edge.
• the second end portion 32 of the first link is also provided with a retainer device 34 (cf. also Fig. 9) for a locking pin 52.
• the retainer device 34 and the locking pin 52 will be described in greater detail below.
• the retainer device 34 forms a through sleeve 36 (cf. Fig. 9) through the second end portion 32 of the first link 30.
• the locking pin 52 is movab- ly journal!ed in the sleeve in order to be displaced in the axial direc ⁇ tion of the sleeve.
• the second link 40 is also provided with a locking hole 45 whose dimensions are adapted to the locking pin 52 in order that this can be passed into the hole 45.
• a locking device 50 which is designed as an elongate piece (see for example Fig. 4) and which has, between its ends 56,57 an elastic spring-back central portion 58 which, in the il ⁇ lustrated embodiment, includes a central gripping portion 51. At both ends, the elongate device is coupled to an articulated connection member 4a,b.
• the Figures show one embodiment in which the connection is made to the first link 30 of the connection members.
• At least one of the ends of the locking device 50 is provided with the locking pin 52 which consists of a mechanically rigid and durable material, for example of metal, for the above-disclosed cooperation, with int. al , the locking hole 45.
• connection members 4a,b are of substantially corresponding design, for which reason only the one will be described in greater de ⁇ tail.
• the locking device 50 is, as a rule, provided with a locking pin only in its one end region. In such instance, the other end region is fixedly secured, for example, to the second articulated con ⁇ nection member.
• Fig. 9 particularly shows the design of the retainer device 34 including a sleeve 36 in which is disposed a locking pin 52.
• This is displaceable within the sleeve 36 in the axial direction of the sleeve and is sur ⁇ rounded within the sleeve 36 in a central region 38 by a spring 35.
• the spring 35 is tensioned between a heel 53 of the locking pin 52 and a ⁇ first shoulder 37 within the sleeve 36.
• the spring 35 thereby urges the locking pin 52 in a direction towards the opening of the sleeve 36 in the left-hand section of the Figure.
• the locking pin 52 is shown in the wholly projected position, i.e.
• the leg frames 1,2 assume the orientations illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
• the above-disclosed angle between the leg frames entails that, on loading of the apparatus, horizontal co posants of force occur which strive to dis ⁇ place the lower ends of the leg frames away from one another.
• the locking pin 52 has the position shown in Figs. 4 and 7, i.e. it projects out in the same direc ⁇ tion as the arrest members 33, in other words the locking pin 52 is lo- cated beneath the lower edge 44 of the second link 40. In this instance, the locking pin 52 is located closely adjacent the surface of the lower edge 44.
• the arrest member 33 is located above the upper edge 43 of the second link 40 and close to the surface of the edge 43.
• the con- nection member 4a forms a rigid connection which is immobile in the journal 60.
• the locking pin 52 reaches the hole 45 of the second link 40 and snaps into this hole as soon as the tractive force in the locking device ceases.
• an arrest member (not shown) is provided for adapting the movement of the leg frames to- wards one another to those positions in which the above-disclosed snap ⁇ ping in of the locking pin takes place.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
• Handcart (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=20389197

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (4)

Citations (6)

• 1993
  • 1993-03-09 SE SE9300815A patent/SE501323C2/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1994
  • 1994-03-04 AU AU62659/94A patent/AU6265994A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1994-03-04 WO PCT/SE1994/000186 patent/WO1994020058A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (6)

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