Patent Publication Number: US-2004051279-A1

Title: Mobile elevating chair apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001] Not applicable  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002] Not applicable  
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0003] Not applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0005] The present invention relates to elevating chairs and more particularly to a mobile elevating chair apparatus that has particular utility in the care of individuals that have particular medical needs, including the need for assisted mobility and support.  
       [0006] 2. General Background of the Invention  
       [0007] There are a number of wheeled devices that are available to persons having particular medical needs, disabilities, injuries caused by trauma and the like. These chairs are available in many different forms. One of the most common forms is the well known wheelchair that can be either manually operable or motorized.  
       [0008] Wheelchairs are very bulky devices that are hard to maneuver. They do not enable an individual to approach a table in virtually every restaurant or hotel situation for example.  
       [0009] Many individuals have a desire to sit at a dinner table or to visit their favorite restaurant when dining out notwithstanding their particular medical condition.  
       [0010] Several wheeled devices have been patented that attempt to solve the problems of providing transportation for individuals while providing improvements over the common wheelchair.  
       [0011] As an example, the Pratt U.S. Pat. No. 2,609,862 discloses a hospital chair that has a triangular base with a single front wheel and two rear wheels, all of the wheels being positioned on the underside of the base. The Pratt chair includes a telescoping piston for elevating a chair that includes a seat back, seat base, and leg supports. The Pratt chair also includes armrests. A lever extends behind the piston for elevating and lowering the seat relative to the base.  
       [0012] The Guyton U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,524 discloses a seat that is adjustable in height that includes a footrest and a base that has four radially extending members, each with its own foot.  
       [0013] The Congleton U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,404 discloses a neutral body position chair that includes a base having wheels and a pedestal that telescopes to elevate and lower the chair. The chair includes seat base and seat back portions.  
       [0014] A patient transfer device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,722. The device includes a cushioned chair with wheels that facilities patient transfer in and out of a hospital clinical bed. The patient transfer device provides an entirely different method of transferring patients that avoids lifting the total body weight of the patient and that provides the maximum comfort for the patient.  
       [0015] An ambulatory care chair is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,593.  
       [0016] The Harroun U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,620 discloses a wheeled height adjustable rehabilitation chair. The device includes a base having wheels that are steerable and a chair that sits upon the base with a pedestal. The wheels are located outboard of the seat to enhance stability, while the legs are positioned to provide a free space for the user&#39;s legs to facilitate user propulsion of the chair when the user is either sitting or standing. The seat chair is of narrow depth, allowing freedom of leg motion when the user is seated.  
       [0017] Another elevating chair is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,310 that employs an actuator which is integral with a hydraulic cylinder that causes a piston to raise and lower.  
       [0018] The Pratt U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,250 discloses an x-ray chair for providing support and comfort to a patient seated therein during an x-ray procedure.  
       [0019] A design Pat. Des. 354,176 issued to Schwaegerle discloses a medical lift chair that appears to show a base, a hydraulic cylinder having a lever for operating the chair, probably to elevate it, and a chair that has armrests, a headrest and a footrest portion. The applicant is only aware of this design patent. However, it is noted that the patent is owed by Reliance Medical Products, Inc. of Mason, Ohio.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020] The present invention provides an improved wheeled elevating chair apparatus. The device has a trapezoidal shaped base that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a periphery defined by a front edge, a rear edge, and a pair of side edges. The side edges form an acute angle. The rear edge defines the widest part of the base.  
       [0021] A pair of rear wheels are mounted to the base at the rear edge.  
       [0022] A pair of steerable front wheels are mounted to the base at the front edge, at least part of the steerable front wheels being mounted within the periphery of the base.  
       [0023] Brakes are mounted on the pedestal and movable between released and locking positions, the rear wheels being locked to prevent rolling when the brakes are in the locking position.  
       [0024] A pedestal is mounted on the base and extends vertically above the base upper surface, the pedestal including a plurality of pedestal members that telescope, at least one of said pedestal members being a first pedestal member attached to the base and a second pedestal member that is attached to the first pedestal member and elevates relevant to the base.  
       [0025] A hydraulic jacking mechanism elevates the second pedestal member relative to the first pedestal member. The jacking mechanism includes a lever arm that extends from the pedestal rearwardly to a position that is above and behind the base.  
       [0026] A chair is mounted on the pedestal, the chair including a seat base and seat back. The chair is able to change elevation relative to the base by moving the second pedestal member when the second pedestal member is elevated or lowered using the jacking mechanism.  
       [0027] The lower arm elevates the chair when depressed and moved from a higher to a lower position and the chair and second pedestal member lower the chair when the lever arm is depressed to a lowest position and maintained in that lowest position.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0028] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:  
     [0029]FIG. 1 is the perspective of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
     [0030]FIG. 2 is a partial perspective of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
     [0031]FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
     [0032]FIG. 5 is a partial perspective of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;  
     [0033]FIG. 5A is a fragmentary perspective of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the folding handlebar; and  
     [0034]FIG. 6 is a partial perspective of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the footrest portion thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0035] FIGS.  1 - 3  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated by in drawing the numeral  10 . Mobile chair apparatus  10  includes a trapezoid shaped base  11  that has a front edge  12 , rear edge  13 , and a pair of opposed side edges  14 - 15 , that together define a periphery.  
     [0036] The left side  14  and right side  15  form an acute angle as shown in FIG. 4 so that the dimension A of rear edge  13  is a longer dimension than the dimension B designated by the numeral  41  of the front edge  12 . In addition, a special wheel placement for a plurality of preferably four wheels that are attached to the underside  17  of the base  11  enable the apparatus  10  of the present invention to be very easily maneuvered into tight places such as between the legs of a small table. Thus the present invention enables a person with special medical needs to be able to maneuver to a position next to a standard table (e.g. restaurant table) or a table with narrow dimensions.  
     [0037] The apparatus  10  of the present invention thus provides a pair of front wheels  18 ,  19  under base  11  and within its periphery at least in part. Casters  18 ,  19  are swivel wheels such as swiveling casters. These casters  18 ,  19  swivel 360 degrees about a vertical axis and enable the apparatus  10  to be easily steered.  
     [0038] The plurality of wheels that support base  11  include two rear wheels  20 ,  21 . The rear wheels  20 ,  21  are positioned at the rear edge  13  of base  11  and outboard are laterally spaced away from the sides  14 ,  15  as shown in FIG. 4. Conversely, the steering casters  18 ,  19  that define the front wheels are positioned under base  11 , being attached to underside  17  as shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 . Therefore, steering casters  18 , 19  do not interfere with placement of base  11  between the legs of a table. A pair of spaced apart struts  48  are attached to base  11  at rear edge  13  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Rear struts  48  prevent tipping over if an occupant of chair  50  happens to push against an object in front of the chair  50  (e.g. table, wall, etc.) when the brakes  42 ,  43  are locked.  
     [0039] The upper surface  16  of pedestal  11  supports pedestal  22 . Pedestal  22  can be a hydraulic cylinder arrangement that includes hydraulic cylinder  23  and elevating push rod  24  that elevates and lowers as illustrated by the arrow  25  in FIG. 3.  
     [0040] Actuator arm  26  provides a footrest or foot pedal  27  that enables a user to stand behind the chair apparatus  10  and either raise or lower the chair  50  part of the apparatus  10  and at the same time elevate a user  60  that occupies the seat  51  part of chair  50 . Pedestal  22 , its hydraulic cylinder  23  and push rod  24  arrangement as well as actuator  26  are all commercially available and have in the past been provided for elevating a seat such as on common barber chairs and those chairs used in beauty salons.  
     [0041] The apparatus  10  of the present invention provides a handlebar  28  that enables a friend or family member to maneuver the apparatus  10  while a user  60  occupies the chair  50 . Handlebar  28  can be a two part apparatus and includes a lower inclined section  29  that is pivotally attached to an upper incline section  30 . The upper incline section  30  has a gripping surface  31  that can be for example covered in foam or other material that helps a friend or family member maneuver the apparatus  10 . Pivotal connections  32  connect the upper incline section  30  to the lower include section  29 . An adjustment knob  33  can be used to tighten the pivotal connection  32  when in the operating position of FIGS. 3 and 5.  
     [0042] Lower horizontal section  29  provides two spaced apart horizontal sections  34 , each having an opening that enabled the handlebar  28  to be attached in a removable fashion to base  11 . A pair of spaced apart support brackets  36  are provided for forming a connection with handlebar  28 . Each support bracket can have generally L-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 1, providing an opening  37  that is receptive of locking pin  38 . The locking pin  38  passes through opening  37  of support bracket  36  and opening  35  of horizontal section  34  in order to lock the handlebar  28  to the base  11 . A retainer clip  39  can be provided for insuring that the locking pin  38  does not become inadvertently dislodged.  
     [0043] In FIG. 4, the dimension line  40  designates dimension A which is the width of rear edge  13  of base  11 .  
     [0044] The dimension line  41  in FIG. 4 designates the width as dimension B of front edge  12  of base  11 . The length of base  11  between edge  12  and edge  13  can be a distance that is greater than the rear width  40 .  
     [0045] A pair of brakes  42 ,  43  are provided, one for each rear wheel  20 ,  21 . Each brake is preferably a cam operated brake that provides a brake lever for a full  45  respectively. Brakes  42 ,  43  can employ a push down lever clamp mechanism that can be purchased from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware (e.g. item number 20731 in the Rockler catalog dated Summer, 2002. Such a mechanism is fitted with a transverse bar  59  that grips the wheel  20  or  21  to be locked in a braked, non-rolling position. In this fashion, a user simply depresses the brake lever  44  or  45  as illustrated by arrow  46  in FIG. 3. Bar  59  then locks wheel  20  or  21 . In the lower position shown in FIG. 3, the brake is locked so that the rear wheels  20 ,  21  cannot rotate relative to base  11 .  
     [0046] Seat  50  in FIGS.  1 - 3  includes a seat bottom  51  and a seat back  52 . The seat bottom  51  and seat back  52  are connected with a plurality of brackets  53  as shown in FIG. 2. A plurality of belts are provided for holding an occupant or user  60  to the chair seat  51  and chair back  52  as shown in FIG. 3. These belts include a pair of shoulder belts  54 ,  55  that are preferably diagonally positioned across the chest and torso of an occupant  60  as shown in FIG. 3 during use. Each belt  54  can be a two part belt connected with a buckle. A seatbelt is also provided that attaches to the seat bottom  51 . The seatbelt includes seatbelt sections  56 ,  57  that can be connected using a commercially available buckle.  
     [0047] Leg spacer at  58  is provided on the upper surface of seat  51  for separating the legs of an occupant  60  at the occupant&#39;s knee area as show in FIGS. 1 and 3 for providing greater stability to user  60  that do not have perfect use of his or her legs.  
     [0048] A pair of armrests  61  are provided, each pivotally connected at pivotal connection  62  to telescoping support  63  that extends across the back of seat back  52  (see FIG. 2). Telescoping support  63  enables the distance between armrests  61  to be varied to fit a particular occupant  60 . A telescoping support  63  can be comprised of two telescoping sections  64 ,  65  that can be affixed at a selected telescoping position using adjustment nuts  67 . The adjustment nuts  67  are preferably in the form of two spaced apart, left and right adjustment nuts  67 , each having a bolt head that travels in vertical rail  66 . As indicated by arrow  69  in FIG. 2, the telescoping support  63  and the connected arms  61  can thus be elevated or lowered to fit a particular occupant  60 . The arrow  68  in FIG. 2 illustrates pivotal movement of the arms  61 . The arrow  70  in FIG. 2 illustrates telescoping lateral expanding movement of the telescoping support  63 .  
     [0049] A pair of vertical rails  61  are provided on the rear surface of seat back  52  as shown in FIG. 2. The rails  71  can be positioned in between rails  66  that support telescoping support  63 . Each rail  71  receives a vertical slide  72  having a bushing  74  at its upper end portion. Bushing  74  forms a pivotal connection with arm  78 . Each arm  78  supports a curved pad  76  that is shaped generally to conform to the head or neck area of an occupant  60  as shown in FIG. 3.  
     [0050] Each arm  78  can pivot inwardly and outwardly relative to an occupant  60  as indicated by arrows  79 . In order to affix the position of each arm  78  and its pad  76  relative to an occupant&#39;s head  80 , wing nuts  75 ,  77  are provided. A pivotal connection  81  can provided between the free end of arm  78  and curved pad  76 .  
     [0051] A pair of leg supports  82  extend from the underside of seat bottom  51  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Each leg support  82  includes an upper section  83 , lower section  84  and pivotal connection  85 . At the lower end portion of lower section  84  is provided a footrest  86 . The position of the footrest can be adjusted 360 degrees and locked in position using knob  87 .  
     [0052] Horizontally positioned rails  88  can be affixed to the underside of seat bottom  51  for forming a connection with the horizontal slide  89  portion of each leg support  82  and locked in position using a threaded know  90  as shown in FIG. 6.  
     [0053] The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
                              PARTS LIST                             DESCRIPTION   PART NUMBER                                         mobile elevating chair apparatus   10           base   11           front edge   12           rear edge   13           left side   14           right side   15           upper surface   16           lower surface   17           front wheel   18           front wheel   19           rear wheel   20           rear wheel   21           pedestal   22           hydraulic cylinder   23           pushrod   24           arrow   25           actual   26           foot rest   27           handlebar   28           lower inclined section   29           upper inclined section   30           gripping surface   31           pivotal connection   32           adjustment knob   33           horizontal section   34           opening   35           support bracket   36           opening   37           locking pin   38           retainer clip   39           dimension line   40           dimension line   41           brake   42           brake   43           brake lever   44           brake lever   45           arrow   46           arrow   47           rear strut   48           gap   49           seat   50           seat bottom   51           seat back   52           bracket   53           shoulder belt   54           shoulder belt   55           seat belt section   56           seat belt section   57           leg spacer   58           transverse bar   59           user   60           arm rest   61           pivotal connection   62           telescoping support   63           section   64           section   65           vertical rail   66           adjustment nut   67           arrow   68           arrow   69           arrow   70           rail   71           vertical slide   72           arrow   73           bushing   74           wing nut   75           curved pad   76           wing nut   77           arm   78           arrow   79           head   80           bushing   81           leg support   82           upper section   83           lower section   84           pivotal connection   85           foot rest   86           knob   87               88                      
 
     [0054] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.