GB2467954A

GB2467954A - Accessory mounting structure formed on a furniture frame

Info

Publication number: GB2467954A
Application number: GB0902958A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Pitt
Original assignee: Roma Medical Aids Ltd
Current assignee: Roma Medical Aids Ltd
Priority date: 2009-02-20
Filing date: 2009-02-20
Publication date: 2010-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-20
Also published as: GB0902958D0; EP2398439A1; EP2398439B1; WO2010094942A1; GB2467954B; GB2467954C

Abstract

The frame of an item of furniture has a length which provides a mounting structure comprised of two spaced branches 3,4 extending spaced from one another to define a gap for receiving a mounting portion 10,11 of an accessory 8 to be supported by the mounting structure. The gap may be defined by branches of the frame that divaricate and converge along the length of the frame. The mounting structure may be formed on the side of the furniture frame which may part of a seat or mattress support. The accessory, e.g. a patient transfer board [9, Fig.3], or drinks holder 8, is supported in a lever relationship, engaging with an over-side of one of the branches 4 and an under-side of the other of the branches 3. In this way the item may be supported in cantilever fashion to one side of the frame. Also disclosed in a furniture arrangement comprising a furniture frame positioned at a level for supporting a seat or mattress, and a support platform, e.g. a patient transfer board, having a mounting portion for coupling to the frame at a level which facilitates easy transfer from the seat or mattress to the support platform.

Description

Furniture Frame The present invention relates to the field of furniture and in particular the field of medical and healthcare related furniture.

It is often necessary or desirable to attach accessories (such as drink holders) or additional components (such as arm rests) to medical or health care furniture such as wheelchairs and commodes etc. It is desirable to attach such accessories quickly, easily and without the use of tools. In addition, as medical/health care furniture is often used in areas which require high levels of hygiene or sanitation, easy cleaning of any accessory holder is a concern.

The furniture frame may be the frame of a wheelchair, bed or commode etc., but not exclusively so.

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a mounting structure for mounting an item on a furniture frame, the device comprising a frame length of the furniture frame formed to have spaced branches extending spaced from one another to define a gap therebetween, for receiving a mounting portion of the item.

The frame element is preferably formed such that the branches divaricate and converge along its length to define the gap for receiving the item.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame element is a side frame length. Beneficially the frame element is a side frame length of a seat or mattress support portion of the frame.

This is advantageous wherein, for example, the item to be attached is a transfer or support platform to enable patients to be moved from a seat or mattress.

In one embodiment the mounting structure is preferably formed of a main tubular frame length, formed to have a bend or kink defining a first branch, and a bridge element (forming a spaced branch) bridging across the bend or kink.

This enables the bridge element to be formed of a smaller frame section than the main tubular frame section having the kink or bend.

The tubular frame section having the kink or bend is preferably kinked inwardly toward the seat or support area of the furniture.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a furniture frame incorporating a mounting structure as herein defined, preferably in combination with a fitment or accessory having a mounting portion arranged to be inserted into the gap between the spaced branches of the mounting structure of the frame.

According to an alternative aspect, the invention provides a furniture arrangement comprising a furniture frame having a frame portion at a level for supporting a seat or mattress, a support platform having a mounting element for connection to the frame portion at the level for supporting a seat or mattress, such that the support platform is mounted to facilitate sliding of the patient from the seat or mattress onto the support frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the area defined by the divergent branches is a void.

In use, a user can insert a portion of an accessory or other component into the gap area defined between the diverging and converging branches. The accessory may be suspended from one or more of the branches or may rest upon one or more of the branches.

Alternatively, a portion of the accessory may be hooked underneath one of the branches whilst resting on top of another, essentially being used as a lever.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support device is provided on at least one of the pieces of furniture. Preferably, the support device is a platform, and may be provided with padding or cushioning, It is also preferred that the platform is provided at a height which is substantially equal to the height of the furniture from which the user is being transferred.

It is preferred that the platform is detachably mounted to the furniture frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the platform is mounted on the furniture by means of a mounting device as described above. Preferably, a projection is provided on the platform and is passed over a branch of the mounting device, into the defined void and under an opposing branch. Thus, the projection rests upon one branch and below another.

In use, the platform is mounted on the frame of a first or second piece of furniture. The user is then transferred from a first piece of furniture onto the supporting platform which bridges, partially or fully, the gap between the first and second pieces of furniture. The user is then transferred onto or into the second piece of furniture.

The transfer may be performed by sliding or lifting the user onto and/or off the platform.

The platform may then be removed from the furniture frame.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiment described herein.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 show a furniture frame incorporating two mounting devices configured in accordance with a first aspect of the invention.

Figures 3 and 4 show a mounting device in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, and a user support device according to a second aspect of the invention.

Figures 1 to 4 show a furniture (commode) frame I having two mounting structures 2 configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The invention can be used in isolation rather than as a pair of structures 2 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The commode frame I includes a seat frame portion having a pair of spaced side frame sections Ia lb. Each side frame section has a main frame tube 3 which has a section 3a that is bent or kinked inwardly toward the seat area. A narrower frame element 4 is welded to bridge across the kinked section to define a void space 5 between the spaced frame elements 3,4. The frame element 4 is positioned marginally below the level of the frame element 3a. The frame element 3a forms a first branch of the mounting structure 2. A second branch 4 is formed by the bridge section 4. Thus void, space, area, or gap 5 is defined within or between the first 3 and second 4 branches of the mounting device 2.

In use, one or more accessories or components 8 may be suspended from, placed upon or inserted into the mounting structure 2 so as to mount the component(s) 8 on the frame 1.

This is most clearly shown in Figures 2 to 4.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show how an accessory 8, 9 may be mounted on a frame 1 by inserting a portion of the accessory 8, 9 into the void or gap 5 defined between the branches 3, 4 of the mounting structure 2. A projection 10, 11 extending from the accessory 8, 9 is angled along its length such that the distal end of the projection is hooked under the first branch 3 while the proximal end rests on the second branch 4. The weight of the accessory 8, 9 exerts a downward force on the proximal end of the projection which, in reaction, causes upward force to be exerted on the distal end. Upward and downward movement of the distal and proximal ends (respectively) is prevented by the branches, thus the accessory 8, 9 is held in place until a user removes the accessory 8, 9. Removal is performed by tilting the accessory such that the projection 10, 11 can then be lifted out of the defined region 5.

Turning to a second aspect of the invention, a support/transfer platform 9 is arranged and configured so as to be mounted on the furniture frame. The platform 9 can be used to facilitate the transfer of a user (such as a patient or disabled person) from one piece of furniture to another. The platform 9 may be padded for comfort. The provision of the mounting structure 2 in the furniture frame at the level of the patient support of the furniture (ie at the mattress support level for a bed, or the seat support level for a commode or chair) enables the platform to be connected at the correct height to enable the patient to be transferred from the furniture.

The platform 9 may be mounted on the furniture frame I using a mounting structure 2 according to the first aspect of the invention. The platform is provided with a projection II for insertion into the void 5 defined by the mounting structure 2.

The platform may be mounted on a furniture frame which the user is being transferred from or into. After use, the support platform may be removed from the mounting device 2.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. In the present specification, "comprises" means "includes or consists of' and "comprising" means "including or consisting of'. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A mounting structure for mounting an item on a furniture frame, the device comprising a frame length of the furniture frame formed to have spaced branches extending spaced from one another to define a gap therebetween, for receiving a mounting portion of the item.
2. A mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the frame element is formed such that the branches divaricate and converge along its length to define the gap for receiving the tern.
3. A mounting structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame element is a side frame length.
4. A mounting structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame element is a side frame length of a seat or mattress support portion of the frame.
5. A mounting structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the mounting structure is formed of a main tubular frame length, formed to have a bend or kink defining a first branch, and a bridge element (forming a spaced branch) bridging across the bend or kink.
6. A mounting structure according to claim 5, wherein the bridge element is formed of smaller frame section than the main tubular frame section having the kink or bend.

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7. A mounting structure according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the tubular frame section having the kink or bend is kinked inwardly toward the seat or support area of the furniture.
8. A furniture frame including a mounting structure according to any preceding claim.
9. A furniture arrangement comprising a furniture frame according to claim 8 in combination with a fitment or accessory having a mounting portion arranged to be inserted into the gap between the spaced branches of the mounting structure of the frame.
10. A furniture arrangement comprising a furniture frame having a frame portion at a level for supporting a seat or mattress, a support platform having a mounting element for connection to the frame portion at the level for supporting a seat or mattress, such that the support platform is mounted to facilitate sliding of the patient from the seat or mattress onto the support frame.