FR2684294A1 - Apparatus for lifting patients from their bed and transporting them - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus for lifting patients from their bed and transporting them comprises an element (1) forming a tray capable of being positioned under the patient or the person to be transported, the said tray being mounted with vertically adjustable position on a movable support base (2), and furthermore comprising a winder/unwinder device (3) capable of receiving the ends of an undersheet (22) previously arranged on the bed of the patient, the said ends of the undersheet defining, after fastening on the winder device, an envelope surrounding the patient, use of the winder device tensioning the drawsheet forming the envelope in order to convey and transfer the patient onto the said tray.

Description

APPARATUS FOR LIFTING SICK BEDS AND
TRANSPORT
The invention relates to the technical sector of apparatus and equipment for hospitals and other communities or organizations likely to care for, accommodate sick or disabled people, or usable directly in private homes. The invention also relates to the lifting and transport equipment of individuals.

 There are already commercially available devices for lifting patients from their beds. These devices, although reliable, nevertheless require the intervention of two people to know how to handle the patient and transfer it to the carrying device. In addition, the devices used generate impractical manipulations for the transfer of patients for the installation of sheets and other linens fitting on the beds.

 The aim sought after according to the invention was therefore to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a new design of the device which can be used by a single person.

 Another object was to design a simple and inexpensive manufacturing device with a small footprint and allowing gentle handling of patients without particular discomfort.

 These and other objects will become more apparent from the following description.

 According to a first characteristic, the device for lifting the patients from their bed and transporting them, is characterized in that it comprises a plate-forming element capable of being positioned under the patient or the person to be transported, said plate being mounted in position vertically adjustable on a movable support base, and further comprising a roller-unwinder device capable of receiving the ends of a draw sheet previously placed on the patient's bed, said ends of the draw sheet defining, after attachment to the winding device, a envelope surrounding the patient, the use of the winding device ensuring the traction of the draw sheet forming an envelope in order to bring and transfer the patient to said tray.

 These characteristics and others will emerge more clearly from the rest of the description.

To fix the aspect of the invention, illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the drawings where
- Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the lifting device according to the invention;
- Figures 2 to 9 are schematic views illustrating the different phases of operation of the device according to a cycle of use, care of a patient, transfer and movement and again put on his bed;
- Figure 10 is a side view of the device illustrating the mounting of its elements;
- Figure 11 is a view of the apparatus according to the invention in a simplified design with manual control.

 In order to make the appearance of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

 The device according to the invention essentially consists of a plate-forming element (1) capable of being positioned under the patient or the person to be transported, said plate being mounted in an adjustable position on a movable support base (2), the device further comprising a winder-unwinder device (3) capable of allowing the positioning of a draw sheet (22) on the patient's bed, said draw sheet being introduced in such a way that it can define an envelope surrounding and protecting the patient by constituting the means of transfer of the latter out of bed.

 More particularly, the tray (1) is made in great length to allow the seizure of a patient or disabled person, and has at least one profile and dimensions corresponding substantially to those of a bed This tray is made of all suitable materials , and more particularly in plastic material, such as polyester with a coating known in the trade under the name "GEL COAIt '. This plate (1) has transversely and advantageously a profiled section (11) tapering to facilitate its introduction under the patient in view to grab or move it.

 This plate (1) is mounted in a horizontal working position on a support base (2), movable with rolling means (14) and having a vertical adjustment capacity to adapt to the working conditions, height of the bed and other similar constraints. Also, according to the embodiment illustrated in Ia Figure 1, the base is made from a metal frame with profiled elements (21), and is preferably of great length corresponding substantially to that of the tray to give great stability to the 'apparatus. In its central part, at least said base has a bottom plate (22) or equivalent, constituting the support base and the positioning of a profiled vertical column (4) capable of receiving lifting means (5), constituted for example by a hydraulic cylinder (6). The drum or cylinder (6.1) of the latter is fixed to the bottom plate (22), while the rod (62) is fixed directly to the aforementioned plate or preferably on a support base (7) of the latter.

 In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 10, the base (7) is very long and constitutes a support for the plate (1) when the latter is in the position of use. The base is capable of receiving, with controlled joints, two bars (8, 9) arranged transversely on which the plate is fixed. Said bars are mounted with articulation at one of their ends (8.1,, 9.1) relative to said base, thus allowing the lifting of the plate in the vertical position. Said bars are articulated by hinges or means equivalent to the base, by means attached to the latter or directly formed with the base. Lifting the tray can be of interest if the device is not used in order to reduce its size or allow the storage of several juxtaposed devices.

 Furthermore, this unwinder reel device (3) can be mounted directly associated with the plate (1) along one of its longitudinal edges on the articulation zone side. This reamer rewinder device thus includes a non-limiting manner a drum (3.1) mounted along an axis of rotation (3.2) disposed and centered in said drum.

Said axis is associated with a rotation means which can be either a motor means (10) or a manually controlled means (11). The ends of the axis of the drum are introduced on fixing and positioning pieces thus allowing free rotation of the drum on itself. The drum has at least one longitudinal slot (33) with pinching means (12) to allow the fixing and insertion of one of the ends of the draw sheet. As a variant, the drum of the winder unwinding device is inserted into a protective casing fixed to the plate, the said casing being arranged with an opening for the introduction, passage and fixing of the end or ends of the draw sheet under the conditions which will be described later.

 In the variant illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings, the device is of a simplified design with essentially manual control. It includes for this purpose a support carriage (13) mounted on casters (14) and comprising two riser columns (15) braced, receiving internally with controlled movement two vertical bars (16) which are secured to their upper part of the support frame (17 ) horizontal.

This is arranged to allow on one side the fixing in positioning of the plate (11 and on the other hand the rewinder-unwinder device (3) of the aforementioned type. The raising or lowering of the plate is carried out from the bars (16) mentioned above which cooperate with displacement means associated with the carriage, this maneuver being able to be carried out for example by the use of a rack system (18) controlled by an operating wheel (19). the bars (16) have on one side a notch (10.1) over all or part of their height, this winder-unwinder device is controlled in rotation by a crank (11).

 It is however obviously more practical to use a motorized device allowing by a double control to ensure the raising or lowering of the plate, and that of the winder-unwinder device. This double command can be filled from a box (20) held by the nurse during the patient's removal operations for transfer.

 It is now necessary to describe the operating phases for the implementation and operation of the device.

 The bed (21) conventionally receives a draw sheet or sheet (22) or the like which is naturally bordered by its ends (22.1 - 22.2) under the mattress (23). The patient is represented schematically.

 We proceed as follows.

 Figure 3, there is one (111) of the ends of the draw sheet.

 Figure 4, we introduce, after moving the device, the tray (1) between the mattress and end (22.1) of the raised mattress, to pass and gradually introduce the profiled tray under the back of the patient providing for crushing vertical bed by acting with the height control means of the tray. The base of the device is positioned under the bed base.

 Figure 5, we grab the end (22.2) of the draw sheet opposite the device, which we lift and then pull towards the device to wrap the patient. The second end (22.2) of the draw sheet is then also fixed to the drum of the winder-unwinder device superimposed on the previous one.

 Figure 6, the drum is rotated which makes it possible to wind the draw sheet on itself with the two draw sheet parts facing each other, and as a result of a rotation of the drum on one or more turns, causing a sensitive reduction of the remaining volume of the envelope defined by the draw sheet and in which the patient is located. The patient is gradually brought to the tray, thus freeing him from his bed.

When the patient is correctly positioned on the tray, the device is then released to transfer the patient to another place, or it is temporarily left as is to allow any operation on the bed.

 The end edges (22.1 - 22.2) of the draw sheet are fixed and maintained by any suitable means associated with the drum.

 When we want to position and get the patient on his bed, we proceed to the other following phases.

 The phase prior to the patient's removal corresponds to Figure 7.

 Figure 8, we then proceed to the establishment of another draw sheet (24) or clean sheet which is naturally bordered on the mattress. The support is moved and brought closer to the bed so as to present the patient above the bed, while leaving a space or gap between the table and the new draw sheet (24). A nurse then takes down from the drum the second border (22.2) of the previous draw sheet (22) wrapped around the patient, releases the latter, then passes the draw sheet part (22.2) considered under the table and above the new draw sheet (24). The edge (22.2) of the first draw sheet used is then fixed again on the drum and the latter is put into operation to remove said first draw sheet from the bed.

 Figure 9, the device can then be gradually removed by gently placing the patient on the bed again. It is then sufficient for the nurse to remove the first draw sheet (22) from the apparatus for washing.

 It should be noted that the movement of the patient is carried out in complete safety since it is correctly maintained by the undersheet enveloping it and ensuring its transfer. The handling can be carried out by a single person who only has the task of fixing the ends or edges of the draw sheet to the unwinding reel device and ensuring the start-up command.

 The device is of simple design and can be expensive. Its use makes it possible to eliminate all efforts during operations without embarrassment of the patient. The transfer takes place with flexibility and regularity.

Claims (9)

 1 / Apparatus for lifting the patients from their bed and transporting them, characterized in that it comprises a plate-forming element (1) capable of being positioned under the patient or the person to be transported, the said plate being mounted in an adjustable position vertically on a movable support base (2), and further comprising a winder-unwinder device (3) capable of receiving the ends of a draw sheet (22) previously disposed on the patient's bed, said ends of the draw sheet defining, after fixing on the winding device, an envelope surrounding the patient, the implementation of the winding device ensuring the traction of the draw sheet forming an envelope in order to bring and transfer the patient to said tray.  2 / Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (1) is made in great length to adapt to the shapes and dimensions of a bed, said plate having a transverse section (1.1) tapering, said plate being mounted in a horizontal working position on a support base (2).  3 / Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the base is made from a metal frame with profiled elements (2.1), and being very long, said base having in its central part at least one bottom plate ( 2.2) constituting the support and positioning base of a vertical profiled column (4) receiving lifting means (5) of the plate (1).  4 / Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the lifting means are constituted by a hydraulic cylinder (6) whose barrel or cylinder (6.1) is fixed on the bottom plate (2.2) while the rod (6.2) is associated with the aforementioned plate, via a support base (7).  5 / Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the base (7) is capable of receiving with controlled articulation two bars (8-9) arranged transversely on which is mounted the plate (11 said bars being mounted at articulation to the 'one of their ends (8.1 - 9.1) to allow the lifting of said tray.  6 / Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate has, along one of its longitudinal edges, the rewinder-unwinder device for draw sheet, said device comprising a drum (3.1) mounted on an axis of rotation (3.2), said axis being associated with means for rotation by motor (10) or manual control (11) means, said drum being arranged to receive clamping and fixing means (12) of the opposite ends of the draw sheet.  7 / Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a support trolley (13) movable comprising two risers (15) braced receiving internally controlled movement of vertical bars (16) secured at their upper part with a frame horizontal support (17), said frame allowing on one side, the fixing and positioning of the plate and, on the other side, of the unwinder-rewinder device.  8 / Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized in that the raising and lowering of the plate is carried out from the bars (16) cooperating with displacement means associated with the carriage and in particular by the use of racks (18) controlled by a handwheel (19), the bars being arranged on one of the sides with a notch (16.1) over all or part of their height.  9 / Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that a control unit (20) allows and provides the lowering and raising functions of the plate, and the motorization function of the unwinder-winder device.  101 Method for transferring a patient to an apparatus as described in claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a draw sheet (22) is previously placed on the bed on which a patient rests; one then proceeds to bring the device towards the bed after having raised one of the ends (21.1) of the draw sheet, the plate of the device is introduced between the mattress of the bed and the raised end of the draw sheet , said plate taking support and being able to cause the vertical crushing of the mattress to allow its positioning under the patient; the other end of the draw sheet is then gripped and hung with the first end on the drum of the winder-unwinder device, thus enveloping the patient; the winder-unwinder device is rotated, making it possible to use the draw sheet as a means of transferring the patient to the platform; the device is then released; the patient is again placed on the bed after having previously placed on the latter, a new draw sheet; we then proceed to the progressive removal of the patient after unhooking the second edge of the previous draw sheet and moving it under the tray and above the new draw sheet, then we gradually remove the device, so as to position the patient on the bed.