Lifting device and bed

Abstract

To provide a lifting device capable of easily lifting up a leg of a bed from an arrangement surface where the bed is arranged.SOLUTION: The present invention is a lifting device for lifting up a leg part of a bed from an arrangement surface where the bed is arranged. The bed includes an elevating / lowering mechanism for vertically elevating / lowering a floor board with respect to the leg part. The lifting device includes: an attachment part to be attached to vertical movement parts which are parts of the bed and the parts to be vertically moved when the elevating / lowering mechanism elevates / lowers the floor board; and support parts extending from the attachment part. When the vertical movement parts are moved with the elevating / lowering operation of the floor board, the support parts lift up the leg part from the arrangement surface by abutment to the arrangement surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting device and a bed. [Background technology]

[0002] In hospitals, nursing homes, etc., the weight of a subject (patient, care recipient, etc.) on a bed is detected, and biometric information (respiration information, heart rate information, etc.) of the subject is acquired based on the detected weight. The subject's weight is detected, for example, by a load detector placed under the legs of the bed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a biological information monitoring system that detects the load of a subject with a load detector placed under the legs of a bed and calculates the respiratory rate of the subject based on the detected load. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-64350 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When using a biological information monitoring system such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, a load detector is installed under the legs of the bed. Furthermore, regardless of the use of a biological information monitoring system such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, there are also cases where members such as vibration reduction members and members for preventing damage to the floor surface are installed under the legs of the bed.

[0006] Here, the task of installing devices such as load detectors and components such as vibration reducing members under the legs of the bed is a time-consuming task that requires lifting the legs of the bed.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a lifting device and a bed that can easily lift the legs of a bed from the surface on which the bed is placed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lifting device for lifting a leg of a bed from a surface on which the bed is placed, comprising: The bed has a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering a floor plate relative to the legs, The lifting device is a mounting portion that is attached to a vertical moving portion that is a portion of the bed and that moves in the vertical direction when the lifting mechanism lifts and lowers the bed plate; a support portion extending from the mounting portion, A lifting device is provided in which, when the vertically moving part moves in conjunction with the raising and lowering operation of the floor plate, the support part abuts against the installation surface to lift the leg part from the installation surface.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, The legs, Floorboards and A lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the floor plate relative to the legs; A bed comprising: The lifting device is a mounting portion attached to a vertical moving portion which is a portion of the bed and which moves in the vertical direction when the lifting mechanism lifts and lowers the bed plate; a support portion extending from the mounting portion, A bed is provided in which, when the vertical movement part moves in conjunction with the raising and lowering movement of the bed plate, the support part abuts against an installation surface on which the bed is installed, thereby lifting the legs from the installation surface. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the lifting device and bed of the present invention, the legs of the bed can be easily lifted from the surface on which the bed is placed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1(a) and 1(b) are schematic diagrams of a bed according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the side. Fig. 1(a) shows a state in which an upper frame is in a lowered position, and Fig. 1(b) shows a state in which the upper frame is in a raised position. Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b) show a part of the configuration in perspective to explain the operation of the bed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2(a) is a plan view of the lower mechanism, FIG. 2(b) is a plan view of the lifting mechanism, and FIG. 2(c) is a plan view of the upper mechanism. [Diagram 3] 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views of a sliding bracket attached to the lower frame. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fixing bracket attached to the lower frame. [Diagram 5] 5(a) and 5(b) are perspective views of a sliding bracket attached to the upper frame. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fixing bracket attached to the upper frame. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the lifting device fixed to the bed. [Figure 8] Figures 8(a) and 8(b) are views from the right of the lifting device fixed to the bed. Figure 8(a) shows the post in the deployed position, and Figure 8(b) shows the post in the stored position. [Figure 9] Figures 9(a) and 9(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the lifting operation of lifting the bed by the lifting device. Figure 9(a) shows the state where the bed is in the raised position and the pillars of the lifting device are in the deployed position. Figure 9(b) shows the state where the bed is in the lowered position and the lifting device has lifted the bed off the floor. [Figure 10]Figures 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the lifting operation when the lifting device is attached to the arm of the lifting mechanism of the bed. Figure 10(a) shows the state in which the bed is in the raised position and the pillar part of the lifting device is in the deployed position. Figure 10(b) shows the state in which the bed is in the lowered position and the lifting device has lifted the bed off the floor. [Figure 11] Figures 11(a) and 11(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the lifting operation when the lifting device is attached to the upper frame of the bed. Figure 11(a) shows the state in which the bed is in the raised position and the pillars of the lifting device are in the deployed position. Figure 11(b) shows the state in which the bed is in the lowered position and the lifting device has lifted the bed off the floor. [Figure 12] Figures 12(a) and 12(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the lifting operation when the lifting device is attached to a bed having a parallel link type lifting mechanism. Figure 12(a) shows the state in which the bed is in the raised position and the pillars of the lifting device are in the deployed position. Figure 12(b) shows the state in which the bed is in the lowered position and the lifting device has lifted the bed off the floor. [Figure 13] Figures 13(a) and 13(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the lifting operation when the lifting device is attached to a bed with a reclining mechanism. Figure 13(a) shows the state in which the bed is in the raised position and the pillars of the lifting device are in the deployed position. Figure 13(b) shows the state in which the bed is in the lowered position and the lifting device has lifted the bed off the floor. [Figure 14] Figures 14(a) and 14(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the lifting operation of the lifting device of the modified example. Figure 14(a) shows the state in which the bed is in the lowered position and the pillars of the lifting device are in the deployed position. Figure 14(b) shows the state in which the bed is in the raised position and the lifting device has lifted the bed off the floor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] <Embodiment> A bed BD according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1( a ) and 1 ( b ), the bed BD mainly comprises a lower mechanism 10 , an upper mechanism 20 , a lifting mechanism 30 , and a bed lifting device 40 .

[0014] In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the bed BD is the vertical direction of the bed BD, and the width direction of the bed BD is the horizontal direction of the bed BD. One side in the vertical direction (the right side in Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b)) is the head side, and the other side (the left side in Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b)) is the leg side. In the horizontal direction, the left and right sides when looking from the vertical leg side to the head side are the left and right sides, respectively. The direction perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal directions is the up-down direction.

[0015] [Lower mechanism 10] As shown in FIG. 2( a ), the lower mechanism (legs) 10 mainly includes a lower frame (base frame) 11 , sliding brackets 121 and 122 , fixed brackets 131 and 132 , an actuator support beam 14 , and four caster parts (legs) 15 .

[0016] The lower frame 11 is a frame-shaped member that is rectangular in plan view, and includes a first portion 111 and a second portion 112 that extend in the vertical direction, and a third portion 113 and a fourth portion 114 that extend in the horizontal direction. Each of the first portion 111 to the fourth portion 114 is a longitudinal member that has a rectangular cross section.

[0017] The sliding bracket 121 is an elongated member, and as shown in Fig. 3(a), has a shape in which an upper plate portion 121a, a lower plate portion 121b, and a vertical plate portion 121c, each of which is a long flat plate, are connected to each other in a U-shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction. The sliding bracket 122 is also an elongated member, and as shown in Fig. 3(b), has a shape in which an upper plate portion 122a, a lower plate portion 122b, and a vertical plate portion 122c, each of which is a long flat plate, are connected to each other in a U-shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction. The upper plate portions 121a, 122a are shorter than the lower plate portions 121b, 122b.

[0018] The sliding brackets 121, 122 are fixed to the first part 111 and the second part 112 of the lower frame 11 at a position toward the head side of the vertical center of the bed BD, with the long dimensions of the sliding brackets 121, 122 aligned with the vertical direction.

[0019] 4, the fixed bracket 131 has a pair of flat plate portions 131a facing each other, and a curved plate portion 131b curved in an arc shape about an axis 131x to connect the lower ends of the pair of flat plate portions 131a. Similarly, the fixed bracket 132 has a pair of flat plate portions 132a facing each other, and a curved plate portion 132b curved in an arc shape about an axis 132x to connect the lower ends of the pair of flat plate portions 132a.

[0020] The fixed brackets 131, 132 are fixed to the first section 111 and the second section 112 of the lower frame 11 at a position closer to the leg side than the longitudinal center of the bed BD, with the axes 131x, 132x aligned in the lateral direction.

[0021] The actuator support beam 14 is a longitudinal member with a circular cross section that extends laterally. The left end of the actuator support beam 14 is fixed to the first portion 111 of the lower frame 11 on the head side of the sliding bracket 121. The right end of the actuator support beam 14 is fixed to the second portion 112 of the lower frame 11 on the head side of the sliding bracket 122.

[0022] The caster units 15 are provided at each of the four corners of the lower frame 11. As shown in Fig. 1(a), each of the four caster units 15 has a wheel support unit WS attached to the lower frame 11 so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis, and a wheel W attached to the wheel support unit WS so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis.

[0023] [Upper mechanism 20] As shown in FIG. 2( c ), the upper mechanism 20 mainly includes an upper frame (center frame) 21 , sliding brackets 221 and 222 , and fixed brackets 231 and 232 .

[0024] The upper frame 21 is a frame-shaped member that is rectangular in plan view, and includes a first portion 211 and a second portion 212 that extend in the vertical direction, and a third portion 213 and a fourth portion 214 that extend in the horizontal direction. Each of the first portion 211 to the fourth portion 214 is a longitudinal member that has a rectangular cross section.

[0025] The sliding bracket 221 is an elongated member, and as shown in Fig. 5(a), has a shape in which an upper plate portion 221a, a lower plate portion 221b, and a vertical plate portion 221c, each of which is a long flat plate, are connected to each other in a U-shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction. The sliding bracket 222 is also an elongated member, and as shown in Fig. 5(b), has a shape in which an upper plate portion 222a, a lower plate portion 222b, and a vertical plate portion 222c, each of which is a long flat plate, are connected to each other in a U-shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction. The lower plate portions 221b, 222b are shorter than the upper plate portions 221a, 222a.

[0026] The sliding brackets 221, 222 are fixed to the first part 211 and the second part 212 of the upper frame 21 at a position toward the head side of the vertical center of the bed BD, with the long dimension of the sliding brackets 221, 222 aligned with the vertical direction.

[0027] 6, the fixed bracket 231 has a pair of flat plate portions 231a facing each other, and a curved plate portion 231b curved in an arc shape about the axis 231x to connect the upper ends of the pair of flat plate portions 231a. Similarly, the fixed bracket 232 has a pair of flat plate portions 232a facing each other, and a curved plate portion 232b curved in an arc shape about the axis 232x to connect the upper ends of the pair of flat plate portions 232a.

[0028] The fixed brackets 231, 232 are fixed to the first portion 211 and the second portion 212 of the upper frame 21 at a position closer to the leg side than the vertical center of the bed BD, with the axes 231x, 232x aligned in the horizontal direction.

[0029] In addition, a bed plate BP is attached via an attachment mechanism (not shown) to the upper frame 21. The upper surface of the bed plate BP is a sleeping surface on which a user of the bed BD (a patient, a person being cared for, etc.) lies.

[0030] [Lifting mechanism 30] As shown in FIG. 2( b ), the lifting mechanism 30 mainly includes an inner arm portion 31 , an outer arm portion 32 , and an actuator 33 .

[0031] As shown in Figures 1(a), 1(b), and 2(b), the inner arm portion 31 has a lower shaft 311 (in Figure 2(b), it is located below an upper shaft 322 (described later) of the outer arm portion 32 and is not shown), an upper shaft 312, a pair of inner arms 313, and an actuator connecting beam 314.

[0032] The lower shaft 311 is a longitudinal member that extends in the horizontal direction and has a circular cross section. The left end of the lower shaft 311 is supported by a fixed bracket 131 fixed to the first portion 111 of the lower frame 11. The right end of the lower shaft 311 is supported by a fixed bracket 132 fixed to the second portion 112 of the lower frame 11.

[0033] The upper shaft 312 is a longitudinal member with a circular cross section that extends in the horizontal direction. The left end of the upper shaft 312 abuts on the lower surface of the upper plate portion 221a of the sliding bracket 221 fixed to the first portion 211 of the upper frame 21, and supports the upper mechanism 20 via the sliding bracket 221. The right end of the upper shaft 312 abuts on the lower surface of the upper plate portion 222a of the sliding bracket 222 fixed to the second portion 212 of the upper frame 21, and supports the upper mechanism 20 via the sliding bracket 222.

[0034] Each of the pair of inner arms 313 is a longitudinal member having a rectangular cross section. One end of the pair of inner arms 313 is connected to the vicinity of the left end of the lower shaft 311, and the other end is connected to the vicinity of the left end of the upper shaft 312. The other of the pair of inner arms 313 is connected to the vicinity of the right end of the lower shaft 311, and the other end is connected to the vicinity of the right end of the upper shaft 312.

[0035] The actuator connecting beam 314 is a longitudinal member with a circular cross section that extends in the horizontal direction. The left end of the actuator connecting beam 314 is connected to one of the pair of inner arms 313, approximately at the middle between the longitudinal center of the inner arm 313 and the connection between the inner arm 313 and the upper shaft 312. The right end of the actuator connecting beam 314 is connected to the other of the pair of inner arms 313, approximately at the middle between the longitudinal center of the inner arm 313 and the connection between the inner arm 313 and the upper shaft 312.

[0036] The outer arm portion 32 has a lower shaft 321 (not shown in FIG. 2( b ) as it is located below the upper shaft 312 of the inner arm portion 31 ), an upper shaft 322 , and a pair of outer arms 323 .

[0037] The lower shaft 321 is a longitudinal member with a circular cross section that extends in the horizontal direction. The left end of the lower shaft 321 abuts against a lower plate portion 121b of the sliding bracket 121 fixed to the first portion 111 of the lower frame 11, and is supported by the sliding bracket 121. The right end of the lower shaft 321 abuts against an upper surface of a lower plate portion 122b of the sliding bracket 122 fixed to the second portion 112 of the lower frame 11, and is supported by the sliding bracket 122.

[0038] The upper shaft 322 is a longitudinal member with a circular cross section that extends in the horizontal direction. The left end of the upper shaft 322 supports the upper mechanism 20 via a fixed bracket 231 fixed to the first portion 211 of the upper frame 21. The right end of the upper shaft 322 supports the upper mechanism 20 via a fixed bracket 232 fixed to the second portion 212 of the upper frame 21.

[0039] Each of the pair of outer arms 323 is a longitudinal member having a rectangular cross section. One end of the pair of outer arms 323 is connected to the vicinity of the left end of the lower shaft 321, and the other end is connected to the vicinity of the left end of the upper shaft 322. The other of the pair of outer arms 323 is connected to the vicinity of the right end of the lower shaft 321, and the other end is connected to the vicinity of the right end of the upper shaft 322.

[0040] The inner arm portion 31 and the outer arm portion 32 are pivotally connected to each other via a pivot axis AX. The pivot axis AX is a longitudinal member with a circular cross section extending in the horizontal direction. The inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323 located on the left side are pivotally connected to each other at their respective longitudinal center portions by a region near the left end of the pivot axis AX. The inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323 located on the right side are pivotally connected to each other at their respective longitudinal center portions by a region near the right end of the pivot axis AX.

[0041] The actuator 33 has a cylinder 331 and a rod 332 that is extended and retracted by the cylinder 331. The actuator 33 may be, for example, an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or the like.

[0042] The cylinder 331 is pivotally supported by the actuator support beam 14 of the lower mechanism 10. The tip end of the rod 332 is pivotally connected to the actuator connecting beam 314 of the inner arm portion 31.

[0043] [Lifting device 40] The lifting device 40 is a device for lifting the lower mechanism 10 (more specifically, the casters 15) from the installation surface (floor surface F in this embodiment) on which the bed BD is installed, by utilizing the lifting operation (described in detail later) of the upper mechanism 20 relative to the lower mechanism 10 executed by the lifting mechanism 30. In this embodiment, the lifting device 40 is attached to the lateral center of the pivot axis AX of the lifting mechanism 30.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the lifting device 40 mainly includes a gripping portion (fixing portion) 41 and a pillar portion (support portion) .

[0045] The gripping part 41 is a structure for fixedly attaching the lifting device 40 to the lifting mechanism 30. In this embodiment, the gripping part 41 is in the form of a block that can be separated into an upper block 41a and a lower block 41b, and in which a holding hole H is defined in the center when the upper block 41a and the lower block 41b are combined.

[0046] The gripping portion 41 is fixed to the pivot axis AX of the lifting mechanism 30 by fixing the upper block 41a and the lower block 41b to each other with bolts (not shown) while the pivot axis AX is accommodated inside the holding hole H.

[0047] When the lifting mechanism 30 performs a lowering operation, the pillars 42 lift the lower mechanism 10 by pressing the bed BD at one end (upper end) and the installation surface (floor surface) at the other end (lower end).

[0048] The pillar portion 42 has a rod-shaped support pillar 421 and a plate-shaped base portion 422 .

[0049] The support pillar 421 is an elongated member, and the cross-sectional shape may be any shape, such as a rectangle, a square, a circle, etc. One end 421a of the support pillar 421 is connected to the lower block 41b of the gripper 41 via a pivot axis ax. A base 422 is fixed to the other end 421b of the support pillar 421.

[0050] Base 422 is a flat plate member, and may have any shape in plan view, such as a rectangle, a square, a circle, etc. In this embodiment, the other end 421b of support column 421 is fixed to the center of the upper surface of square base 422. A rubber sheet may be attached to the lower surface of base 422 to prevent damage to the floor surface and to prevent slipping on the floor surface.

[0051] As shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the pillar portion 42 pivots relative to the grip portion 41 between an unfolded position (first position; Figure 8(a)) and a stored position (second position; Figure 8(b)). In the unfolded position, the support pillar 421 extends vertically downward from the grip portion 41, and the base portion 422 is parallel to the floor surface. In the stored position, the support pillar 421 extends rearward from the grip portion 41, and the support pillar 421 is parallel to the floor surface. Note that the stored position of the pillar portion 42 is not limited to this, and may be any position different from the unfolded position.

[0052] The lifting device 40 of this embodiment has a biasing mechanism BS including a first pin P1 provided on the lower block 41b of the gripping part 41, a second pin P2 provided on the support column 421 of the column part 42, and a coil spring CS with one end connected to the first pin P1 and the other end connected to the second pin P2. Therefore, the column part 42 in the deployed position and the stored position is biased in a direction to maintain the current position by the tensile force of the coil spring CS. In addition, a part of the gripping part 41 and a part of the column part 42 may be slidably abutted against each other so that the load of the bed BD is transmitted from the gripping part 41 to the column part 42 without passing through the pivot axis ax. This can increase the load capacity of the lifting device 40.

[0053] [Lifting and lowering operation of the upper mechanism 20] In the bed BD having the above-described structure, the upper mechanism 20 and the bed plate BP are raised and lowered as follows.

[0054] When the upper mechanism 20 is in the lowered position (the lowest position that the upper mechanism 20 can take; FIG. 1(a)), most of the rod 332 of the actuator 33 is housed inside the cylinder 331. When the actuator 33 is driven in this state, the rod 332 is pushed out from the cylinder 331, and the rod 322 pushes the actuator connecting beam 314 of the inner arm portion 31 diagonally upward. In this embodiment, the actuator 33 is driven electrically.

[0055] As a result, the pair of inner arms 313 rotate around the lower shaft 311 supported by the fixed brackets 131, 132 of the lower mechanism 10, and the upper shaft 312 sliding within the sliding brackets 221, 222 of the upper mechanism 20 pushes the sliding brackets 221, 222 upward.

[0056] At the same time, a pair of outer arms 323 pivotally connected to the pair of inner arms 313 rotate about an upper shaft 322 supported by the fixed brackets 231, 232 of the upper mechanism 20, and the lower shaft 321 sliding within the sliding brackets 121, 122 of the lower mechanism 10 pushes the sliding brackets 121, 122 downward. Accordingly, the upper shaft 322 pushes the fixed brackets 231, 232 of the upper mechanism 20 upward.

[0057] In this manner, as the rod 332 is pushed out by the cylinder 331, the pair of inner arms 313 and the pair of outer arms 323 pivot, and the upper mechanism 20 rises. When the rod 332 is fully pushed out, the upper mechanism 20 reaches the raised position (the highest position that the upper mechanism 20 can assume; FIG. 1(b)). Conversely, as the rod 332 is accommodated in the cylinder 331, the upper mechanism 20 descends.

[0058] [Bed BD lifting motion] The lower mechanism 10 (more specifically, the casters 15) of the bed BD is lifted from the floor surface F (installation surface) using the lifting device 40 as follows. Specifically, the lower mechanism 10 is lifted in order to install a load detector, a vibration reduction member (rubber sheet, etc.), a member for preventing damage to the floor surface, etc., under the casters 15.

[0059] A worker who wishes to lift the casters 15 of the bed BD first operates the lifting mechanism 30 of the bed BD to move the upper mechanism 20 to the raised position, and then moves the pillars 42 of the lifting device 40 from the stored position to the deployed position (FIG. 9(a)). The worker then operates the lifting mechanism 30 of the bed BD to move the upper mechanism 20 to the lowered position.

[0060] In the process in which the upper mechanism 20 moves to the lowered position, the base 422 abuts against the floor surface F before the upper mechanism 20 reaches the lowered position. If the lowering operation continues thereafter, the upper end of the support pillar 421 presses the pivot axis AX upward, and the base 422 abuts against the floor surface F and presses the floor surface F downward, thereby lifting the lower mechanism 10 upward.

[0061] As a result, the caster 15 is lifted from the floor surface F (FIG. 9(b)). In this state, the worker installs desired components, such as a load detector or other desired equipment, a vibration reduction component, a component for preventing damage to the floor surface, and the like, under the caster 15.

[0062] After installation, the worker moves the upper mechanism 10 to the raised position again, and moves the lifting device 40 to the stored position. Through the above steps, the installation of the load detector and the like under the casters 15 is completed.

[0063] Here, the amount by which the lifting device 40 lifts the lower mechanism 10 of the bed BD will be explained. H (In this embodiment, the center C of the pivot axis AX AX (equal to the distance between the center of the pivot axis AX and the bottom surface of the base 422 of the column 42 in the deployed position) is D1, and C is the center of the pivot axis AX when the upper mechanism 20 is in the lowered position. AX and the lower end of the caster 15 is D2, and the maximum lift amount by which the lifting device 40 lifts the lower mechanism 10 of the bed BD is α, the following equation holds true. (Formula 1) D1-D2=α

[0064] The value of the maximum lift amount α is arbitrary, but in this embodiment, for example, it may be 0 [mm] < α ≦ 60 [mm], 15 [mm] ≦ α ≦ 60 [mm], or 30 [mm] ≦ α ≦ 60 [mm]. Alternatively, the upper limit of the maximum lift amount α is not limited to 60 [mm], and may be 70 [mm], 80 [mm], etc. When the legs of the bed are raised by 60 [mm], a sufficient gap can be secured between the legs of the bed and components such as a commercially available load detector, vibration reduction components, and components for preventing damage to the floor surface, making the installation work easier.

[0065] The advantageous effects of the bed BD of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0066] The bed BD of this embodiment has a lifting mechanism 30 and a lifting device 40. Therefore, by using the operation of the lifting mechanism 30 to push the bed BD upward with the lifting device 40, the casters 15 can be easily lifted from the floor surface F. In addition, any device, member, etc., such as a load detector, a vibration reduction member, a member for preventing damage to the floor surface, etc., can be easily arranged between the casters 15 and the floor surface F. In this way, the fact that the casters 15 can be easily lifted is particularly advantageous in a heavy bed such as the bed BD equipped with the lifting mechanism 30.

[0067] In the bed BD of the present embodiment, the casters 15 are lifted by the lifting device 40, so that unintentional descent of the casters 15 can be prevented, and thus damage to the floor surface, equipment such as a load detector, etc. can be prevented.

[0068] In the bed BD of this embodiment, the casters 15 are lifted by the lifting device 40, so even if the load detector to be placed does not have a slope for placing the caster 15 on the load detector, the load detector can be easily placed under the caster 15. Since a load detector without a slope has a relatively small dimension in a plan view, the fact that such a load detector can be easily placed under the caster 15 is particularly advantageous when the space around the bed is limited.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the lifting device 40 is separate from the devices, members, etc. to be placed, the same lifting device 40 can be used to place any devices, members, etc.

[0070] The lifting device 40 provided in the bed BD of this embodiment uses the lifting mechanism 30 of the bed BD to lift the casters 15 from the floor surface without the lifting device 40 itself having a power source. Therefore, the lifting device 40 and the bed BD do not require a dedicated drive source for lifting the casters 15, and the configuration is simple.

[0071] <Modification> In the above embodiment, the following variations can also be used.

[0072] In the above embodiment, a single lifting device 40 is provided in the center of the pivot axis AX of the bed BD in the left-right direction, but this is not limited to this. The mounting position of the lifting device 40 in the bed BD and the number of lifting devices 40 provided in the bed BD are arbitrary. Note that by setting the mounting position of the lifting device 40 in the bed BD to a position that does not move in the in-plane direction (horizontal direction) of the floor surface F when the floor board BP is raised and lowered, the lifting of the lower mechanism 10 by the lifting device 40 can be performed more stably. Also, the closer the mounting position of the lifting device 40 in the bed BD is to the floor surface F, the shorter the support column 421 of the lifting device 40 can be, and therefore the smaller the lifting device 40 can be.

[0073] Specifically, for example, two lifting devices 40 may be provided along the pivot axis AX. In this case, for example, one lifting device 40 may be provided near the left end and one near the right end of the pivot axis AX. Alternatively, three lifting devices 40 may be provided along the pivot axis AX. In this case, for example, one lifting device 40 may be provided near the left end, one near the right end, and one in the center of the left and right of the pivot axis AX.

[0074] 10(a) and 10(b), the lifting device 40 may be provided on the inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323 of the lifting mechanism 30 of the bed BD. In this case, for example, one lifting device 40 may be provided on each of the four arms (i.e., the inner arms 313 on both the left and right sides and the outer arms 323 on both the left and right sides). The dimension D1 of the lifting device 40 used in this embodiment may be smaller than the dimension D1 of the lifting device 40 in the above embodiment.

[0075] When the lifting device 40 is provided on the inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323, the caster 15 can be lifted from the floor surface F by the lowering operation of the lifting mechanism 30, similar to the case where the lifting device 40 is provided on the pivot axis AX. Note that the inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323 rotate as the floor board BP rises and falls, and the angle of the base 422 with respect to the floor surface F also changes. Therefore, the lifting device 40 may be attached to the inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323 so that the base 422 and the floor surface F are parallel when the lifting device 40 has raised the lower mechanism 10 to the maximum lifting height α. Alternatively, the base 422 may be omitted.

[0076] 11(a) and 11(b), the lifting device 40 may be provided on the upper mechanism 20 of the bed BD. In this case, for example, a beam 215 extending in the left-right direction may be added to the upper frame 21, and the lifting device 40 may be provided on the beam 215. The dimension D1 of the lifting device 40 used in this embodiment may be larger than the dimension D1 of the lifting device 40 in the above embodiment.

[0077] When the lifting device 40 is provided on the upper frame 21, the casters 15 can be lifted from the floor surface F by the lowering action of the lifting mechanism 30, similar to the case where the lifting device 40 is provided on the pivot axis AX.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the lifting mechanism 30 of the bed BD is a mechanism including a pair of pantograph arm mechanisms in which two arms are connected in an X-shape, but is not limited to this. For example, the lifting mechanism 30 may include a parallel link mechanism instead of the pantograph arm mechanism.

[0079] The lifting mechanism 30 equipped with a parallel link mechanism includes, for example, four link mechanisms 70 shown in Fig. 12(a) and Fig. 12(b). In a plan view of the bed BD, one link mechanism 70 is provided on each of the right and left sides of the head side and the right and left sides of the leg side.

[0080] Each of the link mechanisms 70 includes a first support portion 71 connected to the lower mechanism 10, a second support portion 72 connected to the upper mechanism 20, and an arm 73 pivotally connected to the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72. The first support portion 71 and the lower end of the arm 73 are pivotally connected by a pivot pin 74, and the second support portion 72 and the upper end of the arm 73 are pivotally connected by a pivot shaft 75. One pivot shaft 75 is provided across a pair of link mechanisms 70 arranged side by side. That is, one pivot shaft 75 pivotally connects the second support portion 72 and the arm 73 of the right link mechanism 70 near the right end, and pivotally connects the second support portion 72 and the arm 73 of the left link mechanism 70 near the left end.

[0081] Specifically, the lifting device 40 is attached, for example, at the left-right center of a pivot shaft 75 that spans a pair of link mechanisms 70 attached to the left and right sides of the head side.

[0082] When the lifting device 30 includes a parallel link mechanism, the casters 15 can be lifted from the floor surface F by the lowering action of the lifting device 30, similar to the case where the lifting device 30 includes a pantograph arm mechanism.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the lifting mechanism 30 of the bed BD is a mechanism that moves the bed plate BP (upper mechanism 20) up and down while keeping the bed plate BP parallel to the floor surface F, but is not limited to this. The lifting mechanism 30 may be a reclining mechanism that tilts the head side part BP1 of the bed plate BP relative to the foot side part BP2 of the bed plate BP, as shown in Figures 13(a) and 13(b). In the present invention, the "lifting mechanism" includes a "reclining mechanism." In the reclining mechanism, the operation of increasing the inclination of the head side part BP1 with respect to the horizontal plane is the lifting of the bed plate, and the operation of decreasing the inclination of the head side part BP1 with respect to the horizontal plane is the lowering of the bed plate.

[0084] As a reclining mechanism, for example, a mechanism is known in which an actuator (which may have a structure similar to that of the actuator 33 in the embodiment) provided between the lower mechanism 10 and the floor plate BP1 presses the floor plate BP1 to tilt the floor plate BP1. Alternatively, a mechanism is also known in which an arm connected to the lower mechanism 10 in a manner that allows it to pivot about an axis extending horizontally in the lateral direction is pivoted by an actuator (which may have a structure similar to that of the actuator 33 in the embodiment) provided in the lower mechanism 10, and the arm presses the floor plate BP1 to tilt the floor plate BP1.

[0085] When the lifting mechanism 30 is a reclining mechanism, the lifting device 40 may be attached to a beam (not shown) provided on the floor plate BP1 (or the upper mechanism 20 supporting it), for example. As shown in Figs. 13(a) and 13(b), when the lifting device 30 is a reclining mechanism, the casters 15 can be lifted from the floor surface F by the lowering operation of the lifting mechanism 30, as in the above embodiment. The angle of the base 422 with respect to the floor surface F also changes with the reclining operation of the floor plate BP1. Therefore, the lifting device 40 may be attached to the floor plate BP1 and the upper mechanism 20 so that the base 422 and the floor surface F are parallel when the lifting device 40 lifts the lower mechanism 10 to the maximum lifting height α. Alternatively, the base 422 may be omitted.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the lifting device 40 is configured to lift the lower mechanism 20 from the floor surface F while the lifting mechanism 30 lowers the upper mechanism 20, but is not limited to this. Instead of the lifting device 40, a lifting device 50 configured to lift the lower mechanism 20 from the floor surface F while the lifting mechanism 30 raises the upper mechanism 20 may be used.

[0087] For example, as shown in Fig. 14(a), the lifting device 50 is attached to the lower end of the inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323 of the lifting mechanism 30. Fig. 14(a) shows a state in which one lifting device 50 in the deployed position is attached to the lower end of each of the four arms (i.e., the inner arms 313 on both the left and right sides and the outer arms 323 on both the left and right sides) (only the lifting device 50 on the right side is depicted in the figure).

[0088] The lifting device 50 has a gripping part 51 (fixing part) that grips the inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323, and a pillar part (support part) 52 connected to the gripping part 51. The gripping part 51 may have any structure that can fix the lifting device 50 to the inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323. Specifically, for example, like the gripping part 41, it may have a structure in which the inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323 are sandwiched and fixed by separate blocks.

[0089] The pillar 52 may be, for example, a pillar that telescopically extends from the grip 51. In this case, the pillar 52 is displaced between a contracted storage position (second position) and an extended deployment position (first position). The pillar 52 in the deployed position extends parallel to the inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323. Alternatively, the pillar 52 may be a pillar that pivots with respect to the grip 51. In this case, the pillar 52 pivots, for example, between a storage position (second position) in which the pillar 52 extends horizontally from the grip 51 and a deployment position (first position) in which the pillar 52 extends from the grip 51 parallel to the inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323. The pivoting of the pillar 52 in the deployed position may be restricted by a locking mechanism (not shown).

[0090] An operator who intends to lift the casters 15 of the bed BD using the lifting device 50 first operates the lifting mechanism 30 of the bed BD to move the upper mechanism 20 to the lowered position, and then moves the pillars 52 of the lifting device 50 to the deployed position (FIG. 14(a)). The operator then operates the lifting mechanism 30 of the bed BD to move the upper mechanism 20 to the raised position.

[0091] In the process of the upper mechanism 20 moving to the raised position, the inner arm 313 and the outer arm 323 pivot, and the lower end of the pillar 52 of the lifting device 50 abuts against the floor surface F. If the upward movement continues thereafter, the lower end of the pillar 52 presses the floor surface F downward, thereby lifting the lower mechanism 10 upward (FIG. 14(b)).

[0092] In the above embodiment and modified example, the four casters 15 are simultaneously lifted from the floor surface F, but the present invention is not limited to this. The lifting devices 40, 50 may be provided to lift any one of the four casters 15.

[0093] In the lifting devices 40, 50 of the above embodiment and modified examples, the gripping parts 41, 51 may have any structure capable of fixing the lifting devices 40, 50 to the bed BD. Specifically, for example, they may be clamps that clamp the beams or the like of the bed BD. Alternatively, they may be abutting parts that are bolted to bolt holes provided in the beams or the like of the bed BD.

[0094] In the lifting device 40 of the above embodiment and modified example, the pillar portion 42 may have any configuration capable of lifting the lower mechanism 20 in response to the lowering operation of the lifting mechanism 30.

[0095] Specifically, for example, the pillar 42 may have a locking mechanism that restricts pivoting of the pillar 42 in the deployed position. Also, the pillar 42 may have a plate-shaped support plate instead of the rod-shaped support column 421. In this case, the support plate in the deployed position may be disposed in a plane extending in the up-down and lateral directions, and the support plate in the stored position may be disposed in a plane extending in the front-rear and lateral directions (i.e., in a horizontal plane). The pillar 42 does not need to have a base 422.

[0096] The lifting devices 40, 50 of the above embodiment and modified examples are configured to manually move the pillars 42, 52 between the deployed position and the stored position, but are not limited to this. The lifting devices 40, 50 may be configured to electrically move the pillars 42, 52 between the deployed position and the stored position.

[0097] The lifting devices 40, 50 of the above embodiment and modified examples may be configured to remotely control the displacement of the pillars 42, 52 between the deployed position and the stored position. Specifically, for example, the lifting devices 40, 50 may be provided with an electric drive mechanism for moving the pillars 42, 52, which may be remotely controlled by a remote control or the like via wire or wireless. Alternatively, the lifting devices 40, 50 may be provided with a mechanical drive mechanism for moving the pillars 42, 52, and a lever may be provided on the lower frame 10, for example, and the lever and the drive mechanism may be connected by a link mechanism so that the pillars 42, 52 are moved by operating the lever.

[0098] In the above embodiment and modified example, the lifting devices 40, 50 are fixed to the bed BD, but this is not limited thereto. The lifting devices 40, 50 may be detachable from the bed BD. The lifting devices 40, 50 that are detachable from the bed BD are also examples of the lifting devices of the present invention.

[0099] The lifting device 40 may be configured to have an engagement portion that engages with the bed BD instead of the gripping portion 41. The engagement portion can be obtained, for example, by omitting the upper block 41a of the gripping portion 41. The lower mechanism 10 can be lifted by a mechanism similar to that of the above embodiment even when the lifting device 40 is not fixed to the bed BD but is used in a state in which it is detachably engaged with the bed BD. Alternatively, the engagement portion may have a rod-shaped portion and be configured to engage the lifting device 40 with the bed BD by inserting the rod-shaped portion into a hole provided in the bed BD.

[0100] In the present invention, the parts that fixally attach the lifting device to the bed BD, such as the gripping parts, are collectively referred to as the "fixing parts." The "fixing parts" and the "engagement parts" that detachably engage with the bed BD are collectively referred to as the "mounting parts." A lifting device that is fixedly attached to or detachably engaged with any bed having a lifting mechanism via the "mounting parts" is one aspect of the present invention.

[0101] The lifting device that is detachable from the bed BD may be configured such that the posts 42, 52 are fixed to the mounting parts (ie, do not move between the deployed position and the stored position).

[0102] The lifting devices 40, 50 are fixed and engaged with the bed BD by a vertical movement part that moves up and down when the bed plate BP is raised and lowered. The above-mentioned pivot shaft AX, inner arm 313, outer arm 323, upper frame 20, pivot shaft 75, etc. are examples of the vertical movement part.

[0103] The lifting devices 40, 50 may be mounted to lift at least one caster 15 rather than all of the casters 15.

[0104] In the above embodiment and modified examples, the bed BD has casters 15, but this is not limited to this. The bed BD does not have to have casters.

[0105] In the above embodiment and modified examples, the lifting mechanism 30 of the bed BD is of an electric type, but is not limited to this. The lifting mechanism 30 of the bed BD may be of a manual type.

[0106] As long as the characteristics of the present invention are maintained, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and other forms conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 10 lower mechanism; 11 lower frame; 15 castors: 20 upper mechanism; 30 lifting mechanism; 40, 50 lifting device BD; 41, 51 gripping part; 42, 52 pillar part; BD bed; BP bed plate

Claims

1. A lifting device for lifting a leg of a bed from a surface on which the bed is placed, The bed has a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the bed plate relative to the legs, The lifting device is a mounting portion attached to a vertically moving portion that is a portion of the bed and that moves in the vertical direction when the lifting mechanism lifts and lowers the bed plate; a support portion extending from the mounting portion, When the vertically moving part moves in accordance with the raising and lowering operation of the floorboard, the support part abuts against the installation surface to lift the leg part from the installation surface.

2. The lifting device according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is a fixed portion that is fixed to the vertically moving portion.

3. the support portion is displaceable between a first position and a second position relative to the fixed portion; The lifting device according to claim 2 , wherein, when the fixing portion is fixed to the bed, the first position is a position where the support portion abuts against the installation surface as the bed plate is raised or lowered.

4. 4. The lifting device according to claim 3, wherein the support is configured to be remotely controlled to move between the first position and the second position.

5. A lifting device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the vertical moving part descends in conjunction with the lowering operation of the floorboard, the support part abuts against the installation surface to lift the leg part from the installation surface.

6. The legs and Floorboards and a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the floorboard relative to the legs; A bed comprising: a lifting device; The lifting device is a mounting portion attached to a vertically moving portion that is a part of the bed and that moves in the vertical direction when the lifting mechanism lifts and lowers the bed plate; a support portion extending from the mounting portion, When the vertically moving part moves in accordance with the raising and lowering operation of the bed plate, the support part abuts against the installation surface on which the bed is installed, thereby lifting the legs from the installation surface.

7. The bed according to claim 6, wherein the attachment portion is a fixed portion fixed to the vertically moving portion.

8. the support portion is displaceable between a first position and a second position relative to the fixed portion; The bed according to claim 7 , wherein the first position is a position where the support portion abuts against the installation surface as the bed plate is raised or lowered.

9. The bed according to claim 8, wherein the support portion is configured to be remotely controlled to move between the first position and the second position.

10. A bed as described in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein when the up-and-down moving part descends in conjunction with the lowering operation of the bed plate, the support part abuts the installation surface and lifts the leg part from the installation surface.

11. The bed according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the maximum lift amount of the leg by the lifting device is greater than 0 [mm] and equal to or less than 60 [mm].

12. The bed according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the vertical movement portion is a portion that does not move in the in-plane direction of the installation surface when the lifting mechanism raises and lowers the bed plate.

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