Mobile apparatus with an integrated stretcher apparatus for patients

Abstract

A mobile apparatus with an integrated stretcher apparatus for patients has a base having rotatably mounted wheels on a bottom side for moving the base on the ground, a frame which is fastened to a top side of the base and which is open at least on one side, and a stretcher apparatus having segments which are mounted pivotably relative to one another, wherein the segments are configured for folding the stretcher apparatus into a first form, in which all the segments adjoin one another in a plane, and for folding said stretcher apparatus into a second form, in which the stretcher apparatus is packed down, and wherein the stretcher apparatus and the frame are configured to be complementary to one another such that the stretcher apparatus in the second form can be completely introduced into the frame.

Claims

1. A mobile apparatus with an integrated stretcher apparatus for patients, comprising: a base having rotatably mounted wheels on a bottom side for moving the base on the ground, a frame fastened to a top side of the base and open at least on one side, and a stretcher apparatus having segments mounted pivotably relative to one another, wherein the segments are configured for folding the stretcher apparatus into a first form, in which all the segments adjoin one another in a plane, and for folding said stretcher apparatus into a second form, in which the stretcher apparatus is packed down, and wherein the stretcher apparatus and the frame are configured to be complementary to one another such that the stretcher apparatus in the second form is configured to be completely introduced into the frame.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame has two wallsprojecting from the base and defining an intermediate space into which the stretcher apparatus is configured to be inserted in the second form.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stretcher apparatus has at least one first segment and at least two second segments, which follow one another in an alternating manner, and wherein at least one of the two second segments has a larger area than the at least one first segment.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the area of the at least one of the two second segments is at least twice as large as the area of the at least one first segment.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a cover element spaced apart from the base, and wherein the stretcher apparatus is configured to be introduced between the cover element and the base.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cover element has a recess for receiving an emergency kit.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the wheels is coupled to a drive apparatus.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein outermost segments of the stretcher apparatus each have a handle.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stretcher apparatus has a vacuum mattress on one side.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the vacuum mattress is on inside in the second form.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus, with the stretcher apparatus introduced in the frame, has outer dimensions corresponding at most to dimensions of a full-size cabin trolley for aircraft cabins.

12. A system for transporting patients in a lying position in a means of transportation, comprising at least one apparatus according to claim 1.

13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a receiving apparatus for receiving the transport apparatus in the first form, and wherein the receiving apparatus has a foldable bearing surface and a foldable covering configured to completely cover the stretcher apparatus.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the foldable bearing surface has two flaps arranged so as to be pivotable relative to one another and configured to be folded flush with one another and to be folded apart through 180°, and wherein the foldable covering is coupled to the two flaps, such that said covering is folded out in the manner of a concertina during the folding-apart operation and is folded up during the folding-together operation.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the receiving apparatus is configured to be integrated in a door or a wall of a monument in a cabin of a vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features, advantages and possible uses of the present invention will emerge from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and from the figures. Here, all of the features described and/or illustrated in the figures form the subject matter of the invention individually and in any desired combination, even independently of the combination of said features in the individual claims or the back-references thereof. Furthermore, in the figures, the same reference signs are used for identical or similar objects.

(2) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a mobile apparatus with an integrated stretcher apparatus in various states.

(3) FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a packed-down stretcher apparatus.

(4) FIG. 5 shows a folded-out stretcher apparatus.

(5) FIG. 6 shows a user moving the apparatus.

(6) FIG. 7 shows the stretcher apparatus, carried by two users, with a patient located thereon.

(7) FIG. 8 shows the stretcher apparatus on a stretcher frame.

(8) FIGS. 9 to 11 show a system for transporting patients in a lying position with a receiving apparatus integrated in a cabin monument.

(9) FIG. 12 shows an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIG. 1 shows a mobile apparatus 2 with an integrated stretcher apparatus 4 for patients. The apparatus 2 has a base 6 which has a bottom side 8 and a top side 10. A plurality of wheels 12 and 14 are arranged on the bottom side 8. By way of example, centrally arranged wheels 14 are coupled to an electric drive apparatus (not illustrated in any more detail here) and are driven thereby. The base 6 can consequently be moved by means of an electric drive. However, this is merely one possible variant, and an embodiment of the apparatus 2 for manual movement would likewise be conceivable.

(11) A frame 16 is fastened to the top side 10, said frame in this case having 2 mutually opposite walls 18 and a cover element 20. An intermediate space 22, into which the stretcher apparatus 4 can be introduced, is defined between the walls 18 and the cover element 20. Said stretcher apparatus has two first segments 24 and two second segments 26, which are connected to one another in a pivotable manner by way of hinges 28. As a result, the stretcher apparatus 4 can be brought into a first form (see, for example, FIGS. 2 and 5) and into a second form, which can be seen in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 4.

(12) In the second form, the segments 24 and 26 have been pivoted relative to one another such that the stretcher apparatus 4 is packed down and, as a result, can be introduced into the intermediate space 22. For this purpose, the first segment 24, which is illustrated on the left in the plane of the drawing, could have for instance a width that corresponds to a width of the intermediate space 22. The width of the second segment 26, which is illustrated on the right in the plane of the drawing, corresponds substantially to the depth of the intermediate space 22. It should be noted here that the shorter dimension, visible in FIG. 1, on the top side 10 of the base 6 is denoted as the width, and the longer dimension as the depth.

(13) The pulling of the stretcher apparatus 4 out of the intermediate space 22 in the direction of the arrow makes it possible to remove said stretcher apparatus from the frame 16, and the folding out of all of the segments 24 and 26 into a continuously flat form makes it possible to use said stretcher apparatus to carry a patient.

(14) A recess 30 which is configured to receive an emergency kit 32 is arranged on the cover element 20, on a side facing away from the base 6. A control unit 34 is also arranged on the end side of the cover element 20, said control unit being configured, by way of example, in the form of a type of joystick, by means of which the drive apparatus of the wheels 14 can be controlled. A user can consequently move the apparatus by actuating the control unit 34.

(15) FIG. 2 shows the stretcher apparatus 4 in the first form. Here, all of the segments 24 and 26 are arranged parallel to one another and in a common plane, with the result that a continuous stretcher surface is formed. It can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 that a vacuum mattress 36 is also located on the stretcher apparatus 4, said vacuum mattress being able to be filled with air and particles in order to form a formable support for a patient. If the support has been correspondingly correctly formed with a patient lying thereon, for example in order to achieve a specific position of the patient, the assumed positions of the particles can be fixed by removing the air located in the vacuum mattress 36 by suction. This is particularly advantageous for enabling an unchanging supporting action for patients.

(16) It can be seen from FIG. 3 that the segments 24 and 26 can in part provide outer surfaces of the apparatus 2. Here, the stretcher apparatus 4 has been inserted completely into the intermediate space 22, and therefore the apparatus has a form which is closed on all sides and which corresponds approximately to the form of a cabin trolley. It is particularly expedient for the apparatus 2 to be dimensioned in such a way that it can be stored in storage positions which are usually provided for cabin trolleys. By way of example, the apparatus 2 can have the same dimensions as a full-size trolley.

(17) FIG. 4 shows the stretcher apparatus 4 in the second form. The segments 24 and 26 have been folded relative to one another in such a way that the vacuum mattress 36 is positioned on the inner side of the resulting package and is completely protected by the segments 24 and 26. These moreover form the shape of a cuboid.

(18) FIG. 5 shows the stretcher apparatus 4 in the first form, in which all of the segments 24 and 26 run parallel to one another and form a stretcher surface. The stretcher apparatus 4 can be handled by way of handles 38 in order to carry the patient. A belt 40 is provided for holding the patient in place.

(19) FIG. 6 shows the apparatus 2 according to the invention on a floor 41 of a cabin of a means of transport. A user 42 can move the apparatus 2 to the desired location and subsequently fold out the stretcher apparatus 4.

(20) In FIG. 7, a patient 44 is supported on the stretcher apparatus 4 on the vacuum mattress 36 and is carried by two users 42 by means of the handles 38.

(21) FIG. 8 schematically illustrates that the stretcher apparatus 4 can be adapted such that it can be positioned on a customary transport frame 46. If the stretcher apparatus 4 is used in an aircraft or another means of transportation, such a transport frame 46 can be positioned directly outside the means of transportation in order to subsequently receive the stretcher apparatus 4.

(22) A further aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 9. Here, a cabin monument 48 in the form of an on-board toilet is shown. A monument wall 50 has, by way of example, two flaps 52 of a receiving apparatus 54 which are pivoted between a closed position, in which the two flaps 52 lie on one another, and an open position, in which the two flaps 52 enclose an angle of 180° with respect to one another. If the two flaps 52 have been pivoted open, they form a bearing surface 58 on which the stretcher apparatus 4 can be laid. A covering 56 can be fastened to the two flaps 52 in a manner similar to a paper lantern, and is consequently stretched over the resulting bearing surface 58 by being folded out with or after the two flaps 52.

(23) FIG. 10 shows the stretcher apparatus 4 with a patient 44 located thereon on the bearing surface 58 with a closed covering 56.

(24) As can be seen in FIG. 11, the wall 50 can be readily integrated into any desired monument 48. In the closed state with the flaps 52 lying flush with one another, the wall 50 has the dimensions of a conventional wall.

(25) Lastly, FIG. 12 shows an aircraft 60 having a cabin 62 in which at least one receiving apparatus 54 and/or at least one apparatus 2 in accordance with the preceding description is arranged.

(26) It is additionally pointed out that “having” or “comprising” does not rule out other elements or steps, and “a” or “an” does not rule out a multiplicity. It is also pointed out that features that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other features of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as limiting.

(27) While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(28) 2 Mobile apparatus 4 Stretcher apparatus 6 Base 8 Bottom side 10 Top side 12 Wheel 14 Wheel (driven) 16 Frame 18 Wall 20 Cover element 22 Intermediate space 24 First segment 26 Second segment 28 Hinge 30 Recess 32 Emergency kit 34 Control unit 36 Vacuum mattress 38 Handle 40 Belt 41 Floor 42 User 44 Patient 46 Transport frame 48 Cabin monument 50 Monument wall 52 Flap 54 Receiving apparatus 56 Covering 58 Bearing surface 60 Aircraft 62 Cabin