Patient transfer systems
AssigneeErgodyne Corporation
InventorThomas W. Votel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention includes several devices for readily transferring patients from one platform to another by one attendant. A first system of horizontal transfer of patients is adapted to use existing transfer sheets and cart appropriately modified. A transfer sheet is attached to a clamping device that has a releasable catch that holds the sheet in a cavity. A plurality of straps are attached to the clamping device. The other ends of the straps are attached to reels that are part of a winch. Activation of the winch winds the straps onto the reels. The invention also includes improved bed jackets that can be attached to a winch for lifting a patient either to re-position them on a surface or to transport them. The invention also includes devices with very low friction surfaces to assist with the transfer process.
Claims17
A transfer system for transferring a patient from a first platform to a second platform by a single attendant, the transfer system comprising:
- a portable transfer unit, the portable transfer unit attachable to a bed or
- a cart, the portable transfer unit including
- a housing;
- a plurality of brackets attached to the housing for reversibly attaching the transfer unit to the bed or cart;
- a motor disposed within the housing;
- a rotary motion transferal system partially disposed outside the housing and in mechanical communication with the motor;
- means for winding a plurality of belts, in which a rotary motion is generated by the motor and transferred to the rotary motion transferal system, thence to the belt winding means thereon;
- a retaining member assembly operatively coupled to the plurality of belts;
- and
- a contact element assembly operatively disposed proximate the retaining member assembly and cooperating with the retaining member assembly to releasably grip a transfer sheet upon which the patient is positioned so that when a transfer force is supplied by the motor to the retaining member assembly, the patient is transferred from the first platform to the second platform.
A transfer system for transferring a patient from a first platform to a second platform by a single attendant, the transfer system comprising:
- patient transfer means for transferring the patient;
- means for supporting the patient during a transfer on a transfer sheet;
- a retaining member assembly including an elongated member generally U-shaped in cross section, the retaining member assembly being operatively coupled to the patient transfer means;
- and
- a contact element assembly including two planar sections integrally joined at a bend and pivotally affixed to the retaining member assembly, an edge of the contact element assembly being biased toward an inner surface of the retaining member assembly and operatively disposed proximate the retaining member assembly, the contact element assembly cooperating with the retaining member assembly to releasably grip the transfer sheet proximate the patient disposed upon the transfer sheet such that a transfer force is exerted by the patient transfer means and such that the retaining member assembly and the contact element assembly further grip the transfer sheet in response to the transfer force and effectively transfer the patient from the first to the second platform.
A transfer system for transferring a patient from a first platform to a second platform by a single attendant, the transfer system comprising:
- patient transfer means for transferring the patient;
- means for supporting the patient during a transfer on a transfer sheet;
- a retaining member assembly including substantially rigid first and second members and a plurality of third members, the first member defining a lateral interior cavity, the second member having an extension disposable within the cavity defined by the first member, the third members being affixed to the second member and slidably engaged to the first member, the retaining member assembly being operatively coupled to the patient transfer means;
- and
- a contact element assembly including a generally cylindrical element pivotally attached to the second member and being disposable within the cavity defined by the first member, the contact element assembly being operatively disposed proximate the retaining member assembly, the contact element assembly cooperating with the retaining member assembly to releasably grip the transfer sheet proximate the patient disposed upon the transfer sheet, such that a transfer force is exerted by the patient transfer means and such that the retaining member assembly and the contact element assembly further grip the transfer sheet in response to the transfer force and effectively transfer the patient from the first to the second platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.