Modular standing frame

• US 7,614,639 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2005
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altimate Medical, Inc. (Altimate Medical Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Invacare Corporation
• Inventors: Trotter, Duffy, Trotter, legal representative, Schmidt, Jeffrey, Lokken, Michael, Ovre, Wesley, Tholkes, Alan L., Routh, Gabriel
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis; Christopher P
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEYER, JACOB B
• Application Number:
  US11/247,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20060097557A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,491 Days
• Field of Search: 280/638, 280/642, 280/643, 280/47.4, 280/47.41, 297/1, 297/344.12, 297/338, 297/339, 297/423.11, 297/423.39
• US Class Current: 280/638
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 9/002 with exercising means or having special therapeutic or ergonomic effects
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/36 standing
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/74 for anti-shear when adjusting furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/023 acting directly on hubs or axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/026 Cranks or hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1094 Tables, working plates or trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/02 Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2001/0211 Walking coordination of arms and legs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0441 cantilevered about two horizontal axes, e.g. parallelogram systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0452 the foot support being substantially below said axes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0018 for wheelchair users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00072 by changing the length of a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03575 Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 for handicapped persons

Abstract

A modular standing frame is described herein. The modular standing frame has a chair module adapted to raise and lower a user between sitting and standing postures without inducing shear between the user and the seat and seat back of the chair module. The chair module may be selectively coupled to one of a glider module adapted to provide walking-type exercise to a standing user, a workstation module that provides a work surface for a sitting or standing user, and a mobility module that allows the standing frame to be moved about by a user much like a wheel chair.

Claims

1. A modular standing frame for lifting and supporting a user in moving from a sitting posture to a standing posture, comprising:

a chair module that is movable between a seated condition for supporting a user in a sitting posture, and a standing condition for supporting a user in a standing posture; and

a plurality of accessory modules;

wherein the chair module can be interchangeably connected with at least two of the accessory modules;

wherein the chair module further includes a seat and a seat back;

the distance between a knee pivot joint of the chair module and a hip pivot joint of the chair module is adjustable to fit the user;

the distance between a seat back and a hip pivot joint of the chair module is adjustable to fit the user;

the chair module includes portions that form a four bar linkage that maintains the seat back in its angular orientation relative to vertical as the chair module moves between a sitting posture and a standing posture; and

whereby as the chair module moves from the sitting posture to the standing posture, there is substantially no shear between the user'"'"'s body and the seat and the seat back of the chair module.

2. A modular standing frame as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plurality of accessory modules includes at least two of a glider module, a workstation module, and a mobility module.

3. A modular standing frame as set forth in claim 1 including a workstation module that has a work surface that is movable vertically with the chair module as the chair module moves between the seated condition and the standing condition.

4. A modular standing frame as set forth in claim 3 wherein the work surface is movable between a first position on the workstation module and a second position on the chair module and movable vertically with the chair module.

5. A modular standing frame as set forth in claim 1 including a workstation and a chest pad that is movable vertically with a work surface of the workstation accessory module as the work surface moves vertically with the chair module.

6. A modular standing frame as set forth in claim 1 wherein the chair module has a first coupling portion and each one of the plurality of accessory modules has a second coupling portion that is adapted to engage the first coupling portion on the chair module to releasably and interchangeably couple the accessory module to the chair module.

7. A modular standing frame as set forth in claim 6 wherein the second coupling portion on any selected one of the plurality of accessory modules is functionally identical to the second coupling portion on any other one of the plurality of accessory modules.

8. A modular standing frame as set forth in claim 6 wherein the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion when engaged with each other are joined by one or more bolts.

9. The modular standing frame of claim 1 wherein the plurality of accessory modules includes a glider module, and the glider module further comprises a knee support that may be rotated into supportive contact with the knees of a user of the modular standing frame.

10. The modular standing frame of claim 9 wherein the glider module further comprises a pair of foot rests coupled to a pair of reciprocating legs, the legs having extending from an upper end thereof handles that reciprocate in opposition to the legs.

11. The modular standing frame of claim 10 wherein the legs of the glider module are each formed of a pair interlocking channels that are constructed and arranged to rotate as a four-bar linkage.

12. The modular standing frame of claim 11 wherein each of the legs has a bracket coupled to a bottom end thereof between the pair of interlocking channels, each bracket having secured thereto a foot rest that reciprocates with the legs and which maintains substantially the same orientation with respect to a reference surface as the legs reciprocate.

13. The modular standing frame of claim 12 wherein the legs of the glider module are coupled to a vertical column that is itself coupled to a coupling bar, the coupling bar being adapted for connection to the chair module.

14. The modular standing frame of claim 1 wherein the plurality of accessory modules includes a workstation module that comprises a vertical column that is secured to a coupling bar that is itself adapted for connection to the chair module.

15. The modular standing frame of claim 14 wherein the workstation module further comprises a vertical shaft telescopically received within the vertical column and a work surface coupled to the top of the vertical shaft.

16. The modular standing frame of claim 14 further comprising a chest pad.

17. The modular standing frame of claim 1 wherein the plurality of accessory modules includes a mobility module that comprises a pair of hand wheels coupled to a pair of drive wheels by one of a chain and a belt, the hand wheels and drive wheels being secured to a column that is itself joined to a coupling bar adapted to secure the mobility module to the chair module.

18. The modular standing frame of claim 17 wherein the mobility module further comprises at least one motor coupled to the drive wheels.

19. The modular standing frame of claim 1 wherein the chair module further comprises an armature coupled to a hip plate of the chair module and a work surface coupled to a free end of the armature, and wherein the chair module is usable in any position between a seated position and a full standing position.

20. The modular standing frame of claim 1 wherein the chair module further comprises an armature coupled to the hip plate of the chair module and a work surface coupled to a free end of the armature, the armature and work surface rotating with an upper seat frame of the chair module in all positions from a seated position to a standing position, the work surface maintaining its position relative to the user.

21. A modular standing frame for lifting and supporting a user in moving from a sitting posture to a standing posture, comprising:

a chair module that is movable between a seated condition for supporting a user in a sitting posture, and a standing condition for supporting a user in a standing posture; and

a plurality of accessory modules;

wherein the chair module can be interchangeably connected with at least two of the accessory modules;

a support member hingedly connected to a lower seat frame with a seat, the seat frame having a secondary hip plate extending therefrom;

an upper seat frame with a seat back, the upper seat frame having a hip plate extending therefrom, the hip plate and the secondary hip plate rotatably coupling the upper seat frame to the lower seat frame;

an extensor mechanism coupled between the support member and the lower seat frame, the extensor mechanism being constructed and arranged to rotate the lower seat frame between a lower, seated posture and an upper, standing posture;

an adjustment member coupled between the support member and the upper seat frame, the adjustment member being extendable and retractable to control the angle of the upper seat frame with respect to the lower seat frame;

the support member, lower seat frame, upper seat frame, and adjustment member forming an effective four-bar linkage that ensures that the upper seat frame retains its angular orientation with respect to a reference surface in its seated posture, its standing posture, and in transition therebetween.

22. The modular standing frame of claim 21 wherein the support member of the chair module is further provided with a pair of removable and adjustable foot rests, the foot rests being adjustable vertically and about an axis parallel to the axis of the hinge connecting the lower seat frame to the support member, the foot rests having a foot plate that may be angled to approximate the degree of supination/pronation of a user'"'"'s foot, the adjustments of the foot rests of the chair module of the modular standing frame being such as to enable the users knee joint to be substantially aligned with the hinge connecting the lower seat frame to the support member.

23. The modular standing frame of claim 21 wherein the lower seat frame is extendable so as to permit the upper seat frame to be moved relative to the hinge connecting the lower seat frame to the support member, thereby enabling the joint coupling the hip plate to the secondary hip plate to be substantially aligned with the hip joint of the user'"'"'s hip.

24. The modular standing frame of claim 21 wherein the adjustment member controls the angle of the upper seat frame.

25. The modular standing frame of claim 21 wherein the chair module further comprises an armature coupled to the hip plate of the chair module and a work surface coupled to a free end of the armature, the armature and work surface rotating with the upper seat frame and maintaining their angular orientation with respect to a reference surface.

26. A modular standing frame comprising:

a chair module that is movable between a seated condition for supporting a user in a seated position, and a standing condition for supporting a user in a standing position; and

a workstation module;

the chair module having a first coupling portion for releasably coupling the chair module with a selected one of a plurality of different accessory modules including the workstation module;

the workstation module having a second coupling portion that is adapted to engage the first coupling portion on the chair module thereby to releasably couple the workstation module to the chair module;

the chair module being movable between the seated condition and the standing condition when the chair module is coupled to the workstation module; and

the workstation module including a work surface that is movable from a lowered condition to a raised condition in response to movement of the chair module from the seated condition to the standing condition;

wherein the workstation module has a vertically movable shaft that supports the work surface for vertical movement within the workstation module, independent of the chair module;

the work surface being detachable from the workstation module and attachable to the chair module to enable movement of the work surface from a lowered condition to a raised condition in response to movement of the chair module from the seated condition to the standing condition.

27. A modular standing frame as set forth in claim 26 wherein the work surface remains substantially parallel to the floor on which the chair module rests during movement of the chair module from the seated condition to the standing condition.

28. A modular standing frame for lifting and supporting a user in moving from a sitting posture to a standing posture, comprising:

a chair module that raises a user from a sitting posture to a standing posture, the chair module including a seat and a back rest; and

at least one accessory module that can be releasably connected with the chair module;

wherein as the chair module moves from the sitting posture to the standing posture, there is substantially no shear between the user'"'"'s body and the seat and the back rest of the chair module; and

wherein;

the distance between a knee pivot joint of the chair module and a hip pivot joint of the chair module is adjustable to fit the user;

the distance between a seat back and a hip pivot joint of the chair module is adjustable to fit the user, and

the chair module includes portions that form a four bar linkage that maintains the seat back in its angular orientation relative to vertical as the chair module moves between a sitting posture and a standing posture.

29. The modular standing frame of claim 28 further including an offset hinge fixed to the seat of the chair module, that extends downward and rearward from the knee pivot joint of the chair module, thereby to position the seat below the knee pivot joint when the chair module is in a sitting posture.