EP-4734903-A1 - STAND-UP WHEELCHAIR

EP4734903A1EP 4734903 A1EP4734903 A1EP 4734903A1EP-4734903-A1

Abstract

Stand-up wheelchair, comprising: - a seat assembly for seating a user therein, wherein the seat assembly is movable between a sitting position, wherein the user is supported in a sitting posture, and a standing position, wherein the user is supported in a standing posture; - a pair of primary wheels for movably supporting the seat assembly on a supporting surface, wherein said primary wheels are arranged on a rear section of the stand-up wheelchair on opposite sides of said wheelchair; - at least one secondary wheel unit for movably supporting the seat assembly on the supporting surface, wherein the secondary wheel unit comprises a secondary wheel, in particular a swivel wheel, and wherein the secondary wheel unit is arranged at a frontal section of the stand-up wheelchair; characterized in that: - the secondary wheel unit is movable between a first position, wherein the secondary wheel unit, in particular the swivel axis of said swivel wheel, is arranged at a first distance from a primary wheel, and a second position, wherein the secondary wheel unit is arranged at a second distance from the respective primary wheel, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

Inventors

COSTA EUFRASIO, Gabriel
VAN POPPEL, Roy Martinus Fransiscus

Assignees

J58 HOLDING B.V.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20240628

Claims (18)

1. Stand-up wheelchair, comprising: a seat assembly for seating a user therein, wherein the seat assembly is movable between a sitting position, wherein the user is supported in a sitting posture, and a standing position, wherein the user is supported in a standing posture; a pair of primary wheels for movably supporting the seat assembly on a supporting surface, wherein said primary wheels are arranged on a rear section of the stand-up wheelchair on opposite sides of said wheelchair; at least one secondary wheel unit for movably supporting the seat assembly on the supporting surface, wherein the secondary wheel unit comprises a secondary wheel, in particular a swivel wheel, and wherein the secondary wheel unit is arranged at a frontal section of the stand-up wheelchair; wherein the secondary wheel unit is movable between a first position, wherein the secondary wheel unit, in particular the swivel axis of said swivel wheel, is arranged at a first distance from a primary wheel, and a second position, wherein the secondary wheel unit is arranged at a second distance from the respective primary wheel, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance; characterized in that: said wheelchair comprises a pivoting arm member whereon the secondary wheel unit is arranged, preferably at a distal section thereof, wherein the pivoting arm member is arranged to pivot around a hinge axis that is arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the secondary wheel, such that, upon rotating the pivoting arm member around the hinge axis, the secondary wheel unit can be moved from the first to the second position and vice versa.
2. Stand-up wheelchair according to claim 1, wherein the secondary wheel unit is arranged to be movable between the first and second position when the seat assembly is moved between the sitting and standing position.
3. Stand-up wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary wheel unit is operatively coupled to the seat assembly using a transfer mechanism, such that, upon moving the seat assembly from the sitting to the standing position, the secondary wheel unit is moved, by means of the transfer mechanism, from the first position to the second position and vice versa.
4. Stand-up wheelchair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary wheel unit is manually operable for moving the secondary wheel unit from the first to the second position, preferably wherein a handle is provided that is operable by a user in the wheelchair for moving the secondary wheel unit from the first to the second position.
5. Stand-up wheelchair according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stand-up wheelchair further comprises a frame member, wherein said primary wheels and said secondary wheel unit are arranged on the frame member and wherein the seat assembly is connected to the frame member.
6. Stand-up wheelchair according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said secondary wheel unit is movably connected to the frame member, in particular wherein a proximal section of the pivoting arm member is pivotally arranged to the frame, in particular at a frontal section of the frame.
7. Stand-up wheelchair according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said seat assembly at least comprises a seat base, wherein a frontal section of the seat base of the seat assembly is pivotally arranged, in particular pivotally connected to the frame member, such that, upon moving the seat assembly from the sitting to the standing positing, the seat base is pivoted with respect to the supporting surface, such that an angle between the seat base and supporting surface is varied.
8. Stand-up wheelchair according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said seat assembly comprises a seat base and a back rest, wherein a rear section of said seat base is pivotally connected to a lower section of said back rest and wherein, upon moving the seat assembly from the sitting to the standing positing, the seat base is pivoted with respect to the back rest, such that an angle between the seat base and back rest is increased.
9. Stand-up wheelchair according to claim 8, wherein the seat assembly comprises a four-bar mechanism, wherein a first bar of the four-bar mechanism is comprised in the seat base and an adjacent second bar is comprised in the back rest.
10. Stand-up wheelchair according to at least claim 3, wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a plurality of operative coupled push-pull rods, wherein the first outer end of the transfer mechanism, in particular the first push-pull thereof, is operatively coupled to the seat assembly and the second, opposite, outer end of the transfer mechanism, in particular the final push-pull rod thereof, is operatively coupled to the secondary wheel unit.
11. Stand-up wheelchair according to at least claims 5, 10 and 11, wherein the first push-pull rod is connected to one of the bars of the four-bar mechanism, in particular to the third bar that is arranged opposite to the first bar, and wherein the final push-pull rod is connected to the pivoting arm member, such that, upon pivoting the seat base towards the standing position, the secondary wheel unit is automatically and simultaneously pushed, by the final push-pull rod, to the second position and vice versa.
12. Stand-up wheelchair according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stand-up wheelchair comprises a pair of secondary wheel units that are each movable from a respective first to a respective second position and vice versa, wherein one of said secondary wheel units is arranged on a first side of the wheelchair and the other of said secondary wheel units is arranged on the opposite side of said wheelchair.
13. Stand-up wheelchair according to claim 12, wherein said secondary wheel units are operatively coupled in such a way that they are only allowed to move simultaneously from the first to the second position, and vice versa.
14. Stand-up wheelchair according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one actuator, preferably two actuators, for at least aiding to move the seat assembly towards the standing position, wherein an actuator is preferably a linear actuator, such as a pre-loaded linear gas spring, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuator that, preferably, extends when moving to the standing position.
15. Stand-up wheelchair according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said stand-up wheelchair is an electrically driving stand-up wheelchair comprising a drive mechanism for driving the primary wheels and, preferably, comprises an electrical actuator for moving the seat assembly from the sitting to the standing position and vice versa.
16. Stand-up wheelchair according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 14, wherein said stand-up wheelchair is a non-powered wheelchair that is arranged to be manually driven by the user and/or arranged to be manually pushed, preferably, comprising a pre-loaded linear gas spring for aiding to move the seat assembly towards the standing position.
17. Stand-up wheelchair according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one auxiliary manual drive system for driving a respective primary wheel, comprising a rotatable auxiliary drive handle that is to move with seat assembly between the sitting and standing positions and is arranged to be rotated by the user, wherein a respective rotatable auxiliary drive handle is operatively coupled to the respective primary wheel by a drive transfer mechanisms, preferably comprising a series of drive bels and/or chains, such that a user is able to manually rotate the respective primary wheel in both the sitting and standing positions by rotating the respective rotatable auxiliary drive handle.
18. Stand-up wheelchair according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each side of the wheelchair is provided with a respective actuator, a respective transfer mechanism, a respective drive system and/or a respective auxiliary manual drive system, wherein the stand-up wheelchair is preferably arranged to be substantially mirror-symmetric over a mirror plane that is substantially perpendicular to the seat base and/or axis of rotation of the primary wheels.

Description

Stand-up wheelchair Stand-up wheelchairs, also known as standing wheelchairs or standers, are mobility devices designed to allow individuals who use wheelchairs to transition from a seated position to a standing position. These wheelchairs typically have a combination of features that enable the user to elevate themselves to a standing position, providing various health and functional benefits. Stand-up wheelchairs can be manually operated or powered, depending on the model. They usually have adjustable seating and leg support components that assist the user in achieving a standing posture. These wheelchairs are beneficial for individuals with limited mobility who wish to maintain an upright position, as standing offers advantages such as improved circulation, enhanced bone density, and increased social interaction. Stand-up wheelchairs have become increasingly recognized as valuable mobility aids that provide individuals with the ability to transition from a seated to a standing position. These wheelchairs offer a range of benefits, including improved posture, enhanced social interaction, and various physiological advantages associated with standing. However, the existing stand-up wheelchair designs suffer from certain disadvantages, which limit their usability and overall effectiveness in addressing the needs of users. Stand-up wheelchairs can be manually operated or powered, depending on the model. They usually have adjustable seating and leg support components that assist the user in achieving a standing posture. The current generation of stand-up wheelchairs, while serving their purpose, often exhibit certain drawbacks that hinder their widespread adoption and usage. While electrically powered stand-up wheelchairs offer convenience and ease of use, they are not without their limitations. One significant disadvantage is the reliance on battery power, which necessitates frequent recharging and may lead to unexpected interruptions in mobility. The limited battery life restricts the duration of continuous use, potentially causing inconvenience and reliance on charging infrastructure. Moreover, the weight of the batteries adds to the overall bulkiness of the wheelchair, making it less maneuverable and potentially challenging to transport. Additionally, the complexity of electrical components increases the risk of malfunctions, requiring regular maintenance and potentially leading to extended downtime for repairs. While manually operated stand-up wheelchairs offer certain advantages, they also come with their own set of limitations. One significant disadvantage is the physical exertion required from the user to operate and transition between seated and standing positions. This can be challenging for individuals with limited upper body strength or mobility impairments, potentially restricting their ability to independently use the wheelchair. Moreover, the process of manually adjusting the seating and leg support components may be cumbersome and time-consuming, leading to inconvenience and potential discomfort for the user. Additionally, the lack of powered assistance limits the overall ease of use and may result in limitations in terms of the range and frequency of standing transitions. Additionally, in the standing position, the center of gravity is shifted significantly upwards, thereby leading to a decreased stability, or at least a decreased perception of stability, of the wheelchair. The stability can be increased by providing for a larger wheelchair and/or by providing additional mass in the lower section of the wheelchair, this however, leads to a decrease in the maneuverability and useability of the wheelchair. The goal of the invention is to solve, or at least alleviate, some of the disadvantages of current stand-up wheelchairs, in particular aims to provide for a compact, easily operable and maneuverable stand-up wheelchair having an improved stability in the standing position. The invention therefore provides for a stand-up wheelchair, comprising: a seat assembly for seating a user therein, wherein the seat assembly is movable between a sitting position, wherein the user is supported in a sitting posture, and a standing position, wherein the user is supported in a standing posture; a pair of primary wheels for movably supporting the seat assembly on a supporting surface, wherein said primary wheels are arranged on a rear section of the stand-up wheelchair on opposite sides of said wheelchair; at least one secondary wheel unit for movably supporting the seat assembly on the supporting surface, wherein the secondary wheel unit comprises a secondary wheel, in particular a swivel wheel, and wherein the secondary wheel unit is arranged at a frontal section of the stand-up wheelchair; characterized in that: the secondary wheel unit is movable between a first position, wherein the secondary wheel unit, in particular the swivel axis of said swivel wheel, is arranged at a first distance from a primary wh