WO2022101111A1

WO2022101111A1 - Wheelchair having wheel-support struts hinged on a seat-support plate so that the struts can be grouped together in the folded position

Info

Publication number: WO2022101111A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/080861
Authority: WO
Inventors: Annabelle COSTIOU; Gilles DESCAMPS; Valérian FORQUET; Olivier Koch; Julien PANSIOT
Original assignee: Costiou Annabelle; Descamps Gilles; Forquet Valerian; Olivier Koch; Pansiot Julien
Priority date: 2020-11-10
Filing date: 2021-11-08
Publication date: 2022-05-19
Also published as: FR3115981B1; EP4243752A1; CN116806137A; FR3115981A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheelchair, of the type comprising a frame (1) from which at least three struts (2) extend, each having a lower end (20) bearing at least one wheel (R) and an upper end (21) connected to the frame, these struts including two lateral struts (2L) each bearing a lateral wheel (22) and at least one central strut (2C) bearing at least one directional wheel (23), the lateral struts, when in a rolling configuration, having an inclined position in which the lower ends thereof are set further apart than the upper ends thereof, the wheelchair being characterized in that the frame (1) comprises a central plate (10), at least the lateral struts (2L) each being hinged on a pivot (100) on the central plate (10) and being able to move about the pivot between the rolling configuration and a folded configuration in which the lateral struts (2L) are pivoted towards the central strut (2C) and grouped close together.

Description

Wheelchair, having wheel support legs, articulated on a seat support plate in order to be grouped together in the folding position

The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of equipment for people with reduced mobility.

More specifically, the invention relates to a wheelchair of the type comprising at least three wheel support legs, including two side wheels and a central, front or rear wheel.

The range of wheelchairs is now very wide to meet different conditions of use and also aesthetic choices, corresponding for example to the personality of the user, with possibilities of general appearance either traditional or modern.

We can distinguish two main families of wheelchairs, namely:

- so-called transfer or transport chairs;

- armchairs designed for sporting activities.

In the category of transfer or transport wheelchairs, these have one of the most classic general structures, in terms of comprising a support frame with two rear wheels and two directional front wheels (the rear wheels traditionally being of one diameter significantly greater than that of the front wheels), the frame carrying a seat and a backrest.

Of course, many accessories can be offered to ensure different functionalities and/or improve user comfort.

As mentioned previously, many variations of these armchairs are available, including, for example:

- "shell" wheelchairs;

- specific armchairs for bathrooms and toilets;

- wheelchairs for obese people;

- wheelchairs for people of small stature;

- electric wheelchairs;

- wheelchairs with reclining backs; - upright wheelchairs;

Combined or not with one of the wheelchairs listed above, some of these wheelchairs are foldable.

According to a very widespread design of these foldable wheelchairs, these comprise two lateral sub-assemblies, each carrying a rear wheel and a front wheel, the two sub-assemblies being connected by two rigid elements crossing each other and being hinged together in their center, so that the two sub-assemblies can be separated from each other in the rolling position or, in the folding position, moved closer together, almost one against the other other.

Wheelchairs of this type are described in particular in the patent documents published under the numbers EP2328536, EP2985014, EP2796121, EP2140846 or even EP3120819.

Such a design, if it indisputably ensures the folding function of the wheelchair, generates the implementation of many parts, which tends to:

- make the design more complex, with many points of articulation;

- complicate the assembly of the wheelchair;

- considerably increase the weight of the wheelchair;

- increase the cost price and, consequently, the selling price of the wheelchair.

Another type of design is described by the patent document published under the number EP3156027. According to this design, the chair is folded by tilting the backrest forwards, which simultaneously causes the rearward tilting of the legs carrying the front wheels (these two front legs being mounted articulated on the support of 'seated). Thus, in the folded position, the chair has a configuration in which the backrest is folded against the seat support and the front wheels are brought closer to the rear wheels, extending in front of the latter. Such a design not only does not overcome the disadvantages mentioned above but, moreover, causes a relatively large size in the folded configuration of the chair.

In the category of wheelchairs for sports activities, these are of a specific design, in particular for speed sports, with a very elongated general shape, due to the presence of a single, very offset front wheel. The frames of these chairs are traditionally fixed, not damped, in order to offer optimal rigidity to provide stability.

In addition, to guarantee their maneuverability, the wheelchairs for sports activities are designed to ensure their lightness as much as possible. For this reason, wheelchairs for sports activities do not incorporate a complex structure for their folding, such as those mentioned above.

The aim of the invention is in particular to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide a wheelchair, of the transfer or transport type or of the type for sports activities, which has a structure that is both light for its maneuverability and which is provided to allow the folding of the wheelchair. .

The invention also aims to provide such a wheelchair which makes it possible to pass from a rolling configuration to a folded configuration, or vice versa, easily and quickly.

The invention also aims to provide such a wheelchair which, although of light structure, ensures the comfort of the user.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a wheelchair, of the type comprising a frame from which extend at least three legs each having a lower end carrying at least one wheel and an upper end connected to the chassis, among which two lateral legs each carrying a lateral wheel and at least one central leg carrying at least one directional wheel, the legs having, according to a configuration rolling, an inclined position in which their lower ends have a spacing between them greater than that between their upper ends, characterized in that the chassis comprises a central plate, at least the side legs each being mounted articulated around an articulation on the central plate and movable around the articulation between the rolling configuration and a folding configuration, in which the lateral legs are pivoted, in the direction of the central leg, and grouped together in the vicinity of each other, characterized in that the chassis comprises, for each leg, a pivoting stopper surmounting the leg to prevent the pivoting of the leg beyond a predetermined angular travel from the rolling configuration, and in that the plate has, for each leg, a cage in which extends an axis around which the leg is capable of pivoting, the upper end of the leg being ant housed in the cage, and a part, constituting the pivot stop, is attached to the plate to close the cage from above.

Thus, thanks to the invention, a wheelchair can have two characteristics that are a priori antagonistic according to the prior art, namely: having a light frame and being foldable.

Indeed, according to the invention, the folding is not obtained by means of a complex frame implementing articulated crosses, connecting rods or even locking systems, and does not involve the implementation of side and/or seat support tubular sub-assemblies.

Conversely, the frame of a wheelchair according to the invention is foldable thanks to the implementation of a particularly light structure in which the frame is essentially reduced to the plate, and in which the folding is simply obtained by mounting the legs in an articulated manner on the plate. It is understood that with such a technique, the folding or unfolding is done quickly and simply, insofar as it suffices to rotate the side legs, and possibly the central leg, to move them from the position of taxiing in the stowed position, or vice versa. In addition, as will appear more clearly later, the person who manipulates the wheelchair to bring it into its rolling configuration has very few gestures to make, and does not have to worry about the locking in rolling configuration since the mere weight of the person seated on the wheelchair guarantees that the wheelchair is maintained in its rolling configuration.

It is also noted that such a wheelchair, in addition to its particularly low weight, has a small footprint. Indeed, as indicated above, the frame consisting essentially of the plate which supports the legs, the latter can be designed with reduced dimensions, that is to say dimensions necessary and sufficient to constitute a seat support. between the two side wheels.

In any event, it is clear from the design of a wheelchair according to the invention that the frame thereof, and the system of articulated legs, together involve a limited number of parts. As a result, such a chair involves reduced manufacturing costs, as well as relatively low assembly costs and assembly times compared to those caused with the techniques of the prior art.

As mentioned previously, the user is satisfied, to pass the wheelchair from its folding configuration to its rolling configuration, to pivot the legs until bringing them into abutment against the frame. The legs, occupying in the rolling position an inclined position (according to which the longitudinal axis of the legs forms a non-zero angle with the vertical axis and the gap between the lower ends of the lateral legs is greater than or equal to the width of the plate), the sheer weight of a person sitting on the chair (or even the sheer weight of the chair alone) is sufficient to maintain both:

- the inclined position of the legs, i.e. the rolling configuration;

- blocking in a predetermined maximum angular position with respect to the vertical of the legs, the latter, by their upper end, being blocked in pivoting, which tends to "self-lock" the rolling configuration. According to a first possible embodiment, in the folding configuration, the legs are pivoted and grouped close to each other under the plate.

In this case, the side legs are advantageously mounted articulated on the plate around an axis parallel to a median axis between the side legs.

According to a second possible embodiment, the side legs are mounted articulated on the plate around an axis orthogonal to a median axis between the side legs.

In this second case, one obtains a grouping of the legs around the central leg (which occupies a position in front or behind the plate depending on the case), the central leg remaining substantially in the same folding configuration or in the configuration of rolling.

According to a preferred solution, the central leg is also mounted articulated on the plate, around an axis orthogonal to a median axis between the side legs.

In this way, the user has more freedom as to the folded configuration he can adopt.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the wheelchair comprises, for each leg, at least one shock absorber between the leg and the plate, in contact with the leg and the plate in the rolling configuration, and intended to produce a damping of the tilting of the leg for pivoting of the leg approaching a predetermined angular stroke from the folding configuration.

Such an embodiment obviously tends to significantly improve the comfort of the user. The presence of shock absorbers, under the seat, between the frame and the legs, absorbs any jolts or shocks received by the wheels and avoids transmitting them, or at least attenuates them, so that the person using the wheelchair does not feel it, or only a little. This is all the more important as these people have to spend many hours in the wheelchair. In this case, the plate has, for each leg, a cage in which extends an axis around which the leg is capable of pivoting, the upper end of the leg being housed in the cage facing a bottom of the cage, the shock absorber being mounted in the extension of the upper end of the leg and intended to bear against the bottom of the cage.

Such an embodiment proves to be particularly effective and also has the advantage of involving very simple and very rapid assembly.

Advantageously, the damper consists of an elastomer pad.

Again, the assembly of such a bearing is done easily and quickly. In addition, such a damper can easily be replaced by another, for example in order to modify the stiffness of the damping.

According to a particular solution, the plate comprises two blocks one on top of the other providing between them the housings for the hinge pins of the legs. Such a solution facilitates the assembly of the hinge pins of the legs, this with machining of the blocks in question which can be carried out inexpensively.

According to another advantageous solution, the plate has, for each leg, a groove in height in which the upper end of the leg is housed and allows movement in pivoting of the leg.

Such an assembly therefore makes it possible to embed the upper end of the legs in the plate while allowing the pivoting of the legs around their articulation on the plate. Thus, the articulated mounting of the legs on the plate is carried out without having to increase the dimensions of the plate to allow the mounting and the pivoting of the legs.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

- Figures 1 and 2 are overall views of a wheelchair according to the invention, respectively in the rolling configuration and in the folded configuration; - Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of a subassembly of a wheelchair according to the invention, respectively in the rolling configuration and in the folded configuration;

- Figures 5 and 6 are top views of a subassembly of a wheelchair according to the invention, respectively in the rolling configuration and in the folded configuration;

- Figure 7 is a view of a subassembly of a wheelchair according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which is schematically illustrated the transition from the rolling configuration to the folded configuration;

- Figures 8 and 9 schematically illustrate the frame of a wheelchair according to the invention, respectively seen in perspective and from the side.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a wheelchair according to the invention is of the type comprising:

- A frame 1;

- at least three legs 2, extending from the frame 1 and each having a lower end 20 carrying at least one wheel R, each leg having an upper end 21 connected to the frame.

As illustrated by Figures 1 to 6, the wheelchair according to the invention has:

- Two side legs 2L, these side legs each carrying a side wheel 22;

- At least one central leg 2C, carrying at least one directional wheel 23 (in this case carrying a hanger 230 provided with a directional wheel at each of its ends).

The legs 2, and in particular at least the side legs 2L, are mounted on the frame so as to be able to occupy two distinct configurations, namely:

- a rolling configuration in which the legs occupy an inclined position in which their lower extremities 20 have a spacing between them greater than that between their upper ends 21 (Figures 1 and 3); a folding configuration described in more detail below, and as illustrated by Figures 2 and 4.

According to the principle of the invention, the chassis comprises a central plate 10 on which the lateral legs 2L are each mounted articulated around a joint 100. Thus, the lateral legs 2L are movably mounted on the central plate around the joint 100 between the rolling configuration (Figures 1 and 3) and the folding configuration (Figures 2 and 4).

As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 7, the side legs 2L are pivoted in the folding configuration in the direction of the central leg 2C, the legs 2 being grouped close to each other in the folding configuration.

According to the embodiment illustrated by Figures 5 and 6, the legs 2 are, in the folding configuration, pivoted and grouped close to each other under the plate 10.

Note that, according to this embodiment, the central leg 2C is also mounted articulated on the plate 10.

To switch from the rolling configuration to the folding configuration as specified above, the side legs 2L are mounted articulated on the plate 100 around an axis 101 parallel to a median axis A (FIG. 5) between the side legs 2L. The central leg 2C is for its part mounted articulated on the plate 10 around an axis 103 orthogonal to the median axis A between the lateral legs 2L.

To proceed with the folding of the wheelchair according to the invention, it is therefore understood that the legs 2 are pivoted from the rolling configuration around their respective articulation. Thus, the lateral legs 2L are pivoted in the direction of the space extending under the plate 10, as well as the central leg 2C. In the end, the lateral legs 2L are indeed pivoted in the direction of the central leg 2C when the latter occupies its position in the folding configuration. In addition, the legs 2 are all grouped close to each other under the plate 10. According to the alternative embodiment illustrated by FIG. 7, the lateral legs 2L are mounted articulated on the plate 10 around an axis 102 orthogonal to the median axis A between the lateral legs 2L.

Thus, in this case, when passing from the rolling configuration to the folding configuration, the lateral legs 2L are, from the rolling configuration, pivoted around each of their axes 102 in the direction of the central leg 2C, such illustrated by the arrows F1 and F2 (the central leg being able to remain in the same position in the rolling configuration and in the folding configuration). In the end, in the folding configuration, the legs are grouped close to each other, in front or behind the chair depending on the position of the central leg 2C.

Referring to Figures 3, 4, 7 and 8, the mounting of the legs on the plate is made as described below.

For each leg, the plate 10 has a cage 12 in which extends the axis around which the corresponding leg 2 is capable of pivoting. Thus, for the lateral legs 2L, the axis 101 extends into the cage 12 and, for the central leg 2C, the axis 103 extends into the cage 12. In addition, the upper end 21 of the legs 2 is housed in cage 12.

Note that this cage 12 is delimited by the walls of a groove 105 extending over the entire height of the plate 10 allowing both to accommodate the upper end 21 of each leg and allowing movement in pivoting of the leg inside the groove.

Furthermore, the chassis comprises, for each leg, a pivot stop 11 surmounting the leg to prevent the pivoting of the leg beyond a predetermined angular travel from the rolling configuration, that is that is to say so that the legs do not present, with respect to vertical, an inclination greater than that illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 3 for example.

To do this, according to the present embodiment, a part constituting the stopper 11 in pivoting is attached to the plate 10 to close the cage 12 from above. This part 110, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, also constitutes a seat support coupled to the plate 10, with, for information, a series of elastic balls 111 interposed between the part 110 and the plate 10.

In addition, for each leg 2, a damper 24 is interposed between the corresponding leg 2 and the plate 10. These dampers are intended to be in contact with the leg and the plate in the rolling configuration, to produce a damping of the tilting of the leg for pivoting of the leg approaching a predetermined angular stroke from the folding configuration.

In other words, in the rolling configuration as illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 3 for example, each shock absorber is in contact with a leg and the plate, so that, due to shocks or vibrations exerted on the wheels of the chair or due to tremors imposed by the user himself, each shock absorber is capable of being compressed to dampen the corresponding jolt or vibration.

According to the present embodiment, each shock absorber is mounted in the extension of the upper end of a leg and is intended to come into contact with the bottom 120 of the corresponding cage 12 in the wheelchair rolling position.

According to the design which has just been described, the angular travel of each leg, from the folding position, is limited by the abutment of the upper surface 210 of the upper end 21 of each leg against the lower face part 110 which closes each cage 12 in height. Before coming into abutment against this part 110, the shock absorbers 24 are compressed between the upper end 21 of each leg, or of one of the legs, thus preventing upper surface comes to shock the part 110 too perceptibly by the user of the chair.

It is noted that with such an assembly, the weight of the user installed in the chair tends to constrain the legs in the rolling configuration. Indeed, the user's weight is exerted on the seat support constituted by the part 110, which results in a force from the underside of the part 110 being exerted on the upper ends 21 of the legs. However, as illustrated by FIG. 3, as long as the legs have not reached the predetermined maximum angular travel from the rolling configuration, the upper ends project in height above the corresponding cage 12, this projecting part extending between the axis of the articulation and the bottom of the cage. It follows that, by pressing on this part projecting from the upper end above the cage, pressing on the latter tends to promote the inclined position of the rolling configuration. On the other hand, once the pre-determined maximum angular travel has been reached, the upper surface of the upper ends of the legs is in abutment under the part 110, preventing each leg from tilting further.

According to a preferred embodiment, each damper 24 consists of an elastomer pad. These elastomer pads each have a base and the upper ends of the legs have a cavity intended to receive the base of the pads. The assembly of the base of the bearings in the cavity is carried out by light force (that is to say by compressing the elastomer material of the bearing to introduce it into the cavity of the upper end), ensuring the maintenance of the pad in the upper end of the corresponding leg.

According to another characteristic of this embodiment, the plate 10 comprises two blocks 102 and 103 arranged one on the other (FIGS. 8 and 9) and forming between them housings 104 (FIG. 8) intended to receive the axes of articulation of the legs. The joining of the two blocks 102 and 103 together is carried out by means of fixing means passing through the two blocks, the elastic balls 111 and the part 110.

Claims

1. Wheelchair, of the type comprising a frame (1) from which extend at least three legs (2) each having a lower end (20) carrying at least one wheel (R) and an upper end (21) connected to the chassis, including two side legs (2L) each carrying a side wheel (22) and at least one central leg (2C) carrying at least one directional wheel (23), the side legs having, according to a rolling configuration, a inclined position in which their lower ends have a spacing between them greater than that between their upper ends, in which the frame (1) comprises a central plate (10), at least the lateral legs (2L) each being mounted articulated around an articulation (100) on the central plate (10) and movable around the articulation between the rolling configuration and a folding configuration, in which the lateral legs (2L) are pivoted, in the direction of the j central ambe (2C), and grouped in the vicinity of each other, characterized in that the frame (1) comprises, for each leg (2), a stopper (11) in pivoting surmounting the leg (2) to prohibit pivoting of the leg beyond a predetermined angular travel from the rolling configuration, and in that the plate (10) has, for each leg (2), a cage (12) in which extends an axis (101) around which the leg (2) is capable of pivoting, the upper end (21) of the leg being housed in the cage (12), and in that a part (110), constituting the stopper (11) in pivoting, is attached to the plate (10) to close the cage (12) from above.

2. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the folding configuration, the legs (2) are pivoted and grouped in the vicinity of each other under the plate (10).

3. Wheelchair according to claim 2, characterized in that the side legs (2L) are mounted articulated on the plate (10) about an axis (101) parallel to a median axis (A) between the side legs (2L ).

4. Wheelchair according to claim 1, characterized in that the side legs (2L) are mounted articulated on the plate (10) about an axis (102) orthogonal to a median axis (A) between the side legs (2L ).

5. Wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the central leg (2C) is also mounted articulated on the plate (10), about an axis (103) orthogonal to a median axis ( A) between the side legs (2L).

6. Wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises, for each leg (2), at least one shock absorber (24) between the leg (2) and the plate (10), in contact with the leg (2) and the plate (10) in the rolling configuration and intended to produce a damping of the inclination of the leg for a pivoting of the leg when approaching a predetermined angular stroke at from the bend configuration.

7. Wheelchair according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper end (21) of the leg is housed in the cage (12) facing a bottom (120) of the cage, the damper (24) being mounted in the extension of the upper end (21) of the leg and intended to bear against the bottom (120) of the cage.

8. Wheelchair according to claim 7, characterized in that the damper (24) consists of an elastomeric pad. 15

9. Wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the plate (10) comprises two blocks (102), (103) one on the other forming between them housings (104) for axes of articulation of the legs.

10. Wheelchair according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the plate (10) has, for each leg (10), a groove (105) in height in which the upper end (21 ) of the leg and allowing movement in pivoting of the leg (2).