Patient handling device for raising and lowereing a patient with an inclined Anti-crush safety device

Abstract

A patient handling device (1) for raising and lowering a patient, the device (1) comprises a lift mast (2) connected to a base frame (3), a fix column (6) and a mobile column (7) including a lift arm (4) The mobile column (7) comprises a lower part (8) comprising a contact surface (9) and a detector (10). The contact surface (9) is arranged to be positioned in a free or compressed position (P1 or P2). In the free position (P1) the mobile column (7) may move towards or away from the base frame (3) while in the compressed position (P2) the contact surface (9) is affected by a pressure force (F), whereby the free position (P1) is shifted to the compressed position (P2) and the detector (10) generates a signal interrupting movement of the mobile column (7).

Description

[0001] PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE FOR RAISING AND LOWEREING A PATIENT WITH AN INCLINED ANTI-CRUSH SAFETY DEVICE

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to a patient handling device comprising a detector for reducing risk the patient handling device, during lowering movements, may crush against an object or obstacle, or tilt or tip over upon impact against the obstacle.

[0004] Background art

[0005] Patient handling devices may be arranged with parts which are movable arranged for lowering and lifting patients. A motor, or other driven lifting elements, may be arranged in the patient handling device for lowering or lifting the patient with the patient handling device. During operation of the patient handling device, the moving parts may move such they might accidently contact against a possible obstacle being too close to the patient handling device. Because focus by an operator during operation most likely is towards the patient carried or supported by the patient handling device, a possible obstacle in the vicinity of the patient handling device may be overlooked or missed. The motor, compressor or other driven lifting element are arranged with sufficiently strength or power to be able to lift or carry a patient. Because of this strength and power, and capacity, it may be difficult for an operator to be aware, observant, and able to react if contact against an obstacle by the patient handling device would occur. Upon such a contact, the patient handling device may risk to cause itself to be self-lifted as its moving part is caught against the obstacle and part of the patient handling device may lose contact with the ground. Self-lifting of the patient handling device may risk the patient handling device to tip over. If the patient handling device would tip over, and at the same time carry or support a patient, it could cause server damage for the patient. Because of this, there may be a legitimate interest and need to develop an improved patient handling device where such risk may be reduced.

[0006] Summary of the invention It is an object of the invention to at least partly overcome one or more of the aboveidentified limitations of the prior art. If the patient handling device would contact or are caught with an obstacle, one object is to provide a reliable device capable in reducing the risk the patient handling device would tip over, especially during lowering of a patient.

[0007] The object, as well as further objects that may appear from the aspects and the description below, may be at least partly achieved by a patient handling device for raising and lowering a patient according to the independent claim, and embodiments thereof being defined by the dependent claims.

[0008] A first aspect relates to a patient handling device for raising and lowering of a patient, the patient handling device comprises a lift mast, a base frame, a lift arm, and a control arrangement. The lift mast is connected to the base frame, the lift mast comprises a fix column and a mobile column, the lift arm is arranged with the mobile column and adopted for carrying the patient. The mobile column comprises a lower part, a contact surface and a detector. The lower part may comprise the contact surface and the detector. The contact surface is arranged to be positioned either in a free position or in a compressed position. In the free position the mobile column is arranged to move towards or away from the base frame. In the compressed position, the contact surface is affected by a pressure force pressing the contact surface towards the lower part of the mobile column whereby the contact surface shifts from the free position to the compressed position. With the shift of the contact surface, the detector is activated and arranged to generate a signal that is communicated to the control arrangement to interrupt movement of the mobile column. The mobile column is arranged to be lowered and raised. An effect of this is that the movement, for example lowering movement, of the mobile column may be interrupted in case the mobile column would contact or get caught against an obstacle during the lowering or raising movement. An operator of the patient handling device, for example a patient care professional, may primarily be focusing on a possible patient being lifted or lowered by the patient handling device. Therefore, it may be a risk the operator may miss or notice a possible obstacles being present in a vicinity of the patient handling device. The patient handling device may be arranged with a motor, compressor, or other driven lifting element that needs to be sufficiently strong for lowering or raising a patient. Because of this strength and if caught by an obstacle, it could risk to self-lift itself whereby the patient handling would risk to be tilted or tipped over. It is therefore of importance the movements of the mobile column can be interrupted in case an obstacle would be in the way of the moving direction of the mobile column.

[0009] According to one aspect, embodiment, the fix column and the mobile column are slidable connected to each other. An effect of this is that the patient handling device may be constructed with less movable elements compared to other devices. This may be advantageous during manufacturing, production, service, and operation. In some prior art, it may be discovered devices utilising various linkage connections for raising and lowering a patient. Such solutions may be quite complex and may result in designs which negatively may affect cost and service.

[0010] According to one aspect, the contact surface, with respect to a plane perpendicular to a direction for movements of the mobile column with respect to the fix column, may have an angle of at least 20°. The angled contact surface is inclined. It may be an inclined anticrush safety device. In a situation an obstacle would come into contact against the contact surface during lowering movement of the mobile column, an aim with the angle may be to cause either the obstacle or the patient handling device to slide away from each other. This may be compared to a situation if the contact surface would be flat and substantially horizontal, whereby upon a possible contact with an obstacle the patient handling device would risk being self-lifted or tilted as the moving column caught by the obstacle would tend to lift the base frame from the ground. In such a severe situation, it is a high risk the lifting activity may cause the patient handling device to tip over and which may have severe consequences for a possible patient lifted or carried by the patient handling device.

[0011] According to one aspect, the contact surface is part of a mobile bottom cover which mobile bottom cover is arranged towards the lower part of the mobile column. The mobile bottom cover may be U-shaped extending partly around the fix column from a front side of the fix column, and towards a respective column side of the fix column. According to a further aspect, the mobile bottom cover is connected to a support frame which is arranged against the lower part. The mobile bottom cover may be pivotably arranged against the support frame. An obstacle may be located at various possible positions around the patient handling device. Because the mobile bottom cover extends along the front side and the column sides, contact against various spots on the mobile bottom cover during lowering of the mobile column may cause the mobile bottom cover to pivot from the free position to the compressed position. Regardless where the obstacle may contact, or impact, the mobile bottom cover, the change from the free position to the compressed position will take place. According to a further aspect, which aspect may be an alternative to the pivotable arrangement, the mobile bottom cover may be arranged to bend or flex instead of pivoting.

[0012] According to one aspect, a bottom cover holder is attached to the lower part of the mobile column. According to a further aspect, the bottom cover holder is arranged around an outer surface of the lower part of the mobile column. Between an end edge of the mobile column in the lower part and the mobile bottom cover a gap is present. This gap may be covered by the bottom cover holder and prevent dust, particles, other elements to enter into the mobile column.

[0013] According to one aspect, a spring element is arranged between the support frame and the mobile bottom cover. According to a further aspect, the spring element is attached against the mobile bottom cover. In one aspect, a second spring element is arranged between the support frame and the mobile bottom cover. In one further aspect, the second spring element is attached against the mobile bottom cover. An effect of the spring element is that it is arranged to pivotably push the mobile bottom cover away from the lower part to be arranged in the free position.

[0014] According to one aspect, the detector may be a limit switch. According to a further aspect, the limit switch comprises a first component and a second component, which first component directly or indirectly may be arranged to the lower part of the mobile column, and which second component may be arranged to the mobile bottom cover. In one aspect, a second detector may be arranged to the lower part of the mobile column. In a further aspect, the second detector is a limit switch. An effect of limit switches may be they have high accuracy and may be repeatably used having long durability. Further, they have a low energy, power, consumption. Upon activation, the limit switch may generate a signal and communicate the signal to the control box. A processor may be arranged either directly or indirectly with the control box. The processor may process the signal into instructions to the patient handling device. For example, one such instruction may be to interrupt lowering or raising movements of the mobile column. According to one aspect, the detector may be a sensor. An effect of the sensor is that other aspects in regards of the patient handling device may be measured or indicated. For example, such further aspects may be vibrations or movements of the patient handling device. Other aspects may be to identify a possible moving obstacle or if an obstacle risk coming too close to the patient handling device. According to a further aspect, the patient handling device may comprise detectors where at least a first detector may be a limit switch, and at least a second detector may be a sensor.

[0015] Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0017] Fig 1 illustrates a patient handling device.

[0018] Fig 2 illustrates a lower part of a mobile column.

[0019] Fig 3 illustrates a lower part with a contact surface contacting an obstacle.

[0020] Fig 4 illustrates a lower part of the mobile column having a mobile bottom cover arranged in a free position.

[0021] Fig 5 illustrates a lower part of the mobile column having a mobile bottom cover arranged in a compressed position.

[0022] Detailed description of preferred embodiment of the invention

[0023] Fig 1 illustrates a patient handling device 1. The patient handling device 1 comprises a lift mast 2, a base frame 3, a lift arm 4, and a control arrangement 5. The lift mast 2 is arranged, connected, to the base frame 3. The base frame 6 may be arranged with castors 26a-d, wheels, for moving or transporting the patient handling device 1. The base frame 3 may be arranged with two front castors 26a, 26b (not shown in figure) and two rear castors 26c, 26d (not shown in figure). The lift mast 2 comprises a fix column 6 and mobile column 7 which are slidable arranged against each other. The lift arm 4 may be movable arranged with the lift mast 2 and adopted for raising and lowering the lift arm 4 to a desired position for lifting and / or carrying or supporting a patient via the lift arm 4. The patient may be arranged in sling arranged from the lift arm 4 (not shown in figure). In the embodiment seen in the figure, the lift arm 4 is arranged against the mobile column 7. The control arrangement 5 comprises a handle arrangement 11 and a control box 12. The control arrangement 5 is adapted to be operated by an operator. For example, the operator may be a nurse, a doctor or other patient care professional.

[0024] Fig 1 illustrates the mobile column 7 arranged with the fix column 6. The mobile column is arranged to move in an up or down going direction D. The direction D is parallel to the extension of the fix column 6, which the mobile column 7 is connected and slide along. At a lower part 8 of the mobile column 7, at a front side, front part, 14 of the lift mast 2, a contact surface 9 is arranged. The contact surface 9 is arranged facing towards the base frame 3. During movements directed downwards of the mobile column 7, and a situation the contact surface 9 would have contacted against a possible obstacle 22 (see Fig 3), the contact surface 9 may be arranged to activate a signal whereby the lowering movements may be interruption. The front side 14 of the lift mast 2 may be defined as the side of the lift arm 4 is arranged and the side where a patient may be carried or supported by the patient care device 1. During use, the operator may be positioned opposite the front side 14, on a rear side 23 of the lift mast 2. At the rear side 23, the handle arrangement 11 may be arranged. According to one embodiment, the lift arm 4 with respect to the lift mast 2 may be connected against the mobile column 7 with a coupling arrangement 24 for increased stability of the lift arm 4. The coupling arrangement 24 may be arranged against the column sides 15a, 15b.

[0025] Fig 2 illustrates the lower part 8 of the mobile column 7. At the lower part 8, a mobile bottom cover 13 is arranged. Substantially around the mobile column 7 outer surface, a bottom cover holder 17 is arranged. The mobile bottom cover 13 and the bottom cover holder 17 are arranged to the mobile column 7 and may be arranged to move in the lowering or the raising direction D together with the mobile column 7. On the front part 14 of the lift mast 2, the contact surface 9 may be arranged. The contact surface 9, with respect to a plane 25 perpendicular to the direction D, between the plane 25 and the contact surface 9 an angle a may be defined. The angle a may be at least 20°. At this angle a of 20°, or higher angle a, an obstacle caught between the ground and the contact surface 9 may cause either the patient handling device 1 or the obstacle 22 to possibly be pushed or slide away from each other. Contrary, a substantially horizontal contact surface 9 caught by a possible obstacle would risk the patient handling device 1 to be self-lifted from the ground. If the patient handling device 1 would be self-lifted, consequently it could risk to tip over. If tipped over, it could result in severe consequences for a patient carried or supported by the patient handling device 1.

[0026] Fig 3 illustrates part of the lift mast 2 comprising the fix column 6 and the mobile column 7 in an impact situation against an obstacle 22. In a region of the front part 14 of the lift mast 2 an obstacle 22 may be present. In the present situation illustrated in the Fig 3 the mobile column 7 may be moving in downwards direction D and with the contact surface 9 impacting against the obstacle 22. At the contact, or impact, a pressure force F from the obstacle 22 is directed upwards against the contact surface 9. The pressure force F may affect the contact surface 9 and the mobile bottom cover 13 which the contact surface 9 is be part of. The mobile bottom cover 13 may be pivotably arranged with the lower part 8 of the mobile column 7. Upon the contact, impact, between the obstacle 22 and the contact surface 9, the mobile bottom cover 13 may pivotably change its position. The pivotably change may affect a detector 10 (see Fig 4 and 5) arranged in the lower part 8 that a contact, or impact, has occurred. The signal may be communicated to a processor. In the processor, the signal may be processed into an instruction, or alert activity, whereby movements of the mobile column 7 may be interrupted.

[0027] Fig 4 illustrates the lower part 8 of the mobile column 7 arranged with the mobile bottom cover 13 in a free position Pl. To facilitate understanding for a reader, the bottom cover holder 17 is not present in Fig 4 nor in Fig 5. Closer to a rear side 23 than the front side 14 of the lift mast 2, the mobile bottom cover 13 may be pivotably arranged. The mobile bottom cover 13 may be pivotably connected to, or with, the respective column side 15a, 15b. In the region of the lower part 8, a support frame 16 may be arranged against an under side of the mobile column 7. A spring element 18 may be arranged with, arranged to, the mobile bottom cover 13. The spring element 18 is arranged on the one column side 15b. A second spring element (not shown in figure) may be arranged on the other column side 15a, and there on the other side column side 15a arranged against the mobile bottom cover 13. The respective spring element 18 may be arranged to push against the support frame 16 whereby the mobile bottom cover 13 may be arranged in the free position Pl. Closer to the front side 14 than the rear side 23 of the lift mast 2 the detector 10 may be arranged. The detector 10 may comprise a first component 19 and a second component 20. The first component 19 may be arranged such that it is connected or arranged with the mobile column 7 in the region of the lower part 8. The second component 20 may be an element which is in contact with the first component 19 and the mobile bottom cover 13. In the event the contact surface 9 may contact with an obstacle 22, the mobile bottom cover 13 may pivotably change from its free position Pl to the compressed position P2 (see Fig 5). In regards of this pivotably change, the second component 20 may physically activate the first component 19. This activation of the first component 19 may trigger a signal being generated and communicated to the processor. At the processor the signal may be processed into an instruction to interrupt the movements of the mobile column 7, especially the down-going movements.

[0028] Fig 5 illustrates the lower part 8 of the mobile column 7 arranged with the mobile bottom cover 13 in a compressed position P2. The components and elements as described for Fig 4 are the same for Fig 5. The compressed position P2 of the mobile bottom cover 13 is a result from that the mobile column 7 has been moved in a down-going direction D and has contacted against an obstacle 22. The obstacle 22 may be present on the ground, in the vicinity of the patient handling device, particularly below the lower part 8 of the mobile column 7. In the compressed position P2, the second component 20 has been affected by the position change of the mobile bottom cover 13. The position change may have been a pivot raise change to the compressed position P2. The second component 20 may be a flexible member, for example a spring steel.

[0029] Upon the situation when the mobile bottom cover 13 is in compressed position P2 the movements of the mobile column 7 may be interrupted. The interrupted movements may generate a notification to the operator that there is an obstacle 22 in operation area of the patient handling device 1 and that the obstacle 22 needs to be removed. When the obstacle 22 has been removed from the area, the operator may restart the patient handling device 1 by initiate necessary restart steps from the control arrangement 5 on the patient handling device 1. From the description above follows that, although various embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, the invention is not restricted thereto, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject-matter defined in the following claims.

[0030] Reference numbers

[0031] 1 patient handling device

[0032] 2 lift mast

[0033] 3 base frame

[0034] 4 lift arm

[0035] 5 control arrangement

[0036] 6 fix column

[0037] 7 mobile column

[0038] 8 lower part

[0039] 9 contact surface

[0040] 10 detector

[0041] 11 handle arrangement

[0042] 12 control box

[0043] 13 mobile bottom cover

[0044] 14 front side

[0045] 15a, b column side

[0046] 16 support frame

[0047] 17 bottom cover holder

[0048] 18 spring element

[0049] 19 first component

[0050] 20 second component

[0051] 21 second detector

[0052] 22 obstacle 23 rear side

[0053] 24 coupling arrangement

[0054] 25 plane

[0055] 26a-d castor D direction a angle

[0056] F pressure force

[0057] Pl free position

[0058] P2 compressed position

Claims

Claims1. A patient handling device (1) for raising and lowering of a patient, the patient handling device (1) comprises a lift mast (2), a base frame (3), a lift arm (4), a control arrangement (5), the lift mast (2) is connected to the base frame (3), the lift mast (2) comprises a fix column (6) and a mobile column (7), the lift arm (4) is arranged with the mobile column (7) and adopted for carrying the patient, characterised in that, at a lower part (8) of the mobile column (7) a contact surface (9) and a detector (10) are arranged, which contact surface (9) with respect to a plane (25) to a direction D for movements of the mobile column (7) is angled and facing the base frame (3), which contact surface (9) is arranged to be positioned in a free position (Pl) or in a compressed position (P2), when arranged in the free position (Pl) the mobile column (7) is arranged to move in the direction (D) towards or away from the base frame (3), when arranged in the compressed position (P2) the contact surface (9) is affected by a pressure force (F) pressing the contact surface (9) towards the lower part (8) of the mobile column (7) whereby the contact surface (9) shifts from the free position (Pl) to the compressed position (P2) and is arranged to activate the detector (10) to generate a signal which is communicated to the control arrangement (5) to interrupt movement of the mobile column (7).

2. A patient handling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fix column (6) and the mobile column (7) are slidable connected to each other.

3. A patient handling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface (9) has an angle (a) of at least 20° with respect to the plane (25) perpendicular to a direction (D) for movements of the mobile column (7) with respect to the fix column (6).

4. A patient handling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface (9) is part of a mobile bottom cover (13) which mobile bottom cover (13) is arranged towards the lower part (8) of the mobile column (7).

5. A patient handling device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the mobile bottom cover (13) is U-shaped extending partly around the fix column (6) from a front side (14) of the fix column (6) and towards a respective column side (15a, 15b) of the fix column (6).

6. A patient handling device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the mobile bottom cover (13) is connected to a support frame (16) which is arranged against the lower part (8).

7. A patient device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the mobile bottom cover (13) is pivotably arranged against the support frame (16).

8. A patient handling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a bottom cover holder (17) is attached to the lower part (8) of the mobile column (7).

9. A patient handling device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the bottom cover holder (17) is arranged around an outer surface of the lower part (8) of the mobile column (7).

10. A patient device (1) according to claim 6, wherein a spring element (18) is arranged between the support frame (16) and the mobile bottom cover (13).

11. A patient device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the spring element (18) is attached against the mobile bottom cover (13).

12. A patient device (1) according to claim 10, wherein a second spring element is arranged between the support frame (16) and the mobile bottom cover (13).

13. A patient device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the second spring element is attached against the mobile bottom cover (13).

14. A patient device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the detector (10) is a limit switch.

15. A patient device (1) according to claim 14, wherein the limit switch (10) comprises a first component (19) and a second component (20), which first component (19) directly or indirectly is arranged to the lower part (8) of the mobile column (7), and which second component (20) is arranged to the mobile bottom cover (13).

16. A patient device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a second detector (21) is arranged to the lower part (8) of the mobile column (7).

17. A patient device (1) according to claim 16, wherein the second detector (21) is a limit switch.

18. A patient device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the detector (10) is a sensor.

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