DE202014010501U1 - Device for changing bed sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for changing bed sheets, the apparatus comprising: - at least one first lifting element (11) designed to be arranged at the head end of a bed between a bed structure (2) and a mattress (1) such that the head end of the bed Mattress (1) can be raised by activating the first lifting element (11); At least one second lifting element (12) designed to be arranged at the foot end of the bed between the bed structure (2) and the mattress (1) in such a way that the foot end of the mattress (1) is activated by activating the second lifting element (12) is liftable; and - means (16) for activating the first and second lifting elements (11, 12) such that a situation is realized in which both the head part and the foot part of the mattress (1) are raised, the device (16) is designed to raise the head part and the foot part such that the head and foot part of the mattress (1) are converted into a slightly U- or V-shaped state and arranged in the raised state substantially symmetrically with respect to a central region of the mattress (1) are so as to shorten the direct distance between the head part and the foot part of the mattress (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for changing sheets according to the independent claim 1 and a method according to the patent claim 9.

Devices and methods for changing sheets are known in principle from the prior art. These may be formed for example as wedges or levers, with the help of the mattress is raised. It is also known to provide attached to the corners of the mattress tensioners for bending up the mattress corners. To handle these conventional devices both motor skill and sometimes a considerable effort is required to make the change of bed sheets. In addition, there is no meaningful integration of these known devices to ensure easy handling. Since these devices, for example in hospitals or hotels, are often used by elderly or sick persons in the private sector, it makes sense to reduce the required motor skills as well as the required expenditure of force.

For the above reasons, it is also known from the prior art to provide laterally mounted rails for attaching the bed sheet or mechanical linkage for lifting the mattress. However, these tools require a bed system integration, which can be implemented as a retrofit solution of existing bed systems only with considerable effort and corresponding costs. In other words, it is necessary in the aforementioned solutions, at least partially replace the existing bed structure. The devices are useful only for a specific bed size.

To counter this problem, it would be conceivable to provide differently shaped inflatable body, which lift the mattress over the entire surface. However, these devices have a large footprint. In addition, incorporation of an airtight layer in the central area of the bed system, i. H. between the bed structure and the mattress, the ventilation system of the mattress substantially impaired. Finally, the retrofit option for existing bed systems is only possible for individual bed sizes. Due to the entire area lifting of the sometimes very heavy mattresses, the user must ensure that the support does not slip during the relocation, whereby an ergonomic, energy-saving bed sheet change is impaired or a considerable safety and injury risk exists.

Based on the above-mentioned problem, the present invention has for its object to provide an apparatus and a method for changing sheets, which is a system-integrated, cost-effective retrofit solution for different bed systems and sizes. Furthermore, the device or the method should be easily adaptable to different design and Haptikanforderungen. It should be a bed sheet change by a person with little effort and time and ergonomically advantageous to be carried out without further aids.

This object is achieved in terms of the device according to the invention by the subject of independent claim 1. With regard to the method, the object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 9.

According to one aspect, the invention relates to a device for changing bed sheets, the device having a lifting system which is positionable in at least one area between a bed structure (the mattress-carrying structure, eg bed frame with slatted frame) and a mattress according to this aspect According to the invention, the device further comprises means for activating the lifting system, such that at least a portion of the mattress is raised.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to this aspect of the invention, the lifting system comprises at least one inflatable bladder and in particular a cover surrounding the bladder, the cover being designed such that the shape and the circumference of the bladder or shell are limited in their expanded state. It is conceivable in this case in particular that the coating is designed such that the areas of the lifting system are in the expanded state of the bladder or shell substantially wedge, cylindrical or cuboid. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the coating has a first side surface, which runs substantially parallel to a support surface of the bed structure, and the coating further comprises a second side surface which is substantially parallel to a stop surface at the top or bottom end the bed structure runs.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a device for changing bed sheets, the device having at least one first lifting element which is designed, at the head end of a bed, between a bed structure (the mattress-carrying structure with, for example, a slatted frame) and a bed Mattress to be arranged that the head end of the mattress is raised by activating the first lifting element. Moreover, the device according to the invention according to this aspect has at least one second lifting element which is designed to be arranged at the foot of the bed between the bed structure and the mattress so that the foot end of the mattress is raised by activating the second lifting element. Also, the device according to the invention according to this aspect comprises a device for activating the first and second lifting elements such that a situation can be realized in which both the head part and the foot part of the mattress are in a raised state. It is in particular a matter that for ease of sheet change, the mattress is transferred from its substantially rectilinear normal state temporarily in a slightly U- or V-shaped state, thus shortening the direct distance between the headboard and the footboard of the mattress top side whereby the Clamping length preferably a fitted sheet is shortened and the front sides of the mattress are more accessible overall.

The achievable with the device according to the invention advantages are obvious: So it is possible by the lifting system or by the first and second lifting elements that only the end faces, d. H. the head and foot of the mattress are raised or bent. As a result, slippage of the mattress is virtually eliminated, since the middle part of the mattress remains in its usual position and by the contact with the bed structure even allows sitting on this part during bed sheet change. Furthermore, the device according to the invention can be easily integrated into existing bed systems, without a complicated adaptation of the existing bed structure is necessary.

According to a further aspect for realizing the device of the invention, the lifting system has at least one bubble expandable by compressed air supply and a coating surrounding the bubble, wherein the coating is designed in such a way that the shape and the circumference of the bubble or sleeve Sheath be limited in its expanded state. It is conceivable in this case in particular that the coating is designed such that the areas of the lifting system are in the expanded state of the bladder or shell substantially wedge, cylindrical or cuboid. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the coating has a first side surface, which runs substantially parallel to a support surface of the bed structure, and the coating further comprises a second side surface which is substantially parallel to a stop surface at the top or bottom end the bed structure runs.

In this context, it should be noted that the device according to the invention is by no means a lifting device for a mattress by which the mattress is raised in its entirety. Rather, the invention provides that the mattress is not raised as a whole, but the headboard and the footboard of the mattress are raised. This is done in such a way that in a raised state, the mattress viewed from a side view has a U- or V-shape. It not only raised the mattress edge, so that a bed sheet can be easily attached to the mattress edge or can be pushed under the mattress edge, but rather brought closer together the two (head and end) edges of the mattress. As a result, the mounting of a bed sheet is much easier. On the one hand, the head and foot part of the mattress is lifted upwards, so that a person has to bend down while making the bed less or not at all, on the other hand, for example, a (stretch) sheet much easier on the four corners of the mattress be put over. Furthermore, such a bed sheet is further tightened in the subsequent descent of the head or foot portion of the mattress, which in turn facilitates the attachment of such a bed sheet.

According to one aspect of the present invention it is provided that automatically and preferably simultaneously the head part and the foot part are raised in such a way that the head and foot part of the mattress are converted into a slightly U- or V-shaped state and in the raised state substantially symmetrical are arranged with respect to a central region of the mattress.

With regard to the embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which at least two individual lifting elements are used, is to be mentioned as a further advantage that the ventilation system of the bed in the installed state of the device is only minimally affected, as in this embodiment, only at the head and Foot of the bed, the lifting elements are provided.

Finally, it should be mentioned that with the device according to the invention a situation can be realized in which both the head part and the foot part of the mattress are in a raised state. In other words, the mattress is temporarily convertible from its substantially straight-line normal state to a slightly U- or V-shaped state by activating the first and second lifting elements. As a result, the sheet change can be done very easily and quickly because the mounting of conventional fitted sheets is supported. In particular, in the U- or V-shaped state of the mattress the direct distance between the head part and the foot part of the mattress is shortened, so that the frontal corners of the mattress are closer to each other than in the linear starting position of the mattress, whereby the actual tensioning of the bed sheet only by the sinking of the mattress, ie by the mattress attacking gravity, takes place. This effect is of course even more pronounced in the two-sided raised state than is the case with one-sided lifting.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is provided that the at least one first and the at least one second lifting element have an expandable bladder or sheath. The lifting system provided with an expandable bladder or shell or with a lifting element provided with an expandable bladder or shell has / have, in particular, a very small space requirement, whereby they only insignificantly influence the existing bed structure. In detail, the first and second lifting elements are therefore in their deactivated d. H. flat and empty state between the bed structure and the mattress introduced. Only by activating the first and second lifting elements is the volume of the expandable bladder or shell increased, as a result of which the mattress is raised in the foot region or head region of the bed.

It is fundamentally conceivable to expand the expandable bubble or shell with any suitable medium. For example, it is conceivable to introduce a gas or a liquid into the interior of the expandable bladder or shell upon activation of the first and second lifting elements. It is particularly advantageous to design the expandable bladder or shell pneumatically inflatable. This is due in particular to the fact that a compressed air supply is particularly easy to provide.

After a further implementation of the device according to the invention, the device for activating the first and second lifting element is designed as a compressed air source for inflating the expandable bladder or shell. As compressed air source in this case an air pump, a compressor or a compressed air reservoir can be provided. The output of the compressed air source is equally connected to an air inlet of the expandable bladder or shell of the first and the second lifting elements.

The compressed air source may according to a further aspect comprise means for limiting the maximum pressure within the expandable bladder or sheath. In particular, these means for limiting the maximum pressure can be designed as pressure sensors, which effectively prevents the bubble from being burst due to overpressure. In other words, the means for limiting the maximum pressure formed as a pressure sensor may be designed to automatically switch off the air supply through the compressed air source as soon as a predetermined maximum pressure within the expandable bladder or sheath is reached. It can also be achieved by controlling the maximum pressure that the maximum increase in the mattress is limited.

In addition or as an alternative to the means for limiting the maximum pressure within the expandable bladder, the compressed air source may be configured to supply compressed air to the expandable bladder over a predetermined period of time. This also limits the maximum extent of the expandable bladder or shell.

According to further embodiments of the device according to the invention it is provided that the lifting elements not only an expandable by compressed air supply bubble or sheath, but also at least one at least partially surrounding the bladder or shell coating, wherein the coating is formed such that through the Form and / or design of the coating, the shape and size of the bladder or shell in its expanded state is limited. As a material for the coating, in particular a textile material reinforced in some areas is conceivable, wherein the shape of the bubble or shell in its expanded state is predetermined by the incorporated reinforcements. In addition, the coating serves as security against bursting of the bladder or shell. In other words, the coating serves as a size limit (height and width) of the expandable bladder or shell on the one hand and as security against (unwanted) bursting of the bladder or shell.

The provision of a coating is also advantageous in the embodiments of the device according to the invention, in which separate lifting elements are used instead of a single lifting system. Accordingly, it is advantageous if the first and second lifting elements each have a coating which surrounds the corresponding expandable bladder and is adapted to limit the perimeter and shape of the bladder in the expanded state.

By a coating, an adaptation of the expandable bladder or shell to different bed systems can be easily achieved. As will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures, the coating can be used to limit the outer shape of the bladder or shell, which in particular depends on the specific structure of the bladder Bed structure is adjusted. So z. B. with the same bubble or shell width variation to adapt the lifting elements to different mattress widths can be achieved by adaptation or replacement of the coating. As a result, an optimal adaptation to different bed structures is achieved with largely constant functional parts of the device. Also, other characteristics of the lifting elements such as the color or feel can be achieved simply by different manifestations of the coating.

The coating may in particular be detachably fastened to the lifting system or the respective lifting elements. This can be achieved, for example, similar to a cushion cover, with a zipper, buttons or a Velcro. The detachable connection between the cover and the bladder or sheath of the respective lifting elements, it is also possible that the coating is separated for cleaning purposes of the bladder or shell and attached to the bladder or shell.

The coating may consist of a variety of different materials according to a further aspect of the device according to the invention. In general, all materials are suitable for this, which are able to withstand a load by pressure. Suitable for this purpose are, for example, different polymer materials such as polyvinyl chloride or other materials. In this context, however, preference is given to textile materials for the coating, so that it looks visually appealing and can be better integrated into a bed system.

According to a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the lifting elements have a first side surface, which is designed to extend substantially parallel to a bearing surface of the bed structure. In addition, the lifting elements have a second side surface, which is designed to extend substantially parallel to a stop surface at the head or foot end of the bed structure. Usually, the first and second side surfaces of the lifting elements are thus aligned substantially at an angle of 90 ° to each other. While the first side surface is disposed along the horizontal on the support surface of the bed structure, the second side surface abuts a substantially vertically aligned stop (eg, board) at the top end of the bed structure. Thus, a slipping of the first and second lifting element against the bed structure is effectively prevented by the lifting elements.

In this case, the coating can in particular be designed such that the regions in the expanded state have the lifting elements essentially a wedge, cylinder or cuboid cross section. A particularly high stability is achieved in particular by a wedge-shaped formation of the coating.

Finally, it is provided according to a further embodiment that the device comprises means for releasably connecting the lifting elements with the bed structure, the mattress and / or the other lifting elements. As a result, slipping of the lifting elements relative to the mattress or bed structure is prevented even more effectively. It also ensures that the lifting elements are optimally aligned.

As already indicated above, the present invention also relates to a method for changing bed sheets.

In the method according to the invention, it is initially provided that a device of the type according to the invention is provided. Subsequently, the lifting elements of the device are positioned between a bed structure and a mattress such that the first lifting element of the device is positioned at the head of a bed between a bed structure and a mattress and the second lifting element of the device is positioned at the foot of the bed between the bed structure and the mattress becomes. Thereafter, the first and second lift members are activated to lift the mattress at the top and bottom of the bed. Then, the mattress has a slightly U- or V-shaped form, so that the mattress can be covered with a bed sheet. Before that, it is of course conceivable, without much effort, to remove a bed sheet already pulled on the mattress.

After covering the mattress with a bed sheet (eg a fitted sheet) or after changing the bed sheet, the mattress is lowered at the head and foot ends of the bed by deactivating the first and second lifting elements.

The inventive method has in principle the same advantages as the above-mentioned device.

After a further implementation of the method according to the invention, the first and second lifting elements are activated by the supply of compressed air. In this case, the first and second lifting elements can be fed by a single compressed air source with compressed air. This ensures that the mattress can be raised at the same time at the top and bottom of the bed. Also, thus an identical maximum pressure within the first and second lifting element is guaranteed.

In the following, an embodiment of the device according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Showing:

1 a schematic representation of a bed structure with a first embodiment of the device according to the invention for changing sheets;

2 a schematic side view of an expandable bladder or shell of the device according to the invention;

3 a schematic cross-sectional view through a lifting element according to a first embodiment;

4 a schematic cross-sectional view through the lifting element according to an embodiment in the expanded state;

5 a schematic view of an embodiment not belonging to the invention; and

6 Examples of rotationally symmetrical mold design by means of elastically expandable bladder or shell.

In the following detailed description of the figures, identical or equivalent components are provided with the same reference numerals.

In the illustration according to 1 is a conventional bed structure 2 illustrated with a first embodiment of the inventive device for changing sheets. As can be seen, the bed structure exhibits 2 a first stop surface 21 at the head of the bed and a second stop surface 22 at the foot of the bed. The two stop surfaces 21 . 22 are substantially perpendicular to the substantially horizontal support surface 23 the bed structure 2 aligned. A conventional mattress 1 is between the two stop surfaces 21 and 22 on the support surface 23 the bed structure 2 arranged.

Of course, it is not mandatory that the bed structure stop surfaces 21 . 22 on the support surface 23 having. Rather, the device according to the invention is also applicable to beds whose bed structure is provided without such stop surfaces.

Furthermore, in 1 shown that the head and foot of the mattress 1 can be easily lifted by the inventive device for changing sheets. For this purpose, the device has at least one first lifting element 11 on which at the head of the bed between the bed structure 2 and the mattress 1 can be arranged. In addition, at least one second lifting element 12 provided, which at the foot of the bed between the bed structure 2 and the mattress 1 is arranged. As for it 2 will be explained in more detail, are the first and second lifting elements 11 . 12 formed with an expandable bubble or sheaths, which can be activated by means of compressed air, that can be inflated. For this purpose, the first and second lifting elements 11 . 12 over a connecting line 14 with a compressed air source 16 connected.

At the compressed air source 16 it may be an air pump, a compressor or the same or a compressed air storage. In particular, this also has a control device which is designed to the maximum pressure within the connected lifting elements 11 . 12 to monitor. The control unit may also be designed to regulate the volume flow rate and compressed air for a certain period of time to the expandable bladder or shell of the lifting elements 11 . 12 supply. Although the compressed air source 16 in the embodiment shown here at the foot of the bed structure 2 arranged, but it is of course also conceivable to provide this at any other position of the bed structure.

The connection line 14 has according to a conceivable implementation, no valve, so that the first and second lifting element simultaneously activated, ie, can be expanded. In other words, the connection line 14 in the embodiment shown here constitutes a device for (simultaneously) activating the first and second lifting elements, whereby the head and foot ends of the mattress can be lifted synchronously.

Of course, the invention is not limited to those embodiments in which the lifting elements 11 . 12 be activated simultaneously. Rather, it is also conceivable that the lifting elements are acted upon in succession with compressed air. It is only important that with the device according to the invention the mattress can be transferred to a state in which both the head end and the foot end of the mattress are raised relative to the central region of the mattress.

A schematic representation of a first embodiment of the expandable bladder or sheath 100 is in 2 shown. This expandable bladder or sheath 100 has a hollow body with a medium connection (compressed air connection) 101 on. This medium connection 101 is preferably in the lower edge region of the expandable bladder or shell 100 attached so that this in one low-motion zone of the bubble or shell is located. Of course, another position of the medium connection, z. B. conceivable in the central region.

Like that 3 and 4 can be removed, the lifting elements 11 . 12 one coating each 200 comprising the expandable bladder or sheath 100 surrounds and is adapted to limit the perimeter and shape of the bladder in an expanded state. In detail is in the 3 and 4 a coating 200 indicated as a dashed line. It should be noted that the coating 200 only in the expanded state of the bladder or shell has the shape shown with a dashed line. In the compressed state of the bladder or sheath, the coating is arranged only on the outer surface of the bladder or sheath and has a substantially flat shape.

The cover and the basic shape of the bladder or shell may have a first side surface 202 have, which is adapted to, substantially parallel to the support surface 23 ( 1 ) of the bed structure 2 to get lost. In addition, a second side surface 201 are provided, which is designed to be substantially parallel to one of the stop surfaces 21 respectively. 22 at the head or foot of the bed structure 2 to get lost. Of course, the coating can 200 also have first and second side surfaces, if the coating another form, for example, the in 1 having shown cylindrical shape. Thus, a slipping of the lifting elements 11 . 12 opposite the bed structure 2 effectively prevented. By the wedge-shaped formation of the coating is even achieved that the lifting element 11 respectively. 12 automatically opposite the bed structure and the stop surfaces 21 respectively. 22 aligns while the bladder or sheath 100 is converted into its expanded state.

In an alternative embodiment of the solution according to the invention it is provided that not separate lifting elements 11 . 12 but a coherent lifting system is used, which in such a way between a bed structure 2 and a mattress 1 positionable is that a first area of the lifting system between the bed structure 2 and a headboard of the mattress 1 and a second portion of the lifting system between the bed structure 2 and a foot of the mattress 1 is present. In this alternative embodiment, in functional terms, the first region of the lifting system corresponds to the at least one first lifting element 11 and the second region of the lifting system the at least one second lifting element 12 , Also in this alternative embodiment of the present invention, means are provided for activating the first and second areas of the lifting system, wherein by activating the first and second areas, a situation is realized in which both the head and the foot of the mattress are realizable 1 are raised more than a central area of the mattress 1 which is between the headboard and the footboard of the mattress 1 lies.

In 5 a not belonging to the solution according to the invention embodiment is shown, wherein the lifting system is used in a bed system, which is formed at one end without Stirnflächenabschluss. In this embodiment, the lifting system comprises a single lifting element 12 on which between the bed structure 2 and the mattress 1 for example, at the head of the mattress 1 is arranged. It can be seen that - compared to the solution according to the invention, in which both the head part and the foot part of the mattress 1 be lifted - changing a sheet is much more difficult.

In 6a is an exemplary embodiment of an expandable bladder or sheath 100 without a coating 200 represented, in this illustration, the bladder or shell 100 not yet in its expanded state. By at least partially the bladder or shell 100 with a suitable coating 200 is surrounded (cf. 6b and 6c ), the shape of the bubble or sheath 100 in the expanded state, ie after via the medium connection 101 z. B. compressed air was supplied, are set. In the exemplary embodiment according to 6b is the coating 200 executed such that the bladder or shell in the expanded state compared to the initial state according to 6a is stretched in the longitudinal direction of the bladder, while the diameter of the bladder increases relatively little. In the embodiment according to 6c on the other hand, it is covered by the coating 200 the middle area of the bladder 100 held in the compressed state while the end portions expand accordingly. Here, for example, it is advisable to use the end regions of the bladder or sheath 100 between the mattress 1 and the bed structure 2 in the head area and in the foot area of the mattress 1 provided.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results from a synopsis of all the features disclosed herein.

For example, it is also conceivable that a plurality of juxtaposed first lifting elements 11 and a plurality of juxtaposed second lifting elements 12 be provided so as to equip, for example, a double bed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

mattress

2

bed structure

11

first lifting element

12

second lifting element

14

connecting line

16

Compressed air source

21, 22

stop surface

23

bearing surface

100

expandable bladder or shell

101

medium connection

200

coating

202

first side surface

201

second side surface

Claims (8)

Device for changing bed sheets, the device comprising: - at least one first lifting element ( 11 ), which is designed at the head of a bed in such a way between a bed structure ( 2 ) and a mattress ( 1 ) to be arranged that the head of the mattress ( 1 ) by activating the first lifting element ( 11 ) is liftable; At least one second lifting element ( 12 ), which is designed at the foot of the bed in such a way between the bed structure ( 2 ) and the mattress ( 1 ) to be arranged so that the foot of the mattress ( 1 ) by activating the second lifting element ( 12 ) is liftable; and - an institution ( 16 ) for activating the first and second lifting elements ( 11 . 12 ) such that a situation is realizable in which both the head part and the foot part of the mattress ( 1 ), the device ( 16 ) is designed to raise the head part and the foot part such that the head and foot part of the mattress ( 1 ) are converted into a slightly U- or V-shaped state and in the raised state substantially symmetrical with respect to a central region of the mattress ( 1 ) are arranged, thus the direct distance between the head part and the foot part of the mattress ( 1 ) To shorten. Device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lifting element comprises a first side surface ( 202 ), which substantially parallel to a support surface ( 23 ) of the bed structure ( 2 ), and at least one second side surface ( 201 ) which essentially parallel to a stop surface ( 21 . 22 ) at the top or bottom end of the bed structure ( 2 ) runs. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one first and the at least one second lifting element ( 11 . 12 ) each an expandable bubble ( 100 ), in particular pneumatically inflatable bladder ( 100 ) exhibit. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the lifting elements ( 11 . 12 ) at least one of the expandable bladder ( 100 ) at least partially surrounding coating ( 200 ), which preferably the circumference and the shape of the bubble ( 100 ) in the expanded state. Device according to claim 4, wherein the coating ( 200 ) releasably attached to the expandable bubble ( 100 ) of the respective lifting element ( 11 . 12 ), and wherein the coating ( 200 ) is preferably designed such that the lifting element in the expanded state of the bubble ( 100 ) is substantially wedge, cylindrical, spherical or cuboidal. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device ( 16 ) for activating the first and second lifting elements ( 11 . 12 ) is designed as a compressed air source for supplying compressed air to the first and second lifting elements ( 11 . 12 ). Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising means for releasably connecting the device to the bed structure ( 2 ) and / or the mattress ( 1 ) and / or provided with a further lifting element. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the device ( 16 ) is designed to automatically and preferably simultaneously lift the head part and the foot part such that the head and foot part of the mattress ( 1 ) are converted into a slightly U- or V-shaped state and in the raised state substantially symmetrical with respect to a central region of the mattress ( 1 ) are arranged.

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