A SUPPORT WITH HEIGHT AND WIDTH ADJUSTABILITY

Abstract

A support and a support system enable assisting rehabilitation patients with walking and standing. The support includes a supporting structure with a longitudinal axis, the supporting structure having an upper structure and a lower structure; a height adjusting actuator configured to adjust a vertical distance between the upper structure and the lower structure; and a width adjusting actuator connected to the support structure, wherein the width adjusting actuator is configured to move at least part of the supporting structure in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A support, comprising: a supporting structure with a longitudinal axis, the supporting structure having an upper structure and a lower structure; a height adjusting actuator configured to adjust a vertical distance between the upper structure and the lower structure; and a width adjusting actuator connected to the support structure, wherein the width adjusting actuator is configured to move at least part of the supporting structure in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis.

2. The support of claim 1, wherein the width adjusting actuator is configured to rotate the supporting structure in order to move the at least part of the supporting structure in the transverse direction to the longitudinal axis.

3. The support of claim 1, wherein the width adjusting actuator is connected to the lower structure in a manner to rotate the lower structure about the longitudinal axis.

4. The support of claim 1, wherein the lower structure includes one or more rotational devices at each end.

5. The support of claim 1, wherein the one or more rotational devices include a bearing.

6. The support of claim 1, wherein the width adjusting actuator is pivotally connected to the supporting structure.

7. The support of claim 1, wherein the lower structure includes an elongate base member that is connected to an extension member.

8. The support of claim 1, wherein the width adjusting actuator extends in a substantially vertical direction.

9. The support of claim 1, wherein the width adjusting actuator is supported by a vertical mount.

10. The support of claim 1, wherein the supporting structure includes a middle structure that is pivotally connected to the upper structure and the lower structure.

11. A support, comprising: a supporting structure with a longitudinal axis, the supporting structure having a handrail connected to a lower structure; and a height adjusting actuator configured to adjust a vertical distance between the handrail and the lower structure, wherein the lower structure is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis in order to move the handrail transversely to the longitudinal axis.

12. The support of claim 11, wherein an actuator assists in stopping the rotation of the lower structure at a predetermined location.

13. A support system, comprising: a plurality of supports, each support in the plurality of supports comprising: a supporting structure having an upper structure and a lower structure; a height adjusting actuator configured to adjust a vertical distance between the upper structure and the lower structure; and a width adjusting actuator connected to the support structure, wherein the plurality of supports include a first support that is arranged in a substantially parallel manner with a second support and the width adjusting actuator of the first support is configured to move the first support towards or away from the second support.

14. The support system of claim 13, wherein the width adjusting actuator of the first support is configured to move the first support towards or away from the second support by rotating the first support.

15. The support system of claim 13, wherein the width adjusting actuator of the second support is configured to move the second support towards or away from the first support.

16. The support system of claim 15, wherein the width adjusting actuator of the second support is configured to move the second support towards or away from the first support by rotating the second support.

17. The support system of claim 13, wherein the support system includes a floor.

18. The support system of claim 17, wherein the floor connects the first support to the second support.

19. A method for supporting a patient, the method including the steps of: adjusting a width between two supports by rotating at least one of the supports; having a patient hold a handrail of an upper structure of the two supports; and adjusting a vertical distance between the upper structure and a lower structure of the two supports in order to assist with lifting the patient.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of adjusting the width between the two supports by rotating at least one of the supports includes using an actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0068] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a support system, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0069] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the support system, as shown in FIG. 1, with the supports of the support system in a first configuration; and

[0070] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the support system, as shown in FIG. 1, with the supports of the support system in a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a support system 10, according to an embodiment of the invention. The support system 10 includes a first support 100a and a second support 100b. In this regard, the use of a reference numeral followed by a lower case letter in this specification typically indicates alternative embodiments of a general element identified by the reference numeral. Thus for example the first support 100a is similar to but not identical to the second support 100b. Further, references to an element identified only by the numeral refer to all embodiments of that element. Thus for example a reference to the supports 100 is intended to include both the first support 100a and the second support 100b.

[0072] The supports 100 extend substantially parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction. The supports 100 include a supporting structure having an upper structure 110, a middle structure 120 and a lower structure 130. The upper structure 110 includes a handrail 112. The middle structure 120 is pivotally connected to the upper structure 110. In particular, the middle structure 120 includes two bars 122 that are pivotally connected to the handrail 112. The middle structure 120 is also pivotally connected to the lower structure 130, via the two bars 122. This allows the vertical distance between the upper structure 110 and the lower structure 130 to be varied, as outlined further below.

[0073] The lower structure 130 includes an elongate base member 132. The elongate base member 132 is rectangular in shape and hollow in this embodiment. The two bars 122 extend into the hollow of the elongate base member 132 and are pivotally connected thereto. The elongate base member 132 includes a shaft 136 at each end. The shafts 136 form part of a rotational device when they are connected to bearings 138. The elongate base member 132 is configured to rotate about longitudinal axis 102. In this regard, as the base member 132 rotates about the longitudinal axis 102, at least the upper structure 110 moves in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis 102.

[0074] The elongate base member 132 is also connected to an extension member 134. The extension member 134 includes two spaced apart plates which, as further outlined below, are configured to receive an actuator therebetween.

[0075] The supports 100 each include a height adjusting actuator 140. The height adjusting actuators 140 are digitally controlled. The height adjusting actuators 140, respectively, are pivotally connected between one of the two bars 122 and the elongate base member 132. In this regard, as part of the height adjusting actuator 140 moves (i.e. its actuation shaft), the angle of the bars 122 is adjusted. This in turn adjusts the vertical distance between the upper structure 110 (i.e. the handrail 112) and the lower structure 130 (i.e. the elongate base member 132). The adjustment of different heights can be seen between the supports 100a, 100b in FIG. 1 but, it will be appreciated that during normal use, the height of the supports 100 will substantially the same. That is, the height of the supports 100 is controlled in unison.

[0076] The supports 100 also each include a width adjusting actuator 150. The width adjusting actuators 150 are digitally controlled. The width adjusting actuators 150 are respectively included in the vertical mounts 160a, 160b. In FIG. 1, a front cover has been removed from the vertical mount 160a to show the width adjusting actuator 150 therein. The width adjusting actuators 150 extend in a substantially vertical direction. The width adjusting actuators 150 are pivotally connected to respective extension members 134. That is, the width adjusting actuators 150 are received between the spaced apart plates of the extension member 134 and are pivotally connected thereto.

[0077] The vertical mounts 160 respectively include a base 162a, 162b that assists in supporting one shaft 136 and bearing 138 via an upstanding portion. The supports 100 also include a mount 180 that assists in supporting the shaft 136 and bearing 138 at the opposite end to the base 162. The vertical mount 160a also includes one or more controllers 170 that assist in controlling the height adjusting actuators 140 and the width adjusting actuators 150. The vertical mount 160a also includes a user interface, at an upper portion thereof, which communicates with the one or more controllers 170. The user interface in this embodiment includes a digital screen.

[0078] The support system 10 also includes a floor 200 in this embodiment. The floor includes ramps 210 and a portion 220 having a plurality of floor sections. The floor sections are sized to assist with shipping the floor 200. That is, the tongue and groove connections between the floor sections extend laterally across the support system 10. The floor 200 also assists in safely routing cabling between the supports 100a, 100b. In this regard, the routing of cabling with the assistance of the floor 200 removes, for example, potential trip hazards.

[0079] FIG. 2 shows the support system 10 in a first configuration where the supports 100 extend in a substantially vertical direction. In response to an operator requiring a change in width between the handrails 112, the operator will activate the width adjusting actuators 150 via the user interface. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, an operator has caused at least part of the width adjusting actuators 150 to move upward. This in turn has rotated the supports 100 inwards towards the middle of the floor 200. That is, the connection between the width adjusting actuator 150 and the extension member 134 has caused the elongate base member 132 to rotate about its longitudinal axis 102 towards the middle of the floor 200. In this regard, the supports 100 have moved in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis 102.

[0080] Furthermore, it is noted that movement associated with the width adjusting actuators 150 is synchronized such that handrails move symmetrically at an even rate. It will also be appreciated that if an operator requires the width between the handrails 112 to be increased, the direction of movement for the width adjusting actuators 150 may be reversed via the user interface.

[0081] As indicated above, an operator may also adjust the height of the handrails 112. In particular, through the user interface, the height adjusting actuators 140 may be activated to rotate the bars 122. The rotation of the bars 122 adjusts the height of the handrails 112 relative to, for example, the lower structure 130. Furthermore, the rotation of the bars 122 may also assist in, for example, allowing a patient to stand. That is, if a patient holds the hand rails 112 whilst the bars 122 are rotating in an upward direction, this will assist in pulling the patient up to a standing position.

[0082] Allowing easy adjustment of the width between the supports 100 provides further versatility in the present invention. By way of example, patients with different sized wheel chairs can be easily accommodated with simple adjustments via the user interface. Furthermore, by simply rotating the lower structures 130 to adjust width, the support system 10 provides a straightforward design and avoids unnecessary complexities.

[0083] The floor 200 further helps with integrating the components of the support system 10. Moreover, the floor 200 is able to be easily assembled/disassembled and shipped without undue effort.

[0084] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.

[0085] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0086] In this specification, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.