Patent Grant
11559454
Caring for an individual with limited mobility can present numerous difficulties. One such difficulty occurs when a caregiver needs to move an individual with limited mobility from one seated position to another. This commonly occurs when a caregiver needs to transfer an individual with limited mobility from a bed or a seat to a wheelchair.
In such situations, the caregiver generally has two options to perform the transfer. First, the caregiver can move the individual using only the caregiver's own body strength. For example, the caregiver can entirely lift the individual with limited mobility from the first seated position and place them into the second seated position. The caregiver can also lean the individual against the caregiver's own body and rotate the individual into the second seated position. Using the caregiver's own body strength, however, exposes the caregiver to the possibility of injuring themselves during the transfer. Also, if the caregiver loses their balance or has a loss of strength, they can injure the individual with limited mobility.
Second, the caregiver can use a small rotating disk to assist with moving an individual with limited mobility. In such a case, the caregiver places the disk on the ground, has the individual place their feet on the disk and rise to a standing position with the caregiver's assistance. The caregiver then rotates the individual's body and returns them to a seated posture in the second position. These disks, however, are often difficult for individuals to balance on, so the caregiver must still depend upon their own body strength in order to help the individual maintain balance and rotate the individual.
In both situations, a caregiver is required to use their own body strength. This means that caregivers need a certain amount of strength in order to be able to assist an individual with limited mobility. Such a prerequisite makes it difficult for smaller caretakers to assist more sizable individuals. In many instances, families are required to hire outside help that has the requisite strength, which can pose a significant financial burden.
Caregiver injuries result in not only personal injury but also, loss of wages, loss of work where the individual could provide care for others and could result in a worker's compensation case.
In some embodiments, the invention is a portable movement assistance device comprising: a handle, wherein said handle is configured to accommodate the lifting and transfer of said device by a grip of a human hand; a platform, wherein the size of said platform is sufficient in size to accommodate a walker and a human using said walker; a base, wherein said base is configured to be placed on a floor; and a rotational component, wherein said rotational component contacts said base and said platform; and is configured to provide a rotational mechanism between said base and said platform; wherein said device is configured to rotate a human in a circular motion along a circular path. In one aspect the portable movement device is configured to be portable from a first location to a second location. In one aspect the portable movement device weighs less than 30 pounds. In one aspect the portable movement device weighs less than 20 pounds. In one aspect the portable movement device comprises wheels to move said device from a first location to a second location. In one aspect the portable movement device has a platform that further comprises an anti-slip surface. In one aspect the portable movement device has a platform configured to stably accommodate a walker. In one aspect the portable movement device further comprises one or more engageable walker clasps that when engaged are configured to clasp to a walker and immobilize the walker in a stationary position. In one aspect the portable movement device has a platform that is configured to assist a person to rise from a first seated position to a standing position, rotate said person to a desired location and assist said person to a second seated position. In one aspect the portable movement device is configured to assist a person that weighs over 350 pounds. In one aspect the portable movement device has a rotational component comprises a lazy Susan mechanism. In one aspect the portable movement device can be rotated by a caregiver. In one aspect the portable movement device can be transported by a caregiver.
In some embodiments the invention is a method of moving a person with mobility constraints, the method comprising: placing a walker onto a platform of a portable movement device; assisting the person with mobility constraints from a first seated position near said portable movement device, to a standing position on said portable movement device, wherein said person with mobility constraints engages one or more handles on said walker on said platform of said portable movement device to stand in an assisted position on said portable movement device; rotating said platform of said portable movement device relative to a base of said portable movement device, wherein said base of said portable movement device is stably positioned on a floor and wherein said person with mobility constraints is rotated in a circular motion in a circular path to a second position; assisting said person with mobility constraints to a second seated position; and removing said walker from said portable movement device. In one aspect the method further comprising moving said portable movement device to a second location. In one aspect the portable movement device is less than 30 pounds. In one aspect the portable movement device is less than 20 pounds. In one aspect the portable movement device is configured to accommodate a person with mobility constraints that weighs over 350 pounds. In one aspect the platform is engaged with said base with a rotational component. In one aspect the method of rotational component is a lazy Susan.
All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:
The present disclosure describes a rotational support apparatus that addresses many of the issues described above. The apparatus includes a broad base on which an individual with limited mobility can stand on and be rotated by a caregiver. The apparatus can work in tandem with a walker or have its own built-in handles to support the individual's weight while the caregiver rotates the apparatus.
In one embodiment, shown in
As shown in
In the case where the stabilizing device is a walker, the walker-skis should be positioned such that the legs of walker are coupled near the edge of the base in order to maximize stability. The stabilizing device can be coupled to the base in numerous ways, including but not limited to a push-button mechanism, a locking button device, pins, clips, clamps or screw fasteners.
The top surface of the apparatus can include a non-slip coating such as grip tape. This non-slip coating helps prevent an individual using the apparatus from slipping while on the apparatus. One skilled in the art would recognize that several non-slip coatings would also be appropriate to prevent slippage.
In an embodiment, shown in
The non-stick supports are configured so as to maximize ease of rotation while using the apparatus. In one instance, furniture mover pads can be employed as non-stick supports. In another instance, the bottom surface of the base is completely composed of a non-stick material with the exception of the rotational platform. One skilled in the art would recognize that numerous types of non-stick materials would be appropriate for such a use.
In an embodiment, shown in
In another embodiment, the apparatus is configured to allow a sizable individual to make use of the apparatus. As shown in
In an embodiment, shown in
In an embodiment, shown in
In an embodiment, shown in
In another embodiment, shown in
The apparatus is light weight and collapses to make it compact. The apparatus comes with a handle which makes it portable and easy to carry from one place to another.
In some embodiments, the apparatus can hold a person of up to 250 pounds. In some embodiments, the apparatus can hold a person of up to 300 pounds. In some embodiments, the apparatus can hold a person of up to 350 pounds. In some embodiments, the apparatus can hold a person of up to 400 pounds. In some embodiments, the apparatus can hold a person of up to 450 pounds. In some embodiments, the apparatus can hold a person of up to 500 pounds or more.
In some embodiments, the total weight of the apparatus can be 10 pounds or less. In some embodiments the total weight of the apparatus can be 9 pounds or less. In some embodiments, the total weight of the apparatus can be 8 pounds or less. In some embodiments the total weight of the apparatus can be 7 pounds or less. In some embodiments the total weight of the apparatus can be 6 pounds or less. In some embodiments, the total weight of the apparatus can be 5 pounds or less.
In an embodiment where the stabilizing device is a walker, operation of the apparatus is as follows. The walker is coupled to the top surface of the base of the apparatus. The caregiver then aligns the opening of the walker with the individual with limited mobility. That individual then stands on the apparatus with the assistance of the caregiver and the walker. The caregiver then rotates the apparatus so that the individual is aligned with the second seating position. Finally, the individual sits in the second position with the assistance of the caregiver and the walker and is moved away from the apparatus.
Because the weight of the individual with limited mobility is primarily supported by the apparatus, the caregiver is no longer required to have nearly as much strength in order to assist the individual. This apparatus would be especially effective when used in a hospital, long-term care facility, or home care situation.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/735,281, filed Sep. 24, 2018, which application is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4829612 | Adams | May 1989 | A |
| 5507044 | Williamson | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5524303 | Palmer, Jr. et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
| 5526541 | Massey | Jun 1996 | A |
| 7543341 | Carbaugh | Jun 2009 | B1 |
| 9345631 | Daneshvar | May 2016 | B2 |
| 10092469 | Lillevold | Oct 2018 | B1 |
| 10682275 | Richard | Jun 2020 | B2 |
| 10987266 | Domenick | Apr 2021 | B2 |
| 20050076436 | Hahn | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20100319121 | Polomsky | Dec 2010 | A1 |
| 20130269102 | Raven | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| 20150250674 | Moore | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20180161224 | Forro | Jun 2018 | A1 |
| 20190038490 | Lillevold | Feb 2019 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200146914 A1 | May 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62735281 | Sep 2018 | US |
