Disabled person transfer seat

A disabled person transfer seat with a first vertically oriented bar with a first horizontal pivot, at least two structural support sections each having upper and lower support bars separated vertically with a brace plate covering a majority of the spaces between them, and a seat, which may be removable, positioned for a disabled person to comfortably sit. The at least two structural support sections are serially coupled to the horizontally pivotally coupled to each other between the first horizontal pivot and the seat, which is also pivotally mounted at a distal end of the vertically mounted to the first horizontal pivot. The removable seat includes a frame, a seat and handles, with an open center and gaps to enable drying of a patient. In some embodiments the structural support sections can nest to enable more compact storage.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to an Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) compliant transfer seat for use in assisting disabled persons, particularly in relation to showering or baths.

BACKGROUND

Health care providers and other caregivers traditionally have difficulty helping disabled persons who have restricted mobility or weakened muscles to shower or bathe, and then dry off and get dressed. Additionally, helping disabled persons transfer into and out of a shower or bath, or from a wheelchair to a bed or other chair is a known difficulty. Traditional transfer chairs are cumbersome, heavy, difficult to install, can require significant structural changes to a room in which they are installed, and often cannot provide enough support for larger patients.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a disabled person transfer seat comprising a wall plate configured to mount to a wall of a building, a first vertically oriented bar mounted to the wall plate and having at least a first horizontal pivot adjacent the wall plate, a first structural support section vertically mounted to the first horizontal pivot, the first structural support section comprising a first upper support bar, a first lower support bar separated vertically from the first upper support bar, and a first brace plate that covers a majority of a first space between the first upper support bar and the first lower support bar, and a second horizontal pivot at an end of the first structural support section opposite the first horizontal pivot, a second structural support section vertically mounted to the second horizontal pivot, the second structural support section comprising a second upper support bar, and a second lower support bar separated vertically from the second upper support bar, and a second brace plate that covers a majority of a second space between the second upper support bar and the second lower support bar, and a seat mount support on an end of the second structural support section opposite the second horizontal pivot, the seat mount support having seat post receiving hole extending through at least an upper surface of the seat mount support, wherein the second structural support section is vertically smaller than the first structural support section, and a removable seat comprising: a seat frame having a seat post extending downward therefrom and configured to be supported on the seat mount support with the seat post removably extending into the seat post receiving hole, a seat body coupled to the seat frame and having leg supports positioned to support a disabled person sitting on the seat body, and an open center, and first and second hand rails respectively coupled to opposing sides of the seat frame adjacent left and right sides of the seat body, wherein the hand rails positioned to provide a gap between the seat frame and the respective first and second hand rails, wherein the removable seat is horizontally pivotally coupled to the seat mount support and the first structural support section and the second structural support section are configured to pivotally rotate in relation to each other to a position where a majority of the second structural support section is nested within the first structural support section.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The seat mount support may be removably coupled to a vertical end bar extending between the second upper support bar and the second lower support bar. The seat mount support may further have a square post, the vertical end bar having a square post receiver attached thereto, and wherein the seat mount support is removably coupled to the vertical end bar through the square post being removably received into the square post receiver. The seat mount support may further comprise a locking pin having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the square post is unremovable from the square post receiver and in the unlocked position the square post is removable from the square post receiver. The first lower support bar may be longer than the first upper support bar, the second lower support bar is longer than the second upper support bar, the first upper support bar is not parallel to the first lower support bar and the second upper support bar is not parallel to the second lower support bar. The first horizontal pivot may comprise a first horizontal upper pivot at an end of the first upper support extending around the first vertically oriented mount bar mounted and a first horizontal lower pivot at an end of the first lower support extending around the first vertically oriented mount bar. The second horizontal pivot may comprise a second vertically oriented bar, a second horizontal upper pivot at an end of the second upper support extending around the second vertically oriented bar and a second horizontal lower pivot at an end of the second lower support extending around the second vertically oriented bar.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a disabled person transfer seat comprising a first vertically oriented bar configured to mount to a support in a building and having at least a first horizontal pivot, a first structural support section vertically mounted to the first horizontal pivot, the first structural support section comprising a first upper support bar, a first lower support bar separated vertically from the first upper support bar, and a first brace plate spanning a distance between the first upper support bar and the first lower support bar, and a second horizontal pivot at an end of the first structural support section opposite the first horizontal pivot, a second structural support section vertically mounted to the second horizontal pivot, the second structural support section comprising a second upper support bar, a second lower support bar separated vertically from the second upper support bar, and a second brace plate spanning a distance between the second upper support bar and the second lower support bar, and a seat mount support on an end of the second structural support section opposite the second horizontal pivot, the seat mount support having seat post receiving hole, and a removable seat comprising: a seat frame having a seat post configured to be supported on the seat mount support with the seat post removably extending into the seat post receiving hole, a seat body coupled to the seat frame and having an open center, and first and second hand rails respectively coupled to opposing sides of the seat frame, wherein the removable seat is horizontally pivotally coupled to the seat mount support, and the first structural support section and the second structural support section are configured to pivotally rotate in relation to each other to a position where at least a portion of the second structural support section is nested inside a portion of the first structural support section.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The first brace plate may cover a majority of a first vertical space between the first upper support bar and the first lower support bar. The second brace plate may cover a majority of a second vertical space between the second upper support bar and the second lower support bar. The second structural support section may be vertically smaller than the first structural support section. The seat mount support may be removably coupled to a vertical end bar extending between the second upper support bar and the second lower support bar. The seat mount support may further have a square post, the vertical end bar having a square post receiver attached thereto, and wherein the seat mount support is removably coupled to the vertical end bar through the square post being removably received into the square post receiver. The first lower support bar may be longer than the first upper support bar, the second lower support bar may be longer than the second upper support bar, the first upper support bar is not parallel to the first lower support bar and the second upper support bar is not parallel to the second lower support bar.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a disabled person transfer seat comprising a first vertically oriented bar having at least a first horizontal pivot, a first structural support section vertically mounted to the first horizontal pivot, the first structural support section comprising a first upper support bar, a first lower support bar, and a first brace plate spanning a vertical distance between the first upper support bar and the first lower support bar, and a second horizontal pivot at an end of the first structural support section opposite the first horizontal pivot, a second structural support section vertically mounted to the second horizontal pivot, the second structural support section comprising a second upper support bar, a second lower support bar, and a second brace plate spanning a vertical distance between the second upper support bar and the second lower support bar, and a seat mount support on an end of the second structural support section opposite the second horizontal pivot, and a removable seat horizontally pivotally coupled to the seat mount support.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The removable seat may further comprise a seat frame removably coupled to the seat mount support, a seat body coupled to the seat frame and having an open center, and first and second hand rails respectively coupled to opposing sides of the seat frame. The first structural support section and the second structural support section may be configured to pivotally rotate in relation to each other to a position where at least a portion of the second structural support section is nested within a portion of the first structural support section. The first brace plate may cover a majority of a first vertical space between the first upper support bar and the first lower support bar, and wherein the second brace plate may cover a majority of a second vertical space between the second upper support bar and the second lower support bar. The seat mount support may further have a square post, the vertical end bar may have a square post receiver attached thereto, and the seat mount support may be removably coupled to the vertical end bar through the square post being removably received into the square post receiver. The first lower support bar may be longer than the first upper support bar, the second lower support bar may be longer than the second upper support bar, the first upper support bar may be not parallel to the first lower support bar and the second upper support bar may be not parallel to the second lower support bar.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS if any are included.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed aspects and applications of the disclosure are described below in the following drawings and detailed description of the technology. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts.

In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that embodiments of the technology disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed technologies may be applied. The full scope of the technology disclosed herein is not limited to the examples that are described below.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a step” includes reference to one or more of such steps.

When a range of values is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. All ranges are inclusive and combinable.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are included herein. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limits, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention. The specific examples below will enable the disclosure to be better understood. However, they are given merely by way of guidance and do not imply any limitation.

Embodiments of transfer seats disclosed herein are particularly useful in wet environments, like for transferring into and out of a shower or bath area due to the dangers of slipping on wet surfaces while attempting to move a patient. Slip injuries are reported every year by caregivers assisting patients in and out of bathrooms. The materials used for various particular embodiments of a transfer seat disclosed herein are water resistant and rust resistant or rust proof, and can withstand exposure to water. Embodiments disclosed herein are particularly useful in assisting elderly patients to the shower from a wheelchair, helping them shower, then helping them dry off and exit the shower.

Although component sizes, shapes, and arrangements may vary for each particular implementation of a transfer seat2, with reference toFIG.1, disabled person transfer seats constructed according to the present disclosure may be coupled to a structure6of a building, such as a wall or support mounted within a room, through a wall plate4mounted to the wall6, or by attaching horizontal pivot clamps12to the structure6. In cases of new construction, backer may be installed prior to drywall or tile for additional structural support, however this is optional and not required.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.1, horizontal pivot clamps12are attached to a wall plate4that is attached to a wall6of a bathroom adjacent a shower. A first vertically oriented bar8is mounted to the horizontal pivot clamps12which extend around the vertically oriented bar8and form a basis for a first horizontal pivot10to enable a first structural support section14to pivot about the horizontal pivot10adjacent to the wall6.

The first structural support section14includes a first upper support bar16and a first lower support bar18separated from the first upper support bar16by a first space22extending between them. A first brace plate20extends from the first upper support bar16to the first lower support bar18and may be attached to each of them along a majority of their respective lengths74,76, so that a majority of the first space22is covered by the first brace plate20. The entire first structural support section14may be configured to pivot horizontally about the first horizontal pivot10without interference except where it contacts a wall6or other structure in the room. The first structural support section14may be coupled to the first horizontal pivot10through a first horizontal upper pivot82and a first horizontal lower pivot84pivotally coupling to the first horizontal pivot10and extending around the first horizontal pivot10. A second horizontal pivot24is included at an end of the first structural support section14opposite the first horizontal pivot10.

A second structural support section26includes a second upper support bar28and a second lower support bar30separated from the second upper support bar28by a second space34extending between them. A second brace plate32extends from the second upper support bar28to the second lower support bar30and may be attached to each of them along a majority of their respective lengths78,80, so that a majority of the second space34is covered by the second brace plate32. The entire second structural support section26may be configured to pivot horizontally about the second horizontal pivot24without interference except where it contacts the first structural support section, the first horizontal pivot10, a wall6or other structure in the room. The second structural support section26may be coupled to the second horizontal pivot24through a second horizontal upper pivot86and a second horizontal lower pivot88pivotally coupling to the second horizontal pivot24and extending around the second horizontal pivot24. A vertical end bar64may be included at an end of the second structural support section26opposite the second horizontal pivot24.

A removable seat44is mounted to the end of the second structurally support section26opposite the second horizontal pivot24. The removable seat44may be mounted using a seat mount support36or some other support.FIGS.5A and5Brepresent the second structural support section26with the second brace plate32(FIG.1) removed and the seat mount support36connected (FIG.5A) and disconnected (FIG.5B). The seat mount support36may connect to the second structural support section26similar to a trailer hitch with a post66(for example a square post on the seat mount support36) inserted into a post receiver68(for example a square post receiver on the second structural support section26), and locked into place with a locking pin70extending through a locking pin aperture72that extends through a surface of both the post receiver68and the post66. As illustrated inFIGS.5A and5B, the post receiver68may form the vertical end bar64.FIG.5Ashows the unlocked position with the locking pin70removed, andFIG.1shows the locked position with the locking pin70in place and the post66is unremovable from the post receiver68. A seat post48extending downward from the seat frame46(FIGS.4A,4B) may be mounted to the seat mount support36by insertion into a seat post receiving hole38extending through at least one, and in some cases, as illustrated inFIGS.5A-5B, both surfaces of the seat mount support36.

The removable seat44is configured to pivot about its mounting to the seat mount support36. The pivot motion may be arranged by the seat post48pivoting within the seat mount support36, or as illustrated in the Figures, a separate pivoting structure90may be provided between the seat frame46and the seat post48. When a separate pivoting structure90is provided, the seat post48may be seated firmly within the seat mount support36and the seat frame46pivots in relation to the seat post48at the separate pivoting structure90. In any case, the removable seat is configured to pivot about an axis in relation to the second structural support section26.

The removable seat44is removable from the second structural support section26either through removing the seat post48from the seat mount support36, or through removing the seat mount support36from the second structural support section26. Removal of the removable seat allows for more compact storage when not in use so that it does not obstruct free use of the room in which it is mounted when not in use. Having a seat being removable from the rest of the transfer seat construction, the seat section can be mounted on any frame construction, and other seat configurations can be mounted to the transfer seat, or seats for differently sized people or more easily replaced if it gets worn or outdated. The removable seat44may also be swapped out for an alternate seat more suitable for different activities.

With reference toFIGS.2-4B, the removable seat44includes a seat frame46that includes the seat post48, hand rails56that extend upward from the seat frame46, and a seat support47. A seat body50, including leg supports52and an open center, is mounted on the seat frame46between the hand rails56. Gaps58are included between each of the hand rails56and the frame46. When in use, the open center54of the seat body50and the gaps58between the hand rails56and the seat frame46enable a caregiver to access more parts of a patient seated in the transfer seat because the gaps58allow the caregiver to reach and towel off a patient from the side, and the open center54allows the caregiver to reach and towel off a patient from below. This is particularly useful when the caregiver is assisting the patient after a shower.

Embodiments of a transfer seat2may be built from heavy gage, rigid, aluminum tubing, solid aluminum plates (e.g. ½″), heavy duty plastic pivot bushings and stainless steel materials. In particular embodiments it may be constructed of non-corrosive materials. In such embodiments, the transfer seat can be completely submerged in water due to the waterproof design. Embodiments of a transfer seat2may be powder coated with heavy duty coating that helps keep the seat easy to clean and maintain. The rigid aluminum tubing and brace plates provide a strong frame that allows the seat to be sturdy with just enough flexibility for suspension of overweight people. The seat enables health care providers the ability to transfer patients in and out of areas that are typically difficult for providers to move patients from safety.

By providing two structural support sections14,26pivotally coupled between the wall plate4and the removable seat44, the transfer seat2can be collapsed to store more compactly against the wall6to which it is mounted as shown inFIGS.3A and3B. Inclusion of pivoting joints at each coupling permits the compact storage as well as more options for movement of the patient. In particular embodiments, as illustrated inFIGS.1-3, the first brace plate20is offset from a center of the first structural support section to further enhance the compactness of the design for storage. By offsetting the first brace plate20so that it extends toward the wall when stored, the second structural support section26can at least partially nest within the first structural support section14when the transfer seat2is fully collapsed, with a majority of a length of the second structural support section62being nested within the length of the first structural support section60.FIG.3Aillustrates the transfer seat2moving toward its fully collapsed position, andFIG.3Billustrates the transfer seat2fully collapsed with the second structural support section26nesting within the first structural support section14. With reference toFIG.1, because the second structural support section26has a second vertical height42smaller than the first vertical height40of the first structural support section14, not only is the second structural support section26less obtrusive, it also can nest within the first structural support section26when collapsed.

FIGS.6A-6Billustrate the removable seat44pivoting at least 170 degrees back and forth in relation to the second structural support section26.FIG.6Cshows the second structural support section26pivoting 90 degrees in relation to the first structural support section14. These illustrate some of the useful movements that may be accomplished through the inclusion of at least three pivot points for the transfer seat2. In some embodiments additional pivot points and structural support sections are contemplated that can further at least partially nest within each other similar to the second structural support section26nesting within the first structural support section14. Nevertheless, for most situations, two structural support sections and three pivot points is sufficient. The wide range of motion provided for all of the sections provides additional configurable positions for a disabled person transfer seat constructed according to this disclosure that are particularly helpful in moving a patient.

Aspects of the disclosure increase the structural strength and versatility of a transfer seat2. For example, the use of both an upper support bar16,28and a lower support bar18,30and a brace plate20,32extending between them in each structural support section14,26enables lighter-weight materials to support greater weighted people through added rigidity of design. Furthermore, as will be noted inFIGS.1and5A-5Bin particular, in particular embodiments a first upper support bar length74is shorter than first lower support bar length76, because the first lower support bar18is angled more than the first upper support bar16. This non-parallel configuration of the support bars16,18with the first brace plate20structurally tying them together, provides added rigidity and strength against sagging when a heavy person sits on the transfer seat2. Similarly, in particular embodiments a second upper support bar length78is shorter than a second lower support bar length80with the support bars28,30being non-parallel and the second brace plate32structurally tying them together to provide added structural rigidity and strength.

In addition to conveniently assisting in moving a patient, another particular benefit of the transfer seat comes in the health care attendant's interactions with the patient in helping the patient get ready for the day. Because the removable seat44includes open areas for drying a patient and allows the health care worker to reach all areas of the patient, and because the seat section can be pivotally and spatially manipulated respectively in relation to the adjacent second structural support section and the wall, other patient preparation activities are made easier than with conventional seats. Several non-limiting examples of such activities and how a transfer seat constructed according to the present disclosure is used for such activities are described here. Once a person seated in the seat is done showering, the caregiver can dry the person top to bottom without having the person have to stand in a wet area with risk of slipping. The caregiver can start putting on the person's underclothing, socks, pants, shoes and shirt in a safe, dry environment. At some point, the person can stand and the caregiver can raise the person's underclothing and pants without the person needing to move other than to stand up. When the person is ready to move to their wheelchair, the person can simply stand in place, the caregiver can move the transfer chair out of the way and put the person's wheelchair behind them for the person to sit in, without needing to move locations or risk falling due to tripping or inability to move their feet.

Embodiments of a transfer seat according to the present disclosure can be installed quickly and used the same day without structural changes needed to a home, and without taking up a significant area in a bathroom or bedroom for large equipment. The components used are simple, non-motorized, and non-electrical. No training is needed to be able to install or use the transfer seat. The transfer seat is able to be installed in wet or dry areas without maintenance or repair and collapses to a small storage space. It is usable in tight spaces as well as large spaces.

This disclosure, its aspects and embodiments, are not limited to the specific material types, components, methods, or other examples disclosed herein. Many additional material types, components, methods, and procedures known in the art are contemplated for use with particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components may comprise any components, models, types, materials, versions, quantities, and/or the like as is known in the art for such systems and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation.

It will be understood that implementations of a disabled person transfer seat include but are not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent with the intended operation of various disabled person transfer seats may be utilized. Accordingly, for example, it should be understood that, while the drawings and accompanying text show and describe particular disabled person transfer seat implementations, any such implementation may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of a disabled person transfer seat.

The concepts disclosed herein are not limited to the specific disabled person transfer seats shown herein. For example, it is specifically contemplated that the components included in particular disabled person transfer seats may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations that can readily be formed into shaped objects and that are consistent with the intended operation of a disabled person transfer seat. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass), carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination therefore, and/or other like materials; elastomers and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, fluoropolymers, polyacetal, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polysulfone, and/or the like, thermosets (such as epoxy, phenolic resin, polyimide, polyurethane, and/or the like), and/or other like materials; plastics and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, spring steel, aluminum, and/or other like materials; and/or any combination of the foregoing.

Furthermore, disabled person transfer seats may be manufactured separately and then assembled together, or any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, may involve 3-D printing, extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled or removably coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material(s) forming the components.

In places where the description above refers to particular disabled person transfer seat implementations, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may be applied to other implementations disclosed or undisclosed. The presently disclosed disabled person transfer seats are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Many additional implementations are possible. Further implementations are within the CLAIMS.