WO2020012054A1 - Wheelchair for difficult paths - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheelchair for difficult paths, such as in mountaineering, alpinism or climbing, which comprises: a seat (1) carried by a series of wheels (2, 3, 4), two inclined rear wheels (4) being disposed behind the seat (1) and converging at their upper rear part; and a front longitudinal extension (5) that supports a handle (6) fixed in a position facing the seat (1) and a front wheel (3) with idle rotation disposed in front of the seat.

Description

 DESCRIPTION

Wheelchair for difficult roads SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The present invention relates to a wheelchair for travel on unpreparable roads, for example, in mountaineering. Therefore it can be used by people with reduced mobility in the lower body, whether they suffer from paralysis of the lower extremities, loss of limbs or injuries of any kind.

It is applicable in the field of adapted sport, for roads in which a traditional wheelchair or other type of adapted vehicle cannot circulate. To facilitate mobility and sports practice or enjoy leisure activities in nature.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

People with some type of injury in the lower train, especially if their gravity forces them to go in a wheelchair, are limited in their movement to the places where the chair can pass. However, the development of various types of sports adapted for people with disabilities has exponentially increased their possibilities. High-performance chairs for short or long races, for large routes, etc. are already on the market. In flat and asphalted terrain. However, in natural environments, hillsides, mountains, jungle or snow with high slopes and rocky or cobbled terrain there is no chair that facilitates mobility and those that exit are still limited by the need for a road with conditions of width, of firmness of the ground and slope that allows the ascent.

If the athlete wishes to make some type of ascent or route that does not meet the conditions, he needs a wheelchair that can be used on untractable roads and that has help elements to allow the movement by his own means, or in case with the minimum assistance in road preparation.

The applicant does not know of any wheelchair similar to the invention, which allows to travel on almost any road (including rock and slope) adapted to people without mobility problems That is, it becomes independent of the slope and the conditions of the firm.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a wheelchair that can be used on unpreparable roads, such as mountaineering, according to the claims. It allows the advance in a situation of descent and is mainly intended for people with reduced mobility in the lower train.

The chair is intended for use on very narrow roads, with a lot of slope (up to 60%) or with many stones. This type of roads is not accessible or practicable for other types of wheelchairs or for handbykes. Therefore, the chair of the invention increases autonomy for people with reduced mobility.

The chair has a seat carried by a series of wheels, as usual, but these wheels are arranged differently. It has two inclined rear wheels, arranged behind the seat, and converging on its upper rear. That is, they are not parallel and their closest point is in the rear and upper part of the wheels. So that you can enter very narrow roads and as a support point in the ascent between rocks and stones. In addition, in front of the seat there is a longitudinal front extension that supports a front wheel, with a crazy turn. In this way a three-point support is formed, which is very stable. Since the front wheel rotates crazy, its size will preferably be reduced so that it does not deform the assembly support area too much.

The extension also has a fixed handlebar in a position facing the seat. It can be used to include optional accessories, such as spotlights, tilt sensors (longitudinal and / or transverse), water bottles, brake buttons for the front wheel, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the chair also has a thrust wheel on each side of the seat, generally parallel, for self propelling and preferably removable. More preferably, its lower part will be in a lower plane than the rear wheels. Preferably, the extension supports fixing brackets of the user's feet.

In a more preferred embodiment, the extension supports a coupling for a cable, rope or the like, which allows the user to advance on difficult terrain with techniques similar to climbing without the need for traditional thrust wheels. The cable can be picked up in a drum or vacuum cleaner.

Other variants will be commented on in other points of the memory.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A series of figures are presented to facilitate the understanding of the invention:

Figure 1: schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 2: top view of the scheme of a second embodiment.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Next, an embodiment of the invention will be briefly described as an illustrative and non-limiting example thereof.

The chair of the embodiment shown in the figures comprises a seat (1), preferably narrow and with a harness or seat belt, carried by a series of wheels (2,3,4) which are classified into several types:

 - Two push wheels (2) generally parallel and approximately vertical, arranged on both sides of the seat (1). They correspond to the wheels of traditional wheelchairs for self-propulsion. Ideally they will be removable to reduce the effective width of the chair.

 - A front wheel (3), arranged in front of the seat (1), in a front extension (5). This front wheel (3) will preferably rotate madly on a vertical axis so that it can be oriented in any direction. An orientation angle limiter may be included that locks the front wheel (5) in position or limits the possible orientations to a precise angle.

- Two inclined rear wheels (4), arranged behind the seat (1). The rear wheels (4) have a double inclination to converge to their part upper back. That is, on the one hand, they converge on their upper part (the upper area of both rear wheels (4) is closer to the longitudinal axis of the chair than the lower zone), and on the other hand, they converge on its rear part (the rear end of the horizontal diameter of the rear wheels (4) is closer to the longitudinal axis of the chair than the front end).

The rear wheels (4) will be higher than the push wheels (2), so that they only touch the ground if the chair is tilted back or if the push wheels (2) have been removed. Thus, in the second situation, they will lower the center of gravity of the assembly to increase stability. If desired, the rear wheels (4), or any other wheel (2,3,4) or axle, will have a suspension or damping equipment.

The extension (5) of this embodiment is especially appreciated in Figure 1. It consists of a horizontal profile attached to the bottom of the seat (1) and finished off in the front wheel (3). From the profile there is a fixed handlebar (6) that will be arranged at an easy-to-reach point for the chair user. It serves for the person with reduced mobility to support the arms and have a comfortable posture.

In that handlebar (6) you can place a tilt sensor (gyroscope, accelerometer, bubble level, ...) that allows the user to know the inclination of the chair in the longitudinal and transverse axes and therefore the risk of tipping over . A brake, with Bowden cable, can also be placed for the front wheel (3) or for the push wheels (2). The chair can have a 360 ^e camera incorporated to record and study the terrain, a GPS and pivoting compass, as well as umbrellas, electric support motors (on the push wheels (2) preferably), batteries and a solar recharge panel these.

The chair carries, for example on the handlebar (6) or in front of it, a coupling (7) for a cable (8) or similar that allows the chair to be anchored to a fixed point. In this way you can install a safety path or lifeline, similar to those used in climbing. Moreover, this cable (8) allows the user of the chair to pulse, pulling or picking it up. The collection can be in a drum with two cranks for manual, motorized, freehand rotation, or by means of the “rope and fist” climbing technique. If the cable (8) is not collected at that point, a collection system can be made behind the seat, or at its height. This collection system can be a drum with a low power spring, which picks up the tensioned cable (8) or a vacuum cleaner. A more complicated solution is to define a hook on one end of the cable (8) that allows the chair to be anchored, or even a cable launch system (8). It can be seen in the figures that the extension (5) comprises stirrups (9) for fixing the user's feet, and can also have a fixation for the knees. This ensures that there are no uncontrolled movements of the lower train.

The chair of the figures comprises a handle (10) on the back that allows a user companion to assist you at specific times. On the one hand it allows to help place the chair in the starting position and on the other hand it will allow to compensate or stop the chair dump. This function is also fulfilled by the handlebar (6), at the opposite end of the chair. A handle (1 1) on the front, helps move and orient the chair to the starting position.

It is convenient to minimize the weight of the chair, so the pieces will be reduced to the maximum and light materials will be chosen.

The chair can be mountable by the user or his companions, and can be supplied as a construction kit type meccano, with the pieces in a suitcase, and with spare and replacement parts.

Claims

1 - Wheelchair for difficult roads, such as mountaineering and mountaineering or climbing, which has a seat (1) carried by a series of wheels (2,3,4), characterized by having:  two rear wheels (4) inclined, arranged behind the seat (1), and converging in its upper rear part;  a longitudinal front extension (5) that supports:  a handlebar (6) fixed in a position facing the seat (1)  a front wheel (3) arranged in front of the seat and with a crazy turn. 2- Wheelchair according to claim 1, which has a push wheel (2) on each side of the seat (1) for self-propelled. 3- Wheelchair according to claim 2, whose push wheels (2) are removable. 4- Wheelchair according to claim 2, whose thrust wheels (2) are in a lower plane than the rear wheels (4). 5- Wheelchair, according to claim 1, whose extension (5) supports brackets (9) for fixing the user's feet. 6- Wheelchair according to claim 1, whose handlebar (6) has a longitudinal and transverse tilt sensor. 7- Wheelchair according to claim 1, whose front wheel (3) has an orientation angle limiter. 8- Wheelchair according to claim 1, whose handlebar (6) comprises a front wheel brake (3). 9- Wheelchair according to claim 1, whose extension (5) supports a coupling (7) for a cable (8) or the like. 10- Wheelchair according to claim 9, comprising a drum or vacuum cleaner for collecting the cable (8) or the like. 1 1 - Wheelchair according to claim 1, comprising a handle (10) behind the seat (1).