Abstract:
The invention relates to a device and method for facilitating a portable commode user&#39;s transfer onto the commode by providing a transfer seat that includes at least one rotatable wing adjacent at least one side of a portable commode seating platform. The transfer seat includes a frame, a seating platform supported by the frame with an opening, and a human waste receptacle under the opening. The rotatable wing(s) is secured to the transfer seat adjacent to the seating platform.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates, in general, to a transfer seat. The transfer seat of the present invention includes at least one rotatable wing.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Bedside or portable commodes typically include tubular frames where the frames support a user above a portable or fixed installation receptacle. More specifically, such commodes include seating platform to support a user or patient above the portable or fixed installation receptacle to support a user or patient. The seating platforms are generally rotatable, removable, or fixed to the frame, but the platform must include an opening to allow a patient to pass waste into the receptacle. These commodes optionally include a back rail to support a patient or for aesthetic reasons and/or a lid that can be selectively placed over the platform opening. It is also known to include arm rails to support or confine the user on the commode. These arm rails may be fixed, adjustable, or removable.  
         [0003]     Individuals that are injured, elderly, obese, or have other infirmities find it difficult to use existing bedside or portable commodes. The commodes are constructed so that these users have difficulty moving from a piece of furniture, such as a bed, a wheelchair, or the like to the bedside commode. It is imperative that patients are able to access the commode in a timely manner.  
         [0004]     One area of growing concern is the increasing number of significantly obese people. As this population increases, healthcare providers and healthcare product manufacturers have realized numerous shortcomings in existing healthcare products, including portable commodes. Bariatrics, the branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of obesity, is rapidly developing as healthcare providers begin to identify the shortcomings of existing healthcare products. Known commodes are problematic for many patients, including obese patients, for a number of reasons, including the placement of arm rails, gaps between the bed and commode, and the like. There is a need to improve upon the structural and design shortcomings that inhibit an infirm or obese person&#39;s ability to use a portable or bedside commode.  
         [0005]     Portable or bedside commodes must be structurally sound and easy to use. The commode must be able to support and facilitate the movement of an infirm or obese patient while being sturdy enough to support an obese patient&#39;s weight. However, patients using a bedside commode are not necessarily bed ridden and, therefore, may attempt to transfer to the commode from another support surface (couch, wheelchair, etc.) from either side of the commode. Wheelchair-bound patients, in particular, may access a commode from either side, but they may have difficulty transferring to commodes with fixed arm rails.  
         [0006]     It is known for a bedside or portable commode to provide a transfer platform. Transfer seats, as such portable or bedside commodes are known, include transfer platforms that are basically extended versions of the seating platforms already found on portable commodes. The seating platform is lengthened to include flat, continuous surfaces to either side of the platform opening in order to create a continuous, planar support. In use, a patient can slide across the support from either side of the commode receptacle in order to position themselves above the receptacle.  
         [0007]     The problems with these continuous, planar supports are numerous. For instance, the fixed length platform makes it difficult to position the commode adjacent to a patient based on room size, furniture arrangements, or the like. Merely extending the seating platform to either side of the receptacle also precludes arm rails to restrain or support a patient. The fixed width of the platform means the commode may have to be disassembled in order to move it from one location to another. Other problems are apparent to one skilled in the art.  
         [0008]     It is also known to include bedside toilets with rotatable platforms extending to the rear of the toilet to assist a patient&#39;s transfer onto the toilet. Rear positioned platforms are impractical and/or of very little use to a typical patient based on one or more of the above shortcomings. For instance, the transfer seat cannot be placed alongside the bed because the platform extends to the posterior of the toilet. A toilet with a posteriorly placed platform does not facilitate a patient&#39;s access to the commode from the sides of the commode, which is the more typical approach.  
         [0009]     There is a need for a bedside or portable commode that facilitates a patient&#39;s transfer onto the commode that is effective yet simple and relatively inexpensive. Ideally, an improved transfer seat would provide means to transfer to a commode from either side of the commode. A transfer seat in accordance with the present invention includes a rotatable wing or pair of wings adjacent to one or both sides of a seating platform. The subject transfer seat facilitates a patient&#39;s transfer from a support surface onto the commode while overcoming one or more of the shortcomings found in existing bedside commodes and transfer seats.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     In accordance with the present invention, a transfer seat is provided that includes at least one rotatable wing adjacent to at least one side of a seating platform. The transfer seat includes a frame, a receptacle or a waste diverting splash guard, and a seating platform supported by the frame over the receptacle or waste diverting splash guard. The seating platform includes an opening for a user or patient to pass waste to the receptacle or to a permanently installed toilet via the waste diverting splash guard. The wing(s) is secured to the frame adjacent to the seating platform. In another preferred embodiment, the wing is secured to the seating platform adjacent the seating platform opening. Regardless of the mounting location, the wing is rotatable through a range of motion.  
         [0011]     The transfer seat of the present invention facilitates obese, infirm, elderly or otherwise handicapped individuals access to a commode receptacle. The transfer seat is typically positioned next to a bed, piece of furniture, wheelchair, or other patient support. The wing can be positioned in a substantially horizontal position (or ‘transfer position’) so that it is usable to facilitate a patient&#39;s transfer onto the seating platform. In one embodiment, the frame provides some load support when the wing is in the transfer position. In another preferred embodiment, the frame prevents the wing from rotating substantially below a horizontal angle relative to the seating platform. It is envisioned that a less than horizontal angle may be also be provided.  
         [0012]     The wing can also be positioned in a substantially vertical (or ‘upright position’) where it simulates a traditional arm rail found on portable commodes. The upright position serves to retain and/or support a patient on the seating platform. Placing the wing in the upright position facilitates transporting the transfer seat. The ability to put the wing in the upright position also allows the transfer seat to be positioned in locations that a fixed length transfer platform would not fit.  
         [0013]     The wing moves through a range of motion between the transfer and up positions. In one preferred embodiment, the transfer seat provides two wings where a wing is located on either side of the commode receptacle. Patients can then use the wings in the transfer position to transfer onto the seating platform from either side of the transfer seat. It should be understood that any reference to ‘a wing’ or ‘wings’ herein is intended to include embodiments of the present invention with one or more wings.  
         [0014]     In greater detail, a releasable locking mechanism is provided that operates to secure the wing in at least one specific position. One preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism comprises a catch plate secured to the transfer seat and a spring biased plunger. The catch plate includes an arched slot therein that is bounded on one or both ends by annular openings in the catch plate. The wing would be fastened to the frame via a rotating connection. The spring biased plunger passes through the wing and engages the slot and/or annular openings found in the catch plate.  
         [0015]     The body of the plunger is cylindrical with at least two distinct diameters. A first, larger diameter would be sized for placement within the annular openings provided by the catch plate but would be too large for movement along the arched slot. A second, smaller diameter would be suitable for movement along the slot. The plunger is actuated by a user by pressing a plastic guard to selectively move the plunger away from the catch plate. The spring bias urges the plunger back into an annular opening when the plunger is aligned with the opening. The mounting location, shape, operation, etc. of the releasable locking mechanism are optional. One skilled in the art will appreciate that different approaches exist.  
         [0016]     In use, under the above preferred embodiment, the wing is secured in a position when the larger diameter portion of the plunger is essentially locked in an annular opening provided by the catch plate. To rotate the wing, a user (such as a patient or healthcare provider) actuates the spring biased plunger. The lock is released by rotating the wing whilst the plunger is depressed. Once rotated, the plunger is no longer aligned with an annular opening. The wing can then be rotated with the smaller diameter portion of the plunger moving along the path defined by the arched slot. If a slot is not included, then the plunger would move along the back face of the bracket. When the plunger is again aligned with an annular opening, it automatically extends into the opening due to the spring bias and is locked in place until it is retracted. It is envisioned that a plurality of annular openings could be provided. As such, the wing could be locked in a number of positions. The wing could also extend beyond substantially vertical or below a substantially horizontal position relative to the seating platform. In a preferred embodiment, however, the frame prevents the wing from rotating past a substantially horizontal position. In this embodiment, the frame acts as a brace tc; at least partially support the patient&#39;s weight during a transfer to the seating platform.  
         [0017]     In another preferred embodiment, the transfer seat includes selectively extendible or telescoping legs relative to the frame. The legs are telescoped to present the seating platform and/or wings at different heights to a patient. Therefore, the transfer seat is height adjustable depending on a user&#39;s preferences, the height of the support surface the patient is transferring from, or the like.  
         [0018]     In summary, a transfer seat in accordance with the present invention efficiently addresses at least one of the problems associated with prior art portable commodes or transfer seats. The foregoing and additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a transfer seat in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is perspective view thereof wherein frame mounted wings are in the up position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of a transfer seat in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a transfer seat in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is an additional front view of a transfer seat wherein a pair of frame mounted wings are in an up position;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a front, close-up view of a locking mechanism on a transfer seat in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a locking mechanism on a transfer seat in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     Turning now to a more detailed description of the present invention, there is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  a preferred embodiment of a transfer seat  10 . As illustrated, a frame  12  includes the following frame members: a front bar  14 , a left bar  16 , a right bar  18 , a rear bar  20 , a back support  22 , a left brace  24 , and a rear brace  26 . Front bar  14  is connected by left bar  16  and right bar  18  to rear bar  20 . The bars and back support are generally inverted, U-shaped pieces in that they each have two vertical portions connected by rounded corners to an upper, horizontal portion. Front bar  14  and rear bar  20  are spaced apart in a parallel relationship. Left bar  16  and right bar  18  are also spaced apart in a parallel relationship. The vertical portions of the left and right bars  16 ,  18  are secured to corresponding vertical portions on front and rear bars  14 ,  20  by welding, fasteners, adhesives, or the like.  
         [0027]     The vertical portions of back support  22  overlap and are in contact with the vertical portions of rear bar  20 . Support  22  is secured to rear bar  20  via welding, fasteners, adhesives, or the like. Back support  22  extends above rear bar  20 . A left brace  24  and a right brace  26  increase the structural integrity of rear bar  20 . Each brace  24 ,  26  has two ends where the first ends are connected to a vertical portion of rear bar  20  and the second ends are connected to the horizontal portion of rear bar  20 .  
         [0028]     The frame members are, in a preferred embodiment, hollow metal tubes bent and cut to the desired shapes and sizes. The members are welded together. It is envisioned, however, that the materials, shapes, and fastening techniques used to form and construct the various frame members and frame might be accomplished numerous ways. The inclusion of a back support and braces are described and illustrated for use with a preferred embodiment only. The placement and form of the frame members should not be limited to the disclosed preferred embodiment. The frame acts as a skeleton for other components of transfer seat  10 , as described below, and a support for a patient.  
         [0029]     As further illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , front bar  14  and rear bar  20  include telescoping legs identified as elements  30 ,  32 ,  34 , and  36 . Each leg includes a rubber foot identified, respectively, as elements  30 ′,  32 ′,  34 ′ and  36 ′. Front and rear bars  14 ,  20  each include a plurality of apertures  38  aligned vertically along their vertical portions.  
         [0030]     A push button  40  is associated with each set of apertures  38 . Push buttons are well known in the art. Basically, a spring maintains a force on a button. A user actuates a button in order to move two elements in a telescoping relationship. When the button is aligned with an aperture, the spring naturally forces the button into the aperture, temporarily securing the two elements with respect to each other. Here, push buttons  40  on the legs engage one aperture in each set of apertures  38 . A user can adjust the height of frame  12 , and therefore transfer seat  10 , by actuating a push button and extending or retracting a leg in relation to the front and rear bars until the push button engages an aperture in the frame. It is also envisioned that the legs could be locked in place via other mechanisms, such as clips, fasteners, pins, friction fit, or the like. One skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous means to secure the telescoping legs.  
         [0031]     Having described a preferred embodiment of the frame and legs, the commode features of the transfer seat include a seating platform  42  shaped to nest atop front bar  14  and rear bar  20 . A platform opening  44  allows a patient to pass waste into a waste receptacle, including a portable receptacle  46  or an installed, or fixed location, toilet (not shown). If the transfer seat is positioned over an installed toilet, portable receptacle  46  is replaced with a waste diverting splash guard (not shown) that is identical to receptacle  46  save that the bottom of the receptacle is removed. Therefore, receptacle  46  is interchangeable with a waste diverting splash guard and any discussion of the receptacle also applies to the splash guard.  
         [0032]     Platform  42  and receptacle  46  can be integrally formed from any number of materials that would be obvious to one skilled in the art. It is also envisioned that receptacle  46  could be a separate element from platform  42  so that it would rest upon additional frame cross members (not shown). Platform  42  could, therefore, be removed from frame  12  and receptacle  46  could be separately removed in order to empty the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, platform  42  includes rails or slots (not shown) that engage a lip on the receptacle. Receptacle  46  is then selectively attached to platform  42 .  
         [0033]     The transfer seat of the present invention includes at least one wing located to one side of seating platform  42 . As illustrated, two wings  50 ,  50 ′ are provided with one wing secured to each side of seating platform  42 . The wing or wings can support the weight of a patient, including ly obese patients, transferring to seating platform  42  from a wheelchair, piece of furniture, or the like. It is envisioned that transfer seat  10  may include only one wing to one side of seating platform  42  with either no support or a conventional arm rail located on the opposing side of platform  42 . In the embodiment where two wings are employed, the wings are essentially mirror images of each other.  
         [0034]     In  FIG. 1 , transfer seat  10  is illustrated with a left wing  50  and a right wing  50 ′ both in the transfer position. Each wing in this embodiment includes a wing rail (left wing rail  52  and right wing rail  52 ′) that are generally U-shaped. The wing rails  52 ,  52 ′ are secured to the corresponding upper corners of both front bar  14  and rear bar  20  (see  FIG. 3 ) proximate the two ends of each wing rail. A pair of bolts  56 ,  56 ′ connect wings  50 ,  50 ′ to front bar  14  in a rotatable manner. Covers  58 ,  58 ′ are included, as described further below. Left and right wing rails  52 ,  52 ′ support, and are secured to, transfer platforms  54 ,  54 ′, respectively.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  illustrates left wing  50  and right wing  50 ′ in a substantially vertical or upright position. As better illustrated herein, bolt  56  passes through front bar  14  and wing rail  52 . A nut  60  secures bolt  56 . Wing  50  rotates about this connection. Conventional fasteners, such as screws (illustrated but not labelled), adhesives, other mechanical connectors, or the like secure transfer platform  54  to wing rail  52 . Bushings, rubber mounts, washers or the like may be placed between rail  52  and platform  54 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that there are optional means for connecting the wing to the frame. In addition, the transfer platform can also be secured to the wing rail in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 3  provides a rear view that illustrates left wing  50  in a substantially horizontal or transfer position and right wing  52 ′ in a substantially vertical or upright position. From this perspective, there is illustrated a secondary pivot connection for each wing provided by a pair of rear bolts  62 ,  62 ′. These bolts connect the wings to rear bar  20  at the corresponding corners. Again, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the wings can be secured in a pivoting relationship to the frame via other mechanisms. It should be noted that, depending on the precise placement of the bolts used to secure the wings to front and rear bars  14  and  20 , and also the placement of left and right bars  16 ,  18 , the wing rails may be at least partially supported by left and right bars  16 ,  18  when the wings are substantially horizontal relative to the seating platform. In addition, as the frame may include cross members (not shown) to support receptacle  46 , the ends of the wing rails may also be prevented rotating upwards by coming into contact with the optional, receptacle supporting cross members. Therefore, in at least one preferred embodiment, the frame prevents the wings from rotating to a position less then horizontal with respect to the seating platform. In this preferred embodiment, the frame acts as a brace to at least partially support a patient&#39;s weight during transfer. However, additional embodiments are envisioned whereby the wing is rotatable to a negative angle relative to the seating platform.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 4 and 5  provide front, planar views of one preferred embodiment of transfer seat  10  wherein covers  58 ,  58 ′ are rendered transparent for the purposes of illustrating the invention. In these views, there is illustrated dual locking mechanisms  70 ,  70 ′ (described below and illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ).  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the function of the locking mechanism in a preferred embodiment wherein wings  50 ,  50 ′ move from, and are locked, the transfer position ( FIG. 4 ) to the up position ( FIG. 5 ). It is also envisioned that the wing could rotate past these positions and/or that additional locking positions would be provided.  
         [0038]     Locking mechanism  70 ′ is illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 6 and 7  wherein  FIG. 6  is a front, close-up view of locking mechanism for the right wing  50 ′ and  FIG. 7  is view of the same taken from the left side of the mechanism. Mechanism  70 ′ includes a catch plate  72 ′ secured to front bar  14  by welding, fasteners, adhesive, or the like. Plate  72 ′ is secured in the upper, rounded, right hand corner of the generally U-shaped front bar  14 . The plate is planar and is arranged transverse to the wing&#39;s axis of rotation. Plate  72 ′ includes at least one diametrical or annular opening  80 ′. An arched slot  82 ′ is defined by plate  72 ′ with both ends of the slot terminating within the surface area provided by plate  72 ′. At least one end of slot  82 ′ terminates at an opening  80 ′. Any additional openings would be located along slot  82 ′, as will be explained further below.  
         [0039]     A screw  74 ′ is located in an aperture in plate  72 ′. The screw threads into a nut  90 ′ brazed or otherwise secured to plate  72 ′. Screw  74 ′ passes through, and supports, cover  58 ′. Cover  58 ′ is so mounted that it can slide along or rotate about screw  74 ′. Therefore, cover  58 ′ can be actuated, causing it to move towards plate  72 ′. In this preferred embodiment, pressing the cover is intended to actuate the locking mechanism, as described further below.  
         [0040]     As previously described, wing rail  52 ′ rotates relative to the transfer seat&#39;s frame. Bolt  56 ′ passes through front bar  14  and wing rail  52 ′. A spring biased plunger  78 ′ passes through the wing rail in order to engage catch plate  72 ′. When fully engaged, one end of the plunger is in contact with cover  58 ′.  
         [0041]     Plunger  78 ′ is, in a preferred embodiment, generally cylindrical shaped with to two diameters provided along the length of the plunger. A preferably frustoconical cam surface is defined between the two diameter sections. The forward facing end of the plunger  78 ′ is the narrower portion. The spring biasing means (not shown) may be mounted within wing rail  52 ′ so that the plunger is adapted to resist the retraction of the plunger away from plate  72 ′. However, the spring biasing means would prevent the plunger from being fully retracted into wing rail  52 ′ and would, in an unengaged state, create a natural bias that forces the plunger towards the plate. Illustrative spring biasing mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,002 and 4,640,301, which are incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood, however, that other spring biasing mechanisms are available as would be obvious to one skilled in the art.  
         [0042]     The spring biasing mechanism naturally forces the large diameter section of plunger  78 ′ into opening  80 ′. The diameter of this portion of the plunger is less than the diameter of opening  80 ′ but is greater than the width of slot  82 ′. Therefore, wing rail  52 ′ cannot be rotated from this position without retracting or pushing the large portion of plunger  78 ′ clear of opening  80 ′. Wing  50 ′ is effectively locked in placed.  
         [0043]     In order to rotate wing  50 ′, a patient actuates plunger  78 ′ by pressing against the face of cover  58 ′ and then rotating the wing. The face can be released once the rotation causes the plunger to not be aligned with an opening  80 ′. The smaller diameter portion of the plunger moves along the path provided by slot  82 ′. The plunger then naturally re-engages an opening once the plunger is realigned with the opening or one of the openings. The slot terminates at both ends at openings. Locking mechanism  70 ′ is, therefore, operable to lock wing  50 ′ in two positions. In the up position, the wing simulates an arm rail. In the down position, the wing facilitates a patient&#39;s transfer onto the seating platform. It is envisioned that additional openings could be included along the path of the slot, as desired (e.g., the wing could be locked at a 45 degree angle relative to the seating platform). It also envisioned that only one opening could be provided.  
         [0044]     It is thought that pressing cover  58 ′ to actuate mechanism  70 ′ will facilitate use of the wing and prevent injuries to patients. One skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative solutions could be derived that fall within the scope of the present invention, as claimed below. For instance, a set of threads  84 ′ on the plunger could be provided in order to secure a handle (not shown) on the plunger. A patient would then actuate plunger  78 ′ by pulling the handle away from wing rail  52 ′. Other modifications, including eliminating slot  82 ′, repositioning the various elements, and the like, are envisioned  
         [0045]     Although the present invention has been described in terms of one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that numerous variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. Thus, for example, the transfer seat frame, seating platform, wing and the like can take numerous shapes other than the illustrated and described embodiments. The elements of the transfer seat could also be formed from numerous materials and fastened together using various known fasteners, including heat bonding, welding, screws or the like. Additional embodiments will become apparent to one skilled in the art. Thus, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.