WO1995014454A1

WO1995014454A1 - Stair-vehicle for the transportation of wheelchair with customer up and down stairs

Info

Publication number: WO1995014454A1
Application number: PCT/DK1994/000439
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frankie Thomsen
Original assignee: Frankie Thomsen
Priority date: 1993-11-26
Filing date: 1994-11-24
Publication date: 1995-06-01
Also published as: DK132893D0

Abstract

The machine transports wheel chairs with the client up and down stairs. The strapping of the wheel chair is performed partly through the 'gripflex' of the machine and partly by means of the adjustable stop. The 'gripflex' is adjustable to all known wheel chairs. Furthermore, the special stop is noticable. It is placed, so that the back wheel of the wheel chair is kept in the best position for the strapping, which means that the stop can be moved back and forth. Two sets of wheels, each with triple wheels, makes transportation up and down stairways more smooth. As safety equipment, a special ergonomic designed neck support is mounted, just as the safety belt is standard mounted and used for strapping of the client during transportation. The operation is divided into two sections. One section is the steering box, from which the passive operation is performed, such as contact/button functions, which not immediately starts up the machine, but decides direction, speed and connection of charging equipment. The other section is the steering handle, from which the active operation takes place, such as starting the machine, using the contacts mounted on the steering handle, easily operated during transportation. This gives an optimal grip on the machine.

Description

STAIR-VEHICLE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF WHEELCHAIR WITH CUSTOMER UP AND DOWN STAIRS

This invention concerns a vehicle, by means of which a person can move a weight up or down a stairway, as well as transportating a wheel chairs up and down stairs.

This special construktion regards partly the special way, in which the machine moves up and down stairs and partly the unik bar arrangement for strapping the wheelchair down.

Last, but not the least important, the machine has an extended security system regarding both the transportation, but also regarding the strapping system.

Motorized machines like FR-PS 1.310.268, DE-OS 32 42 880 and

WO-OS 86/5752 are known to move on stairs. They are provided with six wheels, which are placed in each end of an axle. As the motor turns this axle, the machine goes op and down stairs, supported by a person, who is holding on to the handles of the machine. The machine transports the weight just like a wheel barrow.

The disadvantage of above mentioned machines is, that they are not fit for carrying wheel chairs.

From the GB-PA 2,126,540 is known to go up and down stairs. The wheel chair is provided with 2 axles each with a 6-wheel arrangement, like the above mentioned machine and is operated by the user himself.

The disadvantage of this wheel chair is, that it is only fit for straight stairways.

By this new invention a machine is created, which can transport wheel chairs and client on stairways, over steps and other bumps. This machine does not have abovementioned disadvantages. It is especially made for a secure transportation of wheelchairs on stairs ( total weight of 180 kg).

With reference to the illustrations below, a more specified decription follows on the next pages. The following parts are decribed below:

1. Chassis

2. Driving Shaft

3. Transmission

4. Gear box

5. Motor

6. Accumulator

7. Steering box

8. Steering handles

9. Stop

10. Floor board

11. Gripflex

12. Neck support

13. Strap

The chassis (1) holds on to the parts mentioned below.

The driving shaft (2) lead the wheelchair machine up and down stairs.

The motive power is transferred by a double chain on to the cogwheel, which is mounted on the axle. The axle is mounted in front and at the bottom of the massive chassis-frame in a fitting, which has roller bearings. The fitting is fastened to the chassis by 4 bolts. In each end of the axle, 2 triangular plates are fastened. In between these, massive rubberwheels are mounted in each corner of the plates. This special construction, using 2 sets of triple wheels does, that the machine easily force steps.

The transmission (3) transfer the motive power from the motor to the gear box and from here to the driving shaft.

The transmission is posible because of 2 double chains, one going from the motor to the gear box and the other from the gearbox to the driving shaft.

The gearbox (4) transfers the motive power from the motor effeciantly to the driving shaft.

The gearbox works like a exchange between motor and driving shaft.

The motor (5) produces the motive power for the machine.

The motor can change direction of rotation and pass on the motive power through a double cogwheel. The motor is provided with electromagnetic brakes.

The accumulator (6) delivers electricity to the electrical parts.

The accumulator has a capacity that makes it possible to use the stair vehicle for longer periods of time.

The steering box (7) coordinates the machinery and the electrical parts.

The oblique steering box is made out of aluminium and mounted with:

A charging plug - used when the accumulator has to be recharged. A control lamp - showing when the electricity is on. A tipping contact - indicating whether the stair vehicle has to go up or down.

A regulator - deciding the speed when going down.

The steering box has a built in "bipper", which starts, when the capacity of the accumulator is getting too low.

The steering handle (8) gives a firm and secure grip on the stair vehicle, when starting and stopping it. The steering handle is mounted with 2 tubes going down to the chassies.

A vertical adjustment is possible, for the person working with the stair vehicle.

To make the chassis clasp on to the 2 tubes of the steering handle, two wingbolts are used.

Both the steering handles are provided with a spring contact. By simultaneously pressing the contacts and pulling back at the steering wheel, the stair vehicle tips to the desired angle. The right contact activates the motor, when going UP.

Going DOWN - this contact works as a break. Pressing the left contact when going down, makes the stair vehicle force the "dead center" of the steps.

The wheel stop (9), stops the back wheel of the wheel chair.

The stops are adjustable back and forth (horizontal) and mounted at the bottom of each side of the chassis.

The floor- board (10) "carry" the back wheels of the wheel chair.

The board consists of a rifled aluminium plate, mounted on a frame of tubes. It is detachable with NO use of tools.

The "gripflex" (11) straps down the wheel chair.

The "gripflex" consists of adjustable arms, which can be locked by means of a springpin snapping down into the bored wholes in the arms. "Gripflex" can move both back and forth, sideways, as well as in and out. Furthermore, the arm that holds on to the wheel chair are adjustable, this way the "gripflex" fits most types of wheel chairs.

The neck supporter (12) supports the head/neck of the client during transportation.

The cushion is mounted on a ball bearing, giving a maximum of adjustability. The ball bearing is mounted horizontal on a square-tube, which is adjustable back and forth in a slide fastened by a bolt. This slide is part of the vertical and also adjustable square-tube. A clip-fitting mounted on the chassis makes this adjustment possible.

The strap (13) straps down the client during transportation.

Approved material is used for straps and strapping snaps. The strap is mounted with bolts on each side of the chassis.

The machine transports wheelchairs with client up and down stairs. The motor is characterised by being extra powerful. Therefore, it is possible to carry a considerable weigh. It can change the direction of rotation and pass through the motive power through a double cogwheel. The motor is provided with electromagnetic brakes.

The motive power is by a double-chain transferred to the cogwheel, mounted on the axle. The axle is mounted in front and at the bottom of the massive chassis-frame in a roller bearing fitting. The fitting is fastened to the chasis by 4 bolts. In each end of the axle, 2 triangular plates are fastened. In between these in each corner, a massive rubber wheel is mounted.

The construction is characterized by 2 sets of triple wheels, which enable the machine to force steps more smothly than other models. Transmission is possibel, because of 2 double chains, one going from the motor to the gear box and the other from the gear box to the driving shaft. The gear box works as an exchange between motor and driving shaft.

The machine is characterized by using a special "tube-cell" accumulator, which has the capacity of making the stair vehicle useful for long periods of time. The steering box is made out of aluminium, it is oblique and mounted with:

A charging plug - used when the accumulator has to be recharged.

A control lamp - showing when the electricity is on.

A tipping contact - indicating whether the stair vehicle has to go up or down. - A regulator - deciding the speed when going down.

The steering handle is mounted with 2 tubes going into the chassis. It is adjustable vertically to the person, who works with the stair vehicle. To make the chassis clasp on to the 2 tubes of the steering handle, two wingbolts are used. Both the handles is mounted with a spring-contackt in each side. By pressing at the contact and pulling backward in the steering handle at the same time, the stair vehicle tips to the desired angle. The right contact activates the motor, when going up. Going down, this contact works as a brake. To force the "dead center" of the steps when going down, the left contact has to be activated. The stops are characterized by being adjustable back and forth (horizontal) and mounted at the bottom of each side of the chassis.

The board constist of a rifled aluminium plate, mounted on a square tubed frame. The floor-board is detachable with no use of tools.

The machine is characterized by a "gripflex", consisting of adjustable arms, which locks by a spring pin, snapping down into the bored wholes in the arms. The

"gripflex" is adjustable both back and forth, sideways, in and out. Furthermore, the arms that hold on to the wheel chair are adjustable, this way the "gripflex" fits all types of wheel chairs.

The cushion is mounted on a ball bearing, giving maximum adjustability. The ball bearing is mounted horizontal on a square-tube, which is adjustable back and forth in a slide, fastened by a bolt. This slide is part of the vertical and also adjustable, square-tube. A clip-fitting, mounted on the chassis, makes this adjustment possible.

The machine transports wheel chairs with client up and down stairs.

The strapping of the wheel chair is possible with the "gripflex", but also by means of the adjustable stop. The "gripflex" is adjustable to all known wheel chairs. Also the special made stop is mounted in a way, so the back wheel of the chair can be fastened in the best possible position, when strapping down. This means, that the stop is movable back and forth.

The transportation up-and-down is more smooth, because of the 2 sets of triple wheels. As a safety equipment, a special ergonomical constructed neck support has been mounted, just like the safety-belt is standard mounted.

The machine has two operating sections. One is the steering box for passive operation, which not immediately starts up the machine, but decides direction, speed and connection of charging equipment. The other section is the steering handle, from which the aktive operation takes place, like starting up the machine, using the contacts, mounted on the steering handle, easily operated under transportation. This gives an optimal grip on the machine.

SUMMARY OF REFERENCES

1. Button

2. Button

3. Lock device for adjustment of the steering handle

4. Lock device for vertical adjustment of neck support

5. Lock device for horizontal adjustment of neck support

6. Lock device for adjustment of up/down function

7. Lock device for adjustment of back/forth function

8. Lock device for adjustment of width

9. Lock device for adjustment from seat to grip-point 10. Lock part for securitybelt (SHE)

12. Lock part for securitybelt (HE)

13. Speed-regulator going down

14. Switch and contact for up/down

15. Control lamp for electricity

16. Recharging plug

17. Control lamp for recharging

18. Safety releaser

19. Battery plug

20. Tube for gas outlet from battery when charging

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Vehicle, by which a person can move weight up and down stairs. The vehicle is equipped with a least one main axle, on which there on each of at least two flanges, which can turn with a motor in the vehicle, is placed a set consisting of two or three wheels, which each is turnable placed on the respective flange, with an axis, which is a continuation from the main axis, characterized by, that the vehicle includes supporting equipments, made for the reception of the wheel from the wheel chair; stop to define a position of rest for the wheel of the wheel chair; and strapping equipment to strap the wheel chair, by cooperating with this, in an area near the back of the seat of the wheel chair.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by that the supporting equipments, is a plate, which in resting position for the vehicle is flushing with the foundation on which the vehicle is placed.

3. Vehicle according to claim l or2, characterized by, that supporting equipment includes adjustable grips, which are able to grip bars in the back of the seat of the wheel chair.

4. Vehicle according to any of abovementioned claims, characterized by furthermor to include a safetybelt, fastened to the vehicle and designed to strap around the upper part of the body of the user of the wheel chair.

5. Vehicle according to any of abovementioned claims, characterized by furthermor to include neck support for the user of the wheel chair.