WAGGON MANIPULATOR

Abstract: The manipulator trolley for transport in the funeral and hospital branch is characterized in that it replaces a large number of raised tables and different transport trolleys, i.e. transfer becomes completely unnecessary and manual lifting can be entirely eliminated. Previously, for instance, two people were required for loading into and out of a vehicle. Now, one person can manage the entire transport chain alone without assistance and without manual lifting. The use of this trolley manipulator reduces the number of lifts from about 10 as currently required, to none at all through a transport chain from, for instance, the store of coffins to the crematorium or church.

Description: WAGGON MANIPULATOR. Technical field: The present invention relates to an arrangement for transporting coffins and the like. Background arh The transportation of the deceased to and from hospital, church, crematorium, institutions and so on is handled inefficiently. The reason for this is the lack of suitable transport means with several functions. Trolleys are available for transporting a coffin, for instance, to or from a vehicle, but it must then be lifted manually into the vehicle. Another problem area is the transfer to and from catafalque trestles or carriages or from a bier carriage to another carriage during transport from hospital to a vehicle. Furthermore, the height of the carriages is not adjustable, giving rise to heavy lifts and musculo-skeletal strain is thus frequent among personnel involved in this work. Many lifts are involved when transporting coffins to a crematorium or interment, such as: • coffin from stock to carriage = 1 lift • from fixed carriage height to vehicle = 1 lift into vehicle • from vehicle to fixed carriage height = 1 lift from vehicle • transport to institution such as hospital, nursing home, etc. = 1 lift and so on, totally 10 to 15 lifts to the end of this lifting chain. Summary of the invention: The invention aims at a solution of these and other similar problems. The arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a frame having two longitudinal sides with four wheels or two wheels and two support members, in which two wheels, or one wheel and one support member, are located under each longitudinal side of the frame, said wheels and support members being collapsible and each of these members being provided with electrically, hydraulically or manually operated drive means, and the drive means being located on the longitudinal sides of the frame so that a coffin or hospital bed fits between the longitudinal sides and can be lifted with the aid of the drive means, whereupon it can be transported. With the help of this arrangement, trolley manipulator, a single person can handle the entire procedure of lifting and unloading from a vehicle, for instance, transfer from manipulator to storage place or to catafalque trestle, etc., entirely without the need for manual lifting. The frame may be U-shaped or rectangular enabling it to be inserted easily between the legs under a coffin without being impeded by the cross-bars of the under¬ carriage, drive means, etc. in transport means used hitherto. When loading the coffin into a hearse, for instance, its centre of gravity can easily be altered to facilitate entry into the hearse and it can be rolled on the floor of the hearse with minimum effort, using the collapsed front wheels. Brief description of the drawings: The invention will be further exemplified in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows the object of the invention (trolley manipulator), seen from the side, and Figure 2 shows it seen from above. Figure 3 shows a section through the trolley when collapsed. Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment when assembled and Figures 5a - d the same embodiment from different angles. Preferred embodiments: Figures 1 and 2 show one embodiment of the invention, the trolley manipulator, consisting of a basic frame (1) shaped like a U. Two legs provided with wheels (3) are journalled along two of its longitudinal sides, the legs being adjustable in horizontal direction by means of hydraulic pistons (4), individual for each wheel and located on the two longitudinal sides. The legs carrying the wheels can be raised or lowered by the drive means (4). The pairs of wheels are located at the front and rear of the arrangement and both pairs are controlled in the same manner, thus enabling adjustment of the horizontal plane of the trolley as well as its centre of gravity. Minimum manual effort is therefore required during loading and unloading operations. The arrow (12) indicates regulation of the centre of gravity. The arrangement also includes lifting bosses, pivotable when actuated. As can be seen in Figures 1 - 3, the U-shaped frame can easily be inserted between the legs of a coffin without the need for lifting. Figure 3 shows the trolley manipulator in folded position with coffin (14), basic frame (1), folded wheels (3) and pivotable lifting bosses (7). Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the trolley manipulator, seen from above. It consists of a frame (1) with wheels (2), collapsible handle (3') / support leg (4'), hydraulic control (7') and support boss (8) which can be pivoted approximately 90 degrees, see also Figure 5a. The wheels are pivotably mounted in the inner box beam (11) which in turn is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the trolley, thereby enabling adjustment of the centre of gravity into to achieve balanced transportation when the support leg is folded in. Figure 5a shows the trolley manipulator from the side. Electric and hydraulic pistons are designated (7') and the collapsible wheel (9) is clearly visible. The wheel (9) is utilized when the trolley is pushed into or removed from the hearse or ambulance. Figure 5b shows this trolley seen from the short side, and Figures 5c and 5d when collapsed. The invention can be varied in many ways within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An arrangement for transporting coffins and the like, charac¬ terized in that it comprises a frame having two longitudinal sides (1) with four wheels (3) or two wheels and two support members (5,4'), in which two wheels, or one wheel and one support member (4') are located under each longitudinal side of the frame, said wheels and support members being collapsible and each of these members being provided with electrically, hydraulically or manually operated drive means (4,7') and the drive means being located on the longitudinal sides of the frame so that a coffin or hospital bed fits between the longitudinal sides and can be lifted with the aid of the drive means, whereupon it can be transported. 2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the frame (1) is U-shaped or rectangular enabling it to be inserted between the legs under a coffin or hospital bed. 3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the wheels are designed to be pushed by means of an electric switching device (4,7') or hydraulic power. 4. An arrangement as claimed in claims 1-2, characterized in that a pair of wheels (5) is arranged to be moved in the longitudinal direction of the trolley, along an inner beam in the U-shaped frame, and can be moved with or without electric or hydraulic power so that the centre of gravity can be balanced during transportation, without the assistance of another person.

Inventors: HAMMARSTROEM BERNT, JANSSON PER, HAMMARSTROEM, BERNT, JANSSON, PER
Applicants: HAMMARSTROEM BERNT, JANSSON PER, HAMMARSTROEM, BERNT, JANSSON, PER
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A61G7
IPC codes: A61G19, B62B3