Therapeutic automated automatically controlled shifting wheelchair seat

• US 7,635,164 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2006
• Issued: 12/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hank Torres
• Original Assignee: Hank Torres
• Inventors: Marsden, Randal Jay, Torres, Hank
• Primary Examiner(s): Edell; Joseph F
• Application Number:
  US11/551,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20080097254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 297/344.1, 297/344.12, 297/344.15, 297/344.16, 297/344.18, 297/344.19, 297/344.2
• US Class Current: 297/344.14
• 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, for movement of the seat with respect to the base by a powered actuator. The controller module includes a microprocessor connected to the powered actuator for operating the powered actuator to move the seat. A sensor, such as a 3-axis sensor, is connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor performs a programmed sequence, to periodically adjust the seat position when the wheelchair seat is occupied, through feedback from the sensor. 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, including powered features;

a seat;

a pivot joint connected to the base and to the seat, allowing at least two degrees of rotational 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, providing at least one programmed operation;

a 3-axis accelerometer connected to the seat and the controller, for determining position of the seat in the at least two directions;

a weight sensor connected to seat and the controller, for detecting loading conditions on the seat;

a user interface panel connected to the controller, for operating the controller to perform the at least one programmed operation;

wherein the controller, upon initiation of the at least one programmed operation via the user interface panel, automatedly, at intervals, operates the first actuator and the second actuator to vary positioning of the seat with respect to the base in response to loading conditions on the seat detected by the weight sensor.

2. The wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the controller, upon initiation of the at least one programmed operation via the user interface panel and in response to loading conditions on the seat detected by the weight sensor, operates the first actuator and the second actuator to, at intervals, vary position of the seat with respect to the base, to provide medical advantage by shifting loading on the seat.