GB2340388A

GB2340388A - Body Support System

Info

Publication number: GB2340388A
Application number: GB9915872A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert George Hester
Original assignee: Easy Care Products Ltd
Current assignee: Easy Care Products Ltd
Priority date: 1998-07-08
Filing date: 1999-07-07
Publication date: 2000-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-07
Also published as: GB2340388B; GB9915872D0; GB9814776D0

Abstract

A body support system comprises an adjustable seat frame 17, an adjustable seat pad 22 and a system of restraining belts 39, 41 and 43. The seat frame is adjustable between a horizontal configuration and a raised configuration placing the rear of the seat above the front to assist the occupant from moving from a reclined or sitting posture to a standing posture. The seat pad is further movable to assist in propelling the occupant away from the seat.

Description

2340388 BODY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR PATIENTS OR THE LIKE This invention

relates to a body support system for patients or the like. The support system may be used to raise patients, such as sick, elderly or disabled persons substantially to a standing position.

Raising a sick, elderly or disabled person substantially to a standing position can be very demanding, requiring the co-operation of two or three carers and can be distressing to the patient. There is also a risk of the carers suffering injury, for example to a back. It is desirable to be able to raise a patient substantially to a standing position with only a single carer in a manner which is safe and efficient.

It is necessary to raise an immobile patient from the seat of a wheelchair or the like for a number of reasons. For example, for a number of patients who are immobile it is necessary to replace the normal wheelchair seat with a commode seat in order f or the patient to be able to use toilet facilities. It is also necessary to be able to re arrange the clothing of the patient f or the above and other reasons. In order to accomplish these tasks it is necessary to be able to raise the patient from the seat, ideally substantially to a standing position.

There is described in UK Patent Application No. 9711605.7 transfer apparatus for patients or the like which permits patient to be moved from one location to another in a more dignified and less traumatic manner while requiring the services of a minimum number of carers. However, while this known apparatus is capable of raising a patient towards a standing position, it is generally not possible to raise the patient clear of the seat and this still results in a number of significant inconveniences.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a body support system which is capable of raising a patient substantially to a standing position and which can be operated by a single person.

According to the present invention there is provided a body support system comprising a seat frame adjustable between a substantially horizontal configuration and a configuration in which the rear of the seat is raised relative to the front thereof and a seat pad arranged on the seat frame and adjustable in the raised configuration of the seat frame to a position in which the rear of the seat pad is raised from the frame.

The seat pad may be movable in the raised configuration of the seat frame between the position in which the rear of the seat pad is raised from the frame and a position in which the seat pad is supported on the frame.

Alternatively, the seat pad may be movable from a position in which the seat pad is supported on the frame to the position in which the rear of the seat pad is raised from the frame as the rear of the seat pad is raised relative to the front thereof.

The seat pad may be raised by strap means extending between the region of a rear edge of the seat pad and support means extending forwardly of the seat frame. The support means may comprise an armrest for the seat frame. An adjustable lumbar strap or a belt for a patient may be additionally secured to the support means.

The strap means may be adjustable in length for adjusting the angulation of the seat pad. The strap means may incorporate means for providing a mechanical advantage.

Alternatively, the strap means may be of constant length.

An adjustable footrest may be provided, the footrest for example being capable of being lowered for ground support when bearing the weight of a patient.

The body support system may include a seat back extending upwardly from the rear of the seat frame, straps being provided extending from each side of an upper region of the seat back so as to cross over behind a patient and to be secured to the belt at the opposite side of the patient.

Shoulder straps may be provided extending from an upper region of each of the cross straps around the front of a patient's shoulder and secured at the lower end thereof.

The lower end of the shoulder strap may be secured to a lower region of the other of the cross straps.

Alternatively, the lower end of the shoulder strap may be secured to the belt.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a framework of a transfer apparatus for use in the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of one embodiment of a body support system incorporated into the transfer apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side view of the body support system of Figure 2 in another position; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a side transfer system for use with the transfer assembly; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side view of another embodiment of a body support system incorporated into the transfer apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of part of the body support system shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a diagrammatic front view of Part of the body support system shown in Figures 5 and 6. 10 Figure 1 shows a modif ication of a transfer apparatus according to UK Patent Application No. 9711605.7. The modified transfer apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a chassis 1 which is generally in the form of an "H" arranged is in a plane generally parallel to a ground surf ace at a height which permits the chassis to pass beneath a bed or the like. The chassis is mounted on three pairs of wheels. A central pair of wheels 3 is arranged in the region of each end of a central member of the chassis, the wheels 20 being fixed for movement of the chassis generally in the longitudinal direction of the side arms thereof. A forward pair of wheels 5 is arranged at the forward free end (the right-hand end as shown in Figure 1) of each of the side arms of the chassis, the wheels being fixed for movement of 25 the chassis generally in the longitudinal direction of the side arms thereof. A rearward pair of wheels 7 is arranged at the rearward free end (the left-hand end as shown in Figure 1) of each of the side arms of the chassis, the wheels being in the form of castors, that is being pivotable about a generally upright axis.

The central wheels 3 are arranged at a height a little lower (up to about 10 millimetres or more) than the forward and rearward wheels 5 and 7. The result of this is that the chassis 1 always bears on the central wheels 3 and on either the forward and rearward wheels, the chassis being tiltable so as to bear selectively on either the forward or rearward wheels. This arrangement facilitates both stability and manoeuvrability of the transfer apparatus in that the transfer apparatus is stable when supported by the forward and central wheels, but is manoeuvrable when supported by the central and rearward wheels. The central wheels 3 are provided with an over-centre braking device 9.

A telescopic support arm 15 is mounted on one of the side arms of the chassis in the region of the middle thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support arm is extendible and retractable by means of a manually- or foot operable hydraulic jack 16, that is the jack 16 can be raised by manual or foot operation, but can be lowered simply by allowing hydraulic fluid to bleed back into a reservoir. The hydraulic jack 16 greatly facilitates raising and lowering of the support arm 15. It should be noted that the jack could be incorporated into the telescopic arm and the jack could be operable by means other than manually or by foot, such as a battery operated hydraulic or pneumatic pump, or an electrical motor.

Moreover, operation of the transfer apparatus may be controlled by way of a microprocessor to provide a more sophisticated mode of operation.

Secured to the upper end of the telescopic support arm 15 is a seat assembly 17, the seat assembly being secured to the support arm at one side of the seat assembly such that the seat assembly extends over the chassis 1. The seat assembly 17 is mounted on the upper end of the support arm by way of a pivotable mounting 18. The pivotable mounting 18 extends forwardly of the support arm 15 and permits downward pivoting movement of the seat assembly 17 from a generally horizontal configuration to an inclined configuration. Upward pivoting movement of the seat assembly above the horizontal is prevented by engagement between the seat assembly and the top of the support arm 15. Armrests 20 are provided opposite sides of the seat assembly, each armrest being provided with a hand grip as illustrated.

That side of the seat assembly 17 adjacent the top of the support arm 15 forms part of a pivotable parallelogram linkage. Also forming the pivotable parallelogram linkage are forward and rearward members, 19 and 21 respectively, and a longitudinal tie member 23 arranged parallel to, and above in the illustrated embodiment, the side of the seat assembly. The rearward member 21 provides support for the upper body of a patient by way of a pair of transverse members 25 which extend over the chassis 1, while the forward member 19 provides support for the legs of a patient by way of a plurality of transverse members (not shown) which extend over the chassis 1 and by way of a footrest 29. The footrest 29 is adjustable along the length of the forward member 19. The footrest 29 may be adjustable up and down in order that the footrest can bear against the floor or the like when supporting the weight of the patient, but can be raised when it is desired to move the transfer apparatus. The footrest can be provided, for example as two footrests, each being mounted for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between a lowered supporting configuration and an upper storage configuration.

The forward and rearward members 19 and 21 are pivotably mounted at the ends of the side of the seat assembly and are pivotably mounted at each end of the longitudinal tie member 23. The rearward member 21 is pivotable between a generally horizontal configuration and an upwardly extending upright configuration, while the forward member 19 is pivotable between a generally horizontal configuration (when the rearward member is generally horizontal) and a downwardly extending upright configuration (when the rearward member is upright).

In practice the forward and rearward members 19 and 21 and the longitudinal tie member 23 are provided with suitable coverings and/or panels (not shown in Figure 1 for clarity) to support the patient in a comfortable manner. Waterproof coverings and/or panels permit the transfer device to be used in a shower.

An adjustable locking member 31 extends between the side of the seat assembly 17 and the longitudinal tie member 23, the locking member being pivotably mounted at one end thereof on the tie member 23 and having a pin member extending through an elongate slot formed in the other end of the locking member 31. The pin member is threaded to receive a knob or the like which can be tightened to secure the parallelogram arrangement in any desired configuration or loosened to permit the configuration of the parallelogram to be changed.

The rearward member 21 is pivotable intermediate the ends thereof in a region above the longitudinal tie member 23, the portions of the rearward member being lockable in a linear configuration. With the rearward member 21 in the upright configuration, the upper portion of the rearward member can be pivoted forwardly to reduce the overall height of the transfer apparatus and render it more convenient for transportation in a vehicle.

In addition to the adjustable locking member 31, an adjustable tie rod 33 extends between the forward region of that side arm of the chassis 1 on which the support arm 15 is mounted and the forward member 19. The tie rod 33 is pivotably mounted at each end thereof. The tie rod is provided with releasable locking means which permits the length of the tie rod to be adjusted and the tie rod can then be locked in position. The length of the tie rod can either be continuously variable or the tie rod can be locked in any one of a number of predetermined positions.

A knee support 35 is removably mounted on the forward member 19. The knee support is padded and can be moved towards and away from the seat assembly 17 and upwardly and downwardly. The knee support can be removed from the transfer assembly if desired. A lap strap (not shown) is also provided for securing the patient in the region of the seat assembly 17. Further straps may also be provided, for example in the region of the knees and/or chest.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate one manner in which a patient can be raised to a substantially upright position.

As can be seen from Figure 2, with the jack extended to raise the seat assembly 17 to an upwardly inclined configuration with the seat back 21 and calf support 19 remaining in an upright configuration as a result of the parallelogram arrangement, the torso of the patient is supported against the seat back by way of a height adjustable chest strap 37, which extends around the chest and under the patient's arms, is provided with a padded chest support 39 and with shoulder straps 41 to prevent the upper body moving forward. The buttocks and thighs of the patient are supported by a seat pad 22 which is able to pivot about the seat assembly 17, while the lower parts of the legs are retained between the knee supports (or knee pads) 35 and the calf support 19. The patient's feet are supported on the footrest 29. A lumbar strap 43 extends relatively loosely around the lower back of the patient and seat straps 45 extend between the free end of each of the armrests 20 and the upper edge of the seat pad 22.

The patient can be moved from the position shown in Figure 2 to that shown in Figure 3 by progressively loosening the chest and shoulder straps while progressively tightening the lumbar strap 43 and the two seat straps 45 to raise the seat pad progressively towards a more upright configuration as shown in Figure 3. If desired a form of quick acting fastener and pulley arrangement can be provided to give a mechanical advantage, for example of about 4:1, in order to facilitate tightening of the lumbar strap and/or the seat straps. The catches of the fasteners slide readily and can lock automatically when released.

With the patient in the standing position as illustrated in Figure 3, the body load passes primarily through the patient's feet. The seat straps can be loosened, while the patient is maintained in position by the lumbar strap 43.

The seat pad 22 can then be exchanged, for example for a commode seat (to which the seat straps 45 can be attached for lowering and subsequently raising the seat) or support strap and ready access can be gained to adjust the patient's clothing. Such a configuration also assists with washing, showering, physiotherapy and the psychological needs of the patient, who need not feel confined to a sitting position.

In the event the patient should be unable to stand upright without further support, for example as a result of a tendency for their hips to bias to one side, one or more lateral restraining straps (not shown for clarity) can be anchored to the armrests 20 so as to extend from one armrest, around the patient in the region of the hips, and back to the same armrest. For example, the lateral restraining straps can be anchored to the armrests in the same region as the lumbar strap 43.

The transfer assembly can be provided with a side transfer mechanism as illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 4, the side transfer mechanism being useful in increasing flexibility of use in situations where there is restricted space. The castor wheels 5 and 7 are mounted on a sub frame 51 which is pivotably mounted at each side to the chassis 1. A toggle catch and lever arrangement 53 has three positions, an up position, a middle position and a down position. In the up position, the lever locks in a position which maintains the castor wheels in a lowered configuration in which the wheels 3 are held clear of the ground, thereby allowing movement of the chair in any direction due to the castor wheels. In the middle position of the lever, the castor wheels are raised above the level of the wheels 3 allowing normal operation of the transfer device. In the down position of the lever the brake 9, illustrated diagrammatically, is applied.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate another manner in which a patient can be raised to a substantially upright position.

is As can be seen from Figure 5, with judicious selection of the point at which the seat straps 45 are secured between the seat pad 22 and the armrests 20 (which point can readily be determined by experimentation) the seat pad 22 can be caused to pivot about its lower edge as the patient 20 is moved between a sitting and a substantially standing position such that the upper edge of the seat pad 22 is spaced from the seat assembly 17 in the inclined configuration, but is allowed to rest against the seat assembly 17 in the generally horizontal configuration. It is therefore not necessary to progressively tighten or loosen the seat straps 45 as the seat assembly 17 is moved between the generally horizontal configuration and the inclined configuration.

Moreover, it is often difficult to support the upper body of a severely disabled person and Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative to that shown in Figures 2 and 3.

In place of a lumbar strap, the patient wears a belt 53, which belt may be relatively wide, at least around the back and sides of the patient, for reasons of comfort and support. The belt 53 is provided with straps 55 which extend between each side of the belt and a forward region of the armrest 20 to assist a carer in moving the patient forward substantially to a standing position and for retaining the patient in such a forward position. Further pull straps, such as straps 56, can be attached to the belt 53 if desired.

In order to support the patient in the forward position a pair of rear cross straps 57 extend from each side of the seat back 21 cross over behind the back of the patient and are secured to the opposite side of the belt 53 compared with the side of the seat back to which the respective strap 57 is mounted. Thus the cross straps 57, in conjunction with the straps 55 support the patient away from the seat back 21.

In order to prevent the patient toppling forward a pair of shoulder straps 59 are provided, one strap for each shoulder. Each shoulder strap 59 is secured at one end thereof to an upper region of one of the cross straps 57 behind the respective shoulder of the patient, extends over the shoulder of the patient and is secured behind the patient to the lower region of the other of the cross straps 57. It has been found that shoulder straps 59 such as those described are more comfortable than is a chest belt, especially for female patients. As an alternative to the shoulder strap 59 being secured to the lower region of a cross strap 57, the lower end of the shoulder strap can be secured to another convenient location, such as the belt 53. Thus, the shoulder straps 59, in conjunction with the cross straps 57, maintain the patient supported comfortably against both forward and backward movement while substantially in an upright position.

Claims

1. A body support system comprising a seat frame adjustable between a substantially horizontal configuration and a configuration in which the rear of the seat is raised relative to the front thereof and a seat pad arranged on the seat frame and adjustable in the raised configuration of the seat frame to a position in which the rear of the seat pad is raised from the frame.

2. A body support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat pad is movable in the raised configuration of the seat frame between the position in which the rear of the seat pad is raised from the frame and a position in which the seat pad is supported on the frame.

3. A body support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat pad is movable from a position in which the seat pad is supported on the frame to the position in which the rear of the seat pad is raised from the frame as the rear of the seat is raised relative to the front thereof.

4. A body support system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the seat pad is raised by strap means extending between the region of a rear edge of the - 17 seat pad and support means extending forwardly of the seat frame.

5. A body support system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the support means comprises an armrest f or the seat f rame.

6. A body support system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein an adjustable lumbar strap for a patient is additionally secured to the support means.

7. A body support system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein a belt for a patient is additionally secured to the support means.

8. A body support system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the strap means is adjustable in length for adjusting the angulation of the seat pad.

9. A body support system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the strap means incorporates means for providing a mechanical advantage.

10. A body support system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the strap means is of constant length.

11. A body support system as claimed in any preceding claim and including an adjustable footrest.

12. A body support system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the footrest is capable of being lowered for ground support when bearing the weight of a patient.

13. A body support system as claimed in claim 7 or in any claim dependent thereon and including a seat back extending upwardly from the rear of the seat frame, straps being provided extending from each side of an upper region of the seat back so as to cross over behind a patient and to be secured to the belt at the opposite side of the patient.

14. A body support system as claimed in claim 13, wherein shoulder straps are provided extending from an upper region of each of the cross straps around the front of a patient's shoulder and secured at the lower end thereof.

15. A body support system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lower end of the shoulder strap is secured to a lower region of the other of the cross straps.

16. A body support system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lower end of the shoulder strap is secured to the belt.

17. A body support system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.