Technical Field

This invention relates to an articulated structure for defining, when rendered rigid, a desired multi-curved surface, said structure being adjustable to permit the shape of the curved surface defined thereby to be varied at will.

Such structures are particularly useful in the field of specialised seating, as for example for use in racing cars, aircraft and space vehicles; in chairs and vehicles for deformed or disabled people; and in body braces for support- ing fractured, deformed or weakened bones or bone systems.

Background Art

One such shapeable articulated structure has been described in the European patent publication 0062448 A1 (EPC Appl'n. 82301533 »^) - In that document, each described structure comprises an array of inter-connected first and second ele¬ ments, the elements of one such kind being provided with clamping means for engaging and clamping parts of at least two adjoining elements of the other kind, and the said array being rendered rigid by tightening the respective clamping means. It has been found in practice that articulated structures as described in that publication have certain dis¬ advantages which it is desirable to obviate; thus, it is desirable to provide a lighter, stronger, more flexible articulated structure that is more versatile in its fields of application, that is more simply secured in a seat frame, and that is more resiliently flexible in use.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, an articulated structure of the kind referred to in the preced¬ ing paragraph is characterised in that:-

OMPI

each said first- element has radiating from a central portion thereof a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms, each such arm being provided at or near its free end with a said clamping means for engaging and clamping when desired a part of an adjoining second element, and each said second element comprises a link or ring (preferably, closed upon itself) haviiig a plurality of clamping portions each of which is arranged to be received in and clamped by a said clamping means, each said clamping means being arranged so that when in a relaxed condition the said link or ring engaged thereby may pivot relative to the associated first element about an axis that is common to both the plane of that first element and the plane of that engaged second element.

'Preferably, each said clamping means is constituted by a pair of jaws, one of whic is formed by the associated arm of said first element, and means for moving at least one said jaw of said pair relative to the other whereby to close and open that pair of jaws.

In one preferred arrangement according to the present inven¬ tion each said first element comprises a pair of cooperating, opposed, similar half members, each such half member compris¬ ing a plurality of arms radiating from a central portion and being urged towards the opposed half member by a common clamping means disposed in said central portion, and each pair of cooperating opposed arms of said half members constituting a said pair of jaws.

Each said first element may conveniently have between two and eight of said radially-projecting arms, each incorporat¬ ing a said pair of jaws; and said radially-projecting arms may be equi-spaced, or non-equi-spaced as desired. Further¬ more, said pairs of jaws may all be positioned equi-distant- ly from a central point of a said first element, or they may be set at different distances f om said central :

point as desired. Said first elements, and likewise said second elements, may in the same array be of different sizes and/or shapes according to the needs of the shape of the surface to be defined by the structure.

The said links may be circular in configuration, or they may be polygonal, having conveniently no more than eight sides; and links of different configurations may be used in the same array. Preferably, each portion of a link that is to be engaged in a pair of said jaws is shaped in a man¬ ner that is complementary to that of the jaws. Alternat¬ ively, a malleable adaptor may be provided for accommodating any difference in the shapes of the jaws and the parts of the links to be received in the jaws.

The jaws of each pair may be arranged to exert a clamping force on an engaged portion of a said link in a direction that is normal to a central plane of the said first element carrying those jaws. Alternatively,- said jaws may be arr- anged to exert a orce in a direction that is radial relat¬ ive to a central point on the said first element.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adjustable seat frame for carrying an articulated structure according to the present invention, which seat frame is provided in its various limb members with pivotal and/or telescopic adjustment means whereby the frame may be readily adapted, within wide limits, to the physical dimensions and desired attitude of a said articul- ated structure that has been fitted to the shape of a speci¬ fic person, and which seat frame incorporates fixing means whereby the said articulated structure may be securely fixed on that frame after appropriate adjustment of the frame to suit that structure.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a body brace comprises a plurality of shaped articulated structures according to the present invention, which struct¬ ures are aligned and connected together side by side, and

are shaped to support and/or restrain a specific body or body part, the connection of at least one such structure to the adjacent one being releasable at will, and the other connection(s) of adjacent structures being hingeable, where- by on release of the said releasable connection the brace may be opened, the said structures being hingeable apart to allow the brace to be placed around or removed from the said body or body part. The hingeable connections may comprise pivoted connections, or they may comprise flexible connect- ions.

Other features of the present invention will appear from the description that follows hereafter, and from the claims appended at the end of that description.

One adjustable, self-supporting, shape-defining articulated structure according to the present invention, various modif¬ ications of and alternatives to that structure, an adjustable seat frame for carrying such an articulated structure after it has been shaped to the form of a disabled person, and a spinal body brace will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a portion of said struct¬ ure when set to define a continuous planar surface;

Figure 2 shows a transverse cross-section taken on the section line II-II of the Figure 1, that section line being aligned in the X ^' direction, as indicated therein;

Figure 3 shows a transverse cross-section similar to that of- the Figure 2, showing part of a modified form of said structure;

Figure 4 shows a modi ication of part of the structure shown in Figure 3;

OMPΓ

Figure 5 shows in another transverse cross-section similar to that of the Figure 2 a part of yet another modified form of the said structure;

Figures 6 and 7 show in views similar to those of the Figures 1 and 2 respectively a portion of a modified form of the articulated structure shown in the Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 8 and 9 show in views similar to that of the Figure 7 two modifications of the structure shown in the Figure 7; Figures 10 and 11 show respectively front and side elevations of a said secondelement as used in one form of the said modified form of structure illustrated in the Figures 6 and 7;

Figures 12 and 13 show respectively front and side elevations of a said first element as used in one form of the said modified form of structure illustrated in the Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 14 shows in a plan view a portion of a said alternative form of said structure; Figures 15 _. 6 and 17 show respectively front, side and inverse plan views of a said secondelement as used in the said alternative form of structure of Figure 14;

Figures 18, 19 and 20 show respectively front, side and plan views of a said first element as used in the said alternative form of structure of Figure 14;

Figures 21 and 22 show a portion of a further alterna¬ tive to the said structure illustrated in the Figures 1 and 2, Figure 21 being a plan view (as in the case of Figure 1), and Figure 22 being (as in the case of Figure 2) a section on the ^" plane indicated in the preceding figure;

Figures 23, 24 and 25 show respectively front, side and plan views of said seat frame; and

Figures 26 and 27 show pictorial views of a spinal body brace in the 'closed' and 'open' conditions respectively.

For the convenience of the reader, in the description that follows, corresponding parts in the respective embodiments bear the same or closely related references.

Description of Embodiments of the Invention

Referring now to the Figures 1 and 2, the structure there depicted comprises an interconnected array of said first elements 10 and said second elements 12. Each said first element 10 is constituted as a two-part cruciform member comprising, as shown in the Figure 2, cooperating upper and lower cruciform clamping members 14, 16 secured together centrally by a clamping screw 18, which is received in a tapped hole 20 formed i the lower clamping member 16, and which- when tightened urges the two clamping members to— gether. Those clamping members provide at the ends of their radially-projecting arms pairs of jaws which are provided with jaw or clamping grooves 22, 24 in which are received clamping portions 26 of four octagonal links 28 which are operatively associated the cruciform member 10. Those links constitutetypically the said second elements 12 of the said structure.

Tn each such link 28, each straight portion 26 thereof is of circular transverse cross-section, has a suitably roughened cylindrical outer surface, and constitutes a clamping portion of the link. The jaw grooves of each cruciform clamping member 14, 16 are likewise rendered rough in a suitable manner so as to ensure a good grip on a clamping portion of a link when received therein. Roughening of said clamping surfaces on said links and in said jaw grooves maybeachievedbycausing saidsurfaces tobe providedwith knurling, serrations or silicon or other grit impressed therein.

The octagonal links are secured immovably in the associated cruciform members 10 when the associated clamping screws have been suitably tightened, so that the planar configur¬ ation illustrated in the Figures is substantially maintained even when the ^ T&E ζΥ

OMPI

structure is subjected when in use to disturbing load forces.

To modify the shape of the continuous surface defined by the structure, for example - to cause it to conform to the shape of a person who is to be supported by the structure in a chair or vehicle, all or selected ones of the clamping screws 18 are slackened so as to enable relative angular displacement of appropriate cruciform members 10 and their associated links 28. By this means a limited variation of the shape of the structure can be achieved. In order to achieve greater variation of that shape, it is necessary to replace selected ones of said our-armed cruciform memb¬ ers by other said first ^' elements 10 which have dif erent numbers of angularly-spaced radial arms and jaws, or even by replacingselected links-28 with links of other configur¬ ations or sizes. Such other links may be, for example, of rectangular, triangular or even circular configuration. Links which are not wholly closed may be used in appropriate circumstances, for example links in the shape of the letter C or Z. However, these are not preferred, since closed links have greater strength.

The cruciform members 10 and the associated links 28 may be made of any suitable metal or plastics material.

Figure 3 shows an alternative form of said cruciform members

10 for use in the structure of Figure 1, in which alternat¬ ive form the cruciform member is composed of clamping members which have been stamped out from a suitably thin metal sheet. The radial arms of the two clamping members are cambered to provide strength.

In the Figures 1 to 3» the respective pairs of jaws compress the associated clamping portions of the respective links in directions which are essentially normal to the planes of the respective cruciform members. By way of contrast, the alternative form of cruciform member shown in

-^S^E

O PI

the Figure 5 has its constituent clamping members shaped to compress the clamping portions of the associated links in radial as well as normal directions. In that arrangement, the lower clamping member is provided with hooked end port- ions at the ends of its respective radial arms, in which portions the clamping portions of the respective links 28 are received. The upper clamping member has shorter radial arms, and the ends of those arms press, with line contact, on the outer partsof the said clamping portions of the links.

Where links 28 of circular or other curved configuration are used, it may be necessary to provide adaptors to accommodate the difference in shape of the clamping portions of the links 28 and the jaw grooves of the cruciform members 10. Such adaptors may take the form of thin, malleable, open shells which are interposed between the said clamping port¬ ions and the jaw grooves. Such a shell is shown in the Figure 4 which shows only the relevant parts of the cruci¬ form member 10. The shell is referenced 39.

Instead of using clamping screws for causing said jaws to grip the associated parts of the links 28, a rotary camming device or a toggle device may be used instead to provide a quicker means of locking and unlocking the cruciform members 10 on the associated links 28.

It will be appreciated that after adjusting the shape defined by the structure, that new shape is preserved in the structure by tightening all the clamping screws that had been released for adjustment purposes.

It will be appreciated that the transverse cross-section depicted in the Figure 2 is also the transverse cross-sect¬ ion taken along a section line IIA-IIA in the Y direction indicated in the Figure 1.

Instead of, or in addition to, roughening the cylindrical

clamping surface of each clamping portion 26 of the links 28, each such clamping portion may advantageously be provid¬ ed with a multi-facetted or toothed clamping surface, the clamping grooves in the respective cruciform clamping members being shaped correspondingly, or otherwise, as desired so as to provide a good clamping action on the links 28.

Referring now to the alternative form of structure shown in the Figures 6 and 7 _. that structure is generally similar to that described above with reference to the Figures 1 and 2, with the principal differences -

(a) the ring elements 28 (12) are cross-braced by spokes 3 (of circular transverse cross section) which rad¬ iate from a central ring portion 34 (likewise of circular transverse cross section) ; (b) the clamping screw 18 of each said cruciform first element 10 has a countersunk head and engages with an hexa¬ gonal nut, which is likewise countersunk, so as to provide a relatively smooth contour to each side of the structure;

(c) the cruciform members 14 and 16 constituting each said first element 10 are strengthened by web portions 36 which fill the corner spaces between adjacent jaw arms;

(d) the holes 33 formed in and by the ring portions 34 constitute holes for fixing the structure at desired positions to a supporting seat frame and for securing an interface or upholstered seat cover to the structure where¬ by to provide comfortable sitting to the user of the seat;

(e) each ring element 28 (12) has only four instead of eight clamping positions.

Whereas in the embodiment shown in the Figures 6 and 7, each said second element 12 (28) has four radial spokes 32, in an alternative embodiment only two such spokes are present,

The construction illustrated in the Figures 6 and 7 is particularly suited to the use of a plastics material such as polypropelene or nylon. An alternative construction more suited to the use of a metal is illustrated in the Figures 10 to 13- ^" The ring element 28 shown in the Figures 10 and 11 is provided with strengthening ribs 40 which are intended to stand up on the side of the structure that is to receive the upholstery seat cover, and so give a more uni orm surface for receiving that cover.

Each cruciform clamping member 16 is, as shown in the Figures 12 and 13 _? provided with a central screw-threaded hole 20, and toothed clamping grooves 24. Those clamping members are intended to lie adjacent the said seat cover. Each clamping member 14, as shown in the Figures 12 and 13 _> is substant¬ ially the same as its counterpart 16, with the exception that it is provided with a central, countersunk clearance hole for receiving the head of the clamping screw 18.

Instead of using the normal, slow-acting rotation of an ordinary clamping screw 18 to clamp or relax each pair of clamping members 14 and 16, quicker acting clamping devices may be used instead, for example, a rotary camming device as shown in the Figure 8, or a toggle device as shown in the Figure 9.

In Figure 8, a clamping 'screw' 18 carries at its lower, free end a double-ended transverse pin 18A which cooperates with two angularly spaced, arc-shaped wedges 18B to draw the clamping members 14 and 16 together quickly by means of a mere hal -turn of the screw ^' 18, for example, by means of a coin-edge inserted in awide screw-driving slot formed in the head of the screw.

In Figure 9 ₅ a headless clampin 'screw' 18 engages in the normal way in a countersunk clamping nut 18C, and is provided at its opposite end with a toggle lever 18D which is pivoted on a transverse pin 18E secured in the shank of the clamping screw. The lever 18D is provided with two camming surfaces - - _/ ^Hs^

18F and 8G which define a knuckle ^' and enable the .lever to be positioned stably alternatively in an upright, released position (shown in dotted form), with the clamping members 14 and 16 relaxed on the associated clamping portions 26 of adjacent ring elements 12 (28), or in a horizontal, clamp¬ ed position, with those clamping members clamping the associated ring elements by virtue of the greater distance of the camming surface 18F from the pin 18E.

In an alternative articulated structure shown in the Figures 14 to 20, each of the said first elements 10 is generally T-shaped, and has only three uniformly-spaced, radially- projecting, jaw-carrying clamping arms. Likewise, each of the links 28 constituting a said second element 12 has only three clamping portions 26, and is of triangular shape.

Like the clamping members shown in the Figures 10 to 13 _? the said first and second elements of the present structure are intended for manufacture from a metal, such as a light alum¬ inium alloy, each such clamping member 16 being provided centrally with a screw-threaded hole 20, and each such cooperating member 14- being provided centrally with a cooperating countersunk clearance hole.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention shown in the Figures 21 and 22, (that embodiment being a modification of that shown in the Figures 1 and 2), each said first element 10 is constituted by a solid cruciform member 10A having four equi-spaced arms 10B of equal length, each such arm having at its extremity a serrated or toothed clamping surface 10C. Those surfaces abut against the adjacent clamping portions 26 of the adjacent links 28 (12), and are held tightly in clamping contact therewith by a releasable tie member 42 of the kind that is commonly used for tying together bundles of electric cables. Each such tie member comprises athin elongatestrap 42Aof asuitable plasticsmat¬ erial, at one end of which is formed an arch 42B through which the other, free end 42C of the strap can be threaded and drawn tight. Transverse teeth 42D formed at spaced positions on the strap cooperate with a releasable catch

carried in the arch 42B to prevent release of the free end of the strap except when the said catch is deliberately moved from its engaging position to its disengaging position.

5 Referring now to the Figures 23 to 25, there is shown there a seat frame 50 for receiving and supporting a rigid, shape- defining articulated structure 52 according to the present invention, which structure has been shaped to a particular person's contour. The seat frame is composed principally

10 of tubular metal members, the principal ones of which are provided with adjustment means to enable the shape and con¬ figuration of the seat frame to be adjusted within a wide range.

1 The base of the frame comprises front and rear base portions 54 and 56 connected by a pair of adjustable telescopic con¬ nections 57. Each such base portion comprises a pair of longitudinal tubular members 54A, 56A inter-connected by a transverse tubular member 54B, 56B, and supporting a pair

20 of upright tubular members 5*^0, 56C. The upper ends of those upright members are inter-connected by a transverse tubular member 54D, 56D. In the case of the front base portion, the upright members incorporate telescopic adjust¬ ment means 54E, so as to provide a means for readily adjust-

2 ing the height of the transverse support member 54D.

»

Secured to the front faces of the upright members of the front base portion by screws and wing nuts are (a) tray support members 58 which carry on their upper transverse 30 portions a tray 60, and (b) a foot support 62 comprising base, upright and two triangular side plates.

In the case of the rear base portion, the transverse member 56D carries centrally two transversely spaced tubular upright 35 back supportmembers 62, theupper portions62A ofwhich include pivotal connections at 62B, and telescopic adjustment means at 62C, and carry head-rest support members 64 for receiving an upholstered head-rest 66 (shown in chain-dotted form for

simplicity's sake.

A transverse tubular member 68 secured adjustably to the lower portions of the back support members 62 carries at the respective ends thereof a pair of stirrups 70 which have elongated upper parts and which support a pair of side supp¬ ort members 72.

The said rigid, articulated structure 5 is secured to the seat frame by nut and bolt fixings which extend through apertures (such as the apertures 38) in the articulated struc¬ ture and apertures formed in the tubular members of the seat frame. For simplicity's sake, the articulated structure is likewise indicated in the figures by chain-dotted lines. The articulated structure is provided with an upholstered seat covering 74 (also indicated in the figures by chain- dotted lines) to render the seat comfortable to the user, and if necessary that structure and seat covering may be _ provided with side wings 76.

Referring now to the Figures 26 and 27, there is shown there a body brace 80 for a person requiring mechanical support for overcoming deformation of or deficiencies in the spinal column of that person. The brace comprises a rigid, shaped articulated structure according to the present invention, for example, of the kind illustrated in any of the Figures referred to above, the structure having been wrapped around and shaped to the person's body, and rendered rigid in that shape. The brace structure is provided with a vertical row of releasable catches 82 along the vertical front margins, and is sub-divided at the rear by a vertical row of spaced hinges 84 which connect adjacent portions of the structure.

On release of the said catches, the two hinged portions 80A, SOB of the brace can be hinged apart at the rear to enable the brace to be opened and to be placed in position around or be removed from the wearer's body.

If desired, the brace may be further sub-divided by providij

OMPI

other rows of hinges, so as to give greater flexibility.

The hinges may comprise hinges of the kind in which one hinge member pivots freely on another, or of the kind in which hinging is achieved bytheflexing ofaflexiblehinge member.

A hinge of the pivoting kind may be ormedbyenlarging slight¬ ly th »e aperture defined by the clamping grooves 22, 24 of a said first element 10, thus permitting the associated clamp¬ ing portion 26 of an adjacent link element 28 (12) to pivot in that aperture.

Braces constructed on the same principles .may be made for supporting a limb, such as a leg. Whatever the function of abrace constructedaccording to the present invention, it may be provided with a lining or interface for improving the comfort and/or support for the wearer.

The articulated structures described above may have spider (first) elements 10 and link (second) elements 12 of the same material, and that ^' aterial may comprise a suitable plastics material or a suitable metal. Alternatively, the articulated structures described above may, if desired, use spider elements 10 of metal in combination with link elements 12 of a plastics material. In any case, it is preferred that the link elements 12 be made of a material that is softer and/or more resilient than that of the spider elements 10, so as to permit a good positive clamping action on the link elements 12 to be obtained.

The use of a thermo-plastics material for the link and/or the spider elements has the advantage that the shape of any such link or spider element can be changed by heating, deforming, and subsequently cooling that element. This provides greater flexibility in applying the .structure to any particular desired shape or form.

In the embodiment of the Figures 21 and 22, the tie member 42 may incorporate fibre reinforcement in the plastics mat-

erial. Alternatively, the tie member may be made of a suitable metal.

The articulated structures described above have the followin advantages, as compared with the cited prior art structures, namely -

(a) the ring elements 28 (12) import a desirable degree of flexibleness into the structure, thus leading to greater comfort for the user;

(b) the ring elements are easily coupled and uncoupled from the clamping jaws of adjacent first elements 10;

(c) the manner of cooperation of the said first and second elements 10 and 12 enables a lighter structure to be .produced, without loss of strength, adjustability, or adaptability to differing shapes; and

(d) such structures are readily secured to a supporting framework.

Articulated structures according to the present invention, for example, those described above with reference to the various figures, may be used in children's constructional toys, for providing shaped curved surfaces for different purposes, and on different occasions.