(19)
(11) EP 1 997 466 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
03.07.2013 Bulletin 2013/27

(21) Application number: 08009043.4

(22) Date of filing: 16.05.2008
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A61G 5/00(2006.01)
A61G 5/14(2006.01)
A61G 5/12(2006.01)
A61G 5/10(2006.01)
A61G 5/12(2006.01)

(54)

Wheelchair which stands up simplified

Rollstuhl mit vereinfachter Aufstehfunktion

Fauteuil roulant à mise en position debout simplifiée


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(30) Priority: 29.05.2007 IT PD20070189

(43) Date of publication of application:
03.12.2008 Bulletin 2008/49

(73) Proprietor: Vassilli s.r.l.
35020 Saonara (PD) (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • Vassilli, Berto
    35020 Saonara PD (IT)


(56) References cited: : 
DE-A1-102004 007 866
FR-A- 2 800 589
DE-U1- 20 303 000
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] It is known that in the market exist wheelchairs for rehabilitation of certain kinds of disabled having various performances like the adjustment of the height of the seat, the backrest and the legs support, the tilting, the verticalization. Such a wheelchair is known from DE 20303000 U1.

    [0002] The solutions to obtain the above said performances are the most various adopting single actuators operating by electric motors or by oildynamic devices and a complete serie of compund levers and linkages.

    [0003] The inconvenients which are evidenced by the present wheelchairs, for saying, multifunctional are complex, expensive and liable to need often setting up or registrations for the complexity of the kinematic and the great quantity of actuators of various type.

    [0004] Purpose of this patent is that one to manufacture a multifunctional wheelchair with the less possible of actuators, few poles, compound levers and linkages, in order to result simplified, more lightweight, more safe. More precisely all the configurations which the wheelchair can assume as height of the seat, as orientation of the backrest with concomitant orientation of the legrests, as tilting, as verticalization is obtained with only 3 actuators obtained by a detailed location and assembling among them.

    [0005] A lever with fulcrum with an edge on the base loading structure of the wheelchair is connected by hinging with the free edge opposed to the seat structure and an actuator with the cylinder connected by hinging to the loading base structure of the wheelchair, it moves by its stem the above described lever.

    [0006] Applying in a joint way, in an intermediate point, to the above said lever it is located a screw actuator which moves along to a threaded bar a slide to which is connected by hinging the edge of a stem whose opposite edge is connected by hinging to the structure of the seat.

    [0007] Operating by these 2 actuators it is possible to obtain the adjustment of the height of the seat, or its tilting, or its verticalization, singularly or in combination among them.

    [0008] The third existing actuator, is applied to the structure of the seat.

    [0009] The moving of the steam of the said third actuator acts on the backrest until line it with the seat.

    [0010] The backrest transmit in concomitancy to its adjustments of laying, by a connecting stem, to the legrests structure parallel adjustments of laying to the above legrests structure.

    [0011] The combined action of this actuator, applied to the structure of the seat which makes the lining up of the backrest and the legrest to the seat and the action of the 2 actuators which act on the structure of the seat setting it on the vertical position, define the verticalization of the active part of the wheelchair which interest the disabled person as user.

    [0012] All what explained previously is clarified by the examination of the enclosed drawings.

    [0013] The fig. 1 shows sidely a wheelchair schematized in its standard configuration of wheelchair with seat, backrest, legrests, footplates showing the 3 actuators in their initial position to be activated.

    [0014] The fig. 2 shows once again sidely the wheelchair of fig. 1 with the actuators in the previous initial position to be activated which now shows the actuator which in the previous figure was in a laying flat under the other 2.

    [0015] The fig. 3 shows the wheelchair of fig. 1 in which the third actuator placed under the seat and jointed with it is actived having effected the backwards upsetting of the backrest and the elevating of the legrests in order to obtain the backrest and the legrests nearly lined to the seat in the specific case it correspond to the horizontality.

    [0016] The fig. 4 shows the wheelchair of fig. 1 where it results activated the main actuator in direct connection to the loading base structure of the wheelchair which uprise the seat (with connected backrest and legrests in parallel of its connection point by hinging so that the seat assumes a backwards reclined position.

    [0017] The figure 5 shows the wheelchair of figure 1 where now in addition to the activation of the main actuator in that said connection with the loading basic structure which raise a point of the seat, it is partially activated also the secondary actuator loaded jointly by the lever of the above said main actuator which raises the seat in another point by the edge of the stem connected to it, moved, the said stem, to the opposite edge in uprise from the said secondary actuator.

    [0018] The seat complete with backrest and legrests results to be uprised with the standard placing of horizontal seating.

    [0019] The fig. 6 shows the wheelchair of fig. 1 with all the 3 actuators activated and exactly the main actuator and the secondary actuator which keep uprised the structure of the seat in order to aasume a position almost vertical and the third placed under the structure of the seat which define the position of the backrest of the legrests almost aligned with the position of the seat.

    [0020] From the examination of the figures it is evidenced that on the loading basic structure of the wheelchair composed by the framing 1 and the wheels 2,3 is hinged in 9 the lower edge of the lever 8 which upper edge is coupled by a hinging to the understructure of the seat 4; and it is hinged in 12 the lower appendage of the cylinder 11 which stem 28 coupled in 13 with the lever 8 provide to its moving.

    [0021] The ensemble of the lever 8 and of the cylinder 11 with its stem 28 compose the main actuator.

    [0022] It is setted joint in an intermediate position of the stem 8, the loading structure 20 of the secondary actuator 14.

    [0023] This last one is composed of a worm 19 which let move up and down on a groove (not evidenced) a slide 15.

    [0024] To the said slide 15 it is hinged the lower edge of a stem 17 whose upper edge 18 it is hinged in a point of the understructure of the seat 4 suitably moved away from the connection point 10 of the upper edge of the lever 8.

    [0025] The travels suitably coordinated by the stem 28 of the cylinder 11 which moves the lever 17 defines both the adjustments of height of the seat 4 and its position.

    [0026] The third actuator 21 joint to the understructure of the seat 4 by its stem 22 coupled in the point 23 of the lower appendance of the backrest 5 hinged in the point 26 with the seat 4 defines the orientation making it to turn around the point 26.

    [0027] In concomitance with the moving of the stem 22 and therefore of the backrest 5 it is moved the stem 24 hinged with one of the edges in the point 23 and with the opposite edge hinged in the point 25 of the structure of the legrest 6.

    [0028] The moving of the stem 24 defines the moving of the legrest 6 and connected footrest 7 coupled by hinging in the point 27 of the forwards extension 18 of the structure of the seat 4.

    [0029] The activation of this third actuator 21 defines the concomitant moving of the seat 5 and of the footrest 6, 7 passing from the positions of normal seating to the position of almost alignment of backrest, seat and legrests.

    [0030] The said further configuration, in combination of the activation of the 2 previous actuators which set the seat in vertical position contribute to obtain the positioning in vertical of the wheelchair.

    [0031] The said wheelchair with the possibility of its adjustments allows the use for disabled persons of different size or in any case for a same disabled person for his complete evolutive growing phase.

    [0032] It is of relevant inventiveness to have been able to obtain with only 3 actuators all the possible performances singularly or in combination for a wheelchair until its verticalization being able to obtain a wheelchair simplified at the maximum in its kinematisms, making it more handy, and more economic both about the cost and the maintenance.


    Claims

    1. Wheelchair for disabled which stands up simplified characterized by the fact that for the adjustments of the seat height (4) and of its orientation compared to the loading structure of the wheelchair, it includes at least 2 actuators and a first of said at least 2 actuators (8,11), (14), which provide singularly or in combination to the above said movements of the seat (4), is directly connected by hinging (12,9) to the loading structure (1) of the wheelchair, being the said actuator (8,11) composed of a lever (8) hinged to an edge (9) with the loading structure (1) and with the other edge (10) to the seat (4), and of a cylinder (11) with stem (28) which is layed (12) to the loading structure (1) of the wheelchair acts with the stem (28) in a lever (8) intermediate position (13) and the said second actuator (14) those which provides together with the said first actuator (8,11) to the adjustment of the seat (4), has its loading structure (20) jointed to the lever (8) of the first one (8,11) and therefore mobile compared to the loading structure (1) of the wheelchair and with an opposite edge is hinged in a point of the understructure of the seat (4).
     
    2. Wheelchair for disabled which stands up simplified according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the said second actuator (14) comprises a worm gear (19) which moves a slide (16), and comprises a lever (17) which edges (15, 18) are connected to the said slide (15) and to the seat (4).
     
    3. Wheelchair for disabled which stands up simplified according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized by the fact that the actuator (8,11) directly connected by hinging (12,9) to the structure (1) of the wheelchair can be activate alone to act to move the seating (4), in an independent way from the actuator (14) jointed to it.
     
    4. Wheelchair for disabled which stands up simplified according to one or more of the previous claims characterized by the fact that the second actuator (14) jointed (20) to the first one (8) can be activated alone, whatever is the position assumed by the first actuator (8,11), to move the seat (4).
     
    5. Wheelchair for disabled which stands up simplified according to one or more of the previous claims characterized by the fact that the said 2 actuators (8,11,14,19,17) can be activated simultaneously to obtain coordinated registrations of the seat (4).
     
    6. Wheelchair for disabled which stands up simplified according to one or more of the previous claims characterized by the fact that a third actuator (21) is joint to the structure of the seat and is composed of a cylinder (21) and by a stem (22) which actioned provide to move the backrest (5) adjusting the laying and to move a stem (24) which operate the legrest (6) and the footrest (7) adjusting its laying.
     
    7. Wheelchair for disabled which stands up simplified according to one or more of the previous claims characterized by the fact that the said first at least 2 actuators (8,11,14,19,17) verticalize the seat level (4) and the said third actuator (21,22,24,23,25) alignes the backrest (5) and legrest (6) laying to the seat (4) to achieve the verticalization of the entire wheelchair (1).
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Rollstuhl für Behinderte mit vereinfachter Stehfunktion, der dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass er für die Höhe des Sitzes (4) und seinen Winkel zum Fahrgestell (1) nur 2 Aktuatoren braucht. Der erste der beiden Aktuatoren (8, 11, 14), die einzeln oder gemeinsam die oben beschriebenen Bewegungen des Sitzes (4) bewirken, ist über die Punkte (12), (8), (9) mit dem Fahrgestell (1) verbunden. Der Haupt- Aktuator (8, 11) wird gebildet aus der Doppel-Schwinge (8), die über Punkt (9) mit dem Fahrgestell (1) und über Punkt (10) mit dem Sitzrahmen (4) verbunden ist, wobei der Zylinder (11) mit seinem Hubarm (28), der in (12) mit dem Fahrrahmen (1) des Rollstuhls verbunden ist, die Doppelschwinge (8) in eine mittlere Position bringt. Der erwähnte zweite Aktuator (14), der gemeinsam mit dem ersten Aktuator (8, 11) die Verstellung des Sitzes (4) regelt, ist an dem Gehäuse (20) mit der Doppel-Schwinge (8) und darüber mit dem ersten Aktuator (8, 11) verbunden und ist beweglich zum Fahrrahmen (1) des Rollstuhls und mit der anderen Seite unten am Sitz (4) aufgehängt.
     
    2. Rollstuhl für Behinderte mit vereinfachter Stehfunktion aus Anspruch 1, der dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass der erwähnte zweite Aktuator (14) aus einem Schraubengewinde (19) besteht, das einen Schieber (16) bewegt, sowie aus dem Hebeprofil (17) mit seinen Eckpunkten (15, 18), die den Schieber (15) mit dem Sitz (4) verbinden.
     
    3. Rollstuhl für Behinderte mit vereinfachter Stehfunktion aus Anspruch 1 und/oder 2, der dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass man allein mittels des Aktuators (8, 11), der direkt über die Punkte (12, 9) mit dem Fahrrahmen (1) verbunden ist, den Sitz (4) unabhängig zum verbundenen Aktuator (14) zu bewegen.
     
    4. Rollstuhl für Behinderte mit vereinfachter Stehfunktion entsprechend zu einem oder mehreren der vorgenannten Ansprüche, der dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass der Aktuator (14)verbunden (20) zu dem ersten (8) eigenständig und unabhängig von der Position des ersten Aktuators (8, 11) aktiviert werden kann, um den Sitz (4) zu bewegen.
     
    5. Rollstuhl für Behinderte mit vereinfachter Stehfunktion entsprechend zu einem oder mehreren der vorgenannten Ansprüche, der dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass die die beiden bezeichneten Aktuatoren (8, 11, 14, 19, 17) simultan bewegt werden können, um eine Veränderung der Position des Sitzes (4) herbeizuführen.
     
    6. Rollstuhl für Behinderte mit vereinfachter Stehfunktion entsprechend zu einem oder mehreren der vorgenannten Ansprüche, der dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass der dritte Aktuator (21) mit dem Sitzrahmen verbunden ist und sich aus einem Zylinder (21) und einem Hubarm (22) zusammensetzt, die aktiviert werden, um den Rücken (5) in Liegen zu bringen und um die Verstellstangen (24) zu bewegen, die Beinstützenrahmen (6) und Fußplatten (7) auch in die Liegeposition bringen.
     
    7. Rollstuhl für Behinderte mit vereinfachter Stehfunktion entsprechend zu einem oder mehreren der vorgenannten Ansprüche, der dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass die vorgenannten zwei Aktuatoren (8, 11, 14, 19, 17) den Sitz (4) senkrecht aufrichten und der dritte Aktuator (21, 22, 24, 23, 25) den Rücken (5) und den Beinstützenrahmen (6) so an die Position des Sitzes (4) anpassen, dass der gesamte Rollstuhl (1) ein Stehen des Nutzers erlaubt.
     


    Revendications

    1. Fauteuil roulant pour disables simplifié qui se verticalise caractérisé par le fait que pour les réglages de la hauteur d'assise (4) et ses orientations par rapport à la structure de chargement du fauteuil roulant, il inclus au moins 2 actionneurs et le premier de ces dites 2 actionneurs (8,11), 14 qui fourni singulièrement ou en combinaison avec les sudit mouvements du siège (4), est directement reliée par charnières (12,9) à la structure portante (1) du fauteuil, l'etant dit actionneur (8,11) composé par un levier (8) articulé sur un bord (9) avec une structure portante (1) et avec l'autre bord (10) au siège (4) et d'un cilindre (11) avec tige (28) qui est aménagé (12) à la structure portante (1) du fauteuil roulant agit avec le tige (28) dans un position levier(8) intermédiaire (13) et le dit deuxième actionneur (14) qui fourni ensemble au dit premier actionneur (8,11) au réglage du siège (4), a sa structure portante (20) articulé au levier (8) du premier (8,11) et donc mobile comparé à la structure portante (1) du fauteuil roulant et avec un bord opposé il est charnieré dans un point de la structure inférieure du siège (4).
     
    2. Fauteuil roulant pour disables simplifié qui se verticalise selon revendication 1 caractérisé par le fait que le dit deuxième actionneur (14) comprend un vis sans fin (19) qui mouve un coulisseau (16), et comprend un levier (17) les bords duquel (15,18) sont liés au dit coulisseau (15) et au siège (4).
     
    3. Fauteuil roulant pour disable simplifié qui se verticalise selon revendication 1 ou revendication 2 caractérisé par le fait que l'actionneur (8,11) directement lié par articulation (12,9) à la structure (1) du fauteuil roulant peût être activé seul d'agir pour déplacer le siège (4), de façon indépendente de l'actionneur (14) y articulé.
     
    4. Fauteuil roulant pour disables simplifié qui se verticalise selon une ou plus des précédentes revendications caractérisé par le fait que le deuxième actionneur (14) articulé (20) au premier (8) peût être activé seul, quelle que soît la position prise par le premier actionneur (8,11) à déplacer le siège (4).
     
    5. Fauteuils roulant pour disables simplifié qui se verticalise selon une ou plus des précédentes revendications caractérisé par le fait que les dites 2 actionneurs (8,11,14,19,17) peuvent être activé simultanément pour obtenir registrations coordonnés du siège (4).
     
    6. Fauteuil roulant pour disables simplifié qui se verticalise selon une ou plus des précédentes revendications caractérisé par le fait que un troisième actionneur (21) est articulé à la structure du siège et est composé d'un cilindre (21) et un tige (22) l'action duquel permet de déplacer le dossier (5) réglant la pose et déplaçant un tige (24) qui fait fonctionner le repose jambes (6) et le repose pieds (7) réglant sa pose.
     
    7. Fauteuil roulant pour disables simplifié qui se verticalise selon une ou plus des précédentes revendications caractérisé par le fait que les dit premières 2 actionneurs (8,11,14,19,17) verticalisent le niveau du siège (4) et le dit troisième actionneur (21,22,24,23,25) alignes le dossier (5) et le repose jambes (6) pose au siège (4) pour obtenir la verticalisation de l'entier fauteuil roulant.
     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description