Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G21/00—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces
  • B60G21/02—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected
  • B60G21/04—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected mechanically
  • B60G21/05—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected mechanically between wheels on the same axle but on different sides of the vehicle, i.e. the left and right wheel suspensions being interconnected
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
  • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
  • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
  • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
  • A61G5/1078—Parts, details or accessories with shock absorbers or other suspension arrangements between wheels and frame
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
  • B60B33/00—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G3/00—Resilient suspensions for a single wheel
  • B60G3/18—Resilient suspensions for a single wheel with two or more pivoted arms, e.g. parallelogram
  • B60G3/20—Resilient suspensions for a single wheel with two or more pivoted arms, e.g. parallelogram all arms being rigid
  • B60G3/26—Means for maintaining substantially-constant wheel camber during suspension movement ; Means for controlling the variation of the wheel position during suspension movement
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
  • B60B33/00—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors
  • B60B33/0036—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors characterised by type of wheels
  • B60B33/0039—Single wheels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
  • B60B33/00—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors
  • B60B33/0047—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle
  • B60B33/0049—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle the rolling axle being horizontal
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
  • B60B33/00—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors
  • B60B33/0047—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle
  • B60B33/0057—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle the rolling axle being offset from swivel axis
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
  • B60B33/00—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors
  • B60B33/006—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism
  • B60B33/0065—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism characterised by details of the swivel axis
  • B60B33/0068—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism characterised by details of the swivel axis the swivel axis being vertical
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
  • B60B33/00—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors
  • B60B33/006—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism
  • B60B33/0065—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism characterised by details of the swivel axis
  • B60B33/0073—Castors in general ; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism characterised by details of the swivel axis the swivel axis being symmetrical to wheel or wheels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2200/00—Indexing codes relating to suspension types
  • B60G2200/10—Independent suspensions
  • B60G2200/14—Independent suspensions with lateral arms
  • B60G2200/144—Independent suspensions with lateral arms with two lateral arms forming a parallelogram
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2200/00—Indexing codes relating to suspension types
  • B60G2200/40—Indexing codes relating to the wheels in the suspensions
  • B60G2200/46—Indexing codes relating to the wheels in the suspensions camber angle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
  • B60G2204/10—Mounting of suspension elements
  • B60G2204/12—Mounting of springs or dampers
  • B60G2204/129—Damper mount on wheel suspension or knuckle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
  • B60G2204/10—Mounting of suspension elements
  • B60G2204/12—Mounting of springs or dampers
  • B60G2204/13—Mounting of springs or dampers with the spring, i.e. coil spring, or damper horizontally mounted
  • B60G2204/1302—Mounting of springs or dampers with the spring, i.e. coil spring, or damper horizontally mounted inside the vehicle frame
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2300/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
  • B60G2300/24—Wheelchairs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
  • B60Y2200/00—Type of vehicle
  • B60Y2200/80—Other vehicles not covered by groups B60Y2200/10 - B60Y2200/60
  • B60Y2200/84—Wheelchairs

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the technical sector of wheelchairs, in particular for disabled or elderly people, or suffering from an illness.
• patent EP 0 384 499 discloses patent EP 0 384 499 according to which the central suspension comprises a funicular quadrilateral with articulated parallelogram to reduce the risk of overturning back during an effort.
• This document does not solve the same problem as the present invention, and its technical solution is unrelated.
• this document illustrates well the multitude of problems, discomforts and even risks that the user must face.
• the merit of the invention is to have approached the problem from another angle, that is to say in a global manner, and to present an overall technical solution which simultaneously solves many disadvantages.
• the invention also provides hitherto unknown advantages.
• a chassis with a rigid central beam is used.
• Another essential concept of the invention resides in a rear suspension with long travel.
• the rear suspension (AR) has for this purpose an articulated upper triangle, a lower strut forming a reference to a shock absorber, with a wheel support rocket.
• the central beam can be of any cross section, for example square or rectangular due to the costs. It would however be preferable for the beam to be of inverted trapezoidal section (small base downwards) to, on the one hand, favor the foldability of the chair as described below, and on the other hand to generate a negative camber, also as described below.
• the pliability is favored by a beam of inverted trapezoidal section in the sense that, by unlocking a blocking means which will not be described here, the entire structure is lowered by gravity with deformation of the geometry, the folding of the parts being favored by the trapezoidal shape, with arrangement of adapted notches in the edge of the beam, to allow a complete folding.
• a beam of inverted trapezoidal section makes that the triangle (1) (Fig. 3 and description below) will be shorter than the lower strut (6a).
• the lowering of the beam vertical force represented by the arrow
• a negative camber of the wheel that is to say that the upper part of the wheel is moved inward
• An adjustable telescopic shock absorber / spring is attached to the lower struts, and is mounted transversely inside the chassis-beam. It will most preferably be a helical damper which allows a large clearance, or any other system allowing a large clearance.
• the front castors (AV) are mounted on fixed or articulated struts with an original vibration filtration system, which is mounted on the support plate.
• This set provides comfort such that it becomes reasonable to consider for the seat a shell and a backrest of foam, or any similar material, preferably molded or otherwise adapted to the morphology of the particular subject. Without this set, a system of comfort and support like a molded shell would have lost most of its interest. There is therefore a synergy between, on the one hand, the technical innovations of the chassis, and on the other hand, the rigid molded shell, the overall result being exceptional comfort obtained for the first time.
• the rigid molded shell is an important element of the invention because it allows a total adaptation to the morphology of the subject, and therefore prohibits dangerous effects such as lateral offset or sliding forward of the subject, while avoiding the drawbacks of 'a bad sitting position.
• the new chassis also makes it possible to mount wheels with harder and more resistant treads; in fact, in conventional armchairs, the damping function is devolved to the wheels. They are therefore fitted with treads which are as flexible as possible, but with two serious drawbacks for a disabled person: on the one hand, a flexible band offers great resistance to advancement, which requires significant muscular effort, and on the other hand such a flexible strip is prone to punctures.
• the invention has opted for the opposite principle, which is to ensure comfort by the chassis and thus to be able to use hard treads, therefore with little resistance to advancement by friction on the ground, and no risk. puncture.
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the front axle
• FIG. 4 shows the entire chair according to the invention, in a preferred version.
• the rear axle consists of a triangle (1) fixed towards the center of the chair to the support beam (2) of the chassis, via a connection plate ( 14) any and of a rotating element (9).
• the triangle is fixed to the upper part of a pivot - rocket (15) also by a rotation element (8) which can be identical to the element (9).
• the pivot - rocket (15) is connected by a rotation element (8) (which can be identical to the element (9)) at the outer end (that is to say towards the outside of the chair) with a strut (6).
• a rotation element (8) which can be identical to the element (9)
• a strut (6) This has a substantially horizontal lower part (6a) and a rising or upper part (6b) whose geometry allows the return of mechanical forces to a damper (10) arranged horizontally and transversely, mounted in rotation around the element (8) and preferably adjustable.
• the strut (6) is fixed on a lower plate (12) by a rotation element (13) (which can be identical to, or different, elements (8), (9)).
• the wheel R is mounted in a known manner on the support (4) of the wheel axle, in general a threaded rod or the like. This support can benefit from several height adjustments thanks to the locations (5) provided for this purpose in the body of the rocket pivot (15).
• the lower plate (12) can also participate in the adjustment by means of pre-assemblies (11) where the means (13) can be accommodated and mounted.
• the wheel R When the wheel R encounters an obstacle O, for example as well a gravel generating painful vibrations as a sidewalk difficult to cross, it initially undergoes a reaction according to the arrow f. On existing wheelchairs, this force is expressed either by a vibration, or by a slope and / or the need to resort to a significant effort of crossing.
• the pivot - rocket (15) will first of all undergo a twisting or twisting movement substantially in its plane, according to arrow v, thanks to the combined action of the damping elements of type (8 , 9, 13). The vibration caused by a gravel is thus absorbed.
• the torsion In the case of a larger obstacle, the torsion will be followed by an action of the strut (6) on the shock absorber (10). This will have two major consequences: on the one hand the overhang will be largely compensated by the flexibility of the train, and on the other hand the effort of crossing will be much less painful.
• the pivot-rocket (15) will be as long as possible in order to promote the original twisting movement as much as possible.
• the invention therefore relates to a wheelchair characterized in that it comprises a suspension of the rear rear axle allowing, by a twisting function, absorption and filtration of vibrations.
• the invention is characterized in that the suspension comprises an upper triangle (1) fixed to a beam (2) of the frame of the chair, this triangle being fixed to the upper part of a rocket pivot ( 15) which carries the wheel support (4) and the lower part of which is fixed to the external end of a strut (6) the other end of which is fixed to a lower plate (12) and forms a return ( 6b) to a transverse damper (10).
• the invention is characterized in that all or part of the fixing points (9, 8, 13) are made of a flexible material such as a silent-block or rubber block or the like.
• the invention is characterized in that the pivot-rocket (15) and / or the lower plate
• FIG. 2 schematically represents the mounting of the front guide rollers
• the assembly is fixed to the chassis of the chair by conventional elements (23), in a known manner.
• the caster r is mounted between the branches of a fork (20).
• This fork is made integral, as will be seen below, with the chassis by means of a axis (24) mounted on ball bearings (25) rotating in a barrel made up of the elements (29, 28, 26).
• the assembly is held in position by a nut (27).
• the axis (24) is integral with the fork (20) via a complex plate (21, 22, 30, 31).
• the parts (21) and (22) are plates of steel or similar rigid material which enclose an elastic element (31), for example of the silent-block or rubber block type according to a preferred variant.
• the two plates are moreover articulated around a rotation element (30).
• the element (31) must be sufficiently integral with the plates (21) and (22) to allow only a small deflection in rotation of one plate relative to the other around the pivot or articulation (30).
• the barrel is composed of two cylindrical frames (28) and (29), the gap of which is filled with a damping material (26) which can be analogous or identical to the element (31). The whole must be inseparable.
• the bearings (25) are integral with the inner frame (29) while the fixing means (23) are integral with the outer frame (28).
• the axis (24) is integral with the plate (22).
• the assembly therefore achieves a combination of two means, the elastic means (31) absorbing the first shock but generating secondary vibrations which are filtered by the second damper (26).
• the front rollers will be mounted laterally at the height of the CP toe clips, or substantially at its height, and no longer behind the toe clips as in prior art.
• this accident is almost reflected inevitably by a sudden sliding of the subject forward, with a high risk of falling.
• the suspension even if a brutal shock occurs, the suspension combined with the shell molded to the morphology of the subject prevents such sliding.
• an entirely preferred embodiment according to the invention consists in fixing the whole system, and therefore also the assembly carrying the front rollers, directly on the central beam, by a suitable rigid reference or arm. (30) which it is useless to describe here.
• the connection (31) of this assembly with the beam will be designed to incorporate a vibration filtering element, such as one or more blocks of rubber or the like. We know how to manufacture and use such blocks, for example silent-block clamped between the two rigid parts, etc. or any similar assembly which will clearly appear to those skilled in the art.
• the assembly carrying the front casters can thus be easily dismantled and interchangeable, for example by means of keys "cf.” mounted in the link (31); it is also possible to provide an adjustment means "reg.” for example an adjustment means on a bar; thus, the wheelchair can very easily evolve from one extreme to the other, for example from an extremely compact “tennis” or “picked up” version to a “marathon” version of which we know that only one remains front wheel.
• a great versatility of use is therefore achieved, thanks to the modularity made possible by the general configuration of the invention.
• the chair according to the invention will remain extremely well suited to the sport in question, both in terms of comfort and support and safety.
• the elements (26) or (31) can be made of any known reasonably elastic and resistant material, such as a rubber for silent block for example. Although this is obviously less preferred, one can also think of mechanical damping elements, for example with blade (s) or the like, or a combination of the two, or even gas damping or the like. The only limit will in practice be set by considerations such as price and ease of maintenance.
• the rotation elements (8, 9 and 13) may also be made, in a preferred embodiment, of materials of the silent-block type or rubber blocks or the like. They can be identical or different between them.
• the invention relates to a wheelchair characterized in that the front front casters are mounted on a fork itself mounted on a plate forming a vibration absorber, which carries the vertical axis which is connected to the chassis by ball bearings housed in a drum.
• the invention is characterized in that said plate comprises a hinge (30) and a damping element (31) inserted between two rigid plates (21, 22) and forming a body with these plates.
• the invention is characterized in that the barrel is composed of a rigid inner frame (29) supporting the bearings (25), of a rigid outer frame (28) carrying the elements (23 ) of attachment to the chassis, and an inner lining (26) forming a shock absorber and inserted between the two frames and forming a body with them.
• the invention is characterized in that the damping elements (31) and (26) are made of a flexible material such as a silent-block or rubber block or the like.
• the invention is characterized in that the front rollers (AV) are mounted on a fork itself mounted on a plate forming a vibration absorber, which carries the vertical axis which is connected to the chassis by ball bearings housed in a drum.
• said plate comprises a hinge (30) and a damping element (31) inserted between two rigid plates (21, 22) and forming a body with these plates.
• the invention is characterized in that the barrel is composed of a rigid inner frame (29) supporting the bearings (25), of a rigid outer frame (28) carrying the elements (23 ) of attachment to the chassis, and an inner lining (26) forming a shock absorber and inserted between the two frames and forming a body with them.
• the damping elements (31) and (26) are made of a flexible material such as a silent-block or rubber block or the like.
• the invention therefore provides a set of means which act independently and also cooperate to ensure good flexibility of the running gear, and in particular good pendulum flexibility from front to back, and very good filtration of vibrations.
• the deformation of the train is not transmitted to the rest of the structure, which further improves comfort.
• the result is an extremely comfortable and perfectly versatile chair for indoor or outdoor use.
• the proposed solutions have the merit of using simple technology which remains compatible with the industrial sector considered.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Vibration Prevention Devices (AREA)
• Handcart (AREA)
• Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9507554

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (15)

Family Cites Families (31)

• 1997
  • 1997-05-30 FR FR9706843A patent/FR2763840B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1998
  • 1998-05-29 AU AU80237/98A patent/AU8023798A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-05-29 WO PCT/FR1998/001081 patent/WO1998053786A2/fr not_active Ceased
  • 1998-05-29 EP EP98928388A patent/EP0988016A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1998-05-29 CA CA002292752A patent/CA2292752A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-05-29 US US09/424,689 patent/US6412804B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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