APPARATUS FOR LIFTING PEOPLE ASSOCIABLE WITH THE SEAT OF A CHAIR OR AN ARMCHAIR

Abstract

 Apparatus for lifting people associable with the seat of a chair or of an armchair, comprising a movable structure (6) intended to receive the user in abutment through a seat bed (60) thereof and movement means (7) for moving such movable structure (6) with respect to a fixed structure (5) between a lowered sitting position (A) and a raised position (B), wherein the user is thrust towards the erect position. The movement means (7) comprise a carriage (8) movable on rails (10) fixed to the fixed structure (5), an actuator (11) connected to a worm screw (12) engaged in a nut screw (13) integral with the carriage (8) in order to move it along the movement direction (X); two first levers (14) provided with a first rear end (14A) pivoted to the carriage (8) and a second front end (14B) pivoted to a second sliding block (15) slidable along a second rail (16) fixed to the movable structure (6); two second levers (17), each arranged on a lateral flank (2) of the apparatus (1) and provided with a third rear end (17A) pivoted to the movable structure (6) and a fourth front end (17B) pivoted to the fixed structure (5). The first and the second levers (14, 17) are connected to each other by means of one pin (18) arranged on the front part with respect to a median plane (P) equidistant between the pivoting points (14A, 17B) of the two levers (14, 17) at the fixed support structure (5) and on the upper part with respect to the junction line (R) of the two pivoted ends of each said lever (14, 17) at the fixed support structure (5).

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention regards an apparatus for lifting people associable with the seat of a chair or of an armchair, according to the preamble of the main independent claim.

[0002] The present apparatus is intended to be employed on chairs or armchairs in order to facilitate the lifting of the user from a sitting position to an erect position.

[0003] This is adapted to be easily mounted on the support structure of chairs and armchairs of any type and material.

[0004] Advantageously, but not exclusively, the apparatus according to the invention is intended for a use by people provided with limited mobility such as for example elderly or disabled people and nevertheless it can also be used by a user without any type of physical problem for the purpose of facilitating the lifting thereof.

[0005] The present apparatus for lifting is therefore inserted in the field of aids for assisting people with limited motor mobility but more generally also in the field of production of chairs of conventional type, i.e. of wheelchairs.

State of the art

[0006] Different solutions are known on the market of lifting apparatuses associated with chairs, armchairs or wheelchairs, aimed for facilitating the movement of people in particular with motor difficulties to move themselves from the seated position to the erect position.

[0007] Lifting apparatuses associated with armchairs are in particular known, such as for example that described in the patent EP 77280B1, which provide for moving the entire armchair including legs and back with respect to a base structure. Such apparatuses have the drawback of not being very versatile, since they are part of the armchair, and they are not able to function on other chairs or armchairs. In addition, such apparatuses are very bulky and require a lot of power for lifting the entire armchair.

[0008] Apparatuses are also known, like those described for example in the patents EP 2968041A1, EP 1117362A1, WO 0021478, CN204105344U and CN105235554A which are mechanically associated with wheelchairs for handicapped people and are provided with a fixed structure, integral with the wheelchair, with a movable structure, intended to receive the user in abutment, and with movement means for moving the movable structure with respect to the fixed structure between a horizontal sitting position for the user and a raised position, in which the user is thrust towards the erect position.

[0009] More in detail, the movement means comprise an electric motor and kinematic transmission means connected to the motor and to the movable structure. Such kinematic transmission means comprise lever systems which assume a compact or widened configuration at the horizontal or raised position of the movable structure.

[0010] The lifting apparatuses described in such patents employ overly complex kinematic transmission means and, as already with the abovementioned apparatuses for armchairs, they are bulky and not very adaptable to being mounted in a versatile manner on chairs of different type.

Presentation of the invention

[0011] In this situation, the problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of overcoming the drawbacks manifested by the apparatuses of known type by providing an apparatus for lifting people associable with the seat of a chair or of an armchair, which is extremely compact and can be mounted in a versatile manner on chairs and armchairs with different shapes, sizes and materials.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to make an apparatus for lifting people associable with the seat of a chair or of an armchair which allows facilitating the seated person in getting up, by bringing him/her into an optimal position such that he/she can raise himself/herself into erect position.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to make a counter-rotating roller machine that is structurally simple, entirely reliable in operation and which requires little maintenance, in particular without having to use lubricants.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to make a counter-rotating roller machine that is entirely safe for users.

Brief description of the drawings

[0015] The technical characteristics of the finding, according to the aforesaid objects, are clearly seen in the contents of the below-reported claims and the advantages thereof will be more evident in the following detailed description, made with reference to the enclosed drawings, which represent several merely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an overall perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus for lifting people associable with the seat of a chair or of an armchair, according to the present invention; in this figure, the apparatus is in nearly-lowered position;

FIG. 2A shows the apparatus for lifting people of figure 1 in a raised position, seen from above;

FIG. 2B shows the apparatus for lifting people of figure 2A with some parts, such as the seat, removed in order to better illustrate other parts;

FIG. 3 shows the apparatus for lifting people of figure 2 in a bottom view;

FIG. 4 shows the apparatus for lifting people, object of the present invention, in a different perspective view with some parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts;

FIG. 5 shows the apparatus of figure 5 in a further perspective view with some parts removed in order to better illustrate other parts;

FIG. 6A shows a detail of the apparatus for lifting people, object of the present invention, relative to a carriage with provided movement means;

FIG. 6B shows the detail of the apparatus of figure 6A, with some parts removed, such as the seat, in order to better illustrate other parts;

FIG. 7 shows a detail of the apparatus for lifting people, object of the present invention, relative to a first and a second lever of the provided movement means.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0016] With reference to the enclosed drawings, reference number 1 overall indicates an apparatus for lifting people, object of the present invention.

[0017] This is adapted to be mounted on different types of chairs, armchairs, stools and wheelchairs for assisting people in moving themselves between a seated position and an erect position.

[0018] The apparatus 1 overall advantageously appears as a parallelepiped shaped body, which in plan view assumes a preferably substantially quadrangular shape. The apparatus 1 is provided with a front side 3 and a rear side 4, between which two lateral flanks 2 are defined.

[0019] The apparatus 1 comprises a fixed structure 5 preferably comprising a box-like body 50 provided with a bottom 51, with lateral walls 52 and with a perimeter edge 53 which delimits an upper opening 54. The perimeter edge 53 is preferably externally projecting from the lateral walls 52.

[0020] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the box-like body has substantially parallelepiped shape - and nevertheless, without departing from the protective scope defined by the present patent, it could also assume another three-dimensional shape.

[0021] The apparatus 1 is intended to be fixed to a chair or to an armchair, and for such purpose brackets are mechanically associable with the box-like body for fixing to the load-bearing structure of a chair or of an armchair. With the term chair or armchair it must be intended all of the possible seat structures including stools and wheelchairs (carriages for handicapped people).

[0022] The apparatus 1 also consists of a movable structure 6, intended to receive the user in abutment, for example comprising a seat bed 60, the latter for example provided with a coating padding (not illustrated in detail).

[0023] The apparatus 1 also comprises movement means 7 for moving the movable structure 6 with respect to the fixed structure 5 between a lowered position A, in which the user can sit on the seat, and a raised position B, in which the user is oriented from the seat 60 towards an erect position.

[0024] With the movable structure 6 in lowered position A, the seat bed 60 assumes a substantially horizontal position while with the movable structure 6 in raised position, the seat bed 60 assumes a position moved forward with respect to the lowered position and tilted downward and forward in order to facilitate the slipping of the user outside of the seat bed and forward towards the erect position.

[0025] In accordance with the idea underlying the present invention, the abovementioned movement means 7 comprise a movable carriage 8, susceptible of being moved along a movement direction X oriented between the front side 3 and the rear side 4 of the apparatus 1. Below the carriage 8, at least one first sliding block 9 is fixed, which is susceptible of sliding along a first rail 10 which is fixed to the fixed structure 5 preferably on the bottom 51 of the box-like body 50, in the movement direction X. The carriage 8 is substantially extended between the two lateral flanks 2 of the apparatus 1 in the form of a transverse bar with extension Y orthogonal to the movement direction X.

[0026] Preferably, two blocks 9 are provided for, which are slidably engaged in two rails fixed parallel to each other on the bottom 51 of the box-like body 50 at the two lateral flanks 2 of the apparatus 1.

[0027] The movement means 7 also comprise an actuator 11, which can either be a manually actuatable member, such as for example a crank associated with a reduction gear, or it can also have an electrical actuation or a piston. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the actuator is constituted by a motor fixed to the fixed structure 5 provided with a speed reducer 110. The motor 11, preferably in direct current, is power supplied through at least two current cables by a power supply source (not illustrated), preferably constituted by a storage battery contained in the box-like body or associated with the chair or with the armchair. A logic control unit is provided for that is connected to the motor in order to drive at least the actuation or turning off thereof through commands, which advantageously can be provided on a push-button panel associated with the end of an electrical connection cable that connects it to the control unit.

[0028] The motor 11 is connected, advantageously through the reducer 110, to a worm screw 12 engaged in a nut screw 13, which is integral with the carriage 8 and advantageously made at middle position thereof of its transverse extension Y.

[0029] The motor 11 can be actuated, for example with the push-button panel through the logic control unit, to rotate the worm screw 12 in order to move the carriage 8 along the movement direction X.

[0030] In addition, the movement means 7 comprise a lever system described hereinbelow, which following the movement of the carriage 8 is capable of moving the movable structure 6 and hence the seat bed between the two lowered A and raised B positions.

[0031] More in detail, such lever system of the movement means 7 comprises at least one first lever 14, which is extended between the front side 3 and the rear side 4 of the apparatus and is provided with a first rear end 14A pivoted to the movable carriage 8 and with a second front end 14B associated with the movable structure 6.

[0032] The movement means 7 also comprise at least one second lever 17, which is it too extended between the front side 3 and the rear side 4 of the apparatus and is provided with a third rear end 17A associated with the movable structure 6 and a fourth front end 17B pivoted to the fixed structure 5.

[0033] In accordance with the present invention, at least one between the second front end 14B of the first lever 14 and the third rear end 17A of the second lever 17 is associated with the movable structure 6 by means of pivoting to a second sliding block 15. The latter is slidably mounted along a second rail 16 fixed to the movable structure (6) and is extended parallel to the movement direction X i.e. between the front side 3 and rear side 4 of the apparatus 1.

[0034] The at least one first lever 14 and the at least one second lever 17 are pivoted to each other by means of at least one pin 18 arranged transverse to the movement direction X.

[0035] Such pin 18 is also positioned, according to the invention, as can be appreciated in figure 1, on the front part with respect to a median plane P equidistant between the pivoting points 14A, 17B of the two levers 14, 17 to the fixed support structure 5, and on the upper part with respect to the intersection C of the junction lines R of the ends of each lever 14, 17.

[0036] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the second front end 14B of the (at least one) first lever 14 is associated with the movable structure 6 by means of pivoting to the second sliding block 15 slidable along the second rail 16 while the third rear end 17A of the (at least one) second lever 17, is pivoted to the movable structure 6.

[0037] Otherwise, in accordance with a further non-represented embodiment, the third rear end 17A of the (at least one) second lever is pivoted to the second sliding block 15 slidable along the second rail 16, while the second front end 14B of the (at least one) first lever 14 is pivoted to the movable structure 6. In such a manner, i.e. by allowing also the second lever 17 to slide along the second rail 16, the front advancing of the movable structure 6 is reduced in order to prevent people with standing difficulties from finding themselves at the end of the lifting in an unbalanced position, with the center of gravity overly displaced in a forward direction. The second sliding block 15 can be rendered fixed or movable with respect to the second rail 16 through the use of a stop jaw 22 which by means of a screw engaged in a body integral with the second sliding block 15 is capable of compressing an edge of the second rail 16.

[0038] Advantageously, the lever system of the movement means 7 comprises at least two first levers 14, each arranged on a lateral flank 2 of the apparatus 1, and at least two second levers 17, each arranged on a lateral flank 2 of the apparatus 1.

[0039] The first and the second levers 14, 17 are two-by-two side-by-side each other at the same lateral flanks 2 and are pivoted to each other by means of a corresponding pin 18.

[0040] In operation, starting from a lowered position of the movable structure 6, i.e. of the bed 60, by actuating the motor 11 the worm screw 12 is rotated through the gear motor 110. Such worm screw 12 - engaged with the nut screw 13 of the carriage 8 - causes the advancing of the latter in the movement direction X by sliding with the first sliding blocks 9 along the first rails 10. The movement of the carriage 8 leads to moving forward the first rear ends 14A of the first levers since they are pivoted to the movable carriage 8. Through the pin 18, the first levers push the second levers 17 to rotate around the fourth front end 17B thereof pivoted to the fixed structure 5. Simultaneously the second levers 17, by rotating around the fulcra 17, lift and move forward on the rear part the movable structure 6 according to an arc of circumference. The first levers 14, being moved with the first rear end 14A together with the movable carriage 8, rotate around such first rear end 14A in the direction opposite the second levers 17 and to a lesser extent than the latter. The second front end 14B thereof pivoted to the second sliding block 15 slides along the second rail 16 towards the rear side 4 of the apparatus, bringing the front side 3 of the movable structure 6 to be lifted in a manner lower than that of the rear side 4 and simultaneously allowing the same front side - pushed by the first end 14A which advances with the carriage 8 - to slide forward.

[0041] Due to the present invention i.e. to the lever system of the above-described movement means 7, the movable structure 6, and hence also the seat bed 60, is moved from a lowered position A, in which it is horizontally arranged on top of the fixed structure 5 and substantially close to the latter structure, to a raised position B in which it is moved forward with respect to the fixed structure 5, tilted with tilt descending towards the front side 3 and considerably more spaced height-wise from the same fixed structure 5 in order to bring the user into a position closer to the erect position. Due to the invention and in particular to the above-described movement means 7, one obtains a particularly compact apparatus which gradually allows, with a small-size motor, lifting even very heavy people with linearity. The compact structure of about 20 cm of front width by 30 of lateral length and 10 cm height allows being mounted on structures of armchairs, chairs or wheelchairs for handicapped people with a very simple clamping.

[0042] In such a manner, i.e. by allowing also the second lever 17 to slide along the second rail 16, the front advancing of the movable structure 6 is reduced in order to prevent people with standing difficulties from finding themselves at the end of the lifting in an unbalanced position, with the center of gravity overly displaced in a forward direction. The second sliding block 15 can be rendered fixed or movable with respect to the second rail 16 through the use of a stop jaw 22 which, by means of a screw engaged in a body integral with the second sliding block 15, is capable of compressing an edge of the second rail 16.

[0043] Each first and second lever 14, 17 is advantageously respectively composed of a pair of parallel first and second shaped plates (indicated with 14', 14" and 17', 17") that are rigidly coupled at a distance from each other. Each pair of plates defines a framework with increased rigidity which renders the apparatus more solid, even for an operation involving many working hours. In any case in order to limit the bulk, advantageously the first pair of plates 14', 14", which form each first lever 14, is interposed between the second pair of plates 17', 17" which form the second lever 17. Of course, in an equivalent manner, the plates 17', 17" of the second lever 17 could instead be within the pair of plates 14', 14" of the first lever 14.

[0044] The above-described apparatus 1 is advantageously particularly compact, such that it can be adapted to any seat type. More in detail, the box-like body 50 of the fixed structure 5 has a height H preferably comprised between 13 and 18 cm, a length L comprised between 30 and 40 cm and a width D comprised between 25 and 35 cm. The seat 60 can have quite varied sizes depending on the application, and for example it can have length L' between 55 and 65 cm and width D' between 35 and 45.

[0045] In accordance with a preferred characteristic of the present invention, the fixed structure 5 supports a peripheral frame 19 in a position facing the perimeter edge 53.

[0046] The peripheral frame 19 is mounted in a movable manner with respect to the fixed structure 5, and is supported spaced with respect to the perimeter edge 53. The frame 19 is associated with at least one safety sensor 20 which detects the lowering thereof. Such sensor is connected to the control unit in order to send a signal aimed to stop the motor 11 when the frame 19 is lowered.

[0047] Four safety sensors 20 are advantageously provided, two for each lateral flank 2 of the box-like body 50, which support the weight of the frame and are actuated if a further force is imparted on the top thereof, such as the interposition of a hand between the movable structure 6 and the same frame 19.

[0048] More particularly, the frame 19 is susceptible of being moved between a raised position, in which it does not actuate the safety sensor 20, and a lowered position, in which it actuates the safety sensor 20 so that it sends a signal to the control unit for stopping the motor 11.

Claims

1. Apparatus for lifting people, which

- is intended to be associated with the seat of a chair or armchair,

- is provided with two lateral flanks (2), with a front side (3) and with a rear side (4), and comprises:

- a fixed structure (5), intended to be fixed to a chair or to an armchair,

- a movable structure (6), intended to receive the user in abutment, and

- movement means (7) for moving the movable structure with respect to the fixed structure (5) between a lowered sitting position (A) for the user and a raised position (B), in which the user is thrust towards the erect position,

characterized in that said movement means (7) comprise:

- a carriage (8) movable along a movement direction (X) oriented between the front side (3) and the rear side (4), provided with at least one first sliding block (9) slidable along at least one first rail (10) fixed to said fixed structure (5) along said movement direction (X);

- at least one actuator (11) fixed to said fixed structure (5), connected to a worm screw (12) engaged in a nut screw (13) integral with said carriage (8), said actuator (11) being actuatable to rotate said worm screw (12) in order to move said carriage (8) along said movement direction (X);

- at least one first lever (14) extended between the front side (3) and the rear side (4) of said apparatus (1) and provided with a first rear end (14A), pivoted to said carriage (8), and with a second front end (14B), associated with said movable structure (6);

- at least one second lever (17) also extended between the front side (3) and the rear side (4) of said apparatus (1) and provided with a third rear end (17A) associated with said movable structure (6) and a fourth front end (17B) pivoted to said fixed structure (5); at least one from between the second front end (14B) of said first lever (14) and the third rear end (17A) of the second lever (17) being associated with said movable structure (6) by means of pivoting to a second sliding block (15) slidable along a second rail (16), said second rail (16) extended between the front side (3) and the rear side (4) of said apparatus (1) and being fixed to said movable structure (6); and

- said first and second lever (14, 17) being pivoted to each other by means of at least one pin (18) arranged transverse to said movement direction (X) as well as positioned:

- on the front part with respect to a median plane (P) equidistant between the pivoting points (14A, 17B) of the two levers (14, 17) to the fixed support structure (5) and

- on the upper part with respect to the intersection (C) between the junction lines (R) of the respective ends of each said lever (14, 17).

2. Apparatus for lifting people according to claim 1, characterized in that the second front end (14B) of said at least one first lever (14) is pivoted to the second sliding block (15) slidable along said second rail (16) while the third rear end (17A) of said at least second lever (17) is pivoted to said movable structure (6).

3. Apparatus for lifting people according to claim 1, characterized in that the third rear end (17A) of said at least second lever (17), is pivoted to the second sliding block (15) slidable along said second rail (16) while the second front end (14B) of said at least one first lever (14) is pivoted to said movable structure (6).

4. Apparatus for lifting people according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two said first levers (14), each arranged on a lateral flank (2) of said apparatus (1) and at least two said second levers (17), each arranged on a lateral flank (2) of said apparatus (1); said first and second levers (14, 17) being two-by-two side-by-side each other on same lateral flanks (2) and pivoted to each other by means of at least one said pin (18).

5. Apparatus for lifting people according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said first and said second lever (14, 17) is respectively composed of a pair of first and second parallel shaped plates (14', 14" and 17', 17") that are rigidly coupled together at a distance from each other.

6. Apparatus for lifting people according to claim 5, characterized in that the first pair of plates (14', 14") of said first lever (14) is interposed between the second pair of plates (17', 17") of said second lever (17).

7. Apparatus for lifting people according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixed structure (5) comprises a box-like body (50), on whose bottom (51) two said parallel first rails (10) are fixed which are engaged by two said first sliding blocks (9).

8. Apparatus for lifting people according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a logic control unit connected to said actuator (11); said fixed structure (5) comprising a box-like body (50) provided with an upper opening (54) traversed by said first and second levers (14, 17), delimited by a perimeter edge (53); said fixed structure (5) supporting a peripheral frame (19) facing said perimeter edge (53), movable in a guided manner with respect to said fixed structure (5), and supported spaced therefrom; said peripheral frame (19) being associated with at least one safety sensor (20) connected to said logic control unit, and being susceptible of being moved between a raised position, in which it does not actuate said safety sensor (20) and a lowered position, in which it actuates said safety sensor (20) to send a signal to said logic control unit for stopping said actuator (11).

Drawing