APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING IMPAIRED OR DISABLED PERSONS

摘要

An apparatus and procedure for disabled, impaired or handicapped persons in reaching or maintaining a standing or partially standing position. The apparatus includes a knee support and a movable torso support that is connected to an actuator arrangement. The actuator arrangement moves the torso support in a vertical range of positions independently of the horizontal position of the torso support and in a horizontal range of positions independently of the vertical position of the torso support. The user engages the torso support during the raising movement during which the torso support moves simultaneously forward and upward until he is substantially standing whilst leaning forward over the torso support (and vice versa for the lowering procedure). The torso support can also be rotated, independently of the vertical and horizontal position of the torso support. The apparatus is provided with a load sensing system monitoring self-participation of the user.

主权项

1. An apparatus for assisting a person to move from a seated position on a seat or the like to an upright or standing position and vice versa, said apparatus comprising:
a base; a footplate supported by said base; an actuator arrangement supported by said base; a torso support configured for supporting the torso and possibly also the underarms of the person to be a supported with the chest of the person facing the torso support; said torso support having a main engagement surface for engaging the chest of the person to be assisted, said torso support being operatively connected to said actuator; said actuator arrangement being configured to be able to move said torso support up and down over a range of vertical positions and said actuator being configured to be able to move said torso support back and forth over a range of horizontal positions in a direction substantially perpendicular to said main engagement surface; wherein said actuator arrangement is configured to move said torso support in said vertical range of positions independently of the horizontal position of the torso support; and wherein said actuator arrangement is configured to move said torso support in said horizontal range of positions independently of the vertical position of the torso support; a processor connected to said actuator arrangement and configured to control the operation of said actuator; and one or more sensors connected to said processor and said one or more sensors being configured for sensing the load on said torso support and/or on said footplate.