EP0827729B1 - Wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

The wheelchair has a frame with rear and front wheels (1,2), and comprises a seat (3) and a backrest (4). The frame has two parallel side panels (5) which are connected by a scissor-type member (17). Each side panel is made up of individual modules, i.e. a front frame (7), a rear frame (8) and back tubes (9) which are connected with each other. The upper and lower side tubes (11,13) of the rear frame are guided in a telescopic fashion in the upper and/or lower side tubes (10,12) of the front frame. An end tube (29) of the scissor-type member is rotatably mounted on the lower side tube (12). Seat tube supports (16) are mounted at variable opposite distances on the upper side tubes (10) of the front frame. The wheelchair has seat tubes (19) which are detachably engageable with the seat tube supports.

Description

The invention relates to a wheelchair according to the Preamble of the main claim.

Collapsible wheelchairs of the type described are out the state of the art in a wide variety of designs known. Such wheelchairs are used for wheelchair users different size and different body weight manufactured. It is particularly necessary here the seat depth, the back belt height, as well as the size and Adjust the arrangement of the wheels to the respective needs. The well-known wheelchairs are therefore in the most varied Dimensions made. This results in considerable Manufacturing costs, as a variety of different Variants have to be manufactured. Continue increasing this also increases the sales and warehousing costs. The known wheelchairs still do not allow or just a very small adjustment to the respective needs, so that a subsequent adjustment or retrofitting a well-known wheelchair is often not possible is.

The closest state of the art US 4,813,693 describes a wheelchair with a frame. This has two side frames, which over a scissor element are interconnected. The two side frames point each have a front and a rear frame, which in different assignment to each other can be assembled. The lower tail pipe of the scissor element is only over a single one Fixing element supported, it is supported on the back against vertical strut of the rear frame.

The invention has for its object a wheelchair to create the type mentioned, which with simple Structure and simple, inexpensive to manufacture can be adapted to a wide variety of requirements.

According to the invention, the object is characterized by the features of Main claim solved, the sub-claims show more advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to the invention it is thus provided that the respective side part (side frame) of the wheelchair is built up individual modules that are interconnected are. The modules include a front frame and a rear frame, which in turn each have an upper and a lower one Include side tube, which are arranged parallel to each other are. The two upper and lower side tubes are for Assembly of the front frame and the rear frame in a variable Distance can be assembled in several assignments. It is also provided that the side tubes of the rear frame each telescopically in the respective side tubes of the front frame are guided. An end pipe of the scissor element is on the lower side tube of the front frame rotatably attached or stored and by means of fixing elements held on the lower side tube of the front frame. In addition, the upper side tubes of the front frame Seat tube bearings, which are at a variable mutual distance are mounted and on which seat tubes are releasably locked can who wear a seat belt and part of the scissors element are.

The wheelchair according to the invention is characterized by a number significant benefits.

The modular structure of the side frames makes it possible to not only individual seat depth and back belt height adapt, but the overall design of the frame adapt the wheelchair to the respective needs. It there are a multitude of possible variations, which can be realized with the modular side parts are. In particular, it is not necessary to have one Many different side parts to manufacture, rather the frame is constructed from the individual module groups, which only in different assignments to be assembled to each other. So not only Position and depth of the seat belt and the back belt to the The needs of the wheelchair user are adjusted, rather it is also possible to determine the size of the wheels and their articulation areas or to select and arrange storage areas individually.

Due to the modular structure of the side parts, which the frame of the wheelchair, there is a modular concept, which also has the advantage that the Wheelchair can also be changed later. This is beneficial when the driver realizes that the one originally selected Design should be changed. Still is it is possible to use wheelchairs that are only available for a limited period of time can be used by a certain driver after the fact rebuild to adapt it to another user. These possibilities result from the state of the art Technology known wheelchairs not rigid, welded or have soldered side frames.

It is particularly favorable if the front frame and the rear frame each include an upper and a lower side tube, which are arranged parallel to each other and which for mounting the front frame and the rear frame in a variable distance in several assignments to each other are mountable. Due to the variable spacing of the front frame and the rear frame can be easily the seat depth vary. On the lower side tube can assembly the scissors are plugged in so that there is a very easy assembly of the wheelchair results. There is also a ensures a high level of structural strength, so that the wheelchair also meets the highest safety requirements Fulfills.

With regard to the connection of the upper side tubes or lower side tubes of the front frame and the rear frame it is favorable if they are telescoped into each other are led. The connection can be made using a detachable screw connection respectively. This configuration ensures simple, inexpensive installation, with no other Aids or devices are required. The side parts are in a favorable development of the invention several recesses for screwing the front frame and the rear frame and for attaching bearing elements provided for the front wheels and the rear wheels. The Recesses allow a grid-like adjustment of the individual components to each other, at the same time it is guaranteed that both side frames are mounted identically, so that the entire frame of the wheelchair is built symmetrically is. This increases the safety of use considerably.

On the side parts of the wheelchair frame are preferred Seat tube bearings attached, on which seat tubes form-fitting are stored, which carry the seat belt on the one hand and on the other hand are firmly connected to the scissors. Since the Seat tube bearings can be installed at a variable mutual distance are, the arrangement of the respective seat depth and thus adapted to the respective dimensioning of the seat belt to provide the highest level of structural strength to ensure the wheelchair. The seat tube bearings can at a predetermined distance from the front and rear end area of the front frame or the rear frame can be mounted in this way while maintaining the same Length of the seat tube an adaptation to different seat depths or to allow different lengths of the side parts.

In contrast to the constructions known from the prior art the front frame thus carries the scissor element, to which in turn the seat tubes or the seat belt are attached are. Changed when the seat depth is adjusted the distance between the rear frame and the front frame and thus also the distance between the rear frame and the scissor element. The entire frame of the wheelchair is thus reduced extended at the rear so that the front boundary of the Seat belt is not affected. This leads to a significant one Improvement of seating comfort and seat security of the wheelchair because of the position of the knees of the wheelchair user relative to the front wheels and relative to the leg supports is not changed.

You can use the seat tube to position the seat belt and / or spacers attached to extend the seat tube become. It is thus possible to have a seat tube with a predetermined Use length which is fixed with scissors connected is. Should be a seat belt with a smaller seat depth a spacer is pushed on, which is the seat belt relative to the longer seat tube positioned. Should use a seat belt with a seat depth which is longer than the seat tube, a appropriate spacer to extend the seat tube to be assembled.

Similarly, spacers on the top or lower side tubes of the front frame or the rear frame be attached to the position of the scissors fix and around the other with a greater seat depth Extend side panel. By appropriate selection and Dimensioning of the spacers results in a high degree of variability in terms of dimensioning and design of the wheelchair frame.

The back tube is preferably telescopic on or stored in the rear frame. As a result, not only can Height of the push handles are changed, rather it is on this way also possible the back belt structure or the Adjust the back belt height to the respective requirements. additionally it is for a height adjustment of the backrest thus also possible to choose a wheelchair with or without To produce lumbar kink.

The wheelchair allows the bearing element for the rear wheel in different positions to attach the rear frame, so a different Seat height relative to the rear wheel and a corresponding one Realize ground clearance. The bearing element is preferably screwed to a vertical strut of the rear frame. The bearing element is advantageously U-shaped trained and includes the vertical strut so that a results in a high degree of security against rotation and driving stability. The same applies to the bearing element of the front wheel, too this is correspondingly on a vertical strut of the front frame fixable.

A legrest is also provided on the front frame, this preferably has a legrest upper part which is pivotable about a vertical axis. The Swiveling allows the leg rest to the side the rear wheel to fold when transporting the wheelchair to realize the smallest external dimensions. Still leads the pivoting of the legrest to an easier one Getting in or out of the wheelchair. To the Legrest upper part is a non-twist in a favorable way trained telescopic tube mounted on its lower End carries a footplate. Thus, the location of the footplate exactly to the needs of the wheelchair user, for example be adapted to its lower leg length.

In addition, it is provided that on the rear frame a side part, which carries an armrest, stored is. The side part is at its rear storage area pivotable about a horizontal and a vertical axis. This is especially the side entry relieved in the wheelchair, also the side part in the folded transport state of the wheelchair can be swiveled to save space.

From the above description it follows that the invention Wheelchair both simple, inexpensive Offers the possibility of offering standard wheelchairs, as well as make an individual adjustment. Since the individual components of the modular frame can be dismantled the wheelchair can be done with little effort can be subsequently adapted or converted.

As already explained, the wheelchair according to the invention enables different seat depths, for example in one Range of 400, 430, 450 and 460 mm. Because of the different The wheel bearing elements can be attached Seat heights between 42 and 52 cm can be chosen - with additional Wheel and wheel fork variants also in this area out. It goes without saying that further operating elements, for example brakes, leg supports etc. in a wide variety of ways Arrangement and combination can be provided. The same applies to the size of the rear wheels or the front wheels, the front steering wheels can have diameters between 125 and 200 mm. Furthermore, it goes without saying that it is also possible, the seat widths of the modular wheelchair to choose differently, for example between 38 and 45 cm, this can be done by simply changing the width of the Seat belt and the scissor stay.

The manufacturing costs of the wheelchair according to the invention can in particular be reduced in that the individual, modular Components are manufactured separately, making the Manufacture of the wheelchair variants only through assembly he follows.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Rollstuhls,

Fig. 2

eine vereinfachte Seiten-Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Seitenteils im demontierten Zustand,

Fig. 3

eine Seiten-Ansicht, ähnlich Fig. 2, im teil-montierten Zustand,

Fig. 4

eine vergrößerte Detail-Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Sitzrohrlagers,

Fig. 5

eine vergrößerte Teil-Ansicht des Hinterrahmens,

Fig. 6 bis 8

vereinfachte Teil-Ansichten des Seitenteils in unterschiedlichen Montagevarianten,

Fig. 9 und 10

eine verdeutlichende, ähnliche Darstellung wie Fig. 5, wobei unterschiedliche Befestigungsmöglichkeiten des Lagerelements für das Hinterrad gezeigt sind,

Fig. 11

eine vergrößerte Detail-Ansicht eines vorderen Sitzrohrlagers des komplett entfalteten Rollstuhles,

Fig. 12 bis 14

verschiedene Detail-Ansichten des Seitenteils in unterschiedlichen Schwenkpositionen,

Fig. 15 bis 19

verschiedene Detail-Ansichten der Beinstützen in unterschiedlichen Verschwenk- und Montagepositionen,

Fig. 20

eine vereinfachte Seitenansicht eines Teils der erfindungsgemäßen Beinstütze,

Fig. 21

eine stirnseitige Ansicht der in Fig. 20 gezeigten Beinstütze,

Fig. 22

eine Schnittansicht längs der Linie A-A von Fig. 20,

Fig. 23

eine Detail-Seitenansicht der in den Fig. 20 und 21 gezeigten Beinstütze unter Darstellung insbesondere des Bedienungshebels, und

Fig. 24

eine Schnittansicht der in Fig. 23 gezeigten Anordnung.

The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

a side view of a wheelchair according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a simplified side view of a side part according to the invention in the disassembled state,

Fig. 3

3 shows a side view, similar to FIG. 2, in the partially assembled state,

Fig. 4

2 shows an enlarged detailed view of a seat tube bearing according to the invention,

Fig. 5

an enlarged partial view of the rear frame,

6 to 8

simplified partial views of the side part in different installation variants,

9 and 10

5 shows a clarifying illustration, similar to FIG. 5, different mounting options of the bearing element for the rear wheel being shown,

Fig. 11

an enlarged detail view of a front seat tube bearing of the completely unfolded wheelchair,

12 to 14

different detailed views of the side part in different swivel positions,

15 to 19

different detailed views of the leg supports in different pivoting and mounting positions,

Fig. 20

a simplified side view of part of the legrest according to the invention,

Fig. 21

10 shows an end view of the leg support shown in FIG. 20,

Fig. 22

20 shows a sectional view along the line AA from FIG. 20,

Fig. 23

a detailed side view of the legrest shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, showing in particular the operating lever, and

Fig. 24

a sectional view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 23.

In Fig. 1 is a side view of an inventive Shown wheelchair. This includes two rear wheels 1 and two steerable front wheels 2, each on a side part 5 are stored. Furthermore, a seat 3 and a backrest 4 provided with the usual upholstery can be occupied. At the top of the backrest 4 push handles 24 are formed. The other components, such as leg supports, braking devices, wheel covers etc. are known from the prior art, so that descriptions in this regard are dispensed with can.

2 and 3 show the structure in an enlarged view of the side parts 5. These consist of a Front frame 7 and a rear frame 8. The front frame 7 comprises a vertical strut 25 on which a upper side tube 10 and a lower side tube 12 attached are. There is thus an essentially U-shaped one Construction. The rear frame 8 comprises a vertical strut 26, on which in turn an upper side tube 11 and a lower side tube 13 are attached. The lower side tube 13 is extended at the rear and forms an entrance tube 27th

Furthermore, a scissor element (scissors) is on the side part 5 17 stored, which comprises two struts around one Axis of rotation 28 are pivotally connected to one another. each the struts of the scissors 17 are firmly connected to an end pipe 29, which in turn is pivotable on the lower side tube 12 or 13 is stored. Each of the scissor stays 17 carries at its upper end a seat tube 19, which with a Recording slot is provided (see Fig. 4), in which an edge region of a seat belt 18 can be suspended. The Seat belt 18 thus forms the seat surface 3 the scissors 17 two auxiliary scissors, which, as from the State of the art are known, built and a tilting of the Side parts 5 in the folded state of the wheelchair prevent. There is no description of the auxiliary scissors, since these are known from the prior art.

Fig. 2 also shows that in the vertical tubular Strut 26 of the rear frame 8 a back tube 9 can be inserted is wearing a back belt, not shown, which in turn forms the backrest 4.

2 and 3 illustrate that the side part 5 from the Front frame 7, the rear frame 8 and the back tube 9 constructed is, with a variety of mounting recesses are provided in order to be able to vary the mutual position. So is a telescopic adjustment of the top and lower side tubes 10 to 13 the distance between the two vertical struts 25 and 26 and thus the seat depth adjustable. Furthermore, by moving the back tube 9 in the vertical strut 26 the height of the backrest and the back belt can be varied.

3 further shows that on the upper side tube 10th or 11 seat tube bearings 16 are attached, in which, as in Fig. 4 shown, the seat tube 19 is form-fitting. The seat tube bearings 16 are connected to the upper side tube 10 or 11 firmly connected, while the seat tube 19 releasably latched to fold up the wheelchair if necessary.

As shown in Fig. 1, the front wheels 2 and Rear wheels 1 each via bearing elements 15 and 14 with the Side part 5 connected. 5 shows an enlarged view Representation of the rear area of the rear frame 8 as well a schematic representation of a bearing element 14 for a Rear wheel. In total there are four positions in FIG Attachment of the bearing element 14 shown which the different Variants for setting the axis of rotation of the Explain rear wheel 1.

6 to 8 show different assembly examples with Seat depths of 400, 430 and 450 mm. The one shown in Fig. 6 The standard seat depth of 430 mm is achieved by assembling the Front frame and the rear frame 7, 8 (see Fig. 2 and 3) realized. This is a distance between the two struts 25, 26 set in a dimension of 470 mm, the scissors with its tail pipe 29 pushed onto the lower side pipes 12, 13 and adjusted in position by means of fixing elements 30. The seat belt extends over the entire length of the seat tube 19 and thus results in a seat depth of 430 mm.

In contrast to this is for the seat depth shown in FIG. 7 450 mm the seat tube 19 is extended by a spacer 21, so that a lower seat belt can be installed. There are also spacers 22, 23 between the front frames 7 and the rear frame 8 fitted by a distance of Realize 500 mm between the struts 25, 26.

Should achieve a lower seat depth of, for example, 400 mm become (Fig. 8) so the front frame 7 and Rear frame 8 constructed analogously to FIG. 6, on the front area however, a spacer 20 is attached to the seat tube 19, which prevents the seat belt 18 from sliding forward.

9 and 10 show the attachment in a detailed view of the bearing element 14 on the respective vertical strut 26 of the rear frame 8. As can be seen from the figures, the vertical strut 26 has a plurality of recesses, through which screw connections are possible. The bearing element 14 is U-shaped and engages around the strut 26, see above that there is a stable and torsionally rigid connection. Several recesses are made in the bearing element 14, in which either a bearing bush 39 for the Rear wheel 1 can be used. That way it's additional to the adjustment of the bearing bush 14 to the strut 26 again possible to adjust the position of the rear wheel axle vary.

Alternatively, the bearing element 14 through a perforated plate and a front vertical strut are replaced, whereby the range of required wheel positions can be expanded is.

11 shows the seat tube bearing in an enlarged detail view 16. This is open upwards in a U-shape, so that the seat tube 19 can be locked and fixed in this way can. The seat tube bearings 16 are made of glass fiber reinforced, for example Made of plastics.

Fig. 11 further shows that in one piece with the seat tube bearing 16 a bearing sleeve 40 is formed, in which a bolt 41 one shown in Figs. 12 to 14 in detail Side part 37 can be inserted and locked.

12 to 14 show in different pivot positions the already mentioned side part 37, which has an armrest 36 wearing. The side part 37 is a bearing 42, which on rear area of the rear frame 8 is arranged so pivotable, that from the position of use shown in Fig. 12, in which the bolt 41 is received in the bearing sleeve 40 and fixed, a pivoting around a horizontal Axis is possible (see Fig. 13). After the full Swinging up the side part 37 can this one vertical axis can be pivoted behind the backrest 4 (Fig. 14).

15 to 24 each show different views the legrest 31. This includes an upper legrest part 32, which is in the form of a curved tube is trained. At the upper end of the legrest upper part 32, a vertical journal 43 is attached, which allows pivoting about a vertical axis 44. The bearing pin 43 is in the vertical strut 25 of the Front frame 7 releasably insertable (see in particular Fig. 16 and 17). The legrest 31 can thus be pivoted laterally on the one hand about getting into a wheelchair to facilitate, on the other hand in a transport position reduce the external dimensions.

An operating part 45 is also attached to the leg support 31, which supports an operating lever 33. This is pivotable about an axis 46. Fig. 24 shows that a Swiveling the operating lever 33 to a displacement a spring-loaded pin 47 leads. The bolt 47 is in a recess on the vertical strut 25 of the Front frame 7 attached locking block 48 can be inserted, to pivot the legrest 31 in this way prevent.

On the legrest upper part 32 there is also a telescopic tube 34 stored, which with a polygonal, for example hexagonal cross section is provided to prevent twisting to prevent (see Fig. 22). About set screws 49 can the telescopic position of the telescopic tube 34 is continuously adjusted become. The telescopic tube 34 carries on its lower End area a foot plate 35 which can be pivoted in the usual way is.

The legrest therefore has the advantage that it can be unlocked in any position, the unlocking is done in the simplest way by pivoting the operating lever 33. This is loop-shaped and therefore easy to operate even for the disabled, still it protrudes laterally (see Fig. 21), so that it is special is easy to grasp. Easy intervention and pulling thus leads to a pivoting of the operating lever 33. As the figures, in particular FIGS. 15 to 19, show the legrest swivels both inwards and outwards and be removed in the simplest way.

The invention is not based on the embodiment shown limited, rather arise within the scope of the invention diverse options for modification and modification.

In summary, the following can be stated:

The invention relates to a wheelchair with a Frame on which rear wheels 1 and front wheels 2 are mounted and which have a seat 3 and a backrest 4 carries, the frame two mutually parallel side parts 5 includes which for folding the wheelchair in their mutual distance can be changed and by means of a scissor element 17 are connected to each other, wherein the side part 5 from individual modules is constructed.

Claims (9)

1. A wheelchair having a frame, on which rear wheels (1) and front wheels (2) are mounted and which bears a seat surface (3) and also a backrest (5),
   wherein the frame comprises two mutually parallel side parts (5), which to collapse the wheelchair can be altered with respect to their mutual spacing and are connected to each other by means of a scissor member (17),
   wherein each side part (5) is constructed from individual modules comprising a front frame (7), a rear frame (8) and back tubes (9), which are connected to one another in each case,
   wherein the front frame (7) and the rear frame (8) in each case comprise an upper (10, 11) and a lower (12, 13) side tube, which are disposed mutually parallel,
   and wherein, to assemble the front frame (7) and the rear frame (8) with a variable spacing, the two upper (10, 11) and the two lower (12, 13) side tubes can be mounted in several relationships to one another, in each case by the upper side tubes (11) of the rear frames (8) being telescopically guided in the upper side tubes (10) of the front frames (7) and also the lower side tubes (13) of the rear frames (8) being telescopically guided in the lower side tubes (12) of the front frames (7),
   and wherein on the lower side tubes (12) of the front frame (7) the scissor member (17) is in each case pivoted by an end tube (29) and is supported thereon by means of a fastening element (30),
   and wherein on the upper side tubes (10, 12) seat tube bearings (16) are in each case mounted with variable spacing, in which seat tubes (19) are retained, which are connected to the scissor member (17) and are disposed parallel to the side tubes (10, 12), and which bear a seat belt (18),
   characterised in that the end tubes (29) are supported in each case at both ends by the fastening elements (30) only on the side tubes of the front frames (7) and the seat tube bearings (16), in which the seat tubes (19) can be retained by latching, are supported only on the front frames (7).
2. A wheelchair according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that the seat tube bearings (16) can be mounted in each case spaced from the front and the rear end region of the front frame (7).
3. A wheelchair according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that in each case the seat belt (18) can be positioned by means of a spacer (20) on the seat tube (19) and/or the seat tube (19) is lengthened by a spacer (21).
4. A wheelchair according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
   wherein each front frame (7) in each case comprises bearing means for a leg support (31) having a swivel bearing with a substantially vertical swivel axis, on which a leg support top part (32) is mounted, which is to be fixed by a releasable detent mechanism in a driving position and in a transport position respectively next to the adjacent rear wheel (1),
   wherein the swivel bearing for the top part (32) of the leg support is formed via a vertical strut (25) of the front frame (7), which connects the upper and the lower side tubes (10, 2) to one another.
5. A wheelchair according to Claim 4,
   characterised in that the releasable detent mechanism comprises an operating lever (33) in the form of a closed engagement.
6. A wheelchair according to one of Claims 4 or 5,
   characterised in that the top part (32) of the leg support is connected to a telescopic tube (34), the lower region of which bears a foot plate (35), in which the telescopic tube (34) is continuously adjustable.
7. A wheelchair according to Claim 6,
   characterised in that the telescopic tube (34) is provided with an inner profile to prevent twisting.
8. A wheelchair according to Claim 4,
   characterised in that a pivot head bearing for the front wheel (2) is also provided on the vertical strut (25).
9. A wheelchair according to one of Claims 1 - 8,
   wherein a side part (37) bearing an armrest (36) is disposed laterally on the frame in each case, which side part is held by means of a releasable latching device in the region of the front frame (7), wherein at its rear region the side part (37) is pivoted on the rear frame (8) around a vertical and a horizontal axis and the front region of which is latchably mounted on the front frame (7).

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