WO2011036494A1

WO2011036494A1 - Support pad for rotating sleep surface transfer system

Info

Publication number: WO2011036494A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/051605
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dane Mcgee
Original assignee: Engineered Assistance Limited
Priority date: 2009-09-24
Filing date: 2010-09-24
Publication date: 2011-03-31
Also published as: GB2475471A; GB0916809D0; GB2475471B

Abstract

An occupant transfer system comprising two beds (3, 10) arranged to be located side by side so that an occupant (2) may be transferred from one bed to the other; each bed including a plurality of sleep support structures mounted on endless belts, each belt extending in a loop over a plurality of rotatable drive members extending longitudinally of the bed to form rotatable ends drive means adapted to move sleep support structures laterally across the beds so that an occupant is moved laterally across the beds in use,- wherein the system further comprises a detachable support adapted to overly the support structures, the support comprising a body (30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 94) and a plurality of members extending upwardly from the support to provide a receptacle dimensioned to receive and support one or more of an occupants body parts; wherein the body has a transverse dimension equal to or greater than a distance between top tangents of the adjacent rotatable ends.

Description

SUPPORT PAD FOR ROTATING SLEEP SURFACE TRANSFER SYSTEM

This invention relates to a transfer system for transferring an occupant, patient or resident (referred to hereafter for brevity as "an occupant") from one bed to another or from a bed to a transfer table or vice versa in circumstances in which the occupant is bedridden or unable to move independently between one bed and another or between a bed and transfer table. Lifting a heavy occupant from a bed to a transfer table can be difficult, uncomfortable and undignified, and abrasion between the occupant's body and an underlying sheet when being manually handled or lifted can cause or exacerbate bedsores, particularly if the movement is repeated frequently.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an occupant transfer system which permits an occupant to be moved from one bed or transfer table to another without a need for lifting equipment or manual lifting by nursing assistants.

In the following specification, the bed or transfer table is referred to for brevity as a "bed". However, it should be appreciated that the term "bed" is used to refer to a transfer table, trolley or other structure upon which an occupant may be laid.

According to the present invention, an occupant transfer system comprises two beds arranged to be located side by side so that an occupant may be transferred from one bed to the other;

each bed including a plurality of sleep support structures mounted on endless belts, each belt extending in a loop over a plurality of rotatable drive members extending longitudinally of the bed to form rotatable ends of the support structures, wherein rotatable ends of the support structures are located side by side when an occupant is transferred from one bed to the other;

drive means adapted to cause rotation of the endless belts so that the sleep support structures move laterally across the beds and so that an occupant located on the sleep support structures is moved laterally across the beds in use;

wherein the system further comprises a detachable support adapted to overly the support structures in use, the support comprising a body and a plurality of members extending upwardly from the support to provide a receptacle dimensioned to receive and support one or more of an occupants body parts; wherein the body has a transverse dimension equal to or greater than a distance between top tangents of the adjacent rotatable ends.

The rotatable ends may each include a roller around which a support structure may extend. In this case the transverse dimension of the body may be equal to or greater than the sum of the radii of the respective rotatable ends. Alternative configurations for the rotatable ends may be provided.

The transverse dimension may further include an additional distance to allow for clearance between the rotatable ends in use, for example if the adjacent support surfaces are not accurately aligned in parallel relation or are aligned but slightly separated.

The present invention confers several advantages. During the transfer process from one rotating sleep surface device to another, such as from a bed to a transfer table, it may be necessary to provide additional support to the user's limbs in order to facilitate an effective and comfortable transfer.

For specific conditions such as stroke where the occupant may suffer from pain in one side, the addition of a suitably configured support pad in accordance with this invention may ensure that during the transfer process the arms or legs on the relevant side have no unnecessary pressure exerted on them.

For conditions which render an occupant completely immobile the use of support pads may allow the arms and legs to be kept in a comfortable position.

For back or spinal injury users correctly designed support pads may provide that the user remains laterally stable during the transfer process.

For brain injury occupants correctly designed support pads may provide that the occupant's neck and head remain laterally stable during the transfer process. For occupants that have suffered unknown internal injuries the use of correctly designed support pads may provide that such injuries are not further complicated by the transfer process until a full diagnosis has been carried out.

The system of the present invention confers the advantage that the support prevents a occupant's limb or other body part from falling between the rotatable ends of the support structures during transfer of an occupant from one structure to another. The use of the support may prevent an occupant's arm for example from becoming trapped beneath his or her body during a transfer.

The receptacle may be dimensioned to receive an occupant's arm, leg, head, hip or one or both feet. The receptacle may be dimensioned to receive both of an occupant's head and one arm. Alternatively one side of an occupant's body or torso may be accommodated. In this way an occupant's arm or leg may be supported together during the transfer.

Right handed and left handed supports may be provided as required. The invention may further provide a bit comprising a plurality of differently configured supports selected for use with a two bed system having a particular transverse dimension.

In a preferred embodiment the support includes an elongate pad arranged to extend longitudinally of the support surface adjacent an occupant in use and including a wedge- shaped projection extending proximally towards the occupant.

The wedge shaped projection may have a transverse dimension adjacent the support structure which is greater than a transverse dimension at an upper surface of the projection. This allows the wedge to be inserted beneath a user's leg or arm to support the latter during a transfer.

The receptacle may include a socket dimensioned to receive and support an occupant's arm and/or hand. The socket may include a hand grip, for example a cylindrical member extending within the socket and arranged so that it may be grasped by an occupant while his or her hand is within the receptacle during a transfer.

The socket, for example the cylindrical member, may include an actuator adapted to actuate a function of the system. The actuator may comprise one or more switches or push buttons. The actuator may be arranged to control one or more of the rotation of the support surfaces, the inclination or height of the bed or beds, an alarm or an entertainment system.

The use of a receptacle to support a users arm or other body part or parts may increase a feeling of security during transfer, for example with insecure occupants or occupants suffering from motor neurone disease. Use of the support in accordance with the invention may reduce the sensation of movement during a transfer.

The support may comprise an inflatable device which on inflation is designed to adequately support the user.

A combination of suitable foams and inflatable pockets may be provided to produce a hybrid support pad adapted to be adjusted in size by the inflation and deflation of the pockets.

The support may also be augmented internally with a strengthening profile made from a plastic extrusion (or other suitable materials) for example for use with a bariatric user (typically defined as user more than 24 stone in weight), whose natural body weight may negate the positive effect of the support pad without the inclusion of such strengthening profiles.

The support may be constructed of resilient material, for example foamed polymeric material. A strengthening or stiffening resilient member may be embedded within the support. The support members may be connected to the body by a bendable linkage so that the dimensions of the receptacle may be adjusted during use. The transfer support pads may have recesses or other profiles in them to fit user's arms, legs, neck or legs as required. They typically would be constructed of foam (or other suitable material), and either protected by a polyurethane sprayed coated fabric or other suitable cover. They may also be inflatable and as such manufactured out of PVC sheet or a more robust material such as Hypalon (Hypalon is a trademark for chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) synthetic rubber (CSM) noted for its resistance to chemicals, temperature extremes, and ultraviolet light. It is a product of DuPont Performance Elastomers, a subsidiary of DuPont).

The transfer pads or their covers may also be fitted with a number of different attachments, handles and/or straps to ensure the user can be supported, and where required restricted during the transfer process.

The system may comprise two or more beds or transfer tables adapted for use together so that an occupant may be transferred from one bed or transfer table to another. In this arrangement, the endless loops of both beds are arranged to be actuated simultaneously so that the individual mattresses or support surfaces form a continuous moving support surface in use. However a gap is formed between the upper surfaces of the support surfaces due to the radii of the adjacent conveyor loops.

The gap is beneficial to facilitate turning an occupant but is less desirable in other circumstances. Accordingly a support pad which can bridge or substantially fill the gap is provided.

Preferably, a transverse dimension of the support is greater than the sum of the radii of the loops of the adjacent belts together with any distance between the rotatable ends.

In this way the support can extend across the upper surfaces of adjacent beds or other sleep support structures providing continuous support for an occupant during a transfer.

Preferably each bed or structure includes a plurality of mattresses or other sleep support structures each mounted on an endless belt; and each movable between a first position wherein the structures form a generally horizontal sleep support surface and a second position wherein a second sleep support structure is inclined relative to a first sleep support structure.

The support of the present invention may be used in conjunction with an occupant transfer system as disclosed in WO2010/010386, WO2010/010388, WO2010/010387 and WO2010/010389, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

The drive means may comprise an electric motor or actuator. Alternatively or in addition a manual drive may be employed. A manual drive may be useful in the event of a power failure or in remote locations.

A transfer system in accordance with this invention facilitates movement of a disabled, immobile, infirm or otherwise physically or mentally incapacitated occupant from one bed to another in a safe, comfortable and dignified manner without the need for lifting, manual assistance or lifting devices.

Use of the system of this invention allows an occupant to be moved from a sleep surface so that the sheets or other bedding may be changed without causing friction to the occupant's body. Also, the occupant can be transferred onto clean bed sheets without the need for physical lifting or other discomfort.

The drive mechanism for the bed may include two main drive shafts each extending longitudinally of a respective one of the head and foot portions of the bed, the shafts being connectable in use by a detachable coupling between the head and foot portions, a pair of rotatable member being operably connected to a respective main shaft so that rotation of a main shaft causes rotation of the rotatable members and movement of the conveyor.

Each rotatable member may comprise a conveyor drive shaft having one or more rollers or sprockets mounted thereon. The main drive shafts are preferably connected to the rotatable members by a pulley and belt or sprocket and chain arrangement. Alternatively toothed gears may be used.

The drive mechanism of the transfer table may comprise rotatable members including conveyor drive shafts with rollers or sprockets located on either side of each of the leg, seat and back or head portion, detachable couplings being arranged to connect the shafts to form a continuous drive train on either side of the table when the table is in the horizontal orientation.

Couplings are provided so that each main drive shaft may be connected to a drive unit. The couplings and drive unit are preferably located at the foot portion of the transfer table.

The mattress or sleep support structure, hereinafter referred to for brevity as "the mattress" may be made from open or closed cell foamed material, textile material or artificial or natural fibrous material having sufficient resilience to allow passage around a roller or low friction support or guide surface in use while providing comfortable support for an occupant. A memory foamed material, for example a visco elastic foamed material, is preferred.

The mattress may have a multiplicity of V-shaped longitudinal grooves on the underside thereof dimensioned to allow the mattress to be curved around the rollers or guide members without distortion. The apical angle of the longitudinal grooves is preferably within the range of 30-45°. The use of V-shaped grooves also allows the support characteristics of the mattress to be maintained during rotation around the rollers or guide members. The longitudinal V-shaped grooves preferably are of specific dimensions to enable the mattress or pad to be rotated around the drive sprockets without significantly distorting their shape or support characteristics. The thickness of the pad may be 75mm. Typically, and as an example for a 150mm thick mattress the depth of the V-shaped groove would be nominally between 60 and 75% of the depth of the mattress. The base width of each V-shaped groove would be nominally 40-60% of the depth of the V-shaped groove. The actual V-shaped groove dimensions and mattress and pad thickness can vary subject to the support characteristics required for the sleep and support surfaces for any given application. Therefore a heavier user may require a thicker mattress or pads made of less flexible foams. In such an instance the V-shaped grooves dimensions may be larger than the nominal ratios stated against mattress and pad thickness to ensure they both can be rotated around the relevant sets of rollers or drive sprockets.

Each mattress section may have one or more, preferably one laterally extending V- shaped grooves arranged generally centrally of the mattress to allow the upper part of the mattress to be inclined or declined without stretching the base support foam to an undue extent.

The mattress and support may have a laminar structure with an upper layer of viscoelastic or polyurethane memory foam supported on one or more layers of conventional foamed materials. A strengthening base layer comprising an inextensible sheet of rubber or polymeric material may be provided. A reinforced composite base layer or intermediate layer may be employed.

The bed may comprise a single mattress having the length and width of a

conventional bed or transfer table.

Alternatively two or more, preferably three or four, more preferably three, simultaneously or independently movable support sections may be arranged longitudinally on respective conveyors to provide a foldable structure so that parts of the bed may be raised or lowered to allow an occupant's head or feet to be raised or lowered and to generally make an occupant more comfortable. This allows the system to be used to transfer disabled occupants who may be fixed in various bodily positions due to palsy, muscle spasms or cramps.

A transfer table may include an articulated supporting structure so that the mattress or pad sections can be moved into the configuration of a chair or seat. In such an embodiment the leg rest may be retractable to a vertical orientation stowed away under the seat so that it is not under an occupant's legs so that the occupant may place his soles on a foot rest without pressure on the calves or heels. The system of the present invention finds particular use in private or public hospitals, hospices or specialist schools. The system may also find application in private or public care homes, sheltered housing or private residences, particularly in situations in which there may not be sufficient able bodied personnel to allow a patient to be manually assisted into and out of bed.

The invention is further described by means of example, but not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: -

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transfer system in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an occupant engaging the support;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an occupant engaging an alternative support;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further alternative support;

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate use of the transfer system without a support and with a support;

Figure 8 shows various stages of use of the system in accordance with this invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the patient transfer system in accordance with this invention. An operator or nursing assistant (1) is shown attending to an occupant (2) disposed on a bed (3). The bed has movable side safety bars (4, 5) mounted on upright members (13). The occupant is lying on a mattress (6) supported between rollers as described in more detail below. A transfer table (10) having a wheeled base (11) is engaged alongside the bed (3) and secured to the bed by a docking mechanism (not shown) so that the occupant may be safely transferred from the bed to the transfer table and vice versa. The foot frame of the bed (3) comprises a ground engaging base (12), four upright members (13) one located at each corner of the base (12) and an upper rectangular frame (14) connecting the upright members (13). An attachment for a hoist (15) is secured to the upper frame above the location of the transfer table (10). A transfer drive unit (16) mounted on a wheeled base and is adapted to engage the transfer table (10) to actuate the roller mechanism of the table (10). The drive unit (16) comprises a control panel and drive system with a drive coupling arrangement for connection to the transfer table (10). Both the mattress (6) of the transfer bed (3) and mattress (17) of the transfer table (10) have a rotating user support surfaces. The support surface of the bed (3) includes a mattress. The support surface of the transfer table comprises three separate support pads (18, 19 and 20).

The bed is attached to the frame at the foot frame member (21) and head frame member (25). The foot frame member (21) includes a sliding block (22) having a drive mechanism (23) mounted thereon. The sliding block (22) has rollers mounted in vertical runners (24) extending along inside faces of the upright members (26). Actuation of a driving mechanism (23) causes the conveyor to rotate. A motor drive unit (171) mounted on an upper part of the frame (14) is connected by cables to the sliding block (22) to raise or lower the sliding block. A motor drive unit (172) is similarly arranged to raise or lower the head portion.

In alternative preferred embodiments the head or foot frames may be raised or lowered by a scissor or double toggle lift arrangement driven by a linear actuator. The actuators or scissor arrangement may be located above or below the sliding blocks.

The bed is attached to the bed frame so that it may be raised and lowered and also so that the head portion may be inclined upwardly or restored to the horizontal. The foot portion is secured to the foot frame member (21) and the head portion is secured to the head frame member (25). The foot frame member (21) includes a sliding block (22) having a motor mounted thereon. The sliding block (22) has rollers mounted in vertical runners (24) on the inside faces of upright members (26). Actuation of the motor (171) causes the sliding block to be raised or lowered. Similarly the head portion is attached to a sliding block and may also be raised and lowered as explained in greater detail below. Alternatively and preferably a scissor lift or double toggle lift mechanism may be employed. Figure 2 shows a support in accordance with this invention. Figure 2 shows an elongate support having a flat lower body (30) arranged to rest on the sleep support surface of the bed or transfer table shown in Figure 1. The elongate body (30) is arranged to be disposed adjacent an occupant, for example between the occupant and the two adjoining conveyor roller edges. A wedge shaped projection (31) extends proximally towards the occupant and may be tucked beneath the occupant's body or limbs. A recess (32) is dimensioned and configured to receive an occupant's arm. In an alternative embodiment ridges, ribs or other projections may be arranged to engage a user's arm or other body part, restraining unnecessary movement during the transfer.

The distal edge of the support has a chamfered leading edge (33) at the lower surface. This reduces any likelihood of the leading edge becoming caught between the two adjacent rollers. The corners of the pad are also chamfered to prevent the corners becoming caught. The proximal edge is chamfered to facilitate positioning on the support surface.

The width of the pad from the distal to proximal surfaces is preferably sufficient so that the pad can extend between the top tangent points of the upper horizontal support surfaces as described below.

The pad is preferably composed of a core of resilient material, for example closed cell foamed plastics, open celled foamed plastics, elastomeric material or other medically acceptable support material; covered with a suitably impervious or breathable material.

The support (30) has rigid corners (34) so that it may be moved over the upper surface of the sleep support structure without difficulty.

The recess (32) defined by opposed surfaces of upwardly extending members (36, 37) is shaped to receive and securely engage a user's arm or other body part. Right handed and left handed configurations may be provided as necessary. The length of the recess (32) may be selected dependent on the size of the occupant. The hand portion (35) of the recess may be adjustable by use of spacer components or a slidable member (not shown) so that a user's hand may be comfortably located within the support. The hand portion (35) may be provided with a hand grip which may be grasped by an occupant during a transfer. This provides security for an occupant who may be anxious or uncomfortable during a transfer. The hand grip may comprise a cylindrical member extending upwardly from the base (30) or other conveniently shaped portion.

The use of the support is illustrated in Figure 3. The support comprises a base (40) having a longitudinally extending wedge-shaped portion (41) adapted to fit adjacent and underneath an occupant's leg. The wedge-shaped portion has a greater dimension at the lower base portion and a narrower lateral dimension at an upper portion so as to provide an upwardly facing wedge-shaped surface for engagement with the occupant's leg. The arm-shaped recess (42) is curved to fit an occupant's shoulder and has a hand portion (43) provided with an attachment strip (44), for example provided with hook and pile fastening to allow easy attachment and disengagement to the upper surface (45) of the support. A chamfered edge (46) extending longitudinally of the support allows positioning of the support on the sleep transfer surface without deformation of the base of the support.

The support comprises upwardly extending members mentioned and arranged to provide a receptacle (32, 35) to receive and securely engage a user's palm or other body part during transfer.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative support providing a recess to engage and support a user's head. The base (50) has upwardly extending support members (51, 52) forming a recess (53) adapted to receive and engage a user's head. The width of the recess (53) may be adjustable, for example by means of one of the members (51) or (52) being slidable in relation to the base (50). The transverse dimension of the base (50) is equal to or preferably greater than the transverse dimension between the top tangents of the rotatable ends of the sleep support surfaces.

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment wherein the support is adapted to support a user's feet, having recesses adapted to support a user's ankles and calves. The base (60) has three upwardly extending support members (61,62, 63), outer support member (61 and 62) co-operating with central support member (63) to define two recesses to receive a user's calves and/or ankles. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the benefits arising from use of the invention. In Figure 6 a transfer table not having a support in accordance with this invention is illustrated. A bed (70) is placed alongside a transfer table (71). The sleep support surfaces (72 and 73) are shown partially rotated around rollers (74, 75) to form rotatable ends (77, 78). As illustrated the rotatable ends (77, 78) are in close proximity but in other circumstances a space may occur between the rotatable ends (77, 78). A user's arm (76) has fallen downwardly during transfer from the bed (70). The arm is shown trapped between the rotatable end (78) and the occupant's body (79). This can lead to discomfort and pain, particularly if the occupant has an arm injury.

Figure 7 shows a corresponding system in accordance with the invention. Like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. The occupant's arm (76) is supported on a support (80). The support has a wedge-shaped portion (82) extending beneath the occupant's leg (81). The transverse dimension of the support (80) equal to or greater than the sum of the radii of the rotatable ends (77, 78) plus any distance between the ends, so that the transverse dimension is equal to or greater than the distance between the top tangents (83, 84) of the rotatable ends.

The stages of operation of the system in accordance with the invention are illustrated in Figure 8.

In Figure 8(a) an occupant (90) is lying upon a sleep support surface (91) on a bed (92) instructed in accordance with this invention. The occupant's arm (93) is securely engaged within a support (94) as previously described. A transfer table (95) having a sleep support surface (96) is located parallel to the bed (92) and spaced at an appropriate distance to allow rotation of the support surfaces (91, 96) as shown in Figure 8.

In Figure 8(b) the support surface (96) is rotated beneath the transfer table (95) to form a rotatable end (97).

In the next stage of the transfer process. The drive mechanism of the bed (92) is actuated so that the sleep support surface (91) rotates beneath the bed (92) to form a rotatable end (98). The occupant (93) and support (94) move from left to right as illustrated in a synchronized manner without causing discomfort to the occupant's arm (93). When the chamfered edge (99) of the support (94) reaches the upper surface of the transfer table sleep support surface (96), the drive mechanism for the transfer table (95) is actuated causing the sleep support surface (96) to rotate at the same speed as the rotation of the bed sleep support surface (91) so that the occupant's movement onto the transfer table (95) continues.

In Figure 8(d) the transfer is partially completed so that the occupant (93) is wholly located onto the transfer table support surface (96).

In Figure 8(e) the transfer is completed so that the occupant is completely exposed on the transfer table (95). In this position the occupant's arm (93) remains supported by the support (94), dislodgement of the support being prevented by engagement of the wedge-shaped portion (100) under the user's leg as illustrated. In this way the support has the additional function of allowing the user's arm to be maintained in a comfortable position either during movement of the transfer table or before positioning by a nurse.

The overall width of the transfer support pad is greater than the distance between the top tangents of the two adjacent rotating sleep surface rotated ends. As an example if a bed and transfer table with rotating sleep surface technology were used to transfer an occupant from the bed to transfer table, or vice versa then the distance from the top quadrant of the total diameter the rotated mattress on the bed produces, to the top quadrant of the total diameter the rotated pads of the transfer table produces may be typically 280mm when positioned correctly for a transfer. The transfer support pad(s) used would therefore have an effective base width in excess of 280mm to ensure they remain stable and provide a suitable amount of bridging support at the critical point where the user approaches the gap between the two respective diameters. However other versions of the transfer support pad used specifically to assist in turning the user on their side during, or on completion of a transfer may have an effective base width which is less than the top quadrant to top quadrant distance to enable an effective turn.

The transfer support pads may have recesses or other profiles in them to fit user's arms, legs, neck or legs as required. They typically would be constructed in foam (or other suitable material), and either protected by a polyurethane sprayed coating or suitable cover. The transfer pads or their cover may also be fitted with a number of different attachments, handles and/or straps to ensure the user can be supported, and where required restricted during the transfer process.

A feature of one embodiment of the invention is the shape of the transfer support pad, which is wedged shaped in form on the side that fits against the user in specific areas of contact with the user's torso to ensure an effective and comfortable fit against the user. This wedged shape form also ensures that as the transfer support pad carries over the gap between rotating sleep surface devices it has a natural tendency to remain in the optimum supportive position against the user. The opposite side of the transfer support pad (the leading edge during transfer) is chamfered on its bottom edge which also ensures the optimum comfort and support for the user during the transfer process and eliminates the risk of the bottom edge of the pad catching on belt flights or pad straps and buckles.

Any length, combination or number of transfer support pads can be placed around the user as dictated by their specific needs or personal preferences prior to, or during the transfer process as required.

Claims

1. An occupant transfer system comprising two beds or other sleep support structures arranged to be located side by side so that an occupant may be transferred from one bed to the other;

wherein the system further comprises a detachable support adapted to overly the support structures in use, the support comprising a body and a plurality of members extending upwardly from the support to provide a receptacle dimensioned to receive and support one or more of an occupants body parts;

wherein the body has a transverse dimension equal to or greater than a distance between top tangents of the adjacent rotatable ends.

2. An occupant transfer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotatable ends each include a roller around which a support structure may extend.

3. An occupant transfer system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the transverse dimension includes an additional distance equal to the distance between the rotatable ends in use.

4. An occupant transfer system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the receptacle is dimensioned to receive an occupant's arm, leg, head, hip or one or both feet or ankles.

5. An occupant transfer system as claimed in claim 4; wherein the receptacle is dimensioned to receive both of an occupant's head and one arm.

6. An occupant transfer system as claimed in any preceding claim; wherein the support is dimensioned to receive an occupant's arm and to engage the occupant's leg.

7. An occupant transfer system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support includes an elongate pad arranged to extend longitudinally of the support surface adjacent an occupant in use and including a wedge-shaped projection extending proximally towards the occupant in use.

8. An occupant transfer system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the wedge-shaped projection has a transverse dimension adjacent the support structure which is greater than a transverse dimension at an upper surface of the projection.

9. An occupant transfer system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the receptacle includes a socket dimensioned to receive and support an occupant's arm and/or hand.

10. An occupant transfer system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the socket includes a hand grip.

11. An occupant transfer system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the socket includes an actuator adapted to actuate a function of the system.

12. An occupant transfer system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support comprises an inflatable device.

13. An occupant transfer system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support includes a resilient strengthening or stiffening member.

14. A detachable support for an occupant transfer system as claimed in any preceding claim.

15. A kit comprising two beds or other sleep support structures and a plurality of differently dimensioned supports as claimed in any preceding claim.