EP1672995A2

EP1672995A2 - Aid for the temporary shifting of beds

Info

Publication number: EP1672995A2
Application number: EP04734015A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johan Vestberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-02
Filing date: 2004-05-19
Publication date: 2006-06-28
Also published as: WO2005002397A3; SE0301978D0; WO2005002397A2; SE523726C2; SE0301978L

Abstract

The invention relates to a device that functions as an aid for moving objects, in particular the shifting of beds in conjunction with cleaning and bedding. The aid is comprised of one or more pull reels, each encompassed by a housing (1) containing a pulling coil (2) wound onto a drum (4) with a spring back clutch. A characterizing part of the invention is that the aid (6) is preferably attached to the underside of a bed frame that constitutes the bed's foot end (8). The aid's pull reel is fitted under the bed frame by way of a bayonet socket. Within the scope of the invention, a second aid (12) can be attached to the underside of a bed frame that constitutes the bed's head end (9). Preferably, the pull reel's pulling coil can be made of some sort of natural material, for instance flax or hemp. Steel wire can also be used. As an alternative the pulling coil can also be fabricated of synthetic material, such as nylon.

Description

AID FOR THE TEMPORARY SHIFTING OF BEDS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a pulling device comprised of a bracket and a spool in the form of a reel with an extractable line. The pulling device is preferably used for moving beds in a manner that relieves the back of unnecessary strain.

The need for shifting beds is found in many circumstances. For example, being able to shift the bed when cleaning a hotel room facilitates cleaning under and around the bed. Furthermore making up the bed is for example eased in a hotel room if the bed can be shifted to allow better access around the bed. Beds are usually moved horizontally within the room by hotel staff who bend over and grip the bed frame and then pull the bed in the desired direction. As a result of this described scenario the back is submitted to unfavorable strain and load, which may induce back injury or back problems respectively.

Prior Art

A considerable number of devices that facilitate the shifting of beds are known. The Swedish patent document SE 509010 describes a detachable mechanism in the form of one or two pole-like units used preferably in conjunction with transportation of bedridden patients to and from operations and the like. The end of one of the pole-like units hooks on to one of the bed ends. The other end of one of the pole-like units is designed to act as a handle.

Patent document US 2633581 describes a device which makes cleaning under and around and also making-up a bed easier. The bed is turnable and outfitted with wheels that run in a rail under the bed frame. A handle is placed at the front edge of the bed. During cleaning and bedding a handle is gripped and horizontally turned outward in the direction away from the wall thereby easing cleaning and bedding. This device does not facilitate a favorable working position from the perspective of back strain and load.

US 3745597 describes a device intended especially for hotel beds which eases cleaning and bed making. The bed is equipped with an extra leg placed in the center of the bed's underside and also outfitted with wheels. A box with a sloping topside including a groove ending in a depression is placed under the bed. A stationary handle is placed at the front of the bed. During cleaning and bed making the handle is gripped and the bed is then pulled toward the gripper. This causes the wheel on the centrally placed extra leg to run along the groove on the topside of the box. When the wheel reaches the end of the groove it slips into the depression thereby allowing the bed to be made-up from standing only on one side without having to move to the other side of the bed. The device lacks an extractable handle and does not facilitate a favorable working position from the perspective of back strain and load.

A design that eases the shifting of beds without causing undue back strain and load is known from US 2862213. This patent describes a device that lifts a bed vertically and moves the bed horizontally within a room. The device, which is fastened under the bed frame, is maneuvered by way of two pedals. By depressing the one pedal the bed is elevated, which at the same time allows the bed to run along a rail in a predominantly horizontal direction. By depressing the other pedal the bed is elevated, which at the same time allows the bed to run in a predominantly horizontal direction back toward its original position. This design is technically complicated and lacks an extractable handle.

US 3982613 describes a wheel fitted suitcase with a pulling device. The pulling device consists of a wire, chain or band that extracts and retracts respectively on a spring-loaded reel internally mounted in the suitcase. During use the wire, chain or band is pulled out to the point where the wire, chain or band is fully extracted from the reeling device, after which the suitcase then can be pulled along. After the desired amount of movement is completed the wire is automatically drawn back into the reeling device. Nowhere in this patent document is it mentioned that the reeling device for example can be used for shifting beds in conjunction with cleaning and bedding. In addition this design is prone to overturn because the reel is mounted in an unfavorable position in relation to the suitcase's center of gravity.

Among other things, existing devices for shifting beds differ from the invention by lacking an extractable handle. Furthermore a person shifting a bed by know technology can not do so without causing an unfavorable working position from the perspective of back strain and load.

Description of the invention

The invention comprises a device or rather an aid for the temporary shifting of objects, particularly beds. This aid is especially suitable for use in hotels and other types of facilities with many beds.

A vital part of the invention constitutes a replaceable cassette, hereafter designated as the pull reel, which principally consists of known apparatuses, such as spools for cable, hose, wire, chain and coil. All extractable components will hereafter be commonly designated as pulling coil. Spools are characterized by their pulling coil being attached to a spring back clutch. For instance, after extracting the pulling coil from the pull reel housing, the spring back mechanism allows the automatic rewinding of the pulling coil back into the housing after use. The pulling coil has a handle on its end that always provides easy access to said coil. After use the pulling coil is rewound into the pull reel by way of automatic spring back, which creates the need for a stop. This stop is provided by the pulling coil's handle. Hence a ring through which the pulling coil runs, for example can secure the handle. This ring or loop can form an addition to the cassette or be attached to the foot end of the bed.

Figures 1-4 help describe of the invention in more detail.

Fig. 1 shows a drawing of the aid in the form of a cassette seen from the side

Fig. 2 shows an extracted pulling coil from the pull reel casing or housing

Fig. 3 shows the aid fitted under the foot end of a bed with the pulling coil extended

Fig. 4 shows the first aid attached under the foot end of a bed with the pulling coil extended and also a second aid mounted under the head end of a bed that shows how the pulling coil runs through a pulley or ring attached to a wall

The aid (pull reel) is comprised of a housing 1 containing a pulling coil 2 that ends in a handle 3. The pulling coil and other component of the invention will be manufactured of materials with minimal environmental impact. Accordingly, the pulling coil will preferably be made of natural materials, like flax or hemp. Regarding synthetic materials, nylon and fibers of for example polyethylene could be used. As an alternative the pulling coil could be fabricated of steel wire that is twined into a coil. The pull reel housing and the pulling coil handle could advantageously be fabricated of recyclable plastics.

The pulling coil is layered on a spring-loaded drum 4 contained within the housing, enabling the pulling coil to be automatically wound back onto the drum after extraction and moving the bed.

The housing is equipped with fasteners 5 by which the aid's pull reel 6 can be attached to bed undersides 7, preferably on the foot end 8 of the bed. A characterizing part of the invention is that the aid's pull reel can easily be replaced by using some form of coupling, for example a bayonet coupling. The aid described above is intended for shifting a bed from its designated position. Normally, this implies that the bed's initial position is with its head end 9 pressed toward a wall 10. In other words it is necessary to move the bed from the wall, which is demonstrated by arrow 11. In order to pull the bed outward, according to the invention, the user must first grip the handle (3) and then fully extract the pulling coil from the pull reel (6). A characterizing feature of the invention is that its pulling coil in its extracted length is flexible, enabling the pulling coil to be held at a variety of different angles in relation to the aid's point of attachment and the bed end. By further pulling, the bed eventually follows the pulling coil and can be shifted into a new desired position. After the bed is shifted (see arrow 11 in figure 3), the user then releases the handle resulting in the automatic recoiling of the pulling coil onto the pull reel drum. The described use of the invention and the movement of the bed from the wall can also be used for shifting the bed diagonally backwards or to the side.

An ergonomically desirable way of returning the bed to its original position can be accomplished according to the invention by placing a second aid 12 under the head end (9) of the bed. In order to move the bed back toward the wall (see arrow 13 in figure 4), a pulley or ring 14 can be attached to the wall or floor. As shown in figure 4, a pulling coil can then be run through 15 the pulley on the wall. The pulling coil runs from the pulley back toward the bed end where the pulling coil handle 16 is found.

Advantages of the Invention In practice this invention provides several advantages. In general it can be said that the work involved in making up the bed is simplified by the fact that cleaning personnel do not have to bend over in order to move the bed. By application the invention assists the user by enabling him/her to stand upright while shifting the bed straight back, to the side or diagonally outward. The invention can also assist in the strenuous procedure of returning the bed to its designated position. Therefore practically all unfavorable strain and load leading to problems with the lower back, knees and other areas can thus be avoided.

The result of disadvantageous working positions can in the worst-case lead to slipped discs and lumbago. Furthermore injuries to the neck, arms and shoulders can be avoided through the use of the invention. Under all circumstances the frequency of currently named common occupational injuries among cleaning personnel and others is reduced. Another advantage is that vital parts of the invention are already widely available on the market keeping costs low which in turn enables the aid to be manufactured inexpensively. A further benefit with the invention is that it is easy to replace the aid's pull reel thanks to its bayonet socket design.

Claims

1. An aid for the temporary shifting of beds in which the aid is comprised of one or more pull reels, each encompassed by a housing (1) containing a pulling coil (2) wound onto a drum (4) with a spring back clutch characterized in that the aid is fixed to the underside of a bed frame, preferably the underside of the bed frame that constitutes the bed's foot end (8).

2. Composition according to claim 1 characterized in that the first aid (6) is attached to the underside of a bed frame that constitutes the bed's foot end (8), and that a second aid (12) is attached to the underside of a bed frame that constitutes the bed's head end (9).

3. Composition according to one or the other of claim 1 and claim 2 characterized in that the aid's pulling coil (2) in its extracted length is flexible, enabling the pulling coil (2) to be held at a variety of different angles in relation to the aid's point of attachment and the bed end (8).

4. Composition according to one or the other of claims 2-3 characterized in that the pulling coil of the bed's head end (9) runs through a pulley or ring (14) attached to the wall (10) or floor in the room where the bed is placed.

5. Composition according to one or the other of claims 1-4 characterized in that the pulling coil (2, 15) is composed of natural materials such as flax or hemp.

6. Composition according to one or the other of claims 1-4 characterized in that the pulling coil (2, 15) is composed of synthetic materials such as nylon.

7. Composition according to one or the other of claims 1-4 characterized in that the pulling coil (2, 15) is composed of twined steel wire.

8. Composition according to one or the other of claims 1-7 characterized in that the aid's pull reel is fitted under the bed frame by way of a bayonet socket.