GB2351264A

GB2351264A - Wheelchair having means to assist ingress and egress of a disabled person from a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2351264A
Application number: GB9914422A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Jenkins
Original assignee: British Aerospace PLC; BAE Systems PLC
Current assignee: BAE Systems PLC
Priority date: 1999-06-22
Filing date: 1999-06-22
Publication date: 2000-12-27
Also published as: GB9914422D0

Abstract

A wheelchair 10 comprises frame means 12, a seat 62 and 64 mounted on said frame means for supporting a user, forward wheel means 22 and rearward wheel means 26, wherein said forward and rearward wheel means are movable, such that a user is maintained in a generally upright seated position when the wheelchair is on either horizontal (Fig 2) or inclined (Fig 5) surfaces and lock means 34 for releasably locking said wheelchair in a configuration for horizontal, or inclined surfaces.

Description

2351264 Vehicle Inqress and Egress System for Disabled Persons This

invention relates to a wheelchair system for assisting the ingress and/or egress of a disabled person from a vehicle such as, for example, an aircraft, where normal access from the ground is via steps or an inclined plane. The invention also extends to such systems for assisting the ingress and/or egress of a disabled person from other vehicles such as coaches, boats, etc., where the entry point is above or below ground level and the space on board the vehicle is confined.

At the present time, when a disabled person travels on small passenger aircraft, they must be lifted onto the aircraft, sometimes in an undignified manner, as there is not always suitable ground equipment available. This is usually achieved by using a modified (narrowed) collapsible seat as used by the Ambulance Servi _ e. This method is unsatisfactory not only for the occupant of the seat but the assistants lifting the seat. It is unstable and awkward to manoeuvre and there is potential rish to all involved.

There is therefore a need for a wheelchair system which enables disabled people to enter and exit small passenger aircraft in a safe and dignified manner. Ideally the wheelchair system will be usable iict only for smaller aircraft configurations such as th: BAe 125, and the Jetstream aircraft, but also medium-sized aircraft such as the BAe 146 and ATP, and larger aircraft types.

In this Specification, the terms forward, rearward,

2 etc., refer to the wheelchair in terms of its direction of travel as it ascends a ramp. In the preferred embodiment, the occupant of the wheelchair faces rearwardly when ascending the ramp but this is not essential.

Accordingly, this invention provides a wheelchair system for assisting the ingress and/or egress of a disabled person from a vehicle, such as e.g. an aircraft, where normal access from the ground is via steps or an inclined plane, said system including:

a wheelchair having:

frame means; seat means mounted on said frame means for supporting a user; forward wheel means; is rearward wheel means; said forward and rearward wheel means being movable between a generally horizontal configuration in which the user is in a generally upright seated position when the wheelchair is on a generally horizontal surface and an inclined configuration in which the user is maintained in a generally upright seated position when the wheelchair is on an inclined surface, and lock means for releasably locking said wheelchair in said horizontal and said inclined configurations. 25 By this arrangement the wheelchair may be wheeled along the ground to the foot of an access ramp or the like whereupon the wheelchair may be moved up the ramp whilst the occupant is kept in a generally upright horizontal sitting 3 position thereby preserving their dignity and safety. At the top of the ramp, the wheel means may be returned to their horizontal configuration so that the wheelchair can be manoeuvred along the aisle of the vehicle. 5 Preferably, the forward wheels comprise two castored wheels. The rearward wheel means preferably comprise two non-castored wheels of larger diameter than the forward wheels. The forward and rearward wheel means are preferably mounted on an arm means pivotally mounted on the lower region of the frame means, for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis.

The lock means for releasably locking the wheelchair in said horizontal and inclined configurations preferably is comprises means for locking said pivotal movement of said arm means relative to said frame means. Given that the wheelchair system may be used with a variety of different ramps of different inclinations, the lock means is preferably operable to lock said pivotal movement at any one of a plurality of different angular positions. Preferably said lock means includes a remote release lever for use by an assistant.

The lock means preferably comprises an arcuate ratchet track associated with one of said arm means and said frame means, and a pawl means associated with the other thereof.

To at least partially balance the weight of the occupant during movement between said horizontal and inclined configurations, the wheelchair preferably includes 4 spring means acting between said arm means and said frame means. The spring means may conveniently comprise a gas strut.

To allow compact storage of said wheelchair, said arcuate track is preferably pivotally mounted on said arm means and said pawl means is disengageable therefrom to allow said arcuate track to be pivoted to a collapsed position.

Preferably the seat means is pivotally mounted on said frame means to allow said occupant to be turned about a generally vertical axis to facilitate getting on and off said seat means. The seat means may be removably attached to said frame means to allow compact storage. Likewise the seat means may comprise a base portion and a back portion is foldably secured thereto. The wheelchair may include a footrest which may be removably secured to said seat means.

To allow manoeuvring and handling of the wheelchair, it preferably further includes draw bar means connected to said frame means, and said draw bar means is preferably removable.

To allow raising and lowering of the occupant as said wheel means move between their horizontal and inclined configurations, said wheelchair preferably further includes support arm means connected to said frame means and extending generally rearwardly. Where provided, said release lever is preferably mounted adjacent a free end of said support means.

Where not otherwise provided for on the aircraft, the wheelchair system preferably further includes ramp means defining ramp surfaces for said forward and rearward wheel means. The ramp means may be made up of a plurality of sections and have an adjustable foot means to take up 5 differences in height.

Preferably said ramp means includes winch means for winching said wheelchair up and down said ramp means.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description.

The invention may be performed in various ways, and an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:- is Figure 1 is an isometric view of a wheelchair in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the wheelchair illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an isometric view of a wheelchair track for use with the wheelchair of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a side view of the wheelchair of Figures 1 and 2 at ground level, prior to ascending the track of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view, similar to Figure 4, but showing the wheelchair part way up the ramp; Figure 6 shows the wheelchair of Figures 1 and 2 in a stowed position, with certain parts removed, Figure 7 is a perspective, close-up view of part of the 6 wheelchair, and Figure 8 is a perspective, close up view of another part of the wheelchair.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, the wheelchair 10 comprises two side "All frames 12, each made up of an upper frame tube 14, a slotted lower frame strut 16 and an intermediate strut 18. As seen more clearly in Figure 7 below, the intermediate strut 18 is pivoted at 19 to the upper frame tube 14 and at its other end carries a lug 21 which slides in the slot 23 in the slotted strut 16. At the apex of the 'W' frame 12, the upper f rame tube 14 and the lower frame strut 16 is a horizontal front axle 20.

Depending f rom the apex of the "All f rom 12, on each side, there is a castoring front wheel 22.

is on each side of the wheelchair, pivotally mounted on the front axle 20, are respective curved trailing arms 24.

The trailing end of each trailing arm 24 supports a respective rear, non-castoring wheel 26. The wheels are interconnected by an axle 28.

The assembly comprising the trailing arm 24 and the rear wheels 26 may swing about the front axle relative to the "All frame. The trailing arm may be locked in any one of a number of angular positions by means of a curved ratchet track 30 which is pivoted at one end to a cross rod 32, and a releasable ratchet mechanism 34 which is secured to a transverse rod 36 interconnecting the lower frame struts 16, and passing through a slot 38 in the curved ratchet track. The ratchet release mechanism 24 includes a pawl which 7 engages the teeth of the curved ratchet track 30 and may be moved out of engagement therewith by moving a release lever 40 connected to the ratchet mechanism by means of a Bowden cable 42. The release lever 40 is connected to the left hand handle 44 of one of a pair of support arms 46 hinged to the respective upper frame tubes 14 by respective hinge arrangements 48.

A pair of gas struts 50 are provided for urging the "All frame 12 generally clockwise as viewed in Figures 1 and 2.

Each gas strut is connected between a lug 52 on the lower support strut 16 and a pivotal coupling on the cross rod 32. The upper frame tubes 14 of the "All frame are connected by an inverted V-shaped saddle 54 which carries at its upper end a socket 56 which receives the tube 58 of a swivel seat 15 60 having a base 62 and a hinged back portion 64. The swivel seat may be swivelled about a generally horizontal axis by turning tube 58 in socket 56. A seat release pin 66 locks the seat in the required angular position but may be removed to allow removal of the swivel seat 60. 20 The underside of the base 62 of the seat goes to parallel sockets 68 into which the upper ends of a removable footrest 70 may be inserted and releasably locked. A telescopic draw bar arrangement 72 is releasably connected to the axle 28 and provided with a handle 74. The draw bar arrangement 72 also includes a stop 76 which limits rearward pivoting movement of the drawbar relative to the axle so that it is kept clear of the back 64 of the swivel seat 60.

8 Referring now to Figure 3, the adjustable track 78 comprises upper, intermediate, and lower sections 80, 82, 84 respectively which may be hinged or telescopically arranged.

The lower section 84 is adjustable to provide an adjustable length and has a pair of feet 86. The track sections 80, 82, 84 are of generally in-turned L section, although the lower portion of the lower track section 84 is cut away to provide a location region. The track 78 includes a winch mechanism 88 which may be driven manually or by a powered mechanism such as rechargeable power tool. A cable guide tube 90 projects from the upper end of the track and is angularly adjustable to suit the angle of the aircraft steps.

Referring now to Figures 4,5, and 6, the operation of the wheelchair of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 to assist ingress and/or egress of a disabled passenger to and from a small passenger aircraft 92 will now be described.

Firstly, the ramp 78 is assembled and laid over the aircraft steps 94 which in this example are incorporated in the aircraft door 96. The track is adjusted so that it is aligned with the tops of the risers of the steps with a cable guide 90 in contact with the cabin floor 98, to provide a stable ramp structure. The winch mechanism is operated to allow the winch cable to be paid out to the foot of the track 78. The wheelchair 10 with the occupant in it is then manoeuvred to the foot of the track' 78, with the castoring forward wheels 22 aligned with the ramp surfaces of the track. If the winch mechanism 88 is to be used, then 9 the drawbar 72 may be disconnected from the axle and collapsed ready for stowage. The winch cable is then secured to the front axle 20 and the winch operated to draw the wheelchair onto the track. An assistant grips the handles 44 and releases the release lever 40 so that the trailing arms 24 can pivot relative to the "All frame 12.

Thus the assistant ensures that the occupant is kept in a generally upright seated position as the wheelchair moves up the track 78, and the trailing arms 24 swing down to accommodate the change in gradient. once the rear wheels 26 are on the track 78, the assistant may release the lever 40 to lock the wheelchair with the wheels in their inclined configuration as shown in Figure 5. The assistant follows the wheelchair up the track and, at the top, releases lever is 40 to keep the occupant upright during the change in gradient.

once safely inside the aircraft, the winch cable may be released from the front axle 20 and, if required, the support arms 46 hinged to a stowed position to provide maximum manoeuvrability. The seat can then be swivelled independently relative to the wheelchair frame to face the occupant in the required direction for the aircraft seating.

The chair may then be brought round to move down the central aisle of the aircraft.

When exiting the aircraft, the above procedure is reversed.

Figure 6 shows the wheelchair in a stowed position with the draw bar 72, the support arms 46, the seat 60, and the footrest 70 removed. Referring to Figure 7, in this position, the intermediate struts 18 are rotated towards the rear of the wheelchair (i. e. over centre) about the pivot on the frame tubes 14, via the A guide slot 23. This allows the upper and lower f rame tubes 14 and strut 16 to pivot next to each other.

The ratchet mechanism 34 is fully lowered on the curved track 30 and is rotated about the axle 32. A release catch shown in Figure 8 is disengaged to allow the ratchet mechanism 34 to be lowered.

Claims

Claims

A wheelchair system for assisting the ingress and/or egress of a disabled person from a vehicle, such as e.g. an aircraft, where normal access from the ground is via steps or an inclined plane, said system including:a wheelchair having:frame means; seat means mounted on said frame means for supporting a user; forward wheel means; rearward wheel means; said forward and rearward wheel means being movable between a generally horizontal configuration in which the user is in a generally upright seated position when the wheelchair is on a generally horizontal surfaceand an inclined configuration in which the user is maintained in a generally upright seated position when the wheelchair is on an inclined surface, and lock means for releasably locking said wheelchair in said horizontal and said inclined configurations.
2. A wheelchair system according to Claim 1, wherein said forward wheel means comprises two forward wheels.
3. A wheelchair system according to Claim 2, wherein said forward wheels are castored.
4. A wheelchair system according to any preceding Claim, wherein said rearward wheel means comprises two rearward wheels.

12
5. A wheelchair system according to Claim 4, wherein said rearward wheels are of larger diameter than said forward wheels, and are non-castoring.
6. A wheelchair system according to any preceding Claim, 5 wherein said forward and rearward wheel means are mounted on arm means pivotally mounted on a lower region of said frame mans, for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis.
7. A wheelchair system according to Claim 6, wherein said 10 lock means comprises means for locking said pivotal movement of said arm means relative to said frame means.
8. A wheelchair system according to Claim 7, wherein said lock means is operable to lock said pivotal movement at any one of a plurality of different angular positions.

is
9. A wheelchair system according to Claim 8, wherein said lock means includes a remote release lever for use by an assistant.
10. A wheelchair system according to any of Claims 6 to 9, wherein said lock means comprises an arcuate ratchet track associated with one of said arm means and said frame means, and a pawl means associated with the other thereof.
11. A wheelchair system according to Claim 10, wherein said arcuate track is associated with said arm means.
12. A wheelchair system according to any of Claims 6 to 11, 25 including spring means for at least partially balancing the weight of the user during movement between said horizontal and inclined configurations.
13. A wheelchair system according to Claim 12, wherein said 13 spring means comprises a gas strut.
14. A wheelchair system according to Claim 11, wherein said arcuate track is pivotally mounted on said arm means and said pawlmeans is disengageable therefrom to allow said 5 arcuate track to be pivoted to a collapsed position to allow compact storage of said wheelchair.
15. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said seat means is pivotally mounted on said frame means to allow said user to be turned about a generally vertical axis to facilitate getting on and off said seat means.
16. A wheelchair system according any of the preceding Claims, wherein said seat means is removably attached to said frame means.
17. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the seat means comprises a base portion and a back portion foldably secured thereto.
18. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said wheelchair further includes a footrest.
19. A wheelchair system according to Claim 18, wherein said footrest is removably secured to said seat means.
20. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said wheelchair further includes draw bar means connected to said frame means.
21. A wheelchair system according to Claim 20, wherein said draw bar means is removable.
22. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said wheelchair further includes support arm 14 means connected to said frame means and extending generally rearwardly for allowing an assistant to maintain the attitude of the wheelchair as the wheel means move between their horizontal and inclined configurations.
23. A wheelchair system according to Claim 22, when dependent on Claim 9, wherein said release lever is mounted adjacent a free end of said support arm means.
24. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, further including ramp means defining ramp surfaces for said forward and rearward wheel means.
25. A wheelchair system according to Claim 24, wherein said ramp means is made up of a plurality of sections.
26. A wheelchair system according to Claim 24 or 25, wherein said ramp means includes adjustable foot means.
27. A wheelchair system according to any of Claims 24 to 26, wherein said ramp means includes winch means for winching said wheelchair up and/or down said ramp means.
28. A wheelchair system according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein said vehicle comprises an aircraft.

28. A wheelchair system according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein said vehicle comprises an aircraft.

('5 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1 A wheelchair system for assisting the ingress and/or egress of a disabled person from a vehicle, such as e.g. an aircraft, where normal access from the ground is via steps or an inclined plane, said system including:

a wheelchair having:

frame means; seat means mounted on said frame means for supporting a user; forward wheel means; rearward wheel means; said forward and rearward wheel means being movable between a generally horizontal configuration in which the user is in a generally upright seated position when the wheelchair is on a generally horizontal surface and an inclined configuration in which the user is maintained in a generally upright seated position when the wheelchair is on an inclined surface, and lock means for releasably locking said wheelchair in said horizontal and said inclined configurations.

2. A wheelchair system according to Claim 1, wherein said forward wheel means comprises two forward wheels.

3. A wheelchair system according to Claim 2, wherein said forward wheels are castored.

4. A wheelchair system according to any preceding Claim, wherein said rearward wheel means comprises two rearward wheels.

6- A wheelchair system according to Claim 4, wherein said rearward wheels are of larger diameter than said forward wheels, and are non-castoring.

6. A wheelchair system according to any preceding Claim, 5 wherein said forward and rearward wheel means are mounted on arm means pivotally mounted on a lower region of said frame mans, for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis.

7. A wheelchair system according to Claim 6, wherein said 10 lock means comprises means for locking said pivotal movement of said arm means relative to said frame means.

8. A wheelchair system according to Claim 7, wherein said lock means is operable to lock said pivotal movement at any one of a plurality of different angular positions.

is 9. A wheelchair system according to Claim 8, wherein said lock means includes a remote release lever for use by an assistant.

10. A wheelchair system according to any of Claims 6 to 9, wherein said lock means comprises an arcuate ratchet track associated with one of said arm means and said frame means, and a pawl means associated with the other thereof.

11. A wheelchair system according to Claim 10, wherein said arcuate track is associated with said arm means.

12. A wheelchair system according to any of Claims 6 to 11, 25 including spring means for at least partially balancing the weight of the user during movement between said horizontal and inclined configurations.

13. A wheelchair system according to Claim 12, wherein said 11 apring meano compria@o a gas strut.

14. -A wheelchair system according to Claim 11, wherein said arcuate track is pivotally mounted on said arm means and said pawl means is disengageable therefrom to allow said arcuate track to be pivoted to a collapsed position to allow compact storage of said wheelchair.

15. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said seat means is pivotally mounted on said frame means to allow said user to be turned about a generally vertical axis to facilitate getting on and off said seat means.

16. A wheelchair system according any of the preceding Claims, wherein said seat means is removably attached to said frame means.

17. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the seat means comprises a base portion and a back portion foldably secured thereto.

18. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said wheelchair further includes a footrest.

19. A wheelchair system according to Claim 18, wherein said footrest is removably secured to said seat means.

20. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said wheelchair further includes draw bar means connected to said frame means.

21. A wheelchair system according to Claim 20, wherein said draw bar means is removable.

22. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said wheelchair further includes support arm means connected to said frame means and extending generally rearwardly for allowing an assistant to maintain the attitude of the wheelchair as the wheel means move between their horizontal and inclined configurations.

23. A wheelchair system according to Claim 22, when dependent on Claim 9, wherein said release lever is mounted adjacent a free end of said support arm means.

24. A wheelchair system according to any of the preceding Claims, further including ramp means defining ramp surfaces for said forward and rearward wheel means.

25. A wheelchair system according to Claim 24, wherein said ramp means is made up of a plurality of sections.

26. A wheelchair system according to Claim 24 or 25, wherein said ramp means includes adjustable foot means.

is 27. A wheelchair system according to any of Claims 24 to 26, wherein said ramp means includes winch means for winching said wheelchair up and/or down said ramp means.