Wheelchair equipped with a motorised drive device, and method for using same

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheelchair (1) equipped with a removable motorised drive device (2) comprising a first portion (21) attached to the chair (1), a drive wheel (23) borne by a second portion (22) of the drive device (2), and a motor that drives the rotation of the drive 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 chair (1) and a second position in which the drive wheel (23) is located in front of the front wheels (14) of the chair (1), and at least partially below the wheels (13, 14) of the chair, the drive device (2) comprising means for locking the second portion (22) in this second position. The invention also relates to the drive device (2) for a wheelchair.

Description

WHEELCHAIR EQUIPPED WITH MOTORIZED DRIVE EQUIPMENT AND METHOD FOR ITS USE Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to wheelchairs intended for persons 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 training equipment. It also relates to removable motorized training equipment suitable for equipping a wheelchair. Prior art

[0003] Wheelchairs allow mobility for people with reduced mobility whose health condition prevents them from walking. A wheelchair can generally be driven, that is, 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 powered by the occupant. Such chairs typically feature large-diameter rear wheels, which can be directly rotated by the user's hands, and front wheels, usually of smaller diameter, to provide stability.

[0005] Other wheelchairs include a motor 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 wheelchair training equipment, which can be removably attached to muscle wheelchairs to ensure their movement, or to contribute to it by providing assistance.

[0007] We thus know, for example from document WO2023 / 214372, such motorized training equipment 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 installation 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.

[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 using 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 ensure training in the configuration he wishes.

[0012] Yet another object of the invention is to provide wheelchair training in the form of assistance, with the wheelchair user continuing to steer his or her muscular wheelchair by manually operating the rear wheels of his or her wheelchair.

[0013] 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 member for attachment to the structure of the wheelchair, carried by a first portion of the drive equipment, at least one drive wheel, carried by a second portion of the drive equipment, at least one motor capable of driving the drive wheel in rotation, around a non-steerable axis, substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said rear wheels, the second portion of the drive equipment being mobile,relative to the first portion of the training equipment, between:at least a first position in which the training wheel is located entirely above the reference plane of the wheelchair, andat least a second position in which the training wheel is located in front of the front wheel(s) of the wheelchair, and at least part of the training 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.,

[0014] The wheelchair according to the invention can thus easily move from a configuration, corresponding to the first position, in which the drive wheel does not ensure effective driving of the wheelchair, to a configuration, corresponding to the second position, in which the drive wheel ensures both the driving of the wheelchair and its stability. The drive wheel, in the second position, allows particularly effective driving of the wheelchair, even on uneven ground.

[0015] There is no need to assemble or disassemble the training equipment to switch from one configuration to another. The user, seated in the chair, can thus move the equipment from the inactive position to the activated position, or vice versa, without having to get out of the chair or bend down. He can thus benefit from the assistance of the equipment in training the chair, while keeping his hands to operate the rear wheels of the chair. In addition, the user can also install the training equipment by himself, without outside help and without having to get out of the chair.

[0016] 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.

[0017] In such a configuration, the wheel is particularly space-saving when it is not used to ensure efficient training of the chair.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] In such a configuration, the training wheel can participate in the wheelchair's drive. However, the weak contact between the training wheel and the ground limits the effectiveness of this drive.

[0021] 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.

[0022] In such a configuration, the training wheel is not in contact with the ground and therefore does not hinder the movement of the wheelchair.

[0023] 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.

[0024] Advantageously, in this case, the bar is telescopic, the distance between said ends of said bar being variable.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 around an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rear wheels. This pivot connection allows the mobility of the second portion of the training equipment relative to the first portion of this training equipment, between the first position(s) and the second position(s).

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] Advantageously, in this case, these motorized means comprise the motor capable of driving the drive wheel in rotation.

[0032] The invention also relates to motorized training equipment for a wheelchair, this wheelchair comprising:a structure supporting 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 driving the training wheel in rotation, around a non-steerable axis, substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said rear wheels,this second portion of the training equipment being mobile,relative to the first portion of the training equipment, between:at least a first position in which the training wheel is located, in use, entirely above the reference plane of the wheelchair,at least a second position in which at least part of the training wheel is located, in use, below the reference plane of the wheelchair, and in front of the front wheel or wheels of the wheelchair.,

[0033] This motorized training equipment may present, in use, each of the characteristics defined above in relation to the wheelchair. Description of figures

[0034] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of preferred embodiments, given as a simple figurative and non-limiting example, and accompanied by the figures among which: La is a schematic representation in side view of a wheelchair. La is a perspective view of motorized training equipment according to an embodiment of the invention. La is a front view of the wheelchair equipped with the training equipment of La. La is a side view of the wheelchair equipped with the training equipment of La. La is a side view of the wheelchair equipped with a variant of the training equipment of La, in another configuration. La is a side view of the wheelchair equipped with the training equipment of La, in another configuration. La is a side view of the wheelchair equipped with the training equipment of La, in another configuration.

[0035] This 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.

[0036] In the present description, the terms "front" and "rear" refer to the position of an element on a horizontal axis called "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 projected position on the longitudinal axis is in front (or, respectively, behind) 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] According to the invention, the wheelchair 1 is equipped with removable motorized training equipment 2. The figure represents this removable training equipment 2, which is designed to be removably attached to the structure 11 of the wheelchair 1.

[0041] The training equipment 2 is composed of two portions, movable relative to each other. A first portion 21 of this training equipment 2 is intended to be removably fixed to the structure 11. A second portion 22 of this training equipment 2 carries a training wheel 23.

[0042] To be removably attached to the structure 11, the first portion 21 of the training equipment 2 comprises at least one attachment 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. This first portion 21 therefore extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rear wheels 13.

[0043] 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.

[0044] In the particular embodiment represented by the, 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] This attachment of the first portion 21 of the training equipment 2 to the structure 11 of the wheelchair 1 is visible in the. The support forks 211 are advantageously designed to allow rapid assembly by the user, but must also be capable of transmitting sufficient torque to carry the weight of the front part of the wheelchair.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 on a tube of the structure 11, by screws, etc.

[0049] 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. It is understood that the assembly of the training equipment on the wheelchair 1 by the training portion 21 is rapid and accessible to a person who is already seated in the wheelchair 1.

[0050] 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. When the first portion 21 is fixed to the structure 11, this axis of rotation of the drive wheel 23 is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rear wheels of the chair. This axis is therefore not orientable, relative to the chair 11.

[0051] According to the invention, this drive wheel 23 is driven in rotation by a motor included in the removable drive equipment 2.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] In the particular embodiment represented by the, 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.

[0057] It is of course possible, in other embodiments, to implement the invention with wheels of another type.

[0058] According to the invention, the second portion 22 of the removable drive 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 and parallel to the axis of rotation of the rear wheels of the chair. 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.

[0059] In the embodiment shown, the articulation 24, which allows the second portion 22 to move from the first to the second position, is formed by the pivoting of the second portion 22 around the bar forming the first portion 21. This bar therefore substantially forms the central axis of the pivot connection. This configuration makes it possible to obtain a simple pivot connection that can be assembled quickly.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 makes it possible to vary the distance between the axis of the training wheel 23 and the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] In the configuration represented by the, 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 tangent to the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1, behind the front wheels 14 of the wheelchair.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] In a variant of this configuration, which is represented by the, 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.

[0068] 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 any significant rolling resistance.

[0069] 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.

[0070] On the other hand, if the wheelchair 1 is then on an uneven floor, the drive wheel 23 can, by following the unevenness of the floor, 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 floor. It can advantageously be implemented when the drive wheel 23 can pivot freely, without being driven or braked by the motor.

[0071] In the configuration represented by the, 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.

[0072] In this configuration, the drive wheel 23 is not in contact with the ground on which the wheelchair 1 is placed. It cannot therefore drive the wheelchair 1, but does not hinder its movement either.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] Larepresents 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 1, and at least partly below the reference plane 10 of the wheelchair 1.

[0076] 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. Contact of the wheelchair 1 with the ground is ensured only by its rear wheels 13 and by the drive wheel 23.

[0077] 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 efficiently drive the wheelchair 1. Such a configuration is particularly suitable for movement on uneven terrain, capable of providing rolling resistance for the wheelchair 1.

[0078] Furthermore, the training wheel being placed in front of the front wheels 14, it advantageously ensures good stability for the wheelchair 1.

[0079] It should be noted that, in all configurations, the axis of the drive wheel 23 remains parallel to the axis of the rear wheels 13. This non-steerable nature of the drive wheel 23 allows it to provide assistance without having to be steered by the user. The user can then keep his hands on the rear wheels 13, in order to steer the chair.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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 into 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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, 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.

[0084] 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 the, 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 the stable.

[0085] The blocking ensured by such a stop is then reversible without the stop being movable. Indeed, a particular manipulation of the chair and / or 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 the or by the.

[0086] 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.

[0087] In an advantageous variant represented by 1a, 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 1a to a second position, in which the second portion 22 is in the position represented by 1a. 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.

[0088] 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 the to the second position represented by the 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.

[0089] The invention thus relates to a method of using a wheelchair according to the invention, in which the second portion 22 of the training equipment 2 is assembled to the first portion 21 by an articulation 24 forming a pivot connection around an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rear wheels 13, this method comprising: a preparatory step, comprising blocking the rotation of the rear wheels 13, and releasing the rotation of the articulation 24 between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 of the training equipment 2, the training wheel being in contact with the ground, and a step of driving the training wheel 23 in rotation, causing the movement of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 21, from one of said first positions to one of said second positions, or from one of said second positions to one of said first positions.

[0090] Preferably, during the preparatory step, the rear wheels 13 are blocked before the rotation of the articulation between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 is released. However, they can also be blocked after this release.

[0091] Advantageously, this method of use may also comprise, after the training step, a locking step comprising blocking the rotation of the articulation 24 between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 of the training equipment 2.

[0092] Obviously, this method of use also includes a step of unlocking the rotation of the rear wheels, after the training step and, where appropriate, after the locking step.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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

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 drive equipment (2), comprising:at least one fixing member (211) to said structure (11) of said wheelchair, carried by a first portion (21) of said drive 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, around a non-steerable axis, substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said rear wheels (13),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 one first position in which said training wheel (23) is located entirely above said reference plane (10) of said wheelchair (1), andat least one second position in which said training wheel (23) is located in front of said front wheel(s) (14) of said wheelchair (1), and at least a portion of said training 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., 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). 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). 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). 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). 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). Wheelchair according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said bar is telescopic, the distance between said ends of said bar being variable. 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). 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 around an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said rear wheels (13). 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). 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. Wheelchair according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said motorized means comprise said motor capable of driving said drive wheel (23) in rotation. A method of using a wheelchair according to claim 9, comprising:a preparatory step, comprising blocking the rotation of said rear wheels (13), and releasing the rotation of said articulation (24) between said first portion (21) and said second portion (22) of said training equipment (2), said training wheel (23) being in contact with the ground, anda step of driving in rotation of said training wheel (23), causing the displacement of said second portion (22) relative to said first portion (21), from one of said first positions to one of said second positions, or from one of said second positions to one of said first positions. Method of use according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises, after said step of driving said drive wheel (13) in rotation, a locking step comprising blocking the rotation of said articulation (24) between said first portion (21) and said second portion (22) of said drive equipment (2).