WO2008127089A1

WO2008127089A1 - Transport aiding device for descending or climbing a staircase

Info

Publication number: WO2008127089A1
Application number: PCT/NL2008/000104
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arnoldus Johannes Antonius Bouwhuis
Original assignee: EVAC MOBILITY CENTRE
Current assignee: EVAC MOBILITY CENTRE
Priority date: 2007-04-16
Filing date: 2008-04-15
Publication date: 2008-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-16
Also published as: NL1033700C2; WO2008127089A8

Abstract

Transport aiding device designed for descending or climbing a staircase with a single patient sitting in the transport aiding device, which transport aiding device rides on the staircase during the descent or climbing, and can be handled and/or operated by at least an assistant walking on the staircase near the transport aiding device. The transport aiding device comprises a support with a frame and a by the staircase supportable system comprising one or more wheels and/or belts, and a chair assembly supported on the frame, comprising a chair with a seat and a backrest for the patient, the chair assembly is supported on the frame of the support through a bearing, which bearing allows the chair assembly to be turned with respect to the support while descending or climbing the staircase.

Description

TRANSPORT AIDING DEVICE FOR DESCENDING OR CLIMBING A STAIRCASE

The invention relates to a transport aiding device that is designed for descending or climbing a staircase with a single patient sitting in the transport aiding device. This transport aiding device can be handled and/or operated while descending as well as climbing up the staircase by at least an assistant walking on the steps near the transport aiding device. In the field, such transport aiding devices are for example offered as carry chairs or ambulance chairs, for example, to be used for instance by ambulance personnel to transport a patient to an ambulance, or as an evacuation chair as an emergency rescue tool in buildings.

The term 'patient' in the present context will mean every person who is transported using the transport aiding device since he/she cannot, or does not wish to, independently climb or descend the staircase.

The known transport aiding devices cannot be used universally and their use is problematic for example in staircases with one or more bends, or spiral staircases.

The first aspect of the invention aims to provide an improved transport aiding device.

A further object of the first aspect of the invention is to provide a transport aiding device that is advantageous to use in staircases with one or more bends.

The first aspect of the invention achieves one or more of the aforesaid objects by providing a transport aiding device according to the preamble of claim 1 , characterised in that the chair assembly is supported on the frame through a bearing, which bearing allows the chair assembly to be turned with respect to the support while descending or climbing the staircase. This makes it possible to give the chair assembly, and thus the patient, an appropriate position with respect to the support while descending/climbing and to change the position during transport.

Preferably, the bearing is such that while descending or climbing a staircase with a bend, the chair assembly can already be turned in the direction of the bend with respect to the support while approaching the bend. This makes it possible to pass relatively narrow bends without the transport aiding device getting stuck in the corner and/or collision of the patient with the wall, stair handrail or other obstacle. In a preferred version of the transport aiding device, it is envisaged that there are two assistants to assist in descending a staircase with a patient. It is herein preferred that the support is provided with handling and/or operating means to be handled and/or operated by an assistant walking behind the transport aiding device during the descent of a staircase, while the chair assembly is provided with handling and/or operating means to be handled and/or operated by an assistant walking in front of the transport aiding device during the climbing of a staircase.

For example, the chair assembly is provided with one or more handgrips for the assistant walking in the front - during descending - so that this person can turn the chair assembly with respect to the support which rests on the staircase. One or more of such handgrips may form part of a feet support structure of the chair assembly.

It is particularly preferred that the system comprising one or more wheels and/or belts, is arranged such that the effective length of the system - seen in the direction of the descending or climbing of the staircase - is variable.

Preferably, the system is arranged such that the effective length is the largest during the descent/climbing of a straight portion of a staircase, and the smallest when passing a bend in a staircase, wherein the effective length can be varied while the support - with the patient sitting in the chair assembly - rests on the staircase.

As a result, for example, while descending a substantially straight portion of a staircase followed by a bend, the effective length can be adjusted to the largest effective length during the descent of the straight portion, and while approaching the bend in the staircase, the effective length of the system can be adjusted to the smallest effective length.

In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises on each side of the support two belt carriers each comprising a belt, wherein the belt carriers are movable with respect to each other, such that in the extended position the belt carriers are substantially extending and define the largest effective length of the system and in a retracted position a smaller, or even smallest effective length of the system.

The second aspect of the invention also relates to the problems experienced when descending staircases with a bend using conventional transport aiding device. The second aspect of the invention aims at proposing an improved transport aiding device.

The second aspect of the invention therefore provides a transport aiding device according to the preamble of claim 21 , characterized in that the support is adapted such that - during the descent or climbing of a staircase with a substantially straight portion followed by a bend - the effective length of the by the staircase supported system during the descent or climbing of the straight portion can be set to a large effective length, and the effective length can be set to a smaller effective length while approaching the bend in the staircase. This solution is preferably combined with the features of the first aspect of the invention. Possibly, the solution can also be used in a transport aiding device wherein the chair is supported on the support in an unchangeable orientation with respect to the direction of transportation.

The second aspect of the invention also provides a transport aiding device according to the preamble of claim 24, characterized in that the support is adapted such that - during the descent or climbing of an inclined portion of the staircase with a seated patient in the chair - the effective length of the by the staircase supported system is adjustable between a larger and smaller effective length while the system remains supported by inclined portion of the staircase during the adjustment.

It will be clear to the skilled person that the various aspects of the invention can be used in combination, and this will also be seen from the following exemplification of the invention with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a transport aiding device according to the invention;

Fig. 1a shows a detail of the bearing of the chair assembly with respect to the support of the device shown in Fig 1 ;

- Fig. 2a, 2b show a schematic side view of the support of the transport aiding device from figure 1 during the descent of a staircase, respectively with the belt carriers on each side in the extended position and the retracted position;

Fig. 3a, b shows a side view and top view of the support of the transport aiding device from figure 1 in the extended position;

Fig. 4a, b shows a side view and top view of the support of the transport aiding device from figure 1 in the retracted position.

The aspects of the invention will be illustrated with reference to the drawing. In figure 1 is shown a transport aiding device 1 designed for descending or climbing a staircase with a single patient sitting in the transport aiding device. The device 1 hereby rides on the staircase while descending or climbing.

The device 1 has a support 10 with a frame 11 and a system that can be supported on the staircase, comprising one or more wheels and/or belts. The drawings show an example of such a support. It will be clear to the skilled person that this support, especially in combination with the first aspect of the invention, can be embodied in a totally different manner.

A chair assembly 20 having a chair for the patient with a seat 21 and a backrest 22 is supported on the frame 11.

The chair assembly 20 further comprises, as is preferred, armrests 24, and as additional preferential option, a feet support structure 23, in this case a vertically adjustable version. Further, there is also provided a headrest 25 (which may be vertically adjustable).

Preferably, the entire chair assembly 20 is foldable, so that the folded chair assembly takes up little space.

The backrest 22 is provided with a bottom section 22a and top section 22b, connected to each other through a hinge 22c. This makes it possible to fold-up the backrest 22. The bottom section is connected to the seat via hinge 22d, so that the backrest 22 can be folded on top of the seat 21. Preferably, the headrest is pivotably connected to the backrest.

In this example, armrests 24 are further provided with telescopic supports 24a, arranged on the side of seat 21 and provided with a hinge 24b. During the folding together, the supports 24a can be pushed in and then pivoted, so that the two armrests 24 come to rest on top of the folded-up backrest.

The chair assembly 20 thus forms part of the device 1 and is designed to transport the patient in the sitting position.

The chair assembly 20 is supported via a bearing 30 on the frame 11 of the support 10, here on a frame section 11 a located under the seat 21. The bearing 30 allows the chair assembly 20 to turn to the left or to the right with respect to the support during the descent/climbing of the staircase, while the patient is seated in the chair. The bearing 30 transfers the weight of the assembly 20 and the patient to the support 10. The bearing 30 provides a pivot axis 31, which is more or less vertical when device 1 is used, wherein the exact position of the axis 31 is not critical as long as the "left and right rotation of the chair assembly" can be realized.

For example, the pivot axis 31 is substantially parallel to the backrest 22. One may also say that the pivot axis 31 is preferably substantially perpendicular with respect to the seat 22. It is also possible that the bearing 30 is placed lower with respect to the seat 21 and/or further to the back.

It will be clear that there exist many different embodiments of bearing 30. The drawing shows a certain type of bearing bush, but other solutions are also envisaged.

Figure 1a shows another bearing 40, particularly between part 11c located behind the backrest 22 and headrest 25 if any - here shown as a more or less vertical rod - of the frame 11 of the support 10 on the one hand and the chair assembly 20 on the other hand. Said bearing 40, of which several may be provided, supports the chair assembly 20 at a distance above the bearing 30 which is under the seat 21 , for example near the headrest, and thereby provides additional stability.

The higher part of the chair assembly 20 is guided and supported at these bearings 40. in this case, an arched rail 41 is attached to chair assembly 20, for example behind the head support, with a curvature tuned to the pivot axis 31. The adjacent part of the support - here, the rod 11c - is provided with a sliding member 42 that cooperates with the rail 41, which, in this example, can slide into a guide slot in the rail 41. The arched rail 41 can, if necessary be folded away to allow the chair assembly to be folded-up.

The rod 11c is preferably foldable and/or telescopic. In this example, component 11a is hinge-jointed to the rod 11c, to further reduce the size in the stored condition.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation with one or more hand grips 26 arranged on the chair assembly 20, preferably on the feet support structure 23.

On the frame section 11c, there are one or more handling and/or operating elements, in this case a handgrip 11d with non-shown operating buttons (will be explained later), to be handled and/or operated by an assistant who walks behind the transport aiding device 1 during the descent of a staircase.

The one or more handgrips 26 are arranged such that they can be held by a second assistant, who will walk in front of the transport aiding device during the descent of a staircase, or can at least can take up position there.

As the figures schematically show, the bearing 30 for example offers the possibility, while descending a staircase, with a substantially straight portion followed by a bend to the right, for the second person to turn the chair assembly 20 to the right, while the support 10 is still on the straight portion of the staircase. As a result, it is possible to take narrow bends without getting stuck against the wall or other obstacles and without the patient (for example a leg) colliding with the wall or an obstacle.

It will be clear to the skilled person that the pivoting possibility of the chair assembly 20 with respect to the support 10 can be used in all kinds of different situations, for example in spiral staircases (with a continuous bend), in tight bends in a passage way, etc.

In a possible preferred embodiment, the invention provides that the transport aiding device 1 can be divided into two parts, namely the support 10 and the chair assembly 20. This is especially advantageous for storage (for example in an ambulance). For that purpose, an option for an operable coupling (not shown) has been provided, allowing an assistant to uncouple the chair assembly from the support for example by pressing a button or lever connected to the coupling.

For example, it is conceivable that the bearing 30 comprises a first and a second bearing part, respectively integrated with the chair assembly 20 and the support 10, which first and second bearing part can be separated by the operation of an uncoupling mechanism by an assistant.

Based on the drawing, a preferred embodiment of the support 10 will now be illustrated.

The support 10 shown here has a system of wheels and belts for riding on the staircase. In the motor-driven version, the belts are also called 'crawlers', while in the non-driven version, they are known as 'sliding belts'. Most often, conventional V-belts are used in the inside turned outside form, but other belts or chain structures can also be used. The drawing shows a system with, on each side, that is, the left and right side of the support 10, two belt carriers 50, 51 each with at least a belt 52, 53.

Each of the belt, carriers 50 has a body that supports two rollers 50a, b and 51 a, b located at a distance from each other, around which the corresponding belt 52,53 passes. Preferably, as shown here, the belt carrier has between the corresponding rollers a belt guide structure, for example a guide strip, along which a part of the belt passes, particularly for the part of the belt that faces the staircase. In this example, a guide strip of this type has been provided for both the parts of the belt.

In this version, the support has a central frame section 48, shown here with motors, details of which will be specified later, and a battery. The rod 11c is removably attached to this central frame section 48. Further, the two belt carriers 50 are part of a common sub-frame 49, and the two belt carriers 51 are arranged each on a side of the sub-frame, and here on the outer side of it.

The belt carriers 51 can move backwards and forwards in longitudinal direction with respect to the sub-frame between an extended position (figure 2a, figure 3a, and b) and a retracted position (fig. 2b, fig. 4a, b). For example, a profile rail guide is provided. One or more actuators, for example electric motors, are provided to ensure the movement of the belt carriers 51 between the extended and the retracted position.

Preferably, a free space should be provided as shown here between the belt carriers 51 , which should preferably point backwards while descending the staircase, so that the assistant walking behind the device 1 can place his feet down there.

In particular, it is preferable for stability that the sub-frame with the belt carrier 50 has just one transverse connection between the belt carriers at the wheels 60.

With the sub-frame extended, the belt carriers 51 are effectively an extension of the belt carriers 50, so that the system has the greatest effective length, with which the system can rest on a ground surface, in particular the staircase.

In the extended condition shown in this example, the rollers 50b and 51a of the adjacent supports are placed next to each other. In this example, the belt carriers 51 are designed to only take up their extreme positions without stopping in intermediate positions, in other words there are only two separate positions possible. In other versions, it is possible to have intermediate positions or they can be continuously adjusted.

The minimum task of the electric motors of the central frame section - preferably with suitable specifications - is to drive the belts of the belt carriers 50, and preferably of the belt carriers 51 if possible.

The sub-frame with the belt carriers 50 and the central frame section are hinged together, as will be explained in more detail later.

In the extended condition, the belt carriers 51 are also hinged to the central frame section 48.

In this example, these hinge-joints have been provided around a substantially horizontal pivot axis, here a common pivot axis 55 for the sub-frame with the two belt carriers 50, and each of the belt carriers 51. In this example, the axis 55 is located further to the back than the seat 21 and at a height near the seat 21 - in this example, a little below it.

The belt carrier 50 is, at the end that is turned away from the pivot axis 55, provided with a wheel 60, two disks in this case next to or integrated with the intermediate belt roller, with which the device 1 can also ride over the ground surface. Each of the belt carriers 51 is provided with a castor 61 at that end.

One or more actuators are provided for the hinge-jointing of each of the belt carriers 50, 51 around axis 55, for example suitable electric motors with corresponding transmission (not shown here).

Figure 1 shows the belt carriers 50,51 on each side of the device 1 are placed at an angle with respect to each other, thereby forming an inverted V-position, so that the wheels 60,61 can ride over a ground surface, for example in a passage way or on a street, for example if the patient is ridden to an ambulance.

In figure 2a, the belt carriers 50, 51 on each side of the device are arranged such that they get lined up as it were, thereby in fact forming one long support surface on each side of the device 1. The support shown also makes it possible to ride the device 1 in an ambulance, etc. particularly, starting from a position according to fig. 1. Preferably, the ambulance is provided with a lifting platform for that purpose.

With this system of belts and wheels, it is possible that the effective length of the system - seen from the direction of the descent/climbing of the staircase - is variable. This variation can be achieved while the device remains rested on the staircase with the system.

The largest effective length is in the position shown in Figure 2a, and the smallest when the belt carriers are brought next to each other (figure 2b). It will be clear that the large effective length offers the advantage of a high stability, while the smaller effective length offers the advantage of manoeuvrability.

This modification of the effective length of the system of, in particular, the belt carriers 50, 51 is initialised by one of the assistants, preferably the person who walks behind the device 1.

This modification is particularly advantageous when used during the descent of a staircase with a substantially straight portion, followed by a bend, wherein the effective length is the largest during the descent/climbing of a straight portion of a staircase and is then reduced when approaching the bend.

In a preferred embodiment, there are one or more, preferably electrical drive motors, provided for driving one or more wheels 60 and/or, preferably, the belts 51. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide brakes or to have the motors function as brakes.

It is obvious that when the device 1 has one or more electric drive motors and/or actuators, the device preferably is provided with a battery.

If possible, an actuator may be provided for the rotary movement of the chair assembly, for instance an electric motor that can be operated by an assistant, for example.

If possible, a brake and/or blocking mechanism may be provided for braking and/or blocking the rotation of the chair assembly.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Transport aiding device designed for descending or climbing a staircase with a single patient sitting in the transport aiding device, which transport aiding device rides on the staircase during the descent or climbing, and can be handled and/or operated by at least an assistant walking on the staircase near the transport aiding device,

said transport aiding device comprising:

a support with a frame and a by the staircase supportable system comprising one or more wheels and/or belts, a chair assembly supported on the frame, comprising a chair with a seat and a backrest for the patient,

characterized in that,

the chair assembly is supported on the frame of the support through a bearing, which bearing allows the chair assembly to be turned with respect to the support while descending or climbing the staircase.

2. Transport aiding device according to claim 1 , wherein the bearing is such that during the descent or climbing of a staircase with a bend, the chair assembly can already be turned in the direction of the bend with respect to the support while approaching the bend.

3. Transport aiding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bearing is located in the area below the seat of the chair assembly.

4. Transport aiding device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing provides a pivot axis which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the seat.

5. Transport aiding device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein an operable coupling is provided that makes it possible for an assistant to uncouple the chair assembly from the support.

6. Transport aiding device according to claim 5, wherein the bearing comprises a first bearing part and a second bearing part, respectively integrated with the chair assembly and the support, which first bearing part and second bearing part can be separated from each other by an assistant.

7. Transport aiding device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprising one or more wheels and/or belts is arranged such that the effective length of the system - seen in the direction of the descent or climbing of the staircase - is variable.

8. Transport aiding device according to claim 7, wherein the effective length is variable such that this effective length is the largest during the descent or climbing of a straight portion of a staircase, and is the smallest when passing a bend in a staircase.

9. Transport aiding device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the system is arranged such that its effective length is variable during the descent or climbing of a staircase, while the system remains supported on the staircase.

10. Transport aiding device according to claim 9, wherein the system is arranged such that - during the descent of a staircase with a substantially straight portion of the staircase, followed by a bend - the effective length during the descent of the straight portion can be set at a large effective length, and while approaching the bend in the staircase, the effective length of the system can be set at a small effective length.

11. Transport aiding device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the support has two belt carriers on each side with each belt carrier comprising at least one belt.

12. Transport aiding device according to claim 11 , wherein the belt carriers on each side of the support are movable with respect to each other between an extended position in which the belt carriers define a large effective length, and a retracted position, in which the belt carriers define a small effective length.

13. Transport aiding device according to claim 12, wherein one or more actuators are provided to move the belt carriers between the extended and retracted position.

14. Transport aiding device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the system has two belt carriers on each side of the support, each belt carrier comprising a belt, which belt carriers are pivotable about a horizontal axis with respect to the frame, preferably a common axis, such that the belt carriers can take up a position substantially in line with each other- and in which position they may be movable with respect to each other between an extended and a retracted position - , and can take up a position wherein the belt carriers assume the form of an inverted V or the like.

15. Transport aiding device according to claim 14, wherein one or more actuators are provided for the pivoting movement of the belt carriers.

16. Transport aiding device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein one or more drive motors are provided to drive one or more wheels and/or belts of the system.

17. Transport aiding device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the support is provided with handling and/or operating means to be handled and/or operated by an assistant walking behind the transport aiding device during the descent of a staircase.

18. Transport aiding device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the chair assembly is provided with handling and/or operating means to be handled and/or operated by an assistant walking in front of the transport aiding device during the climbing of a staircase.

19. Transport aiding device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the chair assembly comprises a feet support construction.

20. Transport aiding device according to claims 18 and 19, wherein the handling and/or operating means are integrated with the feet support construction.

21. Transport aiding device designed for descending or climbing a staircase with a single patient sitting in the transport aiding device, which transport aiding device rides on the staircase during the descent or climbing, and can be handled and/or operated by at least an assistant walking on the staircase near the transport aiding device, said transport aiding device comprising:

- a support with a frame and a by the staircase supportable system comprising one or more wheels and/or belts,

- a chair assembly supported on the frame, comprising a chair with a seat and a backrest for the patient,

characterized in that,

the support is adapted such that - during the descent or climbing of a staircase with a substantially straight portion followed by a bend - the effective length of the by the staircase supported system during the descent or climbing of the straight portion can be set to a large effective length, and the effective length can be set to a smaller effective length while approaching the bend in the staircase.

22. Transport aiding device according to claim 21 , wherein the support has two belt carriers on each side with each belt carrier comprising at least one belt, and wherein the belt carriers on a side of the support are movable with respect to each other between an extended position in which the belt carriers define a large effective length, and a retracted position, in which the belt carriers define a small effective length.

23. Transport aiding device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the belt carriers are each pivotable at their adjacent ends about a substantially horizontal pivot axis, preferably a common pivot axis, such that the belt carriers can pivot between a extended position, in which they are substantially in line with each other, and a position in which their free ends are pointing downward, so that a substantially inverted 'V position is obtained, and with the free ends of the belt carriers or one or more wheels, if any, provided at said free ends, can be driven across a surface.

24. Transport aiding device designed for descending or climbing a staircase with a single patient sitting in the transport aiding device, which transport aiding device rides on the staircase during the descent or climbing, and can be handled and/or operated by at least an assistant walking on the staircase near the transport aiding device,

said transport aiding device comprising: a support with a frame and a by the staircase supportable system comprising one or more wheels and/or belts, a chair assembly supported on the frame, comprising a chair with a seat and a backrest for the patient,

characterized in that,

the support is adapted such that - during the descent or climbing of an inclined portion of the staircase with a seated patient in the chair - the effective length of the by the staircase supported system is adjustable between a larger and smaller effective length while the system remains supported by the inclined portion of the staircase during the adjustment.