Therapeutic Automated Automatically Controlled Shifting Wheelchair Seat

• US 20080097254A1
• Filed: 10/23/2006
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hank Torres
• Original Assignee: Hank Torres
• Inventors: Marsden, Randal Jay, Torres, Hank
• Granted Patent: US 7,635,164 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/23
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/20 Displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/42 for inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/44 for weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2210/10 for orthopedics
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/045 Rear wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1043 Cushions specially adapted for wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1059 adjusting the height of the seat
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1081 with shock absorbers or other suspension arrangements between frame and seat
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/02 Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0149 Seat or chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0431 in 90°/90°-position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0224 Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/39 Seats tiltable to compensate for roll inclination of vehicles

Abstract

A controller module for a wheelchair automatically, automatedly adjusts position of the wheelchair seat with respect to the wheelchair base. The wheelchair seat is pivotally connected to the wheelchair base, and the seat is moveable with respect to the base by a powered actuator. The controller module includes a microprocessor connected to the powered actuator. The microprocessor controls operation of the powered actuator, such as by varying power to the actuator. A sensor, such as a 3-axis sensor, is connected to the microprocessor. The sensor senses seat position and signals the microprocessor of the position. The microprocessor performs a programmed sequence, to periodically adjust the seat position when the wheelchair seat is occupied. The signal from the sensor is feedback to the microprocessor for operations according to the programmed sequence. The controller module includes interfaces for use in making selections among options for the programmed sequence. A display of the controller module can provide output information. The controller module also includes other interfaces for input and output, such as for programming the microprocessor, settings, and otherwise. The controller module can provide medical and therapeutic benefits by operations of periodically adjusting the seat position, thereby varying a wheelchair occupant'"'"'s pressure contacts, weights, and loadings against the seat.

Claims

1. A wheelchair, comprising:

a base;

a seat pivotally connected to the base;

an actuator connected to the base and the seat; and

a controller programmed to periodically vary position of the seat with respect to the base.

2. The wheelchair of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor, connected to the controller for determining position of the seat at intervals by the controller, to selectively vary operations of the controller in varying position of the seat with respect to the base.

3. The wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the actuator is capable of rotating pitch and yaw of the seat in respect to the base.

4. The wheelchair of claim 2, wherein the actuator is capable of rotating pitch and yaw of the seat in respect to the base.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a program for operating the controller, the program including options for selectively varying seat position.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a user interface connected to the controller, for selectively directing operations of the controller.

7. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a display of the user interface, for showing status of operations of the wheelchair, including in varying seat position by the controller and actuator operations.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensor is a 3-axis sensor.

9. A method of operating a wheelchair, comprising the steps of:

providing a seat pivotally connected to a base, for at least two degrees of freedom of movement of the seat with respect to the base;

automatedly shifting the seat with respect to the base;

sensing a position of the seat upon the step of automatedly shifting;

varying the step of automatedly shifting in response to the step of sensing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of automatedly shifting recurs continuously over a period of time.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

automatically controlling the step of automatedly shifting, to perform the step at time intervals.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of automatically controlling is dictated by a preprogrammed control sequence.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

interfacing with the preprogrammed control sequence to vary the sequence.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

interfacing with the preprogrammed control sequence to select an option for the sequence.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

inputting a preprogrammed control sequence to perform the step of automatically controlling.

16. A wheelchair, comprising:

a base, including powered features;

a seat pivotally connected to the base, for at least two directions of freedom of movement of the seat with respect to the base;

a first actuator connected to the seat and the base;

a second actuator connected to the seat and the base;

a controller connected to the first actuator and the second actuator;

a user interface panel connected to the controller;

a program of the controller, operable via the user interface panel, for periodically activating the first activator and the second activator according to the program;

a sensor connected to the controller, for determining position of the seat;

wherein the program, at intervals, operates the controller to adjust the seat in respect to the base in order to vary positioning of the seat and the sensor signals the controller based on determining position of the seat as input to the program.

17. The wheelchair of claim 17, wherein the program sufficiently varies position of the seat via seat adjustment in respect to the base, to provide medical advantage.

18. A controller module for a wheelchair, the wheelchair including a seat pivotally connected to a base, the seat being moveable with respect to the base by a powered actuator, comprising:

a microprocessor connected to the powered actuator for controlling operation of the powered actuator;

a sensor connected to the microprocessor, the sensor detects position of the seat with respect to the base, the sensor capable of communicating a signal to the microprocessor indicative of seat position with respect to the base;

a program of the microprocessor, operable in accordance with input of the signal of the sensor for logically operating the microprocessor to control the powered actuator to move the seat with respect to the base at select instant.

19. The controller module of claim 18, wherein the controller module is packaged as a unit for attachment to a conventional wheelchair.

20. The controller module of claim 18, further comprising:

an interface for varying the program.