CA2261544A1

CA2261544A1 - Prosthetic apparatus for supporting a user in sitting or standing positions

Info

Publication number: CA2261544A1
Application number: CA002261544A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ricardo M. Kauffmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-02-10
Filing date: 1999-02-09
Publication date: 1999-08-10
Also published as: US6125957A; DE19905205A1

Abstract

A prosthetic apparatus is electrically operable by a user for lifting the user into standing position and lowering the user into a sitting position by power means operated by the user, the apparatus being a motorized wheelchair.

Description

FEB-09-1999 10 : C8 FRuM Y,'?,'Y,%~'Y,?~.iC3;XXi:;~'. TO SMAR T & B I GGAR P .

PATENT
BACKGROUND ANp SUPlMAIiY O~F THE TNYENTIOi~
The present iDVention relates generally to prosthetic devices, and more particularly to an improved mobile prosthetic device operable for supporting a user in sitting and standing positions.
Persons confined to wheelchairs become uncomfortable and psyehologi.cally depressed in prolonged periods of being seated, and situatio~ts wherein being seated is ynapprc~priat.e. It is more comfortable and involves less stress for such Lasers to stand in appropriate situations, and to periodically assrame an upright) standing position. Zn situations where other persons are seated, there is less of a problem. In situations where it is inappropriate to be seated) as in some work environments, business or social circumstances, a user can best perform and feel more comfortable when in a standing position.
Certain prior prosthetic devices provide for sittZr~g and standing positions of users. These have involved scalds problems as excessive complexity) high t~anufacturitlg costs, excessive size and weight, lack of fu113r effective systems for assz~ming standing and sitting positions and other shortcomings. The improved pz-cAsthetic apparatus according to the invention addresses such problems and shortcomings by providing a. prosthetic appa.raCus for the positioning and support of a user in standing and in seated positions. The apparatus includes a k~ase with (rant and rear wheels, the front wheels being pivotr~ble) and the rear ~rheels being separately powered for controlling the direction of rotr~tian and

2 FEB-~9-1399 1G:~S FR(JM XXXiCX?CX'CXkXX TO SMRRT .~ BIGGRR R.11 8 725 PAT~,NT
the speed of each of the rear wheels to control for~rard and rearward movement, and for steering. lifter means including a piston tin the base) a movable member in telescoping relation with the piston, is operable by mechanical drive u~eacns to move the movable member relative to the piston. User controlled electrical power means for t~perating the lifter means to urge a suovakale mernber upwardly snd downwardly. electrical power means are control7.r~ble by the user by tuavxr~g the movable rnemk~er and a seat between the user-standing and user-seated positions, and for ~corrtrQlling p movelaent of the apparatus by ;,elective powering of respective rear ground wheels. The support frame mounted nn the movably member has a seat at its rear edge portion pivotally mounted on the movable member, e.nd with the front or outer edge portion of the seat being pivata.lly connected with the base far movement of r~~e seat between Z5 its extended user-seated position and its rett°acted user-standing position.

3 FEB-09-1999 10 N8 FROM XXkXXXXXXXXX TO SMRRT & BIGGRR P.12 HRIBF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the prosthetic device according to the invention showing the user in standing position, in phantom outline;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus aGCOrding to tree invention wherein a usex is shown in seated position in phantom outline;
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing components of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;
p Figure 4 is a perspective view shaving the apparatus of Figures 1-3 with the cushions thereon;
Figure 5 is an elevatidnal view, partially in section, of a lifter' assembly and seat mechanism according to the invention;
Figure 6 is a side el.evational view of components of the i5 apparatus of Figures 1~4 sh4wing a seat mechanism in different positions;
Figure s is a circuitry diagram in relation to batteries and wheels according to the invention; and Figure $ is~a diagramatic showing of electrical circuitry 2p fn relation to a lifter Mechanism according to the invention.

4 FEB-89-i999 1:09 FROM XY,XXXXXXXX?;i; TC SMRRT & BIGGRR P.13 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1-4, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as ge~xerally comprising a mobile standing-sitting ~rheelchair apparatus I0 which generally comprises a wheeled frame or base 1L, an extensible lifter assembly 14 mounted on the frame, suppcxr~t. arms 16 mounted ran the lifter, a seat structure I8 pivat;ally mo~inted an an cuter movable member Z7 of the lifter 14, and a knee support 20 secured by a bracket to a movable member 17 of lifter 14.
The lifter I4 has an inner fixed piston u~r rod 15 of rectilinear cross~section from which its end portion is rigidly mounted in a socket I9 rigidly mounted on arms 34 which extend between longitudinal frame members 22 of the base 12. Between longitudinal bars 22 are mounted) as by welding, t3-section channels i5 24, as shorn. Front ground wheels 26 are swivelly mounted at (rant corners of the base frame, and the rear ground wheels arc power--driven drive wheels) as further hereinafter described. Movable member 17 and fixed piston 35 are in telescopic relation, outer ~aembex 17 being movable to raise and lower the seat structure and other components between user-seated configuration and ~.iser-standing configuration. The lifter outer ~nea~ber 17 and the fixed piston 15 are rectilinear in cross-sectiotx and retain the movai~le member 1? against rotation relative to the piston 15.
'The user, by opera2,ing contx-al means hQreinafter described, cont;rels the electrically powered lifter mechanism for selective activation to raise ~s~' lr~wer x~emova.ble member I7 to raise t-he

5 FEB-09-1999 1~:~9 FROM X~;?;h:~~SxXXXX>; TO Gf~HRT & BfGGRR P.14 72 5 pATF,NT
apparatus into user-standing position or to lower it into user-seated configuration, and controls the drive system to prape3 and to steer the apparatus Movable member 1'7 is actuai~le relative tv stationary piston 15 {referring to Figs. 7 and g) by ttie operation S of electrical motor means !G2, reduction gear 53 {Fig. 5) and lead sc rew 90 .
A knee support 38 is rigidly mounted vn mvval~~le member 17 by arm 20 secured at 36 by screws to member 1? (Figs. 1 and 3) I:tam to move the knee support with member 17. The user's knees are i~ positioned-disposed against laterally extended arms of knee support 38, while in standing position) and are cushioned by the padding thereon, thus to provide support for the user in standing position by preventing bending of the knees. While in seated position, the user's 3egs are positioned forwardly of the knee supports (Fig. 2).
i5 Seat assetrtbly IS (hig. ~) includes a frame 40 pivotally secured a.Iang its rear edge at 42 to the member 1'~ by a hinge arrangement 42, as shown. Seat struts 44 are pivotally attached at their upper ends at 46 by a hinge to the member 19 (Fig. 8). At.
their lower ends, 'the struts are pivotally mauntes~ at 48 {Fig. 6?
20 to a rnour~ting uiember 49 adjustably secured by a locking screw to the stationary piston 15 of the lifter. The pivot axes of the hinges are sut~stantially parallel.
The seat struts are Iorigitudxraally aligned on an axis parallel to the longitudinal' axis of the lifter, arid the seat is 25 retracted upwardly into a generally vertical position.
During upward extension of movable member 17) the seat undergoes combined rearward edgewise translation and rotation to

6 FEB-09-1999 1~~09 FPUM XXXXXXXXXXNX TO SI~ART & BIGGRR P.iS

its retracted user-standing position of Figure 1. During lowering of the lifter member 17 from its upper position to its lUwer retracted position, the seat struts rotate clockwise aba«t their hinges and the seat undergoes combined rotation and forward edgewise translation from its solid line position of Figure 5 into its retracted position of Figure 8.
A pubic support 43 is fixedly secured to movable member 1~
and does not pivot with seat frame 48. It is preferably of the general configuration of a bicycle seat (Figs. 1 and 2). With the i0 seat in its user~stated position, the pubic support fits in an opening 45 of 4ompatible configuration in the seat (Fig. 2), and forms part of the seat. With the user in standing position, ttie pubic support extends under the buttocks and, to a degree) between the Legs of the user, thus to provide support and to assist xn positioning the user.
A restraint belt assembly includes shoulder belts 64, 66 which extend about the user's shoulders) and which are anchored at their upper end portions by anchor members 62 to gear box 63 (Fig.
5) and are anchored at their lower ends to the frame 6$ adjacent the feet. Secured to and extending between the belts 54 and sS is a transverse belt 67 which has outer end portions releasibly secured together by a manually opexable locking mechanism such as that commonly used.
Referring to Figures ~ and 8) the control system includes the jay-stick a$sembly 54 and control unit ~4 adjacent to electric motor fit on the upper rear of the frame. The control unit includes and electrically interconnects electrical switching and motor speed

7 FEB-09-1999 1~:1~ FROM XXXXXX:~XX,~XX TG SMRRT & BIGGRR P.16 control weans within the control unit. The system inclc~des the batteries 30 and rear wheel drive motors $2, 84.
In operating the apparatus, a user sits Wlth his back against the cushioned rear upper grams 60 with arms supported on the cushioned arm members 50, 52 which extend generally horizontally and are parts of the upper frame structure. The user's hand is thus positioned adjacent the jay-stick assembly 54, which has a telescopic adjustment 58 (pig. 3~ for positioning to accommodate the user. To assume a standing position) the user operates the joy-stick to operate the control unit to energize the electric motor B2 to rotate via the gears of gear box 63 the lead screw 90 to effect upward movement of outer movable member 17 (Fig.
5) by engagement with a threaded mounting member on the movable member 17. To return to a sitting position) the user operates the ~5 joy-stick to operate the control unit and electric motors to vpexate the Iead screw in a reverse directive to lower movable raember 1?. By operating the joy-stick and control unit., the (Esex~
operates and maven the apparatus forwardly and rearwardly, and accomplishes steering by operation of the motors 82, 8~ at the same time to effect Yarward or rearward movement, ar by operating only a single motor) or by operating the motors in different directions gt the same time, the speed$ of the drive motors being separately controlled. that is, the wheelchair is driven forwardly and rearwardly by actuating the control unit to energise both drive ~5 motors in either forward or reverse directions in a straight line, and steering is accomplished by operating the motors in different speeds) or by operating the motors in different directions at the FEB-09-1999 1~:1~ FI20M XXXXXSCX~;X~;XX TO S~'IGRT ~ BIGGGR P.17 same time.
The electrical arrangement includes the control. unit 74 connected by a switch and a first cable 7fi to the eler;tr~ic motor, and a second electric cable 7~ has a plug for insertion into a socket t:~ connect the control unit to the batteries and t,o rear wheel drive motors $2, 89. The control unit has eleneents which operate the switching and motor control means) which are r~esdily selectively operable by a user by operation of the jour-stick assembly 54.
is 'Thus tPrere has been shown and described a prosthetis apparatus far transporting a user in sitting or standing positions which fulfills all the ob,~ects and advantages sought therefor, Mary changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however) become ~fi apparen t to those skilled in the art after considering this sper,ification together with the accompanying drawings and c.l.sims.
A11 such changes) modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the iraventian are deemed to be covered by the invention which is 2Q limited only by the clairas which follow.
g

Claims

THE INVENTOR CLAIMS:

1. A prosthetic apparatus for positioning and supporting a user in standing and seated positions, comprising:
a base having ground wheels, lifter means including a piston extending upwardly from the base, and a movable member disposed for movement relative to the piston, mechanical drive means for moving the movable member relative to the piston, electrical power means controllable by the user to operate the mechanical drive means to urge the movable member upwardly and downwardly, a support frame on the movable member, a seat having front and rear edge portions, said rear edge portion being pivotally mounted on the movable member, strut means pivotally connected with the seat front edge portion and pivotally connected with the base for movement of the seat between an extended user-seated position and a retracted user-standing position, and electrical pawer means controllable by the user for moving the movable member and said seat between user-standing and user-seated positions, and for controlling movement of the apparatus by selective powering of certain of respective ones of said ground wheels.

2. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:
the mechanical drive means comprises an electric motor, gearing, a lead screw, and means threadedly engaging the lead screw with the movable member.

3. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein:
the piston and movable member are elongated and in telescoping relation.

4. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein:
the piston and movable member are rectilinear in cross-section to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

5. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:
said support frame is on the upper portion of the movable member and has arms extending outwardly to support the arms of the user.

6. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 5, and further including a joy-stick assembly on one of said arms.

7. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 1, and further including:
a pubic support extending outwardly from the movable member to the pubic area of the user for support of the user.

8. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 1, and further including:
knee support means extending outwardly from the movable member to support the knees of the user while in standing position.

9. A prosthetic device according to Claim 1, and further including:
means to retain the user belt relative to the frame.

10. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein:
said ground wheels include two wheels power-rotated by separate motors for controlling forward and rearward movement of the apparatus, and for steering the apparatus by rotating the wheels at different speeds.

11. A prosthetic apparatus for positioning and supporting a user in standing and seated positions, comprising:
a base having two pivotable wheels and two powered wheels, a lifter comprising a fixed piston extending upwardly from the base, and a movable member in telescoping relation with the piston, said piston and movable member being of rectilinear cross-section to prevent relative rotation, drive means for moving the movable member relative to the piston, the drive means including a lead screw threadedly engaging the movable member, a support frame on the upper portion of the movable member and having two spaced arms extending outwardly to support the arms of the user, a seat having front and rear edge portions, said rear edge portion being pivotally connected relative to the movable member, strut means comprising two struts hawing upper end portions pivotally connected with the outer edge portion of the seat and having their opposite end portions pivotally connected relative to a lower portion of the piston for movement of the seat between an extended user-seated position and a retracted user-standing position upon movement of the movably member downwardly and upwardly, and electrical power means controllable by the user to operate the lifter to move the movable member upwardly and downwardly, to move the seat between user-standing and user-seated positions, and to control movement of the apparatus by controlling the respective rotational speeds of the respective rear ground wheels.

12. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 11, and farther including a joy-stick assembly on one of said arms.

13. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said powered wheels are rear wheels, and each of said rear wheels is operated by a separate electrical motor to control direction of the rotation of each of the wheels for control of direction of movement and maneuvering of the apparatus.

14. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 11, and further including:
control means comprising a joy-stick assembly on one of said arms and an electronic control unit mounted on the frame.

15. A prosthetic apparatus according to claim 11, and further including:
knee support means extending outwardly from the movable member to support the knees of the user while in standing position.

16. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 11, and further including:
a pubic support extending outwardly from the movable member to the pubic area of the user to support the user,

17. A prosthetic apparatus for positioning and supporting a user in standing and seated positions, comprising:
a base having two pivotable front wheels and two powered rear wheels, each of the rear wheels being rotatable by a separate electrical motor to control the direction and speed of rotation of each respective wheel, a lifter comprising a fixed piston extending upwardly from the base, and a movable member in telescoping relation with the piston, said piston and movable member being of rectilinear crass-section to prevent relative rotation, drive means for moving the movable member relative to the piston, including a lead screw threadedly engaging the movable member, a support frame on the upper portion of the movable member having two spaced arms extending outwardly to support the arms of the user, a seat having front and rear edge portions, said rear edge portion being pivotally connected relative to the movable member, strut means comprising two struts having upper end portions pivotally connected with the outer edge portion of the seat and having their opposite end portions pivotally connected relative to a lower portion of the piston for movement of the seat between an extended user-seated position and a retracted user-standing position upon movement of the movable member downwardly and upwardly, and electrical power means including a control unit mounted on the frame and a joy-stick assembly an one of said arms, the power means being controllable by the user to operate the lifter to move the movable member upwardly and downwardly, to move the seat between user-standing and user-seated positions, and to control movement and steering of the apparatus by controlling direction and speed of rotation of each of the respective ground wheels.

18. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 17, and further including:
knee support means extending outwardly from the movable member to support the knees of the user while in standing position.

19. A prosthetic apparatus according to Claim 17, and further including:
a pubic support extending outwardly from the movable member to the pubic area of the user to support the user.