GB2290723A

GB2290723A - Frame for the infirm

Info

Publication number: GB2290723A
Application number: GB9424991A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sidney Edgar Hamblin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-07-01
Filing date: 1994-12-12
Publication date: 1996-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2014-12-12
Also published as: GB2290723B; GB9424991D0; GB9413261D0

Abstract

A tubular U-shaped part 10 which rests on a bed in use, includes a rear section 12 and side arms 17. Upright legs 20 and 21 are secured to the side arms 17, having telescopic bottom sections 24, 25 with gripping feet 28 and 29 positioned just above a floor. The upper ends of the legs 20 and 21 are formed into rearwardly directed gripping handles 34 and 35, which are joined to the side arms 16 and 17 by sections 44 and 45. When a seated user bears down on the handles 34 and 35 the U-shaped part 10 sinks into the bed sufficiently to stabilise the frame and support the person whilst they move to a standing position. <IMAGE>

Description

AID FOR THE INFIRM TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an aid for use by an elderly, sick or disabled person for example, to assist them in rising to a standing position from a seated position on the edge of a bed.

BACKGROUND At present, the only means of helping an infirm person to attain a standing position from the edge of a bed requires at least one and preferably two assistants, one on each side, to physically lift the person. This often takes up the time of skilled ambulance or nursing staff for example, and in the case of people weighing, say, 1 5 stone or more, can involve a considerable risk of back injury to the assistants.

An aim of the present invention may be viewed as being to provide the means by which an infirm person can perform this task with less assistance and often by themselves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a frame for assisting an infirm person to rise from a sitting position, the frame comprising: - a generally U-shaped portion for placement around the back and sides of the person, the U-shaped portion including a rear section and two side sections; - a pair of generally parallel legs projecting substantially perpendicularly from the free ends of the side sections; and - a pair of gripping handles mounted on the side sections.

In use, the U-shaped portion may be placed on a bed for example, around the back and sides of the seated person, with the legs extending downwardly to end a short distance above the floor. When the person bears down on the handles the frame sinks into the bed to stabilise the frame until the legs make contact with the floor.

The legs are preferably adjustable in length. They preferably comprise telescopically-engaged sections, which are preferably releasably locked by means of spring-loaded buttons which project through apertures in the outer telescopic sections. For greatest stability each leg preferably has a pair of diametrically opposed spring-loaded buttons engageable in pairs of holes in the outer section. Each pair of buttons is preferably spring-loaded by a single U-spring contained within the inner telescopic section.

The legs preferably have friction feet at their lower ends to minimise risk of movement.

The gripping handles are preferably of inverted-U form, and are preferably integrally formed with the uprights for optimum strength.

For even greater strength a bracing bar may be connected between the side sections of the U-shaped portion, a short distance from the rear section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general view of a frame of the invention, and Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through part of an adjustable leg of the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The frame is formed of tubular aluminium or other suitable material and includes a U-shaped first part 10 which rests horizontally on a bed in use.

The first part 10 is formed from a single length of tube and includes a substantially straight rear section 12 joined by smoothly curved corners 13 and 14 to a pair of substantially straight side arms 16 and 17 which diverge slightly away from the rear section 12.

In order to strengthen the U-shaped part 10 a cross brace 18 of similar material may be secured between the arms 16 and 17, parallel to and near to the rear section 12.

A pair of upright and substantially straight leg portions 20 and 21 are secured perpendicularly to the free ends of the side arms 16 and 17, e.g. by screws, welding or in any other convenient manner. The lower ends of the leg portions 20 and 21 are telescopically engaged inside a pair of tubular bottom sections 24 and 25. In order to lock the legs in each position to which they are adjusted, the outer sections 24 and 25 contain a series of diametrically opposed pairs of holes 50 and 51 (Fig. 2). A U-spring 53 is positioned inside each inner leg section, 20 and 21, and the free ends of the spring carry buttons 54 and 55 which project diametrically through the respective inner section. Normally, the buttons project through a pair of the holes 50, 51 to securely lock the two telescopic sections against relative axial movement.

However, by pressing the buttons inwards the outer section can be slid over the inner section until the spring 53 urges the buttons to engage in another pair of holes, 50, 51. By this means the length of the legs can be adjusted until a pair of rubber feet 28 and 29 at the lower ends of the bottom sections lie a few cm above the ground.

If the device is to be used with beds of a fixed height no provision for adjustment need be made. The legs could also be retained at the length to which they are adjusted by frictional engagement between the two telescopic sections, by locking screws, or by equivalent means.

The upper ends of the upright leg portions 20 and 21 are curved rearwardly at 30 and 31 to form substantially straight, rearwardly directed gripping handles 34 and 35. These may be covered with plastics or rubber grips 38 and 39. The rearward ends of the handles are then curved downwardly at 42 and 43 to join short straight sections 44 and 45 which are in turn secured to the side arms 16 and 17.

In use, the frame is placed about an infirm person sitting on the edge of a bed indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 1. The person can then grip the handles 34 and 35, and by transferring their weight to the handles and through the frame to the bed and the floor, the person can use the additional strength of their arms to help raise themselves to a standing position. The frame itself becomes extremely stable due to the U-shaped part 10 sinking into the mattress until the legs 20 and 21 make contact with the floor. This degree of stability could not be achieved by using a pair of walking sticks for example, and is very important for the safety and confidence of an infirm user.

Although a very infirm person may still require additional assistance, the weight which any helper will be required to lift will be much reduced.

Claims

1. A frame for assisting an infirm person to rise from a sitting position, the frame comprising: - a generally U-shaped portion for placement around the back and sides of the person, the U-shaped portion including a rear section and two side sections; - a pair of generally parallel legs projecting substantially perpendicularly from the free ends of the side sections; and - a pair of gripping handles mounted on the side sections.

2. A frame according to Claim 1, in which the legs are adjustable in length.

3. A frame according to Claim 2, in which each of the legs comprises telescopically-engaged inner and outer sections.

4. A frame according to Claim 3, in which said telescopicallyengaged sections are releasably locked by means of spring-loaded buttons which project through apertures in said outer telescopic sections.

5. A frame according to Claim 4, in which each leg has a pair of diametrically opposed spring-loaded buttons engageable in pairs of holes in said outer section.

6. A frame according to Claim 5, in which each pair of buttons is spring-loaded by a single U-spring contained within the respective inner telescopic section.

7. A frame according to any preceding claim, in which the legs are provided with friction feet at their lower ends.

8. A frame according to any preceding claim, in which each of the gripping handles is of inverted-U form.

9. A frame according to Claim 8, in which each of the gripping handles is integrally formed with a respective one of said legs.

10. A frame according to any preceding claim in which a bracing bar is connected between the side sections of the U-shaped portion, a short distance from the rear section.

11. A frame substantially as described with reference to the drawings.