Movement support device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for moving a user seated on a chair with a seat and a back comprising: a body arranged to extend below the seated user's back and legs, the body has a first part that has a flap for securing the first part over the back of the seat and a second part that folds at the flap so that when folded the second part is laid upon the first part and the second part can slide over the first part that is secured to the chair to assist with moving the seated user by sliding the second part in respect to the first part.

Description

[0001] MOVEMENT SUPPORT DEVICE

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a movement support device, in particular a device for aiding in movement of a seated patient.

[0004] Background

[0005] In many societies across the world people are increasing living independently into older age and with physical limitations that may limit mobility.

[0006] This can mean that people with restricted mobility may struggle to move when seated and may require assistance to move position in the chair to prevent becoming uncomfortable or developing pressure sores.

[0007] It can be difficult for an assistant such as a carer to move the incapacitated person due to access. Also the act of moving a person with restricted mobility may create a risk of injury to the carer due to the manual handling of the seated person that may be required. Therefore a carer may have to rely on specialist equipment such as a hoist which is often a large piece of equipment that is not suitable for all location or requires two carers to operate safely.

[0008] The present invention provides a simple aid to help move seated people with restricted mobility.

[0009] Prior Art

[0010] JP 2017 140 366 (YAMAMOTO) discloses a transfer support method includes the steps of: fitting a sliding board to a wheelchair having a seat part that includes at least one transfer mechanism formed by endlessly winding a sheet material around at least a pair of rotary shafts; mounting a transfer tool on the upper face of the sheet material; and pulling the transfer tool such that a person in need of care seated on the sheet material via the transfer tool, transfers from the seat onto the sliding board. EP 2 248 502 (GOCKEL) discloses an assembly aid for persons, comprising a holding belt, to bear against the coccyx a rich or lower back of the person and at least two surface positioned pulling grips laterally on opposite sides, the pulling grips each having one of its ends fixed to each other and each provided with a guide provided in the region of the lateral ends of the holding belt and a variable loop, so as to rest under the buttocks or the thighs.

[0011] US 2004 0 123 382 (BERGE) discloses a mat assembly comprising: a mattress; a displacement mat positioned over the mattress; a draw sheet positioned over the displacement mat, said draw sheet including hand openings formed on opposing sides of the draw sheet; and means for grasping the draw sheet, said means for grasping being of a rigid construction for uniformly transferring force from the means for grasping to the draw sheet as a user manipulates the means for grasping.

[0012] US2012186013A1 (PONSI) discloses a system for use with a bed including a glide sheet.

[0013] AU2003203892A1 (BROM BERG ER) discloses a device for turning and sliding a bed ridden patient.

[0014] SE517095C2 (OEJBRO) discloses a slide sheet with binding device for releasable connection of part to form a tube-shaped mat.

[0015] Summary of the Invention

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for moving a user seated on a chair with a seat and a back comprising: a body arranged to extend below the seated user’s back and legs, the body has a first part that has a flap for securing the first part over the back of the seat and a second part that folds at the flap so that when folded the second part is laid upon the first part and the second part can slide over the first part that is secured to the chair to assist with moving the seated user by sliding the second part in respect to the first part.

[0017] In this way a seated user can be easily moved, by sliding the second part relative to the first part that is fixed to the chair. Additionally a seated user is also more able to move their own position when seated due to the two sliding layers that are arranged against each other when the user is seated upon the device.

[0018] In preferred embodiments the device has handles to assist with sliding a seated patient (user).

[0019] The device is formed from strong durable material to support a patient and the material on the interfacing sides enables the interfacing surfaces to easily slide across each other.

[0020] The device is substantially rectangular and is folded in use at a mid-region where the first and second parts join and the device is folded so that the second part is laid over the first part when fitted on the chair.

[0021] In some embodiments ends of the device taper so as to easily fit over the front seat region of a chair. This shaping also makes is easy for the ends to be positioned under part of the front of the seat, for example under a cushion or pad on the seat.

[0022] The flap is a pocket that receives at least part of a back of a chair so that the device is secured to the chair. The flap is provided on a rear face of the device that is adjacent to the chair in use. In this way the flap is provided over at least the upper region of the back of a chair and a front face of the first portion is presented to the seated user.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment the flap has an opening through which a headrest extends so as to be suitable for use on chairs with a headrest such as a wheelchair headrest or vehicle chair headrest. Preferably the opening receives the neck of a headrest and the headrest extends from the opening to support the seated persons head. In this way the opening may be sized to accommodate the neck of the headrest which is typically smaller than the headrest. This helps to minimise movement of the device when fitted.

[0024] In some embodiments the flap also has second openings for receiving handles of a wheelchair. The second openings are arranged either side of the headrest opening.

[0025] Preferably the device has at least one attachment means for securing the body to the chair to restrict movement of parts of the body on the chair during use. In this way the device is prevented from sliding from the chair or working free from the chair when in use.

[0026] Ideally at least one attachment means is provided on the first part of the body and at least one attachment means is provided on the second part of the body. In this way both parts can be readily secured to the chair.

[0027] It is appreciated that attachment means on the second part may be released from the chair when a wider range of sliding of the patient is required so that the second part can slide freely with respect to the fixed first part.

[0028] It is appreciated that all attachment means may be detached from the chair if the patient was to be lifted from the chair using the device.

[0029] In some embodiments the attachment means are hook or loop means arranged on a lower face of the body to attach the body to corresponding attachment means on the chair. For example an end of the body may have attachment means that attach to part of the seat of a chair.

[0030] In some embodiments of the device the attachment means comprise loops, straps, buckles, or ties that extend from the body to connect to or around part of the chair. For example in some embodiments the strap, buckle, or tie may have two parts that pass around part of the chair and connect together to fix the device to the chair.

[0031] In some embodiments the attachment means are adjustable. In this way the length and position may be easily adjusted to fit different chairs.

[0032] In some embodiments the device may have a plurality of attachment means extending from the same point on the body.

[0033] In some embodiments of the device and attachment means is located at either side of the opening for the headrest. For example a loop may be provided across each corner of the body to place around each upper corner of the back of the chair. In this way the attachment means can secure the body to the back of the chair. The attachment means may also be used to arrange and store the device in a compact configuration when not in use.

[0034] Preferably the body is formed from two layers of material. In a preferred embodiment the first upper layer is formed from a first material and the second lower layer is formed from a second material.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment an upper layer is formed from a material that encourages sliding of the first and second parts with respect to each other and a lower layer is formed from a different material that does not encourage sliding.

[0036] The two layers of material are connected together. Preferably the two layers are connected by stitching.

[0037] In some embodiments the two layers may be releasably connected, for example being connected by hook and loop means.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment the first upper layer is formed from a material that permits sliding such as SlideTex (RTM) which is a material impregnated polyester fabric. In this way when the device is folded and the first upper layer for the second part is presented to the first upper layer of the first part, the parts easily slide over each other. This enables a seated patient to be easily slid with minimal force required by a user. Advantageously this minimises the risk of injury to a carer as they do not have to strain to move the seated person. The seated user is also able to easily shift their own position to alter the pressure points when seated for enhanced comfort and to improve circulation.

[0039] The second lower layer is ideally a strong durable, textured fabric that is presented to the chair and to the seated patient in use. The textured nature of the material helps prevent sliding of the device from the chair or from the user when seated on the second part. For example the lower layer may be formed from a twill that has a textile weave that creates texture for grip and is also a strong and durable material so that the device is suitable for bearing the weight of a user.

[0040] In preferred embodiments the device has at last one handle that is intended to be grasp when moving a patient who is positioned on the device. Preferably the handle is a fabric loop that is arranged at an edge of the device body so that it does not interfere with the seated position of the patient and can be easily grasped when movement is required.

[0041] Preferably at least two opposed handles are provided on the first part of the body. Handles may also be provided on the second part of the body. In this way each part can be moved separately, or the handles on both parts can be held together to move both parts simultaneously.

[0042] Ideally there may be handles at the seat region of the chair and handles at the back region of the chair so that a patient can be maintained in a seated position while being moved. For example a pair of opposed handles may be provided on the seat region and a pair of opposed handles may be provided at the back region and a user is positioned on either side of the patient and can grasp a handle in each hand to slide the patient.

[0043] In some embodiments at least one of the handles is arranged to extend orthogonally in relation to the longitudinal axis of the body.

[0044] In some embodiments at least one handle(s) extends diagonally from the body.

[0045] In some such embodiments the device comprises handles which are arranged to extend in at least two orthogonal directions in relation to the longitudinal axis of the body.

[0046] In some embodiments of the device the handles extend diagonally.

[0047] In some preferred embodiments an edge of at least part of the body has a length of webbing to reinforce the edge and / or to provide additional holding positions. For example, in a preferred embodiment edges of the second part may include a length of webbing that is stitched to the edge of the body at spaced apart locations so that there are webbing loops along the edge that can be grasped by a user to assist with moving the device, in particular moving the first and second parts relative to each other.

[0048] A preferred embodiment of the device is formed from the following pieces: 1 x first SlideT ex panel

[0049] 1 x second SlideTex panel

[0050] 2 x twill panels

[0051] 1 x twill flap connected to one twill panel at a mid-point of the body

[0052] - 2 x webbing straps with buckles and tri-glide sliders

[0053] - 2 x corner loops

[0054] 2 x handles

[0055] 1 x hook and loop attachment means for connection to a seat

[0056] The two SlideTex panels and the two twill panels form the two layers of the two parts of the device. The two parts are preferably stitched together to form the body that is folded where the two parts are stitched together when in use.

[0057] The handles are connected to opposed edges of the body. The handles are preferably stitched to the body.

[0058] The webbing straps, corner loops and hook and loop attachment means are attachment means for attaching the device to the chair. Preferably the attachment means are also connected by stitching.

[0059] In some embodiment the device is at least 170cm long and ideally at least 200cm long.

[0060] In some embodiments the device is at least 80cm wide and ideally at least 100cm wide.

[0061] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

[0062] Brief Description of Figures

[0063] Figure 1 A shows a top view of a first embodiment of the device laid flat;

[0064] Figure 1 B shows a bottom view of the first embodiment of the device laid flat;

[0065] Figure 2 shows the piece of material that are stitched together to form the body shown in first embodiment shown; Figure 3A shows a panel of sliding material;

[0066] Figure 3B shows a panel of twill with webbing;

[0067] Figure 4A shows a panel of sliding material with an attachment means; and

[0068] Figure 4B shows a twill panel and a piece of material to form the flap.

[0069] Detailed Description of Figures

[0070] With reference to the Figures there is shown a preferred embodiment of the device 100 that is used to assist with moving a patient when seated or to enable a user to reposition themselves when seated.

[0071] The device 100 has a first part 10 and a second part 20. The parts fold at a mid-point 30 which is where a flap 35 is provided for locating over the back of a chair (not shown). The device 100 is formed from two layers of material A, B.

[0072] Figure 1A shows an upper view ‘A’ of the device 100, with the first part 10 that is laid upon a chair and the second part 20 that folds at the mid-point 30 to lay over the first part 10 so that the second part 20 can slide over the first part 10. The upper layer A is formed of panels 10A, 20A of the first and second parts 10, 20. The upper layer A is preferably formed from SlideTex (RTM) material.

[0073] Figure 1 B shows the lower face ‘B’ of the device 100 that has a first part 10 that is presented to interface the surface of the back and seat of the chair. The lower face B of the first part 10 has the flap 35 that is a three sided pocket that receives the upper back region of a chair. The lower layer material B formed of panels 10B, 20B of the lower face of the first and second parts 10, 20 is formed from twill material.

[0074] The device has attachment means 40A, 40B that help connect the device 100 to a chair.

[0075] On the lower face B of the second part 20 there are corner attachment means 40A and straps 40B. The corner attachment means are webbing loops 40A that fit around corners of the back of the chair to secure the device 100 to the chair back. The second attachment means are the elongate straps 40B with buckles 41 . In use the elongate straps 40B pass around the back of a chair through the handles 50 that are on the first part 10 where a user is seated upon when the device 100 is in use. In this way the first part 10 and second part 20 are secured in the folded configuration upon the chair.

[0076] Therefore it is the upper face A (10A, 20A) of the first and second parts 10, 20 that are presented to each other when in the folded configuration to permit sliding.

[0077] The flap has a first opening 36A from which a headrest extends. The first opening 36A is an elongate slot so that it is formed by not connecting part of the flap panel 35 to the mid-point 30 where the first and second parts 10, 20 join. Preferably the first opening 36A is intended to receive the neck of the headrest so that the headrest extends from the opening. Advantageously as the neck is typically smaller than the headrest this means the opening can be smaller, thereby reducing movement of the device when fitted.

[0078] In some embodiments the first opening 36A may be ovaloid or circular.

[0079] In Figure 1 B the flap 35 has two second openings 36B through which wheelchair handles can be received if present. The second openings 36B are also elongate slots formed by non-continuous stitching along where the flap panel 35 connects to the midpoint 30.

[0080] In some embodiments the second openings maybe laterally ovaloid, circular.

[0081] Edges 1 1 of the first part of the body 10 have the handles 50 stitched along the edge where the two layers A, B. This location of the handles 50 helps to prevent tearing or stretching of the material layers.

[0082] A tapered end 12 of the first part 10 has a strip 15 of loop means so that the end 12 can be connected under a cushion of a wheelchair that usually includes hook means for securing the cushion to the chair. In this way the device 100 is temporarily connected to the chair. It is appreciated that the hook and loop means may be provided in the alternative configuration of hook means on the strip 15 and loop means on the chair.

[0083] In Figures 2, 3 and 4 there are shown the separate pieces of material that are stitched together to form the device 100.

[0084] The device 100 is formed from two layers A, B.

[0085] In Figure 2 four panels of the body are shown 10A, 10B, 20A, 20B. All panels have the same dimensions so that an upper and lower panel (10A, 10B or 20A, 20B) are laid upon each other and stitched together. Panels 10A and 20A are the upper layer A formed from a material suitable for sliding such as SlideTex. Panels 10B and 20B are the lower layer B formed from a non-sliding material which is preferably a textured material such as twill.

[0086] The to two sliding material panels 10A, 20A will preferably be the same colour so that the same material can be used, thereby reducing costs, and improving ease of manufacture. The mid-point 30 where the device 100 is folded may be marked by a visual indicator such as line mark, logo, or a line of stitching.

[0087] If the panels were not formed of different colours, it is appreciated that the device could be made from two full length panels. In such an embodiment the mid-point 30 could be marked by a visual indicator such as line mark, or a line of stitching.

[0088] In some embodiments the two sliding material panels 10A, 20A may be formed from different colour material to guide a user where to fold the device 100 at the mid-point 30 and to indicate the location of the flap 35.

[0089] Each panel 10A, 10B, 20A, 20B has the same dimensions and is substantially rectangular with one tapered end 12, 22 to aid with locating on the chair.

[0090] Figure 3A shows the upper layer A of sliding material 20A and Figure 3B shows the lower layer B of the non-sliding material 20B. The parts 20A, 20B of the second part 20 have lines 80 to indicate stitching around the outer edges to join to the upper and lower layers to form part of the two layered body. The lower panel 20B is formed from the non-sliding twill material. The lower panel 20B includes an edge 21 where webbing is attached. The webbing edge 21 is stitched to the body 20B at spaced apart locations 80 to provide additional grip loops to assist with movement the device 100 (see Figure 3B).

[0091] The webbing along the edge 21 is also used to form the corner attachment means 40A.

[0092] The tapered end 22 is initially left open 23 so that outer the edges of the panels can be stitched together and the connected panels 20A, 20B then turned inside out through the opening 23 before closing the opening 23 with stitching. The first part 10 can then be joined to the second part 20.

[0093] Figure 4A shows upper panel of the first part 10A of sliding material with lines 80 to indicate stitching locations around the outer edge to join to the lower panel 10B of the first part 10A.

[0094] Figure 4B shows the lower panel 10B that is formed from the non-sliding twill material. The lower panel 10B has handles 50 that are webbing loops that are stitched through an edge of the two panels 10A, 10B.

[0095] The second attachment means 40B are connected to the body, preferably at or close to the mid-point 30. Distal ends of the attachment means 40B receive buckles so that the attachment means 40B can be connected. The straps 40B and buckles (buckles not shown in Figure 4B) enable the device 100 to be secured to a chair and for the device to be stowed in a compact configuration using the straps 40B.

[0096] The tapered end 12 is initially left open 13 so that other the edges of the panels 10A, 10B can be stitched together and the connected panels 10A, 10B then turned inside out through the opening 13, before closing the opening 13 and joining the first part 10 to the second part 20.

[0097] The two pairs of panels 10A, 10B and 20A and 20B are joined by stitching at the midpoint 30.

[0098] In Figure 4B there is a flap panel 35 that is stitched to the mid-point 30 and part of the A lower edge 35A of the flap 35 is not connected to form the opening (pocket) into which the chair back is received. The headrest opening 36A is a slot between the flap panel 35 and the mid-point 30 of the body 10, 20. Secondary openings may be provided for wheelchair handles as shown in Figure 1 B.

[0099] The webbing loop handles 50 attach by stitching through the edges 11 of at least the lower panel 10B, and preferably through both panels 10A, 10B (see Figure 4B).

[0100] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims1 . A device for moving a user seated on a chair with a seat and a back comprising : a body arranged to extend below the seated user’s back and legs, the body has a first part that has a flap for securing the first part over the back of the seat and a second part that folds at the flap so that when folded the second part is laid upon the first part and the second part can slide over the first part that is secured to the chair to assist with moving the seated user by sliding the second part in respect to the first part.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the flap has an opening for receiving a headrest.

3. A device according to any preceding claim including at least one attachment means for securing the body to the chair.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein at least one attachment means is provided on the first part of the body and at least one attachment means is provided on the second part of the body.

5. A device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the attachment means is hook and loop portions.

6. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the attachment means is a strap with a buckle.

7. A device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the attachment means comprise at least one pair of ties.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the attachment means comprise two or more pairs of ties extending from the same point on the body.

9. A device according to claim 7 or 8 wherein a first tie of the pair is longer than a second tie.

10. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the body is formed from two layers of material, an upper layer that is formed from a material that encourages sliding of the first and second parts with respect to each other and a lower layer.1 1 . A device according to any preceding claim including at last one handle.

12. A device according to claim 1 1 wherein at least two opposed handles are provided on the first part of the body.

13. A device according to claim 1 1 or claim 12 wherein at least two opposed handles are provided on the second part of the body.

14. A device according to claim 1 1 , 12 or 13 wherein the handles which are arranged to extend orthogonally in relation to the longitudinal axis of the body.

15. A device according to claim 11 , 12 or 13 wherein the handle(s) extend diagonally from the body.

16. A movement support device according to any preceding claim that is at least 170cm long.

17. A movement support device according to any preceding claim that is at least 200cm long.

18. A movement support device according to any preceding claim that is 80cm wide.

19. A movement support device according to any preceding claim that is 100cm wide.

20. A movement support device according to any preceding claim including at least two separate openings for receiving handles of a wheelchair.

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