Abstract:
The apparatus of the present disclosure is an improvement on known wheelchairs and other known devices for transporting elderly, infirm, injured, handicapped, disabled, or otherwise mobility-impaired individuals. The present disclosure provides a seat that is adjustable in both height and tilt angle for easy loading and unloading. In some embodiments, the height adjustment is provided via a hydraulic lift cart. Further provided are adjustable horizontal leg supports. A non-confining cage of substantially vertical support bars surrounds the occupant, and straps may be attached around the support bars. This provides support without causing the occupant to feel strapped down and confined to the device. Removing the straps allows easy loading and unloading from whichever side of the apparatus is most convenient.

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to the field of devices designed for use by elderly, infirm, injured, handicapped, disabled, or otherwise mobility-impaired individuals. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to individuals who may have trouble moving autonomously, including moving between a wheelchair-like device and a second location. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is a known problem that elderly, infirm, injured, handicapped, disabled, or otherwise mobility-impaired individuals often have trouble moving or being transported from one place to another. Such people will generally be referred to within this disclosure as “patients,” but this term should be understood to include any individual as described above and anyone who may have need of a device to assist in moving from one place to another. Standard wheelchairs have been used for many years to accomplish this, but they have several deficiencies addressed by the present disclosure. 
     Standard wheelchairs generally have only a single, non-adjustable height. This lack of adjustability may make it difficult to move patients between the wheelchair and a second location, such as a bed, toilet, car seat, or any other place having a disparate height or that is difficult to reach with a standard wheelchair. 
     Further, standard wheelchairs often have a fixed back. This precludes loading and unloading via the rear side of the chair, necessitating more work and assistance from other people to move the patient to and from the wheelchair. 
     In addition to standard wheelchairs, other types of transporting apparatuses known in the art also have deficiencies addressed by the present disclosure. 
     One known apparatus uses a canvas sling that is placed under the patient and then hoisted from above. This device tends to take more than one assistant to operate and be uncomfortable for the patient. As the canvas is lifted from the corners, it tightens around the patient and can cause pain. It has been known even to cause bone problems, for example, in patients with osteoporosis. This type of apparatus may also lead to dropping the patient out of the canvas sling, causing further injury. 
     These and other limitations are present in known prior art devices having to do with the subject matter of the present disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, a need has arisen for a way to transport elderly, infirm, injured, handicapped, disabled, or otherwise mobility-impaired individuals which allows them to move easily between destinations having disparate heights. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide such an apparatus. The apparatus of the present disclosure is small, easily transported, and capable of being operated by a single person. For example, one embodiment of the present disclosure is approximately 40 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 47 inches high (with a fully extended height of 65 inches). These compact dimensions allow the device to be easily moved in tight spaces and around corners as necessary. In other embodiments, a taller mechanism may be used to allow access to higher areas, at the sacrifice of some amount of compactness. 
     The device of the present disclosure has a seat that is adjustable in both height and tilt angle. In some embodiments, the present disclosure accomplishes this height adjustability through the use of a hydraulic lift cart. This arrangement may allow the seat to be adjusted between approximately 15 inches and approximately 33 inches in height in one embodiment. The use of different hydraulic lift carts may be employed to create embodiments that can lift farther, in order to reach higher locations. Other types of lifting mechanisms may also be used, including pneumatic actuators for example. 
     The seat of the disclosed device may also have an adjustable tilt angle to aid in loading and unloading. The seat may be made of a material that allows the occupant to slide easily. These materials include, but are not limited to, wood, plastic, fiberglass, structural foam, metal, etc. may be used. 
     The presently disclosed device uses a plurality of safety bars surrounding its occupant, around which may be attached straps for support. These straps provide all the support necessary, but they accomplish this without unduly confining the occupant or binding him to the apparatus. This arrangement may make the occupant more comfortable than prior art designs that tie or otherwise confine the occupant in the device. 
     This arrangement also allows the occupant to exit the device from the rear side, as is more convenient in some circumstances. For example, this feature may make it easier to move from the device into a car: the device may be backed up to the open door of a car, the strap(s) may be removed, and the occupant may slide off the back of the seat and into the car with minimal assistance from others. The adjustable tilt angle of the seat may also be used in such circumstances to facilitate loading and unloading. 
     A technical advantage of the disclosed devices is that they are able to move a patient between many different places, including but not limited to beds, toilets, cars, trucks, standard wheelchairs, etc. The devices of the present disclosure may be used to particular advantage in hospitals or retirement homes. 
     These and other advantages of the disclosed subject matter, as well as additional novel features, will be apparent from the description provided herein. The intent of this summary is not to be a comprehensive description of the subject matter, but rather to provide a short overview of some of the subject matter&#39;s functionality. Other systems, methods, features and advantages here provided will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following FIGURES and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages included within this description, be within the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, nature, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the present disclosure demonstrating the adjustable leg pieces; 
         FIG. 4  shows a detail view of a braking mechanism on an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows a detail view of the detached seat assembly of an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  shows a photograph of a prototype of an embodiment of the present disclosure with the seat assembly removed; 
         FIG. 7  shows a detail views of the mechanism for attaching a seat; and 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  show photographs of a prototype of an embodiment of the present disclosure in use, loading a patient into a car. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although described with reference to specific embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art could apply the principles discussed herein to other areas and/or embodiments. Those with skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed embodiments have relevance to a wide variety of areas in addition to those specific examples described below. 
       FIG. 1  shows transporter  10 , an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Transporter  10  is built around a base comprising hydraulic lift cart  12 , which may be any suitable standard lift cart. Hydraulic lift cart  12  is actuated by hydraulic handle  34 , which causes the upper surface of the cart to lift relative to the wheels. Pressure may be released by squeezing bleed lever  26 , lowering the height. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , hydraulic lift cart  12  uses two different kinds of wheels: fixed wheels  24  in the rear and casters  25  in the front. This arrangement may allow for easier maneuverability, but it is not an essential element of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, both sets of wheels have a diameter of approximately 6 inches. The front wheels may be, but are not necessarily, the same size as the rear wheels. Wheels larger than 6 inches are possible as well, but wheels smaller than 6 inches may tend to cause the transporter to get caught on any unevenness the ground may have; small wheels may be particularly problematic on carpets. Because of the problem of clearance over obstacles, independent wheel axles may be preferable to unified axles running across the width of the transporter; unified axles may have a greater tendency to get caught on any unevenness or protrusions. The wheels may be locked in place by a braking mechanism (shown in more detail in  FIG. 4 ), which is activated by brake lever  28 . This feature is particularly helpful when getting into or out of the transporter device. Maneuvering handle  29  is provided so that an assistant, hospital orderly, or other person may maneuver transporter  10  into place. Maneuvering handle  29  may be made of any suitably strong material and coupled sturdily to hydraulic lift cart  12 . 
     The occupant sits on seat  36 , which may be made of wood, plastic, fiberglass, structural foam, metal, or any other suitable material. The seat material is preferably something over which the occupant may easily slide, facilitating loading and unloading. During normal operation, seat  36  may have a forward tilt angle of approximately 5 to 25 degrees, more preferably approximately 10 to 20 degrees. This tilt may help keep the patient securely seated in transporter  10  during motion. 
     Push-off plate  22  may be used by the patient when he is exiting through the rear of transporter  10 . He may use his feet to push himself off using push-off plate  22 , thereby reducing the amount of intervention needed from assistants and increasing his ability to autonomously exit the device. 
     Cage  30  surrounds the occupant, providing support and security, without unduly constraining or confining the occupant. Cage  30  also provides a structure that the occupant may hold onto. Cage  30  may be covered or partially covered with a soft material shown as foam  32 . This may be made of any suitable material; standard pipe insulation has been found to be a suitable and low-cost option. 
     Removable strap  16  is disposed around cage  30 , providing security without directly confining the occupant. Removable strap  16  may be removed when loading or unloading, and it may include a device allowing length adjustment to enable it to fit snugly around cage  30 . Fixed strap  14  is disposed between the two front vertical members of cage  30 , providing additional security and preventing the occupant from sliding forward too far. Both removable strap  16  and fixed strap  14  may be made of any suitable material; in some embodiments, nylon straps or straps of a seatbelt-like material have been found to be advantageous. 
     Transporter  10  also includes leg supports  20 , which provide cushioning for the sides of the legs of the occupant and preventing lateral movement. This may add to the occupant&#39;s comfort as well as ensuring that he stays stably seated on transporter  10 . Transporter  10  further includes ankle supports  18 , disposed underneath the ankles of the occupant and satisfying the same basic purposes as leg supports  20 : increasing stability and occupant comfort. 
       FIG. 2  provides a side view of transporter  10 , with removable strap  16  (not shown) removed. This view shows in more detail the mechanism for tilting the seat assembly (the seat assembly comprising seat  36 , cage  30 , the straps and foam attached to cage  30 , and the hardware for connecting the assembly to the rest of transporter  10 ). The seat assembly is rotatably connected to hydraulic lift cart  12  by pivot  42 . Pivot  42  may comprise a bolt on each side of transporter  10 ; alternatively, a single axle-type arrangement could also be used in place of separate bolts. Any suitable arrangement allowing the seat assembly to pivot forwards and backwards may be employed. 
     Adjustment plates  44  are connected to the seat assembly, one on each side of transporter  10 . When locking knobs  46  are loosened, the seat may be pivoted to the desired angle, which slides adjustment plates  44  to a new position relative to hydraulic lift cart  12 ; locking knobs  46  may then be re-tightened, locking the seat securely in place. In some embodiments these knobs are adjustable by hand without the need for a wrench. This allows for quick adjustments to the tilt angle of the seat assembly, while still providing for security and stability once the desired angle has been reached. The four points of connection between the seat assembly and the rest of the apparatus (i.e. pivots  42  and adjustment plates  44 ) also allow for quick disassembly for transportation or storage of transporter  10 . 
       FIG. 2  also points out foot supports  40 . Foot supports  40  may be disposed at an angle that is comfortable for the occupant&#39;s ankles: in some embodiments, between approximately 5 and 25 degrees, or more particularly between approximately 10 and 20 degrees. 
       FIG. 3  demonstrates that leg pieces  56  may be adjusted to accommodate occupants of different heights and also allow occupants to sit with their legs spread as desired. Slots  52  are cut into leg pieces  56 , allowing leg pieces  56  to be moved into the desired position before being secured by low-profile locking knobs  54 . Low-profile knobs may be advantageous because they do not interfere with the tilting mechanism of the seat assembly, which in some embodiments may be in close proximity to low-profile locking knobs  54 . For a person with longer legs, as shown, leg pieces  56  may be extended outwards around the handle of hydraulic lift cart  12 . 
     This arrangement shown is also advantageous for another reason. Leg pieces  56  may easily be swapped out with different parts, tailored to the specific needs of the patient. For example, a patient with a broken leg may need that leg to be elevated: this may be easily accomplished by swapping out one of the leg pieces for an elevated leg piece. Other uses for this feature will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 4  shows a detail view of the braking mechanism of transporter  10 . This braking mechanism is essentially used to lock the wheels in place during loading and unloading, rather than to slow down the transporter while it is in motion. However, in other embodiments, different braking arrangements could be used for that purpose as well. 
     As discussed in connection with  FIG. 1 , brake lever  28  actuates the braking mechanism in transporter  10 . Brake lever  28  in this embodiment is connected to linkage  62  in  FIG. 4 . Linkage  62  is a standard flex cable inside a cable housing, similar to the type of arrangement used in bicycle braking mechanisms; however, other types of braking mechanisms will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Linkage  62  moves brake bar  66  against the force of springs  68 , in turn applying pressure against the wheels. Terminator  64  may be used to set the zero-point of the brake travel, so that brake bar  66  undergoes the correct travel when brake lever  28  is actuated. 
       FIG. 5  shows a detail view from the bottom of the seat assembly, which has been removed. It may be desirable to remove the seat assembly from the rest of the transporter, for example, in order to load it into a car. As shown, the seat assembly is supported by pivots  42  and adjustment plates  44 . Adjustment plates  44  may or may not have detents to assist in securing the seat assembly at the desired tilt angle. 
       FIG. 6  shows a photograph of a prototype of an embodiment of transporter  10  with the seat assembly removed and the hydraulic lift cart in a raised position. Pivots  42  show where the seat assembly would be attached. This type of disassembly of transporter  10  may allow for easy transportation of the device. 
     As discussed above, the device rides on fixed wheels  24  and casters  25 . Hydraulic handle  34  and bleed lever  26  control the height of the liftable platform. Brake lever  28  locks the wheels in place via linkage  62  to allow stable and safe ingress and egress to the device. Low-profile locking knobs  54  fit into grooves cut into leg pieces  56 , allowing leg pieces  56  to move to a desired position and be locked in place. Foot supports  40 , leg supports  20 , and ankle supports  18  hold the occupants legs securely and comfortably in place. 
     As shown, hydraulic cylinder  70  lifts the top portion of hydraulic lift cart  12  by way of scissor mechanism  72 . Many different lifting mechanisms will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and could be employed in place of hydraulic cylinder  70  and scissor mechanism  72  without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, another type of pressure cylinder such as a pneumatic cylinder could be used, or a motorized mechanism could be used. The embodiment shown, with hydraulic cylinder  70  may be advantageous because it is sturdy and may be actuated (via hydraulic handle  34 ) without an excessive amount of force. 
       FIG. 7  shows a detail view of the tilt mechanism of the seat assembly. As described above, locking knobs  46  secure adjustment plates  44 , allowing the entire seat mechanism to rotate about pivots  42 . 
     This ability to pivot the entire seat assembly greatly increases the utility of the disclosed devices. A forward tilt angle allows the occupant to sit comfortable and securely during movement, and a backward tilt angle allows easy ingress and egress to the device. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show photographs of a prototype of an embodiment of the present disclosure in use. As shown, the device may be adjusted in height and tilt to match the configuration of a car seat. Then the support straps may be removed, and the occupant may easily exit through the rear side of the device into the car. The seat assembly in these photographs is tilted toward the rear to allow easier egress into the car seat. The occupant is able to push off of the push-off plate and maneuver himself into the car without assistance. 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. Thus, the subject matter claimed is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 
     It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages that are included within this description, be within the scope of the claims.