Patient transfer frame and patient transfer device

Abstract

A frame (2) for a patient transfer device (1) having wheels (3a to 3d) and a braking system (5). The frame (2) includes a front portion (6), a rear portion (7), a first side portion (8) and a second side portion (9), the wheels (3a to 3d) are arranged on the frame (2), and the braking system (5) comprises an actuator (11) configured to cooperate with braking devices (14a to 14d) configured to apply a braking operation to the wheels (3a to 3d).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame for a patient transfer device and a patient transfer device. In particular, the present invention relates to a wheeled patient transfer device provided with a braking system for braking wheels.

Background Art

[0002] Wheeled patient transfer devices are commonly used to assist and support people who arrange for the movement or transfer of a patient from one location to another. Examples of patient transfer devices include wheeled chairs, wheeled beds, and other types of wheeled transfer devices. What is common to all of these devices is that they are wheeled. In order to avoid accidents and facilitate the use of wheeled patient transfer devices (for example, at the moment when a patient gets on the patient transfer device), the transfer device is equipped with some braking device that brakes the wheels to prevent the movement of the patient transfer device.

[0003] As an example of a braking device for a wheeled patient transfer device, there is one in which a braking device is provided for each wheel. When applying the brakes, the user walks around the wheeled patient transfer device and sets the braking device of each wheel to the braking position. The disadvantage of such a device is that it takes time to set the wheeled patient transfer device to the braking position. Also, if the user does not set all the wheels to the braking position, there is a risk that the patient transfer device will move.

[0004] As another example of a braking device for a wheeled patient transfer device, there is one that arranges the wheels to the braking position via a mechanical mechanism such as a handle arranged on the frame portion of the wheeled patient transfer device. An example of such a device is shown in US6860495B2. The disadvantage of such a device is that the braking device for each wheel includes a structure consisting of a number of individual parts connected to each other so as to function when braked or released by a handle. Such a structure consisting of a number of parts has a high manufacturing cost, is difficult to assemble, and is also difficult to monitor for wear due to its many parts.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a frame for a patient transfer device and a patient transfer device, which are provided with wheels and a braking system, and can brake or release all wheels simultaneously by a braking operation or a release operation. A further object of the present invention is to provide a frame with fewer internal parts that is easier to assemble and maintain than those of the prior art.

[0006] Those objects are achieved by the frame for a patient transfer device according to claim 1 and the patient transfer device according to claim 18.

[0007] The present invention will be described as including a frame for a patient transfer device having wheels and a braking system. The frame includes a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion. Wheels are arranged on the frame. Further, the braking system includes an actuator configured to cooperate with a first link element. The first link element includes a first end portion and a second end portion, and the first link element cooperates with a braking device configured to apply a brake to the wheels. Further, the first end portion of the first link element is arranged to cooperate with a first braking device configured to apply a brake to the first wheel, and the second end portion of the first link element is arranged to cooperate with a second braking device configured to apply a brake to the second wheel. As a result, the link element is composed of only a single element that cooperates with two wheels, and there is no joint along the link element that may cause wear and friction between two adjacent elements.

[0008] The actuator in this specification refers to a motor that is responsible for the movement and control of a mechanism or system, such as an electric motor.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the braking system comprises a second link element. Further, the first end of the second link element is arranged to cooperate with a third braking device configured to apply a brake to a third wheel, and the second end of the second link element is arranged to cooperate with a fourth braking device configured to apply a brake to a fourth wheel. The effect of the second link element is that all the wheels can be configured to cooperate with the braking system and all the wheels can be monitored to be in either a braking mode or a release mode.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the first link element and the second link element each include respective first and second cooperation regions between their respective first ends and second ends, and are each arranged to cooperate with an actuator. The cooperation regions are arranged substantially centrally along the extending direction of the link elements. The effect thereof is that the cooperation regions cooperate with the actuator.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the actuator is arranged together with a base element, and the base element is arranged at the front part of the frame. The effect of the base element is to firmly hold and fix the actuator in a fixed position relative to the frame.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the base element is provided with a first guide element and a second guide element for guiding the cooperation regions of the first link element and the second link element for cooperation with the actuator. The effect of the guide elements is to guide the link elements so that the cooperation regions of the link elements from the guide elements can cooperate with the actuator.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the base element comprises first and second slots in the immediate vicinity of the first and second guide elements respectively. The effect of each of the first and second slots is that although tension may occur in the material of the base element during use, the slots reduce the possibility of the occurrence of tension spots. Tension spots occurring in the material during use can cause weakening and cracking, risking damage to the base element. Further, since the slots are part of the base element, they also have the effect of facilitating the manufacture of the guide elements. During manufacture, the guide elements are bent from the plane of the base element to a position perpendicular to the base element.

[0014] According to one embodiment, each of the first and second guide elements is arranged along respective first and second side edges of the base element, is arranged perpendicular to the base element, and is angled with respect to the direction in which the respective side edge extends. The effect of arranging the guide elements in this way is that each link can be guided towards the center of the base element by respective cooperation and can cooperate evenly with the actuator. By this even cooperation, it becomes possible to operate the first and second links simultaneously with respect to each braking device, thereby making it possible to position all wheels either in the braking position or in the release position.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the first guide element is arranged at a distance closer to the front part of the frame compared to the second guide element. Further, the actuator is provided together with a rotating member and cooperates with the first and second link elements. The actuator comprises a shaft on which the rotating member is arranged. The shaft is arranged at a distance from the front part, and this distance is arranged in the longitudinal direction with respect to the front part, between the respective distances of the respective guide elements. Thus, due to the effect that the guide elements are arranged at different distances from the front part, it becomes possible to guide and direct the respective cooperation regions of the respective link elements towards the respective ends of the rotating member for cooperation.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the rotating member includes a first groove element and a second groove element. Further, the groove element is a groove wheel. The groove elements on the rotating member can be arranged to pivot or rotate. As an effect, the groove elements guide the cooperation region from one guide element to another guide element. A further effect due to the groove element being a groove wheel that is rotatable and arranged with the rotating member is that wear between the cooperation region and the groove wheel is limited as compared to the case where the cooperation region slides around a fixed element on the rotating member.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the link element has a U-shaped portion extending around the groove wheel and through two guide holes of the guide element, and the two extending portions of the link element intersect with each other at portions extending from the two guide holes of the guide element toward their respective braking devices. The effect of the link element being formed in a U-shape around the groove wheel and cooperating with the rotating member is that the link element can be configured as a single element without joints. A further effect of the U-shape is that assembly and maintenance are simple and easy. The effect of intersecting the link elements with each other is that the curvature of the link elements can be increased, thereby reducing friction in the link elements during operation. However, in a configuration where the patient transfer device is a large model, the radius of the link element becomes sufficiently large and there is no need to intersect the link elements.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the link element is a wire. The effect of the wire is that it is flexible and durable. The wire is arranged inside the flexible pipe element with its extending portion, whereby an effect of maintaining a certain rigidity and stability in guiding the wire is obtained. Since the wire extends along a part of the frame, through the guide element, and around the groove wheel, the wire is guided and arranged between the two braking devices, and the aforementioned rigidity and stability help to maintain the wire in a fixed position along the frame. Another effect of the link being a wire is that even in a situation where the actuator fails to function, the user can grasp the wire by hand and pull the wire to place the wheel in the release position.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the rotating member is configured to be positioned between a braking position and a release position, and a change in position from the braking position to the release position, or a change in position from the release position to the braking position, is an operation of the rotating member, which simultaneously affects all the braking devices. The effect of simultaneously operating, braking, or releasing all the braking devices, and thus each wheel, is that the patient transfer device can be immediately stopped and immediately released to continue moving. This can be important when sudden braking is required, for example, when moving downhill. By braking all the wheels simultaneously, rotation of the patient transfer device that may occur, for example, when only two wheels are in the braking position, can be prevented. In a hospital environment, for example, when cleaning the floor, the floor of the room is often inclined towards the floor drain to facilitate the flow of liquid or water in one direction. Such rooms may be, for example, shower rooms or bathrooms. In such rooms, patients may need to move from the current patient transfer device or chair to another patient transfer device, such as a bathroom chair. Such movement is generally performed laterally between the chairs. During such movement, it is very important that both chairs are stable with respect to the floor and that all the wheels are arranged in the braking position so that the chairs do not move during the movement.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the braking system includes a control unit that is disposed at a position away from the actuator and configured to communicate with the actuator. Further, the control unit includes a transmitter and is configured to wirelessly communicate with a receiver disposed on the actuator. The effect of the control unit is that a person can hold the control unit while assisting a person to, for example, sit or lift a patient, and can apply or release the brakes of the wheels remotely according to the situation. The control unit can communicate with the actuator via wired or wireless communication. The effect of wireless communication is that the user can easily move the patient transport device while controlling the braking operation and release of the wheels of the patient transport device.

[0021] As described above, the present invention is also described as relating to a patient transport device having a frame with the above-described features.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] FIG. 1 is a view of the patient transfer assembly 1 or device as seen from one side 9. The patient transfer assembly 1 includes a frame 2. As shown in FIG. 2, wheels 3a, 3b and wheels 3c, 3d are provided on the frame 2. The patient transfer assembly 1 further includes a patient base 4, and this patient base is arranged on the frame 2 via means 10. The means 10 may be a sub-frame connected to the frame 2. Further, the means 10 holds the patient base 4. In this example, the patient base 4 is a chair. It should be understood that the patient base 4 may be, for example, a bed for the patient to lie on. Another example of the patient base 4 includes an assembly combining a seat and a bed. The patient transfer device 1 is provided with a control unit 29. The control unit 29 is configured to communicate with the braking system 5 of the patient transfer device 1. The control unit 29 is a portable remote control unit that can be carried by the user during the operation of the patient transfer device 1. The control unit 29 is provided with a connection element and can be arranged on the patient transfer device 1, especially when not in use. The control unit 29 is configured to communicate with the braking system 5 via a cable or via a wireless communication technology (not shown).

[0024] Figure 2 shows the frame 2 as viewed from above. The means 10 and the patient base 4 are not shown in Figure 2. The frame 2 includes a front end 6 and a rear end 7 that are parallel to each other. Further, the frame 2 includes a first side portion 8 and a second side portion 9 that are arranged parallel to each other. In one embodiment, the front end 6, the rear end 7, the first side portion 8, and the second side portion 9 form a square having four corners. The frame 2 includes a first leg 31a, a second leg 31b, a third leg 31c, and a fourth leg 31d. The first leg 31a is connected to the corner region where the rear end 7 of the frame 2 and the first side portion 8 intersect. The second leg 31b is connected to the corner region where the front end 6 of the frame and the first side portion 8 intersect. The third leg 31c is connected to the corner region where the rear end 7 of the frame 2 and the second side portion intersect. The fourth leg 31d is connected to the corner region where the front end 6 of the frame 2 and the second side portion 9 intersect. Each free end of the legs 31a - d that is not directly connected to the frame 2 is provided with a brake device 14a - d and a wheel 3a - d, respectively. The first leg 31a and the third leg 31c are of the same length. The second leg 31b and the fourth leg 31d are of the same length. In one embodiment, the first leg 31a and the third leg 31b are shorter than the second leg 31b and the fourth leg 31d, respectively. Alternatively, the legs can have different lengths from each other.

[0025] The braking system 5 includes an actuator 11. In one embodiment, the actuator 11 is a motor such as an electric motor, for example. The actuator 11 is disposed inside a square of the frame 2 defined by a front end 6, a rear end 7, a first side portion 8, and a second side portion 9. The actuator is provided together with a base element 18. The base element 18 includes a front edge 36 disposed on the front side, and this front edge is disposed in contact with the inside of the front end 6 of the frame 2. The actuator 11 includes a shaft 32 passing through the base element 18. The shaft 32 is disposed within the frame in a region defined by the front end 6, the rear end 7, the first side portion 8, and the second side portion 9, and is disposed within the frame 2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the shaft 32 is disposed toward the central portion of the front end 6. The shaft can also be disposed at other positions within the region defined by the front end 6, the rear end 7, the first side portion 8, and the second side portion 9. The effect of disposing the shaft 32 between the front end 6, the rear end 7, the first side portion 8, and the second side portion 9 is to be shielded and protected from external elements and forces that may accidentally approach the shaft 32 during use of the patient transfer device 1.

[0026] The first link element 12 is a wire and has a first end 13a and a second end 13b. The second link element 15 is a wire and has a first end 13c and a second end 13d. With respect to the first link element 12, the first end 13a is disposed in a first braking device 14a configured to apply a braking or releasing operation to the first wheel 3a. With respect to the first link element, the second end 13b is disposed in a second braking device 14b configured to apply a braking or releasing operation to the second wheel 3b. With respect to the second link element 15, the first end 13a of the second link element 15 is disposed in a third braking device 14c configured to apply a braking or releasing operation to the third wheel 3c. The second end 13d of the second link element 15 is disposed in a fourth braking device 14d configured to apply a braking or releasing operation to the fourth wheel 3d. With respect to portions disposed substantially at the center on the first and second link elements 12, 15, the first and second link elements 12, 15 cooperate with the actuator 11 respectively. Each link element 12, 15 is disposed and connected to the frame 2 via a fixing element in a portion extending from the position of the actuator 11 toward each of the wheels 3a - d.

[0027] The link elements 12, 15 extending from the region of the actuator 11 to the respective braking devices 14a - b, 14c - d intersect with portions respectively extending toward the respective braking devices 14a - b, 14c - d at points within the square of the frame 2. As an effect of this, in the portions extending from the region of the actuator 11, the radius of curvature of the link elements 12, 15 becomes larger compared to the case where they do not intersect, and as a result, the wear of the link elements 12, 15 that bend within the square of the frame 2 becomes larger. In an alternative embodiment where the frame 2 is larger, there is an effect that more space is secured within the frame 2. This extra space within the frame 2, due to the size of the frame 2, may result in a further effect that the radius of the extending portions of the link elements 12, 15 becomes sufficiently large, eliminating the need to intersect the link elements 12, 15.

[0028] Figure 3 shows the frame 2 as viewed from the second side portion 9.

[0029] The legs 31c, 31d can have an inverted U-shaped cross section. The link elements 12, 15 may be arranged and attached inside the respective legs. Since the cross section of the legs is inverted U-shaped, the link elements 12, 15 are protected from above by the extending portions of the legs 31a - d. The end portions 13c, 13d of the link elements 12, 15 are connected to the respective brake devices 14c, 14d and cooperate with them. The actuator 11 is arranged within the square of the frame 2. The heights of the first side portion 8 and the second side portion 9 are set to substantially cover most of the actuator 11 arranged between the first side portion 8 and the second side portion 9 and protect it from any external elements.

[0030] Figures 4 and 5 are views of the actuator 11 as viewed from above. The actuator 11 is provided with a base element 18. The base element 18 includes a front edge 36, a first side edge 26, a second side edge 27, a short rear edge 37, and a long rear edge 38. The front edge 36 of the base element 18 is arranged in contact with and attached to the inside of the front end 6 of the frame 2 (not shown).

[0031] The actuator 11 includes a shaft 32 that penetrates the base element 18. A rotating member 19 is provided on the shaft 18. The shape of the rotating member 19 is oval. The rotating member 19 is arranged on the shaft 32 via a lock ring 33. At each end of the rotating member 19, a first groove element 20 which is a first groove wheel and a second groove element 21 which is a second groove wheel are arranged. The groove wheels 20, 21 are arranged to be rotatable together with the rotating member 19.

[0032] The base element 18 is provided with a first guide element 22, and this first guide element is arranged along the first side edge 26. The second guide element 23 is arranged along the second side edge 27. The guide elements 22, 23 are arranged perpendicular to the base element 18. The first guide element 22 is arranged at a distance closer to the front edge 36 compared to the second guide element 23. The first guide element 22 is angled with respect to the first side edge 26, and the surface of the first guide element 22 facing the axis 32 faces the front edge 36. The second guide element 23 is angled with respect to the second side edge 27, and the surface of the second guide element 23 facing the axis 32 faces the short rear edge 37 and the long rear edge 38. The guide elements 22, 23 are each provided with two guide holes 28. The guide holes 28 are arranged to position and fix the respective link elements 12, 15 extending from each connected pair of the brake devices 14a - 14d, whereby the respective first and second cooperation regions 16, 17 of the respective link elements 12, 15 form respective U - shapes in the portions extending around the respective first and second grooved wheels 20, 21 from the respective two guide holes 28. In the braking position A and the release position B, the first guide element 22 faces the first grooved wheel 20 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first guide element 22. At the same time, in the braking position A and the release position B, the second guide element 23 faces the first grooved wheel 21 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second guide element 23.

[0033] On the base element 18 along the first side edge 26, a first slot 24 is provided. The first slot 24 is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the first guide element 22 between the first guide element 22 and the long trailing edge 38. The second slot 25 is provided along the second side edge 27. The second slot 25 is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the second guide element 23 between the second guide element 23 and the leading edge 36. The slots 24, 25 facilitate the manufacture of the guide elements 22, 23 when bending or angling the guide elements from the plane of the base element 18. Further, the slots 24, 25 can reduce stress concentrations that may occur in the material of the base element 18 during use.

[0034] The first and second link elements 12, 15 are arranged together with a wire spring 39 in their respective arrangements with the guide holes 28 of the first and second guide elements 22, 23. The link elements 12, 15 are wires disposed within a tube made of a flexible material, extending from their respective braking devices to the guide elements 22, 23. The wire spring 39 ensures that the tube is pushed towards the braking devices 14a - d so that the wire is operated within the tube.

[0035] During the operation of the braking system 5, the rotating member 19 is arranged at the braking position A shown in FIG. 4. At the braking position A, the rotating member 19 is arranged such that its end portion and the groove wheels 20, 21 are closer to the respective guide elements 22, 23 as compared to the case where the rotating member 19 is in the release position B (see FIG. 5). The braking system 5 is arranged such that its default position is the braking position A.

[0036] Above, the patient transfer device has been described mainly as being related to a chair. However, it should be understood that the principle described above for the braking system can also be applied to other types of patient transfer devices such as hospital beds.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 1 Patient transfer device 2 Frame 3a~d Wheels 3a First Wheel 3b Second Wheel 3c Third Wheel 3d Fourth Wheel 4 Patient Base 5 Brake System 6 Front End 7 Rear End 8 First Side 9 Second Side 10 Means 11 Actuator 12 First Link Element 13a~d Ends 13a, c First End 13b, d Second End 14a~d Brake Devices 14a First Brake Device 14b Second Brake Device 14c Third Brake Device 14d Fourth Brake Device 15 Second Link Element 16 First Collaboration Region 17 Second Collaboration Region 18 Base Element 19 Rotating Member 20 First Groove Element 21 Second Groove Element 22 First Guide Element 23 Second Guide Element 24 First Slot 25 Second Slot 26 First Side Edge 27 Second Side Edge 28 Guide Hole 29 Control Unit 31a First Leg 31b Second Leg 31c Third Leg 31d Fourth Leg 32 Axis 33 Lock Ring 36 Front Edge 37 Short Rear Edge 38 Long trailing edge 39 Wire spring A Braking position B Release position

Claims

1. A frame (2) for a patient transport device (1) having wheels (3a - 3d) and a braking system (5), wherein the frame (2) includes a front part (6), a rear part (7), a first side part (8) and a second side part (9), wherein the wheels (3a - 3d) are arranged on the frame (2), wherein the braking system (5) comprises an actuator (11) configured to cooperate with braking devices (14a - 14d) configured to apply a braking action to the wheels (3a - 3d), wherein the braking system (5) includes a first link element (12), and a first end (13a) of the first link element (12) is arranged to cooperate with a first braking device (14a) configured to apply a braking action to a first wheel (3a), and a second end (13b) of the first link element (12) is arranged to cooperate with a second braking device (14b) configured to apply a braking action to a second wheel (3b). A frame characterized by this.

2. The frame (2) according to claim 1, wherein the braking system (5) comprises a second link element (15). A frame characterized by this.

3. The frame (2) according to claim 2, wherein a first end (13c) of the second link element (15) is arranged to cooperate with a third braking device (14c) configured to apply a braking action to a third wheel (3c), and a second end (13d) of the second link element (15) is arranged to cooperate with a fourth braking device (14d) configured to apply a braking action to a fourth wheel (3d). A frame characterized by this.

4. The frame (2) according to claim 3, wherein the first link element (12) and the second link element (15) each include respective first and second cooperation regions (16, 17) between the respective first ends (13a, 13c) and second ends (13b, 13d), and each is arranged to cooperate with the actuator (11). A frame characterized by this.

5. The frame (2) according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (11) is provided on a base element (18), and the base element (18) is arranged at the front part (6) of the frame (2). A frame characterized by this.

6. In the frame (2) according to claim 5, the base element (18) is provided with a first guide element (22) and a second guide element (23) for guiding the cooperation regions (16, 17) of the first link element (12) and the second link element (15) for cooperation with the actuator (11), a frame characterized by this.

7. In the frame (2) according to claim 6, each of the first and second guide elements (22, 23) is arranged along the respective first and second side edges (26, 27) of the base element, is arranged perpendicular to the base element (18), and is angled with respect to the direction in which the respective side edges (26, 27) extend, a frame characterized by this.

8. In the frame (2) according to claim 6 or 7, the first guide element (22) is arranged at a distance closer to the front part (6) of the frame (2) compared to the second guide element (23), a frame characterized by this.

9. In the frame (2) according to claim 5 or 6, the actuator (11) is provided together with a rotating member (19) and cooperates with the first and second link members (12, 15), a frame characterized by this.

10. In the frame (2) according to claim 9, the rotating member (19) comprises a first groove element (20) and a second groove element (21), a frame characterized by this.

11. In the frame (2) according to claim 10, the groove elements (21, 22) are groove wheels (21, 22), a frame characterized by this.

12. In the frame (2) according to claim 11, the link elements (12, 15) are U-shaped in the part extending around the groove wheels (21, 22) and through two guide holes (28) of the guide elements (22, 23), and in the part extending from the two guide holes (28) of the guide elements (22, 23) towards the respective brake devices (14a to 14d), the two extending parts of the link elements (12, 15) intersect each other, a frame characterized by this.

13. In the frame (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6, 9, 12, the link elements (12, 15) are wires (12, 15), a frame characterized by this.

14. In the frame (2) according to claim 9 or 10, the rotating member (19) is configured to be positioned between a braking position (A) and a release position (B), and a change in position from the braking position (A) to the release position (B) or a change in position from the release position (B) to the braking position (A) is an operation of the rotating member (19) and simultaneously affects all the braking devices (14a to 14d), a frame characterized by this.

15. In the frame (2) according to claim 1, the braking system (5) includes a control unit (29) arranged at a position away from the actuator (11), and the control (2) unit is configured to communicate with the actuator (11), a frame characterized by this.

16. In the frame (2) according to claim 15, the control unit (29) includes a transmitter and is configured to wirelessly communicate with a receiver provided in the actuator (11), a frame characterized by this.

17. A patient transfer device (1) comprising the frame (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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