U.S. patent number 3,807,795 [Application Number 05/236,268] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-30 for stand-up wheelchair.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Arthur Schwartz. Invention is credited to Arthur Schwartz, Charles M. Weant.
United States Patent |
3,807,795 |
Weant , et al. |
April 30, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
STAND-UP WHEELCHAIR
Abstract
A wheelchair including motor-operated means for raising and
lowering a partially paralyzed person from a seated to a
substantially standing position. The same motor also provides
propelling means for the wheelchair while in both its lower and
raised position. The seat, arms, back and front braces form a
parallelogram which is pivotable about its axes to form a back
support when raised to the standing position. Suitable means are
provided for restraining the patient in the chair when in the
standing position to provide support, both while standing and
moving around in the upright position.
Inventors: |
Weant; Charles M. (Annapolis,
MD), Schwartz; Arthur (Edgewater, MD) |
Assignee: |
Schwartz; Arthur (Edgewater,
MD)
|
Family
ID: |
22888815 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/236,268 |
Filed: |
March 20, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/330;
297/DIG.10; 297/339; 180/6.5; 297/68 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G
5/1091 (20161101); A61G 5/042 (20130101); A61G
5/14 (20130101); A61G 5/1054 (20161101); A61G
2200/36 (20130101); A61G 2203/14 (20130101); Y10S
297/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
1/031 (20060101); A47C 1/032 (20060101); A61G
5/14 (20060101); A61G 5/00 (20060101); A61G
5/04 (20060101); A61G 5/10 (20060101); A47a
001/02 (); A61g 007/06 (); A61g 015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;180/119,74,6.5-6.6
;5/69,86,81 ;297/69,330,339,DIG.10,68 ;280/36 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nunberg; Casmir A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schwartz; Arthur
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A wheelchair having means for raising and lowering a person from
a substantially seated position to a substantially standing
position, and vice versa, comprising:
a. a frame,
b. a supporting means including:
1. a seat pivotally supported to said frame, and
2. a back pivotally supported to said seat,
c. a single electric motor on said frame,
d. a rotatable member on said frame
e. means for connecting said motor to said rotatable member, said
connecting means including means for controlling the rotation of
said rotatable member having an engaged position and a disengaged
position wherein said motor rotates said rotatable member when said
controlling means is in the engaged position and said motor is
rotating,
f. a movable member movable by said rotatable member, and
g. means connecting said movable member to said supporting
means
whereby rotation of said rotatable member in one direction will
cause said supporting means to pivot from a seat-forming position
to a substantially upright position, and rotation of said rotatable
member in the other direction will permit said supporting means to
return to its seat-forming position.
2. A wheelchair as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotatable member
is a screw and said connecting means includes a pulley connected to
said motor, a pulley connected to said screw, a belt-like means
surrounding said pulleys, and said controlling means includes means
for selectively tensioning said belt-like means.
3. A wheelchair as defined in claim 1 including automatically
responsive means for de-energizing said motor when said raising and
lowering means reaches its extreme substantially seated and
standing positions.
4. A wheelchair as defined in claim 1 including invalid support
means connected to said raising and lowering means and braking
means for slowly lowering said invalid support means in the event
of a breakage of a supportive portion of the device.
5. A wheelchair as defined in claim 1 including means for operating
said controlling means and means for operating said motor means,
said operating means including a plurality of actuating means
mounted adjacent an arm of the wheelchair.
6. A wheelchair as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotatable member
is a screw and said movable member is a block transversely movable
on said screw, and said connecting means includes:
a. a cable connected to said block,
b. said cable being connected to a crank arm, and
c. said crank arm being connected to said supporting means.
7. A wheelchair as defined in claim 1 including arm rests pivotally
supported to said frame and back; said frame, seat, back and arm
rests forming a parallelogram.
8. A wheelchair as defined in claim 1 including means for
restraining a person to the seat and back.
9. A wheelchair as defined in claim 3 wherein said rotatable member
is a screw and further including a block on said screw, said
de-energizing means including a pair of limit switch means spaced
from each other along said screw and adapted to be actuated by
movement of said block.
10. A wheelchair as defined in claim 4 wherein said braking means
includes a spring return cylinder having one end connected to said
supporting means and another end connected to non-raising and
lowering means on the frame.
11. A wheelchair having means for raising and lowering a person
from a substantially seated position to a substantially standing
position, and vice-versa, comprising:
a. a frame
b. an invalid supporting means including:
1. a seat pivotally supported on said frame, and
2. a back pivotally supported to said seat,
3. arms pivotally supported to said frame and back,
whereby said frame, seat, back and arm rests form a pair of
parallelograms in all positions of the elements,
c. a single electric motor on said frame,
d. rotatable means,
e. means for connecting said motor to said rotatable means,
f. means cooperating with said rotating means including a crank
arm,
g. said crank arm being connected to said seat at a point,
whereby rotation of said rotatable means by said motor in one
direction causes the supporting means to pivot from a seat-forming
position to a substantially upright position, and rotation of said
rotatable means in the other direction will permit said supporting
means to return to its seat-forming position.
12. A wheelchair as defined in claim 11 wherein said connecting
means includes means for controlling the rotation of said rotatable
member, said controlling means having an engaged position and a
disengaged position wherein said motor rotates said rotatable
member when said controlling means is in the engaged position.
13. A wheelchair as defined in claim 11 wherein said rotatable
member is a screw, said cooperating means further including a
transversely movable block on said screw.
14. A wheelchair as defined in claim 11 including a foot rest
connected to said frame and immovable with said supporting means.
Description
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Reference is first made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,463,146, issued Aug. 26,
1969, to Arthur Schwartz and Frederick L. Day wherein an invalid
mobility device was provided for not only raising and lowering a
patient, but also propelling him in the standing position. The
instant invention is designed to achieve substantially the same
goals as the Schwartz et al Patent; however, it will also provide a
device which may be used as a wheelchair both for a feeling of
security in the patient, and the advantages of having the
availability of a wheelchair.
Reference is made to the introductory portion of the
above-mentioned patent wherein the background as well as the
therapeutic advantages of positioning partially paralyzed persons
in a substantially standing position was discussed. Also referred
to in that patent was some of the prior art known at the time.
Reference should also be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,261,031,
3,379,450 and 3,406,772 which all provide wheelchairs which can be
pivoted to a variety of positions including a standing position.
These are all motor-operated; however, they have the common
disadvantage of being extremely complex, and all require a
plurality of motive means for doing the raising and lowering.
Whereas, the instant invention utilizes only one motor for raising
and lowering, as well as propelling the device if desired.
Another patent in the general field known to applicants is U.S.
Pat. No. 3,589,769 which also discloses a wheelchair for lifting a
person to a substantially standing position. In that device a
spring motor is used to straighten the seat and seatback to a
substantially upright position. However, among other things, a
spring motor does not provide the adjustability and versatility
which an electric motor can provide.
It will be appreciated that the device of the instant invention has
numerous advantages, along with the beneficial aspects to the
bones, muscles, and internal organs of the body. The patient will
be able to perform such functions as reaching things in kitchen
cabinets, working at a bench or the sink, as well as moving from
place to place in a standing position. Further, for the
non-paralyzed, yet infirm, the device can provide not only the
basic wheelchair, but also means for assisting him to the standing
position from which he can then walk.
Another distinct advantage of the invention is the ability to
either use or not use the motor means for propelling the
wheelchair. It is well known that for those individuals who are
physically capable, it is best for them to use their hands and arms
to propel the wheels. Most people should not be encouraged to use
the power means for propelling them if at all possible. However,
when the individual is in the standing position and wants to move a
few feet, for example from one cabinet to another cabinet, with the
instant invention he may do so without returning to the seated
position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One form of the invention includes a conventional wheelchair with a
seat, back and arms included in a parallelogram arrangement movable
from the seat-forming position to a vertical back-bracing position.
A single motor drives a screw element which is connected to a means
for raising the back and seat. The same motor means is connected to
a pair of drive belts which frictionally engage the wheels of the
chair for driving. Control means are provided for actuating and
deactuating the raising and lowering mechanism, connecting the
motor to the means for driving the wheels, and means for
selectively driving either or both wheels. The motor is reversible
so that the device can be lowered as well as raised and whereby the
wheelchair can be propelled in the reverse direction as well as the
forward direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description and accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheelchair according to the
instant invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a portion of the drive
mechanism;
FIG. 3 is a top plane view of the drive mechanism;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the raising and
lowering mechanism;
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are details of the operating mechanisms for the
power-driven belts taken along lines 5--5, 6--6 and 7--7 in FIG.
3;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the wheelchair in its seat-forming
position;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the wheelchair pivoted to its
vertical, back-bracing position; and
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, particularly to FIG. 1, a wheelchair
is seen having a pair of conventional large wheels 1 connected to a
pair of uprights 3 on a frame which includes a pair of lower
portions 5 and upper portions 7. The wheels are conventionally
rotated on a pair of axles 9. The wheels also include a usual
hand-propelling rim 11.
The frame includes another upright member 13 and rearwardly
extending upper and lower braces 15 and 17 respectively (FIG. 2).
Conventionally pivoted to the lower frame 17 are a pair of roller
wheels 19 which provide the ability for the wheelchair to turn on a
very small radius about the larger wheels. The framing and wheels
are conventional, and in the instant disclosure are merely adapted
from an existing wheelchair currently available on the market.
Connected to each of the frame elements 5 is a foot support 21 to
which is connected a lower vertical member 23. A seat 25 is
connected to a lower seat frame 27, which in turn is pivotally
connected at 29 to a back 31 and at pivot 33 to a pair of vertical
front arm supports 35. The front arm supports 35 are pivoted at 37
to a pair of horizontal arm supports 39, each having an arm cushion
41 thereon. The back 31 is supported on back frame elements 43,
which are pivotally connected to the arm supports 39 at a point 45
(FIG. 9).
In FIG. 1 a skirt or cover 47 is seen covering an operating
mechanism contained therein.
Mounted on the frame 35 is a support 49 having a plurality of
push-pull knobs 51, 53, 55 and 57 connected to Bouden wires passing
through cable covers 59, 61, 63 and 65 respectively for a purpose
which will be discussed below. A support means 67 connects the rear
of the support 49 to the lower rearward support frame 17.
The drive mechanism includes a motor 60 mounted in the usual manner
on a drive housing floor 62. An output shaft 64 is connected to a
gear box assembly 66 to reduce the rpm of the output motor. The
output from the gear box 66 is connected to a pulley 68 via an
output shaft 70. A second pulley 72 is also connected to the shaft
70. A belt 74 connects pulley 72 to a third pulley 76 (see FIG. 7)
which rotates a screw 78. As the screw 78 rotates a carriage block
79 moves there along, a portion of which extends through a slot 80
in the back plate 81. Appropriate bearing means are positioned at
82 and 84.
As best seen in FIG. 4, a cable 86 is connected to the screw nut of
carriage block 79 and passes around a first cable pulley 88 and
then over a second cable pulley 90. The cable is then connected to
a C-shaped crank arm 92. Arm 92 is rigidly connected to a
cross-brace piece 94 on the back 31. The cross-brace 94 is also
connected to the side frames 45.
Surrounding pulley 68 is a belt 96 connecting it to a larger pulley
98 mounted on a shaft 100 which will rotate therewith (see FIG. 5).
The shaft 100 passes through a pair of bearings 102 and 104 and is
connected to another pair of pulleys 106 and 108. Surrounding
pulleys 108 and 106 are a pair of belts 110 and 112 respectively.
These in turn surround larger pulleys 114 and 116 respectively (see
FIG. 6).
In FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of blocks 117 are mounted on floor 62, the
bearings 102 and 104 being mounted thereon. Hook means 118 is used
to adjustably support pulley 114.
As seen in detail in FIGS. 5-7, idler arms are used to tension the
various pulleys as follows:
Push-pull knob 51 is connected to a Bouden wire 120 in cable cover
59, the Bouden wire being connected to a lever arm 122 having an
idler roller 124 engagable with belt 96. When the knob 51 is pulled
outwardly, the wire 120 pulls the idler wheel 124 out of engagement
with the belt. Upon pushing the knob in, the idler wheel 124
engages the belt, thus causing tension thereon. This in turn will
drive pulley 98, rotating shaft 100.
As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the right wheel is engaged by the
operation of knob 57 which in turn pulls on a wire 126 within the
cable cover 65. Wire 126 is in turn connected to a lever arm 128
pivoted at 129 and having an idler wheel 130 thereon. Pulley 114
and arm 128 are suitably connected to a support 131 attached to the
frame. By pulling on the knob 57 the wire 126 will be pulled up so
that the idler wheel 130 will tension the pulley 114, thus causing
it to rotate. Since belt 110 is in contact with wheel 1, the
movement of the pulley will cause the wheel to rotate also. The
same operation will effect the engagement of belt 112 by operation
of lever 55 through cable cover 63, etc.
The raising and lowering mechanism is operated by push-pull knob
53. A cable 132 is within cable cover 61 and is connected to a bell
crank 134 pivoted to the frame at 135 and having an idler wheel
136, thereon. By pulling knob 53, the cable 132 is pulled up, thus
pivoting bell crank 134 and disengaging idler 136. By depressing
knob 53, the idler 136 will engage belt 74, thus tensioning same
and causing the pulley 76 to rotate, thereby raising or lowering
the device, depending upon which way the motor is turning.
A spring return cylinder 140 is seen connected between one front
arm support 35 and a back frame element 43 as a safety mechanism in
the event cable 86 should break.
A line switch and breaker S1 and a three pole, polarity and motor
reversing switch S2 are mounted on support 49. A limit switch S3 is
mounted on the frame in contact with lever arm 122 when in the
position seen in FIG. 5. A limit switch S4 is seen in FIG. 7
mounted on the frame wherein it will be contacted by bell crank 134
when idler 136 is in the non-tensioned position. A pair of limit
switches S5 and S6 are mounted on the back plate 81 at opposite
ends of screw 78 to de-energize the motor 60 when the seat has
reached its respective extreme positions.
A plurality of seat belts 142 are added where needed; e.g., across
the chest, across the waist and adjacent the knees. Also a pair of
foot blocks 144 position the feet on the foot support 21.
The electrical circuitry is seen in FIG. 10. A battery B has a
positive terminal connected via a line L1 through line switch S1
and a line L2 to Position 1, Pole 1 of the polarity and motor
reversing switch S2, and a line L3 to the motor 60. Switch S2 has
three poles (Pole 1, Pole 2, and Pole 3), each having Positions 1
and 2. The other side of motor 60 is connected via lines L4 and L5,
a limit switches S4, a line L6, another limit switch S3, a line L7,
Position 1, Pole 2 of switch S2, a line L13, switch S1 and a line
L14 to the negative terminal of battery B. In parallel with lines
L5-L7 is a line L8, Position 1, Pole 3 of switch S2, a line L11, a
limit switch S6, and a line L12. Line L12 can also be connected,
via a line L15 to Position 2, Pole 1 and line L13 to motor 60. Line
L8 is connectable through Position 2, Pole 3 of S2, a line L9, a
limit switch S5, a line L10, and a line L16 to line 2--or via a
line L17, Position 2, Pole 2 of S2 to line L7. A variable
resistance speed control can be added to the circuit if
desired.
Briefly, the operation is as follows:
Assuming the wheelchair is in the position seen in FIG. 1, the
operator can energize the device by actuating line switch S1. If he
desires to go forward, he actuates the motor reversing switch S2 to
Position 1 to place the unit in the forward mode. Since the idlers
are engaged when their respective knobs are down, knob 53 should be
raised so that the raising mechanism is not actuated. Switch S1 is
closed, switch S2 in Position 1, knobs 51, 55 and 57 down, limit
switch S4 closed, and limit switch S3 closed by the engagement of
idler 124 (depression of knob 51). Current from the positive
terminal of battery B flows through L1, S1, L2, Pole 1 of S2, L3,
Motor 60, L4, L5, S4, L6, S3, L7, Pole 2 of S2, L13, L14 to the
negative terminal. If the elevating drive screw nut 79 happens to
be in a position between S5 and S6, S6 will be closed, thus
permitting the motor to run irrespective of the position of the
propelling drive. To turn to the right, knob 57 is pulled up, thus
disengaging idler 130 from belt 110. Knob 55 likewise controls the
left wheel in the same manner.
When the operator desires to stop the forward motion, he can either
turn switch S1 to the "off" position, or preferably simply lift
knob 51.
To propell the wheelchair in the reverse direction, S1 is closed,
S2 is placed in Position 2. Current will flow from the positive
terminal of battery B through L1, S1, L2, L16, L17, Pole 2 of S2,
L7, S3, L6, S4, L5, L4, motor 60 (which now reverses since the
current through it has reversed direction), L3, Pole 1 of S2, L15,
L13, S1, L14 to the negative terminal of battery B. Again, if the
screw nut 79 is not at either end, S5 will be closed, thus
permitting the motor to run irrespective of the position of the
propelling lever.
Assuming now the operator wishes to raise the seat to the upright
position, he pushes knob 53 down and actuates switch S1. Motor
reversing switch S2 is set in Position 1. Limit switch S4 is open
since the elevating drive is engaged (see diagram in FIG. 7).
Therefore, current flows from the positive terminal of battery B
through L1, S1, L2, Pole 1 of S2, L3, Motor 60, L4, L8, Pole 3 of
S2, L11, S6, L12, L13, S1,L14 to the negative terminal. Idler 136
is engaged with belt 74, thus rotating pulley 76 and screw 78. By
rotating the screw 78, the screw nut or block 79 will be pulled
toward the end as seen in FIG. 3. This will in turn pull cable 86,
rotating arm 92, thereby raising the seat. When the bell crank arm
134 reaches the position wherein the seat is raised, limit switch
S6 will be struck, opening the circuit, and the raising mechanism
will stop. Knob 53 may now be pulled out.
If the operator wishes to engage the propelling drive to move about
in the upright position, the elevating drive must be disengaged by
pulling out knob 53. This will energize S4 (FIG. 7). Propelling
knob 51 must also be pushed down closing S3.
To return to the seated position, S1 is closed and S2 is placed in
Position 2. Switch S4 is open since knob 53 is depressed (FIG. 7).
Current will flow from the positive terminal, through L1, S1, L2,
Pole 1 of S2, L16, L10, S5, L9, Pole 3 of S2, L8, L4, Motor 60
which now will run in the reverse direction, L3, Pole 1 of S2, L15,
L13, S1,L14 to the negative terminal. When screw nut 79 reaches the
end of its travel, S5 will be opened when struck by the nut, and
the motor will stop. If the operator wishes to engage the
propelling drive to move about, the elevating drive must be
disengaged by raising knob 53, closing S4. The propelling drive
must be engaged by depressing knob 51, closing switch 53,
permitting the motor to again run.
Of course the location of knobs 51-57 is a matter of choice, as is
their in-out positions. Further, electrical means can be
substituted for the Bouden wire arrangements. The locations and
manner of operation shown are merely one embodiment.
While one embodiment of the invention has been described, it will
be understood that it is capable of many further modifications and
this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or
adaptions of the invention following in general, the principles of
the invention and including such departures from the present
disclosure as come within knowledge or customary practice in the
art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the
essential features hereinbefore set forth and fall within the scope
of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.
* * * * *