Transfer device

Abstract

[Problem] To suppress interference between a user and a seat surface during rotation. [Solution] This transfer device includes: a first seat surface piece that is supported by a first side frame; and a second seat surface piece that is supported by a second side frame, the second seat surface piece being capable of forming, together with the first seat surface piece, a seat surface on which a user is to be seated. The transfer device includes: a first shaft part that rotatably supports the first seat surface piece on the first side frame; and a second shaft part that rotatably supports the second seat surface piece on the second side frame. A first rotation axis of the first shaft part is inclined upward as the rotation axis extends toward the second side frame so as to rotate the first seat surface piece between a seating position in which the user can be seated, and a one-side retreated position on one side of a user boarding position. A second rotation axis of the second shaft part is inclined upward as the rotation axis extends toward the first side frame so as to rotate the second seat surface piece between the seating position and another-side retreated position on the other side of the user boarding position.

Description

Transfer device

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a transfer device. The transfer device includes a pair of left and right frames and a pair of left and right seat surfaces provided on the rear side of the frames so as to be able to stand up and lie down. The seat surface is provided on a seat surface arm extending in the front-rear direction of the frame.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-168309

[0004] In the above-described transfer device, since the seat surface rotates around the seat surface arm extending in the front-rear direction of the frame, the seat surface and the user are likely to interfere when the seat surface is rotated.

[0005] Therefore, the user has to rotate the seat surface in a straight-standing state so as to avoid the rotation locus of the seat surface, which is inconvenient.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a transfer device capable of suppressing interference between the user and the seat surface during rotation.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer device for assisting a user's transfer operation, the transfer device including a frame having a first side frame disposed on one side of a user boarding position where the user boards and a second side frame disposed on the other side of the user boarding position, a first seat surface piece supported by the first side frame, a second seat surface piece supported by the second side frame and capable of forming a seat surface on which the user sits together with the first seat surface piece, a first shaft portion for rotatably supporting the first seat surface piece on the first side frame, and a second shaft portion for rotatably supporting the second seat surface piece on the second side frame. A first rotation axis of the first shaft portion inclines upward as it goes toward the second side frame so as to rotate the first seat surface piece between a seating position where the user can sit and one retracted position on one side of the user boarding position, and a second rotation axis of the second shaft portion inclines upward as it goes toward the first side frame so as to rotate the second seat surface piece between the seating position and the other retracted position on the other side of the user boarding position.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first seat surface piece constituting the seat surface rotates about a first rotation axis that is inclined upward as it moves from the first side frame side toward the second side frame. The second seat surface piece constituting the seat surface rotates about a second rotation axis that is inclined upward as it moves from the second side frame side toward the first side frame.

[0009] Therefore, each seat surface piece rotates to avoid interference with the user when they are seated in the user's position. Compared to the case where the seat surface rotates around a rotation axis extending in the front-to-back direction of the transfer device, this makes it possible to suppress interference between the user and the seat surface during rotation.

[0010] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a rear view of the transfer device according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the transfer device according to the embodiment. Figure 4 is a side perspective view of a modified transfer device. Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the modified transfer device. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the seat portion of the modified transfer device viewed from the rear. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the rotation trajectory of each seat piece. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the rotation trajectory of the first seat piece viewed from above.

[0011] (Embodiment) The transfer device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0012] First, the overall configuration of the transfer device 10 will be described using Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the transfer device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side. Figure 2 is a rear view of the transfer device 10 according to an embodiment, viewed from the rear B. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer device 10 according to an embodiment, viewed from the side.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, 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.

[0014] The transfer device 10 comprises a frame 24 having a first side frame 20 positioned on one side of the user boarding position 16 on which the user 12 boards, and a second side frame 22 positioned on the other side of the user boarding position 16. The transfer device 10 also comprises a first seat surface piece 30 (see Figure 2) supported by the first side frame 20, and a second seat surface piece 34 supported by the second side frame 22, which together with the first seat surface piece 30 can form a seat surface 32 (see Figure 3) on which the user 12 sits. Furthermore, the transfer device 10 comprises a first shaft portion 40 (see Figure 2) that rotatably supports the first seat surface piece 30 on the first side frame 20, and a second shaft portion 42 that rotatably supports the second seat surface piece 34 on the second side frame 22.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the first rotation axis 44 of the first shaft portion 40 is inclined upward U as it moves from the first side frame 20 toward the second side frame 22. As a result, the first seat surface piece 30 can rotate between a seating position 50 (see Figure 3) where a user 12 can sit and a retracted position 52 on one side L of the user's riding position 16.

[0016] The second rotation axis 46 of the second shaft portion 42 is inclined upward U as it approaches the first side frame 20. As a result, the second seat surface piece 34 can rotate between the seating position 50 (see Figure 3) and the other side retracted position 54 on the other side R of the user boarding position 16.

[0017] (Frame) As shown in Figure 1, the frame 24 is formed of rectangular pipe-shaped members. The frame 24 has a base portion 62 that is positioned along the floor surface 60. The base portion 62 has a first extending portion 64 that extends in the front-rear direction on the left side, which is one side L of the transfer device 10, and a second extending portion 66 that extends in the front-rear direction on the right side, which is the other side R of the transfer device 10. The front ends of both extending portions 64 and 66 on the front F side are bent upward U away from the floor surface 60. The front ends of both extending portions 64 and 66 are connected by a connecting portion 68 that extends in the width direction.

[0018] A pair of front wheels 72 are provided on the connecting portion 68 via a wheel support portion 70. In addition, rear wheels 74 are provided at the rear end of the first extension portion 64 and the rear end of the second extension portion 66, respectively. As a result, the frame 24 can move along the floor surface 60 by means of the front wheels 72 and rear wheels 74 provided on the base portion 62.

[0019] The first extension portion 64 supports the first side frame 20 described above. The second extension portion 66 supports the second side frame 22 described above. The first side frame 20 and the second side frame 22 are spaced apart. As a result, a passenger boarding position 16 where a passenger 12 can board is formed between the first side frame 20 and the second side frame 22.

[0020] The first side frame 20 has a first main body portion 80 that is inclined upward U as it extends from the connecting portion 68 toward the rear B, and a first support portion 82 that supports the middle portion of the first main body portion 80 on the first extension portion 64. The second side frame 22 has a second main body portion 84 that is inclined upward U as it extends from the connecting portion 68 toward the rear B, and a second support portion 86 that supports the middle portion of the second main body portion 84 on the second extension portion 66.

[0021] (First seating surface piece) A cylindrical first shaft portion 40 is provided at the rear end of the first main body portion 80 of the first side frame 20. The first seating surface piece 30 described above is rotatably supported on the first shaft portion 40.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first seating surface piece 30 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. A first support piece 90 is integrally formed at one end corner of the long side of the first seating surface piece 30, projecting in the short direction. The first support piece 90 is inclined to project toward the surface 30A of the first seating surface piece 30 as it moves away from the first seating surface piece 30. The back surface 90B of the first support piece 90 is rotatably supported on the first shaft portion 40.

[0023] (First rotation axis) As shown in Figure 2, the first seating surface piece 30 is rotatable about the first rotation axis 44 formed by the first shaft portion 40. The first rotation axis 44 is inclined upward U as it moves from the first side frame 20 toward the second side frame 22.

[0024] As a result, the first seat surface piece 30 is rotatable between a seating position 50 (see Figure 3) that is extended toward the user boarding position 16 and a one-side retracted position 52 that is positioned along the first side frame 20 located on one side L of the user boarding position 16. The seating position 50 is a position where a user 12 who has boarded the user boarding position 16 can sit.

[0025] Furthermore, when the first seat piece 30 rotates from the one-side retracted position 52 to the seated position 50, it rotates from the one-side retracted position 52 toward the rear B of the user boarding position 16 and moves to the seated position 50 (see Figures 1 and 3). As a result, when the user 12 is seated in the user boarding position 16, the first seat piece 30 wraps around from the rear B of the user 12's buttocks and is positioned below D the user 12's buttocks.

[0026] The first rotation axis 44 is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to a virtual straight line K that horizontally connects the first shaft portion 40 and the second shaft portion 42.

[0027] To explain in more detail, if we assume a virtual straight line K that horizontally connects the center of one end 40A of the first shaft portion 40 of the first side frame 20 and the center of one end 42A of the second shaft portion 42 of the second side frame 22, then the angle α formed by the first rotation axis 44 and the virtual straight line K is approximately 45 degrees.

[0028] As a result, the transfer device 10 can reduce the amount of inward protrusion of the first seat surface piece 30 toward the user boarding position 16 when it moves to the one-side retracted position 52 (see "230" in Figure 8), compared to the case where the angle α formed by the first rotation axis 44 and the virtual straight line K is less than 45 degrees.

[0029] Furthermore, compared to the case where the angle α formed by the first rotation axis 44 and the virtual straight line K is greater than 45 degrees, the transfer device 10 can reduce the amount of protrusion of the first seat surface piece 30 to one side L when it moves to the one-side retracted position 52. Also, compared to the case where the angle α formed by the first rotation axis 44 and the virtual straight line K is greater than 45 degrees, the transfer device 10 can reduce the amount of outward protrusion of the movement trajectory of the first seat surface piece 30 to one side L (see "232" in Figure 8).

[0030] Here, in order to maximize the suppression effect of the amount of inward protrusion (see "230" in Figure 8) and the amount of outward protrusion (see "232" in Figure 8), it is desirable to set the angle α between the first rotation axis 44 and the virtual straight line K to 45 degrees. However, it is difficult in terms of design to set the angle α between the first rotation axis 44 and the virtual straight line K to exactly 45 degrees. For this reason, in this embodiment, approximately 45 degrees refers to a range of 40 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less. If the angle α between the first rotation axis 44 and the virtual straight line K is in the range of 40 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less, the suppression effect of the amount of inward protrusion (see "230" in Figure 8) and the amount of outward protrusion (see "232" in Figure 8) can be sufficiently obtained (the same applies hereinafter).

[0031] (Second seating surface piece) A cylindrical second shaft portion 42 is provided at the rear end of the second main body portion 84 of the second side frame 22. The second seating surface piece 34 described above is rotatably supported on the second shaft portion 42.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second seating surface piece 34 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. A second support piece 100 is integrally formed at one end corner of the long side of the second seating surface piece 34, projecting in the short direction. The second support piece 100 is inclined to project toward the surface 34A of the second seating surface piece 34 as it moves away from the second seating surface piece 34. The back surface 100B of the second support piece 100 of the second seating surface piece 34 is rotatably supported by the second shaft portion 42.

[0033] (Second rotation axis) As shown in Figure 2, the second seating surface piece 34 is rotatable about the second rotation axis 46 formed by the second shaft portion 42. The second rotation axis 46 is inclined upward U as it moves from the second side frame 22 toward the first side frame 20.

[0034] As a result, the second seat surface piece 34 is rotatable between a seating position 50 (see Figure 3) deployed towards the user boarding position 16 and a retracted position 54 (see Figure 2) positioned along the second side frame 22 located on the other side R of the user boarding position 16. The seating position 50 is a position where a user 12 who has boarded the user boarding position 16 can sit.

[0035] Furthermore, when the second seat piece 34 rotates from the other side retracted position 54 to the seated position 50, it rotates from the other side retracted position 54 toward the rear B of the user boarding position 16 and moves to the seated position 50. As a result, when the user 12 is seated in the user boarding position 16, the second seat piece 34 wraps around from the rear B of the user 12's buttocks and is positioned below D the user 12's buttocks.

[0036] The second rotation axis 46 is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the virtual straight line K.

[0037] To explain in more detail, if we assume a virtual straight line K that horizontally connects the center of one end 40A of the first shaft portion 40 of the first side frame 20 and the center of one end 42A of the second shaft portion 42 of the second side frame 22, then the angle α formed by the second rotation axis 46 and the virtual straight line K is approximately 45 degrees.

[0038] As a result, the transfer device 10 can reduce the amount of inward protrusion of the second seat surface piece 34 toward the user boarding position 16 when it moves to the other side retracted position 54 (see "230" in Figure 8), compared to the case where the angle α formed by the second rotation axis 46 and the virtual straight line K is less than 45 degrees.

[0039] Furthermore, compared to the case where the angle α formed by the second rotation axis 46 and the virtual straight line K is greater than 45 degrees, the transfer device 10 can reduce the amount of protrusion of the second seat surface piece 34 to the other side R when it moves to the other side retracted position 54. Also, compared to the case where the angle α formed by the second rotation axis 46 and the virtual straight line K is greater than 45 degrees, the transfer device 10 can reduce the amount of outward protrusion of the movement trajectory of the second seat surface piece 34 to the other side R (see "232" in Figure 8).

[0040] Here, in order to maximize the suppression effect of the inner protrusion amount (refer to "230" in FIG. 8) and the outer protrusion amount (refer to "232" in FIG. 8), it is desirable to set the angle α formed by the second rotation axis 46 and the virtual straight line K to 45 degrees. However, it is difficult to accurately set the angle α formed by the second rotation axis 46 and the virtual straight line K to exactly 45 degrees in terms of design. Therefore, the approximate 45 degrees in this embodiment indicates a range of 40 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less. If the angle α formed by the second rotation axis 46 and the virtual straight line K is within the range of 40 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less, the suppression effect of the inner protrusion amount (refer to "230" in FIG. 8) and the outer protrusion amount (refer to "232" in FIG. 8) can be sufficiently obtained (the same applies hereinafter).

[0041] (Footrest) As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 10 is supported by the base portion 62 of the frame 24 and includes a footrest 110 on which the feet of the user 12 can be placed.

[0042] The footrest 110 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the front-rear direction. A concave recessed portion 112 that retreats in an arc shape is formed at the rear edge of the footrest 110. At the front end portion of the footrest 110, a pair of protruding portions 114 (only shown on the left side in FIG. 1) that protrude upward in a U shape are formed. A circular through-hole (not shown) is formed in each protruding portion 114. The footrest 110 is disposed between both extending portions 64 and 66 of the base portion 62. The footrest 110 constitutes a platform on which the user 12 who stands up at the user boarding position 16 can stand up.

[0043] The front end portion of the footrest 110 is pivotally supported by the frame 24 in a state where a support shaft 116 bridging between both extending portions 64 and 66 of the base portion 62 is inserted through the through-holes of the respective protruding portions 114. The rear end portion of the footrest 110 is supported from below by a cross bar 118 (refer to FIG. 3) bridging between both extending portions 64 and 66 of the base portion 62. The footrest 110 is substantially parallel to the floor surface 60 in a state where the rear end portion is supported by the cross bar 118.

[0044] (Upper body support portion) The transfer device 10 includes an upper body support portion 120 that is erected on the frame 24 and can support the upper body 12A of the user 12 when the user 12 who is seated on, for example, a bed or the like stands up and boards the transfer device 10.

[0045] The upper body support portion 120 has a pair of tilting shafts 122 (see FIG. 2) that are tiltably supported by the frame 24. The lower end of each tilting shaft 122 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 116 of the base portion 62.

[0046] An extension rod 124 extends retractably from the tip of the tilting shaft 122. A chest contact portion 126 is provided at the tip of the extension rod 124. A pair of side support portions 128 that can be inserted into both sides of the user 12 extend rearward B (see FIG. 1) from the chest contact portion 126.

[0047] Also, a grip portion 130 that can be gripped by the user 12 extends forward F from the chest contact portion 126. The grip portion 130 is composed of a pipe material bent in a U shape. Thus, the upper body support portion 120 can support the upper body 12A of the user 12 by the chest contact portion 126, the side support portions 128, and the grip portion 130.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, each tilting shaft 122 is provided with a bracket 136 that extends laterally. A knee contact portion 138 is provided on each bracket 136. Thus, the user 12 whose upper body 12A is supported by the upper body support portion 120 can maintain a forward leaning posture with the knees against the knee contact portion 138.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the protruding amount of the extension rod 124 from the tilting shaft 122 is controlled by a vertical movement motor 132 of a telescopic mechanism 131 (see FIG. 2) disposed between the two tilting shafts 122. The transfer device 10 assists the standing operation of the user 12 supported by the upper body support portion 120 by increasing the protruding amount of the extension rod 124 from the tilting shaft 122. The transfer device 10 assists the sitting operation of the user 12 supported by the upper body support portion 120 by reducing the protruding amount of the extension rod 124 from the tilting shaft 122.

[0050] As shown in Figure 1, an electric cylinder 140 is provided between the upper end of each tilting shaft 122 and the frame 24. An operating rod 142 extends retractably from the electric cylinder 140. The lower end of the operating rod 142 of the electric cylinder 140 is tiltably supported by a connecting portion 68 of the frame 24. The tip of the electric cylinder 140 is connected to each tilting shaft 122 via a connecting portion 144.

[0051] The transfer device 10 tilts both tilting axes 122 backward B by increasing the amount of protrusion of the operating rod 142 from the electric cylinder 140, bringing the upper body support part 120 closer to the user 12 seated on a bed or the like. The transfer device 10 tilts each tilting axis 122 forward F by decreasing the amount of protrusion of the operating rod 142 from the electric cylinder 140, causing the user 12, whose upper body 12A is supported by the upper body support part 120, to assume a forward-leaning posture.

[0052] In this embodiment, the case in which support pieces 90 and 100 formed at the corners of the long sides of each seating surface piece 30 and 34 are supported by each shaft portion 40 and 42 has been described, but the transfer device 10 is not limited to this configuration. The transfer device 10 may also be configured as shown in the following modified examples.

[0053] (Modified Version) A modified version of the transfer device 200 will be described below using Figures 4 to 8.

[0054] The modified transfer device 200 differs from the embodiment in that the first seat surface piece 210 and the second seat surface piece 212 that constitute the seat surface 32. In this modified example, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted, while only the different parts are described.

[0055] Figure 4 is a side view of the modified transfer device 200. Figure 5 is a side view of the modified transfer device 200. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the seat portion of the modified transfer device 200 as seen from the rear B. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the rotational trajectories of each seat piece 210, 212. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the rotational trajectory of the first seat piece 210 as seen from above.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, the first seat surface piece 210, which constitutes the seat surface 32 of the transfer device 200, is supported by the first shaft portion 40 at approximately the center of its length N in the direction along the first side frame 20 when positioned at the seating position 50. The second seat surface piece 212 is supported by the second shaft portion 42 at approximately the center of its length N in the direction along the second side frame 22 when positioned at the seating position 50.

[0057] (First seating surface piece) Specifically, the first seating surface piece 210 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate (see Figures 6 and 8). When the first seating surface piece 210 is positioned at the seating position 50, it has a first support piece 214 (see Figures 1 and 6) that protrudes in the direction of the shorter side from the center of the length direction N of the longer side. The first support piece 214 is inclined so as it moves away from the first seating surface piece 210, it protrudes toward the surface 210A side of the first seating surface piece 210. The back surface 214B of the first support piece 214 is rotatably supported by the first shaft portion 40.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6, the first seating surface piece 210 is rotatable about the first rotation axis 44 formed by the first shaft portion 40. The first rotation axis 44 is inclined upward U as it moves from the first side frame 20 toward the second side frame 22.

[0059] As a result, the first seat surface piece 210 is rotatable between a seating position 50 (see Figure 4) extended toward the user boarding position 16 and a one-side retracted position 52 (see Figure 2) positioned along the first side frame 20 located on one side L of the user boarding position 16. The seating position 50 is a position where a user 12 who has boarded the user boarding position 16 can sit.

[0060] Furthermore, when the first seat piece 210 rotates from the one-side retracted position 52 to the seated position 50, it rotates from the one-side retracted position 52 toward the rear B of the user boarding position 16 and moves to the seated position 50. As a result, when the user 12 is seated in the user boarding position 16, the first seat piece 210 wraps around from the rear B of the user 12's buttocks and is positioned below D the user 12's buttocks.

[0061] The first rotation axis 44 is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to a virtual straight line K that horizontally connects the first shaft portion 40 and the second shaft portion 42 (see Figure 6).

[0062] To explain in more detail, if we assume a virtual straight line K that horizontally connects the first shaft portion 40 of the first side frame 20 and the second shaft portion 42 of the second side frame 22, the angle α formed by the first rotation axis 44 and the virtual straight line K is approximately 45 degrees.

[0063] As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the first seating surface piece 210 rotates along a circumferential surface 224 that is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the first rotation axis 44, in a triangular pyramid 222 with the support position by the first shaft portion 40 as its vertex 220.

[0064] As shown in Figure 8, the transfer device 200 can reduce the amount of inward protrusion 230 of the first seat surface piece 210 toward the user boarding position 16 when it moves to the one-side retraction position 52, compared to the case where the angle α formed by the first rotation axis 44 and the virtual straight line K is less than 45 degrees. In addition, the transfer device 10 can reduce the amount of protrusion of the first seat surface piece 210 toward one side L and the amount of outward protrusion 232 of the movement trajectory toward one side L when it moves to the one-side retraction position 52, compared to the case where the angle α formed by the first rotation axis 44 and the virtual straight line K is greater than 45 degrees.

[0065] (Second seating surface piece) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second seating surface piece 212 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. When the second seating surface piece 212 is positioned at the seating position 50 (see Figure 4), it has a second support piece 240 that protrudes in the direction of the shorter side from the center of the length direction N of the longer side. The second support piece 240 is inclined to protrude toward the surface 212A side of the second seating surface piece 212 as it moves away from the second seating surface piece 212. The back surface 240B of the second support piece 240 of the second seating surface piece 212 is rotatably supported by the second shaft portion 42.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, the second seating surface piece 212 is rotatable about the second rotation axis 46 formed by the second shaft portion 42. The second rotation axis 46 is inclined upward U as it moves from the second side frame 22 toward the first side frame 20.

[0067] As a result, the second seat surface piece 212 is rotatable between a seating position 50 (see Figure 4) deployed towards the user boarding position 16 and a retracted position 54 (see Figure 5) positioned along the second side frame 22 located on the other side R of the user boarding position 16. The seating position 50 is a position where a user 12 who has boarded the user boarding position 16 can sit.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, when the second seat piece 212 rotates from the other side retracted position 54 to the seated position 50, it rotates from the other side retracted position 54 toward the rear B of the user boarding position 16 and moves to the seated position 50. As a result, when the user 12 is seated in the user boarding position 16, the second seat piece 212 wraps around from the rear B of the user 12's buttocks and is positioned below D the user 12's buttocks.

[0069] As shown in Figure 6, the second rotation axis 46 is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the virtual straight line K.

[0070] To explain in more detail, if we assume a virtual straight line K that horizontally connects the first shaft portion 40 of the first side frame 20 and the second shaft portion 42 of the second side frame 22, the angle α formed by the second rotation axis 46 and the virtual straight line K is approximately 45 degrees.

[0071] As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the second seating surface piece 212 rotates along a circumferential surface 224 that is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the second rotation axis 46, in a triangular pyramid 222 with the support position by the second shaft portion 42 as its vertex 220.

[0072] Furthermore, the transfer device 10 can suppress the amount of inward protrusion of the second seat surface piece 212 toward the user boarding position 16 when moving to the other side retracted position 54 (see "230" in Figure 8), compared to the case where the angle α formed by the second rotation axis 46 and the virtual straight line K is less than 45 degrees.

[0073] Furthermore, compared to the case where the angle α formed by the second rotation axis 46 and the virtual straight line K is greater than 45 degrees, the transfer device 10 can reduce the amount of protrusion of the second seat surface piece 212 to the other side R when it moves to the other side retracted position 54. Also, compared to the case where the angle α formed by the second rotation axis 46 and the virtual straight line K is greater than 45 degrees, the transfer device 10 can reduce the amount of outward protrusion of the movement trajectory of the second seat surface piece 212 to the other side R (see "232" in Figure 8).

[0074] (Function and Effects) The main functions and effects of the transfer devices 10 and 200 configured as described above will be summarized below.

[0075] (1) The transfer device 10 is a device that assists the transfer of a user 12 and comprises a frame 24 having a first side frame 20 positioned on one side of the user boarding position 16 on which the user 12 is seated and a second side frame 22 positioned on the other side of the user boarding position 16. The transfer device 10 comprises first seat pieces 30, 210 supported by the first side frame 20 and second seat pieces 34, 212 supported by the second side frame 22 and capable of forming a seat surface 32 on which the user 12 is seated together with the first seat pieces 30, 210. The transfer device 10 comprises a first shaft portion 40 that rotatably supports the first seat pieces 30, 210 on the first side frame 20 and a second shaft portion 42 that rotatably supports the second seat piece 34 on the second side frame 22. The first rotation axis 44 of the first shaft portion 40 is inclined upward U toward the second side frame 22 so as to rotate the first seat surface pieces 30 and 210 between a seating position 50 in which a user 12 can sit and a retracted position 52 on one side L of the user boarding position 16. The second rotation axis 46 of the second shaft portion 42 is inclined upward U toward the first side frame 20 so as to rotate the second seat surface pieces 34 and 212 between the seating position 50 and a retracted position 54 on the other side R of the user boarding position 16.

[0076] According to this embodiment, the first seat surface pieces 30 and 210 constituting the seat surface 32 rotate about a first rotation axis 44 that is inclined upward U as it moves from the first side frame 20 toward the second side frame 22. The second seat surface pieces 34 and 212 constituting the seat surface 32 rotate about a second rotation axis 46 that is inclined upward U as it moves from the second side frame 22 toward the first side frame 20.

[0077] Therefore, each seat piece 30, 34, 210, and 212 rotates to avoid interference with the user 12 who is seated in the user seating position 16. As a result, compared to when each seat piece 30, 34, 210, and 212 rotates around an axis extending in the front-rear direction of the transfer device 10, interference between the seat 32 and the user 12 during rotation can be suppressed.

[0078] (2) In the transfer device 10, the first rotation shaft 44 is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to a virtual straight line K that horizontally connects the first shaft portion 40 and the second shaft portion 42, and the second rotation shaft 46 is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the virtual straight line K.

[0079] In this embodiment, each seating surface piece 30, 34, 210, 212 rotates around its respective rotation axis 44, 46, which is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to a virtual straight line K that horizontally connects the first shaft portion 40 and the second shaft portion 42.

[0080] Therefore, each seat piece 30, 34, 210, 212 can suppress the amount of inward protrusion 230 toward the user boarding position 16 compared to the case where the angle α formed by each rotation axis 44, 46 and the virtual straight line K is less than 45 degrees. As a result, the transfer device 10 can suppress interference between each seat piece 30, 34, 210, 212 and the user 12 at the user boarding position 16, thereby improving ease of boarding.

[0081] Furthermore, each seat piece 30, 34, 210, and 212 can reduce the amount of lateral protrusion and the amount of outward protrusion of the lateral movement trajectory 232 compared to the case where the angle α formed by each rotation axis 44, 46 and the virtual straight line K is greater than 45 degrees. As a result, even when the transfer device 10 is used in a narrow space such as a toilet, interference between each seat piece 30, 34, 210, and 212 and the toilet wall or the like can be suppressed.

[0082] (3) In the modified transfer device 10, the first seat surface piece 210 is supported by the first shaft portion 40 at approximately the center of its length N in the direction along the first side frame 20 when positioned at the seating position 50. The second seat surface piece 212 is supported by the second shaft portion 42 at approximately the center of its length N in the direction along the second side frame 22 when positioned at the seating position 50.

[0083] In a modified example of this embodiment, each seat piece 210, 212 is supported by the respective shaft portions 40, 42 at approximately its central portion. Therefore, compared to the case where one end of each seat piece 210, 212 in the longitudinal direction N is supported by the respective shaft portions 40, 42, it is possible to further reduce the amount of inward protrusion 230 toward the user boarding position 16 and the amount of outward protrusion 232 toward the side.

[0084] (4) In the transfer device 10, the first seat pieces 30 and 210 rotate from one side retracted position 52 toward the rear B of the user boarding position 16 and move to the seated position 50. The second seat pieces 34 and 212 rotate from the other side retracted position 54 toward the rear B of the user boarding position 16 and move to the seated position 50.

[0085] In this embodiment, each seat piece 30, 34, 210, and 212 rotates from their respective retracted positions 52 and 54 toward the rear B of the user boarding position 16 and moves to the seated position 50. As a result, the transfer device 10 can position each seat piece 30, 34, 210, and 212 under the user's buttocks by wrapping around from the rear of the user's buttocks.

[0086] Therefore, when the user 12 is seated in the user seating position 16, for example, by lifting their hips, they can position each seat piece 30, 34, 210, and 212 under the user's hips, thereby improving convenience.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 10,200 Transfer device 12 User 16 User's seating position 20 First side frame 22 Second side frame 24 Frame 30 First seat surface piece 32 Seat surface 34 Second seat surface piece 40 First shaft 42 Second shaft 44 First rotation axis 46 Second rotation axis 50 Seating position 52 One-side retracted position 54 Other-side retracted position 210 First seat surface piece 212 Second seat surface piece

Claims

1. A transfer device for assisting a user's transfer, comprising: a frame having a first side frame positioned on one side of a user's seating position and a second side frame positioned on the other side of the user's seating position; a first seat surface piece supported by the first side frame; a second seat surface piece supported by the second side frame and capable of forming a seat surface on which the user sits together with the first seat surface piece; a first shaft portion that rotatably supports the first seat surface piece on the first side frame; and a second shaft portion that rotatably supports the second seat surface piece on the second side frame, wherein the first rotation axis of the first shaft portion is inclined upward toward the second side frame so as to rotate the first seat surface piece between a seating position on which the user can sit and a one-side retracted position on one side of the user's seating position. A transfer device wherein the second rotation axis of the second shaft portion is inclined upward toward the first side frame so as to rotate the second seat surface piece between the seating position and the other side retracted position on the other side of the user's riding position.

2. A transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the first rotating shaft is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to a virtual straight line horizontally connecting the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, and the second rotating shaft is inclined at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the virtual straight line.

3. A transfer device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first seat surface piece is supported by the first shaft portion at approximately the center in the direction along the first side frame when positioned in the seating position, and the second seat surface piece is supported by the second shaft portion at approximately the center in the direction along the second side frame when positioned in the seating position.

4. A transfer device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first seat surface piece rotates from the one-side retracted position toward the rear of the user boarding position to move to the seating position, and the second seat surface piece rotates from the other-side retracted position toward the rear of the user boarding position to move to the seating position.

Images