WO2019234061A1

WO2019234061A1 - Step-descending device for transport equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2019234061A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/064555
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Kerostin Medical
Priority date: 2018-06-04
Filing date: 2019-06-04
Publication date: 2019-12-12
Also published as: FR3081701A1

Abstract

The invention relates mainly to a descent-damping mechanism (20) for attaching to a people-transporting or goods-transporting system (9) comprising at least two main wheels (3), the mechanism (20) comprising a foot (1) designed to be deployed so as to switch between a retracted position of use in which the foot (1) is retracted and a free end of the foot (1) is in contact with a raised surface (M) and a deployed position in which the foot (1) is deployed and the free end of the foot (1) is in contact with a lower surface (M+1), said foot (1) also being designed such that the main wheels (3) are in contact with the raised surface (M) both in the retracted position of use of the foot (1) and in the deployed position of the foot (1).

Description

Stevedoring device for transport equipment

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a descent damping mechanism for attachment to a passenger or goods transport system and an associated transport system, in particular the mechanism is a non-motorized device enabling a personal or goods go down steps.

Technical background

It is known documents US2005206149A1, WO2015177625A1, US2012012416A1, EP1522294A2, DE202015006899U1 and WO2017053689A1, to provide rolling transport systems comprising devices to facilitate the passage of obstacles, such as stairs, including facilitating the descent of an obstacle or a staircase.

The solutions of the prior art consist either in devices improving the stability of the transport system during the passage and / or the descent of the obstacle, or in devices of complex structure and mechanism. These solutions often burden the entire transportation system.

One of the objectives of the invention is to provide a solution for facilitating the lowering of obstacles, such as stairs, to a transport system, such as a cart or a wheelchair for Person with Reduced Mobility, this without weigh down the structure.

Summary of the invention

Thus, the invention relates to a descent damping mechanism for attachment to a person or goods transport system comprising at least two main wheels. The mechanism includes a foot configured to deploy from a folded use position in which the foot is folded and a free end of the foot is in contact with a raised surface at an extended position in which the foot is deployed. and the free end of the foot is in contact with a surface below. Said foot is further configured so that the main wheels are in contact with the raised surface both in the folded position of use of the foot and in the extended position of the foot.

In other words, the mechanism for damping the descent of a person or merchandise transport system that makes it possible to lower an obstacle, particularly steps, is composed of a foot which always comes to bear on the step immediately below. .

The descent mechanism which is fixed on a trolley or a wheelchair allows the latter to go down step by step on a staircase by leaning on the downstream step and dissipating the potential energy released during the descent.

According to different embodiments, which can be taken together or separately:

the mechanism comprises a damping cylinder (or speed controller) which is fixed on the foot, thus making it possible to regulate the speed of descent and which deploys vertically downwards as soon as it crosses the nose of the step,

the jack is driven by a pantograph type of mechanics which imposes on it an appropriate trajectory in order to position itself at best on the downstream step,

the mechanism comprises a slideway making it possible to define the path of the foot during its extension and contraction, in order to adapt to the diameter of the wheels of the chair as well as to the profile of the step,

- the foot has at its end a wheel to facilitate its movement on the step,

the foot is configured to deploy towards the front of the transport system,

the foot is configured to fold towards the rear of the transport system,

- When passing from the folded position to the deployed position, the foot passes through an intermediate position in which the main wheels are in contact with the raised surface and the free end of the foot is free from contact with the raised surface and / or with the surface below,

the foot is held in the retracted position by the weight of the transport system, the foot is composed of at least two segments movable in rotation with respect to one another along an axis X 'parallel to an axis of rotation X of the main wheels,

one of the segments has a free end corresponding to the free end of the foot,

the other of said segments has an end configured to be articulated on the transport system,

the mechanism comprises guiding means so as to guide the passage of the foot from the folded position to the deployed position, and conversely,

the guiding means is composed of a fixed slide in which slides an arm system connected to the at least two segments so as to allow the passage of the foot from the folded position to the deployed position, and conversely,

the mechanism comprises a damping cylinder making it possible to damp the passage of the foot from the folded position to the deployed position and / or vice versa,

the mechanism comprises a damper cylinder making it possible to damp the passage of the foot from the deployed position to the folded position and / or vice versa,

the free end of the foot is provided with at least one wheel,

- The mechanism comprises a foot locking means in a folded position of rest in which the foot is in a folded position and the free end of the foot is free from contact with the raised surface and / or the surface below.

Advantageously, the system is designed on the principle of damping cylinders attached to the carriage or the chair that allow to dampen the descent.

Advantageously, the invention consists of a single system of jacks fixed on the chassis of the equipment.

A foot whose end includes, preferably a wheel, is fixed under the frame of the chair and comes to bear on the lower step below and thus regulate the speed of descent between each step.

Advantageously, the kinematics of the foot is controlled by a pantograph-like system, of which a slide makes it possible to define the path of the foot during its extension and contraction, to adapt to the desired configuration (wheelchair wheel diameter, height / maximum depth of the steps, ...).

In addition to the pantograph type system described above and used to control the path of the foot, advantageously, a damping cylinder (or speed controller) to regulate the speed of descent. It does not intervene in the kinematics, but is dimensioned so as to limit the speed of descent to the desired value for the maximum load of the chair. For a lower carriage, the speed will be proportionally lower. Preferably, this damping cylinder is a single cylinder damping effect only during compression.

It can also reposition itself in extension almost instantaneously without resistance, and deploys the system with each step without external intervention.

An expansion spring can be positioned in the system to secure the deployment of the cylinder.

The invention also relates to any transport system equipped with at least one descent damping mechanism as described above.

Thus, the invention also relates to a transport system comprising at least two main wheels, the two main wheels being in pivot connection with the transport system, about an axis X so as to move along the orthogonal Y axis to the X axis. The transport system comprises a frame and at least one descent damping mechanism as described above, the descent damping mechanism being mounted on said frame so as to allow the descent of the transport system to be lowered. an elevated surface by the passage of the foot from the folded position to the deployed position, and vice versa.

According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

the transport system of the invention comprises a chair for transporting a person with reduced mobility,

the transport system of the invention comprises a receptacle intended for the transport of various objects,

the transport system of the invention is applicable to any motorized transport equipment or not, the transport system comprises at least one motor intended to rotate the axle or the axles of the transport system,

each of the main wheels comprises a hub enabling the pivot connection between the main wheel and the chassis,

the transport system comprising a support connecting the hub to the chassis,

the damping mechanism is fixed to the frame near a point of contact between the frame and the support,

- the transport system comprises a chair composed of a seat,

the point of contact between the frame and the support is situated under the said seat,

the point of contact between the frame and the support is situated under the bottom of said seat,

the transport system comprises two damping mechanisms.

Brief description of the figures

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent in the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given to As a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the attached schematic drawings:

- Figure N ° 1 describes the constituent elements of the system

FIGS. 2 to 9 describe the device in the positions that it successively adopts when going from one step to the next.

- Figure No. 2 describes the device in the folded position of rest.

- Figure No. 3 describes the device in the folded position of use.

- Figure No. 4 describes the device in position on the walking nose

FIG. 5 describes the device being extended between the step M and the step M + 1.

FIG. 6 depicts the extended device, in contact with the step M + 1, the wheel of the trolley chair on the step M.

FIG. 7 depicts the extended device, in contact with the step M + 1, the trolley wheel on the running nose M.

- Figure No. 8 describes the device being compressed, the wheel of the trolley / chair is no longer based on the step M. - Figure No. 9 describes the compressed device, the wheel of the trolley / chair rests on the M + 1 step.

Detailed description of the invention

In the remainder of the description, the orthonormal reference "C, U, Z" attached to a transport system 9 will be adopted in a nonlimiting manner.

The X axis corresponds to an axis of rotation of the main wheels 3 of a transport system 9. The Y axis corresponds to an axis orthogonal to the X axis along which the transport system 9 moves. The Z axis corresponds to a vertical axis orthogonal to the X and Y axes.

The vertical direction is used as a geometrical landmark unrelated to the direction of gravity.

This defines a lower part and an upper part of an element. The lower part is the part / portion closest to the ground and / or facing the ground and the upper part is the opposite part / portion.

The term "exterior" refers to an outwardly directed element of the conveying system 9 and the term "interior" refers to an inwardly directed element of the conveying system 9.

The term "direction of travel" of the conveying system 9 refers to the direction of movement of the transport system 9 along the Y axis, in the embodiment described herein, from the main wheels 3 to the opposite portion of the transport system. transport 9.

The terms "front" AV and "rear" AR are used with reference to the direction of movement of the transport system 9.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, the invention relates to a descent damping mechanism or device 20 intended to be fixed to a transport system 9 for persons or goods comprising at least two main wheels 3.

According to the invention, the mechanism 20 comprises a foot 1 configured to deploy so as to pass from a folded position of use in which the foot 1 is folded and a free end of the foot 1 is in contact with an elevated surface M (Also referred to in the example shown in step M) to an extended position in which the foot 1 is deployed and the free end of the foot 1 is in contact with a lower surface M + 1 (also called in the illustrated example running M + 1).

Said foot 1 is further configured so that the main wheels 3 are in contact with the raised surface M both in the folded position of use of the foot 1 and in the deployed position of the foot 1.

Advantageously, during the passage from the folded position to the deployed position, the foot 1 passes through an intermediate position in which the main wheels 3 are in contact with the raised surface M and the free end of the foot 1 is free of any contact with the raised surface M and / or with the lower surface M + 1.

Advantageously, the foot 1 is furthermore configured to unfold towards / toward the front of the transport system 9 and to fold towards / towards the rear of the transport system 9.

The damping mechanism described here, in particular in FIG. 1, is hinged to a frame 21 of the transport system 9 via a support plate 22 fixedly mounted on the frame 21. In other words, the mechanism 20 damping described here is articulated on said support plate 22.

Advantageously, the support plate 22 is fixed near a point of contact between the frame 21 and a fastening means of a main wheel 3.

The support plate 22 may be fixed to the frame 21 by any means known to those skilled in the art. It may be a permanent fixing system (such as at least one rivet, solder) or removable (such as at least one screw-nut system, clipping).

In a downward position of an obstacle of the transport system 9, the support plate 22 extends vertically from a first end fixed to the frame 21 towards a second free distal end directed towards the ground. The end attached to the frame 21 is the upper part of the support plate 22. The second free end is the lower part of the support plate 22. The support plate 22 is thus of oblong shape comprising a wider part at the level of the end attached to the frame 21 to allow better support of the support plate 22 in position.

In this embodiment, the support plate 22 comprises a guiding means in the form of a slide 23 fixed at the level of the lower half of it. The slide 23 fixed here is a through slot extending vertically from top to bottom of the support plate 22. The fixed slide 23 guides the passage of the foot 1 from the folded position to the deployed position, and vice versa.

The foot 1 is hinged to the support plate 22 so as to be rotatable about an axis X 'parallel to the axis X of rotation of the main wheels 3. A part of the foot 1 is configured to slide in the fixed slide 23 of so as to allow the passage of the foot 1 from the folded position to the deployed position, and vice versa.

The foot 1 is here composed of four segments 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d (or rods) connected movable in rotation relative to each other along an axis X 'parallel to the axis of rotation X of the wheels 3. In other words, the four segments 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d are connected together in the manner of a pantograph.

In other words, a first segment 1a has an end configured to be articulated on the transport system 9, here via the support plate 22. It is thus movably mounted on the support plate 22 and extends from the upper part of the support plate 22 (above the fixed slide 23) towards the front of the transport system 9. The distal end of this first segment 1a is movably connected to a second segment 1b whose opposite end is provided with at least one wheel 24 intended to be in contact with the ground when the device is in use mode. A third segment 1c is movably attached at a first end to the second segment 1b at a first upper half thereof and extends toward the support plate 22 so that a second end is movably attached to the support plate 22 at the slide 23 fixed. A fourth segment 1d connects the second end of the third segment 1c to the first segment 1a at a first top half thereof, its first end being fixed at the fixed slide 23.

The segments 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d are interconnected by being parallel in pairs so as to form a parallelogram. The segments 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d are in particular mounted movably between them which allows a rotation along the axis X 'parallel to the axis X between them. The shape of the parallelogram is thus variable during the use of the damping mechanism 20 as explained in the following description. This mobility makes it possible to transmit the appropriate movement (deployment or folding) to said foot 1. The third and fourth segments 1c, 1d form an arm system connected respectively to the second and first segments 1b, 1a.

The third and fourth segments 1c, 1d further form an angle 25 fixed to the slide 23 fixed and sliding therein, so as to allow the passage from the folded position to the extended position of the foot 1, and vice versa.

This angle corresponds to an angle of the parallelogram which is thus fixed to the slide 23 fixed and which slides therein so as to guide the movement of the foot 1 of the damping mechanism 20, in particular so as to allow the passage of the folded position in the deployed position of the foot 1, and vice versa.

The device may also comprise a jack 7, in particular a damping jack 7.

It can be a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. Preferably, it is a single-acting cylinder. As explained in the following description, the cylinder 7 damps the movement of the foot 1, especially during its folding.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the jack 7 may be a cylinder 7 damping the deployment of the foot 1.

The jack 7 comprises a rod 7a whose end is fixed to a piston (not visible) moving in a cylindrical tube 7b.

The cylinder 7 is connected to a first end (which is here the end of the cylindrical tube 7b) to the support plate 22, in the upper part thereof and to a second end (which is here the free end of the rod 7a) to the first segment 1a, at a second lower half thereof.

When the rod 7a is mainly inside the cylindrical tube 7b the foot 1 is in the folded position of use or rest.

When the rod 7a is predominantly outside the cylindrical tube 7b the foot 1 is in the deployed position of use.

In the embodiment shown here, the descent damping mechanism 20 is predominantly aluminum. Any material known to those skilled in the art to be sufficiently strong mechanically to support the weight of the frame 21 of the transport system 9 and its possible content and light enough not to weigh down the transport system 9 may be considered. In particular, the descent damping mechanism 20 can be designed in another metal, such as steel, or polymer, including a fiber-reinforced polymer, for example a fiber-reinforced plastic, or carbon, or a carbon-carbon composite. The support plate 22 and the different segments 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d may be in the same material or in different materials. The material is chosen, for example, depending on the mechanical strength required for the element of the mechanism.

According to the invention, the descent damping mechanism 20 is intended to be fixed to a transport system 9 comprising the chassis 21 and at least two main wheels 3 as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 9.

In the embodiment shown here, the transport system 9 is a wheelchair 9 comprising two main wheels 3 and a seat 26 on which a user can sit.

The two main wheels 3 are preferably driving wheels of large diameter located at the rear of the chair 9 on either side thereof. This may be for example a chair 9 for transporting a person with reduced mobility, including a wheelchair 9.

The main wheels 3 are assembled along one and the same axis of rotation X.

The main wheels 3 furthermore each comprise a hub 27 enabling the pivot connection between the main wheels 3 and the chassis 21.

The main wheels 3 can advantageously be assembled on a single axle linking together the hubs 27 of each of the main wheels 3 or on a clean axle to each of the main wheels 3.

Advantageously, the transport system 9, here the wheelchair 9 comprises a support 28 connecting the hub 27 of each of the main wheels 3 to the frame 21. Thus, each of the main wheels 3 is connected to the frame 21 via a support, here a bar 28 fixed on a lateral upright 29 of the frame 21 extending on either side of the seat 26. The transport system 9 comprises two lateral uprights 29 which extend from a backrest 30 of the seat 26 to a support 31 for the legs of the user.

The transport system 9, here the wheelchair 9, may also comprise two secondary wheels (not shown), for example of smaller diameter, located at the front of the chair 9. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 9, the wheelchair 9 comprises two damping mechanisms 20 as described above. Each of the mechanisms 20 is fixed to the frame 21 near a point of contact between the frame 21 and the support 28, in particular on one of the lateral uprights 29 of the frame 21 at one of the main wheels 3. Advantageously, the point of contact between the frame 21 and the support 28 is located under said seat 26, and preferably under the bottom of said seat 26.

Thus, as illustrated here, each of the damping mechanisms 20 is assembled on one of the lateral uprights 29 of the frame 21 by means of the support plate 22 which is fixed towards the rear of the chair 9, under the bottom of the sitting 26.

The judicious positioning of the damping mechanism 20, here of the two damping mechanisms 20, at the level of the main wheels 3, towards the rear of the wheelchair 9, in other words close to the fixing of the main wheels 3 to the chassis 21, allows to avoid the use of additional and / or complementary mechanisms placed towards the front of the transport system 9.

Advantageously, as mentioned above, the kinematics of the foot 1 is controlled by a pantograph type system, a slide 23 of which defines the path of the foot 1 during its extension (or deployment) and its contraction (or folding) , in order to adapt to the desired configuration (wheel diameter 3 of the wheelchair 9, height / maximum depth of the steps 5, ...).

In addition to the pantograph type system described above and used to control the path of the foot 1, a damping cylinder 7 (or speed controller) can regulate the speed of descent. It does not intervene in the kinematics, but is dimensioned so as to limit the speed of descent to the desired value for the maximum load of the chair 9. For a lower load, the speed will be proportionally lower. This damper cylinder 7 is a single cylinder damping effect only during compression.

Advantageously, it is also provided with a preload. Thus it repositioned in extension almost instantaneously without resistance, and deploys the system at each step 5 without outside intervention. The operation of the descent damping mechanism 20 according to the invention will now be explained with the aid of FIGS. 2 to 9 which illustrate an example of a transport system 9 in the obstacle-lowering phase, such as steps 5 a stair as shown here.

In a synthetic manner, the transport system 9 advances towards the first nose 11 (FIGS. 3 and 4), where the foot 1 can be deployed to the next step 5.

Before the wheel / ground contact reaches the nose 11, the foot 1 is deployed (FIGS. 5 and 6).

As the transport system 9 advances and begins to descend to the next step 5, the foot 1 also advances, but opposes a vertical force while folding under the frame 21, which regulates the speed of descent (FIGS. 9).

The transport system 9 advances to the next nosing 11 (FIGS. 3 and 4), where the foot 1 can then be deployed again to the next step 5, and so on.

The device provides a mechanism of springs that allow the device to remain at rest in the raised position (Figure No. 2). A simple system of release of the descent feet is operated by the user at his request.

Figure 2 illustrates the descent damping mechanism 20 in the folded rest position. In this position, the angle 25 of the parallelogram attached to the support plate 22 is at the very top of the slide 23 fixed so that the third segment 1c is parallel to the lateral amount of the frame 21. The cylinder 7 is in a position where the rod 7a is inside the cylindrical tube 7b. The wheel 24 at the end of the foot 1 is thus free of any contact with the ground, in particular with the raised surface M and / or the surface below M + 1. Advantageously, the transport system 9 comprises a locking means (not visible) of the foot 1 in this folded position of rest. Unlocking the damping mechanism 20 can be done by the user when he wishes.

Figures 3 to 9 illustrate the chair 9 and the descent damping mechanism 20 in use position in various positions that will be described below. Figure 3 illustrates the descent damping mechanism 20 in a folded position of use. The foot 1 is unlocked and its end comprising the wheel 24 is in contact with the ground, in particular with the raised surface M. The angle 25 of the parallelogram fixed to the support plate 22 is always in the upper part of the slide 23 fixed . The weight of the transport system 9 keeps the damping mechanism 20 in this folded position of use. The main wheels 3 are in contact with the raised surface M. The cylinder 7 is in a position where a majority of the length of the rod 7a is inside the cylindrical tube 7b.

In FIG. 4, the descent damping mechanism 20 is in the same folded position of use as that of FIG. 3. The chair 9 has only been advanced so that the main wheels 3, as well as the end of the foot 1 comprising the wheel 24 are at the edge of a nose 11 of the raised surface M. The main wheels 3 and the wheel 24 are always in contact with the raised surface M. The angle 25 of the parallelogram fixed to the support plate 22 is always in the upper part of the slide 23 fixed. The weight of the transport system 9 still maintains the damping mechanism in this folded position of use. The cylinder 7 is in the same position as in FIG.

Figure 5 illustrates the descent damping mechanism 20 in an intermediate position of the foot 1. The chair 9 has been advanced so that the main wheels 3 are at the edge of the nose 11 and still in contact with the surface On the other hand, the end of the foot 1 comprising the wheel 24, is no longer in contact with the raised surface M. The free end of the foot 1 is therefore free to deploy forward. The angle 25 of the parallelogram attached to the support plate 22 slides therein and is here in the lower part of the slide 23 fixed. The parallelogram then forms a rectangle. This movement allows the foot 1 to be deployed forward.

The movement of the end of the foot 1 continues until it is in contact with the lower surface M + 1 as shown in Figure 6. The angle 25 of the parallelogram attached to the support plate 22 continues to slide downward and is at the very bottom of slide 23 fixed. The cylinder 7 is thus in a position where a majority of the length of the rod 7a is outside the cylindrical tube 7b.

The chair 9 continues its forward movement as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. It descends from the raised surface M to the surface below M + 1 as shown in Figure 9. The weight of the chair 9 is folded the damping mechanism 20 to a folded position of use similar to that described in FIG. 3. The jack 7 then makes it possible to damp the folding of the foot 1 and to regulate the speed of descent of the transport system 9, so that the descent is smoothly smoothly unpleasant, especially in the case of a wheelchair 9 where a user is installed. The device is then operational again to descend to a next lower surface.

In an embodiment not shown, the conveying system 9 of the invention may comprise at least one motor intended to rotate the axle, or the axles, of the transport system 9. More precisely, the engine is coupled to the axle, or the axles, so as to rotate at least one of the two main wheels 3.

In other embodiments not shown, the transport system 9 may comprise a receptacle for transporting various objects, such as goods.

Claims

claims

A descent damping mechanism (20) for attachment to a transport system (9) of persons or goods comprising at least two main wheels (3), the mechanism (20) comprising a configured foot (1) to deploy from a folded position of use in which the foot (1) is folded and a free end of the foot (1) is in contact with a raised surface (M) at an extended position in which the foot (1) is deployed and the free end of the foot (1) is in contact with a surface below (M + 1), said foot (1) is further configured so that the main wheels (3) are in contact with the raised surface (M) both in the folded use position of the foot (1) and in the extended position of the foot (1).

2. Descent damping mechanism (20) according to the preceding claim, wherein during the transition from the folded position to the deployed position, the foot (1) passes through an intermediate position in which the main wheels (3) are in position. contact with the raised surface (M) and the free end of the foot (1) is free from contact with the raised surface (M) and / or with the surface below (M + 1).

3. descent damping mechanism (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foot (1) is held in the retracted position by the weight of the transport system (9).

4. Descent damping mechanism (20) according to any preceding claim, wherein the foot (1) is composed of at least two segments (1 a, 1 b) rotatable relative to one another. to the other along an axis (X ') parallel to an axis of rotation (X) of the main wheels (3), one of the segments (1 a, 1 b) having a free end corresponding to the free end of the foot ( 1) and the other of said segments (1a, 1b) having an end configured to be articulated on the transport system (9).

A descent damping mechanism (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism (20) comprises guiding means so as to guide the passage of the foot (1) from the folded position to the position deployed, and vice versa.

6. Descent damping mechanism (20) according to the preceding claim, wherein the guide means is composed of a slide (23) fixed in which slides an arm system (1c, 1d) connected to the at least two segments (1 a, 1 b) of so as to allow the passage of the foot (1) from the folded position to the deployed position, and vice versa.

7. descent damping mechanism (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism (20) comprises a cylinder (7) damper for damping the passage of the foot (1) from the folded position up to in the deployed position and / or vice versa.

8. descent damping mechanism (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the free end of the foot (1) is provided with at least one wheel (24).

9. Descent damping mechanism (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism (20) comprises a foot locking means (1) in a folded rest position in which the foot (1). is in a folded position and the free end of the foot (1) is free of any contact with the raised surface (M) and / or the surface below (M + 1).

A transport system (9) comprising at least two main wheels (3), the two main wheels (3) being pivotally connected to the transport system (9), about an axis (X) so as to moving along the axis (Y) orthogonal to the axis (X), the transport system (9) comprises a frame (21) and at least one descent damping mechanism (20) according to any one of the claims previous, the descent damping mechanism (20) being mounted on said frame (21) so as to allow the descent of the transport system (9) from a raised surface (M) through the passage of the foot (1) of the folded position to the deployed position, and vice versa.

11. transport system (9) according to the preceding claim, wherein each of the main wheels (3) comprises a hub (27) for the pivot connection between the main wheel (3) and the frame (21), the transport system comprising a support (28) connecting the hub (27) to the frame (21), the damping mechanism (20) being fixed to the frame (21) near a point of contact between the frame (21) and the support (28).

12. Transport system (9) according to the preceding claim, wherein the transport system comprises a chair (9) consisting of a seat (26), the contact point being located under said seat (26).