WO2017114537A1

WO2017114537A1 - Fixation device

Info

Publication number: WO2017114537A1
Application number: PCT/DK2016/050474
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rasmus THEILMANN; Jonathan PREATER
Original assignee: R82 A/S
Priority date: 2015-12-29
Filing date: 2016-12-29
Publication date: 2017-07-06

Abstract

A fixation device for use as aid in strapping or supporting a handicapped person on a seat (30) of a chair comprises a first belt (1) and a second belt (2). The first belt (1) is strapped around the seat (30), and the second belt (2) is strapped around the thighs (9) of the sitting person. Attachment means, e.g. in the form of Velcro sections, secures the outer side (20) of the second belt (2) to the outer side (10) of the first belt (1). The fixation device according to the invention can readily be removed from the seat (30) and carried with the user for application on other chairs.

Description

Fixation device

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fixation device of the kind typically applied as aid for a handicapped person in order to keep them at rest and/or stabilized in sitting position or to prevent them from falling off a seat.

Background of the Invention

The prior art fixation devices for application as fixing means and/or as support aid for a sitting person includes a belt adapted to be adjustably strapped around the person's thighs by fastening the free ends of the belt to each other. The prior art fixation devices are fixed to or integrated in seats of chairs or the like. The chairs are typically provided by special arrangements for attaching and retaining the straps to be used by the sitting person so that the use of the fixation device is limited to the chairs or seats in question.

In the art it has been known to provide restraints for aggressive or violent persons, see for example US 2,333,346. Such devices are however not supportive, comfortable or designed to aid a person while sitting, but rather meant to fixate and control a person.

A further restraining device is known from GB 2248763. This device however is also not supportive of the sitting person in the sitting position, but is devised in order to hinder whiplash (and is therefore very flexible and allows a substantial movement of the head portion), or to assemble a sleeping persons leg, which again does not provide any comfortable support for the sitting person.

Object of the Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a fixation device of the above mentioned kind which is more flexible in use, in particular so that the same fixation device can be used with different chairs and seats. A device which furthermore provides a firm and reliable support and fixation for a sitting person.

Description of the Invention

The fixation device according to the invention is peculiar in that it comprises a first and a second belt conjoined or to be conjoined somewhere between the free ends of respective belts, where the first belt is adapted to be strapped around a seat of for example a chair and under the sitting person, and where the second belt is adapted to be strapped around the thighs of the person, the fixation device being designed such that the joint between the first and the second belts can be arranged between the sitting person and the top of the seat.

In use, the first belt is arranged around the seat and strapped firmly to the seat by known means, e.g. by a buckle or a Velcro joint. The person using the fixation device then sits or is placed on top of the fixation device so that joint between the first and second belts is between the person and the top of the seat. Then the second belt is arranged around the thighs of the sitting person and strapped by means known per se, which may be a Velcro joint or a buckle. The design of the inventive fixation device provides a device which is independent of the chair and seat such that after use, the fixation device can be removed from the chair/seat and carried with the user to another place for further use.

The fixation device according to the invention is in a further embodiment where the joint between the belts is provided as a releasable joint advantageous in that the connection provides mutual adjustment possibilities of the belts. Due to the variation in seats provided on chairs and the like as well as the potential deformity of the person using the inventive fixation device, the full potential of the device is optimised by being able to adjust the connection point between the two belts. For this reason it is advantageous to be able to provide a connection between the two belts allowing for multiple different connection points between the belts. This is in a further advantageous embodiment provided where the joint is created by providing a plurality of pockets, slings or loops on the sides of the first and second belts facing each other, where a fastening device suitable to be inserted in a pocket, sling or loop on either belt, connects the two belts.

The fastening device may for example be a U-shaped clip, where each leg of the U is inserted in a pocket, sling or loop on either belt, such that the fastening member connects the two belts. In this manner the relative position of the two belts may easily be changed simply by inserting the fastening device in other appropriate pockets. Otherwise, the fixation device according to the invention can be provided with a permanent joint between the belts, e.g. provided by stitching or riveting, for easy handling and transport of the fixation device. In a further embodiment of the fixation device according to the invention, the first belt and second belt are adapted to be substantially parallel in a situation of use. This is advantageous if the first belt is to be strapped from side to side on a seat.

In a further embodiment, where for some reasons it is more practical or only pos- sible to strap the first belt from front to back of a seat, it is preferred that the first belt and second belt are adapted to be substantially at right angles to each other in a situation of use.

In a further variant of the invention, it is preferred that the second belt includes support pads, preferably two support pads, adapted to be positioned between the inward facing side of the second belt and adjacent body parts, usually at the outer sides of the thighs, of the person in a situation of use. The pads can provide additional physical support as well as a feeling of security to the person using the fixation device. This may in particular apply to mentally ill and spastic persons so that they more easily come to rest on the seat.

It is preferred that each support pad is designed with an approximately triangular cross-section such that the longer surface of the support pad in use will fit snugly at the thigh of a user, and that the support pads and the second belt are provided with complementing Velcro for releasable attachment of the support pads to the second belt.

It is also foreseen that when the first belt is fastened to the seat in a direction parallel to the legs of a sitting person, a further pommel is provided, for attach- ment to said first belt, near or adjacent the front edge of the seat. The pommel may have a multitude of shapes, for example the pommel may have a cross- section with a flat lower surface and an arced upper surface. This type of pommel has an extent substantially corresponding to the width of the seat, such that it will support the underside of a users' thighs across the seating surface. A further shape of the pommel anticipated by the invention is in the shape of a block, suitable to be arranged between a person's thighs, such that support is provided against the person sliding off the seat. The invention is also directed at a method of using a fixation device as disclosed in any of claims 1 to 8 for fixating or supporting a person to a seat, for example a chair, wheelchair, car seat, sofa or the like, wherein the first belt is fastened around the seat, and the second belt which is conjoined to the first belt is arranged on top of the first belt, in such a manner that when a person sits on the seat the second belt is orthogonal to the length direction of the sitting person's thighs, where after the second belt is fastened on itself on top of the persons thighs. In a further embodiment of the method support pads are arranged on ei- ther side and as close to the persons thighs as possible after which the second belt is fastened on itself on top of the persons thighs.

Description of the Drawing

Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the dra ings, wherein :

Fig . 1 shows two plan views of a first belt of a fixation device according to the invention, depicting either side of the belt, respectively;

Fig . 2 shows two plan views of a second belt of a fixation device according to the invention, depicting either side of the belt, respectively;

Fig . 3 shows two perspective views of a support pad for a fixation device according to the invention; and

Fig . 4 is a schematic view, partly in section, seen from the front of a fixation device according to the invention applied to a person sitting on a seat.

Description of Embodiments of the Invention

Fig . 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the main components of the fixation device according to the invention, comprising a first belt 1 and a second belt 2 that are provided as separate members of the fixation device. The belts 1, 2 are made of a flexible material, preferably a strong woven textile, and are provided with strapping means in this example constituted by Velcro® sections 3 at the ends of the belts 1, 2 and disposed at opposite sides of the belts. The ends of each belt 1, 2 can be joined when a belt is strapped around an object.

Within this application reference is generally made to Velcro®. The applicant is aware that this is a specific world renowned brand. The reference shall therefore be construed as a general reference to this type of fastening, i.e. hook and loop fastener types.

The belts 1, 2 may in principle be identical in design and in dimensions; for prac- tical reasons the shown embodiment provides a first belt 1 which is somewhat longer than the second belt 2, and where the areas provided with additional attachment means also differ between the belts 1, 2.

The first belt 1 has an outer side 10 shown uppermost on Fig. 1, and an inner side 11 shown below on Fig. 1. The terms "outer" and "inner" refer to the sides of the belt 1 appearing outward and inward, respectively, when the first belt 1 is applied and strapped around an object, here a seat. The outer side 10 is here provided with a Velcro section 12 for attachment to the second belt 2, as explained below. The section 12 is here extending the greater part of the belt 1 between the ends for enabling a wide range of attachment points for the second belt 2. Other embodiments with shorter sections 12 are of course possible.

Turning to Fig. 2, the second belt 2 has an outer side 20 and an inner side 21, where "inner" and "outer" refer to the sides of the belt 2 appearing outward and inward, respectively, when the second belt 2 is applied and strapped around parts of a person. The outer side 20 is here applied a Velcro section 22 for attachment to the first belt 1, as explained below. The section 22 is here extending the greater part of the belt 2 between the ends for enabling a wide range of attachment points for the first belt 1. Other embodiments with shorter sections 22 are of course possible.

Peculiar to the second belt 2 are sections 23 of Velcro applied at the inner side 21 of the belt 2. The sections 23 are provided for attaching support pads 4 and are optional features that enhance the use of the fixation device according to the in- vention. Two short sections 23 are shown; in other embodiments, the sections 23 may be longer or be substituted by a single Velcro section extending the greater part of the length of the inner side 21 of the belt 2.

Fig . 3 shows an embodiment of a support pad 4 which is an accessory to the fixa- tion device according to the invention. Normally, two pads 4 are provided with each fixation device. Each pad 4 can be made with a foam rubber core covered by fabric, possibly a textile of the same kind used for the belts 1, 2. The pad 4 is preferably made with a substantially triangular cross-section with a rectangular corner 5 and straight sides; other shapes are of course possible, such as having an obtuse angled corner instead of a rectangular corner, and with concave or convex sides. In this embodiment, one side 6 of the pad is provided with a short strip of Velcro 7 for attachment to a Velcro section 23 on the second belt 2.

The schematic view on Fig. 4 shows part of a chair having a seat 30 supported by legs 31 with a person 8 indicated by broken lines sitting thereon. The thighs of the person 8 are indicated by 9. The first belt 1 is wrapped around the seat 30 and fixed by the Velcro sections 3 at the ends, here situated to the left under the seat 30. The second belt 2 is wrapped and strapped around the thighs 9 of the person and fixed in a similar way by the Velcro sections 3 at its ends. The second belt 2 is attached in parallel with and to the first belt 1 by respective Velcro sections 22 and 12 at the mutually facings sides 21 and 11, respectively, of the belts 2, 1. The large area of contact between the sections 12 and 22 provides a strong fixation of the second belt 2 via the first belt 1 to the seat 30 of the chair.

In this embodiment, support pads 4 are provided between the outer sides of the person's thighs 9 and the inner side 21 of the second belt 2 at positions close to the seat 8. The person sitting on the chair is thereby better supported, improving lateral restraint of the person and additionally providing a feeling of containment that may calm the person on the chair.

The fixation device according to the invention may also be applied in other ways. For example, the belts 1 and 2 may be used in a non-parallel way, e.g. if it is im- practical or impossible to strap the first belt 1 around the seat from side to side, and instead strap the first belt 1 around the seat from front to back of the seat. The belts 1, 2 will then intersect each other with their sections 12, 22 at right angles. The fixation device according to the invention may be provided in various embodiments. For example, the first belt 1 and the second belt 2 can be provided as one unit if they are permanently fastened to each other in the position of use, e.g . by stitching the sides 10 and 20 to each other at area somewhere between the ends of the belts 1, 2.

In figure 5 is illustrated an example of the connection between the two belts 1, 2 where on the outer side 10, 20 pockets, slings or loops 41, 42 are provided on outer sides 10, 20 of the belts 1, 2. A fastening member 43 in this particular em- bodiment having a general U-shape providing two leg parts 44, 45 is used to connect the two belts 1, 2. This is facilitated by inserting one leg 45 into one pocket, sling or loop 42 on the second belt and the other leg 44 fastening member 43 into a pocket, sling or loop 41 on the first belt. In this manner the U-shape fastening member creates a connection between the first and second belts 1, 2 in such a manner that simply by displacing the fastening member such that the legs 44, 45 engage any of the pockets, slings or loops provided on either belt in an arbitrary combination any relative position between the two belts 1, 2 may be achieved. By conjoining the belts in this manner, very versatile easy adjustable but reliable connection is achieved.

Although a limited number of pockets, slings or loops 41, 42 is illustrated in the embodiment any number from 1 pocket on each belt 1, 2 and outwards may naturally be used.

The support pads 4 may also be provided with pockets, slings or loops (not illustrated) corresponding to the pockets, slings or loops 41, 42, provided on the belts 1, 2 such that by using additional fastening devices 43 in the same manner as described above when discussing the conjoint between the belts 1, 2, the support pads may be fastened to the belts 1, 2 in appropriate positions.

Claims

1. A fixation device for application as fixing means and/or as support aid for a sitting person, including a belt adapted to be adjustably strapped around the person's thighs by fastening the free ends of the belt to each other, the fixation de- vice characterised by comprising a first and a second belt 1, 2 conjoined or adapted to be conjoined somewhere between the free ends of respective belts 1,

2, where the first belt 1 is adapted to be strapped around a seat 30 of a chair and under a sitting person 8, and where the second belt 2 is adapted to be strapped around the thighs 9 of the person 8, the fixation device being designed such that the joint between the first and the second belts 1, 2 can be arranged between the sitting person 8 and the top of the seat 30 and wherein the fixation device further comprises support pads 4, preferably two support pads 4, adapted to be positioned and fastened by releasable means between the inward facing side 10, 20 of the first and/or second belt 1, 2 and adjacent body parts 9 of the person 8 in a situation of use.

2. Fixation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the joint between the belts 1, 2 is provided as a releasable joint. 3. Fixation device according to claim 2 wherein the joint is created by providing a plurality of pockets, slings or loops 41, 42 on the sides 10, 20 of the first and second belts 1, 2 facing each other, where a fastening device 43 suitable to be inserted in a pocket, sling or loop 41, 42 on either belt 1, 2, connects the two belts 1, 2.

4. Fixation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the joint between the belts 1, 2 is permanent, e.g. provided by stitching, riveting, welding.

5. Fixation device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the first belt 1 and second belt 2 are adapted to be substantially parallel in a situation of use.

6. Fixation device according to any of claim 1 to 4, characterised in that the first belt 1 and second belt 2 are adapted to be substantially perpendicular to each other in a situation of use.

8. Fixation device according to claim 7, characterised in that each support pad 4 is designed with an approximately triangular or oval or circular cross-section.

9. Fixation device according to claim 1, wherein when the first belt 1 is fastened to the seat 30 in a direction parallel to the legs 9 of a sitting person 8, a further pommel is provided, for attachment to said first belt 1, near or adjacent the front edge of the seat 30.

10. Method of using a fixation device as disclosed in any of claims 1 to 9 for fixat- ing or supporting a person 8 to a seat 30, for example a chair, wheelchair, car seat, sofa or the like, wherein the first belt 1 is fastened around the seat 30, and the second belt 2 which is conjoined to the first belt 1 is arranged on top of the first belt 1, in such a manner that when a person 8 sits on the seat 30 the second belt 2 is orthogonal to the length direction of the sitting person's thighs 9, where after the second belt 2 is fastened on itself on top of the persons thighs 9.

11. Method according to claim 10 wherein after the person 8 is positioned on top of the belts 1, 2 on the seat 30, but before the second belt 2 is fastened around the person's thighs 9, support pads 4 are arranged on either side and as close to the persons thighs 9 as possible after which the second belt 2 is fastened on itself on top of the person's thighs 9.