Fig. 1: shows a schematic perspective side view of a turning device according to the invention;
Fig. 2: shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown inFig. 1, wherein the turning device is in a raised configuration with a sheet roller in a first working position;
Fig. 3: shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown inFig. 2, in a second working position;
Fig. 4: shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown inFig. 2 and Fig. 3, wherein a rotational motion about a centre of rotations is indicated;
Fig. 5: shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown inFig. 2-4, in a third working position;
Fig. 6: shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown inFig. 2-5 in a raised configuration in which the height adjustment is indicated;
Fig. 7: shows a schematic side view of the turning device shown inFig. 2-6 in which the centre of rotation is indicated;
Fig. 8: shows a schematic view of the turning device mounted on a bed;
Fig. 9: shows a schematic view of the turning device with a side rail slide and a console slide in a first position and
Fig. 10: shows a schematic view of the turning device shown inFig. 9 with the side rail slide and the console slide in a second position.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, aturning device 15 of the present invention is illustrated inFig. 1.

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective side view of aturning device 15 according to the invention. The turningdevice 15 comprises aside rail 3 with asheet roller 5 for a turning sheet. The side rail is rotatably attached to alongitudinal console 10 by means of twoarms 18, 18' that are configured to be locked in different positions by means of

first locks

7,9.

Thearms 18, 18' are mechanically connected to a shaft, about which shaft the side rail is configured to be rotated. Theside rail 3 can be locked in additional positions by means of

additional locks

2, 4. The

locks

2, 4, 7, 9 are arranged in such a manner that they can be accessed and operated from a single position at about the midline of theturning device 15.

The position of the

locks

2, 4, 7, 9 close to the central area of theturning device 15, makes it possible for the operator to reach all four

locks

2, 4, 7, 9 from the same position at the midline of theturning device 15.

The

locks

2, 4, 7, 9 in that centre of rotation, about which the desired change (rotational motion) of theturning device 15 occurs, have to be unlocked in order to allow the change (rotational motion) of theturning device 15 to take place.

The four

locks

2, 4, 7, 9 are arranged in a configuration in which the

uppermost locks

2, 4 and the

lowermost locks

7, 9 are offset relative to each other.

Hereby, the risk of getting caught during the lowering of the side rail is reduced. The

locks

2, 4, 7, 9 are made as spring-loaded constructions that can resist large loads. The spring-loaded constructions prevent the

locks

2, 4, 7, 9 from unintentionally being left in an unlocked configuration, hereby increasing patient safety.

The turningdevice 15 is attached to astrong console 10, on which aheight adjustment bracket 8 and aseat bench 13 are mounted. Theconsole 10 is an open construction comprising atelescopic slide 6 configured to extend theconsole 10. If desired, when the system(turning device 15) is lowered to the position C (seeFig. 5) and back again to position A (seeFig. 2), the load may be reduced by arranging agas spring 16 between theside rail 3 and theconsole 10.

Theside rail 3 is an open pipe construction comprising aslide 1. Thus, an easy length extension can be provided when the system (turning device 15) is applied on extended home care beds or hospital beds. Hereby, it is easy to adjust theside rail 3 and at the same time comply with the prescribed safety distances. Accordingly, patient safety can be increased.

Theside rail 3 and theturning device 15 are arranged on astrong console 10, onto which aheight adjustment bracket 8 and aseat bench 13 are mounted. Thestrong console 10 has two functions. First of all, theconsole 10 ensures the turning device complies with the prescribed safety distances when a bed has a thick mattress requiring a high position in the bed. Secondly, theconsole 10 secures that the turningdevice 15 is not affected by forces from a bed with a heavy patient. Theconsole 10, moreover, is equipped with aslide 6 that ensures that the turning device complies with the prescribed safety distances when using theturning device 15 with an extended home care bed or hospital bed. The seat bench 19 is placed at the central part of theconsole 10 and reduces the risk of harming the patient during passage.

The

locks

2, 4, 7, 9 may be manufactured in metal, such as steel or in a composite material with the purpose of improving their function and durability. The turningdevice 15 is constructed in a manner in which it complies with the prescribed safety distances for moveable parts. Theside rail 3 and theslide 1 function as a covering of thesheet roller 5 in such a manner that the prescribed safety distances are complies with. Theside rail 3 may be produced in metal such as steel.

Thesheet roller 5 may be manufactured in metal such as steel e.g. having a diameter of 62 mm or less. Theheight adjustment bracket 8 may be manufactured in metal such as steel. Theseat bench 13 may be made in metal such as a steel plate or in a composite material.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of theturning device 15 shown inFig. 1. The turning device is in a raised configuration with a sheet roller in a first working position A.

Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic side view of theturning device 15 shown inFig. 2, wherein the turning device is in a raised configuration with a sheet roller in a second working position B.

Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic side view of theturning device 15 shown inFig. 2 and Fig. 3, wherein a rotational motion about a centre of rotation is indicated with a dotted line.

Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic side view of theturning device 15 shown inFig. 2-4 in a lowered configuration, in a third working position C.

Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic side view of theturning device 15 shown inFig. 2-5 in a raised configuration in which the height adjustment is indicated with a dotted arrow.

Fig. 7 illustrates a schematic side view of theturning device 15 shown inFig. 2-6 in which the centres of

rotation

11, 12 are indicated.

Fig. 8 illustrates a schematic view of theturning device 15 according to the invention mounted on a bed.

The lock mechanism comprises four locks arranged in the centres of

rotation

11, 12. These locks are arranged close to the midline of theturning device 15. Accordingly, the care assistants can reach all locks from a single position at the midline of theturning device 15. Since both locks arranged at the centres ofrotation 11, 12 (for the desired motion) are required to be unlocked in order to change the position of theturning device 15, the patient safety is improved due to the fact that the care assistant does not have to move away from the patient. Application of theturning device 15 will be experienced as easier, more secure and comfortable for the patient.

The two centres of

rotation

11, 12 enable three working positions A, B and C for theturning device 15. This is shown inFig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. The side rail positon A (seeFig. 2) is a working position. The side rail positon B (seeFig. 3) is another working position. The

lowermost locks

7, 9 are used during the lowering of theturning device 15 in order to allow the patient to get out of the bed (seeFig. 5) corresponding to working position C.

Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 show that theside rail 3 is an open pipe construction in which atelescopic slide 1 is slidably mounted so that length extension may be carried out. It can further be seen that theconsole 10 comprises aslide 6 that enables length adjustment.

List of reference numerals

1: Slide
2: Lock
3: Side rail
4: Lock
5: Sheet roller
6: Slide
7: Lock
8: Height adjustment bracket
9: Lock
10: Console
11: Centre of rotation
12: Centre of rotation
13: Seat bench
15: Turning device
16: Gas spring
18, 18': Arm
A, B, C: Working position