Transfer assistance sheet

Abstract

To provide a transfer assistance sheet suitable for improving the strength of a handle portion. [Solution] The transfer assistance sheet 10 comprises a sheet body 12 made of a non-elastic or low-elasticity material, and handles 14-20 for the caregiver to grasp. The handles 14-20 are configured as protruding parts that protrude laterally from the sheet body 12 at the upper and lower end sides of the sheet body 12. The sheet body 12 and the handles 14-20 are integrally formed from a single piece of fabric or from bonded pieces of fabric. The positions of the handles 14-20 on the upper and lower end sides are asymmetrical.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer assistance seat used when transferring a person being assisted, and in particular to a transfer assistance seat that is suitable for improving the strength of the handle portion. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, when transferring a care recipient from a bed to a wheelchair or other device in a care setting, a bath towel would be placed under the recipient's body and used to transfer the person. However, because bath towels are stretchy, they easily stretch and wrinkle when the caregiver pulls on them when placing them down or during the transfer process. These wrinkles and friction pose a risk of skin damage, such as skin tears, to the person being assisted.

[0003] To solve these problems and assist transfers, transfer assistance sheets with dedicated handles have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which multiple loop-shaped handles are provided on the side edges of a long mat body. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which ring-shaped handles are provided on the side edges of a strip-shaped sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6695605 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 5-506803 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the transfer assistance seats described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the handle (grip) is made from a separate material (for example, a belt or tape) formed into a loop and attached to the seat body by stitching. Therefore, when transferring, the large load caused by the weight of the person being assisted is concentrated at the stitched part between the handle and the seat body, which could cause the stitched part to fray or break during use.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention was made with a focus on the unresolved issues of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a transfer assistance seat that is suitable for improving the strength of the handle portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [Idea 1] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the transfer assistance seat of idea 1 comprises a seat body that is large enough to support at least the torso of the person being assisted and is made of a non-elastic or low-elasticity material, and a handle portion for the assistant to grasp, the handle portion being configured as a protrusion that protrudes laterally from the seat body at each of the upper and lower end sides of the seat body, and the seat body and the handle portion are integrally formed from a single piece of fabric or from bonded fabrics.

[0008] Here, "non-elastic or low-elasticity" refers to the property of not substantially stretching when subjected to a tensile load expected during transfer assistance (for example, a load generated when supporting the weight of a person being assisted), or of only slightly stretching to the extent that it does not stretch, deform, wrinkle, or reduce operability.

[0009] Furthermore, "integrally formed" refers to a state in which the sheet is formed from a single piece of fabric cut into a shape that includes the area of ​​the sheet body and the area of ​​the handle (projection), or a state in which the sheet is formed from a composite fabric in which multiple pieces of fabric are laminated and joined (for example, by gluing, sewing, quilting, etc.) to form an integrated piece, or a state in which not only is there continuity of the material, but the strength of the joined interface is equal to or greater than that of the base material.

[0010] Furthermore, "fabric" includes all materials that are flexible and can be processed into a sheet, such as woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, synthetic leather, resin sheets, films, etc. Examples of non-stretch or low-stretch materials include quilted fabrics, canvas, denim, and thick oxford fabrics.

[0011] The shape of the "projecting portion" may be any shape that is easy for the caregiver to grasp, such as a semicircular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, or a combination thereof.

[0012] [Idea 2] Furthermore, in the transfer assistance seat of idea 2, in the transfer assistance seat of idea 1, the distance between the handle portion on the upper end side and the upper end of the seat body is longer than the distance between the handle portion on the lower end side and the lower end of the seat body.

[0013] [Idea 3] Furthermore, the transfer assistance seat of idea 3 is the transfer assistance seat of idea 2, in which the upper end of the handle portion on the upper end side is located at a predetermined distance below the upper end of the seat body, and the lower end of the handle portion on the lower end side is located at a position that coincides with the lower end of the seat body.

[0014] [Invention 4] Furthermore, the transfer assistance seat of invention 4 is the transfer assistance seat of either invention 1 or 2, in which the seat body is made of quilted fabric. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As explained above, with the transfer assistance seat of Invention 1, the seat body and the handle are integrally formed, so the load during transfer is distributed over the entire transfer assistance seat, and the strength of the handle can be improved compared to conventional ones. In addition, because the seat body is made of a non-elastic or low-elasticity material, stretching, deformation, and wrinkles during transfer are suppressed, reducing the possibility of skin damage to the person being assisted.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the transfer assistance seat of Device 2, the handle positions on the upper and lower ends are asymmetrical, so that the seat can be supported in an appropriate position depending on the height and build of the person being assisted or the posture that is easiest for the assistant to operate.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the transfer assistance seat of Device 3, the handle portion on the upper end side is located at a distance from the upper end of the seat body, so that the person being assisted can be stably supported based on the neck or shoulders rather than the top of the head.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the transfer assistance sheet of Invention 4, the quilted fabric has moderate rigidity and flexibility, making it easy to lay under the body of the person being assisted, and preventing stretching, deformation, and wrinkles during transfer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view of a transfer assistance seat 10 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the transfer assistance sheet 10 in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below, with Figs. 1 and 2 showing the embodiment. 〔composition〕 First, the configuration of this embodiment will be described.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a top view of a transfer assistance seat 10 according to the present embodiment. 2 is a diagram showing the transfer assistance seat 10 in use. Fig. 2(a) is a top view, Fig. 2(b) is a side view, and Fig. 2(c) is a perspective view. In the following description, the side of the transfer assistance seat 10 that faces the head of the person being assisted in the longitudinal direction is referred to as the "upper end side," and the side that faces the feet of the person being assisted is referred to as the "lower end side."

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the transfer assistance sheet 10 is placed under the body of a person being assisted when transferring the person to a wheelchair or the like. The transfer assistance sheet 10 comprises a sheet body 12 and a plurality of handles 14, 16, 18, and 20 for the caregiver to grasp. Typically, as shown in Figure 2(b), the transfer assistance sheet 10 is used with a slide sheet 22 made of a slippery material placed further underneath.

[0023] The seat body 12 is sized to support at least the trunk of the person being assisted and has a generally rectangular shape. The seat body 12 is made of a non-elastic or low-elastic material. For example, quilted fabric can be used as the material for the seat body 12.

[0024] Quilted fabric is made by sandwiching padding such as cotton between the outer and inner linings and stitching them together, and has just the right amount of rigidity and flexibility. This makes it easy to place under the person receiving care, and it is less likely to stretch even when the caregiver pulls on it during transfer, preventing wrinkles from forming. This reduces the risk of skin damage to the person receiving care, as occurs with bath towels.

[0025] The handles 14 to 20 are portions for a caregiver to grasp. The handles 14 to 20 are configured as protruding portions that protrude laterally (outward in the width direction) from the seat main body 12 at the upper and lower end sides of the seat main body 12, respectively. The handle 14 is provided on the left side of the upper end side of the seat main body 12. The handle 16 is provided on the right side of the upper end side of the seat main body 12. The handle 18 is provided on the left side of the lower end side of the seat main body 12. The handle 20 is provided on the right side of the lower end side of the seat main body 12. Each of the handles 14 to 20 has a substantially semi-elliptical shape with rounded corners.

[0026] The seat body 12 and the handle portions 14 to 20 are integrally formed from a single piece of fabric or from laminated pieces of fabric. That is, the transfer assistance seat 10 is formed by cutting fabric into a shape (the shape shown in FIG. 1) that includes the area of ​​the seat body 12 and the areas of the protruding portions of the handle portions 14 to 20, and does not undergo a process of sewing a separate member (for example, a belt or tape) afterward, as in the transfer assistance seats of Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0027] With this integrally formed structure, when the weight of the person being assisted acts on the seat during transfer, the load is transmitted and dispersed via the continuous fabric from the handles 14-20 to the seat body 12. Therefore, the load during transfer is dispersed throughout the entire transfer assistance seat 10, and the strength of the handles 14-20 can be improved.

[0028] 1, the positions of the handles 14, 16 on the upper end side and the handles 18, 20 on the lower end side are asymmetrical in the longitudinal direction of the transfer assistance seat 10. Specifically, the distance between the handles 14, 16 and the upper end 12a of the seat body 12 is longer than the distance between the handles 18, 20 and the lower end 12b of the seat body 12.

[0029] The handles 18, 20 are located so that their lower ends coincide with the lower end 12b of the seat body 12. In contrast, the handles 14, 16 are located so that their upper ends are spaced a predetermined distance below the upper end 12a of the seat body 12. This arrangement allows the handles 14, 16 to be located in a position corresponding to the neck or shoulders of the person being assisted, as shown in FIG. 2(a). This allows for more stable support with the neck or shoulders as the base point, compared to when the base point is near the top of the head of the person being assisted. Furthermore, the handles can be supported in an appropriate position depending on the height and build of the person being assisted or the caregiver's posture that makes it easy to operate, improving operability.

[0030] [Operation] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the caregiver places the person being assisted in a side-lying position, and then places the transfer assistance sheet 10 and the slide sheet 22 under the person's body. The quilted fabric of the sheet body 12 provides appropriate rigidity and flexibility, making the placement easy. The caregiver then returns the person to their original supine position. This leaves the person being assisted, the transfer assistance sheet 10, and the slide sheet 22 stacked in that order.

[0031] When transferring a person being assisted to a wheelchair or the like, the caregiver grasps handles 14 to 20. For example, when two caregivers are working together, one person will hold handles 14, 16 and the other will hold handles 18, 20, while the other will stand at the head and foot sides of the person being assisted. Alternatively, the caregivers will separate into left and right sides of the person being assisted, with one person holding handles 14, 18 and the other holding handles 16, 20. In this way, the caregivers grasp handles 14 to 20 and lift the person being assisted or slide the person on slide sheet 22 to transfer the person being assisted to the desired location (for example, a wheelchair or a stretcher).

[0032] During this transfer operation, the seat body 12 is made of a non-elastic or low-elastic material, which prevents it from stretching and wrinkling during transfer. Also, because the seat body 12 and the handles 14-20 are integrally formed, there are no weak seams, and the load is distributed over the entire transfer assistance seat 10.

[0033] 〔effect〕 Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the transfer assistance sheet 10 comprises a sheet body 12 formed from a non-elastic or low-elasticity material, and handle portions 14-20 for the assistant to grasp, and the handle portions 14-20 are configured as protruding portions that protrude laterally from the sheet body 12 at each of the upper and lower end sides of the sheet body 12, and the sheet body 12 and the handle portions 14-20 are integrally formed from a single piece of fabric or from bonded fabrics.

[0034] As a result, the seat body 12 and the handles 14 to 20 are integrally formed, so the load during transfer is distributed across the entire transfer assistance seat 10, and compared to conventional methods, the strength of the handles 14 to 20 can be improved. Furthermore, because the seat body 12 is made of a non-elastic or low-elasticity material, stretching, deformation, and wrinkling during transfer are suppressed, reducing the possibility of causing skin damage to the person being assisted.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance between the handles 14, 16 and the upper end 12a of the main sheet body 12 is longer than the distance between the handles 18, 20 and the lower end 12b of the main sheet body 12.

[0036] As a result, the positions of the handles 14 to 20 are asymmetrical between the upper and lower end sides, so that the handle can be supported in an appropriate position depending on the height and build of the person being assisted or the posture that makes it easy for the caregiver to operate it.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper ends of the handles 14, 16 are provided at positions spaced a predetermined distance below the upper end 12a of the seat body 12.

[0038] This allows stable support to be provided around the neck or shoulders of the person being assisted, rather than the top of the head.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the seat body 12 is made of quilted fabric.

[0040] This allows the quilted fabric to have just the right amount of rigidity and flexibility, making it easy to place under the body of the person being assisted, and preventing stretching, deformation, and wrinkles from occurring when transferring.

[0041] [Modification] It should be noted that the above embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the following modifications can be adopted.

[0042] In the above embodiment and its modified examples, the seat body 12 and the handle portions 14 to 20 are integrally formed from quilted fabric, but this is not limiting, and a configuration in which a slippery material (low friction material) is disposed or coated on the back surface of the seat body 12 (the surface that does not come into contact with the person being assisted) can also be adopted. Specifically, by sewing or bonding a separate fabric made of nylon or Teflon (registered trademark) to the back surface, or by applying a silicone coating to the back surface itself, it is possible to slide the transfer assistance seat 10 alone to perform transfer without the need for a separate slide sheet 22.

[0043] Furthermore, in addition to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an anti-slip treatment is applied to the surface (the surface that comes into contact with the person being assisted) of the seat body 12. For example, by arranging a high-friction material such as rubber or silicone in a dotted or lined pattern on the surface of the quilted fabric, it is possible to prevent the person being assisted from slipping on the seat body 12 and becoming displaced during the transfer operation, thereby achieving a safer transfer.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and its modifications, the seat body 12 and the handle portions 14-20 are formed from a single piece of fabric or the like, but this is not limiting. To further improve strength, a configuration can be adopted in which a reinforcing belt extending in the width direction of the seat body 12 is integrally provided to connect the left and right handle portions (e.g., handle portions 14, 16). In this case, the reinforcing belt may be sewn to the front or back surface of the seat body 12, or may be embedded as a core material inside the quilted fabric (between the outer and inner layers). This allows the reinforcing belt to directly bear the tensile load when the handle portions 14-20 are pulled, thereby further improving the strength of the handle portions 14-20.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and its modified examples, the shape of the handles 14 to 20 is generally semi-elliptical. However, this is not limiting and any other shape may be used as long as it is easy for the caregiver to grasp. For example, a semicircular, trapezoidal, triangular, or other shape may be used. Furthermore, an opening may be provided in the center of the protruding portion to form a loop-shaped handle. However, from the viewpoint of strength and ease of manufacture, it is preferable to use a protruding portion without an opening. Furthermore, a ladder-like shape may be used, with multiple gripping holes (openings) provided in one protruding portion. This allows for fine adjustment of the gripping position depending on the height and strength of the caregiver, further improving operability.

[0046] In the above embodiment and its modified examples, the positions of the handles 14 to 20 are asymmetrical between the upper end and the lower end, but this is not limiting and they may be arranged symmetrically. For example, the handles 14 to 20 may be provided at positions that coincide with the ends of the seat body 12 on both the upper end and the lower end. Even in this case, the effect of improving strength due to the integrally formed structure can be similarly obtained.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment and its modifications, the shape of the seat body 12 is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be an oval shape or a shape tapered in the middle to fit the body shape of the person being assisted. The transfer assistance seat 10 may be available in a variety of sizes depending on the body size of the person being assisted and the purpose of use.

[0048] In the above embodiment and its modifications, the top and bottom can be distinguished by the relative positions of the handles 14, 16 on the upper end side and the handles 18, 20 on the lower end side, but this is not limiting, and a configuration in which the handles 14-20 or the seat body 12 have different colors or patterns on the upper and lower end sides or on the front and back sides can also be adopted. Even in an emergency or in a dimly lit environment, allowing the caregiver to instantly visually distinguish the orientation and front and back of the seat can prevent incorrect use and support rapid transfer procedures.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and its modified examples, the handles 14 to 20 are formed from fabric, but this is not limiting, and in order to improve visibility at night, retroreflective material or phosphorescent material can be used on the edging or part of the surface of the handles 14 to 20. When patrolling at night or in an emergency evacuation, the position of the handle can be immediately determined even in dim lighting conditions, enabling a quick response, and therefore the handles can also be used as disaster prevention and safety equipment.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and its modified examples, the handles 14 to 20 are configured as protruding portions, but this is not limiting, and a configuration in which cushioning material is enclosed inside the handles 14 to 20 can be adopted. This reduces the pressure on the caregiver's fingers when gripping the handles 14 to 20, thereby reducing the burden on the caregiver. Furthermore, even if the handles 14 to 20 come into contact with the person being assisted, the handles 14 to 20 provide a softer feel, thereby improving safety.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and its modified examples, the lower end of the seat body 12 is open, but this is not limiting, and a configuration in which a bag-shaped foot pocket capable of accommodating the feet of the person being assisted is provided on the lower end of the seat body 12 can be adopted. This prevents the feet (especially the heels) of the person being assisted from coming off the seat and coming into contact with or being dragged by the bed or surrounding objects during transfer, further reducing the possibility of skin damage or bruising.

[0052] In the above embodiment and its modifications, quilted fabric is used as an example of the material for the sheet body 12. However, this is not limiting. Any non-elastic or low-elastic material may be used, such as canvas, denim, or thick Oxford cloth. Furthermore, flexible materials that can be processed into sheets, such as synthetic leather, resin sheets, and films, may also be used, in addition to fabrics (woven, knitted, or nonwoven). Furthermore, composite fabrics made by bonding together multiple fabrics may be used instead of a single piece of fabric. Functional materials such as waterproof, water-repellent, antibacterial, and deodorizing materials may also be used. Using waterproof materials that are easy to wipe clean or materials that take hygiene into consideration are effective in preventing stains and infections due to incontinence, etc.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and its modified examples, the material is designed to be repeatedly washed and reused, but this is not limiting. For infection control purposes, the sheet body 12 and handle portions 14-20 may be integrally formed from a disposable nonwoven fabric (e.g., a laminate of spunbond nonwoven fabric or meltblown nonwoven fabric) with sufficient tensile strength. This allows the sheet to be disposed of immediately after use when the sheet is heavily contaminated with blood or bodily fluids or when transferring an infectious patient, thereby reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections.

[0054] Furthermore, in addition to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an RFID tag or a two-dimensional code (QR Code (registered trademark), etc.) is embedded in or sewn into the sheet body 12. In hospitals and large-scale facilities, the efficiency of linen supply (washing and management) is an issue, and individual identification, management of the number of washings, and location confirmation can be performed.

[0055] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and their modifications (including their respective constituent technologies) can be applied to each other.

[0056] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, but can also be applied to other cases within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10...Transfer assistance seat, 12...Seat body, 12a...Upper end, 12b...Lower end, 14, 16, 18, 20...Handle portion, 22...Slide seat

Claims

1. a seat body having a size capable of supporting at least the trunk of the person being assisted and made of a non-elastic or low-elastic material; and a handle for a caregiver to hold, The handles are configured as protruding portions that protrude laterally from the seat body at each of the upper end side and the lower end side of the seat body, The transfer assistance seat is characterized in that the seat body and the handle portion are integrally formed from a single piece of fabric or from bonded pieces of fabric.

2. In claim 1, A transfer assistance seat characterized in that the distance between the handle portion on the upper end side and the upper end of the seat body is longer than the distance between the handle portion on the lower end side and the lower end of the seat body.

3. In claim 2, the upper end of the handle portion on the upper end side is provided at a position with a predetermined distance below the upper end of the seat body, The transfer assistance seat is characterized in that the lower end of the handle portion on the lower end side is provided at a position that coincides with the lower end of the seat body.

4. In any one of claims 1 and 2, The transfer assistance seat is characterized in that the seat body is made of quilted fabric.

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