Patent ID: 8591162
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: B63B,B63C

Abstract:
1. A transfer device operative to facilitate transferring people from a first location to a second location, comprising: a base in the form of a polygon having an even number of sides; a plurality of seating elements, each operative to support a person in a seated position during transfer, affixed to the base such that a seating element faces radially outwardly in alignment with each even-numbered side of the polygon base, when the sides are numbered consecutively around the base, and such that an ingress/egress area between each seating element is aligned with each odd-numbered side of the polygon base; an outer structure in the form of a cage connected to at least the center and periphery of the base and extending over the seating elements; a buoyant shock absorbing panel affixed to the outer structure at each even-numbered side of the polygon base, each panel positioned in front of each of a seating elements and operative to protect a seated person from frontal impact, and further operative to contribute to rendering the device buoyant in water; and a coupler disposed on the outer structure and operative to couple the transfer device to a lifting device.