GB2623314A

GB2623314A - Lateral transfer board

Info

Publication number: GB2623314A
Application number: GB2214924.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Llewellyn Rhys; John Ashmore Benjamin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-10-10
Filing date: 2022-10-10
Publication date: 2024-04-17
Also published as: GB202214924D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a lateral transfer board 30 comprising a plurality of elongated rollers 32 rotatably mounted about their axis and parallel to one another onto a frame 36 and a track (FIG. 4, 42) around the rollers 32. The lateral transfer board 30 may be used for transferring objects or patients between two surfaces. The lateral transfer board may comprise a padded layer consisting of foam. The frame may be constructed from aluminium, and the rollers may comprise aluminium or a plastic material. The board may also have an outer layer comprising of an artificial leather leathercloth such as Rexine.

Description

Lateral Transfer Board

Field

Example embodiments describe a lateral transfer boards, in particular but not exclusively 5 lateral transfer boards for patients.

Background

Hospitals are often required to transfer patients from one surface to another. For example a patient may need to be transferred from one bed onto another bed, a bed to a trolley or a 10 trolley to a surgical table. Typically this is achieved using a lateral transfer board. There remains a need for improvements in this field.

Summary

The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is set out by the 15 independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpretered as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

According to a first aspect, this specification describes a lateral transfer board comprising; a 20 plurality of elongated rollers rotatably mounted about their axis and parallel to one another onto a frame and a track around the rollers.

In some example embodiments, there are substantially no gaps between the rollers. 25 In some example embodiments, there are at least 6 rollers. In some example embodiments, there are at least 15 rollers.

The rollers may comprise a metal. The rollers may comprise aluminium or steel. In other 30 embodiments, the rollers comprise a plastic material.

The frame may comprise a metal. The frame may comprise aluminium or steel. In other embodiments, the frame may comprise a plastic material.

The lateral transfer board may further comprise a padding layer.

The padding layer may comprise a foam.

The lateral transfer board may further comprising an outer layer.

In some embodiments, the outer layer is an artificial leather leathercloth. In some embodiments the leathercloth is Rexineg In some embodiments, the outer layer is replaceable.

Brief description of the drawings

Example embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the following schematic diagrams, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a lateral transfer board in accordance with an example 15 embodiment; FIG. 2 illustrates in perspective view an example of a lateral transfer board in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 3a illustrates in perspective view an example of a lateral transfer board in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 3b illustrates in perspective view an example of a frame for a lateral transfer board in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 3c illustrates in perspective view an example of part of a frame for a lateral transfer board in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 4 illustrates in perspective view an example of a lateral transfer board in accordance 25 with an example embodiment; FIG. 5 illustrates in cross section view an example of a lateral transfer board in accordance with an example embodiment; FIG. 6 illustrates in cross section view an example of a lateral transfer board in accordance with an example embodiment.

Detailed description

The current state of patient transfer in a hospital setting is outdated, strenuous and injury prone. Currently a basic flat board is used for this purpose which can be painful and uncomfortable or the patient. Furthermore, the hospital staff may also suffer injuries during the procedure, with hospital patients potentially being + i5okg.

FIG. 1 illustrates a lateral transfer board ro of the prior art. The board 10 aids in the safe transfer of a patient from one surface to another without the need for lifting. The board 10 comprises a slip-resistant base 12, as well as a smooth top surface 14 over which the patient can be moved without lifting them. It has slots 16 around the edge of the board ro for easy handling and a smooth surface. Typically, the board ro may be used in conjunction with a Transfer Sheet to help maintain proper alignment and posture.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a roller board 20. The roller board 20 comprises 5 elongated rollers 22 rotatably mounted about their longitudinal/axial axis onto a frame 24 such that the rollers 22 are parallel to one another. The rollers 22 are mounted in a plane thus the top surface of the board 20 forms a substantially flat surface for supporting a person or object. In some embodiments, the frame 24 comprises two arms 26. The rollers 22 are rotatably mounted at either end between the arms 26 such that the rollers 22 extend between, and are orthogonal to, the arms 26. The rollers 22 are spaced apart from (i.e. separated from) one another by a gap; the gap being about the diameter of a single roller. In some embodiments, the frame 24 further comprises one or more support bars 28 extending between the arms 26 to provide additional rigidity to the frame 24. The support bars 28 are parallel to the rollers 22 and located between the rollers 22. The outer diameter of each roller 32 is 32mm, the inner diameter of each roller 32 is 28mm; thus the thickness of each roller 32 is 2MM. The length of the each roller 32 is 1524mm.

FIG. 3a illustrates an example embodiment of a roller board 30. The roller board 30 comprises 15 elongated rollers 32 rotatably mounted about their longitudinal/axial axis onto a frame 34 such that the rollers 32 are parallel to one another. In some embodiments, the frame 34 comprises two arms 36. The rollers 32 are rotatably mounted at either end between the arms 36 such that the rollers 32 extend between, and are orthogonal to, the arms 36. The rollers 32 are spaced close to one another such that there is substantially no gap between each roller 32. The outer surface of each roller 32 does not touch/interfere with an adjacent roller 32. Each roller 32 may comprise a hollow tube comprising aluminium. The outer diameter of each roller 32 is 32mm, the inner diameter of each roller 32 is 28mm; thus the thickness of each roller 32 is 2mm. The length of the each roller 32 is 1524mm.

FIG. 3b illustrates an example embodiment of a frame 31 for a roller board (such as roller board 30 in FIG. 3a). The frame 31 comprises a pair of arms 36. Each arm 36 comprises 15 35 pins 35 inwardly mounted along the arm 36. Each pin 35 comprises a bearing 37 rotatably mounted onto the pin such that the pin and the bearing are coaxial. The bearing 37 is disc shaped having a diameter equal to the inner diameter of a roller. The bearing 37 thus provides an interference fit inside the roller, securing the roller to the arms 33.

FIG. 3c illustrates in magnified view an example embodiment of arms for a roller board (such as arms 36). The arms 36 comprise a number of holes 33 corresponding to the number of rollers. A pin 37 is inserted into each hole 33 providing an interference fit within the hole 33 such that the pin 37 is fixed and does not rotate. A bearing 37 is rotatably mounted onto each pin. The pins 37 may comprise a metal such as steel. The bearings 37 may comprise a metal such as steel.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example embodiment of a roller board 40. The roller board 40 may be the same or similar to that shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3A i.e. rollers (not shown) are rotatably mounted to a frame 44. The roller board 40 comprises a track 42 arranged around the rollers and thus around the perimeter of the roller board 40. There is an interference fit between the inner surface of the track 42 and the outer surface of the rollers. Therefore, the track 42 rotates around the board 40 whilst the rollers rotate in coordination. The track 42 may cover substantially the full length of the board 40 and the full perimeter of the cross section.

FIG. 5 illustrates in cross section another example embodiment of a roller board, referenced generally by 5o. The roller board 50 comprises 12 rollers 54 which may be the same or similar to rollers 22 or 32. Each roller 54 being cylindrical with a circular cross section. In some embodiments, the rollers 54 are hollow tubes that may comprise a metal such as aluminium. The rollers 54 are rotatably mounted onto a frame (not shown) such that they are parallel to one another (along their axial length) with substantially no gap between adjacent rollers 54. In other embodiments, adjacent rollers 54 may not interfere with each other whilst rotating. The rollers 54 are aligned in a plane thus forming a flat surface on the top and bottom of the board 5o. A track 52 is arranged around the perimeter of the rollers 54/board 50. The track 52 may cover substantially the full length of the rollers 64/board and the full perimeter of the cross section. The track 52 may comprise a flexible material such that it loops around the rollers 54/board 50 whilst the rollers 54 are rotating. Similarly, if the track 52 is forced by pushing or pulling the board 50, it loops around the perimeter of the board 50 cross section and the rollers 54 cooperatively rotate with it. The track 52 may comprise a flexible plastic, rubber or leathercloth such as Rexine(D. The track 52 may comprise a antibacterial compound. The track 52 may be replaceable or removeable.

FIG. 6 illustrates in cross section another example embodiment of a roller board, referenced generally by 60. The roller board 60 comprises 12 rollers 64 which maybe the same or similar to rollers 22, 32 or 54. Each roller 64 being cylindrical with a circular cross section. In some embodiments, the rollers 64 are hollow tubes that may comprise a metal such as aluminium. In other embodiments, the rollers 64 comprise a plastic. The rollers 54 are rotatably mounted onto a frame (not shown) such that they are parallel to one another (along their axial length) with substantially no gap between adjacent rollers 64. In some embodiments, adjacent rollers 64 may not interfere with each other whilst rotating. The rollers 64 are aligned in a plane thus forming a flat surface on the top and bottom of the board 6o. A track 62 is arranged around the perimeter of the rollers 64/board 6o. The track 62 may cover substantially the full length of the rollers 64/board 6o and the full perimeter of the cross section. The track 62 may comprise a flexible material such that it loops around the rollers 64/board 6o whilst the rollers 64 are rotating. Similarly, if the track 62 is forced by pushing or pulling the board 6o, it loops around the perimeter of the board 6o cross section and the rollers 64 cooperatively rotate with it. The track 62 may comprise a flexible plastic, rubber or leathercloth such as Rexine0. The roller board 6o may further comprise a padding layer 66 arranged around the track 62. The padding layer 66 may cover substantially the full length of the board 6o and the full perimeter of the cross section. The padding layer 66 may comprise a foam, cloth or any other material that provides additional comfort to the board 60. In some embodiments, the board 60 further comprises an outer layer 68. The outer layer 68 may cover substantially the full length of the board 60 and the full perimeter of the cross section i.e. around the track 62 and padding layers 66. The outer layer 68 may comprise a flexible plastic, rubber or leathercloth such as RexineC) and may be replaceable or removeable.

In use, the roller board 20, 40,50, 6o is positioned next to a patient. The patient is pulled onto the board; typically using bedsheets. As the patient is pulled onto the roller board 20, 40, 50, 60 the rollers 22,32, 54, 64 cooperatively rotate allowing the track 42, 52, 62 to rotate around the board 20, 40 50, 60 with them. This allows the patient to move across the board 20, 40, 50, 60 smoothly. With each roller 22, 32, 54, 64 rotating, the track 42, 52, 62 pulls the patient onto the board 20, 40, 50, 6o with minimal force required thus preventing injuries to hospital staff. Each roller 22, 32, 54, 64 is attached to a frame 26,36 of the board using bearings 37 and pins 36 to allow the patient to move across the board smoothly.

It will be understood that the above embodiments have been described above purely by way of example, and modification of detail can be made within the scope of the invention. -6 -

Moreover, the invention has been described with specific reference to patient transfer. It will be understood that this is not intended to be limiting and the invention may be used more generally. For example, the invention may be used more generally for transferring any object 5 between surfaces.

Claims

Claims 1. A lateral transfer board comprising; a plurality of elongated rollers rotatably mounted about their axis and parallel to one another onto a frame and a track around the rollers.
2. A lateral transfer board according to claim 1, wherein there are no gaps between the rollers.
3. A lateral transfer board according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there are at least 6 rollers.
4. A lateral transfer board according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein there are at least 15 rollers.
5. A lateral transfer board according to any preceding claim, wherein the rollers comprise aluminium.
6. A lateral transfer board according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rollers comprise a plastic material.
7. A lateral transfer board according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises aluminium.
8. A lateral transfer board according to any preceding claim, wherein the lateral transfer board further comprises a padding layer.
9. A lateral transfer board according to claim 8, wherein the padding layer is a foam.to. A lateral transfer board according to any preceding claim, further comprising an outer layer.a A lateral transfer board according to claim 10, wherein the outer layer is an artificial leather leathercloth.12. A lateral transfer board according to claim ii, wherein the leathercloth is Rexine® 13. A lateral transfer board according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the outer layer is replaceable.