Adjustable Torso Support Attachment For Wheel Chairs And The Like

Abstract

A cushioned torso engaging member is adapted to be mounted to one or the other of the handles of a conventional wheel chair or the like either alone on in pairs, by means of an assembly of a handle clamp and linked arms which provide both for angular, elevational and dimensional adjustment of the position of the torso engaging member relative to the wheel chair handle.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the principle objects of the invention is to provide an apparatus which may be affixed to the right or left-hand handle of a conventional wheel chair and which includes means to provide upright and lateral support for the torso of an inhabitant of the chair for extended periods so as to enable the inhabitant, who otherwise would be uncapable of it, to sit upright without requiring use of the arm and other muscles for support.

Another object is to provide such apparatus of the character described which is so constructed as to have a wide range of adjustability of positions for the torso support member both with reference to the front, side and back of the torso and the elevation on the torso at which the area of support is located.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character described in which a single structure is readily adaptable to either right or left-hand mounting on the wheel chair.

Other objects and advantages of the invention together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto will appear in the course of the following description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred apparatus embodying the invention, it being shown as adapted for mounting on the right-hand handle of the wheel chair (not shown);

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a view of the component parts of the preferred apparatus as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 10 indicates a cushion (similar to a crutch arm cushion) which is adapted to be fitted over and which envelops an arcuate body brace 11 which is preferably constructed of metal tubing. The body brace or support member includes an attaching flange 11a, which in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a bar having a properly contoured edge which is welded lengthwise to the central edge portion of the brace on the convex side thereof. The flange 11a is provided with a lengthwise row of spaced openings. The ends of the brace 11 are closed by end plugs 12.

Connected with flange 11a by bolt 13 and nut 14 is a flat bar 15 which is provided with an opening adapted to register, as selected, with any one of the openings in the flange 11a. Bar 15 is in turn provided with a pair of additional openings which can be used, along with another bolt 13 and nut 14, to connect it with one of two partially overlapping flat bars 16.

The bars 16 are identical with one another. Each has four holes equispaced along the center line. Either end hole of one bar 16 can be aligned with either of the last two holes of the identical piece when that piece is attached to the bar 15. Bolts 13 and nuts 14 are also used to join the bars 16 and 15.

The assembly includes a final flat bar 17 having two spaced holes on the center line near one end and one hole near the other end. The single hole provides a passage for a shoulder bolt 18 and is of sufficient diameter to pass the shoulder in a rotatable fit. The bolt also passes through an opening 20a or 20b in a bracket 20 which, as will be described, is as attachable to the tubular handle of a typical wheel chair. A wing nut 19 cooperates with shoulder bolt 18 to pivotally join the parts 17 and 20 together.

The bracket 20 includes a split ring jaw type clamp 20c having the hinge 20d and the locking flanges 20e, 20f. The lower flange 20e is provided with an opening through which the locking bolt 21 extends. The upper flange 20f has a U-slot through which bolt 21 extends, the U-slot permitting opening of the halves of the clamp without necessitating complete removal of bolt 21, i.e. by merely backing wing nut 22 off sufficiently to permit the upper ring half to be swung free of the bolt.

A piece of pipe 25 is connected with portion 20. The pipe is partially flattened toward its outer end and slotted at the edges of the flattened portions so that the flattened portion can receive the turned up leg of a L-shaped bar which forms the connector to the bar 17 as earlier described. The pipe and leg are welded together.

The degree of pivotal movement of bar 17 relative to bracket 20 is limited by the right angle stop leg of an angle member 23 which is attached to bracket 20 by bolts 24. Bolts 24 are threaded into one of two pairs of tapped openings in bracket 20. The stop leg of bracket 23 underlies the lower edge of bar 17 and prevents clockwise movement of the bar 17 past the position illustrated in FIG. 1.

The apparatus in use is attached to the right or left-hand tubular handle of the conventional wheel chair and the parts manipulated and set to place the support member 10 in the proper position for the individual patient involved.

For purposes of explanation, the showing of FIG. 1 will be regarded as the general standard position although usually in the standard position bar 17 will be roughly horizontal with the clamping axis also horizontal.

To set the brace member 10 at the maximum distance possible from the bracket 20, bar 15 is aligned with bars 16 and 17 to form an extension thereof and member 10 is attached to the hole in flange 11a closest to the clamp.

To obtain the maximum upward offset of the support member 10 with respect to the clamp, bars 16 and 16 are turned upwardly in alignment with one another and vertically above bar 17.

Minimum height of the brace relative to the clamp can be achieved by turning the bar 16 adjacent bar 17 vertically downward from the FIG. 1 position, placing the second bar 16 parallel with bar 17, and with bar 15 unextending upwardly as shown. To shorten up the assembly to its most compact position, bar 15 is connected to flange 11a at the outermost hole thereof and bar 16 are rejoined as closely as possible as they can be to a fully overlapping relationship.

The position of support member 10 with respect to a vertical plane through the axis of the pipe clamp portion 20c can be altered by rotating the clamp and resetting it on the handle. Thus, the member 10 can be offset inwardly of the wheel chair handles so as to engage the body below the armpit level. The linkages afforded by the bars and bolted connections permitted a wide range of adjustment of positions for the brace member with respect to the torso.

The apparatus is easily reversible from the right-hand mounting configuration to one which will permit its placement on the left-hand chair handle. All that need be done is remove stop member 23, swing plates 17, 16, 16, 15 and support member 180.degree. clockwise (FIG. 1), replace the stop member in reverse condition and then adjust member 10 and plate 15 180.degree. to an upright position. The clamp can now be connected with the left-hand chair handle and all adjustments as earlier described be made as desired.

One or two units may be used on a given chair as needed. Two turned inward and fitted to the body will support paraplegics.

Whenever the devices are not in use or needed, they can easily be removed from the body engaging position by swinging the support member 10 on other portions connected therewith outboard of pivot bolt 18 counterclockwise (as viewed in FIG. 1) to an out of the way disposition.

Claims

I claim:

1. An attachment for the handle of a wheel chair comprising

a releasable jaw type clamping member mountable on said handle, the clamping member defining a clamping axis for the attachment, said clamping member including a lateral extension portion proceeding in a sidewise direction with respect to said clamping axis,

an arm member pivotally connected with said lateral extension for movement in a plane offset from and substantially parallel to said clamping axis,

stop means connected with said extension and operable to limit the pivotal movement in one direction of rotation to a preselected maximum,

an elongate cushioned torso support member having a major axis substantially parallel with the plane of movement of said arm, and

means connecting said support member with said arm, said means providing for rotative adjustment of said support member with respect to said arm in the plane of the major axis of said support member,

said last named means including connector means by which said support member can be selectively placed in a plurality of positions varying in distance from said clamping means while preserving the capability of said rotative adjustment.

2. An attachment as in claim 1,

said arm member comprising at least two partially overlapping components joined by a single fastener means for angular adjustment of said components relative to one another.

3. An attachment as in claim 1,

said stop means being reversible whereby to change said preselected maximum by 180.degree. .