ES2363184T3 - TRANSFER IRON WHICH ALLOWS TO FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF A PERSON BETWEEN TWO SEAT LOCATIONS, PARTICULARLY BETWEEN A WHEELCHAIR AND A SEAT. - Google Patents

Abstract

The board (1) has two panels (2, 3) articulated with respect to each other using an articulation (X-X) forming a rotation axis by a hinge, such that one of the panels is folded on other panel defining as folded position of the board. Parallel sliding rails (11, 12) are hollowed in the panels in which mobile elements (6, 7) e.g. sliding bar, are moved. A flexible band (13) is fixed in the rails of the mobile element on both sides of the articulation. The elements are maintained inside its rails, respectively in the folded position of the board.

Description

The present invention relates to a transfer plate that facilitates the movement of a person between two seat locations, particularly between a wheelchair and a seat, and more particularly between a wheelchair and a seat of a motor vehicle.

These plates are used as an object that is placed supported on these two seating sites so that they form a bridge between these two sites, in order to facilitate the autonomous transfer in a sitting position of disabled or disabled people.

Currently, it is known how to carry out the manufacture of said transfer plates, consult for example JP 09 264 166, although these are relatively bulky and bulky, which is an obstacle in their transport and daily use, particularly for reasons of professional displacement or Travel.

In this way, the object of the invention relates more particularly to a transfer plate that facilitates the transfer of a person in a sitting position on a support to another sitting position on another adjacent support. Although initially said transfer plate is intended to allow the movement of the person between a wheelchair and a car seat, it should be understood that the object of the invention is extended to any combination of seat supports that particularly include chairs, beds , car seats and wheelchairs.

An example of such an embodiment of a transfer plate is described in GB 2 387 321 which presents a transfer plate consisting of at least two panels that can be articulated, one with respect to the other, using an articulation with hinge, so that one of the panels can be folded over the other panel to reduce its volume during transport. To allow the maintenance in extended position (or fully deployed) of this transfer plate and to avoid that the plate does not fold and fall during the passage of the person on the plate, they are provided, inside the hinge joint , means of closing the joint that allow the hinge to be locked in position, which guarantees a safe transfer of the person on this plate. However, the hinge lock closure means are relatively complex to make and difficult to handle for a person with low skill.

WO 2006/013385 also describes another example of an embodiment of a transfer plate consisting of a central panel on which two side panels are fixed, respectively, by means of joints. However, according to this embodiment, closing means are not provided in position of the hinges of the side panels with respect to the central panel. Joint position blocking is performed using protrusions protruding from the central panel against which the side panels are supported, so there is a relative fragility of these joints.

It would therefore be particularly interesting to manufacture an easily transportable, light-weight transfer plate, manageable by people who have little dexterity and to ensure a simplified closure of the hinge shaft joint.

The present invention intends to solve the problems of the prior art using a transfer plate for a person that facilitates its transfer between two seat locations, the plate comprising at least two panels suitable for articulating with respect to each other using a joint that form a hinge rotation axis, so that one of the panels can be folded over the other panel thus defining a folded position of the plate, reinforcement means of the joint in the form of at least one mobile element that extends, in extended or fully deployed position of the plate, from one side to the other of the axis of rotation of the hinge on the two panels, thanks to which the load of the person moving on the transfer plate in an extended position is suitable for distributing both on the joint as on the element, crossing at least one rail in the panels where it is appropriate to move the element, characterized in that in the rail of the element a flexible band is fixed from one side to the other of the joint, thanks to which the element is kept inside its rail in the folded position of the plate.

To allow minimal manipulation of the plate during use, the element is suitable for sliding movement between a position in which it is fully included in a complementary compartment formed only in one of the panels of the plate and a reinforcement position in the east that extends from one side to the other of the axis of rotation in the two panels.

To limit the displacement of the element in the plate, the element comprises a projection suitable for contacting at least one buttress provided on the movement path of the element.

Advantageously, the buttress is in the form of a bridge that crosses the rail.

Advantageously, the element is a sliding bar.

In order to allow a balanced reinforcement of the joint, two sliding rails substantially parallel to each other are provided, in which two elements suitable for movement are respectively provided and whose displacement is limited by at least one buttress.

In order to close the rotation movement of the joint, the plate according to the invention comprises means for blocking the movement of the element, preferably in the position of reinforcement of the joint.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the locking means are presented in the form of a projection that can be displaced provided on the path of movement of the element between a collection position inside the panel and a projection position.

In the following, the present invention is described using an illustrative and non-limiting example of the scope of the present invention and from the following illustrations in which:

-Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the transfer plate according to

the invention in its folded state; -Figure 2 is a perspective view of the upper face of the transfer plate in its extended position or

fully deployed, face on which a person can slide between two seating locations; -Figure 3 is a perspective view of the transfer plate in the folded state, and more precisely of its

joint that forms a hinge shaft; -Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the plate joint according to the invention when

is folded; - Figures 5 to 7 represent three perspective views of the underside of the transfer plate in which

suitable joint reinforcement means are provided for sliding between a first position,

as shown in figure 4 and in which the folding of the plate and a reinforcing position is allowed

of the joint as illustrated in figure 7 and in which the load of the person moving on the face

The upper part of the transfer plate is suitable to distribute both on the joint and on the

reinforcement means; - Figures 8 and 9 are two cross-sectional views through an embodiment of locking means in

position of the element that slides respectively in an inactive position and in an active position;

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a transfer plate 1 that facilitates the movement of a person between two seat locations, preferably between a wheelchair and a car seat, however, the invention can also be applied to any seat location or any location on which a person can sit (such as a bed).

The plate 1 comprises at least two panels 2, 3 suitable for articulating with respect to each other by means of an articulation that forms an axis of rotation by hinges XX, so that one of the panels 2, 3 can be folded on the other panel 2, 3, thus facilitating its transport. The joint XX, constituted by at least one hinge (of the type known per se), thus allows to form a first folded position of the plate 1 and a second fully deployed or extended position of the plate 1 (then the plate 1 being substantially flat , see figure 2).

Each panel 2,3 has an upper face 2a, 3a as well as a lower face 2b, 3b. By "upper" face is meant the face of the transfer plate 1 on which the person can preferentially slide during their passage from one seating location to the other. This so-called upper face 2a is therefore preferably smooth, substantially flat, and is manufactured from a material that facilitates sliding, that is to say with a low coefficient of friction.

In figure 2 a top view of the transfer plate 1 in its extended or fully deployed position is shown in more detail, that is according to a view on the upper faces 2a, 3a of the panels 2, 3 of the plate 1. As for Figures 5 to 7, these represent a perspective view of the lower faces 2b, 3b of the panels 2, 3 of the plate 1 on which reinforcement means 5 of the joint XX are provided.

The reinforcement means 5 of the joint XX are in the form of at least one movable element 6, 7 which extends, in a fully deployed position of the plate 1, from one side to the other of the hinge rotation axis XX in the two panels 2, 3, thanks to which the load of the person moving on the transfer plate 1 can be distributed both on the joint XX and on the element 6, 7.

Preferably, in order to lighten the weight of the transfer plate 1 and since the load of the person moving on the plate 1 is distributed mainly on the reinforcement means 5, the plate 1 can be manufactured entirely from light materials , such as wood.

However, although the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the figures in which the mobile element 6, 7 is not provided detachable from the plate 1, it is also possible to provide a plate 1 in which the mobile element 6, 7 be an independent element of the iron 1.

However, in order to prevent the loss of this mobile element 6, 7 and increase the manipulations necessary for the assembly of the plate 1 in a fully deployed position, the element 6, 7 can slide by sliding between a position in which the element 6, 7 is completely included in a complementary compartment 6a, 7a formed only in one of the panels 2, 3 of the plate 1 and a position in which the element extends from one side to the other of the axis of rotation XX in the two panels 2 , 3.

More precisely and as shown in the figures, the element 6, 7 is preferably represented in the form of a sliding bar on which a projection 8 (for example glued or screwed) suitable for resting on at least one buttress 9 is fixed , 10 provided on the displacement path of the element 6, 7, to limit the sliding displacement of this element 6, 7. The size and position of the projection 8 on the element 6, 7 are compatible with the location that can occupy the element 6, 7 in the folded and extended positions respectively of the plate 1.

The element 6, 7 can be of any shape (in the form of a plate, in H, in I ...). However, the most optimized form from the mechanical point of view is the I profile (for example, the IPN type metal profiles). On the other hand, a shape of the I-rail makes it possible to guarantee greater security for the user during handling operations; in fact, there is a lower probability of introducing your finger on rail 11, 12, in which element 6, 7 slides respectively.

In addition to the buttressing function, the projection 8 allows the user to manually change the reinforcing element 6, 7 on the rail 11, 12, especially in case of undue blocking. The shape of the protrusion 8 is preferably presented in a shape adapted to a hand that has little grip such as a tetraplegic hand. Advantageously, to facilitate the grip, the projection 8 can be covered with a non-slip.

Although the figures show an embodiment of the transfer plate 1 with two sliding elements 6, 7 provided on the lower face 2b, 3b of the panels 2, 3 of the plate 1, it is understood that it is also possible to manufacture a plate 1 of this type with a single element 6, 7 or with more than two elements 6, 7. Even the general principle of the invention can also be applied to a plate 1 with more than two panels 2, 3.

The element 6, 7 is rigid, that is, it can be presented in the form of a metal bar, to provide rigidity to the internal structure of the transfer plate 1 in its extended position and thus constitute a reinforcement structure of the joint XX when the plate 1 is in its extended (or fully deployed) position so that, when a person slides on the upper face 2a, 3a of the panels 2, 3 of the plate 1, a distribution of the forces exerted on the articulation XX at the level of this element 6, 7, so that the weight of the person does not affect only this articulation XX but also, or essentially is distributed on this or these elements 6, 7.

More precisely, at least one rail 11, 12 crosses the lower surface 2b, 3b of the panels 2, 3 in which a respective element 6, 7 can be moved by sliding, then forming the rail 11.12 also the compartment 6a, 7a, in which the element 6, 7 is housed when the plate 1 is in the folded position.

According to the mode of representation illustrated in the figures, the transfer plate 1 has two buttresses 9, 10 that allow limiting the displacement of the elements 6, 7 between the position that allows the folding and in which the elements 6, 7 they are integrated in panel 2 and do not exceed the dimensions of this panel 2 (see figure 5) and a position in which elements 6, 7 are located on both sides of hinge XX (see figure 7).

For this, the buttresses 9, 10 are in the form of a transverse bar fixed on the lower surface 2b, 3b of the panels 2, 3, forming a bridge that crosses the rails 11, 12 of the elements 6, 7. The projections 8 are therefore provided to lean against these bridges that protrude and cross the rails 11, 12.

Advantageously, the panels 2, 3 have the same size and are substantially symmetrical with respect to the axis XX in the extended position of the plates 2, 3, that is, in the substantially horizontal position, so that in the folding position of a panel 2, 3 on the other panel 2, 3, the bridge that forms the buttress 9 of one of the panels 2 is put in direct contact with the other bridge that forms the buttress 10 of the other of the panels 3. In this way it is preferably provides a buttress 9, 10 on each panel 2, 3 on each side of the joint XX.

It can be seen that, according to the preferred embodiment of the plate 1, two sliding rails 11, 12 substantially parallel to each other are provided in which two elements 6, 7 in the form of sliding bars and respectively are provided respectively. whose displacement is limited by buttresses 9, 10, knowing that it is also possible to provide that the displacement of these elements 6, 7 is limited by a single buttress and to provide in the place of a buttress means for engaging the sliding bar preventing this Way your slip.

Preferably, the element 6, 7 is limited in its displacements in the folded position of the plate 1 by a flexible band 13 fixed on the rail 11, 12 of the respective element 6, 7 on each side of the joint XX, thanks to which the element 6.7 is kept inside its respective rail 11.12 in the folded position of the plate 1. The length and mooring of the band 13 are parameterized in such a way that it allows the free movement of the element 6, 7 between the two extreme positions of the element 6, 7, that is, between the position of the element 6, 7 in the compartment 6a, 7a (corresponding in this case to a part of the rail 11, 12) that allows the folding of the plate 1 and the position of reinforcement of the joint XX. Without the presence of this band 13, there would be a risk that the element 6, 7 would not remain in the compartment 6a, 7a of the rail 11, 12 when the plate 1 is folded, due to the presence of an interval i between the two panels 2, 3 folded one on another (see figure 3), this interval i being more pronounced at the level of the two rails 11, 12 folded on themselves in the folded position of the plate 1. Advantageously, the band 13 is not fixed or glued over the entire length in the rail 11, 12 but is simply fixed at precise and limited points in the rail 11, 12. For example, the band 13 is fixed only at the level of its two ends inside the rail 11, 12.

Displacement blocking means of the elements 6, 7 may be provided, preferably in the reinforcement position of the X-X joint. As an example, the locking means can be presented in this way in the form of a latch suitable for cooperating with a cavity formed in the projection 8 of the element 6, 7, this latch being able to be provided well at the level of the folding position of the plate 1 , or at the level of the reinforcement position of the joint XX to prevent its lateral sliding if the plate is not substantially horizontal, that is, during a movement of the transfer plate 1 between two seating locations that are not at the same height.

Alternatively, magnetized means can also be provided, that is to say provide one or more magnets on the element 6, 7 and one or several magnets of opposite polarity on at least one of the panels 2, 3 of the plate 1 to allow its blocking, or in the folding position of the plate, or in the reinforcement position of the joint XX of the plate 1.

Alternatively, a velcro band type system (registered trademark) or any other appropriate system can also be provided.

Figures 8 and 9 are two cross-sectional views of a preferred embodiment of locking means 14 in position of element 6, 7 respectively in an inactive position and in an active position.

In this way, the blocking means 14 can be in the form of a projection 15 that can be displaced, provided on the path of movement of the element 6, 7 between a retracted position inside the panel 2, 3 (Figure 8) and a outgoing position (Figure 9).

According to a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, the projection 15 is of the connecting screw type, that is, it comprises a cylindrical central body 16 surrounded by a first transverse body 17 and a second transverse body 18.

Preferably, the first and second transverse body 17, 18 is located in respective compartments 19, 20 in a complementary manner in which the transverse bodies 17, 18 have a relative displacement such that:

-in the inactive position of the projection 15, the first transverse body 17 is at the same level as the upper face 2a

of panel 2 and the second transverse body 18 is at the same level as the lower face 2b of panel 2, thanks to the

which element 6, 7 can move freely on its respective rail 11,12; -in the active position of the projection 15, the first transverse body 17 is included in its compartment 19

respective inside the panel 2, which entails the projection of the second transverse body 18 outside the

lower face 2b of panel 2, thanks to which the element 6, 7 can no longer move on its respective rail 11,

12. The introduction of the first transverse body 17 in its respective compartment 19 is carried out by gravity, or by the user of the plate 1 which has exerted a bearing force on the first transverse body 17 to allow the sliding of the central body 16 and the prolongation of the second transverse body 18.

Although in the illustrated embodiment, the transverse bodies 17,18 are substantially flat bodies, it should be understood that it is also possible to manufacture bulged transverse bodies, so that the first transverse body 17 protrudes slightly from the upper face 2a of the panel 2 or also be introduced slightly into its respective compartment 19. As for the second transverse body 18, it can be manufactured in any appropriate way, and not only flat, so as to allow a blockage when it protrudes outside the lower face 2b of the panel 2 and a free passage of the element 6, 7 on its respective rail 11, 12 when it is in a retracted position in its respective compartment 20.

The projection 15 is advantageously placed on the rail 11, 12 in a compartment so that the projection 15 allows the locking in reinforcement position of the element 6, 7 on both sides of the joint XX with the projection 8 remaining of the element 6, 7 in contact on the buttress 10 provided on the other panel 3 opposite to the panel 2 in which the projection 15 is placed.

In addition, handles formed on the panels 2, 3 can be provided on the plate 1 from transverse cavities made at the edge of the edges of the panels 2, 3, so that the user can insert their hands inside these cavities, which allows you to better handle the plate 1 and have a better grip and better stability during its transfer by sliding on the plate 1.

On the other hand, in order to prevent the descent of the plate 1 from damaging the user or a third party, the fields of the plate 1 can be covered with a polymeric band that allows cushioning the shocks.

In addition, in order to limit the risks of sliding the plate 1 in an extended position during its movement in support between two seating locations to thus allow movement in the sitting position of people with reduced mobility, it is planned to incorporate non-slip polymer plates (typically elastomers ) at the level of the ends of the plate 1 that rest on these locations (these non-slip plates can

10 integrated directly into the bottom surface 2b, 3b of the plate 1).

On the other hand, to prevent the user from being damaged during the unfolding or folding operation of the plate 1, protections (for example, visible, such as a transparent thin plate of the Plexiglas type (registered trademark)) will be placed on the rails 11 , 12). These protections are made in such a way that they prevent the user from inserting the fingers in the rails 11, 12 while allowing him to access the projections 8 provided on the

15 reinforcement elements 6, 7 in case of improper blocking (in this case the user can manually unlock element 6, 7).

Claims (8)

1. Transfer plate (1) that facilitates the transfer of a person between two seating locations, said plant (1) comprising at least two panels (2, 3) suitable for articulating with respect to each other by means of an articulation (XX ) which forms an axis of rotation by hinge, so that one of the panels (2, 3) can be folded over the other panel (2, 3) thus defining a folded position of the plate (1); reinforcement means (5) of said joint (XX) in the form of at least one mobile element (6, 7) extending, in an extended or fully deployed position of the plate (1), on each side of the axis of rotation with hinge (XX) on the two panels (2, 3), thanks to which the load of the person moving on the transfer plate (1) in an extended position, it can be distributed both on said articulation (XX) and on said element (6, 7), at least one rail (11, 12) crossing said panels (2, 3) in which said element ( 6, 7), characterized in that a flexible band (13) is fixed on said rail (11, 12) of said element (6, 7) on each side of said joint (XX), thanks to which said element (6, 7) it is kept inside its respective rail (11, 12) in the folded position of the iron (1). 2. Transfer plate according to claim 1, characterized in that said element (6, 7) is suitable for sliding movement between: - a position in which said element (6, 7) is fully included in a complementary compartment (6a, 7a) formed in only one of the panels (2, 3) of the plate (1) and -a reinforcement position in which said element (6, 7) extends on each side of the axis of rotation (X-X) in the two panels (2, 3).

3.

Transfer plate according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element (6, 7) comprises a projection (8) suitable for contacting at least one buttress (9, 10) provided in the travel path of said element (6, 7).

Four.

Transfer plate according to claim 3, characterized in that said buttress (9, 10) is in the form of a bridge that crosses said rail (11, 12).

5.

Transfer plate according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element (6, 7) is a sliding bar.

6.

Transfer plate according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with two sliding rails (11, 12) substantially parallel to each other, in which two elements (6, 7) suitable for moving respectively are provided and whose displacement is limited by at least one buttress (9, 10).

7.

Transfer plate according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for blocking (14) the movement of said element (6, 7), preferably in said reinforcement position of said joint (X-X).

8.

Transfer plate according to claim 7, characterized in that said blocking means

(14) they are presented in the form of a projection (15) that can be displaced provided on the movement path of said element (6, 7) between a retracted position inside a panel (2, 3) and a projection position.