EP1488769A1 - Stand-up wheelchair with removable leg support means - Google Patents

Abstract

The chair has a maintaining unit with two clasp bars (61), each placed on a strut (27) of a foot rest to extend itself, in a working position (T), towards the front of the chair. Each bar has a fixing unit (80) situated, in the working position, at a distance from another strut (27). A removable front support unit for the legs of a user is placed on the unit (80) to extend between the bars.

Description

The present invention relates to armchairs used by the disabled and the disabled and it applies, indifferently, to wheelchairs, folding or not.

The object of the invention relates, more particularly, to armchairs of the kind comprising an articulated structure comprising a backrest, a seat and a footrest associated with a driving organ making it possible to assist or control the verticalization or lowering of the articulated structure relative to a frame carrier.

These armchairs undoubtedly represent real progress because they allow, in addition to the necessary mobilization, the verticalization of the subject, also essential, to avoid physical damage resulting from maintenance extended when seated.

The prior art offers a number of solutions for achieving armchairs with an articulated verticalization structure.

These different proposals have their advantages and disadvantages but generally allow a subject to be verticalized, at least partially correct.

It has, however, been found that such armchairs cannot be used by all disabled or disabled subjects. Indeed, for certain handicaps or the subject does not have or no longer has enough muscle control to maintain a stable position against the vertical support plane represented by the high articulated structure of an armchair.

In such cases, verticalization represents a real danger for the subject who, in the absence of self-checking, risk of falling while being driven in lateral movement or by bending the legs or, again, by sagging the trunk.

However, the possibility of verticalization is important for all disabled or disabled and perhaps even more so for those without control physical, as in the cases mentioned above.

To resolve this problem, it was proposed to implement, on the one hand, chest level, a thoracic support strap fixed on the backrest structure and, on the other hand, at the legs, a knee strap, fixed on uprights support for the footrest and simultaneously supporting the two legs the wheelchair user.

Such chest straps and leggings should be considered able to respond, essentially, to the problem of verticalization and maintenance of the subject in the verticalization and lowering phases of the articulated structure, in such a way that the body of the said subject is securely held securely.

The hindsight now available regarding the use of such armchairs standers has, however, highlighted the need to perfect some of the technical means used to maintain the body and, more in particular, the lower holding means, intended to ensure blocking in flexion of the subject's lower limbs by immobilization of the legs, immediately below the knee joint.

Indeed, it has been observed that it is precisely in these places that the constraints are the most concentrated and that these constraints are related to the frequency and duration of verticalization, but also with the size and weight of the topic.

For verticalization practices of relatively long duration and succeeding, without intervening intermediate phases in which the subject adopts, for relatively long periods, a sitting position, it has been found the appearance of trauma, even bedsores, inducing either pain or local degradations which are badly supported by the handicapped subject, due, in particular, the propensity of the leg strap to tighten one against the other user's knees.

There was therefore a need to be able to remedy this drawback.

Thus, a patent FR 2 813 520 proposed to implement, as lower body support device, two half-leggings made up of two hoops carried by articulation supports on two uprights supporting the footrest, the two half-leggings being linked together by a central system lock. The implementation of such a lower body support system effectively reduces the risk of pressure sores appearing in knees and leg support areas on the leggings, but present, however, the disadvantage of being particularly bulky, in particular in the seated position of the armchair, even though the use of leggings is no longer necessary.

In addition, when opened, such leggings clutter the lateral space from the chair. Furthermore, such leggings or body support devices lower, significantly increase the weight of the stand-up chair, so that they are not always suitable in the case of a powered wheelchair manual, for which the user seeks a compromise of comfort and lightness.

Thus, it therefore appears the need to have a new type of means of leg support, which is able to offer satisfactory comfort and, in particular, provide a solution to the problem posed by the use of a simple strap maintenance, while not having the disadvantages of weight and size attached to the lower body support means proposed by the patent FR 2 813 520.

In order to meet this need, the invention relates to a stand-up chair for disabled and disabled including a frame supporting a structure articulated comprising a backrest, a seat, a footrest supported by two legs and means for holding the legs, in part at least removable,

• deux potences, chacune adaptée sur un montant du repose-pied pour s'étendre, dans une position de travail, vers l'avant du fauteuil, et pourvues, en partie avant, de moyens de fixation situés en position de travail à distance du montant correspondant,
• et un élément amovible d'appui frontal pour les deux jambes de l'utilisateur, adapté sur les moyens de fixation des potences, de manière à s'étendre entre les potences.

According to the invention, this chair is characterized in that the holding means comprise:

• two brackets, each adapted on an upright of the footrest to extend, in a working position, towards the front of the chair, and provided, at the front, with fixing means located in the working position at a distance from the upright corresponding,
• and a removable front support element for the two legs of the user, adapted to the means for fixing the brackets, so as to extend between the brackets.

The use of such fixing brackets, offering fixing means located at a distance from the uprights, avoids, during the installation of the removable element front support, whether flexible or rigid, the application of constraints lateral on the legs of the user tending to bring one against the other these last and, in particular, to bring in friction the knees of the user.

According to a characteristic of the invention, in order to further limit the risk the legs of the user against each other, the front parts of the brackets are, in working position at least, each immobilized in a plane frontal compared to the corresponding amount.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the brackets are not removable and only the front support element is removable. According to this embodiment, each bracket is then secured to the corresponding amount and by being movable in a vertical plane, between a retracted position and the extended working position towards the front of the chair and includes, at its front end, fixing means of the removable front support element.

According to a characteristic of the invention, each bracket has a shape arched whose concavity is in the retracted position oriented towards the front and which defines two branches, called upper and lower, the upper branch being provided, at its distal or front end, means for fixing the removable support element front.

The gallows can then be linked in any way appropriate to the amounts corresponding, in order to be able to know the movement between their positions retracted and working in extension towards the front of the chair.

Preferably but not strictly necessary, each bracket has, for this purpose, an arcuate shape whose concavity is in the retracted, oriented position towards the front and which defines two branches, called upper and lower, the branch upper being provided, at its distal end, means for fixing the removable front support element.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the front and rear branches of each gallows each include a light, intended to receive a pawn, integral with the corresponding amount, intended to maintain and guide the stem. The light of the lower branch is then, preferably but not exclusively, provided, at its lower end, of a locking notch, intended to receive, in position working, the corresponding guide pin, so as to block the movement of the stem when a forward force is exerted on the end distal of the upper branch.

According to the invention, the front support element can be produced in different manners. Thus, according to one embodiment, the front support element comprises a rigid plate fitted, at the rear, with at least one support cushion for the legs of the wheelchair user.

According to another embodiment, the front support element comprises at minus a strap connecting the two brackets.

Various other characteristics of the invention will emerge from the description below made with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate different shapes non-limiting embodiment of a stand-up chair according to the invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective of a wheelchair according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation, in right view, of the chair according to FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation, substantially similar to FIG. 2 , from the chair in the standing position.

Fig. 4 is an elevation, similar to FIG. 2 , showing a preferred embodiment of leg support means according to the invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective, similar to FIG. 1 , illustrating the holding means according to FIG. 4 .

Figs. 6 and 7 are views, similar respectively to FIGS. 4 and 5 , showing a step of implementing the means for holding the legs illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 .

The invention relates to a wheelchair wheelchair 1 , as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 , manual propulsion, it being understood that the wheelchair could also be motorized and electrically propelled, for example.

Such an armchair comprises a frame, composed of lateral half-frames 3 and 4 , joined together by crosspieces 5 and 6 . These various constituent elements define a load-bearing frame provided with drive wheels 10 and steerable steerable wheels 11 .

As illustrated, the frame 2 corresponds to a chair of rigid design, but it is obvious that a substantially similar conformation could be retained for a folding chair. Indeed, in such a case, the rigid crosspieces 5 and 6 are then replaced by folding elements of a design known per se.

The chassis 2 , described above, is equipped with a stand-up device which is produced in the form of an articulated structure 12 carried by the chassis 2 . The articulated structure 12 is constituted by two lateral articulated systems, symmetrical with respect to a sagittal plane P and which are more particularly visible in FIGS. 2 and 3 . Each articulated system 13 is intended to be adapted laterally on the chassis 2, for example at each of the half-chassis 3 and 4 .

Each articulated system 13 comprises a first deformable quadrilateral 17 consisting of two bars 18 and 19 , respectively called upper and lower, although they are not arranged, in the representation illustrated in FIG. 3 , in the same vertical plane. The bars 18 and 19 are joined, by their rear end part, by an element or a spacer 20 and are mounted on the frame 2 , near the front part of the latter, by a first articulation point 21 concerning the upper bar 18 and by a second articulation point 22 concerning the lower bar 19 . In the present case, the articulation point 21 is provided in the upper part of the corresponding half-chassis 3 , 4 while the articulation point 22 is located on this same half-chassis behind and below the articulation point 21 .

In the example illustrated, the spacer 20 is provided to correspond to the distance separating the articulation points 21 and 22 , so that the quadrilateral 17 has the preferred shape of a deformable parallelogram, without a such a shape can be considered necessary for the production of an armchair according to the invention.

Each articulated system 13 further comprises a second deformable quadrilateral 26 , shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 2 and 3 in dashed lines, connecting the first deformable quadrilateral to a jamb or upright 27 intended to support, alone or in combination with the homologous jamb or upright, a footrest 33 .

Each articulated system 13 finally comprises a back frame comprising two uprights 35 , each articulated on the first quadrilateral 13 , opposite the second quadrilateral 26 , by means of the spacer 20 . According to the example illustrated, the uprights 35 of the backrest are, moreover, connected by a cross-member 36.

In order to allow the articulated structure 12 to pass from the seated lowering position A , as illustrated in FIG. 2 , in the vertical or standing position B , as illustrated in FIG. 3 , each articulated system comprises an operating assembly 40, interposed between the first quadrilateral 17 and the chassis 2 and, more particularly, the corresponding half-chassis 4 .

Each operating assembly 40 comprises a first lever 41 , articulated on the rear part of the chassis, by means of a pivot 42 and, at the end of a second lever 43 , by means of a pivot 44 . The other end of the second lever 43 is then articulated on the first quadrilateral and, according to the example illustrated, on the lower bar 19 , by means of a pivot 45 and a fixing piece 46 secured to the second lever 43 .

Each maneuvering assembly also includes a maneuvering handle 49 which could be qualified as multiple sockets, insofar as it must allow the user of the wheelchair to apply a force to this handle, both in the context of the lowering or sitting position illustrated in fig. 2 , that in the block of the verticalization position B illustrated in FIG. 3 and during the transition phase or verticalization-lowering movement.

In order to facilitate the verticalization-lowering movement, the verticalization chair 1 also includes assistance means 50 . According to this example, these assistance means are constituted, for each of the articulated systems, by a gas spring, interposed between the first quadrilateral 13 and the front part of the chassis 2 .

According to the example illustrated, each gas spring 50 also incorporates automatic locking means which prevent any movement of the spring and therefore of the articulated system which is linked to it, as long as an unlocking command is not applied to the system. spring lock. At least one of the handles, preferably that located on the side of the dominant hand of the user, then has a control member 51 of the locking means.

Thus, by a joint action on the control member and on the handles, the user can switch from a sitting position to a standing position and vice versa.

In order to ensure the stability of the user in a standing position, the invention provides for implementation, as shown more particularly in FIGS. 4 to 7, means 60 for holding the legs of the user, arranged at the knees of the latter or just below. The holding means 60 comprise two brackets 61 which are each adapted to an upright 27 of the footrest.

Each bracket 61 is then secured to the corresponding upright 27 , being movable between a retracted position E , as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, and a working position T in forward extension, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 . According to the example illustrated, each bracket 61 then has an arcuate shape whose concavity, in the retracted position, is oriented towards the front. Each bracket has two branches, called upper 70 and lower 71 respectively . In order to allow the movement of each of the brackets, each branch 70 and 71 is provided with a light 72 and 73 in which is adapted a pin 75 , 76 secured to the corresponding amount 27 .

Thus, it is possible, taking into account the cooperation of the oblong 73 and / or arcuate 72 lights and the pins, to slide each bracket 61 between its retracted position E and its working position T. Each bracket 61 also has, at its distal end 64 of its upper branch 70 , hooking means 80 for a front support element 65 which, according to the example illustrated, is produced in the form of a rigid plate 81 having, at each of its ends, fixing means 82 , such as a notch intended to come and engage on a pin offered by the distal end of the bracket and forming the attachment means 80 . The rigid plate 81 is, moreover, provided, on its rear face, with a cushion 83 for damping and support. It should be noted that, according to the invention, the front support element 65 forms a unitary assembly which receives the two legs of the user in support. Of course, the plate 81 , which forms a rigid structural element for taking up the forces applied by the two legs of the user, could be produced in another way, such as, for example, in the form of a tubular beam ensuring the rigidity of the element 65 .

The means 60 for holding the legs, as described above, are implemented in the following manner. When the user wishes to go into a standing position, he moves the brackets 61 so as to position them in extension T , as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 . In this position T , each bracket then offers a fixing point 80 , located at a distance from the uprights 27 , for the front support element 65 which is engaged by these notches on the pins 80 offered by the brackets 61 . The user can then start his verticalization process.

It should be noted that, in order to ensure the stability of the brackets in the extended position, each lumen 70 of the lower branches 71 preferably, but not strictly necessary, has a notch 85 intended to receive the corresponding pin 75 when a force is exerted forward on the support element 65 in the working position T.

It should be noted that the rigid nature of the support element 65 , 81 , as well as of the brackets 61 , makes it possible to perfectly maintain the legs of the user without applying any lateral constraint on the latter.

When the user has returned to his sitting position, he can remove the front support element and reposition, in the retracted position, the brackets.

In this state, more particularly illustrated in FIG. 5 , the front of the stand-up chair according to the invention is then perfectly cleared and the user is not hindered in his movements by the front support means.

Claims (7)

Chair for the disabled and disabled comprising a frame supporting an articulated structure comprising a backrest, a seat, a footrest ( 33 ) supported by two uprights ( 37 ) and means ( 60 ) for holding the legs, at least partially removable ,
characterized in that the holding means ( 60 ) comprise: two brackets ( 61 ), each adapted on an upright ( 27 ) of the footrest to extend, in a working position ( T ), towards the front of the chair, and provided, at the front, with means ( 80 ) of fixing located in working position ( T ) at a distance from the corresponding upright ( 37 ), and a removable element ( 65 ) of front support for the two legs of the user, adapted on the fixing means ( 80 ) of the brackets ( 61 ), so as to extend between the brackets ( 61 ). Standing chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the front ends of the brackets are, in the working position ( T ), at least each immobilized in a frontal plane relative to the corresponding upright ( 27 ). Standing chair according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each bracket ( 61 ) is integral with the corresponding upright ( 27 ) while being movable in a vertical plane ( P ), between a retracted position ( E ) and the working position ( T ) extending towards the front of the chair and comprises, at its front end, means ( 80 ) for fixing the removable front support element ( 65 ). Standing chair according to claim 3, characterized in that each bracket ( 61 ) has an arcuate shape whose concavity is in the retracted position ( E ) oriented towards the front and which defines two branches, called upper ( 70 ) and lower ( 71 ), the upper branch ( 70 ) being provided, at its distal end, means ( 80 ) for fixing the removable front support element ( 65 ). Stand-up chair according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper ( 70 ) and lower ( 71 ) branches of each bracket ( 61 ) each include a light ( 73, 72 ), intended to receive a pin ( 75, 76 ), integral the corresponding upright ( 27 ), intended to hold and guide the bracket ( 61 ), the lumen of the lower branch ( 72 ) being provided, at its lower end, with a locking notch ( 85 ), intended to receive, in working position ( T ), the corresponding guide pin ( 75 ), so as to block the movement of the stem ( 61 ) when a forward force is exerted on the distal end of the upper branch ( 70 ). Stand-up chair according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the front support element ( 65 ) comprises a rigid plate ( 81 ) fitted, at the rear, with at least one cushion ( 83 ) of support for the legs of the wheelchair user. Stand-up chair according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the front support element ( 65 ) comprises at least one strap connecting the two brackets.

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