Wheelchair equipped with motorized training equipment, and corresponding motorized training equipment

Abstract

TITLE: Wheelchair equipped with motorized training equipment, and corresponding motorized training equipment The invention relates to a wheelchair (1), equipped with removable motorized training equipment (2) comprising a member for fixing to the chair (1), carried by a first portion (21) of the training equipment (2), a training wheel (23), carried by a second portion (22) of the training equipment (2), and a motor rotating the training wheel (23).According to the invention, the second portion (22) is movable, relative to the first portion (21), between a first position in which the drive wheel (23) is located entirely above the wheels (13, 14) of the wheelchair (1), and a second position in which the drive wheel (23) is located in front of the front wheels (14) of the wheelchair (1), and at least partially below the wheels (13, 14) of the wheelchair, the drive equipment (2) comprising means for locking the second portion (22) in this second position. The invention also relates to the drive equipment (2) for a wheelchair. Abstract figure: Figure 7.

Description

Title of the invention: Wheelchair equipped with motorized training equipment, and corresponding motorized training equipment Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to wheelchairs intended for people with reduced mobility. It relates in particular to wheelchairs equipped with motorized drive equipment, or motorization equipment.

[0002] The invention particularly relates to wheelchairs equipped with such removable motorized drive equipment. It also relates to removable motorized drive equipment suitable for equipping a wheelchair. Prior art

[0003] Wheelchairs allow movement for people with reduced mobility whose health does not allow them to walk. A wheelchair can generally be driven, that is to say moved, by the person occupying it, by a third person pushing the chair and / or by motorized training equipment.

[0004] Many wheelchairs, called muscle wheelchairs, are designed to be driven by the person occupying them. Such chairs generally include large diameter rear wheels, which can be directly rotated by the user's hands, and front wheels, generally of smaller diameter, ensuring the stability of the chair.

[0005] Other wheelchairs include a motorization capable of driving their wheels. Such motorized wheelchairs are suitable for people who do not have sufficient muscular capacity to drive their wheelchair. These motorized wheelchairs are generally heavy and bulky. They can rarely be folded and are difficult to transport in a vehicle. Furthermore, these motorized wheelchairs are often very expensive.

[0006] There are also motorized training equipment for wheelchairs, which can be removably associated with muscular wheelchairs to ensure their movement, or contribute to it by providing assistance.

[0007] Thus, for example, from document WO2023 / 214372, such motorized training equipment is known which can be associated with a wheelchair in several distinct configurations, to ensure the training of the wheelchair in varied conditions. This equipment is however very bulky, and its assembly in each of the proposed configurations cannot be carried out by the person occupying the chair. It therefore does not allow easy use of the equipment in the different configurations. Statement of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

[0009] In particular, it aims to facilitate the training of a wheelchair by a removable motorized training equipment.

[0010] A particular objective of the invention is to enable effective driving of the wheelchair in different configurations, in particular on flat and regular floors, and on uneven floors.

[0011] Another particular objective is to enable the wheelchair user to configure the training equipment himself, without undue difficulty, to provide training in the configuration he desires.

[0012] These objectives, as well as others which will appear more clearly hereinafter, are achieved using a wheelchair, comprising a structure carrying a seat, at least two substantially coaxial rear wheels carried by this structure, and at least one front wheel carried by this structure, a plane tangent to the rear wheels and to the front wheels, under the wheelchair, being defined as the reference plane of the wheelchair, the wheelchair being equipped with removable motorized drive equipment, comprising: - at least one attachment member to the structure of the wheelchair, carried by a first portion of the training equipment, - at least one training wheel, carried by a second portion of the training equipment, - at least one motor capable of driving the drive wheel in rotation, the second portion of the drive equipment being movable, relative to the first portion of the drive equipment, between: - at least a first position in which the drive wheel is located entirely above the reference plane of the wheelchair, and - at least one second position in which the drive wheel is located in front of the front wheel(s) of the wheelchair, and at least a portion of the drive wheel is located below the reference plane of the wheelchair, the training equipment comprising means for locking the position of the second portion relative to the first portion, in the second position or at least one of the second positions.

[0013] The wheelchair according to the invention can thus easily pass from a configuration, corresponding to the first position, in which the drive wheel does not ensure effective drive of the wheelchair, to a configuration, corresponding to the second position, in which the training wheel ensures both the wheelchair's drive and its stability. There is no need to assemble or disassemble the training equipment to switch from one configuration to the other. The training wheel, in the second position, allows particularly efficient training of the wheelchair, even on uneven ground.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the drive wheel is located, in the first position or at least one of the first positions, behind the front wheel or wheels.

[0015] In such a configuration, the wheel is particularly space-saving when it is not used to ensure efficient driving of the chair.

[0016] According to another advantageous embodiment, the drive wheel is located, in the first position or at least one of the first positions, in front of the front wheel or wheels.

[0017] According to another advantageous embodiment, the drive wheel is, in the first position or at least one of the first positions, tangent to the reference plane of the wheelchair.

[0018] In such a configuration, the drive wheel can participate in driving the chair. The weak contact between the drive wheel and the ground, however, limits the effectiveness of this drive.

[0019] According to another advantageous embodiment, the drive wheel is, in the first position or at least one of the first positions, distant from the reference plane of the wheelchair.

[0020] In such a configuration, the drive wheel is not in contact with the ground and therefore does not hinder the movement of the wheelchair.

[0021] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first portion is constituted by a bar extending transversely to the wheelchair, each of the two ends of which carries one of the fixing members, which is assembled to the structure of the wheelchair.

[0022] Advantageously, in this case, the bar is telescopic, the distance between said ends of said bar being variable.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, the drive wheel carries a plurality of rollers, ensuring contact between the wheel and the ground, each of the rollers being pivotally mounted on the wheel along an axis substantially tangent to the drive wheel.

[0024] Such a wheel, called "omnidirectional", makes it easier to maneuver the wheelchair when the drive wheel is in contact with the ground. In particular, it makes it possible to change trajectory and make turns using the manual drive of the rear wheels 13 while the drive wheel drives the wheelchair. It also makes it possible to prevent this wheel from generating friction during changes of trajectory, whether the wheel is rotated by the motor or is free.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the second portion of the training equipment is assembled to the first portion by an articulation forming a pivot connection.

[0026] Preferably, the locking means ensure the locking of the rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion, in an angular position corresponding to one of the first or second positions.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment, these locking means comprise at least one stop limiting the rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment, the training equipment comprises motorized means for driving the second portion, relative to the first portion, between at least one of the first positions and at least one of the second positions.

[0029] Advantageously, in this case, these motorized means comprise the motor capable of driving the drive wheel in rotation.

[0030] The invention also relates to motorized training equipment for a wheelchair, this wheelchair comprising: - a structure carrying a seat, - at least two substantially coaxial rear wheels carried by the structure, - at least one front wheel carried by the structure, a plane tangent to the rear wheels and to the front wheels, under the wheelchair, being defined as the reference plane of the wheelchair, the motorized training equipment comprising: - at least one fixing member which is fixed, in use, to the structure of the wheelchair, the fixing member(s) being carried by a first portion of the training equipment, - at least one training wheel, carried by a second portion of the training equipment, - at least one motor capable of rotating the drive wheel, this second portion of the drive equipment being movable, relative to the first portion of the drive equipment, between: - at least a first position in which the drive wheel is located, in use, entirely above the reference plane of the wheelchair, - at least one second position in which at least part of the drive wheel is located, in use, below the reference plane of the wheelchair, and in front of the wheelchair's front wheel(s).

[0031] This motorized training equipment may have, in use, each of the characteristics defined above in connection with the wheelchair. Description of figures

[0032] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of preferred embodiments, given as a simple figurative and non-limiting example, and accompanied by the figures among which: - [Fig.l] is a schematic representation in side view of a wheelchair. - [Fig.2] is a perspective view of motorized training equipment according to one embodiment of the invention. - [Fig.3] is a front view of the wheelchair of [Fig.l] equipped with the training equipment of [Fig.2]. - [Fig.4] is a side view of the wheelchair of [Fig.l] equipped with the training equipment of [Fig.2]. - [Fig.5] is a side view of the wheelchair of [Fig.l] equipped with a variant of the training equipment of [Fig.2], in an alternative configuration. - [Fig.6] is a side view of the wheelchair of [Fig.l] equipped with the training equipment of [Fig.2], in an alternative configuration. - [Fig.7] is a side view of the wheelchair of [Fig.l] equipped with the training equipment of [Fig.2], in an alternative configuration. Description of the embodiments

[0033] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation, in side view, of a wheelchair 1. This wheelchair 1 comprises a structure 11 carrying a seat 12, two substantially coaxial rear wheels 13, and two front wheels 14. The rear wheels 13 are mounted to pivot about substantially horizontal axes of rotation which are themselves carried by the structure 11. The front wheels 14 are also mounted to pivot about substantially horizontal axes of rotation.

[0034] In the present description, the terms "front" and "rear" refer to the position of an element on a horizontal axis called the "longitudinal axis", corresponding to the direction of advance of the wheelchair when it moves in a straight line. On this longitudinal axis, the "front" direction corresponds to the direction towards which the user seated in the chair is facing and the "rear" direction corresponds to the opposite direction. A first element of the chair will be said to be "in front" of a second element (or, respectively, "behind" this second element), when its position projected on the longitudinal axis is in front (or, respectively, behind) of the projected position of the second element on this same axis. Thus, for example, the front wheels 14 of the chair 1 are “in front” of the rear wheels 15.

[0035] Conventionally, the front wheels 14 can be steerable, that is to say that the portions of the structure 11 which carry their axes of rotation can pivot, relative to the rest of the structure 11, around a substantially vertical axis of orientation.

[0036] In the embodiment represented by this figure, the wheelchair 1 has two front wheels 14. It is of course possible, in other embodiments, for this wheelchair to have a single front wheel 14, without the implementation of the invention being significantly modified.

[0037] When the wheelchair 1 rests on the ground on its rear wheels 13 and front wheels 14, a point on each rear wheel and a point on each front wheel 14, constituting the lowest points of these wheels, form the points of contact of the wheelchair 1 with the ground. The plane passing through these points of contact with the ground, which is tangent to the rear wheels 13 and to the front wheels 14, is hereinafter designated as the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1. It corresponds to the plane of the ground on which this wheelchair 1 is placed, when it is resting on its rear wheels 13 and front wheels 14.

[0038] According to the invention, the wheelchair 1 is equipped with removable motorized training equipment 2. [Fig. 2] represents this removable training equipment 2, which is designed to be removably attached to the structure 11 of the wheelchair 1.

[0039] The drive equipment 2 is composed of two portions, movable relative to each other. A first portion 21 of this drive equipment 2 is intended to be removably fixed to the structure 11. A second portion 22 of this drive equipment 2 carries a drive wheel 23.

[0040] To be removably fixed to the structure 11, the first portion 21 of the training equipment 2 comprises at least one fixing member 211. In the embodiment shown, the first portion 21 is in the form of a bar intended to be placed, in a transverse position, between two tubes of the structure 11 of the chair 1.

[0041] This first portion 21 comprises fixing members which allow the first portion 21 to be secured to the structure 11 of the chair 1. Numerous variants of such fixing members exist, and are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0042] In the particular embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], these fixing members are constituted by two support forks 211, forming the two ends of the bar and oriented in opposite directions. These support forks 211 are movable in translation, relative to the central part of the first portion 21, so as to move away from each other, which makes the first portion 21 telescopic.

[0043] The distance between the ends of the bar forming the first portion 21 is therefore variable, which allows this bar to adapt to the spacing of the tubes of the structure 11 between which it must be mounted. The spacing of the ends of the first portion 21 also allows the support forks 211 forming these ends, bearing on two tubes distant from the structure 1, to block the first portion 21 between these two tubes, and thus fix the first portion 21 to the structure 11 by clamping.

[0044] This attachment of the first portion 21 of the training equipment 2 to the structure 11 of the wheelchair 1 is visible in [Fig.3].

[0045] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the bar constituting the first portion 21 of the training equipment 2 can be articulated so as to be able to fold, in a storage position, against the second portion 22.

[0046] In other embodiments, the first portion of the training equipment may be assembled to the structure 11 of the chair by any other means known to those skilled in the art, for example by means of a clamp capable of being fixed by clamping onto a tube of the structure 11, by screws, etc.

[0047] According to a particular embodiment, the structure 11 may be equipped with at least one anchor which is fixed to the structure 11 permanently or semi-permanently, for example by screwing, this anchor having an assembly interface. In such a case, the fixing member of the first portion 21 may be constituted by an assembly interface complementary to the assembly interface of the anchor. Such an embodiment advantageously makes it possible to assemble the training equipment 2 to the structure 11 in a particularly simple and efficient manner, by the cooperation of the two complementary assembly interfaces.

[0048] The drive wheel 23 is pivotally mounted around an axis, which is itself carried by the second portion 22 of the removable drive equipment 2. According to the invention, this drive wheel 23 is driven in rotation by a motor included in the removable drive equipment 2.

[0049] In the embodiment shown, for example, the second portion 22 of the removable drive equipment 2 comprises an electric motor as well as a mechanical connection, which may for example constitute a mechanical reducer, capable of transmitting the rotation of the electric motor to the wheel 23. In another possible embodiment of the invention, the electric motor driving the wheel 23 in rotation may be included in the wheel itself.

[0050] The electric motor is, in a conventional manner, powered by batteries. In the embodiment shown, these batteries are stored in the second portion 22 of the removable drive equipment 2. These batteries can, in certain embodiments, be removed from the removable drive equipment 2, to be charged and / or to be replaced there with charged batteries.

[0051] Advantageously, the motor can be controlled by a remote control, for example constituted by a mobile terminal connected to the removable drive equipment 2 by a radio link.

[0052] It is preferably possible, in a configuration of the training equipment 2, for the training wheel 23 to be left free, without being driven in rotation or braked. This configuration, which can for example be obtained by disengaging the motor, makes it possible to move the chair in a conventional manner, by the muscular action of the user or a third person, without the training equipment 2 obstructing this movement, even if its training wheel 23 is in contact with the ground.

[0053] In the particular embodiment represented by [Fig. 2], the drive wheel 23 is advantageously a so-called omnidirectional, or holonomic, wheel. Such a holonomic or omnidirectional wheel is a mechanism consisting of a wheel carrying a plurality of rollers 231 distributed around its periphery. Each of these rollers 231 is pivotally mounted relative to the wheel 23, around an axis substantially tangent to the wheel, and orthogonal to the axis of the wheel. Such an omnidirectional wheel, known per se to those skilled in the art, is capable of tractive force in its plane of rotation, but can at the same time, thanks to the rollers, slide laterally in a direction transverse to this plane. The use of such an omnidirectional wheel to produce the drive wheel 23 advantageously makes it possible to increase the maneuverability of the wheelchair equipped with the drive equipment 2.

[0054] It is of course possible, in other embodiments, to implement the invention with wheels of another type.

[0055] According to the invention, the second portion 22 of the removable training equipment 2 is movable relative to the first portion 21, which is itself fixedly assembled to the structure 11 of the chair. In the embodiment shown, the second portion 22 is thus associated with the first portion 21 by an articulation 24 forming a pivot connection whose axis is substantially horizontal. Thanks to this articulation 24, the second portion 22 can pivot around an axis corresponding substantially to the longitudinal axis of the bar forming the first portion 21.

[0056] In this embodiment, the pivoting of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21, around the articulation 24, thus makes it possible to vary the position of the drive wheel 23 relative to the wheelchair 1. In particular, this pivoting makes it possible to vary the distance between the axis of the drive wheel 23 and the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1.

[0057] According to other possible embodiments of the invention, the second portion 22 of the training equipment 2 can be associated with the first portion 21 by a connection of a different type, for example a sliding connection, provided that this connection allows the distance between the axis of the drive wheel 23 and the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1 to be varied.

[0058] According to the invention, the mobility of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21 allows the drive wheel 23 to take a plurality of positions. Advantageously, the position of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21 can be locked, by suitable locking means, in each of these positions. These locking means can comprise at least one stop blocking the movement of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21.

[0059] Thus, figures 4, 5 and 6 represent the chair 1 equipped with the training equipment in configurations in which the second portion 22 is in positions, hereinafter called “first positions”, such that the training wheel 23 is located entirely above the reference plane of the wheelchair.

[0060] In the configuration shown in [Fig. 4], the second portion 22 of the drive equipment 2 is in a position, relative to the first portion 21 fixed to the structure 11 of the wheelchair 1, such that the drive wheel 23 is tangent to the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1, behind the front wheels 14 of the wheelchair.

[0061] In this configuration, the drive wheel 23 is entirely above the reference plane 10, that is to say on the same side of this reference plane 10 as the chair 1. To be more precise, the entire volume of the drive wheel 23 is above the reference plane 10 relative to the direction of Earth's gravity.

[0062] In such a configuration, the rear wheels 13, front wheels 14 of the wheelchair 1 and the drive wheel 23 can be simultaneously in contact with the ground. In this configuration, the rotation of the wheel 23 can generate a drive of the wheelchair, if the rolling resistance is low, for example if the nature of the ground on which the wheelchair 1 moves does not cause any significant rolling resistance.

[0063] In a variant of this configuration, which is represented by [Fig. 5], the second portion 22 of the training equipment 2 may be in a position, relative to the first portion 21 fixed to the structure 11 of the wheelchair 1, such that the training wheel 23 is tangent to the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1, in front of the front wheels 14 of the chair. In this configuration, the training wheel 23 is entirely above the reference plane 10.

[0064] In the configurations shown in Figures 4 and 5, the rear wheels 13 and front wheels 14 of the wheelchair 1 and the drive wheel 23 can be simultaneously in contact with a flat ground. In these configurations, the rotation of the wheel 23 can generate a drive of the wheelchair, if the rolling resistance is low, for example if the nature of the ground on which the wheelchair 1 moves does not cause sensitive rolling resistance.

[0065] In a possible variant of these configurations, the position of the second portion 22 of the training equipment 2 may not be locked, relative to the first portion 21 fixed to the structure 11 of the wheelchair 1. In such a situation, the training wheel 23 rests on the ground, under the effect of its own weight, in front of or behind the front wheels 23. If the wheelchair 1 is then on flat ground, the training wheel 23 is tangent to the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1, as shown in [Fig.4].

[0066] On the other hand, if the wheelchair 1 is then on an uneven ground, the drive wheel 23 can, by following the irregularities of the ground, be moved above the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1, at a distance from this plane, or on the contrary pass partially under this reference plane 10. This position of the drive wheel 23, which does not constitute a “first position”, within the meaning of the first description when the drive wheel 23 is partially under the reference plane 10, does not however prevent the front 14 and rear 13 wheels of the wheelchair 1 from being in contact with the ground. It can advantageously be implemented when the drive wheel 23 can pivot freely, without being driven or braked by the motor.

[0067] In the configuration shown in [Fig. 6], the second portion 22 of the training equipment 2 is in a position, relative to the first portion 21 fixed to the structure 11 of the wheelchair 1, such that the training wheel 23 is located at a distance from the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1, entirely above this reference plane 10, and behind the front wheels 14 of the wheelchair 1.

[0068] In this configuration, the drive wheel 23 is not in contact with the ground on which the wheelchair 1 is placed. It therefore cannot drive the wheelchair 1, but does not hinder its movement either.

[0069] It is of course possible, in a variant of this configuration not illustrated, for the drive wheel 23 to be located at a distance from the reference plane 10, entirely above this reference plane 10, and in front of the front wheels 14 of the wheelchair 1.

[0070] It is also possible for the drive equipment 2 to be in other configurations in which the second portion 22 is in other positions relative to the first portion 21 fixed to the structure 11 of the wheelchair 1. Such positions constitute “first positions”, within the meaning of the first description, when they maintain the drive wheel 23 entirely above the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1.

[0071] [Fig. 7] shows the training equipment in a configuration in which the second portion 22 of the training equipment 2 is in a position, relative to the first portion 21 fixed to the structure 11 of the wheelchair 1, such that the training wheel 23 is positioned in front of the front wheels 14 of the wheelchair rolling 1, and at least partly below the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1.

[0072] In this position of the second portion 22, called “second position” in the present description, the front wheels 14 of the wheelchair 1 are not in contact with the ground when the wheelchair 1 is placed on flat ground. The contact of the wheelchair 1 with the ground is ensured only by its rear wheels 13 and by the drive wheel 23.

[0073] In such a configuration, a significant portion of the weight of the wheelchair 1 rests on the drive wheel 23, which ensures good contact of this drive wheel 23 with the ground. The rotation of the drive wheel 23 can then very effectively drive the wheelchair 1. Such a configuration is particularly suitable for movement on uneven terrain, capable of providing rolling resistance for the wheelchair 1.

[0074] Furthermore, the drive wheel being placed in front of the front wheels 14, it advantageously ensures good stability for the wheelchair 1.

[0075] According to the invention, the training equipment 2 comprises means for locking the position of the second portion 22 in this second position, relative to said first portion 21. These locking means make it possible to maintain the wheelchair 1 in the configuration in which the front wheels 14 are not in contact with the ground when the wheelchair 1 is placed on the ground. They are however reversible, insofar as they do not definitively prevent the second portion 22 from being returned to its first position.

[0076] In the embodiment shown, these locking means may be an angular locking means constituted for example by a notched sector equipped with locking fingers, integrated in the articulation 24. This angular locking means may be configured to block the second portion 22 at a defined angle, relative to the first portion 21, at least to maintain it in a second position as defined above. This angular locking means may be configured to define at least a second position, and at least a first position as defined above.

[0077] This angular locking means can advantageously be locked and / or unlocked by an action of the user on a control, for example on a trigger acting on a cable capable of moving the locking fingers relative to the notched sector.

[0078] In other embodiments of the invention, the locking means may be of any other type known to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that these locking means do not necessarily have the effect of completely locking the position of the second portion relative to the first portion. In certain embodiments lisation, in fact, these locking means can stably maintain the second portion in its second position, relative to said first portion, without this position being locked.

[0079] Thus, by way of example, these locking means may be constituted by a stop preventing the angular displacement of the second portion relative to the first portion, in one direction only, if gravity prevents the angular displacement in the other direction under normal conditions of use of the wheelchair. Thus, in the configuration represented by [Fig. 7], a stop preventing the upward angular displacement of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21 is sufficient to constitute a locking means according to the invention. Indeed, under normal conditions of use of the wheelchair 1, its weight prevents the upward angular displacement of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21, which makes the configuration represented by [Fig. 7] stable.

[0080] The blocking provided by such a stop is then reversible without the stop being movable. Indeed, a particular manipulation of the chair and / or of the training equipment 2 can allow the angular displacement downwards and backwards of the second portion 22, being able for example to bring it to its first position represented by [Fig.4] or by [Fig.6].

[0081] According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the movement of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21, in particular between a first and a second position of this second portion 22, can be ensured by the user. This movement can for example be carried out by manipulating the second portion 22 using the handle 221 which is fixed thereto. In such a case, to move from a first position to a second position, the user can unlock the position of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21, if this position was locked, change this position manually, then lock this position when it corresponds to a second position.

[0082] In an advantageous variant represented by [Fig. 5], the second portion 22 may be integral with a lever 25, the free end of which is equipped with a handle 250 placed in front of the user seated in the wheelchair 1. This handle 250 carries a trigger making it possible to act on the locking means to lock and / or unlock the position of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21. The user seated in the wheelchair 1 can easily move the second portion 22 from its first position represented by [Fig. 5] to a second position, in which the second portion 22 is in the position represented by [Fig. 7]. To do this, he can act on the trigger of the handle 250 to unlock the position of the second portion 22, push the handle 250 until the second portion 22 is brought into its second position, and act again on the trigger to lock the second position of the second portion 22.

[0083] According to another possible embodiment, the passage from one position to the other of the second portion 22, relative to the first portion 21, can be ensured by the motorized rotation of the drive wheel 23. For example, if the rear wheels 13 of the wheelchair 1 are blocked by brakes or by another means, the passage from the first position represented by [Fig.4] to the second position represented by [Fig.7] can be ensured by the forward rotation of the drive wheel 23. This rotation of the drive wheel 23 in fact causes the forward movement of the second portion 22 of the training equipment 2.

[0084] According to yet another possible embodiment, the movement of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21 may be motorized. The motorized actuation means for ensuring this movement may, for example, use the motor which drives the drive wheel 23 in rotation. In such a case, a gear forming a reducer may be provided so that this motor drives the movement of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21.

[0085] Alternatively, an electric motor and a dedicated gear train may be provided to provide relative rotation of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21.

Claims

Claims

1. Wheelchair (1), comprising: - a structure (11) carrying a seat (12), - at least two substantially coaxial rear wheels (13) carried by said structure (11), - at least one front wheel (14) carried by said structure (11), a plane tangent to said rear wheels (13) and to said front wheels (14), under said wheelchair (1), being defined as the reference plane (10) of said wheelchair (1), said wheelchair (1) being equipped with removable motorized training equipment (2), comprising: - at least one fixing member (211) to said structure (11) of said wheelchair, carried by a first portion (21) of said training equipment (2), - at least one drive wheel (23), carried by a second portion (22) of said drive equipment (2), - at least one motor capable of driving said drive wheel (23) in rotation, characterized in that said second portion (22) of said training equipment (2) is movable, relative to said first portion (21) of said training equipment (2), between: - at least a first position in which said drive wheel (23) is located entirely above said reference plane (10) of said wheelchair (1), and - at least one second position in which said drive wheel (23) is located in front of said front wheel(s) (14) of said wheelchair (1), and at least a portion of said drive wheel (23) is located below said reference plane (10) of said wheelchair (1), and in that said training equipment (2) comprises means for locking the position of said second portion (22) relative to said first portion (21), in said or at least one of said second positions.

2. Wheelchair according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said drive wheel (23) is located, in said or at least one of said first positions, behind said front wheel(s) (14).

3. Wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drive wheel (23) is located, in said or at least one of said first positions, in front of said front wheel or wheels (14).

4. Wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drive wheel (23) is, in said or at least one of said first positions, tangent to said reference plane (10) of said wheelchair (1).

5. Wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drive wheel (23) is, in said or at least one of said first positions, distant from said reference plane (10) of said wheelchair (1).

6. Wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first portion (21) is constituted by a bar extending transversely to said wheelchair (1), each of the two ends of which carries one of said fixing members (211), which is assembled to the structure (11) of said wheelchair (1).

7. Wheelchair according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said bar is telescopic, the distance between said ends of said bar being variable.

8. Wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drive wheel (23) carries a plurality of rollers (231) ensuring contact between said wheel and the ground, each of said rollers (231) being pivotally mounted on the drive wheel (23) along an axis substantially tangent to said drive wheel (23).

9. Wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second portion (22) of said training equipment (2) is assembled to said first portion (21) by an articulation (24) forming a pivot connection.

10. Wheelchair according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said locking means comprise at least one stop limiting the rotation of said second portion (22) relative to said first portion (21).

11. Wheelchair according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drive equipment (2) comprises motorized means for driving said second portion (22), relative to said first portion (21), between at least one of said first positions and at least one of said second positions.

12. Wheelchair according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said motorized means comprise said motor capable of driving said drive wheel (23) in rotation.

13. Motorized training equipment (2) for a wheelchair, said wheelchair (1) comprising: - a structure (11) carrying a seat (12), - at least two substantially coaxial rear wheels (13) carried by said structure (11), - at least one front wheel (14) carried by said structure (11), a plane tangent to said rear wheels (13) and to said front wheels (14), under said wheelchair (1), being defined as the reference plane (10) of said wheelchair (1), said motorized training equipment (2) comprising: - at least one fixing member (211) which is fixed, in use, to said structure (11) of said wheelchair (1), said at least one fixing member (11) being carried by a first portion (21) of said training equipment (1), - at least one training wheel (23), carried by a second portion (22) of said equipment training (2),- at least one motor capable of rotating said drive wheel (23), said second portion (22) of said drive equipment (2) being movable, relative to said first portion (21) of said drive equipment (2), between: - at least a first position in which said drive wheel (2) is located, in use, entirely above said reference plane (10) of said wheelchair (1), - at least a second position in which at least a part of said drive wheel (23) is located, in use, lisation, below said reference plane (10) of said wheelchair, and in front of said front wheel(s) (14) of said wheelchair (1).

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