Chair with Mechanism to Assist Standing Up and Sitting Down for Elderly or Disabled Persons

• US 20130175840A1
• Filed: 07/21/2011
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Moran Nadav
• Original Assignee: Moran Nadav
• Inventors: Nadav, Moran
• Application Number:
  US13/811,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20130175840A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/313
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids

Abstract

The present invention provides a self-assist chair (100) comprising; a chair frame portion (110), a moveable and tiltable seat portion (150) spaced apart from the horizontal back portion (160), a track (120, 130) and roller (180, 190) system allowing movement of the seat portion (150) of the chair, a spring (200) mechanism connecting the seat portion (150) of said chair (100) and a horizontally moveable part of said chair frame (110) portion. The spring (200) mechanism of the self-assist chair (100) includes a track guided release mechanism responsive to forward movement such that movement of the rollers (180, 190) on the tracks (120, 130) to a preset position releases the spring (200), thereby urging and tilting the seat portion (150) upwards facilitating the exit of a user from a chair (100). Conversely a compressing mechanism is responsive to backward movement of the rollers (180, 190) on the tracks (120, 130) to a preset position compresses the spring (200), urging and flattening the seat portion (150) to a horizontal plane facilitating the entry of a user into a chair (100).

Claims

1-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A self-assist chair comprising;

a. a chair frame portion,

b. a back rest,

c. a moveable and tiltable seat portion,

d. a track within said frame portion,

e. a roller system movable within said track;

said track allowing movement of said seat portion, and

f. a spring mechanism connecting the seat portion of said chair to a horizontally moveable part of said chair frame portion,

wherein the spring mechanism includes a track guided mechanism responsive to displacement of said seat portion such that movement of said rollers on said tracks to a preset position releases said spring, thereby urging and tilting said seat portion upwards facilitating the exit of a user from said chair.

33. The chair of claim 32, wherein said spring mechanism comprises a spring element selected from the group consisting of a compression spring and an extension spring.

34. The chair of claim 32, wherein said tiltable and moveable seat portion is fixable in a position so as to prevent further unwanted movement of the seat.

35. The chair of claim 32, wherein said tiltable and moveable seat portion is attached to a horizontal panel below the seat portion by at least one articulated connection and at least one spring.

36. The chair of claim 32, wherein said at least one spring is located at any position between the seat panel and horizontal panel beneath, including randomly distributed positions, diagonal rows, front to back rows, side to side rows, at the corners of the seat or any combination thereof.

37. The chair of claim 32, wherein the seat portion, back rest and arm rests are covered in an ergonomic cushioning material, preferably egg crate foam cushion so as to prevent pressure sores.

38. The chair of claim 32, wherein the track and roller mechanism are hidden from view on each side by a side panel.

39. The chair of claim 32, wherein said seat portion is movable away from the seat back along a first track using at least one pair of attached rollers, said attached panel moves in a horizontal plane along a second track using at least two pairs of attached rollers.

40. The chair of claim 32, wherein at least two anterior cushioned and upholstered portions, joined in series to the seat portion, are movable along said second track so as to allow the seat portion to move forward and tilt, while providing protective padding for the user.

41. The chair of claim 32, wherein said seat portion is movable upward along said first track while the attached seat panel is movable in a horizontal plane away from the back rest of the chair as affected by said spring mechanism.

42. The chair of claim 32, wherein said seat portion is movable upward along said first track while the attached seat panel is movable in a horizontal plane away from the back rest of the chair as affected by said spring mechanism.

43. The chair of claim 32, wherein said seat portion is driven by said spring mechanism into a position at an angle of between about 0°

and 90°

, but preferably between about 40° and

70°

from said horizontal panel.

44. The chair of claim 32, wherein the supporting force applied to the user by said seat portion is in a range between about 200 N and about 800 N when said user stands up from or sits down into said chair.

45. The chair of claim 44, wherein said supporting force is adjustable by said chair user.

46. The chair of claim 32, wherein said back rest is hinged to said seat portion and loosely anchored to said frame portion such that said back portion and back rest are displaceable in a swinging manner as affected by said spring mechanism.

47. The chair of claim 32, wherein said back rest is anchored by a rod mechanically connected to said frame portion;

at least one elongate ear accommodating said rod is connected to said back rest at a reverse thereof such that said back rest is slidably displaceable relative to said rod.

48. In a self assisting chair, having a frame, a seat portion, with at least two connected articulated panels in the anterior portion of the seat, a backrest portion and supporting legs, is provided a spring mechanism activated by the movement of portions of the chair by rollers guided by pre-determined tracks, wherein said self-assisting chair lowers the weight load of the user by at least 40 kg.

49. A method of assisting a physically limited user in attaining a sitting position or exiting from a sitting position comprising the steps of;

a. providing a specially adapted chair, said chair further comprising

i. a moveable and tiltable seat portion,

ii. further moveable portions connected to said seat portion,

iii. tracks to guide the movement of sections of said chair along rollers,

iv. a spring;

b. supporting the user by applying a supporting force to the user by said seat portion in a range between about 200 N and about 800 N when said user stands up from or sits down into said chair;

wherein said step of supporting the user is performed by the tilting and sliding motion of the seat portion as affected by said released spring.