Manual assistance transfer belt utilizing individual thigh straps

Described is a transfer belt for assisting transportation of an individual. The transfer belt includes a waist band, a pair of thigh bands, each thigh band configured to be secured around a leg of the individual; and a pair of interconnecting straps, each interconnecting strap connecting a thigh band with the waist band. A bridge strap connects the pair of thigh bands to one another to enhance stability of the individual during transportation. The transfer belt supports the patient's center of gravity, in both a seated or standing position, to allow for a transfer from a seated position to a standing position without adjusting the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Non-Provisional Patent Application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/371,211, filed on Aug. 5, 2016, entitled, “Manual Assistance Transfer Belt Utilizing Individual Thigh Straps,” the entirety of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

(1) Field of Invention

The present invention relates to patient lift and transfer devices, specifically manual, portable slings, which assist in the transfer of persons who have restricted or limited mobility.

(2) Description of Related Art

In today's world, there are many patients who have restricted or limited mobility issues that require assistance transitioning from one area to another. “Patient” refers to any person, regardless of age, sex, health condition, physical impairment or disability, who requires, even if only occasionally, assistance with being moved. Hospitals, nursing facilities, school staff, emergency medical technician (EMT) personnel, caregivers, and family members who work closely with limited mobility patients must constantly assist them as they transition about their daily lives. Patients may be moved or repositioned within their beds to help prevent pressure sores, moved to assist with activities of daily living such as toileting and bathing, and moved to or from a chair, bed, wheelchair, stander or vehicle. Changing or alternating a patient's positions can be a safety risk for both the caregiver and the patient being transferred utmost care must be taken. The occasionally used practices of gripping a patient's pants or limbs are a major safety risk for the patient. Additionally, grabbing and pulling on a patient's arms or legs, especially if the patient has decreased tone, can cause irreversible damage to the patient. Unsafe transfers may cause damage to the patient, including but not limited to cuts or bruising of the skin, shoulder or neck injuries, or breathing difficulties. The most common injuries to caregivers are injuries to the shoulders and lower back. Caregivers must be able to safely and efficiently transfer patients in an effective and standardized manner.

Currently, there are a variety of methods used to move or transfer patients, but they may not be suitable in many situations. Many hydraulic lifts are too complicated, cumbersome, or expensive to be used in some settings. Additionally, these lifts are difficult to position and ma involve the patient swaying back and forth, causing physical and emotional discomfort to the patient. There are many patents on the market that are designed to lift via hydraulic such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,953. These lifts typically attach to a bar and do not utilize manual gripping handles. Additionally, many patents involve the patient to be suspended in the air, frequently resulting in a swaying motion. A manual assistance transfer belt utilizing thigh straps can be much safer, effective, and efficient in a variety of locations.

Frequently, maximal assistance or dependent transfers must be completed in small spaces over a short period of time. The best manual practice for these transfers involves at least two well-trained persons, working in unison. Without proper training, authorized procedures and equipment, personnel may cause harm to patients by lifting them up by their arms, grabbing the patients' clothing, compressing the patients' brachial plexus by lifting underneath the armpit, or failing to support the patients' trunk and/or center of gravity.

There are many shortcomings of the prior art of transfer assistance devices. Although the transfer belt described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,346 (hereinafter referred to as the '346 patent) is simple to use, it does not fully secure the patient during a transfer. It frequently slides up the patient's abdomen to his/her chest. Additionally, it is not designed for any lifting of the patient, but, rather, one in assisting with movement. The “Rescue and Invalid Support Belt” disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,280 (hereinafter referred to as the '280 patent) secures the patient more firmly than the transfer belt of the '346 patent, but is still not designed for upward lifting forces, as it will continue to slide up the patient's chest. Additionally, it does nothing to support the patient's legs during any transfer.

Furthermore, the Lift Vest described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,778 (hereinafter referred to as the '778 patent) is designed to help assist a patient during a transfer, but not to lift the patient off the ground. Again, it does not support the legs in any way and is primarily designed to be used by one person. The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,167 is designed to only transfer a patient from one seated position to another seated position and does not allow for a transition to a standing position or vice versa. Additionally, it only utilizes one strap for the patient's legs, which would make it difficult to position and get beneath the patient's legs, along with decreased feelings of security for the patient and cannot be used to support the patient in a standing position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,006 (hereinafter referred to as the '006 patent) is designed specifically for airline passengers and transfers only from one seated position to another. U.S. application Ser. No. 12/333,198 does not secure around the patient's thighs or support the legs in any way during a transfer. It also does nothing to support the upper trunk of a patient during a transfer. Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 1,035,642A would be very difficult to position underneath a patient who is already in a seated position. Additionally, it can only be utilized to transfer from one seated position to another.

As described above, there are numerous patents that involve slipping a piece of fabric underneath the patient and lifting them up from their buttocks, but do not support the trunk or each leg individually. Not only would these products be very difficult to get underneath the patient when donning but would also be difficult to remove without shearing forces on the patient. None of the aforementioned devices utilize a system that supports the patient's center of gravity, in both a seated or standing position, to allow for a transfer from a seated position to a standing position without adjusting the device. Lastly, none of the previous art utilizes individual thigh bands along with a waist band for transfers.

Thus, a continuing need exists for better, safer solutions in transferring a patient for the safety and well-being of both the patient and the caregiver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to patient lift and transfer devices, specifically manual, portable slings, which assist in the transfer of persons who have restricted or limited mobility. The transfer belt for assisting in transporting an individual comprises a waist band for securing around the waist of the individual and a pair of thigh bands, each thigh band configured to be secured around a leg of the individual. A pair of interconnecting straps connects a thigh band with the waist band, such that when the transfer belt is worn by the individual, one of the pair of interconnecting straps is positioned between the waist band and one of the pair of thigh bands along a first hip area of the individual, and the other of the pair of straps is positioned between the waist band and the other of the pair of thigh bands along a second hip area of the individual. A bridge strap connects the pair of thigh bands to one another.

In another aspect, at least one waist handle is connected with the waist band for assisting in lifting the individual.

In another aspect, at least one thigh handle is connected with each of the pair of thigh bands for assisting in lifting the individual.

In another aspect, the at least one waist handle and the at least one thigh handle are formed to be connectable with a mechanical lift.

In another aspect, the at least one waist handle is formed to be connectable with a walking assistance device.

In another aspect, the transfer belt further comprises a pair of removable supporting shoulder straps formed to be connectable with at least one of a waist handle and a thigh handle, wherein each removable supporting shoulder strap is wearable by a caretaker for transporting the individual.

In another aspect, each thigh band comprises a set of interlocking handles.

In another aspect, each of the pair of interconnecting straps is adjustable.

In another aspect, the individual wearing the transfer belt can be transferred to and from a seated position, a standing position, or a lying position without adjustments to the transfer belt.

In another aspect, a connecting strap connects the pair of removable supporting shoulder straps, such that if the pair of shoulder straps are worn by the caregivers, the connecting strap is positioned at an upper back of the individual to provide additional support to an upper torso and head of the individual.

The invention further comprises a method for forming a transfer belt for assisting in transporting an individual. The method comprises acts of forming a waist band for securing around the waist of the individual; forming a pair of thigh bands, each thigh band formed to be secured around a leg of the individual; and forming a pair of interconnecting straps, each interconnecting strap formed to connect a single thigh band with the waist band. When the transfer belt is worn by the individual, one of the pair of interconnecting straps is positioned between the waist band and one of the pair of thigh bands along a first hip area of the individual, and the other of the pair of straps is positioned between the waist band and the other of the pair of thigh bands along a second hip area of the individual. A bridge strap is formed for connecting the pair of thigh bands to one another.

In another aspect, the method comprises an act of forming at least one thigh handle connected with each of the pair of thigh bands for assisting in lifting the individual.

In another aspect, the method further comprises an act of forming a pair of removable supporting shoulder straps connectable with at least one of a waist handle and a thigh handle, wherein each removable supporting shoulder strap is wearable by a caretaker for transporting the individual.

In another aspect, the method further comprises an act of forming a set of interlocking handles connected with each thigh band.

In another aspect, the method further comprises an act of forming a connecting strap connecting the pair of removable supporting shoulder straps, such that if the pair of shoulder straps are worn by the caregivers, the connecting strap is positioned at an upper back of the individual to provide additional support to an upper torso and head of the individual.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter-clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object. As such, as the present invention is changed, the above labels may change their orientation.

(I) Specific Details of the Invention

The manual assistance transfer belt with adjustable thigh straps according to embodiments of the present disclosure is a manual transfer device that utilizes individual thigh straps, a chest strap, and handles for the use of assisting persons from one area to another. The development of a transfer belt utilizing individual thigh straps, as described herein, allows two trained caregivers, using good body mechanics, to move or transport a patient in a variety of settings, with minimal risk to the patient and caregivers. This compact manual assistance design, which includes a chest/waist belt, individual thigh straps and adjustable handles and straps for patient comfort and caregiver control, provides a user-friendly alternative to the variety of transfer methods that are currently being utilized. It also allows patients to be transferred to and from a variety of positions such as supine, standing, and seated, which is not typical of manual transfer devices on the market today. The apparatus is simple to understand, quick to don, comfortable for the patient, is easy to use in small or crowded spaces, and made of materials that are easily cleaned and sanitized.

Accordingly, several advantages of one or more aspects of the invention are as follows: to provide a safe and convenient way to move or transfer patients from one area to another; to provide a standardized approach to a manual assistance transfer; provision of adjustable handles to grip during transfers; device is simple to don and take off; device is easy to utilize in small/tight spaces; device is easily compactible to be carried/transported conveniently; fabric and materials are easily cleaned, sanitized and stored, device can be easily placed on the patient while standing, sitting or lying down or utilizing a wheelchair/stander/gait trainer; parallel bars, walker, chair, mat table, or vehicle; device is simple to use/understand, device fits safely and adjusts securely; device is easily adjustable to a variety of patient sizes; and device supports a patient's trunk and legs during transfer. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

Referring to the drawings,FIG. 1is a top-view illustration of the transfer belt100described herein, shown with thigh bands102and waist band104lying open. The transfer belt100further comprises adjustable connection straps106for fitting around the waist of the person. As a non-limiting example, and as shown inFIG. 1, the connection straps106may connect via a clip engagement. As depicted, the transfer belt100comprises a pair of adjustable straps108connecting the waist band104with the thigh bands102.

FIG. 2depicts a person/patient200positioned as he would be during a transfer. Individual thigh bands102and waist band104are shown. The transfer belt100allows for an even distribution of the person's200center of gravity. For instance, if the posterior of the person200is the center of gravity, leverage on either side of that point portion of the body above the waist and portion of the body below the waist) provides stability. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 2, the transfer belt100includes adjustable lift handles on the thigh bands202and waist band204.

FIG. 3shows the final positioning of the person200in the transfer belt100ready for transfer, as viewed from above. In one embodiment, the transfer belt100comprises a bridge strap300with an adjustable buckle and strap connecting the two individual thigh bands102. The bridge strap300acts to prevent the person's legs from separating during lifting and/or transport. The bridge strap300aids in safety as well as allowing the patient to feel more secure due to limited relative movement of his/her thighs.

A horizontal rear waist band lift handle302on the posterior aspect of the waist band104is illustrated with waist band lift handles304shown on either side. Additionally, the transfer belt100includes a set of interlocking handles306(depicted inFIG. 16) and adjustment buckle and strap308on each individual thigh band. The adjustable leg band lock is an adjustable handle strap comprising two handles. When gripping the handles306for lifting a person200, it is important to grip both handles306at the same time. Each thigh band102has a Velcro attachment (or similar connection mechanism) to secure each thigh band102around each thigh of the person200. The adjustable handle strap is such that both handles carry weight. Since the two handles coupled together via each thigh band102encircle each thigh, it is a very secure manner in which to carry the weight of the person200.

FIG. 4, illustrates the thigh bands102and waist band104with a person200in a seated position with an adjustable interconnection strap108with buckle connecting individual adjustable thigh bands102to waist band104and lift handles on the thigh bands202and waist belt204.

FIG. 5shows the transfer belt100being used to transfer a person200long distances. Shoulder straps500are removably connected to the waist and/or thigh handles of the transfer belt100for transport. As shown inFIG. 5, each shoulder strap500is positioned over a shoulder of a caregiver502as an emergency long distance carry system. The shoulder straps500make it easier for caregivers502to transport the patient/person200over a long distance compared to grasping the waist and/or thigh handles (as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10). Furthermore, the shoulder straps500can further include at least one strap (or band)504that connects the pair of shoulder straps500. When properly worn by the caregivers502, the strap504is positioned at the upper back of the person200to provide additional support to the incapacitated person's200upper torso and head during emergency transport. This type of configuration would be extremely beneficial in search and rescue and/or military scenarios where a stretcher would be too cumbersome. The described transfer belt100and shoulder straps500provide a lightweight and portable, yet also safe and stable, solution to emergency transport of incapacitated individuals.

FIG. 6is a view of a person200utilizing the transfer belt100to be transferred with a mechanical lift600. The mechanical lift straps602can connect around or to) the handles of the waist band and thigh bands via any suitable connection mechanism.FIG. 7shows the person200wearing the transfer belt100, which is attached to a walker700via its straps. For instance, the handles attached to the waist band104can be used for connection to the walker700. The handles may include a hook closure (similar to a carabiner), a Velcro closure, or any other suitable mechanism that provides a secure, but detachable connection. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the transfer belt worn by the individual can also be attached to a gait trainer, stander, or other assistance device.FIG. 8illustrates a rear representation of the transfer belt100with a person200in a standing, position at a walker700. A horizontal rear waist handle800across the back of the transfer belt100allows for additional manual support by a caregiver502when the person200wearing the transfer belt100is ambulating, as shown inFIG. 9.

FIG. 10depicts personnel (e.g., caregivers502, nurse) transferring a person200using a right side-left side technique holding the transfer belt100. Another possible transfer (not shown) would be a top-bottom technique with one caregiver using two handles on the waist band with another caregiver holding the handles on each individual thigh band.

FIG. 11is a depiction of the multiple components of the transfer belt100. Shown are the waist band104with an adjustable length strap and lift handles204, thigh bands102with adjustable length interlocking handles202, an interconnect straps108, which join the waist band104to the thigh bands102, and an adjustable thigh strap connection strap300which joins the thigh bands102between the legs. The waist band104and thigh bands102may be interconnected via adjustable nylon straps and a buckle (or any other suitable mechanism that provides a stable connection).FIG. 12illustrates an additional view of the transfer belt100and components including those listed above, plus a horizontal rear lift handle800along the back of the waist band104. Further,FIG. 13depicts another view of the transfer belt100and components.

FIG. 14is front, perspective-view illustration of a person200sitting while wearing the transfer belt. From this view, the interconnect straps108can be seen positioned extending from the waist band104along a hip area of the person200.FIG. 15depicts a person200wearing the transfer belt100positioned as he would be during a transfer with forces and lift directions shown according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The waist band104comprises a horizontal strap designed to wrap around the person's waist between the hips and armpits. It is constructed of an easily cleaned and sanitized, waterproof or water resistant material that is flexible enough to easily bend and wrap around the patient. Nylon, polyester, or other suitable materials may be used. The waist band104connects on the front of the patient via, for instance, a male and a female buckle on each side of the waist band104. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, other forms of connection can be utilized provided that they provide a strong connection. Adjustable nylon straps ensure a secure fit. Furthermore, the transfer belt can comprise slight padding (or a neoprene configuration) to reduce any discomfort for the patient. Additionally, two lateral handles (204) are present, along with a horizontal handle along the back (800) for caregiver control.

The thigh bands102wrap around the patient's thighs between the hips and the knees. The thigh bands102are made of an easily cleaned and sanitized, waterproof or water resistant material that is flexible enough to easily bend and wrap around the leg. Nylon, polyester, or other similar materials may be used. The band may utilize industrial strength hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro) or another suitable material to secure firmly around the leg. An adjustable handle (202) on the overlying thigh band102may also be used to ensure safety and security of the strap.

FIG. 16is an illustration of a thigh band102worn around the thigh1600of a person patient, depicting the set of interlocking handles. As shown inFIG. 16, the set of interlocking handles comprises an adjustable overlying handle1602and an underlying handle1604to ensure safety and security of the hand1606bold of the caretaker. The adjustable overlying handle1602overlays the underlying handle1604to allow a secure grip around both handles at the same time. Additionally, a handle202is present on the anterior lateral aspect of the thigh band, when positioned correctly. A buckle with an adjustable connection strap300can also be used to connect the right and left thigh hands102together for additional security.

Significantly, the transfer belt100distributes the center of mass between the waist band104and thigh band handles202. This can be seen inFIG. 15. This is a consideration that has not been made, or met by the prior art. The invention described herein allows for a stable and safe inclined carry, as shown inFIG. 15. The advantage of this feature is that the patient will be transferred with the best possible stability and will, therefore, be safer during the transfer. It is also safer for the caretakers, because they will not have to deal with sudden changes in stability and are, therefore, much less likely to have a misstep that could cause them to drop the patient, causing irreparable harm to the patient. In other words, the described invention, provides improved rotational inertia (or resistance to rotational change) due to its center of mass feature and leveraged straps. This is a significant distinction from the prior art transfer systems which carry the weight of the patient in an off-center of mass fashion, thereby increasing the tendency to rotate. For instance, one existing harness has a single strap that wraps around both legs. In this configuration, a stronger caregiver holding one side of the patient's legs via the single strap could cause the strap to slide to one side based on caretaker force input, which would cause a transfer of weight to the weaker caregiver on the other side of the patient. This would not only cause distress to the weaker caregiver, but could result in dropping the patient. A sling-type harness wrapped around both thighs could slide side-to-side based on caretaker force input, making the person200unstable and uncomfortable. If the person200leans or tips forward, the sling-type harness will act as a fulcrum point and accelerate the forward moment of rotation of person200, thereby crossing the caretakers' hands and causing loss of control and potential harm to the person200and both caretakers. Thus, the transfer belt100described herein has many advantages in properly supporting both patient200and caretakers.

Another major advantage of the transfer belt100is that it does not require a caregiver to lift the patient at all to slide it underneath the patient to fasten it. In fact, if the “seat depth” of the wheelchair or other seat is shallow enough, the thigh bands102can be placed on without having to move or lift the leg at all. Even if the seat is “deep”, the individual thigh bands102can be easily put on by lifting one kg at a time to get under the bottom, and not the entire body. This is an advantage above anything that crosses underneath the bottom, since any patient already sitting would need to be either lifted or otherwise maneuvered to fit such other devices.

Other modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure or seeing the invention in practice. It is intended that all such modifications and variations are included within the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.