EP3620145A1 - Device for transporting the sick - Google Patents

Abstract

Patient transport device (10) with a base frame (12) with steering and / or castors, an upper frame (20) and a lower frame (16) and with a lifting device (22), with drive (28). The height position of the upper frame (20) can be changed between a low lift position and a maximum lift position by means of the lifting device (22). A lying surface (14) comprises a central part (62) with a head end (76) and a second end facing the foot end (78) of the lying surface (14), a backrest part (74) articulated to the first end of the central part (62) , which is pivotable about a first pivot axis (72), which runs transversely to the longitudinal extent of the lying surface (14), and a lower leg / leg pivotable relative to the central part (62) about a second pivot axis (80) parallel to the first pivot axis (72) Foot part (82) which, when the backrest part (74) is pivoted up, can be folded down to form a hospital chair. There is also a safety device (126) on the base frame (12) and / or on the lower leg / foot part (82) to prevent damage to the lying surface (14) when the lower frame (12) is lowered when the lower leg / foot part () is folded down. 82) is provided.

Description

The invention relates to a patient transport device for transporting a patient in a vehicle (namely an ambulance or patient transport vehicle) and, in particular, to a patient transport device with a lying surface that can be adjusted so that the patient transport device can be used as a hospital chair. The invention thus relates to a patient transport device in the sense of an emergency medical system (EMS) used in the preclinical field, which is used to transfer patients from one location (for example an accident location) outside a hospital or clinic to the hospital or clinic to transport a vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a patient transport device for the transport of a patient in a vehicle (for example an ambulance or ambulance), which has a driving device (or underframe) with a stretcher that can be removed from the stretcher or that is mounted on it (in one piece), which can be converted into a chair and / or whose lower leg / foot section can be folded down.

Modern patient transport devices have a base with which a stretcher arranged on the base can be moved comfortably. In addition, patient transport devices with height-adjustable undercarriages are known.

Medical chairs that can be moved by paramedics are also used, but are typically not height-adjustable.

The object of the invention is to propose a patient transport device which can be used in a variety of ways and whose lying surface can be used both as a height-adjustable, movable stretcher and as a height-adjustable, movable hospital chair.

• einem Untergestell mit Lenk- und/oder Laufrollen, einem oberen Rahmen und gegebenenfalls einem unteren Rahmen und mit einer Hubeinrichtung, die automatisch mittels eines Antriebs betreibbar ist,
• wobei die Höhenposition des oberen Rahmens mittels der Hubeinrichtung zwischen einer Niedrigsthubposition und Höchsthubposition insbesondere stufenlos veränderbar ist, und
• einer ein kopfteilseitiges Ende und ein fußteilseitiges Ende aufweisenden Liegefläche an und/oder auf dem oberen Rahmen, die mit dem oberen Rahmen verbunden oder mit dem oberen Rahmen abnehmbar verbindbar ist,
• wobei die Liegefläche umfasst ein Mittelteil mit einem dem kopfseitigen Ende der Liegefläche zugewandten ersten Ende und einem dem fußseitigen Ende der Liegefläche zugewandten zweiten Ende, ein mit dem ersten Ende des Mittelteils gelenkig verbundenes Rückenlehnenteil, das um eine erste Schwenkachse schwenkbar ist, die quer zur durch das kopfseitige Ende und das fußseitige Ende der Liegefläche definierten Längserstreckung der Liegefläche verläuft, und ein um eine zur ersten Schwenkachse parallele zweite Schwenkachse relativ zum Mittelteil schwenkbar angeordnetes Unterschenkel-/Fußteil, welches bei hochgeschenktem Rückenlehnenteil zur Bildung eines Krankenstuhls abklappbar ist, und
• einer am Untergestell und/oder an dem Unterschenkel-/Fußteil angeordneten Sicherheitseinrichtung zur Verhinderung einer Beschädigung der Liegefläche, insbesondere des Unterschenkel-/Fußteils der Liegefläche und/oder des Untergestells beim Absenken des Untergestells im abgeklappten Zustand des Unterschenkel-/Fußteils und zum Schutz potentiell zwischen dieses und ein Hindernis geratene Körperteile.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes a patient transport device which is provided with

• a base frame with steering and / or castors, an upper frame and possibly a lower frame and with a lifting device that can be operated automatically by means of a drive,
• wherein the height position of the upper frame can in particular be varied continuously between a low-lift position and a maximum lift position, and
• a lying surface on and / or on the upper frame having an end on the head part side and an end on the foot part side, which is connected to the upper frame or can be detachably connected to the upper frame,
• wherein the lying surface comprises a middle part with a first end facing the head-side end of the lying surface and a second end facing the foot-side end of the lying surface, a backrest part which is pivotably connected to the first end of the middle part and which is pivotable about a first pivot axis which is transverse to the through the head-side end and the foot-side end of the lying surface have a defined longitudinal extent of the lying surface, and a lower leg / foot part which is pivotable relative to the central part about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis and which can be folded down to form a hospital chair when the backrest part is raised, and
• a safety device arranged on the underframe and / or on the lower leg / foot part to prevent damage to the lying surface, in particular the lower leg / foot part of the lying surface and / or the lower frame when the lower frame is lowered when the lower leg / foot part is folded down and for protection body parts between this and an obstacle.

The patient transport device according to the invention has a base frame provided with steering and / or castors, which comprises a lifting device which can be operated automatically and has a drive. By means of the lifting device, the base and thus the Ambulance device between a low stroke position and a maximum stroke position, in particular infinitely adjustable in height. A double scissor construction is advantageously used as the lifting device, which has the advantage that the longitudinal extension of the underframe is only minimal and nevertheless a maximum lifting position can be taken, which enables the paramedics to operate the patient transport device comfortably and, in particular, to move and load it into a vehicle. In the low-stroke position, the base has a height close to the surface, which is also advantageous for moving a patient.

There is a lying surface on the base frame, which is in particular designed to be removable from the base frame. If necessary, the lying surface can be used separately from the base as a stretcher.

According to the invention, this lying surface can now be converted into a hospital chair. This hospital chair can then also be used separately from the base, if necessary.

According to the invention, however, it is primarily provided that the hospital chair is used together with the underframe. The subdivision of the lying surface comprises a central part, which can be designed as a combined seat and thigh part, but these two parts can also be connected to one another in an articulated manner. In addition to the central part, the lying surface then also has a backrest part and a lower leg / foot part, which are arranged in front of and behind the central part in relation to the longitudinal extent of the lying surface.

The pivot axis between the middle part and the lower leg / foot part is positioned in such a way and / or the base frame is designed in such a way that the lying surface can now be changed into a "chair surface" in the state on the base frame. To do this, the lower leg / foot section is folded down and the backrest section is raised. If the middle part is formed separately into a seat part and a thigh part which can be pivoted to it, In addition, the thigh part can be slightly raised, which means that the patient can take a comfortable sitting position in addition to therapeutic positions such as a flat, upper body height, shock, abdominal wall relief, heart bed and / or step bed position.

According to the invention, the lower leg / foot part and / or the base frame now has a safety device which prevents the patient transport device from being inadvertently damaged when the base frame is lowered when the lower leg / foot part is folded down. In this state, namely, the lower leg / foot part can come into contact with the lower frame and / or with the base on which the patient transport device rests when the lower frame is lowered. The safety device also protects the patient and the paramedics or other persons in the immediate vicinity of the patient transport device from being caught by body parts which can get between the lower leg / foot part and the frame and / or the surface. The safety device provided according to the invention prevents this by automatically switching off the drive of the lifting device.

An essential feature of the invention is to be seen in the arrangement of the safety device on a transport device for the ambulance transport in a vehicle, which prevents any damage to a patient bed surface converted to a chair or provided with the lower leg / foot part folded down when the lower frame is lowered the patient transport device and there are no injuries to the persons operating the patient transport device (such as paramedics). The safety device, if it is arranged on the patient bed surface, should be arranged at the position of the patient bed surface which, when taking up the chair function or when the lower leg / foot part is folded down and the lower frame is lowered, first comes into contact with an obstacle such as e.g. B. the surface, the base or a body located on the surface such. B. reaches the foot of a person.

Such a dangerous situation exists with z. B. Not sick beds. The design requirements for sick beds are completely different than for EMS facilities that are positioned in ambulances or ambulance vehicles for the preclinical transport of patients and accordingly against accelerations acting on the vehicle while driving, such as e.g. B. must be secured in an accident, a braking or evasive maneuver. This securing affects both the lying surface or stretcher on the driving device or directly on the vehicle (when using the stretcher without the driving device) and the driving device on the vehicle. In all these cases, the patient must also be secured on the lying surface or on the stretcher. For these reasons, special standards contain specifications for specifying technical parameters for general stretcher systems and means of transport for power-assisted stretcher and for heavy-duty stretcher. All these boundary conditions, safety aspects and standards do not play a role in hospital beds as used in hospitals. Ambulance devices, which include the ambulance device according to the invention, and hospital beds belong to two product categories that differ so widely from one another in terms of standardization and therefore also in terms of design that the specialist familiar with ambulance devices for the transport of patients in driving devices at hospitals - or nursing beds can receive no suggestions for the further development of vehicle patient transport devices for patients.

In an expedient embodiment of the invention, the safety device has a touch sensor arranged at the foot end of the lower leg / foot part, which, when the lower leg / foot part comes into contact with the base frame or with a base on which the base frame rests, has a switch-off signal for automatically switching off the lifting device issues. The touch sensor system according to this development of the invention is arranged, for example, in an elastically flexible strip, as is known, for example, from automatically closing sliding doors in, for example, rail vehicles. There, rubber strips equipped with contact or pressure or force sensors prevent the doors from getting between them when the doors are closed object is squeezed. Such contact strips can thus be used as a safety device according to the invention and can be attached to the foot-side end of the lower leg / foot part.

In a further expedient embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the lifting device lifts the upper frame by a defined stroke after it has been automatically switched off. If the touch sensor described above responds, the lifting device is automatically switched off, as described above. This creates a certain overrun, so that the lifting device lowers the undercarriage for a short distance, even if the lifting device is switched off. For this situation, a "relief" or compensation should be provided in the lying surface by arranging the middle part so that it can be swiveled up on the lying surface. As already mentioned above, this is particularly the case if the middle part comprises a seat part which is rigidly arranged on the lying surface and a thigh part which can be pivoted to it. The "relief" takes place in that the lower leg / foot section slightly raises the thigh section when the touch sensor rests on the ground and the lifting device should continue to run after it has been automatically switched off. Alternatively, the "overtravel" can also be compensated for by providing an element made of resilient material on the lower leg / foot part of the patient transport device if the foot-side end of the lying surface hits an obstacle when the lower leg / foot part is folded down when the underframe is lowered.

In a further expedient embodiment of the invention, it can further be provided that the safety device has a distance sensor for detecting the approach of the lower leg / foot part to the surface on which the base frame rests, and that the distance sensor outputs a switch-off signal for automatically switching off the lifting device when the distance falls below a predetermined minimum value. In this variant of the safety device according to the invention, the automatic switching off of the lifting device takes place contactlessly with the aid of a distance sensor, which measures the distance from the foot-side end of the lower leg / foot part to the ground or to Underframe detected when the underframe is lowered. Distance sensors are fundamentally known in the prior art and in particular work optically. However, capacitive or inductive distance sensors can also be used in accordance with the invention.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the safety device can have a light barrier into which the lower leg / foot part dips before contacting the surface on which the base frame rests, the light barrier emitting a switch-off signal for automatically switching off the lifting device when the lower leg / Immerse the foot section in the light barrier. As described above, when using a double scissor construction as a lifting device with two scissor drives arranged one above the other, the underframe can be made comparatively short (based on the longitudinal extent of the underframe), which makes it possible to move the patient transport device comfortably even in confined spaces. In this respect, a short underframe should nevertheless give the patient transport device the necessary stability. In this respect, it is expedient to design the lower frame in the lower region, in which the running and steering rollers are located, longer than would be necessary for the operation of the double scissor construction itself. However, this means that the lower frame projects beyond the lower leg / foot section when it is folded down. The solution to this conflict is to create a free space at the end of the foot part between the castors or swivel castors of the base frame, into which the lower leg / foot part can swivel or dip when it is folded down. This free space can now be "monitored" by a light barrier, for example, which ensures that the lifting device is automatically switched off when the underframe is lowered if the lower leg / foot part folded down in this state plunges into the free space.

The previously described safety device with an automatic switch-off function of the lifting device of the underframe should expediently only be activated when it is necessary, that is to say the lower leg / foot part is folded down. This state of the lying surface can be monitored, for example, by sensors, by monitoring the swivel joints between the individual parts of the lying surface and in particular between the lower leg / foot part and the middle part of the lying surface. This would make it possible to "arm" the safety device and the associated sensor system at the moment when the lower leg / foot part is pivoted from the horizontal in the direction of the vertical by a predeterminable minimum.

Another variant of the safety device can also operate purely mechanically according to the invention. The fact that the length of the lying surface in the case of a patient transport device that is to be used both as a stretcher and as a hospital chair should be variable in length. This applies especially to the lower leg / foot section, as this should be able to be pushed together for a length of approx. 45 cm in the chair function. Such a short lower leg / foot section, which is advantageous for the function of the chair in order to be able to take a comfortable seat height, is unsuitable when the patient transport device is used to transport the patient in a lying position. Then you need a lying surface, which is about 2 m long, especially according to the standards.

In an expedient embodiment of the invention, it is therefore provided according to a further variant of the invention that the safety device is designed as an extendable lower leg / foot part or that the safety device includes an extendable lower leg / foot part and that the lower leg / foot part has a unidirectional locking device, which must be unlocked to extend the lower leg / foot section and which unlocks automatically to shorten the lower leg / foot section. The variability in length of the lower leg / foot section provided in accordance with this variant is designed in such a way that a latching device must be released mechanically in order to extend the lower leg / foot section. The lower leg / foot section can now be mechanically locked in various pull-out positions. The lower leg / foot part is pushed together to shorten it, however, automatically, ie without unlocking the latching device.

It is therefore possible that the lower leg / foot part automatically shortens when the lower frame is lowered when the lower leg / foot part is folded down and the lower leg / foot part comes into contact with the ground. A safety device designed in this way can be seen as a simple variant in that it is ensured in any case by simply activating the lowering position when the lower leg / foot part is folded down that the patient transport device is not damaged in any way, and without complex sensors.

In a further expedient embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the patient transport device is additionally equipped with a patient restraint system. In addition to a belt system for buckling up the patient, the patient restraint system also has a footrest, the footrest being designed as a U-shaped restraint bar which has a base leg which extends transversely to side frame sections of the lower leg / foot part and has side legs protruding from the two ends thereof are coupled at their free ends facing away from the base leg to the side frame sections. The restraint bar is articulated to the lower leg / foot section, so that when the restraint bar is used as part of the patient restraint system, it can be swiveled up so that it serves as a footrest. The restraint bar typically assumes this position when the patient is transported lying down in an ambulance or patient transport vehicle. If, on the other hand, the patient transport device according to the invention is used as a hospital chair, a folded-up restraint bar would be disadvantageous insofar as it has a disturbing and obstructive effect when the lower leg / foot part is folded down. This is because he would ensure that the patient's feet or heels would have to be spaced from the lower leg / foot part when the patient is placed on the hospital chair or is to be picked up by the hospital chair. When the patient transport device is in the chair, the restraint bar must be folded down or folded back in order not to be a hindrance.

As already described above, it is expedient if the lower leg / foot part can be extended and has a latching device for fixing in several pull-out positions. It is furthermore expedient if the lower leg / foot part has a first lower leg / foot part element and a second lower leg / foot part element which is slidably guided on the first lower leg / foot part element, the second lower leg / foot part element being in different pull-out positions on the first lower leg. / Foot part element is lockable.

In the case of an extendable lower leg / foot part which, as described above, has two foot part elements which are displaceably guided against one another, it is also expedient if the first lower leg / foot part element is connected in an articulated manner to the central part of the lying surface.

The restraint bar should be coupled together with the extendable second lower leg / foot section element in order to serve as a footrest in any extended position of the lower leg / foot section when the patient is secured on the lying surface by means of the patient restraint system.

In a further expedient embodiment of the invention, it can further be provided that the longitudinal bars of the lying surface are arranged on both sides of the lower leg / foot part and are designed as side rails connected to the first lower leg / foot part element, and that the first lower leg / foot part element has side guide rails on which with the second lower leg / foot part element are guided axially. It is also advantageous here if the free ends of the side legs of the restraint bar are articulated to the guide elements.

Ambulance devices in the form of, for example, stretchers usually have two longitudinal spars, between which there is a lying surface. A patient lying on the lying surface can be buckled up with the aid of a patient restraint system in order to be secured in an ambulance or ambulance during the transport. In addition to a belt system Such a patient restraint system also includes a footrest that projects from the foot surface of the lying surface as a footplate, which in turn is lashed by straps with the longitudinal struts of the stretcher. Such a footrest can sometimes be a hindrance when handling the patient transport device.

• einer Krankentrage, die zwei Längsholme mit einer zwischen diesen angeordneten Liegefläche aufweist,
• wobei die Liegefläche ein kopfseitiges Ende und ein fußseitiges Ende aufweist,
• einem Patientenrückhaltesystem, das neben einem Gurtsystem zum Anschnallen des Patienten auch eine Fußstütze aufweist,
• wobei die Fußstütze als ein U-förmiger Rückhaltebügel ausgebildet ist, der einen quer zu den Längsholmen verlaufenden Basisschenkel mit an dessen beiden Enden abstehenden Seitenschenkeln aufweist, die an ihren dem Basisschenkel abgewandten freien Enden mit den Längsholmen gekoppelt sind,
• wobei der Rückhaltebügel als Rohr ausgebildet ist, und
• einem strangförmigen Element, insbesondere einem Innengurt, das bzw. der durch das Rohr des Rückhaltebügels hindurchgeführt ist und ein Material aufweist, welches reißfester ist als das Material des Rückhaltebügels,
• wobei die Enden des strangförmigen Elements an den freien Enden der Seitenschenkel des Rückhaltebügels und/oder aus diesem herausgeführt sowie an den Längsholmen befestigt sind.

A variant of the invention provides a patient transport device which is provided with

• a stretcher which has two longitudinal spars with a lying surface arranged between them,
• the lying surface having a head end and a foot end,
• a patient restraint system which, in addition to a belt system for buckling the patient, also has a footrest,
• wherein the footrest is designed as a U-shaped restraint bar which has a base leg running transversely to the longitudinal bars with side legs projecting at its two ends, which are coupled to the longitudinal bars at their free ends facing away from the base leg,
• wherein the restraint bar is designed as a tube, and
• a strand-like element, in particular an inner belt, which is guided through the tube of the restraint bar and has a material which is more tear-resistant than the material of the restraint bar,
• wherein the ends of the strand-like element are guided to and / or out of the free ends of the side legs of the restraint bar and are fastened to the longitudinal bars.

The footrest provided in this variant is designed as a U-shaped restraint bar which, in addition to a base leg, also has two side legs projecting laterally from its ends. The base leg runs at the level of the foot-side end of the lying surface and in particular forms this end and is designed as a tube. The side legs of the U-shaped restraint bar are coupled with the side or longitudinal bars of the stretcher or the side bars of the foot section of the lying surface.

To stabilize the restraint bar, the latter has a particularly flexible, essentially non-stretchable, tear-resistant, inner strand-like element, which is preferably an element made of seat belt material or of high-strength fiber material and, so to speak, an "inner belt". The inner belt or the strand-shaped element consists of a material which is significantly more tear-resistant than the material of the restraint bar, the material of which is expediently aluminum or an aluminum alloy or plastic for reasons of weight. The ends of the strand-shaped element which runs through the tube of the restraint bar are also fastened to the longitudinal or side rails of the lying surface or the foot part of the lying surface, or else they are fastened to the free ends of the side legs of the restraint bar, namely there, where the side legs are in turn connected to the longitudinal or side rails.

In an advantageous embodiment of this variant of the invention, the free ends of the side legs of the restraining bar are articulated to the longitudinal spars. This enables the restraint bar to be folded up when the restraint system is needed. When not in use, the restraint bar rests, so to speak, on the foot part of the lying surface and runs along the two side edges and the foot-side edge of the foot part.

The light-weight restraining bar of the patient transport device provided according to this variant is stabilized by the strand-shaped inner element so that it can reliably perform its function as part of the patient restraint system in the event of a crash. The fact that the bracket can be folded up and down significantly increases the comfort for the operating personnel of the patient transport device.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the variant of the invention, it is provided that the free ends of the side legs of the restraint bar can be pivoted about a common or about a respective joint axis and that the ends of the strand-like element are attached to the common joint axis or to each of the joint axes.

In order to increase the maneuverability of patient transport devices, it is advisable to shorten the lying area. However, this would only allow patients of the appropriate size to be transported. In order to be able to realize a lying surface with standard dimensions despite the short lying surface, it is expedient if the lying surface has a lower leg / foot part that can be extended to extend the lying surface.

At this point it should be emphasized that the extensibility of the lower leg / foot part of the lying surface in combination with a restraining bar as described above can be protected regardless of whether the bar is designed as a tube and whether it is made from a strand-like element of the aforementioned Kind is crossed.

• einer Krankentrage, die zwei Längsholme mit einer zwischen diesen angeordneten Liegefläche aufweist,
• wobei die Liegefläche ein kopfseitiges Ende und ein fußseitiges Ende aufweist,
• einem Patientenrückhaltesystem, das neben einem Gurtsystem zum Anschnallen des Patienten auch eine Fußstütze aufweist,
• wobei die Fußstütze als ein U-förmiger Rückhaltebügel ausgebildet ist, der einen quer zu den Längsholmen verlaufenden Basisschenkel mit an dessen beiden Enden abstehenden Seitenschenkeln aufweist, die an ihren dem Basisschenkel abgewandten freien Enden mit den Längsholmen gekoppelt sind,
• wobei die Liegefläche ein Unterschenkel-/Fußteil aufweist, das zur Verlängerung der Liegefläche ausziehbar ist, und
• wobei der Rückhaltebügel an den freien Enden seiner Seitenschenkel insbesondere gelenkig mit den Längsholmen bzw. mit Seitenholmen der Liegefläche bzw. des Unterschenkel-/Fußteils gekoppelt sein kann, um auf- und abklappbar zu sein.

Another variant of the invention thus relates to a patient transport device

• a stretcher which has two longitudinal spars with a lying surface arranged between them,
• the lying surface having a head end and a foot end,
• a patient restraint system which, in addition to a belt system for buckling the patient, also has a footrest,
• wherein the footrest is designed as a U-shaped restraint bar which has a base leg running transversely to the longitudinal bars with side legs projecting at its two ends, which are coupled to the longitudinal bars at their free ends facing away from the base leg,
• wherein the lying surface has a lower leg / foot part which is extendable to extend the lying surface, and
• the restraint bar at the free ends of its side legs can in particular be coupled in an articulated manner to the longitudinal spars or to the side spars of the lying surface or of the lower leg / foot part, in order to be able to be folded up and down.

In a further advantageous embodiment of this variant of the invention, the lower leg / foot part can have a first lower leg / foot part element articulated to a thigh part of the lying surface and a second lower leg / foot part element guided on the first lower leg / foot part element.

In such a configuration of the changeability of the length of the lower leg / foot section, the restraint bar is preferably coupled to the second lower leg / foot section element, thus moves together with this second lower leg / foot section element and thus always forms the foot-side closure of the lying surface, which is important for its function as a footrest of the patient restraint system is essential.

In the different pull-out positions of the lower leg / foot part, this can be fixed by a mechanical latching or locking device. For example, the fixation could be realized by means of locking or locking bolts which dip into corresponding locking or locking recesses in order to bring about the mechanical locking of the two lower leg / foot part elements.

In a further expedient embodiment of this variant of the invention, the first lower leg / foot part element has side guide rails, on which guide elements connected to the second lower leg / foot part element are guided axially. The mechanical latching or locking device described above then acts between the guide elements on the one hand and the side guide rails on the other hand.

In an expedient embodiment of this variant of the invention it can further be provided that the free ends of the side legs of the restraint bar are articulated to the guide elements. This thus ensures that the restraint bar moves together with the second lower leg / foot part element and is connected to it in an articulated manner, for which purpose the guide elements are used.

In a further expedient embodiment of this variant of the invention, it can be provided that the patient transport device has an in particular height-adjustable base frame with steering and / or castors, an upper frame and, if appropriate, a lower frame, the lying surface comprising (i) a central part with one on the head side End of the lying surface facing the first end and a second end facing the foot-side end of the lying surface, (ii) a backrest part which is articulated to the first end of the central part and which can be pivoted about a first pivot axis which is transverse to the head end and the foot end of the lying surface defined longitudinal extent of the lying surface, and (iii) the lower leg / foot part which is pivotable relative to the central part about a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis and which can be folded down to form a hospital chair when the backrest part is pivoted up.

According to a further embodiment of this variant of the invention, it is provided that the upper frame has two longitudinal frame sections and two transverse frame sections running transversely thereto, the first transverse frame section facing the head-side end of the lying surface and the second transverse frame section facing the foot-side end of the lying surface, and wherein the second pivot axis when the lying surface is viewed from above is positioned on the side of the second frame cross section facing away from the first frame cross section of the upper frame.

In an expedient embodiment of this variant of the invention, it is further provided that the middle part of the lying surface is a seat part and a thigh part has, which is pivotable relative to the seat part about a third pivot axis parallel to the first and the second pivot axis and to which the lower leg / foot part is pivotally connected about the second pivot axis.

In a further expedient embodiment of this variant of the invention, the underframe is provided with a lower frame which has two longitudinal frame sections and two transverse frame sections, the first transverse frame section facing the head-side end of the lying surface and the second transverse frame section facing the foot-side end of the lying surface.

In an expedient embodiment of this variant of the invention, it is provided that the two longitudinal frame sections of the lower frame each protrude beyond the second transverse frame section thereof, a steering and / or castor roller being arranged in each of these protruding sections of the longitudinal frame sections, and that the lower leg / foot part of the lying surface at its foot end, when folded down towards the lower frame of the underframe, it can be immersed in the space between the two protruding sections.

In a further advantageous embodiment of this variant of the invention, the lower leg / foot part of the lying surface can be positioned at the foot-side end thereof in the state folded down towards the lower frame of the underframe to the side of the second cross-frame section facing away from the first cross-frame section of the lower frame and in particular in abutting position thereon.

The invention can be implemented especially with and / or with a patient transport device as shown in WO-A-2018/153940 the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the subject matter of the present invention.

The patient transport device according to the invention according to each of the variants or further developments described above is also expediently included a locking device for releasably locking the base frame and / or the lying surface in a patient transport vehicle, such as. B. provided an ambulance or an ambulance sports car.

Fign. 1 und 2

perspektivische Ansichten einer Krankentransportvorrichtung mit Hubeinrichtung und einer in einzelne Bereiche unterteilten Liegefläche, die für den Liegentransport ausgerichtet ist, wobei das ausziehbare Fußteil in Fig. 1 im vollständig eingeschobenen Zustand sowie der Fußbügel im hochgeklappten Zustand gezeigt sind und in Fig. 2 das Fußteil im vollständig herausgezogenen Zustand sowie der Fußbügel im heruntergeklappten Zustand gezeigt sind,

Fig. 3

die Krankentransportvorrichtung gemäß Fign. 1 und 2, wobei die Liegefläche als Krankenstuhl gewandelt ist,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf das Fußteil mit dem Fußbügel als Fußstütze des Patientenrückhaltesystems und

Fign. 5 und 6

Seitenansichten des Fußteils im zusammengeschobenen und im ausgezogenen Zustand mit Darstellung der Matratzenauflagen.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawing. The following show in detail:

Fig. 1 and 2

Perspective views of a patient transport device with lifting device and a lying surface divided into individual areas, which is aligned for the lying transport, the extendable foot part in Fig. 1 are shown in the fully inserted state and the footrest in the folded up state and in Fig. 2 the foot part is shown in the fully pulled-out state and the footrest is shown in the folded-down state,

Fig. 3

the patient transport device according to Fig. 1 and 2nd , whereby the lying surface is transformed into a hospital chair,

Fig. 4

a plan view of the foot part with the footrest as a footrest of the patient restraint system and

Fig. 5 and 6

Side views of the foot part in the pushed together and in the extended state with representation of the mattress toppers.

In the Fig. 1 to 4 shows a patient transport device 10 according to a first embodiment. The patient transport device 10 comprises a height-adjustable underframe 12 and a lying surface 14 which is arranged above the underframe 12 and, if appropriate, can be removed therefrom. The underframe 12 has a lower frame 16 with running and / or four steering rollers 18. The underframe 12 further comprises an upper frame 20. A lifting device 22 is located between the two frames this embodiment and for the invention in so far does not play a role two superposed single scissor units, namely a lower scissor unit 24 and an upper scissor unit 26. The lower scissor unit 24 is on the one hand rotatable and on the other hand pivotally and longitudinally coupled coupled while the upper scissor unit 26 is mechanically coupled to the upper frame 20 in the same way. Both lifting scissor units 24, 26 are articulated to one another at their mutually facing ends. The two lifting scissor units 24, 26 can be adjusted in height by means of a drive 28 which has a motor 30 and an actuator 32.

For example, using the Fig. 1 and 2nd As can be seen, each lifting scissor unit 24 or 26 has two (scissor arm) pairs 34 each of intersecting first and second struts 36, 38 (scissor arms). The struts are pivotally connected to one another at 40. The first end 42 of the first strut 36 is rotatably connected to the lower frame 16 at 44, while the first end 46 of each second strut 38 is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner on the frame 16 (see at 48). Analogously, the first ends of the first struts 36 of the upper scissor unit 26 are rotatably connected to the upper frame 20 (see at 50), while the first ends 46 of the second struts 38 are pivotally and longitudinally guided on the upper frame 20 as shown at 52 .

At the second ends 54, 56 of the first and second struts 36, 38 facing away from the first ends 42, the second ends 58, 60 of the second struts 38, both lifting scissor units 24, 26 are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

The lying surface 14 has a central part 62 which comprises an immovable seat part 64 and a thigh part 66 connected to it in an articulated manner. Towards the head-side end 68 of the lying surface 14, the middle part 62 has a first end 70 which is pivotably connected to a backrest part 74 of the lying surface 14 via a first pivot axis 72. The central part 62 also has a second end 76, which is the foot-side end 78 of the lying surface 14 is facing and which is articulated via a second pivot axis 80 to a lower leg / foot part 82 of the lying surface 14. A third pivot axis 83 is located between the thigh part 66 and the fixed seat part 64.

In the Fig. 1 to 3 is shown how the lying surface 14 can be converted into a chair surface. In particular, it can be seen that the lower leg / foot part 82 dips into a recess, that is to say into a free space 93 on the lower frame 16, when the underframe 12, in the function of the patient transport device 10 as a medical chair, is lowered so far that the foot-side end 78 of the lower leg / foot part 82 is close to the surface on which the base frame 12 is moved.

Both frames 16, 20 each have two longitudinal frame sections 84, 85 (on the lower frame 16) and 86, 87 (on the upper frame 20) and two frame transverse sections 88, 89 and 90, 91, respectively. While the upper frame 20 is essentially rectangular, the lower frame 16 has a protrusion on its foot-side frame transverse section 89, which is created by protruding sections 92 of the longitudinal frame sections 84, 85. In other words, the longitudinal frame sections 84, 85 protrude outward beyond the protruding sections 92 beyond the cross frame section 89 on the foot side. This creates a free space 93 into which the lower leg / foot part 82 projects with the foot-side end 78 of the lying surface 14 when the lying surface 14 has been converted into a chair surface and the underframe 12 is then in its lowest possible position, such as Fig. 3 shows.

Furthermore, reference should be made briefly to the pull-out sections 96 with the grips 98 of the holding frame 98 for the lying surface 14, such as that Fig. 1 and 2nd demonstrate. These pull-out sections 96 can be pushed into and pulled out of longitudinal frame sections 99 (profiles) of the holding frame 98.

As already mentioned above, the lower leg / foot part 82 is designed to be extendable. On the lower leg / foot part 82 there is a restraint bar 100, which in Form of a U-shaped bent tube 101 is formed. The restraining bar 100 has a base leg 102 as the end 78 of the lying surface 14 on the foot part side, from which two side legs 104 protrude. The free ends 106 of the side legs 104 of the restraint bar 100 are pivotally mounted about guide axes 108 on guide elements 110. The guide elements 110 are slidably guided on side guide rails 112, which form side sections of a frame of the lower leg / foot part 82.

The side guide rails 112 are connected to one another by a cross strut 113 and, so to speak, form an essentially U-shaped frame.

A first lower leg / foot part element 114 is located between the side guide rails 112, while an extendable second lower leg / foot part element 116 is located between this first lower leg / foot part element 114 and the cross strut 113 of the side guide rails 112. The second lower leg / foot part element 116 likewise has a substantially U-shaped frame 118 which is connected to the guide elements 110, so that when the second lower leg / foot part element 116 is displaced, the guide elements 110 also slide along the side guide rails 112. The restraining bar 100 thus also moves when the second lower leg / foot part element 116 is moved. The restraining bar 100 thus always forms the foot-side end of the lying surface 14.

The restraint bar 100 can now be pivoted up if necessary to serve as a footrest for the patient restraint system. The restraint bar 100 can be oriented flat when the patient restraint system is not needed. This is the case, for example, when a patient is to be placed on the stretcher or the lying surface 14. The restraining bar 100 thus does not have a disturbing or obstructive effect in this respect.

When lying down in an ambulance or ambulance, the patient should be secured on the lying surface 14 by the patient restraint system. The restraint bar 100 is folded up and acts as part of the Patient restraint system especially when another vehicle hits the vehicle from behind. In order to increase the stability and in particular the tear strength and integrity of the restraint bar 100, the restraint bar has an inner belt 120 running through it (indicated in FIGS Fig. 5 and 6 ), which is either led out at the free ends 106 of the restraint bar 100 and fixed to the pull-out lower leg / foot part 82, or is fastened to the articulated axes 108 of the guide elements 110. The inner belt 120 extends through the cavity in the tube 101 from which the restraint bar 100 is formed.

In the Fig. 5 and 6 is a side view of the lower leg / foot part 82 again in the pushed-together state ( Fig. 5 ) and when extended ( Fig. 6 ) shown. In both positions, the restraint bar 100 is pivoted upwards. When pushed together, a mattress pad 122 covers the entire lying surface 14. When the second lower leg / foot section element 116 is pulled out, a cushion cover 124 is shown which is thinner than the mattress pad 122, which is fixed at the foot end of the second lower leg / foot section element 116 and lies overlapping on the first lower leg / foot section element 114. In the area of overlap of the cushion pad 124, it is then between the mattress pad 122 and the first lower leg / foot section element 114. This ensures that the patient rests on a cushion cover even when the lower leg / foot section 82 is extended, specifically with his feet and ankles.

As already mentioned above, the lying surface 14 can be converted into a chair surface. For this purpose, the lower leg / foot part 82 is removed from the straight-line position according to FIGS Fig. 1 and 2nd fold out. In the folded-down position, the lower leg / foot part 82 should be shortened, that is to say in the inserted state. Because in this position the underframe 12 can now be lowered so far that the middle part 62, ie the seat part 64 and the thigh part 66 can be lowered to a height which corresponds to the usual seat height of approx. 45 cm. So that this can be realized in the patient transport device according to the invention or its lying surface 14, the lying surface is 14 adjustable in length with respect to its foot part, as previously described. The chair function can be implemented in the shortest possible state of the foot part, while the maximum pull-out position of the lying surface 14 is required for the lying transport.

Another point, which is conducive to taking up the lying surface 14 as a chair surface, relates to the restraint bar 100. This should be folded onto the lower leg / foot part 82 so that the chair function does not stand out from the lower leg / foot part 82. That would be to the detriment of comfort when using the chair function. Because then the heels of a patient would be removed from the second lower leg / foot part element 116 by the distance between the base leg 102 of the folded-up restraint bar 100, which would significantly impair sitting down in the hospital chair and getting up from the hospital chair.

Another special feature of the patient transport device according to the invention can be seen in a safety device 126, as shown in the figures. In this exemplary embodiment, this safety device 126 is implemented as a touch-sensitive sensor strip 128, which has, for example, a capacitive, inductive, resistive or optical sensor system which reacts to compression of the elastomeric material of the sensor strip 128. In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor strip 118 is arranged on the section 119 of the U-shaped frame 118 forming the foot-side end 78 of the lower leg / foot part 82, which is designed as a tube, for example, and can also be located on both sides of this section 119 along the frame 118 extend. The background to this procedure is that it must be prevented that, when the underframe 12 is lowered in the chair function, the lifting device 22 should be switched off automatically when the lower leg / foot part 82 contacts the ground on which the patient transport device rests with its foot-side end 78 . The components essential for this automatic control are shown schematically in the Fig. 1 and 2nd shown. The sensor system in the sensor bar 128 generates when contacting the An output signal, which is fed to a control unit 130, which then switches off the motor 30 of the drive 28 of the lifting device 22.

However, the touch-sensitive sensor strip 128 can also be arranged on the restraint bar 100. Alternatively, it is then also possible to provide a touch-sensitive sensor strip on both the U-shaped frame 118 of the lower leg / foot part 82 and on the restraining bar 100.

Other or additional configurations of the safety device 126 are conceivable. For example, the safety device 126 could also work with a light barrier that monitors the free space 83 on the lower frame 16 at the level of the protruding sections 92 of the longitudinal frame sections 84 of the lower frame 16.

Instead of a sensor system that reacts to touch, a proximity sensor system or a distance sensor system can also be installed in the sensor strip 128.

A mechanical solution of the safety device 126 is conceivable in such a way that the second lower leg / foot part element 116 automatically shortens and pushes in when a pressure force acts on the foot-side end 78, as is the case, for example, when the base frame with the second lower leg / foot part element pulled out 116 and lowered in the chair function. The respective pull-out position of the length-adjustable lower leg / foot part 82 should of course be lockable in several positions. This is done by means of a (not shown) locking or locking device with locking pins on, for example, the two guide elements 110, which dip or lock into locking or locking holes in the side guide rails 112. The locking pins are spring-loaded in the locking position and can be moved out of the locking position or locking position by an actuating element (manual actuation). Then the second lower leg / foot part element 116 can be moved.

By appropriate chamfering on the latching bolt, it is now possible that the second lower leg / foot part element 116 can only be pulled out after the latching or locking device has been released, but that the second lower leg / foot part element 116 can be pushed in automatically because of the oblique chamfering. This is then advantageous for the automatic insertion function of the length-adjustable lower leg / foot part 82 in the situation described above when the underframe 12 is lowered in the function of the lying surface as a chair surface. The control of the drive 28 of the lifting device 22 could then be designed in such a way that the lifting device 22 automatically lowers to a predetermined lowest chair position height, in which the distance between the seat surface and the base is smaller than the longitudinal extension of the lower leg / foot part 82 when fully inserted Status.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

10th

Patient transport device

12th

Underframe

14

Lying surface

16

lower frame of the base

18th

Steering / castors

20

upper frame of the base

22

Lifting device

24th

lower scissor unit

26

upper scissor unit

28

drive

30th

engine

32

Actuator

34

(Scissor arm) pairs

36

first striving

38

second pursuit

42

first end of a first strut

46

first end of a second strut

54

second end of a first strut

56

second ends

58

second ends

60

second ends

62

Middle section

64

Seat part

66

Thigh part

68

head end of the lying surface

70

first end of the middle section

72

first pivot axis

74

Backrest part

76

second end of the middle section

78

foot-side end of the lying surface

80

second pivot axis

82

Lower leg / foot section

83

third pivot axis

84

Longitudinal frame section of the lower frame

85

Longitudinal frame section of the lower frame

86

Longitudinal frame section of the upper frame

87

Longitudinal frame section of the upper frame

88

first frame cross section of the lower frame

89

second frame cross section

90

first frame cross section

91

second frame cross section

92

Protruding sections

93

free space

96

extendable pull-out sections

97

Grips

98

Holding frame of the lying surface

99

Longitudinal frame sections, profiles of the holding frame

100

Restraint bar

101

Pipe of the bracket

102

Base leg

104

Side thighs

106

free ends of the side legs

108

Articulation axes of the restraint bar

110

Guide elements

112

Lateral guide rails of the first lower leg / foot section element

113

Cross strut

114

first lower leg / foot section element

116

second lower leg / foot section element

118

Frame of the second lower leg / foot part element

119

Section of the frame of the second lower leg / foot part element

120

Inner strap of the restraint bar

122

Mattress topper

124

Upholstery

126

Safety device

128

Sensor bar of the safety device

130

Control unit

Claims (15)

Patient transport device for transporting a patient in a vehicle, with - a base frame (12) with castors and / or castors, an upper frame (20) and optionally a lower frame (16) and with a lifting device (22) which can be operated automatically by means of a drive (28), - The height position of the upper frame (20) by means of the lifting device (22) between a low lift position and maximum lift position in particular is continuously variable, and - A head part end (76) and a foot part end (78) having a lying surface (14) on and / or on the upper frame (20) which is connected to the upper frame (20) or removable with the upper frame (20) is connectable - The lying surface (14) comprises a middle part (62) with a head end (76) of the lying surface (14) facing first end and a foot end (78) of the lying surface (14) facing second end, one with the first End of the middle part (62) articulated backrest part (74) which is pivotable about a first pivot axis (72) which is transverse to the longitudinal extent of the lying surface defined by the head-side end (76) and the foot-side end (78) of the lying surface (14) (14), and a lower leg / foot part (82) which is pivotable about a second pivot axis (80) parallel to the first pivot axis (72) and which can be folded down to form a medical chair when the backrest part (74) is raised , and - One on the base frame (12) and / or a safety device arranged on the lower leg / foot part (82) to prevent damage to the lying surface (14), in particular the lower leg / foot part (82) of the lying surface (14) and / or the Underframe (12) and / or an injury to a person when lowering the underframe (12) in the folded-down state of the lower leg / foot part (82). Patient transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the safety device (126) has a touch sensor (128) which is arranged at the foot-side end of the lower leg / foot part (82) and which, when the lower leg / foot part (82) comes into contact with the base frame (12) or with a base on which the underframe (12) rests, outputs a switch-off signal for automatically switching off the lifting device (22). Patient transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that the lifting device (22) lifts the upper frame (20) by a defined stroke after an automatic switch-off. Patient transport device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the safety device (126) has a distance sensor for detecting the approach of the lower leg / foot part (82) to the ground on which the underframe (12) rests, and that the distance sensor outputs a switch-off signal for automatically switching off the lifting device (22) when the distance falls below a predetermined minimum value. Patient transport device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the safety device (126) has a light barrier into which the lower leg / foot part (28) dips before contacting the surface on which the base frame (12) rests, wherein the light barrier outputs a switch-off signal for automatically switching off the lifting device (22) when the lower leg / foot part (82) dips into the light barrier. Patient transport device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the safety device (126) is designed as an extendable lower leg / foot part (82) or that the safety device (126) includes an extendable lower leg / foot part (82), and that the lower leg / foot part (82) has a unidirectional locking device which is to be unlocked to extend the lower leg / foot part (82) and which unlocks automatically to shorten the lower leg / foot part (28). Patient transport device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a patient restraint system which, in addition to a belt system for buckling the patient, also has a footrest, the footrest being designed as a U-shaped restraint bar (100) which has a cross-section to side frame sections (112) of the lower leg / foot part (82) extending base leg (102) with at both ends projecting side legs (104) which are coupled at their free ends (102) facing away from the base leg (106) with the side frame sections (112), the Safety device (126) is at least partially arranged on the restraining bar (100). Patient transport device according to claim 7, characterized in that the free ends (106) of the side legs (104) of the restraint bar (100) are coupled in an articulated manner to the side frame sections (112) and that the restraint bar (100) is arranged such that it can be swiveled up and down and swung down State forms the foot-side end (78) of the lower leg / foot part (82). Patient transport device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the lower leg / foot part (82) can be extended and has a latching device for fixing in several pull-out positions. Patient transport device according to claim 9, characterized in that the lower leg / foot part (82) has a first lower leg / foot part element (114) and a second lower leg / foot part element (116) slidably guided on the first lower leg / foot part element (114), wherein the second lower leg / foot part element (116) in predetermined different pull-out positions or infinitely lockable on the first lower leg / foot part element (114). Patient transport device according to claim 10, characterized in that the first lower leg / foot part element (114) is connected in an articulated manner to the central part (62) of the lying surface (14). Patient transport device according to claim 11, characterized in that the restraining bar (100) is coupled to the second lower leg / foot part element (116). Patient transport device according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lying surface (14) has side guide rails (112) which are arranged on both sides of the lower leg / foot part (82) and are connected to the first lower leg / foot part element (114) and on which the second lower leg / foot part element (116) connected axially guided guide element (110). Patient transport device according to claim 13, characterized in that the free ends (106) of the side legs (104) of the restraint bar (100) are articulated to the guide elements (110). Patient transport device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by a locking device for releasably locking the underframe (12) and or the lying surface (14) in a patient transport vehicle, such as. B. an ambulance or an ambulance.

Images