EP4243753A1

EP4243753A1 - Wheelchair with a shock-absorbing seat

Info

Publication number: EP4243753A1
Application number: EP21799305.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Annabelle COSTIOU; Gilles DESCAMPS; Valérian FORQUET; Olivier Koch; Julien PANSIOT
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-11-10
Filing date: 2021-11-08
Publication date: 2023-09-20
Also published as: CN116744883A; FR3115980A1; WO2022101114A1; FR3115980B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheelchair (100) comprising: a frame (1); a seat support (3) movable on the frame (1); and shock-absorbing means (4) disposed between the seat support (3) and the frame (1), characterised in that the shock-absorbing means (4) are distributed in three different areas arranged to form a support base link between the seat support (3) and the frame (1).

Description

Wheelchair with cushioned seat

The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of equipment for people with reduced mobility.

More specifically, the invention relates to a wheelchair of the type comprising at least three wheels, including two side wheels and at least one central, front or rear wheel.

The range of wheelchairs is now very wide to meet different conditions of use and also aesthetic choices, corresponding for example to the personality of the user, with possibilities of general appearance either traditional or modern.

We can distinguish two main families of wheelchairs, namely:

- so-called transfer or transport chairs;

- armchairs designed for sporting activities.

In the category of transfer or transport wheelchairs, these have one of the most conventional general structures, in terms of comprising a support frame with two rear wheels and two front directional wheels (the rear wheels traditionally being of one diameter significantly greater than that of the front wheels), the chassis carrying a seat and a backrest.

Of course, many accessories can be offered to ensure different functionalities and/or improve user comfort.

As mentioned previously, many variations of these armchairs are available, including, for example:

- "shell" wheelchairs;

- specific armchairs for bathrooms and toilets;

- wheelchairs for obese people;

- wheelchairs for people of small stature;

- electric wheelchairs;

- wheelchairs with reclining backs;

- upright wheelchairs; Combined or not with one of the armchairs listed above, some of these armchairs are designed to offer comfort of use to their users.

For this, the armchairs are, for example, equipped with damping systems which make it possible to limit the effect of the roughness of the ground on which the armchairs are moved.

Thus, when the wheelchairs move on a rough road, their occupant does not feel or hardly feels the roughness present on his road.

There are mainly two types of damping systems:

- the damping systems inserted between the chassis and the wheels;

- the damping systems inserted between the frame and the seat.

Damping systems inserted between the frame and the seat are known in particular from patent documents published under the numbers WO 2016/059656, US 6 979 010 or CA 2 307 143.

The known damping systems inserted between the frame and the seat, although improving comfort for users, can still be improved.

Indeed, it is common for the seats to be inclined in relation to the ground on which the wheelchair rests.

Therefore, the user, if he wants to maintain a good position, must counter the bad orientation of the seat. This can then cause discomfort for the user.

In order to counter this discomfort, the user must then provide abnormal physical efforts, which can eventually tire them.

In the worst case, these abnormal physical efforts can lead to injuries or musculoskeletal disorders for the user.

In addition, the known damping systems are generally complex and require a significant amount of time for their installation and their maintenance.

Finally, the known damping systems do not allow the wheelchair to be used both for transport and the practice of physical activities, in particular because of at least its weight, its size or his discomfort during rapid and brutal movements during the practice of sports activities.

The object of the invention is in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, the aim of the invention is to provide a wheelchair having a seat cushioning system which does not require any effort to adapt to the user.

The invention also aims to provide such a wheelchair which is suitable both for transporting a person and for practicing sports activities.

The invention also aims to provide such a wheelchair whose damping system is simple to install and maintain.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a wheelchair comprising:

- a chassis ;

- a movable seat support on the chassis;

- damping means inserted between the seat support and the frame, in which the damping means are divided into three distinct zones arranged to form a support-plan type connection between the seat support and the frame, characterized in that each elastic stud is in the form of a sphere, and in that the damping means also comprise a central stud located between the three distinct zones, the central stud having a spherical shape.

Thanks to the damping means, the comfort of use is increased for the occupant of the wheelchair.

Indeed, the presence of the connection of the support-plan type by the three distinct zones ensures good stability of the seat support in almost all circumstances. As explained below, the damping means ensure the damping and therefore the comfort of the occupant on uneven ground, as well as the freedom of movement of lateral and axial inclination permitted of the seat support with respect to the frame. .

Thus, when the seat support is tilted in relation to the frame, the three distinct zones remain in contact with each of the frame and the seat support, which guarantees the stability of the seat support.

The spherical shape allows the elastic studs to be able to damp the movement of the seat regardless of its inclination in relation to the frame. More specifically, the spherical shape guarantees damping even when the seat support is tilted since the spheres work simultaneously in compression and in expansion.

The central stud forms a pivot point of the seat support on the frame, which promotes the movement of the seat and therefore its inclination to follow the movements of the wheelchair occupant.

This improves the comfort of the wheelchair.

The spherical shape allows the central stud to act as a ball joint to guide and facilitate the inclination of the seat support in relation to the frame.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the damping means comprise three elastic studs each forming one of the distinct zones.

The elastic blocks thus deform elastically according to the force exerted on the seat.

For example, when the wheelchair travels over uneven ground, the seat support can move relative to the frame while being cushioned by at least one of the elastic studs, which benefits the comfort of the occupant.

The elastic studs allow freedom of movement of lateral and axial inclination of the seat support in relation to the frame.

Advantageously, the damping means also comprise an abutment device for movement of the seat support relative to the chassis. This stop device makes it possible to limit the movement of the seat support relative to the frame, in particular their relative spacing.

Comfort is then improved since the movement of the seat is limited, thus avoiding an excessive undulation effect of the seat.

Preferably, the central pad is located at an equal distance from each of the distinct zones.

Such an arrangement of the central stud offers a good distribution of the forces on each of the elastic studs.

Indeed, contrary to a misalignment of the central stud with respect to one or more of the elastic studs, the location of the central stud at equal distance from each of the elastic studs makes it possible to avoid unequal wear of the elastic studs, in particular because of unequal solicitation.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the central stud is located directly above the center of gravity of a seat of the wheelchair.

By this location of the central stud, the inclination of the seat support on the frame is facilitated and the comfort of the occupant is thereby improved since the pivot point of the seat support on the frame and the center of gravity of the seat are plumb with each other and that there is no torque resisting movement of the seat support.

Preferably, at least one of the frame and of the seat support has a plurality of housings in each of which is received one of the elastic studs and/or the central stud.

The housings ensure correct positioning of the elastic studs and the central stud to promote cushioning of the seat support.

Furthermore, when the seat support moves away from the frame, it creates a space allowing the displacement of the elastic studs and of the central stud. The presence of the housings allows that, when the seat support covers a rest position (position in which the studs and the central stud are in contact with both the seat support and the frame), the studs and the central stud are correctly positioned to provide the desired damping. According to another advantageous embodiment, the frame comprises:

- a central plate, and

- at least three legs each having a lower end carrying at least one wheel and an upper end connected to the frame, the legs each being mounted articulated in rotation on the central plate, and the wheelchair also comprises, for each leg, at least one damper secured to one of the leg and to the central plate, the damper producing damping of the inclination of the leg with respect to the central plate.

The presence of the three legs gives the chair good stability and easier access to rough roads or to the practice of sports than chairs with four support points on the ground.

Combined with the cushioning of the seat support, the use of such a wheelchair ensures comfortable movement and sports practice.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a wheelchair according to the invention, the chair comprising a frame, a movable seat support on the frame, and damping means interposed between the seat support and frame;

- Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view from above of the damping means of the wheelchair according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a schematic sectional representation of the damping means of the wheelchair according to the invention;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the frame of the wheelchair according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a wheelchair 100 according to the invention is shown. The wheelchair 100 is of the type comprising:

- A frame 1;

- at least three legs 2, extending from the frame 1 and each having a lower end 20 carrying at least one wheel 200, each leg 2 having an upper end 21 connected to the frame 1 and

- a seat A.

As shown in figures 1 and 5, the 100 chair has:

- two 2L side legs,

- at least one central leg 2C.

Referring to Figure 1, the side legs 2L each carry a side wheel 22, and the central leg 2C carries at least one directional wheel 23.

More specifically, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the central leg 2C carries a hanger 230 provided with a directional wheel 23 at each of its ends.

The legs 2, and in particular at least the side legs 2L, are mounted on the frame 1 so as to be able to occupy two distinct configurations, namely:

- A rolling configuration in which the legs 2 occupy an inclined position in which their lower ends 20 have a spacing between them greater than that between their upper ends 21 (Figure 1);

- A folded configuration, not shown, in which the lateral legs 2L and the central leg 2c are pivoted and grouped in the vicinity of each other.

According to the principle of the invention, the frame 1 comprises a central plate 10 on which the lateral legs 2L are each mounted articulated around a joint 11. Thus, the lateral legs 2L are movably mounted on the central plate 10 around the joint 11 between their rolling configuration and their folded configuration. Advantageously, the central leg 2C is also mounted articulated on the central plate 10 via a central articulation 12.

The seat A incorporates a seat support 3 by which the seat A is secured to the frame 1 .

According to a variant embodiment not shown, the seat support 3 is attached to the seat A.

To improve its comfort of use, the wheelchair 100 includes 4 damping means.

The damping means 4 are inserted between the seat A and the frame 1.

More specifically, the damping means 4 are inserted between the seat support 3 and the central plate 10.

In reference 2 and 3, the damping means 4 are divided into three distinct zones.

The three distinct zones are arranged to form a support-plan type connection between the seat support 3 and the frame 1 .

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the damping means comprise three elastic studs 41 each forming one of the distinct zones.

Still according to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, each elastic stud 41 is in the form of a sphere.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the damping means 4 also include a central stud 42 located between the three distinct zones.

The central stud 42 has a spherical shape.

By its spherical shape, the central stud 42 acts as a ball joint making it easier to move the seat support 3 on the central plate 10 of the chassis 1.

The seat A can thus follow the movement of the occupant of the wheelchair 100 on uneven ground. Furthermore, the elastic studs 41 of the damping system 4 softens the movements of the seat A, which increases comfort for the occupant.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the central stud 42 is located at an equal distance from each of the distinct zones.

In a variant embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the central block 42 is located directly above the center of gravity of the seat A or the center of gravity of the seat and its occupant.

For example, when a person is sitting on a seat, his center of gravity is located in front of him and not under him as such.

Thus, the center of gravity of the assembly comprising the seat A and the user, acts orthogonally on the damping means and the degrees of freedom of the seat pivots are authorized and/or braked in an optimal manner.

The elastic studs 41 and/or the central stud 42 can be solid, or have a cavity whose air pressure ensures the rigidity of the damping. The air pressure conferred by the volume of the cavity can therefore be adjusted according to the desired damping flexibility.

Preferably, the damping means 4 also comprise a stop device 5 for displacement of the seat support 3 relative to the frame 1.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the stop system 5 comprises at least one screw 51 having a head 52, as well as a nut 53.

The screw 51 is mounted through one of the elastic studs 41 and the head 52 is housed in a cavity 31 of the seat support 3.

The screw 51 thus passes through the seat support 3, the elastic stud 41 and the central Latin 10. The nut 53 is housed in a recess 101 made in the central plate 10.

The recess 101 has a rounded portion allowing movement of the nut 53 depending on the position taken by the seat support 3 with respect to the central plate 10.

In other words, when the seat support 3 tilts relative to the central plate 10 following the movement of the occupant, the screw 51 and the nut 53 can move in the recess 101, which allows the elastic stud 41 to be crushed independently of the other elastic studs 41, thus promoting comfort for the occupant.

The abutment device 5 can advantageously comprise a screw 51 and a nut 53 for each of the elastic studs 41 .

As a variant not illustrated in the figures, the abutment device 5 may comprise at least one strap instead of the screws 51.

In this case, the stop device 5 advantageously comprises three straps regularly spaced from each other on the periphery of the seat support 3.

Each strap is then fixed to the seat support 3 by one of its ends and to the central plate 10 by the other of its ends.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, at least one of the frame 1 and the seat support 3 has a plurality of housings 6 in each of which is received one of the elastic studs 41 and / or the central stud 42.

The housings 6 make it possible to house the elastic studs 41 and/or the central stud 42 in order to promote the operation of the damping means 4.

In other words, despite the movement of the seat support 3 relative to the central plate 10, and in particular their relative spacing which releases the elastic studs 41 and the central stud 42, the latter remain in an effective position to allow the damping of the seat support 3 when it returns to an initial position.

Claims

1. Wheelchair (100) comprising:

- a frame (1);

- a seat support (3) movable on the frame (1);

- damping means (4) interposed between the seat support (3) and the frame (1), in which the damping means (4) are divided into three distinct zones arranged to form a support-type connection -plan between the seat support (3) and the frame (1), characterized in that each elastic stud (41) is in the form of a sphere and in that the damping means (4) comprise also a central stud (42) located between the three separate areas, the central stud (42) having a spherical shape.

2. Wheelchair (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping means (4) comprise three elastic studs (41) each forming one of the distinct zones.

3. Wheelchair (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping means (4) also comprise a stop device (5) in displacement of the seat support (3) relative to the chassis (1).

4. Wheelchair (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central stud (42) is located equidistant from each of the distinct zones.

5. Wheelchair (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central stud (42) is located directly above the center of gravity of a seat (A) of the wheelchair (100).

6. Wheelchair (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the frame (1) and the seat support (3) has a plurality of housings (6) in each of which receives one of the elastic studs (41) and/or the central stud (42).

7. Wheelchair (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (1) comprises:

- a central plate (10), and

- at least three legs (2) each having a lower end (20) carrying at least one wheel (R) and an upper end (21) connected to the frame (1), the legs (2) each being mounted articulated in rotation on the central plate (10), and in that the wheelchair (100) also comprises, for each leg (2), at least one shock absorber secured to one of the leg (2) and to the central plate (10) , the damper producing a damping of the inclination of the leg (2) with respect to the central plate (10).