Device for patient pullup, rollover, and transfer and methods therefor

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6496991
  • Patent Number
    6,496,991
  • Date Filed
    Friday, April 7, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 24, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Original Assignees
  • Examiners
    • Santos; Robert G.
    Agents
    • Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.a.
Abstract
A mobile patient maneuvering device is provided. The maneuvering device cooperates with the transfer rod to move a sheet upon which a patient is disposed. The device includes a power train, a hook and web assembly attachable to the power train, and a power and switching system in electrical communication with the power train. The power and switching system may also include means for stabilizing the device actuated by contact with the support. The displacing device may be positioned between a head portion of a bed and a wall, thereby occupying a minimum of floor space.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




This invention relates to systems which assist in moving patients who are on beds, gurneys, or other such patient supports. More particularly, the invention relates to systems which enable a single health care worker to effect a patient pullup, roll the patient to a desired position, or laterally transfer the patient to another patient support.




2. Background of the Invention




Partially or totally incapacitated persons in hospitals, nursing homes, or other assisted care settings must often be routinely and periodically pulled up from a slumped position, rolled over, or transferred between patient supports such as beds and gurneys. These maneuvers are typically done manually by two or more attendants, although the number of attendants required to perform a maneuver increases with the weight of the patient.




It is often desirable for patients to lie on platforms in which the head portion of the platform has been raised or angled upwardly. Often, to obtain the most benefit and comfort from a bed in this raised position, the patient should be disposed such that the patient's abdomen and thorax are in an elevated position. However, totally or partially incapacitated patients tend to slide or slump out of this position toward the foot of the bed, thereby losing the healthful benefits of a more upright position.




Another activity frequently required of caregivers is patient rollover. Patient rollover is necessary for maintaining patient comfort, facilitating examination, and preventing bed sores from forming.




A third activity is transporting the patient between patient supports, such as a bed and a gurney/cart, a cart to an operating or procedural table, etc. Generally speaking, this includes maneuvering the patient to another location.




Typically, space is limited in hospital and assisted care rooms. Therefore, devices to effect patient pullups, rollovers, or transfers must either occupy a minimum of space (if kept in the room) or be transported in and out of the room when required. Activities, such as pullups, are typically performed at frequent intervals and it is usually not feasible to transport equipment to and from a room to perform a patient pullup every two hours. However, if such a device used for pullup is to be stored in one of these rooms, the device must occupy a minimum of the limited space available and should be placed so that the pullup will be efficiently accomplished.




U.S. Pat. No. 2,827,642, issued to Huff on Mar. 25, 1958, discloses a device for moving a patient on a bed. The device includes a shaft mounted in ball bearing brackets. The brackets are bolted or otherwise secured to the headposts of the bed. Straps for a fabric webbing are secured to the shaft and a fabric supporting section is secured to the straps. A crank handle is removably secured to one end of the shaft. A patient lying on the fabric supporting section is pulled toward the head of the bed by cranking, and thereby winding the straps on, the shaft.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,929, issued to Crane on Mar. 11, 1997, discloses a patient-positioning device. The positioning device includes a sheet which is placed under the patient and connected to a rope or braided line. One end of the braided line is anchored to a metal peg on the headboard. The remainder of the braided line is threaded through several pulleys. One of the pulleys is attached to a frame assembly. The patient is pulled up when the head portion of the bed is raised or by an independent motor operating to wind the line. The patient-positioning device of Crane, appears to require extensive retrofitting of beds and is not apparently transportable or suitable for various maneuvers.




U.S. Pat. No. 3,597,774, issued to Warren on Aug. 10, 1971, discloses a patient moving device which is attached to hospital beds. The patient moving device includes an adjustable post and clamps for attaching the post to the head of a bed. A winch is mounted on the post. A patient to be pulled up is secured with apron straps and apron tabs are connected to a T-bar. The T-bar is connected to a cable. The winch is operated to wind the cable and pull the patient up. Alternatively, a harness is employed. The harness is arranged under the patient's arm pits and connected to the T-bar before the winch is operated to pull the patient up.




U.S. Pat. No. 3,302,219, issued to Harris on Feb. 7, 1967, discloses a hospital bed and lifting and turning device. The lifting and turning device includes four vertical support members adjacent the head and foot of the bed. The vertical support members are hollow and threaded to receive the lower end of threaded members extending vertically from the vertical support members. The vertical support members are interconnected by side braces and transverse braces. A sprocket member is disposed atop each vertical member. Each sprocket member is adapted to threadably engage, and thereby raise or lower, a threaded member within the vertical support member. The drive sprockets are interconnected by an endless sprocket chain. An electric motor may be secured to one of the vertical members to drive the sprockets. Upper ends of the threaded members are provided with clamp members. Two elongated rods extend through outwardly extending portions of the clamp members. A sprocket wheel is secured to each elongated rod and separate sprocket drive chains connect sprocket wheel pairs at head and foot portions of the device. A fabric such as canvas is secured to the rods and rolled thereon. The fabric is rolled such that it will be wound on one rod and unwound from the other when the sprocket wheels are rotated. The hospital bed lifting and turning device of Harris appears to require extensive set up, is not readily transportable, and cannot effect a patient pullup or lateral transfer.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,371, issued to Fuller on Aug. 13, 1996, discloses a bed patient turning, lifting and transporting apparatus with a mobile, folding and knock-down frame. The apparatus does appear to be conveniently mobile and requires extensive set up before being used. The apparatus of Fuller also requires significant overhead space and could interfere or impede other necessary activities performed by medical personnel in attendance.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,905, issued to Palmer et al. on Aug. 26, 1997, discloses a patient transfer/turning bed. The patient transfer/turning bed of Palmer et al. includes powered rotating drive rollers on each side of the bed's mattress. The drive rollers are connected to articulating arms which pivot about an axis near the center of the head end and the foot end of the bed. A transfer/turning sheet removably connects the drive rollers. By raising the drive roller on one side of the bed, a patient will be rolled over toward the opposite side. The patient may also be transferred laterally across the bed by turning the drive rollers. In addition to requiring extensive bed retrofit, the patient transfer/turning bed of Palmer et al., is not readily transportable and cannot effect a patient pullup.




U.S. Pat. No. 2,665,432 issued to Butler on Jan. 12, 1954, discloses a patient transferring device. The patient transferring device of Butler is disclosed as including a roller mounted to a gurney. A pull unit is attached to the roller by a series of hooks and attaches to a transfer sheet. Although capable of effecting a type of lateral patient transfer, the patient transferring device of Butler cannot effect either a patient pullup or patient rollover.




U.S. Pat. No. 2,733,452, issued to Tanney on Feb. 7, 1956, discloses a hospital patient transfer device. The patient transfer device of Tanney is adapted to be mounted on a wheeled stretcher so that a patient may be transferred from a hospital bed to the stretcher or from the stretcher to the bed. The patient transfer device includes one roller mounted on the bed and another roller mounted on the stretcher. A cable is wound on one of the rollers and tracks thereby pulling a sheet from the stretcher while the sheet is guided beneath a patient disposed on the bed. After the patient and sheet are positioned, the sheet is wound on the roller mounted on the stretcher, thereby transferring the patient. The hospital patient transfer device of Tanney appears to require extensive bed and stretcher retrofit and cannot function either to pull a patient up or effect a patient rollover.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,047 issued to DiMatteo on Oct. 11, 1988, discloses a multiple function invalid bed arrangement for transferring a prone patient longitudinally or laterally between beds or surfaces adapted to accept the patient in a prone position. The longitudinal bed transfer is accomplished by equipping the patient's bed with two rollers, one roller at the head and one roller at the foot of the bed. A bed sheet is connected from the head to the foot roller much like a piano roll. The rollers are rotated to transfer the patient to a second bed which is equipped similarly. Thus, the multiple function invalid bed arrangement of DiMatteo appears to require extensive bed retrofit and cannot effect patient maneuvering without such retrofitting.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,938 issued to Knouse on Sep. 16, 1989, discloses a transportable patient mover and moving method. The patient mover moves a patient laterally from a first to a second surface such as from a bed to a gurney. The patient mover includes a bottom stand member and an upstanding support frame carrying an elongated roller. The support frame may be mounted on wheels or casters. One edge of a web-like sheet material is attached to the roller. The other edge of the web material is attached to a clamp. A transfer sheet disposed beneath a patient is secured by the clamp and the roller winds the web thereon, thereby transferring the sheet and patient thereon. The patient mover of Knouse does not appear suitable for remaining in a small hospital room between uses without interfering with essential activities.




There is a need for a device which can enable a single attendant to effect patient pullups, rollovers, and lateral transfers, which is readily transportable, and which may be conveniently stored in a patient's room between uses.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




This invention meets the needs of the industry by providing a device for maneuvering a patient who is located on a support platform. The support platform may be configurable to a generally horizontal position or otherwise. A pliable underlayment may be disposed proximate the patient and the support. The device may be operable by a single person or operator and may include a power train, a hook and web assembly, and a power and switching system.




The hook and web assembly may be windably attachable to the power train. The power and switching system may be in electrical communication with the power train and may include means for stabilizing the device. The stabilizing means may be actuated by contacting a first member of the support and may be in electrical communication with the power and switching system. The stabilizing means may include at least one extension accommodating a first switch activating the power and switching system. The stabilizing means may include a locking mechanism accommodated by the support. The hook and web assembly may include at least one belt and at least one hook. Each belt may be attachable to the power train and to one of the hooks. The device may further include a first base member and an optional second base member. The second base member may be locked into an extended position to further stabilize the device.




This invention also provides a method of displacing a patient. The method includes providing a device with a power train, a hook and web assembly, and a power and switching system. The hook and web assembly may be attachable to the power train. The power and switch system may be in electrical communication with the power train. The power and switching system may include means for stabilizing the device. The stabilizing means may be actuated by contact with a first member of the support and may be in electrical communication with the power and switching system. The method includes securing a pliable underlayment proximate the patient to the hook and web assembly. The method further includes stabilizing the device by contacting a first member of the support to the stabilizing means and actuating the power train.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a front perspective view of a patient maneuvering device of this invention;





FIG. 1



a


is a top view of a patient maneuvering device of this invention;





FIG. 1



b


is a side view of a patient maneuvering device of this invention;





FIG. 1



c


is a back view of a patient maneuvering device of this invention;





FIG. 2

is a side view of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a rear view of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

with the rear shield removed;





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of a lower portion of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

with the second base assembly pivoted toward an extended position;





FIG. 6

is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

with the second base assembly pivoted into an extended position;





FIG. 7

is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

with the second base assembly locked into an extended position;





FIG. 8

is another perspective view of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

with the second base assembly locked in an extended position;





FIG. 9

is a view of part of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

with the upper shield removed;





FIG. 10

is a perspective view of part of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

depicting a sensing and stabilizer bracket mounted thereon;





FIG. 11

is a top view of an upper portion of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

with the upper shield removed;





FIG. 12

is a perspective view of part of the upper portion of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

with the upper shield removed and depicting a portion of the power and switching system mounted on an inner surface of the upper shield;





FIG. 13

is an exploded view of one embodiment of a magnetic clutch assembly, slip plate, and drum assembly present in the embodiment of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 14

is a perspective view of a web attached to the drum assembly of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 15

is an exploded view of the web of

FIG. 14 and a

transfer hook assembly;





FIG. 16

is a plan view of the web and drum assembly of

FIG. 14

;





FIG. 17

is a side view of the transfer hook of

FIG. 15

;





FIG. 18

is a side view of the transfer hook of

FIG. 14

disposed about a transfer rod, the transfer rod wrapped in a pliable underlayment;





FIG. 19

is a perspective view of the transfer hook and transfer rod of

FIG. 18

;





FIG. 20

is a side view of a portion of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 21

is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a transfer rod and transfer sheet of this invention;





FIG. 22

is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a transfer rod of this invention;





FIG. 23

is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a transfer rod of this invention;





FIG. 24

is an end view of the transfer rod of

FIG. 23

taken from the end opposite the pivot;





FIG. 25

is a perspective view of an embodiment of a remote control means of the embodiment of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 26

is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the patient displacing device of this invention being used in a patient rollover;





FIG. 27

is a front view of the device of

FIG. 26

;





FIG. 28

is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a transfer rod of this invention;





FIG. 29

is an end view of the transfer rod of

FIG. 28

being used to effect a patient pullup;





FIG. 30

is a view of a portion of the transfer rod of

FIG. 28

;





FIG. 31

is a perspective view of the device of

FIG. 1

in cooperation with a bed, positioned for a patient pullup;





FIG. 32

is a perspective view of the device of

FIG. 1

connected to a transfer sheet and performing a patient pullup; and





FIG. 33

is a perspective view of the transfer rod of

FIG. 22

depicted within a transfer sheet.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Comprehension of this invention can be gained through reference to the drawings in conjunction with a thorough review of the following explanation. In order to facilitate a full appreciation of the invention, an overview of an exemplary embodiment is initially provided. The overview is followed by more detailed explanation.




The device of this invention is capable of ergonomically effecting patient displacement events such as pullups, lateral transfers, and rollovers by a single attendant. The device of this invention is mobile and fully transportable by a single attendant to and from the sites at which patient displacement events will occur. The device of this invention is conveniently and feasibly disposable between a patient support, such as a bed or a gurney, and a wall or other adjoining structure. The device of this invention is contemplated to be used to effect patient desplacement events on supports which may be conformable to a generally horizontal position, although displacement events may be effected on supports without this capability as well. Displacing devices of the present invention can be used to effect patient pullup events on supports in which the head portion thereof is in an elevated position, such as about 10 degrees from the horizontal.




Another embodiment of the invention incorporates the patient transfer device into the headboard, footboard or other portions of a patient support, such as the bed, gurney, cart, table or like patient supports. Therefore, making the patient transfer device a permanent component of the patient support. Furthermore, in another embodiment the patient transfer device may be connected or affixed to the headboard, footboard or other portions of the bed by connection means, such as clamps or other fasteners.




The device of this invention, when disposed between a bed and a wall, is designed and dimensioned so as to occupy a minimum of space, thereby minimizing floor space occupied by the bed and the patient displacement device.

FIGS. 1



a


-


1




c


depict the top, side and back views of one embodiment of the device. This invention is considered to include embodiments disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/084,519 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/092,286. This invention is further contemplated to include embodiments in U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,781, issued Apr. 14, 1998, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/057,139, filed Apr. 8, 1998, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/174,110, filed Oct. 17, 1998, the entire contents of each hereby incorporated by reference.




Referring to

FIGS. 1-4

, an exemplary patient displacing device of this invention is depicted generally at


100


. Patient displacing device


100


includes frame


102


, shield assembly


104


, power train


106


, hook and web assembly


108


, and power and switching system


110


.




Frame


102


includes base


112


, middle portion


114


, and upper portion


116


. Base


112


includes first base assembly


124


and may optionally include second base assembly


128


. First base assembly


124


includes left base frame member


136


, rear base frame member


137


, right base frame member


138


, front base frame member


139


, rear axle and wheel assembly


140


, rear plate


142


, front plate


144


, and a plurality of front wheel assemblies, such as casters


152


. Rear axle and wheel assembly


140


includes left axle frame member


156


, right axle frame member


160


, a plurality of axles (not shown), wheel and bearing assemblies


164


, and fasteners


166


. Means for transporting embodiments of this invention are contemplated to include rear axle and wheel assembly


140


and casters


152


as well as other suitable embodiments. Left and right base frame members


136


and


138


extend forward from left and right axle frame members


156


and


160


. Respective left and right base frame members


136


and


138


display upper surfaces


168


and


170


. Front plate


144


may be affixed to an upper surface


171


of front base frame member


139


and to respective upper surfaces


168


and


170


of left and right base frame members


136


and


138


. Front plate


144


thereby spans left and right base frame members


136


and


138


in this embodiment.




Respective left and right axle frame members


156


and


160


each house an axle (not shown). Wheel and bearing assemblies


164


are mounted on each axle proximate outboard surfaces of respective left and right axle frame members


156


and


160


. Each wheel and bearing assembly


164


includes wheel


176


. Each exemplary wheel


176


displays a rear tangent


178


, which is generally parallel to longitudinal axis


180


of patient displacing device


100


. Tangent


178


represents the point at which device


100


contacts a vertical structure such as a wall when device


100


is disposed between a bed and the wall. In this embodiment, each wheel


176


has an outer diameter of about six inches. While several sizes may be suitable, casters


152


are about 2.4 (2.375) inches in diameter. Locking (breaking) mechanisms may be optionally present in each caster


152


. Several suitable embodiments of these locking mechanisms are known to the art.




Referring to

FIGS. 1-2

, and


5


-


8


, and further referring to the orientation of second base assembly


128


when in an extended position (described below), exemplary optional second base assembly


128


may include left and right frame members


184


and


188


, spanning member


192


, handle


194


, and pivot assembly


196


. Respective left and right frame members


184


and


188


include first elements


198


and


200


, second elements


202


and


204


, and third elements


206


and


208


. In this embodiment, first elements


198


and


200


, second elements


202


and


204


, and third elements


206


and


208


are affixed in a stair-step fashion, with respective first elements


198


and


200


extending generally parallel to, and outboard from, respective left and right base frame members


136


and


138


. Respective third elements


206


and


208


extend from second elements


202


and


204


such that third elements


206


and


208


contact the floor (or other surface) upon which patient displacing device


100


is disposed when second base assembly


128


is in an extended position. Respective second elements


202


and


204


display front surfaces


210


and


212


and respective third elements


206


and


208


display upper surfaces


214


and


216


. Gripping material


218


, such as polyurethane or the like, may be affixed to lower and front surfaces of third elements


206


and


208


.




Spanning member


192


may include respective first and second elements


224


and


226


. In this embodiment, first element


224


spans between lower surfaces of elements


198


and


200


. Element


226


extends generally perpendicularly (or otherwise transversely) from a forward edge of first element


224


. Handle


194


may be affixed to a front surface of second element


226


. Exemplary pivot assembly


196


includes such fasteners as bolt-nut combinations and the like and also includes slots


220


defined in front portions of elements


136


and


138


. These fasteners extend through rear portions of first elements


198


and


200


and slots


220


. When thusly deployed, pivot assembly


196


enables second base assembly


128


to pivot between extended and folded positions as discussed below. Each pivot assembly


196


may further include biasing means such as a spring (not shown). Fasteners extending through first elements


198


and


200


may be biased toward a rear portion of slots


220


by the biasing means.

FIGS. 1-3

depict second base assembly


128


in a folded position.

FIG. 5

depicts second base assembly


128


being pivoted in the direction of arrow


230


.

FIG. 6

depicts second base assembly


128


positioned such that pivot assembly


196


has been displaced forward in each slot


220


and first element


224


is in position to be slid under a lower surface of front base frame member


139


.

FIGS. 7 and 8

depict second base assembly


128


locked in an extended position with first element


224


disposed below a lower surface of front plate


144


and each pivot assembly


196


displaced and biased toward a rear portion of each slot


220


by the biasing means. Thusly locked into an extended position, second base assembly


128


provides added stability to patient displacing device


100


.

FIG. 1



b


depicts another embodiment of the invention in which first element


200


and first element


198


(not shown) has an extendable means to create a larger base and therefore more support. A further embodiment of the present invention may include a spring


201


which is connected to the first element


200


for easier extension (the opposite first element


198


, which is not shown in

FIG. 1



b


may also include this feature). Other embodiments of patient displacing device


100


may include further stabilizing means such as weights disposed on or about first base assembly


124


. This invention is also contemplated to include stabilizing means such as docking mechanisms disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/084,519, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/092,286, and above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,781, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/057,139 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/174,110. In an embodiment of the present invention, the docking mechanisms may include height adjustments. Also, the present invention may include docking switches which function to prevent the device from operating until the switches are engaged by the bed or gurney.




Referring to

FIGS. 2

,


4


and


9


, middle portion


114


of frame


102


includes left and right rear veritcal elements


250


, left and right front vertical elements


252


, braces


253


, rear horizontal element


254


, and a plurality of side horizontal elements (not shown). Rear vertical elements


250


extend gereally vertically (or otherwise transversely) from the junctions of respective left and right base frame members


136


and


138


and left and right axle frame members


156


and


160


. Front vertical elements


252


extend generally vertically from left and right base frame members


136


and


138


. Braces


253


extend between paired front and rear vertical elements


250


and


252


. Rear horizontal element


254


extends between left and right vertical elements


250


. The side horizontal elements extend between paired rear and front vertical elements


250


and


252


.




Referring to

FIGS. 1-3

,


5


-


8


, and


10


, middle portion


114


of frame


102


may further include a plurality of extensions, such as stabilizer brackets


258


. Each stabilizer bracket


258


defines upper surface


260


, a plurality of slots


262


and is affixed proximate a front edge of each front vertical element


252


. In one embodiment, stabilizer brackets


258


are affixed by fasteners which extend through a front shield (described below) and front vertical elements


252


. While stabilizer brackets


258


are stationary in this embodiment, other embodiments with vertically adjustable stabilizer brackets are contemplated to be within the scope of this invention.




Upper portion


116


of frame


102


is depicted in

FIGS. 4

,


9


, and


11


-


12


and includes extensions of respective rear and front vertical elements


250


and


252


, plate


270


, front horizontal element


272


, and remote cord take-up bracket


276


. Plate


270


rests on upper surfaces of rear horizontal element


254


and the side horizontal elements. Remote cord take-up bracket


276


extends from, and may be affixed to, a rear portion of plate


270


. With the exception of rear horizontal element


254


and spanning member


192


, frame members are made from 1½ inch,


14


gauge tube steel in one embodiment. However, several suitable materials are known to the art. Rear horizontal element


254


and spanning member


192


may include angled steel members.




Shield assembly


104


may be seen in

FIGS. 1-3

,


5


, and


8


and broadly includes upper shield


290


and respective front and rear shields


292


and


294


. Upper shield


290


, in turn, includes upper portion


298


, front portion


299


, side portions and a rear portion. A plurality of laterally disposed upper extensions


300


extend from upper portion


298


. Upper portion


298


defines remote cavity


302


, power switch cavity


303


, power LED cavity


304


, and sensor on/off LED cavity


306


. A pair of web openings


308


are defined in front portion


299


. A web opening


308


is disposed below each upper extension


300


in this embodiment.




This embodiment of front shield


292


further includes middle portion


314


flanked by lateral portions


316


. Bumpers


318


may be present on the surface of front shield


292


and/or on forward surfaces of each bracket


258


. Exemplary rear shield includes middle portion


326


disposed between lateral portions


328


. Lateral portions


316


and


328


extend generally perpendicularly from respective middle portions


314


and


326


in front and rear shields


292


and


294


. Front and rear shields


292


and


294


may be affixed to frame


102


by means of fasteners such as screws extending therethrough and into vertical elements


250


and


252


or braces


253


.




Exemplary power train


106


may be viewed in

FIGS. 4

,


9


, and


11


-


12


and includes motor


340


, motor shaft


342


, first bevel gear


344


, second bevel gear


346


, axle shaft


348


, a plurality of magnetic clutch assemblies


350


, a plurality of slip plates


352


, and a plurality of drum assemblies


354


. Motor


340


is mounted generally vertically proximate a lower surface of plate


270


by means of fasteners such as machine screws or bolts. Motor shaft


342


extends from motor


340


through plate


270


. Respective first and second bevel gears


344


and


346


are affixed to motor shaft


342


and axle


348


. Suitable exemplary magnetic clutch assemblies


350


, motor


340


, slip plate assemblies


352


, and drum assemblies


354


are depicted and cooperate with axle


348


in a manner substantially similar to that depicted and described in above-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/057,139 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/174,110.




Exemplary motor


340


is a permanent magnet, parallel shaft, DC brush gear motor, operating at 12 volts DC and generating approximately {fraction (1/8 )} hp. In this embodiment, motor


340


rotates motor shaft


342


at an output speed of between about 25 rpm and 75 rpm and attains an output torque range of between approximately 300 in-lbs at 25 rpm and 100 in-lbs at 75 rpm. An exemplary motor may be obtained from Byson Gear and Engineering Corporation, Downers Grove, Ill.




As seen in

FIG. 13

, each magnetic clutch assembly


350


includes disk


360


and cylindrical housing


362


. A generally coaxial bore


364


extends through magnetic clutch assembly


350


. In this embodiment, bore


364


has a diameter of about {fraction (1/12 )} inch to accommodate axle


348


and disk


360


has a diameter of approximately 4.9″(±0.5″). Cylindrical housing


362


has a diameter of approximately 4.2″(±0.5″) and a depth of approximately 1.8″(±0.5″). An exemplary magnetic clutch develops a torque of 22 lb-ft, and attains a coil power of 28 watts, an armature hub inertia of 161×10


−4


lb−ft


2


, a rotor inertia of about 172×10


−4


lb−ft


2


, and generates 3 hp at 1800 rpm. Disk


360


may be mounted to outboard surfaces of vertical elements


250


and


252


by fasteners such as screws or bolts. Magnetic clutch assembly


350


is mounted such that axle


348


extends generally coaxially through bore


364


. Axle


348


and magnetic clutch


350


may be affixed by a keyway combination (not shown). Each slip plate


352


defines bore


368


, a plurality of peripheral holes


370


, and presents an inboard surface


372


. Magnetic clutch assembly


350


and slip plate


352


are designed to perform a patient displacement so as to provide maximum comfort to the patient. In one embodiment, when magnetic clutch assembly


350


and slip plate


352


are actuated, a gradual acceleration to, and deceleration from, normal operating speed occurs rather than immediate commencement or cessation of normal operating speed, each of which would otherwise result in an abrupt jerk. In yet another embodiment, magnetic clutch assembly


352


and slip plate


352


remain engaged when axle


348


rotation ceases, thereby preventing the web from unwinding from drum assembly


354


until magnetic clutch assembly


350


and slip plate


352


are disengaged.




Each exemplary drum assembly


354


includes cylindrical member


376


. Four threaded extensions


378


may extend peripherally from cylindrical member


376


and disk


380


may be unitarily joined to cylindrical member


376


. Disk


380


presents an outboard surface and defines a threaded aperture. Cylindrical (spool) member


384


coaxially extends from the outboard surface of disk


380


. Outboard disk


385


extends generally coaxially and radially from cylindrical member


384


. Outboard disk


385


defines aperture


386


and presents an outboard surface. Aperture


386


is generally aligned with the threaded aperture defined in disk


380


in this embodiment.




Also in this embodiment, a fastener such as a screw extends through each aperture


370


and is threadably disposed within each threaded extension


378


. Screw


390


is extended through aperture


386


and is threadably received within the threaded aperture defined in disk


380


. Bores are coaxially formed within slip plate


352


and drum assembly


354


, respectively, such that axle


348


may be received there within. Drag cap spring


392


is compressibly held in place by drag cap


394


. Drag cap


394


cooperates with a fastener such as screw


396


threadably received within an aperture proximate each terminus of axle


348


. In this embodiment, power train


106


is dimensioned such that cylindrical members


384


may be spaced between about 18 inches and 22 inches, between about 19 inches and 21 inches, or about 20 inches, on center.




Exemplary hook and web assembly


108


may be seen in

FIGS. 1-5

,


8


-


9


,


11


-


12


, and


14


-


20


. Referring more particularly to

FIGS. 14-17

, and


20


, hook and web assembly


108


may include web


402


, transfer hook assembly


404


, stop


406


, and an exemplary transfer rod embodiment. However, it is contemplated that other means of securing pliable underlayments such as transfer sheets may be used with this invention. Suitable securing means include various clamps and/or tethers disclosed in above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,781. This invention is also contemplated to include securing means disclosed in above-referenced U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/084,519 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/092,286. With the exception of stop


406


, exemplary hook and web assembly


108


may be substantially equivalent to that disclosed in above-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/057,139 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/174,110. First and second loops


412


and


414


are formed at each end of web


402


. Loops


412


and


414


are formed by such means known to the art as stitching


416


. Exemplary transfer hook assembly


404


includes transfer hook


420


, joint connector


422


, and joint connecting bolt


424


. Exemplary transfer hook


420


is unitary, but may be envisioned as including strap retaining member


426


and hook member


428


. Strap retaining member


426


displays exterior surface


429


and defines bore


430


and slot


432


. Flange


434


extends from strap retaining member


426


. Hook member


428


and strap retaining member


426


cooperate to define gap


436


therebetween. Web


402


is attached to transfer hook


420


by inserting joint connector


422


within loop


414


and disposing loop


414


and inserted joint connector


422


in bore


430


such that web


402


extends through gap


432


. Joint connector


422


is then secured within bore


430


by threading joint connector bolt


424


in joint connector


422


. Web


402


is attached to drum assembly


354


by aligning loop


412


with aperture


386


and the aperture defined in disk


380


, then inserting screw


390


through aperture


386


and loop


412


and subsequently threading screw


390


into the aperture defined in disk


380


. Dimensions and materials used in one embodiment of transfer hook assembly


404


may be found in above-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/057,139 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/174,110. In one embodiment, web


402


is nylon webbing 1½ inch in width and 73 ¾ inches in length, but is 70 inches in length after loops


412


and


414


are formed.




As seen in

FIG. 20

, each exemplary stop


406


defines opposite slots


444


. Web


402


is passed through slots


444


until stop


406


is a desired distance from transfer hook


420


. A fastener such as screw


446


is then extended through web


402


into stop


406


to secure web


402


to stops


406


.




Suitable transfer rods of this invention include embodiments such as those designated


450


,


452


, and


454


, depicted in

FIGS. 21-24

. Transfer rod


450


may be substantially similar to a transfer bar described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/174,110. The transfer rod may be flexible or rigid. Transfer rod


450


defines slots


458


disposed proximate each end of transfer rod


450


. Transfer rod


450


is unitary or one-piece in construction, however, other embodiments of transfer rod


450


may be segmented. Slots


458


may be spaced apart between about 16 inches and 24 inches, between about 18 inches and 22 inches, about 20 inches, or about 24 inches, on center. Exemplary transfer bar


450


may be about 1 (±0.25) inch in width, ¼ (±0.25) inch in depth, and between about 24 inches and 32 inches, about 26 inches and 30 inches, or about 28 inches in length. Slots


458


maybe between about 2 inches and 3 inches or about 2.5 inches long and between about 0.25 inches and 0.75 inches or about 0.50 inches wide. Transfer rod


450


is proportioned to be accommodated in a slot in a transfer sheet of this invention, as discussed below. Slots


458


are proportioned to accommodate hook member


428


of transfer hook


420


. While slots


458


are depicted being generally centered, slots


458


may be offset toward one edge of transfer rod


450


as well. If offset, slots


458


would tend to maintain transfer bar


450


in a flattened position during a patient displacement event, thereby decreasing the likelihood of transfer rod


450


being bent or causing patient discomfort.




As seen in

FIG. 22

, exemplary transfer rod


452


includes inner member


464


, which is partially enclosed by exterior segments


466


. Exterior segments


466


cooperate to define two gaps


468


where inner member


464


is exposed. Inner member


464


is proportioned to be accommodated through gap


436


and within hook member


428


when exemplary transfer rod


452


is enclosed by one or more thicknesses of a sheet or other pliable underlayment wrapped therearound. This embodiment of transferrod


452


is between about 26 inches and 28 inches, or about 27 inches in length. With the exception of length, dimensions and materials of exemplary transfer rod


452


may be substantially similar to those of a transfer rod discussed and depicted in above-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/057,139. Gaps


468


may be spaced apart substantially as described above with respect to transfer rod


450


.




Exemplary transfer rod


454


includes first and second members


476


and


478


and pivot


480


. First and second members


476


and


478


are hingably connected at pivot


480


. Respective first and second members


476


and


478


may display interior surfaces


482


and


484


. Gripping structures such as extended portion


486


and groove


488


may be present in interior surfaces


482


and


484


. Extended portion


486


is proportioned and situated to dispose within groove


488


when transfer


454


is in a closed position. Exterior surfaces of first and second members


476


and


478


may define recesses


490


and


492


. Recesses


490


and


492


are aligned to accommodate hook member


428


of transfer hook


420


substantially as discussed above with respect to gaps


468


present in transfer rod


452


when transfer rod


454


is in a closed positioned. Interior surfaces


482


and


484


may further include a grip-enhancing substance, such as polyurethane and other materials known to the art.




Referring to

FIGS. 4-5

, and


8


-


12


, power and switching system


110


includes power supply assembly


500


, circuit board


502


, lower switching group


504


, and upper switching and indicator group


506


. Power supply assembly


500


, in tum, includes power supply cord


510


and rectifier


512


. Rectifier


512


converts commonly available AC, 60 Hz, 115 V current to DC, 12 V required by motor


340


. However, other rectifiers converting other forms of alternating current are contemplated to be within the scope of this invention. Furthermore, other power supply systems such as those depicted and described in above-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/057,139 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/174,110 are contemplated to be within the scope of this invention as well.




As best seen in

FIG. 10

, lower switching group


504


includes a plurality of stabilizer contact switches


516


present in each bracket


258


. Each stabilizer contact switch


516


extends above upper surface


260


and through one of slots


262


defined in bracket


258


.




Referring to

FIGS. 4

,


9


, and


11


-


12


, upper switching and indicator group


506


includes proximity switches


520


, pivots


522


, remote assembly


526


and upper switching and indicator assembly


528


. Proximity switches


520


are installed atop front horizontal element


272


and disposed thereon so as to be accommodated by extension


300


of upper shield


290


. A pivot


522


may be present and in mechanical communication with each proximity switch


520


. Pivot


522


extends over web opening


308


such that pivot


522


will contacted by elements such as stop


406


or flange


434


when web


402


is being wound on drum assembly


354


. When thusly contacted, pivot


522


pivots inwardly and engages proximity switch


520


. Proximity switches and pivots are also disclosed in above-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/057,139 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/174,110.




As seen in

FIGS. 9

,


11


-


12


, and


24


, remote assembly


526


includes remote cord take-up


532


, remote cord


534


, and remote


536


. Remote cord take-up


532


may be affixed to bracket


276


by one or more fasteners such as screws. Remote cord take-up


532


includes a spring-tensioned, take-up assembly (not shown) to store, let out, and retract remote cord


534


. The tension exerted by remote cord take-up


532


on remote cord


534


operates to secure remote


536


in remote cavity


302


of upper shield


290


when remote


536


is stored therein.




Remote


536


is in electrical communication with circuit board


502


. Remote


536


includes power switch


540


, respective left and right clutch switches


542


and


544


, optional rollover-mode switch


546


, and optional lateral transfer-mode switch


548


.




Referring to

FIGS. 1 and 12

, upper switching and indicator assembly


528


includes circuit board


552


, power switch


554


, power indicator LED


556


, and stabilizer switch LED


558


. Circuit board


552


is in electrical communication with circuit board


502


and is affixed to an inner surface of upper shield


290


proximate cavities


303


,


304


, and


306


. Power switch


554


, power indicator LED


556


, and stabilizer switch LED


558


are electrically connected to circuit board


552


and are disposed in respective cavities


303


,


304


, and


306


defined in upper shield


290


.




One embodiment of patient displacing device


100


(excluding transfer rods) is between about 30 inches and 40 inches, between about 35 inches and 38 inches, or about 37.2 inches in height, as measured from an upper surface of extension


300


. Upper surfaces


260


of stabilizer brackets


258


extend between about 8 inches and 12 inches, between about 9 inches and 11 inches, or about 10.4 inches vertically from upper surfaces


168


and


170


of left and right base frame members


136


and


138


. Stabilizer brackets


258


may be spaced apart between about 10 inches and 11 inches, or about 10.5 inches. A distance from rear tangent


178


to a plane coextending with front edge


174


of front base frame member


139


is between about 19 inches and 23 inches, between about 20 inches and 22 inches, about 21 inches, or about 21.3 inches. When second base assembly is locked into an extended position, the distance between rear tangent


178


and a plane coextending with front surfaces of elements


206


and


208


are between about 29 inches and 33 inches, between about 30 inches and 32 inches, about 31 inches, or about 31.3 inches. Exemplary patient displacing device


100


is contemplated to include embodiments in which a ratio of the heightat which web


402


emerges from spool


384


to the distance from rear tangent


178


to a plane coextending with front edge


174


of front base member


139


to be between about 1.61 and 1.95, between about 1.68 and 1.85, about 1.76, or about 1.74. Exemplary patient displacing device


100


is further contemplated to include embodiments in which a ratio of the height at which web


402


emerges from spool


384


to the distance between rear tangents


178


to a plane coextending with the front surfaces of elements


206


and


208


to be between about 1.12 and 1.28, between about 1.16 and 1.23, about 1.19, or about 1.18.




Referring to

FIGS. 26 and 27

, an alternative embodiment of the patient displacing device of this invention is depicted at


570


and includes base


572


, middle portion


574


, and upper portion


576


. Base


572


includes wheel and axle assembly


580


and vertical control mechanism


582


. Increased wheel width of wheel and axle assembly


580


may add enhanced stability to patient displacing device


570


. In contrast to patient displacing device


100


, device


570


includes vertically adjustable upper portion


576


. The height of upper portion


576


is controlled by operating vertical control mechanism


582


. Suitable alternative power train embodiments to enable vertically adjustable upper portion are disclosed in above-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/057,139 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/174,110.




Patient displacing devices


100


and


570


are advantageously used to displace patients disposed on supports such as beds, gurneys, and the like. Supports used with the patient displacing device of this invention may be conformable to a generally horizontal position. These supports may include head portions which can be raised and lowered as well.




Patient displacing device


100


may be operated using a pliable underlayment such as a transfer sheet between a patient and the patient support. Such a pliable underlayment (transfer/draw sheet) is depicted generally at


600


in FIG.


21


. Draw sheet


600


includes mantle


602


and at least one attaching member


604


. Exemplary attaching member


604


cooperates with mantle


602


by being attached thereto by attaching means such as stitching to define respective lateral and longitudinal slots


606


and


608


. Slots


606


and


608


are proportioned in width to receive any of transfer rods


450


,


452


, or


454


. Slots


606


and


608


are defined so as to have a width between about 2 inches and 3 inches, or about 2.5 inches, in this embodiment. Exemplary lateral and longitudinal slots


606


and


608


are respectively about 20 inches and 65 inches in length. However, other suitable dimensions are contemplated to fall within the scope of this invention. Moreover, any arrangement and spacing with respect to lateral slots


606


to enable three patient pullups without repositioning pliable underlayrnent


600


under a patient is further contemplated to be within the scope of this invention. Such an arrangement includes a series of between about 15 and 23 or about 19 lateral slots


606


. The series of lateral slots


606


may extend between about 46 and 50 inches, between about 47 and 49 inches, about 48 inches, about 48.625 inches along transfer sheet


600


. The series of lateral slots


606


may be separated from one edge of transfer sheet


600


from about 10 inches to about 14 inches, about 12 inches, or about 12.7 inches. Longitudinal slots


608


may be used to cooperate with patient displacing device


100


or


570


when laterally transferring a patient or rolling a patient over. This embodiment of draw sheet


600


is about 60 inches in width and about 114 inches in length. However, other suitable dimensions are contemplated to be within the scope of this invention. Suitable materials and other embodiments for draw sheet


600


are disclosed in above-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/174,110.




In use, patient displacing device


100


or


570


is deployed at the head of a patient support such as bed


700


as shown in

FIGS. 31 and 32

. Bed


700


is displaced a distance away from a wall or other vertical structure and patient displacing device


100


is rolled therebetween. Once patient displacing device


100


is in proper position, locking mechanisms on casters


152


may be engaged. If present, second base assembly may be pivoted and locked into an extended position as discussed and explained above. Power supply cord


510


is plugged in to an AC receptacle. Exemplary patient displacing device


700


is configured such that it will not operate until power supply cord


510


is plugged in to an active AC outlet. Bed


700


is then moved toward patient displacing device


100


. The head portion of bed


700


may be in a raised position. The head portion of bed


700


is then lowered until a member of bed


700


contacts one or both brackets


258


, thereby engaging one or more stabilizer contact switches


516


. When brackets


258


are engaged thusly, patient displacing device


100


or


570


is further stabilized.




Once stabilizer contact switches


516


are engaged the circuitry present within patient displacing device


100


allows the unit to be powered by switches


540


or


554


. Moreover, once power has been switched on, indicator LED


554


activates, thereby indicating bed


700


is securely engaged to patient displacing device


100


. If bed


700


subsequently fails to engage stabilizer contact switches


516


, indicator LED


556


will go out and power will be disconnected to power train


106


.




Transfer rod


450


may be disposed in one of slots


606


of transfer sheet


600


. Web


402


is unwound until transfer hook


420


can be inserted into each slot


458


. Transfer rod


450


may be disposed in a slot


606


such that transfer rod


450


is approximately below the patient's neck. Respective left and right clutch switches


542


and


544


may be engaged separately or together as needed as the patient is evenly repositioned during the pullup event. If switches


542


and


544


are not released, stops


406


will engage pivots


522


. When pivots


522


are engaged, magnetic clutch assemblies


350


will cease operation and web


402


ceases to be wound onto drum assembly


354


. If for some reason stop


406


is not present on web


402


, flange


434


of transfer hook


420


will also contact pivot


522


as well.




Transfer rods


452


,


454


and


583


(discussed below) may be employed in conjunction with transfer sheet


600


or the like. However, transfer rods


452


,


454


and


583


are also useful in effecting a patient displacing event without such a slotted sheet. As shown in

FIGS. 18-19

, and


33


, transfer rod


452


is positioned above a patient's head on a sheet without slots, indicated as


620


. Sheet


620


is then folded over transfer rod


452


. Transfer rod


452


is then rotated toward the patient one or two revolutions. Transfer hook


420


is then engaged in each of gaps


464


and patient pullup may proceed as described above.




Transfer rod


454


is another embodiment advantageously used in connection with sheet


620


and seen in

FIGS. 23 and 24

. First and second members


476


and


478


are pivoted apart and a portion of sheet


620


above the patient's head is disposed therebetween. First and second members


476


and


478


are then pivoted together until they contact sheet


620


. First and second members


476


and


478


may be dimensioned such that sheet


620


is securely held therewithin by extended portion


486


and groove


488


when recesses


490


and


492


are disposed within hook


420


. Alternatively, once sheet


620


is disposed between closed first and second members


476


and


478


, transfer rod


454


may be rolled one or more turns toward the patient before attaching transfer hook


420


.




Transfer rod


583


is yet another embodiment which may be used during a patient pullup. Referring to

FIGS. 28-30

, exemplary transfer rod


583


includes longitudinal element


584


and clamp


585


. Clamp


585


includes first member


586


and second member


587


. Second member


587


is divided into a plurality of furcations


588


, each furcation


588


displaying threaded surface


589


and attaching surface


590


. Furcations


588


are biased away from each other. First member


586


defines threaded orifice


591


.




In use, longitudinal element


584


is placed on a pliable underlayment such as draw sheet


594


and a clamp


585


is disposed on each end of longitudinal element


584


such that one furcation


588


contacts the topside of longitudinal element


584


and one furcation


588


contacts sheet


594


such that sheet


594


is disposed between furcation


588


and longitudinal element


584


. Sheet


594


extends between furcations


588


when second member


587


is disposed as described. First member


586


is then threaded onto second member


587


forcing furcations


588


toward each other in the direction of arrows


592


, securing sheet


594


between furcation


588


and longitudinal element


584


. Longitudinal element


584


and furcations


588


are dimensioned such that transfer hook


420


is accommodated by attaching surfaces


590


when longitudinal element


584


and clamps


585


are properly fitted together to secure sheet


594


. Alternatively, once longitudinal element


584


and clamps


585


have been secured together, transfer rod


583


may be rotated until sheet


594


is wrapped one or more times therearound. An alternate embodiment of transfer rod


583


includes furcations


588


which extend at least one-half of the length of longitudinal element


584


. Yet another alternate embodiment of transfer rod includes at least one second member


587


with three or more furcations.




Patient displacing device


100


or


570


may also be advantageously used in connection with a patient rollover or lateral transfer. During a rollover or lateral transfer, transfer rods such as exemplary transfer rods


450


,


452


,


454


, or


583


may be employed. However, transfer rods employed thusly may be longer. Moreover, when used during a rollover event, transfer rods with some degree of flexibility may impart a greater degree of comfort to the patient.




As seen in

FIGS. 26 and 27

, during a rollover patient displacing device


100


or


570


is positioned proximate a lateral side of a patient support such as bed


700


. Bed


700


is then lowered until an element or member of bed


700


contacts stabilizer contact switches


516


and bracket


528


, thereby stabilizing device


100


. Patient displacing device


100


or


570


may be further stabilized by extending second base assembly


128


and locking casters


152


as described above. Alternatively, embodiments of this invention in which brackets


258


may be vertically adjusted are also contemplated. If vertically adjustable embodiments of brackets


258


are present, the patient displacing device of this invention may be stabilized by elevating the vertically adjustable brackets until they contact a patient support member. After patient displacing device


100


or


570


is stabilized, power supply cord


510


is plugged in and power switches


540


,


554


are engaged as described above.




If a slotted transfer sheet, such as sheet


600


, is used, transfer rod


450


or a longer embodiment of transfer rod


450


is disposed in a longitudinal slot


608


on the opposite side of the patient from that occupied by patient displacing device


100


or


570


. Hooks


420


are then disposed in slots


458


of transfer rod


450


and clutch switches


542


and/or


544


are activated until the patient has been rolled to the desired extent. A pillow or some other object may then be placed against the patient's back before hooks


420


are disconnected from transfer rod


450


. In an alternative embodiment, optional rollover-mode switch


546


is depressed before the rollover event is initiated. In the rollover-mode of operation, magnetic clutch assemblies


350


and slip plates


352


cease to wind web


402


on drum assembly


354


yet remain engaged, thereby preventing the patient from rolling back into the previous position. Transfer rods such as those resembling transfer rods


452


,


454


, or


583


may be used for rollovers as well.




Transfer rods


450


,


452


,


454


, or


583


may further be employed to effect a lateral transfer from one patient support, such as a bed, to another patient support such as a bed or gurney. During a lateral transfer, the support onto which the patient is to be transferred is placed between patient displacing device


100


or


570


and the support onto which the patient is then disposed. The support onto which the patient is to be transferred is then lowered until a lower member or element contacts bracket


258


, thereby stabilizing device


100


or


570


as described above. Patient displacing device


100


or


570


may be further stabilized by locking second base assembly


128


in an extended position also as described above. A transfer rod resembling transfer rods


450


,


452


,


454


, or


583


may be attached to the sheet, or other pliable underlayment, onto which the patient is disposed. Webs


402


are unwound from drum assemblies


354


until transfer hooks


420


are close enough to engage the transfer rod secured to the sheet. Power switch


540


or


554


is then activated and the engaging LED


558


is examined by the attendant to ensure that device


100


has been properly stabilized. If device


100


has been properly stabilized, LED


558


is lit and the attendant operates either or both of clutch switches


542


and


544


to effect the transfer. Switches


542


and


544


are released when the patient has been transferred. Alternatively, stops


406


or flanges


434


of hooks


420


engage pivots


522


to halt the patient transfer.




Because numerous modifications may be made of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by appended claims and their equivalents.



Claims
  • 1. A device for maneuvering a patient positioned on a support, an underlayment being disposed proximate the patient and the support, the device being operable by a single person and comprising:a power train; connecting assembly means attachable to the power train for connecting the power train to the underlayment upon which the patient is at least partially positioned; and a power and switching system in electrical communication with the power train and comprising means for stabilizing the device, said stabilizing means actuated by contact with a first member of the support and in electrical communication with the power and switching system.
  • 2. The device of claim 1, said device being configured to maneuver patients positioned on a patient support which is configurable to a generally horizontal position by cooperating with the underlayment disposed between the patient and the support.
  • 3. The device of claim 2, in which the stabilizing means comprises at least one extension, the extension accommodating a first switch actuating the power and switching system.
  • 4. The device of claim 2, in which the stabilizing means comprises a docking mechanism accommodated by the support.
  • 5. The device of claim 2, in which the connecting assembly means comprises a hook and web assembly comprising at least one belt and at least one hook, each belt being attachable to the power train and to one of said hooks.
  • 6. The device of claim 5, the hook and web assembly comprising a plurality of belts and a plurality of hooks, each belt attachable to the power train and to one of said hooks.
  • 7. The device of claim 6, in which the power train is configured such that the plurality of said belts are placed between about 18 inches and 22 inches apart.
  • 8. The device of claim 6, in which the power train is configured such that the plurality of said belts are disposed about 20 inches apart.
  • 9. The device of claim 5, further comprising a first base member, a middle portion extending from the first base member and an upper portion extending from the middle portion, the power train, hook and web assembly, and power and switching system are disposed proximate the middle and upper portions.
  • 10. The device of claim 9, in which the middle portion accommodates at least a portion of the stabilizing means.
  • 11. The device of claim 9, in which the middle portion accommodates a bracket housing an activation sensor switch in electrical communication with the power and switching system, the activation sensor switch actuating the power and switching system when the activation sensor switch is in a closed position.
  • 12. The device of claim 11, in which the activation sensor switch and bracket housing cooperate such that the activation sensor switch is in the closed position when an upper surface of the bracket contacts a portion of the support.
  • 13. The device of claim 11, in which the bracket housing is vertically adjustable.
  • 14. The device of claim 9, further comprising a second base member extendible from the first base member.
  • 15. The device of claim 14, in which a forward edge of the second base member is extendible from a forward edge of the first base member for a distance of between about 9 and 11 inches.
  • 16. The device of claim 14, in which a forward edge of the second base member is extendible from a forward edge of the first base member for a distance of about 10 inches.
  • 17. The device of claim 9, in which the first base member is between about 16 inches and 20 inches in length.
  • 18. The device of claim 9, in which the first base member is about 18 inches in length.
  • 19. The device of claim 15, in which a front edge of the second base member is between about 26 inches and 30 inches from a rear edge of the first base member when the second base member is in an extended position.
  • 20. The device of claim 15, in which a front edge of the second base member is about 28 inches from a rear edge of the first base member when the second base member is in an extended position.
  • 21. The device of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of rear wheels and in which said device is configured such that a forward edge of the first base member extends a distance of between about 20 inches and 22 inches from an adjacent vertical structure when said rear wheels contact the vertical structure.
  • 22. The device of claim 21, in which said device is configured such that a forward edge of the extended second base member extends a distance of between about 30 inches and 32 inches from an adjacent vertical structure.
  • 23. The device of claim 21, in which said device is configured such that a forward edge of the extended second base member extends a distance of about 31.3 inches from a vertical structure.
  • 24. The device of claim 15, in whichthe hook and web assembly comprises a plurality of belts and hooks, each belt attachable to one of the hooks and to the power train, and each hook comprises an extension, and the power and switching system comprises a plurality of proximity switches, each proximity switch being located adjacent the upper portion and disposed to be actuated by contacting the hook extension.
  • 25. The device of claim 15, in whichthe hook and web assembly comprises a plurality of belts, hooks, and engagement members, each hook and engagement member attachable to one of the belts and each belt attachable to the power train, and the power and switching system comprises a plurality of proximity switches, each proximity switch configured and disposed to be actuated by contacting the engagement member.
  • 26. A transfer rod, in combination with the device of claim 6, the transfer rod comprising means for accommodating the plurality of hooks.
  • 27. The transfer rod of claim 26, comprising a plurality of pivotably connectible rod sections configured to secure the pliable underlayment therebetween.
  • 28. The transfer rod of claim 26, the hook accommodating means comprising a plurality of slots, each slot accommodating one of said hooks.
  • 29. The transfer rod of claim 26, the hook accommodating means comprising an exterior surface accommodating one of said hooks.
  • 30. A pliable underlayment, in combination with the transfer rod and the device of claim 26, the pliable underlayment comprising:a mantle proportioned to accommodate at least a central portion of the patient's body; and an attaching structure operably adjacent the mantle.
  • 31. The pliable underlayment of claim 30, in which the attaching structure comprises a plurality of slots proportioned to accommodate the transfer rod.
  • 32. The pliable underlayment of claim 31, in which at least one of the slots extend generally parallel to a pliable underlayment longitudinal axis.
  • 33. The pliable underlayment of claim 31, in which at least one of the slots extend generally transverse to a pliable underlayment longitudinal axis.
  • 34. A method of maneuvering a patient positioned on a support, an underlayment being disposed between at least a portion of the patient and the support, the method comprising:providing a device operable by a single person, the device comprising: a power train, connecting means for connecting the power train and a patient supporting underlayment, and a power and switching system in electrical communication with the power train and means for stabilizing the device; fastening the connecting means to the underlayment; and actuating the power train to wind the connecting means thereon to achieve maneuvering of the patient from a first position to a second position.
  • 35. The method of claim 34, in which the power train is actuated by a remote switch.
  • 36. The method of claim 34 wherein the maneuvering of the patient from a first position to a second position includes a rollover of the patient.
  • 37. The method of claim 34 wherein the maneuvering of the patient from a first position to a second position includes a lateral movement of the patient.
  • 38. The method of claim 34 wherein the maneuvering of the patient from a first position to a second position includes a pullup of the patient.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/174,110 filed on Oct. 17, 1998, which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/057,139 filed on Apr. 8, 1998, which is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/713,412 filed on Sep. 13, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,238, which is a continuation in part of Application Ser. No. 08/527,519 now Pat. No. 5,737,781 filed on Sep. 13, 1995. This application incorporates by reference the entire contents of the previously mentioned applications and patents and the entire contents of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/084,519 filed May 7, 1998 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/092,286 filed Jul. 10, 1998. Furthermore, this application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/128,144 filed Apr. 7, 1999.

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60/092286 Jul 1998 US
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Continuation in Parts (4)
Number Date Country
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Child 09/545538 US
Parent 09/057139 Apr 1998 US
Child 09/174110 US
Parent 08/713412 Sep 1996 US
Child 09/057139 US
Parent 08/527519 Sep 1995 US
Child 08/713412 US