Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A SET OF RELEASABLY INTERCONNECTASLE MEMBERS FOR BUILDING UP
A CHAIR FOR DISABLED PERSONS
The present invention relates to a set of releasably
interconnectable members for building up a chair for disabled
persons. The present invention further relates to a chair
built up of a set of releasably interconnectable members and
to a bag for containing and transporting a set according to
the present invention.
People being physically disabled to a certain extent are
normally fully dependent on wheel chairs not only for moving
themselves but also for showering and for lavatory visits. In
private homes, such people typically possess specialised
wheel chairs and/or furniture for different purposes, and
their homes are usually arranged so as to allow wheel chairs
to access all rooms.
In general, the width of a lavatory door in private homes is
limited to 60 cm) which does not allow a conventional wheel
chair to enter the room. In public places, the problem of
giving disabled people using a wheel chair access to a
lavatory room, is dealt with by constructing special
"handicap lavatories" having wider doors and ample room
allowing a standard wheel chair to enter and manoeuvre. Thus,
when travelling, disabled people using a wheel chair have
satisfactory access to lavatories, e.g., in air ports and at
railway stations. However, most modern hotels with lifts
cannot be used by wheel chair users, as the standard lavatory
door of 60 cm does not allow a wheel. chair to access, the
lavatory room. Therefore, disabled people using a wheel chair
and their companions are forced to limit themselves to stay
at special "handicap hotels" or, alternatively, to bring
along one or more specialised wheel chairs on their journey.
However, bringing several wheel chairs when travelling is
normally not possible, in particular. when travelling by air
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plane. Thus, in many cases, disabled people have so for been
forced to limit themselves to special "handicap hotels".
The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a
low weight combined bath-, lavatory-, and transport wheel
chair, which may also be used as a stationary chair, and
which is easy to disassemble and to pack into a travel case.
Conventional, collapsible wheel chairs, such as those
disclosed in U.S. patent 4,957,303 or in German patent
1268315, are rather difficult to carry and not suitable for
travelling purposes. In particular, these known collapsible
wheel chairs are not suited for being carried by a companion
accompanying the disabled person, e.g " during an air plane
fare. A further disadvantage of these chairs and of most
available wheel chairs is that their design differ from the
design of common stationary chairs to such an extent that a
disabled person using a wheel chair may suffer from indignity
when using the chair due to other people's attention caused
by the chair, e.g., when the disabled person is visiting a
restaurant.
A chair built of a set according to the present invention
combines a lavatory) bathing and transportation wheel chair.
A combined wheel chair and commode chair is disclosed in U.S
patent 3,769,638. This chair, however, may not be
disassembled and is not useful for travelling purposes.
Due to the design of a chair built up of a set according the
present invention, it may pass over a standard lavatory bowl,
while it is sufficiently narrow to pass through a standard
lavatory door having a width of approximately 60 cm. This
allows a disabled person to access a normal lavatory room
instead of being dependent on the presence of a lavatory
basin or on the presence of a special "handicap lavatory".
A chair built up of a set according to the present may
further be used for a disabled person to shower while seated
in the chair.
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In particular, the present invention relates to a set of
releasably interconnectable members for building up a chair
for disabled persons, said set comprising
- a frame member,
- a lavatory seat to be mounted on the frame member,
- a cover seat to be mounted so as to cover the lavatory
seat,
- leg members for supporting the frame member, and
- wheel members to be mounted on the frame member or on the
leg members so as to support the chair.
The frame member or frame is the bearing element of the chair
to be built up from the set. Preferably the frame is made
from rods and/or tubes attached together, e.g. by welding,
soldering, gluing or any other process of assembling.
However, the frame may also be made from rods and/or tubes
which are bent so as to form the da_sired shape of the frame.
In order to minimize the weight of the frame, it is preferred
that low weight materials are used for the frame. The
strength of the frame should be sufficient for it to
withstand the load applied thereto when a person is seated in
the chair, and when a person raises or sits down in the
chair. A material combining the desired properties is
aluminium. Thus, it is preferred to make the frame from
aluminium or aluminium alloy profiles, such as square
profile, U-profiles, I-profiles, tubes or any other kind of
profiles.
The frame is prepared for releasably connecting leg members
and for attaching or releasably connecting a lavatory seat
thereto. Preferably, the frame is further provided with means
for releasably interconnecting other members thereto, as will
be described in detail below. These means preferably comprise
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pieces of tube attached to the frame, e.g., by soldering,
welding, gluing or by any other suitable process of
assembling. However, many other means for releasably
interconnecting members to the frame are possible, e.g.,
spring loaded mechanisms attached to the frame, magnetic
means etc.
Preferably, the frame defines a plane, said plane thereby
defining the plane of the lavatory seat. However, the frame
may have any shape.
The lavatory seat is preferably attached to the frame.
However, it is preferred that the frame and the lavatory seat
may be disassembled, so as to allow easier cleaning of the
chair. The lavatory seat has a throughgoing hole defined
therein, the size and the position of the hole being such
that it may be used as a lavatory hole.
The cover seat for covering the lavatory seat when a chair
built up of a set according to the invention is used as a
normal wheel chair or as a stationary chair, preferably
covers the lavatory seat over its entire surface. The cover
seat may be upholstered so as to increase the comfort.
However, for special applications of the chair, it may be
convenient that the cover seat is not upholstered.
The set according to the invention further comprises leg
members or legs for supporting the frame. Preferably, the
legs are made from rods and/or tubes made from low weight
materials having a sufficient strength so as to withstand the
load applied to the legs when a disabled person is sitting in
the chair or when the disabled person sits down or raises
from the chair. Thus, it is preferred to make the legs from
the same kind of profiles as the profiles comprised in the
frame. However, it is most preferred to make the legs from
tubes. Each leg comprises at one end means for releasably
interconnecting the leg to the frame. Preferably, the end of
a leg may interengage with a piece of tube attached to the
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frame suited for interengaging with an end of a leg. In a
preferred embodiment of the invention, each leg may be locked
to the corresponding piece of tube' attached to the frame by
suited locking means. The locking means may comprise spring
5 loaded mechanisms, or, alternatively and/or additionally, the
locking force may be provided by a ring of elastic material
twisted around one of the tubes ir, connection with a pawl
extending through a bore extending' in the transversal
direction of the leg and a corresponding bore extending
through the piece of tube attached. to the frame. The locking
means may alternatively and/or additionally comprise at least
one screw and at least one nut, the position of a leg being
locked by fastening the screw and the nut.
Each leg may be provided with wheels at the end opposite to
the end at which the leg is connected to the frame. The
wheels may be attached to the leg or they may be releasably
mounted thereon. The wheels may either be small wheels having
a diameter of 5-20 cm, or they may be driving wheels having a
diameter of 30-80 cm or more allowing a disabled person
sitting in the chair to turn the driving wheels with his/her
hands. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising
four legs - two front legs and two rear legs - all four legs
may be provided with small wheels or, alternatively, the
front wheels may be provided with ;small wheels and the rear
legs with driving wheels. As it is very easy to change the
configuration of the chair, the owner of the chair may
possess both a set of small wheels and a set of driving
wheels for the rear legs. The smal:L wheels as well as the
driving wheels may be provided with brakes for locking the
wheels, e.g., when a disabled person sits down or raises from
the chair, or when a chair with wheels is used as a
stationary chair. Preferably, at least one of the front
wheels is provided with a brake, and preferably, at least one
of the driving wheels is provided with a brake.
Preferably, the cover seat is provided with means for
releasably interconnecting the cover seat to the lavatory
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seat, or, alternatively and/or additionally, the cover seat
may be provided with means for pivotally interconnecting the
cover seat to the lavatory seat, such as, e.g., standard
pivot means known from usual lavatory bowls. It is preferred,
however, that the cover seat comprises mechanical means for
releasably interconnecting it to the lavatory seat. In a
preferred embodiment of the invention, a projection is formed
on the underside of the cover seat, said projection fitting
the lavatory hole defined in the lavatory seat. Other
possible means for interconnecting the cover seat to the
lavatory seat are possible within the scope of the invention,
and means for locking the cover seat to the lavatory may
further be provided.
Preferably, a set according to the invention comprises at
least four legs, which may be mounted on the frame at
intervals allowing the chair to be placed over a standard
lavatory bowl with at least two legs on either side of the
lavatory bowl. A most preferred embodiment of the invention
comprises four legs. However, for special applications it may
be convenient to mount only three legs or, for other
applications, five or more legs.
Each of at least two legs preferably comprise means for
adjusting its length. These means may comprise infinitely
variable configurations, including telescopic configurations,
or, alternatively, each leg may selectively be positioned in
one of a finite number of predetermined positions. The
adjustment of the length of a leg may be carried out by hand,
or by hydraulic or pneumatic means or by means of an
electromotor connected to a mechanical system comprising,
e.g., a spindle or a rack and pinion drive.
Preferably, the means for adjusting the length of a leg
comprise a telescopic interconnection. In a most preferred
embodiment of the invention, the telescopic interconnection
comprises two interengaging tubes which may be displaced - by
hand - relative to each other in their longitudinal
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direction. Preferably, equivalent means for interlocking the
tubes as described above for interlocking the legs and the
frame are provided.
The Legs preferably extend outwardly from the frame member in
a direction being substantially different from the
perpendicular direction relative t.o the frame member, so as
to stabilize the chair. The legs may extend outwardly in only
one plane, or they may extend outwardly in two planes. In a
most preferred embodiment of the invention, the front legs
extend outwardly in two planes, while the rear legs do not
extend outwardly in a sidewards/transversal direction, so as
obtain a stable configuration, when driving wheels are
mounted on the rear legs.
Preferably, the angle between a leg member and a vertical
direction is substantially the same for all leg members, such
that the design of all four legs is identical.
The set according to the invention preferably further
comprises a chair back member or chair back, allowing a
disabled person using the chair to lean back. The chair back
may be mounted on the frame. Preferably, the frame comprises
pieces of tube attached to the frame, the pieces of tube
being designed so as to receive rods and/or tubes comprised
in the chair back. However, other means for interconnecting
the chair back to the frame are possible. The rods and/or
tubes comprised in the chair back may be received in said
pieces of tube attached to the frarne, whereby the fit between
the interengaging parts may be relatively tight, so as to
avoid the chair back from being removed from the frame by
mistake. However, alternatively and/or additionally locking
means, such as, e.g., those described above for interlocking
the legs and the frame, may be applied. Preferably, a portion
of the chair back is upholstered with textile, so as to
increase the comfort of the chair.
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The chair back preferably comprises means for adjusting its
position relative to the frame in the assembled condition of
the members, including both means for adjusting the height of
the chair back as well as means for adjusting the position of
the chair back relative to the frame in a longitudinal
direction, i.e. means for adjusting the distance to the seat.
These means preferably comprise telescopic means as those
described above in connection with the means for adjusting
the length of the legs. Identical locking means as those
described above for the legs may be applied.
Preferably, the chair back member further comprises hand grip
means allowing a person to push the chair. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, the hand grip means comprise a
portion of a rod bent outwardly from the chair back. However,
all kinds of hand grips may be mounted on the chair back.
Alternatively, the hand grip means may be mounted directly on
the frame.
Preferably, the set according to the invention, further
comprises arm rest members or arm rests to be mounted on the
frame. The frame preferably comprises means for
interconnecting the arm rests thereto. These means may
comprise identical or equivalent means as those described
above for the chair back. The arm rests preferably comprise
arm rest pads attached thereto, so as to protect the elbows
and/or the arms of the disabled person using the chair. The
arm rest pads may be made from or covered by textile.
The arm rests preferably comprise means for individually
adjusting their positions relative to the frame member in the
assembled condition of the members. Preferably, the arm rests
comprise means for both adjusting their height as well as
their position in a sidewards/transversal direction. These
means may comprise identical or equivalent means as those
described above for the chair back.
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Preferably, the set according to the invention further
comprises a foot rest member or foot rest. The foot rest may
comprise at least one rod and/or tube suited for being
connected to the frame, the frame comprising means suited for
that purpose. The rods and/or tubes comprised in the foot
rest are bent, such that a portion of at least one rod and/or
tube defines a foot rest for the disabled person sitting in
the chair. Other foot rest members, e.g., plates for
supporting the feet of a disabled person seated in the chair,
may be mounted on the rods and/or tubes. In particular,
plates may be pivotally mounted on the rods and/or tubes. The
means comprised in the frame for connecting the foot rest
thereto preferably comprise identical and/or equivalent means
as those described above in connection with the arm rests,
the chair back and the legs. Identical and/or equivalent
locking means as those described above may also be applied.
The foot rest may comprise means for adjusting its position
relative to the frame in the assembled condition. These means
may comprise telescopic means as those described above in
connection with the arm rests, and identical and/or
equivalent locking means may be applied.
In a set according to the invention) at least the frame
member, the leg members, the wheel members and the lavatory
seat are made from water resistant materials or from other
materials provided with a water resistant coating, so as to
avoid the frame and the other members from being damaged when
using the chair for lavatory visits, showering etc.
Preferably at least a substantial part of the frame) and more
preferred the entire frame, is made from aluminium rods
and/or aluminium profiles. The rods and/or profiles may be
attached together by welding. For optical purposes, the rods
and/or profiles may be provided with a coating and/or paint.
Preferably, also the legs, the arm rests and the chair back -
except for the textile parts comprised in the chair back
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and/or in the arm rests - may are made from aluminium or
aluminium alloy rods and/or aluminium or aluminium alloy
profiles.
The set according to the invention may further comprise
5 coding means for identifying corresponding members, so as to
avoid non-corresponding parts from being put together. These
coding means may comprise colour identifying of corresponding
members, or alternatively and/or additionally, the coding
means comprise interengaging portions of corresponding
10 members, so as to allow only corresponding members to be
interconnected and so as to allow only a correct assembling
of the members.
The set according to invention may further comprise angular
positioning means for positioning corresponding members
relative to each other. Preferably, the legs comprise such
means for positioning them in their correct angular position
relative to the frame. The angular positioning means may
comprise interengaging portions of corresponding members so
as to allow only a correct assembling of the members. A
projection extending in the longitudinal direction of a leg
connecting piece attached to the frame may interengage with a
corresponding groove defined in the surface of a leg.
Alternatively, a projection defined on a leg and extending in
the longitudinal direction of the leg may interengage with a
corresponding groove defined in a leg connecting piece.
Obviously, many other angular positioning means for the legs
are possible.
The set according to the invention may further comprise a
lavatory basin to be mounted beneath the toilet seat.
Preferably, the frame is provided with means, such as rods
and/or tubes, for mounting the lavatory basin thereon. The
lavatory basin may be collapsible, so as to facilitate the
basin to be carried, e.g., by a person accompanying the
disabled person using the chair, e.g., while travelling. The
lavatory basin may be disposable.
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The invention further relates to a. chair built up of a set
according to the invention. Preferably, the width of the
chair including arm rests is less than or equal to 60 cm, so
as to allow the chair to pass through a standard lavatory
door. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the
width of the chair is less than or equal to 54 cm.
The invention further relates to a bag for containing and
transporting a set according to the invention. The design of
the set according to the invention allows the set to be
packed into a travel case complying with the maximum
measurements for cabin baggage for air planes. Preferably,
the sum of the width, the length and the height of the bag is
less than or equal to 150 cm. In a most preferred embodiment
of the invention, said sum is less than or equal to 115 cm.
The bag may be made from textile and/or from synthetic
materials. It may be rigid or collapsible, and it may,
optionally, be formed as a rucksack. Preferably) the bag is
made from water proof materials.
The invention, in particular preferred embodiments thereof,
will now be further described with reference to the drawings,
wherein:
Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a set according to the
invention,
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of an
undercarriage of a chair according to the invention having
small wheels at the front legs and at the rear legs,
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical illustration of an
undercarriage of a chair according to the invention having
small wheels at the front legs and driving wheels at the rear
legs,
Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical illustration of an
undercarriage of a chair according to the invention having no
wheels,
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a frame member,
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Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical illustration of the frame
member in transversal plane,
a
Fig. 7 is a diagrammatical illustration of the frame
member in longitudinal plane,
a
Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of a leg member,
including small wheel and a portion of the frame,
a
Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of a portion of a first
embodiment of a leg member,
Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of a portion of a
second embo diment of a leg member,
Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of a leg with a small
wheel mount ed thereon,
Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view of a leg with a driving
wheel mount ed thereon,
Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view showing a first
embodiment of the interconnection between a wheel and a leg
member,
Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view showing a second
embodiment of the interconnection between a wheel and a leg
member,
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a locking device for
interlockin g leg parts,
Fig. 16 is a plane view of the locking device shown in
fig. 15,
Fig. 17 is a plane view of a chair back,
Fig. 18 is a side view of a portion of the chair back,
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the chair back,
Fig. 20 is a side view of an arm rest,
Fig. 21 is a diagrammatical illustration showing a side
view of the arm rest,
Fig. 22 is a diagrammatical illustration showing a front
view of the arm rest,
Fig. 23 is a partly cross sectional front view of a foot
rest,
Fig. 24 is a side view of a portion of a foot rest,
Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a foot rest, and
Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the frame with a
lavatory basin mounted thereon.
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Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a set of releasably
interconnectable members for building up a chair for disabled
persons, indicated by the general reference numeral 1. The
set comprises a lavatory seat 2 having a lavatory hole 2a
formed therein, the hole 2a being sufficiently large for a
chair built up of the set according to the invention to be
used as a lavatory chair. The lavatory seat 2 is connected to
a frame member or frame 11 (not visible in fig. 1), shown in
fig. 5, the frame being positioned at the lower surface of
the lavatory seat 2. The set further comprises a cover seat 3
having a projection (not shown in l~he drawings) formed on its
lower surface, the projection fitt_Lng in the hole 2a. When
the cover seat is mounted on the lavatory seat 2, the outer
surface of the projection formed on the lower surface of the
cover seat 3 will abut the inner surface 2b of the lavatory
hole 2a. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the
cover seat is pivotally connected t:o the lavatory seat (not
shown in the drawings). The set further comprises four leg
members or legs 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d mounted so as to support
the frame 11. Small wheels 5 or driving wheels 6 may be
mounted at the free end of the legs. All four legs may be
provided with small wheels 5 or, alternatively, the rear legs
4c and 4d may be provided with driving wheels 6 and the front
legs 4a and 4b with small wheels 5 as illustrated in figs. 2
and 3. One or more wheels 5 and/or 6 may be provided with
brakes so as to prevent the chair from rolling and so as to
stabilize the chair, e.g., while a disabled person sits down
or raises from the chair, as will be described in detail
below. A further possible configuration is to mount no wheels
on the legs. In order to stabilize the chair in this
configuration, knobs 7 may be mounted at the free end of the
legs, as illustrated in figs. 1 and 4.
The set further comprises a chair back member or chair back 8
to be mounted on the frame 11. Left and right arm rests or
arm rest members 9a and 9b may further be mounted on the
frame. Each of the arm rests 9a and 9b may be provided with a
peg 9c for carrying articles needed by the disabled person
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using the chair) e.g., a roll of toilet paper or a hand bag.
The set may further comprise a foot rest member or foot rest
to be mounted on the frame.
In order to adjust the chair to the disabled person using the
5 chair, the positions of the chair back 8, the arm rests 9a
and 9b and the foot rest 10 relative to the frame 11 are
adjustable. The height of the foot rest, the arm rests and
the chair back is adjustable, while the position of the arm
rests is further adjustable both in a transversal and in a
10 longitudinal direction, as will be described in detail below.
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the frame or frame member
11. The frame 11 comprises rods and/or tubes 14a, 14b, 14c,
14d attached together. Means for interconnecting the lavatory
seat 2, the legs 4a, 4b) 4c and 4d, the chair back 8, the arrn
rests 9a and 9b, the foot rest ZO and/or other members to the
frame 11 are attached to the rods and/or tubes. In the
embodiment shown in fig. 5, these means comprise relatively
short pieces of tube serving as leg connecting pieces 12a,
12b, 12c and 12d, arm rest connecting pieces 15a, 15b, 15c,
15d, 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d, chair back connecting pieces 17a
and 17b and foot rest connecting pieces 18a and 18b.
Preferably, said connecting pieces comprise short pieces of
tube attached to the rods and/or tubes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d.
Bores 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d extending in a direction
perpendicular to the leg connecting pieces 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d
serve as means for releasably interconnecting the legs 4a,
4b, 4c and 4d to the frame 11, as will be described in detail
below.
The frame 11 may further be provided with means for
releasably interconnecting or for attaching the lavatory seat
2 to the frame. These means may, e.g., comprise one or more
screw connections (not shown in the drawings), i.e. one or
more bores extending through the rods and/or tubes 14a, 14b,
14c, 14d in a substantially vertical direction and one or
more corresponding holes provided with inner threads in the
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lower surface of the lavatory seat: 2, said holes receiving a
screw extending through the bores through the rods and/or
tubes 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, whereby the surface of each screw
head abuts the surface of the rods and/or tubes. Preferably,
5 the interconnection between the frame 11 and the lavatory
seat 2 is releasable so as to facilitate cleaning of the
lavatory seat and the frame. However, when disassembling the
chair and packing the set into a bag or suit case, the frame
11 and the lavatory seat 2 need nc~t be disassembled.
10 In order to increase the stability of the chair, the legs 4a,
4b, 4c and 4d may be mounted so that they extend in an angle
outwardly from the chair seat to their respective points of
support on the ground. Thus, the leg connecting pieces 12a,
12b, 12c and 12d extend outwardly from the frame, as
15 illustrated in figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 shows the frame 11 in a
transversal plane. The angle y between the leg connecting
pieces 12a, 12b and a horisontal plane may vary upon the
length of the legs and the requirements for the width of the
chair. Preferably, the angle y lies in the interval
85°sys97°. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention,
the angle ~y is approximately equal to 93.75°.
Preferably, the leg connecting pieces 12c, 12d extend in the
horisontal direction in the transversal plane as illustrated
in fig. 6. Thereby the rear legs 4c, 4d will extend in the
vertical direction in the transversal plane, which allows the
driving wheels 6 to be mounted on ~~the rear legs 4c, 4d so
that the driving wheels will be parallel to the vertical
plane.
Fig. 7 shows an illustration of the frame 11 in a
longitudinal plane. In order to stabilize the chair, the leg
connecting pieces extend outwardly from the plane of the
chair seat. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
sum of the angle 90°-y and the angle 90°-a, a denoting the
angle between the front leg connecting pieces 12a, 12b and
the horisontal plane, is equal to the angle 90°-a, f3 denoting
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the angle between the rear leg connecting pieces 12c, 12d,
and the horisontal plane i.e. (90°-y)+(90°-a)=(3. Thereby the
design of wheel holding parts is facilitated, as will be
described in detail below. However, other embodiments of the
invention and/or for special applications thereof, it may be
convenient that this is not the case. Preferably, the angles
a and ~i vary within the following intervals: 85°sas97°,
80°sas94°. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, cx
is approximately equal to 93.75° while /3 is approximately
equal to 87.5°. Preferably, the legs 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d are
identical as well as the leg connecting pieces 12a, 12b, 12c,
12d, so that no coding means are needed for interconnecting
corresponding legs and leg connecting pieces. However, in
other embodiments of the invention, wherein one or more legs
have a differing design) coding means such as colour coding
means or interengaging portions of the members allowing only
corresponding members to be interconnected are used.
Fig. 8 shows a cross sectional view of one of the rear legs
4c in a transversal plane. The leg 4c comprises an upper part
4c' and a lower part 4c " , both parts preferably being made
from tube. The leg connecting piece 12c is received in the
upper leg part 4c'. A stop 30 for the leg connecting piece 12
is positioned in the upper leg part 4c, such that when the
free end of the leg connecting piece 12c abuts the stop 30,
the bore 22c extending through the leg connecting piece 12c
is aligned with a bore 29 through the upper leg part 4c,
thereby allowing a locking device (not shown in fig. 8) to be
inserted through the bores 22c and 29, as will be described
in detail below.
In order to adjust the angular position of the upper leg part
4c relative to the leg connecting piece 12c, a projection
(not shown in the drawings) extending in the longitudinal
direction of the leg connecting piece 12c on its outer
surface may interengage with a corresponding groove (not
shown in the drawings) defined in the inner surface of the
upper leg part 4c. Alternatively, a projection defined on the
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17
inner surface of the upper leg part 4c and extending in its
longitudinal direction may interengage with a corresponding
groove defined in the outer surface of the leg connecting
piece 12c. Obviously, many other angular positioning means
for the upper leg part 4c are possible.
The lower leg part 4c " is received in the upper leg part
4c'. A bore 28 extending through t:he lower leg part 4c " is
aligned with a bore 27 extending through the upper leg part
4c. Equivalent angular positioning means as described above
for adjusting the angular position. of the upper leg part 4c'
relative to the leg connecting piece 12c may be used for
adjusting the angular position of the lower leg part 4c "
relative to the upper leg part 4c'. As will be described in
detail below, the lower leg part 4c " may be provided with a
plurality of bores 28, so as to allow the length of the leg
4c to be adjusted.
The small wheel 5 is mounted on a wheel holding member 21
connected to a wheel holding piece 20 received in the lower
leg part 4c " . The wheel holding piece 20 may be attached or
releasably interconnected to the lower leg part 4c with a
pawl 31.
Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the leg 4c in a
cross sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the plane of
the cross sectional view of fig. 8. An upper leg part 4e,
preferably made from tube comprising a bore 32 extending in a
direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the
upper leg part 4e is received in the leg connecting piece
12c. The bore 22c (not visible in :Eig. 9) through the leg
connecting piece 12c is aligned with the bore 32 through the
upper leg part 4e. A stop (not shown in fig. 9) for
positioning the upper leg part 4e relative to the leg
connecting piece 12c in the longitudinal direction of the leg
may be applied. The stop may be obtained in an equivalent way
as described above for the embodiment shown in fig. 8.
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18
The lower leg part 4c " having a plurality of bores 28 for
adjusting the length of the leg 4e is received in the upper
leg part 4e. A locking device (not shown in fig. 9) may be
inserted through one of the bores 28 aligned with a bore (not
visible in fig. 9) through the upper leg part 4e.
Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the leg 4e corresponding to
the embodiment shown in fig. 8 in a cross sectional plane
perpendicular to the cross sectional plane of fig. 8. Fig. 10
illustrates another embodiment of the stop for positioning
the upper leg part 4e' relative to the leg connecting piece
12c. The stop is obtained by folding a flap 33 formed on the
tube defining the upper leg part 4c. When the free end of the
leg connecting piece 12c abuts the flap 33, the bore 22c
through the leg connecting piece 12c will be aligned with the
bore 29 through the upper leg part 4c.
It should be understood that the above description of the leg
4e also applies to the other legs 4a, 4b and 4d, which may be
designed in an identical way as described above.
Fig. 11 shows a cross sectional view of one of the front legs
4b. The leg 4b is designed in an identical way as described
above for the leg 4c, the leg 4b comprising an upper leg part
4b' receiving the leg connecting piece 12b. The bore 22b
extending through the leg connecting piece 12b is aligned
with a bore 29' extending through the upper leg part 4b'. A
locking member (not shown in fig. 11) may be inserted through
the bores 29' and 22b. The leg 4b further comprises a lower
leg part 4b " having a plurality of bores 28' extending
therethrough. The length of the leg 4b may be adjusted by
selectively aligning one of the bores 28' with a bore 27'
extending through the upper leg part 4b'. The wheel holding
piece 20 is received in the lower leg part 4b " and attached
to it or releasably connected thereto by a pawl 31.
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19
The wheel holding member 21 is connected to the wheel holding
piece 20 by a screw 21' interengaging with an inner thread
defined in the wheel holding piece 20.
Fig. 12 shows a cross sectional view of a rear leg 4d having
a driving wheel 6 mounted thereon. The leg 4d comprises an
upper leg part 4d' receiving the leg connecting piece 12d and
a lower leg part 4f. Due to the large diameter of the driving
wheel 6 compared to the diameter of the small wheel 5, the
lower leg part 4f is substantially shorter than the lower leg
parts of the front legs. The length of the leg 4d shown in
fig. 12 may be adjusted by aligning a bore 27" extending
through the upper leg part 4d' with bores extending through
the lower leg part 4f in an equivalent way as described above
for the leg 4b.
The driving wheel 6 comprises a hub 6c pivotally mounted on a
shaft 34 attached to the lower leg part 4f. The hub 6c may be
mounted on a bearing (not shown in the drawings). The driving
wheel 6 further comprises a disk or) alternatively, a
plurality of spokes 6b and an outE~r race 6a. Preferably, the
outer race 6a is made from an resilient material. The outer
race may comprise a cavity filled with compressed air. A rim
(not shown in the drawings) connected to the disk or the
spokes 6b along their periphery supports the outer race 6a.
In a preferred embodiment of the _Lnvention, the driving wheel
6 is further provided with a hand brake (not shown in the
drawings).
Obviously, angular alignment means as described in connection
with fig. 8, may also be applied t:o the embodiments shown in
figs. 9. 10, 11 and 12.
Figs. 13 and 14 shows two possible embodiments of the wheel
holding pieces 20 and 20' and its interconnection with the
wheel holding member 21. The wheel. holding member 21
comprises an upper, fixed part 21b and a lower part 21a
pivotally mounted on the upper part 21b. Fig. 13 shows a most
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preferred embodiment of the interconnection between the upper
part 21b and the wheel holding piece 20. The wheel holding
piece 20 forms a kink 20a so as to substantially align the
terminal surface of the lower part 20b of the wheel holding
5 piece 20 with a horisontal plane. The angle formed by the
kink 20a should thereby be equal to (90°-a)+(90°-y), which is
equal to 90°-/3, cf. figs. 6 and 7 and the above description.
The upper part 20c of the wheel holding piece 20 is received
in the lower leg part 4c " , while the lower part 20b is
10 attached to the stationary portion 21b of the wheel holding
member 21 by means of a screw 21' interengaging with an inner
thread defined in the lower part 20b of the wheel holding
piece 20. Fig. 14 shows a slightly different embodiment of a
wheel holding piece 20' forming a funnel-like extension 20" ,
15 the terminal surface of the funnel-like extension 20" being
substantially parallel with a horisontal plane. In case the
angles a, a and y satisfies the condition a+y=a (cf. figs. 6
and 7 and the above description), identical wheel holding
pieces 20 or 20', respectively, may be used for all four
20 legs.
One or more of the wheels 5 may be equipped with a brake (not
shown in the drawings) for locking the wheel, e.g., while a
disabled person sits down or raises from the chair, or while
the chair with wheels mounted thereon is used as a stationary
chair. Preferably, at least one of the front wheels is
equipped with a brake, which may be activated by pressing a
foot against the activating means of the brake. Preferably,
standard wheels equipped with brakes are used.
Obviously, the interconnection between the wheels 5 and the
legs 4a, 4b, 4d may be established in an identical way.
Figs. 15 and 16 show a locking device 35 for locking the
lower leg parts to the upper leg parts. Fig. 15 is a
perspective view of the locking device, while fig. 16 is a
plane view. The locking device 35 comprises a flexible ring
36 made from a resilient material and a rigid pin 37. The
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21
locking device further comprises a string 38 for attaching
the locking device to one of the leg parts. As indicated in
figs. 9, 10 and 11, a number of bores 28 and 28' extend
through the lower leg parts 4c " and 4b " in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of
the leg. When one of these bores is aligned with a bore 27 or
27', respectively (cf. figs. 8 and 11), the flexible ring 36
is twisted around the upper leg part 4c' or 4b',
respectively, while the rigid pin 37 is inserted into the
bores so that it extends through the upper leg part. The
force needed for mounting and releasing the locking device
should be sufficiently large to ensure that the locking
device is not removed by mistake, but still sufficiently
small for a disabled person to easily mount and release the
locking device. In order to facilitate the mounting and
releasing of the locking, a knob 36a is defined on the
flexible ring 36. The rigid pin 37 may optionally be provided
with a spring loaded ball providing an additional locking
force. The locking device 35 may be used for all four legs as
well as for the arm rests, the foot rest and the chair back.
Figs. 17, 18 and 19 show a preferred embodiment of the chair
back 8 comprising two tubes 39, hand grip means or a hand
grip portion 40, preferably made from a piece of rod or tube.
The chair back 8 further comprises a back piece 41 made from,
e.g., textile and optionally stiffened by a rigid member (not
shown in the drawings) surrounded by the textile. In order to
allow easy cleaning of the back piece, the two ends of the
piece of textile are joined together by a zip fastener or a
band of velcro~ tape 41a, As illustrated in fig. 18, a first
rod or tube 39a is received in the tube 39 so as to allow the
height of the chair back to be adjusted by displacing the rod
or tube 39a up or down in the tube 39. The positioning of the
rod or tube 39a relative to the tube 39 may be infinitely
variable or, alternatively, a finite number of predetermined
positions may exist.
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22
A second rod or tube 39a is received in each of the tubes 39.
The tubes or rods 39b are to be inserted in holes 27a, 27b
defined in the chair back connecting pieces 17a, 17b attached
to the frame 11, cf. fig. 5. The tubes or rods 39b may be
fixed to the chair back connecting pieces 17a, 17b by locking
means) or, alternatively/additionally, the fit between the
rod or tube 39b and the holes 27a, 27b may be formed as a
relatively tight fit. The position of the chair back 8
relative to the frame 11 may be adjusted by varying the
penetration depth of the rod or tube 39b in the holes 27a,
27b.
Fig. 20 shows a partly cross sectional view of an arm rest
9a, comprising an arm rest pad 46, a supporting plate 47, a
bearing plate 45, the supporting plate 47 and the bearing
plate 45 being interconnected, e.g., by a screw 48. The arm
rest pad 46 may be attached to the supporting plate 47, e.g.,
by means of glue, nails or any other suitable means. The
bearing plate 45 is attached to inner rods or tubes 49
received in outer tubes 42, the outer tubes 42 being bent at
an angle of approximately 90° at their lower ends, as
illustrated diagrammatically in fig. 22, the free end portion
42a being suited for being received in holes 25a, 25b, 25c
defined in the arm rest connecting pieces 15a, 15b, 15c) cf.
fig. 5. The free end portion 42a may be fixed to the arm rest
connecting pieces 15a, 15b, 15c by locking means, or,
alternatively/additionally, the fit between the free end
portion 42a and the holes 25a, 25b, 25c may be formed as a
relatively tight fit. The position of the arm rest 9a
relative to the frame 11 may be adjusted by varying the
penetration depth of the rod or tube 42a in the holes 25a,
25b, 25c. As shown in fig. 5, three arm rest connecting
pieces 15a, 15b, 15c are attached to the rods and/or tubes
14d and 14b, respectively. Thereby the position of the arm
rest 9a relative to the frame 11 may be adjusted by
selectively inserting the two free end portions 42a into the
holes 25a and 25b or into the holes 25b and 25c. Obviously,
many other embodiments for adjusting the position of the arm
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23
rest 9a relative to the frame 11 are possible, including
infinitely variable configurations. The height of the arm
rest may be adjusted by displacing the inner rods or tubes 49
relative to the outer tubes 42 in their longitudinal
direction, and by locking the inner tubes or rods 49 in a
desired position by fastening the screws 43 and the nuts 44.
The peg 9c may be used for carrying articles needed by the
disabled person using the chair, e.g., a roll of toilet paper
or a hand bag.
The above description of the left arm rest 9a also applies to
the right arrn rest 9b .
Fig. 23 shows a partly cross sectional view of the foot rest
10, comprising two outer tubes 50, an inner rod or tube 51,
the two ends of the inner rod or tube 51 being received in
the outer tubes 50. A straight intermediate portion 51a
formed from inner rod or tube 51 serves as a foot rest.
Optionally, other foot rest member:3, e.g., plates may be
mounted on the straight portion 51a. The height of the arrn
rest may be adjusted by displacing the inner rod or tube 51
relative to the outer tubes 50 in t:he longitudinal direction
of the outer tubes, and by locking the inner tubes or rods 51
in a desired position by fastening the screws 53 and the nuts
54. As shown in fig. 24, the outer tube 50 is bent at an
angle greater than 90°, such that the foot rest will extend
outwardly from the frame 11. A rod or tube 52 is received in
each of the outer tubes 50. The tubes or rods 52 may be fixed
to the foot rest connecting pieces 18a, 18b by locking means,
or, alternatively/additionally, the fit between the rods or
tubes 52 and holes 28a, 28b defined in the foot rest
connecting pieces may be formed as a relatively tight fit.
The position of the foot rest 10 relative to the frame li may
be adjusted by varying the penetration depth of the rod or
tube 52 in the holes 28a, 28b.
Fig. 26 shows the frame il having two bent rods 56 carrying a
lavatory basin 55, the rods 56 supporting a flange portion
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24
55a of the basin 55. The rods 56 may be attached or
releasably connected to the frame 11. As shown in fig. 26,
the rods 56 are bent such that the basin 55 may only be
displaced in the direction of the arrow 58. Thus, the basin
56 will not drop out of its position, when the length of the
front legs 4a, 4b is chosen to be smaller than the length of
the rear legs 4c, 4d, which may be convenient, e.g., to help
a disabled person to sit down or to raise from the chair. The
basin 55 may be made from a collapsible material. In
particular - but not only - for travelling purposes, the
basin 55 may be disposable and made from plastic material.
Preferably, all parts of the set according to the invention,
are made from lightweight materials. All tubes, rods, the
frame, the basin and other rigid parts may be made from,
e.g., aluminium or its alloys or from any suitable plastic.
The lavatory seat and the chair seat may be made from
plastic, wood having a water proof coating, aluminium or its
alloys or any other suitable material. The chair seat may be
covered with a suitable textile.
The invention further relates to a bag or suit case (not
shown in the drawings) for containing and transporting a set
for building up a chair according to the invention. The bag
is designed such that its dimensions does not exceed the IATA
limits for cabin baggage. Preferably, the dimensions of the
bag according to the invention are approximately 50 cm x 45
cm x 14 cm. Due to the relative large dimension of the
lavatory basin 55, the bag complying with the IATA limits for
hand baggage can only contain the lavatory basin in its
collapsed condition. Preferably, the bag is made from a
collapsible material, but, alternatively, it may be rigid.
The bag may be designed as a rucksack.
It should be understood that the invention is described by
way of example and that many other embodiments are possible
within the scope of the invention.
