EP2762121B1 - Stand-up wheelchair for disabled persons - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a standing wheelchair for persons with reduced mobility.

Wheelchairs for persons with disabilities traditionally include a backrest and a seat arranged to accommodate a disabled person and allow him to move in a sitting position. In certain wheelchairs, called verticalizers, the backrest and the seat are relatively movable relative to each other, and relative to the frame, between a sitting position allowing a disabled person to sit in the chair to move, and a standing or vertical position in which the backrest and the seat are substantially vertical to straighten the disabled person and maintain in a vertical position.

Moreover, as in WO 2007/011668 It is known to equip the free wheelchair wheelchairs for a disabled person with a rudder, mounted free to rotate relative to the frame, about a longitudinal axis of the chair. The ends of the rudder are each connected to a freewheel wheelchair. The rudder compensates at least in part for the roll movements of the chassis when the wheelchair rolls on an uneven surface, the freewheels are not at the same height. In fact, such a rudder halves the differences in level between the right side and the left side of the chair when the latter moves on an uneven surface, which results for the user by a significantly increased comfort and better capabilities crossing for the chair.

However, the freedom of rotation of the spreader poses a problem during verticalization. Indeed, the verticalization of the chair is accompanied by an elevation of the center of gravity and the offset of the center of gravity to the front of the chair which, combined with the movements of the rudder, can cause a loss of stability of the chair when the latter is in the standing position. The weight of the verticalized disabled person is then likely to lead to a risk of falling sideways.

Also the present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage by providing a wheelchair standing for person with reduced mobility, offering a substantially increased stability in the vertical position to limit any risk of a user falling, while offering the advantage of limiting the roll of the chassis for better user comfort and better crossing capabilities.

To this end, the subject of the present invention is a mobility wheelchair for a person with reduced mobility, the chair comprising a frame, and a support assembly intended to support a user, the support assembly being movable relative to the frame, between a sitting position in which the support assembly is arranged to receive and support a user in a seated position, and a vertical position in which the support assembly is arranged to straighten the user in a standing position, the chair also comprising a spreader, mounted free to rotate relative to the chassis, two wheels connected by the spreader, and the locking means of the spreader arranged to allow the free rotation of the spreader relative to the frame when the support assembly is in the sitting position and to lock the rotation of the spreader relative to the frame when the support assembly is in the vertical position, thus reversibly transforming an articulated frame into a rigid frame.

Thus, the articulated frame is transformed into a rigid frame when the chair is verticalized, because of immobilization of the lifter by the locking means, so that the chair according to the invention provides increased stability in the vertical position.

Note that rigid frame means a chassis with four wheels necessarily resting on the same plane, while articulated chassis means a frame relative to which, in opposition to the rigid chassis, the four wheels do not necessarily all rest on the same plan.

When the chassis is rigid, the lifter may be substantially horizontal and stationary relative to the chassis; when the chassis is articulated, the rudder is free to rotate relative to the chassis.

According to one embodiment, the locking means are movable relative to the frame, and the chair comprises connecting means connecting the locking means to a movement transmission element, driven in displacement relative to the frame by the verticalization of the frame. support assembly, so that the displacement of the support assembly from the seated position to the vertical position causes a simultaneous movement of the locking means in the direction of the rudder to block the rudder.

Thus, the locking means are kinematically connected to the support assembly. The locking of the spreader is therefore directly related to the verticalization kinematics.

According to one embodiment, the locking means are arranged to concomitantly block the rudder when the support assembly is moved in a vertical position, so that no action of the user is necessary to lock the rudder to avoid a fall of the user in case of forgetfulness.

No action of the user is necessary, which provides additional security, since the user does not have to think of blocking himself the rudder when he controls the verticalization of the support assembly. In the absence of synchronization of the kinematics of verticalization and the locking of the rudder, an oversight of the user to block the rudder could lead to a risk of falling.

Advantageously, the locking means comprise a bearing surface arranged at a distance from the spreader when the support assembly is in the seated position and arranged to bear against the rudder when the support assembly is moved to the position. verticalized, pressing the bearing surface against the rudder blocking the rotation of the rudder relative to the frame as the verticalization of the support assembly.

Thus, as soon as the bearing surface is in contact with the spreader, the locking means exert, via the support surface, an increasing progressive pressure on the spreader bar until the verticalization of the support assembly is complete. . This results in a progressive blockage of the rudder.

Advantageously, the spreader is arranged across the path described by the bearing surface during the verticalization of the support assembly, so that the bearing surface bears against the rudder before the support assembly. reaches the vertical position.

In other words, regardless of its position relative to the frame, the rudder forms an obstacle to the complete travel of the support surface.

According to one possibility, the bearing surface is arranged relative to the rudder to bear against the rudder during verticalization, whatever the position of the rudder relative to the frame at the time of verticalization.

Thus, the support surface catches the game of the rudder and gradually returns to the horizontal as the kinematic verticalization.

According to one embodiment, the bearing surface, or where appropriate the bearing surfaces, is symmetrical with respect to a median plane including the longitudinal axis of rotation of the rudder.

Thus, the distance between the longitudinal axis and the bearing surfaces is substantially the same on each side of the longitudinal axis, so that the forces exerted by the locking members on the rudder are similar on both sides longitudinal axis, which prevents any risk of imbalance of the chair due to the support of the locking members against the rudder.

According to one possibility, the locking means comprise a locking lever movable in rotation relative to the frame around a first pivot connection P1, and the connecting means comprise a second pivot connection P2 of axis substantially parallel to the axis. of the first pivot link P1, the arrangement of the first pivot link P1 and the second pivot link P2 being such that the verticalization of the support assembly causes the locking lever to rotate about the first pivot link P1 in order to press the bearing surface against the rudder to lock the rudder.

Thus, the first pivot link P1 forms the tilting point of the locking lever, and the second pivot connection P2 forms the fulcrum on which the forces are exerted so that the bearing surface presses on or under the rudder .

According to one embodiment, the second pivot link P2 is arranged to describe a downward path when the support assembly is moved to the verticalized position, the center of gravity of the support assembly in the verticalized position being arranged so that the weight of the support assembly is transmitted to the locking lever via the second pivot link P2 so as to accentuate the support of the bearing surface against the rudder in the verticalized position.

Thus, in the verticalized position, the weight of the support assembly is transmitted to the locking lever, which presses, because of the cantilever between the first pivot link P1 and the second pivot link P2, further under the rudder .

According to one embodiment, the first pivot link P1 is arranged between the spreader and the second pivot link P2, the bearing surface being arranged to bear under or on the spreader bar.

Thus, the verticalization of the support assembly lowers the second pivot connection P2, which causes the upward movement of the bearing surface which abuts under the rudder.

According to one embodiment, the chair comprises a link secured to the frame, the link comprising a proximal end attached to the frame, and a distal end offset in front or rear of the spreader and connected by the first pivot link P1 to the locking lever, so that the locking lever is deported forward or backward of the rudder.

According to one possibility, the bearing surface comprises a surface of an elastomeric abutment attached to the locking lever.

The use of an elastomeric stop contributes in particular to the progressivity of the locking of the spreader.

• les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues en perspective d'un fauteuil selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, respectivement dans une position verticalisée et dans une position assise,
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues de côté d'un fauteuil selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, respectivement dans une position verticalisée et une position assise,
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues de côté d'une partie d'un fauteuil selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, respectivement dans une position verticalisée et une position assise,
• les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues d'une partie d'un fauteuil selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, respectivement dans une position verticalisée et dans une position assise.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a chair according to an embodiment of the invention, respectively in a vertical position and in a sitting position,
• the figures 3 and 4 are side views of a chair according to one embodiment of the invention, respectively in a vertical position and a sitting position,
• the Figures 5 and 6 are side views of a portion of a chair according to one embodiment of the invention, respectively in a vertical position and a sitting position,
• the Figures 7 and 8 are views of a portion of a chair according to one embodiment of the invention, respectively in a vertical position and in a sitting position.

The figures 1 and 2 show a wheelchair 1 wheelchair for person with reduced mobility, respectively in a vertical position, wherein the chair 1 can support a person in a standing position, and in a sitting position, in which the chair 1 can support a nobody in a sitting position. The chair 1 therefore corresponds to a standing chair.

It is also specified that the description is made with respect to a Cartesian frame linked to the frame of the chair 1, the X axis being oriented in the longitudinal direction of the chair 1, the Y axis being oriented in the transverse direction of the chair 1, and the Z axis being oriented in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The orientations, directions, and displacements, longitudinal, transverse, vertical, front, rear, lateral, are thus defined with respect to this reference system.

As is visible on the figures 3 and 4 , the chair 1 comprises a frame 2, and a support assembly, intended to support a user, movable relative to the frame 2, between the sitting position ( figures 2 , 4 , 6 and 8 ) in which the support assembly is arranged to receive and support a user in a seated position, and the vertical position ( figures 1 , 3 , 5 and 7 ) in which the support assembly is arranged to straighten the user in a standing position.

The support assembly may comprise a seat 4, a backrest 6 and a footrest 8. The backrest 6 is for example connected to the seat 4 by a pivot connection of transverse axis, while the seat 4 is by example connected to the frame 2 by a pivot link P10 transverse axis.

In sitting position, the seat 4 can be substantially horizontal and the backrest 6 substantially vertical so that a user can be received sitting. In a vertical position, the seat 4 and the backrest 6 can be substantially coplanar, substantially vertical, to straighten the user by placing it in a position in which the user is standing.

Note that by verticalization of the support assembly is meant the movement of the latter to the vertical position.

As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 , the chair 1 also comprises a lifter 10, mounted free to rotate relative to the frame 2, about a pivot link P20 of longitudinal axis.

The chair 1 comprises two wheels 12 connected by the spreader bar 10. Each end of the spreader bar 10 can thus be connected to one of the idler wheels 12 by a pivot connection P30 with a vertical axis. The wheels 12 can be crazy, as in the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 8 . They can be motorized or not.

The wheels 12 may correspond to the front wheels of the wheelchair 1, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. Figures 1 to 8 . The rear wheels can then correspond to 14 driving wheels, the chair 1 moving in propulsion. Conversely, the wheels 12 could correspond to the rear wheels of the wheelchair 1, while the front wheels could correspond to 14-wheel drive, the chair 1 then moving in traction. It will therefore be understood that the chair 1 can be motorized, and can therefore include one or more motors 16, for example electric.

As is visible on the Figures 5 and 6 , the chair 1 may include moving means for moving the support assembly from the sitting position to the vertical position and vice versa. The displacement means may comprise a jack 18, for example an electric jack. The jack 18 may comprise an end connected to the frame 2, for example by a pivot connection, and an end connected to the seat 4, for example by another pivot connection.

It is important to note that the chair 1 comprises means for blocking the lifter 10, arranged to allow free rotation of the spreader 10 relative to the frame 2 when the support assembly is in the seated position but arranged to block the rotation of the 10 relative to the frame 2 when the support assembly is in the vertical position.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 , the locking means of the lifter 10 comprise at least one locking lever 20 having a bearing surface 22. According to the illustrated example, the locking means comprise two locking levers 20 arranged symmetrically with respect to a substantially vertical median plane, including, for example, the longitudinal axis of rotation of the spreader bar relative to the chassis 2.

Each locking lever 20 is rotatable relative to the frame 2 about a first pivot connection P1, here transverse axis, between an unlocking position in which the lever or levers 20 allow rotation of the rudder 10 relatively to the frame 2, and a locking position in which the lever or levers 20 prevent the rotation of the spreader 10 relative to the frame 2, in other words in which they immobilize the spreader 10 relative to the frame 2.

The bearing surface or surfaces 22 are arranged at a distance from the spreader bar 10 when the support assembly is in the seated position and are arranged to bear against the lifter 10 when the support assembly is moved to the vertical position.

The support of the bearing surfaces 22 against the spreader 10 blocks the rotation thereof relative to the frame 2. It is important to note that this blocking can advantageously be done as the verticalization of the assembly of support. In other words, the blockage can be progressive.

According to the example of Figures 1 to 8 , the chair 1 also comprises connecting means, comprising a second pivot link P2, of axis substantially parallel to the axis of the first pivot link P1, connecting the lever or levers 20 to a block of motion transmission, moved relative to the frame 2 due to the verticalization of the support assembly. This transmission element may be part of the support assembly. This is for example the footrest 8.

Thus, the displacement of the support assembly from the seated position to the verticalized position causes a simultaneous movement of the lever or levers 20 in the direction of the lifter 10 to block the spreader 10, which has the effect of stiffening the frame 2 .

The arrangement of the first pivot connection P1 and the second pivot connection P2 is such that the verticalization of the support assembly causes the locking lever 20 to rotate around the first pivot connection P1 in order to bear on the surface 22 bearing against the lifter 10 to block the latter.

If appropriate, the displacement means, such as the jack 18, can contribute to maintaining the bearing surface or surfaces 22 against the spreader bar 10 when the support assembly is in the verticalized position, by blocking, for example, the support assembly in the vertical position.

The lifter 10 can be arranged across the path described by the bearing surface or surfaces 22 during the verticalization of the support assembly, so that the bearing surface or surfaces 22 bear against the lifter 10 before the support assembly reaches the vertical position, the locking of the spreader 10 being thus carried out regardless of its position relative to the frame 2.

The bearing surface or surfaces 22 are advantageously symmetrical with respect to a substantially vertical median plane, including, for example, the longitudinal axis of rotation of the spreader 10 with respect to the frame 2. vertical position, the lifter 10 is maintained in a substantially horizontal position, parallel to the transverse axis Y.

It will be noted that the longitudinal axis about which the rudder 10 pivots can be arranged in the center of the rudder 10, the latter being itself substantially symmetrical with respect to a median plane including its longitudinal axis of rotation relative to the chassis 2.

The trajectory described by the bearing surface (s) 22 corresponds substantially to a central circle-circle placed on the axis of the first pivot link P1.

For each locking lever 20, the first pivot link P1, the second pivot link P2, and the bearing surface 22 together form a triangle which is mobile in rotation with respect to the frame 2 about a transverse axis of rotation, one angles of this triangle, that formed by the first pivot link P1, remaining fixed relative to the frame 2.

In accordance with the embodiment shown Figures 1 to 8 the second pivot link P2 is arranged to describe a downward path when the support assembly is moved to the verticalized position, the center of gravity of the support assembly in the verticalized position being substantially above the second link pivot P2, to accentuate the support of the surface or surfaces 22 of support against the rudder 10.

For each locking lever 20, the first pivot connection P1 can be arranged between the crossbar 10 and the second pivot link P2, the bearing surface 22 being arranged to bear under the crossbar 10. In addition, the second pivot connection P2 can be arranged in front of the first pivot connection, and the first pivot link P1 can be arranged in front of the spreader bar 10.

The chair 1 may comprise, for each locking lever 20, a rod 24 integral with the frame 2, the link 24 comprising a proximal end attached to the frame 2, and a distal end offset in front of the spreader 10 and connected by the first pivot connection P1 to the locking lever 20, so that the locking lever 20 is offset in front of the spreader bar 10.

The footrest 8 may be pivotally mounted about a pivot link P40, with a transverse axis, relative to a drive member 26 pivotally mounted about a pivot link P50, with a transverse axis, relative to the frame 2, so that the pivot links P50, P40, P2 and P1 form the four vertices of a deformable quadrilateral of which only the segment [P50, P1] remains fixed relative to the frame 2 during the uprighting of the chair 1.

The drive member 26 extends a lower seat tube 27 forming a lever arm for driving down the footrest 8 to deform the quadrilateral P50, P40, P2, P1 in connection with the verticalization kinematics . The lower seat tube 27 pivots around the pivot connection P50 during the verticalization kinematics, to deform a deformable parallelogram formed by the pivot links P50, P10, P60, P70 of which only the pivot connection P10 is fixed relative to to the chassis 2.

It will be noted that the drive member 26 transfers the mass of the user deported towards the front of the chair 1 during verticalization in order to relieve the jack 18.

The opposite is also true: when the user sits down again, the same training member 26 also uses its mass to assist the seat movement.

It will be noted that the bearing surface 22 may comprise a surface of an elastomeric abutment 28 attached to the corresponding locking lever 20.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, this embodiment having been given as an example. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by the substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Thus, instead of a locking lever 20 or in addition to the locking lever 20, the locking means may comprise a lug arranged to be housed in a bore formed on the spreader 10 in order to block the rotation of the rudder. Thus, the blocking would be neither below nor above the rudder 10, but in a through manner. The bearing surface 22 could then correspond to the lateral surface of the lug. This lug could be attached to the footrest 8.

Thus, the locking means may also comprise, in replacement or in addition, a strap forming a loop within which the rudder 10 extends. The support surface 22 could then correspond to one of the faces of the rudder. this strap.

Thus, the bearing surface 22 can be arranged to support, not under, but on the spreader 10.

Claims (10)

1. A stand-up wheelchair (1) for a person of reduced mobility, the wheelchair (1) comprising a frame (2) and a support assembly for supporting a user, the support assembly being movable relative to the frame (2) between a sitting position in which the support assembly is arranged to receive and support a user in a sitting position, and a stand-up position in which the support assembly is arranged to stand the user in an upright position, the wheelchair (1) also having a rocker (10) pivotally mounted relative to the frame (2), two wheels (12) being connected to the rocker (10), the wheelchair being characterized in that blocking means for blocking the rocker (10) are arranged to allow the rocker (10) to pivot freely relative to the frame (2) when the support assembly is in the sitting position and to block the rocker (10) against pivoting relative to the frame (2) when the support assembly is in the stand-up position, thereby reversibly transforming a hinged frame (2) into a rigid frame (2).
2. A wheelchair (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking means are movable relative to the frame (2), and the wheelchair (1) has connection means connecting the blocking means to a motion transmission element that is driven to move relative to the frame (2) by the support assembly being put in the stand-up position, such that the movement of the support assembly from the sitting position to the stand-up position causes a simultaneous movement of the blocking means towards the rocker (10) so as to block the rocker (10).
3. A wheelchair (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the blocking means are arranged to block the rocker (10) as the support assembly is moving into the stand-up position, such that no action is required from the user in order to block the rocker (10) in order to avoid the user falling in the event of forgetting.
4. A wheelchair (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the blocking means comprise a bearing surface (22) arranged at a distance from the rocker (10) when the support assembly is in the sitting position and arranged to come to bear against the rocker (10) when the support assembly is moved towards the stand-up position, the bearing surface (22) bearing against the rocker (10) and blocking pivoting of the rocker (10) relative to the frame (2) progressively as the support assembly moves into the stand-up position.
5. A wheelchair (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the rocker (10) is arranged across the path followed by the bearing surface (22) while the support assembly is being moved into the stand-up position, such that the bearing surface (22) comes to bear against the rocker (10) before the support assembly reaches the stand-up position.
6. A wheelchair (1) according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the bearing surface (22) is arranged relative to the rocker (10) to come to bear against the rocker (10) while moving into the stand-up position, regardless of the position of the rocker (10) relative to the frame (2) at the time of moving to the stand-up position.
7. A wheelchair (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the bearing surface (22) is symmetrical about a midplane including the longitudinal pivot axis of the rocker (10).
8. A wheelchair (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the blocking means comprise a blocking lever (20) pivotally movable relative to the frame (2) about a first pivot connection (P1), and in that the connection means comprise a second pivot connection (P2) of axis substantially parallel to the axis of the first pivot connection (P1), the arrangement of the first pivot connection (P1) and of the second pivot connection (P2) being such that the support assembly moving into the stand-up position causes the blocking lever (20) to pivot about the first pivot connection (P1) so as to cause the bearing surface (22) to bear against the rocker (10) in order to block the rocker (10).
9. A wheelchair (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the second pivot connection (P2) is arranged to follow a downward path when the support assembly is moved towards the stand-up position, the center of gravity of the support assembly in the stand-up position being arranged so that the weight to the support assembly is transmitted to the blocking lever (20) via the second pivot connection (P2) so as to accentuate the bearing of the bearing surface (22) against the rocker (10) in the stand-up position.
10. A wheelchair (1) according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the first pivot connection (P1) is arranged between the rocker (10) and the second pivot connection (P2), the bearing surface (22) being arranged to bear against the rocker (10) from beneath or from above.

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