Handle apparatus

Abstract: There is provided handle apparatus comprising a pair of spaced handle arrangements 10, each comprising a handle portion 11 and a support portion 12 . The support portions 12 are connected by adjustable rails 42 and have lower sections 46 which in use extend under a chair. Movable back stop members 46 are adjustable along the lower sections 46. The apparatus is thus anchored relative to the chair and a user can lift himself from the chair using the grip sections 17 of the handle portions 11.

Description: This invention relates to handle apparatus and more particularly to such apparatus which better enables the self movements of a person out of or from a chair. In this specification the term chair should be taken to include all forms of seating or reclining apparatus such as chairs, armchairs, settees, recliners, beds, sofa-beds, bed-settees, etc. Older persons and those suffering from a weakness in the lower limbs have great difficulty in rising from some chairs without possible danger to themselves or without safe assistance from another person. This difficulty is more pronounced the lower the actual seating surface. In many instances safe rising by a person would be greatly improved if the chair was made with higher arms, but this would of course detract from the pleasing aesthetics of the usually accepted designs. In any event it would be of little use if the user preferred to sit or recline on a sofa where the arms are far apart. US Patent No. 3739793 discloses handle apparatus for use with a chair to assist movement therefrom, said apparatus comprising a pair of spaced handle arrangements which, in use, are connected together, each handle arrangement having a lower portion adapted for being positioned on a floor beneath the chair and a support portion extending upwardly from said lower portion and having a handle portion. According to the present invention there is provided engagement means connected to said lower portions of said handle arrangements for engaging, in use, a portion of the chair to prevent the handle apparatus from moving away from the chair. Such an arrangement would enable many more persons to enjoy the comfort of a low chair in preference to a high chair. The user would be able to sit and rise to a standing position with some measure of independence and with less direct assistance. In some embodiments the chair anchors the handle apparatus to prevent movement. Preferably the handle portion is hingedly connected to the support portion. The handle portions could also be detachable from the support portion. In preferred arrangements the two support portions are connected together by rails, which are adjustable in length so as to vary the distance between the support portions. Also the height of the handle portion from the chair may be varied. The handle portion could also be adapted to carry attachments such as a tiltable table. Several embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a rear perspective view of a basic handle apparatus which does not form part of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates the handle apparatus according to figure 1 in perspective, and in use on an armchair, Figure 3 shows in perspective, the handle apparatus of figure 1 attached to the front of a sofa, Figure 4 shows a basic handle apparatus in accordance with the invention and viewed from the side, Figure 5 shows in part the figure 4 apparatus viewed from the front, Figure 6 shows in part the figure 4 apparatus viewed from the rear, Figure 7 shows in part a modified version of the figure 4 apparatus viewed from the side, Figure 8 shows a handle apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 9 illustrates the figure 8 apparatus viewed from the side, Figure 10 shows the figure 8 apparatus viewed from the front, Figure 11 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment according to the present invention, similar to figure 8, Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment similar to figure 8, Figure 13 shows a partial rear perspective view of a further embodiment, Figure 14 shows a partial rear perspective view of a still further embodiment, Figure 15 illustrates an attachment for the handle apparatus in perspective viewed from the front and underside, Figure 16 shows the attachment viewed from the side, Figure 17 shows the attachment's tilting mechanism viewed from one side, Figure 18 shows the attachment's tilting mechanism viewed from below, and Figure 19 shows the attachment's tilting mechanism viewed from the front, and in section. Referring to figures 1 to 3 there is shown handle apparatus, comprising a pair of handle arrangements 10, each comprising a handle portion 11 and a support portion 12. The support portion 12 comprises three plate sections 13, 14, 15. The upper and lower sections 15, 14 are secured at right angles to the vertical section 13. The handle portion 11 has a riser section 16 and an angled grip section 17. The riser section is secured to the upper section 15 of the support portion 12 by means of a hinge 20. The handle arrangements 10 are spaced apart by upper and lower connecting rails 23, 24. The locations of these rails 23, 24 with respect to the vertical sections 13 is such that the rails 23, 24 just pass by the upper and lower frame sections of the chair. The rails 23, 24 can, therefore, be secured directly to the frame of the chair to anchor the handle arrangement to the chair. Also the lower sections 14 may be extended rearwards at 25 so as to enable the lower sections 14 to be secured to the lower rear frame of the chair. In figure 2 there is shown an armchair 19 to which has been attached the handle apparatus. The grip sections 17 are disposed well above the standard arms of the armchair and facilitate the safe, self-rising of the chair's occupant. Figure 3 shows the handle apparatus on a sofa 38. The handle portion 11 of one is shown being moved into its lowered position. This lowering enables the person to move their legs on to the sofa 38 so as to take up a reclining position. The lowered position of the handle portions 11 also results in the sofa looking more aesthetically pleasing. The handle apparatus can be attached before or after the chairs have been upholstered. Clearly much of the apparatus will remain hidden if the upholstery is completed after attachment. In other embodiments the handle portions 11 may be welded to the support portions 12. Alternatively some adjustable, disconnectable means may be provided. In the handle apparatus according to the invention shown in figures 4 to 6 the upper surface of the lower section 14 and the lower surface of the lower rail 24 are serrated at 27 and the spacing between the handle arrangements 10 can be varied. The combination can then be secured by a screw 28 passing through the lower section 14 and the lower rail 24 and into the lower front frame section 29 of the chair. The serrations 27 are thus caused to become tightly engaged and prevent relative movement. In this embodiment the lower rail 24 is also provided with an upwardly extending edge 30 to locate against the rear face of the lower front frame section 29. A stop 31 is also provided on the lower section 14 to support the front frame section 29 and limit forward movement of the lower rail 24. At the upper end of the support portion 12, a toothed upper rail 23 is provided. This rail 23 is screw threadedly attached to screw means 32 which is located in the upper section 15, but which is prevented from axial movement relative to the upper section 15. To secure the upper end of the support portion 12 the screw means 32 is actuated and this urges the teeth of the upper rail 23 into engagement with the upper front frame section 33 of the chair. In the vertical section 13 is provided a slot 34 and a screw 35 can be used to attach the vertical section to the upper front frame section 33. The seat cushion 36 is then placed over the upper section 15. Figure 7 shows vertical section 13 extended at 37 such that the hinge 20 of the arrangement is, in use, disposed above the cushion 36 of the chair. In figures 8 to 10 there is shown handle apparatus 40 made largely from tubular elements. The same general theories apply. The two handle arrangements 41 are adjustably spaced from each other by virtue of slidable connections 42. The vertical sections 43 have feet 44 which are adjustable in height. The device 40 has upright members 45 at the rear for engaging the back of the chair. These upright members 45 are adjustable in position along lower sections 46. In this embodiment the upright members 45 incorporate threaded bolts which can be screwed into one of a series of holes on the lower sections 46. The device 40 can, therefore, be generally anchored with respect to the chair, by virtue of the loose clamping between front and rear members. One of the handle portions 11 is hingedly connected at 47 to the upright members 45. This is of course optional and could be provided on either one or both sides. Figure 9 shows the folded position of the handle portion 11 in dotted lines. This arrangement requires no permanent anchoring to the chair, but uses the weight of the user on the feet 44 to prevent the handle apparatus from sliding in use. It could also use the weight of the chair to anchor the apparatus. In figure 11, the apparatus is very similar to that shown in figures 8 to 10 except the upright members 45 are replaced by a C-shaped member 65. This member 65 is attached at both ends to sleeves 66 which are slidable along the lower sections 46 and lockable relative thereto. The width of the member 65 is variable at 67. In figure 12, the apparatus is again very similar to that shown in figures 8 to 10 except the upright members 45 are replaced by a variable length bar 68. The bar 68 terminates in sleeves 66 which are slidable along the lower sections 46 and lockable relative thereto. Extending from the bar 68 is a T shaped member 69. On the upright 70 of the T-shaped member 69 is a bracket 71 which is movable through a range of positions. The T-shaped member and the bracket 71 are very versatile in engaging the rear portions of furniture thereby to enhance the anchoring of the apparatus. In figure 13 the handle arrangements are not shown. A fixed rail 72 is provided between the lower sections 46 and a sleeve 73 is rotatably mounted on the rail 72. A T-shaped engaging element 74 is secured to the sleeve 73 and a bracing arm 75 is pivotally attached at one end to the element 74 and at the other end to a sliding rail 76, slidably mounted on the lower sections 46. Movement of the sliding rail towards the fixed rail 72 raises the element 74 and the slidable rail 76 can be locked using locking nuts for example. The element 74 can, therefore, be made to firmly engage the underside of a piece of furniture such as a bed. This engagement ensures that improved anchoring of the apparatus is effected. Figure 14 shows an arrangement similar to that shown in figure 13. In figure 14, however, a handle bar 77 is attached to the slidable rail to make movement of this rail easier. The handle bar 77 has serrations 78 opening into an elongate slot 80 so that the slot 80 can capture a pin 79 on the T-shaped element which pin can be locked into one of the serrations 78. The position of the T-shaped element 74 can therefore be varied. In figures 15 to 19 there is shown an accessory for the handle arrangements described above. The accessory is in the form of a table 50 having a work top 51 which has channels 52 and projecting lips 53 to retain objects and maybe even some spillage. The underside of the work top is provided with runners 54 in which are slidably disposed bearing plates 55 connected to a pair of guide plates 56 each having an arcuate slot 57. Each runner has an end stop 63. Clamps 58 are provided for the grip section 17 of each handle portion 11. The clamps can be secured by any suitable means such as spring loaded wedges 58 or restraining screw bolt 59 and positioners 60. On each clamp is a plate 61 having a serrated surface for gripping the associated guide plate 56 securely when a wing nut 62 and bolt which passes through the slot 57, are tightened. The work top can thus be secured at a range of suitable angles including horizontal. It will be appreciated that the above embodiments are by way of example only and practical alternatives are possible. Hand grips 63 of any suitable material such as plastics or rubber can of course be provided on any of the grip sections. Also the handle portions could be detachable and even of variable length.

Claims: Handle apparatus (40) for use with a chair to assist movement therefrom, said apparatus comprising a pair of spaced handle arrangements (41) which, in use, are connected together, each handle arrangement (41) having a lower portion (46) adapted for being positioned on a floor beneath the chair and a support portion (43) extending upwardly from said lower portion and having a handle portion (11), characterised in that there is provided engagement means (45;65;69;74) connected to said lower portions (46) of said handle arrangements (41)for engaging, in use, a portion of the chair to prevent the handle apparatus (40) from moving away from the chair. Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each support portion comprises a substantially vertical section (43) for contacting the chair thereby preventing the handle apparatus (46) from moving rearward relative to the chair, each vertical section (43), in use, contacting the floor at its lower end (44) thereby preventing the handle apparatus from moving relative to the floor. Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein one or both handle portions (11) are hingedly connected to the respective support portions (43). Handle apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein one or both handle portions (11) are detachable from the respective support portions (43). Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the engagement means comprises one or more upstanding elements (45) connected to said lower sections (46), remote from said handle portions (11). Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the position of the or each upstanding element (45) is adjustable along the associated lower section. Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the or each element (45) has a bracket the height of which is adjustable. Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said lower sections (46) comprise a pair of parallel members and said upstanding element comprises a C-shaped member (65) whose free ends are attached to sleeves (66) which are slidable along said parallel members. Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said lower sections comprise a pair of parallel members (46) and said upstanding element comprises a T-shaped member (69) attached to a bar (68) extending between said parallel members and terminating in sleeves (66) which are slidable along said parallel members. Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the slidable connections have a number of set positions. Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the engagement means is provided to engage the underside of the chair. Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the engagement means comprises a fixed rail (72) between the spaced lower sections (46), an engaging member (74) being hingedly mounted on said fixed rail, a bracing member (75) pivotally connected to said engaging member (74) at one end and a second rail (76) at the other end, which second rail is movable relative to said spaced lower sections (46) and securable relative thereto. Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein locking nuts are provided between the second rail (76) and said spaced lower sections (46). Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein a handle bar (77) is attached to said second rail (76), which handle is securable relative to the fixed rail (72). Handle apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein a series of slots (78) are provided on the handle bar (77) for engagement with a pin (79) provided on said engaging member (74).

Inventors: WILLANS KEITH, WILLANS, KEITH
Applicants: HYTUS LTD, HYTUS LTD.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A61G5
IPC codes: A61G5