HK40004742B - Assistive tool for transfer assistance, standing assistance, etc. - Google Patents

Description

Auxiliary tools such as transfer assistance and standing assistance

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a standing assistance system used to guide an elderly person or a physically disabled person to stand up and sit down when transferring from a bed to a wheelchair, a lift chair, or a chair.

Background Art

Standing assistance devices are commonly used to help people who have difficulty standing up, transfer from a wheelchair, or switch to a lift or chair. Depending on the physical condition of the person assisting, various devices have been disclosed, including lift devices that support the entire body weight, standing assistance mechanisms attached to wheelchairs, spring-loaded seats, traction belts for the assisting person to pull up (Patent Documents 1 and 2), assistive clothing (Patent Document 3), and assistive devices that secure and pull the feet up (Patent Document 4).

Among these, traction belts, nursing clothes, and auxiliary tools for securing and lifting the foot are cheaper, lighter, and more portable than other methods, and therefore have the advantage of being usable in a variety of situations.

In the traction belt disclosed in Patent Document 1, a waist belt is worn on the person being assisted in a seated position, and then the traction belt is pulled diagonally upward relative to the waist belt to guide the assisting person to a standing position.

The traction belt shown in Patent Document 2 includes an assisting belt body consisting of a waist belt and a hip belt instead of the waist belt of Patent Document 1. The assisting person is guided to a standing position by pulling the traction belt attached to the assisting belt body diagonally upward.

In the clothing for a caregiver and a person requiring care disclosed in Patent Document 3, belt-shaped gripping portions are attached to the apron of the caregiver and the pants of the person requiring care, thereby facilitating assistance in standing up.

In the auxiliary tool for fixing and pulling up the feet shown in Patent Document 4, the calves of the assisting person and the person being assisted are connected by a device such as a shin guard, which prevents the person being assisted from bending his or her knees due to lack of leg strength and being unable to support his or her weight with his or her knees, making it easier to assist in standing up.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-514503.

Patent Document 2: Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3155229.

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-81010.

Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-41631.

However, the method disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document 1 is beneficial in that the assisting person can grab the traction belt and pull up the person being assisted, but it has the following problems: the person being assisted must be lifted up during wearing, which puts a heavy burden on the operator, and the narrow area of the belt exerts pressure on the person being cared for, which poses a risk of fracture for elderly people with brittle bones, and the person being assisted is likely to become unstable during the pulling action.

The method disclosed in Patent Document 2, devised to address this problem, is advantageous in that it allows for relatively easy placement on the person being assisted without misaligning the orientation and allows for a stable pulling motion. However, the difficulty of donning the device is not eliminated, and familiarity with specialized tools is still required. This may not necessarily reduce the workload for assisting persons accustomed to using their own bodies.

Patent Document 3, designed to facilitate regular wear, discloses a method in which handles are attached to the waist and back of the assisting person's clothing or apron and the assisted person's pants. The assisting person grasps the handle at the back of the waist with one hand and the handle at the side of the waist with the other. This method is beneficial in terms of saving effort during donning, but grasping the back of the waist and pulling it up can cause the clothing to dig into the assisted person's thighs, causing physical and mental pain, making it not necessarily a preferred method.

Patent Document 4, a supporting device consisting of a knee support cuff and a connecting plate, was developed to assist assisted passengers who have difficulty supporting their weight on their knees and cannot maintain a standing position. By securing the assisted passenger's knees, the assisting passenger's knees are pushed against them, preventing the assisted passenger from squatting forward. This method is an effective way to partially compensate for the shortcomings of traction belts or assistance clothing. However, the supporting device must be manufactured to precisely match the assisted passenger's legs to prevent them from slipping or being too tight, resulting in limited structural flexibility. This means that knee supports lack versatility to accommodate a wide range of leg sizes, and a loose fit can create a risk of detachment during shower assistance, which can be prone to slipping.

Summary of the Invention

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary tool that can eliminate the trouble of the above-mentioned wearing operation, has a shape similar to a pad, clothing or support that the care recipient can wear on a daily basis, and has the characteristics of being able to provide standing support at any time, and is integrated with the function of fixing the knees, so that it can easily assist the assisted person who cannot maintain a standing position to provide transfer assistance, standing assistance, etc.

The present invention has a cushion or mattress that does not make the person being assisted feel uncomfortable even if worn frequently, or a seat portion that wraps the buttocks in the shape of shorts or a supporter, and has a traction belt on the side for the assisting person to grasp for pulling up. During the pulling up action, the seat wraps and supports the person being assisted from the waist to the thighs, thereby functioning as a waist retaining portion that stably supports the waist of the person being assisted during transfer assistance and standing assistance.

The traction belts installed on both sides of the side portion make the gripping position of the assistant lower than the chest of the assisted person in the seated state. This is necessary for lifting the buttocks by pulling the assisted person's buttocks obliquely forward.

A pair of traction belts are attached to the left and right waist sides, or one end of each traction belt is attached to the waist side near the greater trochanter of the femoral neck or above the ilium, and the other end is fixed near the center of the femur when standing up. This effectively shifts the center of gravity.

Likewise, the strength to support the weight of the person being assisted must be maintained by securely combining the traction straps with the sturdy fabric wrapped around the hips.

During use, the knee-fixing portion is integrated with the traction belt and waist-supporting portion. This prevents the person being assisted from squatting forward due to bending their knees, and also serves as a fulcrum for the lever principle while maintaining the person's standing position during the traction movement. It can be composed of a cloth or belt wrapped around the knees, or a rigid, non-deformable portion made of wood, metal, or rubber, and a soft, cushioning portion that contacts the person's calf.

According to the invention of the relevant technical solution 1, it is composed of a waist holding part, a traction belt firmly connected thereto, and a knee fixing part. The waist holding part uses a fabric with a strength that can support the weight of the assisted person to wrap and support at least the waist or buttocks, or both the waist and buttocks, or from the waist to the thigh, and is composed of cloth, belt or net, etc. The traction belt is installed on the front, back, side, buttocks, or from the side of the waist to the side of the thigh of the assisted person in order for the assistant to pull up the seated assisted person. The knee fixing part is used to limit the free bending of the assisted person's knees and wrap and support at least the front and side of the calf near the knees or from the knees to the ankles; thereby, during the pulling-up action performed by the assistant, while being in the form of a pad, shorts or pants worn by the assisted person on a daily basis, assistance in standing up can be provided at any time.

According to the invention of the relevant technical solution 2, the above-mentioned knee fixing part is composed of a cloth or belt that is wound from the knee to the shin or calf and is used. When assisting, it is combined with a waist holding part or a traction belt to form a whole, but the winding can be easily released or the knee fixing part can be disassembled outside of the assistance. In this way, the knees of the assisted person who cannot maintain a standing position can be prevented from collapsing and squatting, and it functions as a fulcrum of the lever principle in the standing assistance. By being able to be disassembled, there is usually no constraint on the legs, and when used, it immediately becomes a whole and functions as a transfer assistance and standing assistance tool. By making the cloth or belt used in the knee fixing part have both flexibility and strength, a sense of stability can be ensured, and by having a certain degree of width, biting into the assisted person or the assistant can be avoided.

According to the invention of claim 3, the waist support portion forms at least a portion of the seat surface of the cushion or pants, and can be worn by the person being assisted, even when not in assistance mode. This eliminates the need to attach the waist support portion and belt for each assistance session. Simply attaching the knee support portion during assistance allows the entire system to function properly.

According to the invention related to technical solution 4, the traction belt is connected to the left and right waist sides in a pair, or to the left and right sides from the ilium to the femur. The belt length is limited or adjustable so that the gripping position of the traction belt during use is not higher than the heart. This effectively applies a pulling force without exerting a biting force on the thigh of the person being assisted. If the traction belt is too long, it will be difficult to effectively use the weight to move the person backward. Therefore, it is appropriate to grip the belt below the heart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a front view showing a mat-type assisting tool for assisting in transferring or standing up according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a perspective view showing a state before a knee fixing portion is attached to the trouser-type assistive tool for assisting in transferring to or standing up from the trousers according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the attachment position of the traction belt and the skeleton according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a side view of a trouser-type assistive tool for assisting in transferring or standing up, showing a state of use in which a knee fixing portion, a waist holding portion, and a traction belt are combined according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG5 is a cross-sectional view showing a calf portion wrapped around a knee fixing portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which knee fixing parts are removed from the cushion type and trouser type.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which assistive tools such as transfer assist and standing assist according to the present invention are used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG1 , the assisting tool A for assisting transfer or standing up of the present invention is composed of a knee fixing portion 1 , a pad 2 corresponding to a waist holding portion, and a traction belt 3 connected to the pad.

In addition, the traction belt and waist holding portion shown in Figure 1 can also be composed of a trouser-shaped portion 4 and a traction belt 3 as shown in Figure 2. In addition, in the case of a mat-shaped device, a cloth or belt connecting the abdomen and the back can be used to improve the close fit and stability of the assistive tool and the person being assisted, as in the case of a trouser-shaped device.

In either of the cases shown in Figures 1 and 2 , both ends of the left and right waist traction belts 2 are securely connected to the cushion-like portion 2 or the trouser-like portion 4. As shown in Figure 3 , the upper end 5 is attached near the ilium, which is above the femoral neck, and the lower end 6 is attached near the center of the femur. Alternatively, the lower end 6 may be located near the femoral neck.

In addition, if the gripping position of the traction belt 2 is too high, it becomes difficult to pull up by moving the assisting person's weight backward. However, by gripping the traction belt of the standing-up assisting tool A of the present invention at an appropriate position lower than the heart of the person being assisted 8, such as near the femoral neck, as shown in Figure 5, the assisting person 9's weight is moved backward, making it possible to pull up.

As described above, the pad or the pants-like portion can be worn at all times, and the labor of wearing can be saved.

Fig. 4 shows a state where the knee fixing portion 1 is wound up in a seated state. The knee fixing portion is connected to the traction belt by a connecting belt 7 to form an integral body.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a leg with the knee fixing portion 1 wrapped around the calf 8 of the person being assisted. The knee of the assisting person is fixed by pressing the knee of the assisting person against the knee fixing portion.

Figure 6 shows a state where the knee fixing portion is removed. By simply removing the knee fixing portion, the knee can be fixed only when assisting and not restrained in other cases.

Hereinafter, the components of the auxiliary standing seat according to the present invention will be described in detail.

The above-mentioned cushion-shaped or trouser-shaped waist retaining portion, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, has a shape that can be used or worn daily as a cushion or mattress, or as clothing, and is made of a strong raw material such as denim or canvas that can support the waist retaining portion without being damaged even when the weight of the person being assisted is applied during the pulling action under transfer assistance or standing assistance.

Furthermore, the shape and structure of the cushion-like or trouser-like waist support portion can be selected appropriately. For example, the cushion can be thickened to provide a bedsore prevention function, or a mesh fabric can be introduced into a portion to maintain breathability. Furthermore, any portion of the present invention can be applied to shower assistance, etc., by utilizing waterproof base materials or hydrophobic treatment.

The traction belt is a handle that the assisting person grasps when assisting the person being assisted to stand up, and is made of denim or canvas that does not break during the pulling action, or synthetic fibers such as nylon, resin, or leather.

The shorts or pants-like portion and the traction belt must be connected to each other with a strong thread and sewing method to be able to support the weight of the person being assisted.

The shape and material of the traction belt can be selected appropriately, but it is preferable that the position gripped by the assisting person during the pulling action is near the femoral neck, which is lower than the heart of the person being assisted.

The knee-fixing portion is a component that restrains the knee from collapsing and is wound as shown in Figure 4. To facilitate assembly and disassembly, it can be fastened with a surface fastener 10 as shown in Figure 6. To facilitate assembly and disassembly of the traction belt, waist support, and knee-fixing portion, a buckle 11 can be used as shown in Figure 6. Of course, various other methods of assembly and disassembly can be used, such as snaps, buttons, and buckles.

In addition, although the knee fixing portion is coupled to the traction belt in Figures 1 and 4 , the present invention is not limited to this coupling method. Instead of using the traction belt as the coupling portion of the knee fixing portion, the waist fixing portion and the knee fixing portion may be coupled by means of a coupling ring or belt through-hole provided on the waist retaining portion, or a buckle provided therewith.

By attaching the traction belt to an appropriate gripping position as described above, as shown in Figure 7, the person being assisted can be pulled up by the helper 12 shifting their weight within a range that allows them to neither bend over nor lean back too far, without any strain. Attaching the handle to the side of the thigh, as in the present invention, is effective in effectively achieving this weight shift. The inventors' research has shown that attaching the handle to the hips does not allow for sufficient weight shift compared to attaching it to the side.

Next, a usage example of the standing-up assisting tool according to the first embodiment described above will be described below.

First, as shown in Figure 7(a), from the front of the person being assisted 13 wearing the standing aid of the present invention, the helper 12 grasps the left and right traction straps with their arms extended. At this point, the helper's supporting foot presses against the portion wrapped around the person being assisted's calf, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 5. The person being assisted preferably places their hands around the helper's back.

Next, the assisting person, with their arms extended, pulls the leg that's not on the person being assisted backward, shifting their center of gravity backward around the supporting foot as shown in Figure 7(b). After changing direction, they rotate around the supporting foot and guide the person being assisted into a seated position.

During this pulling and sitting process, the assistance is easily performed using the lever principle, with the gripping point of the traction belt as the point of action, the center of gravity of the assisting person as the force point, and the knee fixed part as the fulcrum. Specifically, the person being assisted is naturally pulled up by the aforementioned shift in center of gravity, and can be guided to standing or sitting, without any strain on the assisting person's arms or waist.

Furthermore, unlike conventional standing aids, the present invention's standing aid is constantly in use by the person being assisted, except for the knee-fixing portion. This reduces the effort required to wear the aid, improving operational efficiency. Furthermore, the larger contact area with the person being assisted provides greater stability during standing. Using a hydrophobic treatment or waterproof material makes it effective even in slippery showers.

As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that modifications, variations, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Description of Reference Numerals

A Main body of auxiliary tools such as transfer assistance and standing assistance

1 Knee fixation

2 cushion-type waist support parts

3 traction belts

4 Pants-type waist support part

5. Installation position of the upper end of the traction belt

6 Installation position of the lower end of the traction belt

7 Binding belt

8 Cross-section of the calf of the person being assisted

9 Cross-section of the assisted person's calf

10-sided fasteners

11 Buckle

12 Helpers

13 Assisted persons.

Claims (5)

1. An auxiliary tool for assisting with transferring and standing up, characterized in that, It consists of a knee fixation part, a waist support part, and a pair of left and right traction straps. The knee fixation part wraps and supports the knee area or at least the front and sides of the lower leg from the knee to the ankle of the person being assisted. The waist support part is made of cloth, sheet, or netting that wraps and supports at least the buttocks or from the waist to the thigh of the person being assisted. The two connecting ends of the traction straps are respectively installed on the side of the waist and the side of the thigh of the waist support part, so that during the lifting action of assisting with transfer and assisting with standing, the traction straps become the upper and lower part of the greater trochanter of the femur of the person being assisted, and when sitting, the traction straps become the front and back part of the greater trochanter of the femur of the person being assisted. During assistance, by passing the connecting straps extending from the knee fixation part through the loops formed by the traction straps on the left and right sides of the waist support part and the waist support part, and then combining with the connecting straps on the left and right sides themselves or the knee fixation part, a pair of connecting strap loops are formed on the left and right sides, thereby the three elements of the knee fixation part, waist support part, and traction straps are combined. 2. The auxiliary tool for assisting with transferring and standing up as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned knee fixation part is made of cloth or strap used to wrap around from the knee to the shin or lower leg. Except when assisting, the wrapping of the aforementioned knee fixation part can be easily unwound, and the aforementioned knee fixation part can be detached from the aforementioned traction strap and the aforementioned waist retainer by separating the aforementioned connecting strap that passes through the loop formed by the traction strap and the aforementioned waist retainer. 3. The auxiliary tool for transferring and standing up as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned waist support is part of a pad or pants, which has a traction strap. In addition to being assisted, the person being assisted can also wear it. However, in the seated state, the traction strap is also exposed on the side. By positioning the traction strap in the seated state so that the iliac side is higher and the thigh side is lower, it becomes easier for the assistant facing the person being assisted to pull it up diagonally upwards. 4. The auxiliary tool for assisting with transferring and standing up as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned waist support is part of a pad or pants, which has a traction strap. In addition to being assisted, the person being assisted can also wear it. However, in the seated state, the traction strap is also exposed on the side. By positioning the traction strap in the seated state so that the iliac side is higher and the thigh side is lower, it becomes easier for the assistant facing the person being assisted to pull it up diagonally upwards. 5. The auxiliary tool for assisting with transferring and standing as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The length of the traction belt is limited or adjustable so that the grip position when the traction belt is pulled up is not higher than the heart.