ES2395533A1 - Wheelchair - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wheelchair comprising a structure (1) defining a seat area (2) limited by a rear backrest (3) and two parallel side walls (4 and 5) and has larger side wheels (6 and 7) and smaller front wheels (8). One of the larger side wheels (6) is movable with respect to the structure (1) and is assembled on said structure through two arms, one fixed arm (9) and another mobile arm (10), the fixed arm of which is integral to one of the sides of the structure (1) in horizontal position and protrudes from the rear of said structure into a portion to the end of which the mobile arm is articulated according to a vertical shaft (11) and the mobile arm (10) of which has the mobile side wheel (6) assembled on its free end and it can pivot about the articulation shaft (11).

Description

Wheelchair.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wheelchair, for people with reduced mobility conditions, constituted so as to allow the transfer or displacement of the person occupying the chair very easily, from their sitting position and maintaining the same position.

The chair of the invention is of the type comprising a structure that defines a seating area that is limited by a backrest and two parallel side walls, said carrier structure being two major side wheels and minor front wheels.

Background of the invention

Traditional wheelchairs of the type indicated are designed so that both access and lowering of the chair should always be done by the front of the chair, which requires that the person who goes up or down the chair must be incorporated, at least partially, in many cases with the help of third parties.

Description of the invention

The present invention aims to facilitate the operations of raising and lowering a wheelchair, allowing these operations to be carried out through one of the sides of the chair and without having to incorporate the person to be occupied or get off the chair.

The chair of the invention is designed so as to allow the transfer of said person to or from the chair, through one of the sides thereof, in a simple and comfortable way.

The chair of the invention is of the initially indicated type and is characterized in that one of the major lateral wheels is of fixed position, while the other major lateral wheel is movable with respect to the structure between an operative position, in which it is in parallel position and coaxial with the opposite side wheel, and an inoperative position, in which it is located behind the structure, leaving the corresponding side of the chair free. According to another feature of the invention, the side wall adjacent to this movable wheel is removable, so that the seating area can be accessible from this side, once the wall has been disassembled and the side wheel moved to its inoperative position.

The movable wheel is mounted on the structure through two arms, one fixed and the other mobile. The fixed arm is attached to one of the sides of the structure, in a horizontal position, subsequently protruding from it in a portion at whose free end the mobile arm is articulated by a vertical axis. The mobile arm is a carrier at its free end of the movable side wheel and can swing around the axis of articulation with the fixed arm, together with said side wheel, between a folded position, in which the mobile arm is externally attached to the arm fixed and the side wheel movable in parallel and coaxial position with the opposite side wheel, and an unfolded position, in which the movable arm is directed backwards, in prolongation of the fixed arm, with the movable side wheel located behind the structure .

As indicated above, the side wall adjacent to this movable wheel is removable and can be constituted by a tubular profile that forms an upper support arm and is inferiorly finished in two pipes that make up as many female elements attachable by plug in as many male elements constituted by vertical projections that protrude from the structure in confrontable positions.

The fixed and mobile arms will be provided with means to lock the mobile arm in the folded position, thus ensuring the operational or use position of the movable wheel.

The fixed and mobile arms can be constituted by as many elongated plates that are related to each other by means of an intermediate joint, whose axis is coplanar with the two plates.

With the constitution mentioned, releasing the locking means of the arms and deploying the mobile arm to the rear position, in which the movable wheel is located behind the structure, and with the consequent disassembly of the side wall adjacent to this movable wheel , there is a side of the chair completely free and accessible, to allow the transfer of a person through this side, in a simple, fast and comfortable way.

Brief description of the drawings

The attached drawings show a wheelchair constituted according to the invention and given as a non-limiting example. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows in perspective the chair of the invention in operative position, for the movement of a person.

Figure 2 is a perspective similar to Figure 1, showing the chair with one of the side walls removed and the corresponding side wheel in an inoperative position.

Figure 3 shows in perspective and deployed position the articulated arms on which one of the major lateral wheels is mounted.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, with the arms in folded position.

Detailed description of one embodiment

In figure 1 a wheelchair constituted according to the invention is shown in perspective, which comprises a structure, which is generally indicated by reference 1, which determines a seating area 2 that is limited by a backrest 3 and by side walls 4 and 5 parallel. This structure carries two major side wheels 6 and 7 and two smaller front wheels 8.

In the chair of the invention, the major side wheel 7 is of a fixed position with respect to the structure 1, while the major side wheel 6 is movable between an operating position, shown in Figure 1, in which it is in a parallel and coaxial position. with the fixed position wheel 7, and an inoperative position, shown in figure 2, in which this wheel 6 is located behind the structure 1.

In addition, in the chair of the invention, the side wall 5, adjacent to the wheel 6 of movable position, is removable, so that the seating area 2 is perfectly accessible through one of the sides of the chair, to facilitate transfer of a person to and from the seating area 2.

The movable position wheel 6 is mounted on the structure 1 through two arms 9 and 10, which may be constituted by as many elongated plates that, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4, are articulated with each other by one of its ends by a vertical axis 11.

The arm 9 is fixed to one of the sides of the structure 1, for example anchored to one of the vertical bars 12 of the structure 1 by means of jaws 13, said arm 9 protruding behind the structure 1 in a portion whose free end The arm 10 is articulated. On the other hand the arm 10 is a carrier of the movable wheel 6, which is mounted by means of its axis of rotation introduced through a hole 14 of the arm 10.

With the constitution mentioned, the movable arm 10 can swing around the articulation axis 11, together with the movable wheel 6, between a folded position, shown in figures 1 and 4, in which said movable arm 10 is attached to the fixed arm 9 and the wheel 6 located in parallel and coaxial position with the wheel 7, and an unfolded position, in which the movable arm 10 is in extension of the fixed arm 9, as shown in figures 2 and 3, with the movable wheel 6 located behind the structure 1 of the chair.

The side wall 5 can be constituted by a tubular profile that superiorly forms a support arm and is capped at its ends in tubulars 14 that form female elements that can be coupled on as many vertical facing projections 15 that protrude from the structure 1 and constitute male elements that receive the female ends or elements 14 of the arm 5 by plug.

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the arms 9 and 10 have locking means that can consist of a lug 16 that protrudes perpendicularly from the movable arm 10 and crosses the fixed arm 9, in the folded position of Figure 4, through a recess 17 presenting said fixed arm 9 from its upper edge. On the other hand, this fixed arm 9 has, immediately above the recess 17, a vertically movable fastener 18, which can be introduced into a faceable hole of the lug 16, thus preventing the deployment or tilting of the arm 10.

With the constitution mentioned, when the chair is in the position of figure 1, with the fastener 18 locked in the lug 16, the chair is in an operative position to allow the movement of a person seated on the seating area 2. When it is desired to transfer or move the person occupying the chair to another seating or resting surface, it will be sufficient to raise the fastener 8 so that the movable arm 10 is released, allowing its deployment from the position of Figure 4 to the position of figures 2 and 3, in which the wheel 6 is located behind the structure 1. Next, the profile constituting the side wall 5 is pulled upwards, until its separation from the structure 1, the side being then corresponding totally free, as shown in figure 2.

In the chair of the invention the major side wheel 7 could include the same mounting system as the major side wheel 6, then both major side wheels are movable. In this way it would not be necessary to orient the chair to facilitate access to a bed or stretcher. The chair would be of constitution and symmetrical operation.

The device consisting of two arms 9 and 10 that allow the movement of one or both

older wheels may be incorporated into the factory chair or be conceived as a separate device,

for mounting on existing wheelchairs.

Claims (4)

1.- Wheelchair, comprising a structure (1) that defines a seating area (2) limited by a backrest (3) and two parallel side walls (4 and 5), and is a carrier of larger side wheels ( 6 and 7) and of smaller front wheels (8), characterized in that one of the major lateral wheels (6) is movable with respect to the structure (1) and is mounted to said structure through two arms, one fixed (9) and another mobile (10), whose 5 fixed arm (9) is joined to one of the sides of the structure (1) in a horizontal position and subsequently protrudes from said structure in a portion to which the mobile arm (10) is articulated along a vertical axis (11); and whose movable arm (10) has the movable side wheel (6) mounted at its free end and can swing around the articulation axis (11), together with said side wheel (6), between a folded position, in which the movable arm (10) is externally attached to the fixed arm (9) and the side wheel (6) in parallel position and 10 coaxial with the opposite side wheel (7), and an unfolded position, in which the movable arm (10) is directed backwards, in prolongation of the fixed arm (9) and the side wheel (6) located behind the structure (1); and because at least the side wall (5) adjacent to the side wheel (6) is removable from the structure. 2. Chair according to claim 1, characterized in that both arms have locking means (16-18) of the mobile arm in its folded position. 3. Chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the two arms (9 and 10) are constituted by as many elongated plates, related to each other by means of an intermediate joint whose axis (11) is coplanar with said plates. 4. Chair according to claim 1, characterized in that the removable wall is constituted by a tubular profile that is inferiorly topped in two lower vertical tubing (14) attachable by plug in 20 other so many male facing vertical protrusions (15) protruding from the side corresponding structure (one). SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201130957 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 08.06.2011 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: A61G5 / 10 (2006.01) A61G7 / 10 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

X

US 4809998 A (GIRVIN ROBERT H) 03/07/1989, description; column 2, lines 14-21; column 1-4

5, lines 60-65; column 7, lines 6-21; column 7, lines 6-21; 40-68; column 8, lines 1

3. 4; figure 3.

TO

US 2002038943 A1 (KURODA SHIGERU) 04/04/2002, summary; Figures 3 -4. 1-4

TO

US 4155588 A (DANZIGER REUVEN ET AL.) 05/22/1979, summary; Figures 1 -2. 1-4

TO

US 6651946 B1 (THORNTON JANET L) 11/25/2003, figures 1 -2. 1-4

TO

DE 890856 C (SCHLADEBACH GERT) 05/13/1954, figures 1 -2. 1-4

TO

US 4606579 A (DOUGLASS JOHN) 08/19/1986, summary; Figure 1. 1-4

TO

US 4170368 A (SIMPSON CHRISTOPHER J ET AL.) 10/09/1979, summary; figure 10, 1-4

TO

US 7464949 B1 (DOWNEY JAMES R) 12/16/2008, figure 2a. 1-4

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 21.01.2013

Examiner I. Franco García Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201130957 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) A61G Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201130957 Date of Written Opinion: 21.01.2013 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-4 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-4 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201130957  1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

US 4809998 A (GIRVIN ROBERT H) 07.03.1989

D02

US 2002038943 A1 (KURODA SHIGERU) 04.04.2002

D03

US 4155588 A (DANZIGER REUVEN et al.) 05/22/1979

D04

US 6651946 B1 (THORNTON JANET L) 11.25.2003

D05

DE 890856 C (SCHLADEBACH GERT) 13.05.1954

D06

US 4606579 A (DOUGLASS JOHN) 19.08.1986

D07

US 4170368 A (SIMPSON CHRISTOPHER J et al.) 09.10.1979

D08

US 7464949 B1 (DOWNEY JAMES R) 16.12.2008

 2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The purpose of the request is a wheelchair, in which one of the major side wheels is movable with respect to the structure. The problem to be solved with this movable wheel is to allow the transfer of the user of the chair laterally and without having to change position. The closest document in the state of the art is D01. This document describes: a structure that defines a seating area limited by a backrest and two parallel side walls and is a carrier of major side wheels and minor front wheels, in which we observe that one of the major side wheels (20) is movable with respect to the structure and is mounted to said structure through two arms, one fixed (110) and another mobile (108). This fixed arm (110) is joined to one of the sides of the structure in a horizontal position and subsequently protrudes from said structure in a portion to which the movable arm (108) is articulated along a vertical axis (112). In the document at hand, the wheel swings around the articulation axis so that the externally attached movable arm stays on the fixed arm and the side wheel in parallel and coaxial position with the opposite side wheel and an unfolded position, in the which the movable arm is directed backwards, in extension of the fixed arm and the lateral wheel located behind the structure. The difference between D01 and this document is that in D01 the wheel swings around the axis of articulation but the side wheel is collected at the back of the chair, perpendicular to the position it occupies in its mode of operation. In the opinion of the undersigned, this is a mere design option and would not involve inventive effort for an expert in the field. In any case, document D05 notes this idea in its figures 1 and 2. In document D01, as in the document, it also contemplates that the lateral armrests (86) are removable from the structure, precisely to allow lateral movement of the user of the chair. Claim 2: The locking means of the movable arm in its folded position are described in the description, column 7, lines 16 to 21. They consist of the lugs 96 that fit in the grooves 94 (Figures 3 and 6). Claim 3: the two arms are constituted by as many elongated plates, related to each other by an intermediate joint whose axis is coplanar with said plates. This concrete solution has not been found in the state of the art, but it is considered obvious to one skilled in the art, since this system of joining two plates with an axis of rotation between them is known and widely used in the mechanical field. (without going any further, we have the hinge, or, sticking to the field of wheelchairs, document D04, in its figures 1 and 2. Claim 4: the removable wall is constituted by a tubular profile that is inferiorly topped in two lower vertical tubulars attachable by plug in as many vertical male protrusions protruding from the corresponding side of the structure. This coupling system is widely known. As shown, we have document D06, in its figure 1. For all the above, in the opinion of the undersigned, the application document lacks inventive activity in all of its claims (1 to 4), in accordance with the definition of Article 8 of Patent Law 11/1986. The rest of the documents cited reflect the state of the art. State of the Art Report Page 4/4