GB2356384A

GB2356384A - Apparatus for liting and transporting bodies.

Info

Publication number: GB2356384A
Application number: GB0022776A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter George Innes; Gary Thomson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-16
Filing date: 2000-09-18
Publication date: 2001-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-18
Also published as: GB9921789D0; GB2356384B; GB0022776D0

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting and transporting cadavers in hospitals or the like is provided, the apparatus (10, fig 1) having a frame 14, 16 on which a jib 18 is mounted, a coupling arrangement 20 moveable along the jib, and a platform 44 for supporting a patient. The platform 44 may be concealed within a container 36 to prevent persons from seeing the cadaver. The container 36 has front opening doors 38, and the platform 44 bears a number of rollers to ease the removal of a cadaver from the container 36. Certain embodiments of the invention may also provide a retractable upper platform 22 forming a lid of the container 36, and on which a second patient or cadaver may also be placed; while yet further embodiments provide a counter balance arrangement below the platform to enable cadavers to be lifted without unbalancing the apparatus. An operator platform or fold down step (56, fig 3) may be provided on which an operator can stand to counterweight the load, as may a weight provided below the platform.

Description

2356384 APPARATUS FOR LIFTING BODIES The present invention relates to an

apparatus for lifting objects, in particular but not exclusively dead or incapacitated human bodies. Embodiments of the invention have application in lifting and transporting incapacitated human or animal patients.

In hospitals, it is often necessary to transport a cadaver or a comatose or otherwise incapacitated patient from.their bed to elsewhere in the hospital. Typically such a transfer is carried out by hospital porters or nurses utilising manual handling techniques or simple mechanical aids such as stretchers to lift the cadaver from a bed onto a trolley, and then wheeling the trolley to its destination where the cadaver may then be transferred to a further bed or support. Lifting a patient, particularly a heavily-built patient, may be an awkward and difficult process, and may require the involvement of several members of staff. Such operations may result in industrial accidents or injuries, particularly back injuries, to the members of staff involved.

Various arrangements are known whereby patients may be lifted and transferred between locations in hospitals; however, the majority of these are intended solely for use with live patients, and thus may be impractical for use with incapacitated patients or cadavers. For example, US Patent No 5,379,468 to Cassidy et al describes a patient- 2 controlled patient lifting device designed to transfer an active patient from a bed to a wheelchair, which may then transport the patient elsewhere. Clearly this is not suitable for transport of cadavers.

US Patent No. 5,784,730, to Hunt, discloses a patient transport trolley for use with live patients, which includes a pair of boom arms which support a lifting board on which the patent may lie. The boom arms pivot to swing the board between first and second positions. Again, however, this is intended only for use with live patients, and supports the patient on the top of a gurney, where others may see them. In addition, the lifting board arrangement, while perhaps providing comfort to patients during lifting, requires some movement of the patient to get on and of f the board. Thus, this would not be suitable for transport of incapacitated patients without the intervention of staff members. Further, the trolley includes a support structure for extending beneath a patent's bed while lifting, to prevent unbalancing of the trolley; this structure means the trolley requires access beneath the bed to function properly.

Further, both of these known devices make no provision for concealing the patient from view; human nature being as it is, it is preferred that cadavers are concealed to avoid distress to others. These devices would therefore be difficult to use for the transport of cadavers in a hospital environment.

It is among the objects of embodiments of the present 3 invention to provide a means whereby a cadaver may be lifted and transferred between support platforms by a single operator, and without requiring the operator to physically lift the cadaver. It is further among the objects of embodiments of the present invention to provide an apparatus to aid in the movement and general handling of dead or incapacitated patients. Yet further among the objects of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a device whereby dead or incapacitated patients may be transferred and transported between locations such as a bed and a mortuary.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for lifting human or animal bodies, the apparatus comprising a support frame, a is platform for supporting a body, a jib extending from the frame, a coupling arrangement depending from the jib and being movable relative to the platform, means for raising and lowering the coupling arrangement, whereby a body may be lifted onto or from the support platform, and means for concealing a body on the platform.

The present invention enables an operator to, for example, utilise the apparatus to lift a body from a bed or from the ground and place the body on the support platform, without the requirement for the operator to physically lift the body. Alternatively, the apparatus may take the form of a hospital bed, facilitating the transfer of a body from the bed to a trolley or the like. Further, the concealment means allows patients or cadavers to be hidden from view, 4 to reduce distress to others.

The apparatus has particular application in transferring dead or incapacitated humans in hospitals, mortuaries, laboratories, and the like; although it may of course also be used in relation to live humans, or dead, incapacitated or live animals.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises counterbalance means for counterbalancing the weight of a body coupled to the coupling arrangement. Preferably the counterbalance m6ans comprises a weight locatd substantially below the platform. This enables the apparatus to be used alongside beds and the like without requiring access beneath the bed for a support structure or the like extending from the apparatus. Conveniently, the motors or other internal components of the apparatus may be located so as to serve as a counterweight.

Preferably, the frame includes an operator support, on which the operator may sit, stand or kneel. When lifting relatively heavy loads, or when lifting loads with the attachment apparatus at the end of the jib, it may sometimes be desirable or necessary to counterbalance the lifted load, which may conveniently be achieved by the operator standing on a step or the like on the opposite side of the apparatus from the attachment arrangement. By providing the operator support on the opposite side of the platform from the attachment arrangement, it is possible to locate the apparatus directly alongside a bed or the like, to ease the transfer procedure. Conveniently, the operator support is moveable between retracted and extended positions; preferably the apparatus further comprises means for preventing operation of the apparatus when the support is in a retracted position.

Preferably also, the apparatus comprises sensing means for sensing an unstable condition and which may operate to disable the raising and lowering means until the unstable condition is no longer detected; for example, the apparatus may be stabilised by the operator moving onto an operator support.

Preferably, the means for concealing a body on the platform comprises a curtain or screens mounted on a frame around the platform. More preferably, however, the concealing means is in the form of side walls and a lid or cover, effectively placing the platform in a container.

This feature may be useful when the apparatus is being used to transport a corpse, and it is considered desirable to conceal the corpse from view.

The support platform may be in the form of a bed, or may be adapted for use as an operating table; alternatively the platform may merely be a supporting surface.

Preferably also, the apparatus may include two vertically spaced support platforms. Preferably, the upper platform is retractable or otherwise movable to provide vertical access to the lower platform. Most pref erably, the upper platform is formed of a plurality of pivotally connected transverse members extending between support 6 tracks, such that the platform may be rolled or otherwise retracted to provide access to the lower platform. Thus, the apparatus may be used to transport a patient on the upper platform, or to transport one or more corpses, with a corpse on the lower platform being concealable beneath the upper platform.

Preferably, the apparatus defines one or more side walls around the support platform, and one or more of the walls may be opened and closed to provide access to the platform and facilitate removal 'of a patient from the apparatus; this enables the patient to be removed without further lifting. Preferably, the platform bears a series of rollers or other friction reducing arrangements to facilitate transfer of the patient.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises ground engaging wheels; the apparatus thus may be readily transported to a site where lifting assistance is required, and may be used to transport bodies. Most preferably, the ground engaging wheels are castors. Alternatively, the wheels may be any suitable. support which permits movement of the apparatus, including rollers, tracks, or the like.

Preferably, the coupling arrangement is movable along the j ib. Preferably also, the coupling arrangement is movable between a first position above the support platform, and a second position to one side of the platform. This enables a body to be lifted while located alongside the apparatus, for example on a hospital bed, and subsequently placed on the apparatus, or vice versa. The 7 coupling arrangement may be mounted to the jib via a trolley or the like, and the trolley may be manually movable or may be motor driven.

Preferably, the jib is vertically movable relative to the frame and the associated raising and lowering means may include a piston and cylinder arrangement. Conveniently, the piston and cylinder arrangement may utilise pneumatic or hydraulic operating fluid, and may be actuated by a manual pump or by means of a motor-driven pump.

Alternatively, the jibmay be raised and lowered by means of a cogwheel-and-chain arrangement, which may be actuated manually or by means of an electric motor.

Preferably, the jib is pivotable relative to the frame about a vertical axis. This may enable the jib to be swung into a "retracted" configuration for storage and transport, and may be utilised to alter the position of the coupling arrangement.

The coupling arrangement may include a flexible member, such as a chain, wire, rope or webbing supporting a coupling, such as a hook, an eye or the like. The flexible member may be of fixed length but is preferably suspended from a raising and lowering means such as a hoist to permit the coupling to be raised and lowered relative to the jib.

The coupling arrangement may include or be provided in combination with a sheet of material for supporting the patient. The material may be a fabric or composite material, may be flexible or rigid, or may include rigid 8 elements. The sheet may include means f or engaging the coupling, such as eyelets, loops of material, slings or the like. The sheet may be utilised as an undersheet on a bed and thus be available and in place if it is ever desired to move the occupant of the bed. Alternatively, the sheet may be placed beneath the patient or cadaver as and when required, for example by rolling the patient or cadaver onto the sheet. Alternatively, or in addition, the coupling arrangement may include a bar supporting a plurality of slings or the like, which may be' secured around a patient.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for transporting human or animal patients, the apparatus comprising a support frame mounted on ground engaging wheels, and upper and lower patient support platforms, the upper platform being retractable to provide vertical access to the lower platform.

This aspect of the invention provides flexibility in the transport of patients and other objects. Live patients may be transported on the upper support platform, while corpses may be placed on the lower platform and then concealed beneath the upper platform. Alternatively, other objects may be placed on the lower platform, such as a patient's personal effects, or medical apparatus.

2S According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for lifting human or animal bodies, the apparatus comprising a support frame, a platform for supporting a body, a jib extending from the 9 f rame in a f irst horizontal direction, a coupling arrangement depending from the jib and being moveable relative to the platform, means for raising and lowering the coupling arrangement, whereby a body may be lifted onto or from the support platform, and an operator support extending from the frame in a second horizontal direction, substantially opposed to the first horizontal direction, on which an operator may stand, sit, or kneel.

This provides a counterbalance arrangement which may be utilised when lifting heavy loads, 'and which enables the apparatus to be located alongside a bed or the like.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for lifting human or animal bodies, the apparatus comprising a support frame, a platform for supporting a body, a jib extending from the frame in a first horizontal direction, a coupling arrangement depending from the jib and being moveable relative to the platform, means for raising and lowering the coupling arrangement, whereby a body may be lifted onto or from the support platform, and a counterbalance means comprising a weight located substantially below the platform.

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus for lifting and transporting bodies in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in use; Figure 4 is a cutaway side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in use; and Figure 5 is a cutaway side view of a part of the apparatus of Figure 1, in use in transferring a cadaver from the apparatus.

The Figures illustrate an apparatus 10 for lifting and transporting cadavers or incapacitated patients in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The apparatus 10 comprises a frame 12 having two upright members 14, 16 supporting a cantilevered jib 18, a coupling arrangement 20 mounted on the jib 18, and a platform 22 for supporting a patient. The coupling arrangement 20 includes a trolley 24 and is movable along the jib 18, as illustrated in Figure 2.

The upright members 14, 16 are C-shaped in section and accommodate rollers 2G provided on the ends of cross members 28, 30 from which the jib 18 extends. The rollers 26 are adapted to accommodate both axial and radial loads, and may take the form of combined roller bearings, such as supplied by Euro-Bearings Limited of England. A vertically- extending piston and cylinder arrangement 32 is provided between the upright members 14, 16 and is coupled at its upper end to the uppermost cross member 28; actuation of the arrangement enables the jib 18 to be raised and lowered. Further, pivot links 34 between the 11 jib 18 and cross members 28, 30 allow the jib 18 to rotate about a vertical axis; this enables the jib 18 to be moved between a retracted position (marked in chain-dotted outline on Figure 1) and a deployed position, as shown on Figure 2.

In the present embodiment, the support platform 22 forms part of a container 36, with the platform 22 and a pair of shutters 38 covering openings in the front and top of the container 36, to allow ingress and egress to the container 36. The platform 22 is formed of a plurality of pivotally coupled transverse members 40 with ends mounted in tracks which extend along the upper edges of the container 36. This permits' the platform 22 to be retracted by "rolling" the platform 22 around a spiral track 42, in a similar manner to a roller shutter, as illustrated in Figure 4. Once the platform 22 has been retracted, a second lower platform 44 formed of rollers and forming the base of the container 36 becomes accessible. If desired, a corpse or other obj ect may be placed on the lower platform 44 and the upper platform 22 then extended to conceal the interior of the container 36.

The apparatus 10 includes castors 46, which may be provided with a braking mechanism to prevent unwanted movement.

In use, the device may function as follows. An operator 48 moves the apparatus 10 into position (Figure 2) alongside a cadaver 50 to be transferred, the cadaver in this example lying on a fixed platform 51. The cadaver 50 12 has previously been placed on a reinforced sheet 52 which encircles the cadaver 50. The coupling arrangement 20 is attached to a bar 54 to which the sheet 50 is coupled by three slings.

The operator 48 may stand on a fold-down step 56 prior to lifting the cadaver 50, in order to counterbalance the load. The cadaver 50 is then raised from the platform 51 by actuating the piston and cylinder arrangement 32. The coupling arrangement 20 is then moved along the jib 18 towLrd the operator, so that the cadaver!O is then located above the support platform 22. When transporting live patients, the patient will then be lowered onto and supported by the platform 22. However, for transporting a corpse, the upper platform.22 is retracted, and the jib 18 lowered to locate the cadaver 50 on the lower platform 44 within the container 36 (Figure 3). The coupling arrangement 20 is then disengaged from the cadaver 50, the jib 18 raised and returned to the stowed position, and the upper platform 22 extended to close the container 36. The apparatus 10 may then be transported to its desired destination.

If a corpse has been placed within the container 36, to remove the corpse from the container 36 the shutters 38 are opened, and the cadaver 50 transferred from the apparatus 10 to a mortuary gurney 60 or the like, as illustrated in Figure 5.

A live patient may be transferred from the upper platform 22 using the coupling arrangement and the jib 18.

13 Those of skill in the art will recognise thatthis embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus which enables cadavers or live patients to be lifted and transported around hospitals and the like in a straightforward manner by a single operator. It will be further apparent that the use of embodiments of the invention is not limited to hospitals or to humans; the apparatus may in particular also be used for live or dead animals. Further, in other embodiments of the invention the apparatus may be incorporated in a hospital bed, to facilitate transfer of patients onto trolleys and the like.

14

Claims

1. An apparatus for lifting human or animal bodies, the apparatus comprising a support frame, a platform for supporting a body, a jib extending from the frame, a coupling arrangement depending from the jib and being moveable relative to the platform, means for raising and lowering the coupling arrangement, whereby a body may be lifted onto or fr'om the support platform, and means tor concealing a body on the platform.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises counterbalance means for counterbalancing the weight of a body coupled to the coupling arrangement.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the counterbalance means comprises a weight located substantially below the is platform.

4. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the frame includes an operator support, on which the operator may sit, stand or kneel.

S. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the coupling arrangement is located towards a first side of the platform, and the operator support is located on an opposite side of the platform.

is 6. The apparatus of claims 4 or 5 wherein the operator support is moveable between retracted and extended positions.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for preventing operation of the apparatus when the operator support is in a retracted position.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the apparatus comprises sensing means for sensing an unstable condition and which operates to disable the raising and lowering means until the unstable condition is no longer detected.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the means for concealing a body on the platform comprises a curtain or screens mounted on a frame around the platform.

10. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the concealing means is in the form of side walls and a lid or cover.

11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus includes two vertically spaced support platforms.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the upper platform is retractable or otherwise moveable to provide vertical access to the lower platform.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12 wherein the upper platform is formed of a plurality of pivotally connected transverse members extending between support tracks, such that the platform may be rolled or otherwise retracted to provide access to the lower platform.

14. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the apparatus defines one or more side walls around the support platform, and one or more of the walls may be opened and closed to provide access to the platform and facilitate removal of a body from the apparatus.

is. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the platform bears a series of rollers or other friction reducing arrangements to facilitate transfer of a body from the apparatus.

is 16. The apparatus of any preceding claim further comprising ground engaging wheels.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the ground engaging wheels are castors.

18. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the coupling arrangement is moveable along the jib.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the coupling 17 arrangement is moveable between a first position above the support platform, and a second position to one side of the platform.

20. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the coupling arrangement is mounted to the jib via a trolley.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the trolley is motor driven.

22. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the jib is vertically moveable relative to the frame.

23. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the jib is pivotable relative to the frame about a vertical axis. 24. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the coupling arrangement includes a flexible member supporting a coupling. 15 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the flexible member is suspended from a raising and lowering means to permit the coupling to be raised and lowered relative to the jib. 26. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the coupling arrangement is provided in combination with a 20 sheet of material for supporting the patient.

18 27. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the coupling arrangement includes a bar supporting a plurality of slings or the like, which may be secured around a patient.

28. An apparatus for transporting human or animal patients, the apparatus comprising a support frame mounted on ground engaging wheels, and upper and lower patient support platforms, the upper platform being retractable to provide vertical access to the lower platform. 10 29. An apparatus for lifting human or animal bodies, the apparatus comprising a support frame, a platform for supporting a body, a jib extending from the frame in a first lateral direction, a coupling arrangement depending 15 from the jib and being moveable relative to the platform, means for raising and lowering the coupling arrangement, whereby a body may be lifted onto or from the support platform, and an operator support extending from the frame in a second lateral direction, substantially opposed to the 20 first lateral direction, on which an operator may stand, sit, or kneel. 30. An apparatus for lifting human or animal bodies, the apparatus comprising a support frame, a platform for 25 supporting a body, a jib extending from the frame in a first lateral direction, a coupling arrangement depending from the jib and being moveable relative to the platform, 19 means for raising and lowering the coupling arrangement, whereby a body may be lifted onto or from the support platform, and a counterbalance means comprising a weight located substantially below the platform.