WASH TABLE

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wash table used for transferring and washing a physically disabled person or a person unable to move. A device of the invention comprises a base (1) having prongs (2) provided with wheels, a vertical support (3) with a central bar (6) arranged thereto, and a treatment platform (5) attached to the base. Unlike in conventional devices, the treatment platform (5) is arranged to comprise at least three longitudinal, plane-like segments (7) which are parallel to each other. To facilitate washing operations, the segments are arranged to turn in relation to eah other, the device being provided with a turning means (8) for turning adjacent segments about their longitudinal axis to opposite directions.

Description: WASH TABLE The present invention relates to a wash table comprising a base having prongs provided with wheels, a vertical support with a central bar being arranged to the base, and a treatment platform attached to the base. A wash table such as this is used when a physically disabled person or a person unable to move is transferred and washed; the person is first removed from his/her bed onto the device which is then taken from the point of transfer to the point where the washing takes place, or from the washing premises back to the bed. Various devices produced for the same purpose are previously known. Prior art devices are, however, inconvenient to use, because to transfer the patient from the bed onto the wash table or to turn the patient on the wash table is strenuous and requires an extra effort from the nurse. An object of the present invention is to eliminate prior art shortcomings and provide a completely novel solution which, although light in structure, allows all the necessary measures relating to the transfer and washing of a patient to be carried out conveniently and with the least possible effort. The object is achieved by means of a wash table having the characteristics of the present invention as disclosed in the claims. More specifically, a device of the invention is principally characterized in that the treatment platform comprises at least three plane-like segments parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the platform, a turning means being arranged to the device for turning adjacent segments about their longitudinal axis to opposite directions. The invention offers considerable advantages. The wash table solution of the invention provides a device ensuring excellent user convenience and operational reliability due to an advantageously placed centre of gravity. Improved ergonomics is provided in that the platform of the device can be elevated vertically; the platform base and the control devices are placed close to the longitudinal axis of the device; and a fairly broad edge zone of the treatment platform is made very thin. The treatment platform of the invention can therefore be made to overlap with the bottom of a bed, without any gap being left between the bed and the platform of the device. The nurse can then easily alone lift or turn, by means of a simple turning or rolling movement, the patient or disabled person, or help him/her to move, onto the platform of the device. Since the treatment platform of the device of the invention can be further elevated by means of a telescopically extendible vertical support arranged to the wash table, the patient on the device is elevated steadily and does not hurt him/herself to the raiser parts. In addition, as the elevation of the table can be adjusted, it is easy to arrange the table into a position that facilitates washing. The elevation height is usually arranged to be 300 mm at the maximum. To increase the stability features of the wash table, the vertical support is inclined 0° to 15°, preferably about 10°, rearward in relation to the vertical plane, thus providing superior safety in transport from one location to another because the risk that the device falls over is small. The functions of a device such as this are advantageously controlled for example by means of a spindle motor, which is reliable and easy to use. The device also allows a controlled recovery and removal of water to be easily arranged, which reduces the cleaning work required in the washing premises and the risk of the nursing or other staff falling. In the following the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective diagonal rear view of a wash table of the invention; Figure 2 shows the wash table of the invention seen from the foot end of the table; Figure 3 is a side view of the wash table of the invention; Figure 4 is a diagonal front view of the operating principle of the wash table of the invention; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the wash table along line A-A of Figure 4; and Figure 6 shows a turning device, according to Figure 4, arranged to a central bar when the treatment platform is in a plane-like position. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3. They illustrate a wash table base 1 having prongs 2 provided with wheels, the prongs being arranged to a vertical support 3. To improve the stability of the device, the vertical support is inclined 0° - 15°, preferably about 10°, from the vertical plane towards the wash table end provided with push handles 4. The vertical support 3 is telescopically extendible so as to allow the treatment platform 5 of the device to be moved in the vertical direction. At its top end, the vertical support is attached to a central bar 6 supporting the treatment platform. By means of an attaching member, known per se, arranged to the longitudinal central bar 6, the treatment platform 5 can also be arranged to a separate hoisting device, instead of the fixed base 1. The treatment platform 5 of the device comprises at least three parallel segments 7, the sides of which are advantageously pivotally joined together. The treatment platform is preferably padded and manufactured of a water-repellent material washable with detergent. When necessary, the platform can be provided with different protective coverings to meet the requirements set for hygiene at hospitals and other similar environments. The central bar 6 of the device is preferably arranged on the longitudinal axis of the treatment platform, the platform segments being very thin in structure. The structure of the treatment platform being as thin as possible and the possibility of vertical movement of the platform together make the device of the invention easy to arrange onto the patient's bed, and the patient can thus be transferred onto the treatment platform by means of simple turning or rolling movements. In transport position the segments 7 of the treatment platform 5 are arranged side by side to provide a substantially plane-like plate. The segments 7, which are advantageously pivoted together, are controlled with a turning device 8 arranged to the central bar 6. In a treatment platform comprising four segments, the position of the segments in relation to each other can be changed as shown in Figure 4. The segments are thus arranged to turn at least about their longitudinal axis by impact of a turning movement supplied by the turning device. The turning movement supplied on the segments by the turning device is arranged to cause a ridge to be formed in the middle of the treatment platform, in the transverse axis direction of the platform, the side segments of the treatment platform being arranged to simultaneously raise into a more upward position. The wash table of the invention is advantageously made in such a way that the treatment platform 5 is symmetrical in relation to the central bar 6, the platform comprising in this case four segments 7 joined together. The turning movement of the turning means 8 then provides a low W-shaped profile to the treatment platform, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. As the segments turn, they also turn the patient transferred onto the segments and lying there on his/her back, thus allowing part of the patient's back and his/her other side to be easily washed or otherwise treated. The treatment platform being then arranged into W-shape a second time, via the plane-like position, allows the patient to be moved in such a way that also the patient's opposite side and the other part of the back can be washed or treated. The segments forming the treatment platform are advantageously arranged so as to narrow towards the foot end of the platform, the outermost segments thus being arranged to follow the contours of the patient's body, in order to support the body during washing or treatment. In addition, a narrow groove extending towards the central bar of the treatment platform is arranged at the foot end, to the joint between two adjacent segments located at the central bar, a flat surface being thereby formed on the treatment platform folded into W-shape. The patient's upper leg is advantageously supported to rest on the surface during treatment. The turning means 8 arranged to the central bar 6 controls the treatment platform segments 7 at one end of the device and, to make the control movement possible, the segments are pivotally supported to the central bar at the other end, i.e. the foot end 9, of the device. The turning means providing the control movement of the treatment platform 5 comprises a transverse shaft 11 , provided with control members 10 and arranged to the central bar 6 as shown in Figure 6, for example. When the control members are turned about their axis of rotation, which is transverse in relation to the treatment platform, the control members push the segments, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The movement of the turning means 8 is produced, for example, by means of a spindle motor 12 included in the device, the motor controlling the pushing movement of the control members 10. Both the spindle motor and the telescopically rising vertical support 3 can be controlled by means of a foot switch arranged to the device, which allows the nurse to use both hands when nursing the patient. At the head end 13 of the device of the invention there is an end bar 14 comprising push handles 4 movably arranged in the transverse direction of the device. The handles can be turned and locked, in a manner known per se, against the surface of the treatment platform 5 so that when the segments turn to a treatment position and during the treatment taking place on the platform, the handles provide a head rest for the patient on the platform, thus preventing uncomfortable sliding of the head on the platform. By arranging the treatment platform 5 to slightly decline towards the foot end 9 of the device, or by arranging the turning means 8 to lift, at the same time with the control movements, the head end 13 of the treatment platform a little, it is possible to conduct the washing water, for example, that collects on the platform to the foot end of the device. The device is in this case advantageously provided with a collecting trough 16 comprising a waste pipe 15, as shown in Figure 3, for a controlled collecting and removal of the washing water. In addition, this way the washing or other treatment premises can be kept clean more easily. It is to be understood that the above description and the related Figures are only intended to illustrate the present invention. The invention is therefore not restricted only to the above description or the embodiment disclosed in the claims, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the inventive idea defined in the attached claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A wash table comprising a base (1) having prongs (2) provided with wheels, a vertical support (3) with a central bar (6) arranged thereto, and a treatment platform (5) attached to the base, characterized in that the treatment platform (5) comprises at least three plane-like segments (7) parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the platform, a turning means (8) being arranged to the device for turning adjacent segments about their longitudinal axis to opposite directions. 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that there are four segments (7), the turning means (8) being arranged to form the treatment platform (5) into a substantially W-shaped position. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the turning means (8) is arranged to be controlled by means of a spindle motor (12). 4. A device according to any one the preceding claims, characterized in that the segments (7) are pivotally arranged to each other in their longitudinal direction. 5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the segments (7) are arranged so as to narrow towards the foot end (9) of the treatment platform (5). 6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the foot end (9) of the treatment platform (5) there is a groove arranged to the joint between two adjacent segments (7) located at the central bar (6) and extending towards the central bar (6), thus providing a flat surface on the treatment platform when the platform is arranged into W-shape. 7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical support (3) is arranged at an angle of 0° - 15°, preferably 10°, in relation to the vertical plane in such a way that the top end of the vertical support draws away from the foot end (9) of the treatment platform (5). 8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at a head end (13), opposite to the foot end (9), of the treatment platform (5) there are push handles (4) which are movable in a transverse direction in relation to the device. 9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the foot end (9) of the treatment platform (5) there is a collecting trough (16) for the removal of washing water.

Inventors: SAENTTI VEIJO, SAENTTI, VEIJO
Applicants: SAENTTI VEIJO, VAMMAISAPUVAELINE SAENTTI OY, SAENTTI, VEIJO
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A61G7
IPC codes: A61G7