Patent Publication Number: US-9839565-B1

Title: Anti-tip lateral transfer system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to transfer devices and in particular systems that are suitable for safely transferring a patient from a wheelchair to a bed, toilet or examination table. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     Wheelchair, bed, and wheeled base transfer technology has made great advances over the last two decades. The ability for the disabled to adapt to their physical issues regarding mobility is continually improving. However, mobility in the area of lateral transfer of a disabled patient from a wheelchair to a fixed structure and vice versa is an area where progress is slow and extremely challenging. The major challenges confronting progress in the development of lateral transfer devices include: 1. Patient safety 2. Simplicity of mechanical operation 3. Adapting inventive device to a powered motorized wheelchair without limiting mobility and angular carriage positioning and 4. Eliminating lifting of the patient by the care provider. 
     The ultimate challenge to securing patient safety during the lateral transfer process is maintaining horizontal stability of the wheelchair. Maintaining horizontal stability means that the transfer carriage will remain level (non-tipping) and will not rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction (resulting from tipping) during the transfer process. Tipping occurs when a wheel or wheels on the opposite side of the transfer device begin(s) to move vertically as weight transfers to the opposite side of the wheelchair. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,866 is an example of a transfer device that places a patient&#39;s safety at risk due to potential tipping of the carriage during patient transfer. The patented device of the &#39;866 patent uses a transport carriage comprised of tracks with wheels that travel along the track allowing the carriage to move laterally over the fixed structure. However, the device depends on the mattress to account for horizontal stability. The weight of the patient and carriage structure may depress a soft mattress two or three inches allowing for a potential dangerous weight transfer and tipping of the device during patient transfer. The &#39;866 patent also has exposed wheels and tracks under the carriage seat that could potentially entangle with sheets creating an unsafe transfer operation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,633 is another example of a lateral transfer device that is devoid of any device that would prevent tipping during patient transfer. The &#39;633 also has a limited distance of carriage transfer capability (0-8 inches), therefore creating an unsafe transfer between the transfer devise and various stretcher beds and gurneys where mattresses are inset within the structures and offset from the frame works of the structures. 
     The complexity of the operation of lateral transfer devises trigger concerns regarding the time involved in the overall transfer process and the building of additional framing structures to the wheeled base frame and bed. U.S. Pat. No. 7,752,687 B1 describes a transfer device requiring the inflating of air bags on a bed, extending a frame attached to the wheeled base frame through the channels of the air bags, building a stretcher on the extended framing, and attaching a transfer sheet to the stretcher. The device of the &#39;687 patent is not only time consuming in operation but the patient becomes totally dependent on care providers for the entire transport process. 
     Another major challenge impeding the progress of the patient lateral transfer process is the need for a transfer device and that can be mounted onto a wheeled base structure without intruding on the mobility and angular positioning abilities of the travel carriage. Some conventional transfer chairs typically fail to offer the disabled person the mobile independency they need for ever day life. 
     Finally, the challenge is to provide the patient care provider with a lateral transfer device that eliminates the need to lift the patient, pull the patient on a slide board, or load the patient into a sling or harness. Liability issues relating to injuries occurring via patient lifting have become a major concern in the health care industry. Also, care providers are often the patient&#39;s spouse, an elderly relative or person, or individuals that are physically incapable of moving the disabled person without additional help. Therefore, enhancing the need for a lateral transfer device that is safe, simple in operation, and adaptive to a powered wheeled structure without limiting the mobile structure&#39;s movement capabilities is essential. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,690,178 describes transfer of a patient from a wheelchair to a bed and vice versa. The foregoing device uses a complicated docking system between a hospital bed and wheeled base structure. The foregoing transfer system offers a unique and credible way for a disabled patient to maneuver from a bed to a wheeled base structure. However, the invention limits a patient&#39;s ability to transfer to various hospitals, homes, or hotel style beds that don&#39;t offer the specific docking system needed by the transfer device. 
     In view of the foregoing, one embodiment of the disclosure provides a stabilizer system for a patient transfer device for transferring a patient between a fixed structure and a mobile vehicle or between two mobile vehicles. The stabilizer system includes a portable platform having two opposing sloped ramps on a first side and a second side thereof. A bracket is fixedly attached to the platform adjacent a first end thereof between the sloped ramps. The bracket has opposed shoulders, an entrance side and an exit side opposite the entrance side, wherein the bracket is adapted for receiving a slide plate appendage attached to a wheeled transfer vehicle when the wheeled transfer vehicle is positioned on the platform between the sloped ramps and between the first end and a second end of the ramp. The second end of the ramp has a length sufficient to prevent tipping of the platform during a patient transfer maneuver between the wheeled transfer vehicle and a fixed structure or mobile vehicle. 
     Another embodiment of the disclosure provides a lateral transfer system for transferring a patient between a fixed structure and a mobile vehicle or between two mobile vehicles. The system includes a patient transfer device having a frame fixed to wheels and a carriage platform movably attached to the frame. The carriage platform has one or more extendable carriage platform sections for lateral movement of the carriage platform relative to the frame and wheels for transferring a patient between the patient transfer device and a fixed structure or a wheeled vehicle. A stabilizer system for the patient transfer device is also provided by the transfer system. The stabilizer system includes a portable platform having two opposing sloped ramps on a first side and a second side thereof. A bracket is fixedly attached to the platform adjacent a first end thereof between the sloped ramps. The bracket has opposed shoulders, an entrance side and an exit side opposite the entrance side. The bracket is adapted for receiving a slide plate appendage attached to the frame of the patient transfer device when the patient transfer device is positioned on the platform between the sloped ramps and between the first end and a second end of the ramp. The second end of the ramp has a length sufficient to prevent tipping of the platform during a patient transfer maneuver. 
     A further embodiment of the disclosure provides a process for transferring a patient between a fixed structure and a mobile vehicle or between two mobile vehicles. The process includes providing a patient transfer device having a frame fixed to wheels and a carriage platform movably attached to the frame. The carriage platform has one or more extendable carriage platform sections for lateral movement of the carriage platform relative to the frame and wheels for transferring a patient between the patient transfer device and a fixed structure or a wheeled vehicle. A stabilizer system is provided for the patient transfer device. The stabilizer system includes a portable platform having two opposing sloped ramps on a first side and a second side thereof. A bracket is fixedly attached to the platform adjacent a first end thereof between the sloped ramps. The bracket has opposed shoulders, an entrance side and an exit side opposite the entrance side. The bracket is adapted for receiving a slide plate appendage attached to the frame of the patient transfer device. The second end of the ramp has a length sufficient to prevent tipping of the platform during a patient transfer maneuver. During use, the patient transfer device is positioned on the platform between the sloped ramps and between the first end and a second end of the ramp so that the slide plate is engaged with the bracket. The carriage platform is then laterally moved to move the patient from the patient transfer device to a fixed structure or a mobile vehicle. 
     Accordingly, the aforementioned challenges have all been addressed by embodiments of the disclosure. The unique design of the transfer carriage may improve safety and add to the ease of transitioning a patient on and off of the carriage. The transfer carriage is designed to shield the mechanical operations system so as to avoid bed sheets or medical devices becoming entangled in the mechanical system during the transfer process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features and advantages may be further understood by reference to the drawings and detailed description presented herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, not to scale of a lateral transfer system according to the disclosure with a transfer carriage in lateral position relative to a wheeled base. 
         FIG. 2 . is a top plan view, not to scale, of the lateral transfer system of  FIG. 1  with a transfer carriage extended over a bed. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view, not to scale, of the lateral transfer system of  FIG. 1  with a transfer carriage extended out to one side. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan bottom view, not to scale, of an actuator attached to a portion of a transfer carriage for the transfer system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view, not to scale, of a telescopic slide and slide coupling attached to a frame of a transfer vehicle for the transfer system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5B  is a top plan view, not to scale, of the telescopic slide and slide coupling of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view, not to scale, of a telescopic slide and fixed bracket for attachment to a rectangular tubing member of a frame of a transfer vehicle for the transfer system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view, not to scale, of a hinge assembly for a movable frame section of a transfer vehicle for the transfer system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is an end elevational view, not to scale, of a transfer system of  FIG. 1  in use for moving a patient between a bed and a transfer vehicle 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view, not to scale, of a cover plate for telescopic slides for a carriage platform for the transfer system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9 b    is an end view, not to scale, of the cover plate and carriage platform of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view, not to scale, of a portable stabilizer system for the transfer system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view, not to scale, of a portion of the portable stabilizer system of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a front schematic view, not to scale, of a transfer vehicle docked on the portable stabilizer system of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawing, various features and advantage of the disclosed embodiments are illustrated. In  FIG. 1  there is shown in perspective view, a lateral transfer system  10  according to the disclosure. The system  10  includes a patient transfer device  12  that includes a frame  14  fixed to wheels  16 ,  18  and  20 , and a carriage platform  22  movably attached to the frame  14  and having one or more extendable carriage platform sections  24 ,  26  and  28  movably attached to the frame  14  for lateral movement of the carriage platform  22  in the direction of arrow  30  relative to the frame  14  for transferring a patient between the patient transfer device  12  and a fixed structure such as a bed or toilet or a wheel chair, for example. The system  10  further includes a stabilizer system  32  for the patient transfer device  12  described in more detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the patient transfer device  12  includes a tubular frame  14  that has three adjoined sections, a head section  34 , a foot section  36  and a seat section  38  hingedly attached to both the head section  34  and the foot section  36 . Each of the sections  34 ,  36  and  38  may include round or rectangular tubing, with the at least the seat section  36  having rectangular tubing for additional strength. The seat section  36  may be fixedly mounted to a wheeled base  40  using sleeves  42  bolted to the wheel section  40  or may be mounted to a lifting plate  44  for elevating the entire carriage platform  22 . The wheeled base  40  may include a motor for moving the patient transfer device  12  and actuators for lifting the lifting plate  44  to elevate the carriage platform  22  above the wheel section  40 . Lateral transfer of a patient on the patient transfer device  12  is provided by telescopic slide  46  on the head section  34 , telescopic slides  48  on the seat section  38  and telescopic slide  50  on the foot section  36 . In one embodiment, the head section  34  includes a single telescopic slide  46 , the seat section  38  includes two telescopic slides  48  and the foot section  36  includes a single telescopic slide  50 . Slide couplings such as slide coupling  52  attached slides  46  and  50  to the sections  34  and  36 . The slide couplings enable the carriage foot section  36  and head section  34  relative to the frame sections  34  and  36  as the angular position of the head section  34  and foot section  36  are changed. The strength of each section  34 ,  36 , and  38  is important because they aid in supporting the entire assemblage of the transfer device  12 . The head section  34 , foot section  36  and seat section  38  made from various metals, aluminum, alloys, and the like. 
     While the embodiments described herein provide for multiple carriage platform sections  24 - 28  for attaching to a wheel base  4 , the described transfer system  10  is also applicable to a transfer device  12  having a single carriage section, two carriage sections or more than three carriage sections. The platform sections  24 ,  26 , and  28  of the carriage platform  22  may be made from various metals, aluminum, alloys, rigid plastic, fiberglass, and the like. 
     The telescopic slides  46 ,  48  and  50  provide the patient transfer device  12  with strength and mobility with a minimal amount of friction. Suitable telescopic slides  46 - 50  may be ball bearing slides having a height dimension of about 28 millimeters, a width dimension of about 26 millimeters, a length L of from 290 to 600 millimeters, a radial static load of 649 N and an axial static load of 379 N. The foregoing telescopic slides enable safe transfer of a patient from the center of the wheel based device ( 1 ) to a lateral distance from the center of the wheel based device ( 1 ) ranging from about 300 millimeters to about 600 millimeters. The telescopic slides  46 - 50  are mounted horizontally to the frame  14  of patient transfer device  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In alternative embodiments, a variety of bottom mount slides, ball bearing slide, and/or solid bearing slides may be used as the telescopic slide mechanisms to move the carriage platform  22 . A safety latch may be used to keep the lateral transfer system closed when used in a manual mode. Stops may also be provided on the telescopic slides  46 - 50  to limit the travel distance of the slides when used in a manual or automatic mode. 
     Actuators, such as actuator  54  may be attached to the head section frame  34  and actuator  56  ( FIG. 2 ) may be attached to the foot section frame  36  to raise and lower the head section  34  and foot section  36  to change the patient position from a seated to a lying position and vice versa. The platform section  28  is hingedly attached to the platform section  26  by hinge  58  and the platform section  24  is hingedly attached to the platform section  26  by hinge  60 . One or more foot rests  62  may be attached to the foot section  36 . The foot rests  62  remain attached to the main frame  14  as the carriage platform  22  slides to the extended or lateral position. Otherwise, the foot rests  62  may infringe on the movement of the patient&#39;s legs during the transfer process if they traveled with the carriage platform  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the carriage platform  22  containing sections  24 ,  26  and  28  is extended over a bed  64  transfer of a patient from the patient transfer device  12  to the bed  64 . Lateral translation of the carriage platform  22  may be effected manually or automatically, as by actuator  66  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The actuator  66  may be attached to the carriage platform  22  between the telescopic slides  48  or may be attached to a cover plate for the telescopic slides, if used, by means of a support bracket  67 . Various telescopic slide lengths and actuator lengths with specific weight load capacities may be used in accordance with the size of chair needed. 
     Further details of the telescopic slides and slide couplings can be found in  FIGS. 5A and 5B ,  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8  and  FIGS. 9A and 9B . On the platform section  24  and head section  34 , the telescopic slide  46 , consisting of slide components  46 A and  46 B, is attached to the frame  14  of the transfer devices  12  by a slide coupling  52  as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . An L-shaped bracket  68  attaches the slide  46  to the slide coupling  52 . The slide coupling  52  is configured to slide in the direction of arrow  70  along the frame  14  as the platform section  24  and head section  34  are raised and lowered. The contact surfaces of the slide coupling  52  may be made of a low friction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, or may include bearings or other low friction structures. The L-shaped bracket  68  is designed to be unbolted from the frame  14  or from the telescopic slide  46 . This design allows the entire carriage platform  22  to be removed from the transfer device  12  without removing all or parts of the frame  14 . In an alternative embodiment, the slide coupling  52  may be of one-piece construction that is slid onto the frame  14 . The slide couplings  52  are unique components of the transfer device  12  and are specifically designed to assist the powered/manual wheelchair or any wheeled base structure in enabling a patient lateral transfer system to function without inhibiting the tilt, recline, and elevating movements of the patient transfer device. The slide couplings  52  allow a patient to be laterally transferred from a wheeled base structure from any angular position and also allows a patient to rest in a pressure reduction posture when needed. Accordingly, the frame  14  of the head section  34  is preferably made of circular tubular members that enable sliding and/or rotation of the slide couplings  52  relative to the frame  14 . The same type of slide couplings as slide couplings  52  is used on the foot section  36  for the platform section  28  for raising and lowering the foot section  38  with respect to the seat section  38 . 
     With respect to the seat section  38 , the telescopic slides  48 , consisting of slide components  48 A and  48 B, are fixedly attached to a rectangular tubular member  72  using a fixed sleeve or L-shaped bracket  74  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The L-shaped bracket may be bolted directly to the rectangular tubular member  72  and to slide component  48 A. As described above, the seat section  38  is attached to the wheeled base  40  or to a lifting plate  44  for horizontal movement thereof, but is not angularly positioned relative to the head section  36  or foot section  38 . Accordingly, the two telescopic slides  48  being fixedly attached to the rectangular tubular member  72  provide strength to the patient transfer device  12  when the carriage platform  22  is extended away from the wheeled base  40 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a structure for hingedly connecting the rectangular tubing member  72  of the seat section  38  to the head section  34  and/or foot section  36 . The structure shown in  FIG. 7  enables the foot section  36  or head section  34  of the main frame  14  to change angular positioning as the tilting, reclining, and elevating features of the device  12  are activated. The back section  34  includes a tubular member providing a side section  76  of the back section  34  and a tubular member providing a hinge structure  78  for hingedly connecting the back section  34  to the seat section  38 . The hinge structure  78  is disposed substantially perpendicular to the rectangular tubing member  72  of the seat section  38 . A bolt  80  is passed through the rectangular tubing member  72  and into a threaded plug  82  that may be inserted into the hinge structure  78 . The threaded plug  82  is fixed to the bolt  80  and is sized to rotate within the hinge structure  78 . However, for added strength, a tubular coupling  84  may be disposed in the hinge structure  78  for added strength and the plug  82  inserted into the coupling  84 . Accordingly, the coupling  84  may rotate within the hinge structure  78  and may be fixedly attached to the threaded plug  82 . In an alternative embodiment, the threaded plug  82  may also rotate within the coupling  84 . A T-shaped coupling  86  adjoins the side section  76  of the back section  34  to the hinge structure  78 . The foregoing description also applies to the foot section  36  and its connection to the seat section  38 . 
     The adaptability of the patient transfer device  12  begins with a supportive tubular frame  14  consisting of three adjoined sections  34 ,  36 , and  38  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The seat section  38  comprises rectangular tubing members  72  on each side and round tubing for the hinge members  78  on the front and back. Attachment sleeves mounted to the seat section  38  may be bolted to the powered wheel base  40  or to the lifting plate  44  to secure the frame  14  to the base  40 . The frame  14  becomes the main upper or seat section frame of a manual wheel base structure. Lateral movement of the carriage platform  22  is provided by the telescopic slides attached to the head section  34 , seat section  38 , and foot section  36  of the main frame  14 . The head section  34  and foot section  36  each use one telescopic slide  46  and  50  respectively, the seat section uses two telescopic slides  48 . The head and foot slides  46  and  50  are attached to the frame  14  by the slide couplings  52  described above. The slide couplings  52  enable the carriage platform sections  24  and  28  to move up and down on the main frame tubing as angular positioning of the carriage platform  22  changes. The telescopic slides  46 - 50  provide the carriage platform  22  with strength and mobility with a minimal amount of friction. 
     The patient transfer device  12 , described herein is designed for vertical landing on whatever surface the transfer is going to take place on as shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  is a front view of a patient  88  transferring onto a bed  64  with a vertical compression of the mattress of the bed  64  by the carriage platform  22 . A vertical landing or a vertical compression method implies that the carriage platform  22  is extended over the bed  64  and then slowly lowered to the surface of the bed  64  where the transfer will take place. The vertical compression method of transfer eliminates tangling of sheets or other bedding materials that could create safety concerns that could result from transfer devices that slide across the mattress of the bed  64 . The mechanical operations of the patient transfer device  12  were designed to function with wheeled base devices that have elevation features that are essential for vertical compression transfer techniques. Manual wheelchairs without elevation features can use bed/medical testing tables of various types with elevating features to get the same transfer positioning capabilities as the patient transfer device  12  described herein. In one embodiment, the carriage platform  22  may be sloped toward the bed  64  to permit an easy on/off patient transfer particularly when the vertical landing is on a surface that is more rigid than mattresses. 
     When transfer of the patient  88  is achieved by sliding the carriage platform  22  over a bed or other surface, a lower cover plate  90  may be used as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  for the telescopic slides  46 - 50  and platform sections  24 - 28 . Only platform section  24  and telescopic slide  46 A and  46 B are illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . In  FIG. 9A , the platform section  24  is not shown. Accordingly, the cover plate  90  for telescopic slide  46 A and  46 B is used to eliminate the slide  46  from entangling in sheets, blankets, or medical equipment. Accordingly, in this embodiment, each of the telescopic slides  46 - 50  is protected with the cover plate. The cover plate  90  moves with the telescopic slide  46 B and shields the slide from bed coverings. A transfer end of the slide  46  and cover plate  90  is protected by a nose piece  92  that prevents bed sheets and other objects from entangling in the slide mechanism. Flanges  94  connect the platform section  24  to the slide  46  and flanges  96  connect the cover plate  90  to the slide  46 . The cover plate  90  may contain a coating of low friction material to make sliding of the cover plate  90  over a surface easier. Likewise, the surfaces of platform sections  24 - 26  may be coated with a low friction material. 
     A control mechanism  100  mounted on an arm  102  of the patient transfer device  12  ( FIG. 1 ) may be used to not only control the movement of the patient transfer device  12  onto and off of the stabilizer system, it may also be used to activate the actuator  66  for lateral movement of the carriage platform  22 , or for angular movement of head section  34  and/or foot section  36 . An arm on an opposite side of the transfer device  12  from arm  102  may be hingedly mounted to the rectangular tubular member  72  or to the frame  14  for rotating the arm out of the way for lateral movement of the carriage platform  22 . In one embodiment, hook and loop fastener strips  104  may be applied to each of the platform sections  24 - 28  so that a patient may attach personalized cushions to the sections  24 - 28 . 
     With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the patient transfer device  12  is mounted to the wheeled base  40  which may be a conventional wheelchair or a powered wheelchair. Typically, the wheeled base  40  will have two large wheels  16  generally located in the middle of the wheeled base  40  between two forward wheels  20  and two rear wheels  18 . The two forward wheels  20  and two rear wheels  18  function to resist against clockwise and counter clockwise movement of the transfer device  12 . The clockwise and counter clockwise movement of the transfer device  12  would not be a factor if the weight of the patient was equally divided between all three platform sections  24 - 28 . However, the platform sections  24  and  26  are heavier than the platform section  28  and thus, without the stabilizing wheels  18  and  20 , the device will tend to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise around wheels  16 . 
     An important feature of the disclosed embodiments is the stabilizer system  32  shown in  FIGS. 10-12 . The stabilizer system  32  is adapted for use with any wheelchair or transfer device, but is specifically adapted to prevent tipping of the transfer device  12  when the carriage platform  22  is fully extended laterally from the transfer device  12 . The stabilizer system  32  includes a portable platform  200  having two opposing sloped ramps  202  and  204  on first and second sides  206  and  208  thereof. A bracket  210  is fixedly attached to the platform  200  between the sloped ramps  202  and  204 . The bracket  210  has opposed shoulders  212 , and entrance side  214  and an exit side  216  and is adapted for receiving a slide plate appendage  218  therein between the shoulders  212 . The slide plate appendage  218  may be attached to an underside of the transfer device  12  or the frame of a wheel chair by a mounting plate  220 . The slide plate appendage  218  is engaged with the bracket  210  when the transfer device  12  is positioned properly on the platform  200  between the sloped ramps  202  and  204  and between a first end  222  and a second end  224  of the platform  200 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the bracket  210  is mounted closely adjacent to the first end  222  of the platform  200  so that length L 1  is much greater than length L 2 . Length L 1  is selected to prevent tipping of the platform and transfer device  12  attached to the platform through appendage  218  and bracket  210  when the carriage platform  22  of the transfer device is extended over end  224  of the platform. Accordingly, a wheel guide  226  may be provided on the platform  200  to provide guiding placement of the transfer device  12  on the platform. The platform  200  may also include a slot  228  for engaging wheel  16  of the transfer device  12  to indicate when the transfer device is properly positioned on the platform  200 . 
     A handle  230  may be attached to the first end  222  of the platform  200  for lifting and moving the platform  200  to a transfer position. The second end  224  of the platform  224  may include wheels  232  for easy movement of the platform  200  when lifted by the handle  230 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , operation of the present lateral transfer system  10  is designed to provide lateral stability to the wheelchair or transfer device  12  during patient transfer and prevent overturning of the patient by transforming rotational forces (moments) into an induced bearing pressure between the platform  200  and a floor. This is accomplished by downward bearing of the transfer-side wheel  16  of the transfer device  12  and upward tension shoulders  212  of the bracket  210  which in turn induces bending forces rigid platform  200 . The rigidity of the stabilizer system  32  results in transfer of internal bending forces to the floor in the form of a bearing pressure that is dispersed throughout the surface area of the platform  200 . 
     Another feature of the stabilizer system  32  is that the bracket  210  allows movement of the slide plate appendage  218  into the bracket  210  from either side  214  or  216  so that the transfer device may be stabilized on the platform  200  from either a forward or reverse direction as shown in  FIG. 11 . This aspect of the stabilizer system  32  is extremely important considering the fact that space is often limited when positioning transfer devices  12  for patient transfers. The slide plate appendage  218  may be mounted on the transfer device  12  so that the slide plate appendage  218  is received by the bracket  210  in a manner so that the extended carriage platform  22  is angled slightly downward. The slight angle creates an easier on/off transition for the patient during transfer. The slide plate appendage  218  may be attached to the transfer device  12  or wheel chair between a center portion and an outside edge of the underbelly of transfer device  12  as shown in  FIG. 12 . Accordingly, the slide plate appendage  218  is mounted on the transfer device  12  on a side opposite from the transfer side as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8 . The mounting positions slide plate appendage  218  and bracket  210  are designed to limit the flexing of the platform  200  during a lateral transfer.  FIG. 12  further illustrates how the mounting position of the slide plate appendage  218  permits attachments  234  used by other docking devices to remain functional. 
     The stabilizer system  32  differs from other patented wheelchair docking systems as follows: 1. The stabilizer system  32  permits the patient and caregiver to dock a transfer device  12  at a location conducive to any flat surface. 2. The stabilizer system  32  can conveniently be rolled from room to room, house to van, or from a vehicle to wherever it&#39;s needed for patient transfer. 3. The stabilizer system  32  allows a wheeled base structure to dock from a forward or reverse direction. 4. The stabilizer system was designed with a focus on lateral stability. 
     Space or an area of mobility was a major factor in determining the design of the stabilizer system  32 . Bedrooms, hotel rooms, hospital rooms, bathrooms, medical treatment rooms, and all areas of reduced space may be problematic for wheelchair accessibility. The stabilizer system  32  described herein was designed to allow the transfer device  12  to dock from a forward or backward entrance therefor allowing a patient and caregiver to have more opportunity to transfer when space is limited. Conventional docking systems require docking from a forward position of the wheeled base structure. Accordingly, the flexible docking features of the disclosed stabilizer system  32  are an important feature with regard to wheelchair accessibility. 
     Various wheelchair docking devices are confined to operate in an automobile (car, truck, van) and are devised primarily to create front to back stability. The aforementioned docking devices can only dock from a forward entrance. The slide plate appendage  218  of the present stabilizer system  32 , once attached to a four wheeled structure, will not impede the functionality of similar docking systems. However, the greatest advantages of the disclosed stabilizer system  32  is the fact that it requires no uncomfortable harness or sling for the patient to be placed into. The stabilizer system  32  offers an alternative solution to the risk involved in the harness/lift option of patient transfer. The portable platform  200  of the stabilizer system  32  is designed not only for docking, but the design makes the device great for travel and convenient for storage. Whereas, transfer lifts are generally awkward to maneuver and transport due to the nature of their size and shape. 
     Wheeled base structures may be easily rolled onto to the portable platform  200  to a designated position to initiate the lateral transfer process. Docking occurs when the slide plate appendage  218  is engaged with the bracket  210  on the platform  200 . The function of this assemblage is to ensure lateral stability of the wheeled structure during the lateral transfer process. A docking apparatus normally limits a patient&#39;s transferring capabilities specifically to a docking wheelchair and docking bed, however, embodiments of the present disclosure allow a patient to transfer to a variety of beds, toilets, medical testing units, or gurneys and return to a wheelchair and vice versa and without the use of multiple care givers. 
     The portable platform  200  may be made of materials such as metals, alloys, fiberglass, or grated materials. While a rectangular shaped platform  200  is show, the platform  200  may have a variety of suitable shapes such as square, round, rectangular, triangular, or of any of the aforementioned shapes with appendages extending from sides thereof. The strength of the portable platform  200  is critical in terms of flexion. Accordingly, the portable platform  200  must remain in contact with the floor or other surface that the platform  200  is resting on to avoid tipping of the transfer device  12  during a patient transfer. Various angular or channeled structures may be used in the construction of the portable platform  200  for additional strength. Lightweight materials are essential in the design of the portable platform  200  to ensure easy mobilization. Wheel Guiding systems, alignment tracks, painted or taped lines may be used on the portable platform  200  to engage a wheeled based device to a docking position. The underneath side of the portable platform  200  may be covered with a protective material to protect the floor surface where patient transfer will take place. The protective material may also be selected to eliminate sliding of the portable platform  200  during the process of docking and patient transfer. In an alternative embodiment, the portable platform may be used with a lifting device to adjust the transfer device  12  to the height needed for patient transfer. 
     Many styles of conventional docking appendages, such as appendage  234  may be mounted to the transfer device  12  without interfering with the slide plate appendage  218  used for the stabilizer system  32  described herein. Accordingly, conventional docking products may be used and remain operational with the lateral transfer system  10  described herein. The conventional docking products generally include a stud, bolt or rod type of structure that is attached to the wheeled base structures under frame such as attachment  234  ( FIG. 12 ) that will dock with a mounted docking component attached to a fixed or immovable floor type of structure in an automobile. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the attachment  234  is typically mounted on the midpoint of the under frame of the transfer device  12  whereas the slide plate appendage  218  is off set from the center of the transfer device  12  on the under frame of the device  12  opposite from the transfer side of the device  12 . Unlike the bolt design of the attachment  234 , the slide plate appendage  210  has a rectangular shape vs bolt design. The slide plate appendage  210  is relatively flat and slides into the bracket  210 . The shoulders  212  of the bracket  210  provide increased lateral stability for the transfer device  12  to prevent the transfer device  12  from rotating clockwise or counter clockwise during the lateral transfer process. 
     The challenge of simplifying the transfer operations while increasing stability during the transfer process involved designing a transfer system  10  that could be operated manually by releasing a safety latch and simply sliding the carriage platform  22  from a deploy position to a stow position with minimal effort by the care provider. The carriage platform  22  may also be configured to operate semi-automatically with only the addition of an actuator  66  to the frame  14 . The auto and manual operations are not only simple additions to the wheeled base structure  40  but are also significantly lower in cost as compared to other transfer devices. 
     The frame  14  containing the telescopic slides  46 - 50  and carriage platform  22  are designed to be mounted to a variety of wheel based vehicles by use of mounting flanges and sleeves. Accordingly, the frame  14  including the telescopic slides  46 - 50  and carriage platform  22  may be mounted to an existing manual wheel chair or motorized vehicle or to a bed. A wheeled base structure that uses a single round or square type height adjusting system and/or actuators may be used with the carriage platform  22 , frame  14  and telescopic slides  46 - 50  of the system to lift a patient to a correct height for transfer. 
     Accordingly, the transfer system  10  describe herein is designed to allow the disabled patient to safely transfer, not only from a wheeled base powered mobile structure to a variety of beds, but also to gurneys, toilets, and medical testing units (MRI, X-Ray etc.). The system  10  is particularly useful for transferring patients that are physically handicapped (paralyzed), recovering from surgery, frail, and/or elderly. The patient may be transferred from a reclining position as well as from a seated position. The telescopic slides  46 - 50  provide a union between a frame of a wheeled base structure and the carriage platform  22  permitting the carriage platform  22  to operate independently from the wheeled base structure. Hence, the transfer system described herein may be mounted to various beds, and to powered and manual wheelchairs without diminishing the bed&#39;s or chair&#39;s ability to tilt, elevate, recline, or maneuver a patient to a pressure reduction posture. In another embodiment, the telescopic slides  46 - 50  may be mounted directly to a wheelchair frame and can be operated manually or by a linear/hydraulic actuator. The telescopic slides  46 - 50  provide the carriage platform  22  with strength and provide mobility with a minimal amount of friction. 
     Use of the transfer system  10  as described herein is less likely to aggravate bed sores or other patient injuries during transfers compared to transfers using a slide board or a sling transfer technique. The transfer system  10  may also aid in reducing the number of potential injuries resulting from caregivers lifting patients during the transfer process. The present invention does not require multiple care providers to assist in a patient transfer. Conventional transfer chairs do not provide the everyday mobility and comfort that a power wheelchair incorporates therefore the focus of the present disclosure is to provide the power and conventional wheelchair industry with an improved system of patient lateral transfer. 
     With regard to the stabilizer system  32 , the portable platform  200  is designed to be rolled under the bed or to a specific location on a floor. The wheels  232  and handle  230  on the platform  200  enable a caregiver to easily slide the platform  200  under a bed when not in use and is much more convenient for a caregiver than repositioning a lifting/harness apparatus for each patient transfer. The stabilizer system  32  is sufficient robust to reduce tipping of the transfer device  12  when transferring a patient. 
     As described in detail above, the stabilizer system  32  includes positive alignment for the wheels of a transfer device  12  and a slot  228  for the wheel  16  of the transfer device  12  to indicate when the transfer device  12  is properly docked on the portable platform  200  so that the slide plate appendage  218  is engaged with the bracket  210 . 
     The previously described embodiments of the present disclosure have many advantages. The foregoing description of preferred embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention.