Beds – With means for relocating an invalid – Rotatable platform type
Patent
1995-10-11
1997-07-29
Trettel, Michael F.
Beds
With means for relocating an invalid
Rotatable platform type
5 871, 5 841, 5 811HS, 414921, A61G 710
Patent
active
056511493
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention concerns apparatus for moving disabled persons.
It is known to use a mechanical hoist to raise and lower a seat or sling on which a person is supported to raise that person; and to move the hoist to a support so that the person can be shifted from the seat or sling onto that support.
Problems arise where such a person needs to be lifted in confined spaces which preclude access for such hoists because of their bulk and operational space requirements.
Furthermore, such hoists are of only partial assistance in moving such persons because they have to be manhandled onto and off the hoist's seats or slings. Such manhandling often gives rise to further problems e.g. pain or even injury to such persons, and excessive efforts by the operatives can cause them injuries.
In particular, such hoists have a selection of slings for different functions to maintain the safety and comfort of the occupant. Choosing the correct one and loading a person onto the hoist can cause anxiety to the occupant and to the operator. Hoists require under-furniture clearance which necessitates the use of small castors. This in turn leads to difficulty in maneuvering the loaded hoist. The occupant has to be restrained from swaying when moving. Essentially this type of equipment is designed solely for use by persons having no ability to assist in their own transfer.
The present invention seeks to reduce said problems.
The invention provides a method of transferring a disabled person from a first supporting surface to a second supporting surface comprising the steps of: to the first supporting surface, and inserting a flexible slider between said person and the first supporting surface; the first to the second surface carrying said person therewith; and, optionally,
The method preferably includes the step of bringing said surfaces into a relationship wherein the second surface is level with or slightly lower than the first surface.
The winch cable may subsequently be relocated to extend across the first supporting surface to the second supporting surface and be re-attached to the opposite margin of the slider so that actuation of the winch applies tension to the cable to drag the slider back onto the first supporting surface.
The invention includes apparatus constructed for use in performing said method, and which apparatus includes a cable winch, a slider and connector means to connect the cable to the slider, together with a support comprising a platform which provides a supporting surface and bridging means to bridge the gap between the first and second supporting surfaces; and including a mounting for locating the cable winch in relation to the platform.
For lifting and moving disabled persons in accordance with the invention, the apparatus preferably further comprises platform lifting means mounted on the support to raise and lower the platform, the cable winch being directly or indirectly connected to the platform for drawing the cable of the winch across the platform.
In embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus further includes a mast assembly which comprises a mast, a jib, and a mounting for locating the mast assembly for movement relative to the support so that the jib is movable to alongside the support, the winch being operable to retract the cable to a free end of the jib for transferring persons to and/or from the support in accordance with the invention.
The apparatus of the present invention more particularly comprises a cable winch secured, or adapted to be secured by a mounting, to or adjacent to a support so that a cable of the winch can be extended across a platform provided on the support, a slider which can be inserted between a disabled person and a surface on which said person is supported, and a connector to releasably connect an end of the slider to the cable so that operation of the winch drags said slider across said surface and onto said platform to transfer the person from the surface to the platform.
The mounting in one embodiment is attached or attachable on or to a handrail or structural member
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patent: 5379468 (1995-01-01), Cassidy et al.
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Mangar International Limited
Markva Neil F.
Trettel Michael F.
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