GB2574366A - Vehicle transfer system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system 2 for assisting a user into and out of a vehicle. The system 2 can be installed in a car or other vehicle and comprises a transfer plate 40 and a supporting base 10. The base 10 is supported by a plurality of legs 20 and includes a clamping arrangement 50, 60 on an upper surface for engagement with a seat rail 74 of a vehicle. The legs 20 may be adjustable in length and modular. The base 10 may include a plate with a horizontal part that includes holes for attaching the legs 20. The clamping mechanism may include an anchor arm 50 and guide blocks 60, allowing the position and width of the engaged clamp to be varied. A kit of parts for assembling the system 2 is also disclosed.

Description

Title - Vehicle Transfer System

The present invention relates to a device for assisting a user into and out of a vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a system that can be installed in a car or a similar vehicle and provide a platform to assist users of limited mobility entering or exiting the vehicle.

Various systems for transferring users into and out of vehicles are known. In general, the systems find use with wheelchair users who are unable to move themselves into or out of a vehicle, or to users of restricted or limited mobility. Vehicle transfer plates or platforms provide a static platform to either bridge between the car seat (driver or passenger side) and a wheelchair, or to provide a platform extended out from the car seat to make it easier for the less able/mobile to lower themselves into the vehicle seat.

Often, mounting kits are provided which mount the transfer plate/system to the vehicle B-pillar or to the seat mounting points. This can require significant, and often permanent, modification of the vehicle body.

Because of variation in vehicle design, the kits are generally vehicle specific, at least at the level of a model line, and often need to be amended or redesigned to account for model changes over time. In addition, different kits are required for installation to the left-side and right-side seats of a vehicle. As such, a range of kits can be required to account for left/right install, each vehicle make and model, and each particular year.

As an alternative, some so called ‘universal’ kits are available. However, these generally require an installer or fitter to make the mounting fabrications and/or assemblies using stock material as well as using some standard parts provided by the manufacturer of the kit. The required modification to the vehicle is also generally greater, all of which leads to a more complex and costly installation, and potentially impacts on a vehicle’s re-sale value. Extensive modification can also impact on the safety of the vehicle seat, as approved by the manufacturer, which is clearly problematic.

A further drawback of known systems is that their design and mounting can interfere with the existing car seat adjustment. Folding or moving the transfer or tip plate to allow the vehicle door to close, or for normal vehicle use without the plate, can result in restricted access to the seat controls and/or obstruct actual movement of the seat.

It would clearly be beneficial, therefore, if a system existed which could provide a user with assistance in entering and/or exiting a vehicle, while minimising the required modifications to the vehicle.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a mechanism as defined in the appended claim 1. Further advantageous features are recited in the associated dependent claims.

In use, the transfer system is installed under a seat of a passenger vehicle, and is secured and/or braced against seat rails beneath the seat by the clamping mechanism.

Seat rails are present for all vehicle seats, and relying on this common feature to secure and stabilise the system makes it universally applicable. The necessary modification to the vehicle is also minimised by relying on a simple clamping arrangement with a seat rail.

The legs may be adjustable in length. For example, the legs may be modular and/or may be provided with threaded portions for length adjustment.

The base member may comprise a base plate with a generally horizontal part comprising a plurality of holes for fastening the legs to the base plate. The holes may also be suitable for attaching other elements to the base plate.

The number of holes provided in the generally horizontal part may be greater than the number of legs. This allows the legs to be attached to the base plate in a number of different positions.

The base plate may comprise an upstanding portion. The supporting base may further comprise a mounting plate fastened to the upstanding portion of the base plate.

The mounting plate may be fastened to the upstanding portion via holes provided in the mounting plate and the upstanding portion. The number of holes in the upstanding portion may exceed the number of holes provided in the mounting plate to allow the mounting plate to be fastened in a number of different positions.

The upstanding portion may be at an oblique angle to vertical. For example, the upstanding portion may be angled away from the generally horizontal part

The clamping mechanism may comprise a pair of clamping members received in slots provided in the generally horizontal part of base plate and extending from the upper surface of the upper surface of the base plate.

The height of the clamping members may be adjustable. For example, spacers may be provided for assembly with the clamping members

The supporting base may further comprise an anchoring arm attached to the generally horizontal part of the base plate. The anchoring arm can be used to provide an attachment or bracing point for engagement with a second seat rail. The anchoring arm may be adjustable in length, and/or may be attachable to the base plate using a selection of a plurality of holes provided in the base plate.

The transfer plate may be selectively engageable with the supporting base.

The transfer plate may comprise a biased locking arm for engagement with an engagement feature provided on the supporting base.

The locking arm may comprise a shaped protrusion and the engagement feature may comprise an aperture or opening in a part of the supporting base. The aperture, or other engagement feature, may be provided in/on the mounting plate.

A further aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts as defined in the appended claim 16. Further advantageous features are recited in the associated dependent claims.

The kit of parts includes, among other things, a base plate with a plurality of holes, a mounting plate, a plurality of feet provided in two or more different lengths, and a plurality of fixings for attaching the feet and mounting plate to the base plate. The position of the feet and the mounting plate on the base plate can be selected as required by selecting different holes or groups of holes. The height of the mounting plate can therefore be adjusted. The different lengths of legs also allow adjustment of the height of the base plate, to ensure that the clamping rails engage with a seat rail.

The kit may further comprise a plurality of leg extensions, provided in two or more different lengths. The kit may further comprise a plurality of foot extensions, provided in two or more different lengths. The foot and or leg extensions allow longer legs to be assembled, providing increasing height adjustment.

Each foot may comprise an externally threaded stem portion and each foot extension may comprise an internally threaded member and an externally threaded stud. Each leg extension may comprise an internally threaded member. The leg extensions may be attached to the threaded stem of the foot directly, or via one or more foot extension.

Two differently sized mounting plates are provided to provide more flexibility in the height of the assembled base plate and mounting plate.

The kit of may further comprise an anchoring arm and a plurality of fixings for attaching the anchoring arm to selected holes from the first plurality of holes. The anchoring arm may be adjustable in length.

The kit may further comprise a pair of spacers for assembly with the pair of clamping rails, to allow adjustment of the height of the clamping rails above the base plate. Two pairs of spacers may be provided, each pair of spacers having a different thickness.

Any of the optional features described in relation to any single aspect of the invention may be applied to any other aspect of the invention.

Practicable embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle transfer system according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the system of Figure 1 installed in a vehicle;

Figure 2A shows the system of Figure 2A with a transfer plate removed;

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the system of Figure 2A;

Figure 4 shows an end plan view of the system of Figure 2A;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the transfer plate of the vehicle transfer system shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer plate of Figure 5; and

Figures 7A to 7E show the components making up a kit of parts in accordance with the present invention.

A vehicle transfer system 2 according to the invention is indicated generally in Figure 1. The system 2 briefly comprises a generally ‘L’ shaped base plate 10 having a horizontal part 12 and an upstanding part 14. Three modular legs 20 are attached to the horizontal part 12 of the base plate 10 to support the system 2 clear of a surface in use. The height of each modular leg 20 can be varied as required, in part by a wing nut 204, and each leg 20 also comprises an articulated foot 202 at its lower end to help account for irregularities in said surface.

A mounting plate 30 is bolted to the upstanding part 14 of the base plate, and a removable transfer plate 40 is shown attached to the mounting plate 30. An anchor arm 50 is bolted to the horizontal part 12 of the base plate 10, at a side opposite to the upstanding portion 14, and extends away from the upstanding portion 14. It should be noted that the horizontal part 12 of the base plate 10 is provided with a number of circular holes 102, arranged in rows with the spacing between adjacent rows corresponding to the spacing of holes provided in the arm 50. The holes 102 thus provide a variety of possible fixing locations for the legs 20 and the arm 50. Similarly, the upstanding part 14 of the base plate 10 comprises a number of rows of square holes 104 spaced to correspond with similar square holes provided in the mounting plate 30 so that a variety of possible fixing locations for the mounting plate 30 are also provided.

The horizontal part 12 of the base plate 10 is also provided with six spaced parallel slots 106, aligned with the anchor arm 50, at the side of the horizontal part 12 of the base plate 10 nearest the upstanding part 14. Two rail guide blocks 60 are also provided, each one being restrained by three screws passing through alternate parallel slots 106 to slide along the length of the slots 106. Both rail guide blocks 60 are selectively fixable in position along the length of their respective slots 106 to together form a rail clamp. Since both blocks 60 can be independently moved, the position as well as the width of the engaged clamp is variable.

The anchor arm 50 comprises a hook 502 at a free end, remote from the base plate 10. The hook 502 is received within a shell forming the arm 50, and an adjustment mechanism 504 is provided, comprising bolts engageable with a number of mounting holes in the shell, so that the overall length of the arm 50, and thus the position of the hook 502 relative to the base plate 10, is variable.

Figure 2 shows the system 2 of Figure 1 installed within a recess 70 below the driver or front passenger seat 72 of a motor vehicle. The seat 72, seat rails 74, vehicle floor 76 and door sill 78 are shown in cross section.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the transfer plate 40 provides a platform 402 extending above and across the door sill 78 at a height approximately level with the top of the vehicle seat 72. In use, this platform 402 allows a user to slide across from a wheelchair or similar mobility aid and transfer themselves onto the seat 72 of the vehicle. The platform 402, extending outwards across the door sill 78, may also be advantageous for the less able to help them lower themselves into the vehicle seat 72.

It should also be understood that when the removable transfer plate 40 is detached, the remaining parts of the system are contained entirely inside the door sill 78 and B-pillar 80 of the vehicle so as not to impede the closing of the vehicle door. This can be seen more clearly in Figure 2A, which shows the system 2 with the removable transfer plate 40 detached from the mounting plate 30. The system 2 as shown in Figure 2A is aligned with Figure 2 above, and the position of the inner side 82 of the B-pillar 80 is marked in Figure 2A for clarity. The angle of the upstanding part 14 of the base plate 10 and the attached mounting plate 30 helps to provide ease of attachment of the transfer plate 40 and also allows the base plate 10 and mounting plate 30 to follow the shape of the side of the seat while still providing space for seat adjustment levers to pass.

The system is shown in Figure 2 with its feet 202 resting on the vehicle floor 76, and the base plate 10 spaced from the floor 76 by the legs 20. This allows the system to bridge over obstructions such as wiring looms and/or air ducts that may be situated under the vehicle seat 76. The rail guide blocks 60 are shown engaging and gripping the two sides of the outboard seat rail 74a, and the hook

502 is secured against the inside of the inboard seat rail 74b. The seat rails 74 therefore brace the system in place, avoiding the need for any permanent modification of the vehicle body to provide mounting/securing points. The inclusion of the anchoring arm 50 helps to secure and stabilise the system, particularly for higher loads, without the need for additional support legs to brace against the floor or door sill of a vehicle.

The various features discussed in relation to Figure 1, ie the adjustable height of the legs 20, the holes 102,104 and slots 106 in the base plate 10, and the adjustable length of the arm 50 allow full adjustability of the system so that it may be fitted to a variety of different vehicles.

In order to fit the system in a particular vehicle, the vehicle seat 72, seat rails 74 must be removed, and any carpet lifted from the floor 76 of the area below the seat 72. Three legs 20 are then selected and fixed to the horizontal part 12 of the base plate 10. The length of each leg 20 necessary to position the horizontal part 12 of the base plate 10 just below the seat rails 74 can be obtained through the selection of appropriate leg modules and/or through threaded adjustment. The position of the legs 20 on the base plate 10 can be selected so that the feet 202 do not interfere with any obstructions on the vehicle floor 76, and the length of the individual legs 20 can differ if required to ensure that the horizontal part 12 of the base plate 10 is level.

The feet 202 can then be affixed directly to the vehicle floor using a suitable adhesive, and the arm 50 and rail guide blocks 60 loosely secured to the base plate. The screws securing the rail guide blocks 60 within the slots 106, in particular, should not be tightened at this stage so that both rail guide blocks 60 are free to slide within the slots 106.

The seat 72 and seat rails 74 can then be re-attached, and the rail guide blocks 60 and hook 502 adjusted into engagement with the outboard seat rail 74a and the inboard seat rail 74b respectively and secured in position. The clockwise rotation of the system 2 that would otherwise result from a load pressing down on the platform 402 is resisted by this engagement.

A plan view of the device shown in Figure 2A, ie with the removable transfer plate 40 detached, is shown in Figure 3. The locations of the circular holes 102 and the slots 106 in the base plate 10 are more clearly visible in this view. The circular holes 102 allow for adjustment/selection of the position of the legs 20, and also provide a plurality of options for attaching the arm 50. This allows adjustment of the position of the arm in the longitudinal direction 506,508 with respect to the vehicle, to avoid obstructions that may be present under the seat 72. A degree of adjustment in the lateral direction 510,512 is also provided by the circular holes, in addition to the adjustment of the hook 502 position inboard 510 or outboard 512 provided by the adjustment mechanism 504.

Figure 4 shows an end view of the same device. The mounting plate 30 is attached to the base plate 10 using four coach bolts 302 passing through selected square holes 104 in the upstanding part 14 of the base plate 10 and secured by Nylok (RTM) nuts 304 (See Figure 3) on the opposite side. It should be clear from Figure 4 that adjustment can be made to the mounting plate’s position both longitudinally 306,308 and vertically 310,312 with respect to the vehicle in which it is mounted. The mounting plate 30 also comprises a letterbox opening 314 to engage a locking mechanism provided on the transfer plate 40.

The construction of the modular legs 20 can also be seen in Figure 4. Each leg 20, as shown, comprises a leg extension 206 and a foot extension 208 assembled together on a threaded stem (not shown) extending from the articulated foot 202. By providing a selection of leg extensions 206 and foot extensions 208 in various lengths, different combinations can be used to achieve a range of different total leg heights, as described in more detail later. Fine adjustment is possible because of the thread, and the wing nut 204 can be adjusted along the threaded stem to set the correct height for each leg.

This fine adjustment remains possible after the seat 72 and seat rails 74 are back in position during installation, to ensure that the rail guide blocks 60 engage a seat rail 74 reliably, and to adjust the height or applied pressure after install and check if required. It should also be noted that the heads of the rail screws 602 securing the rail guide blocks 60 in the slots are accessible from below the base plate 10, so that the seat 72 does not obstruct access to the rail screws 602 for tightening or adjustment. The other ends of the rail screws 602 are received directly in threaded holes in the rail guide blocks 60. The position of the rail guide blocks 60 can thus be adjusted and set from beneath the base plate 10 once the vehicle seat 72 is back in position.

The heads of the screws 514 securing the arm 50 to the base plate 10 are also accessible from below, so that adjustments to the of the position of the arm 50 can also be made, if required, after the seat is in place.

The adjustment described in relation to Figures 3 and 4 helps to allow flexible positioning of the mounting plate 30 relative to the seat, even when specific foot 102 and anchoring arm 50 positions are necessary to avoid obstructions. The height of letterbox slot 314 is adjustable to match the height of the platform 402 and the top of a seat 72, and the longitudinal position is also adjustable for ease of use and to avoid or minimise obstruction of the seat controls. The relatively compact mounting plate 30 also helps to minimise the chance that the system will prevent access to the controls or generally impede seat movement when the transfer plate 40 is removed.

Figure 5 shows the transfer plate 40 from the underside of the platform 402. The platform 402 is bolted to a supporting frame 404 which also supports a locking mechanism for selectively securing the transfer plate 40 to the mounting plate 30 during use. The locking mechanism comprises a locking arm 406 mounted at a pair of pivot points 408 to the frame 404. A pair of springs 410 connected between the locking arm and the frame 404 provide a biasing force to urge the locking arm 406 towards the position shown in Figure 5.

A pair of teeth 412 are provided on a first end of the locking arm 406, and project through generally rectangular openings 414 provided in the frame 404. In use, the teeth 412 engage with the letterbox opening 314 provided in the mounting plate 30 to provide a secure connection between the mounting plate 30 and the transfer plate 40.

A cross section through the transfer plate 40 is shown in Figure 6. The side of the locking arm 406 is clearly visible, along with one of the springs 410. The cross section passes through a pair of spaced apart parallel plates 416,418, which comprise the openings 414 shown in Figure 5. The first of the parallel plates 416 is the larger of the two, and comprises mountings for the pivot point 408 and the springs 410. The second parallel plate 418 is smaller, and is located alongside the lower part of the first parallel plate 416. The gap 420 provided between the parallel plates 416,418 accommodates the mounting plate 30 when the transfer plate 40 is connected to the remainder of the system 2.

When the transfer plate 40 is assembled onto the mounting plate 30 in the direction of arrow 422, the edge of the transfer plate engages with the sloped edge 424 of the teeth 412 of the locking arm 406. Continued movement in the direction of arrow 422 biases the locking arm to rotate clockwise about the pivot points 408 against the force of the springs 410, until the teeth 412 engage with the letterbox opening 314. The locking arm 406 then rotates back to the position shown under the influence of the springs 410 to lock the transfer plate 40 to the mounting plate

30. In order to remove the transfer plate 40, moving in the direction opposite to arrow 422, the locking arm 406 must first be rotated clockwise to disengage the teeth 412 from the letterbox opening 314 in the mounting plate 30. A lever 426 is provided at the opposite end of the locking arm 406 from the teeth 412 to allow a user to bias the locking arm 406 against the springs 410 when required.

It is the intended to provide the system described above as a kit of parts to provide a universal system to installers for use in a wide variety of vehicles. The components making up such a kit are illustrated in Figures 7A to 7E.

Figure 7A shows the base plate 10 and transfer plate 40, along with two differently sized mounting plates 30A,30B. The larger mounting plate 30A is 30mm taller than the smaller mounting plate 30B, to allow greater variation in the height of the letterbox opening 314 above the base plate 10 than would otherwise be possible using the square holes 104 in the base plate, providing greater flexibility to match particular vehicle seat heights and packaging constraints.

Aside from the height difference, both mounting plates 30A,30B are essentially similar, and both attach to the base plate 10 in the same way, using four M6x25mm coach bolts 302 and four type P M6 Nylok (RTM) nuts 304.

Figure 7B shows the various components of the modular legs 20. Six articulated feet 202 are provided in total, three each of two different lengths. The shorter foot 202A has a 40mm M10 threaded stem 210A, and the longer foot 202B has a 60mm M10 threaded stem 210B. 52mm diameter anti-slip feet are provided on both the longer and shorter feet 202A, 202B. Three wing nuts 204 are also provided.

A total of nine leg extensions 206 are included, providing a choice of three different lengths for use with each foot. The short leg extension 206A has a length of 35mm, the medium 206B has a length of 52.5mm, and the long leg extension 206C has a length of 70mm. Each leg extension 206 is internally threaded to match the external thread on the stem of each foot 202. The leg extensions 206 also help to overcome the potential fatigue problems of having too long a length of threaded stem 210A,210B exposed.

If greater height is required, foot extensions 208 can also be included in the modular legs 20 to increase their length. Two different lengths of foot extension 208 are provided, giving six foot extensions 208 in total. The shorter foot extension 208A comprises a medium hex of 52.5mm length with a threaded stud 212 at one end, and the longer foot extension 208B comprises a long, 70mm, hex again with a threaded stud 212 at one end. The foot extension 208 is inserted between the foot 202 and a leg extension 206, with the hex engaged with the threaded stem of the foot 202 and the stud 212 providing a further threaded connection to the leg extension 206. The foot extension 208 and leg extension 206 therefore combine to provide a long extension with internal threads top and bottom.

It should be understood that by selecting one or more of the different feet 202A,202B and foot and leg extensions 206A,206B,206C,208A,208B, a variety of different leg lengths can be created/assembled as desired. A foot 202 can be used alone, with just a leg extension 206, or with one or both foot extensions 208 and a leg extension to give a range of overall lengths for the modular legs 20 from around 26mm to around 200mm.

The upper ends of the assembled legs 20, will terminate with an internal thread within a leg extension 206. The kit is provided with a set of three M10x20 socket head cap screws 216 for securing the legs 20 to the base plate 10. Three M10 hex nuts 214 are also provided for locking the feet 202 after they are extended to the correct length.

Figure 7C shows the anchoring arm 50 and two associated M10x30L hex head screws 514 for securing the arm 50 to selected circular holes 102 provided in the base plate 10.

Figure 7D shows the components of the clamping arrangement. A pair of rail guide blocks 60 is shown, along with a selection of rail screws 602 for engagement with the slots 106 in the base plate 10. Two pairs of rail guide packers 604,606 are also provided. The rail guide packers 604,606 have a corresponding shape, in plan, to the rail guide blocks 60, and have thicknesses of 5mm and 10mm respectively. In use, the rail guide packers 604,606 allow the height of the rail guide blocks 60 above the base plate 10 to be adjusted, effectively altering the spacing between the base plate 10 and the bottom of the seat 72. This in turn serves to alter the height of the letterbox opening 314 relative to the top of the seat 72 by 5, 10 or 15mm. In combination with the different height transfer plates 30A,

30B and the 15mm pitch of the square holes 104 in the base plate 10, this provides a total of 60mm vertical adjustment for the transfer plate 40.

The rail guide packers 604,606 also allow the system to provide staggered heights between the guide blocks 60 if the seat rail shape requires.

To account for the different possible thicknesses of the combination of rail guide blocks 60 and rail guide packers 604,606, three different lengths of rail screws 602 are provided. Specifically, six each of M6x20L hex head screws 602A, M6x25L hex head screws 602B, and M6x30L hex head screws 602C are provided. Each rail guide block 60 is provided with three threaded holes 608 to receive the rail screws 602, and each rail guide packer 604,606 is provided with three corresponding through holes 610.

Various other fittings for the assembly of the system are shown in Figure 7E. Three further M10 hex nuts 214 are provided, along with eight M10 washers 218, two M10 single coil split washers 220, ten M6 washers 612 and six M6 single coil split washers 614.

The invention provides a compact universal system for providing assisted access to a vehicle. The system can be readily installed in a large variety of vehicles with minimal modification to the vehicle itself.

The illustrated embodiment shows the system installed under the left front seat of a vehicle, but it should be appreciated that it could equally be installed under the right front seat of a vehicle.

In the illustrated embodiment the system is secured using a combination of a clamp arrangement positioned to engage the outboard rail of a vehicle seat and an anchor arm extending underneath the seat and hooking onto the inboard seat rail. However, it may be sufficient to rely on only one of these securing components, for example the clamp arrangement, in some circumstances.

Various other modifications, for example to the specific materials or adjustment mechanisms described, would also be apparent to a skilled reader. As such, it is emphasised that the forgoing description is provided by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection as defined with reference to the appended claims.

Claims (25)

Claims:

1. A transfer system for assisting a user into a passenger vehicle, the transfer system comprising:

a transfer plate; and a supporting base comprising a base member supported by a plurality of legs and a clamping mechanism on an upper surface for engagement with the seat rail of a vehicle.

2. A transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the legs are adjustable in length.

3. A transfer system according to claim 2, wherein the legs are modular.

4. A transfer system according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member comprises a base plate with a generally horizontal part comprising a plurality of holes for fastening the legs to the base plate.

5. A transfer system according to claim 4, wherein the number of holes provided in the generally horizontal part is greater than the number of legs.

6. A transfer system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the base plate comprises an upstanding portion.

7. A transfer system according to claim 6, wherein the supporting base further comprises a mounting plate fastened to the upstanding portion of the base plate.

8. A transfer system according to claim 7, wherein the mounting plate is fastened to the upstanding portion via holes provided in the mounting plate and the upstanding portion.

9. A transfer system according to claim 8, wherein the number of holes in the upstanding portion exceeds the number of holes provided in the mounting plate.

10. A transfer system according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the upstanding portion is at an oblique angle to vertical.

11. A transfer system according to any of claims 4 to 10, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a pair of clamping members received in slots provided in the generally horizontal part of base plate and extending from the upper surface of the upper surface of the base plate.

12. A transfer system according to claim 11, wherein the height of the clamping members is adjustable.

13. A transfer system according to any of claims 4 to 10, wherein the supporting base further comprises an anchoring arm attached to the generally horizontal part of the base plate.

13. A transfer system according to any preceding claim, wherein the transfer plate is selectively engageable with the supporting base.

14. A transfer system according to claim 13, wherein the transfer plate comprises a biased locking arm for engagement with an engagement feature provided on the supporting base.

15. A transfer system according to claim 14, wherein the locking arm comprises a shaped protrusion and the engagement feature comprises an aperture or opening in a part of the supporting base.

16. A kit of parts for a transfer system, the kit comprising:

a base plate comprising a generally horizontal part and an upstanding part, wherein a first plurality of holes are provided in the upstanding part and a second plurality of holes and a plurality of slots are provided in the generally horizontal part a plurality of feet provided in two or more different lengths;

a pair of clamping rails;

a mounting plate;

a plurality of fixings for attaching the mounting plate to selected holes from the first plurality of holes, for attaching selected feet to selected holes from the second plurality of holes, and for retaining the clamping rails in the slots in the mounting plate; and a transfer plate having a locking mechanism for selective engagement with the mounting plate.

17. A kit of parts according to claim 16, further comprising a plurality of leg extensions, provided in two or more different lengths.

18. A kit of parts according to claim 17, further comprising a plurality of foot extensions, provided in two or more different lengths.

19. A kit of parts according to claim 18, wherein each foot comprises an externally threaded stem portion and each foot extension comprises an internally threaded member and an externally threaded stud.

20. A kit of parts according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein each foot comprises an externally threaded stem portion and each leg extension comprises an internally threaded member.

21. A kit of parts according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein two differently sized mounting plates are provided.

22. A kit of parts according to any of claims 16 to 21, further comprising an anchoring arm and a plurality of fixings for attaching the anchoring arm to selected holes from the first plurality of holes.

23. A kit of parts according to claim 22, wherein the anchoring arm is adjustable in length.

24. A kit of parts according to any of claims 16 to 23, further comprising a pair of spacers for assembly with the pair of clamping rails.

25. A kit of parts according to claim 24, wherein two pairs of spacers are provided, each pair of spacers having a different thickness.