WO1999022689A1

WO1999022689A1 - Support device

Info

Publication number: WO1999022689A1
Application number: PCT/FI1998/000847
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rainer Lankinen
Original assignee: Rainer Lankinen
Priority date: 1997-11-04
Filing date: 1998-10-30
Publication date: 1999-05-14
Also published as: FI104786B; FI974129A0; AU1033899A; FI974129A

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheeled support device (1) for movement, in which there is a U-shaped frame (2, 3, 4) and a handlebar (5, 6, 7), jointed to the transverse component (4) of the U, so that it can, if necessary, be dropped to a position essentially parallel to the frame.

Description

Support Device

The present invention relates to a support device, more precisely a support device used to support movement by invalids, the elderly and others requiring support.

Numerous wheeled support devices are known. These are particularly intended to support elderly people, due to their reduced ability to move.

One example of a known support device can be described as 'a kick sled moving on wheels'. In this case, the construction of a conventional item of winter sports equipment, a kick sled, has been altered by reinforcing and shortening the runners and sticking wheels, of which there are usually four, on the ends.

Another known type of support device has two vertical tube components, the upper ends of which are bent to an essentially horizontal position to form handles, attached to the front of the frame component, close to the front wheels. A seat and a basket for carrying goods are placed between the tube components.

A third known construction is of a type, in which tube components rise from the hubs of four wheels and have handles formed at their ends. In this case too, a seat and basket are set between the two tube components.

The support devices described above have disadvantages, without which they would be considerably more useful, especially the fact that the rigid construction of various support devices prevents them being stored in a small space. Many of the devices take up so much space, both horizontally and vertically, that it is very difficult to store them out of the way in a normal apartment. Other drawbacks are no or insufficient vertical adjustment. This means that the known support devices often cannot be adapted for children, who may also need a support device for moving, due to an injury or other reasons.

Other users too are often forced to assume an ergonomically incorrect posture, causing unnecessary strain, particularly to their back. The lack of elbow supports makes it difficult for users with weak hands and arms to use the device at all.

On the other hand, even some known constructions can be placed in a smaller space by folding the frame, either longitudinally or transversely. However, folding of this kind is usually relatively difficult and demanding and may even involve a risk of injury.

Though the support devices described above can be equipped with either large or small wheels, changing the wheels is nevertheless difficult and the wheels are not intended to be changed by the user. Thus, if the wheels need changing due to wear or other reasons, a special trip to a service centre will be necessary.

This invention is intended to avoid the drawbacks described above and others in the state of the art and to create a support device, which is simply constructed, safe and practical, and which can also be stored compactly by collapsing it by means of a simple operation, and in which maintenance and other such operations can be carried out easily. In addition, the support device according to the invention is light and has a wide range of possible adjustments.

The advantages and benefits of the present invention are achieved by means of a support device, the characteristic features of which are described in the accompanying patent claims.

The invention is illustrated in greater detail by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a support device according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the brake device used in the support device; and Figure 3 shows a top view of the brake device.

Thus, Figure 1 shows an angled view of one embodiment of a support device according to the invention. Support device 1 comprises in principle of two longitu- dinal frame beams 2 and 3, which are joined at the front of the device by transverse beam 4. Wheels 8 - 11 are at both ends of frame beams 2 and 3, or, as described later in greater detail, there may be wheels 10, 11 at the front and skids 12 at the rear of beams 2 and 3.

A sleeve-like bar component 5 with a square cross section, or, if desired, a round or other cross section, rises from the transverse beam 4 and has inside it another sliding bar component 6, at the upper end of which there is a handlebar, attached so as to allow it to be removed, in which there are the actual hand grips 7, 7 for holding onto it. The position of the moveable components 5 and 6 in relation to each other is locked by means of holes 13 in bar 6 and a pin 14, screw or similar penetrating the upper end of tube 5.

According to one preferred characteristic of the invention, the totality 5, 6, 7 terminating in the handlebar can, for example for storage or transportation, be 'dropped' to a position essentially parallel to and between frame beams 2 and 3, in which case the support device will become a flat unit, which can easily fit into a small space for storage or transportation. In practice, there are many ways in which the bar can be turned between the beams. One practicable method is to use a collar-like component 15 around the lower bar component 5. Plate-like components 18, which are shown by broken lines in collar 15 and are attached to the frame and rise from it, form an articulated joint around bar 5, using swivel pin 19. It is preferable if collar 15 has a slot at the swivel pin. When collar 15 is raised, the plate-like components 18 no longer support the lower end of bar 5, allowing the entire bar to be swivelled around joint 19 to an essentially horizontal position.

Frame beams 2 and 3 are preferably, as described, relatively wide, thus providing excellent support for a person standing on them. The beams are also hollow, at least at the ends. This is important, to allow wheels 8 - 11 to be removed. In practice this takes place by attaching the wheel, for example 9, to a sub-frame incorporating a plug-like component 17. Component 17 can be pushed into the end of the frame beam and locked in place by a screw 24, pin or other suitable means. If desired, the lock can also be a snap-fit, with a suitable catch in the surface of beams 2 and 3, which can be pressed to release the wheel. Thus, the wheels can be replaced easily, if they are worn or damaged, or larger wheels can simply be used outdoors and smaller wheels indoors. The wheels can be easily and quickly changed by the user.

In certain conditions, it may be necessary to replace the wheels at the rear of the frame beams with the skid components marked by the reference number 12. In particular this may be necessary if the support device is used outdoors in winter, when the resistance of the skid components 12 is required to slow down the device. Even when moving indoors, the solution with four wheels may sometimes move a little too easily. This can be corrected by replacing the rear wheels with plastic or felt-surface skids 12. The attachment of the skid 12 corresponds to the wheel attachment described above.

According to the invention, front wheels 10 and 11 are attached in the same way as the rear wheels, using components that fit into the frame beams and, for example, screws. However, to permit steering, the front wheels can turn freely around their vertical axis. This is achieved by using a sub-component 20, which permits wheel 10 or 11 to be attached to a vertical axle. If necessary, the attachment may have bearings to ensure easy turning.

In addition to those described above, a support device according to the invention may incorporate other accessories, which are attached to the handlebar by being pushed inside the hollow hand grips. Accessories of this kind are particularly intended to provide arm support, which is especially important for the movement of someone who is very weak, in which case all additional support is necessary. Thus, for example, arm support 21 can incorporate component 22, which is pushed inside hand grip 7 and retained by screw 23 or similar. Screw 23 can be attached to the securing part 22 of the arm support, with a corresponding loop under the hand grip for the screw to go into. After setting the arm support in place, it can be secured to the hand grip by tightening the screw.

Figures 2 and 3 show one proposed brake device for a support device according to the invention. The brake is shown in outline in Figure 1 , connected to wheel 8. This exploits the fact that the wheels form a unit, in which the wheel rotates in bearings in the outer ends of the arms of an essentially U-shaped piece. Between the base of the U and the circumference of the wheel there is a space, in which it is possible to place a wedge-like brake block, operated especially by a foot lever, or, if necessary, by a hand lever on the handlebar, like the brake levers on a bicycle.

Thus, the brake device can be formed by a plate-like component 25 bent to form an angle, secured to the end of the frame beam by the same knurled screw 24 that attaches wheel 8 to the end of the frame beam. A lever plate 27, which extends in both directions, is attached to the part of the angle piece extending beyond frame beam 3, for example by means of bolt 26, around which the plate can rotate. Brake block 29, which lies in the space between wheel 8 and the base of its U-shaped support frame, is attached in turn to lever plate 27 by means of sub-frame 28.

Pressing on the right-hand side of the lever as seen in Figures 2 and 3 presses the brake block downwards to brake the wheel, the block also being supported on the base of the U, while pressing the left-hand side of the lever releases the brake. A wedge-shaped brake block is an extremely effect means of creating a braking effect, though it is obvious that other conventional solutions are possible. For example, a solution, in which brake block 29 is replaced with a concave metal piece, which, when brake lever 27 is pressed, especially grips the outer edges of the wheel, creating an even and powerful braking effect. A support device according to the invention achieves advantages other than those mentioned above. Thus, as the only longitudinal obstacles in the device are the frame beams, it facilitates movement. For example, if required, the support device can be reversed to bring the frame beams around a chair, on which the user wishes to sit, so that the user can sit directly on it. This also applies to a WC-seat.

A device according to the invention has a low centre of gravity, the position of the user relative to the device being such that the device cannot fall easily in any direction, a tendency to fall backwards in particular being a drawback in certain known devices. When the bar is dropped between the frame beams, the device takes up a space of only ten centimetres, so that it can be easily lifted to stand against a wall, where it will not impede other movement.

A support device according to the invention is mainly made from metal compo- nents, allowing the creation of a sufficiently sturdy construction. Certain parts can be made especially from plastic. It is self evident, that the design will be implemented allowing for commercial aspects and may differ considerably from that shown in the figures. Other variations, within the scope of the accompanying patent claims, are possible.

Claims

1. A support device, especially for facilitating the movement of invalids or those in a weak condition, comprising essentially a U-shaped frame (2, 3, 4), in which there are wheels (8 - 11 ) and a handlebar (7) for holding onto, characterized in that the handlebar arrangement (5, 6, 7) is jointed (19) to the base beam (4) of the U without lateral support and that the front wheels (10, 11 ) attached to the frame are of a type that can rotate freely.

2. A support device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the front wheels (10, 11 ) are jointed to turn around an essentially vertical axis.

3. A support device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the handlebar (5, 6, 7) is jointed to swivel to a position essentially parallel to the frame beams.

4. A support device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that, to hold the part (5) of the handlebar arrangement (5, 6, 7) jointed to the beam (4) in place, there is a rising plate-like component (18) on each side of the bar (5) and a collar-like component around the bar (5) and the plate-like components (18).

5. A support device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that its wheels (8 - 11 ) are attached to the ends of the frame beams (2, 3) in a removable manner, so that the plug component (17) of the wheels goes inside a hollow opening in the end of the frame beam (2, 3).

6. A support device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the frame component (17) of the wheels (8 - 11 ) is secured to the beam (2 or 3) by a knurled screw.

7. A support device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it also includes arm supports (21 - 23) attached to the handlebar (7) in a removable manner.

8. A support device according to Claim 1, characterized in that attached to the frame beam (2 or 3) there is a lever arrangement (26, 27), which includes a wedge-shaped brake block (29), which lies in the gap between the base of attachment fork and the circumference of the wheel and acts as a brake when the aforesaid gap is pressed.

9. A support device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the frame construction (2, 3, 4) is essentially a flat horizontal assembly of beams.