The present invention concerns internal fittings intended as a working site to perform work on an object.

The main object of the invention is to provide internal fittings for ambulances and similar vehicles, but which can also be used in other vehicles, where, in a limited space, one aims at providing a seating position that is comfortable at the same time as being ergonomically correct as well as steady at the performance of work that requires both hands to be free. Also, great portions of the object and the fittings, including the ceiling thereof, should be within reach from a sitting position.

The invention has been made while developing new internal fittings for ambulances. The main problem has been to considerably improve the working conditions of personnel, and particularly to provide a better work position and greater security than in existing ambulances. One requirement, a.o., has been that the personnel shall be able to walk and stand up in- the ambulance, for which reason a relatively great ceiling height is necessary. There has also been a wish made for a development of better conditions for adequate treatment of a patient while equipment for such treatment should be easily available but at the same time stored in a way that is satisfactory from a security point of veiw.

A very advantageous solution of the problems stated is presented in that the internal fittings according to the invention are provided with a seating surface which inclines downwards towards the object on which work is to be performed or a support therefor, in that in front of this inclining seating surface is a knee support

placed under the object or the support therefor, and in that the seating surface is situated at such an altitude that the angle between the trunk and thigh of the vertically seated person is greater than 90°, Hereby a half-standing seating position is achieved, which presents several advantages:

The high sitting position results in a small sitting width compared to conventional sitting position (having a 90° angle between bulk and thigh), i.e. a relatively small part of the space available is utilized;

Without standing up, the ceiling and equipment placed therein is reached at the same time as the work on an object, e.g. treatment of a patient, if required can be performed practically from above;

From the sitting position one reaches, without standing up, across the object and far to both sides;

By taking support with ones knees against the knee support and ones back against a back support placed above the sitting surface one achieves a very stable sitting position, why also relatively precision demanding work can be performed also during driving;

It is easy to rise to a standing position,

Preferably the sitting surface extends parallel with and along the object or the support therefor, such that one also sitting may move laterally along the object. Due to

the half-standing sitting position such movement can take place with a very insignificant straining of ones powers.

Further advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodying examples concerning internal fittings for an ambulance, which are schematically shown in the attached drawings, wherein fig. 1 shows a cross-section through an internal fitting, figs. 2-4 show the same with a person working in different positions, fig. 5 shows the fitting from above, fig. 6 shows schematically and in perspective view a pre-fabricated wehicle internal fitting introduced in a vehicle cabinet, fig. 7 similarly shows an internal fitting composed of two pre-fabricated modules, and fig. θ likewise schematically and in perspective view shows an vehicle internal fitting composed of two pre-fabricated modules.

The vehicle internal fittings according to the invention can be arranged in a separate, pre-fabricated unit, which is placed in or on a vehicle, or they may be built up from separate parts in or on a vehicle. In the latter case suitably some form of module system can be utilized.

As appears from the schematic drawings the internal fitting according to the invention is located in a substantially box-shaped structure having a plane floor 11, vertical long walls 12,13, a ceiling 14 and a short wall 15. The opposite short side 16 serves as an entrance opening.

Along the respective long wall 12,13 extends a sitting surface 17,18, which inclines from the long wall down towards the floor 11. On the floor 11 is arranged a stand

19, on which is mounted a horisontal table 20, the edges 21,22 of which are parallel with the long walls 12,13 and the sitting surfaces 17,18. The table 20 can serve as a support for a stretcher, or on same can be directly laid down a patient. In order to facilitate loading and unloading the table 20 can be laterally displaceable.

Under the table 20 the stand 20 is provided with knee supports 23,24 extended in the longitudinal direction of the table, in the example shown said knee supports being positioned within the vertical plane through the respective table edge 21,22. The knee supports 23,24 comprise or are covered with a soft elastic material and are cylindrical in the example shown.

On the long walls 12,13 above the sitting surfaces 17,18 are mounted soft elastic back supports or cushions 25,26, which apart from serving pure comfort purposes, also constitute shock absorbing zones.

As appears from fig. 5 a sitting surface 27 also extends along the short wall 15, such that a continuous sitting surface 17,27,18 is formed. Also the short wall 15 is provided with an elastic back support (not shown) . As also appears the table 20 terminates on such distance from the short wall 15, that an equal great horisontal space exists between the sitting surface 27 and the inner end 28 of the table as between the long edges 21,22 of the table and the sitting surfaces 17,18. Also under the inner end 28 of the table there is a non-shown knee support, so that also the knee support is continuous. Thus, it is possible to move along the entire table 20 and to sit on three sides thereof. Advantageously, the right angular transitions between the sitting surfaces 17 and 27, and, 18 and 27, are filled out, such that the

depths of the sitting surface also in the corners between the long walls 12,13 and the short wall 15 becomes the same as elsewhere.

Underneath the sitting surfaces there suitably are storing spaces 29,30 for various equipment which is accessible in that the sitting surfaces section by section are _. foldable up against the respective wall, as is shown for the sitting surface 17 in fig. 2. Also above and/or under the ceiling 14 equipment can advantageously be placed in a separate compartment 31,31'.

According to the invention the sitting surfaces are located at such an altitude, that the angle between the trunk and thighs of a person sitting in an upright position on a sitting surface is greater than 90° (see figs. 2 and 3). For certain persons ^" this angle will correspond to the inclination angle of the sitting surface, which preferably is about 120° against the wall, while for other persons it will be somewhat smaller or somewhat greater. The sitting surface is directed such that the extension thereof extends close to or meets the knee support. In the example shown in fig. 1 the extension of the sitting surface 18 is tangent to the knee support 24.

As is shown in fig. 2 a person sitting on the sitting surface 18 easily reaches the storage compartment 31 located in the ceiling at the same time as he at need actually can reach over the table 20 to pick equipment from the space 27 underneath the sitting surface 17. In order to show the difference from sitting in a usual sitting position a person sitting in such a position is shown in broken lines in figs. 2 and 3. Apart from the

fact that this person does not have the same reach as the person drawn in full lines, he occupies a considerably much greater space. From fig. 3 appears that two persons in a. normal sitting position hardly can sit opposite each other which is quite possible in the raised sitting position that is achieved by means of the invention without their knees pushing against each other or the stand 19. Further, if the person without problem shall be able to rise from conventional chair 32 or the like, the chair must be displaced backwards outside the long wall 13, as is indicated with broken lines in fig. 4.

As an alternative to the example shown, in certain cases, where a particularly small width is available, the sitting surface may be arranged at only one long side and one short side.

By the invention is achieved that the width dimension of the vehicle cabinet can be made small since no loose chair has to be pushed backwards when a sitting person rises .

By means of the support against* the floor 11, the knee support 23,24 and the sitting surface 17; 18,27 and any of the entirely smooth walls 12,13,15 a sitting person finds such a stable sitting position that the work safely can be performed also when the vehicle is in motion.

Fig. 6,7 and 8 show examples of pre- abricated internal fittings. Fig. 6 shows a one piece fitting 33, which is introduced from behind into a vehicle cabinet. Fig. 7 shows a fitting composed of two longitudinally separate modules 34,35. Fig. 8 shows a fitting composed of two transversally separate modules 36,37.