초록 ▼

A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a mobile cantilever transfer device for transferring mobility-impaired patients. In one embodiment, the mobile cantilever transfer device includes a support surface that is cantilevered from a lift cart so that the support surface may be posi

A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a mobile cantilever transfer device for transferring mobility-impaired patients. In one embodiment, the mobile cantilever transfer device includes a support surface that is cantilevered from a lift cart so that the support surface may be positioned over the origination or destination location for a transfer, such as a patient's bed. In yet another embodiment, the cantilevered support surface may be laterally extended from the lift cart in order to allow the support surface to be positioned at different points over a transfer location without moving the lift cart. In yet another embodiment, multiple sides of the support surface may be connected to the lift cart so that a transfer can be accomplished from multiple directions, such as on either side of a patient's bed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A mobile cantilever transfer device comprising: a lift cart, said lift cart including at least one lift-fork;a support surface, wherein said support surface is configured to support a patient and includes a seat frame with at least one female connection conduit attached to the underside of said s

1. A mobile cantilever transfer device comprising: a lift cart, said lift cart including at least one lift-fork;a support surface, wherein said support surface is configured to support a patient and includes a seat frame with at least one female connection conduit attached to the underside of said seat frame;said lift cart being able to raise and lower said support surface;said lift cart being able to laterally extend said support surface away from said lift cart while said lift cart is temporarily fixed in place; andsaid lift cart being able to laterally retract said support surface towards said lift cart while said lift cart is temporarily fixed in place;wherein said support surface is configured to be securely cantilevered from said lift cart by inserting said at least one lift-fork into said at least one female connection conduit. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said support surface may be laterally extended and retracted in an upright, semi-reclined, or fully reclined position. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said support surface includes a seat frame, back support, seat support, and leg support. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one female connection conduit extends laterally across the underside of said seat frame and said at least one lift-fork may be inserted into either a distal or a proximal end of said at least one female connection conduit. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one lift-fork is mounted to a sliding sleeve that is raised and lowered by a powered lift mechanism mounted to said lift cart. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said lift cart is configured to be moved about and fixed in place by a single caregiver. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said lift cart includes a support base that is connected to a u-shaped frame and the legs of said u-shaped frame may be laterally extended. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the recline position of said support surface is controlled by one of the following: a locking gas spring, an actuator, a hydraulic cylinder or a zero-gravity system. 9. A method for transferring a patient comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a support surface beneath said patient by raising said support surface and laterally extending said support surface away from a lift cart while said support surface is securely cantilevered from said lift cart and said lift cart is temporarily fixed in place;(b) laterally retracting said support surface towards said lift cart while said lift cart is temporarily fixed in place and said patient is supported by said support surface; and(c) transporting said patient on said support surface by moving said lift cart, wherein said support surface includes a seat frame with at least one female connection conduit, said lift cart includes at least one lift-fork, and said support surface may be securely cantilevered from said lift cart by inserting said at least one lift-fork into said at least one female connection conduit. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising lowering said support surface in connection with positioning said support surface beneath said patient or after laterally retracting said support surface. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein said support surface and said patient may be in a fully reclined, semi-reclined or upright position during positioning or laterally retracting said support surface. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein said support surface includes a seat frame, back support, seat support, and leg support. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein said at least one female connection conduit extends laterally across the underside of said seat frame and said at least one lift-fork may be inserted into either a proximal or distal end of said at least one female connection conduit. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein said at least one lift-fork is mounted to a sliding sleeve that is raised and lowered by a powered lift mechanism mounted to said lift cart. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein said lift cart is configured to be moved about and fixed in place by a single caregiver. 16. The method of claim 9, wherein said lift cart includes a support base that is connected to a u-shaped frame and the legs of said u-shaped frame may be laterally extended. 17. The method of claim 9, wherein the recline position of said support surface is controlled by one of the following: a locking gas spring, an actuator, a hydraulic cylinder or a zero-gravity system. 18. A method for transferring a patient comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a support surface beneath said patient, wherein said support surface includes at least one female connection conduit;(b) temporarily positioning a lift cart in a fixed place near said support surface, wherein said lift cart includes at least one lift-fork;(c) securely mounting said support surface to said at least one lift-fork by inserting said at least one lift-fork into an end of said at least one female connection conduit;(d) laterally retracting said support surface towards said lift cart while said lift cart is temporarily fixed in place and said patient is supported by said support surface; and(e) moving said lift cart with said support surface cantilevered to said lift cart. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising lowering said support surface in connection with positioning said support surface beneath said patient or after laterally retracting said support surface. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein said support surface and said patient are in a fully reclined, semi-reclined or upright position during positioning or laterally retracting said support surface. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein said support surface includes a seat frame, back support, seat support, and leg support. 22. The method of claim 18, wherein said at least one female connection conduit extends laterally across the underside of a seat frame of said support surface, includes at least two ends, and said at least one lift-fork may be inserted into either of said at least two ends of said at least one female connection conduit. 23. The method of claim 18, wherein said at least one lift-fork is mounted to a sliding sleeve that is raised and lowered by a powered lift mechanism mounted to said lift cart. 24. The method of claim 18, wherein said lift cart is configured to be moved about and fixed in place by a single caregiver. 25. The method of claim 18, wherein said lift cart includes a support base that is connected to a u-shaped frame and the legs of said u-shaped frame may be laterally extended. 26. The method of claim 18, wherein the recline position of said support surface is controlled by one of the following: a locking gas spring, an actuator, a hydraulic cylinder or a zero-gravity system. 27. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one female connection conduit comprises a first female connection conduit attached at the front end of said seat frame and a second female connection conduit attached at the back end of said seat frame. 28. The method of claim 9, wherein said at least one female connection conduit comprises a first female connection conduit attached to the front end of said seat frame and a second female connection conduit attached to the back end of said seat frame. 29. The method of claim 18, wherein said at least one female connection conduit comprises a first female connection conduit attached to the underside of a front end of said support surface and a second female connection conduit attached to the underside of a back end of said support surface.