Sitting and standing furniture for supporting movement of a person with muscle hypotensive, ataxia and / or spastic cerebral palatal

Abstract

A seating and standing furniture for supporting the movement of a person with muscle hypotonia, ataxia and / or spastic cerebral palsy, comprising a seat, an upwardly extending backrest, a first side rest, a second side rest, a downwardly extending standing rest, and a connecting device, wherein the connecting device links the first side rest and the second side rest, and the backrest, the first and second side rest, and the connecting device define a first movement range above the seat, is characterized in that the seat, the first side rest, the second side rest, and the connecting device define a second movement range in front of the seat, and the connecting device is designed as a knee support in the second movement range.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a piece of sitting and standing furniture for supporting the movement of a person with muscular hypotonia, ataxia and / or spastic cerebral palsy (CP), comprising a seat surface, an upwardly extending back device, a first side device, a second side device, a standing device extending downwards towards the floor and a connecting device, wherein the connecting device connects the first side device and the second side device and the back device, the first and second side devices and the connecting device delimit a first range of movement above the seat surface.

[0002] Such a device is known from the general state of the art in seating furniture. Seating furniture is generally suitable for making it easier for people to sit. Standing furniture, in turn, is generally suitable for making it easier for people to stand. However, for people suffering from muscular hypotonia, ataxia, and / or spastic cerebral palsy, such seating or standing furniture does not help support movement from a sitting position to a standing position or vice versa. This problem occurs both in elderly people with age-related muscle weakness and in children with muscular hypotonia, ataxia, and / or spastic cerebral palsy.

[0003] The present invention is particularly intended for children with the aforementioned impairments, but can be used by all people with these impairments. People with muscular weakness, ataxia, and / or spastic cerebral palsy find it difficult to stand up and sit down freely, and there is always a risk of falling when performing the associated movements. Children with muscular hypotonia, ataxia, and / or spastic cerebral palsy are also at risk of losing their balance when sitting and standing. Conventional seating or standing furniture cannot support a person when standing up or sitting down, so that movement in one direction or the other is not only easier, but the movement can also be performed more easily and with more control.

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a sitting and standing furniture of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it supports the movement of a person between a sitting position and a standing position.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention in that the seat surface, the first side device, the second side device and the connecting device delimit a second movement area in front of the seat surface and the connecting device is designed as a knee support in the second movement area.

[0006] The present invention makes it possible for a person with muscular hypotonia, ataxia and / or spastic cerebral palsy, for example a child, to sit on the seat of the seating furniture, and the first and second side devices prevent the child from falling sideways off the seat if they lose their balance. The connecting device also secures the child from moving forward. In addition, the connecting device limits a second range of motion such that the child's knees hit the connecting device when standing up, so that the connecting device acts as a knee support and prevents the child from falling forward. The connecting device provides a counterweight for the child's knee in the second range of motion so that the child can move upwards into a standing position or downwards into a sitting position with the support of the connecting device.

[0007] A further advantage of the present invention is that the first side device comprises a first stand element of the stand device, and the second side device comprises a second stand element of the stand device. Thus, the stand elements are formed as part of the side device and can be connected to the seat and backrest in a chair-like manner.

[0008] A further advantage of the present invention is that the connecting device comprises a first connecting element for limiting the first range of motion and a second connecting element for limiting the second range of motion. This design allows the seating and standing furniture to be designed more "openly." For example, a free, transparent area can be left between the first connecting element and the second connecting element, through which the child's sitting position on the seat can be observed from the outside.

[0009] Another advantage of the present invention is that the second connecting element is a surface element with a main surface extending substantially parallel to the backrest. This ensures that the area in which the second connecting element provides support as a knee support is larger. This is particularly advantageous when the seat surface is height-adjustable.

[0010] A further advantage of the present invention is that the main surface has a central third in the parallel direction of extension, with which the main surface delimits the second range of motion between the seat surface and the main surface. This ensures that the second surface element can serve as a knee support not only when the seat height varies, but also when children of different heights sit on the seat at the same height. The planar design of the second connecting element or the connecting device as a whole provides a larger range of use under different usage conditions, i.e., with different seat heights and / or different body sizes.

[0011] It is also advantageous that the connecting device includes a play surface that extends substantially parallel to the seat. Such a play surface allows the child to find motivation to move their arms in a sitting or standing position.

[0012] A further advantage of the present invention is that the play surface is height-adjustable on the first side and the second side. The height-adjustability of the play surface allows it to be adapted to the child's height.

[0013] A further advantage of the present invention is that the first connecting element comprises a play surface that extends substantially parallel to the seat surface. It is advantageous that the play surface is located on the upper, first connecting element and, on the other hand, forms an upper tray as a play surface, which simultaneously acts as a barrier for the child, preventing them from falling forward out of the sitting and standing furniture if they lose their balance.

[0014] A further advantage of the present invention is that the stand includes a base plate. The base plate increases the stability of the stand and thus of the seating and standing furniture.

[0015] It's also advantageous that the base plate extends outward from the first side unit, the second side unit, and the back unit. This expansion of the standing areas formed by the side units further increases stability.

[0016] Another advantage of the present invention is that the backrest has a rear side to which a boom support is attached. Such a boom support advantageously extends over the first movement area and is preferably U-shaped there as a round rail. Objects required by the child can be hung from such a round rail. The round rail also serves to provide the child with an additional means of support while standing.

[0017] Further advantages arise from the additional features of the subclaims. Overall, the seating and standing furniture also serves to provide the child with a safe space for movement, encouraging them to move relatively safely and thus improving their mobility.

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a seating and standing furniture according to the present invention in a perspective view obliquely from above; Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the seating furniture from Fig. 1 in a side view without the gallows support and in a kind of sectional view

[0019] In Fig. 1 A seating and standing furniture 1 is shown schematically and in perspective. The seating and standing furniture 1 is intended to support the movement of a person with muscular hypotonia, ataxia, and / or spastic cerebral palsy from a sitting position to a standing position or from a standing position to a sitting position and to provide the person with a safe close-up environment when sitting and standing. For this purpose, the seating and standing furniture 1 comprises a seat 3, a first side device 5.1, a second side device 5.2, a back device 7, a standing device 9, and a connecting device 11.

[0020] The seat surface 3 is mounted between the first side device 5.1 and the second side device 5.2 in a height-adjustable manner. In the present embodiment, the seat surface 3 is oriented horizontally. In other embodiments, however, the seat surface 3 can also be adjusted in its orientation via an adjusting device (not shown), so that it is inclined toward the connecting device 11 in a sitting position.

[0021] The height adjustment can be technically implemented in any desired manner. In the simplest form, the first side device 5.1 and the second side device 5.2 comprise support elements (not shown) at different heights. However, other embodiments may also incorporate more complex technical devices, such as the aforementioned adjustment device for adjusting the seat height stepwise or continuously.

[0022] In the Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the first side device 5.1 as well as the second side device 5.2 each comprise a first surface element 5.3 and a second surface element 5.4, respectively, which extends far upwards on the sides of the seat surface 3 along the back device 7, so that armrests (not shown), for example, can be formed on an upper edge 5.5 of the respective first and / or second side element 5.1, 5.2. The back device 7 extends upwards over the upper edge 5.5. In the present embodiment, the back device 7 extends to the head height of a seated person, so that the back of the head of the seated person can be supported on a head region 7.1 of the back device 7.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the connecting device 11 is formed in two parts. In other embodiments, the connecting device 11 can also be formed in one piece and, in the one-piece design, comprise a play surface 13, which, as the upper end of the one-piece connecting device 11, forms a barrier between the first side device 5.1 and the second side device 5.2 to protect the person or child from falling forward.

[0024] The first side device 5.1, the second side device 5.2, the back device 7, and the connecting device 11 delimit a first movement area 15 in both the one-piece and the illustrated two-piece embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the playing surface 13 comprises a first outer longitudinal edge 13.1 and a second inner longitudinal edge 13.2. However, the first and second longitudinal edges 13.1, 13.2 are optional. In other embodiments, only an outer or an inner longitudinal edge may be provided, or the longitudinal edges may be omitted entirely. They serve to prevent objects on the playing surface from falling off the playing surface 13.

[0025] In the Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the connecting device 11 is designed in two parts and comprises a first connecting element 11.1 and a second connecting element 11.2. The first connecting element 11.1 comprises the playing surface 13 with the first and / or second longitudinal edge 13.1, 13.2, while the second connecting element 11.2 is designed as a surface element that extends substantially parallel to the back device 7 and is arranged at a vertical distance from the first surface element 11.1 between the first side device 5.1 and the second side device 5.2. In the present embodiment, the second connecting element 11.2 is fixedly attached. In other embodiments, the second connecting element 11.2 can also be detachably attached, for example pivotably, to the first and second side parts 5.1 and 5.2 for cleaning purposes or for other reasons.

[0026] The stand device 9 comprises a lower area 9.1 of the first side device 5.1 and the second side device 5.2 below the second connecting element 11.2 as well as a base plate 9.2. The base plate 9.2 extends outwards from the first side device 5.1 and the second side device 5.2 and enlarges a standing area of ​​the seating and / or standing furniture 1. In the Fig. 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the base plate 9.2 has a U-shaped cutout 9.3 into which the first side device 5.1 and the second side device 5.2 are precisely inserted. As a result, there is no base plate 9.2 below the seat surface 3.

[0027] A boom support 17 is attached to a rear wall 7.2 of the backrest assembly 7. This boom support can either have a fixed height or be height-adjustable. The boom support 17 is designed as a U-shaped circular rail extending over the first movement area 15.

[0028] Between the connecting device 11 in the one-part embodiment or the second connecting element 11.2 of the illustrated two-part embodiment and the seat surface 3, a second movement area 19 is created, which is laterally limited by the first side device 5.1 and the second side device 5.2 and in Fig. 2 can be clearly seen. The connecting device 11 in the one-piece embodiment or the second connecting element 11.2 in the illustrated one-piece embodiment has a knee support 11.3 (see Fig. 2 ). The design of the knee brace 11.3 can vary. In the simplest form, as in Fig. 2 As shown, the smooth inner side of the second connecting element 11.2 forms the knee support 11.3. In other embodiments, the inner wall of the one-piece connecting device 11 or the second connecting element 11.2 can be ergonomically adapted to a person's knee, so that its function as a knee support is optimized.

[0029] In Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of a sectional view of a seating and standing furniture 1 according to the invention. Fig. 2the boom support 15 and the inner longitudinal edge 13.2 are missing. The assignment of the individual components can be clearly seen from the side view. The seat surface 3 and a middle third of a main surface of the second connecting element 11.2 delimit the second movement area 19. In the one-piece embodiment of the connecting device 11, the area of ​​the middle third of the main surface is the area of ​​the inner wall of the connecting device 11, which extends parallel to an adjustment range of the seat height of the seat surface 3, such that the person can support themselves with their knees on this area provided as a knee support when standing up or sitting down and can thus safely perform the upward or downward movement.

[0030] The first movement area 15 is formed essentially above the seat surface 3 and extends at least across its entire surface. The second movement area 19 is formed below the playing surface 13 and extends at least across its entire surface. This clamps a standing person between the playing surface 13 on the one hand and the seat surface 3 on the other. During a downward movement, the knees bend forward and hit the knee support 11.3 until the person is safely seated on the seat surface 3. Conversely, the person can support their knees on the knee support 11.3 during the upward movement until they are safely "clamped" between the playing surface 13 and the seat surface 3.

[0031] In practice, the seating and standing furniture 1 can be well padded and also adapted to individual needs. The round rail also serves as a place to hang objects. In particular, the round rail also serves to reduce a child's body weight with the help of suspension devices and prevent the child from falling over when walking sideways.

[0032] In one variant, the seating and standing furniture 1 is designed as a bench for learning to walk sideways. List of reference symbols

[0033] 1 Seating and standing furniture 3 Seating area 5.1 First side device 5.2 Second side device 5.3 First surface element 5.4 Second surface element 5.5 Top edge 7 Back device 7.1 Head area 7.2 Back wall 9 Standing device 9.1 First standing area 9.2 Second standing area 9.3 Base plate 9.4 U-shaped recess 11 Connecting device 11.1 First connecting element 11.2 Second connecting element 11.3 Knee support 13 Playing area 13.1 Outer longitudinal edge 13.2 Inner longitudinal edge 15 First movement area 17 Gallows support 19 Second movement area

Claims

1. Sitting and standing furniture (1) for supporting the movement of a person with muscular hypotonia, ataxia and / or spastic cerebral palsy, comprising a seat surface (3), an upwardly extending back device (7; 7.1), a first side device (5.1), a second side device (5.2), a standing device (9; 9.1, 9.2) extending downwards towards the floor and a connecting device (11; 11.1, 11.2), wherein the connecting device (11; 11.1, 11.2) connects the first side device (5.1) and the second side device (5.2) and the back device (7; 7.1), the first and second side devices (5.1; 5.2) and the connecting device (11; 11.1, 11.2) delimit a first movement area (15) above the seat surface (3), characterized by thatthe seat surface (3), the first side device (5.1), the second side device (5.2) and the connecting device (11; 11.1, 11.2) delimit a second movement area (19) in front of the seat surface (3) and the connecting device (11; 11.1, 11.2) is designed as a knee support (11.3) in the second movement area (19).

2. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the first side device (5.1) comprises a first stand area (9.1) of the stand device (9) and the second side device (5.2) comprises a second stand element (9.3) of the stand device (9).

3. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by thatthe connecting device (11; 11.1, 11.2) has a first connecting element (11.1) for limiting the first range of movement (15) and a second connecting element (11.2) for limiting the second range of movement (19), wherein the second connecting element (11.2) forms the knee support (11.3).

4. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the second connecting element (11.2) is a surface element which extends with a main surface substantially parallel to the back device (7).

5. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the main surface has a middle third in the parallel extension direction, which forms the knee support (11.3).

6. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by thatthe connecting device (11; 11.1, 11.2) comprises a playing surface (13) which extends substantially parallel to the seat surface (3).

7. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the playing surface (13) is attached to the first side device (5.1) and the second side device (5.2) in a height-adjustable manner.

8. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that the first connecting element (11.1) comprises a playing surface (13) which extends substantially parallel to the seat surface (3).

9. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to claim 8, characterized by that the playing surface (13) is attached to the first side device (5.1) and the second side device (5.2) in a height-adjustable manner.

10. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized by that the stand device (9; 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4) comprises a base plate (9.3).

11. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to claim 10, characterized by that the base plate (9.3) extends outwards from the first side device (5.1), the second side device (5.2) and the back device (7).

12. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to claim 11, characterized by that the base plate (9.3) has a cutout (9.4) into which the first stand element (5.1) and the second stand element (5.2) are precisely inserted.

13. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the back device (7) has a rear wall (7.2) to which a gallows support (17) is attached.

14. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the gallows support (17) is a round rail extending in a U-shape over the first movement area (15).

15. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by thatthe playing surface (13) has at least one first or second longitudinal edge (13.1; 13.2).

16. Seating and standing furniture (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the seat surface (3) is height-adjustable and is attached to the first side device (5.1) and the second side device (5.2) and / or the back device (7).