Device for assisting disabled persons

Abstract

A device and procedure for disabled, impaired or handicapped persons or patients in reaching or maintaining a standing position, in which they can be transported, undressed, dressed, and/or washed in the abdominal region. The device includes a knee support and a movable torso support extending transversely in front of the lower to middle part of the torso of the person to be assisted. The person to be assisted leans with his/her torso slightly forward on the torso support during the raising movement in which the torso support moves simultaneously forward and upward until the person to be assisted has reached a position in which he/she is substantially standing whilst leaning forward over the torso support.

1 . A device for assisting a person to move from a seated position on a seat to a substantially standing and at least slightly leaning forward position and vice versa, said device comprising: 
 a frame;    a knee or shin support carried by said frame;    a torso support movably suspended from said frame;    at least a part of the torso support having a substantially transversely extending support surface that is disposed in front of the torso of the person to be assisted;    the torso support is operably connected to actuating means for moving said torso support from a first position in which the lower to middle part of the torso and eventually also the underarms of the person to be assisted can rest thereon whilst the person to be assisted is in a seated position with his/her torso at least slightly bent forward to a second position in which the torso and eventually the arms of the person to be assisted can rest thereon whilst the person to be assisted is in a standing and at least slightly leaning forward position.    
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the torso support comprises a transversely extending and forwardly inclined main support surface disposed substantially right in front of the torso of the person to be assisted.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the torso support comprises underarm support surfaces, one on each opposite side of said main support surface.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said torso support comprises two handles that move in unison with the torso support, said handles being disposed substantially in front of the main support surface for holding by the hands of the person to be assisted, and the distance between the main support surface and the handles being adjustable.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein said underarm support extends substantially horizontally from the torso support towards the handles.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the torso support can tilt forward about a transversely extending axis disposed within the torso support, against the force of a resilient member.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first position is substantially above the seat and the second position is substantially above or in front of the knee or shin support, with the second position being higher than the first position.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper arms of the person to be assisted are directed substantially downwards when the underarms and the torso of the person to be assisted rest on the torso support.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second positions are adjustable within a range of positions in order to adapt the device to the characteristics of the person to be assisted.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the torso support is pivotally supported at one end so as to allow the torso support to pivot about a substantially vertical axis between a position with torso support extends substantially transversely in front of the torso of the person to be assisted and a position in which the torso support extends in a non-transverse direction.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the height adjustable knee or shin support comprises an abutment surface that extends in a transverse and substantially horizontal direction and is disposed in front of the shins or knees the of the person to be assisted.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein the knee or shin support is pivotally supported at one end so as to allow the at knee or shin support to pivot about a substantially vertical axis between a position with the knee or shin support extends substantially transversely in front of shins or knees of the person to be assisted and a position in which the knee or shin support extends in a non-transverse direction thereby allowing a person to be assisted to pass the at least one knee or shin support substantially unhindered.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said frame also supports a seat with a front end and a rear end, said seat being operably connected to actuating means for tilting the seat between a substantially horizontal position and a forwardly inclined position in which the rear end is higher than the front end, and said actuating means preferably comprising a resilient member.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a footplate carried by said frame, said footplate preferably being disposed substantially directly below the knee and shin support and being pivotally suspended from the frame so as to allow it to pivot between a transverse position in front of the person to be support and a non-transverse position not in front of the person to be assisted.  
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sling attached to the torso support at transversely spaced attachment position for placing around the torso of the patient to be supported.  
   
   
       16 . A method for assisting a handicapped or invalid person in moving from a seated position to a substantially standing and slightly leaning forward position employing a device with a knee support and a movable torso support, comprising a procedure in which: 
 the feet of the person to be assisted are positioned on the floor or on a footplate of said device, with the legs below the knees substantially vertical or slightly leaning forward against the knee or shin support,    the movable torso support is placed in front of lower to middle part of the torso with the torso at least slightly leaning forward and resting on said torso support, optionally also the underarms of the person to be assisted resting on the torso support with the upper arms of the person to be assisted in a substantially downward direction, and    moving said torso support forward and upward until the person to be assisted reaches a substantially standing and slightly leaning forward position.    
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the forward movement of the torso support dominates the upward movement until the centre of gravity of the person to be assisted is close to or above the knee support, whereafter the upward movement dominates the forward movement of the torso support  
   
   
       18 . A device for assisting a person to move from a seated position to a substantially standing position and vice versa, said device comprising: 
 a frame;    a knee or shin support carried by said frame;    an engagement member for engaging said person; and    an actuation mechanism for moving said engagement member in a predominantly horizontal direction during the start of the lifting movement and for moving said engagement member in a predominantly vertical direction during the end of the lifting method.    
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 18 , wherein said engagement member comprises a torso support.  
   
   
       20 . A device according to  claim 18 , wherein said engagement member comprises a sling.