Body-supporting device for wheelchair for handicapped person comprising a structure allowing an upright position

Claim 1

A device for supporting the body of a handicapped person within a wheelchair of the type including an articulated elevator structure fitted on the frame of the wheelchair, a backrest having a pair of uprights, a seat articulated on the backrest and on the frame, a footrest assembly having a pair of front uprights and articulated on the seat and the frame, and means for relative pivoting, the device comprising: (a) a first set of means including two partly bent rigid segments, each segment mounted laterally on a corresponding upright of the backrest by an articulated system which holds and locks the segment in either a generally vertical orientation wherein the segment defines an armrest or in a generally horizontal orientation wherein the segment defines a thoracic half-belt for the person; (b) each articulated system including a fork joint supporting a stirrup by a substantially horizontal pivot pin, a pivot whose axis is substantially at right angles to the pivot axis connecting the web of the stirrup to an extension of the segment, and a catch borne by the fork joint for engaging within either one of two holes formed in the extension for immobilizing the segment in either the vertical or the horizontal orientation; and (c) a second set of means including two cradle elements, each cradle element being mounted by two pivot pins of orthogonal directions on a corresponding front upright of the footrest assembly, the cradle elements including means for relative immobilization in a position of alignment wherein the cradle elements are in engagement over the front portions of the legs of the person.

Claim 2

A device for supporting the body of a handicapped person within a wheelchair of the type including an articulated elevator structure fitted on the frame of the wheelchair, a backrest having a pair of uprights, a seat articulated on the backrest and on the frame, a footrest assembly having a pair of front uprights and articulated on the seat and the frame, and means for relative pivoting, the device comprising: (a) a first set of means including two partly bent rigid segments, each segment mounted laterally on a corresponding upright of the backrest by an articulated system which holds and locks the segment in either a generally vertical orientation wherein the segment defines an armrest or in a generally horizontal orientation wherein the segment defines a thoracic half-belt for the person; (b) each articulated system including a fork joint supporting a stirrup by a substantially horizontal pivot pin, a pivot whose axis is substantially at right angles to the pivot axis connecting the web of the stirrup to an extension of the segment, and a catch borne by the fork joint for engaging within either one of two holes formed in the extension for immobilizing the segment in either the vertical or the horizontal orientation; and (c) a second set of means including two cradle elements, each cradle element being mounted by two pivot pins of orthogonal directions on a corresponding front upright of the footrest assembly, the cradle elements including means for relative immobilization in a position of alignment wherein the cradle elements are in engagement over the front portions of the legs of the person.

Claim 5

A device for supporting the body of a handicapped person in a wheelchair of the type including an articulated elevator structure fitted on the frame of the wheelchair, a backrest having a pair of uprights, a seat articulated on the backrest and on the frame, a footrest assembly having a pair of front uprights and articulated on the seat and the frame, and means for relative pivoting, the device comprising: (a) a first set of means including two partly bent rigid segments, each segment mounted laterally on a corresponding upright of the backrest by an articulated system which holds and locks the segment in either a generally vertical orientation wherein the segment defines an armrest or in a generally horizontal orientation wherein the segment defines a thoracic half-belt for the person; (b) each articulated system including a fork joint borne by a slide block mounted on a corresponding upright of the backrest for free axial movement therealong between upper and lower adjustable stops, and a stirrup provided with a bar extending substantially horizontal and parallel to the upright, the stirrup including a hole provided in a terminal portion thereof for the relative engagement therein by a finger projecting from the upper stop; and (c) a second set of means including two cradle elements, each cradle element being mounted by two pivot pins of orthogonal directions on a corresponding front upright of the footrest assembly, the cradle elements including means for relative immobilization in a position of alignment wherein the cradle elements are in engagement over the front portions of the legs of the person.

Claim 6

A device for supporting the body of a handicapped person in a wheelchair of the type including an articulated elevator structure fitted on the frame of the wheelchair, a backrest having a pair of uprights, a seat articulated on the backrest and on the frame, a footrest assembly having a pair of front uprights and articulated on the seat and the frame, and means for relative pivoting, the device comprising: (a) a first set of means including two partly bent rigid segments, each segment mounted laterally on a corresponding upright of the backrest by an articulated system which holds and locks the segment in either a generally vertical orientation wherein the segment defines an armrest or in a generally horizontal orientation wherein the segment defines a thoracic half-belt for the person; (b) each articulated system including a fork joint borne by a slide block mounted on a corresponding upright of the backrest for free axial movement therealong between upper and lower adjustable stops, and a stirrup provided with a bar extending substantially horizontal and parallel to the upright, the stirrup including a hole provided in a terminal portion thereof for the relative engagement therein by a finger projecting from the upper stop; and (c) a second set of means including two cradle elements, each cradle element being mounted by two pivot pins of orthogonal directions on a corresponding front upright of the footrest assembly, the cradle elements including means for relative immobilization in a position of alignment wherein the cradle elements are in engagement over the front portions of the legs of the person.

Claim 9

A device for supporting the body of a handicapped person within a wheelchair of the type including an articulated elevator structure fitted on the frame of the wheelchair, a backrest having a pair of uprights, a seat articulated on the backrest and on the frame, a footrest assembly having a pair of front uprights and articulated on the seat and the frame, and means for relative pivoting, the device comprising: (a) a first set of means including two partly bent rigid segments, each segment mounted laterally on a corresponding upright of the backrest by means for holding and locking the segment in either a generally vertical orientation wherein the segment defines an armrest or in a generally horizontal orientation wherein the segment defines a thoracic half-belt for the person; (b) a second set of means including two cradle elements, each cradle element being mounted by two pivot pins of orthogonal directions on a corresponding front upright of the footrest assembly, the cradle elements including means for relative immobilization in a position of alignment wherein the cradle elements are in engagement over the front portions of the legs of the person; (c) a vertical shaft carried by each corresponding front upright of the footrest, each cradle element including a lower terminal part rotatably engaged in the vertical shaft, each vertical shaft including a horizontal pivot pin provided at a lower portion thereof and a pivot provided at an upper portion thereof, a rod articulated on the footrest assembly, the rod including an oblong adjustment slot at one end thereof, the pivot at the upper part of the vertical shaft being engaged within the oblong adjustment slot of the rod; (d) an upper cross piece connecting the footrest assembly and the seat, an offset plate including an arcuate slot carried by the cross piece, the other end of the rod including a pivot engaged within the arcuate slot; and (e) whereby the vertical shaft may be pivoted to a position such that the cradle elements support the person in an upright position.

Claim 10

A device for supporting the body of a handicapped person within a wheelchair of the type including an articulated elevator structure fitted on the frame of the wheelchair, a backrest having a pair of uprights, a seat articulated on the backrest and on the frame, a footrest assembly having a pair of front uprights and articulated on the seat and the frame, and means for relative pivoting, the device comprising: (a) a first set of means including two partly bent rigid segments, each segment mounted laterally on a corresponding upright of the backrest by means for holding and locking the segment in either a generally vertical orientation wherein the segment defines an armrest or in a generally horizontal orientation wherein the segment defines a thoracic half-belt for the person; (b) a second set of means including two cradle elements, each cradle element being mounted by two pivot pins of orthogonal directions on a corresponding front upright of the footrest assembly, the cradle elements including means for relative immobilization in a position of alignment wherein the cradle elements are in engagement over the front portions of the legs of the person; (c) a vertical shaft carried by each corresponding front upright of the footrest, each cradle element including a lower terminal part rotatably engaged in the vertical shaft, each vertical shaft including a horizontal pivot pin provided at a lower portion thereof and a pivot provided at an upper portion thereof, a rod articulated on the footrest assembly, the rod including an oblong adjustment slot at one end thereof, the pivot at the upper part of the vertical shaft being engaged within the oblong adjustment slot of the rod; (d) an upper cross piece connecting the footrest assembly and the seat, an offset plate including an arcuate slot carried by the cross piece, the other end of the rod including a pivot engaged within the arcuate slot; and (e) whereby the vertical shaft may be pivoted to a position such that the cradle elements support the person in an upright position.