EP1886656A1 - Bath tub hoist - Google Patents

Abstract

Lift device for helping people climb in and out of a bath comprises a lower frame (1), an upper frame (2), a seat (4), an actuator for lifting/lowering the upper frame, a hand drive for actuating the actuator, and an arm (16, 17) fixed to or freely lying on one of the frames and freely lying with a free lever arm on the other frame. Preferred Features: A scissor mechanism (3) with rods (3.1, 3.2) is arranged between the two frames. The actuator is a threaded spindle and the drive is a crank handle.

Description

The invention relates to a device which serves as an entry and exit aid for a bathtub.

Such devices are helpful and indispensable for elderly or infirm persons. They allow a safe and comfortable entry and exit in a bathtub or a bathtub.

Such a bathtub lifter comprises an upper frame and a lower frame. The upper frame carries a seat plate. The two plates are generally connected by a scissors rack. It is further provided an actuator, and a drive. The actuator is arranged between drive and seat plate. It serves to raise and lower the seat plate.

There are different types of drives into consideration. DE 197 31 832 C2 describes a bathtub lifter, in which an electric motor drive is provided. A drawback is that the electric motor substantially increases the overall weight of the bathtub lifter so that it is difficult to insert and lift the lift into or out of the bathtub for cleaning purposes.

Another drive consists of an expander, which can be connected to pressurized water. The pressurized water used was the pressure of the municipal water network. However, this design is problematic because the pressurized water network can fail and thus a person sitting in the bathtub, the exit depending on the physical condition is difficult or even impossible.

There are also devices with which the raising and lowering of the seat plate is effected by hand. Such devices include a threaded spindle which can be rotated by a hand crank by the user and thus a Up and down causes the person sitting on it. The user is thus completely self-sufficient. It is independent of the electricity grid and the water network. It only needs to be ensured that the force applied by the user when operating the hand crank is small, so that even weak people are able to crank themselves up from a lower position.

In order to facilitate this cranking, tension springs have already been provided, which engage on mutually opposite bars of said scissors mechanism. The force exerted acts in the sense that it wants to "open" the scissors mechanism, and thus at the same time raises the seat plate. If the seat plate with the person sitting on it is at the very bottom, and the scissors mechanism is thus folded, then the bars of the scissors mechanism as well as the spring are in a horizontal position and thus parallel to one another. The force exerted by the spring force in this constellation can not cause any movement. This follows only when the scissor mechanism is "unfolded" to some extent, with the bars of the scissors mechanism being at least slightly inclined to the horizontal. This is a disadvantage of the hand crank drive in its previous form.

The publication WO 91/15179 Proposes to provide a corresponding scissors mechanism with torsion bars, which are provided in addition to the said tension springs. The torsion bars then exert the greatest force on the scissors mechanism in the sense of moving apart when the scissors mechanism is fully folded. The torsion bars are torsionally rigidly connected to a lower frame of the scissors mechanism and each have at their free levers a tube with a tight fit, which tube telescopes in a second tube which is pivotally connected to the upper frame of the lever mechanism. The structure of the scissor mechanism together with the torsion bars is therefore expensive, which leads to high production costs. Furthermore, telescoping the various tubes into one another requires fusing the tubes, otherwise the telescopic mechanism is too stiff. After all already means a slight buckling or deformation of the tubes that the telescopic mechanism is no longer working properly.

The invention has for its object to make a Badelifter with a hand drive so that the force that is necessary to lift the seat plate with the person thereon is minimized, especially if the seat plate is located in the lower area. In addition, the bath lifter should be as easy and inexpensive to produce as possible, while ensuring that the lifter works smoothly without applying or replacing grease, regardless of minor damage that may arise during use or storage.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

The solution is that between the two frames, the upper and the lower frame of the bathtub lifter, a bracket is arranged, which exerts a force on the two frames in the sense of divergence. The bracket is rotatably connected to one of the two frames and has a free lever arm, which is supported freely adjacent to the other of the two frames or at a projection provided there. Instead of means of a non-rotatable connection of the bracket on the first frame can also be freely adjacent or stationary or rigidly connected.

Unlike the one described above WO 91/15179 , in which it is shown that the lever arms of the torsion bars must be telescopic, because shorten their length when lowering and lengthen when lifting, according to the present invention, the bracket is advantageously free of any telescoping mechanism. Rather, the free lever arm of the bracket can be supported freely with only one side of one of the two frames, in particular on a circular cross-section stop of the frame.

The invention can be used particularly advantageously in bath lifters having a scissor mechanism, and also a spring which acts on opposite bars of the scissor mechanism and is intended to effect a force in the manner of opening the scissor mechanism.

The bracket according to the invention may be a curved steel rod, which causes the two frame just then a high force in the sense of moving apart of the two frames when they are close to each other. This is the case when the seat plate is in its lowermost position.

The prior art spring and the bracket according to the invention thus complement each other in an ideal manner, since the one organ always applies lifting force when the other does not do so. At the same time, the bracket is advantageously without a hollow tube, in which he in and out of which he slides out. Instead, it is rotatably connected to one of the two frames, in particular with its first axial end, whereas the other, opposite axial end is the free end of a lever arm, which is freely resting on the frame to which the bracket is not rotatably connected, is arranged and thus very easy to slide freely on this frame. Of course, it is possible that a guide element is provided on the frame, for example in the form of a groove or in the form of projections, which prevent axial slipping of the frame along the sliding bracket. According to a particularly simple embodiment, as will be described below with reference to the attached figures, however, the lever arm of the stirrup glides exclusively by its abutment on a single side guided freely on the frame or a projection provided there, which is in particular cylindrical, along.

Figur 1

zeigt einen Badelifter in einer Seitenansicht mit der Sitzplatte in seiner obersten Position.

Figur 2

zeigt den Gegenstand in einer Ansicht von hinten, wiederum mit der Sitzplatte in ihrer obersten Position, jedoch ohne Rückenlehne.

Figur 3

zeigt den Gegenstand von Figur 1 in der gleichen Ansicht wie in Figur 2, jedoch mit der Sitzplatte in einer unteren Position.

Figur 4

zeigt den Gegenstand der Figuren 1 bis 3 in einer dreidimensionalen Draufsicht schräg von unten.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The following is shown in detail:

FIG. 1

shows a Badelifter in a side view with the seat plate in its uppermost position.

FIG. 2

shows the object in a view from behind, again with the seat plate in its uppermost position, but without backrest.

FIG. 3

shows the article of Figure 1 in the same view as in Figure 2, but with the seat plate in a lower position.

FIG. 4

shows the subject matter of Figures 1 to 3 in a three-dimensional plan view obliquely from below.

The bathtub lifter shown in Figure 1 has a lower frame 1, further comprising an upper frame 2. These two are interconnected by a scissor mechanism 3. The scissors mechanism has four bars, of which two bars form a pair of bars, which is located on one of the two longitudinal sides. See the bars 3.1, 3.2 in Figure 1, and 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 in Figures 2 and 3.

The upper frame 2 carries a seat plate 4. Both are firmly connected. The upper frame 2 could also be integrated into the seat plate 4. It would also be conceivable, instead of the two elements - upper frame 2 and seat plate 4 - provide only a single element, so that the bars of the scissor mechanism 3 directly engage the seat plate 4.

The bath tub lifter has a backrest (not shown in Figures 1 to 3), which is generally fixed with an inclination on the seat plate. The inclination can be adjusted if necessary.

The bathtub lifter shown requires no external drives, thus no motor and no pressurized water drive. Rather, the height can be operated by the user himself by hand. For this purpose, a threaded spindle is provided, which is arranged under the seat plate 4, for example in the upper frame 2. The threaded spindle can be driven via an angle drive 5 by means of a hand crank, not shown. The threaded spindle can be screwed through a nut, which in turn acts on the upper end of two of the four bars of the scissor mechanism and migrates along the latter when the threaded spindle is rotated. Thus, the scissors mechanism is adjusted in the sense of opening or closing, and at the same time the height of the seat plate 4 is adjusted.

Decisive are according to the invention, two brackets 16, 17 and a stop 18. In Figure 1 you can see the one of these two strap, namely the bracket 16. This is arranged on the upper frame 2, by means of two brackets 13 and 14. It is the free end of the long leg of bracket 16 in holder 13 rotatably fixed. Holder 14, however, represents a camp in which the long leg of bracket 16 can rotate freely.

In Figure 2 it can be seen that the two brackets 16, 17 occupy a certain angular position to each other and also to the vertical. In this illustration, the seat plate 4 is in its uppermost position. In the designated position, the bracket 16, 17 are no longer directly free to the stop 18 at. However, this is also not necessary because in the uppermost position of the seat plate 4 or almost in the uppermost position of the seat plate 4, a force in the sense of opening the scissor mechanism 3, which is provided by the brackets 16, 17, is not necessary and In particular, due to the little or no torsion of the bracket 16, 17 of these can not be applied.

Another situation arises at the position of the seat plate 4, which is shown in FIG. Here is the seat plate 4 in a lower position (not yet in the bottom). In this position, the end portions of the short legs of the two brackets 16, 17 abut against the stop 18. By this system at the stop 18 they are deflected relative to the position of Figure 2 and thus twisted. This means that they contain a torsional energy, and endeavor to return to the shape shown in Figure 2. It also means that the two brackets 16, 17 have the tendency to move the seat plate 4 back up. Thus, the two brackets in their lower position help to reduce the force necessary to crank the seat panel 4.

As can be seen, the short legs of the two brackets 16, 17, which form a free lever arm of the bracket, are exposed to the stop 18, which has a cylindrical shape and extends with its central axis in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the bathtub lifter to. Thus, the movement of the bracket 16, 17 is limited by the stop 18 exclusively in a single direction, namely in the direction of a perpendicular to the contact surface of the bracket 16, 17 which extends at a circular cross-section of the stopper 18 through the central axis. As an alternative to the circular cross-section shown, the stop 18 could also be designed to be elliptical or circular or elliptical only in the region of the abutment of the brackets 16, 17.

In order to provide a stronger guidance of the stirrups 16, 17 on the stop 18, the stop 18 could be provided with corresponding notches in which the stirrups 16, 17 slide. Alternatively, 18 projections spaced apart from each other could be provided in the axial direction of the stop, which enclose the brackets 16, 17 between them. However, according to the simplest embodiment shown here, the stop 18 is free of any protrusions and / or notches or depressions.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, two tension springs 15 are located between the bars 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3, 3.4 of the scissor mechanism 3. These run horizontally. They have exactly the same endeavor as the brackets 16, 17, namely to open the scissors mechanism 3 and thus to move the seat plate 4 upwards.

However, this is only possible if the scissors mechanism 3 is already opened by a certain amount. If, on the other hand, the seat plate 4 is in its very lowest position, then the tension springs 15 are parallel to the bars 3.1 to 3.4 of the scissor mechanism 3. The tension springs can thus exert no force in the desired direction on the bars which would be capable of lifting the bars Seat plate 4 contribute.

The bracket 16, 17 according to the invention in cooperation with the stop 18 are thus an ideal means, just in the lower part of the seat plate 4 to apply a lifting force on the seat plate 4, and thus intervene in that work area, in which the tension springs 15 may not be effective , Conversely, the tension springs 15 are effective when the seat plate 4 is in an upper area. In the upper area, however, the effect of the bracket 16, 17 is a lesser.

In Figure 4, the bath lifter shown in side views in Figures 1 to 3 is shown again in a three-dimensional view laterally obliquely from below. The cylindrical shape of the abutment 18, along which the two stirrups 16, 17, which are always crossed relative to one another above the stop 18, can be clearly seen here. Furthermore, it can be seen that, apart from the bars 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 of the scissors mechanism 3, there is no connection or positive connection between the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2.

Instead of the illustrated configuration of the two brackets 16, 17 and the stop 18, other configurations are conceivable. Thus, for example - as seen in the side view of Figure 1 - between the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2, a bracket are arranged, which is approximately C-shaped and rests on the upper frame 2 and the lower frame 1. Other configurations would be conceivable. While the bracket 16, 17 are claimed in accordance with the figures 1 to 3 to torsion, brackets could be provided, which are claimed only on bending. For example, a bracket could be provided, which has two legs. The two legs could be designed in the manner of a splayed hairpin. The one leg could be fixed to the upper frame 2 - similar to the representation of Figure 1 - and the lower leg could extend downwards, but not vertically, but at a certain inclination, and abut the lower frame 1.

There are also other modifications of the shape as the arrangement of the bracket into consideration. Thus, the two brackets can be arranged with their one leg on the lower frame 1, instead of the upper frame 2. Depending on the leg of the relevant bracket on which the deformation force acts, it could also be located on the front end of the bath lifter, instead of the rear end face.

Instead of on one or both ends of the bathtub lifter, the straps could be arranged on the long sides.

• Der Badewannenlifter benötigt keine äußere Energie, somit weder elektrische Energie noch Druckwasser.
• Demgemäß benötigt er auch keine Antriebe wie Elektromotoren oder Druckanschlussarmaturen.
• Der Benutzer ist völlig autark; er selbst kann die Sitzplatte aus eigener Kraft auf und abbewegen, und zwar auch dann, wenn er darauf sitzt.
• Der Benutzer ist unbeeinträchtigt von Ausfällen des Stromnetzes oder des Wassernetzes.
• Die erfindungsgemäßen Bügel sorgen dafür, dass gerade im unteren Bereich die zum Hochkurbeln der Sitzplatte erforderliche Kraft verringert wird. Es können somit auch ältere schwache Personen den Badewannenlifter leicht bedienen.
• Die Bügel sind ein extrem einfaches, kostengünstiges Hilfsmittel, das keinem Verschleiß unterliegt. Versuche haben die Dauerfestigkeit über 10.000 Zyklen erwiesen.

The advantages of the invention are the following:

• The bath lifter needs no external energy, thus neither electrical energy nor pressurized water.
• Accordingly, he also needs no drives such as electric motors or pressure connection fittings.
• The user is completely self-sufficient; He himself can move the seat up and down by himself, even if he sits on it.
• The user is unaffected by power grid or water network failures.
• The brackets according to the invention ensure that the force required to raise the seat plate is reduced, especially in the lower region. It can thus easily handle even older weak people the bath lift.
• The stirrups are an extremely simple, cost-effective tool that is not subject to wear. Tests have proven the fatigue strength over 10,000 cycles.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

lower frame

2

upper frame

3

shear mechanism

3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4

rods

4

seat plate

5

angle drive

13

bracket

14

bracket

15

mainspring

16

hanger

17

hanger

18

attack

Claims (8)

Badewannenlifter 1.1 with a lower frame (1); 1.2 with an upper frame (2); 1.3 with a seat plate (4); 1.4 with an actuator for raising and lowering the upper frame (1) and thus the seat plate (4); 1.5 with a manual drive for actuating the actuator; 1.6 between the two frames (1, 2) is a bracket (16, 17) arranged on the two frames (1, 2) exerts a force in the sense of their divergence; characterized in that 1.7 of the bracket (16, 17) on one of the two frames (1, 2) rotatably, freely connected or fixedly connected and is supported with a free lever arm on the other of the two frames (1, 2) with one side freely fitting. Bathtub lifter according to claim 1, characterized in that a scissors mechanism (3) with bars (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) is arranged between the two frames (1, 2). Bathtub lifter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a threaded spindle is provided as the actuator, and as a drive a hand crank. Bath tub lifter according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the following features: 4.1 there are two brackets (16, 17) provided; 4.2 each one of these two brackets (16, 17) is arranged on a longitudinal side of the bath lifter; 4.3 each bracket (16, 17) has two legs which are bent by 90 degrees; 4.4 one leg is arranged horizontally on the upper or lower frame (1, 2), and the other leg is inclined against the horizontal; 4.5 there is provided a stop (18) against which the inclined legs rest under torsion of the stirrups (16, 17). Bath tub lifter according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that between the bars (3.1, 3.2 and 3.3, 3.4) at least one tension spring (15) is provided, which has the tendency to raise the seat plate (4). Bath tub lifter according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the stirrups (16, 17) and in particular the entire bathtub lifter is free of a telescoping mechanism. Bath tub lifter according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bracket (16, 17) exclusively with one side of its lever arm on the frame (1, 2), in particular the stop (18) thereof, supported. Bathtub lifter according to claim 4 and in particular one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the stop (18) extends in the longitudinal direction of the bath tub lifter and in a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the region of the contact surface of the bracket (16, 17) part-circular or partially elliptical Cross-section or overall has a circular or elliptical cross section.

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