AU603602B2 - A body supporting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AU-AI-78078/87 PCT' \OR INT E PROPERT GAjATION INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONIBN HE JN T E PJ NT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 4 (11) International Publication Number: WO 88/ 01158 A61G 7/00,7/04,7/06 A l (43) International Publication Date: 25 February 1988 (25.02.88) A47C 20/04 (21) International Application Number: PCT/AU87/00264 (22) International Filing Date: (31) Priority Application Number: (32) Priority Date: (33) Priority Country: 14 August 1987 (14.08.87) PH 7453 15 August 1986 (15.08.86)

AU

(81) Designated States: AT, AT (European patent), AU, BB, BE (European patent), BG, BJ (OAPI patent), BR, CF (OAPI patent), CG (OAPI patent), CH, CH (European patent), CM (OAPI patent), DE, DE (European patent), DK, FI, FR (European patent), GA (OAPI patent), GB, GB (European patent), HU, IT (European patent), JP, KP, KR, LK, LU, LU (European patent), MC, MG, ML (OAPI patent), MR (OA- PI patent), MW, NL, NL (European patent), NO, RO, SD, SE, SE (European patent), SN (OAPI patent), SU, TD (OAPI patent), TG (OAPI patent), US.

Published With international search report.

31 MAR 1908 (71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): BUTCH- ER, Ian, Donald [GB/AU]; 286-Middleton-R-oadr-Al- .bany,-WrA-6330-(AU). 1 1 1 m) l 1 (71)(72) Applicant and Inventor: KANZLER, Graham, Leslie, Bernhard [AU/AU]; 22-Wellingtorn-Stre-et;-Albany, -W |i Sfcn 4, (74) Agents: HARWOOD, Errol, John et al.; Wray and Associates, P.O. Box 6292, Hay Street East, Perth, W.A.

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(54) Title: A BODY SUPPORTING APPARATUS (57) Abstract A body supporting apparatus which provides assistance to a person supported on the apparatus in moving between supine and reclining positions. The apparatus (10) comprises a supporting surface (13) having a longitudinal axis. The supporting surface (13) includes a plurality of sections (21, 22, 23 and 24) extending transversely of the longitudinal axis. The transverse sections are arranged for articulatory movement whereby the supporting surface (13) can assume a first attitude for supporting the body of a person in a generally supine position and a second attitude for supporting the body of a person in a reclining position with said first section (21) supporting the back of the body. The second section (22) supporting the posterior and thighs, the third section (23) supporting the lower legs and the fourth section (24) supporting the underside of the feet of the person.

-1- "A BODY SUPPORTING APPARATUS" THIS INVENTION relates to a body supporting apparatus.

Persons who are bedridden may suffer great discomfort and anxiety owing to their confinement.

The discomfort may be alleviated to some extent periodically by moving the person between a supine position in which the person lies flat on his or her back S. and a reclining position in which the back of the person is elevated. Changing between supine and reclining positions is particularly troublesome for those persons ge who cannot move themselves and, in such cases, requires the aid of at least one attendant person. As the patient is required to be manhandled during such movement, the process may be painful for the patient and may expose the attendant person to risk of injury and, in particularly back strain.

see* The anxiety generally arises from a state of helplessness which bedridden persons perceive to exist owing to their reliance on other people to assit them with various tasks including changes in position in bed.

The present invention seeks to provide a body supporting apparatus which provides assistance to a person supported on the apparatus in moving between supine and reclining positions, preferably to such an extent that such movement can be accomplished without assistance from another person.

In one form the invention resides in a body supporting apparatus comprising a supporting surface having a longitudinal axis, the supporting surface including a central longitudinal section and two marginal longitudinal 'U -r k 2sections and a longitudinal inflatable chamber positioned beneath each marginal longitudinal section whereby inflation of each longitudinal inflatable chamber causes the respective marginal section to articulate upwardly relative to the central section, the support surface further including a first transverse section extending transversely of the longitudinal axis, said first transverse section being arranged for articulatory movement whereby the supporting surface can assume a first attitude for supporting the body of a person in a generally supine position and a second attitude for :S supporting the bocy of a person in a reclining position with said first transverse section supporting the back of the body, and means for effecting articulatory movement of said first transverse section including a first transverse inflatable chamber positioned between said first transverse section and the longitudinal inflatable chambers.

Preferably, the supporting surface includes a second section extending transversely of the longitudinal axis, said second section being located adjacent said first S. s section and arranged for articulatory movement relative thereto whereby when the supporting surface assumes said second attitude said second section is arranged to support S* the posterior and thighs of the body, and wherein said means for effecting articulatory movement of said first section also effects articulatory movement of said second section.

Preferably, said means for effecting articulatory movement of said sections is operable pneumatically. Such pneumatically operable means may comprise a first inflatable chamber positioned between said first section and an understructurer and a second inflatable chamber jK i. -3 positioned between said second section and said understructure, and further comprising means for selectively admitting and expelling pneumatic fluid into and from said inflatable chambers.

Preferably, said supporting surface further includes a third section for supporting the lower legs of the body of a person occupying the apparatus when the supporting surface assumes said second attitude.

S" Preferably said supporting surface further includes a fourth section for supporting the underside of the feet of the body of a person occupying the apparatus when the supporting surface assumes said second attitude.

Preferably, said pneumatically operable means includes a further inflatable chamber positioned between the fourth section and said understructure.

fes Preferably, the fourth transverse section of the support surface is linked to said second transverse section so that the fourth transverse section is drawn towards the e second transverse section on articulatory movement of the transverse sections when the support surface moves from the first attitude to the second attitude.

Preferably, the inflatable chambers are each in the form of a bellows.

In addition to enabling the body of a person to be moved between supine and reclining positions, it is desirable that the person be periodically moved from the supine position into one side position and then into the other side position. For patients who cannot turn over by themselves, such changes in body position are extremely g' %t- L ^j Oloo i-atroublesome and require the aid of several attendant persons if the change is to be comfortably made.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a body supporting apparatus according to the embodiment fitted on to a mattress, with the supporting surface S of the apparatus shown in a first attitude; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1, with a body (shown in outline) supported in a generally supine position; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 with the exception that the support surface is shown in a second attitude; gee* Figure 4 is a schematic side view of part of thr Sbody supporting apparatus of Figure 3, with a body I (shown in outline) supported in a reclining j position; Figure 5 is a schematic end view of the body supporting apparatus in the position shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is an end view similar to Figure 5 with the exception that one marginal longitudinal section of X

L

WO 88/01158 5 PT/AU87/0264 the supporting surface is shown in an elevated position; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 with the exception that both marginal longitudinal sections of the supporting surface are shown in elevated positions; Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the body supporting apparatus in the position shown in Fig 6; Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 with the exception that the other longitudinal marg nal section of the supporting surface is elevated; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a mattress with par of the apparatus according to the embodiment fitted in position; Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 with the exception that a further part of the apparatus is shown fitted in position; Figure 12 is a still further perspective view similar to Fig 10 with the exception that a still further part of the apparatus is shown fitted in position; and Figure 13 is a schematic plan view of a flexible covering which provides a body supporting surface of the apparatus.

The embodiment shown in the drawings is directed to a body supporting apparatus which is used in conjunction with a conventional bed mattress. The body supporting apparatus is indicated generally by reference numeral 10 and is -i'Rbil 7- PCT/AU87/00264 WO 88/01158 second transverse section 22 supports the posterior and thighs, the third transverse section 23 supports the lower legs and the fourth transverse section 24 supports the underside of the feet of the occupant.

The supporting surface 13 can assume further attitudes in which either one or both of the marginal longitudinal sections 17 are articulated to assume an upwardly and outwardly inclined configuration which can assist the occupant in moving between supine and side positions in the bed.

A pneumatic means is provided to selectively cause the supporting surface to assume the various attitudes described above. The pneumatic includes three transverse inflatable chambers 25, 27 and 29 respectively and two longitudinal inflatable chambers 31.

The two longitudinal inflatable chambers 31 are attached to a mattress cover 33 fitted to the mattress 11. The mattress cover 33 includes a top panel 34 and two longitudinal side panels 35 to each of which a respective one of the longitudinal inflatable chambers is releasably attached. The longitudinal inflatable chambers 31 rest on the top panel 34 of the mattress cover 33 one adjacent each longitudinal side thereof. Each longitudinal inflatable chamber 31 includes a portion 36 which drapes over the side of the mattress for releasable attachment at 37 to the adjacent longitudinal side panel 35. While the attachment between each longitudinal inflatable chamber 31 and the adjacent longitudinal side panel 35 may be accomplished in any suitable manner, a zipper fastener has been found to be particularly suitable. With such an arrangement, one set of teeth of the zipper fastener is attached to the side panel 35 and the other set of teeth L o WO 88/01158 9 PCT/AU7/00264 inflatable chambers 31 and are not fastened to them. Each transverse inflatable chamber is however releasably fastened to the underside of a flexible covering 39 which overlies the various longitudinal and transverse inflatable chambers and drapes down alongside the longitudinal sides of the mattress 11. The longitudinal edges of the flexible covering 39 are releasably fastened to the longitudinal sides 35 of the mattress cover 33 at a location 40 below location 37 at which the adjacent longitudinal inflatable chamber 31 is attached to the _ongitudinal side panel 35. The flexible covering 39 includes sufficient surplus material to accommodate spreading of the covering when one or both of the longitudinal inflatable chambers 31 are fully inflated.

When the two longitudinal inflatable chambers are in a deflated condition, the surplus material lays loosely adjacent the longitudinal sides of the mattress, as best seen in Figure 5 of the drawings where the surplus material is indicated generally by reference numeral 38.

The flexible covering 39 may be of any suitable construction, but preferably includes a portion 41 of sheepskin or other fibrous material which provides said body supporting surface 13. The four transverse sections 21, 22, 23 and 24 of th.e supporting surface 13 are formed by appropriately cutting the flexible covering 39. More particularly, the first transverse section 21 is provided by a flap 42 formed by cut lines 43, 44 and 45 in the flexible covering, as best seen in Figure 13 of the drawings. The flap 42 so formed remains anchored to the remainder of the flexible covering at hinge line 57 which extends between the free ends of cut lines 43 and The second, third and fourth transverse sections are of integral construction and are provided by a further flap WO 88/01158 1I PCT/AU87/00264 of the occupant. The head rest 51 comprises a pair of spaced leaves 53 each of which is inflatable. When the support surface 13 assumes the second attitude, the leaves are fclded in opposite directions (as best seen in Fig. 3) so as to provide lateral support for each side of the head of the occupant. When one of the longitudinal marginal sections of the supporting surface is elevated, both of the leaves 53 are folded in the same direction (as best seen in Fig. 8 and to provide lateral support for the downward side of the head of the occupant.

In use, the apparatus according to the embodiment can be employed to assist a bedridden person supported by the apparatuis to change position in bed. With appropriate vocal instructions, the bedridden person can initiate changes in the attitude of the supporting surface 13 of the apparatus which in turn allows the person to change position in bed. The changes in attitude of the supporting surface are brought about by introduction of inflation fluid into, or expulsion of inflation fluid from, one or more of the inflatable chambers. If, for example, a person lying in a supine position (as shown in Fig. 2) wishes to assume a reclining position (as shown in Fig. 4) the person actuates the control system by appropriate vocal instructions so as to cause inflation fluid to inflate the three transverse inflatable chambers 27 and 29. Inflation of those chambers changes the supporting surface from the first attitude to the second attitude and this brings about the required change in the body position of the person. As the supporting surface changes attitude, the third inflatable chamber 29 is drawn towards the second inflatable chamber 27 so as to bring the fourth transverse section 24 into an appropriate position to support the underside of the feet of the occupant. When the person wishes to return to the supine

Claims (14)

1. A body supporting apparatus comprising a supporting surface having a longitudinal axis, the supporting surface including a central longitudinal section and two marginal longitudinal sections and a longitudinal inflatable chamber positioned beneath each marginal longitudinal section whereby inflation of each longitudinal inflatable chamber causes the respective marginal section to articulate upwardly relative to the central section, the support surface further including a first transverse section extending transversely of the longitudinal axis, said first transverse section being arranged for articulatory movement whereby the supporting surface can assume a first attitude for supporting the body of a person in a generally supine position and a second attitude for supporting the body of a person in a reclining position with said first transverse section supporting the back of the body, and means for effecting articulatory movement of said first transverse section including a first transverse inflatable chamber positioned between said first transverse section and the longitudinal a inflatable chambers.

2. A body supporting apparatus according 'to claim 1 wherein the supporting surface further includes a second transverse section extending transversely of the longitudinal axis, said second transverse section being located adjacent said first transverse section and arranged for articulatory movement relative thereto whereby when the supporting surface assumes said second attitude, said second transverse section being arranged to support the posterior and thighs of the body, and wherein said means for effecting articulatory movement of said first section also effects articulatory movement of said second section and includes a second transverse inflatable chamber positioned between said second transverse section and the longitudinal inflatable chambers.

3. A body supporting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said means for effecting articulatory. movement of said sections is operable pneumatically.

4. A body supporting apparatus according to claim 3 S wherein said pneumatically operable means includes means for selectively admitting and expelling pneumatic fluid into and from said inflatable chambers. SS

5. A body supporting apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein said supporting surface further includes a third transverse section for supporting the lower legs of the body of a person occupying the apparatus when the supporting surface assumes said second attitude.

6. A body supporting apparatus according to claim wherein said supporting surface further includes a fourth transverse section for supporting the underside of the feet of the body of a person occupying the apparatus when the supporting surface assumes said second attitude.

7. A body supporting apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said pneumatically operable means includes a further transverse inflatable chamber positioned between the fourth section and said longitudinal inflatable chambers.

8. A body supporting apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the fourth transverse section of the support surface is linked to said second transverse section so that the fourth transverse section is drawn towards the second transverse section on articulatory movement of the i: rl attitude for supporting the body of a person in a reclining position with said first transvLtC 8s!ction /2 Sa 15 transverse sections when the support surface moves from the first attitude to the second attitude.

9. A body supporting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the transverse inflatable chambers are each in the form of 'a bellows.

A body supporting apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the supporting surface is S. defined by a flexible covering.

11. A body supporting apparatus as claimed in claim 11 *S wherein each transverse inflatable chamber is attached to I S. the underside of the flexible covering.

12. A body supporting apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the longitudinal sides of said flexible covering are connected to an understructure, there being sufficient surplus material in the flexible covering to accommodate inflation of the longitudinal inflatable chambers.

13. A body supporting apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said understructure includes a mattress on which the longitudinal inflatable chambers are supported.

14. A body supporting apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein first and second flaps are formed in the flexible covering, the flaps each having a hinge line at which it remains attached to the remainder of the flexible covering, said hinge lines extending transversely of said longitudinal axis and being adjacent eachother, the first flap defining said first transverse V 16 section and the second flap defining the iransverse sections other than said first transverse section. A body supporting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. G* S.. 0 A 4 J i