TRANSFER APPARATUS

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transferring a load (8) carried by a carrier member (12) between two mutually separate transport paths (3a, b). In such instance, the carrier member switches from being suspended in a device (4a) displaceable in the first carrier path (3a) to being suspended in a device (4b) displaceable in the second carrier path (3b). According to the method, the carrier member (12) when it is suspended by means of a first connecting device (9a, 11a) in the displaceable device (4a) of the first conveyor path (3a), is connected to the displaceable device (4b) of the second conveyor path (3b) by means of a second connecting device (9b, 11b). The length of the second connecting device is reduced and the carrier member (12) is switched thereby so as to be wholly suspended in the displacement device (4b) of the second conveyor path. In addition to the above disclosed carrier member (12) and the disclosed connecting devices (9a, 11a; 9b, 11b), the apparatus includes drive means for intake and discharge of at least one of the connecting devices in relation to the housing (14) of the apparatus for modifying the distance between the carrier member (12) and the displaceable device (4a, b).

Description: TRANSFER APPARATUS The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus according to the preambles of the independent claims. In many contexts, there is a need to be able, in a simple manner, to transfer a depending load between two paths which are physically separate from one another. The term path is here taken to signify, for example, a track disposed to cooperate with a carriage running in the track. In its simplest design, the carriage consists, for exam¬ ple, of a wheel journalled in a bracket which, in its turn, is provided with a device to which the load is connected. In particular for invalids and the infirm who are nursed in the home for shorter or longer periods of time, there is a need to be able to transfer or move such people sitting on a carrier which, in its turn, is displaced along a path disposed in the ceiling of the apartment in which the person in question is staying. Partially handicapped people who live alone may also be in need of such assistance. One problem which occurs is that, in connection with door openings and the like, the path is discontinued by those wall portions which are located above the door openings. Since the need for auxiliary aids of the type disclosed here is many times relatively brief in duration, it is, from the economic poi'nt of view, naturally unreasonable to carry out those modifications to buildings required to be able to mount a continuous path in the ceiling. An invention which satisfies the above-outlined desiderata is dis¬ closed in the characterizing clauses of the independent claims. The present invention makes it possible to transport a patient along a path on a carrier device and thereafter connect the carrier device to another path which is physically separate from the first path. Such transfer can be controlled by a nurse and, in certain cases, by the patient unaided. Expedient embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the appended subclaims. The present invention will now be described in greater detail herein- below, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an apparatus depending in a first path; Fig. 2 shows the apparatus depending in the first path and interconnected with the second path; Fig. 3 shows the apparatus depending in both the first and the second path; Fig. 4 shows the apparatus depending substantially in the second path; Fig. 5 shows the apparatus depending solely in the second path; Figs. 6-7 show the apparatus integrated with a carriage running in the path; Fig. 8 is a cross-section through one embodiment of the path. Referring to the Drawings, there is shown a ceiling 1 and a wall portion 2 above a door opening. A first conveyor path 3a is disposed on the one side of the wall portion and a second conveyor path 3b on the other side of the wall portion. In the Figures, the conveyor paths are shown as rails with a groove 17. In Fig. 8, the path is shown in one embodiment in which it is of rectangular cross-section with a downwardly facing slot 18. A carriage 4a, b provided with wheels 13 runs in the path, the carriage being separate for each path. Hereinafter the carriages ' will generally be designated first carriage 4a and second carriage 4b. In the Figures the carriages are shown in one embodiment in which they are provided with a support member 19 which projects out through the slot 18. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the path and the carriages may be given varying designs and appearances without departing from the scope of the invention. Each respective carriage 4a, b is connected with an apparatus 7 which mounts a carrier member 12, for example a hook to which is coupled a chair, a harness or some other suitable means in v/hich a patient 8 may be placed. The apparatus is provided with two connecting devices 9a,lla;9b,llb, each one shown in one embodiment in which it comprises one connecting device 9a, b departing from the housing 14 of the appa¬ ratus. The apparatus includes drive means (not shown) for infeed and discharge of at least one of the connecting devices in relation to the housing 14 of the apparatus. The connecting devices 9a, b consist, in one preferred embodiment, of a strap, a chain or the like which, for example, in its upper end is provided with a connecting device 11a,b, for example a hook with which the connecting device is coupled to the carriage 4a, b. In Figs. 1-5 the carriage is shown in one em¬ bodiment in which it is provided with an extension portion comprising a strap 10a,b depending from the carriage and which, in its lower end is provided with an interconnecting device 6a, b with which the connec¬ ting device 11a,b is coupled. A switch 5 is provided for switching between the positions indicated by A and B. The apparatus is provided with operating devices 15,16, for example push buttons, for controlling drive means (not shown) for the infeed and discharge of the connecting devices 9a,lla;9b,llb in relation to the housing 14 of the apparatus. By infeed and discharge of the con¬ necting devices, the distance between the carrier member 12 and the coupling devices 11a, b are modified and thereby, also the distance between the carrier member 12 and the carriages 4a, b. The position of the switch 5 is determinative of whether the connecting devices are fed in or paid out when the operating devices 15,16 are actuated. As a rule, the connecting devices 9a, b are provided as straps which, within the housing of the apparatus, are wound around drums v/hich are rotated by the drive means whose movement is, in turn, determined by the position of the switch 5 and by which operating device is actuated. The drums are also provided with locking means which prevent the connecting devices 9a, b from being paid out uncontrol¬ lably when the straps are under load. Hereinafter, that connecting device 9a which cooperates with the first carriage 4a will generally be designated first connecting device 9a, and that connecting device 9b which cooperates with the second carriage 4b will generally be designated second connecting device 9b. Figs. 6 and 7 show embodiments of the present invention in which the apparatus 7 is integrated with the carriage 4a, b. Fig. 7 shows in particular how a patient is collected from a mobile transport facil¬ ity 20. According to the embodiments shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the con¬ necting devices 9a,lla;9b,11b depend down from the apparatus 7. When the apparatus according to the invention is reduced into prac¬ tice, the patient is collected from a bed, wheel choir etc. with the aid of that chair, harness etc. which is suspended in the carrier member 12. The first carriage 4a (cf. Fig. 1) is displaced along the transport path 3a until such time as the carriage arrives at the de¬ scending v/all portion 2. The second connecting device 9b is drawn out from the housing 14 of the apparatus and is interconnected (cf. Fig. 2) by means of the coupling device lib with the intercon¬ necting device 6b of the second carriage 4b. Thereafter, the switch 5 is set in position B (cf. Fig. 3), whereupon, when the operating device 15 for intake of the connecting device 9b is actuated, this is drawn into the housing 14 of the apparatus. Hereby, the distance betv/een the carrier member 12 and the second carriage 4b is reduced. In one preferred embodiment, a certain generally corresponding pay-out of the first connecting device 9a takes place from the housing 14 of the apparatus so as to avoid a vertical displacement of the patient in connection with the intake of the second connecting device 9b. According as the distance between the second carriage 4b and the carrier member 12 reduces, the load is progressively trans¬ ferred to the second carriage so that, finally, this generally carries the entire load (cf. Fig. 4). When such is the case, the apparatus is disconnected from the first carriage 4a and the patient is wholly transferred to the second carriage for continued movement along the second carriage path 3b (cf. Fig. 5). Even if the switch 5 and the operating device 15,16 in the Figures are shown as disposed on the housing 14, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, in certain embodiments, these con¬ stitute a device suspended from the housing. The suspended device makes it possible for the patient independently to anoeuver and operate the apparatus. The above detailed description has referred to but a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, but it will readily be perceived by a person skilled in the art that the present invention accommodates a large number of embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method of transferring a load (8) carried by a carrier member (12) between two mutually separate transport paths (3a, b), the carrier member intercharging from being suspended in a device (4a, b) displaceable in the first transport path (3a) to being suspended in a device (4b) displaceable in the second transport path (3b), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the carrier member (12) is, at the same time as it is suspended in the displaceable device (4a) of the first transport path (3a) via a first connec¬ ting device (9a, 11a), connected to the displaceable device (4b) of the second transport path (3b), via a second connecting device (9b, lib); that for transferring the load to being carried by the displaceable device (4b) of the second transport path (3b) the length of the second connecting device is reduced; and that, when the carrier member (12) has been substantially completely trans¬ ferred so as to be suspended in the displaceable device (4b) of the second conveyor path (3b), the carrier device is disconnected from connection with the displaceable device (4a) of the first conveyor path (3a). 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the length of the first connecting device (9a, 11a) is in¬ creased, at least during a part of the time during which the reduction takes place of the length of the second connecting device (9b, lib). 3. A load carrying apparatus (7) with a carrier member (12) for carrying a load (8), in which the apparatus comprises connecting devices (9a, 11a;9b, lib) for connection of the carrier member (12) to conveyor paths (3a, b) disposed above the apparatus, and in which the connecting devices include coupling means (11a, b) for connection of the apparatus to a device (4a,b) displaceable along the transport path, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the con¬ necting devices (9a, 1la;9b, lib) include two connecting devices (9a, b) departing from the housing (14) of the apparatus; and that drive means are included in the apparatus for intake and discharge of at least one of the connecting devices in relation to the housing under alteration of the distance between the carrier member (12) and the displaceable device (4a,b). 4. The apparatus (7) according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e d in that the apparatus is provided with a switching device (5) switchable between two coupling positions; and that, in each respective coupling position, the coupling device con¬ trols displacement of at least the one connecting device such that the distance between the carrier member (12) and the displaceable device (4a, b) is altered. 5. The apparatus (7) as claimed in any one of claims 3-4, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus includes means for con¬ trolled discharge of the one connecting device (9a) in relation to the housing (14), at least during a part of the intake of the second connecting device (9b). 6. The apparatus (7) as claimed in any one of claims 3-5, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus (7) constitutes an apparatus integrated with the carriage (4a,b) or fixed thereto. 7. The apparatus (7) as claimed in any one of claims 3-6, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that one or both of the conveyor paths con¬ sists of a mobile load-carrying facility (20) which is provided with the interconnecting devices. The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transferring a load (8) carried by a carrier member (12) between two mutually sepa¬ rate transport paths (3a, b). In such instance, the carrier member switches from being suspended in a device (4a) displaceable in the first carrier path (3a) to being suspended in a device (4b) displaceable in the second carrier path (3b). According to the method, the carrier member (12) when it is suspended by means of a first connecting device (9a, 11a) in the displaceable device (4a) of the first conveyor path (3a), is connected to the displaceable device (4b) of the second conveyor path (3b) by means of ~ second connecting device (9b, lib). The length of the second connec¬ ting device is reduced and the carrier member (12) is switched thereby so as to be wholly suspended in the displacement device (4b) of the second conveyor path. In addition to the above disclosed carrier member (12) and the disclosed connecting devices (9a, 11a;9b, lib), the apparatus includes drive means for intake and discharge of at least one of the connec¬ ting devices in relation to the housing (14) of the apparatus for modifying the distance between the carrier member (12) and the displaceable device (4a, b). Publication Figure: Fig. 2 AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 2 July 1993 (02.07.93); original claims 1,3 and 7 amended; other claims unchanged (2 pages)] 1. A method of transferring a load (3: carried by a carrier member (12) between two mutual ly separate transport paths (3a,b), the carrier member intercharging from being suspended in a device (4a,b) displaceable in the first transport path (3a) to being suspended in a device (4b) displaceable in the second transport path (3b). c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the carrier member (12) is, at the same time as it is suspended in the displaceable device (4a; of the first transport path (3a) via a first connec¬ ting device (9a.11a,. connected to the displaceable device (4b) of tne second transport path (3b), via a second connecting device (9b,lib); tnat for transferring tne load to Deing carried by the Displaceable device (4b) of the second transport path (3b) the length of the second connecting device is reduced; and that, when the carrier member (12) has been substantially completely trans- fεrred so as to be suspended in the displaceable device (4b) of the second transport path (3b), the carrier device is disconnect¬ ed from connection with the displaceable device (4a) of the first transport path (3a). 1. Tne method as claimed in claim 1, c n a r a z t e r i z e in tnat the iengtn cf th first connecting device i-.-i.lla) is in¬ creased, at least during a part cf the time during which the reduction takes place of the length of the second connecting device (9b,lib). 3. A load carrying apparatus (7) witn a carrier member (12) for carrying a load (8,. c π a r a c t e r i z e in that the apparatus comprises connecting devices (9a,lla;9b,llb) for con¬ nection of the carrier member (12) to two mutually separate trans- port paths (3a.b; disposed above the apparatus; that the connect¬ ing devices include coupling means (11a,b) for connection and disconnection of tne apparatus to a device (4a,b; displaceable along the transport path; that the connecting devices is=..lla:9!:.lib include two connecting devices !9a,Pi departing rrorr, the nousmα (14. of the apparatus; and tnat drive means ar. includes in tne apparatus for intake and αiscnarge of at least one of the connecting devices in relation to the housing under alteration of the distance between the carrier member (12) and the displaceable device (4a, b). 4. The apparatus (7) according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i z e in that the apparatus is provided with a switching device (5) switchable between two coupling positions; and that, in each respective coupling position, the coupling device con¬ trols displacement of at least the one connecting device such that the distance between the carrier member (12) and the dis¬ placeable device (4a, b) is altered. 5. The apparatus (7) as claimed in any one of claims 3-4, c h a ' - a c t e r i z e d in that the apparatus includes means for con- trolled discharge of the one connecting device (9a) in relation to the housing (14), at least during a part of the intake of the second connecting device (9b). 6. The apparatus (7) as claimed in any one of claims 3-5, c h a - r a c t e r i z e in that the apparatus (7) constitutes an apparatus integrated with the carriage (4a, ) or fixed thereto. 7. The apparatus (7) as claimed in any one of claims 3-5, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that one or both of the transport paths con- sists of a mobile load-carrying facility (20) which is provided with the interconnectinα devices. STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 In accordance with Article 19(1) we herewith file amended claims. None of the citations of the Search Report show any load- carrying device provided with connecting devices for con¬ nection of a carrier member to two mutually separate trans¬ port paths disposed above the apparatus. Thus, tnese fea¬ tures have been transferred to the characterizing part of the independent claim 3. Further, in claim 3, it has been more clearly stated that the load is transferred between two mutually separate transport paths, as already stated in the pre-characterizing part of claim 1. Furthermore, the expression "conveyor path(s)" in claims 1, 3 and 7 has been changed to "transport path(s)" in order to have a uniform wording.

Inventors: NILSSON PER, NILSSON, PER
Applicants: NILSSON PER, NILSSON, PER
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B66C17
IPC codes: A61G7