DEVICE AT A WHEEL-CHAIR HAVING A SEPARATED DRIVING RING AND A SEPARATED DRIVING WHEEL

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement for a wheel chair having a separate driving ring and driving wheel.

[0002] In previously disclosed driving rings, which are mounted externally around driving wheels, it is customary for a cavity to be present, in conjunction with which the person using the wheel chair is exposed to the risk of his/her thumbs projecting down into the aforementioned cavity between the driving wheel and the driving ring. An example of such a driving ring can be found in Swedish Patent Application No. 9704504-1.

[0003] It was also necessary with previously disclosed constructions of driving rings and driving wheels for greater force to be used in order for the hand of the person in the wheel chair to achieve the desired friction before the force could be transferred for the purpose of propelling the wheel chair. The previously disclosed driving ring in accordance with the foregoing certainly exhibits a friction-increasing coating, although it is necessary in this case for the person in the wheel chair to be capable of gripping and replacing his/her hand accurately against the aforementioned driving ring. There are persons who are affected by CP, for example, and such persons find it difficult to control their arm movements, among other things. There is accordingly a wish to find a driving ring which, on the one hand, provides stimulation for continued use of the wheel chair and, on the other hand, trains the function of the person's movements and body.

[0004] There is certainly a large number of solutions for bridging devices between the tyre and the driving ring in wheel chairs, although none of these are capable of solving the aforementioned problems, such as GB 856.490 A, EP 0363780 A1, US 2,938,738 A, US 4,366,964 A and US 6,241,268 B1. These exhibit rigid connections, of which one or more have a covering of rubber (GB 856,490, see Fig. 6). This means that the tyre and the driving ring are in the form of a single moulded unit, which involves special manufacturing and associated high costs.

[0005] The aforementioned friction-increasing material is also inclined in a direction away from the driving wheel out towards.the centre of the same and towards the driving ring.

[0006] The principal object of the present invention is thus, in the first instance, to solve the aforementioned problems and to achieve an arrangement which is also economically viable for the person who uses the wheel chair in question.

[0007] The aforementioned object is achieved by means of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention as claimed in claim 1, which is characterized essentially in that said arrangement comprises al elastic flexible element for bridging the distance between said driving ring and a tyre on said driving wheel around the periphery of said driving ring and said driving wheel and in that said elastic flexible element exhibits a friction material such as rubber or a similar elastic material along at least a part of its extent and exhibits a height such that it extends in a direction out from the centre until it makes contact with the outside of said tyre of said driving wheel along a substantial part of the height of the tyre.

[0008] Various solutions can be appreciated from the following interdependent Patent Claims, and illustrated in cross-section in the drawings in Fig. 1 is a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention; and

[0009] Fig. 2 shows a further illustrative embodiment of an arrangement for a driving ring having a circular cross-sectional profile.

[0010] An arrangement 1;101 for a wheel chair having a separate driving ring 2;102 and driving wheel 3;103 comprises a bridging element 4;104. More specifically, the aforementioned element comprises an elastic flexible element for bridging the distance A;CA between said driving ring 2;102 and a tyre 5;105 on said driving wheel 3;103 around the periphery of said driving ring 2;102 and said driving wheel. The said elastic flexible element 4; 8; 104; 108 exhibits a height H;CH such that extends in a direction out from the centre 6;106 until it makes contact with the outside 7;107 of said tyre of said driving wheel along a substantial part of the height B;CB of the tyre.

[0011] The bridging flexible elastic element 4; 8; 104; 108 is formed preferably by a profiled strip 8;108 made of rubber or some other similar elastic material which exhibits high friction.

[0012] In accordance with the illustrative embodiment II, which is shown in Fig. 2, the bridging strip 108 is attached to the driving ring 102 by its one peripheral edge part 150, preferably by means of adhesive 151 or some other appropriate securing agent, on the periphery of same.

[0013] In accordance with the illustrative example I of the invention, which is shown in the drawings in Fig. 1, the bridging element 4; 8 is attached by its one peripheral edge part 9 to a grip-improving layer 10 of rubber or some other suitable elastic material extending around the periphery of the driving ring 2, which is so arranged as to provide high friction. The aforementioned bridging element 4; 8 and the grip-increasing layer 10 of the driving ring are appropriately integrated with one another so that they form a common piece. The aforementioned grip-improving layer 10 is retained by a thickened part 11 of matching shape at its end and extending around the periphery of the wheel 3 and the driving ring 2 in an accommodating channel 12 in the driving ring 2. Arranged in the vicinity of the integration site 13 of the grip-increasing layer 10 of the bridging element 4; 8 and the driving ring 2 is a flange 16 extending in a direction away from 14 the hand application surface 15 of the same, which flange is so arranged as to make contact with the inside of a connection 17 which extends between the aforementioned driving wheel 3 and the aforementioned driving ring 2 and is so arranged as to retain the driving ring 2 securely on the driving wheel 3.

[0014] The aforementioned bridging element 4; 8; 104; 108 is so arranged as to make contact with one part 50;160 directly with the outside 7; 107 of the driving wheel and to extend essentially in a vertical direction 6;106 out from the centre 52;152 of the driving wheel of the wheel chair with the upper part 18;118 of the said element situated a short distance below the top of the driving wheel and the tread 5A;105A of the tyre 5;105, and following the aforementioned side 7;107 of the driving wheel in a direction downwards 19;119 towards the centre 52;152 of the driving wheel of the wheel chair. The outside of the said element goes from an essentially vertical convex part 20;120 to a slightly downward-angled part 21;121 in a direction outwards from the middle 23; 123 of the wheel chair. The outside of the strip can also be so arranged as to go from an essentially vertical part to a straight or upward-facing part, although this is not shown in the drawings. The friction-increasing material in the bridging element 4; 8; 104; 108 is preferably made of porous rubber, and the aforementioned element is so arranged in the unactuated position as to extend slightly downwards, but, when actuated by the side 7;107 of the tyre of the driving wheel, as to be pressed flexibly upwards and along the same.

[0015] The said element 4; 8; 104; 108, which follows the outside of the driving wheel vertically and is terminated with a slightly downward-angled surface, coincides with the angle of attack of the arm and the hand 22;122 when it acts against the driving wheel and the surfaces of the driving ring at an angle of about 45 degrees.

[0016] With the double contact surfaces that are created through the vertical convex surface of the said element and the slightly downward-angled surface, the force from the user's hand that can be applied to cause the driving wheels of the wheel chair to rotate in the desired direction is greater than if the hand only encountered a convex, concave, flat or slightly downward-angled contact surface.

[0017] With previously disclosed designs of driving rings and driving wheels, more force had to be applied in order for the hand to achieve the desired friction before the force could be transmitted for the purpose of propelling the wheel chair.

[0018] The slightly downward-facing friction surface, which alternatively may be straight or may extend upwards in direct or close contact with the vertical convex surface which runs around the outside of the driving wheel, prevents the user from inserting his/her thumbs between the driving wheel and the driving ring.

[0019] Created through the present construction are friction surfaces that are angled to one another in a relationship which agrees more closely with the movements of the hand and the arm.

[0020] The invention is naturally not restricted to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, especially in respect of the nature of the various parts, or by the use of equivalent technology, without departing from the area of protection afforded to the invention as defined in the Patent Claims.

Claims

1. Arrangement (1; 101) for a wheel chair having a separate driving ring (2; 102) and driving wheel (3; 103) characterized in that, said arrangement (1; 102) comprises an elastic flexible element (4; 8; 104; 108) for bridging the distance (A; CA) between said driving ring (2; 102) and a tyre (5; 105) on said driving wheel (3; 103) around the periphery of said driving ring (2; 102) and said driving wheel (3; 103), and in that said elastic flexible element (4; 8; 104; 108) exhibits a friction material such as rubber or a similar elastic material along at least a part of its extent and exhibits a height (H, CH) such that it extends in a direction (6;106) out from the centre (52;152) of the driving wheel of the wheelchair until it makes contact with the outside (7; 107) of said tyre of said driving wheel along a substantial part of the height (B, CB) of the tyre.

2. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that, the elastic flexible element (4, 8; 104; 108) comprises a bridging element (4; 104) and a profiled strip (8; 108), and said elastic flexible element is made of rubber or some other similar material which exhibits high friction.

3. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 2, characterized in that the elastic flexible element (108) is attachable to the driving ring (102) by its one peripheral edge part (150). (Fig. 2).

4. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 2, characterized in that the elastic flexible element (8) is attached by its one peripheral edge part (9) to a grip-improving layer (10) of rubber or some other suitable elastic material with high friction extending around the periphery of the driving ring.

5. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 4, characterized in that the aforementioned elastic flexible element (8) and the grip-increasing layer (10) of the driving ring (2) are appropriately integrated with one another. (Fig. 1).

6. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 5, characterized in that arranged in the vicinity of the integration site (13) of the grip-increasing layer (10) of the elastic flexible element (8) and the driving ring (2) is a flange (16) extending in a direction away from (14) the hand' application surface (15) of the same, which flange makes contact with the inside of a connection (17) between the driving wheel (3) and the driving ring (2).

7. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of Patent Claims 3-6, characterized in that the elastic flexible element (8; 108) is so arrangable as to make contact with one part (50;150) with the outside (7;107) of the driving wheel and to extend essentially in a vertical direction (6;106) out from the centre (52;152) of the wheel chair with the upper part (18;118) of the flexible element situated a short distance below the top of the driving wheel and following the aforementioned side of the driving wheel downwards (19;119) in the direction of the centre (52;152) of the driving wheel.

8. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 7, characterized in that the outside of the elastic flexible element (8; 108) goes from an essentially vertical part (20;120) to a slightly downward-angled part (21;121) in a direction outwards from the middle (23;123) of the wheel chair.

9. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 7, characterized in that the outside of the elastic flexible element (8; 108) goes from an essentially vertical part to a straight or upward-facing part.

10. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of Patent Claims 3-9, characterized in that the friction-increasing material in the elastic flexible element (4; 104) is made of porous rubber, and in that the aforementioned element is so arranged in the unactuated position as to extend slightly downwards, but, when actuated by the side of the tyre of the driving wheel, as to be pressed flexibly upwards and along the same.

Ansprüche

1. Anordnung (1; 101) für einen Rollstuhl mit einem separaten Fahrring (2; 102) und Fahrrad (3; 103),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anordnung (1; 102) ein elastisches flexibles Element (4; 8; 104; 108) zum Überbrücken der Distanz (A; CA) zwischen dem Fahrring (2; 102) und einem Reifen (5; 105) an dem Fahrrad (3; 103) um den Umfang des Fahrrings (2; 102) und des Fahrrads (3; 103) herum aufweist, und dass das elastische flexible Element (4; 8; 104; 108) ein Reibungsmaterial, wie beispielsweise Gummi oder ein ähnliches elastisches Material, entlang mindestens einem Teil seiner Ausdehnung aufweist, und eine Höhe (H, CH) aufweist, sodass es sich in einer Richtung (6; 106) aus dem Zentrum (52; 152) des Fahrrads des Rollstuhls heraus erstreckt, bis es mit der Außenseite (7; 107) des Reifens des Fahrrads entlang einem wesentlichen Teil der Höhe (B, CB) des Reifens in Kontakt tritt.

2. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das elastische flexible Element (4, 8; 104; 108) ein Überbrückungselement (4; 104) und einen Profilstreifen (8; 108) umfasst, und dass das elastische flexible Element aus Gummi oder einem anderen ähnlichen Material hergestellt ist, das eine hohe Reibung aufweist.

3. Anordnung nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das elastische flexible Element (108) durch seinen einen Umfangsrandteil (150) an dem Fahrring (102) angebracht werden kann (Fig. 2).

4. Anordnung nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das elastische flexible Element (8) durch seinen einen Umfangsrandteil (9) an einer Griffverbesserungsschicht (10) aus Gummi oder einem anderen geeigneten elastischen Material mit hoher Reibung, die sich um den Umfang des Fahrrings herum erstreckt, angebracht ist.

5. Anordnung nach Anspruch 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das zuvor genannte elastische flexible Element (8) und die Grifferhöhungsschicht (10) des Fahrrings (2) geeignet miteinander integriert sind (Fig. 1).

6. Anordnung nach Anspruch 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in der Nähe der Integrationsseite (13) der Grifferhöhungsschicht (10) des elastischen flexiblen Elements (8) und des Fahrrings (2) ein Flansch (16) angeordnet ist, der sich in einer Richtung (14) von der Handaufbringungsfläche (15) hiervon weg erstreckt, wobei der Flansch mit der Innenseite einer Verbindung (17) zwischen dem Fahrrad (3) und dem Fahrring (2) in Kontakt steht.

7. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 3 - 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das elastische flexible Element (8; 108) angeordnet sein kann, um einen Kontakt mit einem Teil (50; 150) mit der Außenseite (7; 107) des Fahrrads herzustellen und sich im Wesentlichen in einer vertikalen Richtung (6; 106) aus dem Zentrum (52; 152) des Rollstuhls heraus zu erstrecken, wobei der obere Teil (18; 118) des flexiblen Elements eine kurze Distanz unter der Oberseite des Fahrrads und der zuvor genannten Seite des Fahrrads folgend nach unten (19; 119) in Richtung des Zentrums (52; 152) des Fahrrads angeordnet ist.

8. Anordnung nach Anspruch 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die Außenseite des elastischen flexiblen Elements (8; 108) von einem im Wesentlichen vertikalen Teil (20; 120) zu einem geringfügig nach unten abgewinkelten Teil (21; 121) in einer Richtung aus der Mitte (23; 123) des Rollstuhls heraus erstreckt.

9. Anordnung nach Anspruch 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die Außenseite des elastischen flexiblen Elements (8; 108) von einem im Wesentlichen vertikalen Teil zu einem geraden oder aufwärts gewandten Teil erstreckt.

10. Anordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 3 - 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Reibungserhöhungsmaterial in dem elastischen flexiblen Element (4; 104) aus porösem Gummi hergestellt ist, und dass das zuvor genannte Element derart angeordnet ist, dass es sich in der unbetätigten Stellung geringfügig nach unten erstreckt, jedoch bei einer Betätigung durch die Seite des Reifens des Fahrrads flexibel nach oben und entlang hiervon gedrückt wird.

Revendications

1. Agencement (1 ; 101) destiné à un fauteuil roulant ayant une bague d'entraînement (2 ; 102) et une roue d'entraînement (3 ; 103) séparées caractérisé en ce que ledit agencement (1 ; 102) comprend un élément souple et élastique (4 ; 8 ; 104 ; 108) destiné à combler la distance (A ; CA) entre ladite bague d'entraînement (2 ; 102) et un pneumatique (5 ; 105) sur ladite roue d'entraînement (3 ; 103) autour de la périphérie de ladite bague d'entraînement (2 ; 102) et de ladite roue d'entraînement (3 ; 103) et en ce que ledit élément souple et élastique (4 ; 8 ; 104 ; 108) présente un matériau de friction comme du caoutchouc ou un matériau élastique similaire le long d'au moins une partie de sa longueur et présente une hauteur (H, CH) telle qu'il s'étend dans une direction depuis le centre (6 ; 106) jusqu'à ce qu'il entre en contact avec la partie extérieure (7 ; 107) dudit pneumatique de ladite roue d'entraînement le long d'une partie substantielle de la hauteur (B, CB) du pneumatique.

2. Agencement selon la revendication 1 du brevet, caractérisé en ce que l'élément souple et élastique (4 ; 8 ; 104 ; 108) comprend un élément de liaison (4 ; 104) et une bande profilée (8 ; 108) et ledit élément souple et élastique est constitué de caoutchouc ou d'un autre matériau similaire présentant une friction élevée.

3. Agencement selon la revendication 2 du brevet, caractérisé en ce que l'élément souple et élastique (108) peut être fixé à la bague d'entraînement (102) par une partie de son bord périphérique (150). (Fig. 2.)

4. Agencement selon la revendication 2 du brevet, caractérisé en ce que l'élément souple et élastique (8) est fixé par une partie de son bord périphérique (9) à une couche améliorant l'adhérence (10) de caoutchouc ou d'un autre matériau élastique approprié doté d'une friction élevée s'étendant sur la périphérie de la bague d'entraînement.

5. Agencement selon la revendication 4 du brevet, caractérisé en ce que l'élément souple et élastique (8) susmentionné et la couche améliorant l'adhérence (10) de la bague d'entraînement (2) sont intégrés de façon appropriée l'un à l'autre. (Fig. 1).

6. Agencement selon la revendication 5 du brevet, caractérisé en ce qu'il est disposé à proximité du site d'intégration (13) de la couche améliorant l'adhérence (10) de l'élément souple et élastique (8) et la bague d'entraînement (2) est une bride (16) s'étendant dans une direction (14) éloignée de la surface d'application des mains (15) de celle-ci, bride qui est en contact avec l'intérieur d'un raccord (17) entre la roue d'entraînement (3) et la bague d'entraînement (2).

7. Agencement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 6 du brevet, caractérisé en ce que l'élément souple et élastique (8 ; 108) peut être disposé de façon à être en contact avec une partie (50 ; 150) de la partie extérieure (7 ; 107) de la roue d'entraînement et à s'étendre principalement dans une direction verticale (6 ; 106) depuis le centre (52 ; 152) du fauteuil roulant, la partie supérieure (18 ; 118) de l'élément souple étant située à une courte distance sous le haut de la roue d'entraînement et suivant le côté susmentionné de la roue d'entraînement vers le bas (19 ; 119) dans la direction du centre (52 ; 152) de la roue d'entraînement.

8. Agencement selon la revendication 7 du brevet, caractérisé en ce que la partie extérieure de l'élément souple et élastique (8 ; 108) s'étend depuis une partie principalement verticale (8 ; 108) vers une partie légèrement inclinée vers le bas (21 ; 121) dans une direction vers l'extérieur depuis le milieu (23 ; 123) du fauteuil roulant.

9. Agencement selon la revendication 7 du brevet, caractérisé en ce que la partie extérieure de l'élément souple et élastique (8 ; 108) s'étend depuis une partie principalement verticale vers une partie droite ou orientée vers le haut.

10. Agencement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 9 du brevet, caractérisé en ce que le matériau augmentant la friction dans l'élément souple et élastique (4 ; 104) est constitué de caoutchouc poreux, et en ce que l'élément susmentionné est disposé dans une position de non-actionnement de façon à s'étendre légèrement vers le bas, mais, lorsqu'il est actionné par le côté du pneumatique de la roue d'entraînement, il est comprimé de manière souple vers le haut et le long de celui-ci.

Drawing