Patent Grant
11291600
This invention relates in general to hoists for helping an individual to reach a standing position or a seated or lying position. More particularly, this invention relates to handles used in such hoists.
Hoists which help an individual into or out of a standing position are well known. Advantageously, they provide assistance for individuals who have difficulty in transferring independently from a seated position to a standing position, or from a standing position to a seated position, such as the elderly or patients in a hospital. Hoists typically comprise a lifting arm and a lifting strap connected thereto which is placed around the trunk of the individual. A lifting force from the lifting arm is transferred to the individual via the lifting strap, facilitating the transition between a lying/seated and a standing position.
On use of known hoists, the individual however typically tends to grip the lifting arm in front of him, presumably from a subjective feeling of safety. The arms however thus come into a position (e.g. above shoulder height) which makes it easier for the lifting strap to slip, whereby for example it can slip upward to below the shoulders of the individual. In this situation, the individual's comfort is significantly reduced and safety may even be threatened.
There is therefore room for improvement of hoists.
It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide good hoists and good methods for use of these hoists. This object is achieved by a device, a method and/or a use according to the present invention.
In a first aspect, the present invention concerns a hoist for facilitating a transition between firstly a seated or lying position and secondly a standing position of an individual, comprising:
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the comfort and/or safety of the individual (i.e. the user of the hoist, such as for example the patient or the elderly person) may be increased.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that efficient hoists may be obtained, i.e. hoists which allow users to switch between a lying/seated position and a standing position in an efficient manner.
In embodiments, the handle may be positioned such that when the individual grips the handle, an angle between an arm and a torso of the individual is less than or equal to 90°, preferably less than or equal to 70°, more preferably less than or equal to 50°, even more preferably less than or equal to 30°. The upper arm horizontally at shoulder height corresponds to an angle of 90°, while the upper arm next to the body corresponds to an angle of 0°.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a connecting element (e.g. a lifting strap) may remain well positioned around the user during use of the hoist. It is a further advantage of embodiments of the present invention that during use of the hoist, the connecting element does not shift to an uncomfortable and/or unsafe position.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the hoist, e.g. the position of the handle, can be matched to the individual.
In embodiments, the handle may be configured relative to the lifting arm such that, during operation of the hoist, in a first phase, the lifting arm is in motion but not the handle, and in a second phase, both the handle and the lifting arm are in motion. In other words, during a lifting action, the movement of the movable handle is delayed with respect to the movement of the lifting arm. In some embodiments, the movable handle—during a lifting action—only moves after the connecting element (e.g. lifting strap), which is mounted on the individual, is brought under mechanical tension by moving the lifting arm.
According to some embodiments, the movable handle may move around a different pivoting point than the lifting arm. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the handle is not fixed, but moves depending on the phase of operation of the hoist. It is a further advantage of embodiments of the present invention that throughout the operation, the handle can remain in a good position, i.e. a position in which the user's attitude is comfortable and in which the connecting element does not slip into uncomfortable positions on the user's body.
In embodiments, the handle may be connected to the lifting arm in such a way that a force and/or a movement from the lifting arm in the first phase is not transferred to the handle, and in the second phase is transferred to the handle.
The connection between the movable handle and the lifting arm may be a non rigid connection.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the movement of the handle can be coupled to the movement of the lifting arm, while a relative movement between the two is still obtained.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a relative movement between the handle and the lifting arm can be obtained in a relatively large number of ways. It is a further advantage of embodiments of the present invention that this principle may therefore be integrated in a variety of hoist models.
In embodiments, the movement of the handle may comprise a rotation about a rotation point, and the force from the lifting arm on the handle may be an upward force with a proximal point of attack relative to the rotation point, viewed from the individual.
In embodiments, the movement of the handle may comprise a rotation about a rotation point, and the force from the lifting arm on the handle may be a downward force with a distal point of attack relative to the rotation point, viewed from the individual.
In embodiments, the lifting arm and the handle may be connected by means of the chain or a pivoting coupling element, wherein the maximal length of the chain or pivoting coupling element is greater than the distance between the lifting arm and the handle in the first phase of operation of the hoist.
In embodiments, the hoist may comprise a separate actuator for the handle and a separate actuator for the lifting arm.
It is an advantage of some embodiments of the present invention that the handle can be actuated separately from the lifting arm.
In embodiments, the handle may be configured relative to the lifting arm such that during operation of the hoist, the handle moves at a different speed from the lifting arm.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the lifting arm and handle may be situated at different distances, despite their movements being coupled.
In some embodiments, the handle may move more slowly than the lifting arm.
In some embodiments, the lifting arm and the handle may be driven by the same motor.
It is an advantage of some embodiments of the present invention that no extra motor need be provided for moving the handle.
In embodiments, the connecting element may be a lifting strap to be placed around the individual. The lifting strap may be connected to the lifting arm.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the individual can be coupled to the hoist in a relatively simple and safe manner.
In embodiments, the lifting strap may be placed around a torso of the individual.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the coupling may be relatively comfortable and/or safe.
In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for transferring an individual between firstly a seated or lying position and secondly a standing position, comprising:
In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a handle in a hoist according to an embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the handle shifts during operation of the hoist and executes a movement relative to the lifting arm of the hoist.
Specific and preferred aspects of the invention are described in the attached independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims and with features of other dependent claims as indicated, and not simply as expressly presented in the claims.
These and other aspects of the invention will become clear and be explained with reference to the embodiment(s) described below.
The drawings are purely diagrammatic and not limitative. In the drawings, the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated and not shown to scale for illustrative purposes.
Reference numbers in the claims should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of protection. In the various drawings, the same reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent elements.
The present invention will be described in relation to particular embodiments and with reference to specific drawings, but the invention is not restricted thereto and is limited solely by the claims. The drawings described are purely diagrammatic and not limitative. In the drawings, for illustrative purposes, the dimensions of some elements are exaggerated and not drawn to scale. The dimensions and relative dimensions sometimes do not correspond to the actual practical embodiment of the invention.
Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and similar in the description and in the claims serve to distinguish equivalent elements and not necessarily to describe an order in either time or space, or in priority or in any other way. It should be understood that the terms used in this way are interchangeable under certain circumstances, and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are suitable for working in other orders than described or shown herein.
In addition, the terms “above”, “below”, “in front of”, “lower” and similar in the description and in the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to define relative positions. It should be understood that the terms used in this way may under given circumstances can be exchanged for their antonyms, and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are also suitable for working with other orientations than described or shown herein.
It should be noted that the terms “comprise” and “contain” as used in the claims should not be interpreted as limited to the means described thereafter; these terms do not exclude other elements or steps. They should be interpreted as specifying the presence of the indicated features, values, steps or components to which reference is made, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps or components or groups thereof. Therefore, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices which consist solely of components A and B. It means that with regard to the present invention, A and B are the only relevant components of the device.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a specific feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the expressions “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” at various points throughout the specification need not necessarily each refer to the same embodiment, but may well do so. Furthermore, the specific features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, as will be clear to an average person skilled in the art on the basis of this publication.
Similarly, it should be appreciated that the various features of the invention given in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention may sometimes be grouped into a single embodiment, figure or description thereof, with the aim of streamlining the disclosure and assisting with comprehension of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the invention requires more features than explicitly stated in each claim. Rather, as the following claims show, inventive aspects exist in less than all features of a single, previously disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby explicitly included in this detailed description, with each autonomous claim as a separate embodiment of this invention.
Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein comprise some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are considered to lie within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments, as will be understood by the skilled person. For example, in the claims which follow, any embodiments described may be used in any combination.
In the description provided here, numerous specific details are emphasised. It should however also be understood that embodiments of the invention may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known methods, structures and techniques are not presented in detail, in order to keep this description concise.
In a first aspect, the present invention concerns a hoist for facilitating a transition between firstly a seated or lying position and secondly a standing position of an individual. Such hoists are for example particularly advantageous for assisting individuals who have difficulty in moving independently between a standing position and a seated or lying position, such as for example the elderly, patients in a hospital etc.
The hoist according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a movable lifting arm for exerting a lifting force, a connecting element for transferring the lifting force from the lifting arm to the individual, and a movable handle. The movable handle is suitable for supporting the hands of the individual during operation of the hoist and is configured to shift during operation of the hoist. During operation of the hoist, more specifically during at least part of the operation, the movable handle executes a movement relative to the lifting arm.
In embodiments, the hoist may be used both for transition from the seated or lying position to the standing position, and from the standing position to the seated or lying position. By means of the lifting force exerted by the lifting arm, the hoist can apply a lifting movement to the individual and an opposite movement (e.g. slow down and/or control the natural falling motion).
In embodiments, the lifting arm may be movable by rotation and/or translation. The lifting arm may for example be connected to a further part of the hoist (for example a stand) by means of a connecting point. The movable lifting arm may for example be rotatable about this connecting point, and/or the movable lifting arm may be translatable by for example an upward or downward movement of the connecting point. In some embodiments, the movable lifting arm may combine rotation and translation.
In embodiments, the connecting element may be a lifting strap for placing around the individual and connecting to the lifting arm. In embodiments, the lifting strap may be placed around the torso (e.g. a trunk or middle) of the individual. The lifting strap may for example be attached to the lifting arm at one end, run around the individual's back, and be attached to the lifting arm again at the other end. In embodiments, the connecting element may also be a more extensive system such as a harness. The connecting element may be adapted to increase the comfort and/or safety of the individual. Thus, the connecting element may be made of a partially compressible material (e.g. a foam) and/or have an anti-slip surface in zones which make contact with the individual. The connecting element may be designed such that it can be fastened around the individual, for example by means of a Velcro tape or a hook and eye system, or in any other manner which allows the connecting element to be securely fastened around the individual.
In embodiments, the handle, which is suitable for supporting the hands of the patient during operation of the hoist, may have a suitable form, a suitable material and/or a suitable position. A suitable form may for example be a shape which allows the handle to be gripped easily and well, such as an ergonomic shape. A suitable material may for example be a material which is sufficiently stiff, and/or which allows the handle to be gripped firmly.
In embodiments, the handle may be positioned such that when the individual grips the handle, an angle between an arm and a torso of the individual is less than or equal to 90°, preferably 70°, more preferably 50°, even more preferably 30°. The handle may thus advantageously be positioned such that the arm is oriented at shoulder height (i.e. 90°) or lower. In embodiments, the movement of the handle during operation of the hoist may be such that the angle between the arm and the torso is always less than or equal to 90°, preferably 70°, more preferably 50°, even more preferably 30°.
A relative movement of the handle relative to the lifting arm during operation of the hoist may advantageously be achieved in various ways. In a first form, the handle may be configured relative to the lifting arm such that, during operation of the hoist, in one phase e.g. a first phase, the lifting arm is in motion but not the handle, and in another phase e.g. a second phase, both the handle and the lifting arm are in motion.
In a second form, the handle may be configured relative to the lifting arm such that, during operation of the hoist, the handle moves at a different speed (e.g. more slowly) than the lifting arm. In embodiments, only the first or only the second form may occur. In other embodiments, both the first and the second form may be combined sequentially or simultaneously.
In embodiments, the handle may be connected to the lifting arm in such a way that the force from the lifting arm in the first phase is not transferred to the handle and in the second phase is transferred to the handle.
In embodiments, the movement of the handle may comprise a rotation about a rotation point, and the force from the lifting arm on the handle may be an upward force with a proximal point of attack relative to the rotation point, viewed from the individual. In embodiments, the lifting arm and the handle may be connected by means of a coupling element (e.g. a chain or pivoting coupling element), wherein the maximal length of the coupling element is greater than the distance between the lifting arm and the handle in the first phase of operation of the hoist. The coupling element may for example be a chain, a belt, a shackle connection, a bridge connection, a piston, a guided chain or belt (optionally equipped with the spring), or a sliding shackle connection. Such embodiments are shown for example in
In embodiments, the movement of the handle may comprise a rotation about a rotation point, and the force from the lever arm on the handle may be a downward force with a distal point of attack relative to the rotation point, viewed from the individual. Such embodiments are shown for example in
In embodiments, the hoist may comprise a separate actuator for the handle and a separate actuator for the lifting arm. Such embodiments are shown for example in
In embodiments, the lifting arm and the handle may be driven by the same motor.
In embodiments, in the hoist, the handle may also be attached to the lifting arm with a rotation point, as shown for example in
Further standard and optional features of the hoist according to embodiments of the present invention may correspond to hoists known from the prior art. Thus, hoists according to embodiments of the present invention may also comprise a stand to which the lifting arm and handle are linked. Such a stand may for example be a tubular structure, although the invention is not limited to this. The hoist may also be provided with wheels so that the hoist can easily be displaced. The hoist may furthermore also be provided with a plate or bar on which the user's feet may be placed. Typically, the hoist also comprises a motor for driving the movement of the actuator or actuators in some embodiments of the present invention. The specific type of motor which may be used is not limitative for the present invention.
By way of illustration, embodiments not being limited thereby,
In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for transferring an individual between firstly a seated or lying position and secondly a standing position, comprising:
In embodiments, features of the second aspect may be independent, as described accordingly for the other aspects and their embodiments.
In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a handle in a hoist according to an embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the handle shifts during operation of the hoist and executes a movement relative to the lifting arm of the hoist.
In embodiments, features of the third aspect may be independent, as described accordingly for the other aspects and their embodiments.
Various configurations for obtaining a handle which shifts during operation of a hoist, and also executes a movement relative to a lifting arm, are shown in
In one configuration (not shown), the movement of the handle may also be coupled to that of the lifting arm by means of interacting gearwheels. By suitable choice of gear wheel size, for example a differing rotation speed between the lifting arm and the handle can thus easily be obtained.
The various aspects may easily be combined with each other and the combinations thus also correspond to embodiments according to the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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| 2018/5358 | May 2018 | BE | national |
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| 20190365587 A1 | Dec 2019 | US |
