Patient transfer system

Abstract

A patient transfer system using a mobile patient support chair that allows rotation of a chair with respect to a frame and an adjustable bed are described. The support frame of the chair and the location of the pivot axis of bed frame have been designed to ensure that the patient is fully supported during the transfer of the patient from the chair to the bed to eliminate or minimise any gaps in order facilitate safer patient transfers. A controller and associated method for safely transferring the patient from the chair to the bed has also been developed which coordinates rotation of the chair with both height and rotational adjustment of the bed. The chair may also include a pivot axis adjustment assembly to allow movement of the rotation axis closer to the COG of the patient to enable easier rotation of the chair.

Description

PATIENT TRANSFER SYSTEMPRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No.2025900582 titled “Patient Transfer System” and filed on 27 February 2025, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to patient support chairs and patient transfer systems. In a particular form, the present disclosure relates to mobile patient support chairs for the elderly and infirm, and associated systems for transferring patients from mobile chairs to beds.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] With an ageing population, there is a growing need for mobile patient support chairs for the elderly and infirm, particularly in aged care and hospital settings. Such chairs are used to move patients, for example, to perform activities of daily living such as showering and toileting. WO2019 / 119014 describes a mobile patient support chair designed for home use. This chair was designed to facilitate use and care of a patient by an aged carer, such as a partner, who would have limited strength and physical capabilities to assist with daily living activities. This chair was designed with a lockable pivot mounting to allow pivoting of the chair with respect to the support frame.

[0004] Another intended use of the chair was to assist in the transfer of the patient to and from the chair to an adjustable conveyor bed. The adjustable conveyor bed was a motorised bed that could be raised and lowered and included a conveyor to move the patient onto or off the bed from the chair. A docking station was designed that could be fitted to the foot end of the bed and which was configured to dock the chair, and control (and drive) the rotation of the chair to assist with the transfer of the patient to and from the bed (using a PLC). The chair was designed with docking pins that were received in the dock and a drive system comprising a driver coupler and drive shaft connected to the pivot mount to allow the docking station to control and drive the rotation of the chair (when docked). However, it was found that the proposed design was not optimal.

[0005] During the transfer process, the chair is rotated and the bed height is adjusted. However, during testing of the previous system, it was found that the chair legs would interfere with the movement of the bed preventing further lowering of the bed frame. This led to gaps forming between the seat of the chairand the edge of the bed, leaving the patient partially unsupported during part of the transfer operation, which could lead to patient injury.

[0006] To facilitate easy rotation of the chair with minimal force, it is desirable to locate the pivot axis close to the centre of gravity (COG) of the chair when the patient is seated in the chair. However, as patients come in a range of sizes and weights, the location of the centre of gravity will change from patient to patient. In the previous system the COG was customised to a specific patient during handover based on a survey performed to determine a range of reference body types and the associated COG locations. Prior to handover to a user, the COG of the patient was assessed to determine the matching reference body type and associated COG location. A mounting plate for the pivot mount was provided with multiple mounting points, and based on the patient’s COG, the appropriate mounting points were selected, and the pivot mount was then fixed in place. Whilst this enabled customising of the chair to the intended user, this limits the wider use of the chair, and in particular the use of the chair in aged care and hospital settings where the same chair may be used for multiple patients.

[0007] There is thus a need to provide an improved patient transfer system including a mobile patient support chair for use in aged care and hospital settings, or to at least provide a useful alternative to existing systems and devices.SUMMARY

[0008] Embodiments of a patient transfer system using a mobile patient support chair that allows rotation of the chair with respect to a support frame and an adjustable bed are described. The shape of the leg of the support frame of the chair and the location of the pivot axis of the bed frame have been designed to ensure that the patient is fully supported during the transfer of the patient from the chair to the bed and thus facilitate safer patient transfers. For example, the legs of the support frame may have an inclined L-shaped profile, or a similar profile which avoids rearward directed legs. Additionally, the rear pivot frame member (which defines the pivot axis of the foot of the bed) is located parallel to and offset from the foot end of the patient support surface such that the foot end of the patient support surface extends past the pivot end frame member. This combination of inclined L shaped leg and offset bed pivot axis allows the end of the bed to be brought close to the rear of the seat to enable the safe transfer of the patient from the chair to the bed. An associated controller and method for safely transferring the patient from the chair to the bed has also been developed which coordinates the rotation of the chair, movement of the bed conveyor, and the height and inclination angle of the foot end of the bed to keep the patient supported during the transfer. A related method to transfer the patient from the bed to the chair is also described. In some embodiments the mobile patient support chair uses a pivot mounting assembly that incorporates a pivot axis adjustment assembly. Embodiments of the pivot axis adjustment assembly allow translation of the rotation axis of the chair within a plane to allow movement of the rotation axis closer to the COG, andthus enable easier rotation of the chair, i.e. so that less force is required to rotate the chair. In particular embodiments are described which are compact and thus maximise the width of the seat whilst ensuring the chair is able to fit through a standard doorway. These allow more rapid adjustment of the pivot axis enabling use of the mobile patient support chair in aged care and hospital settings. Embodiments may be used independently of the bed and may omit transfer related components.

[0009] According to a first aspect, there is provided a mobile patient support chair configured for use in a patient transfer system comprising the patient support chair and an adjustable bed, the mobile patient support chair comprising:a support frame comprising a first side frame and a second side frame, each side frame comprising a central mount, a leg comprising a lower support beam portion extending longitudinally from a front end to a rear end and which supports a front wheel, a rear wheel and a docking guide located on an inner rear surface of the lower support beam, and a vertically extending leg portion which extends upward from a front portion of the lower support beam to the central mount;a chair assembly comprising a frame assembly with an upper portion, a seat portion and a lower portion, the chair assembly having a front side which is configured to receive and support a patient having a back, buttocks and legs, and a rear side, and the lower portion supports the patient’s legs, the seat portion supports the patient’s buttocks and the upper portion supports the patient’s back, and the seat portion comprises a first side frame member and a second side frame member; anda pair of pivot mounting arrangements which mount a respective side frame of the support frame to a respective side frame member of the chair assembly and which comprises a shaft and a bearing to allow rotation of the chair assembly with respect to the support frame about a pivot axis, and at least one of the pivot mounting arrangements comprises a locking arrangement for locking the chair assembly in a plurality of positions over a rotation range, and each bearing is mounted to the central mount of the respective support framewherein the vertically extending leg portion extends upwards from the lower support beam at a location forward of a rear of the seat portion, andwhen used to transfer a patient from the chair to an adjustable bed, each docking guide is configured to guide the chair to be received and secured into a docking assembly of the adjustable bed such that a rear of the support frame is located under an end of the bed, and at least one of the legs comprises a clutch arrangement configured to both control engagement and disengagement of a clutch and drive rotation of the chair assembly when the clutch is disengaged, the clutch arrangement comprising a clutch and a drive shaft arrangement passing through the respective leg to a drive coupler located in a rear of the lower support beam which, when docked with the docking assembly of the adjustable bed, engages with a drive actuator in the docking assembly which drives rotation of the chair assembly over the rotation range under control of a controller in the adjustable bed.

[0010] In a further form, the vertically extending leg portion is a vertically extending inclined leg portion that extends rearward and upward from the front end of the lower support beam to the central mount such that the leg is an inclined L-shaped leg.

[0011] In a further form, the mobile patient support chair further comprises a pair of pivot axis adjustment assemblies configured to translate the pivot axis in a plane parallel to the respective side of the chair to allow adjustment of a location of the chair assembly with respect to the support frame.

[0012] In a further form, the upper side, the lower side, the front side, and the rear side of each side frame member define a rectangular aperture, and each of the upper side, lower side, front side, and rear side comprise a slot, and the shaft is located on a shaft support that is mounted to the pivot axis adjustment assembly, and the pivot axis adjustment assembly is mounted within the rectangular aperture of the respective side frame member and comprises:a central block comprising a first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture, each of the first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture passing through the central block from an upper side to a lower side and located in a first plane parallel to the respective side, and a second adjustment aperture and at least one second support aperture, each of the second adjustment aperture and at least one second support aperture passing through the central block from a front side to a rear side and located in a second plane parallel to the respective side and the first plane, and the first plane and the second plane are spaced apart such that the first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture do not intersect with the second adjustment aperture and at least one second support aperture;a set of four slide plates, comprising an upper slide plate, a lower slide plate, a front slide plate and a rear slide plate, and when used, each slide plate is received in a slot of a respective side of a rectangular aperture in a side frame member of the chair assembly;at least one first support element having a first end received in a support receiving aperture in the upper slide plate and a second end received in a support receiving aperture in the lower slide plate, and passing through a respective first support aperture in the central block;a first adjustment element defining a first axis and having a first end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the upper slide plate and a second end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the lower slide plate, and passing through the first adjustment aperture in the central block wherein one or both of the first and second ends are configured to allow driving of the first adjustment element;at least one second support element having a first end received in a support receiving aperture in the front slide plate and a second end received in a support receiving aperture in the rear slide plate, and passing through a respective second support aperture in the central block; anda second adjustment element defining a second axis and having a first end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the front slide plate and a second end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the rear slide plate, and passing through the second adjustment aperture in the central block,and one or both of the first and second ends are configured to allow driving of the second adjustment element,wherein the first adjustment element and first adjustment aperture in the central block are configured such that driving of the first adjustment element drives the central block along the first axis, and the second adjustment element and second adjustment aperture in the central block are configured such that driving of the second adjustment element drives the central block along the second axis to enable the pivot axis of the pivot mounting assembly to be moved to any location within the rectangular aperture of the side frame member.

[0013] In one form, the first adjustment element is a screw threaded rod, and the first adjustment aperture is an aperture with a matching screw thread and the second adjustment element is a screw threaded rod and the second adjustment aperture is an aperture with a matching screw thread.

[0014] In one form the at least one first support element comprises two first support elements which are located either side of the first adjustment element and the at least one second support element comprises two second support elements which are located either side of the second adjustment element.

[0015] In one form, the shaft support comprises a plate portion which supports the shaft on a first side, and a mounting wall on a second side that defines an aperture dimensioned to match the dimensions of the central block and which receives the central block, and the mounting wall is configured with a plurality of apertures that match the first adjustment aperture, the at least one first support aperture, the second adjustment aperture, and the at least one second support aperture, and central block is fastened to the wall via a plurality of fasteners. In a further form the central block comprises a pair of mounting flanges, and an edge of the mounting wall of the shaft support comprises a matching pair of cut-out portions to receive the pair of mounting flanges, and the plurality of fasteners pass through the mounting flanges and into the mounting wall

[0016] In one form a width of the pivot mounting arrangements is less than 50 mm. In one form a width of the chair is less than 820 mm and a combined width of the first side frame and first side frame member is less than 100 mm.

[0017] In one form the locking arrangement is a spring based lock that controls rotation of the shaft, a release mechanism and a release linkage, wherein the release mechanism is located on one of the side frames and is connected to the spring based lock via the release linkage mounted on or in the side frame

[0018] In one form, the chair assembly further comprises a plurality of support panels mounted to the chair frame, each moveable between a support position and an access position.

[0019] According to a second aspect there is provided a patient transfer system comprising: the mobile patient support chair of the first aspectan adjustable bed having a foot end, a head end, a first side and a second side, comprising:a controller;a base comprising a docking assembly located at the foot end of the adjustable bed configured to receive and secure each docking guide in each leg, and a drive actuator configured to engage with the drive coupler and to drive the rotation of the chair assembly;a patient support surface;a foot platform which supports a foot portion of the patient support surface and comprising a pivot frame member extending from the first side to the second side and which is located parallel to and offset from a foot end of the patient support surface such that the foot end of the patient support surface extends past the pivot end frame member;a bed drive arrangement configured to adjust a height and an angular orientation of the foot platform about the foot end pivot member;a conveyor passing around the patient support surface; anda sensor located at the foot end of the foot platform;wherein the controller is configured to drive the rotation of the chair assembly, the height, the angular orientation of the patient support surface and the conveyor to control transfer of a patient between the mobile patient support chair and the bed.

[0020] In a further form the adjustable bed further comprises a head platform which supports a head portion of the patient support surface and comprises a head platform pivot member extending from the first side to the second side, and the bed drive arrangement separately controls a height and an angular orientation of the head end about the head platform pivot member:

[0021] According to a third aspect there is provided a method of transferring a patient from a mobile patient support chair to a bed using the patient transfer system of the second aspect, comprising:receiving and docking the mobile patient support chair supporting a patient into the docking assembly of the adjustable bed;moving the patient support surface to a first set point and rotating the mobile patient support chair rearward such that in the first set point the patient support has a first height and a first inclined orientation, and the rear of the seat portion meets the foot end of the foot portion of the patient support surface;removing the upper portion of the chair frame to allow a patient’s back to rest against the patient support surface; andtransferring the patient to the adjustable bed by simultaneously pivoting the patient support surface, pivoting the chair rearward, adjusting the height of the patient support surface and rotating theconveyor clockwise until the patient support surface and the foot portion are in a horizontal orientation and the sensor detects that the patient is supported on the patient support surface wherein during the transfer, the conveyor moves the patient onto the patient support surface and the changes in the height and orientation of the foot end are coordinated with the rotation of the chair and operation of the conveyor so that foot end remains proximal to or above the rear of the seat portion to support the patient during the transfer process.

[0022] In a further form the method further comprises initialising the orientation of the adjustable bed such that patient support surface is horizontal and is in a fully lowered state.

[0023] In a further form, moving the patient support surface to the first set point comprises rotating the foot platform to a first angle and raising the foot platform to first height so that foot end meets the rear end of the seat portion of the mobile patient support chair and the foot end of the bed is inclined at an angle matching an inclination angle of the upper portion of the mobile patient support chair, wherein rotating and raising the foot platform may be performed in any order or simultaneously.

[0024] In a further form, transferring the patient to the adjustable bed comprises:rotating the conveyor clockwise, pivoting the mobile patient support chair rearward in coordination with rotating the foot portion to reduce the inclination angle and lowering the bed to move the foot end such that foot end is moved above the rear of the seat so that the patient’s buttocks are partially supported by the foot end;rotating the conveyor clockwise, pivoting the mobile patient support chair rearward in coordination with rotating the foot end to reduce the inclination angle of the foot end until the patient’s buttocks and back are fully supported by the bed;raising the bed, pivoting the mobile patient support chair rearward and rotating the foot end to reduce the inclination angle of the foot end until the foot end is horizontal and level with the horizontal foot portion of the chair; androtating the conveyor to move the patient onto the bed until the sensor detects that the patient’s feet have passed the sensor, and then lowering the bed, and pivoting the mobile patient support chair back to a sitting position.

[0025] In one form, the adjustable bed further comprises a head platform which supports a head portion of the patient support surface and comprises a head platform pivot member extending from the first side to the second side, and the bed drive arrangement separately controls a height and an angular orientation of the head end about the head platform pivot member, and the conveyor is spooled on and off a foot roller mounted to the foot platform and a head roller mounted to the head platform and during the transfer a height and an angular orientation of the head platform is controlled to match the height and angular orientation of the foot platform.

[0026] In one form, the method further comprises inserting a leg support panel to the foot portion of the chair behind the patient’s legs prior to pivoting the chair rearward.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect there is provided a method of transferring a patient from a bed to the mobile patient support chair to a bed using the patient transfer system of the second aspect, comprising:receiving and docking the mobile patient support chair into the docking assembly of the third aspect of an adjustable bed supporting a patient;initialising a state of the mobile patient support chair and the bed, such the patient support surface is horizontal and is in a fully lowered state and orientating the mobile patient support chair so that the foot portion is in a horizontal orientation, and removing the upper portion of the chair frame;transferring the patient to the mobile patient support chair by simultaneously pivoting the patient support surface, pivoting the chair rearward, adjusting the height of the patient support surface and rotating the conveyor anti -clockwise so that the patient support surface and chair incline until the patient support surface and the foot portion are in a first set point orientation wherein during the transfer the conveyor moves the patient from the patient support surface onto the chair whilst controlling the inclination and height of the patient support surface and chair incline to maintain the rear of the seat portion proximal to or above the foot end of the foot portion of the patient support surface;inserting the upper portion of the chair frame to allow a patient’s back to rest against the upper portion of the chair frame; androtating the mobile patient support chair to a final orientation and undocking the mobile patient support chair.

[0028] According to a fourth aspect there is provided a pivot axis adjustment assembly of a pivot mounting assembly of a mobile patient support chair in which the pivot mounting assembly is configured to allow rotation of a chair assembly with respect to a support frame about a pivot axis, the pivot axis adjustment assembly comprising:a central block comprising a first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture, each of the first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture passing through the central block from an upper side to a lower side and located in a first plane parallel to the respective side, and a second adjustment aperture and at least one second support aperture, each of the second adjustment aperture and at least one second support aperture passing through the central block from a front side to a rear side and located in a second plane parallel to the respective side and the first plane, and the first plane and the second plane are spaced apart such that the first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture do not intersect with the second adjustment aperture and at least one second support aperture;a set of four slide plates, comprising an upper slide plate, a lower slide plate, a front slide plate and a rear slide plate, and when used, each slide plate is received in a slot of a respective side of a rectangular aperture in a side frame member of the chair assembly;at least one first support element having a first end received in a support receiving aperture in the upper slide plate and a second end received in a support receiving aperture in the lower slide plate, and passing through a respective first support aperture in the central block;a first adjustment element defining a first axis and having a first end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the upper slide plate and a second end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the lower slide plate, and passing through the first adjustment aperture in the central block wherein one or both of the first and second ends are configured to allow driving of the first adjustment element;at least one second support element having a first end received in a support receiving aperture in the front slide plate and a second end received in a support receiving aperture in the rear slide plate, and passing through a respective second support aperture in the central block; anda second adjustment element defining a second axis and having a first end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the front slide plate and a second end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the rear slide plate, and passing through the second adjustment aperture in the central block, and one or both of the first and second ends are configured to allow driving of the second adjustment element,wherein the first adjustment element and first adjustment aperture in the central block are configured such that driving of the first adjustment element drives the central block along the first axis, and the second adjustment element and second adjustment aperture in the central block are configured such that driving of the second adjustment element drives the central block along the second axis to enable the pivot axis of the pivot mounting assembly to be moved to any location within the rectangular aperture of the side frame member.

[0029] In one form, the first adjustment element is a screw threaded rod, and the first adjustment aperture is an aperture with a matching screw thread and the second adjustment element is a screw threaded rod and the second adjustment aperture is an aperture with a matching screw thread.

[0030] In one form the at least one first support element comprises two first support elements which are located either side of the first adjustment element and the at least one second support element comprises two second support elements which are located either side of the second adjustment element.

[0031] According to a fifth aspect there is provided a mobile patient support chair comprising:a support frame comprising a first side frame and a second side frame, each side frame comprising a central mount and at least one leg extending from the central mount and comprising at least one wheel;a chair assembly comprising a frame assembly with an upper portion, a seat portion and a lower portion, the chair assembly having a front side which is configured to receive and support a patient having a back, buttocks and legs, and a rear side, and the lower portion supports the patient’s legs, the seat portion supports the patient’s buttocks and the upper portion supports the patient’s back, and the seatportion comprises a first side frame member and a second side frame member, and each side frame member comprises an upper side, a lower side, a front side, and a rear side that defines a rectangular aperture and each of the upper side, lower side, front side, and rear side comprises a slot; anda pair of pivot mounting arrangements which mount a respective side frame of the support frame to a respective side frame member of the chair assembly and which comprises a shaft and a bearing to allow rotation of the chair assembly with respect to the support frame about a pivot axis, and at least one of the pivot mounting arrangements comprises a locking arrangement for locking the chair assembly in a plurality of positions over a rotation range, and each bearing is mounted to the central mount of the respective support frame, and the shaft is located on a shaft support which is mounted to a pivot axis adjustment assembly of the fourth aspect wherein the pivot axis adjustment assembly is mounted within the rectangular aperture of the respective side frame member.

[0032] In one form, the shaft support comprises a plate portion which supports the shaft on a first side, and a mounting wall on a second side that defines an aperture dimensioned to match the dimensions of the central block and which receives the central block, and the mounting wall is configured with a plurality of apertures that match the first adjustment aperture, the at least one first support aperture, the second adjustment aperture, and the at least one second support aperture, and central block is fastened to the wall via a plurality of fasteners. In a further form, the central block comprises a pair of mounting flanges, and an edge of the mounting wall of the shaft support comprises a matching pair of cut-out portions to receive the pair of mounting flanges, and the plurality of fasteners pass through the mounting flanges and into the mounting wall.

[0033] In one form a width of the pivot mounting arrangements is less than 50 mm. In one form a width of the chair is less than 820 mm and a combined width of the first side frame and first side frame member is less than 100 mm. In one form, each front wheel and each rear wheel are each located under the respective lower support beam.

[0034] In one form the locking arrangement is a spring based lock that controls rotation of the shaft, a release mechanism and a release linkage, wherein the release mechanism is located on one of the side frames and is connected to the spring based lock via the release linkage mounted on or in the side frame.

[0035] In one form, the first side frame and the second side frame are each inclined L-shaped legs comprising a lower support beam portion extending longitudinally from the front to the rear and which supports a front wheel and a rear wheel, and an vertically extending inclined leg portion which extends rearward and upward from the front of lower support beam to the central mount, and at least one of the legs comprises a clutch arrangement configured to both control engagement and disengagement of a clutch and drive rotation of the chair assembly when the clutch is disengaged, the clutch arrangement comprising a clutch, a clutch drive gear, and a drive shaft passing through the respective leg to a drivecoupler located in a rear of the lower support beam which is configured to allow external control of the rotation of the chair assembly over the rotation range.

[0036] In one form, the chair assembly further comprises a plurality of support panels mounted to the chair frame, each moveable between a support position and an access position.

[0037] In the above description it will be understood that any one form may be combined with any other form in any combination (and in the context of claims they may depend upon any previous claim).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0039] Figures 1A to 1H show, respectively, isometric, top, bottom, left, front, right, back and exploded isometric views of an embodiment of a mobile patient support chair;

[0040] Figures 2A to 2G show, respectively, exploded isometric, isometric, top, bottom, left, front and right views of an embodiment of a pivot axis adjustment assembly used in the pivot mounting assembly of the mobile patient support chair shown in Figures 1A to 1H;

[0041] Figures 2H, 21 and 2J are section views A-A, B-B, and C-C of the pivot axis adjustment assembly;

[0042] Figure 3A is a perspective view of the side frame member without the pivot axis adjustment assembly according to an embodiment;

[0043] Figure 3B is a rear perspective view of a portion of the mobile patient support chair shown in Figures 1A to 1H illustrating the side frame member of the chair assembly connected to the side frame of the support frame using a pivot mounting arrangement;

[0044] Figure 3C is a perspective section view of the side frame member of the mobile patient support chair shown in Figures 1A to 1H;

[0045] Figures 4A and 4B are first and second isometric views of a shaft support of the mobile patient support chair shown in Figures 1A to 1H;

[0046] Figures 5A, 5B and 5C are first, second and third exploded perspective views of the shaft support and clutch arrangement of the pivot mounting arrangement of the mobile patient support chair shown in Figures lAto 1H;

[0047] Figure 5D is a section view through the side of the side frame member and the pivot mounting arrangement of the mobile patient support chair shown in Figures 1A to 1H;

[0048] Figure 5E is a section view through the drive leg of the mobile patient support chair shown in Figures lAto 1H;

[0049] Figure 5F is a perspective view of the section view shown in Figure 5E;

[0050] Figure 5G is an exploded view of the support frame of the mobile patient support chair shown in Figures lAto 1H;

[0051] Figure 5H is an exploded view of the pivot mounting arrangement of the non-drive leg of the mobile patient support chair shown in Figures 1A to 1H;

[0052] Figures 6A to 61 are first isometric, second isometric, foot end, head end, third isometric, fourth isometric, first side, second side and top views of an adjustable bed of a patient transfer system according to an embodiment;

[0053] Figures 6J and 6K are first side section and second side section views through sections A-A and B-B of Figure 61;

[0054] Figure 6L is a close up of the foot portion of Figure 6J illustrating the movement range of the end of the bed;

[0055] Figure 6M is a foot end perspective of the adjustable bed of a patient transfer system according to an embodiment;

[0056] Figures 7A and 7B are side and perspective views of the adjustable bed shown in Figures 6A to 6L with the foot platform and head platform inclined according to an embodiment;

[0057] Figures 7C and 7D are side and perspective views of the adjustable bed shown in Figures 6A to 6L in a raised position according to an embodiment;

[0058] Figures 8A to 8F are side views of the mobile patient support chair and adjustable bed during a patient transfer process according to an embodiment;

[0059] Figures 8G, 8H and 81 are illustrative plots showing the change in height, change in inclination and the path 260 in a vertical two dimensional plane of the foot end 222 during the patient transfer process illustrated in Figures 8 A to 8F;

[0060] Figure 9A is a flowchart of a method of transferring a patient from a mobile patient support chair to a bed using the patient transfer system illustrated in Figures 8A to 8F; and

[0061] Figure 9B is a flowchart of a method of transferring a patient to a mobile patient support chair from a bed using the patient transfer system illustrated in Figures 8A to 8F.

[0062] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Referring now to Figures 1A to 1H there is show, respectively, isometric, top, bottom, left, front, right, back and exploded isometric views of an embodiment of a mobile patient support chair, which for ease of reference we will refer to as “the chair”. The mobile patient support chair 1 comprises a support frame 10, a chair assembly 20 and a pair of pivot mounting arrangements 50 that allows the chair assembly 20 to rotate with respect to the support frame 10 about a pivot axis 52. In this embodiment the pivot mounting arrangements 50 comprise pivot axis adjustment assembly 60 which allow adjustment of the location of the chair assembly with respect to the support frame to provide a Centre of Gravity (COG). When the chair is loaded with a patient 2 the Centre of Gravity (COG) will move (depending on mass and size of the patient), and embodiments of the pivot axis adjustment assembly allows translation of the pivot (or rotation) axis 52 of the chair in a plane so as to allow locating of the pivot (rotation) axis of the chair slightly adjacent the COG of the loaded chair. Having a slight offset, enables easier rotation of the chair, i.e. so that less force is required to rotate the chair.

[0064] The chair is designed to allow carers to easily move a patient, and to rotate the patient whilst seated in the chair from front to back to assist with activities of daily living such as showering and toileting. In some embodiments the chair 1 may be used in a patient transfer system 100 to transfer a patient to and from an adjustable bed 200. Embodiments of the bed are shown in Figures 6A to 7D, and the transfer system is illustrated in Figures 8A to 8F along with flowcharts of the transfer method shown in Figures 9A and 9B. In some embodiments of the patient transfer system the pivot axis adjustment assembly 60 may be omitted.

[0065] The support frame 10 comprises a first side frame 11 and a second side frame 12. Each side frame comprises a central mount and at least one leg extending from the central mount and comprising at leastone wheel 13. In this embodiment the first side frame 11 and the second side frame 12 are each inclined L-shaped legs comprising a lower support beam portion 14 extending longitudinally from the front to the rear and a vertically extending inclined leg portion 15 which extends rearward and upward from the front of lower support beam to the central mount 16. The lower support beam supports a front wheel 13 and a rear wheel 13 beneath the beam. By locating the wheels under the lower support beam this reduces the overall width of the chair 4 (and maximises the width 25 of the seat). In this embodiment the wheels 13 are castor wheels, but other wheels including omnidirectional wheels could be used. A cross bar 17 extends laterally from the front of the lower support beam portion 14 of the first side frame 11 and second side frame 12.

[0066] When used as part of a transfer system 100 a docking guide 19, such as a pin with a cap, is located on the inner rear of each of the lower support beam portion 14 which is used to guide the chair into a dock in a bed as part of the transfer system. As will be discussed below, this arrangement facilitates transfer of the patient to a bed, by enabling the rear of the support frame to be located under the end of the bed which assists in ensuring the rear of the seat portion is kept as close as possible to the foot end of the bed to ensure the patient remains supported during the transfer. That is, the rear of the support frame extends more rearward than the rear of the seat portion. Other arrangements and shapes of the side frames could be used that avoid obstructions in the rear portion where the chair is used in the patient transfer system described further below. For example, a right angled triangle support with a rear extending portion could be used or a frame with “4” like shape cropped at the bottom (i.e. no lower projection, that is a right angle triangle where the base extends rearward of the vertical member). The vertically extending leg portion thus extends upward from the lower support beam at a location forward of the rear of the seat portion. In other embodiments where the chair is not used as part of a patient transfer system, each side frame could comprise a central mount and a pair of inclined legs with an inverted V shape and each supporting a wheel, or a central mount, a pair of inclined legs spaced apart by a lower support beam to form a triangular shape.

[0067] The chair assembly 20 comprises a frame assembly with an upper portion 22, a seat portion 24 and a lower portion 26 and a plurality of support panels 30 are mounted to the frame assembly. The chair assembly has a front side 34 which receives and supports a patient and a rear side 35, and the lower portion 26 supports the patient’s legs, the seat portion 24 supports the patient’s buttocks, and the upper portion 22 supports the patient’s back. In this embodiment the upper portion 22 is an inverted U shaped frame with a head support 23 mounted to the upper cross bar and supports two support panels to provide support to the back of the patient. The seat portion 24 comprises a first side frame member 36 and a second side frame member 37 along with (at least) a pair of support panels that form a seat. A rear seat cross bar 44 supports two support panels which provide back support. The upper portion 22 is removable and is received in receiving apertures 45 located in the rear portion 49 of the side frame members.

[0068] Each support panel 30 is moveable between a support position and an access position and is lockable at least in the support position via a locking mechanism 32. In the support position the support panel supports the patient’s body when sitting in the chair, and in the access position the support panel is in a position to provide access to the patient’s body adjacent the inner side of the chair. In the support position each of the support panels 30 is located within a plane defined by either of the upper / back portion 22, the seat portion 24 or the leg portion 26 of the frame 10. In the access position the support panel 30 is located outside of the plane of the respective back portion, seat portion, or leg portion of the frame. That is in the support position the support panels are substantially within the plane of the relevant back, seat or leg portion, and in the access position they rotate away / outside (34) of the seat.

[0069] In this embodiment four panels are located in the upper portion 22 to support the back of the patient, and a support panel 30 is each mounted to the lower side of each of the first side frame member 36 and the second side frame member 37 of the seat portion 24 to form a seat to support the buttocks of the patient. Support panels as described in WO2019 / 119014 may be used. Additional patient support is provided by front seat cross bar 43 and foot support 47 of the lower portion 26. Additionally, a leg support panel can be optionally inserted spanning the gap from the front seat cross bar 43 and foot support 47. This may be used during the transfer operation discussed below. The support panels 30 are each pivotally mounted to the chair frame and are each rotatable through at least 90° degrees from the support position to the access position and are lockable via lock 32 in both the support and access positions. For example, Figure 1A shows a support panel in the upper section for supporting the back of the patient rotating rearward 90° and a support panel in the seat section for supporting the buttocks rotating downwards 90°, i.e., from an orthogonal position to a parallel position with respect to the second side frame member to which it is mounted. In some embodiments the support panels can be configured to rotate to angles beyond 90° (e.g. to 180° or even more) to provide access to the patient. Angles of less than 90° can also be used but are less desirable as they provide reduced access to the patient. In other embodiments other non-pivot based mounting arrangements may be used, for example sliding mounts which allow the panels to be slid from a support location within the perimeter of the frame, to an access location external to the perimeter of the frame (both positions within the plane defined by the perimeter of the frame). The locking arrangement may be that as described in WO2019 / 119014 in which a locking arrangement is housed between two plates forming the panel and comprises an approximately U-shaped locking plate with an upper prong and a lower prong which form a U-shaped cut-out near a proximal end (with respect to the frame element). A matching stop is formed in the rear plate, and a handle projects through an aperture in the rear side. Sliding the handle moves the ends of the u shaped locking plate into receiving apertures in the frame. In one embodiment, the locking system positively locks the support panels in the support position, and once locked cannot be released or moved until complete release of any load on the support.

[0070] As outlined above, to enable rotation of the chair assembly 20 with respect to the support frame 10, a pair of pivot mounting arrangements 50 are mounted to a respective side frame 11 12 of the support frame 10 to a respective side frame member 3637 of the chair assembly 20. Each pivot mounting arrangement 50 comprises a shaft 51 which defines a pivot axis 52 and a bearing 53 to allow rotation of the chair assembly 20 with respect to the support frame 10 about the pivot axis. Each bearing 53 is mounted to the central mount 16 of the respective support frame 11 12, and the shaft 51 is located on a shaft support 55 on which the pivot axis adjustment assembly 60 is mounted or secured to.

[0071] At least one of the pivot mounting arrangements comprises a locking arrangement for locking the chair assembly 20 in a plurality of positions over a rotation range. The plurality of positions may be a set of predefined positions (or angles) over the rotation range, or positions may be continuous over the range (i.e., any position / angle over the range). In Figure 1A the chair is shown in a reference (or neutral) sitting position. The rotation range may allow rotation both forward and rearward of the reference sitting position to tip the patient forward or to recline the patient rearward. The rotation range may span a range of 90° or more to allow the patient to be rotated rearward from a sitting position to a horizontal position where the patient’s back is parallel to the ground. In some embodiments the range may be 180° or more to allow the patient to be rotated forward of the sitting position so that the patient’s back is parallel to the ground. In this case the patient may be strapped into the chair to prevent them from falling out and thus allow a carer to more easily wash their back. The locking arrangement may be a spring based lock that controls rotation of the shaft, a release mechanism and a release linkage. The release mechanism may be located on one of the side frames and is connected to the spring based lock via the release linkage 132, such as a cable, mounted on or in the side frame. For example, in Figure 1A the release mechanism 18 is a foot pedal located on the lower side of the lower support beam portion 14 of the first side frame 11 and connected to cable passing through the leg.

[0072] In one embodiment a cylindrical lock may be used comprising a cylindrical piece with a flanged rim with apertures distributed around the periphery for receiving one or more locking pins, each of which is connected to a lock release 18 by a link release 132. The cylindrical lock can be pivotably mounted on shaft 51 with a bush, needle bearings and a guide rim which projects into a matching groove of the cylindrical lock. When locked the one or more locking pins are inserted (or engaged) in the peripheral apertures and act as stops to prevent rotation of the chair assembly 20 with respect to the support frame 10. When the lever 18 is engaged the lock pins are retracted from the apertures and thus allow the chair to rotate about pivot 51. When the lever is released the lock pins, which are spring loaded, will engage with the next lock position (next aperture) in lock to lock the chair in the current orientation. Clutch based locking arrangements as further discussed below may also be used.

[0073] The pivot axis adjustment assembly 60 is mounted within a rectangular aperture 42 formed in the respective side frame member 3637. The rectangular aperture 42 has an upper side 38, a lower side 39, afront side 40 and a rear side 41 and each of the upper side, lower side, front side, and rear side comprises a slot. Figures 2A to 2G show, respectively, exploded isometric, isometric, top, bottom, left, front and right views of an embodiment of a pivot axis adjustment assembly 60 used in the pivot mounting assembly 50 of the mobile patient support chair 1 shown in Figures 1A to 1H. Additionally Figures 2H, 21 and 2J are section views A-A, B-B, and C-C of the pivot axis adjustment assembly. Figure 3A is a perspective view of the side frame member 38 without the pivot axis adjustment assembly 60 and Figure 3B is a rear perspective view of a portion of the mobile patient support chair illustrating the side frame member 38 of the chair assembly connected to the side frame of the support frame 11 using the pivot mounting arrangement 60.

[0074] The pivot axis adjustment assembly 60 comprises a central block 61 which is mounted to the shaft support 55 and comprises a first adjustment aperture 62, at least one first support aperture 63, second adjustment aperture 66 and at least one second support aperture 67. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2A to 2J two support apertures 63 and two support apertures 67 are provided. The first adjustment aperture 62 and first support aperture(s) 63 pass through the central block 61 from an upper side to a lower side and are located in a first plane 64 parallel to the respective side (of the chair / frame) and the second adjustment aperture 66 and the second support aperture(s) 67 pass through the central block 61 from a front side to a rear side and are located in a second plane 68 parallel to respective side and the first plane 64. The first plane 64 and the second plane 68 are spaced apart by an offset distance 69 such that the first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture do not intersect with the second adjustment aperture and at least one second support aperture.

[0075] The pivot axis adjustment assembly 60 further comprises a set of four slide plates, comprising an upper slide plate 70, a lower slide plate 71, a front slide plate 72 and a rear slide plate 73. Each slide plate is received in a slot of the respective side forming the rectangular aperture 42 of the respective side frame member, i.e. upper slide plate 70 is received in the slot in the upper side 38, lower slide plate 71 is received in the slot in the lower side 39, front slide plate 72 is received in the slot in the front side 40, rear slide plate 73 is received in the slot in the rear side 41.

[0076] For each of the first support apertures 63, a first support element 74 passes through the first support aperture 63 and has a first end 75 received in a support receiving aperture 76 in the upper slide plate 70 and a second end 77 received in a support receiving aperture 76 in the lower slide plate 71. Similarly, for each of the second support apertures 67, a second support element 78 passes through the second support aperture 67 and has a first end 79 received in a support receiving aperture 76 in the front slide plate 72 and a second end 80 received in a support receiving aperture 76 in the rear slide plate 73.

[0077] A first adjustment element 81 defines a first axis 82 and has a first end 83 received in an adjustment receiving aperture 84 in the upper slide plate 70 and a second end 85 received in anadjustment receiving aperture 84 in the lower slide plate 71. The first adjustment element 81 passes through the first adjustment aperture 62 in the central block 61. One or both of the first end 83 and second end 85 are configured to allow driving of the first adjustment element, for example by being formed with a specific shape (e.g. hexagon or star) or one or more slots to be driven by an Allen key, screwdriver or similar tool. Similarly, the second adjustment element 86 defines a second axis 87 and has a first end 88 received in an adjustment receiving aperture 84 in the front slide plate 72 and a second end 89 received in an adjustment receiving aperture 84 in the rear slide plate 73. The second adjustment element 86 passes through the second adjustment aperture 66 in the central block 61. One or both of the first end 88 and second end 89 are configured to allow driving of the second adjustment element, for example by being formed with a specific shape or one or more slots.

[0078] The first adjustment element 81 and first adjustment aperture 62 in the central block 61 are configured such that driving of the first adjustment element 81 drives the central block 61 along the first axis 82, and the second adjustment element 86 and second adjustment aperture 66 in the central block 61 are configured such that driving of the second adjustment element 86 drives the central block 61 along the second axis 87 to enable the pivot axis 52 of the pivot mounting assembly to be moved to any location within the rectangular aperture 42 of the side frame member.

[0079] In Figures 2A to 2H there are two first support elements 74 in the form of rods which are vertically orientated and there are also two second support elements 78 also in the form of rods which are horizontally orientated. The first adjustment element 81 is a screw threaded rod and the first adjustment aperture 62 is an aperture with a matching screw thread and the second adjustment element 86 is a screw threaded rod and the second adjustment aperture 66 is an aperture with a matching screw thread. In each case the two respective support rods are located either side of the screw threaded rods. The support elements / rods may be made of steel or other metal alloys and are designed to carry load forces and space apart the respective upper and lower slide plates, and front and rear slide plates. This reduces load forces and bending forces on the screw threaded rods so that they are able translate rotation of the end into movement of the central block.

[0080] A cover plate 91 may be provided over each of the upper slide plate 70, lower slide plate 71, front slide plate 72 and rear slide plate 73 on the respective upper 38, lower 39, front 40 and rear 41 side of the side frame member 3637. One or both of the adjustment receiving aperture 84 in the upper slide plate 70 and lower slide plate 71 may pass through the respective plate. Similarly, one or both of the adjustment receiving aperture 84 in the front slide plate 72 and rear slide plate 73 may pass through the respective plate. Where the adjustment receiving aperture 84 passes through the respective plate, and access aperture is also provided in the respective slide plate 91 to allow driving of the respective adjustment element 81 86(screw). In this case regularly spaced markings 92 are provided on the cover plate. This provides avisual indicator of the location of the first axis 82 and second axis 87 so that the central block can be moved to the same position in both the first side frame member 36 and second side frame member 37.

[0081] The central block 61 of the pivot axis adjustment assembly 60 is mounted to the shaft support 55. Figures 4A and 4B are a first isometric view and a second isometric view of the shaft support 55, which comprises a plate portion 56 which supports the shaft 51 on a first (outer) side, and a mounting wall 57 on a second (inner) side that defines an aperture 59 dimensioned to match the dimensions of the central block 61, and which receives the central block. The mounting wall 57 is configured with a plurality of apertures 57a that match the first and second adjustment apertures 6266, and the first and second support apertures 63 67 in the central block 61 so that the respective first and second adjustment elements (screw threaded rods) 81 86, and first and second support elements (rods) can pass through the wall 57 and into the central block 61. To secure the two parts, the central block comprises a pair of mounting flanges 65, and an edge of the mounting wall 57 of the shaft support comprises a matching pair of cut-out portions 58 to receive the pair of mounting flanges 65. Multiple fasteners 65a (e.g. screws) pass through the mounting flanges 65 and into corresponding apertures 58a in the mounting wall 57. However other mounting and securing arrangements could be used including pins, rivets, welds, adhesives, etc. The assembled central block 61 and shaft support 55 is illustrated in Figure 3C which is a perspective section view through the second plane 68 of the central block 61 and through the first side frame member 36 of the mobile patient support chair 1. This shows the mounting wall 57 located over the central block 61 (sectioned), and the flange portions 65 received in the cutout portion 58, along with screw thread rods 81 86 and support rods 74 78.

[0082] In some embodiments the chair may be used in a patient transfer system 100 to transfer a patient to and from an adjustable bed 200. As discussed above and illustrated in the figures, the side frames 11 12 are inclined L-shaped legs fitted with wheels 13. In this embodiment the first side frame 11 is a drive leg and comprises a clutch arrangement 110 which allows automated control of the rotation of the chair assembly 20, for example during patient transfers, as well manual release of the clutch assembly to allow a user to rotate the chair assembly 20.

[0083] The clutch arrangement 110 is illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C which are first second and third exploded perspective views of the shaft support and clutch arrangement of the pivot mounting arrangement of the mobile patient support chair shown in Figures 1A to 1H. Each is taken from a different perspective to illustrate the clutch arrangement 110. Figure 5D is a section view through the side of the side frame member and the pivot mounting arrangement of the mobile patient support chair shown in Figures 1A to 1H. The clutch arrangement and drive system are further illustrated in Figure 5E which is a section view through the drive leg of the mobile patient support chair 1 and Figure 5F is a perspective view of the section view shown in Figure 5E. The figures show the drive train and driver coupler along with the locking mechanism. Figure 5G is an exploded view of the support frame of the mobile patient support chair showing both the drive leg 11 and non-drive leg 12, and Figure 5H is an exploded view ofthe pivot mounting arrangement of the non-drive leg 12. Embodiments of the bed are shown in Figures 6A to 7D, and the transfer system is illustrated in Figures 8A to 8F along with flowcharts of the transfer method shown in Figures 9A and 9B.

[0084] The clutch arrangement 110 comprises a clutch mounting plate 111, which is mounted to the inner side of the central mount 16 of the drive leg 11 via fasteners 11 If passing through apertures 11 le located in the rim. The clutch mounting plate 111 includes a central shaft Illa which is received in the shaft 51 of shaft support 55. A retaining pin 111b passes through the retaining pin aperture 54 in the central aperture 59 of the shaft support 55 (see Figure 4A) and is secured to the central shaft 11 la of the mounting plate. A first (or inner) bearing 112 is located over the central shaft 11 la of the mounting plate and supports the inner surface of the shaft 51 allowing the shaft and chair assembly 20 to rotate with respect to the clutch mounting plate 111 and drive leg 11. The clutch mounting plate 111 supports (and secures) a rotating cam clutch release arrangement 113, a clutch locking plate 114 and clutch worm drive gear 115. The clutch worm drive gear 115 is secured to the clutch locking plate 114 and to a clutch outer bearing sleeve 116 via screws 117. An outer bearing 118 is located between the inner wall of the plate portion 56 and the clutch outer bearing sleeve 116. A friction plate 120 (within the outer bearing 118) has a central shaft and is located over (and matched to the diameter of) the shaft 55 and is biased towards the clutch locking plate 114 via springs 121 which are located over projections 56a on the surface of the plate portion 56 of shaft support 55 and received in apertures on the inner surface 120a of the clutch locking plate 114. Clutch plate sliding pins 122 are received in the apertures 53 of the rear surface of the plate portion 56 and sit in grooves 5 la in the shaft. The friction plate 120 has matching grooves on the inner surface 120a to receive the clutch plate sliding pins 122. The outer side 120b of the friction plate 120 is formed with a shoulder to create an outer ring surface 120c and an annular projection 120d. Dowel pins 123 are received in the outer ring surface 120c and connect the friction plate 120 to the clutch locking plate 114. The outer face of the annular projection 120d abuts the rotating cam clutch release arrangement 113. A clutch cover plate 125 is located on the inner side of the central mount 16, and an O-ring 124 is located between the clutch cover plate 125 and the plate portion 56 of the shaft support 55.

[0085] In normal operation the friction plate 120 is held under pressure against the clutch locking plate 114 by springs 121 to hold the parts together and prevent rotation of the shaft 51 (and chair assembly 20) with respect to the clutch mounting plate 111 (and drive leg 11). Rotation of the shaft 51 (and chair assembly 20) with respect to the clutch mounting plate 111 (and drive leg 11) can be externally controlled by a drive assembly comprising a worm gear 126 that drives the clutch worm drive gear 115. The clutch worm drive gear 115 is connected to the clutch locking plate 114 and the friction plate 120, such that rotation of the clutch worm drive gear 115 by worm gear 126 drives rotation of the shaft 51 and chair assembly 20. The worm gear 126 is mounted on the clutch mounting plate 111 via worm gear mount 111c and is driven by worm gear shaft 127 which is connected to a drive shaft arrangement in the drive leg 11.The drive shaft arrangement comprises a first drive shaft 128 passing through the vertically extending inclined leg portion 15 and connected to a second drive shaft 129 passing through the lower support beam portion 14 which is then connected to a drive coupler 130. The drive coupler 130 is configured to allow external control of the rotation of the chair assembly over the rotation range. In this embodiment the drive coupler 130 comprises a slot allowing it to be driven by drive actuator 216 of the transfer assembly 214 such as a planetary gear.

[0086] The clutch arrangement 110 can also be manually operated (engaged and disengaged) to allow manual rotation of the chair assembly by the lock release pedal 14 and a linkage arrangement 132 which is connected to the rotating cam clutch release 113. In this embodiment the linkage arrangement 132 is a cable passing through the vertically extending inclined leg portion 15, and which is received in (or connected to) a coupling 113a in the rotating cam clutch release 113. The coupling 113a is located within aperture 11 Id of the clutch mounting plate 111. Engaging the lock release pedal 14 drives rotation of the cam clutch release 113 to push friction plate 120 towards the shaft support 55 and thus compressing springs 121 and separating the friction plate 120 from clutch locking plate 114 allowing free rotation of the shaft. Disengaging the lock release pedal rotates the cam back in the opposite direction thus allowing the springs to push the friction plate 120 against the clutch locking plate 114.

[0087] In many applications it is desirable to keep the overall width 4 of the chair less than a maximum width, such as standard door width (e.g., 820 mm). As can be seen in Figure 5D the pivot axis adjustment assembly 50 is a compact and narrow arrangement. Similarly, the clutch arrangement 110 is also narrow. Together these designs assist in minimising the width 94 of the pivot mounting assembly and the combined width 48 of the side frame member 36 and side frame support 11. This maximises the available width 25 for the seat when subject to the constraint that the overall width 4 of the chair should be less than a maximum width, such as standard door width (e.g., 820 mm). For example, in one embodiment the width 94 of the pivot mounting assembly is 40mm (and the depth of central aperture 59 is also 40mm), the width of the first side frame 36 is 50mm, the width of the side frame support 11 is 47mm and the combined width 48 of the side frame member 36 and side frame support 11 is 100 mm.

[0088] The second side frame 12 is a non-drive leg, comprising a pivot mounting arrangement 50 but without the associated clutch arrangement 110 present in the drive leg. In this case a mounting plate 134 located within and secured to the central mount in the non-drive leg 12 provides a central shaft 134a with a bearing 135 on which the shaft 51 of the shaft support 55 is received. This allows free rotation of the chair assembly 20 with respect to the non-drive leg 12 under control of the clutch arrangement 110 in the drive leg. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments, separate clutch arrangements 110 could be provided in both legs 11 and 12. These could be configured to act in a coordinated manner (e.g. both driven at the same time) or they could be further modified to allow independent operation, so that manual or externally driven operation of one clutch arrangement 110 releases the other clutcharrangement. In some embodiments the manual release could be omitted, so that only external control of rotation is allowed for patient transfer operations. It will also be understood that the clutch arrangement shown in Figures 5A to 5D is one example embodiment, and other clutch arrangements that allow locking and unlocking of the shaft 51 and chair assembly 20 with respect to the side frame (leg) and / or controlled rotation of the shaft 51 and chair assembly 20 with respect to the side frame (leg) are possible.

[0089] The patient transfer system 100 also includes an adjustable bed 200 (which we simply refer to as a bed) having a foot end 202, a head end 204, a first side 206 and a second side 208. A controller 210 is programmed to control docking and adjustment of the bed and chair during the patient transfer process. An embodiment of the bed is illustrated in Figures 6A to 61 which are first isometric, second isometric, foot end, head end, third isometric, fourth isometric, first side, second side and top views of an embodiment of an adjustable bed of a patient transfer system. Figures 6J and 6K are first side section, second side section views through sections AA and BB of Figure 61, and Figure 6L is a close up of the foot portion of Figure 6J illustrating the movement range of the end of the bed. Figure 6M is a foot end perspective of the adjustable bed. Figures 7A and 7B are side and perspective views of the adjustable bed shown in Figures 6A to 6M with the foot platform and head platform inclined. Similarly Figures 7C and 7D are side and perspective views of the adjustable bed shown in Figures 6A to 6L in a raised position. Figures 8A to 8F are side views of the mobile patient support chair and adjustable bed during the patient transfer process. Figures 8G, 8H and 81 are illustrative plots showing the rotation path of the edge of the chair during process, the angle of the foot platform section, and the height path of the foot end of the bed during the patient transfer process illustrated in Figures 8A to 8F.

[0090] Referring to Figures 6A to 8F, the bed includes a base 212 comprising a docking assembly 214 located at the foot end 202 of the bed 200 which is configured to receive and secure each docking guide 19 in each leg 11 12, and a drive actuator 216 configured to engage with the drive coupler 130 to drive the rotation of the chair assembly 20 under control of the controller 210.

[0091] The bed 200 further comprises a patient support surface 218 such as a mattress with a foot portion 220 with a foot end 222 and a head portion 240 and a head end 242. A foot platform 224 supports the foot portion 220 of the patient support surface (mattress) 218 and comprises a pivot frame member 226 extending from the first side 206 to the second side 208 and which is located parallel to and offset from a foot end 222 of the patient support surface 218 such that the foot end 222 of the patient support surface extends past the pivot end frame member 226. A head platform 238 supports the head portion 240 of the patient support surface (mattress) 218 and comprises a head platform pivot member 241 extending from the first side 206 to the second side 208.

[0092] The bed comprises a base 212 that includes a base frame 213 sitting on legs and an upper frame 235 that supports a foot platform 224 and a head platform 238 which in turn supports the patient supportsurface 218. The upper frame 235 also supports a mid-section of the patient support surface 218. The upper frame 235 is mounted on height adjustable upper frame members 234 to allow height adjustment of the bed by the controller 210 to place the bed surface at a desired height 250. The height adjustment arrangement is housed in the base and is illustrated in Figure 6K. A side frame member 230 is attached to the inner side of side panel of the base 212 and supports two pivot mounts 231, located at the foot end and head end, each of which pivotally mount a first end of pivot plate 232. A second end of the pivot plate 232 is connected to the base of the height adjustable upper frame members 234 which are located in shaft guides 233 formed in the side panels of the bed frame. The pivot plate is driven to rotate about pivot mount 231 and thus drive vertical movement of the height adjustable upper frame members 234 in shaft guides 233.

[0093] Each of the foot platform 224 and head platform 238 may be inclined (to an orientation / inclination angle 252 with respect to the horizontal). A foot platform motor 225 is used to drive the pivoting of the foot platform 224 to change the angular orientation 252 of the foot platform and foot portion 220 of the mattress. Similarly, a head platform motor 239 is used to drive the pivoting of the head platform 238 to change the angular orientation 252 of the head platform and head portion 240 of the mattress. The controller 210 can jointly control the angular orientations 252 of the foot and head platforms 224238, or the controller may separately (independently) control the foot and head platforms 224238. The use of a separate foot platform 224 and a head platform 238 allows separate movement of the foot and head ends to provide a range of bed orientations to suit patient and caring needs. However, in some embodiments the head platform 238 may be fixed and the head platform motor could be omitted.

[0094] The bed 200 also includes a conveyor arrangement comprising a foot conveyor drive arrangement 228 that drives rotation of foot platform conveyor roller 229, along with a head conveyor drive arrangement 244 that drives rotation of a head platform conveyor roller 245. A conveyor passes over the patient support surface 218 (mattress) and is spooled on and off (or between) the rollers 229 and 245. The conveyor is used to assist in moving the patient on and off the bed. The conveyor comprises a flexible material that can be spooled onto / off each of the foot roller 229 and head roller 245 and may be a plastic sheet or a fabric material. For example, the conveyor can be rotated clockwise by spooling the conveyor material off the foot roller (spool) 229 and onto the head roller (spool) 245, or anti -clockwise by spooling the conveyor material off the head roller (spool) 245 and onto the foot roller (spool) 229. A sensor 236 is located at the foot end 222 of the foot platform 224. The sensor 236 may be a broken beam type sensor such as Infra-Red (IR) emitter and receiver which detects an object breaking a beam between the emitter and receiver (either separate emitter and receiver on either side, or a combined emitter and receiver on one side, and reflector on the other). The sensor may also be a proximity sensor, such as ultrasound transducers which detect a nearby object (such as the patient’s foot). The controller 210 is configured to drive the rotation of the chair assembly 20, the height 250, the angular orientation 252 of the footplatform and thus the patient support surface, and the conveyor motors 228 244 (which drive rollers 229 245) to control transfer of a patient 2 between the mobile patient support chair 1 and the bed 200. The bed base frame 213 also supports a bucket 246 to capture any soiled bedding or clothing as it comes off the bed due to motion of the conveyor (via foot and head drives 228244). A motor 247 is used to drive the bucket 246 in and out from under the bed. The bucket 246 can be driven out during transfer to catch the soiled bedding and then withdrawn at the end of the transfer. The bucket can also be driven out when the chair is undocked to allow removal of the bedding and clothing from the bucket 246 for cleaning.

[0095] As outlined above the orientation and the height of the foot end are controlled during transfer operations. Figure 6L is a close-up of the foot portion illustrating the movement range of the end of the bed. The foot platform motor 225 used to drive rotation of the pivot frame member 226 and change the angular orientation (inclination) 252 of the foot end of the bed. Curve 256 shows the angular range of the foot end 222 of the bed as the foot platform pivots about pivot frame member 226. Separately the foot platform and foot platform motor 225 may be raised and lowered over a height range 254 by the height adjustment assembly. This enables movement of the foot end 222 within a movement zone 258.

[0096] A standard adjustable bed locates the pivot frame member (and thus pivot axis) 226 at the end of the bed. This would generate a rotation curve 263 (dash-dot line). However, in the present design the pivot frame member (and thus pivot axis) 226 has been shifted an offset distance 264 inwards from the foot end. This results in a longer radial distance from the pivot frame member (pivot axis) 226 to the foot end 222 which results in the rotation arc staying closer (more proximal) to the plane of the bed end 222 than rotation arc 263. In the previous design a rear inclined leg 265 was used, and placing the pivot frame member (and thus pivot axis) at the end would create interference. The current design of the chair leg, and horizontally offset (inset) location of the pivot frame member (and thus pivot axis) 226 provide an improved transfer system that allows the chair to be drawn closely towards the bed, and ensures that during the transfer the foot end 222 can be kept close to the rear of the seat 49 to ensure that the patient is fully supported during transfer operations.

[0097] The docking and transfer process is further illustrated in Figures 8A to 8F which are side views of the mobile patient support chair 1 and adjustable bed 200 during the patient transfer process. Figures 8G, 8H and 81 are illustrative plots showing the rotation path of the edge of the chair during the process, the angle of the foot platform section, and the height path of the foot end of the bed during the patient transfer process illustrated in Figures 8A to 8F.

[0098] Figure 8A illustrates a docking stage 270 where the chair 1 loaded with a patient 2 is docked with the bed 200 using the docking arrangement. In the embodiment of the chair shown in Figure 1A, the docking guides 19 are both inwardly directed pins with a cap (i.e. mushroom shaped) which are received by the docking assembly 14 of the bed. A separate docking assembly is used for each leg and comprisesan arm with a slotted aperture and a retention lever formed as a hook. During docking the retention lever is raised and the docking pin is received in the slotted aperture, and the retention lever is then lowered to hook over and retain the pin to lock the chair to the docking station. The controller 210 controls operation of the retention lever. A wheel cutout 215 is also provided in the base to receive each wheel 13 of the chair. A drive actuator 216 is also provided adjacent one of the docking assemblies which is configured to dock with the drive coupler 130 in the drive leg as the chair is guided into the docking assembly. In this embodiment the drive actuator 216 is a planetary gear which is received in a slot in the drive coupler. A motor in the base under control of the controller 210 is used to drive the planetary gear and control rotation of the chair during the transfer operation.

[0099] The bed is then initialised by lowering the height 250 to the lowest height state (0 state) and rotating the foot platform (i.e. changing the inclination angle 252) to a horizontal position (i.e., zero inclination angle). The foot platform 224 is then moved to a first set point such that in the first set point the patient support has a first height and a first inclined orientation, and the rear 49 of the seat portion meets the foot end 222 of the foot portion 220 of the patient support surface and is inclined at an angle matching the inclination angle of the upper portion of the chair when the seat is horizontal or in a standard (normal) seating position (which may be slightly reclined) . In some embodiments the initialisation step is skipped and the foot platform is moved directly to the first set point.

[0100] To move the foot end of the bed 222 to the first set point position the controller 210 executes two movements comprising rotating (inclining) the foot platform (and foot portion) to a first angle 0261. As shown in Figure 6L this moves the foot end of the bed 222 along rotation arc 256. Then the foot platform 224 is raised to first height 262 to meet the rear end 59 of the seat portion of the chair. The movements may be performed simultaneously or in either order (rotation then height adjustment, or height adjustment then rotation). The chair may also optionally be rotated so that upper frame matches the inclination angle of the foot portion. Figure 8B illustrates the pre-load orientation 272.

[0101] The upper portion of the chair frame is removed to allow a patient’s back to rest against the patient support surface 218, and the support panels 30 mounted on rear seat cross bar 44 are rotated 180 degrees so that the patient’s back is fully supported by the patient support surface (mattress) 218 (see Figures 8C and 8D). Figures 8C, 8D, and 8E illustrates the transfer process. Figure 8C illustrates a first transfer (or loading) state 274 in which the height 250 of the bed is lowered whilst the inclination angle 252 is reduced. Figure 8D illustrates a second (later) transfer state 16 in which the height 250 of the bed is further lowered whilst the inclination angle 252 is further reduced. During the transfer, the conveyor moves the patient onto the patient support surface 218 and the changes in the height 250 and orientation 252 of the foot end are coordinated (by the controller 210) with the rotation of the chair and operation of the conveyor so that foot end 222 remains proximal to or above the rear of the seat portion to support thepatient during the transfer process. Initially the foot end 222 is adjacent the seat end 49 as shown in figure 8B, however as the conveyor moves the patient onto the bed, the foot end 222 is moved in and above the seat end 49 as shown in Figure 8C. This continues as shown in 8D where the bed end is now above the seat end 49 when the patient’s buttocks are partially supported by the foot end. Once the patient’s buttocks (and thus back) are fully supported on the bed, the bed is further raised so the end is approximately level with now horizontal foot portion 26 of the chair, and the inclination angle 252 reduced to zero (horizontal). The conveyor continues rotating to move the patient fully onto the bed until the sensor 26 detects that the patient’s feet have passed, and thus the patient is on the bed. The sensor may be a broken beam type IR (or laser) sensor, or a proximity sensor, such as an ultrasound transducer. This leg transfer stage 278 is illustrated in Figure 8E. Finally end state 280 is illustrated in Figure 8D. In this state the conveyor has stopped, and the bed is lowered back to an initial height. The chair 1 is rotated back to the normal sitting position and may be undocked.

[0102] During the transfer process the conveyor is rotating clockwise to assist in moving the patient onto the bed (i.e. spooling the conveyor sheet from the foot roller 229 to head roller 245). The controller coordinates rotation of the rollers to move the conveyor to gently transfer the patient. The movement of the conveyor is coordinated with adjustment of the height 250 and angle 252 of the end of the bed 222 to ensure the patient is supported during the transfer process (and to avoid dragging of the patient).

[0103] Figures 8G, 8H and 81 illustrate the change in height 250, change in angle 252 and the path 260 of the foot end 222 in a vertical two dimensional plane (i.e. side view / orthogonal to ground plane) during the various states 270, 272, 274, 276, 278 and 280 illustrated in Figures 8A to 8F. This path 260 is also shown in Figure 6L within movement zone 258 and has a J shaped profde from states 272 to 278. This is illustrative only, and the path (and associated inclination angles and heights) can be determined based on the actual geometry of the bed during a configuration process. For example, the height 250 and inclination angle 252, along with angle of the chair may be adjusted to find optimum locations during the transfer process to best support a patient and minimise any gaps between the foot end 222 and rear end of the chair 49, and ensure the patient is appropriately supported during the transfer process.

[0104] A controller 210 is used to control the docking and transfer process as illustrated in Figures 8A to 8F. The controller 210 may be a PLC, microcontroller, general purpose microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array signal (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), hardware state machine, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof. The controller may comprise a processor and memory comprising instructions to control the docking and transfer process. A user interface 211 may be provided to allow execution of predefined docking / undocking and transfer programs, and may also allow manual control of the motors, bed height and bed orientation. The user interface 211 may be an input device, for example a box with buttons connected to the controller 210 overa wired (e.g. cable) interface, or it may be an app on a mobile phone, mobile computing device, or hospital computing system which communicates with the controller 210 via a wireless interface (e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc).

[0105] The transfer operation illustrated in Figures 8A to 8F may be summarised into a flowchart 900 of a method of transferring a patient from a mobile patient support chair to a bed and is illustrated in figure 9A. Step 902 comprises receiving and docking the mobile patient support chair 1 supporting a patient 2 into the docking assembly of the bed 200 (i.e. docking stage 270). This step may further comprise initialising the orientation of the bed such that patient support surface is horizontal and is in a fully lowered state. Step 904 comprises moving the patient support surface (e.g. foot platform 224) to a first set point. In the first set point the patient support has a first height and a first inclined orientation and the rear of the seat portion 49 meets the foot end 222 of the foot portion of the patient support surface. The chair may also be optionally rotated rearward. At step 906 the upper portion of the chair frame is removed to allow a patient’s back to rest against the patient support surface 218. The support panels 30 mounted on rear seat cross bar 44 may also be rotated 180 degrees so that the patient’s back is fully supported by the patient support surface (mattress) 218. Step 908 comprises a step of transferring the patient to the bed. This is performed by simultaneously pivoting the patient support surface, pivoting the chair rearward, adjusting the height of the patient support surface and rotating the conveyor clockwise (i.e. spooling the conveyor sheet from the foot roller 229 to head roller 245) until the patient support surface and the foot portion are in a horizontal orientation and the sensor detects that the patient is supported on the patient support surface indicating the patient has been transferred from the chair to the bed. During the transfer the conveyor moves the patient onto the patient support surface. Further the changes in the height and orientation of the foot end are coordinated with the rotation of the chair and operation of the conveyor so that foot end remains proximal to or above the rear of the seat portion to support the patient. The movement is controlled by the controller and minimises any gaps between the chair and the bed. This is illustrated in Figures 8C to 8E. When the patient is fully transferred to the bed, the chair 1 can be rotated back to the nominal seating orientation (see Figure 8F) and the chair can then be undocked.

[0106] In embodiments where the bed further comprises a head platform 238 which supports a head portion 240 of the patient support surface 218, and a head platform pivot member extending from the first side to the second side, the bed drive arrangement then separately controls a height and an angular orientation of the head end 242 about the head platform pivot member. The conveyor is spooled on and off (or between) the foot roller 229 mounted to the foot platform 224 and the head roller 245 mounted to the head platform 238. Further during the transfer, a height and an angular orientation of the head platform are controlled to match the height and angular orientation of the foot platform.

[0107] In some embodiments a leg support panel may be inserted into the foot portion of the chair behind the patient’s legs to provide additional support during the transfer.

[0108] The process can be reversed for transferring a patient to a mobile patient support chair from a bed, and a flowchart 910 of this method is illustrated in Figure 9B. The method begins 912 by receiving and docking the mobile patient support chair 1 supporting a patient 2 into the docking assembly of an adjustable bed 200. Step 914 comprises initialising a state of the mobile patient support chair 1 and the adjustable bed 200, such that the patient support surface 218 is horizontal and is in a fully lowered state and orientating the mobile patient support chair so that the foot portion is in a horizontal orientation and removing the upper portion 22 of the chair frame 20. Step 916 comprises transferring the patient to the mobile patient support chair by simultaneously pivoting the patient support surface, pivoting the chair rearward, adjusting the height of the patient support surface and rotating the conveyor anti -clockwise (i.e. spooling the conveyor sheet from the head roller 245 to the foot roller 229) . This is performed until the patient support surface and the foot portion are in a first set point orientation. During the transfer the conveyor moves the patient from the patient support surface onto the chair whilst controlling the inclination and height of the patient support surface and chair incline to maintain the rear of the seat portion proximal to or above the foot end of the foot portion of the patient support surface. This ensures the patient remains supported during the transfer operation. At step 918 the upper portion 22 of the chair frame 20 is inserted into the chair 2 to allow a patient’s back to rest against the upper portion of the chair frame. Step 920 comprises optionally rotating the mobile patient support chair to a final orientation and undocking the mobile patient support chair.

[0109] Embodiments of a mobile patient support chair which allows rotation of the chair with respect to a support frame, and an associated patient transfer system including an adjustable bed have been described. The chair can rotated and locked into a plurality of positions over a rotation range (either any position over the range or preset positions over the range). The support frame of the chair and the location of the pivot axis of the bed frame have also been designed to ensure that the patient is fully supported during the transfer and thus facilitate safer patient transfers. The support frame may be formed with two L-shaped inclined legs comprising a lower support beam portion extending longitudinally from the front to the rear and which supports a front wheel and a rear wheel, and a vertically extending inclined leg portion which extends rearward and upward from the front of the lower support beam to the central mount. This design of the chair leg combined with horizontally offsetting (inset) the location of the pivot axis (or location) defined by the pivot frame member of the foot platform provides an improved transfer system that allows the chair to be drawn closely towards the bed and ensures that during the transfer the foot end 222 can be kept close to the rear of the seat 49 to ensure that the patient is fully supported during transfer operations. The absent rearward directed leg avoids any interference during transfer operations. Additionally, the pivot frame member (bed pivot axis) is located parallel to and offset from the foot end of the patient support surface such that the foot end of the patient support surface extends past the pivot end frame member. This combination of inclined L shaped leg and offset bed pivot axis allows the end of the bed to be brought close to the rear of the seat to enable the safe transfer of the patient from the chair tothe bed. A method for safely transferring the patient from the chair to the bed has also been described which coordinates movement of the chair and bed to ensure the patient remains fully supported during the transfer process (along with a related method to transfer the patient from the bed to the chair. A controller is used to coordinate and controls the rotation of the chair, movement of the conveyor, and the height and inclination angle of the foot end of the bed keep the patient supported during the transfer.

[0110] The mobile patient support chair may also include a pivot axis adjustment assembly. This pivot axis adjustment assembly allows translation of the rotation axis of the chair within a plane to allow movement of the rotation axis closer to the COG of the chair. This enables easier rotation of the chair, i.e. so that less force is required to rotate the chair. The assembly is compact and thus maximise the width of the seat whilst ensuring the chair can fit through a standard doorway.

[0111] The patient transfer system may use mobile patient support chairs with or without the pivot axis adjustment assembly. The use of a pivot axis adjustment assembly facilitates rapid adjustment of the rotation axis which facilitates use in aged care and hospital settings where the chair may be used for multiple patients, for both short and long term stays. For example, in a hospital or aged care setting the pivot axis could be adjusted (reconfigured) each time an existing patient is discharged, and a new patient is admitted. The adjustment settings (offsets) could be stored in a patient’s note and when a carer could look these up then rapidly adjust the chair to suit the patient. However, in home use applications of the patient transfer system, the mobile patient support chair could omit the pivot axis adjustment as described herein, and use a fixed pivot axis location, or the pivot axis could be manually customised to suit the patient prior to or during handover to the patient. For example, the mounting plate for the pivot mount may be provided with multiple mounting points corresponding to different COGs. A patient could be assessed relative to a set of reference body types (mass and height combinations) to determine a matching body type, and then COG location associated with that body type selected and used to customise the chair to the patient. It will also be realised that a mobile patient support chair incorporating the pivot axis adjustment assembly may be used independent of the adjustable bed and patient support system, for example for general use as a support chair in the aged care, hospital or home settings. Such chairs could be used to assist with movement and caring of patients, including washing and activities of daily living. In such cases the mobile patient support chair could omit the transfer related parts such as the docking guide, drive coupler and drive shaft in the support legs.

[0112] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0113] It will be understood that the terms “comprise” and “include” and any of their derivatives (e.g. comprises, comprising, includes, including) as used in this specification, and the claims that follow, is tobe taken to be inclusive of features to which the term refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied.

[0114] In some cases, a single embodiment may, for succinctness and / or to assist in understanding the scope of the disclosure, combine multiple features. It is to be understood that in such a case, these multiple features may be provided separately (in separate embodiments), or in any other suitable combination. Alternatively, where separate features are described in separate embodiments, these separate features may be combined into a single embodiment unless otherwise stated or implied. This also applies to the claims which can be recombined in any combination. That is a claim may be amended to include a feature defined in any other claim. Further a phrase referring to “at least one of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

[0115] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosure is not restricted in its use to the particular application or applications described. Neither is the present disclosure restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and / or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope as set forth and defined by the following claims.

[0116] Please note that the following claims are provisional claims only, and are provided as examples of possible claims and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any future patient applications based on the present application. Integers may be added to or omitted from the example claims at a later date so as to further define or re -define the scope.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMSreceived by the International Bureau on 29 June 2026 (29.06.2026).Claims

1. A mobile patient support chair configured for use in a patient transfer system comprising the patient support chair and an adjustable bed, the mobile patient support chair comprising:a support frame comprising a first side frame and a second side frame, each side frame comprising a central mount, a leg comprising a lower support beam portion extending longitudinally from a front end to a rear end and which supports a front wheel, a rear wheel and a docking guide located on an inner rear surface of the lower support beam portion, and a vertically extending leg portion which extends upward from a front portion of the lower support beam portion to the central mount;a chair assembly comprising a frame assembly with an upper portion, a seat portion and a lower portion, the chair assembly having a front side which is configured to receive and support a patient having a back, buttocks and legs, and a rear side, and the lower portion is configured to support the patient’s legs, the seat portion is configured to support the patient’s buttocks and the upper portion is configured to support the patient’ s back, and the seat portion comprises a first side frame member and a second side frame member; anda pair of pivot mounting arrangements which mount a respective side frame of the support frame to a respective side frame member of the chair assembly and which comprises a shaft and a bearing to allow rotation of the chair assembly with respect to the support frame about a pivot axis, and at least one of the pivot mounting arrangements comprises a locking arrangement for locking the chair assembly in a plurality of positions over a rotation range, and each bearing is mounted to the central mount of the respective side frame, wherein each of the vertically extending leg portion extends upwards from the respective lower support beam portion at a location forward of a rear of the seat portion, andwhen used to transfer a patient from the chair to an adjustable bed, each docking guide is configured to guide the chair to be received and secured into a docking assembly of the adjustable bed such that a rear of the support frame is located under an end of the bed, and at least one of the legs comprises a clutch arrangement configured to both control engagement and disengagement of a clutch and drive rotation of thechair assembly when the clutch is disengaged, the clutch arrangement in each of the at least one legs comprises a clutch and a drive shaft arrangement passing through the respective leg to a drive coupler located in a rear of the respective lower support beam portion which, when docked with the docking assembly of the adjustable bed, engages with a drive actuator in the docking assembly which drives rotation of the chair assembly over the rotation range under control of a controller in the adjustable bed.

2. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the vertically extending leg portion is a vertically extending inclined leg portion that extends rearward and upward from the front end of the respective lower support beam portion to the central mount such that the leg is an inclined L-shaped leg.

3. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the pair of pivot mounting arrangements further comprises a pivot axis adjustment assembly which is configured to translate the pivot axis in a plane parallel to the respective side of the chair to allow adjustment of a location of the chair assembly with respect to the support frame.

4. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in claim 3, wherein each side frame member comprises an upper side, a lower side, a front side, and a rear side, and the upper side, the lower side, the front side, and the rear side of each side frame member define a rectangular aperture, and each of the upper side, lower side, front side, and rear side comprise a slot, and each pivot mounting arrangement comprises a shaft support, and each shaft of the pair of pivot mounting arrangement is located on a respective shaft support that is mounted to the respective pivot axis adjustment assemblies, and each pivot axis adjustment assembly is mounted within the rectangular aperture of the respective side frame member and comprises:a central block mounted to the shaft support and comprising a first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture, each of the first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture passing through the central block from an upper side to a lower side and located in a first plane parallel to the respective side, and a second adjustment aperture and at least one second support aperture, each of the second adjustment aperture and the at least one second support aperture passing through the central block from a front side to a rearside and located in a second plane parallel to the respective side and the first plane, and the first plane and the second plane are spaced apart such that the first adjustment aperture and the at least one first support aperture do not intersect with the second adjustment aperture and the at least one second support aperture;a set of four slide plates, comprising an upper slide plate, a lower slide plate, a front slide plate and a rear slide plate, and each slide plate is received in a slot of the respective side of the respective side frame member;at least one first support element having a first end received in a support receiving aperture in the upper slide plate and a second end received in a support receiving aperture in the lower slide plate, and passing through a respective first support aperture in the central block; a first adjustment element defining a first axis and having a first end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the upper slide plate and a second end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the lower slide plate, and passing through the first adjustment aperture in the central block, and one or both of the first and second ends are configured to allow driving of the first adjustment element;at least one second support element having a first end received in a support receiving aperture in the front slide plate and a second end received in a support receiving aperture in the rear slide plate, and passing through a respective second support aperture in the central block; anda second adjustment element defining a second axis and having a first end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the front slide plate and a second end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the rear slide plate, and passing through the second adjustment aperture in the central block, and one or both of the first and second ends are configured to allow driving of the second adjustment element, wherein the first adjustment element and first adjustment aperture in the central block are configured such that driving of the first adjustment element drives the central block along the first axis, and the second adjustment element and second adjustment aperture in the central block are configured such that driving of the second adjustment element drives the central block along the second axis wherein driving the central block along the first axis and the second axis enables thepivot axis of the respective pivot mounting assembly to be moved to any location within the rectangular aperture of the side frame member.

5. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first adjustment element is a screw threaded rod, and the first adjustment aperture is an aperture with a matching screw thread and the second adjustment element is a screw threaded rod and the second adjustment aperture is an aperture with a matching screw thread, and the at least one first support element comprises two first support elements which are located either side of the first adjustment element and the at least one second support element comprises two second support elements which are located either side of the second adjustment element.

6. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein each shaft support comprises a plate portion which supports the respective shaft on a first side, and a mounting wall on a second side that defines an aperture dimensioned to match the dimensions of the respective central block and which receives the respective central block, and the mounting wall is configured with a plurality of apertures that match the first adjustment aperture, the at least one first support aperture, the second adjustment aperture, and the at least one second support aperture, and central block is fastened to the wall via a plurality of fasteners.

7. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a width of each pivot mounting arrangement is less than 50 mm.

8. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein a width of the chair is less than 820 mm and a combined width of the first side frame and first side frame member is less than 100 mm.

9. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the at least one locking arrangement is a spring based lock that controls rotation of the shaft, a release mechanism and a release linkage, wherein the release mechanism is located on one of the side frames and is connected to the spring based lock via the release linkage mounted on or in the side frame.

10. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the chair assembly further comprises a plurality of supportpanels mounted to the chair frame assembly, each moveable between a support position and an access position.

11. A patient transfer system comprising:the mobile patient support chair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10; andan adjustable bed having a foot end, a head end, a first side and a second side, comprising:a controller;a base comprising a docking assembly located at the foot end of the adjustable bed configured to receive and secure each docking guide in each leg of the mobile patient support chair, and a drive actuator configured to engage with the drive coupler and to drive the rotation of the chair assembly of the mobile patient support chair;a patient support surface;a foot platform which supports a foot portion of the patient support surface and comprising a pivot frame member extending from the first side to the second side and which is located parallel to and offset from a foot end of the patient support surface such that the foot end of the patient support surface extends past the pivot frame member;a bed drive arrangement configured to adjust a height and an angular orientation of the foot platform about the pivot frame member;a conveyor passing around the patient support surface; anda sensor located at the foot end of the foot platform;wherein the controller is configured to drive the rotation of the chair assembly, the height, the angular orientation of the patient support surface and the conveyor to control transfer of a patient between the mobile patient support chair and the bed.

12. The patient transfer system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the adjustable bed further comprises a head platform which supports a head portion of the patient support surface and comprises a head platform pivot member extending from the first side to the second side, and the bed drive arrangement separately controls a height and an angular orientation of the head end about the head platform pivot member.

13. A method of transferring a patient from a mobile patient support chair to an adjustable bed using the patient transfer system as claimed in claim 11, comprising:receiving and docking the mobile patient support chair supporting a patient into the docking assembly of the adjustable bed;moving the patient support surface to a first set point such that in the first set point the patient support surface has a first height and a first inclined orientation and the rear of the seat portion meets the foot end of the foot portion of the patient support surface;removing the upper portion of the chair frame assembly to allow a patient’s back to rest against the patient support surface; and transferring the patient to the adjustable bed by simultaneously pivoting the patient support surface, pivoting the mobile patient support chair rearward, adjusting the height of the patient support surface and rotating the conveyor of the adjustable bed clockwise until the patient support surface and the foot portion are in a horizontal orientation and the sensor detects that the patient is supported on the patient support surface wherein during the transfer, the conveyor moves the patient onto the patient support surface and the changes in the height and an orientation of the foot end are coordinated with the rotation of the mobile patient support chair and operation of the conveyor so that foot end remains proximal to or above the rear of the seat portion to support the patient during the transfer process.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising initialising the orientation of the adjustable bed such that patient support surface is horizontal and is in a fully lowered state.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein moving the patient support surface to the first set point comprises rotating the foot platform to a first angle and raising the foot platform to first height so that foot end meets the rear end of the seat portion of the mobile patient support chair and the foot end of the bed is inclined at an angle matching an inclination angle of the upper portion of the mobile patient support chair, wherein rotating and raising the foot platform may be performed in any order or simultaneously.

16. The method as claimed in claim 13, 14, or 15 wherein transferring the patient to the adjustable bed comprises:rotating the conveyor clockwise, pivoting the mobile patient support chair rearward in coordination with rotating the foot portion to reduce the inclination angle and lowering the bed to move the foot end such that foot end is moved above the rear of the seat so that the patient’ s buttocks are partially supported by the foot end;rotating the conveyor clockwise, pivoting the mobile patient support chair rearward in coordination with rotating the foot end to reduce the inclination angle of the foot end until the patient’ s buttocks and back are fully supported by the bed;raising the bed, pivoting the mobile patient support chair rearward and rotating the foot end to reduce the inclination angle of the foot end until the foot end is horizontal and level with the horizontal foot portion of the chair; androtating the conveyor to move the patient onto the bed until the sensor detects that the patient’s feet have passed the sensor, and then lowering the bed, and pivoting the mobile patient support chair back to a sitting position.

17. The method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the adjustable bed further comprises a head platform which supports a head portion of the patient support surface and comprises a head platform pivot member extending from the first side to the second side, and the bed drive arrangement separately controls a height and an angular orientation of the head end about the head platform pivot member, and the conveyor is spooled on and off a foot roller mounted to the foot platform and a head roller mounted to the head platform and during the transfer a height and an angular orientation of the head platform is controlled to match the height and angular orientation of the foot platform.

18. The method as claimed in any one of claims 13, 14 or 15, further comprising inserting a leg support panel to the lower portion of the frame assembly behind the patient’s legs prior to pivoting the chair rearward.

19. A method of transferring a patient from an adjustable bed to the mobile patient support chair to the adjustable bed using the patient transfer system as claimed in claim 11, comprising:receiving and docking the mobile patient support chair into the docking assembly of the adjustable bed supporting a patient; initialising a state of the mobile patient support chair and the adjustable bed, such that the patient support surface is horizontal and is in a fully lowered state and orientating the mobile patient support chair so that the foot portion is in a horizontal orientation, and removing the upper portion of the chair frame;transferring the patient to the mobile patient support chair by simultaneously pivoting the patient support surface, pivoting the chair rearward, adjusting the height of the patient support surface and rotating the conveyor of the adjustable bed anti-clockwise so that the patient support surface and chair incline until the patient support surface and the foot portion are in a first set point orientation wherein during the transfer the conveyor moves the patient from the patient support surface onto the chair whilst controlling the inclination and height of the patient support surface and chair incline to maintain the rear of the seat portion proximal to or above the foot end of the foot portion of the patient support surface;inserting the upper portion of the chair frame to allow a patient’ s back to rest against the upper portion of the chair frame; androtating the mobile patient support chair to a final orientation and undocking the mobile patient support chair.

20. A pivot axis adjustment assembly of a pivot mounting assembly of a mobile patient support chair in which the pivot mounting assembly is configured to allow rotation of a chair assembly with respect to a support frame about a pivot axis, the pivot axis adjustment assembly comprising:a central block comprising a first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture, each of the first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture passing through the central block from an upper side to a lower side and located in a first plane parallel to the respective side, and a second adjustment aperture and at least one second support aperture, each of the second adjustment aperture and at least one second support aperture passing through the central block from a front side to a rear side and located in a second plane parallel to the respective side and the first plane, and the first plane and the second plane are spaced apart such that the first adjustment aperture and at least one first support aperture do not intersect with the second adjustment aperture and at least one second support aperture;a set of four slide plates, comprising an upper slide plate, a lower slide plate, a front slide plate and a rear slide plate, and when used, each slide plate is received in a slot of a respective side of a rectangular aperture in a side frame member of the chair assembly;at least one first support element having a first end received in a support receiving aperture in the upper slide plate and a second endreceived in a support receiving aperture in the lower slide plate, and passing through a respective first support aperture in the central block; a first adjustment element defining a first axis and having a first end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the upper slide plate and a second end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the lower slide plate, and passing through the first adjustment aperture in the central block wherein one or both of the first and second end are configured to allow driving of the first adjustment element;at least one second support element having a first end received in a support receiving aperture in the front slide plate and a second end received in a support receiving aperture in the rear slide plate, and passing through a respective second support aperture in the central block; anda second adjustment element defining a second axis and having a first end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the front slide plate and a second end received in an adjustment receiving aperture in the rear slide plate, and passing through the second adjustment aperture in the central block, and one or both of the first and second end are configured to allow driving of the second adjustment element, wherein the first adjustment element and first adjustment aperture in the central block are configured such that driving of the first adjustment element drives the central block along the first axis, and the second adjustment element and second adjustment aperture in the central block are configured such that driving of the second adjustment element drives the central block along the second axis wherein driving the central block along the first axis and the second axis enables the pivot axis of the pivot mounting assembly to be moved to any location within the rectangular aperture of the side frame member.

21. The pivot axis adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein the first adjustment element is a screw threaded rod, and the first adjustment aperture is an aperture with a matching screw thread and the second adjustment element is a screw threaded rod and the second adjustment aperture is an aperture with a matching screw thread.

22. The pivot axis adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the at least one first support element comprises two first support elements which are located either side of the first adjustment element and the at least one second support element comprises twosecond support elements which are located either side of the second adjustment element.

23. A mobile patient support chair comprising:a support frame comprising a first side frame and a second side frame, each side frame comprising a central mount and at least one leg extending from the central mount and comprising at least one wheel; a chair assembly comprising a frame assembly with an upper portion, a seat portion and a lower portion, the chair assembly having a front side which is configured to receive and support a patient having a back, buttocks and legs, and a rear side, and the lower portion is configured to support the patient’s legs, the seat portion is configured to support the patient’s buttocks and the upper portion is configured to support the patient’s back, and the seat portion comprises a first side frame member and a second side frame member, and each side frame member comprises an upper side, a lower side, a front side, and a rear side that defines a rectangular aperture and each of the upper side, lower side, front side, and rear side comprises a slot; anda pair of pivot mounting arrangements which mount a respective side frame of the support frame to a respective side frame member of the chair assembly and which comprises a shaft and a bearing to allow rotation of the chair assembly with respect to the support frame about a pivot axis, and at least one of the pivot mounting arrangements comprises a locking arrangement for locking the chair assembly in a plurality of positions over a rotation range, and each bearing is mounted to the central mount of the respective side frame, and the shaft is located on a shaft support which is mounted to a pivot axis adjustment assembly as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the pivot axis adjustment assembly is mounted within the rectangular aperture of the respective side frame member.

24. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in claim 23, wherein each shaft support comprises a plate portion which supports the respective shaft on a first side, and a mounting wall on a second side that defines an aperture dimensioned to match the dimensions of the respective central block and which receives the respective central block, and the mounting wall is configured with a plurality of apertures that match the first adjustment aperture, the at least one first support aperture, the second adjustment aperture, and the at least one second supportaperture, and central block is fastened to the wall via a plurality of fasteners.

25. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in claim 24 wherein each central block comprises a pair of mounting flanges, and an edge of the mounting wall of the respective shaft support comprises a matching pair of cut-out portions to receive the pair of mounting flanges, and the plurality of fasteners pass through the mounting flanges and into the mounting wall.

26. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein a width of each pivot mounting arrangement is less than 50 mm.

27. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein a width of the chair is less than 820 mm and a combined width of the first side frame and first side frame member is less than 100 mm.

28. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 27 wherein each leg comprises a lower support beam portion comprising a front wheel and arear wheel located under the respective lower support beam portion.

29. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 28 wherein the at least one locking arrangement is a spring based lock that controls rotation of the shaft, a release mechanism and a release linkage, wherein the release mechanism is located on one of the side frames and is connected to the spring based lock via the release linkage mounted on or in the side frame.

30. The mobile patient support chair of any one of claims 23 to 29 wherein the first side frame and the second side frame are each inclined L -shaped legs comprising a lower support beam portion extending longitudinally from the front to the rear and which supports a front wheel and a rear wheel, and an vertically extending inclined leg portion which extends rearward and upward from the front of the lower support beam portion to the central mount, and at least one of the legs comprises a clutch arrangement configured to both control engagement and disengagement of a clutch and drive rotation of the chair assembly when the clutch is disengaged, the clutch arrangement comprising a clutch, a clutch drive gear, and a drive shaft passing through the respective leg to a drive coupler located in a rear of the lower supportbeam portion which is configured to allow external control of the rotation of the chair assembly over the rotation range.

31. The mobile patient support chair as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein the chair assembly further comprises a plurality of support panels mounted to the chair frame, each moveable between a support position and an access position.

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