UNDER PAD WITH INTEGRAL HANDLES

A reusable, washable, absorbent under pad has built-in handles to aid in the transfer and accommodation of bedbound or chairbound patients, for example. The under pad can have at least two handles on each side thereof to facilitate transfer of patients by caregivers and to facilitate proper body mechanics, thereby preventing work related and home injuries by caregivers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to patient care devices and, more particularly, to a reusable, washable absorbent under pad with built-in handles to enable caregivers to move and transfer patients with ease.

Often, to move or transfer a patient that is either bedbound or chairbound, a caregiver may use a sheet and bunch up the sides to provide a place to grip the sheet to then move or carry the patient. This may be difficult, due to the lack of a good grip, and potentially dangerous, as the sheet may come un-bunched and slip, suddenly moving the patient.

Current products on the market do not have built-in handles and require the user to make a grip on a make-shift patient moving device.

As can be seen, there is a need for improved devices for transferring and accommodating bedbound or chairbound patients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an under pad comprises a top layer; an absorbent layer disposed adjacent the top layer; a non-porous waterproof bottom layer disposed adjacent the absorbent layer; and at least two handles on opposite sides of the under pad, the handles having a foam layer disposed below the absorbent layer and about a handle opening.

In another aspect of the present invention, an under pad comprises a top layer; an absorbent layer adjacent the top layer, the top layer quilted into the absorbent layer; a non-porous waterproof bottom layer disposed adjacent the absorbent layer; at least two handles on each of two opposite sides of the under pad; and a foam layer disposed below the absorbent layer and about a handle opening, wherein the foam layer is stitched into the top layer, the absorbent layer and the non-porous waterproof bottom layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a reusable, washable, absorbent under pad with built-in handles to aid in the transfer and accommodation of bedbound or chairbound patients, for example. The under pad can have at least two handles on each side thereof to facilitate transfer of patients by caregivers and to facilitate proper body mechanics, thereby preventing work related and home injuries by caregivers.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 through 5, an under pad10, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may include a top layer20, typically made from quilted cotton. The top layer20may be quilted/sewn with an absorbent lining26. A non-porous waterproof barrier28may be attached to the absorbent lining26to form the bottom of the under pad10.

As shown inFIGS. 8 through 10, in some embodiments, an under pad80can be made from only a top layer82and a bottom layer84, which may be made as a non-porous waterproof barrier28. In still other embodiments, the under pad can be formed from a single layer of material. This single layer may include one or more features of a soft top layer, an absorbent layer and a waterproof bottom layer. In still other embodiments, an absorbent lining, such as absorbent lining26, may be disposed between the top layer82and the bottom layer84.

In some embodiments, the under pad can be made from four layers—a first layer formed from 100% brushed polyester, a second layer formed from 95% poly/5% rayon, a third layer formed from a polyurethane laminating and a fourth layer formed from 100% brushed polyester. Typically, all four layers will be stitched to form a boarder for the handles. Typically, the second and third layers should have some absorbent qualities to wick away fluids, and the under pad on the whole should not slip, ball or shift. In some embodiments, the under pad can be manufactured with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal materials. Vertical or horizontal ribbon like materials may be added under or above the pads to make the grip stronger.

At least two handles22may be formed in opposite sides of the under pad10. Handle openings24provide a region for a caregiver16to insert their hands18to use the under pad10. Typically, two handles22will be formed on each opposite side.

In some embodiments, the handles can be formed from a cut made in the under pad10(such as through the top layer82and the bottom layer84), where the handles can include stitching thereabout to reinforce the handles. In this embodiment, foam padding may be specifically excluded to permit repeated washing of the under pad80without having foam that may degrade over time. In some embodiments, a flat or rounded tubing may be stitched in about the handle. For example, a flat loop of polymeric tubing may be placed about the handle opening and stitched therein to reinforce the opening.

The handles22may include the top layer20, typically made of quilted cotton. This top layer20may be the same material as the top layer of the under pad body. This top layer20may be quilted/sewn to an absorbent lining26, similar to the under pad body described above. While an optional foam layer30may be placed around the handle opening24to assist with a firm grip for the users, for a washable under pad, it may be desirable to exclude this foam layer, and instead, use stitching86about the handle opening. The handle22may include a non-porous waterproof barrier28at the bottom side thereof. Typically, the non-porous waterproof barrier28will be sewn into the handles22.

The absorbent lining layer26may be an absorbent material that may draw moisture and wetness away from the skin of a patient14, while the non-porous waterproof layer28may prevent this moisture from leaking onto bed linens, for example. The absorbent lining26and the quilted cotton top layer20may be made from various materials. While cotton may be typically used, other materials, both natural and synthetic, such as polyester, may be used.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 through 3, the under pad10of the present invention may be used as an absorbent under pad for bedbound, hospitalized, or sick patients, either at home or in a clinical setting. The product may facilitate with the transfer and repositioning of patients by caregivers16, using the handles22and promoting caregiver16proper body mechanics and patient safety.

As shown inFIG. 1, a patient14that is in a bed13can be maneuvered as may be needed for moving the patient from a lying to a sitting position or for making the bed, for example. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, a patient14that is in a wheelchair12can keep the under pad10under themselves, allowing the caregiver16to grasp the handles22to move the patient14out of the wheelchair12, when needed.

The under pad of the present invention may be used in various settings in addition to those described above. For example, the under pad may be used in veterinary settings, in emergency settings to help transfer injured/wounded persons, or to help in the transfer of overweight individuals. Larger versions of the pad may include multiple handles and can used as positioning pads, transfer pads, bed pads, or could be used in a Hoyer lift, as illustrated inFIG. 11.