TURNING DEVICE

Abstract

 A turning device (15) for hospital beds and home care beds is disclosed. The turning device (15) comprises a side rail (3) having a sheet roller (5) for a turning sheet. The side rail (3) is rotatably attached on a longitudinal console (10) by means of arms (18, 18'). The side rail (3) is configured to be locked in different positions by means of one or more first locks (7, 9). The arms (18, 18') are mechanically connected to a shaft, wherein the side rail (3) is configured to be rotated about the shaft and be locked in additional positions by means of additional locks (2, 4). The locks (2, 4, 7, 9) are positioned in such a manner that all locks (2, 4, 7, 9) can be operated from a single position.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a turning system for beds such as hospital beds. The present invention more particularly relates to a turning system configured to be integrated in a bed.

Prior art

[0002] It is known to apply hospital beds and home care beds with side rails and an integrated, electrically driven turning sheet (which may be mounted with drive rollers extending along the length of the bed and being arranged at each side of the bed). The turning sheet is used to assist the nursing staff when the bed-bound person has to be turned. It is known to use the hospital and care beds with side rails rotatably mounted on a longitudinal console provided with arms, wherein the side rails are adapted to be locked in different positions by means of locking devices.

[0003] A slide sheet that is attached to the surface of the bed by means of straps provided with Velcro is attached to the mattress under the turning sheet. To ensure that the patient does not fall out or get caught when the turning function is not used, the side rails are raised to their highest position and locked in this position. The turning function can be performed with raised side rails or lowered side rails.

[0004] The locking arrangement comprises four locks arranged pairwise in different ends of the turning device. Two of the locks have to be activated simultaneously in each end in order to change the position of the drive rollers. Accordingly, one of the locks and in a short time period both locks are unlocked. This is inappropriate with regard to patient safety.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to be capable of changing the position of the drive rollers without leaving the locks unlocked and hereby pose a risk to the patient.

[0006] Lowering of the side rail poses a risk of getting caught due to the position of the locks when they approach each other during the lowering. The safety distance between the lower edge of the drive roller and the mattress may not be complied with when using high mattresses.

[0007] It is furthermore desirable to reduce or eliminate the risk of getting caught during lowering of the side rail.

[0008] When adjusting home care or hospital beds with a heavy patient, the shape of the support surface of the bed will change into an upwards or downwards arched configuration. This may affect the equipment attached to the turning device negatively because it is affected by the movements in the frame of the support surface and the height adjustment brackets. When having to get out of a hospital or home care bed, a patient with increased risk of pressure sores may be harmed by sharp edges and protrusions.

[0009] Application of this turning device applied on an extended home care or hospital bed requires that the turning device is capable of being extended towards the extended part of the bed to such an extent that the prescribed safety distances are complied with.

[0010] Accordingly, it is desirable to be able to extend the turning device towards the extended part of the bed to such an extent that the prescribed safety distances are complied with.

Object of the invention

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a turning device, by which it is possible to change the position of the drive rollers without leaving the locks unlocked and hereby pose a risk to the patient.

[0012] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a turning device, wherein the risk of getting caught during lowering of the side rail can be reduced or eliminated.

[0013] It is further an object of the present invention to provide a turning device, wherein the turning device can be extended towards the extended part of the bed to such an extent that the prescribed safety distances are complied with.

Summary of the invention

[0014] The object of the present invention can be achieved by a turning device as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent sub claims, explained in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0015] The turning device according to the invention is a turning device for hospital beds and home care beds, wherein the turning device comprises a side rail rotatably attached on a longitudinal console by means of arms, wherein the side rail comprises a sheet roller for a turning sheet, wherein the side rail is configured to be locked in different positions by means of one or more first locks, wherein the arms are mechanically connected to a shaft, wherein the side rail is configured to be rotated about the shaft and locked in additional positions by means of additional locks, wherein the locks are positioned in such a manner that all locks can be operated from a single position.

[0016] Hereby, it is possible to provide a turning device allowing to change the position of the drive rollers without leaving the locks unlocked. Accordingly, the risk of the patient falling out of the bed can be eliminated.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locks are positioned in such a manner that all locks can be operated from a single position at about the midpoint of the turning device.

[0018] Hereby, it is possible to provide a turning device allowing for changing the position of the drive rollers from a single position at about the midpoint of the turning device.

[0019] It may be an advantage that the side rail comprises a slide by means of which slide, the side rail is configured to be extended.

[0020] Hereby, it is possible to provide a turning device in which the side rail can be extended towards the extended part of the bed to such an extent that the prescribed safety distances are complied with.

[0021] In one embodiment according to the invention, the console comprises a slide by means of which the console can be extended.

[0022] Hereby, it is possible to extend the length of the console when desired.

[0023] In a further embodiment according to the invention, the first locks are offset relative to the additional locks in such a manner that the risk of getting caught during lowering of the side rail is reduced.

[0024] Hereby, the risk of getting caught during the lowering of the side rail can be reduced.

[0025] It may be an advantage that the locks are shaped as spring-loaded housings. The loaded springs prevent the locks from being unintentionally open. Hereby, patient safety can be enhanced.

[0026] It may be advantageous that the additional locks are configured to lock the side rail in a position in which the sheet roller is arranged as the lowermost part of the side rail.

[0027] It may be beneficial that the additional locks are configured to lock the side rail in a position in which the sheet roller is arranged as the uppermost part of the side rail.

[0028] It may be an advantage that the additional locks are configured to lock the side rail in a position in which the sheet roller is arranged as the uppermost part of the side rail, when the side rail is lowered.

[0029] Hereby, it is possible to apply the sheet roller when the side rail is lowered. Accordingly, it is possible to handle a patient (e.g. help a patient out of the bed) while the side rail is lowered.

[0030] It may be an advantage that the turning device comprises a seat bench that is attached to the console.

[0031] It may be beneficial that the turning device comprises a gas spring configured to reduce the load and hereby assist the user during the lowering of the turning device, wherein the gas spring is arranged between the side rail and the console. Hereby, the gas spring eases the handling task of the staff operating the turning device.

[0032] It may be advantageous that the turning device comprises two first locks and two additional locks, wherein the distance between the first locks is shorter than the distance between the additional locks.

[0033] It may be beneficial that the side rail is rotatably attached to the longitudinal console by means of two arms. Hereby, a robust, simple and user-friendly construction can be achieved.

[0034] It is an advantage that the turning device comprises a side rail having a sheet roller for a turning sheet since this enables an easy and efficient way of turning patients.

Description of the Drawings

[0035] The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1

shows a schematic perspective side view of a turning device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown in Fig. 1, wherein the turning device is in a raised configuration with a sheet roller in a first working position;

Fig. 3

shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown in Fig. 2, in a second working position;

Fig. 4

shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, wherein a rotational motion about a centre of rotations is indicated;

Fig. 5

shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown in Fig. 2-4, in a third working position;

Fig. 6

shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown in Fig. 2-5 in a raised configuration in which the height adjustment is indicated;

Fig. 7

shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown in Fig. 2-6 in which the centre of rotation is indicated;

Fig. 8

shows a schematic view of the turning device mounted on a bed;

Fig. 9

shows a schematic view of the turning device with a side rail slide and a console slide in a first position and

Fig. 10

shows a schematic view of the turning device shown in Fig. 9 with the side rail slide and the console slide in a second position.

Detailed description of the invention

[0036] Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, a turning device 15 of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0037] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective side view of a turning device 15 according to the invention. The turning device 15 comprises a side rail 3 with a sheet roller 5 for a turning sheet. The side rail is rotatably attached to a longitudinal console 10 by means of two arms 18, 18' that are configured to be locked in different positions by means of first locks 7,9.

[0038] The arms 18, 18' are mechanically connected to a shaft, about which shaft the side rail is configured to be rotated. The side rail 3 can be locked in additional positions by means of additional locks 2, 4. The locks 2, 4, 7, 9 are arranged in such a manner that they can be accessed and operated from a single position at about the midline of the turning device 15.

[0039] The position of the locks 2, 4, 7, 9 close to the central area of the turning device 15, makes it possible for the operator to reach all four locks 2, 4, 7, 9 from the same position at the midline of the turning device 15.

[0040] The locks 2, 4, 7, 9 in that centre of rotation, about which the desired change (rotational motion) of the turning device 15 occurs, have to be unlocked in order to allow the change (rotational motion) of the turning device 15 to take place.

[0041] The four locks 2, 4, 7, 9 are arranged in a configuration in which the uppermost locks 2, 4 and the lowermost locks 7, 9 are offset relative to each other.

[0042] Hereby, the risk of getting caught during the lowering of the side rail is reduced. The locks 2, 4, 7, 9 are made as spring-loaded constructions that can resist large loads. The spring-loaded constructions prevent the locks 2, 4, 7, 9 from unintentionally being left in an unlocked configuration, hereby increasing patient safety.

[0043] The turning device 15 is attached to a strong console 10, on which a height adjustment bracket 8 and a seat bench 13 are mounted. The console 10 is an open construction comprising a telescopic slide 6 configured to extend the console 10. If desired, when the system(turning device 15) is lowered to the position C (see Fig. 5) and back again to position A (see Fig. 2), the load may be reduced by arranging a gas spring 16 between the side rail 3 and the console 10.

[0044] The side rail 3 is an open pipe construction comprising a slide 1. Thus, an easy length extension can be provided when the system (turning device 15) is applied on extended home care beds or hospital beds. Hereby, it is easy to adjust the side rail 3 and at the same time comply with the prescribed safety distances. Accordingly, patient safety can be increased.

[0045] The side rail 3 and the turning device 15 are arranged on a strong console 10, onto which a height adjustment bracket 8 and a seat bench 13 are mounted. The strong console 10 has two functions. First of all, the console 10 ensures the turning device complies with the prescribed safety distances when a bed has a thick mattress requiring a high position in the bed. Secondly, the console 10 secures that the turning device 15 is not affected by forces from a bed with a heavy patient. The console 10, moreover, is equipped with a slide 6 that ensures that the turning device complies with the prescribed safety distances when using the turning device 15 with an extended home care bed or hospital bed. The seat bench 19 is placed at the central part of the console 10 and reduces the risk of harming the patient during passage.

[0046] The locks 2, 4, 7, 9 may be manufactured in metal, such as steel or in a composite material with the purpose of improving their function and durability. The turning device 15 is constructed in a manner in which it complies with the prescribed safety distances for moveable parts. The side rail 3 and the slide 1 function as a covering of the sheet roller 5 in such a manner that the prescribed safety distances are complies with. The side rail 3 may be produced in metal such as steel.

[0047] The sheet roller 5 may be manufactured in metal such as steel e.g. having a diameter of 62 mm or less. The height adjustment bracket 8 may be manufactured in metal such as steel. The seat bench 13 may be made in metal such as a steel plate or in a composite material.

[0048] Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of the turning device 15 shown in Fig. 1. The turning device is in a raised configuration with a sheet roller in a first working position A.

[0049] Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic side view of the turning device 15 shown in Fig. 2, wherein the turning device is in a raised configuration with a sheet roller in a second working position B.

[0050] Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic side view of the turning device 15 shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, wherein a rotational motion about a centre of rotation is indicated with a dotted line.

[0051] Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic side view of the turning device 15 shown in Fig. 2-4 in a lowered configuration, in a third working position C.

[0052] Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic side view of the turning device 15 shown in Fig. 2-5 in a raised configuration in which the height adjustment is indicated with a dotted arrow.

[0053] Fig. 7 illustrates a schematic side view of the turning device 15 shown in Fig. 2-6 in which the centres of rotation 11, 12 are indicated.

[0054] Fig. 8 illustrates a schematic view of the turning device 15 according to the invention mounted on a bed.

[0055] The lock mechanism comprises four locks arranged in the centres of rotation 11, 12. These locks are arranged close to the midline of the turning device 15. Accordingly, the care assistants can reach all locks from a single position at the midline of the turning device 15. Since both locks arranged at the centres of rotation 11, 12 (for the desired motion) are required to be unlocked in order to change the position of the turning device 15, the patient safety is improved due to the fact that the care assistant does not have to move away from the patient. Application of the turning device 15 will be experienced as easier, more secure and comfortable for the patient.

[0056] The two centres of rotation 11, 12 enable three working positions A, B and C for the turning device 15. This is shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. The side rail positon A (see Fig. 2) is a working position. The side rail positon B (see Fig. 3) is another working position. The lowermost locks 7, 9 are used during the lowering of the turning device 15 in order to allow the patient to get out of the bed (see Fig. 5) corresponding to working position C.

[0057] Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 show that the side rail 3 is an open pipe construction in which a telescopic slide 1 is slidably mounted so that length extension may be carried out. It can further be seen that the console 10 comprises a slide 6 that enables length adjustment.

List of reference numerals

[0058] 

1

Slide

2

Lock

3

Side rail

4

Lock

5

Sheet roller

6

Slide

7

Lock

8

Height adjustment bracket

9

Lock

10

Console

11

Centre of rotation

12

Centre of rotation

13

Seat bench

15

Turning device

16

Gas spring

18, 18'

Arm

A, B, C

Working position

Claims

1. A turning device (15) for hospital beds and home care beds, wherein the turning device (15) comprises a side rail (3) rotatably attached on a longitudinal console (10) by means of arms (18, 18'), wherein the side rail (3) comprises a sheet roller (5) for a turning sheet, wherein the side rail (3) is configured to be locked in different positions by means of one or more first locks (7, 9), wherein the arms (18, 18') are mechanically connected to a shaft, wherein the side rail (3) is configured to be rotated about the shaft and be locked in additional positions by means of additional locks (2, 4), characterised in that the locks (2, 4, 7, 9) are positioned in such a manner that all locks (2, 4, 7, 9) can be operated from a single position.

2. A turning device (15) according to claim 1, characterised in that the locks (2, 4, 7, 9) are positioned in such a manner that all locks (2, 4, 7, 9) can be operated from a single position at about the midpoint of the turning device (15).

3. A turning device (15) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the side rail (3) comprises a slide (1) by means of which slide (1) the side rail (3) is configured to be extended.

4. A turning device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the console (10) comprises a slide (6) by means of which the console (10) can be extended.

5. A turning device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first locks (7, 9) are offset relative to the additional locks (2, 4) in such a manner that the risk of getting caught during the lowering of the side rail (3) is reduced.

6. A turning device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locks (2, 4, 7, 9) are shaped as spring-loaded housings.

7. A turning device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the additional locks (2, 4) are configured to lock the side rail (3) in a position (A), in which the sheet roller (5) is arranged as the lowermost part of the side rail (3).

8. A turning device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the additional locks (2, 4) are configured to lock the side rail (3) in a position (B), in which the sheet roller (5) is arranged as the uppermost part of the side rail (3).

9. A turning device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the additional locks (2, 4) are configured to lock the side rail (3) in a position (C), in which the sheet roller (5) is arranged as the uppermost part of the side rail (3), when the side rail (3) is lowered.

10. A turning device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the turning device (15) comprises a seat bench (13) that is attached to the console (10).

11. A turning device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the turning device (15) comprises a gas spring (16) configured to reduce the load and hereby assist the user during the lowering of the turning device (15), wherein the gas spring (16) is arranged between the side rail (3) and the console (10).

12. A turning device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the turning device (15) comprises two first locks (7, 9) and two additional locks (2, 4), wherein the distance between the first locks (7, 9) is shorter than the distance between the additional locks (2, 4).

13. A turning device (15) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the side rail (3) is rotatably attached to the longitudinal console (10) by means of two arms (18, 18').

Drawing