Seat tilt apparatus for a wheelchair

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-05-10
PERMOBIL
View PDF20 Cites 18 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] It is a further object to provide such a seat tilt apparatus by which the fore required for initiating tilting of a seat from a horizontal position is reduced.
[0017] In order to further minimize the constructional height of the seat tilt apparatus and the entire wheelchair, especially when the seat tilt apparatus is fixed to a centrally positioned seat lift of the wheelchair chassis, the drive member may be arranged asymmetrical at one side of the base member.

Problems solved by technology

Such backward movement of the center of gravity is disadvantageous since it decreases the stability of the wheelchair and may even cause the wheelchair to fall over.
However, this known arrangement also entails some disadvantages.
However, the geometrical requirements of linkage systems, Such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,976 often constitute a limit of how much the constructional height of the linkage system may be reduced.
However, if all three points where to bee aligned on a horizontal line, the linkage would interlock and the drive member would not be able to initiate the tilting movement from the horizontal position.
Such powerful drive members are not only expensive but also comparatively large, whereby the drive member per se adds to the total constructional height of the tilt apparatus.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Seat tilt apparatus for a wheelchair
  • Seat tilt apparatus for a wheelchair
  • Seat tilt apparatus for a wheelchair

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0024]FIG. 1 shows an electrical wheelchair comprising a chassis 1, a seat 2 and a seat tilt apparatus 3 according to the invention. The chassis supports two front wheels 4, which are driven by electrically powered motors and a pivotal rear wheel 5. The chassis also comprise an electrical seat lift device (not shown) for vertical movement of the seat 2. In the figure, the seat lift is in its lowest position.

[0025] The seat 2 comprises a seat bottom 7, a backrest 8 and arm rests 9, which armrests are connected to the backrest 8. In the shown embodiment the backrest 8 is fixedly connected to the seat bottom 7. The backrest 8 may however also be pivotal in relation to the seat bottom by means of a backrest tilt arrangement, which is known per se to the skilled person. The seat bottom 7 is further fixed to a seat frame 6, which also supports a leg rest 10.

[0026] As will be described more in detail below, the seat frame 6 is fixed to the seat tilt apparatus 3 and the seat tilt apparatu...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

One aspect of the invention is a seat tilt apparatus for a wheelchair, which wheelchair comprises a chassis and a seat. The seat tilt apparatus comprises a base member, a seat supporting member, a pivotal arm and a linear drive member The base member is fixable to the chassis and provided with a guide slot. The seat supporting member is arranged to supportably receive the seat, movable in relation to the base member and guided by the guide slot. The pivotal arm is pivotally connected to the base member at a first point and to the seat supporting member. The linear drive member is pivotally connected to the base member and to the seat supporting member, for moving the seat supporting member in relation to the base member. The guide slot provided in the base member comprises a first portion which is proximal to the first point and which has a first general direction of extension. A second portion of the guide slot, which is distal to the first point, has a second general direction of extension, which second general direction of extension is different from the first general direction of extension.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to wheelchairs and particularly to an apparatus for tilting the seat of a wheelchair in relation to the chassis of the wheelchair. The invention also relates to a wheelchair provided with such an apparatus. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Wheelchairs, especially electrically driven wheelchairs often have means for adjusting the position of the seat in relation to the chassis. These means may comprise a seat lift for vertically adjusting the height of the seat and a backrest tilt arrangement for tilting the backrest of the seat in relation to the bottom of the seat, i.e. for changing the angle between the backrest and the bottom of the seat. [0003] Modern wheelchairs may additionally be provided with an electrically driven seat tilt apparatus, by which the entire seat, including the bottom and backrest may be tilted in relation to the chassis of the wheelchair. Such seat tilt apparatuses are provided f...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): A47C1/00
CPCA61G5/042A61G5/1075A61G2005/128A61G5/128
InventorENGMAN, BO
OwnerPERMOBIL