WO2006004410A1

WO2006004410A1 - Device for moving objects such as beds and carts

Info

Publication number: WO2006004410A1
Application number: PCT/NL2005/000482
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henk Jan Lichtenbeld
Original assignee: Rrb Bv
Priority date: 2004-07-06
Filing date: 2005-07-05
Publication date: 2006-01-12
Also published as: NL1026590C2; EP1781227A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for moving objects such as beds, operation tables, carts and pallets. The device comprises a removable operation unit that is fixed, on the object that is to be moved and is locked in this position by simply moving a slide member. This state of operation allows for the use of a single hand for using the operation unit as well as for driving and/or steering the object that is to be moved.

Description

Device for moving objects such as beds and carts

The invention relates to a device for moving objects such as beds, operation tables, carts and pallets, comprising a driveable frame, a lifting mechanism that can co-operate with a Hftable part of the object to be moved, and means for operating and steering the device, whereby the device is provided with a removable operation unit.

Such a device is known in the field. The known device consists of a driveable fra¬ me, with the frame having on it a motor-driven lifting mechanism that can co-operate with an object that is to be lifted, such as with the undercarriage of a hospital bed, and a steering device, which is provided with a steering unit and transmission, with which the device can be moved and steered.

The steering unit consists mainly of a horizontal bar that can function as a hand grasp and a practically vertically oriented, rotatable and permanent steering bar that con¬ nects the bar to the frame of the device. The transmission of the device consists mainly of an electric drive motor that can power a drive roll. The drive roll is fitted in a bearing in a known manner and it is connected to a steering gear wheel. For turning the steering gear wheel, a steering motor is provided of which the transmission shaft is provided with a gear wheel that can engage with the steering gear wheel.

The operation unit, which is removable and which in its state of rest is usually mounted on the horizontal bar of the steering unit, comprises a steering handle for the purpose of sending a steering signal dependent on the position of the steering handle to the steering unit in order to drive the steering gear wheel in the turning direction of choi¬ ce.

Use of and the working of the known device are as follows. The device, with the lifitng mechanism in its lowered state, is positioned under one end of, and between the wheels of, the support wheels of the object that is to be moved. Subsequently, by powe¬ ring the lifitng mechanism, at least a part of the undercarriage of the bed is lifted off the floor. The operation unit is taken off the horizontal bar of the steering unit and mounted on that end of the object that faces the end where the driveable frame has been positioned under the bed.

The current required for driving the set of the device and the bed is provided by batteries with which the transmission motor powers the drive roll. The transmission mo¬ tor is otherwise substituted by human muscle power, whereby the operator uses the hori¬ zontal bar to push the device in front of him or to pull it from behind. For steering the set of the device and the bed the steering handle on the operation unit is moved by which the steering unit sends a signal to the steering motor which allows the steering gear wheel to turn in the desired direction. hi particular, a device of the type as described above is known from (patent) pu- blication WO 03/024378 in the name of Hill-Rom Services, lac. hi addition to the features described above, the removable operation unit of this known device is further provided with a clamp 146 as means for engaging the hospital bed. When in engagement, the clamp exerts a force on ύie hospital bed, which force is directed against removal of the operation unit from the bed. The clamp comprises an angular plate 160 which in use ena- gages two knobs 162 that are provided with screw threads. When in use, the operation unit is positioned above a bar of the bed, such that the bar at the underside of the operati¬ on unit is in a position between the plate 160 on the one hand and the knobs 162 on the other. By tightening the knobs the operation unit is fastened to the bed. The knobs 162 thus also function as means for locking the plate 160 (of the removable operation unit) on the bed. Incidentally, when in use this known device is positioned along a longitudinal side of the bed.

A disadvantage of such a device is in regard of the use of the removable operation unit. When in use, both when the operation unit has been mounted on the bed or has been freely taken in hand by the operator as well when it in its state of rest has been mounted on the horizontal bar of the steering unit, the operator must use his one hand for holding the operation unit and his other hand for operating the steering handle of the operation unit. By this he is limited in regard of the possibility of taking other actions at the same time. A particular disadvantage of the device as known from WO 03/024378 is that the knobs must be tightened with a lot of force so as to ensure that an operation unit mounted on the bed bar cannot rotate around the bar. This is rather laborious, all th e mo¬ re so when during use the operation unit has to be mounted and removed a lot of times.

It is an objective of the invention to provide for an improved device according to the pre-amble, in regard of which (device) the operation unit can be mounted on, or re- moved from, the object to be moved quickly and with few actions.

It is another objective of the invention to provide for an improved device accor¬ ding to the pre-amble, in regard of which the operation unit has a simple and understan¬ dable user interface. It is yet another objective of the invention to provide for an improved device ac¬ cording to the pre-amble, in regard of which when in use the operator has plenty of pos¬ sibilities for taking further actions at the same time.

According to the invention, one or more of these objectives are achieved with a device for moving objects such as beds, operation tables, carts and pallets, comprising a driveable frame, a lifting mechanism that can co-operate with a liftable part of the object to be moved, and means for operating and steering the device, whereby the device is pro¬ vided with a removable operation unit, characterized in that the operation unit is provi- ded with means for engaging the object and, when in engagement (therewith), for exerting a force on the object, which (force) is directed against removal of the operation unit from the object.

Since the means for engagement, when in engagement, exert a bias on the object directed against removal of the operation unit, the operation unit is suitable for engage- ment with objects of different shapes and sizes so that use of auxiliary means such as fil¬ ler pieces and fitting pieces between the means for engagement and the object is made redundant.

According to a preferred embodiment, the operation unit is provided with means for locking the engagement means onto the object. This provides the advantage that when in engagement the position of the enga¬ ging operation unit relative to that of the engaged object can be fixed or immobilised. In such a situation, the engaging operation unit resists any lateral movement or rotation re¬ lative to the engaged object. When the operation unit is locked in position, for example on a bar at one end of a hospital bed, then the operator can at the same time operate a stee- ring knob or steering handle (of the operation unit) and also touch the bed in order to drive it or to stabilise its movement using a single hand, whereby he has his other hand free for taking any action other than for steering the bed. The operator can also just let his other (free) hand rest on the bar on which his first hand and the operation unit rest, thus resting practically in the same horizontal plane. This provides the further advantage that his hands are not taxed asymmetrically, with all positive health-related effects as a result. According to another preferred ambodiment, the operation unit is provided with means for powering the engagement means, more preferably self-adjusting powering means. This provides the advantage that the operation unit can be used for engaging onto different types of objects without any adaptation thereof or use of fitting means or auxili¬ ary means

This also provides the advantage that the force required for operating the enga- gement means remains limited.

Preferably, at least part of the working of the operation unit, in particular the en¬ gaging thereof onto the object, is of an electro-mechanical nature.

The invention is elucidated with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of an operation unit of the device according to the invention.

Figure 2 depicts another perspective view of the operation unit according to Figu¬ re 1 showing a see-through in part of the housing of the operation unit.

Figure 3 schematically depicts a singular embodiment of the engagement means and of the locking means of the operation unit according to Figure 2, whereby the locking means are in their state of lock other than as in Figure 1.

Figure 4 schematically depicts the singular ambodiment of the engagement means and of the locking means of the operation unit according to Figure 3, also depicting the position of a (in this case) round bar at one end of a bed onto which the engagement me- ans engage.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 depict side-elevations and schematic views of a cross-section of the housing of the operation unit according to the invention, in which the mechanical working of the engagement means and locking means are shown in three states of opera¬ tion, namely the state of rest, an intermediate state and the state of lock. Figure 8 depicts a perspective view of a dual embodiment of different engagement means and a singular embodiment of the locking means according to the invention, whe¬ reby a number of steering handles are also shown.

Figures 9 and 10 depict schematically and in different perspectives views of dual embodiments of other engagement means and a singular embodiment of the locking me- ans according to Figure 8.

Figure 1 depicts an operation unit 1, comprising a housing 2 that is provided with a handle 3. Also to be seen on the outside of the housing are an opening 4 for taking up a part of tihe object that is to be moved (not shown), a clamp member 5 that is part of the means for letting the operation unit engage onto the object that is to be moved, a slide member 6 that is part of the means for locking the engagement means of the operation unit onto the object, a contact lock 7 in which a key is seen to be inserted for operating a number of functions of the operation unit, means for executing an emergency stop, shown here in de form of a touch-panel 9, preferably in a signalling colour such as red, steering means which in this example are in the form of a tiltable, wing-shaped member 10, and a number of push buttons 11, 12, 13 for a number of further operating functions. Also to be seen is a turning knob 14 representing a speed limiter.

Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of a partly cut-out housing of the operation unit 1. An overview of one side of the (electro-mechanical) construction and the positio¬ ning thereof within the housing can be clearly seen.

Figure 3 depicts the engagement means 15 and the locking means 16 of the opera¬ tion unit according to Figure 2, both in singular embodiments and as mounted on a sup¬ port part 18. The support part 18 comprises a practically vertical, elongate part 19, that at its upper end continues onto a practically horizontal arm 20 that, facing away from the part 19, extends in the direction in which, when in use, the housing of the operation unit must be orientated relative to the object that is to be moved, and whereby part 19 at its lower end continues onto a practically horizontal arm 21 which extends in a direction fa¬ cing away from both part 19 and arm 20. Opening 4 is delimited at one of its vertical sides by a clamp member 22, at its top side by a sensor 23, in this case a pressure sensor, and at its vertical side that is opposite clamp member 22 by part (of the outside) of the housing (not shown). The sensor 23 is connected to an assembly 24 of track rods, in this example by means of a rod 25 that is connected to a hinge eye 26, whereby the possibility of mo¬ vement of rod 25 is damped by the provision of a spring 27. The hinge eye 26 connects two track rods 28 and 29 to each other. On the one side of hinge eye 26 there is cla,p member 22 at the end of track rod 28, the end being the one facing away from hinge eye 26. On the other end of hinge eye 26 there is track rod 29 which extends right up to a hin¬ ge eye 30 by means of which track rod 29 is connected to an arm 31 that is provided with a rack gearing 32. Rack gearing 32 co-operates with a rack 33. Rack 33 is flanked on either side along its length by guide plates 34 and 35. Rack 33 at its end that faces away from rack gearing 32 is connected to an assembly of track rods 36 and 37. Track rods 36, 37 are also connected to an end of the track rod 38, which at its other end protrudes from the housing (not shown) of the operation unit and at that end is provided with slide member 6. Figure 4 depicts schematically the same embodiment of the operation unit accor¬ ding to Figure 3, whereby now also the orientation of, e.g. a round tube 39, which is at one end of a hospital bed and which is taken up in the opening 4 of the housing -the opening as formed between clamp member 22 (partly visible), sensor 23 and the part of the housing opposite the clamp member- can be clearly seen.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 depict side-elevations of a cross-section of the housing of the operation unit, whereby for the purpose of comparison the engagement means and the locking means are shown in three states of operation.

Figure 5 depicts the operation unit 1 in a state of rest. Housing 2 is shown as not yet brought on an object, opening 4 is unoccupied, sensor 23 is in its lower state, hinge eye 26 is in its state of rest, rack gearing 32 and rack 33 are not in mutual engagement, means for guiding the movement of the rack, such as a guide rod 40, are in a low position within a track 41 that is provided on one of the plates 34, 35 and track rod 38 shown as pointing upwardly at an angle and being in its highest state. Figure 6 depicts the operation unit in an intermediate state of operation. Housing

2 is shown as not yet mounted on an object, or with opening 4 for taking up an object as being still too large as to make contact with the object, sensor 23 in (practically) its lowest state of operation, hinge eye 26 still practically in its state of rest, rack gearing 32 and the rack (not shown) as not being in mutual engagement, guide rod 40 being in an intermedi- ate position within the track 41 that is provided on one of the plates 34, 35 and track rod 38 is shown as point that is provided on one of the plates 34, 35 and track rod 38 is shown as pointing downwardly at an angle and being in an intermediate state.

Figure 7 depicts the operation unit in its state of lock. Housing 2 is shown as being in contact with object 39, whereby in the example shown here a round tube, which is at one end of a hospital bed, is taken up in the opening 4 formed between clamp member 22, sensor 23 and the part 42 of the housing 1 -part 42 as facing away from the clamp mem¬ ber- , so that hinge eye 26 finds itself in a higher position in comparison with its state of rest, rack gearing 32 and rack being in mutual engagement, and track rod 38 pointing downwardly at an angle and being in its lowest state so that round tube 39 is fixed in the opening 4, such that housing 2 and therewith operation unit 1 practically cannot shift la¬ terally relative to round tube 39 or cannot rotate around the round tube 39.

Figure 8 depicts a perspective view of a dual embodiment of other means of enga¬ gement 15 and singularly embodied means of locking 16 according to the invention. The faces 43, 44 of the clamp member or claw 5 that come into touch with the object that is to be moved (not shown) are provided with an angular profile and with a lining. The lining, incidentally, can be exchanged, with a view to e.g. a desirable measure of friction between the clamp member 5 and the object, or in order to prevent damage to the paint (layer) of the object. A number of steering means, here in the form of wing-shaped members 10, are also shown.

Figures 9 and 10, finally, depict schematically and in different perspectives views of the dual embodiments of other means of engagment 15 and singularly embodied me¬ ans of locking 16 according to Figure 8. These figures offer details of the sides of the me¬ chanical construction of the means of engagement and means of locking which are not visible in Figures 3 and 4.

Use of the device according to the invention will now be described with reference to an example of moving a hospital bed. Moving other objects such as operation tables, carts and pallets will also be clear with a view to any required changes that lie within the reach of a skilled person in the art.

Contact key 8 is inserted in lock 7, and lock 7 is brought into an unlocked state. The driveable frame of the device is brought to a bed, such that the lifting mechanism of the device extends at least in part under the bed. The lifting mechanism is subsequently used to lift the undercarriage of the bed, at least at one end of the bed, off the floor. Next, the removable operation unit 1 is brought on at a suitable place at the periphery of the bed, preferably on a rail or bar, more preferably at an end of the bed that, as seen in the desired drive direction, shall be at the rear of the combined device and bed. It is also pos¬ sible, for example when there is very little space available for moving the bed, to use both the drive and the operation unit on the same side of the bed. When providing the operation unit 1 on the bed the round tube 39 of the bed is taken up within the opening 4 formed between the contact surfaces 43, 44 of claw 5 and the part 42 of housing lthat lies across the same, by which pressure sensor 23 pushes spring 27 upwards. As pressure sensor 23 pushes spring 27 upwards, and with it also pushes rod 25 upwards, hinge eye 26 comes to a higher-lying state in comparison with its state of rest. Rack gearing 32 and rack 33 get to co-operate with each other till they come into mutual engagement. During this guide rod 40 of rack 33 gets to move upward in the track 41 in one of the plates 34, 35. Also, and starting from its state of rest, the track rod gets to point ever more downwards at an angle. The latter movement offers the operator visual verification of the achievement of engagement of the operation unit onto the round tube 39 of the bed. Tube 39 gets to be fixed tighter in the opening 4 during this course.

By now pressing slide member 6 still lower till its lowest-lying state, the operator locks housing 2, such that housing 2 practically cannot shift laterally relative to round tu- be 39 or cannot rotate around the round tube 39. During the engaging of claw 5 onto the round tube 39, the operator hereby experiences a maximum point during the locking acti¬ on, followed by an dead point or idle course. This experience offers the operator verifica¬ tion that locking has been achieved.

By providing for a maximum point in the measure of engagement of claw 5 onto the round tube 39, it is achieved that spring 27 automatically adjusts the opening 4 so that the device can be used for bringing the housing 2 on rails or bars of different shapes and sizes without having to adapt claw 5. In this, it is also taken into account that track rod 38 has a sufficient length of stroke so that the maximum point in the measure of engagement of the claw 5 onto the tube 39 is possible within a broad range. After the desired movement, the operation unit 1 is easily removed from the tube

39 by sliding the member 6 upwards, by which the engagement of the tube 39 within the opening 4 by claw 5 and between the claw and the part 42 of housing 2 that lies across it is unlocked and subsequently released. As at that point, the device according to the in¬ vention is available for further use, for example with another object. The design and the construction of operation unit 1 are such that when in use the functions of and the operating of the various handles, knobs, slide members and such are self-explanatory and that the operator experiences logically consistent feedback in regard of the results of his actions. If the bed is to be moved forward, then wing 10 is tilted for¬ ward as seen in the drive direction. Conversely, by tilting the wing towards the rear, the bed is moved towards the rear. Mutatis mutandis, this also holds true in regard of lateral movement of the bed. This aspect of providing logically consistent and observable feed¬ back on the results of the actions of the operator also holds true in regard of the engage¬ ment of housing 2 onto the tube 39 and for the locking and unlocking of the means of engagement, see above for the description of the movement of the track rod 38 that is ob- servable on the outside of housing 2 by following the position of slide member 6. This is advantageous, because not very much time is needed for training an operator on how to use the operation unit.

Preferably, the contact key has a number of states of operation. With different sta¬ tes of operation, it can be regulated that in certain states of operation certain functions of the operation unit are enabled and thus can be executed, or are purposively disenabled and are therefore not available for execution. With this a certain protocol of actions can be followed, which improves the safety of both the operator and his surroundings (for exam¬ ple, the patient and other by-standers, and the physical environment). Optionally, a change in the position of the sensor can be coupled to the enablement, or the dis- enablement, of certain functions of the operation unit. For example, in a situation in which the pressure sensor 23 indicates that opening 4 is unoccupied, the functions in re¬ gard of changing speed and direction (of movement) could be disenabled. This, too, is conducive to safe use of the operation unit and the object that has to be moved with it. One can think of a lot of relevant choices relating to the measurement and control by me¬ ans of the operation unit.

With the combination of an operation unit (housing 2) that can be fixed practically immobilisable though removable onto the object that is to be moved (tube 39 of the bed) and a self -tensioning empowerment of the means of engagement (claw 5) whereby the functions of the operation unit can also be conducted with a single hand when moving the object, the advantage is achieved that the same hand can also be used to guide the ob¬ ject in its movement or even to thereby also drive it, while the operator has his other hand at his full disposal for any other actions.

When the removable operation unit is fixed to the bed as not completely irnmobi- Usable but with an acceptable degree of movement (for example when use is made of one or more clips or clamps, such as those known from the use of pouches for mobile telep¬ hones and GPS devices that can be carried on a belt by the user), then the advantage of single-hand operability will also be achieved, although not optimally.

With reference to that what is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8 it will be clear that the operation unit is provided with electro-mechanical components for various functions, such as for start-breaking, a control system for the battery charge level, an on/ off switch, a lifting mechanism, handles for changing the speed and the direction (of movement) of the bed, a speed limiter, and an emergency stop.

Through adaptation of the form and performance level of the lifting mechanism the device according to the invention can also be made suitable for use with objects that are heavier than hospital beds, such as operation tables, and carts and undercarriages that are used in heavy industries.

By providing the device according to the invention with means for co-operating with one or more tow bars, a single device can be used for moving a number of objects that are coupled together. This offers advantages such as group movement of a number of food carts or garbage containers.

It will be clear that the removable operation unit of a device (for moving objects such as beds, operation tables, carts and pallets) according to the invention can be made to be inter-operable in regard of use with other embodiments of the device according to the invention.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Device for moving objects such as beds, operation tables, carts and pallets, comprising a driveable frame, a lifting mechanism that can co-operate with a liftable part of the object to be moved, and means for operating and steering the device, whereby the de¬ vice is provided with a removable operation unit, whereby the operation unit is pro¬ vided with means for engaging the object and, when in engagement (therewith), for exerting a force on the object, which (force) is directed against removal of the operati¬ on unit from the object, and whereby the operation unit is provided with means for locking the engagement means on to the object, characterized in that the operation unit is provided with means for powering the engagement means, more preferably self-adjusting powering means.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of engagement and/ or the means for powering the means of engagement comprise a spring or damper.

3. Device according to any of claims 1-2, characterized in that the means of engagement and/ or the means for locking and/ or the means for powering the means of engage¬ ment are electro-mechanical in nature.

4. Removable operation unit that is separable from and is exchangeable (inter-operable) between different devices for moving objects such as beds, operation tables, carts and pallets according to any of the preceding claims.

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