Wheel chair abstract
Disclosed is a turntable, to be placed at the front of a wheel
chair, either portable, or, being a part of the wheel chair itself,
and having a feet restraint system on the upper surface of the turntable,
to restrain the patients feet in a desired position, during the
transfer of the patient to a bed, or reverse transfer.
Wheel chair claims
What is claimed is:
1. A foot turn table for wheel chair patients, comprising:
a base plate, a rotary top plate, a set of bearings, and a set
of mounting hardware;
said base plate made of a substantially square piece of flat material,
said base plate having a thickness to provide suitable stability,
said base plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, four indented
corners, said corners being thicker than the remainder of said base
plate, said thicker corners and said indentations providing safe,
positioned, parking means for a wheel chair, while transferring
a patient to a bed, said base plate attaching a circular pattern
of said bearings on said upper surface, said base plate also having
handle means for carrying purposes,
said rotary top plate being a substantially rounded piece of material,
having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer peripheral edge
of an overhanging design, said outer peripheral edge providing covering
means for said bearings, and said bottom surface of said rotary
top plate providing bearing race means for said bearings,
said top rotary plate having rotatable attaching means for attaching
said top rotary plate onto said top surface of said base plate,
said bearings engaged said top surface of said base plate, and said
bottom surface of said top rotary plate, thereby providing easy
rotating means to said top rotary plate, said top rotary plate having
foot restraining means for a patient, said foot restraining means,
and said rotary top plate thereby rotatably restraining said feet
of said patient during a transfer of said patient from said wheel
chair.
2. A foot turntable for wheel chair patients as stated in claim
1, wherein said base plate is of a substantially circular design,
and said circular base plate has mounting means for a rotatable
attachment to a retracting system, and said retracting system having
rotatable attaching means to the framework of a wheel chair, said
retracting system being a plurality of swiveling supports for said
base plate, thereby allowing said base plate to be retracted under
said wheel chair, or, extended to a position in front of said wheel
chair, and said base plate thereby having means for being firmly
placed on the floor in front of said wheel chair, thereby providing
rotary means for the said feet of said patient during said transfer
of said patient from said wheel chair to a bed.
Wheel chair description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus and method of aiding a wheel
chair patient to be extracted from a wheel chair to a bed, and to
aid the attendant in removing the patient from the wheel chair,
and transferring them to a bed. This transfer usually involves lifting
the patient from the chair to a standing position, then having to
turn, or, orient, or turn them, while in the stationary standing
position, and aiding them in setting down on a bed, or other convenience.
It has been customary to maneuver the patient in the wheel chair
to a position approaching the bed, lock the wheels of the wheel
chair in this stationary location, and then, using a lifting device,
usually a strap around the patients body, lift the patient to a
standing position, turn them 180 degrees, and maneuver them to a
sitting position on the edge of the bed, and then aid them in laying
down, and maneuvering them to a prone position. The reverse action
is required in order to transfer the patient from the bed to the
wheel chair.
During this maneuver, especially in the act of turning the patient
180 degrees, while in the erect position, with the patients weight
on the floor, the patients feet can easily become tangled, causing
a problem in re-orienting the feet to conform to the turning motion
of the body. In many cases, this is a very painful experience to
the patient, and, in the case of a hip, or leg injury, serious damage
to the injury can occur. In the case of patients with alzheimer's
disease, the patient becomes dis-oriented, and is unable to cooperate
with the attendant, and a lengthy process ensues, with the attendant
having the problem of holding the patients weight during the turning
of the feet. It is customary to have an additional attendant to
accomplish this task.
Nothing was discovered in the prior arts, which focused on this
particular problem. However, the art of providing an apparatus to
turn an object 180 degrees, and even 360 degrees, is well known
in the prior arts, however, none of the prior arts address the problem
of transferring a patient from a wheel chair to a bed, and addressing
the problems encountered in this maneuver. This act requires locating
a wheel chair in the required position, placing the patients feet
at the required transfer location, restraining the patients feet
at that location, lifting the patient to a standing position, rotating
the patient 180 degrees, and especially including the patients feet,
and allowing the patient to be easily seated on the edge of the
bed, without entangling their feet, and then aiding the patient
in assuming the prone position on the bed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,654, Werner teaches a Swivel Mounting Unit
which enables the user to turn an object 360 degrees. This art has
too many restrictions on the type of device to be rotated, and would
not be conducive to a patient in a wheel chair, and, also has no
provision for placing the wheel chair in the correct position and
location, and keeping it in that location. Also, no method is taught
for restraining the patients feet during the maneuver
Kawai, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,446, teaches a similar Swivel, or,
Rotary stand, having a slideable, or, adjustable circle, for the
top of the device to turn in a pre-determined area, on the base
of the device. Here again, this device is not adaptable to a patient
in a wheel chair, where stability of the patient is the main concern,
and stability of the wheel chair during the transfer process is
of the utmost concern. Also, no provision is anticipated for the
restraint of the patients feet during the transfer process.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,664, Donald demonstrates the prior art usage
of these turntable type units, wherein he teaches a counter mounted
rotary device, for mounting an appliance. Here again, no consideration
is anticipated for a transfer of a patient from a wheel chair to
a bed, and the weight of the patient, and the restraint of the patients
feet, and the wheel chair, during the transfer process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a method
and apparatus to aid in the transfer of a wheel chair patient from
the wheel chair to the bed, and from the bed to the wheel chair.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which
will enable the operator of the wheel chair to lock the apparatus
in place in relation to the wheel chair, in the proper position,
when performing the transfer to the bed, or from the bed.
Another object of this invention is to provide feet restraints
for the patient, when making the transfer from, or to, the bed.
Another object of this invention is to provide this apparatus as
a portable piece of equipment, to be easily stored until needed.
Still another object of this invention is to provide this apparatus
as an attachable, and foldable piece of equipment, which can be
a part of the wheel chair, available to the patient, or the operator,
at any time, and can be retracted under the wheel chair, or extended
for use, when not needed.
In carrying out this invention in the illustrative embodiment thereof,
a rotary turntable, capable of supporting the weight of the patient,
is placed on the floor at a location conducive to transferring a
patient from a wheel chair to a bed. The turntable has a base plate,
with four indentations, one indentation at each of the corners,
for purposes of parking the wheel chair, and holding the wheel chair
in place, firmly against the base plate. Now, the base plate has
a set of bearing type supports attached into its upper central surface,
and, a rotator plate is attached onto the base plate, by a shouldered
bolt through its center peripheral, in a manner to allow the rotator
plate to contact the bearing supports on its underside, and, as
the bearings are attached onto the upper surface, the rotator plate
is allowed to rotate 360 degrees on top of the base plate.
Also, the rotator plate has a restraint system for the patients
feet.
In operation, the portable turntable is placed in a strategic location
beside the bed, the patient is wheeled to the turntable, and the
wheels are fitted into two of the indentations of the base plate,
and the wheel chair is locked into that position. Now, the patients
feet are fitted into the restraints, the patient is lifted to an
erect position, and then the patient is rotated to a position which
will allow them to be easily set on the bed, and helped to a prone
position.
In the case where the turntable is retractably attached to the
bottom of the wheel chair, the patient is wheeled to the position
beside the bed, the turntable is extended from under the wheel chair,
using the rotatable, leverage bar system, and the turntable is set
firmly on the floor. The patients feet are then placed in the foot
restraints, then lifted to a prone position, and rotated correctly,
and set on the bed. The turntable apparatus is then retracted under
the wheel chair to an out of the way position. All of this accomplished
without worry about the orientation of the patients feet.
Conveniently, the operator may wheel the patient to the bed, either
use the portable turntable, or, extend the wheel chair attached
turntable, place the patients feet in the restraints, lift the patient
to a prone position, rotate the patient as required, and set them
on the bed, and the patients feet never become a problem.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This invention, together with other objects, features, aspects
and advantages thereof, will be more clearly understood from the
following description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
Three sheets of drawings are furnished, sheet one contains FIG.
1, and FIG. 2, sheet 2 contains FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, and sheet 3
contains FIG. 5, and FIG. 6.
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the invention, showing the four
indented corners, and the rotary top, with the foot restraints.
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the base plate, with the center
rotatable mounting opening, and the bearing support system.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the rotary top piece, showing the center
opening for the mounting screw, and the bearing race surface for
the bearing system.
FIG. 4 is an end view of the rotary top piece, showing the mounting
bolt in place, and the foot restraints.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the turntable, retractably attached onto
the main support tube of the wheel chair, showing the rotary, and
swivel joints, used to retract, and to extend the turntable, and
place it firmly on the floor, in the desired position.
FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the turntable system, showing the
attachment to the retracting hardware.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1, a portable, and storeable foot turn table
for wheel chair patients, referred to generally by the reference
numeral 1 is made of suitable material, and has a bottom base plate
2, which is positioned flat on the floor. Base plate 2 has four
indented, and raised corners, 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, for purposes of
parking the wheels of a wheel chair in a stationary position. Base
plate 2 also has a cut out 6, which provides for carrying the base
plate 2. A top rotary plate 3 is rotatably attached onto the top
of base plate 2 by means of mounting hardware, which firmly attaches
top rotary plate 3 onto base plate 2, and allows top rotary plate
3 to rotate in a 360 degree circle. Top rotary plate 3 has foot
restraints 5a, and 5b attached onto its upper surface, for placing
the patients feet into position for turning, and holding them in
this position.
Progressing to FIG. 2 we see a top cutaway view of the base plate,
showing four bearings, 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d, attached onto the top
surface of base plate 2 by mounting flanges 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d.
Also seen in FIG. 2 is the center mounting flange 7, providing rotating
mounting for the top rotary plate 3.
Progressing on to FIG. 3 we see a bottom view of rotary plate 3
having an outer peripheral edge 9 of a height to cover most of the
distance produced between base plate 2, and top rotary plate 3,
and to protect bearings 8a-8d from the elements. Top rotary plate
3 having bearing race surface 11, and center mounting flange 7,
secured by flange mounting screws 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. Flange
7 has opening 10 in its center, to accommodate mounting bolt 13,
more easily seen in FIG. 4, which attaches top rotor plate 3 onto
base plate 2, top rotary plate 3 resting on bearings 8a-8d, thereby
allowing top rotary plate 3 to rotate freely on base plate 2. Progressing
now to FIG. 5, we see another embodiment of the foot turntable for
wheel chair patients, which is retractably attached onto the wheel
chair 14, and is not portable. Still referring to FIG. 5 we see
wheels 15a, and 15b of wheel chair 14 attached to tubes 17a, and
17b by mounting hardware 16a, and 16b. Now, top rotary attachment
18 is attached onto tube 17b, and also serves as mounting for top
swivel joint 19, which allows first support piece 20 to swivel.
First support piece 20 is attached to second support piece 21, and
it is allowed to swivel also, by center swivel joint 22. Now, second
support piece 21 is attached to a retractable bottom base plate
26 by bottom swivel joint 23, and bottom rotary attachment 24. This
swiveling, and rotating hardware allows retractable bottom base
plate 26 to be extended from the underside of wheel chair 14, extended
outward, and placed flat on the floor, for purposes of transferring
the patient from the wheel chair 14 to a bed, not shown. Levelling
pad 25 keeps base plate 26 level.
In FIG. 6 we see a front cutaway view of the retractable base plate
26, showing the 2nd support piece connected to bottom rotary attachment
24, and bottom rotary attachment 24 inserted into retractable base
plate 26, top rotary plate 3 being the same rotary plate as seen
in FIG. 1.
Accordingly, a very unique, attractive, convenient method and apparatus
are provided for aiding in the transfer of a patient from a wheel
chair to a bed, without having to contend with the position of the
patients feet during the transfer. This invention also keeps the
patients feet in a restrained, rotatable position, allowing for
a more easy transfer of the patient to a bed.
Since minor changes and modifications varied to fit particular
operating requirements and environments will be understood by those
skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the
specific examples chosen for purposes of illustration, and includes
all changes and modifications which do not constitute a departure
from the true spirit and scope of this invention as claimed in the
following claims and reasonable equivalents to the claimed elements. |