Transfer device

Abstract

This transfer device, which addresses the problem of enabling an ideal standing-up motion, assists in a transfer motion performed by a user, the transfer device comprising a frame (20) and a footrest (24) which is supported by the frame and on which the feet of the user can be placed. The transfer device comprises: an upper body support part (28) that is erected on the frame and is capable of supporting the upper body of the user when the user stands up from a sitting position; and a tilting mechanism (30) that enables the upper body support part to tilt relative to the frame when the user stands up. The transfer device comprises a delay mechanism (36) that, during a standing-up process in which the user stands up, tilts the footrest in a delayed manner so that the heel sides of the feet placed on the footrest rise after the upper body support part has tilted by a prescribed amount.

Description

Transfer device

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an assistance device. The assistance device includes a base and a support member supported by the base. A footrest on which the assisted person places their feet is provided on the base.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a transfer device. The transfer device includes a base portion, a main body arm that is tiltably connected about the tilt center axis of the base portion, and an upper limb holding portion that is rotatably connected to the upper limb holding portion rotation axis of the main body arm. A footrest on which the care recipient places their feet is provided at the lower end of the main body arm. The footrest is configured to tilt integrally with the tilting movement of the main body arm.

[0004] International Publication No. 2018 / 168112, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-171558

[0005] However, in the assistance device of Patent Document 1, the footrest is fixed to the base. Therefore, in the process of standing up, even if the assisted person forms a forward-leaning posture in which the center of gravity moves toward the toe side, the sole of the foot is always kept horizontal, and an ideal standing-up operation cannot be performed.

[0006] Further, in the transfer device of Patent Document 2, the footrest is fixed to the main body arm. Since the footrest tilts simultaneously with the tilting of the main body arm, it tilts from the initial stage of the standing-up operation. Therefore, in the initial stage of the standing-up operation where force is applied to the heel, the toes are in a downward-forward state lower than the heel, and an ideal standing-up operation cannot be performed.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a transfer device that enables an ideal standing-up operation.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a transfer device is provided for assisting a user's transfer movement, comprising: a frame; a footrest supported by the frame on which a user's feet can be placed; an upper body support portion erected on the frame and capable of supporting the upper body of a seated user when the user stands up; a tilting mechanism that allows the upper body support portion to be tilted relative to the frame when the user stands up; and a delay mechanism that, in the standing process in which the user stands up, tilts the footrest after the upper body support portion has tilted by a predetermined amount, so that the heel side of the foot placed on the footrest rises.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, during the standing process in which the user stands up, the footrest tilts with a delay after the upper body support portion has tilted by a predetermined amount.

[0010] Therefore, the footrest does not tilt until the upper body support has tilted by a predetermined amount when the user stands up with their upper body supported by the upper body support. This allows the user to perform an ideal standing motion compared to using a device in which the footrest tilts from the initial stage of the standing motion when force is applied to the heels.

[0011] Furthermore, since the footrest tilts with a delay after the upper body support has tilted by a predetermined amount, users can perform an ideal standing motion compared to using a device where the footrest does not tilt even when the center of gravity shifts towards the toes and the user leans forward during the standing stage.

[0012] Therefore, the transfer device enables the user to perform the ideal standing motion.

[0013] Figure 1 is a side view showing a transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the lower end of the upper body support. Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing the connection between the lower end of the upper body support and the footrest. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the front end of the footrest as seen from the back. Figure 5 is a side view showing a seated user getting onto the transfer device. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the upper body support and the footrest when a seated user gets onto the transfer device. Figure 7 is a side view showing the standing stage of the standing motion. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the upper body support and the footrest during the standing stage of the standing motion. Figure 9 is a side view showing the standing state. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the upper body support and the footrest in the standing state.

[0014] The transfer device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0015] First, the overall configuration of the transfer device 10 will be described using Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a side view showing the transfer device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing the lower end of the upper body support portion 28. Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing the connection portion between the lower end of the upper body support portion 28 and the footrest 24. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the front end portion 146 of the footrest 24 as seen from the back surface 24B.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the transfer device 10 according to this embodiment is a device that assists the transfer of a user 12. The transfer device 10 is used, for example, when a user 12 moves from a bed to a toilet, or from a toilet to a bed.

[0017] The transfer device 10 comprises a frame 20, a footrest 24 supported by the frame 20 on which the user's feet 22 can be placed, and an upper body support section 28 erected on the frame 20 and capable of supporting the upper body 26 of the seated user 12 when the user 12 stands up.

[0018] Furthermore, the transfer device 10 includes a tilting mechanism 30 that allows the upper body support 28 to tilt relative to the frame 20 when the user 12 stands up. In addition, the transfer device 10 includes a delay mechanism 36 (see Figure 3) that, during the standing process when the user 12 stands up, tilts the footrest 24 after the upper body support 28 has tilted by a predetermined amount of 140, so that the heel side of the foot 22 placed on the footrest 24 rises.

[0019] (Frame) The frame 20 is formed of pipe-shaped members. The frame 20 has a base portion 42 that is positioned along the floor surface 40. The base portion 42 has extending portions 44 (only the left side is shown) that extend in the front-rear direction on the left and right sides of the transfer device 10. The front portions 46 of both extending portions 44 extend upward U away from the floor surface 40. The front portions 46 of both extending portions 44 are connected by a connecting portion 48 that extends in the width direction.

[0020] The connecting section 48 is provided with a pair of left and right front wheels 52 (only the left one is shown) via a wheel support section 50. In addition, each extending section 44 is provided with a pair of left and right rear wheels 54 (only the left one is shown) at its rear end. As a result, the frame 20 can move along the floor surface 40 by means of the front wheels 52 and rear wheels 54 provided on the base section 42.

[0021] Each extension 44 is supported by a side frame 60 (only the left side is shown). The side frame 60 on the left extension 44 and the side frame 60 on the right extension 44 are spaced apart. As a result, a user boarding position 62 is formed between the left side frame 60 and the right side frame 60, where a user 12 can board the transfer device 10.

[0022] The side frame 60 has a main body portion 66 that is inclined upward as it moves from the connecting portion 48 toward the rear R, and a support portion 68 that supports the middle portion of the main body portion 66 on the corresponding extended portion 44.

[0023] A plate-shaped seat surface piece 70 is rotatably supported at the rear end of the main body 66. The seat surface piece 70 supported by each side frame 60 is rotatable between a seating position 72 extended toward the user boarding position 62 and a retracted position 74 (see Figure 5) positioned along the corresponding side frame 60. When positioned at the seating position 72, the seat surface piece 70 of each side frame 60 forms a seat surface 76 on which a user 12 who has boarded the user boarding position 62 can sit.

[0024] (Footrest) The footrest 24 is formed in the shape of a long rectangular plate (see Figure 3). A recessed portion 80 is formed at the rear edge of the footrest 24, which is curved and recessed. A pair of projections 82 (only the left one is shown) are formed at the front end 146 of the footrest 24, which project upward. A circular through hole 84 is formed in each projection 82.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the footrest 24 is positioned between the two extended portions 44 of the base portion 42. The footrest 24 constitutes a platform on which a user 12 can stand when standing at the user boarding position 62 (see Figures 7 and 9).

[0026] The front end 146 of the footrest 24 is pivotally supported on the frame 20 with a support shaft 90 (see Figure 6), which is bridged between the two extended portions 44 of the base portion 42, passing through the through holes 84 of each protruding portion 82. The rear end of the footrest 24 is supported from below by a crossbar 92 (see Figure 6), which is bridged between the two extended portions 44 of the base portion 42. With its rear end supported by the crossbar 92, the footrest 24 is approximately parallel to the floor surface 40.

[0027] (Upper body support section) The upper body support section 28 has a pair of tilting shafts 100 (only the left one is shown) that are tiltably supported on the frame 20. The lower end of each tilting shaft 100 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 90 (see Figure 6) of the base section 42.

[0028] An extension rod 102 extends retractably from the tip of the tilting shaft 100. A chest support portion 104 is provided at the tip of the extension rod 102. Extending from the chest support portion 104 are side support portions 106 (only the left side is shown) that can be inserted under the user 12's sides, and a gripping portion 108 that the user 12 can grasp. The upper body support portion 28 can support the upper body 26 of the user 12 by the chest support portion 104, the side support portions 106, and the gripping portion 108.

[0029] The amount of protrusion of the extension rod 102 from the tilting shaft 100 is controlled by a vertical motor 110 of an extension mechanism (not shown) located between the two tilting shafts 100. The transfer device 10 assists the standing motion of the user 12 supported by the upper body support section 28 by increasing the amount of protrusion of the extension rod 102 from the tilting shaft 100. The transfer device 10 assists the sitting motion of the user 12 supported by the upper body support section 28 by decreasing the amount of protrusion of the extension rod 102 from the tilting shaft 100.

[0030] An electric cylinder 120 is provided between the upper end of each tilting shaft 100 and the frame 20. An operating rod 122 extends retractably from the tip of the electric cylinder 120. The lower end of the electric cylinder 120 is tiltably supported by a connecting portion 48 of the frame 20. The tip of the operating rod 122 of the electric cylinder 120 is connected to the tilting shaft 100.

[0031] The amount of protrusion of the operating rod 122 from the electric cylinder 120 is controlled by the tilting motor 124. The transfer device 10 tilts the tilting axis 100 backward R by increasing the amount of protrusion of the operating rod 122 from the electric cylinder 120, bringing the upper body support part 28 closer to the user 12 seated on the toilet seat 162 (see Figure 5) of the toilet bowl 160. The transfer device 10 tilts the tilting axis 100 forward F by decreasing the amount of protrusion of the operating rod 122 from the electric cylinder 120, causing the user 12, whose upper body 26 is supported by the upper body support part 28, to assume a forward-leaning posture.

[0032] (Tilting Mechanism) As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the lower end of the tilting axis 100 of the upper body support portion 28 is rotatably supported by the support axis 90 (see Figure 6, etc.) of the base portion 42, and a tilting mechanism 30 is configured to allow the upper body support portion 28 to tilt relative to the frame 20.

[0033] A pair of protruding pieces 130 (see Figure 2) protrude from the lower end of the tilting shaft 100 toward the rear R, and the lower end of the tilting shaft 100 is formed in an L shape. The protruding pieces 130 are positioned in the tip grooves 134 (see Figures 3 and 4) formed in the plate end face 132 on the front side of the footrest 24.

[0034] The end face 136 of the protruding piece 130 is inclined towards the rear R as it moves downward D, when the tilt axis 100 is upright perpendicular to the upper surface 24A of the footrest 24 (see Figure 8). Also, the groove wall surface 138 on the rear R side of the tip groove 134 is inclined towards the front F as it moves upward U, when the surface 24A of the footrest 24 is horizontal (see Figure 8). As a result, the end face 136 of the protruding piece 130 can make surface contact with the groove wall surface 138 of the tip groove 134.

[0035] (Delay mechanism) The delay mechanism 36, which causes the footrest 24 to tilt after the upper body support 28 has tilted by a predetermined amount 140 (see Figure 7), consists of a protruding piece 130 provided at the lower end of the tilting shaft 100 and the groove wall surface 138 of the tip groove 134 formed in the footrest 24.

[0036] The delay mechanism 36 has an engagement mechanism 142 (see Figure 6) that engages the upper body support 28 with the footrest 24 when the upper body support 28 has tilted by a predetermined amount 140, causing the footrest 24 to tilt in conjunction with the tilt of the upper body support 28. The engagement mechanism 142 is composed of the end face 136 of the protruding piece 130 of the tilting shaft 100 and the groove wall surface 138 of the tip groove 134 of the footrest 24.

[0037] The engagement mechanism 142 is positioned on the back surface 24B side of the footrest 24, opposite to the surface 24A on which the foot 22 is placed. The engagement mechanism 142 is also positioned on the front end 146 (see Figure 6) side of the footrest 24, which is located on the toe 148 side of the foot 22 that is placed on the footrest 24.

[0038] To explain in more detail, in the initial stage 150 of the standing motion when a seated user 12, who is seated on the toilet seat 162 of the toilet bowl 160 (see Figure 5), stands up, the upper body support part 28 is located on the user 12 side, and the tilting axis 100 is tilted backward R (see Figure 6). In this initial stage 150, the end face 136 of the protruding piece 130 of the tilting axis 100 is located away from the groove wall surface 138 of the tip groove 134 of the footrest 24, and the tilting axis 100 and the footrest 24 are in a disengaged state 152.

[0039] When the upper body support part 28, which supports the upper body 26 of the user 12, is tilted forward F by a predetermined amount 140 (see Figure 7), the end face 136 of the protruding piece 130 of the tilting shaft 100 and the groove wall surface 138 of the tip groove 134 of the footrest 24 come into surface contact with each other (see Figure 8). As a result, the tilting shaft 100 and the footrest 24 enter an engaged state 156.

[0040] When the upper body support 28 is tilted further forward F from this state (see Figure 9), the end face 136 of the protruding piece 130 of the tilting axis 100 presses against the groove wall surface 138 of the tip groove 134 of the footrest 24 (see Figure 10). As a result, the footrest 24 tilts around the support axis 90, and the footrest 24 begins to tilt with a delay compared to the upper body support 28.

[0041] (Usage) Next, the usage of the transfer device 10 will be explained using Figures 5 to 10.

[0042] Figure 5 is a side view showing a seated user 12 getting onto the transfer device 10. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the upper body support 28 and the footrest 24 when a seated user 12 gets onto the transfer device 10. Figure 7 is a side view showing the standing stage 170 of the standing-up movement. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the upper body support 28 and the footrest 24 in the standing-up stage 170 of the standing-up movement. Figure 9 is a side view showing the standing-up state. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the upper body support 28 and the footrest 24 in the standing-up state.

[0043] (Initial stage) As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when transferring the user 12 sitting on the toilet seat 162 of the toilet 160 onto the transfer device 10 and moving, for example, to a bed, for example, the attendant approaches the rear part of the transfer device 10 to the user 12 sitting on the toilet seat 162 of the toilet 160. At this time, the upper body support part 28 of the transfer device 10 is located on the user 12 side.

[0044] In the initial stage 150 of the standing-up motion where the seated user 12 stands up, the user 12 places the feet 22 on the footrest 24 of the transfer device 10 and supports the upper body 26 with the upper body support part 28. Then, the attendant operates the transfer device 10 to tilt the tilting axis 100 of the upper body support part 28 forward toward the front F and increases the protruding amount of the extending rod 102 from the tilting axis 100.

[0045] Then, the upper body 26 supported by the upper body support part 28 moves forward toward the front F together with the upper body support part 28. As a result, the center of gravity of the user 12 that was on the toilet seat 162 moves onto the heels 32 of the feet 22, making the standing-up motion easier.

[0046] At this time, the upper body 26 supported by the upper body support part 28 rises together with the upper body support part 28. As a result, the standing-up motion of the user 12 is assisted, so even if the muscle strength of the feet 22 is weakened, the user 12 can perform the standing-up motion.

[0047] In this initial stage 150, the end face 136 of the protruding piece 130 of the tilting axis 100 and the groove wall surface 138 of the tip groove 134 of the footrest 24 are separated, and the tilting axis 100 and the footrest 24 are in a non-engaged state 152. Therefore, compared with the case where the tilting axis 100 and the footrest 24 tilt simultaneously and the toes 148 of the feet 22 are in a downward-forward state lower than the heels 32, the user 12 can apply force to the heels 32 and can easily perform the standing-up motion.

[0048] (Standing-up stage) As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the attendant further tilts the tilting axis 100 of the upper body support part 28 forward toward the front F and further increases the protruding amount of the extending rod 102 from the tilting axis 100. Then, the upper body 26 supported by the upper body support part 28 rises further together with the upper body support part 28, and the user 12 enters the standing-up stage 170.

[0049] At this time, when the upper body support portion 28 tilts by a predetermined amount 140 from the initial stage 150, the end surface 136 of the protruding piece 130 of the tilting shaft 100 and the groove wall surface 138 of the tip groove 134 of the footrest 24 are in surface contact with each other, and the tilting shaft 100 and the footrest 24 are in an engaged state 156. Then, the tilting of the footrest 24 accompanying the tilting of the tilting shaft 100 is started.

[0050] (Standing-up state) As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the applicant further tilts the tilting shaft 100 of the upper body support portion 28 toward the front F and further increases the protruding amount of the extension rod 102 from the tilting shaft 100. Then, the upper body 26 supported by the upper body support portion 28 further rises together with the upper body support portion 28, and the user 12 becomes in a standing state 180.

[0051] At this time, the tilting shaft 100 and the footrest 24 are in the engaged state 156, and the end surface 136 of the protruding piece 130 of the tilting shaft 100 presses the groove wall surface 138 of the tip groove 134 of the footrest 24 as the tilting shaft 100 tilts. As a result, the footrest 24 tilts about the support shaft 90, and the footrest 24 tilts behind the upper body support portion 28.

[0052] Then, the user 12 is in a forward-leaning posture in which the heel 32 side of the foot 22 rises higher than the toe 148 and the center of gravity moves to the toe 148 side. As a result, the user 12 can apply a force to the toe 148 side, making the standing-up operation easier.

[0053] (Function and effect) The main function and effect of the transfer device 10 configured as described above will be collectively described.

[0054] (1) The transfer device 10 is a transfer device 10 that assists the transfer movement of a user 12, and comprises a frame 20 and a footrest 24 supported by the frame 20 on which the user 12's feet 22 can be placed. The transfer device 10 comprises an upper body support part 28 erected on the frame 20 and capable of supporting the upper body 26 of a seated user 12 when the user 12 stands up, and a tilting mechanism 30 that allows the upper body support part 28 to be tilted relative to the frame 20 when the user 12 stands up. The transfer device 10 comprises a delay mechanism 36 that, in the standing process when the user 12 stands up, tilts the footrest 24 after the upper body support part 28 has tilted by a predetermined amount 140, so that the heel side 32 of the foot 22 placed on the footrest 24 rises.

[0055] According to this embodiment, during the standing process in which the user 12 stands up, the footrest 24 tilts with a delay after the upper body support portion 28 has tilted by a predetermined amount of 140.

[0056] Therefore, the footrest 24 does not tilt until the upper body support 28 tilts by a predetermined amount 140 when the user 12 stands up with their upper body 26 supported by the upper body support 28. This allows the user 12 to perform an ideal standing motion, compared to the case where the footrest 24 tilts from the initial stage 150 of the standing motion when force is applied to the heels 32.

[0057] Furthermore, since the footrest 24 tilts with a delay after the upper body support section 28 has tilted by a predetermined amount of 140, the user 12 can perform an ideal standing motion compared to a case where the footrest 24 does not tilt even when the center of gravity is shifted towards the toes 148 and the user adopts a forward-leaning posture at the standing stage 170.

[0058] Therefore, the transfer device 10 enables the user 12 to perform an ideal standing motion.

[0059] In this way, by using the transfer device 10, the user 12 can perform an ideal standing motion. Therefore, by using the transfer device 10, the user 12 whose physical function has declined can utilize their remaining lower limb muscle strength and suppress the decline of their physical function.

[0060] (2) In the transfer device 10, the delay mechanism 36 has an engagement mechanism 142 that engages the upper body support 28 with the footrest 24 when the upper body support 28 is tilted by a predetermined amount of 140, causing the footrest 24 to tilt in conjunction with the tilt of the upper body support 28.

[0061] In this embodiment, by using the engagement mechanism 142 that forms the engaged state 156 between the upper body support 28 and the footrest 24, it becomes possible to configure a delay mechanism 36 that causes the footrest 24 to tilt with a delay relative to the upper body support 28.

[0062] (3) In the transfer device 10, the engagement mechanism 142 is positioned on the back surface 24B side opposite to the surface 24A on the footrest 24 where the foot 22 is placed.

[0063] In this embodiment, the engagement mechanism 142 is positioned on the back surface 24B side of the footrest 24 rather than the front surface 24A. Compared to the case where the engagement mechanism 142 is positioned on the front surface 24A of the footrest 24, it is possible to improve the ease of placing the feet 22 on the footrest.

[0064] (4) In the transfer device 10, the engagement mechanism 142 is located on the front end 146 side of the footrest 24, which is on the toe 148 side of the foot 22 that is placed on the footrest 24.

[0065] In this embodiment, since the engagement mechanism 142 is positioned on the front end 146 side of the footrest 24, it is possible to easily configure a structure that raises the heel 32 side of the foot 22 placed on the footrest 24 by raising the rear end of the footrest 24 in conjunction with the tilting of the upper body support 28.

[0066] (5) In the transfer device 10, during the standing process, the upper body support part 28 tilts forward F toward the user 12 who is standing.

[0067] In this embodiment, the upper body support portion 28 tilts forward F towards the user 12 during the standing process, making it possible to facilitate the user 12 boarding the transfer device 10.

[0068] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments only represent a part of the application examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

[0069] 10 Transfer device 12 User 20 Frame 22 Foot 24 Footrest 24A Front surface 24B Back surface 26 Upper body 28 Upper body support 30 Tilt mechanism 32 Heel 36 Delay mechanism 140 Determined amount 142 Engagement mechanism 146 Front end 148 Toe

Claims

1. A transfer device for assisting a user's transfer movement, comprising: a frame; a footrest supported by the frame on which a user's feet can be placed; an upper body support portion erected on the frame on which a seated user can support the upper body of the user when the user stands up; a tilting mechanism that allows the upper body support portion to be tilted relative to the frame when the user stands up; and a delay mechanism that, in the process of the user standing up, tilts the footrest after the upper body support portion has tilted by a predetermined amount, so that the heel side of the foot placed on the footrest rises.

2. A transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the delay mechanism has an engagement mechanism that engages the upper body support with the footrest when the upper body support is tilted by a predetermined amount, causing the footrest to tilt in conjunction with the tilt of the upper body support.

3. A transfer device according to claim 2, wherein the engagement mechanism is located on the back side of the footrest opposite to the surface on which the foot is placed.

4. A transfer device according to claim 3, wherein the engagement mechanism is located on the front end side of the footrest, which is positioned on the toe side of the foot that is placed on the footrest.

5. A transfer device according to claim 4, wherein, during the standing process, the upper body support portion tilts forward toward the user who is standing.

Images