CA2674496A1 - Footrest that slides up and under/behind leg rest - Google Patents
Footrest that slides up and under/behind leg rest Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2674496A1 CA2674496A1 CA2674496A CA2674496A CA2674496A1 CA 2674496 A1 CA2674496 A1 CA 2674496A1 CA 2674496 A CA2674496 A CA 2674496A CA 2674496 A CA2674496 A CA 2674496A CA 2674496 A1 CA2674496 A1 CA 2674496A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- footplate
- legrest
- patient
- coupled
- footrest
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 244000309466 calf Species 0.000 description 6
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000009963 fulling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000474 nursing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000017520 skin disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
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
- A61G5/006—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs convertible to stretchers or beds
-
- 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
- A61G5/1091—Cushions, seats or abduction devices
-
- 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
-
- 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
- A61G5/125—Rests specially adapted therefor, e.g. for the head or the feet for arms
-
- 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
- A61G2203/00—General characteristics of devices
- A61G2203/70—General characteristics of devices with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort
- A61G2203/74—General characteristics of devices with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort for anti-shear when adjusting furniture
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)
- Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
Abstract
A wheelchair has a chair frame supporting a seat and movable on a plurality of wheels. A legrest is coupled to the frame in front of and below the seat configured to support a patient's legs. A footplate is pivotally and slidably coupled to the legrest, and has at least two positions, including an in-use, footrest position and a tucked, stored position in which the footplate pivots and slides substantially behind the legrest.
Description
Footrest that Slides Up and Under/Behind Leg Rest BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a chair, such as a wheelchair, for supporting a user's legs and selectively supporting a user's feet.
Related Art Wheelchairs are used in multiple settings, such as within hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and residential dwellings, to assist in patient transportation and/or patient mobility. Some wheelchairs do not have a footplate to support the patient's foot. The lack of a footplate is troublesome when the wheelchair is used for multiple patients because one patient may not require the footplate, while another patient may require the footplate.
Other wheelchairs are provided with removable a removable footplate that can be attached for patients that require the footplate and removed for patients that do not require the footplate. The footplate, however, can be easily lost or misplaced during the installation and removal of the footplate for each patient setup.
Some wheelchairs are provided with a hinged footplate that are simply hinged at the back and fold up onto the legrest like a "clamshell" to get the footplate out of the way when exiting the chair from the front. One problem with the hinged footplate is that the patient or caregiver has to lift the calf portion of the patient's leg and feet up off the footplate and legrest to allow the footplate to be folded back on top of the legrest. In addition, the thickness of the legrest and footplate when the footplate thickness is folded up, adds to the total protusion of the legrest on the front of the chair, hindering the ability to get the patient's feet as far under the front of the chair as possible.
In addition, when the "clamshell" style footplate is folded up onto the legrest, the footplate can obstruct access to the patient's feet and increase strain on the caregiver. The caregiver must maneuver the patient's feet around the footplate to gain access to obstructed areas, which can require lifting. In addition, when the footplate is folded up onto the legrest, it is very uncomfortable for the patient because the backside of the patient's leg (calf area) will be resting on the bottom side of the footplate. The bottom side of the footplate is usually not padded, and most often contains protruding hardware/mounting for components.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a chair, such as a wheelchair, for supporting a user's legs and selectively supporting a user's feet.
Related Art Wheelchairs are used in multiple settings, such as within hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and residential dwellings, to assist in patient transportation and/or patient mobility. Some wheelchairs do not have a footplate to support the patient's foot. The lack of a footplate is troublesome when the wheelchair is used for multiple patients because one patient may not require the footplate, while another patient may require the footplate.
Other wheelchairs are provided with removable a removable footplate that can be attached for patients that require the footplate and removed for patients that do not require the footplate. The footplate, however, can be easily lost or misplaced during the installation and removal of the footplate for each patient setup.
Some wheelchairs are provided with a hinged footplate that are simply hinged at the back and fold up onto the legrest like a "clamshell" to get the footplate out of the way when exiting the chair from the front. One problem with the hinged footplate is that the patient or caregiver has to lift the calf portion of the patient's leg and feet up off the footplate and legrest to allow the footplate to be folded back on top of the legrest. In addition, the thickness of the legrest and footplate when the footplate thickness is folded up, adds to the total protusion of the legrest on the front of the chair, hindering the ability to get the patient's feet as far under the front of the chair as possible.
In addition, when the "clamshell" style footplate is folded up onto the legrest, the footplate can obstruct access to the patient's feet and increase strain on the caregiver. The caregiver must maneuver the patient's feet around the footplate to gain access to obstructed areas, which can require lifting. In addition, when the footplate is folded up onto the legrest, it is very uncomfortable for the patient because the backside of the patient's leg (calf area) will be resting on the bottom side of the footplate. The bottom side of the footplate is usually not padded, and most often contains protruding hardware/mounting for components.
Furthermore, the patient's legs are not evenly supported because there is a step height change from the legrest to the footplate. The uneven step height creates pressure points and can lead to skin breakdown.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a chair or leg support device for a chair that has a selectively usable footplate to support a users foot without interfering without being removable, and without having to reposition or lift the user's legs, and without interfering with a legrest.
The invention provides leg support device with a legrest configured to be coupled in front of and below a seat to support a user's legs. A footplate is pivotally and slidably coupled to the legrest. The footplate has at least two positions with respect to the legrest, including an in-use, footrest position, and a tucked, stored position. In the in-use, footrest position, the footplate extends forwardly out from a lower end of the legrest to receive a bottom of a patient's foot. In the tucked, stored position, the footplate pivots and slides substantially behind the legrest.
In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the device includes a chair frame supporting the seat and movable on a plurality of wheels.
In addition, the invention provides a method for supporting a user's legs and feet, comprising:
positioning a footplate at a lower end of a legrest with the footplate extending outwardly and forwardly from the legrest;
positioning a patient on a seat with the patient's legs resting on the legrest and the patient's feet resting on the footplate; and sliding and pivoting the footplate under the footplate to a position behind the legrest while the legrest remains stationary.
In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the method includes treating the patient's feet.
In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the method includes positioning the patient's feet on the floor, and positioning the patient off of the seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a chair or leg support device for a chair that has a selectively usable footplate to support a users foot without interfering without being removable, and without having to reposition or lift the user's legs, and without interfering with a legrest.
The invention provides leg support device with a legrest configured to be coupled in front of and below a seat to support a user's legs. A footplate is pivotally and slidably coupled to the legrest. The footplate has at least two positions with respect to the legrest, including an in-use, footrest position, and a tucked, stored position. In the in-use, footrest position, the footplate extends forwardly out from a lower end of the legrest to receive a bottom of a patient's foot. In the tucked, stored position, the footplate pivots and slides substantially behind the legrest.
In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the device includes a chair frame supporting the seat and movable on a plurality of wheels.
In addition, the invention provides a method for supporting a user's legs and feet, comprising:
positioning a footplate at a lower end of a legrest with the footplate extending outwardly and forwardly from the legrest;
positioning a patient on a seat with the patient's legs resting on the legrest and the patient's feet resting on the footplate; and sliding and pivoting the footplate under the footplate to a position behind the legrest while the legrest remains stationary.
In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the method includes treating the patient's feet.
In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the method includes positioning the patient's feet on the floor, and positioning the patient off of the seat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein:
FIG. 1 a is a side view of a wheel chair with a leg support apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention shown with the wheel chair in a reclined position and the leg support apparatus in an elevated or inclined position;
FIG. I b is a side view of the wheel chair of FIG. 1 a shown with the wheel chair in an upright position and the leg support apparatus in vertical position;
FIG. 1 c is a perspective view of the wheel chair of FIG. 1 a shown with the wheel chair in an upright position and the leg support apparatus in vertical position;
FIG. 1 d is a perspective view of the wheel chair of FIG. 1 a shown with the wheel chair in a reclined position and the leg support apparatus in an elevated or inclined position;
FIG. 1 e is a perspective view of the wheel chair of FIG. 1 a shown with the wheel chair in a reclined position and the leg support apparatus in an elevated or inclined position;
FIG. 2a is a side view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in an in-use, footrest position;
FIG. 2b is a side view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in a tucked, stored position;
FIGs. 2c and 2d are side views of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown with the footplate in intermediate positions;
FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in an in-use, footrest position;
FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in a tucked, stored position;
FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. I shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in an in-use, footrest position;
FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in a tucked, stored position;
FIGs. 4c-e are perspective views of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown with the footplate in intermediate positions;
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein:
FIG. 1 a is a side view of a wheel chair with a leg support apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention shown with the wheel chair in a reclined position and the leg support apparatus in an elevated or inclined position;
FIG. I b is a side view of the wheel chair of FIG. 1 a shown with the wheel chair in an upright position and the leg support apparatus in vertical position;
FIG. 1 c is a perspective view of the wheel chair of FIG. 1 a shown with the wheel chair in an upright position and the leg support apparatus in vertical position;
FIG. 1 d is a perspective view of the wheel chair of FIG. 1 a shown with the wheel chair in a reclined position and the leg support apparatus in an elevated or inclined position;
FIG. 1 e is a perspective view of the wheel chair of FIG. 1 a shown with the wheel chair in a reclined position and the leg support apparatus in an elevated or inclined position;
FIG. 2a is a side view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in an in-use, footrest position;
FIG. 2b is a side view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in a tucked, stored position;
FIGs. 2c and 2d are side views of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown with the footplate in intermediate positions;
FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in an in-use, footrest position;
FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in a tucked, stored position;
FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. I shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in an in-use, footrest position;
FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the vertical position and with the footplate in a tucked, stored position;
FIGs. 4c-e are perspective views of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown with the footplate in intermediate positions;
FIG. 5a is a detailed perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown with the footplate in an intermediate position;
FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown with the footplate in an in-use, footrest position;
FIGs. 5c and 5d are detailed perspective views of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a spring loaded plunger pin locking the footplate in a tucked, stored position;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another leg support apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another leg support apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Padding or cushions have been removed from the legrest in the various drawings.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT(S) As illustrated in FIGs. 1-6, a leg support apparatus, indicated generally at 10, of a chair, such as a wheelchair 14, in an example implementation in accordance with the invention is shown for supporting a user's legs and selectively supporting a user's feet.
Wheelchairs are an example of a field that can benefit from the present invention. The terms "user" and "patient" are used interchangeably herein. In addition, the terms "feet" and "foot"
are used interchangeably herein to refer to both singular and plural, as are the terms "leg" and "legs," as is will be appreciated that the user may have only a single leg.
The wheelchair 14 can include a chair frame 18 that supports a seat 22, and is movably on a plurality of wheels 26. The wheelchair can further include a backrest, armrests, etc. In addition, the wheelchair can include various components that pivot or move with respect to one another to provide a custom configuration for comfort or other physical needs of the user. For example, the backrest can pivot with respect to the seat. As another example, a legrest 30 can pivot with respect to the seat between a substantially vertical configuration to assist the user in sitting and standing, and one or more inclined configurations to raise or elevate the user's leg. The legrest can be coupled to the frame and position in front of and below the seat to support a patient's legs or calves.
The leg support apparatus also includes a footplate 40 pivotally and slidably coupled to the legrest 30. The footplate moves between at least two positions with respect to the 5 legrest, including: an in-use, footrest position, and a tucked, stored position. In the in-use, footrest position, the footplate extends forwardly out from a lower end of the legrest to receive a bottom of a patient's foot. In the tucked, stored position, the footplate pivots and slides substantially behind the legrest. The footplate movese on an arcuate path disposed under the lower end of the legrest. The footplate moves under the lower end of the legrest while the legrest remains stationary as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position. To tuck or stow the footplate, the footplate slides rearwardly under the legrest and then a rear end of the footplate pivots upwardly. To use the footplate, the rear end of the footplate pivots downwardly and a front end of the footplate slides forwardly. Thus, the footplate can be selectively provided or removed without having to lift the user's legs, saving strain on a caregiver and without disrupting the patient.
A rail 50 and a channel 54 are disposed between the legrest and the footplate to provide sliding movement between the two. For example, the rail 50 can be coupled to the footplate 40 and the channel 54 can be coupled to the legrest 30. It will be appreciated that the opposite configuration is possible with the rail coupled to the legrest and the channel coupled to the footplate. In addition, the rail and channel can have a dovetail configuration or the like to retain the rail in the channel. The rail can slide in the channel as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position.
In addition, the rail and the channel can be pivotally coupled with respect to the footrest, such as the channel being coupled to a pivot 58, so that the rail and channel also pivot as the footplate moves. A
pivot link 62 can also be coupled between the legrest and the footplate to cause the footplate to pivot as the footplate moves with respect to the legrest. The rail and the pivot along with the pivot link are one means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest. It will be appreciated that other means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest can be provided, including for example, tube-in-tube sliders, various types of channels, a profiled guide track, etc. It will be appreciated that the rail, channel and pivot link are provided on opposite sides of the footplate and leg rest so that there are a pair of rails, a pair of channels and a pair of pivot links.
FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 shown with the footplate in an in-use, footrest position;
FIGs. 5c and 5d are detailed perspective views of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the leg support apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a spring loaded plunger pin locking the footplate in a tucked, stored position;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another leg support apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another leg support apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Padding or cushions have been removed from the legrest in the various drawings.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT(S) As illustrated in FIGs. 1-6, a leg support apparatus, indicated generally at 10, of a chair, such as a wheelchair 14, in an example implementation in accordance with the invention is shown for supporting a user's legs and selectively supporting a user's feet.
Wheelchairs are an example of a field that can benefit from the present invention. The terms "user" and "patient" are used interchangeably herein. In addition, the terms "feet" and "foot"
are used interchangeably herein to refer to both singular and plural, as are the terms "leg" and "legs," as is will be appreciated that the user may have only a single leg.
The wheelchair 14 can include a chair frame 18 that supports a seat 22, and is movably on a plurality of wheels 26. The wheelchair can further include a backrest, armrests, etc. In addition, the wheelchair can include various components that pivot or move with respect to one another to provide a custom configuration for comfort or other physical needs of the user. For example, the backrest can pivot with respect to the seat. As another example, a legrest 30 can pivot with respect to the seat between a substantially vertical configuration to assist the user in sitting and standing, and one or more inclined configurations to raise or elevate the user's leg. The legrest can be coupled to the frame and position in front of and below the seat to support a patient's legs or calves.
The leg support apparatus also includes a footplate 40 pivotally and slidably coupled to the legrest 30. The footplate moves between at least two positions with respect to the 5 legrest, including: an in-use, footrest position, and a tucked, stored position. In the in-use, footrest position, the footplate extends forwardly out from a lower end of the legrest to receive a bottom of a patient's foot. In the tucked, stored position, the footplate pivots and slides substantially behind the legrest. The footplate movese on an arcuate path disposed under the lower end of the legrest. The footplate moves under the lower end of the legrest while the legrest remains stationary as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position. To tuck or stow the footplate, the footplate slides rearwardly under the legrest and then a rear end of the footplate pivots upwardly. To use the footplate, the rear end of the footplate pivots downwardly and a front end of the footplate slides forwardly. Thus, the footplate can be selectively provided or removed without having to lift the user's legs, saving strain on a caregiver and without disrupting the patient.
A rail 50 and a channel 54 are disposed between the legrest and the footplate to provide sliding movement between the two. For example, the rail 50 can be coupled to the footplate 40 and the channel 54 can be coupled to the legrest 30. It will be appreciated that the opposite configuration is possible with the rail coupled to the legrest and the channel coupled to the footplate. In addition, the rail and channel can have a dovetail configuration or the like to retain the rail in the channel. The rail can slide in the channel as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position.
In addition, the rail and the channel can be pivotally coupled with respect to the footrest, such as the channel being coupled to a pivot 58, so that the rail and channel also pivot as the footplate moves. A
pivot link 62 can also be coupled between the legrest and the footplate to cause the footplate to pivot as the footplate moves with respect to the legrest. The rail and the pivot along with the pivot link are one means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest. It will be appreciated that other means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest can be provided, including for example, tube-in-tube sliders, various types of channels, a profiled guide track, etc. It will be appreciated that the rail, channel and pivot link are provided on opposite sides of the footplate and leg rest so that there are a pair of rails, a pair of channels and a pair of pivot links.
The footplate can be selectively locked in position. For example, a pin 70 can be biased through a hole in the rail to abut to the channel in the in-use, footrest position to prevent the footplate from sliding into the tucked, stored position. The pin 70 can be pulled inwardly away from the channel to release the rail to slide. It will be appreciated that a pair of pins can be provided, with a pin disposed on each side of the footrest.
As another example, a spring loaded plunger pin 80 can be disposed on the pivot link 62 and engageable with one or more hole therein to lock the footrest in the tucked, stored position to prevent the footrest from pivoting to the in-use, footrest position. The plunger pin can be pulled outwardly away from the hole to allow the footplate to pivot. It will be appreciated that a pair of plunger pins can be provided, with a plunger pin disposed on each pivot link on each side of the footplate.
The pin and/or plunger pin are examples of means for locking the footplate with respect to the legrest in the in-use, footrest position, or the tucked, stored position, or both.
A method for supporting a user's legs and feet, and for using the leg support device or wheelchair described above, includes positioning a footplate 40 at a lower end of a legrest 30 with the footplate extending outwardly and forwardly from the legrest. A
patient can be positioned on a seat with the patient's legs resting on the legrest and the patient's feet resting on the footplate. The footplate can be slid and pivoted under the footplate to a position behind the legrest while the legrest remains stationary. It will be appreciated that the footplate can be selectively position between an in-use, footrest position and a tucked, stored position dependent on the patient's needs. With the footrest stowed, a caregiver can treat or otherwise address the patient's feet. In addition, with the footrest stowed, a patient can better enter and exit the chair, or better sit and stand. The patient's feet can be positioned on the floor, further under the seat with the footrest stowed. The patient can then be positioned off of the seat. Similarly, the patient can be positioned on the seat.
Tucking the footplate behind the legrest means the patient/caregiver does not have to lift the calf portion of the patient's legs off the legrest as well the patient's feet off the footplate. The calf portion of the legs is supported by the legrest, and the feet will simply dangle when the footplate is released from the normal position. With the footplate behind the legrest, it does not add additional thickness to the total protrusion of the legrest. Thus, this frees up the front of the chair and allows the patient to get his/her feet as far under the front of the chair as possible. This is especially beneficial to people who have trouble standing from a seated position as well obese/bariatric people who tend to have a lot more tissue on their legs and require the extra room at the front of the chair to aid in standing.
In addition, tucking the footplate behind the legrest has additional benefits when caring for and treating patient's feet because the caregiver does not need to lift the patient's legs. When the footplate is tucked behind the legrest, the patient's feet are completely exposed, free from obstruction. This allows the caregiver to address the needs of the patients with minimal effort and does not require frequent manuvering of the feet. The patient's legs (calf portion) are evenly supported on a flat plane, with no step height change. The weight of the legs is evenly supported, redistributing the pressure, eliminating high pressure points.
Furthermore, with the footplate tucked behind the legrest, the chair can be used comfortably (with no step height change and high pressure points on legrest) as if there is no footplate. The footplate can quickly be brought forward to the normal position when needed.
The legrest 30, and the footplate 40 and means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest, can be angularly adjustably coupled to the seat, so that the entire leg support apparatus can be selectively inclined with respect to the seat, and can be distally adjustably coupled to the seat so that the entire leg support apparatus can be selectively positioned closer or farther from the seat.
Referring to FIG. 7, another leg support apparatus l Ob is shown that is similar in many respects to that described above, and which description applies hereto.
The leg support apparatus includes a footplate 40b pivotally and slidably coupled to a legrest 30b. The footplate moves between at least two positions with respect to the legrest, including: an in-use, footrest position, and a tucked, stored position. A guide track 90 is formed in a bracket 94 attached to the legrest 30b. The guide track can extend rearwardly and horizontally at a bottom, and then form a broad vertical are upwardly and initially rearwardly then subsequently forwardly. A bolt or pin 98 is attached to the footplate 40b and travels in the guide track 90 as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position. In addition, a stub 102 is attached to the legrest 30b, and extends into a channel 106 of the footplate 40b. The channel slides and rotates on the stub.
The guide track, bolt or pin, stub and channel are another example of a means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest. The guide track 90 can have an upper notch 110 in which the track extends downwardly from the broad vertical arc, and the bracket forms a nub 114 between the notch and the remainder of the track, to hold the bolt or pin 98 therein, and thus hold the footplate 40b in the tucked, stored position. Thus, the footplate essentially hangs in the notch. The notch is another example of a means for locking the footplate with respect to the legrest in tucked, stored position. In addition, the bolt or pin 98 can be horizontally offset with respect to the stub 102 in the in-use, footrest position, with the bolt or pin 98 holding the footplate 40b up in the bottom horizontal portion of the guide track 90.
The offset bolt or pin and stub are another example of a means for locking the footplate with respect to the legrest in the in-use, footrest position. Furthermore, a spring loaded locking pin 118 can be disposed between the channel and stub to lock the footplate in the in-use, footrest position.
Referring to FIG. 8, another leg support apparatus l Oc is shown that is similar in many respects to that described above, and which description applies hereto.
The leg support apparatus includes a footplate 40c pivotally and slidably coupled to a legrest. The footplate moves between at least two positions with respect to the legrest, including:
an in-use, footrest position, and a tucked, stored position. A tube channel 122 can be coupled to the footplate 40c and can slide in an open linear guide block 126 coupled to the legrest, such as on a rotational stub or axel as described above. The tube channel and guide block is another example of a means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest.
While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
As another example, a spring loaded plunger pin 80 can be disposed on the pivot link 62 and engageable with one or more hole therein to lock the footrest in the tucked, stored position to prevent the footrest from pivoting to the in-use, footrest position. The plunger pin can be pulled outwardly away from the hole to allow the footplate to pivot. It will be appreciated that a pair of plunger pins can be provided, with a plunger pin disposed on each pivot link on each side of the footplate.
The pin and/or plunger pin are examples of means for locking the footplate with respect to the legrest in the in-use, footrest position, or the tucked, stored position, or both.
A method for supporting a user's legs and feet, and for using the leg support device or wheelchair described above, includes positioning a footplate 40 at a lower end of a legrest 30 with the footplate extending outwardly and forwardly from the legrest. A
patient can be positioned on a seat with the patient's legs resting on the legrest and the patient's feet resting on the footplate. The footplate can be slid and pivoted under the footplate to a position behind the legrest while the legrest remains stationary. It will be appreciated that the footplate can be selectively position between an in-use, footrest position and a tucked, stored position dependent on the patient's needs. With the footrest stowed, a caregiver can treat or otherwise address the patient's feet. In addition, with the footrest stowed, a patient can better enter and exit the chair, or better sit and stand. The patient's feet can be positioned on the floor, further under the seat with the footrest stowed. The patient can then be positioned off of the seat. Similarly, the patient can be positioned on the seat.
Tucking the footplate behind the legrest means the patient/caregiver does not have to lift the calf portion of the patient's legs off the legrest as well the patient's feet off the footplate. The calf portion of the legs is supported by the legrest, and the feet will simply dangle when the footplate is released from the normal position. With the footplate behind the legrest, it does not add additional thickness to the total protrusion of the legrest. Thus, this frees up the front of the chair and allows the patient to get his/her feet as far under the front of the chair as possible. This is especially beneficial to people who have trouble standing from a seated position as well obese/bariatric people who tend to have a lot more tissue on their legs and require the extra room at the front of the chair to aid in standing.
In addition, tucking the footplate behind the legrest has additional benefits when caring for and treating patient's feet because the caregiver does not need to lift the patient's legs. When the footplate is tucked behind the legrest, the patient's feet are completely exposed, free from obstruction. This allows the caregiver to address the needs of the patients with minimal effort and does not require frequent manuvering of the feet. The patient's legs (calf portion) are evenly supported on a flat plane, with no step height change. The weight of the legs is evenly supported, redistributing the pressure, eliminating high pressure points.
Furthermore, with the footplate tucked behind the legrest, the chair can be used comfortably (with no step height change and high pressure points on legrest) as if there is no footplate. The footplate can quickly be brought forward to the normal position when needed.
The legrest 30, and the footplate 40 and means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest, can be angularly adjustably coupled to the seat, so that the entire leg support apparatus can be selectively inclined with respect to the seat, and can be distally adjustably coupled to the seat so that the entire leg support apparatus can be selectively positioned closer or farther from the seat.
Referring to FIG. 7, another leg support apparatus l Ob is shown that is similar in many respects to that described above, and which description applies hereto.
The leg support apparatus includes a footplate 40b pivotally and slidably coupled to a legrest 30b. The footplate moves between at least two positions with respect to the legrest, including: an in-use, footrest position, and a tucked, stored position. A guide track 90 is formed in a bracket 94 attached to the legrest 30b. The guide track can extend rearwardly and horizontally at a bottom, and then form a broad vertical are upwardly and initially rearwardly then subsequently forwardly. A bolt or pin 98 is attached to the footplate 40b and travels in the guide track 90 as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position. In addition, a stub 102 is attached to the legrest 30b, and extends into a channel 106 of the footplate 40b. The channel slides and rotates on the stub.
The guide track, bolt or pin, stub and channel are another example of a means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest. The guide track 90 can have an upper notch 110 in which the track extends downwardly from the broad vertical arc, and the bracket forms a nub 114 between the notch and the remainder of the track, to hold the bolt or pin 98 therein, and thus hold the footplate 40b in the tucked, stored position. Thus, the footplate essentially hangs in the notch. The notch is another example of a means for locking the footplate with respect to the legrest in tucked, stored position. In addition, the bolt or pin 98 can be horizontally offset with respect to the stub 102 in the in-use, footrest position, with the bolt or pin 98 holding the footplate 40b up in the bottom horizontal portion of the guide track 90.
The offset bolt or pin and stub are another example of a means for locking the footplate with respect to the legrest in the in-use, footrest position. Furthermore, a spring loaded locking pin 118 can be disposed between the channel and stub to lock the footplate in the in-use, footrest position.
Referring to FIG. 8, another leg support apparatus l Oc is shown that is similar in many respects to that described above, and which description applies hereto.
The leg support apparatus includes a footplate 40c pivotally and slidably coupled to a legrest. The footplate moves between at least two positions with respect to the legrest, including:
an in-use, footrest position, and a tucked, stored position. A tube channel 122 can be coupled to the footplate 40c and can slide in an open linear guide block 126 coupled to the legrest, such as on a rotational stub or axel as described above. The tube channel and guide block is another example of a means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest.
While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
Claims (15)
1. A leg support device, comprising:
a) a legrest configured to be coupled in front of and below a seat to support a user's legs;
b) a footplate pivotally and slidably coupled to the legrest, and having at least two positions with respect to the legrest, including:
i) an in-use, footrest position in which the footplate extends forwardly out from a lower end of the legrest configured to receive a bottom of a patient's foot; and ii) a tucked, stored position in which the footplate pivots and slides substantially behind the legrest.
a) a legrest configured to be coupled in front of and below a seat to support a user's legs;
b) a footplate pivotally and slidably coupled to the legrest, and having at least two positions with respect to the legrest, including:
i) an in-use, footrest position in which the footplate extends forwardly out from a lower end of the legrest configured to receive a bottom of a patient's foot; and ii) a tucked, stored position in which the footplate pivots and slides substantially behind the legrest.
2. A device in accordance with claim 14, wherein the footplate is movable on an arcuate path disposed under the lower end of the legrest.
3. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the footplate moves under the lower end of the legrest while the legrest remains stationary as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position.
4. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest.
means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest.
5. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
a) a rail and a channel disposed between the legrest and the footplate with the rail being coupled to one of the legrest or the footplate and the channel being coupled to the other of the legrest or the footplate, the rail being slidable in the channel as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position;
b) the rail and the channel being pivotally coupled with respect to the footrest so that the rail and channel pivot as the footplate moves; and c) a pivot link coupled between the legrest and the footplate causing the footplate to pivot as the footplate moves with respect to the legrest.
a) a rail and a channel disposed between the legrest and the footplate with the rail being coupled to one of the legrest or the footplate and the channel being coupled to the other of the legrest or the footplate, the rail being slidable in the channel as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position;
b) the rail and the channel being pivotally coupled with respect to the footrest so that the rail and channel pivot as the footplate moves; and c) a pivot link coupled between the legrest and the footplate causing the footplate to pivot as the footplate moves with respect to the legrest.
6. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:
means for locking the footplate with respect to the legrest in the in-use, footrest position, or the tucked, stored position, or both.
means for locking the footplate with respect to the legrest in the in-use, footrest position, or the tucked, stored position, or both.
7. A wheelchair device, comprising:
a) a chair frame supporting a seat and movable on a plurality of wheels;
b) a legrest coupled to the frame in front of and below the seat configured to support a patient's legs; and c) a footplate pivotally and slidably coupled to the legrest, and having at least two positions with respect to the legrest, including:
i) an in-use, footrest position in which the footplate extends forwardly out from a lower end of the legrest configured to receive a bottom of a patient's foot; and ii) a tucked, stored position in which the footplate pivots and slides substantially behind the legrest.
a) a chair frame supporting a seat and movable on a plurality of wheels;
b) a legrest coupled to the frame in front of and below the seat configured to support a patient's legs; and c) a footplate pivotally and slidably coupled to the legrest, and having at least two positions with respect to the legrest, including:
i) an in-use, footrest position in which the footplate extends forwardly out from a lower end of the legrest configured to receive a bottom of a patient's foot; and ii) a tucked, stored position in which the footplate pivots and slides substantially behind the legrest.
8. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the footplate is movable on an arcuate path disposed under the lower end of the legrest.
9. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the footplate moves under the lower end of the legrest while the legrest remains stationary as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position.
10. A device in accordance with claim 7, further comprising:
means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest.
means for pivotally and slidably coupling the footplate to the legrest.
11. A device in accordance with claim 7, further comprising:
a) a rail and a channel disposed between the legrest and the footplate with the rail being coupled to one of the legrest or the footplate and the channel being coupled to the other of the legrest or the footplate, the rail being slidable in the channel as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position;
b) the rail and the channel being pivotally coupled with respect to the footrest so that the rail and channel pivot as the footplate moves; and c) a pivot link coupled between the legrest and the footplate causing the footplate to pivot as the footplate moves with respect to the legrest.
a) a rail and a channel disposed between the legrest and the footplate with the rail being coupled to one of the legrest or the footplate and the channel being coupled to the other of the legrest or the footplate, the rail being slidable in the channel as the footplate moves between the in-use, footrest position and the tucked, stored position;
b) the rail and the channel being pivotally coupled with respect to the footrest so that the rail and channel pivot as the footplate moves; and c) a pivot link coupled between the legrest and the footplate causing the footplate to pivot as the footplate moves with respect to the legrest.
12. A device in accordance with claim 7, further comprising:
means for locking the footplate with respect to the legrest in the in-use, footrest position, or the tucked, stored position, or both.
means for locking the footplate with respect to the legrest in the in-use, footrest position, or the tucked, stored position, or both.
13. A method for supporting a user's legs and feet, comprising:
positioning a footplate at a lower end of a legrest with the footplate extending outwardly and forwardly from the legrest;
positioning a patient on a seat with the patient's legs resting on the legrest and the patient's feet resting on the footplate; and sliding and pivoting the footplate under the footplate to a position behind the legrest while the legrest remains stationary.
positioning a footplate at a lower end of a legrest with the footplate extending outwardly and forwardly from the legrest;
positioning a patient on a seat with the patient's legs resting on the legrest and the patient's feet resting on the footplate; and sliding and pivoting the footplate under the footplate to a position behind the legrest while the legrest remains stationary.
14. A method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising:
treating the patient's feet.
treating the patient's feet.
15. A method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising:
positioning the patient's feet on the floor; and positioning the patient off of the seat.
positioning the patient's feet on the floor; and positioning the patient off of the seat.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2674496A CA2674496A1 (en) | 2009-07-31 | 2009-07-31 | Footrest that slides up and under/behind leg rest |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2674496A CA2674496A1 (en) | 2009-07-31 | 2009-07-31 | Footrest that slides up and under/behind leg rest |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2674496A1 true CA2674496A1 (en) | 2011-01-31 |
Family
ID=43535830
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2674496A Abandoned CA2674496A1 (en) | 2009-07-31 | 2009-07-31 | Footrest that slides up and under/behind leg rest |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2674496A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102920554A (en) * | 2012-11-28 | 2013-02-13 | 上海理工大学 | Electric wheelchair with functions of nursing bed |
| GB2506666A (en) * | 2012-10-05 | 2014-04-09 | Careflex Ltd | A footrest deployable from a hidden position |
| CN105055091A (en) * | 2015-08-06 | 2015-11-18 | 遂宁市长丰机械科技有限公司 | Arm type transfer chair |
| CN107692545A (en) * | 2017-11-10 | 2018-02-16 | 黄浩文 | A kind of classroom multifunctional chair |
| AU2023203582B1 (en) * | 2023-04-18 | 2024-04-18 | Merits Health Products Co., Ltd. | Calf rest and support structure of wheelchair |
-
2009
- 2009-07-31 CA CA2674496A patent/CA2674496A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2506666A (en) * | 2012-10-05 | 2014-04-09 | Careflex Ltd | A footrest deployable from a hidden position |
| CN102920554A (en) * | 2012-11-28 | 2013-02-13 | 上海理工大学 | Electric wheelchair with functions of nursing bed |
| CN105055091A (en) * | 2015-08-06 | 2015-11-18 | 遂宁市长丰机械科技有限公司 | Arm type transfer chair |
| CN107692545A (en) * | 2017-11-10 | 2018-02-16 | 黄浩文 | A kind of classroom multifunctional chair |
| AU2023203582B1 (en) * | 2023-04-18 | 2024-04-18 | Merits Health Products Co., Ltd. | Calf rest and support structure of wheelchair |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 20130731 |