Patient transfer system

A method of transferring a patient reclining on a transfer sheet between a first horizontal surface and a second horizontal surface, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a winch mechanism including means for actuating the winch mechanism and a first reel in mechanical communication with said winch mechanism;
• configuring a clamping device with a releasable catch disposed as an opening of a cavity within the clamping device:
• placing a rod adjacent the patient and folding a portion of the transfer sheet over the rod:
• securing the transfer skeet to the clamping device where the clamping device releasable catch is at the opening of the cavity;
• verifying connection of a first strap to the first reel and to the clamping device;
• and
• actuating the winch mechanism to wind the first strap onto the first reel thereby transferring the patient from the first horizontal surface to the second horizontal surface.

A device for releasibly and securely clamping a sheet, comprising:

• a substantially rigid, elongate first member with a length, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first edge and a second edge generally opposite the first edge, the first member generally outwardly curved in cross section for at least a portion of the exterior and interior surfaces;
• a substantially rigid, elongate second member with a length, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first edge and a second edge generally opposite the first edge, the second member generally outwardly curved in cross section for at least a portion of the exterior and interior surfaces, the first edge of the first member in proximal juxtaposition to the first edge of the second member, the second edge of the first member spaced apart from the second edge of the second member, the interior surface of the first member facing the interior surface of the second member, and the first edges of the first and second members being integral;
• a substantially rigid, third member with an interior surface, an exterior surface, a length, a first edge and a second edge, the length of the third member generally equaling the lengths of the first and second members, the third member pivotally affixed proximate the second edge of the first member, the first edge of the third member proximate the interior surface of the second member, and the third member further comprising a first generally planar section and a second generally planar section the first and second planar sections integrally joined at a bend, the first planar section angling toward the first edges of the first and second members, the second planar section pivotally joined to the first member proximate the second edge of the first member;
• a plurality of attaching devices, the attaching devices having a portion generally L-shaped in cross section and being connected to the exterior surface of the device;
• and
• a generally cylindrical rod, the rod positionable proximate the interior surfaces of the first and second members.

A device for releasibly and securely clamping a sheet, comprising:

• a substantially rigid, elongate first member with a length, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first edge and a second edge generally opposite the first edge, the first member generally outwardly curved in cross section for at least a portion of the exterior and interior surfaces;
• a substantially rigid, elongate second member with a length, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first edge and a second edge generally opposite the first edge, the second member generally outwardly curved in cross section for at least a portion of the exterior and interior surfaces, the first edge of the first member in proximal juxtaposition to the first edge of the second member, the second edge of the first member spaced apart from the second edge of the second member, the interior surface of the first member facing the interior surface of the second member, and the first edges of the first and second members being integral;
• a substantially rigid, third member with an interior surface, an exterior surface, a length, a first edge and a second edge, the length of the third member generally equaling the lengths of the first and second members, the third member pivotally affixed proximate the second edge of the first member, the first edge of the third member proximate the interior surface of the second member, and the third member further comprising a first generally planar section and a second generally planar section, the first and second planar sections integrally joined at a bend, the first planar section angling toward the first edges of the first and second members, the second planar section pivotally joined to the first member proximate the second edge of the first member;
• and
• a plurality of attaching devices, the attaching devices including a portion generally L-shaped in cross section and being connected to the exterior surface of the device;
• and
• a winch system operably connected to at least one of the attaching devices.

A method of ergonomically transferring a patient reclining on a sheet, comprising the steps of:

• providing a clamping device having a first member and a second member, each member with a first edge and a second edge, the first edge of the first member functionally disposed proximate the first edge of the second member, the second edge of the first member spaced apart from the second edge of the second member, thereby defining a gap;
• inserting at least one portion of the sheet within the clamping device by providing an elongate rod having a diameter smaller than the gap between the second edges of the first and second members of the clamping device and folding at least one portion of the sheet about the rod, such that at least one fold is formed about the rod with at least one free end of the sheet extending from the rod, and in which the step of inserting at least one portion of a sheet within the clamp further comprises inserting the rod and at least one fold within the clamping device so that the at least one free end of the sheet is clamped by the clamping device when the retracting force is exerted;
• and
• exerting a retracting force on the damping device, the retracting force exerted away from the patient and acting to securely and reversibly clamp the at least one portion of the sheet within the clamping device, the retracting force further moving the clamping device, the clamped sheet and the patient reclining thereupon.

A method of clamping a sheet, comprising the steps of:

• providing a clamping device, the clamping device with a longitudinal axis and including:
• a substantially rigid, elongate first member with a length, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first edge, a second edge, the first member generally outwardly curved in cross section for at least a portion of the exterior and interior surfaces,
• a substantially rigid, elongate second member with a length, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first edge and a second edge, the second member generally outwardly curved in cross section for at least a portion of the exterior and interior surfaces,
• the first edge of the first member rigidly in juxtaposition to the first edge of the second member, the second edge of the first member spaced apart from the second edge of the second member, the interior surface of the first member facing the interior surface of the second member, and
• a substantially rigid, third member with an interior surface, an exterior surface, a length, a first edge and a second edge, the length of the third member generally equalling the lengths of the first and second members, the third member pivotally affixed proximate to the second edge of the first member, the first edge of the third member proximate the interior surface of the second member in a closed position and pivotable away from the interior surface of the second member in an open position;
• pivoting the third member of the clamping device to the open position;
• placing a portion of the sheet within the clamping device;
• and
• engaging the third member with at least one surface of the sheet, the sheet frictionally contracting the first edge of the third member and the interior surface of the second member.

A device for releasibly and securely clamping a sheet, comprising:

• a substantially rigid, elongate first member with a length, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first edge and a second edge, the first member generally outwardly curved in cross section for at least a portion of the exterior and interior surfaces;
• a substantially rigid, elongate second member with a length, an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first edge and a second edge, the second member generally outwardly curved in cross section for at least a portion of the exterior and interior surfaces, the second member including a bend such that the cross section of the second member defines a lip proximate the second edge of the second member and such that the lip is pointed generally toward the second edge of the first member, the first edge of the first member in proximal juxtaposition to the first edge of the second member, the second edge of the first member spaced apart from the second edge of the second member, the interior surface of the first member facing the interior surface of the second member, the first edges of the first and second members being integral, and the first edges of the first and second members functionally joined by a hinge;
• a substantially rigid, third member with an interior surface, an exterior surface, a length, a first edge, a second edge, and an engaging surface on at least a portion of the third member proximate the interior surface of the second member, the length of the third member generally equaling the lengths of the first and second members, the third member generally L-shaped in cross section and with a bend, the first edge of the third member pivotally mounted within the second edge of the first member, the second edge of the third member extending toward the first edges of the first and second members, the bend of the third member disposed proximate the inferior surface of the lip of the second member, the third member pivotally affixed proximate the second edge of the first member, the first edge of the third member proximate the interior surface of the second member, and the third member further comprising a first generally planar section and a second generally planar section, the first and second planar sections integrally joined at a bend, the first planar section angling toward the first edges of the first and second members, the second planar section pivotally joined to the first member proximate the second edge of the first member;
• and
• a plurality of attaching devices, the attaching devices having a portion generally L-shaped in cross section and being connected to the exterior surface of the device, in which the attaching devices are generally arcuate in cross section with a terminal lip, the attaching devices being rigidly attached to the interior surface of the first member and extending through a portion of the second member generally toward the first edges of the first and second members, and the lip pointing generally toward the first member.