US 2026/0294704 A1Published application

Automated home health patient care system

AssigneeRichard A. Patterson

InventorsRichard A. Patterson, Roy M. Patterson

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Abstract

A transfer device comfortably picks up a patient from a bed, then moves to the side of the bed for offloading the patient onto an accessory such as a chair. The bed has rails which act as tracks to engage a roller base of the transfer device, and lead screws for automating sideways movement of the device. The device uses a lifting system having strap storage at the head of the frame and web storage at the foot, the storage units vertically movable along support posts to multiple levels including a stowed level near the bottom and a clearance level near the top. The web storage contains an extendable dual web with a roller nose assembly, and the strap storage contains retractable pull straps having ends secured to the roller nose assembly. The transfer device has a compact design allowing the lifting system to be hidden underneath the bed.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method of transferring an individual on a bed to an accessory using a transfer device having a lifting system that is vertically movable within a transfer frame, the method comprising:

first moving the transfer device from a stowed position aligned with the bed to a side position next to the bed;
first raising the lifting system from a stowed level at a bottom of the transfer frame to a clearance level higher than the individual on the bed while the transfer frame remains stationary;
second moving the transfer device back in alignment with the bed such that the lifting system overlies the individual on the bed;
first lowering the lifting system to a level of a support surface of the bed with a web assembly of the lifting system retracted while the transfer frame remains stationary;
extending the web assembly onto the bed support surface and underneath the individual to acquire the individual;
second raising the lifting system above the bed support surface to suspend the individual while the transfer frame remains stationary;
moving the accessory adjacent the bed;
third moving the transfer device from alignment with bed position to the side position such that the suspended individual overlies the accessory;
second lowering the lifting system to a level of a support surface of the accessory while the transfer frame remains stationary;
retracting the web assembly to offload the individual onto the accessory;
and
third raising the lifting system above the accessory support surface clear of the individual on the accessory.

9 more elements

A patient lift and transfer apparatus comprising:

an elongate bed assembly having a first foot rail at a first end and a second foot rail at a second end generally parallel to said first foot rail;
an elongate transfer frame having first and second ends, a plurality of vertical posts, a first roller base slide at said first end which slidably engages said first foot rail, and a second roller base slide at said second end which slidably engages said second foot rail, said transfer frame being movable sideways from a first position aligned with said bed assembly to a second position at a side of said bed assembly;
and
a lifting web system having a strap storage unit located at said first end of said transfer frame and a web storage unit located at said second end of said transfer frame, said strap and web storage units being mounted on some of said vertical posts and being vertically movable to different height levels including a stowed level near a bottom of said transfer frame and a clearance level near a top of said transfer frame, wherein said web storage unit houses a portion of an extendable web assembly having a forward edge with a roller nose assembly, and said strap storage unit houses at least one retractable pull strap having a distal end secured to said roller nose assembly.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/697,198Filed 3 Jun 2026
Priority: 11 Sep 2024
Published: 1 Oct 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A61G 5/006
Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs: convertible to stretchers or beds
A61G 7/018
Having adjustable mattress frame: control or drive mechanisms
A61G 7/1019
Lifting of patients by: vertical extending columns or mechanisms
A61G 7/1049
Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons, e.g. special adaptations of hoists thereto: attachment, suspending or supporting means for patients

Family

Application18/882,140Division · filed 11 Sep 2024
Application19/697,198Division
US 12,661,284 B2Related patent
US 2026/0069475 A1Published application
US 2026/0294704 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.