WO2017202989A1

WO2017202989A1 - Mobility aid

Info

Publication number: WO2017202989A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/062666
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sergej DICK; Dmitrij Hildebrand
Original assignee: Otto Bock Mobility Solutions Gmbh
Priority date: 2016-05-26
Filing date: 2017-05-24
Publication date: 2017-11-30
Also published as: EP3463240B1; DE102016109757B4; DE102016109757A1; EP3463240A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobility aid with a first frame element (2), a second frame element (4), and at least one body contact surface which is arranged between the first frame element (2) and the second frame element (4), wherein a distance between the first frame element (2) and the second frame element (4) is adjustable to a use distance, wherein the body contact surface is brought to a use position, and adjustable to a transport distance, wherein the body contact surface is brought to a transport position, wherein the mobility aid has at least one locking device (18) by means of which the body contact surface can be locked in the use position.

Description

mobility aid

The invention relates to a mobility aid with a first frame member, a second frame member and a footrest, which is arranged between the first frame member and the second frame member, wherein a distance between the first frame member and the second frame member is adjustable to a use distance, wherein the footrest in a use position is brought, and is adjustable to a transport distance, wherein the footrest is brought into a transport position, wherein the mobility aid comprises at least one locking device by which the body contact surface is locked in the use position.

Such mobility aids are for example in the form of a wheelchair from US 5,186,480 and in the form of walking aids from DE 296 14 857 U1, the

DE 298 07 151 U1 and US 2013/0061893 A1.

In the context of the present invention, a body contact surface is understood as meaning an area of the mobility aid which, when the mobility aid is used as intended, comes into direct or indirect contact with the body of the user, for example through a cushion or cushion. It is burdened in particular by the user of the mobility assistance. This may for example be a seat, a backrest, for example a backrest or a lower leg rest, or a footrest. These body contact surfaces can be formed as full-surface rigid elements, for example plates, or can merely be a frame element which is covered, for example, with a fabric or cushion. Of course, the body contact surface may also be provided with cushioning elements, in particular cushions, in order to increase the comfort of the mobility aid for the user. Expressly not as a body-contacting surface is considered a folding mechanism, as has long been known in particular for wheelchairs from the prior art. Such a folding mechanism is usually arranged below the seat, but is not burdened by a seated on the seat user. Mobility aids in the context of the present invention are orthopedic devices for persons with reduced mobility. Mobility aids may be, for example, wheelchairs, walking aids or roilators, or strollers or other mobility-enhancing devices and devices. Such devices and in particular foldable wheelchairs have long been known from the prior art. For example, US 8,419,047 B2 shows a foldable wheelchair. The aim of the corresponding folding mechanism is to be able to reduce the distance between the two frame elements for transporting the wheelchair. In this way, the wheelchair can be stowed to save space for transport.

The known from this prior art wheelchair has two footpegs, which are each connected to only one of the frame members. On each of these pegs, the user of the wheelchair can turn off one foot during use. To support the lower leg, a fabric web is stretched between the two frame elements. Now, if the wheelchair folded, so that the distance between the two frame elements is set to the transport distance and reduced, folds the available to support the lower leg fabric automatically. The two footrests can be folded upwards so that a space-saving position is achieved.

Another foldable wheelchair is known for example from US 2015/0245963 A1. Also, this wheelchair can be folded and brought to transport to a smaller pack size and has two separate footpegs, which are arranged on each one of the two frame elements. Again, it is provided that the user of the wheelchair each one of his feet on one of the footrests.

A disadvantage of this type of footrest, however, that can be done by the two separate footpegs no additional stabilization of the wheelchair. A connection between the two frame elements is not achieved by these footpegs. Often, however, these wheelchairs make for the user due to their folding mechanism and the resulting variety of joints and pivoting a somewhat uncertain impression. To prevent this DE 33 33 570 C2 a wheelchair is described which has a footrest, which is arranged between the two Rahmenelennenten. The footrest is thus connected to both the first frame member and the second frame member. Accordingly, if the wheelchair is to be folded, the footrest must of course also be transferred from a use position in which it is suitable for parking the feet into a transport position. For this purpose, it is similar to the folding mechanism, which is located below the seat of such a wheelchair, folded.

The disadvantage, however, is that such a footrest must be loaded from above to contribute to the stability of the wheelchair. This is not possible in particular for persons in whom one or both lower legs have been amputated, so that additional stabilization of the wheelchair can not be achieved, especially for these persons. Alternatively, the folding mechanism in the footrest could also be designed so that it is in the use position in the dead center of the folding mechanism. This means that the position of use is set exactly so that an externally applied to the two frame elements and thus also on the footrest pressure that would otherwise lead to folding the wheelchair, does not lead to movement within the footrest. However, this requires accurate compliance with the lowest possible manufacturing tolerances.

If the footrest is in the use position shortly before the point, it is thus unfolded when transferring from the transport position to the use position only shortly before the dead center of the folding structure, an externally applied pressure would result in the footrest being folded together and the frame elements be moved towards each other. On the other hand, if the footrest is deployed beyond the dead center, an accidental folding of the wheelchair would be reliably avoided in the case of a pressure applied externally to the frame elements. However, such an arrangement often leads to a game within the folding mechanism of the footrest and thus to a rattle. Although in this case the stability of the wheelchair would be increased, this rattling would result in a feeling of insecurity for the user of the wheelchair and the wheelchair might appear of inferior quality. _Λ

- 4 -

In addition, in this type of embodiment, the footrest must be moved beyond the dead center in order to fold the wheelchair and bring the footrest from the use position in the transport position. For this reason, the two frame elements would first have to be moved away from each other minimally before folding can take place.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to develop a mobility aid according to the preamble of claim 1 so that a stability of the foldable mobility aid is increased without the disadvantages known from the prior art occur.

The invention solves this problem by a mobility aid according to the preamble of claim 1, which is characterized in that the body contact surface is biased towards the transport position when the body contact surface is in the use position.

Consequently, if the mobility aid according to the invention is unfolded and the body contact surface is brought into the use position from the transport position, in which it allows a small amount of mobility aid, the body contact surface can be locked in this position of use. This means that the body contact surface can not be transferred from the use position to the transport position, without loosening the lock. Such a locking device can be realized for example by a pin or bolt, which snaps into a recess provided for this purpose or behind a corresponding undercut when reaching the use position. In this case, the pin or bolt, for example, elastically biased, for example, spring loaded, be. Of course, other possibilities of locking, which are known in principle from the prior art, can be used.

Advantageously, the locking takes place automatically when the body contact surface reaches the use position. Alternatively or additionally, a locking device may be present, which must be manually operated, for example, when the body contact surface reaches the use position. This _

Can be achieved for example via push-button elements, pressure elements or connecting pin, which can be pushed through overlapping recesses and / or holes in different components, when the body contact surface has reached the use position.

According to the invention, the body contact surface is biased towards the transport position when the body contact surface is in the use position. This can for example be done by a mechanical spring element which is compressed when the body contact surface is in the use position. If the lock is released in this case, the bias ensures that the body contact surface is moved from the use position in the direction of the transport position. It is not necessary that it reaches this transport position by the bias, even if this is quite possible and possibly advantageous. It is important, however, that the bias contact the body contact surface can be removed from the use position as soon as the lock that holds the body contact surface in the use position, is released. This is achieved in particular with automatically locking locking devices that the mobility aid is also one-handed operated and collapsible. Upon release of the lock caused by the locking device, the body-contacting surface is consequently removed from the use position and moved in the direction of the transport position, so that re-locking in this case is reliably precluded because the body-contacting surface is no longer in the use position ,

Advantageously, the body contact surface is lockable in the use position by being loaded in one direction to the use position. In this case, a corresponding load, for example by feet placed on the body contact surface, is necessary in order to lock the body contact surface in the use position. This does not necessarily mean that the locking device is actuated by the load, even if this is possible and possibly advantageous. In another embodiment, the body contact surface must be loaded in this direction to ensure that the body contact surface actually reaches the use position. Through the simple "

The body contact surface does not reach this use position if necessary, which is changed by a corresponding load in the direction of the position of use. As a result, the body contact surface reaches the use position and an automatic latching or locking locking device is actuated.

Advantageously, the mobility aid has a Löseinrichtung, by which a locking of the body contact surface in the position of use is solvable. This can be achieved, for example, by an actuating element, by means of which a locking element snapped into a recess or behind an undercut is removed from this latched position. In particular, in the event that the body contact surface is biased in the use position in the direction of the transport position, such removal of the actual locking element from the locking position is sufficient to allow folding of the body contact surface of the mobility aid.

Advantageously, the body contact surface has at least two hinged elements, of which a first hinged element is pivotally mounted on the first frame member about a first pivot axis and a second hinged element is pivotally mounted on the second frame member about a second pivot axis. The two folding elements are pivotally mounted on each other about a further pivot axis, so that a folding of the body contact surface is possible.

Particularly preferably, the body contact surface has a footrest surface and the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are arranged at different distances from the footrest surface. With a standing on a flat surface mobility aid, this means that the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are arranged at different distances from this floor. As a result, on the one hand, the stability of the body contact surface in the use position is further increased and on the other hand it is achieved that in the transport position of the body contact surface a particularly small Transport distance between the two frame elements and thus a particularly small pack size is achieved.

Advantageously, a respective steering wheel receptacle is arranged on the first frame element and on the second frame element, on each of which a steering wheel is arranged. Traditionally, wheelchairs in particular have two large rear wheels and two smaller front wheels, which are arranged schenkbar about a vertical axis. These are called steering wheels.

Preferably, the first frame member and the second frame member each have a plurality of holes, wherein adjacent holes have a first distance from each other and the respective steering wheel receptacle has at least two holes which have a second distance from each other, which is not a multiple of the first distance. In order to arrange the steering wheel receiver on the respective frame element, one of the bores in the frame element is brought into register with one of the bores of the steering wheel receiver. Subsequently, a bolt or pin or a screw can be passed through the bores thus brought into overlap, whereby the steering wheel receptacle is attached to the respective frame member. The holes in the respective frame member and the holes in the steering wheel receptacle are each arranged equidistantly, wherein the first distance is different from the second distance. It is thereby achieved that, despite the very simple manufacture of the optionally relatively large first and second distances, a very fine adjustability of the position of the steering wheel receiver on the respective frame element is achieved. Thus, the position of the steering wheel and thus the height of the body contact surface above the ground can be individually adjusted very fine without a constructively large effort would have to be operated.

Advantageously, the holes in the frame members and / or the holes in the steering wheel receptacles threaded holes. In this case, screws can be inserted directly into the threaded hole, without the need for additional fasteners, such as nuts. If the first distance in which adjacent bores are arranged on one of the frame elements, for example 12 mm, and the distance between two bores of the steering wheel mount is 30 mm, the overall result is adjustability in steps of 6 mm.

With the aid of the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail below. It shows:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a footrest in the use position

FIG. 2 shows the schematic representation of the footrest of FIG. 1 in the unlocked state;

FIG. 3 shows the footrest of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the partially folded state;

Figure 4 - the footrest in the transport position

Figure 5 shows an enlarged section of a part of the footrest

Figure 6 shows the part of a locking device

Figure 7 shows a detail of a footrest in a further view

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged detail of a mobility aid according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 9 - a sectional view through a frame member and a

Steering wheel mount and

Figures 10-12 - schematic representations of a footrest of another

Embodiment of the present invention in different views. Figure 1 shows a first frame member 2 and a second frame member 4, between which a footrest 6 is arranged as a body contact surface. The embodiments can in principle also be used for others, in particular the body contact surfaces already mentioned above. The footrest is in Figure 1 in the use position, so that the distance between the first frame member 2 and the second frame member 4 is the use distance.

The footrest 6 has a first hinged element 8, which is pivotably mounted on the first frame element 2 about a first pivot axis 10, and a second hinged element 12 which is pivotally mounted on the second frame element 4 about a second pivot axis 14. The first flap element 8 and the second flap element 12 are pivotally mounted to one another about a further pivot axis 16.

On the second frame element 4 opposite end of the second flap element 12 is a locking device 18, through which the footrest 6 can be locked in the use position shown in Figure 1. Between the first flap element 8 and the second flap element 12 is a spring element 20, which was biased when transferring the footrest 6 in the use position shown in Figure 1 and now biases the footrest 6 in the transport position.

Figure 2 shows the situation of Figure 1, wherein the locking device 18 has been solved. It can be seen that the spring element 20 has relaxed and the two folding elements 8, 12 has moved out of the use position shown in Figure 1 out. The first pivot axis 10 and the second pivot axis 14 are not located at the same height, but at different distances from a support surface 22 which is disposed on the second flap element 12 removed. As a result, the stability is increased in the position of use shown in Figure 1 and also achieved a smaller pack size. On the first frame element 2 and on the second frame element 4, as already in FIG. 1, a respective steering wheel receptacle 24 is arranged, on each of which a steering wheel of the mobility device can be arranged. ^

FIG. 3 shows the situation in a further folded position. The two folding elements 8, 12 have been further pivoted about the further pivot axis 16 relative to each other. One recognizes now more clearly that the first

Pivot axis 10 and the second pivot axis 14 are arranged at different heights on the first frame member 2 and the second frame member 4.

FIG. 4 shows the footrest 6 in the transport position. The two folding elements 8, 12 are almost parallel to each other. Since the first pivot axis 10 and the second pivot axis 14 are arranged at different distances from the footrest surface 22 in the position of use, the two frame elements 2, 4 as shown in Figure 4, can be arranged very close to each other, without the two pivot axes 10, 14 which would stand in the way.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged illustration of part of the situation shown in FIG. One recognizes the first frame element 2, on which the first hinged element 8 is pivotable about the first pivot axis 10. In addition, the end of the footrest surface 22, which is part of the second flap element 12, is shown. On the underside of the second flap element 12 is the locking device 18, which has a locking element 26 which is a pin biased by a spring 28 in Figure 5 to the left. It has a bevelled front 30 so that it can slide along a designated edge 32 along when the footrest 6 is brought into the use position. In this case, the end of the second flap element 12 shown in Figure 5 is moved downward and the locking member 26 slides with its front side 30 at the edge 32 and is moved against the spring 28 to the right.

Figure 6 shows the arrangement in an enlarged view from another perspective. It can be seen a bottom 34 of the second flap element 12. At this is the locking device 18 with the locking member 26 having the beveled front 30. The spring 28 presses the locking element 26 in Figure 6 upwards. _{λ λ}

- 1 1 -

At the front 30 remote from the end of the Verhegelungselementes 26 is a hook member 36 which engages in a recess provided for this purpose in an actuating element 38. If the actuating element 38 is actuated with its end shown on the right in FIG. 6, this end is moved downward in FIG. As a result, the hook element 36 and thus the locking element 26 is moved against the force of the spring 28 and thus moved out of the locking position, in which it engages in a recess provided for this, which is not shown in Figure 6.

FIG. 7 shows the situation from FIG. 5 from a different perspective. It can be seen that the hook element 36 is arranged in the recess 40 and has an enlarged head, so that a moving out of the recess 40 is not possible. The actuating element 38 can thus be used to move the locking element 26 against the spring 28. On the first frame member 2 is the locking hole 42 into which the locking element 26 snaps when the footrest 6 is brought into the use position.

FIG. 8 shows the first frame element 2 on which a steering wheel receptacle 24 is located. On the first frame member 2 are a plurality of holes 44 which are arranged equidistantly and have a first distance from each other. At the steering wheel receiver are two holes 46 which have a second distance from each other, which is not a multiple of the first distance.

Figure 9 shows an enlarged sectional view through the first frame member 2 and the steering wheel receptacle 24. It can be seen the holes 44 in the first frame member 2 and the two holes 46 in the steering wheel receptacle 24. Since the second distance between the holes 46 is not a multiple of the first distance between the Holes 44, only one of the screw 48, which are located in the bores 46, can be screwed into a bore 44. In Figure 9, this is the lower screw 48. The upper screw 48 is moved as far in the bore 46 until it rests against the wall of the first frame member 2. Due to the special design of the distances between the _{λ n}

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Holes 44 and the bores 46 a particularly fine adjustability of the position of the steering wheel receptacle 24 on the first frame member 2 is achieved. Of course, the steering wheel receptacle 24 is attached to the second frame member 4 analog.

Figures 10 to 12 show different views of a footrest 6 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The first flap element 8 is pivotable about the first pivot axis 10 around and connected via the further pivot axis 16 with the second flap element 12, which is pivotable about a second pivot axis 14. In particular, in Figure 10, the actuating element 18 can be seen, by which the locking device 18 is brought from the locked state to the unlocked state. The locking device 18 has a locking element 26 which is elastically deformed when lowering the second flap element 12 relative to the first flap element 8 and snaps into a latching intersection 50 when the locking position, which is shown in Figure 12, is reached. The

Actuator 38 is then accessible through an opening 52 in the second flap element 12, as shown in Figure 12. Will that be

Actuator 38 pressed down in the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the locking member 26 is moved out of the Rasthinterschneidung 50 and released the lock. Via a spring element 20, which is arranged around the further pivot axis 16 around, the two flap elements 8, 12 are biased from the locked position shown in Figure 12 in the figure 10 shown unlocking position.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 first frame element

4 second frame element

6 footrest

8 first folding element

10 first pivot axis

12 second folding element second pivot axis further pivot axis

locking device

spring element

foot support

caster mounting

locking element

feather

front

edge

bottom

hook element

actuator

recess

locking hole

drilling

screw

Rasthinterschneidung

opening

Claims

claims

1 . Mobility assistance with

a first frame element (2),

a second frame member (4) and

at least one body contact surface arranged between the first frame element (2) and the second frame element (4), wherein a distance between the first frame element (2) and the second frame element (4)

is adjustable to a use distance, wherein the body contact surface is brought into a use position, and

is adjustable to a transport distance, wherein the body contact surface is brought into a transport position,

wherein the mobility aid comprises at least one locking device (18) by means of which the body contact surface can be locked in the use position, characterized in that the body contact surface is biased towards the transport position when the body contact surface is in the use position.

Mobility aid according to claim 1, characterized in that the body contact surface is locked in the use position by being loaded in one direction to the use position.

Mobility aid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the

Mobility aid has a Löseinrichtung, by which a locking of the body contact surface in the use position is solvable.

4. Mobility aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body contact surface has two folding elements (8, 12), of which a first flap element (8) on the first frame member (2) about a first pivot axis (10) is pivotally mounted and a second hinged element (12) is pivotably mounted on the second frame element (4) about a second pivot axis (14).

5. mobility aid according to claim 4, characterized in that the body contact surface has a Fußauflagefläche (22) and the first pivot axis (10) and the second pivot axis (14) at different distances from the Fußauflagefläche (22) are arranged.

6. Mobility aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the first frame member (2) and on the second frame member (4) each have a steering wheel receptacle (24) is arranged on each of which a steering wheel is arranged.

7. mobility aid according to claim 6, characterized in that the first frame member (2) and the second frame member (4) each having a plurality of bores (44), wherein adjacent bores (44) have a first distance from each other, and that the respective Steering wheel receptacle (24) has at least two holes (46) which have a second distance from each other, which is not a multiple of the first distance.

8. Mobility aid according to claim 7, characterized in that the bores (44) in the frame elements (2, 4) and / or the bores (46) in the steering wheel receivers (24) threaded holes.