JP2002065761A - Mechanism for incorporating function chair to detachable bed - Google Patents

Mechanism for incorporating function chair to detachable bed

Info

Publication number
JP2002065761A
JP2002065761A JP2000309926A JP2000309926A JP2002065761A JP 2002065761 A JP2002065761 A JP 2002065761A JP 2000309926 A JP2000309926 A JP 2000309926A JP 2000309926 A JP2000309926 A JP 2000309926A JP 2002065761 A JP2002065761 A JP 2002065761A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
bed
functional chair
chair
detachable
detachable bed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP2000309926A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Toshikazu Ito
利和 伊藤
Masaki Suzumori
正基 鈴森
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ITO SEIKI HATSUJO KK
Original Assignee
ITO SEIKI HATSUJO KK
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ITO SEIKI HATSUJO KK filed Critical ITO SEIKI HATSUJO KK
Priority to JP2000309926A priority Critical patent/JP2002065761A/en
Publication of JP2002065761A publication Critical patent/JP2002065761A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the time and physical pains of a patient and a carer. SOLUTION: The shape of a detachable bed forms a space to insert the function chair 2 to the space to make the form of a lying/sitting posture to make a bed whose surface is flat. In order to make smoothly inserting or detaching behavior of the chair 2 with respect to the bed, the upper guiding rail of the bed is used corresponding to the front guiding wheel 21 and the rear guiding wheel 22 of the chair 2 and the guiding wheel of the bed is used corresponding to the guiding belt of the chair 2. When the chair 2 is inserted to the fixed position of the bed, the chair 2 collides with a stopping tool 18 to be stopped and brake locks.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

【0001】[0001]

【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、ベットと機能椅子
を組み合わせる。
The present invention combines a bed and a functional chair.

【0002】[0002]

【従来の技術】従来市販品として存在するベット又は車
椅子は、すべてがそれぞれ単独で機能する。従ってベッ
トはあくまでも寝具であり。車椅子はあくまでも移動に
関しての椅子である。従って本発明の着脱ベットと機能
椅子を組み合わせた情報については未知である。
2. Description of the Related Art Beds or wheelchairs conventionally existing as commercial products all function independently. So bets are just bedding. Wheelchairs are movement chairs. Therefore, information on the combination of the removable bed and the functional chair of the present invention is unknown.

【0003】[0003]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】着脱ベット11と機能
椅子を組み合わせたり分離することで、病室より患者が
診療やリハビリに行く時、ベットから車椅子へ移乗する
こと無く、ベットの一部を分離することで車椅子として
使用する為、患者と介護者の時間的、肉体的の苦痛を軽
減する。
By combining or separating the detachable bed 11 and the functional chair, a part of the bed is separated without transferring from the bed to the wheelchair when the patient goes to the medical treatment or rehabilitation from the hospital room. As a result, it can be used as a wheelchair, reducing the time and physical pain of patients and caregivers.

【0004】[0004]

【課題を解決するための手段】着脱ベット11の形はベ
ットの一部に空間を設け、空間に機能椅子2を挿入し、
機能椅子2の形を寝座姿勢6の形態にすることで、表面
が平面なベットとなる。機能椅子2を車椅子として使用
する為、着脱ベット11より機能椅子2を引き出し、車
椅子として使用後は再び着脱ベット11に機能椅子2を
挿入してベットとして用いる。
The removable bed 11 has a space in a part of the bed, and the functional chair 2 is inserted into the space.
By forming the functional chair 2 in the form of the sleeping posture 6, the bed becomes a flat surface. In order to use the functional chair 2 as a wheelchair, the functional chair 2 is pulled out from the detachable bed 11, and after being used as a wheelchair, the functional chair 2 is inserted into the detachable bed 11 again and used as a bed.

【0005】着脱ベット11に対して、機能椅子2をス
ムースに挿入や離脱行為をする為に、図3では機能椅子
2の前案内車21後案内車22に対応して着脱ベット1
1の上案内レール13を使用したり、或いは、図4では
機能椅子2の誘導帯26に対応して、着脱ベット11の
誘導車23を挿入、離脱に使用する。着脱ベット11の
定位置まで機能椅子2が挿入すると機能椅子2は止まり
具18に当たって停止する。その他着脱ベット11に機
能椅子2を誘導、挿入する方法については、種々考えら
れる。
In order to smoothly insert and remove the functional chair 2 with respect to the detachable bed 11, the detachable bed 1 corresponding to the front guide wheel 21 and the rear guide wheel 22 of the functional chair 2 is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 4, the guide wheel 23 of the detachable bed 11 is used for insertion and removal corresponding to the guide band 26 of the functional chair 2 in FIG. When the functional chair 2 is inserted to the fixed position of the detachable bed 11, the functional chair 2 hits the stopper 18 and stops. Various other methods for guiding and inserting the functional chair 2 into the detachable bed 11 are conceivable.

【0006】患者1が機能椅子2を車椅子として診療ま
たはリハビリに使用した後、機能椅子2は再び着脱ベッ
ト11と組合せてベットとして使用する。以下実施の形
態についてベット上面の緩衝材を除いた構造でもって述
べる。
After the patient 1 uses the functional chair 2 as a wheelchair for medical treatment or rehabilitation, the functional chair 2 is used again as a bed in combination with the detachable bed 11. The embodiment will be described below with a structure excluding the cushioning material on the upper surface of the bed.

【0007】[0007]

【発明の実施の形態】着脱ベット11内の空間に機能椅
子2を所定の位置に挿入し、定位置で停止してベットを
構成する為の方法は、ガイド板に車を添わせ、機能椅子
2を進行させればよい。ただし着脱ベット11と機能椅
子2のどちらにガイド板と車をを取り付けてもよい訳
で、それによって二つの方法が発生する。図1、図2は
着脱ベット11の形態について記す。着脱ベット11を
上から見ると漢字で書くと(間)の字の形で、(日)の
字にあたる所が機能椅子2が入る位置である。従って図
1、図2は着脱ベット11の正面図であるが、上から見
た平面図は漢字の門の形である。
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A method for inserting a functional chair 2 into a predetermined position in a space inside a detachable bed 11 and stopping at a fixed position to form a bed is as follows. 2 can be advanced. However, since the guide plate and the car may be attached to either the detachable bed 11 or the functional chair 2, two methods are generated. 1 and 2 show the form of the detachable bed 11. When the detachable bed 11 is viewed from above, it is written in Chinese characters in the shape of (intermediate), and the place corresponding to the character (sun) is the position where the functional chair 2 enters. 1 and 2 are front views of the detachable bed 11, the plan view seen from above is a kanji gate.

【0008】着脱ベット11の高さは脚25の長さによ
る。ベット上面17と機能椅子2の腰座枠8とは同一で
ある。着脱ベット11には前方入口に誘導曲部16を設
け上案内レール13、下案内レール14に対して機能椅
子2の挿入を容易にする。その他、機能椅子2の停止位
置設定の為に止まり具18を保有する。
The height of the detachable bed 11 depends on the length of the legs 25. The bed upper surface 17 and the waist frame 8 of the functional chair 2 are the same. The detachable bed 11 is provided with a guide bending portion 16 at the front entrance to facilitate insertion of the functional chair 2 into the upper guide rail 13 and the lower guide rail 14. In addition, a stop 18 is provided for setting the stop position of the functional chair 2.

【0009】着脱ベット11の図1の上案内レール13
と、下案内レール14の形は帯面であり、図2の着脱ベ
ット11は案内レールが誘導車23となっている。
The upper guide rail 13 of the detachable bed 11 shown in FIG.
The shape of the lower guide rail 14 is a belt surface, and the guide rail of the detachable bet 11 in FIG.

【0010】前記せる二つの方法の内の最初の方法を図
で説明すると、図3に示す図は、図1の着脱ベット11
に機能椅子2が挿入される寸前の図であり、機能椅子2
の左右側面には後部車輪19、前部車輪20を有し走行
する。機能椅子2を着脱ベット11に挿入するにつれ、
機能椅子2の左右側面に取り付けた前案内車21と後案
内車22は、図1の着脱ベット11の両側内面に設置さ
れている上案内レール13に添って、着脱ベット11内
へと誘導挿入され、機能椅子2は着脱ベット11の止ま
り具18に当たって定位置で停止する。然る後、後部車
輪19、前部車輪20のブレーキをロックする。
The first of the two methods described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
Is a view just before the functional chair 2 is inserted into the functional chair 2.
The vehicle has a rear wheel 19 and a front wheel 20 on the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle. As the functional chair 2 is inserted into the detachable bed 11,
A front guide wheel 21 and a rear guide wheel 22 attached to the left and right side surfaces of the functional chair 2 are guided into the detachable bed 11 along the upper guide rails 13 installed on both inner surfaces of the detachable bed 11 in FIG. Then, the functional chair 2 hits the stopper 18 of the detachable bed 11 and stops at a fixed position. Thereafter, the brakes of the rear wheels 19 and the front wheels 20 are locked.

【0011】次のもう一つの方法を図で説明すると、図
4に示す図は、図2の着脱ベット11に、図4に示す機
能椅子2を挿入する図で、前項と異なるのは着脱ベット
11の上案内レール13が誘導車23に代わり、機能椅
子2の前案内車21、後案内車22が誘導帯26に代わ
っていることである。機能椅子2を着脱ベット11に挿
入するにつれ、機能椅子2の左右側面誘導帯26は、図
2の着脱ベット11の両側内面に設置されている誘導車
23により、着脱ベット11内へと誘導挿入され、機能
椅子2は着脱ベット11の止まり具18に当たって定位
置で停止する。然る後、後部車輪19、前部車輪20の
ブレーキをロックする。
FIG. 4 shows another method in which the functional chair 2 shown in FIG. 4 is inserted into the detachable bed 11 shown in FIG. 2. The detachable bed shown in FIG. 11 is that the upper guide rail 13 of the functional chair 2 is replaced by a guide belt 23 and the front guide wheel 21 and the rear guide wheel 22 of the functional chair 2 are replaced by a guide band 26. As the functional chair 2 is inserted into the detachable bed 11, the left and right side guiding bands 26 of the functional chair 2 are guided into the detachable bed 11 by the guide wheels 23 installed on both inner surfaces of the detachable bed 11 in FIG. Then, the functional chair 2 hits the stopper 18 of the detachable bed 11 and stops at a fixed position. Thereafter, the brakes of the rear wheels 19 and the front wheels 20 are locked.

【0012】更に図1の着脱ベット11の下案内レール
14により、機能椅子2の後部車輪19前部車輪20を
誘導することで着脱ベット11に着脱ベット11を挿入
と離脱を可能とする方法もある。
Further, there is a method in which the detachable bed 11 can be inserted into and detached from the detachable bed 11 by guiding the rear wheel 19 and the front wheel 20 of the functional chair 2 by the lower guide rail 14 of the detachable bed 11 shown in FIG. is there.

【0013】図5は機能椅子2を着座姿勢3の儘の形態
で挿入し、止まり具18に機能椅子2が当たって停止し
た図であり、後部車輪19にブレーキでロックする。
FIG. 5 is a view in which the functional chair 2 is inserted in the form of the sitting posture 3 and the functional chair 2 hits the stopper 18 and stops, and is locked to the rear wheel 19 by the brake.

【0014】図6は停止した機能椅子2を機能椅子2の
機構により、着座姿勢3からリグライニング姿勢5に変
化させた図で背もたれ枠12と足乗せ15が斜めに傾斜
している。
FIG. 6 is a view in which the stopped functional chair 2 is changed from the sitting position 3 to the regrinding position 5 by the mechanism of the functional chair 2, in which the backrest frame 12 and the footrest 15 are obliquely inclined.

【0015】図7は機能椅子2の機構により、リグライ
ニング姿勢5から更に寝座姿勢6に変化させた図で、着
脱ベット11のベット上面17と機能椅子2の平面高さ
は同じで、背もたれ枠12と足乗せ15も水平となり、
着脱ベット11と機能椅子2の表面は一体化したは平面
となり、ベット面を形成する。
FIG. 7 is a diagram in which the mechanism of the functional chair 2 changes the relining position 5 to the sleeping position 6, and the upper surface 17 of the detachable bed 11 and the functional chair 2 have the same plane height and the backrest. The frame 12 and the footrest 15 are also horizontal,
The surface of the detachable bed 11 and the surface of the functional chair 2 are integrated into a flat surface, forming a bed surface.

【0016】以上で一巡の説明は終わったが、着脱ベッ
ト11上の患者1を診療やリハビリに移行するときは、
機能椅子2の後部車輪19、前部車輪20のブレーキロ
ックを外し、機能椅子2を着脱ベット11より引き出す
ことで機能椅子2は車椅子としての機能を発揮する。機
能椅子2の機能で患者1を寝座姿勢6からリグライニン
グ姿勢5を経て着座姿勢3とする機械的操作は、着脱ベ
ット11内に機能椅子2が挿入されている時で、機能椅
子2を着脱ベット11から引き出した時でも、構わな
い。
The above is a complete explanation, but when the patient 1 on the detachable bed 11 is transferred to medical treatment or rehabilitation,
By releasing the brake lock of the rear wheel 19 and the front wheel 20 of the functional chair 2 and pulling out the functional chair 2 from the detachable bed 11, the functional chair 2 functions as a wheelchair. The mechanical operation of the function chair 2 to change the patient 1 from the sleeping position 6 to the sitting position 3 via the relining position 5 and the sitting position 3 is performed when the function chair 2 is inserted into the detachable bed 11. It does not matter even when pulled out from the detachable bed 11.

【0017】尚説明文中に使用した機能椅子2について
は、特願平10−377988号と特願2000−21
0582号と特願2000−249060に紹介した機
能椅子2に移動用の車輪を取り付けたものである。従っ
て患者の体位については、着座姿勢3から立座姿勢4へ
の変化、また、着座姿勢3からリグライニング姿勢5更
に寝座姿勢6への変化についても既に記述したとおりで
ある。
The functional chair 2 used in the description is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 10-377988 and 2000-21.
No. 0582 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-249060 show a functional chair 2 with wheels for movement. Therefore, as for the body position of the patient, the change from the sitting posture 3 to the standing posture 4 and the change from the sitting posture 3 to the relining posture 5 and further to the sleeping posture 6 are as already described.

【0018】[0018]

【発明の効果】現在使用している介護ベット上に、横た
わっている患者を起立させるには、介護者が患者をベッ
ト上で、上向きから横向きに体位を変え、次に患者の体
位を直角にして両足をベットの外に出してから、介護者
が患者の両脇に両手を患者の背中に巻き、患者の両手は
介護者の首に巻かせて、介護者が患者を抱き抱える要領
でベット上に一度腰掛けさせ、もう一度その儘の姿勢で
ヨイショとばかり全身で患者を起立させる。この無理な
体型からほとんどの介護者は腰と脛骨を痛める結果とな
る。結果として、本発明の着脱ベット11と機能椅子2
の着脱で、介護者を職業病から開放する目的と、患者に
与える肉体的苦痛、更に一般的な車椅子の不用による病
室面積の有効利用率の向上。設備費用の軽減等の効果が
発生する。
In order to raise a patient lying on the care bed currently in use, the caregiver changes the position of the patient on the bed from upward to sideways, and then makes the patient a right angle. Hands out of the bed and the caregiver wraps both hands on the patient's back, wraps the patient's hands around the caregiver's neck, and places the bet in a manner that the caregiver is holding the patient. Sit on the top once, and stand up again with the whole body with just the right posture. Most caregivers suffer from lower back and tibia pain from this oversized body. As a result, the removable bed 11 and the functional chair 2 of the present invention are provided.
The purpose of relieving the caregiver from occupational illness by attaching and detaching the garbage is to improve the effective utilization of the sickroom area due to the physical pain given to the patient and the general elimination of wheelchairs. Effects such as reduction of equipment costs are generated.

【0019】[0019]

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of the drawings]

【図1】案内レール設置の着脱ベットの正面斜視図。FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a detachable bed provided with a guide rail.

【図2】誘導車設置の着脱ベットの正面斜視図。FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a detachable bed installed on a guided vehicle.

【図3】案内車設置の機能椅子を案内レール設置の着脱
ベットへの挿入斜視図。
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of inserting a functional chair installed on a guide car into a detachable bed installed on a guide rail.

【図4】誘導帯設置の機能椅子を誘導車設置の着脱ベッ
トへの挿入斜視図。
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insertion of a functional chair in which a guide band is installed into a detachable bed in which a guide car is installed.

【図5】挿入された機能椅子が着脱ベットの止まり具に
当たって停止した正面斜視図。
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view in which the inserted functional chair hits a stop of a detachable bed and stops.

【図6】停止した機能椅子をリグライニング姿勢とす
る。
FIG. 6 shows the stopped functional chair as a regrind posture.

【図7】機能椅子の背もたれ枠を倒し、着脱ベットと機
能椅子の高さを同一とした正面斜視図。
FIG. 7 is a front perspective view in which the backrest frame of the functional chair is folded down and the height of the removable chair and the height of the functional chair are the same.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

1:患者 2:機能椅子 3:着座姿勢 4:立座姿勢 5:リグライニング姿勢 6:寝座姿勢 7:椅子枠 8:腰座枠 9:前軸 10:後軸 11:着脱ベット 12:背もたれ枠 13:上案内レール 14:下案内レール 15:足乗せ 16:誘導曲部 17:ベット上面 18:止まり 19:後部車輪 20:前部車輪 21:前案内車 22:後案内車 23:誘導車 24:椅子枠 25:脚 26:誘導帯 1: patient 2: functional chair 3: sitting posture 4: standing posture 5: relining posture 6: sleeping posture 7: chair frame 8: waist frame 9: front shaft 10: rear shaft 11: detachable bed 12: backrest Frame 13: Upper guide rail 14: Lower guide rail 15: Foot rest 16: Guide bending part 17: Bed top surface 18: Stopping 19: Rear wheel 20: Front wheel 21: Front guide vehicle 22: Rear guide vehicle 23: Guide vehicle 24: Chair frame 25: Leg 26: Guidance belt

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き Fターム(参考) 4C040 AA08 AA28 BB01 BB06 CC10 DD09 DD10 EE04 GG14 GG20 JJ06  ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4C040 AA08 AA28 BB01 BB06 CC10 DD09 DD10 EE04 GG14 GG20 JJ06

Claims (2)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項1】 着脱ベット(11)の形はベットの一部
に空間を設け、空間に機能椅子(2)を挿入し、機能椅
子(2)の形を寝座姿勢(6)の形態にすることで、表
面が平面なベットとなる。機能椅子(2)を車椅子とし
て使用する為、着脱ベット(11)より機能椅子(2)
を引き出し、車椅子として使用後は再び着脱ベット(1
1)に機能椅子(2)を挿入してベットとして用いる。
1. A detachable bed (11) is provided with a space in a part of the bed, a functional chair (2) is inserted into the space, and the form of the functional chair (2) is changed to a sitting posture (6). By doing so, the surface becomes a flat bed. Because the functional chair (2) is used as a wheelchair, the functional chair (2) from the removable bed (11)
After using it as a wheelchair, remove it again (1
The functional chair (2) is inserted into 1) and used as a bed.
【請求項2】 着脱ベット(11)に対して、機能椅子
(2)をスムースに挿入や離脱行為をする為に、機能椅
子(2)の前案内車(21)、後案内車(22)に対応
して着脱ベット(11)の上案内レール(13)を使用
したり、或いは、機能椅子(2)の誘導帯(26)に対
応して、着脱ベット(11)の誘導車(23)を挿入、
離脱に使用する。着脱ベット(11)の定位置まで機能
椅子(2)が挿入すると機能椅子(2)は、止まり具
(18)に当たって停止する。
2. A front guide wheel (21) and a rear guide wheel (22) of the functional chair (2) for smoothly inserting and removing the functional chair (2) with respect to the removable bed (11). The upper guide rail (13) of the detachable bed (11) can be used in accordance with the condition, or the guide wheel (23) of the detachable bed (11) can be used in accordance with the guide band (26) of the functional chair (2). Insert the
Used for withdrawal. When the functional chair (2) is inserted to the fixed position of the detachable bed (11), the functional chair (2) hits the stop (18) and stops.
JP2000309926A 2000-09-04 2000-09-04 Mechanism for incorporating function chair to detachable bed Pending JP2002065761A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2000309926A JP2002065761A (en) 2000-09-04 2000-09-04 Mechanism for incorporating function chair to detachable bed

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2000309926A JP2002065761A (en) 2000-09-04 2000-09-04 Mechanism for incorporating function chair to detachable bed

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2002065761A true JP2002065761A (en) 2002-03-05

Family

ID=18789977

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2000309926A Pending JP2002065761A (en) 2000-09-04 2000-09-04 Mechanism for incorporating function chair to detachable bed

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2002065761A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004087632A (en) * 2002-08-26 2004-03-18 Nec Engineering Ltd Casing structure of electronic appliance
JP2015073882A (en) * 2013-10-07 2015-04-20 有限会社日新電気 Elevated bed chair-like change device
CN112754810A (en) * 2021-01-18 2021-05-07 赖亮明 Emergency medical nursing bed with combined and separated auxiliary tracks

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2004087632A (en) * 2002-08-26 2004-03-18 Nec Engineering Ltd Casing structure of electronic appliance
JP2015073882A (en) * 2013-10-07 2015-04-20 有限会社日新電気 Elevated bed chair-like change device
CN112754810A (en) * 2021-01-18 2021-05-07 赖亮明 Emergency medical nursing bed with combined and separated auxiliary tracks

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN204601042U (en) For the medichair of otorhinolaryngology disease diagnosis and treatment
CN206381303U (en) A kind of combined wheelchair sick bed
US20110035876A1 (en) Human body supporting apparatus
JP2002065761A (en) Mechanism for incorporating function chair to detachable bed
CN210185891U (en) Nursing bed
CN201290845Y (en) Metal patient binding treatment chair
US5109872A (en) Patient leg support
CN219743057U (en) Clinical patient of psychiatric department is with safety protection structure
CN216566262U (en) Restraint device for first aid
CN109512587A (en) A kind of critically ill patient movable stand
CN216676299U (en) Comfortable and safe lithotomy position bed
CN205515114U (en) Adjustable restraint nursing device
CN211797389U (en) ICU bed is with nursing support
KR102360916B1 (en) bed and chair assembly
CN211723746U (en) Multifunctional medical bed
CN207980132U (en) Mobile infant auto atomizing vehicle
CN206151785U (en) Old safety protection chair
KR101033857B1 (en) Platform for electrical bed capable of adjusting rotational axis of folding based on user's body type
Bradford et al. Treatise on Orthopedic surgery
CN111743700A (en) Multifunctional nursing chair
JP3032135U (en) Hospital / nursing beds
CN205758866U (en) A kind of simple sick bed
DE4337584C2 (en) Therapeutic rocking chair
CN204871081U (en) Pet infusion car
CN209347481U (en) A kind of turning-over air cushion bed with leg foot massage functions