CA1241903A - Legrest for wheelchairs - Google Patents
Legrest for wheelchairsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1241903A CA1241903A CA000555404A CA555404A CA1241903A CA 1241903 A CA1241903 A CA 1241903A CA 000555404 A CA000555404 A CA 000555404A CA 555404 A CA555404 A CA 555404A CA 1241903 A CA1241903 A CA 1241903A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- support
- rod
- monoblock
- leg restraint
- leg
- 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.)
- Expired
Links
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
- A61G5/10—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
- A61G5/128—Rests specially adapted therefor, e.g. for the head or the feet for feet
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)
- Handcart (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This invention relates to mobile equipment such as wheelchairs and more particularly to a leg restraint adapted to wheelchairs comprising a structure allowing an upright position. Said restraint comprises a monoblock leg support having locking means specially designed to be easily operated by a handicapped person.
Said monoblock support being pivotally fixed at one extremity to allow access to the wheelchair. This restraint is used to hold the legs and more particularly the lower leg knees of a weak or handicapped person in place when in an upright position.
This invention relates to mobile equipment such as wheelchairs and more particularly to a leg restraint adapted to wheelchairs comprising a structure allowing an upright position. Said restraint comprises a monoblock leg support having locking means specially designed to be easily operated by a handicapped person.
Said monoblock support being pivotally fixed at one extremity to allow access to the wheelchair. This restraint is used to hold the legs and more particularly the lower leg knees of a weak or handicapped person in place when in an upright position.
Description
~L2~
FIE!LD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to mobile equipment such as wheelchairs and more particularly to a leg restraint adapted to wheelchairs comprising a structure allowing an upright position.
DESCRIP`TIOIl OF PRIOR ART
Numerous types of wheelchairs have been designed in an effort to accommodate the needs of the orthopedically disabled person.
Recently, there has been a recognition of the need for equipment to elevate such a person from a horizontal or sitting position to a standing position.
By means of such wheelchairs, the handicapped person is able to perform his (her) day-to-day functions.
However, it has been observed that such wheelchairs having elevation means could not be used by all handicapped persons or invalids. In fact, for certain handicaps or invalidities, the subject has insufficient, or no muscular control to remain in a stable position against the upright supporting plan represented by the raised articulated structure of such a wheelchair.
Therefore, it is important to provide these people with an additional device that will support them in the upright and even in the sitting position and restrain them so that they do not slip sideways and/or have their legs or torso collapse.
A few supporting devices have been developped to be adapted to such wheelchairs so as to provide additional support in upright and/or sitting positions.
FIE!LD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to mobile equipment such as wheelchairs and more particularly to a leg restraint adapted to wheelchairs comprising a structure allowing an upright position.
DESCRIP`TIOIl OF PRIOR ART
Numerous types of wheelchairs have been designed in an effort to accommodate the needs of the orthopedically disabled person.
Recently, there has been a recognition of the need for equipment to elevate such a person from a horizontal or sitting position to a standing position.
By means of such wheelchairs, the handicapped person is able to perform his (her) day-to-day functions.
However, it has been observed that such wheelchairs having elevation means could not be used by all handicapped persons or invalids. In fact, for certain handicaps or invalidities, the subject has insufficient, or no muscular control to remain in a stable position against the upright supporting plan represented by the raised articulated structure of such a wheelchair.
Therefore, it is important to provide these people with an additional device that will support them in the upright and even in the sitting position and restrain them so that they do not slip sideways and/or have their legs or torso collapse.
A few supporting devices have been developped to be adapted to such wheelchairs so as to provide additional support in upright and/or sitting positions.
2~L1903 US patent no. 4,623,194 tPillot) shows a wheelchair having a set of means comprising two cradle elements adapted to be immobilized in a horizontal plane in alignment to form leg supports fitting over the front of the legs of the subject.
The main drawback of this device is that same i5 difficult to manipulate, therefore a handicapped person has difficulties to lock same in the proper position. In addition, there is a danger of looseness of the two cradle elements should same not be properly engaged.
US patent 4,054,319 (Fogg Jr et al) shows a wheelchair having lifting means. The chair is provided with a padded knee restraint which is hingedly mounted by sockets bolted so as to enable it to swing in and out of its operative position.
Prior art devices of this type suffer particularly from deficiencies in the construction of the locking device and the mounting of the knee or leg restraint to the chair. Thus in many cases, the handicapped person needs outside help to install said device correctly and/or to make sure that the restraint is securly locked in position.
The essence of the present invention over the prior art is its simplicity which allows the person to use the restraint without the need of outside help. Thus, the prior art is generally deficient in that it has failed to provide a knee or leg supporting device which can be efficiently operated by the handicapped person.
OBJeCTS OF TBE PRESENT INVENTION
A first object of the present invention is to provide a leg restraint for wheelchairs and more particularly for wheelchairs having a structure allowing an upright position.
-- ~24~
A second object of the present invention is to provide a leg restraint for wheelchairs which is easy to manipulate by a handicapped person.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a leg restraint being suitable for retrofitting on existing wheelchairs.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a leg restraint for wheelchairs which is simple, robust, reliable and does not .require any particular maintenance to be in a good operational condition.
These and other objects will be obtained by means of a leg restraint for wheelchairs comprising:
- a monoblock leg support having a first extremity and a second extremity;
- a pad secured to said monoblock support;
- a first vertically extending rod provided with an anchoring means attached to said support near said first extremity;
- a second vertically extending rod pivotably fixed to said support near said second extremity;
- a first upright support and a second upright support securable to said wheelchair to receive respectively said first rod and said second rod.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Other objects, advantages, and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art ~24~L9~3 when the accompanying description of one example of the best mode contemplated for practice is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of a wheelchair comprising the leg restraint according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the leg restraint shown in figure 1 and more particularly of a detail of the locking portion of same.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the leg restraint shown in figure 1 and more particularly to a detail of the pivoting means.
Figure 4 is a sectional detail of the leg restraint shown in figure 1.
Figure 5 is a top view of the leg restraint shown in figure 1.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERReD EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings where like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings, there is shown in figure 1 a wheelchair 10 comprising a frame 20, a sitting surface 70 provided with a cushion 72, a back rest 25, a pair of arm rests 30, a pair of large drive-wheels 40, a pair of small front wheels 90 and a first footrest 100, a second footrest 200 (not shown) and a leg restraint or support 300 removably attached .to said first and second footrest.
The wheelchair 10, according to the present invention, is also provided with a structure generally referred to as 50 which allows the user to be in an upright position.
~2419~)~
As seen fn figures 1 and 3, the footrest 100 comprises an upright support 110 while said second footrest comprises an upright support 210. Said supports 110 and 210 are mounted to the footrest 100 and 200 respectively by plates 115 and 215. Said plates are movably secured to their respective footrest so as to allow forward adjustment of leg restraint 300.
Said leg restraint 300 is adapted to fit over the front of the subject's legs so as to immobilize same in an upright or sitting position and further comprises a knee pad 370 fixed to the U
shaped frame 350 by means of the screw 340. Said knee pad 370 is specially shaped so as to accomodate said subject's legs.
The knee pad 370 may be custom designed so as to provide a perfect fit for a particular user.
As best shown in figure 3 and as previously mentioned, the leg restraint 300 is made up of a frame 350 having at one extremity an offset fork joint 390 and a rounded rod 380 rotably attached to same by means of a bolt 360. The rounded rod 380 is mounted to rotate inside the upright support 210 of the second footrest along a generally vertical axis. Said rotation is necessary to permit access by the handicapped person to the wheelchair. The rotation is indicated by the arrow F2.
It should be noted that it is also possible to pivot the leg restraint, toward the outside when same is not in use as shown by arrow F3.
With reference to figure 2, the knee restraint 300 is maintained in the locking position by means of the locking device 400.
Said locking device comprises a hook 470 having generally an inverted "L" shape which is mounted to the horizontal support 407 by the bolt 440. Resilient means 450 are used to keep same in the locking position shown in figure 2.
~2~90~
The horizontal support 407 is mechanically fixed to a vertical squared rod 408 by welding or any other known method. The upper portion of the hook 470 rests against an horizontal plate 460.
Said rod 408 is squared so as to avoid rotation of same when properly placed in the upright support 110 which also has a square cross-section. Any other known means may be used to prevent rotation of rod 408.
Rods 408 and 380 are provided with holes, respectively generally refered as number 409 and 385 which cooperate with pins 112 and 212 to allow the height of the leg restraint to be adjusted according to the user's needs. Each of said supports 110 and 210 is provided with a ring 113 and 213 on which pins 112 and 212 respectively rests.
To release the leg restraint 300 from the locking device 400, it is simply necessary to apply an upward force on the handle 430 as shown by arrow Fl. Such a force may be applied by the hand without the need to have functional use of fingers thus allowing even severly handicapped persons to operate same.
This construction also provides protection from inadvertently releasing of the restraint.
The leg restraint 300 is engaged into the locking device 400 by means of the lug element 410 provided with the engaging element 420 both of which are attached to frame 350.
The front end 480 of the hook 470 is specially shaped so as to force same to open and to cooperate with said lug element 410 of the leg restraint 300 when same is pushed horizontally against said hook. Indeed, the hook 470 and the lug element 410 cooperate together in a substantially horizontal plane.
The inclination of the leg restraint support 300 may be modified by the screw 395 which rest against the frame 350. By so doing the lug element 410 is adjusted to fit perfectly into the locking :`
, , :
191~3 device 400. Again, because a simple push is sufficient, without any need for vertical adjustment, even severly handicapped person may operate the locking device.
It is important to note that when the leg restraint is used with a wheelchair provided with a lifting structure, the restraint should be engaged prior to the elevation for obvious reasons.
Finally, it should be noted that the leg restraint may be removed from the upright supports 110 and 210 simply by vertically extracting rods 380 and 408 from the supports.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but on the contrary, various modifications may be added to same without departing from the scope and spirit of said invention.
The main drawback of this device is that same i5 difficult to manipulate, therefore a handicapped person has difficulties to lock same in the proper position. In addition, there is a danger of looseness of the two cradle elements should same not be properly engaged.
US patent 4,054,319 (Fogg Jr et al) shows a wheelchair having lifting means. The chair is provided with a padded knee restraint which is hingedly mounted by sockets bolted so as to enable it to swing in and out of its operative position.
Prior art devices of this type suffer particularly from deficiencies in the construction of the locking device and the mounting of the knee or leg restraint to the chair. Thus in many cases, the handicapped person needs outside help to install said device correctly and/or to make sure that the restraint is securly locked in position.
The essence of the present invention over the prior art is its simplicity which allows the person to use the restraint without the need of outside help. Thus, the prior art is generally deficient in that it has failed to provide a knee or leg supporting device which can be efficiently operated by the handicapped person.
OBJeCTS OF TBE PRESENT INVENTION
A first object of the present invention is to provide a leg restraint for wheelchairs and more particularly for wheelchairs having a structure allowing an upright position.
-- ~24~
A second object of the present invention is to provide a leg restraint for wheelchairs which is easy to manipulate by a handicapped person.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a leg restraint being suitable for retrofitting on existing wheelchairs.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a leg restraint for wheelchairs which is simple, robust, reliable and does not .require any particular maintenance to be in a good operational condition.
These and other objects will be obtained by means of a leg restraint for wheelchairs comprising:
- a monoblock leg support having a first extremity and a second extremity;
- a pad secured to said monoblock support;
- a first vertically extending rod provided with an anchoring means attached to said support near said first extremity;
- a second vertically extending rod pivotably fixed to said support near said second extremity;
- a first upright support and a second upright support securable to said wheelchair to receive respectively said first rod and said second rod.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Other objects, advantages, and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art ~24~L9~3 when the accompanying description of one example of the best mode contemplated for practice is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of a wheelchair comprising the leg restraint according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the leg restraint shown in figure 1 and more particularly of a detail of the locking portion of same.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the leg restraint shown in figure 1 and more particularly to a detail of the pivoting means.
Figure 4 is a sectional detail of the leg restraint shown in figure 1.
Figure 5 is a top view of the leg restraint shown in figure 1.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERReD EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings where like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings, there is shown in figure 1 a wheelchair 10 comprising a frame 20, a sitting surface 70 provided with a cushion 72, a back rest 25, a pair of arm rests 30, a pair of large drive-wheels 40, a pair of small front wheels 90 and a first footrest 100, a second footrest 200 (not shown) and a leg restraint or support 300 removably attached .to said first and second footrest.
The wheelchair 10, according to the present invention, is also provided with a structure generally referred to as 50 which allows the user to be in an upright position.
~2419~)~
As seen fn figures 1 and 3, the footrest 100 comprises an upright support 110 while said second footrest comprises an upright support 210. Said supports 110 and 210 are mounted to the footrest 100 and 200 respectively by plates 115 and 215. Said plates are movably secured to their respective footrest so as to allow forward adjustment of leg restraint 300.
Said leg restraint 300 is adapted to fit over the front of the subject's legs so as to immobilize same in an upright or sitting position and further comprises a knee pad 370 fixed to the U
shaped frame 350 by means of the screw 340. Said knee pad 370 is specially shaped so as to accomodate said subject's legs.
The knee pad 370 may be custom designed so as to provide a perfect fit for a particular user.
As best shown in figure 3 and as previously mentioned, the leg restraint 300 is made up of a frame 350 having at one extremity an offset fork joint 390 and a rounded rod 380 rotably attached to same by means of a bolt 360. The rounded rod 380 is mounted to rotate inside the upright support 210 of the second footrest along a generally vertical axis. Said rotation is necessary to permit access by the handicapped person to the wheelchair. The rotation is indicated by the arrow F2.
It should be noted that it is also possible to pivot the leg restraint, toward the outside when same is not in use as shown by arrow F3.
With reference to figure 2, the knee restraint 300 is maintained in the locking position by means of the locking device 400.
Said locking device comprises a hook 470 having generally an inverted "L" shape which is mounted to the horizontal support 407 by the bolt 440. Resilient means 450 are used to keep same in the locking position shown in figure 2.
~2~90~
The horizontal support 407 is mechanically fixed to a vertical squared rod 408 by welding or any other known method. The upper portion of the hook 470 rests against an horizontal plate 460.
Said rod 408 is squared so as to avoid rotation of same when properly placed in the upright support 110 which also has a square cross-section. Any other known means may be used to prevent rotation of rod 408.
Rods 408 and 380 are provided with holes, respectively generally refered as number 409 and 385 which cooperate with pins 112 and 212 to allow the height of the leg restraint to be adjusted according to the user's needs. Each of said supports 110 and 210 is provided with a ring 113 and 213 on which pins 112 and 212 respectively rests.
To release the leg restraint 300 from the locking device 400, it is simply necessary to apply an upward force on the handle 430 as shown by arrow Fl. Such a force may be applied by the hand without the need to have functional use of fingers thus allowing even severly handicapped persons to operate same.
This construction also provides protection from inadvertently releasing of the restraint.
The leg restraint 300 is engaged into the locking device 400 by means of the lug element 410 provided with the engaging element 420 both of which are attached to frame 350.
The front end 480 of the hook 470 is specially shaped so as to force same to open and to cooperate with said lug element 410 of the leg restraint 300 when same is pushed horizontally against said hook. Indeed, the hook 470 and the lug element 410 cooperate together in a substantially horizontal plane.
The inclination of the leg restraint support 300 may be modified by the screw 395 which rest against the frame 350. By so doing the lug element 410 is adjusted to fit perfectly into the locking :`
, , :
191~3 device 400. Again, because a simple push is sufficient, without any need for vertical adjustment, even severly handicapped person may operate the locking device.
It is important to note that when the leg restraint is used with a wheelchair provided with a lifting structure, the restraint should be engaged prior to the elevation for obvious reasons.
Finally, it should be noted that the leg restraint may be removed from the upright supports 110 and 210 simply by vertically extracting rods 380 and 408 from the supports.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but on the contrary, various modifications may be added to same without departing from the scope and spirit of said invention.
Claims (5)
1) A leg restraint for wheelchair comprising:
- a monoblock leg support having a first extremity and a second extremity;
- a pad secured to said monoblock support;
- a first vertically extending rod provided with an anchoring means attached to said support near said first extremity;
- a second vertically extending rod pivotably fixed to said support near said second extremity;
- a first upright support and a second upright support securable to said wheelchair to receive respectively said first rod and said second rod.
- a monoblock leg support having a first extremity and a second extremity;
- a pad secured to said monoblock support;
- a first vertically extending rod provided with an anchoring means attached to said support near said first extremity;
- a second vertically extending rod pivotably fixed to said support near said second extremity;
- a first upright support and a second upright support securable to said wheelchair to receive respectively said first rod and said second rod.
2) A leg restraint according to claim 1 wherein said second rod is round in cross-section so as to allow rotation of the monoblock support with respect to said second upright support.
3) A leg restraint according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the first rod and the corresponding first upright support have a non circular cross-section so as to limit rotation of said first rod with respect to said first upright support.
4) A leg restraint according to claim 1 wherein said second rod is round in cross-section so as to allow rotation of the monoblock support with respect to said second upright support and wherein the first rod and the corresponding first upright support have a non circular cross-section so as to limit rotation of the anchoring means with respect to said first upright support.
5) A leg restraint according to claim 1, 2 or 4 wherein the anchoring means comprise;
- a hook moveable from an operative position to a non-operative position mounted to said first rod;
- a resilient means fixed to said hook in order to keep same in its operative position;
- a lug element attached to said monoblock support cooperating with said hook to hold said monoblock support in place.
- a hook moveable from an operative position to a non-operative position mounted to said first rod;
- a resilient means fixed to said hook in order to keep same in its operative position;
- a lug element attached to said monoblock support cooperating with said hook to hold said monoblock support in place.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000555404A CA1241903A (en) | 1987-12-24 | 1987-12-24 | Legrest for wheelchairs |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000555404A CA1241903A (en) | 1987-12-24 | 1987-12-24 | Legrest for wheelchairs |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1241903A true CA1241903A (en) | 1988-09-13 |
Family
ID=4137155
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000555404A Expired CA1241903A (en) | 1987-12-24 | 1987-12-24 | Legrest for wheelchairs |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1241903A (en) |
-
1987
- 1987-12-24 CA CA000555404A patent/CA1241903A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |