Abstract:
A device which functions as a conventional wheelchair, a dynamic seating device, a stander and a hands-free walker. The device raises the user to a standing position from a seated position, allowing the user to propel the device by the user&#39;s legs and feet. The seat carriage is slideably attached to vertical support members such that the seat carriage may be slid and positioned from a lower position to an upper position and from the upper position to the lower position. As the seat carriage is raised, the seat swings from generally horizontal first position to a generally vertical second position. As the seat carriage is lowered, the seat swings from the second position to the first position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to wheelchairs, and more particularly to a wheelchair which, in addition to functioning as a standard wheelchair, further assists the user to come to a standing position, and stabilizes the user while standing and walking. In addition to its other benefits, this invention provides a mechanism by which a handicapped person may routinely undertake therapy and rehabilitative gait training without the necessity of other specialized equipment and with a minimal amount of assistance. This invention allows the user to enjoy a large range of seating and standing positions, including, among other movement, the user to place their feet on the floor and extend his or her legs at various angles up to and including the locked standing position. The user is thus able to make postural adjustments which provide relief from the discomfort and pain which otherwise results when one is unable to make unconscious body movements or postural adjustments.  
           [0002]    The physical and psychological benefits of wheelchairs which bring the user to a standing position have long been recognized. A person who remains seated all of the time may suffer a broad range of complications and discomforts, including skin breakdown, problems with postural stability, difficulties with breathing and swallowing, incontinence, impaired sensation, and pressure ulcers. A variety of different devices have been proposed for relieving these problems by raising a wheelchair user from a seated position to a standing position, or assisting a wheelchair user to maintain a standing position or ambulate with his or her legs. In this regard, two general types of devices are known. The first types of device are wheelchairs which raises the user to a standing position. The second types of device are walkers which attach to a wheelchair or used in conjunction with a wheelchair.  
           [0003]    The first type of device raises the wheelchair user to a standing position, but retains the user&#39;s feet secured to the footrests or other parts of the wheelchair. Examples of this type of device are found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,054,319; 4,067,249; 4,598,944; 5,096,008; 5,366,036; and 5,772,226. While in the standing position in this type of, device, the device is generally not propelled by the user&#39;s feet, but instead by other means such as a second person, by the user&#39;s arms, or by a self-contained motor. While many of these devices combine the features of a general purpose wheelchair with a “stand-up” mechanism, the geometry of these devices places the users&#39; body in a position which is not naturally balanced or appropriate for use as a walker.  
           [0004]    The second type of device functions as a walker, allowing a wheelchair user not only to stand, but also to ambulate using his or her own feet to propel the device. Examples of this type of device are found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,596,055; 3,023,048; 3,398,974; 3,999,778; and 4,948,156. There are known physical benefits in assisting a person to a standing position where the person&#39;s own skeletal structure provides the support. Such benefits include improved bowel and bladder regularity, strengthening of the cardiovascular system, reduction of edema in lower extremities, assisting the lungs in staying clear, improved digestive metabolic process, lessening of muscle spasms and contractions, stretching of tendons and ligaments in lower extremities, and reducing calcium loss in bones.  
           [0005]    The inventions proposed for a walker type of device generally disclose an attachment to be used in conjunction with a standard wheelchair. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,3998,974 describes a walker attachment which enables the patient to stand up and walk in front of the wheel chair. However, few of the walker devices include a self-contained mechanism for assisting the user in coming to a standing position. One of the few devices which does include such a mechanism is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,156,in which the disclosed transportable frame which can be attached to a wheelchair includes a hand-operated winch mechanism. The user operates the winch to activate a seat harness which pulls the user into a standing position. Another disadvantage of this type of device is that the known walker attachments are generally bulky, not easily stored, increase the total weight of the wheel chair, and constitute yet even further equipment with which a handicapped person is surrounded by and isolated within.  
           [0006]    A need exists for a wheelchair which functions both as a wheelchair and as a stander and walker, which is space-efficient, and which brings the user to a standing position with little effort. A need further exists for a wheelchair which enables its user to make postural adjustments, i.e., dynamic seating, to allow the user relief from the discomfort and chronic pain associated with sitting in a single static position.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention is directed to a dynamic seating and walking wheelchair which meets the needs identified above. The disclosed apparatus functions as a conventional wheelchair, but also enables the user to easily achieve a wide range of position from sitting to standing, thereby allowing the user to enjoy postural adjustments as desired. The device also functions as a stander, walker and hands-free walker. Because the invention is generally the same size as a conventional wheelchair, and does not utilize bulky attachments to function as a walker, this device is space efficient. In addition, the present invention is less confining and isolating than the known walkers, the present invention having minimal structural members in front of the user. When functioning as a walker, the present invention provides a stable support platform for the user, allowing the user to propel the walker through the use of the user&#39;s legs and feet, without structural members of the device limiting the user&#39;s range of leg motion. The present invention, when used with appropriate support means such as a harness, will also allow the user to stand and be supported without the use of his or her arms or hands and without any assistance from other persons.  
           [0008]    In addition to its other benefits, the present invention may be used for therapeutic purposes, including gait training. The benefits of ambulation are well known, and include increased balance and endurance, and improved range of motion and circulation. The user may use the walking function of the present invention at the user&#39;s personal convenience, greatly increasing the convenience and frequency of therapy. Therapy which otherwise requires the use of special equipment, such as hand rails, and the assistance of others to assist the handicapped person in using therapy equipment, may be conducted at the user&#39;s convenience, resulting in lower expenses for therapy.  
           [0009]    One embodiment of the disclosed apparatus comprises a generally horizontal base frame, a plurality of ground-engaging wheels connected to the base frame and a plurality of vertical tracks connected to the base frame in which the vertical tracks extend generally upward from the base frame. A seat carriage, having a vertical frame, an upright seat back and a seat, is slideably attached to the vertical tracks such that the seat carriage may be slid from and positioned at and between a lower position to an upper position and from the upper position to the lower position. The seat carriage may also be stopped at any position between the upper position and the lower position, as desired by the user. The upright seat back is attached to the vertical frame. The seat is pivotally mounted to the vertical frame such that the seat is swingable from a generally horizontal first position extending perpendicularly from the vertical frame to a generally vertical second position parallel to the vertical frame, and back again. The embodiment includes means for raising the seat carriage to the upper position and for lowering the seat carriage to the lower position.  
           [0010]    The disclosed apparatus may also be fabricated such that as the seat carriage is raised, the seat simultaneously swings from the generally horizontal first position to the generally vertical second position, and, as the seat carriage is lowered, the seat frame simultaneously swings from the second position to the first position.  
           [0011]    The seat carriage may be slideably connected to the vertical support members with vertical bearings. The vertical bearings may be connected to the seat carriage with flexible connectors. Various means may be used for raising and lowering the seat carriage. One such means comprises a cable having a first and second end, the first end attached to the seat carriage and the second end attached to a winch adapted to wind and unwind the cable. A second means comprises a cable having a first and second end, the first end attached to the seat carriage and the second end attached to a sheave, the sheave attached to a gearbox and the gearbox coupled to a motor. Another means for raising and lowering the seat carriage comprises a motor coupled to a linear actuator, wherein the linear actuator is connected to the vertical frame. If one of the motor means is used, a motor control switch may be added to allow the user to control the raising and lowering function from the device.  
           [0012]    While adaptable to different wheel combinations, the present invention may also comprise a ground-engaging main wheels, and a plurality of ground-engaging support wheels, including front wheels and rear wheels. A seat frame, comprising a left member, a right member and a front member may be substituted for the seat, wherein a left leg support is attached to the left member and the front member of the seat frame and a right leg support is attached to the right member and the front member of the seat frame. When the seat frame is used, a saddle may be added such that when the seat frame is in the first position, the left leg support, the right leg support, and the saddle provide a seating surface for the user, the saddle positioned between the left leg support and the right leg support. The saddle extends forwardly and generally horizontally from the vertical frame. There are different options for attaching the saddle to the vertical frame, including fixed attachment, attaching the saddle with a quick disconnect, or pivotally attaching the saddle so that it swings out of the user&#39;s way.  
           [0013]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention, with the seat carriage in the down position.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a front view of the invention with the seat carriage in the lower position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 shows a front view with the seat carriage in the upper position.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 shows a rear view with the seat carriage in the lower position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 shows a rear view with the seat carriage in the upper position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 shows a side view with the seat carriage in the lower position.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 shows a detailed side view of the seat carriage in the lower position.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 shows a side view of the seat carriage in the lower position, with the main wheels removed.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 shows a side view with the seat carriage being raised, with the main wheel removed.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 shows a side view with the seat carriage in the upper position, with the main wheels removed.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 shows a rear view of an alternative embodiment with the seat carriage in the upper position.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 shows a rear view of an alternative embodiment with the seat carriage in the lowered position.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment with the seat carriage in the lower position.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment with the seat carriage in the lower position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    This detailed description shall make use of the following conventions in describing the embodiments of the disclosed device: the terms “front,” “rear,” “left” and “right” are with respect to the orientation of the user while operating the device. The terms “up,” “upper,” “upwardly,” “lower,” “down,” and “downwardly” are with respect to the surface upon which the disclosed device is traveling.  
         [0029]    Referring now specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the disclosed walking wheel chair  20  with the seat carriage  22  in the lowered position, suitable for the user to move about in a seated position. As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the disclosed invention comprises a base frame  24 , the seat carriage  22 , vertical tracks  26 , main wheels  28 , front wheels  30  and rear wheels  32 . It should be noted that different geometries may be used for the base frame  24  and the other structural support members of the walking wheel chair  20  and different component groups may be added or subtracted while still retaining the functionality of the disclosed invention. The base frame  24  may be constructed of a variety of different materials, which are preferably light weight, corrosion resistant, and strong. Acceptable materials include carbon steel, alloys, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, and high strength, plastics.  
         [0030]    The base frame  24  provides a mounting platform for the ground-engaging front wheels  30 , ground-engaging rear wheels  32 , and for the various members supporting the seat carriage  22 , vertical tracks  26  and main wheels  28 . Both the front wheels  30  and rear wheels  32  use mounting hardware which allow each wheel to fully rotate about a vertical axis, being the type generally used for wheel-chair service which are well known among practitioners in the field. While the base frame  24  is not limited to any particular geometry, the base frame  24  is generally rectangular or “U” shaped, having either a closed or open front and a closed rear. The base frame  24  comprises a left support rail  34 , a right support rail  36 , and a rear rail  38 . The left support rail  34  is generally parallel to the right support rail  36 . At the rear of the base frame  24 , the rear rail  38  connects the left support rail  34  to the right support rail  36 . The optional front rail may also be attached across the open front of the base frame connecting the left support rail  34  to the right support rail  36 . If installed, the front rail may be used as a foot rest when the device is used as a wheel chair. Otherwise, footrests may be attached to the left support rail  34  and to the right support rail  36 .  
         [0031]    A back support frame  40  may extend upwardly from the rear of the base frame  24 . The back support frame  40  comprises a left upright  42  and a right upright  44 , which are generally parallel to one another. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of brace members  48  may be installed to reinforce and strengthen the back support frame  40 . A lateral support  46  may extend from the left support rail  34  to the left upright  42 . Likewise, a lateral support  46  may extend from the right support rail  36  to the right upright  44 . A top rail  50  may connect the left upright  42  to the right upright  44 .  
         [0032]    As detailed in FIGS. 7 through 10, the seat carriage  22  slides up and down on vertical tracks  26 . The vertical tracks  26  may be attached at one end to the base frame  24  by the lower vertical track supports  52 . The vertical tracks  26  may be attached at the other end to the upper vertical track supports  54 . The upper vertical track supports  54  may be attached to either the top rail  50 , or, in the alternative, extend from the left upright  42  and extend from the right upright  44 . The lower vertical track supports  52  and the upper vertical track supports  54  are each adapted to receive and firmly retain a respective tubular end of a vertical track  26 , using fastening means such as clamps, set screws, welding, soldering, or other forms of fastening. Each lower vertical track support  52  is disposed in spaced apart facing relation with a corresponding upper vertical track support  54 , so that each vertical track  26  is held in place by a lower vertical track support  52  on one end and an upper vertical track support  54  at the opposite end. The vertical tracks  26  may be constructed of tubular stock, which may be polished to reduce friction between the vertical track  26  and the linear bearings  56 , which slide over each vertical track  26 .  
         [0033]    As shown in FIG. 7, the seat carriage  22  includes an upright seat back  58 , arm rests  60  which may extend around each side of the seat back  58 , and the vertical frame  62 . The vertical frame  62  provides the supporting framework for the seat back  58  and the components attached to the seat back  58  including the arm rests  60  and the seat frame  70 . The vertical frame  62  may include a variety of stabilizing members  63 , which may be installed in the triangular configuration depicted in FIG. 2, or in other configuration to provide strength and stability to the vertical frame. The stabilizing members  63  provide stability and strength to the vertical frame  62 , and thus to the seat carriage  22  as it is raised and lowered.  
         [0034]    Flexible connectors  64  attach the vertical frame  62  to linear bearings  56 . The linear bearings  56  slide over vertical tracks  26 . As shown in FIG. 7, arm rest supports  66  extend downward from each arm rest  60  to the vertical frame joint  68 .  
         [0035]    The seat frame  70 , comprising left seat frame member  72 , right seat frame member  74  and a front seat frame member  76 , is pivotally mounted to the seat back  58 . The seat frame  70  may be pivotally attached to the seat back  58  with pin hinges  78  or other type of pivoting connector. Instead of a seat frame  70 , a frameless seat may be used if the materials used for the seat are sufficiently stiff so as to support the user&#39;s body without the additional support provided by a frame, for example wood, metal, composite or suitable plastic.  
         [0036]    A left leg support  80  is attached to the left seat frame member  72  and to the front seat frame member  76 . Likewise, a right leg support  82  is attached to the right seat frame member  74  and the front seat frame member  76 . The left leg support  80  and the right leg support  82  support the legs and buttocks of the user when the device is being used as a wheel chair, and may be upholstered or cushioned for the user&#39;s comfort. A saddle  84  may be attached to the vertical frame  62  so that the saddle  84  extends forwardly and generally horizontally from the vertical frame  62 . The saddle  84  may be positioned between the left leg support  80  and the right leg support  82 , so that when the seat frame  70  is in the horizontal position, the left leg support  80 , the right leg support  82 , and the saddle  84  provide a seating surface for the user. Saddle  84  is attached to saddle post  90 , which is mounted to vertical frame  62 . Saddle post  90  may be telescoping to as to allow height adjustments to saddle  84 . In addition, the mounting bracket  91  attaching saddle  84  to saddle post  90  may provide for forward and backward adjustment, as well as changing the angle of saddle  84  to adjust the saddle to the preferences and comfort of the user.  
         [0037]    As shown in FIGS. 7 through 10, the first end of a connecting rod  86  is pivotally attached to the left seat frame member  72 . Likewise, the first end of a connecting rod  86  is pivotally attached to the right seat frame member  74 . The second ends of connecting rods  86  are each pivotally attached to a sliding hinge  88 , which slides on vertical tracks  26 .  
         [0038]    As the seat carriage  22  is raised, including seat back  58  connected to seat carriage  22 , connecting rods  86  pivot as seat frame  70  changes from a generally horizontal first position extending forwardly from the seat back  58  to a generally vertical second position parallel to vertical tracks  26 . Saddle  84 , which is attached to seat carriage vertical frame  70  by saddle post  90 , is raised with the seat carriage  22 .  
         [0039]    As shown in FIG. 10, once connecting rods  86  approach a near vertical position, if the seat carriage  22  continues to be raised, sliding hinge  88  will start to slide up vertical track  26 , thereby allowing seat carriage  22  to continue to rise with seat frame  70 , in a vertical position, also sliding up vertical tracks  26 . This feature of the device allows the arm rests  60  and saddle  84  to be raised to the height required to support the user when the device is to be used as a walker. As the seat carriage  22  is lowered, once sliding hinges  88  reach the bottom of the vertical track  26 , the seat frame  70  begins to swing from the second vertical position to the first horizontal position. It is to be appreciated that the user may adjust the height of the seat carriage  22 , and thus the height of arm rests  60  and saddle  84  and the orientation of seat frame  70 , to any desire position. This feature of the invention provides the dynamic seating function of the invention which allows the user to make postural adjustments to obtain relief from the pain and discomfort caused by the inability to make small unconscious body movements.  
         [0040]    It is to be noted that each connecting rod  86  should be attached to seat frame  70  so that connecting rod  86  never reaches a complete vertical orientation, even when the seat carriage  22  is in its highest position. It will be appreciated that if connecting rod  86  is placed in a complete vertical position, as the seat carriage  22  is lowered, once sliding hinge  88  reaches the bottom of the vertical track  26 , connecting rod  86  will be placed in complete compression and will bind, preventing seat frame  70  from returning to the horizontal position. One method of preventing connecting rod  86  from reaching a complete vertical orientation is by attaching rod mount  87  to seat frame  70 , and attaching connecting rod  86  to rod mount  87 . Rod mount  87  offsets the point of attachment of connecting rod  86  from seat frame  70  so that when seat frame  70  is vertical, connecting rod  86  is offset from vertical, as shown in FIG. 10.  
         [0041]    A variety of means may be used for raising and lowering the seat carriage  22 . The seat carriage  22  may be set at any position on the vertical track  26  desired by the user, and retained at that position by the particular means used for raising and lowering the seat carriage  22 . In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1 through 10, a cable  92  is attached to the seat carriage  22 . The cable  92  runs over a pulley  94 , which may be attached to the top rail  50 . From the pulley  94 , the cable  92  runs down to a sheave  96 . The sheave  96  may be attached to the shaft of a hand winch which is manually turned to wind or unwind the cable  92 . The sheave  96  may also be attached to the slow-speed shaft of a gear reducer  98 . An acceptable gear reducer is the Grove Gear OE Series manufactured by Regal Beloit Corporation with a ratio of 80 to 1 from the high speed to low speed shaft. A reversible electrical motor  100  may be used to turn the high speed shaft of the gear reducer  98  by connecting the motor  100  to the gear reducer  98  with linkage  102 . The electrical motor  100  may be powered by rechargeable battery  104 . A motor control may be used by the operator to control the motor  100 , so that cable  92  is either unwound or wound up on sheave  96 , and the position of the seat carriage  22  adjusted as desired by the user.  
         [0042]    An alternative embodiment  20 ′ is disclosed in FIGS. 11 through 14. In this embodiment, a different means for raising and lowering the seat carriage  22 ′ is disclosed. In this embodiment, back support frame  40 ′ is adapted to receive and support linear actuator  108 . The linear actuator  108  is connected to the seat carriage  22 ′ with lifting members  110 . The motor  100 ′ is attached to gearbox  112  of the linear actuator  108 . The gearbox  112  is attached to mounting joint  114 . In order to allow flexibility and prevent binding which may result from misalignment, mounting joint  114  is a flexible connection. It has been found that mounting joint  114  should be manufactured from conveyor belt rubber or a material having similar flexibility and strength characteristics. Mounting joint  114  is fastened to mounting bracket  116 , which is fastened to back support frame  40 ′.  
         [0043]    An acceptable linear actuator  108  is an 18″ stroke linear actuator manufactured by Motion Systems, which has a gearbox ratio of 20 to 1.An acceptable motor  100 ′ is also is manufactured by Motion Systems, the motor being 12 volts and turning at 3000 RPM. As with the embodiment  20  discussed above, in which the seat carriage  22  may be raised or lowered with a cable  92  to any desired position along the vertical track  26 , the embodiment  20 ′ using the linear actuator allows the user to stop the seat carriage  22 ′ at any desired position along the vertical track  26 ′, from a completely seated position to a full standing position.  
         [0044]    While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the size, shape, and/or material of the various components may be changed as desired. In particular, any number of frame geometries, support structures, and wheel configurations may be adapted for use with the present invention. Thus the scope of the invention should not be limited by the specific structures disclosed. Instead the true scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims.