WO1991009585A1

WO1991009585A1 - Apparatus for lifting and transportation of objects

Info

Publication number: WO1991009585A1
Application number: PCT/SE1991/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf Degerman
Original assignee: Sinpro Ab
Priority date: 1990-01-05
Filing date: 1991-01-04
Publication date: 1991-07-11
Also published as: SE9202067D0; SE9000037D0; SE9202067L; AU7070991A

Abstract

This invention relates to an apparatus for lifting and transportation of objects, preferably patients within medical service and the service of old people, comprising a frame arranged on castor wheels, a lifting unit applied onto the frame and means for displacing the lifting unit in vertical direction in relation to the frame, the lifting unit comprising at least one essentially horizontal resting plane, which has a free outer portion intended to come into engagement with the object and an inner portion applied to the frame and intended to receive the object, the resting plane comprising movable bands driven of at least one driving motor and the resting plane being so designed that an upper band portion and a lower band portion can move in essentially the same direction and essentially with the same velocity. According to the invention the resting plane has at least two bands (19, 20) and at its rear portion two rotatable cylindrical means (16, 17), which extend essentially horizontally and essentially perpendicularly to the intended motion direction of the bands. The one end of the first band (19) is fastened to the first cylindrical means (16), and the band (19) extends round the front portion of the resting plane and has a second end, which is fastened to the second cylindrical means (17). The first end of the second band (20) is fastened to the second cylindrical means (17) and the band (20) extends round the front portion of the resting plane and has a second end, which is fastened to the first cylindrical means (16).

Description

Apparatus for lifting and transportation of objects This invention relates to an apparatus for lifting and transportation of objects, preferably patients within medical service and the service of old people, comprising a frame arranged on castor wheels, a lifting unit applied onto the frame and means for displacing the lifting unit in vertical direction in relation to the frame, the lifting unit comprising at least one essentially horizontal resting plane, which has a free outer portion intended to come into engagement with the object and an inner portion applied to the frame and intended to receive the object, the resting plane comprising movable bands driven of at least one driving motor and the resting plane being so designed that an upper band portion and a lower band portion can move in essentially the same direction and essentially with the same velocity.

Such an apparatus is previously known by Swedish Patent No. 8200359-1. This apparatus, however, is impaired by the drawback that its resting plane has an outer portion which has a relatively great extension in vertical direction. This means that there may arise difficulties when lifting up for instance a patient in a bed to get the resting plane to be pressed in between the patient and the bed. Another drawback with known apparatus is that the resting plane is relatively long, which means that the apparatus can be hard to move in narrow spaces. A third drawback with a known apparatus is that there is re¬ quired a high friction between the bands in order that the upper band portion which is intended to be in engagement with the object and the lower band portion which is intended to be in engagement with the bed shall move with the same velocity. This invention intends to remove the problems with known technique. This has been achieved by an apparatus of the kind mentioned by way of introduction which is characterized by the fact that the resting plane has at least two bands and at its rear portion two rotatable cylindrical means which extend essentially horizontally and essentially perpendicularly to the intended motion direction of the bands, that the one end of the first band is fastened to the first cylindrical means, that the band extends round the front portion of the resting plane and has a second end which is fastened to the second cylindrical means, and that the first end of the second band is fastened to the second cylindrical means, that the band extends round the front portion of the resting plane and has a second end which is fastened to the first cylindrical means, and that during use the one cylindrical means is driving while the other cylindri¬ cal means is driven.

By this arrangement the uppermost and undermost, respect¬ ively, band portion of each unit can be driven in essentially the same direction and with essentially the same velocity without any part of the bands needing to be in contact with each other. This makes the apparatus very effective.

According to a further development of the invention the apparatus is characterized by the fact that the resting plane is so designed that it has an essentially wedge-formed cross- section, the pointed portion of the wedge comprising the free portion of the resting plane. Due to that fact a very effective apparatus for lifting up patients for instance who lie on a floor or in a bed. Due to the fact that the resting plane accordingly has a wedge-like cross-section, this one can be smoothly forced in between the patient and bed.

Another advantage with this new apparatus is that the resting plane normally being a bunk can be divided into at least two units. Due to that fact the apparatus requires much less space than known apparatuses in the field.

Moreover, the apparatus may in that case when the resting plane is made into three units function as a support for the patient, the first unit comprising a support for the back, the second unit the seat and the third unit a support for the lower legs.

The remaining features of the invention will appear below.

A preferred embodiment of the invention shall be descri¬ bed more closely below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention with the resting plane arranged like a bunk, Fiσ. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus in accordance with Fig. 1, where the resting plane is arranged like a chair with supports for the back and the lower legs. Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-section through one of the units of the resting plane, and Fig. 4 shows a pendulum means for engagement with gear wheels placed in the end of two cylindrical means which are intended to drive the bands of the units.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 is shown there a new appara¬ tus. This one comprises a frame 1 which is arranged on four castor wheels, of which only 2a, 2b are shown. The frame com- prises two vertical pillars 3, 4 which are placed at a distance from each other and which at their upper parts are connected by means of a cross bar 5. The pillars 3, 4 are at their lower parts fastened on a relatively long tubular plate girder 6 which is sectionized and which extends essentially horizontally and essentially in the same direction as a horizontal line drawn between the pillars. Two plate girders 7a, b; c, d are telescopically displaceable into and out of each end of the plate girder 6. The outer ends of these plate girders are in¬ tended to be fastened suitably by means of welding on another plate girder 8a; b which extends essentially horizontally and perpendicularly to the girders 7a, b; c, d and by that also to the plate girder 6. In each end of the plate girders there is arranged a castor wheel of which only 2a, b appear from the drawing. By this arrangement the distance between the plate girders 8a and 8b can be changed in dependence upon for in¬ stance the design of the underframe of a bed in which there is patient who shall be lifted up by means of the lifting device.

The apparatus further comprises a lifting unit 9 which is fastened on an essentially vertical plate 10 which is dis- placeable upwards or downwards on the pillars 3, 4. The verti¬ cal movement of the lifting unit 9 in relation to the pillars 3, 4 can be made in a suitable way, for instance by means of a screw means as in this embodiment which in the figure is surrounded by a rubber gaiter 11. The lifting unit comprises an essentially horizontal resting plane on which a patient is in¬ tended to be placed.

An important part of the invention is that the resting plane is divided into at least two units and preferably three units, an intermediate unit 12a and two outer units 12b, c. The outer units 12b, c can be angled in the vertical plane in re¬ lation to the intermediate unit which is held essentially horizontally all the time. By accordingly putting the unit 12c which is broader than the unit 12b upwards in an angle in re¬ lation to the intermediate unit 12a is received a support for the back for the patient and by putting the unit 12b downwards in an angle in relation to the intermediate unit 12a is re¬ ceived a support for the lower legs of the patient. The ar- rangement of the units 12b, c in angles in relation to the unit 12a is facilitated by hinges 13a, b and 14a, b which appear from the figures. By this arrangement a patient can be trans¬ ported in a sitting position by means of the apparatus which naturally means that no large spaces are required. Moreover, it is possible to bring a patient directly to or from a wheel chair with the apparatus such it is shown in Fig. 2.

All three units 12a, b, c comprise movable bands which are intended to contribute to the fact that a patient can be brought over from a bed for instance to the apparatus and vice versa. In that connection the apparatus is intended to be driven up to the bed where the patient is lying for placing the fore portion of the units in a starting position between the patient and the bed. If now the uppermost and the lowermost band portion of each unit is brought to move backwards with essentially the same velocity the units will draw themselves in between the patient and the bed of the bed sted without the patient being moved in the horizontal direction. The whole apparatus is displaced forwards so that the fore wheel pair 2a, b of the apparatus is brought in under the bed sted. By driving the band portions in the other direction a patient who is positioned on the apparatus will be unloaded onto the bed.

According to the invention the bands in the intermediate unit are intended to be driven by a driving motor which is suitably an electric motor, driven by batteries. The force from the intermediate unit to both outer units is transmitted in such a way that the bands in these ones are driven synchroni- cally with the bands in the intermediate unit. The transporta¬ tion bands are manifactured of a suitable wear resistant cloth material. The angle arrangement of the outer units of the rest¬ ing plane in relation to the intermediate unit is suitably made by means of a mechincal adjusting means.

As appears from Figs. 1 and 2 the apparatus is provided with handles 15a, b, by means of which the apparatus can be driven on a ground.

The hinges 13a, b between the intermediate unit 12a and the two outer units 12b, c are placed essentially at the middle of the units but have no principle bearing function. This function is principally maintained by the hinges 14a, b which have particularly strong construction and are placed between the units at the rear portions of these ones. These hinges 14a, b connect the ends of packages as is indicated in Fig. 1 which contain the force transmitting means for the driving of the bands in each unit.

Referring to Fig. 3 is shown there a longitudinal cross- section through one of the units of the resting plane. As is apparent from the figure the unit has wedge form and comprises in its rear portion two rotatable cylindrical means 16, 17 which extend essentially horizontally in the cross-section of the unit and which are intended to drive the bands alternative¬ ly be driven by the bands of the unit. The means 16, 17 are positioned on different levels, the means 17 being positioned under the means 16 and in front of this one, seen in the longitudinal direction of the unit. As is apparent from the figure there is a third cylindrical means 18 arranged on about the same level as is the means 17 but behind this one. This means 18 has no driving function but only a controlling func¬ tion. Each unit has two bands 19, 20 which have been indicated with red and blue for the sake of evidence.

The one end of the band 19 is fastened to the means 16 and has a band portion 21 which is uppermost and which extends from the means 16 and forwards, the band going round the fore end of an essentially plane plate 22 which has a bearing function and further to the means 17 where the other end of the band is fastened. The one end of the band 20 is fastened to the means 17 and is wound on the outside of the band 19 on the means 17. From the means 17 the band extends to the front portion of the unit where it rounds the fore end of an essenti¬ ally plane plate 23 which also has a bearing function and extends backwards on the under side of the plate via the means 18 to the means 16 where the other end of the band is fastened. When driving the means 16 in a counter-clockwise direction the upper portion 21 of the band will move to the left in the figure while the band 20 is influenced to move in such a way that its lower portion 24 also moves to the left in the figure. If instead the uppermost band portion 21 and the lowermost band portion 24 shall move to the right, the driving is swifted so that the cylindrical means 17 is brought to rotatate in a clockwise direction in the figure. In this connection it can be mentioned that the cylindrical means which for the moment is not driving can function as a braking means which is of value when the band movement shall be stopped. This braking function can be achieved by means of friction blocks which are applied against the cylindrical means.

By the arrangement with the bands described above the uppermost and lowermost, respectively, band portion of each unit will be driven in essentially the same direction and with essentially the same velocity without any part of the bands needing to be in contact with each other. The advantage with this arrangemet compared with known technique where portions of both bands are in a frictional engagement with each other is that the driving of the bands becomes more effective which makes the whole apparatus more effective.

The arrangement according to the invention means that no transverse cylindrical means need to exist in the front portion of the unit. This has the consequence that the front portion of each unit takes up an essentially less space in vertical di¬ rection than the rear portion of the unit. This means that the cross-section of the unit accordingly gets a wedge-like appear¬ ance, the wedge point constituting the front portion of the unit. By this design the insertion of the units between for instance a patient and the top side of the bed when lifting up the patient from the bed is facilitated.

As appears from Fig 3 each plate 22, 23 is provided with a declined portion in its front part, the plate 22 extending in front of the plate 23 a little. This arrangement facilitates the insertion of the units between the patient and the bed, especially between the patient and the mattress on a bed sted. In Fig. 4 is shown a pendulum means 25 which alternately 5 is intended to be in engagement with the gear wheels 26, 27. In that connection the gear wheel 26 is fastened to the one end of the first cylindrical means 16, whereas the gear wheel 27 is fastened to the one end of the second cylindrical means 17.

The pendulum means 25 comprises two gear wheels, one 28 10 which is connected to a not shown driving motor and a second gear wheel 29 which is intended to transmit the force from the gear wheel 28 to either the cylindrical means 16 or 17. Prefer¬ ably the force is transmitted to one of the cylindrical means, i.e. the driving rolls 16, 17 in the intermediate unit 12a. 15 From these driving rolls the force is transmitted to the corresponding driving rolls in the two outer units 12b, c in a suitable way, for instance via universal joints or flexible shafts. By this arrangement a synchronized driving of the bands in all units is achieved. The pendulum means 25 automatically 20 alternates between its two positions when changing the rotation direction of the gear wheel 28. In order that the gear wheel 29 easily shall come into engagement with the gear wheels 26 and 27 during the pendulation movement of the means 25, the tooth tips of the gear wheels are suitably rounded. 25 Of course there is another posibility to arrange an effective driving of the two bands and that is to drive both means 16, 17. However, this should be a considerably more expensive and more complicated solution.

The patient lift according to the invention is so de- 30 signed that it is very easy to clean, among other things by the fact that the transportation bands are smooth and easy to wipe, at the same time as essential parts are made of aluminium and -j stainless steel and so designed that they are easy to clean.

The apparatus is preferably designed so that it comprises an ^■35 electric accumulator which is rechargeable, the accumulator being so dimensioned that it manages the normal operation of a whole day and then be recharged during the night. According to the preferred embodiment direct current motors with worm gear are used for the operation of the bands, the operation in vertical direction and the change of the distance between the girders 8a and 8b. Arrangements in the form of breakers and the like are arranged in order that the bands shall not be able to be driven over the limit position in each direction. An example how the mentioned problem is solved is that a metal wire is integrated in the band and an inductive sensor detects this one.

The invention is of course not limited to the mentioned embodiment but can be modified within the scope of the follow¬ ing claims.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for lifting and transportation of objects, preferably patients within medical service and service of old people, comprising a frame arranged on castor wheels, a lifting 5 unit applied onto the frame and means for displacing the lifting unit in vertical direction in relation to the frame, the lifting unit comprising at least one essentially horizontal resting plane, which has a free outer portion intended to come into engagement with the object and an inner portion applied to

10 the frame and intended to receive the object, the resting plane comprising movable bands driven of at least one driving motor and the resting plane being so designed that an upper band portion and a lower band portion can move in essentially the same direction and essentially with the same velocity,

15 c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the resting place has at least two bands (19, 20) and at its rear portion two rotatable cylindrical means (16, 17) which extend essentially horizona- tally and essentially perpendicularly to the intended motion direction of the bands, that the one end of the first band is

20 fastened to the first cylindrical means (16) , that the band

(19) extends round the front portion of the resting plane and has a second end which is fastened to the second cylindrical means (17) , that the first end of the second band (20) is fastened to the second cylindrical means (17) , that the band

25 (20) extends round the front portion of the resting plane and has a second end which is fastened to the first cylindrical means (16) , and that during use the one cylindrical means (16, 17) is driving while the other cylindrical means (16, 17) is driven. 0 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the resting plane (12a, b, c) is so designed that it has essentially wedge-formed cross-section, the pointed

-» portion of the wedge constituting the outer free portion of the resting plane. 5

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the resting plane is divided into at least two units (12a, b, c) which are possible to arrange with an angle in relation to each other, and that the units (12a, b. c) are so connected to each other that the bands (19, 20) in one unit are driven synchronically with the bands in the adjacent unit.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each of one the cylindrical means (16, 17) is provided with a braking means which when using the apparatus is intended to influence the cylindrical means that is non-driving.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, the band (19) being positioned above the band (20) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that two essentially plane plates (22, 23) are arranged in the unit (12a, b, c) as bearing means, that the first plate (22) is positioned immediately under the upper band portion (21) of the upper band (19) and is essen- tially surrounded by this one, and that the second plate (23) is positioned immediately above the lower band portion (24) of the lower band (20) and is essentially surrounded by this one.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that each plate (22, 23) is provided with a de- clined portion at its front part, the plate (22) extending in front of the plate (23) a little.

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the resting plane is divided into three units, an essentially horizontal inter- mediate unit (12a) and two outer units (12b, c) , the two outer units being possible to arrange in angles in relation to the intermediate unit in such a way that the one outer unit (12b) functions as a support for the lower legs of the patient and the other outer unit (12c) as a support for the back of the patient.