WO2019180654A1 - Device for helping the transition from a seated position to a standing position, and vice versa, mobility platform for seat comprising such a device, and wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (1) for helping the transition from a seated position to a standing position, and vice versa, by tilting a seat (3) forwards. The device (1) comprises a support assembly (2), means for linking the latter to the seat (3), a first support part (4) and a second support part (5) that can be moved between a raised position and a lowered position, and means for moving the first and second support parts (4, 5) between the raised and lowered positions, whereby, when the contact region of the first support part (4) has been placed in the lowered position in contact with the ground, the support assembly (2), and therefore the seat (3) to which it is linked, can be tilted by moving the second support part (5), after the contact region of same has come into contact with the ground, towards the lowered or raised position of same.

Description

Device for assisting the transition from a sitting position to a standing position, and vice versa, a mobility platform for a seat comprising such a device, and a wheelchair seat

The present invention relates to the field of assistance to persons with reduced mobility, and relates in particular to a device for assisting the transition from the seated position to the standing position, and vice versa, on a mobility platform for a seat comprising such a device, and on a wheelchair comprising them.

Different pathologies, particularly encountered in geriatrics, cause disabilities for people to move from sitting to standing, and vice versa, while these people have a market potential with technical and / or human assistance.

In order to help these persons to get up and to sit, it is known, in the prior art, mobile seats which aim to cause the transition from the sitting position to the standing position of their occupants, using a jack that lifts the seat and tilts it slightly forward.

However, due to the combined movement of lifting and pushing, the feet of the person occupying the seat lose contact with the ground. The person occupying the seat thus raised may fall during the operation standing up.

In addition, the cylinder moves the seat base relative to the base and not the entire seat. As a result, such a help device is not adaptable to any conventional seat without modification of the seat structure.

We can also mention the patent application US2010 / 0127544 which proposes to connect the seat of the seat structure to the frame by means of a deformable quadrilateral. Such an embodiment actually allows a modification of the inclination but has the disadvantages of being relatively complex and heavy.

It is also known, in the field of wheelchairs, to equip the seats of verticalization devices for a sit-stand transfer.

However, such devices are expensive, heavy, bulky, difficult to transport and difficult to use.

The present invention aims to provide a device for assisting the transition from the sitting position to the standing position, and vice versa, to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above, and therefore a device adapted to fit on an existing seat, without to have to modify its structure, and to make it possible to tilt the seat forwards then to return it to the initial position, which is simple and inexpensive, and allowing the passage of a person from a sitting position to a standing position and conversely, in a simple, fast and secure way.

The present invention thus relates to a device for assisting the transition from the sitting position to the standing position, and vice versa, by forward inclination of a seat to which the device is able to be connected, and vice versa to the rearward from the forward inclined position, characterized in that the device comprises: - a support assembly having a first end region and a second end region opposite in a longitudinal direction belonging to a longitudinal plane of the support assembly that passes through said two end regions, - connecting means adapted to connect the support assembly to the seat so that the support assembly is at a distance from the ground, - a first support piece and a second piece of support. each having a contact region intended to be in contact with the ground in use and which are each connected to the support assembly, respectively a first and second end region thereof, each of the first and second bearing parts being movable between a first position, said high, and a second position, so-called low, in which the respective contact region has distance from the support assembly, in comparison with the upper position, so as to be in contact with the ground, the distance, measured in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal plane of the support assembly, between the contact region of the first bearing piece and the support assembly being smaller than the distance, measured in the same way, between the contact region of the second support piece and the support assembly when each of the first and second support pieces is in its low position, and - means for moving the first support piece and the second support piece between the high and low positions, whereby, after the contact region of the first piece support member is placed in low position in contact with the ground, the support assembly, and thus the seat to which it is connected, is tiltable by displacement of the second support piece, after its contact region is entered into contact with the ground, either towards its low position or its high position.

According to the present invention, the aid device is fixed to the seat, preferably to the base of the latter and under its seat, with the first and second end regions of the support assembly respectively front side and rear side (namely , backrest side), and it is the whole of the seat, and not only its seat, which is pivoted forwardly relative to the ground, thanks to the support made in the front by the first piece of support and around which the pivoting of the seat is effected, and the lifting force produced at the second support piece when it is moved to its low position when it is already in contact with the ground .

After leaving the seat, which has been tilted forward as indicated above, the person can sit down on the reclined seat, which avoids the shock encountered when a person sits on a horizontal base. Once the person sits on the inclined seat, it is sufficient for him to control the movement of the second support piece towards its high position, so that the seat will be pivoted downward simply by the action of gravity and the weight of the person, with braking ensured by the second support piece, until the rear feet of the seat are supported by the ground. The first support piece can be progressively reduced to its upper position, the front legs then being supported again by the ground.

It is emphasized here that the low position of the first support piece is the position at which it comes into contact with the ground, while the low position of the second support piece is the position at which the distance mentioned above is maximum or a position reached by the second support piece after passing through said maximum distance, for example in the case where the second support piece is pivotally movable as will be described below. The lifting of the second end region of the support assembly, and therefore of the back of the seat, is obtained by increasing said distance while the contact region of the second support piece is in contact against the ground.

The first and second support pieces can be moved simultaneously between the high and low positions.

Preferably, the device comprises locking means capable of preventing a displacement of the second bearing portion to its lower position until the first bearing portion has reached its low position.

It can be envisaged to provide dedicated means for moving each of the first and second support pieces. For example, they will each be controlled by a linear cylinder.

According to a particular embodiment, the device has the following characteristics:

the first and second support members are connected to the support assembly via, respectively, a first and a second connecting portion hinged to the support assembly so as to be pivotable about, respectively , a first and a second pivot axis which are parallel to the longitudinal plane of the support assembly and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof, the displacement of the first and second support pieces between the up and down positions; bass thus being a pivotal movement, and

the means for moving the first support piece and the second support piece between the high and low positions comprise a linear jack and control means for controlling the extension and retraction of the jack, the jack having a body and a rod which preferably extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support assembly, one of the body and the rod being articulated to the first connecting part while the other is articulated to the second connecting part, the body and the rod being articulated to the first and second connecting parts so as to be pivotable about, respectively, a third and a fourth pivot axis which are parallel to the first and second axes of pivoting, the first and third pivot axes being offset from each other and the second and fourth pivot axes being offset from one another so that that an extension and a retraction of the jack are likely to lead to a pivoting of the first and second bearing parts to the low position and to the high position, respectively. The particular embodiment above has the advantage of requiring only one actuator to move the first and second support pieces, and this with a simple, reliable structure and allowing control of the movements of the support pieces .

In this particular embodiment, the locking means may comprise, preferably, a ball pusher which is carried by the support assembly and which extends in a direction parallel to the first to fourth pivot axes, the ball pusher having a ball that is partially received in a hole provided in the second connecting portion as long as the force exerted by the jack on the second connecting portion is less than the elastic biasing applied to the ball by a spring of the ball pusher .

The first bearing portion may be hinged to the first connecting portion so as to be pivotable about a fifth pivot axis parallel to the first to fourth pivot axes, and a double hinge hinge may be articulated between the first supporting portion and the support assembly so as to form, together with the first connecting portion, a deformable parallelogram.

The first support piece can be a stand and the second support piece can be a rolling element, such as a roulette wheel.

Preferably, the first support member carries a footrest assembly. This increases the comfort of the user. Furthermore, a displacement of the first support piece also results in a displacement of the footrest assembly, whose position is adjustable to optimally adapt to the template of the user. It is emphasized here that, in the context of adjusting the position of the footrest assembly, it is not essential to move the first support piece to its lower position.

Preferably, the footrest assembly comprises a horizontal support bar secured to the first support piece and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the support assembly, two pallets able to be displaced in translation along the support bar. and in rotation around it, and locking means for selectively locking the pallets in translation.

The spacing between the two pallets can therefore also be adjusted to suit the needs of the user.

Preferably:

the support bar is carried by the first support piece away from the contact region thereof and the support bar is a cylindrical bar on which a flat has been made at least from each end of the bar , preferably a single flat extending over the entire length of the bar, and on which have also been made, in each end region of the bar, at least one notch which opens into a flat and is perpendicular to said flat, the notches being located opposite the contact region of the first bearing portion, and

each pallet comprises a circular housing adapted to be threaded onto the support bar and at least one male part extending across the circular housing, in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the circular housing, the male part (s) being dimensioned and positioned in the circular housing so as to extend parallel to the flat and in front thereof when the pallet is placed vertically, thereby allowing a translational movement of the pallet along the support bar until the or each male part is facing a respective notch, then to extend in a notch when the pallet has been pivoted downwards, thus preventing any displacement in translation of the pallet along the support bar, said means locking device thus comprising said male parts and said notches.

Such a configuration of the locking means allows the user to adjust the spacing of the pallets in an easy, fast and safe way without any tools.

The device as defined above may be intended to be connected to a seat having a base consisting of four feet, the connecting means adapted to connect the support assembly to the seat then preferably comprise a first arm assembly and a second set of arms connected to the support assembly and extending from the latter, each arm assembly having two ends each carrying a connecting member adapted to cooperate with a respective foot of the seat.

With such a configuration, the device can remain registered in the volume of the base and thus not to impede the user.

Preferably, the connecting members allow a removable connection between the device and the feet of the seat, so that the device can be reused. Of course, it is conceivable that the connecting members are able to fix the device permanently to the seat.

Preferably, the connecting members are movable relative to the support assembly. This makes it possible to modify the positions of the connecting members with respect to the support assembly as a function of the spacings between the legs of the seat. For this purpose, the first and second arm assemblies may be movable relative to the support assembly, such as articulated, and / or adjustable length. For example, each arm assembly could be composed of two arms located on each side of the support assembly, one end of each arm being articulated to the support assembly, by a pivot connection, a ball joint, etc., the other end of the arm carrying the connecting member. Each arm can also be telescopic.

The connecting members are, for example, clamping members adapted to tighten on a seat foot.

The present invention also relates to a mobility platform for a seat, particularly for a four-legged seat, characterized in that it comprises a device as defined above, whose arm assemblies are provided with wheels, the platform of mobility to convert a conventional fixed seat into a rolling seat.

Thus, people with reduced ability to walk, but still able to walk, can convert a seat in which they are comfortable into a wheelchair that they can use in their home to move in different rooms, and so do not run out for trips with little interest. They can thus conserve their energy for example to go for a walk, etc.

Another advantage of this mobility platform is that it fits into the volume of the base of the seat chosen, which is much less cumbersome than a conventional wheelchair which in many cases involves carrying out work at home. people to enlarge the doorways, etc.

Preferably, the connecting members of the device are each formed by a receiving portion for receiving a foot of a seat, the seat is thus simply placed on the mobility platform.

The mobility platform may also include means to seat the seat on the mobility platform, including the receiving portions. These means may for example be lashing straps, including tensioner, one end of which is fixed to the mobile platform and the other end is connected to the seat. For example, said other end carries an L-shaped piece with a branch is applied against the surface of the seat, so as to apply on the latter a downward force and the mobility platform.

At least one of the receiving portions may be extended by a tab adapted to pivot about a vertical axis integral with the support assembly.

Preferably, the support assembly comprises a central beam extending in the longitudinal direction of the support assembly and on which is mounted in translation the second arm assembly, selective locking means of the second arm assembly on the central beam being provided. , the first arm assembly being in turn connected to the central beam in the first end region of the support assembly and extending in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction, the length of the first arm assembly being adjustable.

Preferably, the first arm assembly comprises a cross member on each side of the central beam, each cross member being slidably mounted in a tube integral with the central beam, and means for locking in translation of the crosspieces relative to the central beam.

The above configuration allows, with a simple and reliable structure, to quickly and easily adjust the width and depth of the mobility platform to fit the dimensions of any seat.

Preferably, the mobility platform is motor-driven with one of the pairs of wheels being driving wheels, preferably the wheels of the first arm assembly being driven while the wheels of the second arm assembly are directional wheels.

As a variant, the mobility platform could be manually propelled, in which case, for example, at least one bar would extend upwards from the second end region of the support assembly or from the second arm assembly. said at least one bar being provided in the upper part with gripping members, such as handles similar to those of a conventional wheelchair.

The present invention also relates to a wheelchair for the elderly, disabled or otherwise, characterized in that it is equipped with a device as defined above or a mobility platform as defined above .

To better illustrate the object of the present invention, will be described below, for information only and not limited to, a particular embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing.

On this drawing :

perspective view of a mobility platform according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, comprising a support device according to the present invention, and on which is placed a conventional seat, thus converted into a wheelchair;

: top perspective view of the mobility platform of Figure 1, according to an angle of view;

: perspective view from above of the mobility platform of Figure 1, according to another angle of view;

: Perspective view from below of the mobility platform of Figure 1, according to an angle of view;

: Perspective view from below of the mobility platform of Figure 1, according to another angle of view;

: vertical sectional view of the forward region of the mobility platform of Figure 1, taken at one of the front rails;

: detail view of the second arm assembly of the mobility platform of Figure 1;

: Detail view of the forward region of the mobility platform of Figure 1;

: Detail view, in perspective from above, of the rear region of the mobility platform of Figure 1;

: Detail view, in perspective from below, of the rear region of the mobility platform of Figure 1;

: vertical sectional view through the central beam, taken at the axis of the ball pusher;

: side view of the mobility platform of Figure 1, in the mobile configuration, the chair has not been represented;

: side view of the mobility platform of Figure 1, at the time of contact between the first support piece and the ground, the chair has not been represented;

: side view of the mobility platform of Figure 1, in the maximum inclination position, the chair has not been represented;

: perspective view from above of the mobility platform of Figure 1, in the maximum gap configuration; and

: perspective view from above of the mobility platform of Figure 1, in the minimum gap configuration.

Referring first to Figure 1, it can be seen that there is shown a wheelchair according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, comprising a conventional seat 3, here a four-seat chair. feet 3a, and a mobility platform 10 according to the invention, comprising a device 1 for assisting the transition from the sitting position to the standing position, and vice versa, according to the present invention.

The device 1 comprises a support assembly 2, connecting means of the support assembly 2 to the feet 3a, first 4 and second 5 support pieces, respectively at the front and at the rear, articulated with respect to the support assembly 2 and moved by a jack 6 connected thereto, so that the actuation of the jack 6 makes it possible to incline the support assembly 2, and therefore the seat 3, forwards or to bring it back horizontally after it has been tilted forward.

The mobility platform 10 supports the seat 3. The seats 3 with feet being available in various dimensions, the mobility platform 10 is adjustable in width and depth, to fit any seat 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5, it can be seen that the support assembly 2 comprises a central beam 20, and said connecting means comprise a plurality of crosspieces 21, 22, 23 connected to the central beam 20 and receiving parts 24, 25 connected to the crosspieces 21, 22, 23 and intended to support the feet 3a of the seat 3. In the embodiment shown, the connecting means comprise a rear crossmember 21, two front crosspieces 22, 23, two rear receiving portions 24 and two front receiving portions 25.

The central beam 20 is in the form of a square cross section profile extending horizontally. The central beam 20 has a first end region, referred to as a forward end hereinafter, a second end region, referred to as a rear end hereinafter, upper and lower faces, and side faces. T-shaped grooves 26 are formed in each of the upper, lower and lateral faces of the central beam 20, said grooves 26 extending from the front end to the rear end of the beam 20.

In the same way, each of the crosspieces 21, 22, 23 is in the form of a square cross section profile extending horizontally. Each crossmember 21, 22, 23 has a left end, a right end, upper and lower faces and side faces. Grooves 26 substantially T-shaped are formed in the upper, lower and lateral faces of each crossmember 21, 22, 23, said grooves 26 extending from the left end to the right end of the crossmember 21, 22, 23.

The central beam 20, the rear crossmember 21 and the two front crosspieces 22, 23 have substantially the same cross-sectional dimensions.

The rear crossmember 21 is held in position under the central beam 20, near the rear end of the central beam 20. The front cross members 22, 23 are held in position under the central beam 20, near the front end. of the central beam 20. Thus, the upper face of each crossmember 21, 22, 23 is in the vicinity of the lower face of the central beam 20. The crosspieces 21, 22, 23 extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the central beam 20.

The rear crossmember 21 is movably mounted in translation along the central beam 20 to allow the adjustment of the depth of the mobility platform 10.

For locking in translation of the rear crossmember 21 with respect to the central beam 20, two fastening brackets 27 are integral with each of the lateral faces of the rear crossmember 21, substantially in the center of the rear crossmember 21. In particular, each square fastening 27 comprises two wings perpendicular to each other, including a wing secured to the side face of the rear crossmember 21, and a wing intended to come into contact with the lower face of the central beam 20. Each bracket 27 comprises at least a slot in the flange intended to come into contact with the central beam 20. The slot is positioned so as to face the corresponding groove 26 formed in the central beam 20. Thus, the translation locking of the rear cross member 21 relative to the central beam 20 is formed by screws 27a (Figures 4 and 7) passing through the slot of each bracket 27 and received in the groove 2 6 corresponding to the central beam 20.

Therefore, the adjustment of the depth of the mobility platform 10 can be achieved simply and quickly, simply by loosening and tightening the screws 27a through the brackets 27. In addition, the depth adjustment can be accurate, because the presence of the groove 26 over the entire length of the central beam 20 makes it possible to position the rear crossmember 21 at any desired position along the central beam 20.

The cross member 21 constitutes the second arm assembly mentioned above.

The two front crosspieces 22, 23 are movably mounted in translation in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central beam 20, to allow adjustment of the width of the mobility platform 10.

For this, each front cross member 22, 23 is slidably mounted in a hollow tube 28a, 28b of square cross section, which tubes 28a, 28b are integral with the central beam 20. More particularly, in the embodiment shown, the tubes 28a , 28b receiving each front cross member 22, 23 are integral with a square tube 28c receiving the front region of the beam 20 and fixedly mounted relative to the beam 20. The square tube 28c receiving the beam 20 is secured to the central beam 20 by screws passing through holes provided in the square tube 28c and received in the grooves 26 of the side faces of the central beam 20. The two square tubes 28a, 28b receiving the front cross members 22, 23 are of substantially the same length and are fixed substantially in their center to the lower face of the tube 28c receiving the central beam 20, perpendicularly to the central beam 20. For translation locking the front cross members 22, 23 in the t ubes 28a, 28b in which they are slidably mounted, holes are provided at least in one of the lateral faces of the tube 28a, 28b and in its upper face, at one end of the tube 28a, 28b, opposite the groove 26 of the crossmember 22, 23, for the screw passage 28d (Figure 6) which will then be received in the corresponding grooves 26 of each crossmember 22, 23.

Therefore, the adjustment of the width at the front of the mobility platform 10 can be achieved simply and quickly, simply by loosening and tightening the screws 28d. In addition, the adjustment of the width can be precise, because the presence of the groove 26 over the entire length of each cross member 22, 23 allows the cross members 22, 23 to be positioned at any desired position on both sides. other of the central beam 20, within the limit of the length of the crossmember 22, 23.

The sleepers 22, 23 constitute the first arm assembly mentioned above.

If necessary, in order to adapt the adjustment of the width at the rear of the mobility platform 10 to the width adjustment made at the front of the latter, the rear crossmember 21 also carries section hollow tubes 29a, 29b square to each of its end regions, which tubes 29a, 29b are slidable along the rear cross member 21. Each tube 29a, 29b is provided with at least one hole on its upper face and one of its side faces, for the passage of a screw 29c (Figure 7). The holes are made substantially in the center of the face of the tube 29a, 29b so as to correspond to a corresponding groove 26 of the rear cross member 21. Thus, the adjustment of the width at the rear of the mobility platform 10 can also be carried out, if necessary, by moving each tube 29a, 29b along the rear crossmember 21, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the central beam 20, and blocking the translation of each tube 29a, 29b relative to the cross member 21 by tightening by the screws 29c.

The support assembly 2 carries the jack 6, the first support piece 4, the second support piece 5, and first and second connecting parts 7, 8 connecting the first and second support pieces 4, 5 to the cylinder 6, to allow an inclination of the support assembly 2, and therefore the mobility platform 10 as a whole, in a forward direction and then back to the horizontal.

The first support piece 4 is a stand or support block extending vertically and having a lower end forming a contact region 4a intended to come into contact with the ground when it is desired to incline the support assembly 2. This crutch 4 is secured to a T-shaped support 40 also extending vertically. The crutch 4 is fixed at the bottom of the T-support 40. The T-support 40 is pivotally mounted at the top of the latter around a horizontal pivot axis A 5 (corresponding to the fifth pivot axis mentioned above). above) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central beam 20. The pivot axis A5 in the upper part of the T-support 40 also passes through the first connecting part 7. The first connecting part 7 is hinged, d on the one hand to the T-support 40, and on the other hand to the tube 28c, via a horizontal pivot axis A1 (corresponding to the first above-mentioned pivot axis) passing through the first connecting portion 7 and the tube 28c. The two axes A1 and A5 are parallel to each other. The support T 40 secured to the stand 4 is also pivotally connected to the tube 28a receiving the front cross member 22. In particular, a double hinge 41 (Figure 6), or hinge with double articulation, is articulated between the lower part of the T-support 40 and the tube 28a the most forward of the mobility platform 10. The first connecting portion 7 with its two joints and the double hinge 41 form a deformable parallelogram for moving the stand 4 relative to the support assembly 2, between a high position and a low position in contact with the ground.

The jack 6 is connected, by one of its ends, to the first connecting portion 7, to control its pivoting about the axis A1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the jack 6 is an electric jack, having a body 60 and a rod 61.

The body 60 of the jack 6 is connected to the first connecting portion 7 by means of a bracket 70 fixed against the outer face of the first connecting portion 7, above the axis A1. The body 60 is hinged to the bracket 70 about an axis of rotation A3 (corresponding to the third pivot axis mentioned above) horizontal and transverse, parallel to the axes A1 and A5.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, it can be seen that the second support piece 5 is a wheel carried by the second connecting portion 8 which is formed of two plates 80 on each side of the central beam 20. Each plate 80 has a parallelogram shape extending in a vertical plane. The two plates 80 are pivotally mounted about an axis A2 (corresponding to the second pivot axis mentioned above) transverse horizontal through two plates 81 fixed on either side of the central beam 20, at the end rear of the central beam 20. The rod 61 of the cylinder 6 is articulated about a pivot axis A4 (corresponding to the fourth axis of pivoting mentioned above) transverse horizontal through a bracket 82 fixed against the outer face of one 80. Thus, an extension of the rod 61 of the cylinder 6 towards the rear of the support assembly 2 causes the plates 80, and therefore the second connecting portion 8, to pivot downwards, and therefore the roulette 5 to deviate from the central beam 20 to come into contact with the ground and lift the support assembly 2 at the rear thereof. The region of contact of the wheel 5 with the ground is the area of the circumferential surface of the wheel 5 which will actually be in contact with the ground.

In other words, the jack 6 is mounted floating between the second connecting portion 8 at the rear and the first connecting portion 7 at the front.

The operation of the cylinder 6, namely its extension and its retraction, can be controlled by any appropriate means, such as for example by a control lever actuated by the user.

In the illustrated embodiment, as can be seen in Figure 11, it is intended to mount a ball pusher 83 carried by one of the plates 80, perpendicular to the latter, and whose ball 83a is normally received, under the action of a spring not shown, in a hole 81a formed in the plate 81 corresponding, so that the ball pusher 83 opposes the pivoting of the second connecting portion 8. When the force exerted by the cylinder 6 on the second connecting portion 8, through the bracket 82, is greater than the biasing of the spring, the ball 83a is driven from the hole 81a and the second connecting portion 8 can pivot downwards.

In this way, when the extension of the jack 6 is controlled and the first support piece 4 is not yet in contact with the ground, only the first support piece 4 will be moved downwards, and it is only when the latter is in contact with the ground and the first connecting part 7 can no longer pivot, that the cylinder 6 disengages the ball pusher 83 and the second connecting portion 8, and therefore the second support part 5, can pivot down.

In other words, this makes it possible to give priority to moving the first support part 4.

The mobility platform 10 can be powered manually or by a motor assembly.

For this purpose, the mobility platform 10 comprises rolling members 11, 12 and a motor assembly.

The rolling members 11, 12 comprise two independent front wheels 11 and two directional rear wheels 12. This configuration allows the platform 10 to be very maneuverable, especially to turn almost on site, which is particularly advantageous in tight places , which is common in the apartments.

Each rear wheel 12 is mounted in a rear wheel support 120 secured to the rear crossmember 21 of the support structure 2 of the assistance device 1. In particular, a tab 121 is fixed to each hollow tube 29a, 29b, which tab 121 forms a right angle with the hollow tube 29a, 29b and therefore extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central beam 20. The two tabs 121 may be welded to the tubes 29a, 29b or fixed thereto by the intermediate screw through holes provided in the tabs 121, in the tubes 29a, 29b and made opposite the lateral groove 26 of the rear cross member 21. Each of the tabs 121 carries a wheel support 120 of conical shape, or shaped bell, open down. A wheel 12 is pivotally mounted about a vertical axis fixed to each wheel support 120.

The wheel supports 120 being integral with the tubes 29a, 29b slidably mounted along the rear crossmember 21, the wheel supports 120 are also movable relative to the rear crossmember 21, thus making it possible to adjust the spacing between the rear wheels 12 .

Each front wheel 11 is mounted in a housing 110 secured to one of the front cross members 22, 23. In particular, the shell of the housing 110 is fixed to the end of the corresponding front cross member 22, 23 by screws whose head bears against the housing 110 and whose rod is received in the front cross member 22, 23. The two front wheels 11 are pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis, the pivot axes of each front wheel 11 being in alignment one of the other.

The housings 110 being integral with the front crosspieces 22, 23 slidably mounted in the crossbar tubes 28a, 28b, the housings 110 are also movable relative to the central beam 20, thus making it possible to adjust the spacing between the front wheels 11.

In the case of a platform 10 powered by a motor assembly, each front wheel 11 can be connected to a motor 13 by means of conventional transmission means, such as for example gears, a belt, etc. Each motor 13 is received in a motor cover 130 integral with the housing 110. The motor 13 is powered by a battery can be removably received on a support 14 carried by the central beam 20. As can be seen in the drawings, the support 14 has fast connection means for electrically connecting the battery to the various power cables (not shown) for the cylinder 6, the motors 13, etc. A computer 15 is also carried by the central beam 20 and is intended to be connected to the battery by said connection means, which computer 15 can be configured to provide different modes of operation at the control means actuated by the user, such as a control lever. For example, different speed scales may be associated with the motor, so that the acceleration of the mobility platform 10 is more or less strong, or the same directional control lever can be used to control the extension / retraction of the cylinder 6 in a first mode of operation, and the motors 13, so the drive wheels 11, independently of one another, in a second mode of operation.

The battery can also allow the supply of the cylinder 6 in the case of an electric cylinder.

Each front receiving portion 25 is attached to a housing 110, at the front of the wheel 11, and at a certain height above the ground, by means of screws. Each front receiving portion 25 has a fixing portion to the housing 110 and a housing portion for receiving a front seat leg 3.

Each rear receiving portion 24 is in the form of a rounded cup and is fixed to each of the rear wheel supports 120 by means of an orientable tab 240. In particular, a tab 240 in the form of the outline of the 120 conical wheel support is attached to the underside of the cup-shaped receiving portion 24, and connected to the wheel support 120 by a screw passing through a hole provided at the end of the tab 240 and passing through a corresponding hole of the 120 because of the fact that the tab 240 follows the shape of the contour of the wheel support 120, the tab 240 can be oriented in any direction with respect to the wheel support 120, by simply loosening and tightening the fixing screw of the tab 240 to the wheel support 120 and rotation of the tab 240 around the vertical axis of the fixing screw.

Thus, the rear receiving portions 24 can be spaced apart or brought closer to each other easily and quickly, allowing further adjustment of the dimensions of the support structure 2 to adapt to the dimensions of the seat 3 to be supported.

For the convenience of the user, a footrest assembly 16 may be mounted on the T-bracket 40. In the embodiment shown, the footrest assembly 16 includes a support bar 160 and two vanes 161 mounted slidingly. along the support bar 160. The support bar 160 is secured to the T-support 40, above the first support piece 4, and extends horizontally and transversely on either side of the first support piece 4. The support bar 160 has a plurality of horizontal notches 160a and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam, open towards the top of the support bar 160. Each pallet 161 comprises a connecting part 161a to the support bar 180 and a portion 161b for receiving the feet of a user (Figures 2, 6 and 8). The part 161b intended to receive the feet of a user is a flat part, possibly provided with grooves avoiding the sliding of the feet. The connecting portion 161a to the support bar 160 is in the form of a tube or circular housing adapted to receive the support bar 160 and provided with through housings 161c sized and positioned so as to correspond with the notches 160a of the support bar 160. A screw 161d (Figure 6) passes through each of the housings 161c and allows the locking in translation of the pallet 161 when the screw 161d is received in the notch 160a corresponding. To allow the translation of each pallet 161, and therefore the adjustment of the spacing between the vanes 161, simply rotate the pallet 161 around the support bar 180, a quarter turn upwards. This pivoting will disengage the screws 161d of the notches 160a of the support bar 160, and thus allow the displacement of the connecting portion 161a along the support bar 160. Once the desired position of the pallet 161 reached, it is sufficient pivoting the pallet 161 a quarter of a turn down to lock the pallet 161 again with respect to the support bar 160.

For greater security, when a seat 3 is received in the receiving portions 24, 25, the seat 3 can also be fixed to the mobility platform 10 via straps.

Similarly, for the convenience of the user, it can be expected to be able to fix objects, such as a tablet, to the mobility platform 10.

To do this, a cylindrical rod 17 is fixed to each housing 110 / motor housing 130, by clamping members 18 well known per se, the rods 17 being parallel to the longitudinal direction of the central beam 20 (Figure 2).

The strap mentioned above may for example have one of its ends attached to one of the rods 17. In addition, as illustrated in the figures, it is also possible to fix a telescopic upright 19, in particular at the front end of a rod 17, which upright 19 will serve as a support for control means of the various components of the mobility platform 10 and / or the device 1, such as the cylinder 6 or the motors 13.

In practice, when a user wishes to install a conventional seat 3 on the mobility platform 10, he needs, for example, to adjust the spacing between the receiving portions before sliding the front crosspieces 22, 23 into the tubes 28a. , 28b, adjust the spacing between the rear receiving portions 24 by adjusting the orientation of the tabs 240 carrying the rear receiving portions 24 with respect to the wheel support 120 and / or by sliding the wheel supports 120 along of the rear crossmember 21, and further adjust the spacing between the front receiving portions 25 and the rear receiving portions 24, and thus the depth, by sliding the rear cross member 21 along the central beam 20. Once the mobility platform 10 adjusted to match the dimensions of the seat 3, the seat 3 is installed by placing the legs of the seat 3 in the receiving portions 24, 25, and possibly fixing by exe mple via straps. The user can then sit on the seat 3 and control the movement of the seat 3 by means of control means (for example, control lever) of the motors 13 of the drive wheels 11.

Referring to FIG. 12, it can be seen that the mobility platform 10 is in the configuration allowing such a displacement, namely with the footrest assembly 16 in an elevated position relative to the ground and the first and second support pieces 4 and 5 in the upper position, therefore at a distance from the ground.

When the user wants to get up, it is sufficient to control, for example by the control lever, the extension of the cylinder 6, which will then rotate the first support part 4 and the footrest assembly 16 to the bottom, until the first support part 4 comes into contact with the ground by its contact region 4c, as shown in Figure 13.

It is emphasized here that since priority is given to the displacement of the first support piece 4 by the ball pusher 3, the second support piece 5 is not moved. This control of the jack 6 can therefore also be used to adjust the height of the footrest assembly 16.

Then, a continuation of the extension of the jack 6 leads to the relative pivoting of the second support piece 5 with respect to the support assembly 2, in the opposite direction of clockwise if one observes FIGS. and 14. In a first step, the second connecting piece 8, bearing the wheel 5, will pivot downwards and the support assembly 2 will remain horizontal, until the wheel 5 comes into contact with the ground. Once the roller 5 is in contact with the ground, further extension of the ram 6 will result in the lifting of the rear end region of the support assembly 2 while the roller 5 will roll on the ground towards the first support piece 4, the latter serving as a pivot point to the support assembly 2, the distance between the contact region of the wheel 5 with the ground and the support assembly 2, in the direction perpendicular to the direction longitudinal assembly of the support assembly 2, increasing and in front greater than that between the contact region 4c and the support assembly 2.

The entire mobility platform 10, and therefore the seat 3 (not shown in these figures), is inclined forward, as can be seen in Figure 14. The rear wheels 12 are no longer in contact with the ground.

The user can then more easily leave the seat.

When the user wishes to sit down, it is sufficient for him to come to stand on the seat still inclined forwards, then to control the retraction of the jack 6, and the various steps indicated above will take place in the opposite direction, until 'to the configuration shown in Figure 13, then in Figure 12.

It will be readily understood that the maximum angle of inclination is a function of the maximum distance between the contact region of the second support part 5 and the support assembly 2, and that the maximum inclination can therefore be defined. suitably dimensioning the second support part 5 and / or the second connecting part 8, for example.

Thus, when a seat 3 is supported on the aid device 1 according to the present invention, it can be easily inclined to facilitate the passage in the standing position of a seated person and the sitting position 3. No modification of the seat 3 is necessary because of the width and depth settings of the mobility platform 10.

FIG. 15 illustrates the mobility platform 10 in the maximum gauge configuration, in which the width at the front, the width at the rear and the depth are maximum, and in FIG. 16 the mobility platform 10 in the minimum gap configuration, in which the front cross members 22, 23 have been retracted into the tubes 28a, 28b, the tubes 29a, 29b have been slid up against the central beam 20a, the rear cross member 21 has been slid to the maximum forward, the vanes 161 have been brought closer to the maximum and the receiving portions 24 have been rotated as far as inwards.

It can therefore be seen that the mobility platform 10 can adapt to a wide variety of chair dimensions.

It can also be emphasized that the receiving portions 25 at the front can advantageously have a housing which is eccentric, so that the width at the front can also be changed by inter-exchange of the two receiving portions 25, as this can be noted by comparing Figures 15 and 16.

It is understood that the above embodiment of the present invention has been given as an indication and not limitation and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Also disclosed herein is a seat mobility platform, particularly for a four-legged seat, characterized in that it comprises a support assembly extending in a longitudinal direction, a first arm assembly connected to a first region of end of the support assembly and a second arm assembly translationally mounted on the support assembly, in a second end region of the support assembly, each of the first and second arm assemblies having two ends each carrying a suitable connecting member. to bind to the base of a seat, including a respective foot of the seat, each of the first and second arm assemblies being provided with wheels, and the first arm assembly being of adjustable length. The first arm assembly may for example comprise a crossmember on each side of the central beam, each crossmember being slidably mounted in a tube integral with the central beam, and locking means in translation of the crosspieces relative to the central beam. Such a mobility platform makes it possible to convert a conventional fixed seat into a wheelchair.

The mobility platform defined in the above paragraph may include all the characteristics described above in connection with the mobility platform 10 equipped with the device 1, either in combination or individually, with the exception of components allowing the inclination of the mobility platform 10, namely the first and second support parts 4, 5, the first and second connecting parts 7, 8 and the cylinder, and the auxiliary parts associated therewith.

Claims (18)

1. Device (1) for assisting the transition from the sitting position to the standing position, and vice versa, by forward inclination of a seat (3) to which the device (1) is able to be connected, and vice versa towards the rearward from the forward inclined position, characterized in that the device (1) comprises: a support assembly (2) having a first end region and a second end region opposite in a longitudinal direction belonging to a longitudinal plane of the support assembly (2) which passes through said two end regions,
   connecting means adapted to connect the support assembly (2) to the seat (3) so that the support assembly (2) is at a distance from the ground; a first support piece (4) and a second support piece (5) which each have a contact region (4c) intended to be in contact with the ground in use and which are each connected to the support assembly (2), respectively at the first and second end region thereof, each of the first and second support members (4, 5) being movable between a first, so-called high position, and a second position, said low, in which the respective contact region has been removed from the support assembly (2), compared to the upper position, so as to be in contact with the ground, the distance, measured in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal plane of the support assembly (2), between the contact region (4c) of the first support part (4) and the support assembly (2) being smaller than the distance, measured in the same way, between the contact region of the second support piece (5) and the support assembly (2) when each of the first and second support members (4, 5) is in its low position; and means (6, 7, 8) for moving the first support member (4) and the second support member (5) between the high and low positions, whereby after the contact region (4c ) of the first support piece (4) is placed in low position in contact with the ground, the support assembly (2), and thus the seat (3) to which it is connected, is tilted by moving the second piece support (5) after its contact region has come into contact with the ground, either towards its low position or its high position.
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises locking means (81a, 83) able to prevent a displacement of the second bearing portion (5) to its lower position as the first part (5) has not reached its low position.
3. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that: the first and second support parts (4, 5) are connected to the support assembly (2) via respectively a first and a second connecting part (7, 8) articulated on the support assembly (2) so as to be pivotable around, respectively, a first (A1) and a second (A2) pivot axis which are parallel to the longitudinal plane of the support assembly and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof, the displacement of the first and second support members (4, 5) between the up and down positions being thus a pivotal displacement, and the means (6, 7, 8) for moving the first support piece (4) and the second support piece (5) between the high and low positions comprise a linear jack (6) and control means for controlling the extension and retraction of the jack (6), the vee rin (6) having a body (60) and a shank (61) which preferably extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support assembly (2), one of the body (60) and the rod (61) being hinged to the first connecting part (7) while the other being articulated to the second connecting part (8), the body (60) and the rod (61) being hinged to the first and second connecting portions (7, 8) so as to be pivotable about, respectively, a third (A3) and a fourth (A4) pivot axis which are parallel to the first and second axes (A1, A2 pivoting, the first and third pivoting axes (A1, A3) being offset from each other and the second and fourth pivoting axes (A2, A4) being offset from each other in such a manner that that extension and retraction of the jack (6) are able to lead to a pivoting of the first and second bearing pieces (4, 5) towards the low position and towards the high position, respectively.
4. Device (1) according to claim 3, taken in dependence on claim 2, characterized in that the locking means (81a, 83) comprise a ball pusher (83) which is carried by the support assembly (2) and extending in a direction parallel to the first to fourth axes (A1, A2, A3, A4) of pivoting, the ball pusher (83) having a ball (83a) which is partially received in a hole (81a) provided in the second connecting portion (8) as the force exerted by the jack (6) on the second connecting portion (8) is less than the elastic bias applied to the ball (83a) by a spring of the push rod ball (83).
5. Device (1) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the first support part (4) is articulated on the first connecting part (7) so as to be able to pivot about a fifth pivot axis (A5) parallel to the first to fourth axes (A1, A2, A3, A4) of pivoting, and a double hinge hinge (41) is articulated between the first support part (4) and the support assembly (2) so as to form, together with the first connecting portion (7), a deformable parallelogram.
6. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first support piece (4) is a stand and the second support piece (5) is a rolling element, for example a roulette wheel
7. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first support piece (4) carries a footrest assembly (18).
8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the footrest assembly (18) comprises a horizontal support bar (160) integral with the first support piece (4) and orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the support assembly (2), two vanes (161) able to be displaced in translation along the support bar (160) and in rotation around it, and locking means (160a, 161d) for, selectively, block the pallets (161) in translation.
9. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that: the support bar (10) is carried by the first support piece (4) away from the contact region (4c) thereof and the support bar (160) is a cylindrical bar on which a flat has been made at least from each end of the bar, preferably a single flat extending along the entire length of the bar (160), and on which have also been made, in each end region of the bar (160), at least one notch (160a) which opens into a flat and is perpendicular to said flat, the notches (160a) being located opposite side to the contact region (4c) of the first support portion (4), and each pallet (161) comprises a circular housing (161a) adapted to be threaded on the support bar (160) and at least one male portion (161d) s' extending across the circular housing (161a) in an orthogonal direction to the axis of the circular housing (161a), the one or more male portions (161d) being dimensioned and positioned in the circular housing (161a) so as to extend parallel to and in front of the flat when the pallet (161) is placed vertically, thereby permitting a translational movement of the pallet (161) along the support bar (160) until the or each male part (161d) is opposite a notch (160a). ) respectively, and then extend into a notch (160a) when the pallet (161) has been pivoted downwards, thereby preventing any translational movement of the pallet (161) along the support bar (160), said locking means (160a, 161d) thus comprising said male portions (161d) and said notches (160a).
10. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, intended to be connected to a seat (3) having a base formed of four feet (3a), the device (1) being characterized in that the means of connection adapted to connect the support assembly (2) to the seat (3) comprise a first arm assembly (21) and a second arm assembly (22, 23) connected to the support assembly (2) and extending from the latter, each arm assembly (21; 22, 23) having two ends each carrying a connecting member (24, 25) adapted to cooperate with a respective foot (3a) of the seat (3).
11. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting members (24, 25) are movable relative to the support assembly (2).
12. Mobility platform (10) for a seat (3), in particular for a four-legged seat (3), characterized in that it comprises a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, whose arm assemblies (21; 22, 23) are provided with wheels, the mobility platform (10) for converting a conventional fixed seat (3) into a rolling seat.
13. Mobility platform (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the connecting members of the device (1) are each formed by a receiving portion (24, 25) for receiving a foot of a seat (3), the seat (3) being thus simply placed on the mobility platform (10).
14. Mobility platform (10) according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that at least one of the receiving portions (24) is extended by a tab (240) pivotable about a vertical axis secured to the support assembly (2).
15. Mobility platform (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the support assembly (2) comprises a central beam (20) extending in the longitudinal direction of the support assembly (2 ) and on which is mounted in translation the second arm assembly (21), selective locking means of the second arm assembly on the central beam (20) being provided, the first arm assembly (22, 23) being in turn connected to the central beam (20) in the first end region of the support assembly (2) and extending in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction, the length of the first arm assembly (22, 23) being adjustable.
16. Mobility platform (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the first arm assembly (22, 23) comprises a cross member (22, 23) on each side of the central beam (20), each cross member (22, 23) ) being slidably mounted in a tube (28a, 28b) integral with the central beam (20), and locking means in translation of the crosspieces (22, 23) with respect to the central beam (20).
17. Mobility platform (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that it is powered by motor (13), one of the pairs of wheels (11) being drive wheels (11) , preferably the wheels (11) of the first arm assembly (22, 23) being driving while the wheels (12) of the second arm assembly (21) are directional wheels.
18. A wheelchair for the elderly, disabled or otherwise, characterized in that it is equipped with a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or a mobility platform (10) according to one of any of claims 12 to 17.

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