EP0403404B1 - Support structure with adjustable height for various appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

This structure is characterised in that it is formed from a rigid lower frame (1) bearing on the ground or on any framework, and from an upper frame (2), likewise rigid, connected to the lower frame by a central device (9) in the form of a motorized and deformable parallelogram on the one hand, and by lateral holding and support units (3-4-5-7) articulated between the two frames on the other hand; these transmission mechanisms being combined with each other in order to obtain the height displacement of the upper mobile frame with respect to the lower fixed frame (1) in a uniquely vertical direction. <IMAGE>

Description

Support structure with height-adjustable positioning for various applications.

The object of the invention relates to the technical sector of variable positioning support means.

In many technical fields it is often necessary to have surfaces or worktops, loading, rest at variable height.

For example, according to a preferred application, although not limiting, it is advantageous for the traditional beds or the resting plans to be adjustable in height in order to facilitate the care, and the transfers of the sick or the handicapped, as provided for in a hospital environment. where the height-adjustable medical beds are designed from a rolling frame carrying the mechanisms while the frame of the bed including the bed base, can be moved in height relative to the frame. However, this movement is generally carried out manually or in a motorized manner by the use of means first of all forcing it to move longitudinally between the high and low positions, that is to say according to a square or rectangular kinematics.

We understand that this poses certain problems. In particular, the relative position of the frame and the bed itself is modified and, given the immediate environment, it is not always easy to adjust.

On the other hand, with this type of adjustment, it is not possible to integrate such means in a traditional bed with feet and headboard and boats. In addition, the purchase of a height-adjustable medical bed is very expensive for personal use at home, and this kind of bed is relatively bulky in a normal room.

We also know a deformable support structure according to patent EP 303317 allowing the elongation of a patient.

This support structure is movable using a deformable parallelogram constituted by sets of rods, associated with two rigid uprights whose ends sliding by means of sliders on guide bars disposed respectively on a support plane on the ground and under the patient support table. This arrangement substantially limits the maximum high and low positions of the patient support table.

In other applications such as transporting or transferring vehicles or loads from one place to another at different levels, it is not always possible to place an adequate ramp or inclined plane, because the vehicle or the load could slip, or because the user of the ramp, disabled in a wheelchair in particular, would not be able to hoist himself up to the next level.

The support structure according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks, in that it makes it possible to obtain a loading surface that can be adjusted in height without increasing its size.

According to a first characteristic of the invention, the central device with a deformable parallelogram consists of four pairs of connecting rods hinged transversely and two by two to the median crosspieces of the lower and upper frames, and hinged together in the middle of the distance between said frames,
and in that a motor means connected to the connecting axes of the pairs of lower and upper links, controls movements of said pairs of links,
and in that the lateral support and holding members consist of longitudinal bars articulated at their ends on legs perpendicular to the lower frame on one side and to the upper frame on the other side and by four pairs of rods articulated longitudinally and two by two near the ends of the side members of said frames, and hinged together in the middle of the distance between the frames, being linked in pairs by control bars.

These characteristics and others will emerge from the description which follows.

• Les figures 1, 2, 3, et 4 sont des vues longitudinales et transversales de la structure-support selon l'invention, représentée respectivement en position haute et en position basse.
• Les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues à caractère schématique illustrant la structure-support intégrée dans un lit traditionnel en lieu et place du sommier,
• La figure 7 est une vue semblable à la figure 5, montrant la structure support équipée d'une surface de repos en plusieurs éléments règlables.
• La figure 8 est une vue longitudinale illustrant une structure-support utilisée comme table ou plan de travail, de soins ou autres.
• La figure 9 est une vue représentant schématiquement le transfert d'un fauteuil roulant du sol à l'intérieur d'un véhicule par l'intermédiaire d'une structure-support selon l'invention.
• La figure 10 est une vue illustrant le transfert d'une charge véhiculée d'un niveau supérieur à un niveau inférieur par l'intermédiaire d'une structure-support selon l'invention.

To fix the subject of the invention without however limiting it, in the appended drawings:

• Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are longitudinal and transverse views of the support structure according to the invention, shown respectively in the high position and in the low position.
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views illustrating the support structure integrated in a traditional bed in place of the box spring,
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5, showing the support structure equipped with a rest surface in several adjustable elements.
• Figure 8 is a longitudinal view illustrating a support structure used as a table or work plan, care or other.
• FIG. 9 is a view schematically showing the transfer of a wheelchair from the ground to the interior of a vehicle via a support structure according to the invention.
• FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the transfer of a load conveyed from a higher level to a lower level by means of a support structure according to the invention.

In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting embodiment illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, the support structure is illustrated according to the basic embodiment which comprises a rigid lower frame (1) formed of longitudinal members (1a) and crosspieces (1b), a rigid upper frame (2) also formed of side members (2a) and cross members (2b).

At one end, the frame (1) has on each side legs (1c) extending upwards, while on the opposite side the frame (2) also carries legs (2c) extending downwards , Between the legs (1c and 2c) are mounted with free articulation of the longitudinal bars (3) for holding and connecting.

Set back from the legs (1c and 2c), the frames (1 and 2) receive on each side and also with free articulation, pairs of upper links (4) and lower links (5) articulated together in (6).

The two pairs of rods (4 and 5) on each side are interconnected in the middle of the distance between the frames (1 and 2) by control bars (7) articulated at the axes (6), and transversely, said bars are joined by reinforcing crosspieces (8).

In the central part of their length, the frames (1 and 2) carry by their median crosspieces (1b1 and 2b1), a deformable parallelogram device which is constituted by four pairs of rods (9) articulated transversely and two by two at the crosspieces (1b1 and 2b1) and between them in the middle of the distance between the frames (1 and 2) by axes (10). An actuator of the jack type (11) with low voltage electric motor (12) is interposed between the axes (10) of each of the two pairs of transverse rods (9) and controlled by the user using a well-known remote control device and not illustrated.

As can be seen in the figures, by actuating the drive member (11-12), the pairs of links (9) are moved apart or brought closer together, thereby causing the frame (2) to rise or fall relative to the frame ( 1) resting on the ground or on any frame; this without modifying the space requirement, that is to say in a purely vertical manner.

The structure thus produced can be adapted for multiple applications, some examples of which have been illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10 of the drawings.

According to an application particularly targeted and illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the structure can replace a box spring in a traditional bed. or two places) and fix or rest the lower frame (1) for example on supports such as brackets (13) fixed inside the uprights or boats (B) of the bed themselves fixed to the head (T) and at the foot (P).

With the remote control of the motor organ (11-12) the patient, the disabled person or the caregiver can thus easily modify the sleeping position (C) between two heights (h1-h2) according to his needs, this possibility is particularly interesting for transfers from the bed to a seat, to facilitate the transition from the reclining station to the standing station, to improve the working conditions of the nursing staff.

By way of indication and as illustrated in FIG. 7, the upper frame (2) of the structure can receive a box spring in several parts C1, C2, C3 with variable geometry to serve as bust relief, leg folding, leg relief, well known.

According to another application illustrated in FIG. 8, the structure equipped with a plate (14) fixed on the frame (2) can serve as a massage, care or examination table, veterinary worktop or the like. This table can receive under the frame (1) a fixed base (15) and / or rolling (16), grip handles (17) or other equipment necessary for this kind of application.

With a structure whose frame (1) is equipped with a fixed or rolling base, it can be used as a transfer device between two levels of different height.

For example, as seen in Figure 9, the structure can be equipped with an articulated ramp (18) of a city and a flap (19) of the other. In the low position (not shown), a disabled person in a wheelchair (20) can easily access it, then activate the structure to mount it at the level of a vehicle floor (V) and possibly move it (by remote control of a motor device acting on the wheels of the structure, in order to be able to enter the vehicle.

According to another variant illustrated in FIG. 10, the structure can be used to bring loads (21) from an upper level (N1) to a lower level (N2) or vice versa.

For this, it can be housed in a pit (22) of height calculated so that the high position of the loading platform corresponds to the level (N1) and the low position to the calf (N2).

The advantages emerge from the description, it is emphasized again, the only vertical displacement of the upper plane without modifying the overall dimensions. allowing the structure to be adapted in traditional beds instead of the box spring by transforming them into medical beds, the many possible applications of the structure, its simplicity of design and its robustness.

Claims (7)

1. Support structure with adjustable height for various appliances of a type comprising a central motor-driven collapsible parallelogram device and associated with an upper rigid frame (2) capable of providing a support surface for a patient and a lower rigid frame (1) resting on the floor or on any framework, said upper and lower frames being joined by additional lateral links (4-5), these transmission mechanisms being combined with each other in order to obtain height adjustment of the upper moveable frame with respect to the lower flip frame in a vertical-only direction,
      the support structure being characterised in that the central collapsible parallelogram device consists of four pairs of rods (9) hinged transversely and two by two to middle crosspieces (1b1-2b1) of the lower and upper frames (1-2) and hinged to each other at the centre of the distance between the two frames,
      and in that a driving means (11-12) linked to the connecting shafts (6) of the lower and upper pairs of rods controls the movements of said pairs of rods, and in that the lateral support and restraint features consist of longitudinal bars (3) the ends of which are hinged on lugs (1c-2c) at right angles to the lower frame (1) on one side and to the upper frame (2) on the other side and of four pairs of rods (4-5) longitudinally hinged two by two near the ends of the longitudinal members (1a-2a) of said frames and hinged to each other in the middle of the distance between the frames and being linked two by two by control bars (3).
2. Support structure as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the motor drive of the collapsible parallelogram device consists of a jack (11) associated with a low-voltage electric motor (12) that are linked to the connecting shafts (10) of pairs of transverse rods (9) with said motor being controlled by an appropriate remote control unit.
3. Support structure as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that it is dimensioned and equipped, at the level of its lower frame, so that it can be fitted or placed in a conventional bed instead of a mattress between the head, foot and sides of the bed.
4. Support structure as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the upper frame (2) accommodates bedding (C) or a mattress consisting of one or more fixed or variable-geometry parts (C1, C2, C3).
5. Support structure as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the upper frame (2) accommodates a board (14) that can be used as a work surface, massage, treatment or examination couch.
6. Support structure as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the lower frame (1) accommodates a fixed (15) and/or moveable base (16) for support and/or movement with respect to the floor.
7. Support structure as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the upper frame (2) accommodates, on one side, a hinged ramp (18) and, on the other side, a platform (19) to accommodate, in its lowered position, a wheelchair or other means of transport and lift it into a higher position in a vehicle or to a different level.

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