Transfer aid for disabled people

Abstract

A transfer aid 12 for a disabled person or an invalid, such as a wheelchair user or user of other aids or devices, has: an anchor 20 having means to secure the aid to a bed, wall or large object; a se

Description

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a transfer aid for a disabled person or invalid, such as a wheelchair user and those using a commode or walker More particularly, it is an aid which enables an disabled person, for example, to transfer from a wheelchair to another support such as a bed or toilet, independently without relying on the assistance of another person to secure their chair and where the user has some transferring ability themselves, Wheelchairs today are very mobile lightweight constructions, usually made of aluminium or other lightweight metal tubing. Although they have brakes, they can weigh as little as 3kg to 5kg so can easily move or be pushed away when a person stands up to transfer in or out of the wheelchair. To prevent falling and other injuries to the person using the wheelchair, another person such as a carer, or family member has to hold the wheelchair while the person attempts to transfer in or out of the wheelchair. The object of the invention is to alleviate this problem greatly reducing or even stopping falls giving independence and privacy and added safety in place for the users allowing ability for transferring in and out from their device, with less reliance on others allowing peace of mind for carers and family and alleviating the worries of falls for the user and carers and family alike as it applies to wheelchair users in particular. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a transfer aid for a disabled person or an invalid such as a wheelchair user or user of other aids or devices, the transfer aid comprising an anchor mechanism having means to secure the transfer aid to a bed or wall or large object, a securing means for engagement with the wheelchair or other aid or device and a pivot means to allow pivotal movement between the wheelchair or other aid or device and the anchor mechanism means, thereby allowing a controlled relative movement between the wheelchair and the bed or wall or large object, wherein the transfer aid is in the shape of an inverted “J” tube or pipe with the long arm of the “J” accommodating the anchor mechanism and the short arm of the “J” accommodating the securing means for the wheelchair or other aid or device so that the wheelchair or other aid or device is pivotally connected to the anchor mechanism. Ideally, the anchor mechanism is mounted to the long arm above one or more removable and adjustable springs and includes a stop insertable in one or more of holes provided on the long arm to retain the springs as required. Preferably, the short arm includes a tapered end for engagement with a wheelchair or other aid or device and includes a stop engageable with the tapered end. Conveniently, the anchor mechanism comprises a holder having through holes for the long arm of the anchor mechanism and a securing bracket fixed to the holder with a slot preventing the holder from extending beyond a controlled distance up the long arm, with a removable mounting plate being engaged with the securing bracket. Advantageously, the bracket is secured to the holder by screws and the securing bracket includes two extended ends folded facing each other. Ideally, the tapered end of the transfer aid is adapted to engage with a receiver fixed to the wheelchair or other aid or device. Preferably, the transfer aid is securable to the frame of a bed by securing means which are engaged with the anchor mechanism with the short arm of the transfer aid extending outwardly from the bed to be engaged with a wheelchair or other aid or device by securing the “J” shaped tube upwardly against the action of the springs and the tapered end engaging with the receiver on the wheelchair other aid or device. Conveniently, the transfer aid is securable to a wall by screws fixing the anchor mechanism to the wall with the tapered end being engageable with the receiver on the wheelchair, aid or device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only, one embodiment of a transfer aid for wheelchair users according to the invention. In the drawings; Figure 1 is a perspective view of the transfer aid, including anchor arm with two adjustable springs on the long side and a tapered end on the other side which allows the connection to the wheelchair or the eye bolt all adjustment using an alien key also back plate, middle plate and front plate of the mechanism in view; Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the anchoring mechanism having a securing bracket and a mounting plate; left to right, back plate, middle plate in a horizontal position with a hole at one end for anchoring bolt, front plate with attached anchor arm; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the securing bracket middle plate in a horizontal position with front plate with anchor arm connected; Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the lower portions of a wheelchair showing two main engagement means for the securing tapered end of the anchor mechanism arm, one being the wheelchair frame where a foot rest would engage, and the second being the eye bolt secured by its bracket; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the transfer aid in which the anchoring mechanism is secured to a bed frame using the back plate and a ratchet strap with anchoring arm free and ready for use; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the anchoring mechanism attached and secured to a wall such as a bathroom or bedroom with the anchor arm engaged by means of the eye bolt attached by its bracket to the wheelchair with springs holding it in place so transferring arm is engaged with a wheelchair; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a box frame bed with the anchor mechanism attached and secured by the anchor bolt with hole at end for securing with an alien key with no back plate needed and the anchor arm engaged to the frame of the wheelchair allowing pivotal motion yet anchoring the wheelchair in position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, transfer aid 12 comprises an inverted “J” shaped steel tube 12 having a long leg 14 and a short leg 16. Anchor mechanism 20 is mounted to the long leg 14 above a pair of springs 30 and 32. Spring 30 is located between the anchor mechanism front plate 20 and dividing washer 34 and spring 32 is located between the shoulder 34 and removable and adjustable stop 35. One of the springs 30 or 32 can be removed to allow adjustment or the stop 35 can be inserted in one of the holes 36 or 37 depending on the requirements for the particular situation in installation or to allow light tension and easy use of the springs. The short leg 16 includes a tapered end 17 for engagement with a wheelchair frame or eye bolt includes a stop 18 to prevent the tapered end from engaging too far. Feature 15 is a removable / replaceable long bolt hole at one end for alien key for adjusting middle plate horizontal or vertical. Features 21 are holes in back plate for securing to wall as in Figure 6. Figure 2 shows the anchor mechanism 20 in greater detail attached to the long leg 14 of the inverted “J” shaped tube 12. The anchor mechanism 20 comprises a holder the front plate 22 having two through holes for the long leg 14 and a securing bracket 24 fixed to the holder 22. A slot 25 prevents the holder 22 from extending too far up the long leg 14 and also can be adjusted to accommodate the user. Hole for anchor bolt 31 view Figure 7 in use on box frame bed. A removable or reversible mounting back plate 26 is engaged and slots in with the securing bracket 24 and held in place by 29 on view Figure 3. Long hexagon bolt 15 can be taken out and replaced to allow 24 middle plate to be horizontal or vertical. As shown in Figure 3 with the back mounting plate 26 removed, the securing bracket in a horizontal position 24 is visible in greater detail. The bracket front plate 22 is secured to the middle plate 24 by two screws 27 and 28 having alien key and counter sunk heads and by removing and replacing screw 28 it allows 24 to become horizontal or vertical whilst still attached to the bracket front plate 22. Each end 29 allows back plate 26 to sit and be held in position and ready for use. Hole 31 is available for an anchor bolt if required. Figure 7 shows anchor bolt 55 in use. Wheelchair 40 shown in Figure 4 includes an open pipe 42 where a foot rest could be attached and an eye bolt 44 attached by its bracket both for securing the tapered end 17 / 18 of the transferring aid arm 12 to the wheelchair, commode, walker or other device. As shown in Figure 5, the transfer aid 10 can be secured to frame 52 of bed 50 by a ratchet strap 54 by means of the back plate 26 being engaged with the anchor mechanism 20. Short leg 16 of the transfer aid arm extends outwardly from the bed can be engaged with a wheelchair by securing the “J” shaped tube 12 upwardly against the action of springs 30 and 32 and allowing the tapered end 17 that is pointing down to engage with the open pipe 42 or the eye bolt 44. When engaged, the wheelchair can not move further away than the arm allows, yet can still have pivotal motion relative to the bed 50 no more than a controlled distance allowed by the transfer aid arm which can be 200-300 mm for example, In Figure 6, the transfer aid 10 can be secured to a wall 60 by screws through holes 21 in fixing the back plate 26 fixing the anchor mechanism 20 to the wall with the tapered end of the anchor arm 17 engaged with the eye bolt 44. As shown in Figure 7, a box frame bed 53 has anchor mechanism 20 attached and held in position by the anchoring bolt 55 with middle plate 24 been held horizontal by a long hexagon nut 15, all allowing anchor arm to be engaged with spring tension holding in place to open pipe 42 of the wheelchair 40, adjustment or installing connections, 15,25,35, or 55 using an alien key. The wheelchair 40 is then secured and cannot move beyond the pivot limit of the transfer arm. By using the anchoring system the user can then safely stand up and get in or out off the wheelchair 40, commode or walker and sit on a bed, toilet or chair and allowing privacy, independently and safety for the user and peace of mind for family and carers. The transfer aid 10 is easy to use and to install in the home, requiring only simple tools to fit in many locations in the home. It also allows quick and easy release by just pulling the arm up for release by the user or carer. It can be used in many locations required in the home such as a bedroom or bathroom. The anchor bolt is also easy to fit to a box frame bed only needing an alien key. The back plate together with a ratchet strap could be attached to single and double beds or by turning the back plate around and attached to a wall. This all provides a big physiological and physical boost to the wheelchair user or user of other aids where transferring is required by greatly reducing or even stopping falls and 5 will promote independent confidence in transferring and making a safer environment allowing the user to go about their day to day life without them relying on assistance for transferring and providing a peace of mind for family and carers. Its simplicity can be life changing for the user. 10 It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A transfer aid for a disabled person or an invalid, such as a wheelchair user or user of other aids or devices, the transfer aid comprising an anchor mechanism having means to secure the transfer aid to a bed, wall or large object, a securing means for engagement with the wheelchair or other aid or device and a pivot means to allow pivotal movement between the wheelchair or other aid or device and the anchor mechanism, thereby allowing a controlled relative movement between the wheelchair or other aid or device and the bed, wall or large object, wherein, the transfer aid is in the shape of an inverted “J” tube or pipe with the long arm of the “J” accommodating the anchor mechanism and the short arm of the “J” accommodating the securing means for the wheelchair or other aid or device, so that the wheelchair or other aid or device is pivotally connected to the anchor mechanism.

2. A transfer aid as claimed in Claim 1, in which the anchor mechanism is mounted to the long arm above one or more removable and adjustable springs and includes a stop insertable in one or more holes provided on the long arm to retain the springs as required.

3. A transfer aid as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the short arm includes a tapered end for engagement with a wheelchair or other aid or device and includes a stop engageable with the tapered end.

4. A transfer aid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the anchor mechanism comprises a holder having through holes for the long arm of the anchor mechanism and a securing bracket fixed to the holder with a slot preventing the holder from extending beyond a controlled distance up the long arm, with a removable mounting plate being engaged with the securing bracket.

5. A transfer aid as claimed in Claim 4, in which the bracket is secured to the holder by screws and the securing bracket includes two extended ends folded facing each other.

6. A transfer aid as claimed in Claim 3, in which the tapered end of the transfer aid is adapted to engage with a receiver fixed to the wheelchair or other aid or device.5 7. A transfer aid as claimed in Claim 6, in which the transfer aid is securable to the frameof a bed by securing means which are engaged with the anchor mechanism with the short arm of the transfer aid extending outwardly from the bed to be engaged with a wheelchair or other aid or device by securing the “J” shaped tube upwardly against the action of the springs and the tapered end engaging with the receiver on the wheelchair other aid or 10 device.

8. A transfer aid as claimed in Claim 6, in which the transfer aid is securable to a wall by screws fixing the anchor mechanism to the wall with the tapered end being engageable with the receiver on the wheelchair, aid or device.IntellectualPropertyOfficeApplication GB2503487.7Search report under Section 17 of the Patents Act 1977Date search completed: 28 July 2025Claims searched: 1-8International classificationSubclass and subgroup Valid from A61G3 / 08 01 / 01 / 2006 A61G5 / 14 01 / 01 / 2006 A61G7 / 053 01 / 01 / 2006 A61G7 / 10 01 / 01 / 2006Field of searchWorldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC:A61G, A61HDatabases used in the preparation of this search report:SEARCH-PATENTDocuments considered to be relevantPatent literatureCategory Relevant Document of relevanceclaimsA - US 2022 / 0096296 A1 PURDUE et al., See figures A - US 2010 / 0171284 A1 PARKS, See figures Non-patent literature Category Relevant claims Document of relevanceCategoriesLetter or symbol Description X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step, if combined with anotherdocument of the same category.& Member of the same patent family. A Document indicating technological background. P Document published on or after the priority date but before the fling date of the present application. E Earlier application published on or after the filing date of the present application.

Images