U.S. patent number RE35,468 [Application Number 08/492,254] was granted by the patent office on 1997-03-04 for patient transfer device.
Invention is credited to William C. Newman.
United States Patent |
RE35,468 |
Newman |
March 4, 1997 |
Patient transfer device
Abstract
The transfer device of this invention comprises a sled means 10
and a handle means 12. The sled means 10 comprises a generally
rectangular, relatively thin and flat-surfaced transfer board 20.
Transfer board 20 has two parallel sides and two transverse ends.
Each side is provided with a plurality of loops 22 which conjoin
with mating fasteners 24 of the handle means. Loops may be spaced
equidistantly from the transverse ends along the sides of the
transfer board 20. Handle means 12 comprises a grip bar 26, a
tension bar 28, a plurality of fastener means 24, and a plurality
of straps 30 which are attached to the grip and tension bars as
shown.
Inventors: |
Newman; William C. (Missoula,
MT) |
Family
ID: |
22050571 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/492,254 |
Filed: |
June 22, 1995 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
063645 |
May 20, 1993 |
05271110 |
Dec 21, 1993 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/81.1R;
5/625 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G
7/103 (20130101); A61G 7/1069 (20130101); A61G
2200/32 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61G
7/10 (20060101); A61G 007/10 (); A61G 007/05 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/81.1,658,625,81.1T,81.1HS |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Grosz; Alexander
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cross, Jr.; Harry M.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property is
claimed are defined as follows:
1. A transfer device for a human body comprising sled means and
detachable handle means wherein:
said sled means comprising a transfer board adapted to receive a
human body, said transfer board having two sides and two transverse
ends, and a plurality of loop means mounted to said transfer board
along the sides thereof;
and said handle means comprising an elongated grip bar, and an
elongated tension bar, a plurality of strap means connecting said
grip bar and said tension bar whereby the relative distance between
said grip bar and said tension bar may be adjusted, and a plurality
of fastener means mounted to said tension bar and so constructed
and arranged as to be conjoinable with the transfer board loop
means on either side of the said transfer board.
2. The transfer device of claim 1 wherein said grip bar and said
tension bar are fabricated of a relatively flexible material
whereby pulling force exerted by the worker will be dissipated from
the worker's arms and shoulders.
3. The transfer device of claim 1 wherein said strap means are
wrapped around said grip bar and said tension bar and fastened
thereto, and wherein the handle means fasteners means are mounted
and oriented outward from said handle means for interlooping with
said transfer board loop means.
4. The transfer device of claim 1 wherein said transfer board
comprises a bottom surface material fabricated of a sheet of
plastic, a foam plastic cushion pad, and a plurality of loops
mounted and secured on the sides of the bottom sheet; said transfer
board loop means being mounted such that they are oriented outward
on both sides of said transfer board for interfitting with said
handle means fastener means.
5. A transfer device for a human body comprising sled means and
detachable handle means wherein:
said sled means comprising a transfer board adapted to receive a
human body, said transfer board having two sides and two transverse
ends, and a plurality of fastener means mounted to said transfer
board along the sides thereof;
and said handle means comprising an elongated grip bar, and an
elongated tension bar, a plurality of strap means connecting said
grip bar and said tension bar whereby the relative distance between
said grip bar and said tension bar may be adjusted, and a plurality
of fastener means mounted to said tension bar and so constructed
and arranged as to be conjoinable with the transfer board fastener
means on at least one side of said transfer board.
6. The transfer device of claim 5 wherein said grip bar is
fabricated of a relatively flexible material whereby pulling force
exerted by a worker using the transfer device will be dissipated
from the worker's arm and shoulders.
7. The transfer device of claim 5 wherein said strap means are
wrapped around said grip bar and said tension bar and fastened
thereto, and wherein the handle means fasteners means are mounted
by said strap means and oriented outward from said handle means for
interfitting with said transfer board fastener means.
8. The transfer device of claims 5 wherein said transfer board
comprises a bottom surface material fabricated of a sheet of
plastic, and a foam plastic cushion pad; said transfer board
fastener means being mounted by the transfer board such that there
are transfer board fastener means oriented outward from both sides
of said transfer board for interfitting with said handle means
fastener means.
9. A transfer device for a human body comprising sled means and
detachable handle means wherein:
said sled means comprising a transfer board adapted to receive a
human body, said transfer board having two sides and two transverse
ends, and a plurality of fastener means mounted to said transfer
board along the sides thereof;
and said handle means comprising an elongated grip bar, and an
elongated tension bar, a plurality of strap means connecting said
grip bar and said tension bar whereby the relative distance between
said grip bar and said tension bar may be adjusted, and a plurality
of fastener means mounted to said tension bar and so constructed
and arranged as to be conjoinable with the transfer board fastener
means on either side of said transfer board; said grip bar being
fabricated of a relatively flexible material and said tension bar
being fabricated of a relatively flexible material whereby pulling
force exerted by a worker using the transfer device will be
dissipated from the worker's arm and shoulders.
10. The transfer device of claim 9 wherein said strap means are
wrapped around said grip bar and said tension bar and fastened
thereto, and wherein the handle means fasteners means are mounted
by said strap means and oriented outward from said handle means for
interfitting with said transfer board fastener means.
11. The transfer device of claims 9 wherein said transfer board
comprises a bottom surface material fabricated of a sheet of
plastic, and a foam plastic cushion pad; said transfer board
fastener means being mounted by the transfer board such that there
are transfer board fastener means oriented outward from both sides
of said transfer board for interfitting with said handle means
fastener means. .Iadd.
12. A transfer device for a human body comprising sled means and
detachable handle means wherein:
said sled means comprising a transfer board adapted to receive a
human body, said transfer board having two sides and two transverse
ends;
and said handle means comprising an elongated grip bar, and a
plurality of strap means connecting said grip bar and said sled
means whereby the relative distance between said grip bar and said
sled means may be adjusted, and fastener means for joining said
handle means to said sled means. .Iaddend..Iadd.13. The transfer
device of claim 12 wherein said grip bar is fabricated of a
relatively flexible material whereby pulling force exerted by the
worker will be dissipated from the worker's arms and shoulders.
.Iaddend..Iadd.14. The transfer device of claim 12 wherein said
strap means are wrapped around said grip bar and fastened thereto,
and wherein the handle means fastener means are mounted and
oriented outward from said handle means for connection with said
transfer board. .Iaddend..Iadd.15. The transfer device of claim 12
wherein said transfer board comprises a bottom surface material
fabricated of a sheet of plastic, a foam plastic cushion pad, and a
plurality of loops mounted and secured on the sides of the bottom
sheet; said transfer board loops being mounted such that they are
oriented outward on both sides of said transfer board for
interfitting with said handle means fastener means. .Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to devices for moving human bodies from one
flat surface to another, and particularly relates to such devices
intended to be used to transfer reclining human patients from a bed
to a gurney, from a gurney to an examining table, or from a gurney
to a bed, with the patient lying flat during the transfer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hospital wards and emergency rooms, medical clinics, and nursing
homes all have occasion for transferring a reclining patient from
one flat surface to another. Typical instances of patient transfer
include transfer from a bed to a gurney, from a gurney to an
examining table, and from a gurney to a bed. Such transfers have
been assisted by the provision of a thin, smooth, flat polyethylene
transfer board which can be slid beneath a patient and then pulled
from one flat surface to the other. Typically, such transfer boards
are provided in a width approximating the width of a typical
patient and with hand holes suitable for gripping when pulling the
patient-loaded board from one flat surface to another.
In making a transfer from a bed to a gurney, by way of example,
nursing staff must align the two flat surfaces side-by-side (bed
and gurney), stand adjacent to the gurney, reach across the gurney
and grip the patient-loaded board through the hand holes on the
board, and pull the board off of the bed and across the gurney
surface until the board is centered on the gurney. The person
pulling the transfer board must lean over the gurney to initially
reach the board and thereby exposes his/her back to excessive
strain; a position of both poor posture and severe mechanical
disadvantage for performing the task safely. The person pulling the
transfer board risks injury to his/her neck and shoulders as well
as to the back when pulling in a forwardly bent and off-balance
position such as this.
In an attempt to alleviate the arm, shoulder and back strain on a
worker performing this type of transfer, it has been proposed that
straps be looped through the transfer board hand holes to minimize
the reach when transferring patients. However, using such strap
loops, places the worker in a relatively weak pulling posture in
that when the loaded sled is being pulled and moves closer to the
worker, there is not chance for the worker to adjust the length of
the loop for maximum leverage in completing the transfer. (The
overal distance that the sled must move is greater than the average
length of the human arm, so one full length pull would result in
the worker's arms being at the end of the pull, but the transfer
requires more than a full length pull.) Use of such strap loops,
also causes the worker to grip the loops and requires the worker to
pull with both arms absolutely uniformly to balance the forces
between the worker's arms. Typically, the worker will not pull in a
balanced manner with the result that one arm/shoulder or the other
bears a greater portion of the pulling load to insure that the
patient-loaded board is transferred evenly onto the target
surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the patient transfer device of this invention to
provide a means whereby a human body may be slid from one surface
to another while allowing the worker to maintain proper and safer
body mechanics while performing this type of transfer. It is
another object of this invention to provide such a transfer device
that enables a worker to employ a palms-up or palms-down power grip
using a cylinder grasp in which the thumb is used and the entire
hand wraps around a firm object being pulled on. It is another
object of this invention to provide the worker with an efficient
method of adjusting leverage over pulling the loaded thransfer
device. It is still another object of this invention to provide a
pulling interface between a transfer sled and a worker that will
balance the pulling forces on the sled even if the worker does not
pull from the most desirable location relative to the sled.
A transfer device for a human body, according to the present
invention, comprises sled means and detachable handle means wherein
said sled means comprises a transfer board adapted to receive a
human body, the transport board having two sides and two transverse
ends, and a plurality of fastener means mounted to the transfer
board along the sides thereof. The handle means comprises an
elongated grip bar, and an elongated tension bar, a plurality of
strap means connecting the grip bar and the tension bar whereby the
relative distance between the grip bar and the tension bar may be
adjusted, and a plurality of fastener means mounted to the tension
bar and so constructed and arranged as to be conjoinable with the
transfer board fastener means on at least one side of the transfer
board. The grip bar, and preferably the tension bar, is fabricated
of a relatively flexible material whereby pulling force exerted by
a worker using the transfer device will be dissipated from the
worker's arm and shoulders. The strap means are preferably wrapped
around the grip bar and the tension bar and fastened thereto, and
the handle means fasteners means are preferably mounted by the
strap means and oriented outward from said handle means for
interfitting with the transfer board fastener means. The transfer
board preferably comprises a bottom surface material fabricated of
a sheet of plastic and a foam plastic cushion pad with the transfer
board fastener means being mounted by the transfer board such that
there are transfer board fastener means oriented outward from both
sides of the transfer board for interfitting with the handle means
fastener means.
These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from a
reading of the following description of the invention and
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the human body transfer device of
this invention illustrating its application to transfer a patient
from one bed to another;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 transfer device;
FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the FIG. 1 pulling interface
illustrating how the FIG. 1 pulling interface may be rolled up to
adjust the length of the pulling interface for optimum leverage by
the worker when performing a transfer;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating how the FIG. 3 pulling
interface may be rolled up for stowage or transport;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the linkage of
FIG. 2 pulling interface between a worker and the transfer device
sled;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the construction of the sled
portion of the FIG. 3 sled portion of the pulling interface
linkage;
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the FIG. 1 transfer sled illustrating
its construction;
FIG. 8 is a top view of the construction of the sled cover;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional detail of the FIG. 9 cover illustrating
its connection to the bottom of the sled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to FIGS. 1, the transfer device of this invention is
illustrated in connection with a worker moving a patient from one
bed to another. FIG. 2 illustrates the FIG. 1 transfer device by
itself, with no body in position. Hereinafter, the invention is
described in connection with its preferred use as a patient
transfer device, it being understood that the transfer device is
also suitable for use in transferring human bodies, in general,
from one surface to another surface, including use in funeral homes
and mortuaries.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the transfer device of this
invention comprises a sled means 10 and a handle means 12. The sled
means 10 comprises a generally rectangular, relatively thin and
flat-surfaced transfer board 20. Transfer board 20 has two parallel
sides and two transverse ends. Each side is provided with a
plurality of loops 22 which conjoin with fasteners 24 of the handle
means. Loops 22 may be spaced equidistantly from the transverse
ends along the sides of the transfer board 20 as shown in FIG.
2.
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, handle means 12 comprises a grip bar 26, a
tension bar 28, and a plurality of straps 30 which are attached to
the grip and tension bars as shown. The ends of the straps 30 are
wrapped around the bar 26,28 and looped back on themselves and box
stitched thereto as shown in FIG. 3. The looped ends of the straps
30 are also riveted to the bars 26,28 to secure the straps in place
and to prevent slippage of the bars within the strap loops. The
spacing of the straps 30 is preferably equidistant along the length
of the tension bar 28 with the middle strap 30 being centered on
the tension bar 28 and the remaining two straps 30 being attached
towards the ends of the tension bar 28. Grip bar 26 and tension bar
28 are preferably fabricated from a strong, lightweight, flexible
material such as 3/4"PVC "Schd. 40" plastic tubing or the like;
straps 30 are preferably fabricated from 2" nylon webbing (seat
belt material). Fasteners 24 are preferably fabricated from 1"
nylon webbing with male and female plastic buckles sewn to the
webbing. The 1" webbing of the fasteners 24 is wrapped around the
tension bar 28 and looped back onto itself and box stitched. The 1"
webbing of the fasteners 24 is riveted to the tension bar 28 to
secure the fasteners 24 in place. The mating of fasteners 24 to
loops 22 is illustrated in FIG. 5; the male end of the buckle and
1" webbing strap is passed through the loop 22 and then locked into
the female end of the buckle forming interlocking loops. The
fasteners 24 are preferably fabricated of impact resistant plastic
or the like. The material fasteners interfit one within another and
releaseably lock together when interfitted. The handle means
fasteners 24 are preferably spaced in between the straps 30 and
attached to the tension bar 28. The spacing of the straps 30 and
the fasteners 24 places opposing force on the tension bar 28 and
the spacing of the fasteners 24 is at the proper location for
mating with the loops 22 on the transfer board 20 as shown in FIGS.
1 and 2. Grip bar 26 is also preferably encased in a closed cell
urethane foam tube 27, or the like, to provide cushioning and
improve its gripability. Both bar 26, 28 preferably would be end
capped with plastic caps 29, the end caps for the grip bar 26
encasing the end of the plastic tubing and underlaying the foam
tube casing 27.
When the handle means 12 is to be stowed, it may be rolled up by
rolling the grip bar 26 along the straps 30 until wound up to the
tension bar 28, as shown in FIG. 4. Velcro patches 32 sewn onto the
top and bottom of straps 30 as shown in FIG. 3 may be used to
secure the handle means into position once the handle is rolled
up.
Sled means 10 preferably comprises a transfer board formed of a
bottom sheet 40, an intermediate foam cushion pad 42 and a top
cover 44. Bottom sheet 40 is preferably fabricated from a plastic
material such as polyethylene or the like; cushion pad 42 is
preferably fabricated from an open or closed cell urethane or the
like; and top cover 44 is preferably fabricated from a stain and
water resistant vinyl fabric or the like. Bottom sheet 40 may have
a thickness on the order of 1/8" and the cushion pad 42 may have a
thickness on the order of 1-2". The loops 22 are fastened to the
bottom 40 at the outer perimeter of the bottom by means of rivets
50 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The cover 44 is preferably fabricated
by sewing a tunnel 48 around the perimeter through which 1" wide
plastic strips 46 of 1/8" thickness are slid along all sides of the
cover 44 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Cover 44 is fastened to
bottom by plastic or nylon rivets 50 passing through drilled holes
in plastic strips 46 and bottom sheet 40; rivets 50 are preferably
plastic or nylon.
The handle means of this invention, along with the sled means,
changes the way that a worker performs the task of transferring a
patient from one surface to another. The handle means enables the
worker to pull from a balanced and upright position, thereby
keeping the worker's center of gravity within the base of his/her
support. The handle means improves the worker's mechanical
advantage and leverage over the load. The worker is allowed to
perform the task from a position of relative strength as compared
to having to forward bend and reach with outstretched arms in order
to reach the patient. The position of the grip bar relative to the
tension bar is adjustable; the grip bar may be rolled on the straps
30 closer to the tension bar, for example. The adjustable grip bar
allows for optimum reach for the individual worker. The flexible
grip and tension bars help dissipate the pulling forces from the
worker's arms and shoulders. The foam grip on the grip bar protects
the hands of the worker. The handle means is designed so that one
or more workers may use one or both hands to pull on the grip bar
in a synchronized fashion depending on the amount of force needed
to move the load. The handle means may be attached to either side
of the sled means so that transfers may be made from same side of
the bed or other transfer surface without having to rearrange
furniture or equipment.
The sled means is designed for safety and comfort. Combined with
the handle means, which is removable, it provides a padded and
flexible surface for the patient to remain upon during the transfer
process, during transport from a patient room for a procedure, and,
in many cases, during the procedure/examination itself. The
transfer board is flexible and padded for patient comfort during
transfer and during extended periods of lying on the transfer
board. The bottom of the transfer board is preferably fabricated of
anti-static material to eliminate painful and possibly dangerous
micro-electricity discharges. The transfer board is preferably of
non-metallic construction, including the rivets, and is X-ray
proof.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described
herein, variations in the design may be made. The scope of the
invention, therefore, is only limited by the claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *