ITPD20130014A1 - EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention relates to an apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to the preamble of the main independent claim.

The equipment in question is intended to be advantageously used to allow people with limited mobility to easily access an at least partially supine position or also to transfer people from one session to another as well as for example from a armchair to a bed or vice versa.

The apparatus according to the present invention can therefore be mainly framed in the industrial sector of the production of domestic and hospital aids for the aid of people with limited mobility such as the elderly or the disabled.

State of the art

As is known, especially in the case of people who for health reasons have difficulty moving around, the need is felt to provide for their easy movement from one position to another or simply from a sitting position, in where the weight is discharged mainly through the buttocks (with the risk of the formation of pressure sores) to a supine position, in which the weight is discharged mainly through the torso. The aforesaid movement can also be requested simply to allow the same people to easily and independently assume the most comfortable positions.

Currently, in accordance with the known art, some equipment solutions are available, for example described in US patents 5366036 and US 4948156 which harness the person in a modifiable structure allowing him to assume different positions and for example to move between a sitting position on a wheelchair. to a standing position (or also lying down in the case of the apparatus described in US patent 5366036).

The aforementioned devices are not suitable for transferring a person between two different seats outside the equipment as well as for example from an armchair to a bed and vice versa. Furthermore, these apparatuses are not designed to allow the person to move autonomously between seats outside the apparatus, using the latter's seat for transfer thanks to particular configurations assumed by its seat.

The aforementioned apparatuses are in fact designed for people who need to reach the different positions without moving the person from the equipment by simply modifying the mechanical configurations assumed by the equipment.

The apparatuses described in the patents US 6308981 and US 5093944 allow in a completely manual way to move a person from an initial sitting condition, for example on a chair, to a provisional supine position on the apparatus for transfer to a final sitting. The supine position of support on the apparatus described in US patent 6308981 is rather uncomfortable and can be reached by the person only by exerting a considerable effort on the legs. The supine position of support on the apparatus described in US patent 5093944 is reached only after having harnessed the person with straps and only after a rotation of the entire apparatus by 90 degrees carried out manually by external personnel.

Therefore, the apparatuses known up to now foresee heavy interventions by external operators or they allow the person with limited mobility to reach only different positions by varying the configuration of the same apparatus while always remaining the person constrained to the same apparatus.

Presentation of the invention

The essential purpose of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the drawbacks of the aforementioned technique by providing an apparatus for moving people with limited mobility, which is able to assume a comfortable supine resting position on the equipment or to use the apparatus for transfers between sitting positions outside the equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for moving people with limited mobility, which allows the person to carry out a transfer between two seats external to the apparatus or between a seat external to the apparatus and one on the apparatus in a manner autonomous by exploiting the weight force of sliding from upper to lower positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for moving people with limited mobility that is structurally simple and operationally completely reliable.

These aims and others besides are all achieved by the apparatus for seating people with limited mobility, which, in accordance with claim 1, is characterized in that it comprises a support structure resting on the ground; a mobile frame equipped with a seat capable of receiving a person with limited mobility; handling means mounted on the support structure and acting on the mobile frame; kinematic means mechanically connected to the support structure and to the movable frame, which support the movable frame with respect to the support structure guiding it, following the actuation of the handling means, in sequence between a first position for transferring the person to the seat of the mobile frame, in which the seat of the mobile frame is in a substantially horizontal position; a rest position, in which the seat of the mobile frame is in a forward inclined position; a second position for transferring the person from the seat of the mobile frame, in which the seat of the mobile frame is tilted backwards.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforementioned purposes, are clearly verifiable from the content of the claims reported below and the advantages thereof will become more evident in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, which represent some purely exemplary embodiments and non-limiting, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to a first embodiment of the present invention with the seat in a first transfer position;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 1 with the seat in a rest position;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the seat in a second transfer position;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the apparatus of figure 3; FIG. 5 shows a side view of an enlarged detail of the apparatus of figure 1 relating to kinematic means;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the detail of figure 5;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C shows the first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention with the seat engaged by a person and respectively arranged in the first position for transfer from a wheelchair to the seat of the apparatus, in the rest position on the apparatus and in the second position transfer from the seat of the equipment to the wheelchair;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the seat in a first transfer position;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 8 with the seat in a rest position;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 8 with the seat in a second transfer position;

FIG. 11 shows a front view of the apparatus of figure 10; FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of figure 8; FIG. 13 shows a side view of the apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to a third embodiment of the present invention with the seat in a first transfer position;

FIG. 14 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 13 with the seat in a rest position;

FIG. 15 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 13 with the seat in a second transfer position;

FIG. 16 shows a front view of the apparatus of figure 15; FIG. 17 shows a side view of the apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention with the seat in a first transfer position;

FIG. 18 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 17 with the seat in a rest position;

FIG. 19 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 17 with the seat in a second transfer position;

FIG. 20 shows a front view of the apparatus of figure 19; FIG. 21 shows a side view of the apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention with the seat in a first transfer position;

FIG. 22 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 21 with the seat in a rest position;

FIG. 23 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 21 with the seat in a second transfer position;

FIG. 24 shows a front view of the apparatus of figure 23; FIG. 25 shows a side view of an enlarged detail of the apparatus of figure 21 relating to kinematic means;

FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of the detail of figure 25; FIG. 27 shows a side view of the apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention with the seat in a first transfer position;

FIG. 28 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 27 with the seat in a rest position;

FIG. 29 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 27 with the seat in a second transfer position;

FIG. 30 shows a front view of the apparatus of figure 29; FIG. 31 shows a side view of an enlarged detail of the apparatus of figure 27 relating to kinematic means with a latch in a first operating position;

FIG. 32 shows a side view of the detail of the apparatus of figure 31 with the latch in a second operative position.

Detailed description of a preferred example of embodiment With reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference number 1 indicates as a whole, respectively, the apparatus for seating people with limited mobility, object of the present invention.

It lends itself to being used both in hospitals and in the home to allow the movement of a person with reduced mobility, independently or even partially assisted, to transfer between two sessions outside the equipment, for example between the bed and an armchair and vice versa, or also to reach the seat of a sanitary apparatus, as well as to reach a resting position, substantially supine, above the apparatus itself 1.

In particular, thanks to this equipment to move from one seat to another as specified below, the person with modest mobility can always decide to slide from the seat placed at a higher height to the seat placed at a lower height so as to need to a minimum effort to make the move.

The apparatus 1 in question comprises a support structure 2 resting on the ground, for example constituted by a metal frame provided at the bottom with wheels 3 for an easy movement of the apparatus 1 on the ground.

A movable frame, generally indicated 4, is mounted on this support structure 2 and is equipped with a seat 5 capable of receiving a person 6 with limited mobility.

Advantageously, the position of the seat 5 with respect to the mobile frame 4 can be adjusted by means of first adjustment means 7, for example consisting of two tubular portions telescopically engaged with each other (or similarly by side-by-side rods or by pairs of side-by-side rods) and integral with each other. One to the frame 4 and the other to the seat 5 and anchored one at the top in the selected position by means of a screw that can be activated with a crank able to engage its stem in aligned holes obtained on the two tubular portions.

The frame 4 advantageously supports, in a longitudinally symmetrical position, a central support 8, capable of receiving the torso of the person 6 in support. This central support 8, is preferably covered with a comfortable support cushion, is inclined with respect to the plane of the seat 5 with adjustable inclination by means of second adjustment means 9 comprising for example a pin connecting the central portion 8 to the frame 4, which can be locked in different angular positions.

Preferably, from the aforementioned central support an arch-shaped head 10 extends substantially inclined upwards, covered with a cushion and on which the head of the person 6 is intended to rest comfortably with the face centered in the empty central part. of the arch.

Third adjustment means 11 per se known and for this reason not described in detail will allow the adjustment of the position of the head 10 both as regards its distance from the central portion 8 and as regards its inclination.

In the lower part of the frame 4 there are advantageously mounted on the two sides of the apparatus in longitudinally symmetrical positions of the tibial supports 12 capable of receiving the lower portions of the legs of the user 6 of the apparatus. These tibial supports 12 are in turn adjustable in height, in forward or backward position as well as in inclination by means of fourth adjustment means 13 per se known and therefore not described in detail.

The person 6 will be able to find support with his arms during the movement phases on two armrests 14, extending in longitudinally symmetrical positions, and able to help the same person in his movements on the seat 5 or from the seat 5 of the equipment 1, as well as to guard it safely on the same seat 5.

There are also supports 140 for the forearms to be used in particular in the supine rest position B described below.

These supports 140 for the forearms extend in longitudinally symmetrical positions, and are in turn adjustable in the forward or rearward position as well as in inclination by means of fifth adjustment means 141 known per se and therefore not described in detail. Otherwise, these supports are obtained with a continuous portion which extends from one side to the other of the apparatus 1 with a front connecting portion assuming a substantially U-shape in plan.

The apparatus 1 also comprises movement means, indicated generically with the reference number 15, which are mounted on the support structure 2 and act on the movable frame 4.

As specified below, they are obtained by means of one or more linear actuators, preferably of the screw type, driven by an electric motor 22 powered by a battery 23 both mounted on the support structure 2, for example in the lower front part, as shown in the examples attachments.

Therefore, kinematic means are provided, indicated in turn generically with the reference number 16, which are mechanically connected to the support structure 2 and to the mobile frame 4.

According to the idea underlying the present invention, the aforementioned kinematic means 16 support the movable frame 4 on the support structure 2 guiding it, following the actuation of the handling means 15, in sequence between a first transfer position A of the person 6 on the seat 5 of the movable frame 4, in which the seat 5 of the movable frame 4 is in a substantially horizontal position; a rest position B, in which the seat 5 of the movable frame 4 is in a forward inclined position and a second transfer position C of the person 6 from the seat 5 of the movable frame 4, in which the seat 5 of the movable frame 4 is ̈ tilted back.

More in detail, the rear edge 5â € ™ of the seat 5 is in a more rearward position, and advantageously also higher, in the second transfer position C with respect to the more advanced and lowered position, which it assumes in the first transfer position A.

In this way, when the person 6 has to move from an external seat, be it a bed of a chair or other, to the seat 5 of the equipment 1, he can arrange the latter with the rear edge 5â € ™ of the seat 5 below the external seat so as to slide from the latter to the seat 5 of the equipment 1 in a way facilitated by the loss of height of its center of gravity as shown in figure 7A. Similarly, when the person 6 has to move from the seat 5 of the appliance 1 to an external seat, whether it be a bed of a chair or other, he can arrange the seat 5 with its rear edge 5â € ™ above the external seat so ¬ to slide on the latter favored by the loss of height of its center of gravity as well as by the inclination of the seat 5 as a slide. The rearmost position assumed by the rear edge 5â € ™ in the second transfer position C compared to that assumed in the first transfer position A is obtained with a trajectory of the edge 5â € ™ circular around the front edge of the outer seat to position the same rear edge 5â € ™ from an underlying position, or even just approached in front, to the front edge of the external seat, up to reaching above it to allow the person 6 to slide on the aforementioned seat external to the seat of the equipment 1.

Operationally, the apparatus 1 object of the present invention, in addition to being usable for the transfer of a person between two external seats, can also be usefully used to accommodate the person in a rest position B, in which his weight It is discharged on parts of the body other than the buttocks and in particular on the central support by means of the bust, on the head by means of the head, on the tibial supports 12 by means of the legs.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention, to be considered the preferential one and illustrated in figures 1-7, the kinematic means 16 comprise a track 17, which is obtained by means of two shaped grooves obtained in two plates parallels 18 which extend vertically from a lower longitudinal member 2â € ™ of the support structure 2, to which they are rigidly fixed.

In particular, in accordance with the exemplary and non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the attached figures 1-6, the track 17, or each groove, is equipped with a first section 17â € ™, advantageously substantially circular with a first center of rotation R1 and a mainly horizontal development, and of a second section 17â € ™ â € ™ advantageously substantially circular connected to the first section 17â € ™ with a second center of rotation R2 and a mainly vertical extension.

A follower element 19 is engaged in the track 17, advantageously constituted by a roller mounted between two parallel plates rigidly fixed to each other by transversal rods and bushings, and which form an upright 20 of the mobile frame 4.

Said roller 19 has its ends protruding externally from the parallel plates to engage slidingly in the two grooves 17â € ™, 17â € ™ â € ™ of the track 17.

The mobile frame 4 is therefore guided in this way with respect to the support structure 2 being mobile along the circular sections 17â € ™ and 17â € ™ â € ™ of the track 17 or rotatably in sequence around the previously mentioned centers of rotation R1 and R2 .

The kinematic means 16 also consist of at least one lever 21 pivoted at a first end thereof to the lower rear part of the support structure 2, for example slightly above the rear wheel 3, in correspondence with the second center of rotation R2 of the second section circular 17â € ™ â € ™ of the track 17, and at its other second end to the mobile frame 4 in correspondence with the first center of rotation R1 of the first circular section 17â € ™ of the track 17.

Furthermore, in accordance with this first embodiment, the movement means 15, previously mentioned and adapted to move the mobile frame 4 with the seat 5 assuming the different operating positions A, B and C, comprise at least one linear actuator hinged to one of its first end to the lower front part of the support structure 2, and at its second end to the movable frame 4 in proximity to the second end of the lever 21 through a downwardly projecting bracket 20â € ™ with an arcuate shape visible in figure 5.

The reciprocal positions of the two rotation centers R1 and R2 and of the actuator 15 are chosen so that:

- the elongation for a first stroke portion of the actuator 15, starting from configuration A in figure 1, initially determines a first torque (hourly with reference to the drawings) aimed at making the frame 4 and the relative seat 5 as long as the tracker element 19 runs along the first circular section 17â € ™;

- and the further elongation for a second stroke of the actuator 15, starting from the configuration B of figure 2, subsequently determines a second torque aimed at making the frame 4 and the relative seat 5 rotate around R2 in the direction opposite to that determined by the first pair (anti-clockwise with reference to the drawings), as long as the follower element 19 runs along the second circular section 17â € ™ â € ™.

In accordance with the preferential spatial configuration of the aforementioned first embodiment of the apparatus, the Y axis of development of the linear actuator 15 is positioned below R1 until the follower element 19 slides along the first section circular 17â € ™, and is positioned above R2 as long as the follower element 19 slides along the second circular section 17â € ™ â € ™, so as to give the frame 4 and the relative seat 5, respectively, a motion in a first direction of rotation and in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first (correspondingly oriented clockwise and anti-clockwise with reference to the example of the attached figures).

In other words, therefore, the elongation of the stem of the actuator 15 for a first stroke portion initially determines the rotation of the frame 4 and of the relative seat 5 in a clockwise direction of rotation, according to the references of the drawing in figure 2, around to the first center of rotation R1 or in the direction suitable to bring the seat 5 with forward inclination towards the rest position B. The subsequent elongation of the actuator stem 15 for a second stroke determines a rotation of the frame 4 and of the relative seat 5 in an anticlockwise direction according to the references of the drawing of figure 3, around the second center of rotation R2 or in the direction suitable to bring the seat 5 with backward inclination towards the second transfer position C.

In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures 1-7, the actuator 15 is, as mentioned, preferably hinged at the top to a bracket 20 extending downwards from the upright 20 of the mobile frame 4, in a position above the other end of the actuator 15 in turn pivoted to the support structure 2 and placed below the first center of rotation R1. In accordance with this spatial configuration, the extension in thrust of the rod of the linear actuator 15 for a first stroke determines the rotation of the mobile frame 4 around this center of rotation R1 in a first direction of rotation (clockwise according to the shown in figure 2) and aimed at determining the forward inclination of the seat 5. The upper end of the actuator 15 is also placed above the second center of rotation R2 to determine with a further second stroke of the Linear actuator 15, a subsequent rotation of the frame 4 around the second center of rotation R2 in a second direction opposite to the first (counterclockwise as shown in figure 3) aimed at bringing the seat 5 inclined backwards into the second position transfer C.

The rest position B of the seat 5 corresponds to the final position of the first rotation of the mobile frame 4 around the first center of rotation R1, while the second position of rotation corresponds to the final position of the second rotation of the mobile frame 4 around the second center of rotation R2. transfer C of the seat 5. The transition from the rotation of the frame 4 in a first direction of rotation (clockwise) around the first center of rotation R1 to the rotation in the opposite direction (counterclockwise) around the second center of rotation R2 occurs at the passage of the Pursuer 19 from the first circular section 17â € ™ to the second circular section 17â € ™ â € ™.

Following the extension of the actuator stem 15 for the first stroke, the first rotation of the mobile frame 4 takes place with respect to both the support structure 2 and the lever 21 and ends in correspondence with the passage of the follower 19 from the first circular section 17â € ™ to the second circular section 17â € ™ â € ™.

At that point, following the extension of the actuator stem 15 for the second stroke, the second rotation of the mobile frame 4 takes place with respect to both the support structure 2 and the lever 21 and ends at the end run of the pursuer 19 in the second circular section 17â € ™ â € ™. The seat 5 now rotating around a more distant center of rotation (R2) is raised returning towards the rear part of the equipment 1 and reverses the inclination from forward to backward as seen in the passage from figures 2 and 3 of the attached drawings .

The linear actuator 15 is driven by the motor 22 mounted on the support structure 2 in the lower front part of the equipment 1, and is flanked by a power supply unit 23 consisting of one or more batteries, and by a control unit.

In accordance with the second embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention, illustrated in figures 8-12, the handling means 15 also comprise in this embodiment a linear actuator hinged at a first end to the support structure and at the second end to the kinematic means 16 as explained below.

The kinematic means 16 comprise a motion transmission plate 24, in particular triangular or L-shaped, which supports the frame by means of an articulated quadrilateral 50 on which the movement means 15 act. as mentioned, by a linear actuator 15.

Advantageously, in accordance with the embodiment of the attached drawings 8-12, the plate 24 is hinged in three non-aligned points, in particular placed in correspondence with the three vertices of its triangle shape. It is pivoted directly to the support structure 2 at its rearmost and lower portion 25, with respect to which its center of rotation R2 remains defined, and to two connecting rods of the articulated quadrilateral 50 at two positions higher than the previous constraint position 25 and of which a front position 28 and an intermediate position 29 respectively for the constraint of the plate 24 to a driving connecting rod 26 and to a driven connecting rod 27 in turn connected at the top to the frame 4 below the seat 5. The driving connecting rod 26 is therefore arranged in a more forward position than the driven connecting rod 27.

More in detail, the driving rod 26 extends from the front constraint position 28 towards the movable frame 4 to which it is pivoted in a first position located under the seat 5. An arm 26â € ™ extends the driving rod. 26 beyond the front constraint position 28 and which is pivoted to the second end of the linear actuator 15.

The driven connecting rod 27 extends from the intermediate constraint position 29 towards the mobile frame 4, hinging to it under the seat 5 in a second position further back with respect to the first position, in which the upper end of the driving rod is pivoted. 26.

Operationally, the movement of the movable frame 4 and therefore of the seat 5 is very similar to that of the previous embodiment.

In this case:

- the elongation for a first stroke of the actuator 15, starting from the configuration A of figure 8, initially determines a first rotation (clockwise with reference to the drawings) of the frame 4 and of the relative seat 5 around a center of instantaneous mobile rotation R1 which is located on the junction of the two driving connecting rods 26 and driven 27, as long as a portion of the extension arm 26â € ™ of the driving connecting rod 26 abuts against a portion of the motion transmission plate 24 making it integral driving connecting rod 26 and said plate 24 with respect to a subsequent second rotation;

- and the further elongation for a second stroke of the actuator 15, starting from the configuration B of figure 9, subsequently determines a second rotation (anticlockwise with reference to the drawings) of the frame 4 and of the relative seat 5 around a center of rotation R2 which is located in correspondence with the rearmost and lower portion 25 of the plate 24.

The relative rotation of the mobile frame 4 in the aforementioned first direction of rotation therefore ends thanks to this stop in correspondence with the rest position B of the seat 5. From that point onwards and thanks to the aforementioned stop, the actuation of the actuator 15 leads also in rotation the motion transfer plate 24 together with the frame 4, around the center of rotation R2, in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first and aimed at bringing the seat 5 from the rest position B to the second transfer position C.

Advantageously, stabilization means 40 are provided which act (together with the weight of the frame 4) to draw the plate 24 towards the lower longitudinal member 2â € ™ of the support structure 2 or by tending to rotate the plate 24 in the first direction of rotation in contrast to the second direction of rotation of the second rotation around the center of rotation R2 in which the plate is pivoted to the support structure 2.

The stabilization means 40 therefore first ensure the movement of the articulated quadrilateral 50 and then of the plate 24. More clearly, these means operationally ensure that the first rotation of the frame 4 ends until the rest position B is reached before the second rotation begins. aimed at bringing the seat into the transfer position C. Only in fact following the stop between the extension arm 26â € ™ of the driving rod 26 and the motion transmission plate 24 can the action of the stabilization means 40 be overcome ( or also of the weight) by the linear actuator 15.

The aforesaid stabilization means 40 are for example constituted by a pneumatic gas spring, by a simple elastic metal spring, by coupling / release devices such as, for example, electromagnetic latches.

In accordance with this third embodiment, the three seating positions A, B and C are reached no longer with two simple circular trajectories dictated by two rotations of the frame around two distinct centers of rotation, but by means of a first trajectory given by the rotation of the frame around a center of instantaneous rotation of an articulated quadrilateral that supports it and a second circular trajectory of simple rotation of the frame around a center of rotation.

The third embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention, illustrated in figures 13-16, is to be considered a variant of the first embodiment in which the constraint of the track 17 has been removed and a additional linear actuator. More in detail, the rotation of the mobile frame 4 first in the first direction around the first rotation center R1 to bring the seat 5 from the first transfer position A to the rest position B, and then in the second direction around the second rotation center R2 to bring the seat 5 from the rest position B to the second transfer position C, it is obtained respectively with a first 15â € ™ and a second actuator 15â € ™ â € ™ of the handling means 15.

The kinematic means 16 consist of the lever 21 pivoted at one end thereof to the lower rear part of the support structure 2, for example slightly above the rear wheel 3, in correspondence with the second center of rotation R2, and at the other its second end to the movable frame 4 in correspondence with the first center of rotation R1.

The first linear actuator 15â € ™ is hinged at its first end to the lower rear part of the support structure 2 near the first end of the lever 21, and at its second end to the movable frame 4 under the seat.

The second linear actuator 15â € ™ â € ™ is hinged at its first end to the lower front part of the support structure 2, and at its second end to the mobile frame 4 near the second end of the lever 21 and in a more forward and lower than the point where the first actuator 15â € ™ is hinged to the frame 4. The lever 21, the first actuator 15â € ™ and an inclined section of the mobile frame 5 form a triangle of which two vertices in common with the lever correspond to the two centers of rotation R1, R2. By operating one or the other actuator, the frame 4 rotates around one of the two centers of rotation R1, R2.

More in detail, by activating the first actuator 15â € ™ the mobile frame 4 rotates clockwise (figure 14) around the first center of rotation R1 bringing the seat 5 from the first transfer position A to the rest position B, while operating the second actuator 15â € ™ â € ™ the mobile frame 4 rotates counterclockwise (figure 15) around the second center of rotation R2 bringing the seat 5 from the rest position B to the second transfer position A.

The fourth embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention, illustrated in figures 17-20, is also to be considered a variant of the first embodiment, with respect to which the constraint of the track 17 has been removed and, advantageously stabilization means 40 of the type mentioned above have been provided with reference to the second embodiment.

More in detail, the rotation of the mobile frame 4 first in the first direction around the first rotation center R1 to bring the seat 5 from the first transfer position A to the rest position B, and then in the second direction around the second rotation center R1 to bring the seat 5 from the rest position B to the second transfer position C, it is obtained with two strokes in succession of the linear actuator 15 mounted as in the first embodiment and to which reference should be made for the specific description of its position on the equipment 1.

The lever 21 is positioned as in the first embodiment inclined towards the rear, being pivoted at its first rear end to the lower rear part of the support structure 2, for example slightly above the rear wheel 3, at the second center of rotation R2 of the frame 4, and at its other second end to the mobile frame 4 (to the upright 20 of the mobile frame) in correspondence with the first center of rotation R1 of the mobile frame 4, i.e. in a more advanced and higher position than to that of its first end.

The stabilization means 40 act to bring the lever 21 towards the lower longitudinal member 2â € ™ of the support structure 2 by rotating the lever 21 with respect to the second center of rotation R2 in which it is pivoted to the support structure 2.

The weight of the frame and the return force of the stabilizing means 40 force the frame to rotate around the first center of rotation R1 during the first stroke of the linear actuator 15.

The first rotation of the movable frame 4 therefore takes place with respect to both the support structure 2 and the lever 21 and ends when the angular position relative to the rest position B of the seat 5 is reached when a portion of the frame 4 interferes with a portion of the lever 21 abutting one against the other and thus binding the two components with respect to the further thrust of the actuator 15.

At that point, in fact, the further thrust of the linear actuator 15 for the second stroke causes both the mobile frame 4 and the same in rotation around the second rotation center R2 located at the lower and rear end of the lever 21. lever 21 with the spring which, acting in return, maintains the stop of the two interfering portions of the frame and of the lever 21. The seat 5, now rotating around the second center of rotation R2 further away, is raised returning towards the rear part of the equipment 1 and reverses the Forward to backward inclination as seen in the passage from figures 18 and 19 of the accompanying drawings.

Operationally, therefore, the elongation of the stem of the first actuator 15 for a first stroke initially determines the rotation of the frame 4 and of the relative seat 5 in a first direction of rotation (clockwise according to the references of the drawing in figure 18) around the first center of rotation R1 or in the direction suitable to bring the seat 5 with forward inclination towards the rest position B. The subsequent elongation of the stem of the first actuator 15 for a second stroke instead determines a rotation of the frame 4 and said relative seat 5 in the opposite direction (anti-clockwise according to the references of the drawing in figure 19) around the second center of rotation R2 or in the direction suitable to bring the seat 5 with backward inclination towards the second transfer position C.

In accordance with the fifth embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention, illustrated in figures 21-26, the kinematic means 16 comprise a first crank 30 pivoted at one end to the support structure 2 and connected at the other end to the means of movement 15 adapted to bring it into rotation and also in this case constituted by a linear actuator. The kinematic means 16 also comprise a second crank 31 pivoted at one end to the mobile frame 4 and at the other end to the support structure 2. The two cranks 30, 31 are mechanically connected to each other by means of transmission 32. More in detail advantageously, the two cranks 30, 31 are keyed onto pins each carrying a toothed wheel. Flexible transmission means 33, advantageously constituted by a chain or a belt, are therefore wound into a ring on the two toothed wheels.

The first toothed wheel keyed on the pin of the first crank 30 has a greater diameter than that of the second toothed wheel keyed on the pin of the second crank 31, defining a multiplication in the transmission ratio between the two toothed wheels so that while the first crank 30 has an excursion the second crank 31 can rotate 360 degrees only by an arc of circumference.

The kinematic means 16 is completed by a linear guide 34 interposed between the movable frame 4 and the support structure 2 and advantageously obtained with two tubular rods telescopically engaged at one end in the other as well as hinged at their other end one to the frame 4 the other to the support structure 2.

The actuation of the linear actuator 16 determines the rotation of the cranks 30, 31 and the achievement of the three positions described above of the seat 5.

In accordance with the sixth embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention, illustrated in figures 27-32, the handling means 15 also comprise in this embodiment a linear actuator hinged at a first lower end to the support structure 2 and to the second upper extremity, in particular more advanced than the first extremity, to the mobile frame 4.

The latter is hinged to a fixed 2â € ™ â € ™ inclined profile, which extends from a horizontal spar 2â € ™ of the support structure 2, in correspondence with a first center of rotation R1.

The kinematic means 16 comprise a support foot 35 hinged to the movable frame 4 near the rear end of the support structure 2.

The aforementioned support foot 35 is equipped at the bottom with a support wheel 3 to the ground and also carries a hinged bolt 36, which, depending on the angular position assumed by the support foot 35 with respect to the frame 4, can be arranged in one of two positions 37, 38 placed in succession in the front part of the same foot 35. More in detail, the aforesaid bolt 36 can be arranged in a first free rear position 37, in which it is in contact with a substantially flat part of the lower edge of the foot 35, in which it does not interfere with the free rotation of the mobile frame 4 with respect to the foot 35, and in a second position in which it engages in a first seat 38 obtained in the foot itself and placed further forward than the first seat 37. In this second position the bolt 36 also engages at the same time in a second seat 39 aligned with the first and obtained on a rear portion 45 of the frame 4 to constrain the foot 35 to the frame 4 same. A spring is provided to force the bolt 36 to rotate towards the seats 37, 38.

Operationally, initially the support foot 35 has the bolt 36 in the free position 37 and the movable frame 4 is free to rotate with respect to it. With the movable frame 4 oriented so that the seat 5 is placed in the first transfer position A, the linear actuator 15 is operated to collect its stem. This actuation causes the movable frame 4 to rotate with respect to the support structure 2 around the first center of rotation R1 in a first direction of rotation (indicated clockwise in Figure 28). With this rotation, the frame 4 rotates not only with respect to the support structure 2 but also with respect to the support foot 35 around the connecting pin, making the bolt 36 move from the first free position 37 to the inside of the two aligned seats 38 , 39 of the support foot 35 and of the frame 4, in which these two mechanical members are mutually constrained. Advantageously, the aforementioned rear portion 45 of the frame is circular in shape to move the bolt 36 away from the free position 37.

At this point, the elongation operation of the actuator stem 15 determines a rotation opposite to the previous one (indicated clockwise in figure 29) with respect to a center of rotation which, once the foot touches the ground with the its wheel 3, is no longer the first center of rotation R1 but is located in correspondence with the aforementioned wheel 3 of the foot 35 and involves a rotation along a circular trajectory larger than that centered on the first center R1 and which simultaneously determines the lifting at the € ™ back of the seat 5 until it reaches the second transfer position C tilted backwards.

Once the wheel has touched the ground, it is no longer able to rotate the support foot 35 with respect to the frame due to the changed position of the bolt 36.

To allow the seat 5 to resume its original horizontal position or the first transfer position A, it is necessary to manually act on the bolt 36, for example by pushing with a foot on one of its upper release portion to make it rotate around its hinging pin. on foot 35, so as to free it from seats 38, 39.

The invention thus conceived therefore achieves the intended aim and objects.

Obviously, in its practical embodiment, it may also assume forms and configurations different from the one illustrated above without thereby departing from the present scope of protection.

Furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements and kinematics and the dimensions, shapes and materials used can be any according to the needs.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1. Equipment for the movement of people with limited mobility, characterized by the fact that it includes: - a support structure resting on the ground; - a mobile frame equipped with a seat capable of receiving a person with limited mobility; - handling means mounted on said support structure and acting on said movable frame; - kinematic means mechanically connected to said support structure and to said movable frame, which support said movable frame with respect to said support structure guiding it, following the actuation of said movement means, in sequence between a first transfer position of said person on the seat of said movable frame, in which the seat of said movable frame is in a substantially horizontal position; a rest position, in which the seat of said movable frame is in a forward inclined position; a second transfer position of said person from the seat of said movable frame, in which the seat of said movable frame is inclined backwards. 2. Apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear edge of the seat of said movable frame is in a more rearward position in said second transfer position than that assumed in said first transfer position transfer. 3. Apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rear edge of the seat of said movable frame is in a higher position in said second transfer position than that assumed in said first transfer position. 4. Equipment for moving people with limited mobility according to claim 1, characterized in that said kinematic means comprise: - at least one track integral with said support structure, and equipped with a first section, substantially circular, having a first center of rotation, and with a second section, substantially circular, connected to the first and having a second center of rotation; - at least one follower element mounted on said frame movable guidedly within said track, for guiding said movable frame along said circular stretches of track rotatably around said centers of rotation; - at least one lever pivoted at one end to the rear part of said support structure at the second center of rotation of the second circular section of said track, and at the other end to said movable frame at the first center of rotation of the first circular section of said track. 5. Apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to claim 4, characterized in that said moving means comprise at least one linear actuator hinged at one end to said support structure, and at the second end to said movable frame; the actuation of said linear actuator for a first stroke portion causing the rotation of said movable frame around said first center of rotation in a first direction of rotation adapted to move said seat from said first transfer position to said rest position ; the actuation of said linear actuator for a second stroke length causing the rotation of said lever and of said movable frame around said second center of rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first and adapted to move said seat from said position rest to said second transfer position. 6. Equipment for the movement of persons with limited mobility according to claim 1, characterized in that: - said movement means comprise at least one linear actuator hinged at a first end to said support structure; - said kinematic means comprise a motion transmission plate, which supports said frame by means of an articulated quadrilateral on which the second end of said linear actuator is hinged. 7. Equipment for the movement of persons with limited mobility according to claim 6, characterized in that: said motion transmission plate is pivoted in correspondence of its center of rotation to said support structure, and in correspondence of two higher positions with respect to said center of rotation respectively to a driving connecting rod and to a driven connecting rod of said quadrilateral articulated; the second end of said linear actuator being pivoted to the end of an arm extending as an extension of said driving connecting rod in addition to the pivoting position to said plate. the actuation of said linear actuator for a first stroke portion causing the rotation of said movable frame around a center of instantaneous rotation of said quadrilateral articulated in a first direction of rotation adapted to move said seat from said first transfer position to said rest position; the actuation of said linear actuator for a second stroke length causing the rotation of said movable frame around said center of rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first and able to move said seat from said rest position to said second transfer position. 8. Equipment for the movement of persons with limited mobility according to claim 1, characterized in that: - said kinematic means comprise: at least one lever pivoted at one end to said movable frame at a first center of rotation of said movable frame and at the other end at the lower rear part of said support structure at a second center of rotation of said movable frame ; - said handling means comprise: at least a first linear actuator pivoted at one end thereof to the support structure, in particular in a lower rear part thereof, and at its second end to the movable frame under the seat; at least a second linear actuator hinged at its first end to the lower front part of said support structure, and at its second end to the movable frame in a more advanced and lower position with respect to the point where the first actuator is hinged to the frame mobile; the actuation of said first actuator causing the movable frame to rotate in a direction of rotation around said first center of rotation from said first transfer position to said rest position; the actuation of said second actuator causing the movable frame to rotate in an opposite direction of rotation around said second center of rotation from said rest position to said second transfer position. 9. Equipment for the movement of persons with limited mobility according to claim 1, characterized in that: - said kinematic means comprise: at least one lever pivoted at one end to said movable frame at a first center of rotation of said movable frame and at the other end at the lower rear part of said support structure at a second center of rotation of said movable frame ; - said movement means comprise at least one linear actuator hinged at a first end to said support structure, and at the second end to said movable frame; the direction of actuation of said linear actuator being interposed between said two centers of rotation; the actuation of said linear actuator for a first stroke portion causing the rotation of said movable frame around said first center of rotation in a first direction of rotation by moving said seat from said first transfer position to said rest position in correspondence of which a portion of said frame and a portion of said lever interfere with each other in abutment in the aforementioned first direction of rotation; the actuation of said linear actuator for a second stroke length causing the rotation, integral and constrained by means of said abutment portions, of said lever and of said movable frame around said second center of rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first by moving said seat from said rest position to said second transfer position, 10. Apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to claim 1, characterized in that said kinematic means comprise: - at least a first crank pivoted to said support structure and on which said movement means act to bring it into rotation; - at least a second crank pivoted to the mobile frame and to said support structure and mechanically connected to said first crank by means of transmission means; - at least one linear guide interposed between the frame and the support structure. 11. Equipment for the movement of persons with limited mobility according to claim 1, characterized in that: - said handling means comprise: at least one linear actuator hinged at a first lower end to the support structure and at the second upper end, in particular more advanced than the first end, to the mobile frame hinged in turn to said support structure in a first center of rotation; - said kinematic means comprise a support foot which is hinged to the mobile frame near the rear end of the support structure and hinged carries a bolt capable of being placed on the foot itself in a free position, in which it does not interfere with the free rotation of the mobile frame with respect to the support foot, and in a first seat of the support foot, in which it is simultaneously engaged also in a second seat aligned with said first seat and obtained on a rear portion of said frame and able to constrain said support foot to said frame; with said latch in said free position and said seat in said first transfer position, the actuation of said linear actuator in collection of its stem causing: the rotation of said frame with respect to the support structure around said first center of rotation up to that said seat reaches said rest position, and the rotation of said frame with respect to said support foot with the passage of said bolt from said free position into said first and second seats; with said latch in said first and second seat and said seat in said rest position, the elongation actuation of the stem of said actuator causing a rotation of said frame opposite to the previous one and that, from the abutment of said support foot on the ground , has a larger circular trajectory than the previous one centered on said first center of rotation and capable of causing said seat to be raised backwards up to said second transfer position C inclined backwards. 12. Apparatus for moving people with limited mobility according to any one of claims 7 or 9, characterized in that it comprises stabilizing means aimed at opposing the action of said linear actuator aimed at rotating said frame in said second direction of rotation .