Patent Description:
It is well known that the dimensions of the wheelchairs (width, seat depth, height above the ground, wheel diameter, reclination, etc.) are very important for the comfort of the seating position, the ease of movement of an individual on a wheelchair, his physical integrity and resistance to his subsequent good physical condition, given that wheelchair mobility burdens other parts of the body (e.g., hands, shoulders).

Today, in order to obtain a wheelchair, someone must follow the following procedure: the user addresses to a wheelchair dealership, which through its employees or representatives, i.e. operators, operator assistants and advisors, takes the user's measures with a measuring tape and/or a ruler. Based on these measurements, a wheelchair is chosen from the ones that said dealership already has, which will be as close as possible to the user measurements that preceded as above. By virtue of and based on the measurements to be made also on the ("measuring tape") wheelchair-standard, according to the wishes of the user, the wheelchair is ordered and manufactured in a second time by the wheelchair manufacturer to which the person concerned will contact.

A first disadvantage of this solution is that the measurement of the user's parameters is based on a third person. The assessment of the comfort and safety of the user is done through the dialogue between the patient and the assistant operator - representative or employee, in the sense that the second one asks the first one if, e.g., the position of the arms at the point x satisfies him or not. However, those questions are always asked without the user being able to have an absolute sense of how his future wheelchair will be, while he is based on the measurements made and the limited feeling he has with a wheelchair approaching his future one. In this way, of course, a position satisfying the user each time is found, but always comparatively and never essentially with the ability to capture the perfect position of his body, given that certain components even of the wheelchair that functions as above as "measuring tape" are stabilized or minimally variable.

A further disadvantage is that the measurement is done with a ruler or a measuring tape by third persons and therefore it may contain errors as human factor enters. These possible mistakes will affect the final form of the ordered individualized wheelchair.

Another disadvantage is the relative position of the wheels in relation to the wheelchair user's body and hands. In particular, this relationship is also very important because it affects the way the wheelchair user rotates the wheels with his hands in order to move. The position of the wheels is minimally or not at all modifiable in the future wheelchair and the arrangement to be decided in essence will be almost established for the future in the same wheelchair. According to the anthropometric features of the user and his medical history, there are relative wheel positions more suitable for the individual wheelchair user, with the aim. of less strain and fatigue during transportation with a wheelchair.

In order to find the ideal relative position of the wheel shaft that creates less fatigue and hence less physical strain during transportation with a wheelchair, a driving simulation with manual wheel activation by the wheelchair user is required by testing in many relative positions of the wheel shaft. In this way, the user, in essence, is testing potential forwarding positions without, of course, these tests being able to be assimilated to the absolutely ideal position. The disadvantage is that the wheelchair user must place an existing wheelchair in the simulator in order the tests to be performed. The existing wheelchair obviously appears that it is not his own personalized wheelchair. Consequently, the simulation will be carried out in essence on irreducible data.

Also, over the years the user has developed a specific way of forwarding the wheelchair that can cause him bodily problems. This makes him want the position of the shaft, the length of the backrest and other features at the points he has already been used to, but this habit in said points obviously preserves the bodily problems than solving them. The user cannot try a different shaft position because the order of the wheelchair is specific, it includes a specific shaft position, and this will not be able to change unless he orders a new wheelchair.

Another disadvantage has to do with the fact that the user cannot be trained in how to forward the wheelchair, as the "measuring tape" wheelchair will have significant differences in relation to his future wheelchair.

The inventor has constructed a device for the simulation of a seated position in a wheelchair that enables the measurement of the adjustment parameters of the seated position of a wheelchair user automatically and digitally by means of software installed in the simulation device and is also an object of the invention. The data collected from this measurement can be sent electronically to a computer or another controller equipped with a display system, such as a mobile phone or a small touchscreen laptop.

The object of the invention is, first of all, a device for the simulation of a seated position in a wheelchair that includes the following adjustable components:
A seat backrest, whose:.

Two vertical side seat pans with armrests whose horizontal distance, which defines the width of the seated position, can be adjusted by a means for the horizontal adjustment of the position of the vertical side seat pans.

A foldable widthwise seat pan, whose reclination can be adjusted by a means for the reclination adjustment of the seat pan.

Two wheels whose horizontal position, which defines the horizontal distance of the backrest and the wheel shaft of the wheelchair, is adjusted by a means for the horizontal adjustment of the shafts and the vertical position, which defines the final height of the wheelchair, can be adjusted by a means for vertical adjustment.

A footrest, whose vertical position can be adjusted by a means for the vertical adjustment of the footrest base, and the reclination can be adjusted by a means for the adjustment of the footrest inclination. The device for the simulation of a seated position in a wheelchair that includes at least one means for position measurement of at least one position of at least one adjustable component.

The device for the simulation of a seated position in a wheelchair according to the invention includes, secondly, also the software for determining all the positions of the components and makes possible the determination of the following dimensional parameters which are used for the manufacture of a personalized wheelchair (<FIG>):.

Using the above adjustments, the individual on the simulation device or a third person (trained, of course, to use the simulation device), can define the most suitable dimensions of the future personalized wheelchair for the individual on the simulation device.

The simulation device is equipped with an electronic circuit and a customized software that controls all the adjustment means and calculates the dimensions based on the position of the moveable components.

The simulation device is also equipped with sensors that allow the electronic circuit with the software to read the exact position of the adjustable components.

The operator of the simulation device can use as a controller for the control of the adjustment means, as well as for the projection and storage of the dimensions, a computer or any other device which should have a display system and should be able to connect to a wired or wireless net as, for example, a common mobile phone or a common touchscreen computer.

Also disclosed is a method for determining the adjustment positions of the components of a device for the simulation of a seated position, in a wheelchair according to any of the alternative embodiments of the device for the simulation of a seated position that have been previously described.

This method for the determination of the adjustment positions of the components of a device for the simulation of a seated position in a wheelchair includes the following steps:
A first step of adjusting the horizontal distance of the vertical side seat pans with the armrests, a second step of adjusting the horizontal position of the seat backrest, a third step of adjusting the vertical position of the seat backrest, a fourth step of adjusting the vertical position of the footrest, a fifth step of adjusting the reclination of the seat position, a sixth step of adjusting the vertical position of the wheel shaft, a seventh step of adjusting the horizontal position of the wheel shaft, an eighth step of adjusting the reclination of the seat backrest and a ninth step of adjusting the footrest reclination.

With this invention, i.e., with the manufacture of a wheelchair simulation device, the ability to order a completely personalized, and therefore ideal for the individual user, wheelchair (e.g., seat height, width, depth, relative position of wheels, etc. will be perfectly adapted to the user's physiometry) is fulfilled. Dimensional accuracy will help to give the user the wheelchair that provides him with a wealth of features and benefits such as comfort, safety, fast and flexible movement, relatively poor physical strain.

In addition to that, the user is able to forward the wheelchair he will order and feel his personal strain on it.

Also, with this invention it is possible to calculate in advance the energy consumption that the user will use to forward his movement ordered, while of course he may propose changes to it in order to decide his best position on his own wheelchair. It is possible to record the way in which the force is applied to the wheels and to find the mistakes that may lead to strain. The ability to record his movement onto the new wheelchair without having it already is the basis for preventing mistakes in the new wheelchair.

Concurrently, the user has the ability to check different positions of the shaft, the backrest and other data that may be more appropriate or necessary and with the new adjustment to reduce his strain.

Also, the user can be informed about the adjustment of the components his future wheelchair will possess.

The simulation and the ability given by the invention to the user to use the new wheelchair in order to capture the movement and understand the difference in the new measurements and settings is another advantage and innovation.

Also, using the simulator, the user can be trained to his new position on the wheelchair and be prepared to use it.

In addition, the simulator can also be used as a training tool for using the wheelchair in patients who have to change the kinetic model they use to forward the wheelchair.

Another very important advantage of the invention, which has a long-term perspective, however extremely existent, is the appreciable limitation of the bodily strains to which all wheelchair users are subject, given the strain of other members of the body, and mainly their upper limbs, due to the manual movement of the wheelchair wheels. By manufacturing - according to the invention - a completely personalized, virtually ideal wheelchair, the wheelchair user will be subjected to as little physical strain as possible, given that the total strain will be deducted from the improper or absolutely proper position of the user on the wheelchair and what remains is the'never absent physical fatigue by the movement of the hands for the movement of the body and the wheelchair given, of course, the disability and the wheelchair.

The individual on the simulation device or a third individual can determine the position of the adjustable components that is judged beforehand as the most suitable for the individual on the simulation device for his future personalized wheelchair.

For all the above reasons, it will be possible to order an almost entirely personalized wheelchair and fully tailored to the needs and physical dimensions of the individual user. This device can determine the dimensions of the user immediately and quickly without mistakes. The invention can calculate the mode of propulsion of the wheelchair, the energy expenditure and thus mistakes and future modifications can be avoided. All of the above are accomplished using the described invention.

Another advantage of the invention is that the position of the adjustable components can be displayed in real time, the dimensional parameters can be readily calculated and saved automatically in the phone or computer memory. In this way, there can be stored dimensions per individual in order to make it easy for the simulator to reconvert to the dimensions required for one person, if required.

Yet another advantage is that the stored positions of the adjustable components can be reset from the computer and all the moveable parts of the simulation device can be reset to the stored dimensions. In this way, it is ready for the next measurement.

In this invention, at least one means for adjusting at least one position of at least one adjustable component is an electric motor or electric piston. Thus, positioning of the parts can be done by the individual himself on the simulation device or by a third person in a fast, accurate and comfortable way.

A further advantage is that the device for the simulation of a seated position in a wheelchair according to the invention comprises a magnetic and / or aerodynamic brake, mounted on each wheel in order to simulate the resistance during the movement of a real wheelchair, and a rotation sensor which is mounted on at least one wheel or at least one wheel brake. The device can, with the appropriate software, be used for stress tests and other medical -examinations aimed at evaluating the cardiorespiratory function of the user (e.g., stress test).

Thus, it is possible to assess the strength and fatigue of the wheelchair user during the manual operation of the wheels of the wheelchair for specific wheel positions. It is possible to determine the position of the wheels best suited to the morphology of each wheelchair user. Concurrently, comparable sensors can measure the energy costs of each user in different positions and adjustments.

According to an alternative embodiment, the device for the simulation of a seated position in a wheelchair includes at least one vertical load sensor. Thus, it is possible to determine the weight of the individual.

According to another variant of the invention, the device for the simulation of a seated position in a wheelchair comprises at least one or more load sensors.

These load sensors determine the total weight of the individual on the simulation device and the position of the center of gravity on the horizontal plane. The position of the center of gravity can be used to calculate the required power of the upper limbs of the above individual in order to be able to lift a wheelchair to the rear wheels.

In summary, the advantages resulting from the use of said device and the novelties it introduces are:.

Simulation of proper posture for the user concerned.

The user has the ability to feel at every point in his body the ideal posture, thus ensuring the correct measurements before manufacturing or buying a new wheelchair.

It enables the user to find the most suitable seat position so that with the lowest muscular force on the wheel he gains the maximum distance traveled.

It demonstrates to the user, with a mathematical in essence way, the position and adjustment that has the lowest energy cost when forwarding the wheelchair.

By using the simulation, the user can try to navigate through roads and narrow streets discovering the potential of his future wheelchair.

It enables new users and children to be trained in the handling of a wheelchair.

In the process of somatometric measurements, it abolishes traditional methods of measuring with measuring tapes with centimeter precision, replacing them with digital measurements with millimeter precision.

It reduces the time of somatometric measurements per individual from about <NUM> hours to about <NUM> minutes and additionally with the ability to save the measurements.

It enables each manufacturer of a personalized wheelchair to always receive the correct dimensional parameters, avoiding the human error by inexperienced dealers, bodies or organizations.

It assures manufacturers of customized wheelchairs thai each wheelchair will be ideal for the user who has ordered it.

It provides the ability to train new users how to use a wheelchair.

It enables reliable measurements to be made for the cardiorespiratory function of the patient by using suitable sensors.

It limits the body strain and consequently the excessive strain of the users.

The invention will be better understood by reading the description of <FIG> attached:.

<FIG> is a front perspective view of a device for the simulation of a seated position in a wheelchair according to a preferred mode of embodiment. The device includes adjustable position components, such as a seat backrest <NUM> , a foldable seat pan <NUM>, vertical side seat pans <NUM> with armrests <NUM>, wheels <NUM>, a footrest <NUM>, magnetic brakes <NUM>. The simulation device includes a computer or touchscreen computer or mobile phone in a wired or wireless way for its handling <NUM>.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view of a device for the simulation of a seated position in a wheelchair according to the invention. The device includes a supply and electronic components box <NUM>, a fixed frame <NUM>, a reclining modular frame <NUM>.

<FIG> is a detailed side view of the mechanism for the adjustment of seat reclination. Said mechanism consists of a fixed frame <NUM>, which is in contact with the ground or has small wheels to facilitate its transportation <NUM>. In the fixed frame <NUM> is articulated a modular frame <NUM> whose reclination in relation to the fixed frame <NUM> is adjustable by connecting two swivels <NUM> and an electric piston <NUM>. With the movement of the electric piston the reclination of the frame <NUM> is adjusted. The electric piston <NUM> contains an electronic sensor that measures its position. The electronic board with the special software, knowing the exact position of the electric piston <NUM> and all the other moveable adjustable components can calculate with a millimeter precision:.

<FIG> is a detailed rear perspective view of the mechanism for the adjustment of the seat backrest. The seat backrest <NUM> is adjustable in the vertical distance from the seat, in the horizontal distance from the front point of seat and in its reclination. This is achieved by virtue of three electric pistons <NUM> which possess digital sensors for position reading. The backrest is fixed in arms <NUM> and in one of the three electric pistons <NUM>. The electronic board with the special software located in the supply and electronic components box <NUM> has the ability to adjust the exact position and reclination of the three electric pistons in order to achieve the desirable position and reclination of the backrest. The electronic board with the special software, knowing the exact position and reclination of the backrest, can calculate with millimeter precision:.

Behind the backrest there are fixed with two swivels two projections of the backrest <NUM>. The rotation of the projections in order to come to the same level with the backrest is done manually. Their goal is to make possible that the surface of the backrest becomes bigger, if necessary for the specific individual that happens to sit on the simulator in order to obtain a better support of his back.

<FIG> is a detailed view of the mechanism for the adjustment of the vertical position of the footrest. The footrest <NUM> with its support <NUM> is drawn along the linear guides <NUM> which linear guides are supported on a metal surface <NUM> which, in turn, is fixed on the modular frame <NUM>. The position control is done by an electric stepped motor with a sensor for reading the number of revolutions <NUM> and a worm gear <NUM>. The electronic board with special software, knowing the number of revolutions done by the electric stepped motor <NUM>, can calculate with millimeter precision the distance between the seat pan and the footrest.

<FIG> is a detailed rear perspective view of the mechanism for the adjustment of the footrest reclination. The footrest <NUM> is able to move rotationally around a shaft <NUM> that is fixed on the footrest support <NUM>. An electric stepped motor with a sensor for reading the number of revolutions <NUM> and by means of a gear motor <NUM> moves the footrest with center of rotation the shaft <NUM>. The electronic board with the special software, knowing the number of revolutions done by the electric stepped motor <NUM>, can calculate with a very high precision the reclination of the footrest.

<FIG> is a detailed inner side view of the left vertical seat pan <NUM> with the left armrest <NUM> and <FIG> is a detailed outer side view of the left vertical seat pan <NUM> with the left armrest <NUM>. The right vertical seat pan with the armrest <NUM> is almost identical but mirrored. The adjustment mechanisms of the vertical and horizontal position of the left wheel are mounted on the left vertical seat pan <NUM> and of the right wheel on the right vertical seat pan <NUM>, respectively. The wheel with its support rests on the mechanism for the adjustment of the horizontal position of the wheel and the mechanism' for the adjustment of the vertical position of the wheel. In this way, the wheel position can change horizontally, but also vertically. Even though the mechanisms 'for the adjustment of wheel position are independent to one another, the electronic board with special software assures that the vertical and horizontal displacement of the wheels is always the same. This creates the belief that the wheels are rotating around a common shaft.

The mechanism for the adjustment of the vertical position of the wheel consists of an electric stepped motor with a sensor for reading the number of revolutions <NUM>, conveyor belt and pulleys <NUM>, a worm gear <NUM> and linear guides <NUM>. The mechanism for the adjustment of the horizontal position of the wheel consists of an electric stepped motor with a sensor for reading the number of revolutions <NUM>, conveyor belt and pulleys <NUM>, a worm gear <NUM> and linear guides <NUM>. The electronic board with the special software, knowing the number of revolutions done by the electric stepped motor <NUM> and the electric stepped motor <NUM>, can calculate with a very high precision the horizontal and vertical position of the wheel. Knowing also the exact position of the remaining moveable components, it can calculate with millimeter precision:.

<FIG> is a detailed front view of the mechanism for the adjustment of the distance of the side vertical seat pans <NUM> onto which rest the armrests <NUM>. The two side vertical seat pans are drawn along two linear guides <NUM> that are mounted on the modular frame <NUM> in order to adjust the width between the side seat pans. The width between the side seat pans is controlled by four or more electric pistons <NUM> which possess digital sensors for reading the position and are fixed on the modular frame <NUM> (part of the modular frame <NUM> is hidden in this figure). The electronic board with the special software, knowing the exact position of the electric pistons <NUM>, can calculate with millimeter precision the width of the seated position of the foldable seat.

<FIG> is a detailed view of the brake mechanism in a mode of embodiment. Both the wheels are braked though a mechanical brake <NUM> of hydraulic, magnetic or electric type. A sensor of rotational speed <NUM> is installed in each brake or wheel.

<FIG> is a detailed perspective view of the foldable seat position mechanism <NUM> and <FIG> is a detailed front view of the foldable seat position mechanism <NUM>. The foldable seat position consists of a cloth similar to the one which will be used in the future personalized wheelchair of the occupant. The goal of the foldable seat position mechanism is to enable the seat position to vary widthwise according to the distance defined by the two vertical side seat pans <NUM>. In order the fabric to always be stretched, the excess cloth is wrapped around two rollers <NUM> which are fixed with bearings on the modular frame from the seat position after it passes above two smaller rollers <NUM> which are fixed with bearings on the right and left vertical side seat pan, respectively. The rotation of the rollers is achieved using steering racks <NUM> and a gear <NUM>. As the width of the seat changes, the steering racks <NUM> and the gears <NUM> convert the linear movement to rotational by wrapping or unwrapping the cloth of the seated position in the rollers <NUM>.

One or more vertical load sensors are installed on the device. These load sensors determine the total weight of the individual on the simulation device and the position of the center of gravity on the horizontal plane. The position of the center of gravity can be used to calculate the required power of the individual's upper limbs on the simulation device so that the individual can manage to lift a wheelchair to the rear wheels.

The simulator inside the supply and electronic components box <NUM> contains an electric circuit with at least one microcontroller for which specialized software has been developed. The software can control the positions of all moveable components by reading the sensors, rotating the stepped motors and opening and closing the electric pistons. It can calculate the dimensional parameters based on the positions of the moveable components, control the rotation speed of the wheels and (or) the brakes, read the vertical load sensors and calculate the individual's weight and the center of gravity.

The simulator inside the supply and electronic components box <NUM> contains also a microcomputer for which specialized software has been developed. The microcomputer is connected to the microcontroller or microcontrollers of the electronic circuit and acts as a browser that provides wired and wireless connection. The advantage of the topology is that the simulator handling and the information display can be done by a computer or any other device with a display system, such as a mobile phone or a small touchscreen computer that can be connected in a wired or wireless way to. -the microcomputer located inside the supply and electronic components box <NUM>.

The touchscreen computer <NUM> of <FIG> is connected wirelessly to the microcomputer of the simulator and can accept and display all the electronic information that receives by it:.

The individual on the simulation device or a third person may, using the touchscreen computer <NUM>:.

The software also includes a virtual reality (e.g., a city with its streets) in which the person on the simulation device can see the streets and squares of a particular city and move virtually by rotating the wheels of the simulation device. The software displays the individual's position in the virtual reality, the distance traveled, the power of the individual's upper limbs. The individual on the simulation device or a third person can handle the software.

To quickly and accurately download all the dimensional parameters of a personalized wheelchair there is a specific method of use. The individual whose dimensions will be used for the manufacture of a personalized wheelchair is installed on the simulation device. The individual on the simulation device or a third person adjusts the dimensional parameters with the proposed following order:.

Claim 1:
A device for the simulation of a seated position in a wheelchair that includes at least one of the following adjustable components:
• a seat backrest (i), whose horizontal position can be adjusted by a horizontal adjustment means (<NUM>),
• the seat backrest (<NUM>), whose vertical position can be adjusted by a vertical adjustment means (<NUM>),
• two armrests (<NUM>) whose horizontal distance, which defines the seat width, can be adjusted by a means for the adjustment of the horizontal position of the armrests (<NUM>),
• a foldable seat pan (<NUM>), whose reclination around the shaft of one modular frame (<NUM>) can be adjusted by a means for the adjustment of seat reclination (<NUM>),
• a footrest (<NUM>) whose vertical position can be adjusted by a means for the vertical adjustment of the footrest (<NUM>);
and at least one means for position measurement (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for determining at least one position of the at least one adjustable component (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
the device further including two wheels (<NUM>), which have a shaft whose horizontal position can be adjusted by a means for the adjustment of the horizontal position of the wheels (<NUM>), characterized in that all the adjustable components are included; and wherein all the means for position measurement (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) used for the determination of all the positions of all the adjustable components (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are included, thereby allowing for the determination of the following dimensions which are used for the manufacture of a personalized wheelchair:
• height of seat backrest
• seat width
• horizontal depth of seat
• seat reclination
• horizontal distance between the seat backrest and the wheel shaft
• distance between the seat pan and the footrest.