Care transfer device

Abstract

To provide a care transfer device which can sufficiently secure safety when transferring a care receiver.SOLUTION: A care transfer device comprises: a transfer device body 4; a receiving structure 8 which receives a care receiver; a first slide mechanism which movably supports the receiving structure in a lateral direction; and a second slide mechanism which movably supports the receiving structure in the vertical direction. The receiving structure comprises: a receiving body 42 which supports the care receiver in a placement manner; and a rotation support body 44 which covers one surface side of the receiving body 42. The rotation support body 44 can rotate between an upper rotation angle position of being rotated to an upper side and a lower rotation angle position of being rotated to a lower side, generates a receiving opening 70 for receiving the care receiver between the receiving body and itself at the upper rotation angle position, and constitutes a placement receiving part for receiving the care receiver in cooperation with the receiving body by closing the receiving opening at the lower rotation angle position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a care transfer device for lifting and transferring a care recipient such as an elderly person or a patient from a bed.

Background Art

[0002] As a care transfer device for transferring a care recipient, there has been proposed one including a main body portion having a pair of column portions and a connecting portion connecting these, leg portions extending from lower end portions of the pair of column portions, and a floor portion supported by the main body portion so as to be movable up and down (see, for example, Patent Document 1). To transfer a care recipient using this care transfer device, while inserting the pair of leg portions into the space below the bed, approach the care recipient and adjust the height so that the tip of the floor portion becomes the height of the care recipient. Then, after adjusting the height in this way, insert the floor portion between the bed and the care recipient lying horizontally thereon, place the care recipient on the floor portion, and transfer the care recipient to a desired place in this state where the care recipient is placed on the floor portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the above-described care transfer device has the following problems. That is, since the floor portion on which the care recipient is placed is configured in a flat floor shape, when, for example, the leg portion collides with a building wall or the like during transfer, there is a risk that the care recipient rolls on the floor portion and falls downward due to the impact, and it is difficult to sufficiently ensure the safety during transfer.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a care transfer device capable of sufficiently ensuring the safety when transferring a care recipient.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The care transport device according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises: a transport device body configured to be movable by means of transport; a receiving structure for receiving a person to be cared for; a first sliding mechanism that supports the receiving structure so as to be movable laterally between a receiving position projecting to the side of the transport device body and a storage position located above the transport device body; and a second sliding mechanism that supports the receiving structure so as to be movable vertically between an upward position lifting the receiving structure upward and a downward position lowered from the upward position. The support structure comprises a support body for supporting a person to be cared for and a swivel support body for covering one side of the support body, wherein the swivel support body is rotatable between an upward swivel angle position and a downward swivel angle position, and in the upward swivel angle position, it opens one side of the support body to create a receiving opening between the support body and the support body for receiving a person to be cared for, and in the downward swivel angle position, it closes the receiving opening to form a support portion for receiving a person to be cared for in cooperation with the support body.

[0007] Furthermore, in the care transport device according to claim 2 of the present invention, the receiving structure comprises a movable support disposed to be movable laterally via the first sliding mechanism, the receiving body has a support columnar portion attached to the movable support and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of support receiving portions disposed at intervals on the support columnar portion, the plurality of support receiving portions extending to one side of the receiving body, and the swivel support comprises a swivel member mounted on the movable support so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, and a connecting portion provided on the swivel member corresponding to a specific support receiving portion among the plurality of support receiving portions on the receiving body side, the connecting portion on the swivel support side is detachably connected to the specific support receiving portion on the receiving body side.

[0008] Furthermore, in the care transport device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the swivel member of the swivel support has a pair of arm portions that are swivelably mounted on the movable support, and a gripping portion that connects the tips of the pair of arm portions, a plurality of connecting portions are arranged on the gripping portion at intervals in the axial direction, the pair of arm portions are provided with extendable portions that extend and retract in the axial direction, and each of the plurality of connecting portions is provided with an insertion connecting hole, and the receiving body and the swivel support are detachably connected by pulling the gripping portion to extend the extendable portion and then inserting the tip of the specific support receiving portion on the receiving body side into the insertion connecting hole of the plurality of connecting portions.

[0009] Furthermore, in the care transport device described in claim 4 of the present invention, the transport device body is supported by a lifting platform so as to be able to move up and down via the second slide mechanism, the receiving structure is supported on the lifting platform so as to be able to move laterally via the first slide mechanism, the surface of the lifting platform is provided with a plurality of receiving recesses spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, and when the receiving structure is positioned in the storage position, the plurality of support receiving parts are housed in the plurality of receiving recesses of the lifting platform, and the upper surface of the lifting platform and the upper surface of the plurality of support receiving parts define substantially the same plane.

[0010] Furthermore, in the care transport device described in claim 5 of the present invention, a support leg for preventing tipping is attached to the bottom of the transport device body, the support leg is rotatably mounted between a storage angle position where it is stored on the underside of the transport device body and a support angle position where it protrudes laterally outward from the transport device body, and the support leg has a leg portion that is vertically movable.

[0011] Furthermore, in the care transport device according to claim 6 of the present invention, a pair of support legs are attached to both ends of the bottom of the transport device body so as to be rotatable from the inside to the outside, and when the device is stored on the underside of the transport device body, the pair of support legs are rotated from the outside to the inside to the storage angle position, and when the device is protruding to the outside of the transport device body, the pair of support legs are rotated from the inside to the outside to the support angle position.

[0012] Furthermore, in the care transport device described in claim 7 of the present invention, in relation to the receiving structure, an air mattress is provided on the bed on which the person to be cared for lies down, and the air mattress has a plurality of first support bag portions provided corresponding to the plurality of support receiving portions on the receiving structure side, and a second support bag portion disposed between the plurality of first support bag portions, and when supporting the person to be cared for, compressed air is filled into the first support bag portions and the second support bag portions of the air mattress and kept in an inflated state, and when transporting the caregiver using the receiving structure, compressed air is filled into the first support bag portions of the air mattress and kept in an inflated state, but the compressed air filled into the second support bag portions is released and kept in a deflated state, and the plurality of support receiving portions of the receiving structure are inserted above the deflated second support bag portions of the air mattress. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The care transport device according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a transport device body configured to be movable by a means of transport, and a receiving structure supported by the transport device body, wherein the receiving structure is configured to be movable laterally between a receiving position and a storage position via a first slide mechanism, and is configured to be movable vertically between an elevated position and a lowered position via a second slide mechanism.

[0014] This support structure comprises a support body for placing and supporting the person to be cared for, and a swivel support body for covering one side of the support body. In the upper swivel angle position, the swivel support body opens one side of the support body, allowing the person to be cared for to be placed on the support body through the open receiving opening. In the lower swivel angle position, the swivel support body closes the receiving opening of the support body, preventing the person to be cared for from falling from the receiving part of the support body.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the care transport device described in claim 2 of the present invention, the receiving body of the receiving structure has a support columnar portion attached to the mobile support and a plurality of support receiving portions provided at intervals on the support columnar portion, the plurality of support receiving portions extending to one side of the receiving body, and the swivel support comprises a swivel member mounted on the mobile support so as to be able to swivel vertically and a connecting portion provided on the swivel member, the connecting portion on the swivel support side is detachably connected to a specific support receiving portion on the receiving body side, so that in this connected state one side of the receiving structure is covered by the swivel support and the other side and bottom are covered by the receiving body, thereby enabling the person to be cared for to be stably received and placed on the receiving structure.

[0016] Furthermore, since the connecting portion on the swivel member side is connected to a specific support receiving portion on the receiving body side, the tip of this specific support receiving portion is supported by the swivel member. As a result, the specific support receiving portion is supported on both sides, which can increase its strength.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the care transport device described in claim 3 of the present invention, the swivel member has a pair of arm portions that are swivelably mounted on a movable support and a gripping portion that connects the tips of the pair of arm portions, and the pair of arm portions are provided with extension portions that extend and retract in the axial direction thereof, and each of the plurality of connecting portions is provided with an insertion connecting hole, so that the receiving body and the swivel support can be detachably inserted and connected by pulling the gripping portion to extend the extension portion and then inserting the tip of a specific support receiving portion on the receiving body side into the insertion connecting hole of the plurality of connecting portions, and the connection operation can be easily performed.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the care transport device described in claim 4 of the present invention, the surface of the lifting platform is provided with a plurality of receiving recesses spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, and when the receiving structure is positioned in the storage position, the plurality of support receiving parts are housed in the plurality of receiving recesses of the lifting platform, and the upper surface of the lifting platform and the upper surfaces of the plurality of support receiving parts define substantially the same plane, so that when the receiving structure is positioned in the storage position, the receiving surface of the receiving structure that supports the person to be cared for becomes a flat surface, thereby allowing the person to be cared for to be gently supported.

[0019] Furthermore, according to the care transport device described in claim 5 of the present invention, a support leg is attached to the bottom of the transport device body so as to be able to pivot between a storage angle position where it is stored on the underside of the transport device body and a support angle position where it protrudes laterally outward from the transport device body. By positioning this support leg in the support angle position, the transport device body becomes very stable, and it is possible to prevent the transport device body from tipping over, which is likely to occur when placing a person to be cared for on a receiving structure.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the care transport device described in claim 6 of the present invention, a pair of support legs are attached to both ends of the bottom of the transport device body so as to be rotatable from the inside to the outside. By rotating the pair of support legs from the outside to the inside to the storage angle position, the transport device body can be compactly stored on the underside of the transport device body. Also, by rotating it from the inside to the outside to the support angle position, the transport device body can be made very stable, and its tipping over can be reliably prevented.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the care transfer device described in claim 7 of the present invention, in relation to the receiving structure, an air mattress is provided on the bed on which the care recipient lies horizontally. This air mattress has a plurality of first support bag portions and a second support bag portion disposed between the plurality of first support bag portions. Therefore, when the first support bag portions and the second support bag portion of the air mattress are filled with compressed air, the entire air mattress is kept in an inflated state, and the care recipient can be gently placed and supported. Also, when the first support bag portion of the air mattress is filled with compressed air and the compressed air filled in the second support bag portion is released and in a contracted state, the plurality of support receiving portions of the receiving structure can be inserted above the second support bag portion while the care recipient is supported by the first support bag portion. As a result, it is possible to easily place the care recipient on the support receiving portions of the receiving structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] A plan view showing an embodiment of the care transfer device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] A side view showing the care transfer device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] A front view showing the care transfer device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] A side view showing the state where the lifting and placing table is positioned at the raised position. [Figure 5] A plan view showing the state where the receiving structure is positioned at the receiving position, the turning support body is turned to the lower turning angle position, and further the gripping portion of the turning support member is pulled. [Figure 6] A side view showing the turning support member in the care transfer device of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] A front view showing the state when the support leg body is turned to the support angle position, the lifting and placing table is positioned at the lowered position, the receiving structure is positioned at the receiving position, and the turning support body is turned between the upper turning angle position and the lower turning angle position. [Figure 8] A front view showing the state when the support leg body is turned to the support angle position, the lifting and placing table is positioned at the raised position, the receiving structure is positioned at the receiving position, and the turning support body is turned between the upper turning angle position and the lower turning angle position. [Figure 9] A side view showing the compressed air in the first support bag of an air mattress placed on a bed in a deflated state. [Figure 10] A front view showing the state before the multiple receiving support parts on the care transport device side are inserted into the upper part of the first support bag of the bed's air mattress. [Figure 11] A front view showing the state in which multiple receiving support parts from the care transport device are inserted into the upper part of the first support bag of the bed's air mattress. [Figure 12] Figures 12(a) to (c) are explanatory diagrams illustrating the movement when inserting multiple receiving support parts from the care transport device into the upper part of the first support bag of the bed's air mattress. [Figure 13] A front view showing the state after inserting multiple receiving support parts from the care transport device side into the upper side of the first support bag portion of the bed's air mattress, and then connecting the receiving body and the swivel support. [Figure 14] A side view showing the state in which the lifting platform has been moved to the raised position while the receiving body and the swivel support on the care transport device side are connected. [Figure 15] Figure 14 is a front view of the state shown in Figure 14, as seen from the front. [Figure 16] A front view showing the lifting platform in the raised position and the movable support returned to its stored position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the care transport device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In Figures 1 to 3, the illustrated care transport device 2 comprises a transport device body 4, a lifting and lowering platform 6 mounted on the transport device body 2, and a receiving structure 8 mounted on the lifting and lowering platform 6. The transport device body 4 functions as the base of the care transport device 2, and a moving means 10 is provided at its bottom.

[0024] The illustrated moving means 10 consists of four movable casters 12, which are arranged in the square bottom portion of the transport device body 4. Each movable caster 12 is made of a well-known component and includes a mounting member 14 attached to the transport device body 4, a fork 16 rotatably mounted on the mounting member 14, and a wheel 18 rotatably supported on the fork 16. In this configuration, gripping members 20 are attached to both ends of the lifting platform 6 in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction in Figures 1 and 2, and perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 3), and the gripping portion 22 of the gripping member 20 extends diagonally upward. Note that the gripping member 20 may be provided on the transport device body 4 instead of the lifting platform 6. With this configuration, the transport device body 4 can be moved forward (or backward) by gripping and pushing (or pulling) the gripping portion 22 of the gripping member 20.

[0025] The lifting platform 6 is supported on the transport device body 4 so as to be movable in the vertical direction via an up-and-down sliding mechanism 24 (which constitutes a second sliding mechanism). The up-and-down sliding mechanism 24 shown in the figure is itself composed of four well-known lifting linear guides 26, and these lifting linear guides 26 are arranged in the square parts of the transport device body 4. The lifting linear guide 26 is composed of a fixed side member (not shown) attached to the transport device body 4 and a movable side member 28 that is movably mounted on this fixed side member, and this movable side member 28 is attached to the lifting platform 6.

[0026] As the vertical sliding mechanism 24, a well-known sliding mechanism (not shown) can be used instead of the vertical linear guide 26, with one side member (fixed side member) of the sliding mechanism attached to the transport device body 4 side and the other side member (movable side member) attached to the vertical mounting platform 6 side.

[0027] A lifting cylinder mechanism 30 (see, for example, Figure 10) is provided between the transport device body 4 and the lifting platform 6. This lifting cylinder mechanism 30 is provided at intervals on one side and the other side of the transport device body 4 in the longitudinal direction (for example, the part that supports the head side and the part that supports the feet side of the person being cared for). The lifting cylinder mechanism 30 is composed of, for example, an electric cylinder mechanism, with its cylinder body 32 attached to, for example, the upper surface of the transport device body 4, and its output rod 34 attached to, for example, the bottom surface of the lifting platform 6. In addition, instead of the electric cylinder mechanism 30, a pneumatic cylinder mechanism using compressed air may be used as the lifting cylinder mechanism 30, or the lifting cylinder mechanism 30 may be omitted and a screw structure may be adopted to raise and lower the device manually or electrically.

[0028] With this configuration, when the pair of lifting cylinder mechanisms 30 extend in sync, the lifting platform 6 rises upward along the vertical sliding mechanism 24 (lifting linear guide 26) and is positioned in the raised position (the position shown in Figure 4). When the lifting cylinder mechanisms 30 contract in sync, they descend downward and are positioned in the lowered position (the position shown in Figure 3).

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the surface (top surface) of the lifting platform 6 is provided with a plurality of receiving recesses 36 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. These receiving recesses 36 extend from one end to the other in the width direction of the lifting platform 6 (vertical direction in Figure 1, perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 2, and left-right direction in Figure 3). The support receiving portion 56 of the receiving structure 8, which will be described later, is housed in these receiving recesses 36 of the lifting platform 6 (see Figure 1).

[0030] Next, the support structure 8 will be described. The illustrated support structure 8 includes a movable support body 40 mounted on the lifting platform 6, a support body 42 mounted on the movable support body 40, and a swivel support 44 for covering one side of the support body 42 (upper side in Figure 1, right side in Figure 3). The movable support body 40 comprises a pair of support body parts 46 and 48 arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the transport device body 4. One support body part 46 is supported so as to be slidable on one end of the lifting platform 6 via one lateral sliding mechanism 50 (see Figures 2 and 5) (which constitutes part of the first sliding mechanism), and the other support body part 48 is supported so as to be slidable on the other end of the lifting platform 6 via the other lateral sliding mechanism 52 (see Figures 2 and 5) (which constitutes part of the first sliding mechanism). These lateral sliding mechanisms 50 and 52 are composed, for example, of lateral linear guides, with the fixed side member of the lateral linear guide attached to the transfer device body 4 and the movable side member attached to the receiving structure 8.

[0031] A rectangular cross-section support column 54 is provided between the pair of support body sections 46 and 48. One end of the support column 54 is attached to one support body section 46 on the other side of the receiving body 42, and the other end is attached to the other support body section 48. This support column 54 extends linearly in the longitudinal direction of the transfer device body 4.

[0032] The support columnar portion 54 is provided with a plurality of support receiving portions 56 spaced apart in its axial direction (i.e., the longitudinal direction of the transport device body 4), and these plurality of support receiving portions 56 are provided corresponding to a plurality of receiving recesses 36 on the upper surface of the lifting platform 6. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the plurality of support receiving portions 56 are plate-shaped as a whole, with one end attached to the support columnar portion 54, and the tip side curves downward in a concave shape before extending horizontally, and their tips are formed in a semicircular shape (see Figure 5). These support receiving portions 56 may have an appropriate shape for supporting the person to be cared for, for example, they may extend in a straight line from the support columnar portion 54 toward the tip side, and their tips may also have an appropriate shape that facilitates insertion, such as a semi-elliptical shape.

[0033] A swivel support 44 is further swivelably mounted between the pair of support body sections 46 and 48, and this swivel support 44 is equipped with a swivel member 57 that can be swiveled vertically. This swivel member 57 has a pair of arm sections 58 and 60 and a gripping section 62 that connects the tips of the pair of arm sections 58 and 60, with the base of one arm section 58 swivelably connected to the inside of the mounting portion of the support columnar section 54 on one support body section 46, and the base of the other arm section 60 swivelably connected to the inside of the mounting portion of the support columnar section 54 on the other support body section 48.

[0034] The gripping portion 62 of the swivel support 44 is provided with a plurality of (five in this embodiment) connecting portions 64 corresponding to some of the specific support receiving portions 56a (five support receiving portions located in the longitudinal central region in this embodiment) of the plurality of support receiving portions 56. Each connecting portion 64 extends downward inclined inward from a base attached to the gripping portion 62 of the swivel member 57, and an insertion connecting hole 66 is provided at its tip (see, for example, Figure 10).

[0035] In this embodiment, the pair of arm portions 58 and 60 are further provided with extension portions 68 that extend and retract in the axial direction. Although the structure of the extension portions 68 is not shown, they are held in a contracted state by the action of a coil spring, for example, and can be extended by pulling against the action of this coil spring.

[0036] As configured in this way, the swivel support 44 can rotate vertically between an upper swivel angle position (an angle position shown by a dashed line in Figures 7 and 8) and a lower swivel angle position (an angle position shown by a solid line in Figures 7 and 8). When the swivel support 44 is in the upper swivel angle position, the pair of arm portions 58, 60 of the swivel support 44 extend diagonally upward, thereby opening one side of the receiving body 42 and creating a receiving opening 70 (see Figure 10) between the receiving body 42 and the swivel support 44 for receiving a person to be cared for.

[0037] Furthermore, when the swivel support 44 is in the lower swivel angle position, the swivel member 57 of the swivel support 44 extends horizontally, and the gripping portion 62 of the swivel member 57 and the plurality of connecting portions 64 attached thereto close the receiving opening 70 on one side of the receiving body 42. When held in this lower swivel angle position, the plurality of support receiving portions 56 of the receiving body 42 and the swivel member 57 of the swivel support 44 and the connecting portions 64 attached thereto constitute a receiving and supporting portion for placing and supporting the person to be cared for. One side of this receiving and supporting portion is defined by the swivel member 57 and the plurality of connecting portions 64, while the other side and bottom are defined by the plurality of support receiving portions 56 of the receiving body 42.

[0038] Although not shown in the figures, an upper rotation blocking means (e.g., an upper rotation contact portion) can be provided to prevent rotational movement beyond the upper rotation angle position of the rotational support 44 (rotating member 57), and a lower rotation blocking means (e.g., a lower rotation contact portion) can be provided to prevent rotational movement beyond the lower rotation angle position.

[0039] In this embodiment, the length of the support receiving portion 56 located towards the center is longer than that of the support receiving portions located on both sides. However, the lengths of the support receiving portions 56 may be made the same. Similarly, although the connecting portion 64 is provided in accordance with some of the specific support receiving portions 56a among the support receiving portions 56, for example, the connecting portion 64 may be provided for all of the support receiving portions 56.

[0040] When the gripping portion 62 of the swivel support 44 is pulled in the direction indicated by arrow 72 (see Figures 5, 7, and 8) and swiveled to the lower swivel angle position, the extension portions 68 of the pair of arm portions 58, 60 extend to the state shown by the solid lines in Figures 7 and 8, and the connecting portion 64 attached to the swivel member 57 is positioned outside the multiple support receiving portions 56 (in this case, specific support receiving portion 56a) of the receiving body 42. With this configuration, the swivel support 44 is allowed to swivel to the lower swivel angle position.

[0041] Then, when the gripping portion 62 of the swivel member 57 is released in the state shown in Figures 7 and 8, the extension portions 68 of the pair of arm portions 58 and 60 contract, and the multiple connecting portions 64 move together with the gripping portion 62 towards the multiple support receiving portions 56, and the tip portions of the specific support receiving portions 56a on the receiving body 42 side are inserted and connected into the insertion connecting holes 66 of these connecting portions 64. In this inserted and connected state, the base side of the multiple specific support receiving portions 56a is supported by the support columnar portion 54, and their tip portions are supported by the connecting portion 64 of the swivel support 44, so that these specific support receiving portions 56a are supported at both ends, thereby giving the receiving structure 8 sufficient strength and allowing the person being cared for to be safely placed and supported.

[0042] Alternatively, instead of such insertion connection holes 66, an engagement connection structure may be used. In this case, the engagement connection structure includes a plurality of engagement members that engage and connect detachably with the support receiving portion 56. By engaging and connecting the plurality of engagement members to the corresponding tip portions of the support receiving portion 56, the receiving body 42 and the swivel support 44 can be engaged and connected detachably.

[0043] Furthermore, since the movable support body 40 (a pair of support body parts 46, 48) is movable laterally via a pair of lateral sliding mechanisms 50, 52, for example, by moving the movable support body 40 (or the swivel member 57) by hand, the movable support body 40 (the receiving body 42 and swivel support body 44 attached thereto) can be moved laterally between the storage position (the position shown in Figure 1, located on the upper surface of the lifting platform 6) and the receiving position (the position shown in Figure 5, protruding to the side of the lifting platform 6).

[0044] When the mobile support body 40 (receiving body 42 and support swivel body 44) is positioned in the storage position, as shown in Figure 1, the multiple support receiving parts 56 of the receiving body 42 (specifically, their horizontally extending portions) are housed in the storage recess 36 of the lifting platform 6. The upper surfaces of these support receiving parts 56 are substantially flush with the upper surface of the lifting platform 6, and this configuration allows for gentle support of the person being cared for.

[0045] Furthermore, when the movable support body 40 (receiving body 42 and support swivel body 44) is positioned in the receiving position, as can be seen from Figure 5, the multiple support receiving parts 56 of the receiving body 42 are positioned laterally outward of the lifting and lowering platform 6. With this configuration, the person being cared for who is lying on the bed can be positioned above these support receiving parts 56 and placed and supported on these support receiving parts 56 as described later.

[0046] Although not shown in the figures, a first movement-preventing means (e.g., a first movement contact portion) can be provided to prevent the movable support body 40 (receiving body 42 and support swivel body 44) from moving beyond its receiving position, and a second movement-preventing means (e.g., a second movement contact portion) can be provided to prevent the movable support body 40 from moving beyond its storage position.

[0047] In this care transport device 2, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 7, and 8, a pair of support legs 82 and 84 are arranged opposite each other at the bottom (in this embodiment, the bottom surface) of the transport device body 4. One support leg 82 is provided on one end of the transport device body 4, and the other support leg 84 is provided on the other end. These support legs 82 and 84 are substantially identical in structure.

[0048] The support leg 82(84) comprises a swivel arm 86 that is rotatably mounted on the bottom of the transport device body 4, and a leg 88 attached to the tip of the swivel arm 86, the leg 88 being configured to be able to move up and down vertically by, for example, an electric cylinder 90. The swivel arm 86 of the support leg 82(84) is rotatable horizontally and is configured to be able to move between a storage angle position where it is stored below the transport device body 4 (angle position shown in Figures 2 and 3) and a support angle position where it protrudes laterally outward from the transport device body 4 (angle position shown in Figures 7 and 8).

[0049] The swivel arm portion 86 of the support legs 82 and 84 is configured to be rotated directly by hand, but an operating handle may be provided and the arm may be rotated by rotating this handle, or a swivel drive motor may be provided and the arm may be rotated by operating this motor.

[0050] When the swivel arm portions 86 of the support legs 82 and 84 are swung inward in a direction that brings them closer to each other and positioned at the storage angle, as can be seen from Figures 2, 3, and 5, these swivel arm portions 86 and leg portions 88 are located below the transport device body 4 and can be compactly stored on the underside of the transport device body 4. Furthermore, when these swivel arm portions 86 are swung outward in a direction that separates them from each other and positioned at the support angle, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, these swivel arm portions 86 are positioned to extend laterally from the transport device body 4, and these swivel arm portions 86 and leg portions 88 function as supports to prevent tipping, as will be described later, and can prevent lateral tipping when the person being cared for is placed and supported on the receiving structure 8.

[0051] When the electric cylinders 90 of the support legs 82 and 84 are retracted, the legs 88 are positioned in a raised position, rising above the floor surface F, as shown in Figures 2 to 4. By holding the legs 88 in this raised position, the swivel arm 86 is allowed to rotate toward its stowed and supported angles. When the electric cylinders 90 are extended, the legs 88 are lowered to a lowered position, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. By holding the legs 88 in this lowered position, they can contact the floor surface F and support the transport device body 4, thereby reliably preventing the transport device body 4 from tipping over.

[0052] Although not shown in the figures, a first rotation preventing means (e.g., a first rotation contact part) can be provided in relation to the support legs 82 and 84 to prevent rotational movement of these rotational arm portions 86 beyond their stowed angular position, and a second rotation preventing means (e.g., a second rotation contact part) can be provided to prevent rotational movement beyond their support angular position.

[0053] Next, the transfer of a person receiving care using the care transfer device 2 described above will be explained, mainly with reference to Figures 9 to 16. In Figure 9, in order to transfer the person receiving care P who is lying on their side on the bed 102, the care transfer device 2 described above is moved to the side of the bed 102 (see also Figure 1). When using this care transfer device 2, it is necessary to insert the tip ends of the multiple support receiving parts 56 of the care transfer device 2 between the top surface of the bed 102 and the person receiving care P, as will be explained later. Therefore, an air mattress 104 is placed on the top surface of the bed 102, and the person receiving care P lies on this air mattress 104.

[0054] Referring to Figure 9, the air mattress 104 is described as comprising a plurality of first support bag sections 106 and a plurality of second support bag sections 108, with these first support bag sections 106 and second support bag sections 108 arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in Figure 9) of the air mattress 104. The plurality of second support bag sections 108 are provided corresponding to the plurality of support receiving sections 56 of the care transport device 2, and the width of these second support bag sections 108 is configured to be somewhat larger than the width of the plurality of support receiving sections 56 (including specific support receiving sections 56a).

[0055] In this embodiment, the widths of the multiple first support bag portions 106 and the multiple second support bag portions 108 are the same size. However, for example, the width of these second support bag portions 108 may be made somewhat larger than that of the first support bag portions 106. In this configuration, the width of the multiple support receiving portions 56 of the receiving body 42 can be increased to improve its strength.

[0056] In this air mattress 104, a plurality of first support bag sections 106 are interconnected via a first air passage (not shown), and a plurality of second support bag sections 108 are interconnected via a second air passage (not shown). Furthermore, for example, the first air passage is connected to a compressed air supply source (e.g., an air pump) (not shown) via a first air passage switching valve (not shown), and the second air passage is connected to a compressed air supply source via a second air passage switching valve (not shown).

[0057] When using this air mattress 104, the compressed air supply source is connected to the first air passage through the first flow path switching valve and to the second air passage through the second flow path switching valve. At this time, compressed air from the compressed air supply source is supplied to a plurality of first support bag sections 106 through the first flow path switching valve and the first air passage, and this compressed air causes these first support bag sections 106 to inflate and be kept in an inflated state. In addition, compressed air from the first compressed air supply source is also supplied to a plurality of second support bag sections 108 through the second flow path switching valve and the second air passage, and this compressed air causes these second support bag sections 108 to inflate and keeps the entire air mattress 104 in an inflated state. Therefore, the first and second support bag sections 106 and 108 are maintained in the state shown by the solid lines in Figure 9, and the person being cared for P can lie down comfortably on this air mattress 104.

[0058] Furthermore, when transporting the person receiving care P who is lying on the bed 102, the multiple second support bag sections 108 are opened to the atmosphere through the second air passage and the second air passage switching valve, and the compressed air inside these second support bag sections 108 is discharged into the atmosphere through the second air passage switching valve. At this time, the multiple first support bags 106 are kept in an expanded state by the compressed air, but the multiple second support bag sections 108 contract as the compressed air is discharged, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 9, and a gap 110 is created above the deflated second support bag section 108 (i.e., between the second support bag section 108 and the person receiving care P).

[0059] In this embodiment, the air mattress 104 is configured to be used by switching between a fully inflated state in which the first and second support bag portions 106 and 108 are inflated and a first partially inflated state in which the second support bag portion 108 is inflated (at which time the first support bag portion 106 is in a contracted state). In addition to this state, it is also possible to configure it to have a second partially inflated state in which the first support bag portion 106 is inflated (at which time the second support bag portion 108 is in a contracted state). In this configuration, by switching the air mattress 108 between the first partially inflated state and the second partially inflated state, it is possible to prevent bedsores and other injuries in the person being cared for.

[0060] When transporting the person receiving care P, the compressed air in the second support bag portion 108 of the air mattress 104 is released, and in this state, the care transport device 4 is brought close to the side of the bed 102. At this time, as shown in Figure 10, the swivel arm portions 86 of the support legs 82 and 84 are held in the support angle position, and their legs 88 are held in the raised position. In addition, the lifting platform 6 is held in the lowered position, the receiving structure 8 (receiving body 42 and swivel support 44) is held in the receiving position, and the swivel support 44 is held in the upper swivel angle position.

[0061] Then, as shown in Figure 11, the tip ends of the multiple support receiving parts 56 of the receiving body 42 of the care transport device 2 are inserted into the space above the deflated second support bag portion 108 of the air mattress 104 on the bed 102 (i.e., the gap 110 between the deflated second support bag portion 108 and the person being cared for P lying on the air mattress 104), and the transport device body 4 is brought close to the bed 102. In this way, the multiple support receiving parts 56 of the receiving body 42 of the care transport device 2 are inserted between the air mattress 104 and the person being cared for P. At this time, the swivel arm portions 86 of the support legs 82, 84 of the care transport device 2 are inserted into the space below the bed 102.

[0062] In the above explanation, the sheet covering the air mattress 104 was omitted from the description. However, when the sheet S is placed on the air mattress 104, the multiple support receiving parts 56 of the receiving body 42 are inserted on the upper side of the sheet S, for example, as shown in Figure 12.

[0063] In Figure 12, when a sheet S is laid on the surface side of the air mattress 104 as shown in Figure 12(a), when inserting the multiple support receiving parts 56 of the receiving body 42, the pair of lifting cylinder mechanisms 30 are extended somewhat, thereby positioning the lifting platform 6 in a state slightly higher than the lowered position, as shown in Figure 12(b). In this slightly elevated state, the transfer device body 4 is moved to move the tips of the multiple support receiving parts 56 above one side of the air mattress 104.

[0064] Subsequently, the pair of lifting cylinder mechanisms 30 are contracted to some extent, thereby lowering the lifting platform 6 to the lowered position as shown in Figure 12(c). This downward movement causes the tips of the multiple support receiving parts 56 to push down the sheet S on the surface side of the air mattress 104, and with the multiple support receiving parts 56 and a portion of the sheet S deflated and housed in the gap 110, the multiple support receiving parts 56 of the receiving body 42 are inserted between the air mattress 104 (and the sheet S on its upper side) and the person being cared for P.

[0065] Furthermore, it is preferable that the sheet S itself has sufficient elasticity so that when the sheet S is pressed down by the multiple support receiving parts 56, a portion of it is accommodated as required within the gap 110 above the second support bag part 108, and so that the insertion of the multiple support receiving parts 56 is permitted even when the sheet S is pressed down.

[0066] Next, as shown in Figure 13, the electric cylinders 90 of the support legs 82 and 84 are extended, and the leg portion 88 is moved downward to the lowered position and brought into contact with the floor surface F. By bringing it into contact with the floor in this way, the care transport device 2 can be stably supported on the floor surface. Furthermore, the gripping portion 62 of the swivel member 57 is grasped and swiveled downward to position the support swivel body 44 at the lower swivel angle, and the tip of the specific support receiving portion 56a of the receiving body 42 is inserted and connected into the insertion connecting hole 66 of the connecting portion 64 of the gripping member 57. When inserted and connected in this way, as can be understood from Figure 13, a concave receiving portion is formed in the width direction on the upper surface of the receiving structure 8, and the person being cared for P is placed and supported on this receiving portion, thereby preventing the person being cared for P from falling from the receiving structure 8 (receiving body 42 and swivel support 44).

[0067] Next, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the pair of lifting cylinder mechanisms 30 are extended to position the lifting platform 6 in the raised position. As a result, the support structure 8 (support body 42 and swivel support 44) rises together with the lifting platform 6, and the multiple support parts 56 of the support body 42 lift the person being cared for P, who was lying on the air mattress 104, upward. In this way, the person being cared for P can be lifted from the bed 102 (air mattress 104 and sheet S). At this time, the support structure 8 is positioned in an unstable state, protruding laterally from the main body of the transport device 4, but since the legs 88 of the swivel arm part 86 of the support legs 82, 84 are grounded below the support structure 8, the main body of the transport device 4 does not tip over laterally, and the person being cared for P can be stably placed and supported within the support structure 8.

[0068] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 16, the swivel support 44 is pushed toward the transport device body 4 to position the receiving structure 8 (receiving part 42 and swivel support 44) in the storage position. By positioning it in this storage position, the person receiving care P can be transferred from the bed 102 to the care transport device 2. In this storage position, the multiple support receiving parts 56 of the receiving body 42 are housed in the receiving recess 36 of the lifting platform 6, and are substantially flush with the upper surface of the lifting platform 6, so that the person receiving care P can be stably placed and supported on the upper surface of the lifting platform 6.

[0069] When moving the care transport device 4 to another location with the person being cared for P on it, the electric cylinders 90 of the support legs 82 and 84 are retracted to position the leg portion 88 in the raised position, and then their swivel arm portions 86 are swung inward to position them in the stored angle position, thereby allowing the care transport device 2 to move. Additionally, the lifting cylinder mechanism 30 is retracted to position the lifting platform 6 in the lowered position, thereby lowering the position on which the person being cared for P is placed, and allowing the care transport device 4 to move stably with the person being cared for P on it.

[0070] Furthermore, when returning the person being cared for, P, who is supported on the care transport device 4, to the bed 102, the reverse of the above procedure should be followed, and the person can be safely returned to the bed 102 (and the air mattress 104 on top of it).

[0071] Although one embodiment of the care transport device according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 2. Caregiving and transportation equipment 4. Main body of the transfer device 6. Lifting platform 8. Support structure 24. Up / down sliding mechanism (second sliding mechanism) 26. Lifting linear guide 30. Lifting cylinder mechanism 36 Receiving recess 42 Receiving body 44 Swivel support 50, 52 Lateral sliding mechanism (first sliding mechanism) 54 Support column 56 Support receiving part 56a Specific support receiving part 57 Swivel Member 64 Connecting part 82,84 Support legs 102 beds 104 Air Mattress 106 1st support bag section 108 Second support bag section 110 void P Care recipient S Sheet

Claims

1. The device comprises a transfer device body movable by a moving means, and a receiving structure for receiving a care recipient lying on a bed via an air mattress, the receiving structure having a receiving body for supporting the care recipient, the receiving body having a plurality of support receiving portions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the transfer device body, The air mattress has a plurality of first support bag portions corresponding to the plurality of support receiving portions on the receiving structure side, and a plurality of second support bag portions arranged between the plurality of first support bag portions, and when supporting a care recipient, the first support bag portion and the second support bag portion of the air mattress are filled with compressed air and maintained in an inflated state, and when transporting a care recipient using the receiving structure, the first support bag portion of the air mattress is filled with compressed air and maintained in an inflated state, but the compressed air filled in the second support bag portion is released and maintained in a deflated state, and the plurality of support receiving portions of the receiving structure are inserted on the upper side of the deflated second support bag portion of the air mattress to support the care recipient.

2. The transfer device main body is equipped with a first slide mechanism which supports the receiving structure so as to be freely movable laterally between a receiving position which protrudes laterally from the transfer device main body and a storage position which is located above the transfer device main body, and a second slide mechanism which supports the receiving structure so as to be freely movable up and down between an elevated position which lifts the receiving structure upward and a descended position which is lowered downward from the elevated position; Furthermore, the receiving structure has a swiveling support for covering one side of the receiving body, and the swiveling support is freely rotatable between an upper swivel angle position rotated upward and a lower swivel angle position rotated downward, and in the upper swivel angle position, one side of the receiving body is opened to create a receiving opening between the receiving body and the receiving body for receiving the cared person, and in the lower swivel angle position, the receiving opening is closed to form a loading receiving section in cooperation with the receiving body for receiving the cared person, characterized in that the nursing care transfer device.

3. The nursing care transfer device described in claim 2, characterized in that the receiving structure includes a movable support arranged to be freely movable in the lateral direction via the first slide mechanism, the receiving body has a support column-shaped portion attached to the movable support and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of support receiving portions arranged at intervals on the support column-shaped portion, the plurality of support receiving portions extending on one side side of the receiving body, and the swivel support includes a swivel member attached to the movable support so as to be freely swiveled in the vertical direction, and a connecting portion provided on the swivel member corresponding to a specific support receiving portion among the plurality of support receiving portions on the receiving body side, and the connecting portion on the swivel support side is detachably connected to the specific support receiving portion on the receiving body side.

4. The nursing care transfer device described in claim 3, characterized in that the rotating member of the swivel support has a pair of arm portions rotatably attached to the movable support and a handle portion connecting the tip ends of the pair of arm portions, and a plurality of connecting portions are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the handle portion, and the pair of arm portions are provided with an extension portion that expands and contracts in the axial direction, and each of the plurality of connecting portions is provided with an insertion connection hole, and the receiver and the swivel support are removably connected by pulling the handle portion to extend the extension portion and then inserting the tip end of the specific support receiver on the receiver side into the insertion connection hole of the plurality of connecting portions.

5. The nursing care transfer device described in claim 2, characterized in that the transfer device main body supports a lifting and lowering platform via the second slide mechanism, the receiving structure is supported on the lifting and lowering platform via the first slide mechanism so as to be freely movable in the horizontal direction, a plurality of accommodating recesses are provided on the surface of the lifting and lowering platform at intervals in the longitudinal direction, and when the receiving structure is positioned at the storage position, the plurality of support receiving parts are accommodated in the plurality of accommodating recesses of the lifting and lowering platform, and the upper surface of the lifting and lowering platform and the upper surfaces of the plurality of support receiving parts define substantially the same plane.

6. The nursing care transport device described in claim 1, characterized in that a support leg for preventing tipping over is attached to the bottom of the transport device body, the support leg is attached so as to be freely rotatable between a storage angle position in which it is stored on the underside of the transport device body and a support angle position in which it protrudes laterally outward from the transport device body, and the support leg has legs that can be freely raised and lowered in the vertical direction.

7. The nursing care transfer device described in claim 6, characterized in that a pair of support legs are attached to both ends of the bottom of the transfer device body so as to be freely rotatable from the inside to the outside, and when stored under the transfer device body, the pair of support legs are rotated from the outside to the inside to the storage angle position, and when protruding outside the transfer device body, the pair of support legs are rotated from the inside to the support angle position.

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