EP0354555B1 - Training apparatus and wheelchair for the handicapped - Google Patents

Abstract

Training apparatus for the handicapped with a frame, on which a seat and at least one foot support are arranged movably in relation to one another, the foot support (1) being arranged firmly on the frame (3) in the foot region in front of the seat (2), the seat (2) being held, in the longitudinal direction of the frame (3), displaceably towards the foot support (1) and back, the seat (2) having a backrest (4), a sitting part (5) which is connected in a pivotably movable manner to the backrest (4), and, arranged on both sides, connection elements (6) which are articulated at one end on the front part of the sitting part (5) and at the other end on a vertical backrest part (7) of the frame (3), and a force absorption device (8) being provided, on which the force produced by the relative movement between the seat (2) and the foot support (1) bears. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a training device and a wheelchair for the disabled according to the preamble of claim 1 and 13 respectively.

A training device according to the preamble of claim 1 should in particular serve to enable intensive training measures for people with paraplegia, paralysis in the leg area and coordination disorders in order to carry out an effective strength training for the paralyzed or disabled muscle groups.

So far, only the possibility of electrical muscle stimulation exists for the patient group mentioned; So far there are no training options with such a stationary training device.

From DE-GM 87 12 851 a device for independent locomotion of the paralyzed by the muscle strength of their own paralyzed legs is also known, which has a frame on which wheels are attached via a front and a rear axle and on which a seat and at least one Footrest are arranged to be movable relative to one another, and which has a force transmission device which converts a relative movement between the seat and the footrest into a driving force and applies this driving force to at least one of the axles by means of a freewheel device.

In this known device, which is used to move the disabled, the footrest is attached so that it can be moved back and forth relative to the fixed seat, with e.g. The footrest is moved forward via a muscle stimulation of the legs, and this movement of the footrest is transmitted to the drive device. The footrest is moved back by a return spring arranged on it.

With such a device, the relative movement takes place between the seat and the footrest only while using the legs, so that only mobilization of the leg muscles is possible.

From GB-A-5907 a wheelchair is also known according to the preamble of claim 13, in which the seat is pivotally arranged about an axis on the frame, such that a person in the seat can perform a rocking chair-like movement, which in both parts , ie is converted into a driving force during the forward and backward swiveling movement, which lies on the driven axis. In a wheelchair of this type, this movement is brought about by a shift in the weight of the upper body of the person in the seat without the legs being involved.

In contrast, it would be desirable to give disabled people the opportunity for intensive training that, in addition to the paralyzed or disabled muscle groups, means that the entire body is fully mobilized from the head to the neck, the shoulder joints, the spine, the abdominal muscles, the hips, the pelvis, the gluteal muscles, the thighs, knee joints, calf muscles and ankles allow up to the foot zones.

The object underlying the invention is therefore to create a training device and a wheelchair according to the preamble of claim 1 and claim 13, with which an intensive training of the whole body with mobilization of almost all parts of the body is possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the training specified in the characterizing part of claims 1 and 13, respectively.

With the training device according to the invention and the wheelchair according to the invention, the disabled person can support his feet on the footrest and by a stretching movement of the legs and by moving the weight of the upper body over the slidably mounted backrest on the other hand move the seat back and forth, during which it moves the entire body during this back and forth movement. Such a stretching movement of the body is possible in spite of any symptoms of paralysis and leads to therapeutic effects in the physical and psychological area through the active use of the handicapped.

The training device according to the invention and the wheelchair according to the invention are thus suitable as rehabilitation training and mobilization devices with a high motivation value, which allow a physically disabled person to perform a harmoniously running full mobilization across all parts of the body with every movement boost.

Particularly preferred refinements and developments of the training device according to the invention are the subject of claims 2 to 12, while preferred refinements and developments of the wheelchair according to the invention are the subject of claims 14 to 26.

• Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 eine Seitenansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Trainingsgerätes jeweils in dem Zustand, in dem der Sitz nach hinten und in dem der Sitz nach vorne geschoben ist,
• Fig. 3 und 4 eine Seitenansicht eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Trainingsgerätes mit jeweils nach vorne bzw. nach hinten geschobenem Sitz.
• Fig. 5 ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Trainingsgerätes und
• Fig. 6 ein viertes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Trainingsgerätes.

In the following, particularly preferred exemplary embodiments of the training device according to the invention are described in more detail with reference to the associated drawing. Show it

• 1 and Fig. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of the exercise device according to the invention in each case in the state in which the seat is pushed back and in which the seat is pushed forward,
• 3 and 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the training device according to the invention, each with a seat pushed forwards or backwards.
• Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the exercise device according to the invention and
• Fig. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the exercise device according to the invention.

The first exemplary embodiment of the training device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a frame 3 on which a seat 2 and at least one footrest 1 are arranged so as to be movable relative to one another. In the foot region of the seat 2, the footrest 1 is fixedly attached to the frame 3, while the seat 2 is held in the longitudinal direction of the frame 3 towards the footrest 1 towards and away from the footrest 1.

The seat 2 consists of a backrest 4 and a seat part 5, which can consist of a seat plate with a bucket seat lying thereon and is pivotally connected to the backrest 4 via a pivot axis 10. The seat part 5 is connected at its front section via struts 6 arranged on both sides to a backrest part 7 of the frame 3, the struts 6 being rotatably attached to the seat part 5 and to the backrest part 7 of the frame 3. The back 4 of the seat 2 is slidably held on its back by a roller 9 on the back part 7 of the frame 3, which is attached to the back part 7 so as to be adjustable in the vertical direction.

The axis of rotation 10, which connects the seat part 5 and the backrest 4, is guided at its two lateral ends in guide rails 11 which are articulated on the backrest part 7 of the frame and whose angular position, ie whose angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal, is adjustable in order to be adapted to enable the respective person in the seat. A lever 18 is attached to the central part of the axis of rotation 10 and connects to the piston rod of a piston-cylinder arrangement 8 is connected, the cylinder part is rotatably mounted on the frame 3. The piston-cylinder arrangement 8 represents a force absorption device in the form of a two-way piston-cylinder arrangement which is constructed in such a way that both sides in front of and behind the piston in the cylinder are connected to one another via throttles which are adjustable and are connected to a measuring and display device are connected in order to be able to set and read the resistance which the piston-cylinder arrangement opposes to a movement of the piston in the cylinder. In this way, the resistance that the piston-cylinder arrangement 8 opposes to a movement of the seat 2, ie a displacement of the pivot axis 10 in the guide rails 11, can be set.

The footrest has a footrest part 13 which is pivotably mounted in the direction of the seat 2 and is provided with an adjustable stop 12 which limits the pivoting movement of the footrest part 13 relative to the seat 2. This adjustment of the amount of pivoting movement of the footrest part enables further adaptation to the respective individual person in the seat.

On the footrest 1, a lever 14 is articulated, which for example consists of two telescopically arranged and mutually adjustable parts, and is connected at its front end via a component 16 to the seat part 5, which can be flexible or rigid. At the front end of the lever 14 there is a handle 15 which is connected to means for stimulating the knee joint, which are connected via cables to electrodes which can be attached to the thighs of a person in the seat in order to achieve an extension of the knee joint .

The lever 14 is extended beyond the articulation point on the footrest 1, a counterweight 17 or a tension spring being arranged around this extended end To pivot lever handle 15 upwards if it is not pulled down by hand by a person in the seat.

The footrest 1 is preferably arranged to be adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the frame, so that an adaptation to the size of the person in the seat together with a corresponding adjustment of the length of the lever 14 is possible.

The embodiment of the training device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 works in the following manner:
If a disabled person has taken a seat in the seat 2, and the training device is individually adjusted by the setting options on the lever 14, on the foot part 1 and on the guide rails 11 and the roller 9, then a relative movement between the seat 2 and the footrest 1 can thereby take place that the person possibly stimulated by the stimulation device on the lever 14 extends the legs, whereby the seat 2 is pushed all the way back. This movement takes place against the resistance of the force absorption device 8, which can be adjusted separately for this part of the relative movement between the seat 2 and the footrest 1.

The second part of the relative movement, i.e. a movement of the seat 2 in the direction of the footrest 1 takes place by a weight shift of the upper body, i.e. by leaning back the person in the seat 2, whereby the backrest 4 slides over the roller 9 and the pivot axis 10 runs forward in the guide rail 11. This part of the movement can be supported by pushing the lever 14.

A resistance of the force absorbing device 8, which can be adjusted separately for this movement part, also acts in this movement part.

By repeating the above movements, That is, by a repeated relative movement between the seat 2 and the footrest 1, depending on the setting of the resistance on the force absorption device 8, an individual training program can be carried out, in which almost all parts of the body are used, while at the same time stimulating the disabled or paralyzed Muscle areas of the legs can be activated. Such a training device can thus be used in clinics, medical practices and for the home care of patients as a training unit by means of electrostimulation and isometrics, ie training against a metered load resistance.

In Figures 3 and 4, a side view of a second embodiment of the training device according to the invention is shown, which differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 essentially in that it is not designed as a purely stationary but also as a movable device, which besides the training option also allows the disabled person to move around and thus represents a kind of wheelchair.

The embodiment of the wheelchair according to the invention shown in the drawing consists essentially of a frame R2 to R5 with a front axle and a rear axle, on which wheels A7 and A8 are attached, a seat S1 to S9, which is slidable in the longitudinal direction on the frame R2 to R5 is held, a footrest F1 to F4 in front of the seat S1 to S9, a power transmission device A2 to A6, a steering system L1 to L9, and braking devices, which are not shown in detail.

The frame R2 to R5 is formed in two parts and consists of a central tubular frame, the tubes of the two frame parts are pushed into one another and can be locked at the connection point by means of a locking screw R3, so that both a continuous longitudinal adjustment of the Frame as well as a disassembly of the wheelchair in two parts are possible.

The seat of the wheelchair essentially consists of a seat part S8 and a backrest S4, which are pivotally connected to one another, the backrest S4 being slidably arranged on its rear side via at least one roller A1, which is attached to a mounting frame R1, which is at the rear end of the frame R2 to R5 is attached. The front part of the seat part S8 is suspended in struts S9 on both sides, which are vertically adjustable at their other end at point S2 on the mounting frame R1. The seat S1 to S8 is also provided with a lap belt S5 to secure the person in the seat. In the foot area in front of the seat S1 to S8, the footrest F1 to F4 can be adjusted in angle and in the longitudinal direction on the frame R2 to R5. The footrest F1 to F4 is provided with devices, not shown, for fixing the foot of the wheelchair user so that it rests firmly on the footrest F1 to F4. The devices for fixing the feet can be designed in the form of belt or strap bindings, in particular in the manner of a cross-country ski binding. Support devices F3 serve as a footrest, a support device F4 serves to adjust the angle of the footrest F1 to F4.

At the lower end of the backrest S4, at which it is pivotally connected at point S6 to the seat part S8, at least one further roller A2 is attached, via which the seat S1 to S8 can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the wheelchair in guides, not shown. At the lower part of the backrest S4 or at the rear part of the seat part S8, a driver A3 is attached between the rollers A2, which is connected to a drive device consisting of an endless belt A4 and two belt pulleys A5, which drives the rear axle connected thereto via a drive wheel A6.

The driver A3 can in particular be a tooth element, that engages with its teeth in an external toothing, which is formed in the drive belt A4. The driver A3 can, however, also be fixedly connected to the drive belt A4 or a toothed rack which meshes with the drive wheel A6.

The drive wheel A6 is provided with a freewheel device, which is designed so that a power transmission to the driven axis only when the seat is moving in one direction, i.e. either forward or backward, while the drive wheel A6 freewheels when the seat moves in the other direction.

In the area of the hubs of the wheels A7, which are attached to the driven rear axle, manually operable and mutually independent ratchet clutches are provided which releasably connect the drive axle to the wheels A7. These couplings can consist, for example, of rotary heads which are attached to the axle and can be clamped in the hubs, as is known per se. By loosening these ratchet couplings, it is possible to use the wheelchair only as a training device without any movement, i.e. a force transmission occurs as a result of the seat movement on one of the axles. Preferably, a brake, not shown, is provided on the rear axle, which can be operated by hand and serves on the one hand as a braking device for the rear axle when driving with a wheelchair and on the other hand as a device that can exert a braking effect on the rear axle and thus a variable adjustment of the load enables that is on the rear axle when the wheelchair is only used as a training device, ie the grid couplings are released. The wheelchair user can thus variably adjust the counterforce that counteracts the movement of his seat and thus vary the training load individually.

The handlebars L1 to L4 can be pivoted back and forth, ie connected to frame R2 through R5 pivotably forward and backward by a point L4. The point L4 can be varied in the longitudinal direction of the frame R2 to R5. The handlebar L1 to L4 consists of a handlebar L1 and has in its interior or on its outside a round axis which is rotatably arranged therein and transmits the steering movement from the handlebar L1 via the handlebar bearing L2 to a rotating steering roller L3, which in turn transmits the steering movement to the front wheel L8 via, for example, Bowden cables L7, a driver L6 and a wheel holder L5.

In the upper area of the handlebars L1 to L4, movable and height-adjustable knee brackets L9 with a fixing belt L10 are provided, into which the legs of the wheelchair user can be inserted and which serve to support the leg guidance. By means of the lap belt S5, the seat of the wheelchair user is firmly connected to the seat part S8, so that together with a feed movement of the handlebars L1 to L4 by the arms, the seat part S8 is conveyed forward via the thigh pull.

On the handlebars L1 to L4 there is a single or multi-channel muscle stimulator E1, the impulses of which are transmitted via a cable E2 to electrode plates E4 which can be attached to the leg of the wheelchair user and thus act on the leg extension muscles. The muscle stimulator is triggered by pulses which are generated via pushbuttons E3 on the axially rotatable handle L1 of the handlebar, which is designed as a current regulator.

The embodiment of the wheelchair according to the invention described above works in the following way:

If a disabled person has taken a seat in seats S1 to S9, has fastened the lap belt S5 and has fastened their legs in the knee joint brackets L9 with the fixation belt L10, then they can move the weight of their upper body at the same time Support on the footrest F1 to F4 together with a feed movement of the handlebars L1 to L4, move the seat part forward via the roller A2, while the backrest S4 attached to the seat part S8 slides over the roller A1. The end position of this movement, ie the forward position of the seat S1 to S8 is shown in Fig. 3.

If necessary, by means of a stimulation with the muscle stimulator E1, the wheelchair user can extend the knee joint, so that due to the fact that his feet are supported on the footrest F1, the seat S1 to S8 on the roller A2 on the frame R2 to R5 in rail-like guides is moved backwards. With these back and forth movements of the seat S1 to S8 by rearward weight shifting of the upper body and the deflection function of the support roller A1, the driver A3 of the force transmission device A2 to A6 is moved back and forth between the positions Y and X. During part of this movement, i.e. during the movement in one direction either forwards or backwards, a driving force is applied to the driven axis, i.e. transmit the rear axle, while when the seat S1 to S6 moves in the other direction, the drive wheel A6 freewheels.

The embodiment of the wheelchair according to the invention described above thus has an integrated drive, in which the seat S1 to S8 is pushed backwards via the muscular strength of the legs of the wheelchair user, for example this movement being transmitted to the rear axle and used to advance the wheelchair. The sliding roller system A1 and A2 below and behind the movably mounted backrest S4 and the seat part S8, which is freely suspended and adjustable at its front area, enable an individual body size Adjusting the movements of the wheelchair user in the seat in order to move the seat part S8 forwards by means of a slight shift in weight of the trunk, the driven axle preferably running freely in this movement part. From this position, the push-back movement of the seat S1 to S8 and thus a forward movement of the wheelchair can take place, the acceleration or the speed being dependent on the pressure force of the legs and the coordination of the entire movement sequence.

Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the training device according to the invention, which is identical in its basic structure with the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and thus comprises a frame 3, a seat 2 and a footrest 1, which are arranged in the same way and are formed as is the case with the first embodiment.

The seat 2 consists of a backrest 4 and a seat part 5 which is pivotally connected to the backrest 4 via a pivot axis 10. Connecting elements 6, which may consist of fixed struts or elastic bands or elastic bands, are attached between the seat part 5 and the backrest part 7 of the frame 3.

The footrest 1 is provided with a lever 14 which is articulated to the footrest 1 and is connected at its front end via a component 16 to the seat part 5, which can be flexible or rigid. At the front end of the lever 14 there is a handle 15.

The third exemplary embodiment of the training device according to the invention shown in FIG. 5 differs from the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the seat part 5 of the seat 2 is formed from two parts 22, 23 which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis are interconnected. This training causes a forward movement of the seat 2 in the direction of the footrest 1, the front part 23 of the seat part 5 pivots upwards relative to the rear part 22, so that the part 22 forms a support for the buttocks of the person in the seat 2 during the Part 23 supports and guides the thighs. This training ensures better leg guidance, which is particularly important for patients with high weight and strong buttocks and for patients with long legs. The division of the seat part 5 in the manner shown in FIG. 5 provides a geometry of the seat part 5 which is not rigid but can be flexibly adapted to the respective leg conditions of the person occupying the seat 2.

As is also the case with the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a piston-cylinder arrangement 8 is arranged under the seat 2 and between the frame 3 and the seat 2, which represents a force absorption device in the form of a two-way piston-cylinder arrangement. The piston-cylinder arrangement 8 in the third embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is designed so that the point of application, i.e. the articulation point of the piston-cylinder arrangement 8 on the frame 3 can be adjusted forwards and backwards in the horizontal direction. 5 shows the course of the piston-cylinder arrangement 8 from the various points of attack on the frame 3 with the seat 2 retracted and pushed forward in dashed lines. Due to the possibility of setting the point of application of the piston-cylinder arrangement on the frame 3, the resistance of the piston-cylinder arrangement as a force absorption device can be set variably. The piston-cylinder arrangement 8 can be designed in the usual way in the form of a gas pressure spring and is articulated at its other end opposite the frame to the rear part 22 of the seat part 5.

At the back of the back 4 of the seat is one Damper device, for example in the form of a further gas pressure spring 25, is provided which holds the backrest 4 in a central position.

As is also the case with the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a counterweight 17 is provided on the lever 14, which is articulated on the footrest 1, in order to pivot the lever 14 upwards when it is not through the Person in the seat is pulled down by hand. Instead of the massive counterweight according to FIGS. 1 and 2, however, a further gas pressure spring is provided, which is arranged between the lever 14 and the bottom part of the footrest. Such a gas pressure spring causes the lever to be pushed up slowly, so that injury to the chin of the person in the seat when the lever 14 is pivoted up is excluded.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 5 also differs from the previous embodiments in that the backrest 4 does not roll on a roller on the backrest part 7, i.e. essentially always remains in connection with the backrest part 7, but that the entire seat with the vertical backrest 4 can be moved back and forth in the direction of the footrest by arranging guide parts 24 on the seat, which run in rails 11, which also in the first and second embodiments of the invention are provided. The movement of the seat thus takes place in such a way that an intermediate space is formed between the backrest 4 and the backrest part 7 of the frame 3 when the seat moves forward in the direction of the footrest. This movement of the seat 2 to the front takes place in turn by a weight shift of the upper body of the person in the seat above the roller 9 backwards, such that the pelvic region is pushed forward, which can be supported by pressing the lever 14.

The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the invention corresponds to the version of the training device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in the form of a kind of wheelchair. The fourth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the stationary exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5 with additional drive devices 19 which, during part of the movement of the seat in the direction of the footrest, transfers a drive force to wheels 20, furthermore at least a front wheel 21 is provided, via which the wheelchair can be steered. The drive devices 19 correspond to the drive devices in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Operation and operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 correspond to the function of operation of the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Claims (26)

1. Training equipment for the disabled with a frame on which a seat and at least one footrest are disposed for relative movement, characterized in that the footrest (1) is mounted firmly on the frame (3) in the foot region in front of the seat (2) and the seat (2) is supported for moving longitudinally relative to the frame (3) towards the footrest (1) and in the opposite direction, the seat (2) comprising a backrest (4), a seat portion (5) connected pivotably to the backrest (4), and connecting elements (6) disposed on either side and articulated at one end to the front portion of the seat portion (5) and at the other end to a vertical backrest portion (7) of the frame (3), and in that a device (8) is provided for absorbing forces, the force produced by a relative movement between the seat (2) and the footrest (1) being applied thereto.
2. Training equipment according to Claim 1, characterized in that the device (8) for absorbing forces consists of a pneumatic or hydraulic two-way piston-cylinder arrangement with adjustable resistance, which is mounted between the seat (2) and the frame (3).
3. Training equipment according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the backrest (4) is supported for sliding relative to the backrest portion (7) of the frame (3) by means of a roller (9), of which the vertical position on the backrest portion (7) of the frame (3) is adjustable.
4. Training equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the backrest (4) and the seat portion (5) are connected pivotably by means of a pivot pin (10), the ends of which run in lateral guide rails (11) mounted on the backrest portion (7) of the frame (3) in an angularly adjustable manner.
5. Training equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the footrest (1) comprises a foot support portion (13) which is pivotable towards the seat, and an ajustable abutment (12) which limits the pivoting movement of the foot support portion (13) relative to the seat (2).
6. Training equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a lever (14) which is articulated on the footrest (1), and of which the end facing the seat (2) is connected to the front portion of the seat portion (5) of the seat (2).
7. Training equipment according to Claim 6, characterized in that there is a releasable rigid or flexible connection (16) between the seat portion (5) and the lever (14).
8. Training equipment according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, characterized in that the opposite end of the lever (14) to the seat (2) is extended beyond the articulation point on the footrest (1) and carries a counterweight (17) on the extension.
9. Training equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the footrest (1) is adjustable longitudinally relative to the frame (3).
10. Training equipment according to Claim 6, characterized in that the lever (14) is constituted by two portions which are adjustable relative to one another telescopically.
11. Training equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat portion (5) of the seat (2) is constituted by two portions (22, 23) which are interconnected for pivoting about a horizontal transverse axis.
12. Training equipment according to Claim 1, Claim 2, or Claim 11, characterized in that a shock-absorbing device (25) is disposed on the rear side of the backrest (4) between the seat portion (5) and the backrest (4) and keeps the backrest (4) in a vertical position relative to the seat portion (5).
13. A wheelchair for the disabled, with a frame on which wheels are mounted by means of front and rear axles and on which a seat and at least one footrest are disposed for relative movement, and with a device for absorbing forces which converts the relative movement between the seat and the footrest into a driving force and applies this to at least one of the axles by means of a free-wheel device, the footrest being fixed firmly to the frame in the foot space in front of the seat, the seat comprising a backrest, a seat portion and connecting elements disposed on either side and attached at one end to the front portion of the seat portion and at the other end to a vertical backrest portion of the frame, characterized in that the seat (S1-S9) is movable longitudinally relative to the frame (R1-R5) towards the footrest (F1-F4) and in the opposite direction, the seat portion (S8) is connected pivotably to the backrest (S4), the connecting elements (S9) are articulated to the vertical backrest portion (R1) of the frame, and the seat (S1-S9) is connected to an entrainment element (A3) which is in engagement with a drive device (A4-A5) which comprises the free-wheel device and enables power to be transmitted to the driven axle only when the seat (S1-S9) moves in one direction, whereas it freewheels when the seat (S1-S9) moves in the other direction.
14. Wheelchair according to Claim 13, characterized in that the seat (S1 to S9) is supported for moving on the frame (R1 to R5) by at least one further roller (A2).
15. Wheelchair according to Claim 13 or Claim 14, characterized in that the drive device (A4, A5) is constituted by an endless chain or an endless belt (A4) which is in engagement with the entrainment element (A3) and extends around two pulleys or chain wheels (A5), a driving wheel (A6), fixed firmly to the driven axle, being mounted between the pulleys or chain wheels (A5) and driven by the endless belt or the endless chain (A4).
16. Wheelchair according to Claim 15, characterized in that the entrainment element (A3) is toothed and engages external teeth of the endless belt (4).
17. Wheelchair according to any one of Claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the seat portion (S8) is suspended on the braces (S9) and the braces (S9) are mounted on the backrest portion (R1) of the frame (R1 to R5) in a vertically adjustable manner.
18. Wheelchair according to any one of Claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the driven axle is connected releasably to the wheels (A7) in the region of the hubs of the wheels (A7) by means of hand-operable independent locking couplings.
19. Wheelchair according to any one of Claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the frame (R1 to R5) is an essentially straight central tubular frame constituted by two portions the tubes of which are disposed one within the other, at least one locking screw (R3) being provided at the interconnection.
20. Wheelchair according to any one of Claims 13 to 19, characterized by a connecting rod (L1 to L4) which can be mounted in various positions longitudinally of the wheelchair, is connected to the frame (R1 to R5) for pivoting forwards and backwards, and is also connected to the front axle.
21. Wheelchair according to Claim 20, characterized in that movable knee-joint mountings (L9) of adjustable height with fixing straps (L10) for helping to guide the legs of a person in the seat (S1 to S9) are mounted on the connecting rod (L1 to L4).
22. Training equipment according to Claim 6 or wheelchair according to Claim 21, characterized in that a muscle stimulator (E1), connected to electrode plates (E4) by means of cables (E2), is mounted on the front end of the lever (14) or on the connecting rod (L1 to L4) and is triggered by pulses generated by means of push-buttons (E3) on axially rotatable handgrips (L1, 15), designed as current-intensity regulators, of the connecting rod (L1 to L4) or of the lever (14).
23. Wheelchair according to Claim 13, characterized in that the footrest (F1 to F4) has a device for securing the feet in position.
24. Wheelchair according to Claim 23, characterized in that the device for securing the feet in position is a belt or strap binding.
25. Training equipment or wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hip belt (S5) is provided on the seat (2; S1 to S9).
26. Wheelchair according to any one of Claims 13 to 25, characterized in that the drive device is constituted by a toothed rack which is connected to the entrainment element (A3) and meshes with a drive gear fixed firmly to the driven axle.

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