Wheelchair with a device for tilting the wheels

Description

[0001] The field of invention is that of the design and manufacture of equipment for people with reduced mobility.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a wheelchair of the type comprising at least three wheels, including two lateral wheels and one central wheel, front or rear.

[0003] 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.

[0004] We can distinguish two main families of wheelchairs, namely: Transfer or transport chairs; chairs designed for sports activities.

[0005] In the category of transfer or transport wheelchairs, these have a very classic general structure, consisting of a chassis supporting two rear wheels and two directional front wheels (the rear wheels traditionally being of a significantly larger diameter than the front wheels), the chassis carrying a seat and a backrest.

[0006] Of course, many accessories can be offered to ensure different functionalities and / or improve user comfort.

[0007] As mentioned previously, many variations of these armchairs are available, including, for example: "Shell" wheelchairs; specific wheelchairs for bathrooms and toilets; wheelchairs for obese people; wheelchairs for short people; electric wheelchairs; wheelchairs with reclining backrests; standing wheelchairs;

[0008] Particularly for wheelchairs used for sports activities, the inclination of the wheels must be adjustable to adapt the wheelchair to this particular use.

[0009] US6182992 discloses a wheelchair comprising a chassis having at least two legs and a wheel tilt adjustment system.

[0010] Armchairs equipped with wheel tilt adjustment systems are notably known from patent documents published under numbers DE29704125, US2003034635 EP0824907, or DE4136456.

[0011] However, these chairs, equipped with wheel tilt adjustment systems, have some drawbacks.

[0012] Firstly, these adjustment systems are so complex that it is not possible to change the wheel angle during a sporting activity, requiring a temporary interruption of the activity. This degrades the sporting experience.

[0013] Secondly, these adjustment systems generally consist of several parts, some of which must be temporarily removed while the tilt is being adjusted. There is therefore a risk of losing parts, which could prevent the wheelchair from being used properly.

[0014] Thirdly, these adjustment systems are generally accessible to the user for manipulation. Therefore, these adjustment systems are vulnerable to impacts with other wheelchairs, for example, and to soiling or deterioration from the external environment.

[0015] The invention aims in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0016] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a wheelchair equipped with a simple and quick-to-use wheel tilt adjustment system.

[0017] The invention also aims to provide such a wheelchair whose wheel tilt adjustment system is simple in design and reliable in use.

[0018] The invention further aims to provide such a wheelchair whose wheel tilt adjustment system is subject to limited soiling and / or deterioration by the external environment.

[0019] These objectives, as well as others that will emerge subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention, which relates to a wheelchair comprising: a chassis having at least two legs, including two lateral legs, having a lower end to which a wheel is mounted; a system for adjusting the inclination of the wheels, in which the adjustment system comprises, for each wheel, a wheel mounting piece on the leg, the mounting piece being rotationally mounted on the leg about an axis of rotation, the mounting piece having a sleeve for receiving a wheel axle, the sleeve extending transversely to the axis of rotation, the mounting piece and the leg forming two complementary parts of an indexing system, a first part comprising at least two female members and a second part comprising at least one male member, each male and / or each female member being movable between: a mutually engaged position, in which the inclination of the wheel relative to the chassis is locked, and a non-mutually engaged position, allowing rotation of the mounting piece to modify the inclination of the wheel, characterized in that the chassis comprises: a central plate, and at least three legs, of which the two lateral legs,Each leg has an upper end opposite the lower end, by which it is connected to the chassis; each leg is mounted with rotational joints on the central plate.

[0020] Thanks to the locking system, the wheelchair occupant can change the tilt of each wheel independently of the others.

[0021] Furthermore, the occupant does not have to leave the wheelchair seat to adjust the wheel tilt. This is particularly useful when the wheel tilt needs to be adjusted during physical activity.

[0022] Furthermore, such an adjustment system is simple and quick to use.

[0023] The combination of the chassis with the wheel tilt adjustment system makes it possible to obtain a comfortable wheelchair for the occupant since each arm is independent of the other arms and each wheel can be tilted independently of the others.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the adjustment system comprises a single male organ in the form of a rod, and the female organs in the form of cavities.

[0025] Such a configuration allows for a simple adjustment system that is easy to design and use.

[0026] Furthermore, due to the small number of parts involved, this adjustment system is reliable and robust enough to withstand sustained use, particularly during physical activity in which the inclination of the wheels may be changed several times.

[0027] Advantageously, for each lateral leg, the lower end is in the form of a fork having two cheeks between which the mounting piece is located.

[0028] The mounting piece is thus correctly held on the arms, which reinforces the robustness of the wheelchair, particularly for the practice of physical activities.

[0029] In addition, when using the wheelchair to move a person over rough terrain, the fork allows for good support of the mounting part and good attachment of the wheels to the chassis.

[0030] Preferably, the rod of the adjustment system is mobile in translation along the leg, the rod being at least partially housed between the two cheeks of the fork in its mutual engagement position.

[0031] The combination of the positioning of the stem and the leg fork gives the wheelchair good resistance to the stresses it experiences during use, both on rough terrain and due to collisions with other wheelchairs or with curbs during physical activity.

[0032] According to another advantageous embodiment, the stem is mounted to slide inside the leg.

[0033] The stem is thus protected from any external aggression, whether it be shocks or the environment such as the weather.

[0034] In addition, the sliding mounting of the rod in the leg allows the rod to be guided during its movement and prevents its deformation (for example, buckling) in case of overly rough handling and when the rod is not in cooperation with a cavity.

[0035] Preferably, the adjustment system also includes a manipulation element attached to the female organs or to each male organ, opposite the mounting piece.

[0036] This manipulation device allows for easy manipulation of the male or female organ(s), in particular to allow its movement between the position of mutual engagement and the position of non-mutual engagement.

[0037] The control mechanism thus contributes to the ease of use of the wheelchair and in particular its adjustment system.

[0038] Advantageously, the leg has a housing inside which the manipulation organ is housed.

[0039] Like the rod, the manipulation organ is thus protected from any external aggression, whether it be shocks or fouling.

[0040] Preferably, the housing opens onto an underside of the leg.

[0041] This also contributes to the protection of the handling mechanism and the reliability of the adjustment system.

[0042] Indeed, by opening on the underside of the leg, dirt and water cannot remain trapped in the housing and therefore cannot prevent the proper movement of the manipulator, which would impair the proper use of the adjustment system.

[0043] According to another advantageous embodiment, the adjustment system includes means for returning the female organs or each male organ to the mutual engagement position.

[0044] The return means allow the female organs or each male organ to be pushed back into their mutual engagement position so as to ensure the locking of the wheels in one of the tilt positions.

[0045] Indeed, during the manipulation of the adjustment means, particularly the rod, it is possible that the locking mechanism (i.e., the engagement between the rod and one of the cavities in the mounting piece) may not be effective. Therefore, thanks to the presence of the return means, when the mounting piece is released or slightly moved, the rod may end up aligned with a cavity, in which case it is pushed back into the cavity to lock the wheel's tilt.

[0046] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which: there figure 1 is a top perspective view of a wheelchair according to the invention, comprising wheel tilt adjustment systems; the figure 2 is a perspective view from below of a leg of a wheelchair frame according to the invention, the leg incorporating a wheel tilt adjustment system; the figure 3 is a perspective view from below of a wheel tilt adjustment system; the figure 4 is a top perspective view of a wheel mounting piece on a leg of the wheelchair frame according to the invention, the retaining piece comprising female parts of a wheel tilt adjustment system.

[0047] In reference to the figure 1 , a wheelchair 100 according to the invention is shown.

[0048] The 100 wheelchair is of the type comprising: a chassis 1 having at least three legs 2, extending from the chassis 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 chassis 1, and a seat A.

[0049] As illustrated by the figure 1 The 100 seat features: two lateral legs 2L, and at least one central leg 2C.

[0050] In reference to the figure 1 , the lateral legs 2L each carry a lateral wheel 22, and the central leg 2C carries at least one directional wheel 23.

[0051] More specifically, in the embodiment illustrated on the figure 1 , the central leg 2C is associated with a 230 handlebar equipped with two directional wheels 23.

[0052] The 230 handlebar extends between two ends, and features a central coupling zone with the 2C center leg.

[0053] The central leg 2C is thus coupled to the central coupling zone and the two steering wheels 23 are coupled to each of its ends.

[0054] Legs 2, and in particular at least the lateral legs 2L, are mounted on chassis 1 in such a way 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 extremities 20 have a greater distance between them than between their upper extremities 21 ( figure 1 ) ; a folded configuration, not illustrated, in which the lateral legs 2L and the central leg 2c are pivoted and grouped in close proximity to each other.

[0055] According to the principle of the invention, the chassis 1 comprises a central plate 10 on which the lateral legs 2L are each mounted articulated around a joint 11.

[0056] Thus, the lateral legs 2L are mounted movably on the central plate 10 around the joint 11 between their rolling configuration and their folded configuration.

[0057] Advantageously, the central leg 2C is also mounted articulated on the central plate 10 via a central articulation 12.

[0058] To allow for the practice of physical sports activities in particular, the wheelchair 100 includes a 3-position wheel tilt adjustment system 200. The wheel tilt 200 during the practice of physical sports activities allows for better ergonomics and therefore better comfort for the wheelchair occupant 1.

[0059] The description of the wheel tilt adjustment system 3 200 is made here with reference to each lateral wheel 22.

[0060] However, the adjustment system 3 is also adaptable to the steering wheels 23, in which case it does not act directly on each of the steering wheels 23 but on the handlebar 230. Therefore, the tilt adjustment concerns each of the steering wheels 23 and not one of the steering wheels 23 independently of the other.

[0061] As described below, the inclination of each side wheel 22 can be adjusted independently of the other side wheel 22.

[0062] For this reason, and with reference to figures 2 , 3 And 4 , a 3-way tilt adjustment system is now described.

[0063] The adjustment system 3 includes, for each wheel 200: a mounting part 4 of the wheel 200 on the leg 2, and an indexing system 5.

[0064] Mounting part 4 is rotatably mounted on leg 2. More precisely, mounting part 4 is rotatably mounted on leg 2 about an AR rotation axis. This AR rotation axis is notably transverse to a forward / backward D direction of movement of the wheelchair 100 ( figure 1 ).

[0065] More specifically, the lower end 20 of each leg 2 is in the form of a fork having two cheeks 201 between which the mounting piece 4 is located.

[0066] Mounting part 4 has a sleeve 41 for receiving a wheel axle 200.

[0067] As illustrated on the figure 2 The sleeve 41 extends transversely to the AR axis of rotation. More specifically, the sleeve 41 extends perpendicularly to the AR axis of rotation.

[0068] In reference to the figure 3 , the mounting part 4 and the leg 2 form two complementary parts of the indexing system 5.

[0069] A first part of this indexing system 5 comprises at least two female organs 51, and a second part comprises at least one male organ 52, as described below.

[0070] Each male organ 52 or each female organ 51 is mobile between: a mutual engagement position, in which the inclination of the wheel relative to the chassis is locked, and a non-mutual engagement position, allowing rotation of the mounting part to change the inclination of the wheel.

[0071] In other words, each male organ 52 or each female organ 51 can adopt: a blocking configuration in which it cooperates with one of the female organs 51 or male organ 52, and prevents the rotation of the mounting part 4 to block the inclination of the wheel 200 relative to the chassis 1, and a free configuration in which it is moved away from the female organs 51 or male organs 52, and allows the rotation of the mounting part 4 to change the inclination of the wheel 200.

[0072] As illustrated on the figure 3 , the adjustment system 3 includes a manipulation member 53 attached to the female members 51 or the male members 52, opposite the mounting piece 4.

[0073] More specifically, it is the indexing system 5 which includes the manipulation element 53.

[0074] As shown on the figures 2 And 3 , the adjustment system 3 comprises a single male organ 52.

[0075] The male organ 52 is in the form of a rod.

[0076] The female organs 51, on the other hand, are in the form of cavities.

[0077] Thus, in the mutual engagement position, i.e. in the locking configuration, the rod is inserted into one of the cavities.

[0078] Always according to the method illustrated on the figures 1 à 4 , the rod of the adjustment system 3 is mobile in translation along the leg 2.

[0079] More specifically, the rod is at least partially housed between the two cheeks 201 of the fork in its mutual engagement position, i.e. in its locking configuration, and cooperates with the cavities of the mounting part 4.

[0080] As illustrated on the figure 2 , the rod, i.e. the male organ 52, is mounted sliding inside the leg 2.

[0081] The manipulation element 53 is attached to the rod to allow its manipulation by the occupant of the wheelchair 100.

[0082] As illustrated in the figure 2 , leg 2 has a housing 202 inside which is housed the manipulation organ 53.

[0083] Housing 202 opens advantageously onto an underside 203 of leg 2.

[0084] The lower face 203 is understood to be a face turned towards the ground on which the wheelchair 100 moves when the chassis 1 is in its rolling configuration.

[0085] Alternatively, housing 202 could open on a lateral or upper face of leg 2.

[0086] In addition, to promote the maintenance of a 200 wheel inclination, and to facilitate its use, the adjustment system 3 includes return means 7 in the mutual engagement position, i.e. in the configuration of locking the female organs or each male organ.

[0087] More specifically, the return means 7 are in the form of a tension spring mounted around the rod, between the manipulator 53 and a wall of the housing 202. Alternatively, the return means 7 may include a compression spring which tends to push back the manipulator 53 to make the rod cooperate with one of the cavities.

[0088] The return means 7 thus tend to bring the manipulation member 53 back towards the mounting part 4 and therefore to make the rod cooperate with one of the cavities.

[0089] In an alternative not shown, the male and female organs can take one of the following forms: toothed wheel for the male organ, which cooperates with a toothed wheel for the female organ; an arched wall with pins, each corresponding to an inclination position for the male organ, the female organ comprising a single cavity for receiving one of the pins; worm screw for the male organ, which cooperates with a nut for the female organ; caged ball(s) for the male organ, which cooperate(s) with movable housings for the female organ.

Claims

1. A wheelchair (100) comprising: - a frame (1) having at least two struts (2), including two lateral struts (2L), having a lower end (20) at which a wheel (200) is mounted; - a system (3) for adjusting the inclination of the wheels (200), wherein the adjustment system (3) comprises, for each wheel (200), a mounting piece (4) for mounting the wheel (200) on the strut (2), the mounting piece (4) being rotatably mounted on the strut (2), according to an axis of rotation (AR), the mounting piece (4) having a sleeve (41) for receiving a wheel axis (200), the sleeve (41) extending transversely to the axis of rotation, the mounting piece (4) and the strut (2) forming two complementary portions of an indexing system (5), a first portion of which comprises at least two female members (51) and a second portion comprises at least one male member (52), each male member (52) and / or each female member (51) being movable between: - a mutual engagement position, in which the inclination of the wheel (200) with respect to the frame (1) is blocked, and - a mutual non-engagement position, enabling the rotation of the mounting piece (4) to modify the inclination of the wheel (200), characterised in that the frame (1) comprises: - a central plate (10), and - at least three struts (2), including the two lateral struts (2L), each strut (2) having an upper end (21) opposite to the lower end (20), by which it is connected to the frame (1), each of the struts (2) being mounted rotatably hinged on the central plate (10).

2. The wheelchair (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the adjustment system (3) comprises one single male member (52) in the form of a rod, and in that the female members (51) are in the form of cavities.

3. The wheelchair (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that, for each lateral strut (2L), the lower end is in the form of a fork having two flanges (201) between which the mounting piece (4) is located.

4. The wheelchair (100) according to claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the rod of the adjustment system (3) is movable in translation along the strut (2), the rod being at least partially accommodated between the two flanges (201) of the fork in the mutual non-engagement position.

5. The wheelchair (100) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the rod is slidably mounted inside the strut (2).

6. The wheelchair (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adjustment system (3) also comprises a handling member (53) secured to the female members (51) or to each male member (52), opposite to the mounting piece (4).

7. The wheelchair (100) according to claim 6, characterised in that the strut (2) has a housing (202) inside which the handling member (53) is accommodated.

8. The wheelchair (100) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the housing (202) opens onto a lower face (203) of the strut (2).

9. The wheelchair (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adjustment system (3) comprises means (7) for biasing the female members (51) or each male member (52) in the engagement position.