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EP1627619A2 - Moyen de direction et sytème de fixation rapide pour un fauteuil roulant - Google Patents

Moyen de direction et sytème de fixation rapide pour un fauteuil roulant Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1627619A2
EP1627619A2 EP05255069A EP05255069A EP1627619A2 EP 1627619 A2 EP1627619 A2 EP 1627619A2 EP 05255069 A EP05255069 A EP 05255069A EP 05255069 A EP05255069 A EP 05255069A EP 1627619 A2 EP1627619 A2 EP 1627619A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheelchair
drive
steering
differential
arrangement
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05255069A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1627619A3 (fr
Inventor
Samuel Lesley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0418198A external-priority patent/GB0418198D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0418199A external-priority patent/GB0418199D0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1627619A2 publication Critical patent/EP1627619A2/fr
Publication of EP1627619A3 publication Critical patent/EP1627619A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/02—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs propelled by the patient or disabled person
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1051—Arrangements for steering
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1083—Quickly-removable wheels
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/12—Rests specially adapted therefor, e.g. for the head or the feet
    • A61G5/128—Rests specially adapted therefor, e.g. for the head or the feet for feet
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G2200/00—Information related to the kind of patient or his position
    • A61G2200/10—Type of patient
    • A61G2200/20—Type of patient with asymmetric abilities, e.g. hemiplegic or missing a limb
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1005—Wheelchairs having brakes
    • A61G5/101—Wheelchairs having brakes of the parking brake type, e.g. holding the wheelchair
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1005—Wheelchairs having brakes
    • A61G5/1013—Wheelchairs having brakes engaging the wheel
    • A61G5/1018—Wheelchairs having brakes engaging the wheel on the running surface
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1005—Wheelchairs having brakes
    • A61G5/1021—Wheelchairs having brakes engaging specific brake elements
    • A61G5/1027—Hub elements, e.g. drums
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1005—Wheelchairs having brakes
    • A61G5/1032—Wheelchairs having brakes engaging an element of the drive or transmission, e.g. drive belt, electrodynamic brake
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1005—Wheelchairs having brakes
    • A61G5/1035—Wheelchairs having brakes manipulated by wheelchair user

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a steering means and a quick release arrangement for a wheelchair.
  • the invention may be applied particularly, but not exclusively, to a wheelchair adapted for one handed operation.
  • Hand-propelled wheelchairs provide a means of mobility for people who have difficulty in walking.
  • the most usual means of propelling a wheelchair are hand rims attached to the two main driving wheels of the wheelchair, one on each side.
  • the user of the wheelchair may find difficulty in propelling the wheelchair in a straight line if one arm is stronger than the other.
  • the weaker arm then has to do extra work to try to maintain the intended direction.
  • forward progress goes at the pace of the weaker arm, and the additional power of the stronger arm is not utilised.
  • An extreme example of this occurs when the user has hemiplegia, which is paralysis of one side of the body, say as a result of a stroke. A user with hemiplegia will find great difficulty in propelling the wheelchair in a straight line.
  • So-called hemiplegic wheelchairs are available commercially with three different types of propulsion - the 'push and walk', the dual hand rim, and the reciprocating lever - but they do not satisfy the needs of the user.
  • foot-operated steering such as described US 4,241,932.
  • Such devices include a swivelling footrest permanently connected to a steerable wheel via a rigid link. By this means any difference in strength between the user's arms may be compensated by using the foot-operated steering.
  • the permanent connection creates a problem. If the user needs occasionally to be pushed by a carer, then the user needs to cooperate with the carer on the angle of the steering. In practice, the carers prefer to have full control over the direction of the wheelchair when they are pushing it, and this requires that the steering be disengaged at such times.
  • the differential of the prior art provides a further advantage: it enables the wheelchair to be pirouetted on the spot by fitting a pirouette brake and an additional hand rim.
  • the pirouette brake has the form of a disc brake, such as is used in bicycles. This form of the pirouette brake prevents the wheel from being detached quickly from the wheelchair.
  • the present invention seeks to overcome these problems.
  • a steering means for a wheelchair comprising:
  • the drive means may comprise a belt driven between two pulleys. This can be arranged to translate rotation about the swivelling axis to rotation about the steering axis.
  • One pulley might be coaxial with the swivelling axis and one pulley might be coaxial with the steering axis. Differing ratios between the pulleys can provide the difference in angle of rotation about the respective axes.
  • the drive means may be a toothed belt and pulleys; or it may be a chain and sprockets.
  • the footplate may be detachable from the drive means. This can allow convenient stowage and such like.
  • the footrest may be detached quickly by unlatching a latch.
  • the footplate may be mounted on a footplate assembly that includes a yoke for attaching the assembly to the drive means.
  • the yoke may have pins for locking the assembly to the drive means such that swivelling motion of the footplate can be transferred to the drive means.
  • the drive means preferably has a disengagable coupling means that can allow the footplate to disengage from the steerable wheel.
  • the coupling means may cause the footplate to disengage from the steerable wheel when the user's foot is removed from the footplate.
  • the weight of their foot may cause the coupling means to engage thereby driveably connecting the footplate to the steerable wheel via the drive means, enabling a swivelling movement of the user's foot to cause a swivelling movement of the steerable wheel, thereby allowing the vehicle to be steered.
  • the coupling means comprises a first cam driveably connected to the steerable wheel and a second cam driveably connected to the footplate.
  • the cams are typically both substantially annualr and slideably engage with each other in an axial direction along a central common axis. This common axis is preferably the swivelling axis.
  • the cams can be biased apart by resilient disengaging means, such as a spring.
  • This resilient disengaging means can be overcome by force exerted on the footplate in a direction that is downward in use.
  • the biasing of the resilient means might be less than the typical force generated by the weight of the user's leg on the footrest. More accurately, the resilient means exerts a force that supports the moveable weight of the footrest, but not the moveable weight of the footrest and the typical weight of a user's leg.
  • the cams usually each have lobes equally spaced from one another around the respective cam. To allow reliable engagement, the cams may have correspondingly positioned lobes. Preferably, the cams each have helical ramps. This provides smooth engagement and disengagement, and zero backlash when fully engaged. Ideally, the ramps have a maximum rising gradient between around 40° and 75°.
  • the coupling means may comprise two cams, a lower cam driveably connected and axially fixed to a swivelling shaft, and an upper cam coaxial with the swivelling shaft and free to rotate and slide axially on the swivelling shaft; the upper cam having provision for the footplate to be driveably connected to it.
  • the provision for the swivelling footplate may be in the form of slots into which pins on the swivelling footplate may enter to form a driveable connection.
  • a steering housing may contain a dock which the footrest may enter when in an uppermost position to prevent it from swivelling.
  • the maximum angle of swivel of the footrest may be limited by limit stops. The position of the limit stops may be varied to suit the needs of the wheelchair user.
  • a means of steering a single-person vehicle using the driver's foot including:
  • a coupling for a foot-steering mechanism including:
  • a quick release arrangement for a drive wheel of a wheelchair comprising:
  • the second output of the differential is arranged to transfer drive from the input to the coupling means via the quick-release pin.
  • the quick release pin may comprise a shaft extending from the differential to the coupling.
  • the quick-release pin may also have a detent for locking the arrangement to the wheelchair.
  • the quick-release pin may have an operating means operable remotely from the detent for releasing the detent to unlock the arrangement from the mounting.
  • the operating means may be a push button.
  • the coupling means and the operating means are at opposite ends of the quick-release pin.
  • the operating means for the quick-release pin may be a button which can be pushed to unlock the detent.
  • the coupling means for the quick-release pin may be at the end of the quick-release pin furthest from the operating means.
  • the coupling means is typically a tapered hexagon. This can be arranged to engage or mate with a corresponding socket of the axle, e.g. in an end of the axle.
  • the coupling means may be a tapered spline; or the coupling means may be a parallel spline.
  • the detent of the quick-release pin may be between the coupling means and the operating means and preferably close to the coupling means.
  • the detent may be adjacent to the coupling means and nearer to the operating means.
  • the differential is a bevel gear differential.
  • the differential is an epicyclic differential.
  • An epicyclic differential is generally narrower the a bevel gear differential and can have an input on one side, rather than centrally as required by a bevel gear differential.
  • the quick release arrangement has a brake operable to lock the input of the differential in relation to the wheelchair, thereby constraining the two outputs of the differential to rotate in opposite directions such that the wheelchair can pirouette on the spot.
  • the brake comprises a rotatable member fixed to the input of the differential and a non-rotatable member mountable on the wheelchair.
  • the non-rotatable member may lock the rotatable member by acting on it radially.
  • this can allow the rotatable member to be released from the non-rotatable member in an axial direction, for example when the arrangement is dismounted from the wheelchair.
  • the rotating member is a gear wheel and the non-rotating member is a pawl.
  • an input member of the differential may have a portion extending through the hub to which may be driveably attached the rotatable member of a pirouette brake, said brake having a stationary member non-rotationally fixed to the wheelchair; whereby, when the pirouette brake is applied, it locks the input member of the differential thereby constraining the two output members of the differential to rotate in opposite directions and causing the wheelchair to pirouette on the spot.
  • the rotating member of the pirouette brake may be put into proximity with the non-rotating member of the pirouette brake; and allow the drive wheel to be slid out again when the operating means is operated to unlock the detent.
  • the non-rotating member of the pirouette brake may include curved surfaces of friction material which surround the rotating member and which can be moved into contact with and clamp on the rotating member.
  • the rotating member of the pirouette brake may be in the form of a gear wheel, and the non-rotating member of the pirouette brake may include a pawl which may be moved into engagement with the rotating member thereby preventing the rotating member from rotating.
  • the rotating brake member may be in the form of a gear wheel.
  • the non-rotating brake member may be a pawl which may be moved into engagement with the teeth of the gear wheel.
  • the pawl may have two teeth and be pivoted so that the teeth are capable of engaging wholly or partially with the teeth of the gear wheel.
  • the invention also provides a drive wheel for a wheelchair, the drive wheel comprising the quick release arrangement described above and the hand rim mounted to the differential.
  • the drive wheel may also have a second hand rim connected to the rim of the wheel. This can be helpful to allow the drive wheel to be driven by the user to pirouette the wheelchair when the brake is engaged.
  • the invention provides a wheelchair incorporating the steering means described above and/or the drive wheel described above.
  • a wheel for a wheelchair including:
  • a pirouette brake for use on a quick-release drive wheel of a wheelchair including:
  • Figure 1 shows a manually-propelled wheelchair 1 having a frame 2, two large driving wheels 3 and 4, two small castors 5 and 6, and two footrests 7 and 8.
  • the left footrest 7 is non-swivellingly mounted on the frame 2 and is wide enough to accommodate both of the user's feet side by side. It has a higher portion 9 for the user's left foot, and a lower portion 10 for the user's right foot. When the user has no need to steer, they can place their right foot on the fixed footrest beside their left foot.
  • the right footrest 8 makes up part of a footrest assembly 11 that is a detachable part of a steering unit 12, shown in more detail in figures 2 and 3.
  • the steering unit 12 is operable by the user to steer the right castor 6, which is referred to below as a steerable castor.
  • the steering unit 12 comprises two main parts: a housing 13 and the footrest assembly 11.
  • the footrest assembly 11 is rotatable about a swivelling axis 14.
  • the housing 13 includes a toothed-belt drive 15 comprising a large pulley 16, a small pulley 17, a toothed belt 18, and a cover 19.
  • the large pulley 16 is mounted on a swivelling shaft 20, the major axis of which is coaxial with the swivelling axis 14.
  • the small pulley 17 is fixed in relation to the steerable castor 6, and the pulley 17 and castor 6 are both mounted on the housing 13 such that they can rotate about a steering axis 21.
  • the steerable castor 6 usually contacts the ground at point offset from, and in use usually behind in relation to the direction of travel of the wheelchair 1, the steering axis 21.
  • a dock 22 for accommodating a docking pin 23 on a mounting post 24 of the footrest assembly 11 when the footrest assembly 11 is in an uppermost position. So, in this uppermost position, the footrest assembly 11 is retained by the dock 22 and docking pin 23 to prevent the footrest 8 from swivelling.
  • the housing 13 also has two columns 25 that act as limit stops to limit the maximum angle of swivel of the footrest assembly 11. The positions of the columns 25 can be varied to suit the needs of the user. More specifically, the angle of swivel of the footrest 8 is limited by the columns 25 in order to limit the stress on the user's knee joint, and to prevent injury.
  • a yoke 26 At the top of the mounting post 24 is a yoke 26 containing two pins 27. These pins 27 can engage with two slots 28 in an upper cam 29, described in more detail below.
  • a fork 30 At the bottom of the mounting post 24 is a fork 30 which straddles the steering shaft 20 when the footrest assembly 11 is in position on the steering housing 13.
  • a latch 31 Below the fork 30 is a latch 31 for retaining the footrest assembly 11 in position. When the latch 31 is unlatched, the footrest assembly 11 may be removed from the steering housing 13, by lifting the pins 27 of the yoke 26 off the upper cam 29.
  • Figure 6 shows a disengaging mechanism of the steering unit 12 in more detail.
  • the yoke 26 is shown with its pins 27 engaged in slots 32 in the upper cam 29.
  • the upper cam 29 is kept disengaged from a lower cam 33 by a spring 34 until such times as the user places their right foot on the footrest 8, when the weight of the user's leg overcomes the spring 34 and forces the upper cam 29 into engagement with a lower cam 33.
  • Figure 7 shows the disengaging mechanism with the upper cam 29 and the lower cam 33 in the engaged position.
  • the lower cam 33 is pinned to the swivelling shaft 20 by a pin 35 so that swivelling motion of the footrest assembly 11 is transferred to the swivelling shaft 20 via the yoke 26, the upper cam 29 and the lower cam 33, and thereby swivels the large pulley 16, which in turn swivels the small pulley 17 via the toothed belt 18 and transfers the motion to the steerable castor 6, thereby allowing the wheelchair 1 to be steered.
  • the steering unit 12 it is useful for the steering unit 12 to have the ability to disengage the footrest assembly 11 from the steerable castor 6 when the wheelchair 1 changes from forward to reverse motion, and vice versa.
  • the steerable castor 6 should normally operate in a trailing mode, whereby the castor 6 contacts the ground at a point behind the steering axis 21 in relation to the direction of motion.
  • the castor 6 can be dynamically unstable when it contacts the ground ahead of the steering axis 21 in relation to the direction of travel.
  • the user may therefore lift their foot off the footrest 8 momentarily to allow the steerable castor 6 to rotate 180° before replacing their foot on the footrest 8.
  • the 180° rotation is usually achieved after the wheelchair 1 has travelled only around 25 to 35 cm in the new direction.
  • the pulleys 16, 17 of the belt drive 15 provide a 2:1 increase in the angle of rotation of the steerable castor 6 in comparison to the angle of swivel of the footrest 8. So, when the steerable castor 6 rotates through 180°, the belt drive 15 causes the swivelling shaft 20 and lower cam 33 to rotate through 90°. Hence, if the upper cam 29 is to re-engage with the lower cam 33 when the user's foot is replaced on the footrest 8, then both cams 29, 33 should ideally have lobes with rotational symmetry based on a 90° arc.
  • Figure 8 shows the cams 29, 33 in more detail, with the spring 34 removed.
  • the cams 29, 33 each have four lobes 36 spaced equally (or “equi-spaced") at intervals of 90° around a circumference. If the gearing of the belt drive 15 were 1.5:1, then the cams 29, 33 could have three lobes 36 equi-spaced at 120° intervals. If the gearing of the belt drive 15 were 3:1, then the cams 29, 33 could have six lobes 36 equi-spaced at 60° intervals. It is also possible to design the belt drive 15 having a 1:1 ratio, in which case the cams 29, 33 could have two lobes 36 equi-spaced at 180° intervals.
  • Figure 9 shows the cams 29, 33 engaged with one another.
  • the cams 29, 33 should ideally have helical ramps 37. This enables the upper cam 29 to slide into full engagement with the lower cam 33 whatever the relative angular positions of the cams at the start of the engagement. It also allows relative rotation of the cams 29, 33 to force disengagement. Indeed, the when the cams 29, 33 are fully engaged, the ramps 37 provides a zero-backlash fit. Together the upper cam 29, the lower cam 33, and the spring 34 therefore form a disengagable coupling.
  • the rotation through 180° of the steerable castor 6 will tend to force the upper cam 29 upwards to disengage it partially or wholly from the lower cam 33, reducing the torsional impact on the user's knee.
  • the castor 6 may be forced into a sudden change of angular position, in which case the upper cam 29 may be forced upwards to disengage partially or wholly from the lower cam 33 thereby again reducing the torsional impact on the user's knee.
  • the angle of the ramps 37 relative to a plane normal to the axis of the swivelling shaft should ideally have a maximum between around 40° and 75°.
  • the preferred angle is dependent on the coefficient of friction between the upper cam 29 and the lower cam 33. A low coefficient of friction requires a high angle, and a high coefficient of friction requires a low angle. If the angle is too small, then the cams 29, 33 may occasionally disengage during normal use. If the angle is too high, then the cams 29, 33 may not disengage when subjected to a sudden change of direction of the steerable castor 6.
  • the wheel 3 also incorporates a first hand rim 42 mounted on the differential 41 and a second hand rim 43, of larger diameter than the first hand rim 42, mounted on the wheel rim 39.
  • the wheel 3 is mounted on a wheel boss 44, which is attached to the frame 2 of the wheelchair 1.
  • Figure 11 shows the hub 40, differential 41 and boss 44 in more detail. It also shows (in truncated form) two spokes 45, 46 of thirty six spokes of the wheel 3 and shows both ends 47, 48 of a quick-release pin 49 by which the wheel 3 can be secured to the boss 44.
  • Figure 12 shows the internal details of the hub 40, differential 41 and boss 44.
  • the quick-release pin 49 is coaxial with the hub 40, differential 41 and boss 44, and passes through all three of them. It can be seen that the end 47 of the quick-release pin 49, which includes the male half 50 of the tapered hexagonal coupling means, houses detent balls 51.
  • the other end 48 of the quick-release pin 49 proximate to the differential 41 and outward with respect to the wheelchair 1 in use, comprises a release knob 52.
  • the release knob 52 lies within the differential 41 in use and is shown on the right hand side in Figure 12.
  • the release knob 52 When the release knob 52 is pressed (inwardly with respect to the differential 41), it moves a central rod 53 of the quick-release pin 49 (again inwardly with respect to the differential 41 or to the left in Figure 12) to unlock the detent balls 51.
  • This allows the hub 40 and differential 41 to be slid away from the boss 44 (to the right in Figure 12) and removed from the boss 44.
  • the wheel rim 39 is mounted on the hub 41 by the spokes 45, 46 and the first hand rim 42 is mounted on the differential 41, basically the complete wheel 3 can be removed from the boss 44.
  • Figure 13 shows an external view of the quick-release pin 49, in which the male half 50 of a tapered hexagonal coupling means can be seen more clearly.
  • the tapered hexagonal shape is more evident.
  • the coupling means may have other forms, such as a parallel spline.
  • a sun gear 54 which forms part of the differential 41, is fixed to a main shaft 70 of the quick-release pin 49 close to the outward end 48.
  • the sun gear 54 is bonded to the shaft 70 of the quick-release pin 49 by brazing, adhesive, etc., but it may alternatively be integral with the shaft 70 of the quick-release pin 49.
  • the sun gear 54 may be coupled to the shaft 70 of the quick-release pin 49 via a spline or other mechanical coupling.
  • the detents may also take forms other than balls 51, and the quick-release pin 49 may be configured such that the release knob 52 operates by pulling instead of pushing.
  • Figure 14 shows a cross section of the differential 41 along the line C-C in Figure 13.
  • the differential includes a planet carrier 55, large planets 56, small planets 57, the sun gear 54 and an annular gear 58.
  • the first hand rim 42 is attached, e.g. bolted, to the planet carrier 55 of the differential 41 such that is can rotate the planet carrier 55 to drive the large and small planets 56, 57.
  • a first output from the differential 41 is via the annular gear 58, which is attached to the first drive wheel 3 of the wheelchair 1, e.g. via the hub 40.
  • a second output from the differential 41 is via the sun gear 54, which is attached to the second drive wheel 4 via the shaft 70 of the quick release pin 49 and the axle (not shown).
  • the sun gear 54 has twenty seven teeth
  • the annular gear 58 has fifty four teeth
  • the large planet 56 has eighteen teeth
  • the small planet 57 has nine teeth. Since the nine teeth of the small planet 57 drive the twenty seven teeth of the sun gear 54; and the eighteen teeth of the large planet 56 drive the fifty four teeth of the annular gear 58, the torque on the annular gear 58 equals the torque on the sun gear 54. This ensures that, unless acted upon by a steering force, the wheelchair 1 has a tendency to travel in a straight line when propelled via only the first hand rim 42. The use of only this first hand rim 42 for propulsion reduces the stress on the user's hand and wrist.
  • differential The most common form of differential is a bevel gear differential, as used in virtually every motor vehicle.
  • an epicyclic differential such as the differential 41 described above, is smaller in diameter and considerably shorter in axial length.
  • the shorter epicyclic type of differential is preferred.
  • the input to an epicyclic differential can be from one end.
  • Figures 15 and 16 show one embodiment of a pirouette brake 59.
  • the pirouette brake 59 comprises a rotating member and a non-rotating member.
  • the rotating member is in the form of a brake gear 60 connected to the differential 41 and the non-rotating member is in the form of a pawl 61 mounted on the frame 2 of the wheelchair 1.
  • the pawl 61 has two teeth 62, 63 and rocks (or pivots) on a pin 64 which is mounted on a lever 65, shown in figure 1.
  • the lever 65 is pivoted on pivot 66.
  • the pirouette brake 59 is applied when the lever 65 is lowered, thereby moving pin 64 closer to the brake gear 60 and allowing one or both of the teeth 62, 63 of the pawl 61 to enter spaces 67 between teeth 68 on the brake gear 60.
  • the brake gear 60 is connected via a hollow shaft 69 through the hub 40 to the planet carrier 55 of the differential 41. So, applying the brake 59 locks the planet carrier 55 (and the first hand rim 42) in relation to the frame 2 of the wheelchair 1.
  • the pirouette brake 59 may be in the form of a more conventional friction brake, in which case the brake gear 60 would be replaced by a simple cylinder and the non-rotating member could be a flexible band brake or could comprise externally-applied brake shoes with curved surfaces of friction material.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)
  • Automatic Cycles, And Cycles In General (AREA)
EP05255069A 2004-08-16 2005-08-16 Moyen de direction et système de fixation rapide pour un fauteuil roulant Withdrawn EP1627619A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0418198A GB0418198D0 (en) 2004-08-16 2004-08-16 Quick release wheel
GB0418199A GB0418199D0 (en) 2004-08-16 2004-08-16 Steering method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1627619A2 true EP1627619A2 (fr) 2006-02-22
EP1627619A3 EP1627619A3 (fr) 2006-05-17

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Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1941855A1 (fr) * 2007-01-08 2008-07-09 Invacare International Sàrl Fauteuil roulant à double main courante
GB2460065A (en) * 2008-05-15 2009-11-18 Samuel Lesley Hand-propelled vehicle with differential drive to wheels
GB2468155A (en) * 2009-02-27 2010-09-01 Samuel Lesley Detachable variable-ratio foot controlled steering mechanism for a wheelchair
WO2010142884A1 (fr) * 2009-06-11 2010-12-16 Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Paris Fauteuil roulant a controle de direction ameliore pour personnes hemiplegiques
WO2012105879A1 (fr) * 2011-02-03 2012-08-09 Gearwheel Ab Fixation de roue de fauteuil roulant et unité d'adaptateur de changement de vitesses
WO2016010863A1 (fr) * 2014-07-14 2016-01-21 Brown Garrett W Déambulateur avec assise réglable en hauteur
US9925099B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2018-03-27 Gearwheel Ab Wheelchair gearshift arrangement
US10206831B2 (en) 2016-08-16 2019-02-19 Glen R. Wooldridge Apparatus for wheelchair steering and wheelchair incorporating the same
WO2019193277A1 (fr) * 2018-04-03 2019-10-10 Gallois Colin Fauteuil roulant
US10486733B2 (en) * 2014-05-14 2019-11-26 Aissam MOUJOUD Foot-operated personal vehicle
WO2020115433A1 (fr) * 2018-12-05 2020-06-11 Oxeedream Dispositif de contrôle de direction pour fauteuil roulant
US11452649B2 (en) * 2017-12-19 2022-09-27 Permobil Ab Leg rest release mechanism and wheelchair comprising the same
US11602469B2 (en) 2014-07-14 2023-03-14 Exokinetics, Inc. Lifting mechanism and chairs

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US4241932A (en) 1979-09-18 1980-12-30 Gerald W. Rothschild Wheelchair steering apparatus

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FR2081075A1 (fr) * 1970-03-03 1971-12-03 Metabio
DE3832125A1 (de) * 1988-01-12 1989-07-20 Ortopedia Gmbh Elektrorollstuhl
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FR2731898B1 (fr) * 1995-03-13 1997-09-26 Tis Sa Ensemble de moyeux a demontage rapide pour fauteuils roulants pour handicapes hemiplegiques
FR2846226B1 (fr) * 2002-10-23 2005-02-11 Alain Martinot Ensemble de roulement pour fauteuil roulant et fauteuil roulant equipe d'un tel ensemble de roulement

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US4241932A (en) 1979-09-18 1980-12-30 Gerald W. Rothschild Wheelchair steering apparatus

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Title
"UNIVERSAL ACCESS AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY", 2002, SPRINGER-VERLAG, article "An ergonomic one-handed wheelchair"
PORTER L A; LESLEY S: "An ergonomic one-handed wheelchair", PROCEEDINGS OF CWUAAT, 2001, pages 257 - 266

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1941855A1 (fr) * 2007-01-08 2008-07-09 Invacare International Sàrl Fauteuil roulant à double main courante
GB2460065A (en) * 2008-05-15 2009-11-18 Samuel Lesley Hand-propelled vehicle with differential drive to wheels
WO2009138731A1 (fr) * 2008-05-15 2009-11-19 Samuel Lesley Véhicule à propulsion manuelle avec différentiel à courroie
GB2468155A (en) * 2009-02-27 2010-09-01 Samuel Lesley Detachable variable-ratio foot controlled steering mechanism for a wheelchair
GB2468155B (en) * 2009-02-27 2013-07-10 Samuel Lesley Detachable variable-ratio foot-steering for a wheelchair
WO2010142884A1 (fr) * 2009-06-11 2010-12-16 Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Paris Fauteuil roulant a controle de direction ameliore pour personnes hemiplegiques
FR2946528A1 (fr) * 2009-06-11 2010-12-17 Assist Publ Hopitaux De Paris Fauteuil roulant a controle de direction ameliore pour personnes hemiplegiques.
WO2012105879A1 (fr) * 2011-02-03 2012-08-09 Gearwheel Ab Fixation de roue de fauteuil roulant et unité d'adaptateur de changement de vitesses
CN103429210A (zh) * 2011-02-03 2013-12-04 吉尔威尔股份公司 轮椅轮附装和换挡适配器单元
US9060906B2 (en) 2011-02-03 2015-06-23 Gearwheel Ab Wheelchair wheel attachment and gear change adaptor unit
US9925099B2 (en) 2012-10-11 2018-03-27 Gearwheel Ab Wheelchair gearshift arrangement
US10486733B2 (en) * 2014-05-14 2019-11-26 Aissam MOUJOUD Foot-operated personal vehicle
CN106714760A (zh) * 2014-07-14 2017-05-24 埃克斯凯尼缇克斯有限公司 升降式助行椅
WO2016010863A1 (fr) * 2014-07-14 2016-01-21 Brown Garrett W Déambulateur avec assise réglable en hauteur
US10842706B2 (en) 2014-07-14 2020-11-24 Exokinetics, Inc. Elevating walker chair
US11602469B2 (en) 2014-07-14 2023-03-14 Exokinetics, Inc. Lifting mechanism and chairs
US10206831B2 (en) 2016-08-16 2019-02-19 Glen R. Wooldridge Apparatus for wheelchair steering and wheelchair incorporating the same
US11452649B2 (en) * 2017-12-19 2022-09-27 Permobil Ab Leg rest release mechanism and wheelchair comprising the same
WO2019193277A1 (fr) * 2018-04-03 2019-10-10 Gallois Colin Fauteuil roulant
US11730644B2 (en) 2018-04-03 2023-08-22 Eppur Wheelchair
WO2020115433A1 (fr) * 2018-12-05 2020-06-11 Oxeedream Dispositif de contrôle de direction pour fauteuil roulant
FR3089409A1 (fr) * 2018-12-05 2020-06-12 Oxeedream Dispositif de contrôle de direction pour fauteuil roulant

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