Ergonomic back and side support for aids to disabled and application for wheelchairs

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a back and side support for aids to disabled people including wheelchairs, which have wheels mounted to a chassis, the back and the side support includes at least one fork device, which is shaped with a lower piece, that can be placed in a bracket, which is fastened to the wheelchair's chassis, where the fork device in relation to the bracket can be height adjusted and turned in a horizontal plane around the central axis of the lower piece and where the fork device's position can be fixed with a locking device.

[0002] Moreover, the invention relates to the use of back and side support for aids to disabled people.

[0003] On many aids for disabled such as wheelchairs it is often a problem that the back and side support is fixed and symmetrical in relation to the seat.

[0004] This is ergonomically inappropriate since many disabled suffer from curvatures in the back, which requires an individual adjustment of the back support and side support in order to support the person in the best way possible.

[0005] Also, the fixed back supports and side supports have the drawback that they can not be adapted to the disabled's clothes, where there will typically be thick and warm clothes in cold weather for outside use and less voluminous clothes in warm weather or by indoor use.

[0006] A fixed back and side support to for example a wheelchair will therefore in reality in the best cast only support a disabled ergonomically optimally with a specific thickness of clothes.

[0007] US 6,416,070 discloses a multi-functional wheel chair comprises a chair seat, a chair leg, two hand supporters, and opposite back rod with a gap in between. Two L-shaped hand supports are connected to a left and a right side of the chair seat. The left and right hand supports can be adjusted in orientation and longitudinally.

[0008] AU2008201511 discloses a seating apparatus with a pair of armpit supports and a rigid back for providing traction to a user's spine. Armpit abutment portion orientation adjustment means comprises adjustment means adapted to allow rotation of the armpit abutment portion about a lateral axis and about a forward-aft axis to improve the user's sitting posture, back support and side support.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to improve the known back support and side support for aids to disabled people.

[0010] The object of the invention is achieved by a back support and side support for aids for disabled people including wheelchairs, which have wheels mounted to a chassis of the type stated in the introduction to claim 1, which is characterized in that the fork device is shaped with a top piece, which ramifies from the central axis of the lower piece and the top piece forms a side attachment for a back support and side support.

[0011] In this way it thus becomes possible to simply and efficiently adjust the back support and side support in an ergonomically optimum way to the individual disabled.

[0012] Further appropriate embodiments of the method are stated in claims 2 to 4.

[0013] As mentioned, the invention also relates to application of back and side support according to one or more of claims 1 to 4 for wheelchairs, which are provided with at least one revolvable front wheel and two rear wheels.

[0014] It hereby becomes possible to manufacture common wheelchairs with back support and side support, which can simply and efficiently be adapted individually to the specific user, such that this under all conditions are supported ergonomically optimum.

[0015] The invention will now be explained more fully with reference to the drawings, on which:

Fig. 1 shows, seen from the left side, a wheelchair with an individual adjustable back and side support.

Fig. 2 shows, seen from the left side, a section of a wheelchair with an individually adjustable back support and side support.

Fig. 3 shows, seen from the left side, a section of a wheelchair with an individually adjustable back and side support with exposed fork device.

Fig. 4 shows, seen from the left side, a section of a wheelchair with an individually adjustable back and side support with exposed fork device and dismantled rear wheel.

Fig. 5 shows, seen from above, a section of a wheelchair with an individually adjustable back and side support with exposed fork device and dismantled rear wheel.

Fig. 6 shows, as fig. 5, a section of a wheelchair with an individually adjustable back support and side support with exposed fork device and dismantled rear wheel, but where the fork device is turned to a position, which differs from the one depicted in fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows, as fig. 5 and fig. 6, a section of a wheelchair with an individually adjustable back support and side support with exposed fork device and dismantled rear wheel, but where the fork device is turned to a position, which differs from those depicted in fig. 5 and fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows, as fig. 4, as section of a wheelchair with an individually adjustable back support and side support with exposed fork device and dismantled rear wheel but where the fork device in fig. 8 is height adjusted in relation to the, in fig. 4., depicted position of the fork device.

Fig. 9 shows, seen in perspective, an exposed fork device mounted in the right side of a wheelchair.

Fig. 10 shows a section of the left side of a wheelchair with dismantled fork device.

Fig. 11 shows, seen from above, two exposed fork devices on a wheelchair.

Fig. 12 shows, as fig. 11, two exposed fork devices on a wheelchair where the fork devices in fig. 12 are turned in other positions than those, which are depicted in fig. 11.

[0016] On fig. 1 is with 1 shown an aid for disabled consisting of a wheelchair, which includes a chassis 6, wheels 7, a back support and side support 2, which in the sides are fastened to fork devices 3, which are mounted in brackets 4, which are fastened to the chassis 6 of the wheelchair 1.

[0017] Fig. 2 shows a section of fig. 1 where the area around the left fork device 3 is emphasised such that it for example appears from fig. 2 that the fork device 3 can be fastened in a specific position via a locking mechanism 5, which in the shown embodiment functions by fastening of the bracket 4 in which the fork device 3 is mounted.

[0018] In fig. 3, the left fork device 3 is exposed since the back support and side support 2 is removed.

[0019] In fig. 4 is shown the same section of the wheelchair's left side, which is also shown in fig. 3, but where the wheelchair's left rear wheel 7 is dismantled in fig. 4.

[0020] Fig. 5 shows, seen from above, a section of a wheelchair 1 with exposed fork device 3 and dismantled rear wheel 7.

[0021] Fig. 6 shows, as fig. 5, a section of a wheelchair 1 with exposed fork device 3 and dismantled rear wheel 7, but where the fork device is turned to a position, which differs from the one depicted in fig. 5.

[0022] In fig. 7 is shown a depiction, as the one in fig. 5 and fig. 6, but where the fork device 3 is turned to a position, which differs from the one depicted in fig. 5 and fig. 6.

[0023] In fig. 8 is shown a section of an exposed fork device 3, which is mounted in the left side of a wheelchair 1, similar to the depiction in fig. 4, but where the fork device 3 in fig. 8 is raised in relation to the position of the fork device, which is depicted in fig. 4.

[0024] In fig. 8 it is furthermore seen clearly that the fork device 3 is shaped with a lower, preferably cylindrical, lower piece 9, out from which a top piece 8 ramifies, where the preferably cylindrical lower piece 9 is mounted in a bracket 4, which is fastened to the chassis 6 of the wheelchair.

[0025] From fig. 8 furthermore appears that the top piece 8 of the fork device 3 in the shown preferred embodiment, is provided with an end plug 10, which can be manufactured from a polymeric material.

[0026] Fig. 9 shows, seen in perspective, a section of the right side of a wheelchair 1, where a fork device 3 is mounted, which can form right sided attachment for a back support and side support 2, where the fork device 3 is mounted in a bracket 4 and can be fastened in a specific position by activation of a locking mechanism 5.

[0027] In fig. 10 is shown a dismantled fork device 3 from which it is seen that the fork device in the shown preferred embodiment consists of a preferably cylindrical lower piece 9, which from a point 11 ramifies in a top piece 8.

[0028] Fig. 11 shows, seen from above, the two fork devices 3, which are placed in respectively the left and right side of a wheelchair 1, and which is each fastened in a specific position via locking mechanisms 5.

[0029] In fig. 12 is shown the same type of depiction as in fig. 11, but where the fork devices 3 in fig. 12 are turned in other positions than the ones which are shown in fig. 11.

[0030] From the above description, it can thus be stated that the invention includes back support and side support 2 for aids for disabled including wheel chairs 1, which have wheels 7 mounted to a chassis 6, where the back support and side support 2 includes at least one fork device 3, which is shaped with a lower piece 9, which is preferably cylindrical and can be placed in or on a bracket 4, which is fastened to the chassis 6 of the wheelchair, and where the fork device 3 is shaped with a top piece 8, which ramifies from the central axis of the lower piece 9 and where the fork device 3 in relation to the bracket 4 can be height adjusted and turned in a horizontal plane around the central axis of the lower piece 9, and where the position of the fork device can be fixed with a locking device 5.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the back support and side support 2 includes exactly two fork devices 3, which are manufactured by application of pipes including preferably metallic pipes.

Claims

1. Back support and side support (2) for aids for disabled people including wheelchairs (1), which have wheels (7) mounted to a chassis (6), the back and the side support (2) includes at least one fork device (3), which is shaped with a lower piece (9), that can be placed in a bracket (4), which is fastened to the wheelchair's chassis (6), where the fork device (3) in relation to the bracket (4) can be height adjusted and turned in a horizontal plane around the central axis of the lower piece (9) and where the fork device's position can be fixed with a locking device (5), characterized in that the fork device (3) is shaped with a top piece (8), which ramifies upright from the central axis of the lower piece (9), and the top piece (8) forms a side attachment for a back support and side support (2).

2. Back support and side support (2) according to claim 1 characterized in that the back and side support (2) includes two fork devices (3).

3. Back support and side support (2) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the fork device (3) is manufactured by application of pipes including preferably metallic pipes.

4. Back support and side support (2) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the top piece (8) of the fork device (3) is provided with an end plug (10) which is preferably manufactured from a polymeric material.

5. Back support and side support (2) according to one or more of claims 1 - 4 characterized in that the lower piece (9) is cylindrical.

6. Back support and side support (2) according to one or more of claims 1 - 5 characterized in that the back support and side support (2) are individually adjustable.

7. Use of back and side support (2) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6 for wheelchairs (1), which are provided with at least one revolvable front wheel and two rear wheels.

Ansprüche

1. Rückenlehne und Seitenlehne (2) als Hilfe für behinderte Menschen, einschließlich Rollstühlen (1), die an einem Chassis (6) montierte Räder (7) haben, wobei die Rücken- und Seitenlehne (2) wenigstens eine Gabeleinrichtung (3) aufweisen, die mit einem Unterteil (9) geformt ist, das in einer Halterung (4) angeordnet werden kann, die an dem Fahrgestell des Rollstuhls befestigt ist (6), wobei die Gabeleinrichtung (3) im Verhältnis zur Halterung (4) in der Höhe verstellbar ist und in einer horizontalen Ebene um die Zentralachse des Unterteils (9) drehbar ist und wobei die Position der Gabeleinrichtung mit einer Verriegelungseinrichtung (5) festgelegt werden kann,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Gabeleinrichtung (3) mit einem Oberteil (8) geformt ist, das sich senkrecht von der Zentralachse des Unterteils (9) gabelt und das Oberteil (8) eine seitliche Befestigung für eine Rückenlehne und eine Seitenlehne (2) ausbildet.

2. Rückenlehne und Seitenlehne (2) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Rücken- und Seitenlehne (2) zwei Gabeleinrichtungen (3) aufweist.

3. Rückenlehne und Seitenlehne (2) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Gabeleinrichtung (3) durch Gebrauch von Rohren einschließlich bevorzugt metallischer Rohre hergestellt ist.

4. Rückenlehne und Seitenlehne (2) nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Oberteil (8) der Gabeleinrichtung (3) mit einem Endstopfen (10) ausgestattet ist, der bevorzugt aus einem Polymer hergestellt ist.

5. Rückenlehne und Seitenlehne (2) nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Unterteil (9) zylindrisch ist.

6. Rückenlehne und Seitenlehne (2) nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Rückenlehne und die Seitenlehne (2) individuell einstellbar sind.

7. Verwendung der Rücken- und Seitenlehne nach einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 6 für Rollstühle (1), die mit wenigstens einem drehbaren Vorderrad und zwei Hinterrädern versehen sind.

Revendications

1. Support dorsal et support latéral (2) pour des aides techniques qui sont destinées à des personnes handicapées, y compris des chaises roulantes (1), qui possèdent des roues (7) montées sur un châssis (6), le support dorsal et latéral (2) englobant au moins un dispositif (3) en forme de fourche, qui est configuré avec une pièce inférieure (9) qui peut venir se placer dans un étrier (4) qui est fixé au châssis (6) de la chaise roulante, dans lequel le dispositif (3) en forme de fourche, par rapport à l'étrier (4), peut être réglé en hauteur et peut être mis en rotation dans un plan horizontal autour de l'axe central de la pièce inférieure (9), et dans lequel la position du dispositif en forme de fourche peut être fixée avec un dispositif de verrouillage (5), caractérisé en ce que le dispositif (3) en forme de fourche est configuré avec une pièce supérieure (8) qui se ramifie en direction verticale à partir de l'axe central de la pièce inférieure (9) et la pièce supérieure (8) forme une fixation latérale pour un support dorsal et un support latéral (2).

2. Support dorsal et support latéral (2) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le support dorsal et latéral (2) englobe deux dispositifs (3) en forme de fourche.

3. Support dorsal et support latéral (2) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif (3) en forme de fourche est fabriqué via l'application de tubes, englobant de préférence des tubes métalliques.

4. Support dorsal et support latéral (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que la pièce supérieure (8) du dispositif (3) en forme de fourche est munie d'un bouchon terminal (10) qui est de préférence fabriqué à partir d'une matière polymère.

5. Support dorsal et support latéral (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que la pièce inférieure (9) est cylindrique.

6. Support dorsal et support latéral (2) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que le support dorsal et le support latéral (2) peuvent être réglés de manière individuelle.

7. Utilisation d'un support dorsal et latéral (2) selon un ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 6 pour des chaises roulantes (1) qui sont munies d'au moins une roue avant capable de tourner et de deux roues arrière.

Drawing