Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for transferring a patient from a first bed to a second bed, wherein said patient is disposed upon said first bed and said first bed and second bed comprise a surface for resting said patient comprising a plurality of predetermined sections. The method further discloses removing at least one of said plurality of predetermined sections of said surface of said first bed and replacing it with at least one of said plurality of predetermined sections of said surface of said second bed and removing at least one of said plurality of predetermined sections of said surface of said second bed and replacing it with at least one of said plurality of predetermined sections of said surface of said first bed; combining said surface of said first bed with said surface of said second bed; and transferring said patient from said first bed to second bed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a transfer and transport system for immobile prone patients in addition to having the means to facilitate air flow under a patient&#39;s back for the prevention of bed sores. Another beneficial object of the invention refers to the means whereby linen on a patient&#39;s support surface is conveniently changed with ease and without the necessity of moving the patient. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    All medical facilities have part of their routine the constant transfer of patients from one support surface such as a permanently-placed hospital bed to another support surface such as another bed, a gurney or any other maneuverable support surface. This is inevitable because of the need for patients to be moved to other sections of the medical facility for surgery, further medical tests, x-rays and scans, the soaking of burn victims in water tubs, and etc. The transfer can be very uncomfortable and painful for the patients and may require a number of medical personnel to facilitate the transfer especially with immobile and heavy patients. 
         [0003]    Depending on how advanced facilities in a medical establishment are, non-ambulatory patients are moved in various ways. Often, several personnel are required to lift the patient at one time from one bed to another, usually a wheeled contraption, or to a wheelchair before being transported to another section of the medical facility. This leads to work-related complaints from nurses and medical attendants because of back injuries incurred. 
         [0004]    Innovations have been attempted to facilitate the easy transfer and transport of immobile and critically-ill patients. Hoist-type lifts wherein patients are suspended in a sling have been used but this entails positioning the sling under the patient first then physically lifting the patient which results in the change of the patient&#39;s body position and the application of pressure points other than those applied when in a prone position. This can be very uncomfortable for patients, particularly orthopedic and burn patients. A similar system is the use of roller boards which, again, have to be positioned under a patient before transport and yet may not be able to securely keep the patient in place. 
         [0005]    Other prior transfer devises have not been able to accomplish the transfer of patients in the smoothest pain-free manner possible. There have been conveyors introduced which may serve the purpose but would not be able to accommodate different-sized beds. These devises are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,163,189; 4,776,047; 4,761,841; 3,769,642; 3,593,351; 3,413,663; 3,302,219; 2,733,452; 2,630,583; 2,536,707; 1,487,171; 1,263,611; 716,886; and 378,220. Likewise, US patents to DiMatteo and DiMatteo et al entails transferring a prone patient between a bed and another horizontal support by webs which move independently in a lateral direction; but, since the webs are in no way connected, the two support surfaces must be separated from each other during the transfer operation so that the movements of both webs do not interfere with each other. Therefore, the gap between both support surfaces would mean a lapse of support for the patient. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,170 to Knouse, a web attaches to the edge of the sheet on the patient&#39;s bed so that as the web is wound onto a roller it pulls the sheet, and thereby the patient, onto an adjacent support surface. But to do the vice-versa must be done from the other side of the bed which may not be accessible to the patient mover. 
         [0006]    Carter, et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,424, has improved on these other systems as described above by inventing a transfer system consisting of two support surfaces with the use of pliable webs, the opposite ends of which are wound about a pair of cylindrical rollers and driven by motors which are hydraulic. Another U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,435 to Hodgetts is similar in the sense that it transports a patient from a bed to a stretcher or vice versa through the use of a bed sheet and a conveyor attached to the bed or the stretcher. A first end of the sheet is removably attached to the conveyor and a second end of the sheet is free. The sheet is adapted to be positioned onto the patient supporting member of the bed or stretcher. The conveyor includes a roller received by bearings. The roller can also include a telescopic arrangement so that its length can be adjusted. 
         [0007]    Needless to say, all these contraptions cause discomfort and even pain to the patients being transferred and transported and would not work conveniently for patients in very serious condition. Movements incurred by transferring and transporting patients through such methods may even adversely affect their recovery. 
         [0008]    Although this invention and its embodiments has as its primary purpose the convenient transfer of patients from one support surface to another with the minimum, if not zero, movement of the patient, there are secondary purposes which include the allowance of space and facilitation of air flow under a continuously-prone immobile patient to prevent bed sores; and, the convenient changing of bed sheets under an immobile patient which would ensure a hygienic environment for a critically-ill person forced to stay in hospital for a long period of time. 
         [0009]    Those long-staying patients in medical facilities are often those who are critically ill, critically burned, comatose, or require surgical operations one after the other. Most often they are in a continual prone position subjecting them to the prevalence of pressure sores. Low air loss patient support structures or beds have been known in the medical field for the prevention and treatment of pressure sores. Support Systems International, Inc. has come up with exemplary low air loss beds relating to wound care management and prevention like their Flexicair and Restcue beds. Alternating pressure low air loss beds are also known; for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,029 to Vrzalik which has air bags positioned alternatively in an inter-digital manner. For this purpose, this present invention would not need any other extra accessory. The planks can be lowered down and away or lowered to the sides and away from the patient&#39;s back in an alternating manner to facilitate air flow so that there would still be ample support under the patient whilst permitting air to circulate freely to the skin. 
         [0010]    Again, for long-staying patients to which the slightest movement may cause excruciating pain, there is a need for a system to change bed linen with ease. Routine in hospital is to fold a linen lengthwise and position it along the length of the patient with the folded side pushed a little under the patient&#39;s back. Then the patient is turned a little in order to pull the other side of the sheet from underneath. This works only for patients that can be moved without entailing pain. However, this present invention includes 2 or 3-dimensional planks laid inter-digitally in 2 palettes to give a complete support surface to the patient but each plank, being separate from each other, can thus be fitted with a separate fitted sheet, also 2 or 3-dimensional. Therefore, they can be rotated periodically so that a clean side is always under the patient until such time that all two or three sides have been soiled and would necessitate its change 
         [0011]    Although this invention utilizes wooden or aluminum material or any other similar and suitable material to substitute, the planks can also be in the form of air bags which can be inflated or deflated alternatively to fit the purpose of the support surface. In this case, a pneumatic system needs to be introduced and changes made to the apparatus to accommodate such changes. The apparatus can also be changed from being manually operated to being powered, whether by electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, or whatever suitable energy. 
         [0012]    This device to transfer and transport patients will be simple to operate and maintain and would not conflict with the other portions of the medical system; thus accomplishing the transfer and transport of patients from one location to another in a medical establishment in an efficient pain-free manner by a minimum of personnel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    This invention is an apparatus to transfer and transport patients consisting of two similar support surfaces for receiving and supporting a patient before transportation to another location for any purpose deemed necessary by medical staff. They may be maneuverable or set on the floor in a permanent manner depending on whether it is to transport a patient or not. Such systems should be accessible in radiology, burn units, testing units and other sections of the medical establishment for the easy, pain-free and convenient maneuvering of patients. 
         [0014]    The support surfaces of these hospital beds would consist of two palettes each made of a series of rectangular 2-dimensional or triangular 3-dimensional planks inter-digitally positioned. Each palette can be moved interchangeably downwards to the sides, or straight down, and away from a patient&#39;s back. The two beds are placed beside each other&#39;s free side and when a palette of one bed is lowered down, the corresponding palette of the other where the patient is to be transferred is raised up to fill the void created by the lowering down of the previous palette. This is repeated until both palettes of one bed have taken the place of the palettes of the other bed thereby completing the new support surface where the patient lays. No movement is required from the patient nor any movement caused to the body. The maneuverable bed can then be moved away from the other to transport the patient to any location in the medical facility as desired. 
         [0015]    In accordance with the embodiments of the system and as mentioned above, there are two similarly-designed support surfaces or hospital beds to support and receive a prone immobile patient for eventual transport to another section of a medical establishment and these two hospital beds are of 2 different kinds, one being stable and the other maneuverable for the transport of the patient. Both beds in this invention are operated manually but it is open to the possibility of changing the system from being manual to being pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, or whatever with the addition of accessories like motors, gears, air and oil jacks, etc. The stable bed rests upon a strong structure made of any durable hard material. The head in each end of the bed has an arch under which are connecting sections running from one side of the structure to the other to make the structure more stable. The maneuverable bed likewise rests on an equally strong structure made of any durable hard material just like the stable bed but the base of the maneuverable bed has wheels attached to the base structure to enable the transport and transfer of patients to another location in the medical establishment. 
         [0016]    An aspect of this invention is that each of the 2 beds which compose this system has 2 palettes each composed of 2-dimensional rectangular or 3-dimensional triangular planks placed in an inter-digital manner (i.e. there is equal space between each plank). At the sides of the bed heads are holes to which each opposite ends of one palette are attached. Corresponding holes also hold firmly in place the other palette. There are holes in both stable and maneuverable beds to which are positioned locking pins which have been set on corresponding holes in each opposite side to serve as locking mechanisms and to keep the palettes in place. 
         [0017]    Embodiments of this invention include the fact that the two palettes in the stable bed are similar to the palettes of the maneuverable bed. One is composed of an axle rod which holds it in place to the base of the bed and on each end of the axle rod are two grooves wherein one is bored beside the handle end of the axle rod and one at the other end. To ensure the permanent stable position of the axle rod to the base structure of the bed there are 2 curved pins in place inside the grooves. The Axle rod is firmly set into the grooves. This one palette has approximately seven strong rods each having one end attached to the axle rod attached to the bed structure base while the other end is free to enable the sliding in of a plank. On each rod end are 3 holes angled equally (120 degrees) to each other to which a metal ball bearing assembly positioned on the hole of a plank is set to ensure the stable positioning of the plank on the rod and to prevent unwanted movements. The handle end is attached to the axle rod for easy and convenient manual rotating work. At the end of this handle is a hole to which a locking pin is positioned. Likewise, there is a plastic covering at the end of the handle similar to the plastic cover at the ends of motorcycle handle bars. This has no purpose other than for comfort and beauty. 
         [0018]    In accordance with this embodiment, the locking pin is to contribute to the stabilization of the palette when positioned. It is a metal on the handle which is slid into a hole making one locking mechanism set which then goes into another hole in the base structure thereby locking the whole palette securely onto the structure base. 
         [0019]    The other palette is composed of an axle rod which holds it in place to the base of the bed. On each end of the axle rod are two grooves wherein one is positioned beside the handle end and the other at the other end. To ensure the permanent stable position of the axle rod to the base structure of the bed, there are 2 curved pins in place inside the grooves. The axle rod is firmly set into the grooves. This palette has approximately six rods each having one end attached to the axle rod attached to the bed structure base while the other end is free to enable the sliding in of a plank. On each rod end are 3 holes angled equally (120 degrees) to each other to which a metal ball bearing assembly positioned on the hole of a plank is set to ensure the stable positioning of the plank on the rod and to prevent unwanted movements. On each rod of this particular palette, which is one of the two, what is different from the other is that at the end side attached to the axle rod, there is a curvature which is an essential part of the design to ensure that this particular palette does not touch against the other palette. The handle end of the rod is attached to the axle rod for easy and convenient manual rotating work. At the end of this handle is a hole to which a locking pin is positioned. Likewise, there is a plastic covering at the end of the handle similar to the plastic cover at the ends of motorcycle handle bars. This has no purpose other than for comfort and beauty. The locking pin is to contribute to the stabilization of the palette when positioned. It is a metal on the handle which is slid into a hole making one locking mechanism set which then goes into another hole in the base structure thereby locking the whole palette securely onto the structure base. 
         [0020]    The planks which have been mentioned can either be rectangular 2-dimensional planks or triangular 3-dimensional planks which when placed in an inter-digital manner in a series become 1 palette. Each plank, this composite unit of the two palettes as mentioned has a center which goes through the whole length of the plank and would be useful in enabling the plank to rotate. The planks are each slid into a corresponding rod as mentioned above which has been attached permanently to the side of the bed structure. Each plank can be made of any solid durable material, whether wood, aluminum or any other suitable material, and each has a hole which is the rotating center and through which the planks are put together to make one palette. To ensure that each plank does not move loosely or shake or cause the turning of the palette thereby leading to the off balance of the patient, a ball bearing assembly has been put in place wherein a round metal ball is attached to a spring and both are positioned inside a hole which is again positioned over another hole in the plank. A groove is made on the hole to keep a curved metal firmly in place. Another groove keeps the metal ball in place. A hole at the end of each rod mentioned above is for the purpose of putting the metal ball bearing assembly in place. Also, this mechanism will enable the palette to stay firm when in one position and not to move unnecessarily. 
         [0021]    Another aspect of the planks is that each has a soft permanent cover, preferably made of foam but may be made of any other suitable soft sponge-like material, which goes around each plank and also around the plank is a removable changeable bed sheet to keep clean the permanent cover. Through the rotation of each plank this sheet is likewise rotated thus ensuring that a clean side is always under the patient&#39;s back. If the plank is 2-dimensional there would be 2 sheet changes and if 3-dimensional there would be 3 sheet changes after which each fitted sheet is slid out and a clean one put in place. All the planks would be similar in all the four palettes of the two beds. 
         [0022]    Another aspect of the invention is that although it is mentioned that the planks are made of strong, hard and durable material, an alternative would be that instead of using planks as the composite units of the palettes, plastic sacs can be used which can then be filled with air like a balloon to be pressurized as desired. Pressure can be regulated as desired and this mechanism would not only be useful for the prevention of bed sores in a patient but would also serve the same purpose as claimed above to transfer and transport patients. 
         [0023]    It must be reiterated that the system as described is manual. However, the device can easily be altered in such a way that it can be operated electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically, and etc. 
         [0024]    To transfer and transport a patient, the maneuverable bed is positioned beside the stable bed where the patient lies then the palettes of the maneuverable bed are turned 90 degrees downwards to the side of the bed after which one palette of the stable bed is cranked 90 degrees downwards thereby creating spaces to which the planks of one palette of the maneuverable bed can fill. The maneuverable bed is then slid into the stable bed and a palette raised 90 degrees upwards to fill up the empty spaces. Next, a palette of the stable bed is cranked downwards then the other palette of the maneuverable bed raised to fill the empty spaces. The patient is now completely transferred onto the maneuverable bed, ready to be transported. Finally, the maneuverable bed is separated from the stable bed. 
         [0025]    Still another aspect of the invention is a further beneficial use in that each plank as mentioned above can be separately fitted with separate linen. This gives convenience when changing bed linen without the necessity of lifting the patient or moving the patient even slightly. Palettes can be interchangeably lowered downwards or to the sides away from the patient&#39;s back and have their fitted sheets changed. The planks can be rotated periodically to ensure that a clean side is always under the patient. 
         [0026]    It is of further benefit that this invention makes it possible to accommodate the free passage of air flow under the patient&#39;s back to prevent the development of bed sores in continuously-prone and critically-ill patients. The palettes can be interchangeably lowered downwards or to the sides away from the patient&#39;s back in timed intervals to ensure that the patient&#39;s back is uniformly opened to the free flow of air. This is also very important for critically-burned patients. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    To completely appreciate this invention and its uses thereof, figures are presented which in brief are: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional triangular plank which is the composite unit of the palettes making up the bed. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of a palette and a cross-sectional view of the metal ball bearing assembly. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the base structure of the stable bed and also gives a closer view of the holes to which the palettes are positioned into the structure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  gives an illustration of the rods attached to a main axle rod in the base structure and the locking mechanisms in place. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of one of the two palettes in the bed and the locking mechanisms involved. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a perspective of the base structure of the maneuverable bed and shows the holes in place used to position the palettes. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a perspective of how the maneuverable bed is positioned with the stable bed to commence the transfer of the patient from the stable bed onto the maneuverable bed. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  shows the palettes of the maneuverable bed lowered 90 degrees downwards and to the sides of the bed. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  illustrates the lowering down and to the sides of palette  16  of the stable bed thereby creating empty spaces under the patient. 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is a perspective of how the maneuverable bed is slid into the stable bed. 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  shows palette  29  of the maneuverable bed raised upwards to fill the empty spaces created by the lowering downwards of palette  16  of the stable bed. 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  is a perspective of palette  29  of the stable bed lowered downwards. 
           [0040]      FIG. 13  shows palette  16  of the maneuverable bed filling up the spaces emptied by the lowering down of palette  29  of the stable bed with the patient now completely transferred onto the maneuverable bed. 
           [0041]      FIG. 14  shows the maneuverable bed being separated from the stable bed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]    A detailed description of the embodiments herein commences with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . There is shown 1 which is a triangular 3-dimensional plank which when placed in an inter-digital position in a series becomes 1 palette. It must be mentioned here that this plank, this composite unit of the palette, do not have to be only 3-dimensional. It can also be a 2-dimensional rectangle. Each plank has a center  2  which goes through the whole length of the plank and would be useful in enabling the plank to rotate. The planks are each slid into a corresponding rod  7  and each of these rods has been attached permanently to the side of the bed  23 . 
         [0043]    Each plank can be made of any solid durable material, whether wood, aluminum or any other suitable material, and each has a hole  4  which is the rotating center and through which the planks are put together to make one palette. To ensure that each plank does not move loosely or shake or cause the turning of the palette thereby leading to the off balance of the patient, a ball bearing assembly has been put in place wherein a round metal ball  8  is attached to a spring  9  and both are positioned inside a hole  10  which is again positioned over hole  4  in the plank. A groove is made on hole  10  to keep a curved metal  12  in place firmly. Another groove  13  keeps the metal ball in place. 
         [0044]    Hole  14  at the end of each rod  7  is for the purpose of puffing the metal ball bearing assembly in place. Also, this mechanism will enable the palette to stay firm when in one position and not to move unnecessarily. 
         [0045]    Each plank has a soft permanent cover  5 , preferably made of foam but may be made of any other suitable soft sponge-like material, which goes around each plank. (An alternative would be that instead of using planks as the composite units of the palettes, plastic sacs can be used which can then be filled with air like a balloon to be pressurized as desired. Pressure can be regulated as desired and this mechanism would be useful for the prevention of bed sores in a patient.) 
         [0046]    Also around the plank is a removable changeable bed sheet  6  to keep clean permanent cover  5  and through the rotation of each plank this sheet  6  is likewise rotated thus ensuring that a clean side is always under the patient&#39;s back. If the plank is 2-dimensional there would be 2 sheet changes and if 3-dimensional there would be 3 sheet changes after which each fitted sheet is slid out and a clean one put in place. 
         [0047]    All the planks would be similar in all the four palettes of the two beds. 
         [0048]    These two hospital beds are of 2 kinds: one stable and the other maneuverable for the transport of the patient. Both beds in this invention are operated manually but it should be noted that accessories like motors, gears, air and oil jacks, etc., can be added to change the system from being manual to being pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, or whatever. 
         [0049]    (1) The Stable Bed 
         [0050]    Upon the base of the bed rests a strong structure  15  which is made of any durable hard material. The head in each end of the bed has an arch  97  under which are connecting sections  96  running from one side of the structure to the other to make the structure more stable. They have holes  21  and  22  to which is positioned locking pin  31  which has been set on holes  30  and  42  in each opposite side. Each bed has 2 palettes  16  and  29 , each composed of 2-dimensional rectangular or 3-dimensional triangular planks placed in an inter-digital manner (i.e. there is equal space between each plank). At the sides of the bed heads are holes  17  to which one end of palette  16  is attached and  18  to which the other end is attached. Holes  19  and  20  hold each end of palette  29 . 
         [0051]    Palette  16  is composed of: an axle rod  23  which holds palette  16  in place to the base of the bed. On each end of the axle rod are two grooves  24  and  25  wherein groove  25  is positioned beside the handle end and groove  24  at the other end. To ensure the permanent stable position of axle rod  23  in the base structure of the bed  15 , there are 2 curved pins  36  in place inside grooves  24  and  25 . Axle rod  23  is firmly set into grooves  24  and  25 . 
         [0052]    In palette  16  are approximately seven rods  7 . Each rod  7  for each plank is a strong rod in which one end  26  is attached to axle rod  23  while the other end  27  is free to enable the sliding in of the plank. On each rod end  27 , there are 3 holes angled equally (120 degrees) to each other to which the metal ball  8  bearing assembly on the hole of each plank is set to ensure the stable positioning of the plank on the rod and to prevent unwanted movements. 
         [0053]    Handle end  28  is a rod attached to axle rod  23  for easy and convenient manual rotating work. At the end of this handle is hole  30  to which pin  31  is positioned inside. Likewise, there is a plastic covering  32  at the end of the handle similar to the plastic cover at the ends of motorcycle handle bars. This has no purpose other than for comfort and beauty. 
         [0054]    With regards to pin  31 , its purpose is to contribute to the stabilization of the palette when positioned. It is a metal on the handle which is slid into a hole  30  making one locking mechanism set which then goes into a hole  21  in the base structure thereby locking the whole palette onto the structure base  15 . 
         [0055]    Palette  29  is composed of: an axle rod  33  which holds palette  16  in place to the base of the bed. On each end of the axle rod are two grooves  34  and  35  wherein groove  35  is positioned beside the handle end and groove  34  at the other end. To ensure the permanent stable position of axle rod  33  in the base structure of the bed  15 , there are 2 curved pins  36  in place inside grooves  34  and  35 . Axle rod  33  is firmly set into grooves  34  and  35 . 
         [0056]    In palette  29  are approximately six rods  37 . Each rod  37  for each plank is a strong rod in which one end  38  is attached to axle rod  33  while the other end  39  is free to enable the sliding in of the plank. On each rod end  39 , there are 3 holes angled equally (120 degrees) to each other to which the metal ball  8  bearing assembly on the hole of each plank is set to ensure the stable positioning of the plank on the rod and to prevent unwanted movements. 
         [0057]    On rod  37 , at the end side attached to axle rod  33 , there is a curvature  40  which is an essential part of the design to ensure that palette  16  does not touch against palette  29 . 
         [0058]    Handle end  41  is a rod attached to axle rod  33  for easy and convenient manual rotating work. At the end of this handle is hole  42  to which pin  31  is positioned inside. Likewise, there is a plastic covering  32  at the end of the handle similar to the plastic cover at the ends of motorcycle handle bars. This has no purpose other than for comfort and beauty. 
         [0059]    With regards to pin  31 , its purpose is to contribute to the stabilization of the palette when positioned. It is a metal on the handle which is slid into a hole  42  making one locking mechanism set which then goes into a hole  22  in the base structure thereby locking the whole palette onto the structure base  15 . 
         [0060]    (2) The Maneuverable Bed 
         [0061]    Upon the base of the bed rests a strong structure  43  which is made of any durable hard material and has holes to keep the palettes in place: Hole  44  to position axle rod  23  in place and hole  45  to hold one end of palette  16 ; hole  46  keeps in place the head section of palette  29  and hole  47  is for its side handle; hole  48  facilitates the entry of pin  33  which is in the handle of palette  16  and hole  49  for pin  31  in the handle of palette  29 . 
         [0062]    This base has 4 wheels  50  attached to the base structure  43  to enable the transport and transfer of patients to another location in the medical establishment. 
         [0063]    The palettes  16  and  29  of both stable and maneuverable beds are similar. 
         [0064]    In  FIG. 7 , the maneuverable bed is positioned beside the stable bed where the patient lies. 
         [0065]    In  FIG. 8 , palettes  16  and  29  of the maneuverable bed are turned 90 degrees downwards to the side of the bed. In  FIG. 9 , palette  16  of the stable bed is cranked 90 degrees downwards creating spaces to which the planks of palette  29  of the maneuverable bed can fill. In  FIG. 10  the maneuverable bed slides into the stable bed and in  FIG. 11  its palette  29  is shown going up 90 degrees filling up the empty spaces. In  FIG. 12 , palette  29  of the stable bed is cranked downwards and in  FIG. 13 , palette  16  of the maneuverable bed is shown filling up the empty spaces. The patient is now completely transferred onto the maneuverable bed, ready to be transported.  FIG. 14  shows the maneuverable bed being separated from the stable bed. 
         [0066]    For emphasis, it must be reiterated that although this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrations of the principal applications of this present invention. Numerous modifications may be made especially as to materials used and to energy supplied if transformed from a manually-operated system to a system which is energy driven. However, other arrangements devised, many of which have been mentioned here, would not depart from the scope of this present invention.