Vehicle for paralyzed persons

Abstract

A wheeled vehicle for paralyzed persons who cannot remain in a sitting position is provided with first and second superimposed frame sections. Threaded means is provided to elevate or incline the second frame section with respect to the first frame section.

Description

This invention is directed to a vehicle primarily for use by persons who cannot remain in a sitting position and hence cannot use a wheel chair. For example, the vehicle of the present invention is particularly adapted for use by paralyzed persons such as persons suffering from spina bifida and hence are paralyzed from the waist down.

The vehicle of the present invention provides some mobility for such paralyzed persons who ordinarily would be confined to a bed. In addition, the vehicle affords a means whereby such paralyzed persons may exercise the upper portion of their body as a result of propelling the vehicle. In addition, a vehicle in accordance with the present invention improves the psychological well being and attitude of such persons whereby they may be somewhat self sufficient in moving from one room to another while at the same time providing activity for such persons which constitutes a diversion from their normal habits.

The vehicle of the present invention is structurally interrelated in a manner whereby it is adapted to accommodate persons paralyzed from the waist down. The vehicle includes first and second superimposed frame sections coupled together in a manner whereby the upper frame section may be elevated or inclined with respect to the lower frame section. I have found that it is desirable to interrelate the components of the vehicle whereby the person may be elevated from a low level such as about 1 foot off the ground to an elevation between 24 and 36 inches off the ground. In the upper position of the upper frame section, it is possible to work on the patient without the nurse or other person having to bend over.

The frame sections are selectively pivotable with respect to each other at either end thereof. Hence, the upper frame section may be inclined forwardly or inclined rearwardly depending upon any particular problems with a paralysis whereby it would be desirable for the head to be either elevated or lowered with respect to the remainder of the body. To protect the patient, the vehicle is provided with a body shield. In order to provide for control of the vehicle, a brake is provided for slowing down the vehicle by contact with the floor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle for paralyzed persons who cannot remain in a sitting position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle for paralyzed persons to permit such persons to become mobile.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle for paralyzed persons constructed in a manner so that the elevation of the person may be raised from a normal position when necessary whereby medical persons and others working with the patient need not bend over.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle for persons paralyzed from the waist down which may be adjusted for length or angle of inclination.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the upper frame section in an elevated horizontal disposition.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views similar to FIG. 2 but showing the upper frame section in different inclined dispositions.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6--6 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a partial side elevation view of a central portion of the lower frame section, partly broken away for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 8 is a partial exploded view of the front end of the vehicle of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a vehicle in accordance with the present invention designated generally as 10.

The vehicle 10 includes a first or lower frame section 12 above which is superimposed a second or upper frame section 14. The frame sections 12 and 14 are of the same configuration and are preferably rectangular frame sections made from hollow lightweight metal such as extruded aluminum. The first frame section 12 is provided with caster wheels 16 or the like at each corner.

The frame sections 12 and 14 are hinged together at the front and rear ends thereof. A hinge section 18 on frame section 14 is adapted to mate with a hinge section 20 on the lower frame section 12. A hinge pin 23 is adapted to couple the hinge sections 18 and 20 together. See FIG. 8. The rear end of the frame sections 12 and 14 are similarly coupled together by means of hinge sections 22 and 24, and a hinge pin not shown.

The frame section 14 is adapted to be elevated with respect to the frame section 12 so as to change the elevation of the person lying on the vehicle 10. Before manipulating the components of the vehicle 10 so that the upper frame section 14 moves from the disposition shown in FIG. 2 to the disposition shown in FIG. 3, it is necessary to remove the hinge pin 23 at the front end of the vehicle and the corresponding hinge pin at the rear of the vehicle.

In order that the frame section 14 may be elevated to the position shown in FIG. 3, a wide variety of devices could be utilized. In accordance with the present invention, a simple mechanical means has been provided so as to elevate the frame section 14 while maintaining it horizontal and at the same time being capable of use in a wide variety of locations including hospital areas where oxygen is being used. In a hospital area where oxygen is being used, care must be exercised when using electrical devices such as electrical motors unless such motors are specially designed to be explosion proof.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated linkage on one side of the frames 12 and 14. As will be apparent from FIG. 6, a duplicate linkage arrangement is provided on the opposite side of the frame sections 12 and 14. Only the linkage on one side will be described in detail.

A link 26 has one end pivotably coupled to the frame 14 by a removable pin 30. A link 28 of similar length has one end pivotably coupled to the lower frame section 12 by a removable pin 32. The links 26 and 28 are pivotably connected to a transverse shaft 34 which in turn is connected to a transverse block member 36 internally threaded to receive the threaded shaft 38.

A link 40 has one end pivotably coupled to the upper frame section 14 by a removable pin in the same manner as link 26. A link 42 has one end pivotably coupled to the lower frame section 12 by a removable pin in the same manner as link 28. The free end of the links 40 and 42 are pivotably connected to a transverse shaft 46 which in turn is connected to a block member 44. Block member 44 is also threadedly coupled to shaft 38. Shaft 38 terminates at one end in a hand wheel 48.

Elements 26-48 may be referred to as an eight-link double-handed screw mechanism. The portion of shaft 38 threadedly coupled to block member 36 has threads of one hand while the portion thereof threadedly coupled to block member 44 has threads of the opposite hand. Thus, as hand wheel 48 is rotated in one direction the block members 36 and 44 move toward one another thereby causing the links 26, 28, 40 and 42 to pivot from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3. As the hand wheel 48 is rotated in the opposite direction, the block members 36 and 44 move away from one another whereby the links 26, 28, 40 and 42 move from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2.

Adjacent the rear of the vehicle 10, the lower frame section 12 is provided with a notch 39 on its upper surface. Likewise, the upper frame section 14 is provided with a notch 41 on its lower surface. See FIG. 3. The notches 39 and 41 accommodate the shaft 38 in the collapsed position of the frame sections 12 and 14. See FIG. 2. In addition, the notches 39 and 41 accommodate pivotable movement of the shaft 38 when it is desired to have the frame section 14 inclined toward the rear as shown in FIG. 4.

The lower frame section 12, in its central portion, has a pair of spaced ledges 45 on opposite sides of the frame adjacent the pivot points for the coupling between frame section 12 and links 28, 42. When it is desired to incline the upper frame section 14 as shown in FIG. 4, the hinge pin 23 at the front of the vehicle is removed. Also, the pins 43 are removed so as to disconnect the links 40 whereby they are no longer pivotably connected to the frame section 14. The free end of the links 40 rest on the upper surface of the ledge 45 on each side of the vehicle 10. Thereafter, rotation of the hand wheel 48 will cause the block member 36 to move toward the rear of the vehicle and elevate the front end of the upper frame section 14 while the rear end thereof remains pivotably connected to the rear end of the lower frame section 12.

If it is desired to incline the upper frame section 14 toward the front as shown in FIG. 5, the hinge pin at the rear end of the frame is removed. Also, the pins 30 associated with the links 26 on opposite sides of the frame are removed so that said links are no longer pivotably connected to the frame section 14. The free ends of the links 26 rest on the ledge 45. Thereafter, rotation of the hand wheel 48 will cause the block member 44 to move toward the front of the vehicle and pivot the upper frame section 14 about the hinge pin 23.

The upper frame section 14 preferably has a mattress 50 or padding supported in a resilient manner such as by one or more transverse filaments 52 extending across the frame section 14. See FIG. 8. The mattress 50 has a upper surface which has a substantial amount of friction so that the patient cannot slide relative to the mattress 50. For example, the upper surface of the mattress 50 may be provided with a thin coating of foam rubber or other foam polymeric materials.

The mattress 50 is preferably provided with notches 54 and 56 adjacent the rear end of the vehicle 10 so that the feet of the person may extend therethrough and hang downwardly toward the floor. The mattress 50 may be prevented from shifting in a forward or rearward direction by means of the flanges 53 and 55 on the upper frame section 14. A protective shield 58 is preferably provided on the vehicle 10 to protect the person and at the same time prevent the person from falling off the vehicle 10. The shield 58 preferably overlies the area of the person from the shoulders to the knees and may be a rigid layer of polymeric plastic material coupled to one side of the frame section 14 by a hinge 60 and releaseably connected to the other side by a latch 62.

Adjacent the front end of the vehicle 10, there is provided a brake 64 in the form of a transverse bar-like member pivotably connected to the lower frame section 12 by links 66. The bar-like member is provided with a pad 68 of high friction material such as a rubber material. A spring 70 biases the brake to an inoperative disposition as shown in the drawings. When it is desired to stop the forward or rearward movement of the vehicle, the brake 64 is manually pushed downwardly against the bias of spring 70 until the pad 68 engages the floor.

The frame sections 12 and 14 are preferably adjustable for length. Such adjustment can be attained by a variety of devices but preferably is attained in the simple manner as illustrated in FIG. 7. The sections 72 and 74 of the frame sections 12 and 14 are telescoped with respect to each other. A pin 76 extends through a hole in section 72 and any one of a plurality of holes 78 on section 74.

In view of the above description, a detailed explanation of operation is not deemed necessary. It will be noted that the vehicle 10 may be adjustable as to length, may have an upper frame section inclined forwardly or rearwardly, and the upper frame section may be elevated with respect to the lower frame section while at all times remaining horizontally disposed.

A person who is paralyzed from the waist down may be positioned onto the mattress 50 while lying on his stomach. The patient then moves the vehicle by pushing on the floor by means of his hands. Rubberized blocks may be held in the hands to increase friction and prevent the hands from becoming dirty due to contact with the floor. Alternatively, the person may wear gloves. In this manner, the person propells the vehicle 10 in a rearward or forward direction. The caster wheels 16 facilitate rotation of the direction of movement of the vehicle 10. Propelling the vehicle 10 in this manner provides exercise for the patient, diversion from the boring routine of remaining in bed, as well as permitting persons to become mobile which otherwise are bed ridden.

Depending upon the medical condition of the person, the upper frame member 14 may be horizontally disposed as shown in FIG. 2, inclined forwardly as shown in FIG. 5, or inclined rearwardly as shown in FIG. 4. When required for therapy, massage, or for whatever other reason, the elevation of the person may be increased by turning the hand wheel 48 to cause the upper frame section 14 to move to an elevated disposition as shown in FIG. 3. In this manner, the medical or other person working with the patient need not remain bent over the patient while performing any one of a variety of chores such as bathing the patient, massaging the patient, examining the patient, etc. As will be apparent from FIG. 3, the joint between section 72 and 74 on the frame section 14 is forwardly of the shield 58. Hence, shield 58 is not materially effected by adjustment of the length of the frame sections 12 and 14 on vehicle 10.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A low profile vehicle for supporting persons paralyzed from the waist down in a manner whereby the person may push the vehicle by contacting the floor with his hands comprising a frame having an upper frame section superimposed over a lower frame section, wheel means in the lower frame section, a mattress on the upper frame section for supporting a person in a face down position, means on the frame for selectively elevating the upper frame section at said mattress with respect to the lower frame section, discrete hinge means pivotably connecting each end of the upper frame section directly to a juxtaposed end of the lower frame section, means for selectively disabling each hinge means so that the upper frame section may be selectively pivoted to a forwardly inclined or a rearwardly inclined position with respect to the lower frame section, and a shield on the upper frame section for overlying the central portion of the mattress at spaced relationship thereto for protecting the lower back region of a person lying on the mattress.

2. A vehicle in accordance with claim 1 wherein said shield is convex in a central portion thereof and made of rigid material.

3. A vehicle in accordance with claim 1 including means spaced from the shield for adjusting the length of the frame sections.

4. A low profile vehicle for supporting persons paralyzed from the waist down in a manner whereby the person may push the vehicle by contacting the floor with his hands comprising a frame having an upper frame section superimposed over a lower frame section, wheel means in the lower frame section, a mattress on the upper frame section for supporting a person in a face down position, means on the frame for selectively elevating the upper frame section at said mattress with respect to the lower frame section, discrete hinge means pivotably connecting each end of the upper frame section directly to a juxtaposed end of the lower frame section, means for selectively disabling each hinge means so that the upper frame section may be selectively pivoted to a forwardly inclined or a rearwardly inclined position with respect to the lower frame section, said last mentioned means including link means pivotably connected to at least one frame section in a manner whereby it may selectively support the upper frame section in said inclined position with respect to the lower frame section.

5. A vehicle in accordance with claim 4 including a single actuator coupled to said frame sections for selectively elevating the upper frame section with respect to the lower frame section while maintaining the upper frame section in a horizontal disposition.

6. A vehicle in accordance with claim 5 wherein said actuator includes a double-handed screw mechanism.

7. A vehicle in accordance with claim 4 including a brake at the front end of the vehicle for manual actuation by a person on the vehicle, and said mattress having notches at one end thereof corresponding to the rear end of the vehicle, said notches being adapted to receive the feet of a person lying on the mattress.