GB2526097A

GB2526097A - Transfer aid device for a wheelchair

Info

Publication number: GB2526097A
Application number: GB1408446.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Haider Jabur Daikh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-05-13
Filing date: 2014-05-13
Publication date: 2015-11-18
Also published as: GB201408446D0

Abstract

Apparatus to assist with the lateral transfer of a patient from a wheelchair comprising a seat portion 1 with casters disposed at each corner, a first base portion 7 for mounting on a wheelchair seat which has a pair of parallel channels for retaining and guiding the casters of the seat portion 1 and an intermediate portion 21 comprising a pair of elongate channels to receive the castors of the seat portion 1 which is arranged so that its channels can engage with those in the base portion 7. There may be a second base portion 7a and both base portions may have channels which are perpendicular to each other. The intermediate support 21 may be height adjustable and the second base portion 7a may have a backrest and armrests.

Description

W\NSER AID DEVICE FOR A WIIEELCIIMR [his invention relates to a conveyance apparatus, for example a transfer aid mechanism which is used for transferring a patient from a wheelchair into a vehicle or another seat.

Means for assisting persons to transfer into and out of a wheelchair are well known.

The most commonly used and simplest is a rigid board, one end of which is inserted underneath the person sitting in the wheelchair and the other end of which is rested on the chair or surface (eg a bed) to which the person is to be moved, [he person is then slid along the board from wheelchair to the new location. Whilst simple and cheap, such boards are useful in only limited situations. Self-propelled wheelchairs have large wheels which prevent egress from the side of the chair: use of such aboard to exit from the front of the chair can more difficult. it is necessary for the wheelchair to be very close to the final intended location of the wheelchair user, so that the board can reach. Finally, in some cases it can require significant physical effort on the part of an assistant to manoeuvre the board into position and then to push the wheelchair user along the hoard.

JP 2002/2241 64A discloses an apparatus enabling transfer of a person from a hospital chair (mounted on casters) into a vehicle. The chair is adapted to contain a seat portion slidahly mounted on a rail extending transversely across the chair. A collapsible side arm enables fttrther rail portions to be attached, the other end of which are secured to a removable plate laid on the car seat. f he movable seat portion, with the occupier still seated upon it, can then be slid over the side of the chair, along the rail and onto the ear seat. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that it requires a specially adapted chair, and would not work with conventional wheelchairs where the large wheels prevent side egress. As with the transfer hoard, it requires the chair to he positioned very close to the final intended location of the user.

We have devised an apparatus which enables a wheelchair user to be transferred quickly and without effort either to a final intended location, or to a temporary location which can be taken to the final location.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention provides a conveyance apparatus for a wheelchair user, comprising: a seat portion movable on casters disposed at each corner; a first base portion for mounting on a wheelchair seat, having a pair of parallel channels for retaining and guiding the casters of the seat portion located adjacent opposing edges of the base portion; and an intermediate section comprising a pair of parallel elongate channels adapted to receive the casters of the seat portion, and to be removably engageable with corresponding channels on the base portion.

Optionally, the conveyance apparatus further comprises a second base portion, having a pair of parallel channels for retaining and guiding the casters of the seat portion located adjacent to opposing edges, which second base portion is mounted on a movable base.

The channels of both base portions are open at both ends so as to permit the casters of the seat portion to run off either end of the channel.

It is preferred that one or both base portions has two pairs of channels for retaining and guiding the casters of the seat portion, the pairs being perpendicular to one another so as to defIne two perpendicular pathways for the casters of the seat portion.

The conveyance apparatus may optionally additionally comprise a footrest attached to one side of one or both base portions. The footrest may he removable, such that a single footrest may he attached to whichever base portion is in use, The footrest and base portions may he adapted so that the footrest can be attached to any side of either base portion.

The channels in the base portions may be in the form of grooves set into the base portions. Alternatively opposing channels may each comprise a single flange which retains the casters on the base portion. It is preferred however that each channel is defined by a pair of parallel rails upstanding from the base portion. When there are two sets of perpendicular channels, the flanges or rails from which they are formed are arranged at the intersection of the channels so as to permit movement of the casters in both perpendicular directions.

Preferably means are provided for locking or securing the seat portion in place on either base portion.

The seat portion and first base portion are dimensioned so as to fit into a typical seat.

They are preferably square or rectangular in shape, although this is not essential. The first base portion is preferably removably mounted on the wheelchair seat. In one embodiment it is removably mounted on the wheelchair as a replacement for the wheelchair seat, such that when it is removed tile wheelchair contains a void where the seat would normally be located.

In a further alternative it may be secured to the wheelchair so as to form the permanent seat of the chair, and a duplicate first base portion may be utilised where required in other locations.

In use, the first base portion is located on the seat of the wheelchair, with the seat portion secured in place upon it. The user sits on the seat portion. To move the user, the intermediate section on its support is brought alongside the wheelchair, and its two channels are engaged with the outwardly titcing pair of channels on the first base portion. The seat portion is then unsecured, and with the user still on it is rolled off the channels in the first base portion and onto the channels of the intermediate section. Once the seat is fully on the intermediate section, the wheelchair may be removed.

The intermediate section is capable of bearing the weight of the seat portion and also a person sitting on the seat portion. Preferably therefore it is mounted on a load-bearing support. However it is within the scope of the invention for the channels of the intermediate section to extend directly between two locations without the need for any support, and for them to be capable of supporting the weight of the seat portion plus a user sitting on it.

The intermediate section is preferably arranged such that even when mounted on its support there is no obstruction within the pathway defined by the pair of parallel channels, either at the level of the channels or below them. This is to ensure that when the seat portion sits or moves on the intermediate section, the user's legs are not obstructed. Preferably the channels extend beyond the support in at least one direction, thereby allowing easier engagement with the seat portion. They may also be detachable from any support. Thus different designs of channels, for example having different lengths, or being straight or curved, may optionally be used with the support. The height of the channels on the support may also be adjustable. The support and thus the intermediate section when mounted on it may also be movable. By "movable" in the present application is meant that an item such as the support of the intermediate section or the second base portion can easily be moved when carrying the weight of a user: generally this is accomplished by mounting the item on wheels or casters.

The channels of the intermediate section are preferably each in the form of an elongate U-shaped section, although other arrangements such as an elongate rectangular section containing a longitudinal groove or recess are possible. Thc channels may have stops at one or both ends to prevent the base portion rolling off the end: these are preferably removable at one or both ends.

As stated above, the height of the channels on the support may be adjustable. This is accomplished either by adjusting the height of the support, or by changing the location of the channels on the support. Additionally, the channels may themselves may comprise means for varying their horizontal or vertical orientation over their length. In respect of horizontal orientation the pair of channels may he curved over part or all of their length. Alternatively they may comprise straight sections joined by bends. Regarding vertical orientation, the pair of channels may be shaped such that the height of the channels varies along their length.

Additionally or alternatively the pair of channels may comprise rigid sections joined by flexible or hinged portions.

In one embodiment, the intermediate portion may comprise an additional pair or pairs of channels. The additional pair or pairs of channels may be removably engageahie with the first pair. l'his may permit the total length of the channel along which the base portions pass to he increased, or to change in direction. Optionally any additional pair of channels may he capable of intersection with the first pair or another pair, by which is meant that it may connect with the other pair of channels partway along its length rather than at the end. In such an embodiment the channels arc adapted to permit passage of the wheels of a base portion in any direction at the point of intersection, for example by providing gaps in the side walls of the channels at the point of intersection.

In all embodiments of the invention, to move the user to the new location the intennediale section is either moved to the new location (if it is movable), or the new location such as a vehicle or a chair is brought alongside the intermediate section. The first base portion from the wheelchair is moved to the new location, such as a seat inside the vehicle, and the pair of channels of the intermediate section is engaged with the facing pair of channels on the first base portion. The seat portion is then rolled along the channels and into position on the first base portion.

A significant advantage of the apparatus of the invention is that it allows the user to he moved to a seating location away from the \vheelchair, and then to be moved back onto the wheelchair, without the user at any time being reqmred to get off the seat on which they are sitting, because the user remains seated on the seat portion of the apparatus at all times. This gives much greater freedom of movement to users who have difficulty moving from a wheelchair, and who would otherwise only be able to sit in locations (vehicles, trains, planes) which are specially adapted to receive a wheelchair itself.

Another advantage of the apparatus of the invention is that it does not require any adaption of the wheelchair, nor of any other seat. The first base portion, with the seat portion sitting on it, may be place on any level scat.

If the user is moved from a self-propelled wheelchair (having large wheels), he is likely to he removed from the wheelchair facing forwards such that his legs are between the channels of the intermediate section on which the seat portion mns. If he is moved to another chair, the seat portion can simply be rolled backwards along the channels and onto the first base portion positioned on the other chair. However if the new location is a vehicle scat, it would usually be preferable for the user to be moved sideways into the seat, ie with his legs hanging over one of the channels. This may be accompished for more mobile users by the user swinging himself around 90° whilst the seat is located on the intermediate section, such that he then moves sideways along the channels into position on the first base portion inside the vehicle. However if this is not possible or preferred, an embodiment of the optional second base portion of the invention, having two pairs of channels, may be employed.

Instead of being moved from the intermediate section directly to the new location, the scat portion carrying the user may instead be moved to the second base portion, by first engaging the channels of the intermediate section with one of the pairs of channels on the second base portion and then rolling the seat portion over. Because the second base portion has two pairs of perpendicular channels, it is possible to move the seat portion oil the second base portion in two perpendicular directions, ie with the user's legs either facing forwards or facing sideways. This is particular useful when moving to a vehicle seat, as described above.

The height of the second base portion is preferably adjustable. It may also have additional features such as a back support and/or amirests for the comfort of the user when being moved on it. Any annrests are retractable or removable so that they do not hinder movement of the scat portion.

Specific embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig 1 is a perspectivc view of the seat portion and the first base portioiz Fig 2 is a perspective view of the channels of the intermediate section; FigS is a perspective view of the second base portion; Fig 4 is a perspective view of a number of aspects of the invention.

Referring to Fig 1, the seat portion 1 comprises a flat board 3 supported on a set of four casters 5 located at each corner. The board 3 may contain a surface covering such as a cushion. The first base portion? comprises another flat board 9 on which are located two pairs of parallel channels 1 la, 1 lb and I 3a, l3b each formed by respective pairs of upstanding parallel rails, labelled 15 for channel 1 Ia and 17 for channel iSa. In use, the seat portion 1 sits centrally located on the base portion 7, such that its casters can move along either channels 1 hill lb or I 3a/13b in either direction. Thus the seat portion I can be moved off the base portion in any one of four perpendicular directions. It should be noted that rails and 17 stop short of the corner of the board 9, such that the casters are able to move off tFe board in a direction perpendicular to the rails. The scat portion 1 and/or the base portion 7 have means for locking or securing the seat portion in place on the base portion; these are not shown.

Fig 2 shows the two channels I 9a, 19h of the intermediate section 21. In this diagram the support for the channeLs 19a, I 9h is shown diagramatically in the form of legs 22 for simplicity: however the support may be constructed in any form which allows the intermediate section to be self-supporting, and also which will provide stability and support to the weight of the seat portion and the user sitting upon it. As previously stated, it is also preferred that the support does not contain any obstruction between the two channels 19a.

I 9b, such that movement of the user whose legs hang between the channels, both between the channels and oil either end thereof, is not obstructed. Fig 2 also shows engagement means 23a, 23h which permit the channels 19a. 19b to be connected to an opposing pafr of channels on the first base portion. ln the configuration shown, engagement means 23a, 23h comprise rails 25 which can slide alongside the outer surfaces of rails 15 of the first base portion, and he secured in position by pins inserted in holes 27. The far ends of the channels 19a, 19b possess vertical barriers 29a, 29b for preventing the base portion rolling off the end of the channels, These are usually removable to permit connection of the other ends of the channels to eg the second base portion.

In use. the wheelchair user is sitting on seat portion 1 which is secured in position on the first base portion 7. Engagement means 23a, 23h on the intermediate section 21 are connected to the parallel rails 1 5 forming the two outwardly facing channels of base portion 7. Thus a pair of continuous channels is formed from the base portion to the intermediate section. Assuming that that user is to he removed from the front of the wheelchair rather than from the side, at this point the user's legs are hanging between the channels. In wheelchairs with small wheels and retractable side arms, such those commonly used in hospitals, it is possible for the engagement means 23a, 23b to he connected to the perpendicular set of parallel rails 17. In this configuration, the user's legs are hanging over the side of one of the extended channels now formed, l'he seat portion 1 is then unlocked from its secured position and rolled along the extended channels until the seat portion is sitting in the centre of the supported intermediate section. The engagement means 23a, 23h may then be disengaged from the respective channels on the base portion 7 and the wheelchair removed. The base portion may then be taken off the wheelchair and placed in the new location where the user is to be moved. If the intermediate section is movable, eg mounted on casters, in some circumstances it may be possible at this point simply to move the intermediate section carrying the user alongside the base portion in its new location, and then to repeat the procedure described above in reverse.

Fig 3 shows the second base portion 31 The upper part of this is essentially identical to the first base portion 7. It comprises a flat hoard 33 on which are located two pairs of parallel channels 35a. 35b and 37a, 37h each formed by respective pairs of upstanding parallel rails, labelled 39 for channel 35a and 41 for channel 37a. The lower part in this configuration is based on the design of a conventional office chair. It comprises a central pillar 43 whose height can be adjusted, and a base section 45 bearing a set of swivel wheels 47, such that it can he moved in any direction. A user can he moved from the intermediate section 21 onto the second base portion 31 in the same way as described above; the ends of the channels 19a.

I 9h on the intermediate section which are at the back of the user seated on the intermediate section are connected to one pair of channels on the second base portion 3, and then the seat portion I is rolled backwards onto the second base portion, after which the intermediate section is detached. The second base portion carrying the user can he then moved where desired. [fit is desired to move the uscr to the new location sideways, for example if moving into a vehicle, this can he accomplished again using the intermediate section 21 attached to the set of channels on the second base portion which arc perpendicular to those previously used. The height of both the second base portion and the intermediate section can be adjusted to match the height of the first base portion relocated to the vehicle seat. The procedure described above is then repeated.

Fig 4 shows a number of different aspects of the invention in use together. A wheelchair 2 contains a first base portion 7, iich in this case is shown replacing the usual wheelchair seat, although it could equally be resting on the wheelchair seat, The base portion is connected to the two channels I9a, 19h on intermediate portion 21, which is shown here mounted on legs 22. The seat portion I has been moved off the base portion 7 and sits on the channels of the intermediate portion 21, held by vertical barriers 29a, 29h at the ends of the chaimels. In this embodiment the seat portion is carrying a detachable footrest 24.

ln the embodiment shown in Fig 4, the intermediate portion 21 comprises a second pair of channels 24a, 24h which intersect the first pair of channels 19a, 19h at right angles.At the points of intersection of the two pairs of channels the side walls of the channels are cut away to allow movement of the wheels of the seat portion in any direction. The other ends of the channels 24a. 24h rest on a car seat 50. here they are shown attached to a further first base portion 7a. Thus two base portions are shown in this illustration: either the first base portion 7 a may be removed from the wheelchair afier use and placed on the ca.r scat 50, or a duplicate first base portion may be used on the car seat, allowing the first base portion 7 to remain in place on the wheelchair. This is particularly useful if the first base portion 7 is a permanent replacement for the seat of the wheelchair. The second pair of chamiets 24a, 24b are shown with hinged portions 28a, 28h. 28c. 28d which connect a series of rigid portions. This permits variation in height of the channels 24 along their length..

the embodiment of Fig 4 is operated by moving the seat portion 1 carrying the wheelchair user from the wheelchair 2 onto the intermediate portion 21, to which the second pair of channels 24a. 24h have already been attached. Once located exactly over the point of intersection of the two sets of channels 19,24 the seat portion can he pushed along the channels 24: the casters S rotate to engage the channels 24a. 24h. the seat portion is then moved into position on the base portion 7a which sits on the car seat 50.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Conveyance apparatus for a wheelchair user, comprising: a seat portion movable on casters disposed at each corner; a first base portion for mounting on a wheelchair seat, having a pair of parallel channels for retaining and guiding the casters of the seat portion located adjacent opposing edges of the base portion; and an intermediate section comprising a pair of parallel elongate channels adapted to receive the casters of the seat portion, and to be removably engageable with corresponding channels on the base portion.
2. Conveyance apparatus according to claim 1, farther comprising a second base portion having a pair of parallel channels for retaining and guiding the casters of the seat portion located adjacent opposing edges, which second base portion is mounted on a movable base.
3. Conveyance apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or both of the first and second base portions has two pairs of channels for retaining and guiding the casters of the scat portion, the pairs being perpendicular to one another so as to define two perpendicular pathways for the casters of the seat portion.
4. Conveyance apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each channel of the first and second base portions is defined by a pair of parallel rails upstanding from the base portions and in the case where there arc two sets of perpendicular channels on a base portion, the rails from which they are formed are arranged at the intersection of the channels so as to permit movement of the casters of the seat portion in both perpendicular directions.
5. Conveyance apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermediate section is mounted on a load-bearing support.
6. Conveyance apparatus according to claimS, wherein the intermediate section is mounted on the load-bearing support such that its channels extend beyond the support in at least one direction.
7. Conveyance apparatus according to claim 5 cr6, wherein the intermediate section is detachable from the support.
8. Conveyance apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the height of the intermediate section on the support is adjustable.
9. Conveyance apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the support is movable.
10. Conveyance apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermediate section and the support if present are arranged such that there is no obstruction within the pathway defined by the pair of parallel channels, either at the level of the channels or below them.
ii. Conveyance apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the second base portion has a back support upstanding from one side, and/or removable or retractable armrests on opposing sides.
12. Conveyance apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermcdiate portion comprises a further pair of channels removably cngagcablc with the first pair of channels.
13. Conveyance apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the channels of the intermediate portion can be adjusted in height along part of all of their length.