Abstract:
A bedsheet device ( 10 ) configured to overlay a mattress ( 12 ), the bedsheet device ( 10 ) comprising: a slide sheet ( 14, 16 ) being constructed of a pliable material and having a lower surface ( 14 ) which is of a relatively low friction material designed to slide relative to an upper surface of the mattress ( 12 ) under the weight of a patient; and reinforcing means ( 20 ) affixed to the slide sheet ( 14, 16 ) to provide sufficient reinforcement to permit suspension and/or turning of the patient upon the slide sheet ( 14, 16 ), said reinforcing means ( 20 ) being capable of being manipulated independent of the slide sheet ( 14, 16 ) to effect said suspension and/or turning of the patient.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a bedsheet device being designed to overlay a mattress and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a semi-permanent bedsheet device. The invention further relates to a bedsheet device also being appropriate for suspending and/or turning a patient via a mechanical lifting apparatus or the like. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     There are several “bedslides” or patient transfer sheets described in the patent literature of which U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,655 and Australian patent application No. 49606/96 appear most relevant to the bedsheet device of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,655 discloses a patient sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface to which a low friction material is stitched. In operation, the low friction material is designed to slide across a mattress whilst a patient rests on the top surface of the patient sheet. This allows turning of a patient or transfer of the patient from one bed to another. The “transfer device” of AU 49606/96 includes both an upper sheet having a padded portion and a moisture absorbing layer together with a low friction lower surface, and a lower sheet having a low friction upper surface. The lower sheet is designed to tuck in and under the mattress and the upper sheet is secured to the lower sheet via VELCRO (hook and loop) straps. In use, the VELCRO straps are released to permit sliding of the upper sheet with a patient lying thereon across the lower sheet. Although relatively effective in moving a patient with minimal disturbance, these “bedslides” are somewhat difficult for patient carers and the like to manipulate. In both prior art examples an edge of the patient sheet or the upper sheet itself are grasped by hand and the sheet then drawn across the mattress or the lower sheet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bedsheet device being configured to overlay a mattress, said bedsheet device comprising: 
     a slide sheet being constructed of a pliable material and having a lower surface which is of a relatively low friction material designed under the weight of a patient to slide relative to an upper surface of the mattress; and 
     reinforcing means affixed to the slide sheet to provide sufficient reinforcement to permit suspension and/or turning of the patient upon the slide sheet, said reinforcing means capable of being manipulated independent of the slide sheet to effect said suspension and/or turning of the patient. 
     Preferably said reinforcing means includes a plurality of spaced apart reinforcing members each being fixed to the slide sheet to permit transverse or longitudinal sliding of said slide sheet under the load or weight of a patient across the mattress. Generally the reinforcing members are each formed from elongate fabric webbing which is longitudinally stitched to the slide sheet. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a bedsheet device being configured to overlay a mattress, said bedsheet device comprising: 
     a slide sheet being constructed of a pliable material and having a lower surface which is of a relatively low friction material designed under the weight of a patient to slide relative to an upper surface of the mattress; and 
     a plurality of spaced apart reinforcing members each being affixed to the slide sheet to permit sliding of said sheet under the load or weight of a patient across the mattress, said reinforcing members capable of being manipulated independent of the slide sheet to effect said sliding of the patient. 
     Preferably the bedsheet device further comprises a cover material affixed to an upper surface of the slide sheet, the cover material providing a resting surface on which the patient may rest and together with the slide sheet being adapted to slidably move relative to the mattress and to overlay the mattress in a resting position wherein the slide sheet is prevented from moving relative to the mattress. 
     Typically the reinforcing members are also designed to provide lifting locations to which a mechanical lifting apparatus or other lifting means can be connected or coupled for lifting of the bedsheet device together with the patient or turning of the patient. 
     Preferably said bedsheet device is adapted to retractably receive a stiffening panel which is designed to provide additional support to the patient. 
     Preferably the bedsheet device may further comprise an undersheet being constructed of another pliable material and having an upper surface which is of a relatively low friction material designed to slidably bear against the lower surface of the slide sheet to enhance sliding movement of said slide sheet relative to the mattress, the undersheet configured to be anchored to the mattress or the slide sheet. More preferably the undersheet is fixed to a bottom sheet which is wrapped about the sides of the mattress thereby anchoring the undersheet to the mattress. Alternatively the undersheet may be secured to the bed via one or more anchoring straps. Generally the undersheet is fabricated of similar materials to the slide sheet such as DACRON fabric or a DACRON/MYLAR laminate. 
     Preferably the slide sheet is constructed of a pliant fabric, a pliant plastic and fabric laminate, a pliant plastic or a combination thereof. Generally the pliant fabric is a polyester fabric such as that sold under the Dupont trademark of DACRON. The pliant plastic may be a plastic film such as that sold under another Dupont trademark of MYLAR. These materials are typically used in the fabrication of yacht&#39;s sails and in particular relatively lightweight material used in the fabrication of spinnakers. 
     Typically the cover material is at least partly fabricated from a synthetic fabric including a cotton fabric such as calico. Generally the cover material is at least partly constructed of an absorbent fabric. Additionally the cover material may be formed in a pair of opposing synthetic fabric layers with a filler or padding material located therebetween. 
     Preferably the cover material is stitched to the slide sheet. More preferably said stitching is predominantly arranged transverse to the cover material and thus oriented longitudinally along the mattress with the bedsheet device fitted about the mattress. 
     Generally the bedsheet device is fitted to the mattress in the resting position via opposing side portions of the slide sheet and/or cover material which are tucked under the mattress. Alternatively or additionally the bedsheet device is draped across the mattress and anchored or fitted via one or more straps secured to a portion of a bed frame. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention several preferred embodiments of a bedsheet device will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of an undersurface of a bedsheet device; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the bedsheet device of FIG. 1 when fitted to a mattress of a bed; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of an optional undersheet fitted to the mattress; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates various accessory items to the bedsheet device; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the bedsheet device fitted to a mattress together with the accessory items; 
     FIG. 6 schematically depicts another bedsheet device in conjunction with a mechanical lifter; and 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a further bedsheet device in conjunction with a mechanical lifter; 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of an upper surface of yet another bedsheet device; 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view of an undersurface of the bedsheet device of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view of an optional waterproof sheet to be fitted to the upper surface of the bedsheet device; 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of yet another bedsheet device; and 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view of an undersurface of yet a further bedsheet device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 there is a bedsheet device designated generally as  10  being adapted to overlay a mattress  12 . The semi-permanent bedsheet device  10  comprises an orthogonal-shaped slide sheet  14  and a cover material  16 . 
     The slide sheet  14  of this embodiment is rectangular and fabricated from a pliable polyester fabric such as that sold in Australia and around the world under the Dupont trade mark of DACRON. The DACRON slide sheet  14  is typically of a weight which is appropriate for the fabrication of a yacht&#39;s sails such as relatively lightweight spinnaker cloth. 
     The rectangular DACRON slide sheet  14  which is depicted with solid outline is stitched to the cover material  16  which is also shaped rectangular. As shown in FIG. 1 the rectangular cover material  16  extends beyond the boundaries of the slide sheet  14 . The cover material  16  is in this example fabricated from a synthetic fabric such as calico which advantageously provides an absorbent surface. The cover material  16  may be fabricated from a pair of opposing synthetic fabric layers with a filler or padding material located in between. The filler or padding material is designed for both comfort and to provide an absorbent layer and may be in the form of a doona or include a natural wool fill. An exposed upper surface of the cover material  16  defines a resting surface on which a patient lies. The slide sheet  14  to cover material  16  stitching extends transversely across the slide sheet device  10 . Additionally, the cover material  16  may be provided with reinforcing strips  18  which are spaced from one another and extend longitudinally along the cover material  16 . Alternatively the cover material  16  may be reinforced by folding the cover material back onto itself and stitching or sewing as a pleat/tuck. 
     In this particular construction of the bedsheet device  10  there are reinforcing means in the form of a series of strengthening members of webbing such as  20  stitched to both the slide sheet  14  and the cover material  16 . The webbing  20  extends longitudinally along the bedsheet device  10  and is aligned with the reinforcing strips  18  of the cover material  16 . Importantly, the reinforcing webbing  20  is stitched to the slide sheet  14  and/or the cover material  16  at spaced locations so as to provide grips for manipulation or sliding of the bedsheet device  10  transversely or longitudinally across the mattress. This allows for relatively easy movement of the slide sheet  14  by gripping or otherwise manipulating the reinforcing webbing  20 . These grips such as  22  also provide convenient means for fitting or anchoring the bedsheet device  10  in a resting position to a bed or the like. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an optional undersheet  30  which may constitute a further component of the bedsheet device  10 . The undersheet  30  is in this example constructed of a similar material to the slide sheet  14  such as DACRON. The undersheet  30  is stitched to a conventional bottom sheet  32  which is designed to wrap about the sides of a mattress so as to anchor the undersheet  30  to the mattress. The undersheet  30  is positioned relative to the conventional bottom sheet  32  so that the undersheet  30  aligns with the slide sheet  14 . In combination the slide sheet  14  and undersheet  30  provide particularly “slippery” surfaces which permit relatively easy sliding movement of the bedsheet device  10  relative to the mattress  12  under the weight of a patient. However, it should be appreciated that the bedsheet device  10  need not include the undersheet  30  but rather may slide directly upon the mattress  12  or the conventional bottom sheet  32 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 depict the bedsheet device  10  in a resting position fitted to the mattress  12  of a bed  40  together with accessory straps such as  50  and  52 . In this example the bed is in the form of a bed trolley  40  of a conventional construction with side rails and barriers. The accessory straps  50  and  52  as shown in detail in FIG. 5 are configured to loop through one of the grips such as  22  of the bedsheet device  10  and clip back onto itself. The accessory strap  50  or  52  is wrapped about a rigid portion of the bed trolley  40  such as the bedhead or side rail so as to restrict inadvertent sliding of the bedsheet device  10  relative to the mattress  12 . The accessory straps  50  or  52  may be adjustable and as illustrated are of a conventional construction having either a clamp and loop or mutually engagable clips at respective opposing ends. 
     FIG. 6 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the invention in the form of a bedsheet device designated generally as  100  being designed for lifting a patient  102 . The bedsheet device  100  is similar in construction to the bedsheet device  10  described above. For ease of reference and to avoid repetition similar components have been designated with an additional “ 0 ”. For example, the slide sheet of this bedsheet device  100  has been designated as  140 . 
     The bedsheet device  100  in its basic form may not include a cover material such as that present in-the preceding bedsheet device  10 . The bedsheet device  100  is designed to be lifted in conjunction with the patient  102  via a mechanical lifting apparatus such as  104 . The lifting apparatus  104  in this embodiment includes a lifting frame or hanger  106  to which the sling device  100  is coupled. A rigid lifting arm such as  108  engages adjacent grips such as  220  of adjacent strengthening members  200  which are formed of relatively strong webbing. The lifting arms  108  may be incorporated in the sling device  100  or provided as components of the mechanical lifting apparatus  104 . 
     Alternatively the loops  101  provided at each corner of the lifting apparatus  104  engage the grips  220  themselves. 
     In operation the bedsheet device  100  which is fabricated from the pliable DACRON material is at least partially rolled and then slid under the patient  102 . The rolled portion of the sling device  100  can then be unrolled and the sling device  100  coupled to the mechanical lifting device  104  as shown in FIG.  6 . If additional support is required for the patient the relatively “slippery” surface of the DACRON slide sheet  140  may be slid under a firm yet pliable slide  110 . This is particularly advantageous where the patient has suspected bone fractures or the like. The applicant also intends the bedsheet device  100  to be lifted “hands-free” with a sling arrangement (not shown) which is worn by a carer. The sling is worn over the carer&#39;s shoulders and crosses over their chest. The sling couples to the bedsheet device itself or a bar or lifting rod which is inserted in the device  100 . 
     It should be appreciated that the bedsheet device  100  may be fabricated in the same fashion as the preceding bedsheet device  10 . In this instance the bedsheet device  10 / 100  serves the dual purpose of allowing movement of the patient across a bed whilst also permitting lifting of the patient clear of the bed. Thus, the bedsheet device  10 / 100  permits relatively easy movement of the patient whilst also being capable of remaining in-situ on the bed or mattress so that it is semi-permanent. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the bedsheet device shown as  100  in conjunction with a mechanical lifting apparatus shown generally a  104 . In this embodiment a lifting bar such as  103  is slid between opposing strengthening members such as  180  and  200 . The mechanical lifting apparatus  104  engages the bar  101  to effect movement of the bedsheet device  100  for lifting or rolling of the patient. 
     FIGS.  8  and/or  9  are plan views of an upper and a lower surface, respectively, of a further embodiment of a bedsheet device shown generally as  10 . For ease of reference and in order to avoid repetition, similar features of this bedsheet device have been designated with the same reference numerals as the first described embodiment of the invention. In this example the cover material  16  is shaped generally elliptical rather than rectangular. The slide sheet  14  is shaped substantially identical to the cover sheet  16  but with its opposing ends truncated. The slide sheet  14  is stitched to the cover material  16 . A cavity shown as hidden detail in FIG. 9 is provided between the slide sheet  14  and the cover material  16 . A stiffening panel  15  is inserted in the cavity  13  between the slide sheet  14  and the cover material  16 . The stiffening panel is preferably constructed of a plastics sheet which may be in the form of a fiberglass stiffening panel. This provides additional support to a patient resting on the bedsheet device  10 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 depict two embodiments of extended grips such as  19  which are stitched to the slide sheet  14  and/or the cover material  16 , the extended grips  19  allowing for relatively easy manipulation or sliding of the bedsheet device  10 . Alternatively, the extended grips  19  are designed to receive pole or bar inserts such as  103  depicted in FIG.  7 . Additionally or alternatively, the grips such as  19  may include slots such as  21  which a carer can grab to effect relatively easy manipulation of the bedsheet device  10 . In these embodiments the extended grips or hand holes such as  19  or  21 , respectively, constitute reinforcing means. Furthermore, the cover material  16  is at opposing ends folded back onto itself to provide additional strength to the bedsheet device  10 . FIG. 10 illustrates a waterproof sheet  23  which is designed to attach to an upper surface of the cover material  16 . In this example press studs such as  25  are included on the waterproof sheet  23  and the cover material  16  for affixture of the waterproof sheet  23 . Otherwise, the cover material  16  is designed to tuck in and under a mattress as described above. The bedsheet device  10  may be located directly on the mattress or alternatively placed over the optional undersheet  30  described earlier. 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 depict two (2) further embodiments of the bedsheet device  10 . Once again, like components have been designated with the same reference numerals. The bedsheet device of FIG. 11 is shaped generally rectangular with its corners truncated. In both examples the bedsheet device  10  is fabricated from a high strength cellulose material. No reinforcing webs are provided but rather overlapping of end portions of the bedsheet device  10  provide adequate strength for manipulation of the bedsheet device  10 . Additionally, handles or grips such as  25  may be provided on opposing ends of the bedsheet device  10 . In this example the upper and lower surfaces of the cellulose material itself serve as the cover material and the slide sheet, respectively. Additionally, opposing ends of the bedsheet device  10  may be formed as a tube such as  29  so as to receive a lifting bar such as  103 . 
     Now that several preferred embodiment of the invention have been described in some detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the bedsheet device has at least the following advantages: 
     (i) the device permits relatively easy movement of patients with minimal disturbance to the patient; 
     (ii) the device allows carers or resource personnel to move patients with minimal physical effort; 
     (iii) the device can remain in place after use and thus forms a semi-permanent fixture on the bed; and 
     (iv) the bedsheet device is relatively simple and safe to use. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For example, the slide sheet may be constructed of practically any pliable material which permits sliding of a patient relative to another surface such as a mattress or floor. The specific constructional features of the bedsheet device and the sling device may vary provided they function as broadly defined in the specification. According to other embodiments of the invention the bedsheet device may comprise: 
     (i) a slide sheet alone together with one or more grips provided in one embodiment by webbing stitched to the slide sheet to permit sliding of the bedsheet device together with a patient lying thereon across the bed; or 
     (ii) a slide sheet and an underslide sheet which is designed to secure to the bed, the slide sheet capable of being dragged or slid across the underslide sheet under the weight of a patient. 
     If the bedsheet device does not include a cover material, a comfortable and prefererably absorbent layer of bedding may be located between the patient and the slide sheet. If the slide sheet itself is not waterproof a waterproof drawsheet may also be placed on top of or underneath the slide sheet to prevent soiling of the mattress. 
     All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.