Beds – With means for relocating an invalid – With a hoisting – lifting – elevating – or raising device
Patent
1994-07-22
1996-02-13
Trettel, Michael F.
Beds
With means for relocating an invalid
With a hoisting, lifting, elevating, or raising device
5 891, 5 861, 212331, 212330, A61G 710
Patent
active
054902932
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transferring loads.
BACKGROUND
In many contexts, there is a need to be able, in a simple manner, to transfer a depending load between to paths which are physically separate from one another. The term path is here taken to signify, for example, a track disposed to cooperate with a carriage running in the track. In its simplest design, the carriage consists, for example, of a wheel journalled in a bracket which, in its turn, is provided with a device to which the load is connected.
In particular for invalids and the infirm who are nursed in the home for shorter or longer periods of time, there is a need to be able to transfer or move such people sitting on a carrier which, in its turn, is displaced along a guide path provided in the ceiling of an apartment in which the person in question is staying. Partially handicapped people who live alone may also be in need of such assistance. One problem which occurs is that, in connection with door openings and the like, the path is discontinued by those wall portions which are located above the door openings. Since the need for auxiliary aids of the type disclosed here is many times relatively brief in duration, it is, from the economic point of view, naturally unreasonable to carry out those modifications to buildings required to be able to mount a continuous guide path in the ceiling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus which avoids the problem of interrupted guide paths as explained above.
The present invention makes it possible to transport a patient along a guide path on a carrier device and thereafter connect the carrier device to another path which is physically separate from the first path. Such transfer can be controlled by a nurse and, in certain cases, by the patient unaided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows an apparatus depending in a first path;
FIG. 2 shows the apparatus depending in the first path and interconnected with the second path;
FIG. 3 shows the apparatus depending in both the first and the second path;
FIG. 4; shows the apparatus depending substantially in the second path;
FIG. 5 shows the apparatus depending solely in the second path;
FIGS. 6-7 show the apparatus integrated with a carriage running in the path;
FIG. 8 is a cross-section through one embodiment of the path.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the Drawings, there is shown a ceiling 1 and a wall portion 2 above a door opening. A first conveyor path 3a is disposed on one side of the wall portion and a second conveyor path 3b on the other side of the wall portion. In the Figures, the conveyor paths are shown as guide rails with a groove 17. In FIG. 8, the path is shown in one embodiment in which it is of rectangular cross-section with a downwardly facing slot 18. A carriage 4a,b provided with wheels 13 runs in the path, the carriage being separate for each path. Hereinafter the carriages will generally be designated first carriage 4a and second carriage 4b. In the Figures the carriages are shown in one embodiment in which they are provided with a support member 19 which projects out through the slot 18. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the path and the carriages may be given varying designs and appearances without departing from the scope of the invention.
Each respective carriage 4a,b is connected with an apparatus 7 which mounts a carrier member 12, for example a hook to which is coupled a chair, a harness or other suitable means in which a patient 8 may be placed. The apparatus is provided with two connecting devices 9a, 11a;9b, 11b, each one shown in one embodiment in which it comprises one connecting device 9a,b extending from the housing 14 of the apparatus. The apparatus includes drive means (not shown) for infeed and discharge of at least one of the con
REFERENCES:
patent: 1971294 (1934-08-01), Bunker
patent: 3123224 (1964-03-01), Kral
patent: 3351959 (1967-11-01), Turpin
patent: 4125908 (1978-11-01), Vail et al.
patent: 4202064 (1980-05-01), Joergensen
patent: 4256098 (1981-03-01), Swan et al.
patent: 4372452 (1983-02-01), McCord
patent: 4639955 (1987-02-01), Carminati et al.
patent: 4944056 (1990-07-01), Schroeder et al.
patent: 5158188 (1992-10-01), Nordberg
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 13, No. 487, C-649, abstract of JP, A, 1-192355 (Kyushu Kobayashi Kensetsu K.K.), 2 Aug. 1989.
LandOfFree
Transfer apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Transfer apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Transfer apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-234796