Patent Description:
Generally, transferring an ailing patient requires a huge amount of physical labour in addition to the utmost care that needs to be taken for the safe transfer. In some cases, patients have to be transferred without any change in their postures, in which case the available devices aren't appropriate.

In order to solve these problems, there is a need for a new patient transfer device that can transfer patients in a seamless manner with the least amount of discomfort.

In Chinese Patent No. <CIT> hereinafter referred as "DAI HONGPING", a surgical patient transfer bed is described that includes a bed body and protective plates which are characterized in that: two sides of the bed body are respectively equipped with moving rails; the bottom of the protective plate is provided with a movable cylinder slidingly matched with the moving rail. The protective plates are adjustable so as to avoid slippage of the patient. However, this device fails to address the issue of seamless transfer of the patient from bed to stretcher or stretcher to bed as the patient has to be lifted during the said transfer causing discomfort to the patient.

In Chinese Patent No <CIT> hereinafter referred as "GAN WEIMIN", the transfer bed is divided into <NUM> frames, namely lower frame, intermediate frame and upper frame. There is a lifting mechanism provided between the lower frame and middle frame. There is a turning mechanism provided between the intermediate and upper frame which enables the sliding of plurality of mutually independent sliding palates which are pushed one by one under the patient bed using a hand wheel. While sliding them under the patient, the patient is lifted slightly by the mechanism. To transfer the patient, the hand wheel has to be rotated in opposite direction and the synchronous pull rod is used to move the sliding pallets thereby shifting the patient. This device is however very bulky and in addition has a complicated system of transferring the patient.

US Patent No. <CIT> hereinafter referred to as "Gilleland" provides a stretcher comprising a substantially horizontal deck portion, provided with rollers, an apron, a mobile patient supporting member, a prime mover and power transmitting means and an electric motor. However, transferring the patient using this device from the patient bed to the stretcher involves turning the patient with his/her back to the stretcher so that the said apron can be slided underneath using the electric motor thereby enabling the patient to be moved onto the stretcher. This in turn poses a huge disadvantage of harming the patient; hence this device doesn't give a practical solution of smooth patient transfer.

US Patent No. <CIT> hereinafter referred to as "CHEZ", provides an apparatus for transferring patients which includes a transferring device comprising two tracks or conveyors, said conveyors encircle plurality of rollers which are connected to a driving gear through an endless chain. The conveyors can be moved using a crank handle or a drive handle thereby positioning the lower track under the patient and then sliding the patient onto the said transferring device. However, this invention involves use of electric motor to drive the conveyors and it is bulky with two conveyors hence it cannot facilitate easy movement of patient from one place to another.

US Patent No. <CIT> hereinafter referred to as "Scordato", provides a method and apparatus for patient transfer, the method involves providing a low friction surface over any significant portion of a bed or other platform over which the person is to be moved, the person being mounted on a low friction board or sheet having straps extending therefrom to facilitate movement of the person across a first platform to a second platform. The invention includes low friction transfer boards, low friction sheets and special straps adapted for practicing the said method. However, since this method and apparatus involves a low friction surface which needs to be inserted below the patient, it causes discomfort to a patient, the patient must be turned sideways for the above to be performed and is not suitable for patients with injuries that restrict them from turning sideways.

<CIT> hereinafter referred to as "Failor", provides a patient transfer mattress system including a bottom mattress section and a top, transfer mattress section. The transfer mattress section includes lateral flaps which are coupled to the sides of the bottom mattress section by hook and loop type fasteners. The interface of the top and bottom mattress sections is low friction. The bottom mattress is said to include an encasing cover, the bottom surface of the said cover is said to be substantially slippery. Failor also discloses the use of multi layer static dissipative fluropolymer film with PTFE surface to facilitate the above function. Velcro is used to fasten the top mattress section to the bottom mattress section. However, the above invention does not disclose a means for securing/nestling the patient into the mattress to safely transfer the patient from cot to stretcher or stretcher to cot or other surface.

US Application No. <CIT>, hereinafter referred to as "Hanson", discloses a hospital bed with a height-adjustable and articulating support surface. It includes a dual carriage hi/lo mechanism using threaded shafts, chains, and motors for smooth elevation. A perimeter frame supports mattress segments and features radiolucent panels for imaging. The bed offers articulated movement of the head, seat, knee, and foot sections, with adjustable knee angles controlled by a rack-and-pinion linkage. Pivotable push handles double as trays, and side rails and pendant controls are integrated for patient use and staff access. Additionally, the bed allows positioning through synchronized motor operation.

KR application <CIT>, hereinafter referred to as "Jeong", relates to a patient bed that allows smooth vertical lifting of a patient, easy mattress replacement, and facilitates defecation while the patient remains in bed. The bed includes multiple mattress sections connected by hinges and rollers that can be elevated using a motorized linkage system. Transfer rollers placed between the mattress segments help reposition the patient along the bed's longitudinal axis. A sheet winding system allows for clean and easy sheet replacement, and the mattress folds to create a seated posture. Additionally, a dedicated opening mechanism enables defecation through a waste collection unit when the mattress is appropriately folded. This system improves hygiene, patient mobility, and caregiver efficiency, addressing shortcomings of previous designs.

None of the above prior art documents disclose a device that allows ease of transferring the patient without complicated parts and/or an electrical means and/or without the need for low friction surfaces which require the patient to be turned for the device to be inserted.

It is desirable to have a transferring device that has a simple assembly with convenience and comfort of the patient kept on the highest pedestal.

It is also desirable to have a transferring device that nestles the patient safely within the device during the transfer process and thereafter adapts to a standard sized stretcher or cot.

It is also desirable to have a transferring device that is portable and can be folded or collapsed to consume minimum space when not in use and can be stored in a vehicle/ambulance and unfolded when required.

It is further desirable to have an assembly structured such that it allows ease of maintenance and replacement of parts while still maintaining optimum efficiency of the transferring process.

A bed comprising a foldable board and a foldable mattress characterized such that each foldable board and foldable mattress have equal number of foldable parts symmetrically and correspondingly hinged together, each foldable board part having roller assemblies embedded in its bottom surface, the said roller assemblies being aligned to each other.

Typically, a bed comprising a foldable board and a foldable mattress wherein the board and the mattress comprise of four or more foldable parts
Typically, a bed comprising a foldable board and a foldable mattress wherein the mattress comprises of foldable side supports.

Typically, a bed comprising a foldable board and a foldable mattress wherein the mattress comprises of foldable head supports.

Typically, a bed comprising a foldable board and a foldable mattress wherein safety belts are provided on the board or on the mattress to securely hold the foldable side supports and foldable head supports in their folded position.

Typically, a bed comprising a foldable board and a foldable mattress wherein the foldable side supports and foldable head supports of the mattress can be fixed in their folded position by fasteners.

Typically, a bed comprising a foldable board and a foldable mattress wherein mattress belts securely hold together the mattress and the board
Typically, a bed comprising a foldable board and a foldable mattress wherein the locking belts securely hold together the bed to the cot or the stretcher.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein the same numerals are used to denote the same part. However, the drawings only illustrate the invention and in no way limit the invention.

In the present invention, the board (<NUM>) shown in <FIG> shows the four board parts 101a, 101b, 101c and 101d hingedly joined together by hinges <NUM> to form the board <NUM>. Each board has a plurality of roller assemblies <NUM>.

The board <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises of roller assemblies <NUM> consisting of a bracket <NUM> housing a pin <NUM>, bearings <NUM> and roller <NUM>. The roller <NUM> rotates along the axis of the pin <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The roller assemblies <NUM> are fitted on to the boards by bolts and nuts <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> for allowing the board to roll laterally. Three such roller assemblies <NUM> are fitted on the patient's leg side board part 101d and three roller assemblies <NUM> are fitted on the patient's head side board part 101a. Five roller assemblies <NUM> each are fitted at the patient's back and thigh side board respectively. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises of a washable mattress <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> which is fixed to the board (<NUM>) with the help of four mattress belts 103a that go through the slits <NUM> on the head side board part 101a and leg side board part 101d as shown in <FIG>. The mattress <NUM> is made detachable from the board <NUM> to wash and sanitize the mattress <NUM> and also easily service the mechanical parts of the board <NUM> whenever required. The board <NUM> and mattress <NUM> together form the present invention and take the shape of a standard patient cot <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The board <NUM> has flexible handles 104a which are attached to the board <NUM> by slits <NUM> as well as safety belts 105a which are attached to the board <NUM> by slits <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> as shown in <FIG>. The present invention can be comfortably worked by a single person by pulling the flexible handles 104a with both hands. The length of the flexible handles 104a have been sized such that distance between the person working the present invention and the patient's cot <NUM> is comfortably and adequately met to pull the present invention along with the attached mattress <NUM> and patient safely secured therein onto the stretcher <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The mattress <NUM> can be adapted to the size of the stretcher <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and the size of the cot <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The board <NUM> along with the mattress <NUM> can be fixed and locked on to the patient cot <NUM> with the help of four locking belts 106a that go through the slits <NUM> on the head side board part 101a and leg side board part 101d as shown in <FIG>. The mattress <NUM> as shown in <FIG> has a plurality of foldable parts. The preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of a mattress <NUM> which as a whole comprises of three sets of foldable parts that are hingedly joined together. The three sets of foldable parts are (i) foldable base parts 301a, 301b, 301c, 301d forming the base of the mattress, (ii) foldable side supports 302a, 302b, 302c and 302d; and (iii) foldable head supports 303a, 303b and 303c. The foldable side supports and foldable head supports are hingedly joined such that they can be upwardly folded and secured in place by the safety belt 105a. Alternatively fasteners may be used to fix the foldable side supports and foldable head supports in their folded position. <FIG> show a working example of the present invention wherein the board <NUM> (not seen) is fixed under the mattress <NUM>. When the patient is on the cot <NUM> the three sets of foldable parts as mentioned above are in an unfolded position and adapt to the size of the patient cot <NUM>. While being transferred a patient can be nestled within the mattress <NUM>, the foldable parts are secured in the folded position by the safety belt <NUM> as shown in <FIG> a and 5b. The foldable side supports and foldable head supports are used for supporting and securing the patient while being transferred from the stretcher <NUM> to cot <NUM> as shown in <NUM> and <FIG>. The present invention can also be used to safely and efficiently transfer the patient from a patient cot <NUM> to patient cot <NUM>, stretcher <NUM> to patient cot <NUM> and stretcher <NUM> to stretcher <NUM>. The judicious combination of the board <NUM> and mattress <NUM> work together in synergy to safely and efficiently transfer the patient as described above.

Claim 1:
A bed comprising a foldable board (<NUM>) and a foldable mattress (<NUM>) each foldable board (<NUM>) having hinged together foldable parts (101a, 101b, 101c,101d) and each foldable mattress (<NUM>) having equal number of hinged together foldable parts (301a, 301b, 301c, 301d), the foldable parts (101a, 101b, 101c, 101d) of the board and the foldable parts (301a, 301b, 301c, 301d) of the mattress
are symmetrical and corresponding to each other, wherein each foldable board (<NUM>) has roller assemblies (<NUM>) embedded in its bottom surface, the said roller assemblies (<NUM>) being aligned to each other, characterised in that each of the roller assemblies (<NUM>) comprises a bracket (<NUM>) housing a pin (<NUM>), bearings (<NUM>) and a roller (<NUM>), wherein the roller (<NUM>) is configured to rotate along the axis of the pin (<NUM>) for allowing the foldable board (<NUM>) to roll laterally.