Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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SUPPORT APPARATUS FOR A HANDICAPPED PERSON
BACKGROUND
Handicapped persons whose legs are too weak to support their weight have little
choice but to spend their days Iying down or in a sitting position. Several apparatus
have therefore been developed to allow such persons to occupy a tilted or vertical
position during a few hours each day, thereby improving the comfort of the person
and the blood circulation.
An example of an apparatus known in the art is the U.S. patent no. 4,987,622
tSHOCKEYI, which discloses a self-operated stand up support apparatus. This
apparatus comprises a support bed pivotally connected to a main support frame
assembly. A power actuator assembly, including a power screw connected to the
support bed and controlled by a motor, allows to pivot the bed from a horizontal to
a vertical position. Also known in the art is the U.S. patent no. 5,489,258 (WOHNSEN
et al.). This patent also discloses a body support apparatus with a tiltable structure
to support a user body. This structure is connected to a base frame by a pneumatic
shock assen~bly to urge the support structure from a horizontal position to a vertical
position.
Support apparatus currently used present several drawbacks. They are bulky and
therefore are difficult to store or transport from one location to another. It can also be
arduous to properly install the user on support apparatus, as the height of the support
tables, when in horizontal position, is not adjustable. Up to four persons are usually
required to rnove a person from a bed to a support table.
SUMMARY
Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for supporting a person in
a tilted position. The apparatus comprises an elongated and ground-engageable
base having a first and a second end, and an operable screw extending horizontally
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and longitudinally in the base, the screw being pivotally connected to the base. The
apparatus also comprises a flrst and a second arm, each having a lower end and an
upper end. The lower ends of the first and second arms are pivotally connected to
the base, respectively adJacent and distal to the first end thereof. The first and
second armx are pivotable in a vertical plane. Additionally comprised in the apparatus
is a horizontal connecting member, pivotally connected between the upper ends ofthe first and second arms.
The apparatus further comprises a pivoting mechanism, mechanically linking the
screw and at least one of the flrst and the second arm. The pivotlng mechanism is
to pivot and lock in positlon the first and the second arm between an uprlght positlon
and an inclined position. A body-receiving table is pivotally connected to one of the
first arm and connecting member, the table being movable between a horizontal
position and at least one tilted position. A support selectively connectable between
the horlzontal connecting member and the table to support the table in a tilted
position is also provided.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for
supporting a person in a tilted position, the apparatus comprising:
an elongated and ground-engageable base having a first and a second end;
an operatable screw extendlng horizontally and longitudinally in the base, the
screw being pivotally connected to the base;
a first and a second arm, each having a lower end and an upper end, the first
arm comprising an upper U-shaped portion having two upper ends
defining the upper end of the flrst arm;
a first and a second horizontal shaft extending transversely in the base and
being pivotally connected thereto respectively adjacent and distal to
the first end thereof, the lower ends of the first and second arms being
rigidly connected to the first and second shafts, respectively;
a horizontal connecting member pivotally connected between the upper ends
of the first and second arms, the horizontal connecting member
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comprising a U-shaped portion having two ends pivotally connected to
respective upper ends of the upper U-shaped portion of the first arm;
a pivoting mechanism mechanically linking the screw and the first and the
second arm to pivot and lock in position the first and second arms
between an upright position and an inclined position, the pivoting
mechanism comprising:
- a first follower in mesh with the screw and adjacent to the first
horizontal shaft;
- a first lever having a first and a second end, the flrst end of the
first lever being rigidly connected to the first shaft;
- a second lever having a first and a second end, the first end of
the second lever being pivotally connected to the second
end of the first lever, the second end of the second lever
being pivotally connected to the first follower and
preventing rotation of the same;
- a second follower in mesh with the screw and adjacent to the
second shaft;
- a third lever having a first and a second end, the first end of the
third lever being rigidly connected to the second shaft;
- a fourth lever having a first and a second end, the first end of
the fourth lever being pivotally connected to the second
end of the third lever, the second end of the fourth lever
being pivotally connected to the second follower and
preventing rotation of the same;
a return spring extending between a prolongation of the third lever from the
second end, and a location on the base, the return spring biasing the
first and second arm toward the upright position;
a body-receiving table plvotally connected to one of the first arm and
connecting member, the table being movable between a horizontal
position and at least one tilted position; and
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a support selectively connectable between the horizontal connecting member
and the table to support the table in a tilted position.
A non restrictive description of a preferred embodiment will now be given with
reference to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a support apparatus according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first and
second arms are in the upright position and the body-receiving table is
in a tilted position;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, wherein the first and second
arms are in the inclined position;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the interior of the base, showing another pivoting
mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention;
and
FIG. 4 is a perspective and detailed view of the base of the support apparatus
in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a pivoting mechanism according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, wherein a pre-loaded gas spring is provided
to bias the table towards a tilted position.
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IDENTIFICATION OF THE COMPONENTS
The following is a list of the reference numerals, along with the names of the
corresponding components, that are used in the appended drawings and in the
description .
6 support apparatus
8 base
first end (of the base)
12 second end (of the base)
14 first arm
16 second arm
18 lower end (of the first arm)
upper end (of the first arm)
20a, 20b, upper ends
22 lower end (of the second arm)
24 upper end (of the second arm)
26 connecting member
28 body-receiving table
screw
31 bearings
32 pivoting mechanism
34 first horizontal shaft
36 second horizontal shaft
38 first follower
first lever
42 second lever
44 first end (of the first lever)
46 second end (of the first lever)
48 first end (of the second lever)
second end (of the second lever)
52 second follower
54 third lever
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56 first end (of the third lever)
58 second end (of the third lever)
60 first end (of the fourth lever)
62 fourth lever
64 second end (of the fourth lever)
66 return spring
68 prolongation (of the first lever)
70 holding pin
72 prolongation (of the third lever)
74 upper U-shaped portion (of the first arm)
76 U-shaped portion (of the connecting member)
78a, 78b, ends of the connecting member
brackets
82 support
83 rigid component
84 sub-frame (of the body-receiving table)
86 pre-loaded gas-spring
88 control handle
crank
92 motor
94 straps
96 straps belts
98 side body supports
100 first portion (of the table)
102 second portion (of the table)
104 supporting bar
105 footrest assembly
106 footrests
108 stem
110 sleeve (for the stem)
112 holes
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114 pin
116 wheels
118 wheel support
120 extended stabilizer
DESCRIPTION
The support apparatus (6) according to the present invention is for supporting aperson in a tilted or generally vertical position. As can be seen on FIG. 1, theapparatus (6) comprises an elongated and ground-engageable base (8), having a
first end (10) and a second end (12). Advantageously, the base (8) may be provided
with ground engageable wheels (116) supported by wheel supports (118), to facilitate
transportation of the apparatus (6). To further stabilize the apparatus (6), a
removable extended stabilizer (120) may also be provided.
A first arm (14) and a second arm (16) are pivotally connected to the base (8), both
being pivotable in a vertical plane. The first arm (14) has a lower end (18) and an
upper end (20), the lower end (18) being pivotally connected to the base (8) adjacent
to its first end (10). The second arm (16) also has a lower end (22) and an upper end
(24). The lower end (22) of the second arm (16) is pivotally connected to the base
(8) at a location which is distal from the first end (10) thereof. In the illustrated
embodiments, the distal location is about the center of the length of the base (8). The
upper ends (20,24) of the first and second arms (14,16) are operatively joined by a
horizontal connecting member (26) which is pivotally connected between the upperends (20, 24). The connecting member (26) thus ensures that both arms (14,16) are
moved in a coordinated fashion when they are pivoted. These arms (14,16) and theconnecting member (26) provide a supporting assembly on which the body-receivingtable (28) is connected, as explained hereinafter. The pivot movement of the arms
(14,16) moves the upper ends (20,24) in an arc-shaped movement with a vertical
component. Thus, pivoting the arms (14,16) moves the upper ends (20,24) up and
down, providing height adjustability to the table (28) connected thereto.
Advantageously, this feature allows to more easily set the person to be supported by
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the apparatus (6) on the table (28): For example, the height of the table (28) can be
adjusted to extend flush with a bed or a sofa, and the user body can simply be rolled
onto the table (28) with minimum efforts and attending personnel.
According to the present invention, the rotation of the first and second arms (14,16)
is made possible by a screw (30) extending horizontally and longitudinally in the
base (8) and pivotally connected thereto by means of bearings (31). A pivoting
mechanism (32) links the screw (30) to at least one of the first and second arms (14,
16), to transform the rotation of the screw (30) in a pivot torque. The pivotingmechanism (32) further allows to lock in position said first and second arms (14,16).
The arms (14,16) are then moveable in any position between an upright position
(FIG.1) and an inclined position (FIG.2). The screw (26) is operable either manually,
by a crank (90) as show in FIG. 1, or with the help of an electrical motor (92)
illustrated in FIG. 4. It should be noted that it is necessary to only directly connect
one of the arms (14,16) to the screw (30), the other being then indirectly connected
by means of the connecting member (26).
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the
pivoting mechanism (32) comprises a first follower (38), in mesh with the screw (30)
and adjacent to a horizontal shaft (34), transversally and pivotally connected to the
base (8). The lower end (18) of the first arm (14) is rigidly fixed to the ffrst shaft (34),
therefore allowing to pivot the first arm (14) when pivoting said first shaft (34). The
follower (38) is connected to the first shaft (34) via a pair of levers (40, 42). The flrst
lever (40) has a first end (44) rigidly connected to the first shaft (34), and a second
end (46) pivotally connected to a first end (48) of the second lever (42). The link is
finally completed by a second end (50) of the second lever (42) pivotally connected
to the first follower (38), preventing rotation of the same.
In this preferred embodiment, the apparatus (8) may further comprise a return spring
(66), to provide counterbalance for the weight of the table (28) and the person
thereon. The return spring (66) extends between a prolongation (68) of the first lever
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(40) from the second end (46), and a holding pin (70), located on the base (8)
generally proximate its second end (12). A tension screw may be provided insteadof the pin (70) to apply tension to the return spring (66). The return spring (66)
therefore biases the first and second arm (14,16) towards the upright position.
In a second preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, a second follower (52) is
provided, linked to a second shafl (36) in a manner similar as that described above.
The second shaft (36) is also transversally and pivotally connected to the base (8),
and is rigidly connected to the lower end (22) of the second arm (16). The second
follower (52) is also in mesh with the screw (30), and is and adjacent to the second
shaft (36). A third lever (54), having a first and a second end (56, 58), is provided.
The first end (56) of the third lever (54) is rigidly connected to the second shaft (36),
and the second end (58) is pivotally connected to a first end (60) of a fourth lever
(62). This fourth lever (62) also has a second end (64) pivotally connected to the
second follower (52) and preventing rotation of the same. In this embodiment, the
return spring is connected to a prolongation (72) of the third lever (54) instead of the
flrst lever (40).
The preferred manner of connecting the body-receiving table (28) to the rest of the
apparatus (6) is better shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated, the first arm (14) preferably
comprises an upper U-shaped portion (74), having two upper ends (20a,20b). Theseupper ends (20a, 20b) of the U-shaped portion (74) deflne the upper end (20) of the
first arm (14). The horizontal connecting member (26) also comprises a U-shaped
portion (76), which has two ends (78a, 78b) pivotally connected to the respective
upper ends (20a, 20b) of the U-shaped portion (76) of the first arm (14). A pair of
brackets (80) may be provided at the connecting points of the U-shaped portions (74,
76). The table (28) is connected to these brackets (80), by means of a sub-frame(84) under said table (28).
To provide leverage to maintain the table (28) in a tilted position, the apparatus (6)
further comprises a support (82) selectively connectable between the horizontal
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connecting member (76) and the sub-frame (84) of the table (28). In a preferred
embodiment shown in FIG.5, the support (82) may comprise a pre-loaded gas spring(86) supporting the table (28) and connected to the connecting member (26) through
a rigid component (83). In this manner, the person supported by the apparatus (6)
may control the tilting of the table (28) through a control handle (88).
The table (28) preferably comprises a flrst portion (100) and a second portion (102).
The flrst portion (100) is connected to the first arm (14) and support the user body
thereon. The second portion (102) is in the upper part of the table (28), and is tiltable
with respect to the first portion (100). With this feature, the second portion (102) may
support the head of the person using the apparatus (6) when the table (28) is in the
horizontal position. Once the table is tilted, the second portion (102) may then be
also tilted and serve as a working area for the user of the apparatus (6). An
adjustable supporting bar (104) is provided to support the second portion (102) in
either the retracted or tilted position, as shown in FIG.1.
The person using the apparatus (6) is prevented from fal!ing by a series of adjustable
straps (94), provided on the sldes of the table (28). Each of these straps (94)
comprises a belt (96) attached to adjustable side body supports (98). An adjustable
footrest assembly (105) is also provided for the comfort of the user of the apparatus
(6). Preferably, a stem (108) is fixed on the sub-frame (84) of the table (28), at the
end of which are connected footrests (106). The length of the stem (108) is
adjustable by means of a sleeve (110) provided with adjustment holes (112), and a
pin (114) to be inserted in a desired hole (112).
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications
may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the present
invention.
