WO2006091116A1

WO2006091116A1 - Leg movement apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2006091116A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2006/000033
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wayne Smeaton Manson
Original assignee: Multifit Hospital Supplies Limited
Priority date: 2005-02-28
Filing date: 2006-02-28
Publication date: 2006-08-31

Abstract

Leg lifting apparatus (1) provided on a bed frame (2) includes a leg support (8) for engaging legs of a user, and rail assemblies (10,4) to allow the leg support (8) to move the user's legs onto the bed. The apparatus moves the user's lower legs from a position at a lower side of the bed to a position at an upper side of the bed, and then to a central position on top of the bed.

Description

LEG MOVEMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD

FIELD

This invention relates to apparatus for moving or transporting in a user's legs onto, or off, a bed. The invention is particularly applicable to disabled persons.

BACKGROUND

Persons with certain disabilities have difficulty lifting or otherwise moving their legs onto a bed, or an object functioning as a bed, so that they may rest. Similarly, once on a bed in a prone position a disabled user may have difficulty removing his or her legs from the bed. Such persons can usually sit on the edge of a bed, but the act of lifting their legs onto (and sometimes off) the bed is difficult or impossible without human or mechanised assistance.

Products that attempt to address this problem are commonly referred to as "bed leg raisers" or "powered leg lifters". These products take a variety of forms and typically function to lift the user's legs so that the user can then shuffle or otherwise manoeuvre his or her legs laterally onto and across the bed until the user's legs are fully supported by the bed in a position in which the user can comfortably sleep.

However, the user's disability is frequently such that it is very difficult or impossible for the user to move his or her legs onto the bed.

BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide leg transport apparatus or methods for transporting or moving a user's leg(s) onto or off a bed which ameliorates one or more disadvantages of known constructions.

Alternatively it is an object of the invention to provide leg transport apparatus or methods for transporting or moving a user's leg(s) onto or off a bed which will at least provided the public with a useful choice.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

Accordingly in one aspect the invention consists in leg transport apparatus for transporting or moving a user's leg(s) onto or off a bed, the apparatus comprising a leg support to support one or both legs of a user, a transport means to move the leg support member between a position adjacent to an upper side of the bed and a position on an upper surface of the bed.

Preferably the leg support is provided with a base portion and the transport means is provided such that the leg support may be moved by extending laterally across the bed from the base portion.

Preferably the transport means is provided such that the leg support extends telescopically from the base portion.

Preferably the transport means includes a rail member for provision laterally across the bed, the rail member being adapted to support the leg support, and the leg support being moveable relative to the rail member, and an actuation means operable to move the leg support along the rail.

Preferably the leg support is provided with a base portion and the rail member is provided on the base portion such that the leg support extends laterally across the bed from the base portion.

Preferably the leg support includes an elongate support member which co-operates with the rail such that the leg support extends telescopically from the base portion.

Preferably the rail supports a carriage which is adapted to carry the leg support.

Preferably a further transport means is provided to move the leg support member between a position adjacent to a lower side of the bed to the position adjacent to an upper side of the bed.

Preferably the further transport means includes a further rail member and an actuation means which carries the leg support between the lower side position and the upper side position.

Preferably the actuation means includes a worm drive.

Preferably the further rail member is pivotally mounted relative to the rail member. Preferably the leg support is pivotally mounted on the further rail.

Preferably the apparatus includes a back rest means which is selectively moveable to between a substantially flat position and an elevated position.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a bed cover lifting means.

Preferably a control means is provided such that the bed cover lifting means is actuated to maintain the bed cover(s) in a position such that the users leg(s) may be moved onto the upper surface of the bed, and then actuated to lower the cover(s).

In a further aspect the invention consists in a method for transporting or moving a user's leg(s) onto or off a bed, the method comprising providing a leg support member on which the user rests his or her leg(s), moving the leg support member between a first position adjacent to a lower side of the bed to a second intermediate position adjacent to an upper side of the bed, and a third position on an upper surface of the bed.

In a further aspect the invention consists in leg transport apparatus for transporting or moving a user's leg(s) onto or off a bed, the apparatus comprising a leg support to support one or both legs of a user, a transport means to move the leg support member between a position adjacent to a lower side of the bed and a position adjacent to an upper side of the bed, the transport means including a rail on which the leg support member travels and an actuator having a gear drive to move the leg support member along the rail.

Preferably the gear drive comprises a worm drive.

The invention also broadly consists in any novel feature (or the equivalent o that feature if not expressly stated) or novel combination of features (or equivalents) disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of leg lifting apparatus, Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3a is a partial illustration of Figure 2, Figure 3b is a an end elevation of Figure 3a,

Figure 4a is a plan view of an actuator assembly comprising part of the apparatus of the preceding figures,

Figure 4b is a side elevation of the apparatus of figure 4a, Figures 5a, 5b and 5c are plan, side elevation and end elevation respectively of a carriage comprising part of the apparatus of the preceding figures,

Figures 6a and 6b are a plan view and side elevation respectively of a rail assembly comprising part of the apparatus of the preceding figures,

Figure 7a is a side elevation of the apparatus of figures 1 and 2 showing a cover lifting assembly in two different positions,

Figure 7b and 7c are simplified views of Figure 7a showing the cover lifting assembly in a raised position and a lowered position respectively,

Figures 8a is a plan view of a mattress

Figures 8b and 8c are side elevations of the mattress of figure 8a with a backrest portion of the mattress in a lowered or flat position and in a raised or operative position respectively,

Figure 9a is a plan view of a mattress frame comprising part of the apparatus of the preceding figures and for use with the mattress of figures 8a to 8c,

Figure 9b is a simplified view of figure 9a showing a backrest portion of the frame, Figure 9c is an end view of figure 9b,

Figures 10a and 10b are side elevations of figure 9a but further illustrating actuator assemblies and illustrating the backrest portion in a lowered and a raised position respectively,

Figures 11a to 11d are simplified plan views of the apparatus of figure 1 showing sequential movement of a foot rest comprising part of the apparatus,

Figure 12 is a plan view of a mattress frame showing an alternative embodiment of the invention,

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the embodiment of figure 12,

Figure 14 is an end elevation of the embodiment of figures 12 and 13, Figure 15 is a plan view of a mattress frame showing a further alternative embodiment of the invention,

Figure 16 is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment of a leg support member according to the invention in a retracted position,

Figure 17 is a front elevation of the leg support of figure 16 in an extended position. DISCLOSURE OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to figures 1 to 11d, the invention provides leg transport apparatus for transporting or moving a user's leg(s) onto or off a bed, which will be referred to herein as bed leg raising apparatus for purposes of convenience. The apparatus is shown in conjunction with a bed generally referenced 1 and comprises a mattress base frame 2 that is provided with a first transport apparatus which includes a rail assembly generally referenced 4 which extends laterally or transversely across the bed, and a second transport apparatus which includes a rail assembly generally referenced 6.

A leg support, in the form of a footrest 8 in the example illustrated, is pivotally mounted on rails 10 of the second rail assembly via a "lazy suzy" bearing 11 which allows the footrest to rotate, within limits, about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the rails 10. Further illustrations of the movement of the footrest are provided in figures 11 a to 11 d which are described further below.

The rails 10 are pivotally connected to the apparatus by a universal joint 12 at one end, and by a simple pivot or hinge joint 14 (which may alternatively be a universal joint) at the other end. Joint 14 is connected to an arm 16 that is pivotally mounted at region 18 to the mattress frame. Arm 16 may also pivot about a pivot joint 19, as will be described further below. An actuator 20 drives arm 16 outwardly so that it pivots about region 18, lifting the rails 10 so that the support 8 is raised from a generally vertical position adjacent a lower side of the bed as shown in Figure 2 to a generally horizontal position adjacent to an upper side of the bed. Actuator 20 is shown more clearly in figures 3a and 3b. It may take a variety of different forms, but is preferably electrically operated. Most preferably the actuator has an electric motor which moves an extendable arm via gear drive, such as a worm drive gear assembly in the preferred embodiment, so that the arm extends or retracts in a controlled manner, thus causing a desired relative movement between the components to which either end of the actuator is connected. The other actuators referred to below preferably are also electrically operated and cause an arm to move via a gearbox or similar mechanical drive. Micro switches are provided at appropriate locations to limit the degree of movement of actuators and to provide safety cut-outs, in the known way.

In use, a control system is provided to control a further actuator (not shown in figures 1- 11d) that preferably operates a pulley arrangement which is used to draw the leg support 8 along rails 10 as the rails are being elevated. Therefore, the user may sit on the bed facing the viewer of the drawing as shown in Figure 2 and place his or her legs such that the user's feet or lower legs are in front of the support 8. Upon a user issuing an operating command (such as by pressing a button to activate a switch), the control system activates the actuators which causes the footrest or support 8 to move form the lower side position as shown in Figure 2 to the upper side position adjacent to the universal joint 12. This in turn moves the user's legs to a position whereby the user's feet are adjacent to the upper side of the bed. The pivotal mounting of the footrest 8 relative to the rails 10 allows the footrest to rotate as it moves up the rails. As the leg support 8 is moved along rails 10, the rails are being lifted by actuator 20 about pivot point 18. If desired the actions may be separate, for example the actuator 20 may firstly lift the user's legs to a substantially horizontal position, followed by movement of the leg support along the rails to a position adjacent universal joint 12.

The apparatus also preferably includes a backrest 22 which the user or control system may activate before (or at the same time as) the footrest is moved to the upper position so that the user has an object against which to lean. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in figures 9a and 9b, the back rest is provided as part of the bed frame 2.

Turning now to Figures 4a and 4b, a part the first rail assembly 4 is shown more clearly. A channel member 24 acts as a guide for a carriage assembly, part of which includes a bearing (for example a block of acetal material) 26, that carries pulleys 28 and which is driven by an actuator 30. In use the pulleys act on a rope or cable to pull a carriage 34 (described further below) along rails 32 (refer figures 6a and 6b). The actuator 30 may alternatively drive the carriage directly through a gear drive such as a worm gear drive for example.

The carriage 34 is shown in figures 5a to 5c. It includes a sheet portion 36 with a lip 38 to capture the footrest 8 and has linear bearings 40 for accepting and allowing linear movement relative to rails 32. The bearings 40 are preferably mounted at an angle with respect to the carriage so that the (and thus the footrest) carriage is maintained level relative to the bed, as the rails 32 slope downwardly across the bed. The carriage also includes a mounting 42 for securing the carriage to universal joint 12. In use the carriage may be positioned adjacent to the side of the bed to allow it to accept and carry the footrest, then moved to a central region of the upper surface of the bed, thus transporting the user's legs onto the bed in a suitable position for rest. Similarly, the carriage may be moved from the central region to the side of the bed to reverse the operation when a user wishes to get out of bed.

The rails 32 and bearing 40 are shown more clearly in figures 6a and 6b.

Turning to Figure 7a, the apparatus is shown in end elevation in which the extents of movement of an arm 50 which functions as a bed cover lifter can be seen. The arm 50 is pivotally connected to the bed frame about pivot connection 51 and is driven by a rod 52 which is in turn driven by the tension in a flexible (and most preferably elastic) member such as an elastic rope 54. The tension in rope 54 is determined by an actuator 56 which extends or retracts using a gear drive assembly such as a worm gear drive to loosen or tension the rope 54. This arrangement has the advantage that the arm 50 can always be raised from its lowered position without use of the actuator 56, so that the user can free his or her legs if required.

Figures 8a to 8c show the preferred configuration of the mattress 3 and figures 9a and 9b illustrate the preferred construction of the base frame 2.

In Figures 10a and 10b the backrest 22 can be seen to comprise a frame portion 60 that is pivotally connected to the bed frame at pivot connection 62. An actuator 64 (preferably an electric actuator with a worm gear drive) is pivotally connected between the frame part 60 and the bed frame and is operable to move the frame part 60 about the pivotal connection to raise or lower the backrest 22.

Turning now to figures 11a to 11 d, the movement of the footrest and rails 10 is illustrated in use. In figure 11a, the footrest 8 has been moved part way along the rails 10. For ease of illustration, the footrest is shown in a position parallel to the bed. However, in practice, the footrest will rotate about mounting bearing 11 in such a way that the sides 8a remain approximately parallel with the user's legs. As can be seen in figures 11b and 11c, the footrest 8 rotates into a rest position on the carriage 34 when it reaches the end of rails 10. The carriage and therefore the footrest (and the user's lower legs or feet) are then drawn across into a central region of the bed as shown by figure 11d. As can be seen, the rail assembly 6 i.e. rails 10 and arm 16 pivot to follow the carriage. The actuators are reversed by the controller to allow the apparatus to operate in the reverse direction.

Turning now to figures 12-14 another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, and in the embodiments of the remaining drawing figures, like reference numerals are used to denote like features described above with reference to figures 1- 11d.

In figures 12-14, the apparatus shown in figures 4a-6b is provided as a separate construction which is attached to a bed having the rail assembly 10 already provided. That is to say, the bed is provided with apparatus to move the user's legs from a position adjacent to a lower side of the bed to a position adjacent to an upper side of the bed. The apparatus for moving the user's legs from the upper side position to a central position on the bed is provided as a separate construction generally referenced 70. The apparatus 70 includes a fame member 71 which is adjustable in height using an actuator 72, and a rail frame member 76 which together with actuator 30 (preferably an electric actuator with a worm gear drive) provides a transport arrangement to transport the leg support 8 from the upper end of rails 10 across the top of the bed. The frame member 76 is pivotally attached to the bed at end 74. A slippery sheet such as a nylon sheet 78 having a low coefficient of friction is provided beneath frame member 76 to allow feet or shoes to move easily across the bed. For clarity a user's legs are illustrated, being referenced 80. The actuator 72 functions to arise the height of the rails 10when a separate leg support (not shown) that is provided on rails 10 reaches the upper end of rails 10. In this way, the user's legs can be tipped onto the leg support 8 illustrated in figures 12-14. A profiled surface such as a cam (not shown) may be provided at the upper end of the rails 10, the surface being contacted by the leg support mounted on the rails so as to tilt the leg support appropriately to further facilitate movement of the user's legs onto the leg support 8 shown in figures 12-14, or simply onto an upper surface of the bed.

The arrangement of figures 12-14 can be used independently of the rail assembly 10 if desired.

Turning now to the embodiment of figure 15, an actuator 81 is shown in this embodiment having a gear drive rather than a pulley system. The gear drive is preferably a worm gear drive 82 which moves the leg support 8 along rail 10. Other gear drives that may be used include a chain drive or a tooth and sprocket drive arrangement. The drive arrangement 82 functions as the other rail 10 discussed in previous embodiments. This drive system may be used in the other embodiments referred to above.

Referring to figures 16 and 17, an alternative embodiment of leg support having an extension function is shown. The leg support of this embodiment may also be used in the other embodiments of the invention, for example as an alternative to the assembly described with reference to figures 4a-6b. In this embodiment the swivel bearing or swivel plate 11 provides a base portion of the support and includes an actuator 90 which includes an elongate arm 94 that extends from a tube 92 or rail (preferably a worm gear drive arrangement). The arm 94 is connected to the leg support so that the actuator 90 is operable to extend or retract the leg support across the upper surface of the bed. Thus this embodiment can be used in place of the assembly described with reference to figures 4a-6b and figures 12-14.

From the foregoing it will be seen that apparatus is provided to allow a users legs to be transported from a position at the side to a bed onto an upper surface of the bed. A backrest prevents the user from falling onto the bed as his or her legs are lifted, so that the transfer operation occurs in a controlled manner. Furthermore, a blanket or cover lifting mechanism is provided so that the bed cover(s) may be lifted prior to the leg transfer operation, and then lowered once the leg(s) have been moved into the desired or required position.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Leg transport apparatus for transporting or moving a user's leg(s) onto or off a bed, the apparatus comprising a leg support to support one or both legs of a user, a transport means to move the leg support member between a position adjacent to an upper side of the bed and a position on an upper surface of the bed.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the leg support is provided with a base portion and the transport means is provided such that the leg support may be moved by extending laterally across the bed from the base portion.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the transport means is provided such that the leg support extends telescopically from the base portion.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transport means includes a rail member for provision laterally across the bed, the rail member being adapted to support the leg support, and the leg support being moveable relative to the rail member, and an actuation means operable to move the leg support along the rail.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the leg support is provided with a base portion and the rail member is provided on the base portion such that the leg support extends laterally across the bed from the base portion.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the leg support includes an elongate support member which co-operates with the rail such that the leg support extends telescopically from the base portion.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the rail supports a carriage which is adapted to carry the leg support.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein a further transport means is provided to move the leg support member between a position adjacent to a lower side of the bed to the position adjacent to an upper side of the bed.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein a further transport means is provided to move the leg support member between a position adjacent to a lower side of the bed to the position adjacent to an upper side of the bed.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the further transport means includes a further rail member and an actuation means which carries the leg support between the lower side position and the upper side position.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the actuation means includes a worm drive.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the further rail member is pivotally mounted relative to the rail member.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the leg support is pivotally mounted on the further rail.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a back rest means which is selectively moveable to between a substantially flat position and an elevated position.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a bed cover lifting means.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 including a control means such that the bed cover lifting means is actuated to maintain the bed cover(s) in a position such that the users leg(s) may be moved onto the upper surface of the bed, and then actuated to lower the cover(s).

17. A method for transporting or moving a user's leg(s) onto or off a bed, the method comprising providing a leg support member on which the user rests his or her leg(s), moving the leg support member between a first position adjacent to a lower side of the bed to a second intermediate position adjacent to an upper side of the bed, and a third position on an upper surface of the bed.

18. Leg transport apparatus for transporting or moving a user's leg(s) onto or off a bed, the apparatus comprising a leg support to support one or both legs of a user, a transport means to move the leg support member between a position adjacent to a lower side of the bed and a position adjacent to an upper side of the bed, the transport means including a rail on which the leg support member travels and an actuator having a gear drive to move the leg support member along the rail.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the gear drive comprises a worm drive.

20. Leg transport apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

21. A method for transporting or moving a user's leg(s) onto or off a bed substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.