EP0365455B1 - Apparatus for dealing with patients - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling patients, in particular for lifting and transporting them in a sitting or lying position.

We know the problem encountered by hospital staff in moving a patient, for example a patient bedridden from a bed to a wheelchair. In the absence of any mechanized assistance, two people are often necessary to carry out this operation.

Various mechanical aids have already been proposed to allow a single person to perform this work. These are most often devices whose operation is similar to that of forklifts.

The apparatus described in document EP-A-0 119 976 is a representative example of known mechanical aids. It is a device comprising a movable U-shaped chassis, a lifting column which supports a transverse bar, which is intended to receive parallel lifting arms. The crossbar has means for fixing to the sleeve-shaped lifting column which surrounds the latter.

If the lifting arms can be moved vertically for the transport of the person, these cannot be mounted at different heights relative to each other since they are fixed on the same crossbar.

So, with this type of device, if you want to transport a seated person in the lateral direction using a hammock with holding straps of different lengths, it is necessary to use a second crossbar offset in height with respect to the other. Of course, each crossbar receives only one lifting arm.

Other devices of this type are described for example in US-A-2,962,730, FR-A-2,547,721, GB-A-9782 / AD 1914 and US-A-3,394,933.

However, as already said, the lifting arms which equip the devices described in these documents are at the same height and are only movable together, which greatly limits their applicability.

Furthermore, there is described in GB-A-1 414 644, an apparatus for assisting in climbing a staircase in which the foot supports can be moved independently of one another. However, this device is not suitable for moving a person while lying or sitting.

The need to make modifications to existing devices in order to increase their possibilities of use does not go in the direction of simplifying the work and the speed of intervention of the person handling the device.

Also, the present invention aims in particular to remedy these drawbacks by proposing an apparatus which allows the handling of patients in various positions, without having to modify the apparatus or to provide it with additional elements.

It is a patient handling device, in particular for lifting and transporting them in a seated or lying position, of the type comprising a movable base in the shape of a "U", which is formed by two substantially horizontal arms and parallel, and a transverse element a lifting column mounted on the transverse element, its lower part being integral with said transverse element while its upper part - or column head - is formed of a telescopic tube maneuverable in the vertical direction; and patient support means during handling.

• une paire de barres latérales qui s'étendent de chaque côté de la colonne élévatrice, chacune de ces barres étant adaptée pour recevoir un bras de levage sensiblement horizontal qui s'étend dans une direction parallèle aux bras de l'embase et dans le même sens que ceux-ci, ces bras de levage portant lesdits moyens de soutien ;
• des moyens de montage et de réglage des barres transversales sur la colonne élévatrice, ces moyens permettant d'une part de solidariser lesdites barres à la tête de colonne mobile et, d'autre part, de régler en hauteur la position desdites barres latérales par rapport à l'embase, indépendamment l'une de l'autre.

This device is characterized in that it comprises:

• a pair of lateral bars which extend on each side of the lifting column, each of these bars being adapted to receive a substantially horizontal lifting arm which extends in a direction parallel to the arms of the base and in the same direction that these, these lifting arms carrying said support means;
• means for mounting and adjusting the transverse bars on the lifting column, these means making it possible on the one hand to secure said bars to the head of the mobile column and, on the other hand part, to adjust in height the position of said side bars relative to the base, independently of one another.

• lesdits moyens de montage et de réglage consistent en une série de trous oblongs horizontaux disposés sur deux des côtés opposés de la tête de colonne élévatrice destinés à recevoir les barres latérales, et de crochets de retenue en forme de cornière en L solidaires par leur base de la face supérieure de l'extrémité desdites barres latérales, l'aile verticale du crochet étant adaptée pour venir s'engager dans l'un desdits trous oblongs, alors que ladite barre latérale vient en appui par son extrémité contre ladite tête de colonne.
• lesdits moyens de montage et de réglage consistent en une série de trous disposés par paires sur deux des côtés latéraux de la tête de colonne élévatrice, et des crochets de retenue en forme d'agrafe dont la base est solidaire de la face supérieure de l'extrémité desdites barres latérales, les ailes verticales desdits crochets étant adaptées pour venir s'engager dans lesdits trous, alors que la barre transversale vient en appui par son extrémité contre ladite tête de colonne.
• lesdits moyens de montage et de réglage consistent en une série de têtons disposés sur les côtés latéraux de la tête de colonne coopérant avec une boutonnière formée dans un élément solidaire desdites barres latérales.
• l'extrémité desdites barres tranversales qui vient en appui contre la tête de colonne, comporte une butée en forme de U dont la base est solidaire desdites barres, alors que les ailes sont destinées à venir s'appliquer contre les côtés opposés de ladite tête de colonne.
• la face interne des ailes de la butée en forme de U est garnie d'un matériau en plastique.
• lesdites barres latérales sont légèrement inclinées, dans le sens transversal, par rapport à l'horizontale.
• lesdits moyens de montage et de réglage permettent d'assurer un déplacement vertical en continu des barres latérales.
• lesdits moyens de montage et de réglage comprennent une paire de glissières verticales disposées sur les deux faces latérales opposées de la tête de colonne, dans chacune desquelles est monté un coulisseau mobile verticalement à l'intérieur de celles-ci, ledit coulisseau portant une barre transversale.
• l'appareil comprend un volant de manoeuvre d'une vis sans fin adaptée pour déplacer chacun des coulisseaux à l'intérieur desdites glissières.
• chaque barre latérale porte une seconde barre qui lui est sensiblement parallèle, et qui fait office de butée d'appui, apte à supporter le bras de levage associé.
• les barres latérales et les bras de levage ont une section circulaire et chacun des bras de levage est monté sur la barre latérale associée par l'intermédiaire d'un élément en forme de manchon de serrage qui peut être déplacé à la fois en translation le long de la barre latérale, et en rotation sur cette dernière, puis bloqué dans la position désirée.

According to other advantageous, but not limiting, characteristics:

• said mounting and adjustment means consist of a series of horizontal oblong holes arranged on two of the opposite sides of the lifting column head intended to receive the lateral bars, and of L- shaped angle-type retaining hooks secured by their base the upper face of the end of said side bars, the vertical wing of the hook being adapted to engage one of said oblong holes, while said side bar abuts by its end against said column head.
• said mounting and adjusting means consist of a series of holes arranged in pairs on two of the lateral sides of the lifting column head, and staple-shaped retaining hooks, the base of which is secured to the upper face of the end of said side bars, the vertical wings of said hooks being adapted to engage in said holes, while the transverse bar abuts by its end against said column head.
• said mounting and adjustment means consist of a series of pins arranged on the lateral sides of the column head cooperating with a buttonhole formed in an element integral with said lateral bars.
• the end of said transverse bars which comes into abutment against the head of the column, comprises a U- shaped stop whose base is integral with said bars, while the wings are intended to come to bear against the opposite sides of said head of column.
• the inner face of the wings of the U- shaped stop is lined with a plastic material.
• said side bars are slightly inclined, in the transverse direction, relative to the horizontal.
• said mounting and adjusting means ensure continuous vertical movement of the side bars.
• said mounting and adjustment means comprise a pair of vertical slides arranged on the two opposite lateral faces of the column head, in each of which is mounted a slide movable vertically inside thereof, said slide carrying a transverse bar .
• the apparatus comprises a handwheel for operating an endless screw adapted to move each of the slides inside said slides.
• each side bar carries a second bar which is substantially parallel thereto, and which acts as a support stop, capable of supporting the associated lifting arm.
• the side bars and the lifting arms have a circular section and each of the lifting arms is mounted on the associated side bar by means of a sleeve-shaped element which can be moved both in translation along sidebar, and rotating on the latter, then locked in the desired position.

• la figure 1 est une vue simplifiée en perspective d'une première forme de réalisation d'un appareil conforme à l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale de la colonne élévatrice de l'appareil de la figure 1, selon le plan II-II de la figure 3;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale de cette colonne, selon la plan III-III de la figure 2, et à échelle légèrement agrandie;
• la figure 4 est une vue de face de moyens de fixation réglables d'une barre latérale (représentée en coupe transversale) sur la colonne élévatrice;
• la figure 5 est une vue de face d'autres moyens de fixation réglables d'une barre latérale sur la colonne élévatrice;
• la figure 6 est une vue partielle de ces moyens de fixation, coupés par le plan Vl-VI de la figure 5;
• la figure 7 est une vue de face des moyens de positionnement des bras de levage sur les barres latérales;
• la figure 8 est une vue de face partielle d'une seconde forme de réalisation de l'appareil, partiellement coupée par le plan VIII-VIII de la figure 9;
• la figure 9 est une vue de dessus en coupe transversale de cette forme de réalisation;
• la figure 10 montre le principe de réglage des bras de levage sur les barres latérales de l'appareil;
• la figure 11 illustre le principe de rangement des bras de levage de l'appareil.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description of several nonlimiting examples of embodiment of the apparatus in question, description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a partial view in longitudinal section of the lifting column of the apparatus of Figure 1, along the plane II-II of Figure 3;
• Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of this column, according to the plane III-III of Figure 2, and on a slightly enlarged scale;
• Figure 4 is a front view of adjustable fastening means of a side bar (shown in cross section) on the lifting column;
• Figure 5 is a front view of other adjustable fastening means of a side bar on the lifting column;
• Figure 6 is a partial view of these fixing means, cut by the plane VI-VI of Figure 5;
• Figure 7 is a front view of the means for positioning the lifting arms on the side bars;
• Figure 8 is a partial front view of a second embodiment of the apparatus, partially cut by the plane VIII-VIII of Figure 9;
• Figure 9 is a top view in cross section of this embodiment;
• Figure 10 shows the principle of adjustment of the lifting arms on the side bars of the device;
• Figure 11 illustrates the principle of storage of the lifting arms of the device.

The device shown in Figure 1 has a movable base 1 in a U shape. It is formed by two arms 1a and 1b located in parallel vertical planes, which have horizontal ends and an inclined intermediate part. These arms are interconnected by a transverse element 1c. The arms 1a and 1b are provided with small wheels 10 at the front and large wheels 11 at the rear. The transverse element is equipped with a cover 13 which gives access to a box 12 for controlling the movement of a lifting column 2, which will be described below. The transverse element 1c supports in its central region the fixed lower part 22 and the mobile upper part 20 of square section of the lifting column 2. The upper part will hereinafter be called the column head. This part is movable in the vertical direction and actuated by a jack not shown. The column head 20 is provided on its lateral faces 201 and 202 with a series of horizontal oblong holes 200. In two of these holes are engaged retaining hooks 30 integral with the upper face of lateral bars 3a, 3b. These are for example metal tubes of square section. Stops 31 block the lateral bars against the column head. These are equipped with lifting arms 4a and 4b which extend parallel to the arms 1a, 1b of the base 1 and in the same direction as the latter.

The arms 4a, 4b support, in a known manner, the straps S₁, respectively S₂, of means for supporting a patient, in this case a hammock 5, intended for the transport of a person in a seated position.

The lifting column 2 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The fixed lower part 22 of the column 2 contains the body 24 of a jack, for example an electric jack, the rod 23 of which is fixed to the upper end 21 of the head. mobile column 20 by an appropriate fixing system, for example with a screw / fan washer (not shown). It is easily understood that an extension movement of the cylinder rod causes the column head 20 to rise. During the movement of movement of the column head 20, the latter is guided in translation relative to the fixed part. 22, by two pairs of idle rollers 5 rotating about parallel fixed axes 50, which are carried by an element 6 of substantially rectangular section, integral with the lower part 22 of the column.

At one end of each side bar 3a, 3b are welded an "L" shaped angle iron - or hook - 30, and a "U" bracket - or stop - 31.

In two holes 200 of the faces 201 and 202 of the column head, the retaining hooks 30 of the side bars 3a and 3b are engaged. There is shown by a contour in phantom in Figure 2, the position of the arm 3b when introducing into a hole 200, the upper wing 301 of the retaining hook 30; during the movement of the arm in the direction of the arrow h in FIG. 2, the upper wing 301 of the hook is introduced inside the head of the column. Simultaneously, the stop 31 is pressed against the corresponding face 201 or 202 of the column head, while its wings are pressed against the opposite faces (front faces) 203, 204.

The locking of the side bar on the column head is therefore very easy, and is self-locking, the weight of the side bar / lifting arm assembly tending to favor locking.

Unlocking and removal are also very easy, by reverse movement (tilting of the bar in a substantially vertical direction).

We therefore understand that it is very easy to stably fix the two assemblies 3a-4a and 3b-4b to the head 20 at various heights, different or not, by choosing the appropriate holes 200.

FIG. 4 shows a variant of the means for positioning the lateral bars on the column head. These positioning means consist of a retaining hook 32 in round wire having the shape of a "U" stirrup, the ends of the lateral branches of which are folded down at right angles to the plane of the "U". This hook will subsequently be called a "hook".

The transverse branch of the clip has been designated by the reference 320, and the folded ends (or wings) by the reference 321.

As was the case for the hooks 30, the clips 32 are welded to one end of the arms 3a, 3b, against their upper face, wings 321 directed upwards, and projecting relative to the end of the associated arm.

The head of column 2 is no longer provided with two lateral series of oblong holes, but with two series of pairs of holes 210 (located in pairs at the same level), capable of receiving the wings 321 of the clip to retain the bar. associated 3a or 3b at the desired height.

The internal face of each of the wings 310 of the stop 31 is provided with a plastic plate 7. This is intended to limit friction between the stop and the column head, for example when the latter are respectively in steel and aluminum.

According to the variant of FIGS. 5 and 6, a series of pins 28 with an enlarged head 280 is fixed on each lateral face 201, 202 of the column head 20. These pins are regularly spaced vertically along the head 20, in the central part of the face 201, 202. Each stop 31 carried by the side bars 3a, 3b has, in its upper central part 34, an opening 35 in the form of a buttonhole capable of being engaged and retained, in a manner well known per se, on the selected pin. As in the previous embodiment, the stop 31 has a U-shaped profile, the wings 310 of which enclose, by means of support fittings 7, the two other sides of the column head (front and rear faces 203 , 204).

The view in Figure 7 is intended to show how the lifting arms are placed on the side bars. Thus the arm 4a has, on its underside, a sheath 40 (for example welded) of a shape complementary to that of the bar 3a in cross section, apart from play. Note in the figure that the bar 3a is slightly inclined at an angle v relative to the horizontal. If the bar was horizontal, the arm 4a would tend to be slightly drooping due to its weight and the play that exists between the sleeve 40 and the side bar 3a. In this way, the arm 4a is slightly raised on the side of the end which carries the straps (to the right of FIG. 7), so that in the case where straps of hammock or harness for carrying people are placed, they are less likely to slip and fall unexpectedly from the arm.

The device which has just been described therefore makes it possible, depending on the arrangement of the side bars which one has chosen (same height or different height), to transport a patient in various positions.

The other appended figures relate to a second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention. The identical parts which are found in this variant and in the first example already described, have not been shown again; this is in particular the base of the device.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, it is noted that the lifting column head 20 and the lower fixed part 22 have square sections which fit into one another. The command of the raising and lowering of the column head is ensured by a geared motor and a worm not shown. It could also be a hydraulic or electric cylinder.

On its faces 201 and 202, the column head is equipped with a vertical slide 25 in the form of a C , the back of which is integral with the face, while its wings are turned towards the outside. At the center of this slide, and along its major axis, is disposed an endless screw 81.

The latter is guided in rotation and immobilized in translation at its upper and lower parts relative to the head 20. At its upper end, a flywheel 8 is fixed making it possible to rotate it.

In the slide 25 is guided in translation a slide 82 which has a tapped hole through which the screw 81 passes. The rotation of the screw, in one direction or the other, therefore makes it possible to move the slide in the slide, upwards or down.

The lateral bars 3a, 3b are metal tubes with circular section and are each fixed, at one of their ends, to a slide 82. They can therefore be lowered or raised both continuously, this independently of one of the other.

The lifting arms 4a, 4b are also tubes of circular section. Each of them carries a plastic sheath 41 intended to serve as a support for the straps (not shown) of a nacelle or a hammock.

They are mounted adjustable longitudinally (along their axis) in a sleeve 33, in which they can be immobilized in the desired extension position, by means of a pressure screw 330. Each of the sleeves 33 is itself mounted axially adjustable on one of the side bars 3a, 3b. To this end, the sleeves 33 have the form of split collars which can be tightened on the associated bar 3a, 3b by a screw 331.

The forces applied to each of the lifting arms (forces resulting in particular from the weight of the person transported) are largely absorbed by a support bar 90 forming a downward stop of the associated lifting arm. Each bar 90 is arranged parallel to one of the bars 3a, 3b and is integral, at its ends with mounting plates 9, themselves integral with this bar 3a or 3b.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, when the apparatus is not used, it is easy to raise the arms 4a, 4b after loosening the screws 331 and pivoting of the sleeves 33 by a quarter turn upwards. It can thus be stored under a small footprint.

The device which is the subject of this variant allows, in the case of a direct transfer of a patient from the lying position on the back to the sitting position in a chair, to move in the vertical direction continuously, a lifting arm to a high position.

Similarly, the other lifting arm can be moved in the vertical direction continuously, to a low position. This arrangement makes it possible to hang two straps on the back side of a hammock constituting the patient's retaining means for handling and transporting it on the highest lifting arm. The other two gimbal straps, which are preferably crossed, passing between the patient's thighs, are hooked to the lifting arm located in the low position.

The raising and lowering of the lifting arms have been described using a worm system to obtain continuous vertical movement. Other systems, for example rack and pinion, can also be used.

Regarding the design of the side bars and lifting arms, they can be made either with hollow or full profiles.

Claims (12)

1. Apparatus for fifting patients, in particular for lifting and transporting patients in a sitting position or a lying position, the apparatus being of the type comprising:

   - a generally U-shaped moving base (1) constituted by two substantially horizontal parallel arms (1a, 1b) and a transvers element (1c);

   - an elevator column (2) mounted on the transverse element (1c) having a bottom portion (22) fixed to said transverse elements, and a top portion or "column head" (20) formed by a telescopic tube moveable in the vertical direction; and

   - support means (S) for supporting the patient;

   - a pair of lateral bars (3a, 3b) extending from each side of the elevator column (2), each of said bars being suitable for receiving a substantially horizontal lifting arm (4a, 4b) which extends in a direction parallel to the arms (1a, 1b) in the base, and in the same direction as said arms, said lifting arms (4a, 4b) carrying said support means (S);

      the apparatus being characterized in that it includes:

   - mounting and adjustment means connecting the lateral bars (3a, 3b) to the elevator column (2), said means serving firstly to fix said arms to the moving column head (20) of the column (2) and secondly to adjust the heights of the positions of said lateral bars (3a, 3b) relative to the base (1) independently from each other.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said mounting and adjusting means are constituted by a series of horizontal oblong holes (200) disposed on opposite sides (201, 202) of the top portion (20) of the elevator column for the purpose of receiving the lateral bars, and by L-shaped retaining hooks (30) having their bases fixed to the top faces of the ends of said lateral bars, with the vertical flange of each hoock being suitable for engaging in any one of said oblong holes (200) when the end of said lateral bar is brought to bear against said column head (20).
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said mounting and adjusting means are constituted by series of holes (210) disposed in pairs on opposite sides (201, 202) of the column head (20) and by staple-shaped retaining hooks (32) each having its base (320) fixed to the top face at the end of a corresponding one of said lateral bars (3a, 3b), with the upwardly directed flanges (321) of said hooks being suitable for engaging in said holes (210) when the lateral bar is brought to bear against said column head (20).
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that mounting and adjusting means comprise series of studs (28) disposed on the lateral sides (201, 202) of the column head (20) and co-operating with respective keyhole-shaped slots (35) formed in elements (31) fixed to said lateral bars (3a, 3b).
5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the ends of said lateral bars (3a, 3b) that bear against said column head (20) include respective U-shaped abutments (31) with the base of each abutment being fixed to the corresponding bar and with the flanges of each abutment bearing against opposite front and black sides (203, 204) of said column head.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the inside faces of the flanges of the U-shaped abutments (31) are lined with plastic material (7).
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said lateral bars (3a, 3b) are slightly inclined in the transverse direction relative to the horizontal.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said mounting and adjusting means enable the lateral bars (3a, 3b) to be displaced vertically on a continuous basis.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said mounting and adjusting means comprise a pair of vertical slideways (25) disposed on the two lateral faces (201, 202) of the column head (20), each of which receives a vertically moveable slide (82) with each slide (82) carrying one of the lateral bars (3a, 3b).
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that it includes a pair of endless screws (81) each suitable for displacing a corresponding one of the slides (82) inside the corresponding slideway (25).
11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that each lateral bar (3a, 3b) carries a second bar (90) which runs substantially parallel thereto and which constitutes an abutment member suitable for supporting the associated lifting arm (4a, 4b).
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the lateral bar (3a, 3b) and the lifting arms (4a, 4b) are circular in section, and in that each of the lifting arms (4a, 4b) is mounted on the associated lateral bar by means of a clamping sleeve (42) capable of being displaced both in translation along the lateral bar (3a, 3b) and in rotation thereabout, and then capable of being locked in the desired position.

Images