Railways – Portable elevated
Patent
1994-09-21
1996-09-24
Phillips, Charles E.
Railways
Portable elevated
45601, 5 811R, E01B 2300, A47K 302
Patent
active
055580220
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a transfer means for moving an object between two locations. The transfer means of the present invention is particularly, although not exclusively, envisaged for use by the invalid or disabled for use in moving into and out of a shower or bath. The transfer means is also envisaged for use in moving objects in general from one place to another.
One of the greatest difficulties faced by invalids or disabled persons in their daily routine is bathing. Due to ill-health, old-age or disability a person may not be able to stand-up without assistance whilst taking a shower. To help such a person a chair or stool can be placed in the shower recess or bath area so that the person can have a shower whilst being seated. A disadvantage of such chairs or stools is that an able bodied person assisting the invalid or disabled person must manoeuvre the invalid or disabled person into the shower or bath before being able to seat them on the chair or stool. This is difficult where the shower or bath is small and even more difficult once the shower or bath is wet.
Aids have been devised to help make bathing easier for the invalid or disabled. Such aids have been known to take the form of bath boards which are designed to fix across the top of the bath thereby creating a seating platform for washing or showering. Other aids include bath seats which may be provided with a back rest. Such boards or seats can be secured to the bath by hinged arms which hook onto the top of the bath and are sometimes provided with means to wedge the bottom of the seat to the walls of the bath for additional security. Other securing means take the form of brackets which ensure that the seats or boards remain locked in position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a transfer means for moving an object between two locations, such as, moving a seat into and out of a bath or a shower recess.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a transfer means for moving an object between two spaced apart locations, the transfer means comprising:
a platform means for carrying the object, the platform means having a roller means for allowing the platform means to roll;
an elongate member disposable substantially horizontally, the elongate member having a guide rail extending substantially along its length, the guide rail defining a track within which the roller means of the platform means can roll, the roller means being confined to movement along the guide rail and inhibited from movement out of the guide rail, the roller means allowing movement of the platform means between the two spaced apart locations, the guide rail having a cut-out for allowing entry and exit of the roller means of the platform means from the guide rail; and,
a pivot means for pivotably attaching one end of the elongate member to a structural member, the pivot means allowing pivoting of the elongate member between a substantially horizontal in-use position and a substantially vertical storage position;
wherein, the platform means can be removed from the elongate member to allow pivoting of the elongate member between the in-use and storage positions.
Preferably, the transfer means is capable of movement between said substantially horizontal position when in use and a substantially vertical position when in a stored position.
Preferably, the transfer means is hingedly fixed to a structural member so that it can be manoeuvred between the stored and in-use positions. The structural member is typically in the form of a wall.
Preferably, the platform means may be detachably mounted to transfer means to allow for ready removal and storage of the platform means. Furthermore, the base of the platform means may be provided with engaging means to engage the platform means with the elongate member.
Typically, the engaging means is in the form of rollers or guides which are slidable in a suitably configured track provided on the elongate member.
The support member is pr
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patent: 3074356 (1963-11-01), Parker et al.
patent: 3758894 (1973-09-01), Finley
patent: 4168549 (1979-09-01), Davies
patent: 4266305 (1981-05-01), Kavaloski et al.
patent: 4354791 (1982-10-01), Antonellis
patent: 4939799 (1990-07-01), Van Horel
Mason James R.
Mason Philip J.
Phillips Charles E.
Raceside Holdings Pty Ltd.
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