WO1992009520A1

WO1992009520A1 - Device for generating displacement

Info

Publication number: WO1992009520A1
Application number: PCT/DK1991/000364
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth Leim
Original assignee: N.C. Nielsen Holding A/S
Priority date: 1990-12-03
Filing date: 1991-11-28
Publication date: 1992-06-11
Also published as: SE9003836L; SE467872B; SE9003836D0

Abstract

A device for generating displacement between two components or parts (2, 19) which are arranged movable relative to one another comprises a means (17) provided at and being movable relative to a first component or part, a transmission device (21) interconnecting said movable means and a second component or part (19), and means (8) for displacing said movable means (17). The transmission device comprises a first element (24) which is rotatably or swingably connected to said movable means and a second element (26) which is rotatable or swingable within limits together with said first element (27) and connected to said second component or part (19). The first element is adapted to, during a first phase of the motion of said movable means relative to said first component or part, swing firstly relative to said first component or part by direct actuation from and abutment with said second component or part, and secondly, relative to said second element (26) and further at the end of the first phase reach the limit for possible swinging relative to the latter and during a second phase succeeding the first phase to continue its rotation relative to said first component or part (2) through impact from said second component or part by said second element as if said second element were integrally connected to said first element.

Description

Title: Device for generating displacement.

The present invention relates to a device for generating a relative motion between two components or parts which are arranged movable rela- tive to one another, comprising a means provided at and being movable relative to a first component or part, a transmission device inter¬ connecting said movable means and a second component or part and means for displacing the means and further the second component or part rela¬ tive to the first component or part due to the transmission device. Devices of the above described type are used within a wide variety of technical fields, e.g. different types of lift-bridges for automo¬ biles or the like. A device of this type may even be used for raising or lowering a back-supporting device, which device consequently constitutes one of the components or parts of a bed, preferably adapted to individu- als of reduced capability of rising to an upright position. The first component or part is constituted by the frame of the bed or a component positioned on top of the bed and kept substantially stationary relative thereto.

The above described application of the device is in the below de- scription to be discussed for more clearly illustrating a possible field of application of the above-defined device, although this field of application by no means is to be construed limiting the applicability of the present invention.

In connection with raisable and lowerable back-supporting devices of the above-described type a main problem exists in that the levering conditions are extremely unfavourable at the start of the raising of the device for supporting the spine from the lowered position which has re¬ sulted in that a power-generating means has been used, which power-gene¬ rating means has been unproportionally powerful relative to the remain- ing part of the raising movement, and which has consequently further been costly, and in some instances bulky. In order to improve the le¬ vering conditions, the power-generating means has been positioned adja¬ cent the support itself in order to impact a lever connected to the support. This structure has resulted in additional disadvantages in that the power-generating means has been in the way, primarily relative to the persons of the nursing staff, which persons have ruined their cloth¬ ings, as the person has simply moved too close to the bed in connection with certain working routines. Brief description of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a device which can be used for eliminating the above-described disadvantages of the prior art back-supporting devices and which in an efficient way may be used within many different fields of application within which it is de¬ sirable to generate a movement between two components or parts relative to one another in the manner described above. This object is obtained by means of a device of the type described above and provided with the characteristics defined in the character¬ izing part of the appended Claim 1.

Due to the structure of the transmission device according to the present invention, it is rendered possible in a simple manner to obtain excellent levering conditions in connection with the transmission de¬ vice. As the first element is adapted to, during its swinging, abut and actuate the second component or part for causing the second component or part to move relative to the first component or part during an initial phase, a highly efficient initial impact to or actuation of the second component or part is obtained. Consequently, the first element is easily constructed in each specific instance in the most advantageous way. As the levering conditions are later on improved, the transmission device reaches the condition according to the second phase, and the first and the second element are functioning as a single integral component interconnecting the movable means and the second component or part, and consequently transmit the forces originating from the movement of the first component or part to the second component or part.

The power-generating means may in accordance with the device according to the present invention preferably be positioned below the second component or part, provided the device constitutes a back- supporting device, a lift-bridge or the like, so that the power-gene¬ rating means is not constituting an obstacle relative to individuals or persons walking or moving around the device, or walls, furniture or the like. According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, the second element is, relative to a rotational centre, rotatably connected to the second component or part. According to another characteristic of the device according to the present invention, a second component or part is swingably or rotatably connected to the first component or part, and the movable means is adapted to, during its movement from the initiation of the first phase, move towards the rotational centre between the two parts or components and by means of the transmission device generate an upward rotation or swinging of the second component or part relative to the first component or part. A device comprising this characteristic or feature constitutes an example of an extremely well-functioning back-supporting device in which a second element is implemented as the back-support and by means of which device the above-defined object is obtained.

Additional advantageous features and advantages obtained by means of the device according to the present invention will be evident from the below description of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention and further from the dependent claims.

Short description of the drawings

A preferred embodiment of the device according to the present in¬ vention is described below with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the present invention implemented as a back-supporting device in a position in its second phase,

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 1 in a position prior to initiating the first phase, Fig. 3 is an elevational and partly broken away view of the device in a position during the first phase,

Fig. 4 is an elevational and partly broken away view of the device in a transition position between the first and the second phase, and Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the device in a position in the second phase.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention

In Fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of a device according to the pre¬ sent invention is shown, constituting a back-supporting device 1 which is universally applicable in connection with beds and is shiftable be¬ tween different beds. The device comprises a first component or part 2 including a plate 3 of a width substantially identical to the width of a conventional bed, which plate is adapted to be positioned on a bed so that a first end 4 of the plate is positioned at the head of the bed. The plate 3 is undercut at this end so that a part of the outermost end of the plate may be pushed through and past the bed head, so that the device is positioned properly and safely. At its other or opposite end 5, a bar 6 is fastened to the plate which bar is preferably a hollow bar. The bar 6 extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bed as the device is applied to the bed. At opposite sides of the plate 3, a U-shaped bar 7 is arranged having its legs ex¬ tending upwardly from the plate 3. The U-shaped bars 7 extend substanti¬ ally parallel relative to one another and perpendicular to the bar 6.

On the plate 3, a power-generating means 8 constituted by a thread¬ ed cylinder driven by an electric motor 9 is provided. One end of the threaded cylinder is connected to a collar 10 arranged at the first end 4 of the plate 3 which collar constitutes an L-shaped bar. For the sake of clarity, the electric wires to the electric motor 9 and a control unit of the back-supporting device are not shown, which control unit may be operated by the person lying in the bed. The electric motor 9 is adapted to generate rotation of a longitudinally extending threaded shaft 11 of the threaded cylinder. Within a casing 12 of the threaded cylinder, a nut 13 (vide Fig. 4) is arranged cooperating with the threaded shaft 11. The nut 13 is arranged inrotational within the casing 12 which has a substantially square section so that the nut is displaced along the shaft 11 with which the nut meshes as the shaft 11 is rotated. The casing 12 is provided with a longitudinal upwardly facing opening 14, through which the nut 13 is rigidly connected with a plate 16 which is movable relative to a top wall 15 of the casing 12. A bar 17 is ri¬ gidly connected to the plate 16 which bar is arranged substantially per- pendicular to the threaded shaft 11 and extends substantially parallel with the bar 6. The bar 17 extends to a position adjacent to both U- shaped bars 7. Adjacent to each end of the bar 17 a respective slide block 18 is fixed to the bar 17 and arranged so as to be received in a respective U-shaped bar 17 in frictional cooperation therewith and with low clearance. As the electric motor 9 causes the threaded shaft 11 to rotate, the nut 13 is shifted along the threaded shaft and the bar 17 is, consequently, shifted or moved in a first or second direction by the shaft 11 and controlled by the slide blocks 18 which are received within the U-shaped bars 7 which function as guiding means. Since the slide blocks 18 are positioned behind the bar 17, the slide blocks 18 are hauled or pulled by means of the bar as the second component or part is swung upwardly, and any risk of tilting the slide blocks within the U- shaped bars is consequently minimized.

The device 1 further comprises a second component or part 19 con¬ stituted by a rectangular frame having an open side at which each leg of the frame is rotatably connected to the bar 6 relative to a rotational axis which is substantially parallel with the bar 6. A surface element, such as a cloth, is tensioned between the legs of the frame, which cloth is not shown in the drawings and which serves the purpose of providing support for the head or the back of a person resting on the bed which is equipped with the back-supporting device.

The frame 19 attempts due to exposure to the gravitational force to rotate relative to its rotational centre at the bar 6 downwardly towards the plate 3 and consequently the bottom of the bed. The frame 19 is kept in a desired position by means of the power-generating means 8 relative to the plate 3 comprising the first component or part and consequently the remaining portion or part of the bottom of the bed on which the device is arranged. This effect is due to the fact that the transmission device 21 is adapted to connect the bar 17 and consequently the power- generating means 8 and the frame 19.

The transmission device is to be described in greater details be¬ low, and reference is made to all figures. At each end of the bar 17, a fixture 22 is fixated extending rearwards from the bar 17 in the direc¬ tion of displacement of the bar 17 towards to rotational centre 20. At a point 23 of the fixture 22, which point is positioned behind the link between the plate 16 and the bar 17 in the direction of displacement of the bar 17 towards the rotatable or swingable connection between the bar 6 and the frame 19, a first element 24 constituted by a rigid platelike link of the transmission device is at its one end 25 rotatably fixed to the fixture 22 relative to a rotational axis substantially parallel with the rotational axis of the frame 19. In the vicinity of the end of the first element 24 opposite said end 25, a second element 26 constituted by an elongated rigid link is at its one end rotatably connected to the first element relative to a rotational axis substantially parallel with the rotational axis of the first element at the fixture. The second ele¬ ment is at its opposite end rotatably connected to the frame 19 relative to a rotational centre 27 positioned in the intermediate region of the respective frame leg. The rotational axis of the rotational centre 27 is substantially parallel with the rotational axis of the frame. The first element 24 is provided with a shelf-like protrusion 28 which is rigidly fixed to the element 24 in the vicinity of the rotational centre 29 be¬ tween the first and the second element. Due to the presence of the pro¬ trusion 28, the second element 26 is limited as to its rotational capa¬ bility relative to the first element, as the second element after a cer¬ tain relative rotation between both elements abuts the protrusion 28 which consequently prevents any further relative rotation between the two elements.

The plate-like first element 24 is basically shaped like a oblique parallelogram in which the rotational centre 23 is positioned in one of the points of the parallelogram and in which a rotatably mounted roll 30 is positioned in the other point of the parallelogram. The rotational centre 29 between the first and the second element is positioned along the long side of the parallelogram, which long side extends to the point of the parallelogram, in which point the roll is positioned. Consequent¬ ly, in the position shown in Fig. 2, the rotational centre 23 of the first element is positioned at the fixture 22 at a substantial distance perpendicular to the direction of the threaded shaft 11 from a line in¬ terconnecting the rotational centre 29 of the first element relative to the second element 26 and the rotational centre 27 of the second element relative to the frame 19. To be more precise, the distance is substanti- ally identical to the distance between the two long sides of the pa¬ rallelogram constituted by the first element.

The device according to the present invention operates in the following manner: Fig. 2 illustrates the position in which the back- supporting device 1 is totally lowered and in which the different rota- tional centres are positioned substantially along a line in the follow¬ ing sequential order 20, 27, 29, and 23. From this position, a first phase of the elevation of the second part 19 relative to the first part 22 begins, as the electric motor 9 causes the shaft 11 to rotate, where¬ by the bar 17 is moved towards the bar 6. Due to the fact that the above-mentioned line is positioned above the rotational centre 23 of the first element at the fixture 22 of the bar 17, the first element 24 is caused to swing upwardly, i.e. in Fig. 2 caused to swing clockwise rela¬ tive to the bar 17. Due to the substantial vertical distance between the line and the rotational centre 23 at the start of the first phase, i.e. in the position shown in Fig. 2, a substantial initial elevating lever is obtained for rotating the first element so that the power-generating means need not be unproportionally powerful and the different components cooperating for transmitting the power from the power-generating means to the first element need not be unproportionally powerful. Consequent¬ ly, considerable savings are obtained.

By raising the first element 23, the roller 30 lifts the frame 19 which roller 30 abuts the lower side surface of the frame 19, as the roller rolls along the lower side surface of the frame, so that the frame is rotated relative to the rotational centre 20 and relative to the first component or part. By the upward swinging or rotation of the first element, the second element is caused to swing relative to the ro¬ tational centre 27 as well as the rotational centre 29. Fig. 3 illu- strates this position.

By continuous displacement of the bar 17 towards the bar 6, the ro¬ tation of the second element 26 relative to the first element eventually results in that the second element abuts the shelf-like protrusion 28. Fig. 4 illustrates this position. The device is shifting to a different or second phase in which the second element no longer rotates or swings relative to the first element. From the position shown in Fig. 4, the continuous displacement of the bar 17 towards the bar 6, the first ele¬ ment and the second element function as a single rigid component which rotates or swings relative to the rotational centre 23, in Figs. 4 and 5 in a clockwise direction, for lifting or elevating the second component or part 19 by the influence from the second element through the rotatio¬ nal centre 27. The roller 30 is consequently disengaged from its abut¬ ting contact with the frame 19 and hands over the elevation or raising function to the rigid component constituted by the two elements. At the start of elevating the second component or part, i.e. in phase 1, the second component or part is directly influenced or actuated upon from the first element at a point positioned at a long distance from the ro¬ tational centre 20 of the second part, so that no unproportionally strong forces are required for lifting the second part. After reaching a somewhat elevated or raised position, the transmission of power to the second component or part is shifted to the point in which the second element is connected to the second component or part, i.e. far closer to the rotational centre 20 in which the elevation conditions are far more adequate and the influence from the transmission device upon the second part is far more efficient due to the short distance between the rotati¬ onal centres 20 and 27. The two phases are, of course, reversed during lowering the support from an elevated position in which lowering the elements are shifted from operating as a single rigid element at the end of the second phase to become mutually rotatable.

Due to the structure of the transmission device according to the present invention as to the movable means, in the present implementation the bar 17, it is possible to arrange the power-generating means employ- ed at the area directly beneath the second component or part, i.e. the back-support, providing obvious advantages.

The invention is obviously not limited to the above described pre¬ ferred embodiment as numerous possible modifications of the above de¬ scribed embodiment are obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the inventive concept.

Thus, the U-shaped bars 7 may in connection with a back-supporting device be constituted by corresponding guiding means of the frame of the bed itself, so that the bed in this implementation constitutes the first component or part. Of course, the guiding means may constitute a male as well as a female guiding means.

The first component or part may, however, have another appropriate shape, e.g. be constituted by the floor of a garage or workshop in case the present invention is applied to some kind of lift-bridge.

The second component or part need not be directly connected to the first component or part; thus, the second component or part might e.g. be displaceably connected to a different component or part arranged somewhere above the first component or part, and consequently e.g. con¬ stitute a platform.

In the present context, the second element is defined as being connected to the second component or part which even includes the situa¬ tion in which the said element and the said component or part are not rotatable or swingable relative to one another, however, e.g. displace- able relative to one another.

The power-generating means may, of course, be constituted by a dif- ferent type and even be powered in a manner different from the above described preferred embodiment. Thus, the power-generating means may be manually operated and connected to a handle. The protrusion may be pro¬ vided on the second element, and the second stop means may preferably be constituted by a specific structure of the first element.

The expression: - the first component or part being a component or part which is substantially fixed relative to the frame - implies that the first component or part may be arranged loosely on top of the frame or a mattress or the like arranged on top of the frame and a support e.g. a bed head or the like so as to block any substantial motion relative to the frame.

A transmission device may exclusively comprise a first and a second element or more than two compositions thereof. It is further to be mentiond that the components illustrated in the above described embodiments may be modified within the inventive concept as defined in the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. A device for generating a relative motion between two components or parts (2,19) which are arranged movable relative to one another, comprising a means (17) provided at and being movable relative to a first component or part, a transmission device (21) interconnecting said movable means (17) and a second component or part (19), and means (8) for displacing said movable means (17) and furthermore said second com¬ ponent or part (19) relative to said first component or part (2) due to said transmission device, CHARACTERIZED in that said transmission device comprises a first element (24) which is rotatably or swingably connected to said movable means (17), and a second element (26) which is rotatable or swingable within limits together with said first element (24) and connected to said second component or part (19), and in that said first element (24) is adapted to, during a first phase of the motion of said movable means (17) relative to said first component or part (2), swing firstly relative to the latter by moving relative to said first compo¬ nent or part (2) by direct actuation from and abutment with said second component or part (19), and secondly relative to said second element (26) and further at the end of the first phase reach the limit for pos¬ sible swinging relative to the latter and during a second phase succeed¬ ing the first phase to continue its rotation or swinging relative to said first component or part (2) through impact from said second compo¬ nent or part (19) by said second element (26) as if said second element (26) were integrally connected to said first element (24).

2. A device according to Claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the rota¬ tional centre (23) of said first element (24) at said movable means (17) is located at the position of said element at the initiation of said first phase at a substantial distance in the direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of said movable means (17) from a straight line interconnecting the rotational centre (29) of said movable means (17) relative to said second element (29) and the junction (27) between said second element (26) and said second component or part (19), so as to provide a substantial moment of force for rotating or swinging said first element relative to said movable means at the motion of said mo¬ vable means at the initiation of said first phase.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED in that said movable means (17) is arranged displaceably along said first component or part (2) along a substantially rectilinear course of motion.

4. A device according to any of the Claims 1-3, CHARACTERIZED in that said second component or part (19) is arranged above said first component or part (2) and is lifted relative to said first component or part by the motion of said movable means (17), in that said second component or part is adapted to rest, due to the gravitational force, on a section (30) of said first element (24) in a position corresponding to the initiation of said first phase, and in that said first element is adapted to rotate or swing upwardly in conjunction with said section at the initiation of said first phase by said motion of said movable means and through said section by direct abutment lift said second component or part (19) resting on said section.

5. A device according to Claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that said section of said first element (24) is a roller (30) rotatably mounted relative to said element and adapted to, from the initiation of said first phase by the motion of said movable means, move along said second component or part (19) during raising said component or part.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said first element (24) comprises a first stop means (28) adapt- ed to at the end of said first phase through rotation or swinging of said second element (26) relative to said first element (24) be brought into abutting contact with a second stop means of said second element (26) and to block further rotation or swinging of said elements relative to one another.

7. A device according to Claim 6, and optionally any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said first stop means is constituted by a shelf-like protrusion (28) rigidly connected to said first element (24), and in that said second stop means is constituted by a section of said second element adapted to, as said movable means (17) reaches said second phase, abut and be supported by said protrusion (28).

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said second element (26) is rotatably or swingably connected to said second component or part (19) relative to a rotational centre (27).

9. A device according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said second component or part (19) is rotatably or swingably connected to said first component or part (2), and in that said movable means (17) is adapted to, during its movement from the initiation of said first phase, move toward a rotational centre (20) of both compo¬ nents or parts and through said transmission device provide elevation of said second component or part relative to said first component or part.

10. A device according to Claim 8 or 9, and optionally any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said second component or part

(19) is adapted to function as a raisable and lowerable back-support of a bed, and in that said first component or part is adapted to be consti¬ tuted by the frame distending the supporting surface of the bed or a stationary component or part which is substantially stationary relative to said frame and arranged substantially parallel with said supporting surface.

11. A device according to Claim 9, and optionally any of the remaining preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said first component or part (2) comprises two guiding means (7) extending mutually parallel and substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis between said two components or parts and which are separated relative to one another, in that said means comprises a power-generating means (8) arranged between said two guiding means and arranged in the same plane and substantially parallel therewith, in that said movable means comprises an elongated rigid bar means (17) extending transversely relative to said power-gene¬ rating means (8) and guided at its ends relative to said guiding means (7) and being influenced by said power-generating means in the vicinity of its centre for displacement in a plane parallel with the extension of said guiding means, and in that said transmission device comprises two sets of said first (24) and said second (26) elements arranged rotatably or swingably relative to said bar means (7) adjacent to its guiding means.

12. A device according to Claim 11, and optionally any of the pre¬ ceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the rotational centres (23) of said first elements at said movable means (17) are located in the direction of displacement of said means towards the rotatable or swingable junc¬ tion between said first component or part (2) and said second component or part (19) behind the point of engagement of said power-generating means (18) at said bar means.

13. A device according to Claim 10, and optionally any of the remaining preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said first component or part (2) comprises a plate (3) having a width substantially identical to the width of a bed and adapted to be arranged on a bed at its bed end, and in that said power-generating means (8) is arranged on said plate and adapted to function between said plate (3) and said movable means (17) for moving said movable means in a plane substantially parallel with said plate.