US2733452A - tanney - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 7, 1956 B. G. TANNEY 2,733,452

HOSPITAL PATIENT TRANSFER DEVICE 101 kiff 2 51 4f f 24 f5 a2 Z1 2LVA INVENTOR. E Il BERN/A G. TAN/VFY BY Mmm Z/wn ATTORNEY Feb. 7. 1956 B. G. TANNEY 2,733,452

HOSPITAL PATIENT TRANSFER DEVICE Filed Dec. 27, 1954 s sneetssheet 2 FE.E

INVENTOR. BERTHA 6. MNA/EY fY/,LAMM 1%@ Arron/may Feb. 7, 1956 B. G. TANNEY 2,733,452

HOSPITAL PATIENT TRANSFER DEVICE Filed Dec. 27, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheetl 5 78 +13 /W inw- 1: mi /ff *Lf 677 l :I wll1 q@ +L ik?? l E j' 3 INVEN'I'OR. BERTI-m G. TANA/Y C?" (jf/M15 L TTQRA/E y HOSPITAL PATIENT TRANSFER DEVICE Bertha G. Tanney, `Bethesda, Md.

Application December 27, 1954, SerialvNo. 477,742

10 Claims. (Cl. S--SB VThis invention relates tohospital equipment, and more particularly to apparatus for .transferring a patient from a hospital bed toa wheeled stretcher, Vand vice versa.

A main object of the invention is .toprovide anovel and improved patient transfer apparatus adapted to be mounted on a wheeled stretcher and arranged so that a patient may be transferred Athereby .from a hospital bed to.a stretcher or from the stretcher to the-bed with `a minimum amount of'disturbance ordiscomfort to the patient and with a hminimum amount of effort on the part of the nurse or attendant handling the patient.

Afurther object-of the inventionis to provide an improved patient transfer apparatus ywhich can be operated by a single person and which enables a patient to be transferred to and fro-m a bed in a comfortable and safe manner.

A still further object of theinventionisto provide an improved .patient transfer apparatus which is simple in construction, which is .easy to use, which is safe inoperation, and which is inexpensive .to manufacture.

Further objects and advantages of ,the invention will become apparent from the vfollowing description and claims, and 'from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

"Figure 1 is a top plan view of a hospital bed and a wheeled stretcher provided with animproved patient transfer apparatus according to the .present invention, the stretcher being varranged adjacent 4the bed in a position to transfer a `patientfrom the bed `to the stretcher.

Figure 2-is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

AFigure 3 is .an-enlarged cross-.sectional detail view taken throughone of the windlasshousings ofthe apparatus, on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Figure `5.

Figure 5 is ahorizontal cross-sectional detail view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken online 6-6 of Figure.

:Figure 7 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse Vertical cross-sectional view taken on lne'7-7 of Figure l .Figure 8 is an enlarged elevational detail view taken on line 8-8 4of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail viewtaken on line 9-9 of Figure 1. Y

Figure .10 Vis an enlarged cross-sectional detail view taken on line .l0-1) of Figure 2.

VFigure ll is an enlargedplan view, partly inhorizont'al cross-section, of a patient transfer sheet member employed in the apparatus of Figures lto l0.

Figure 12 is an enlarged, .fragmentary transverse .vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 12-12 ofFig'ure '11.

.Figure 13 is an electrical Wiring diagram showing the electrical circuit connections of the apparatus of Figures 1 'to l2.

Referring to the drawings, 14 designates a 'wheeled stretcher which comprises a lsuitable rectangular 'frame 15 `on which is supported the lusual stretcher pad 16, yas

2,733,452 Patented Feb. 7, `1,956

'2 shownn Figure 7,.said frame being provided at its corners with dependingpost elements 17 which are telescopically received in respective tubular legs I18, shown in Figure 2, said tubular legs 18 being rigidly connected, 'as by brace bars 19and 20, to form a rigid subframe. Legs I8 are provided with suitable casters 21, preferably of the type having manually operated locking means so that the casters may be at times locked to prevent undesired movement of the wheeled stretcher. Suitable elevating means for raising or lowering the upper frame relative to the subframe may be provided, as, for example, a hydraulic cylinder 22 mounted vertically 'on the subframe and having an elevating piston 23 secured to the upper frame 15. An elevating lever 24 is pivoted at 25 to a depending bracket I26 secured `to cylinder 22, said lever being connected at 27 to the lactuating plunger of the hydraulic cylinder, so that the upper frame may be elevated by suitably actuating the lever 24. Conventional manually controlled valve means, not shown, may be provided for lowering the upper frame 15 when desired.

The `above'described stretcher structure is in itself conventional -and does not form any part of the present invention. Obviously, other .equivalent types of wheeled stretcher-s may beemployed in place thereof.

`Secured in any suitable 'manner to the opposite ends of the-upperframe of the stretcher 14 are the vertical plate members 28 and 29 'which are substantiallycoextensive in .length with the frame ends and `which may project a shortdistanee above the stretcher pad 16, at-one side of the stretcher, as shown at 3d `and 31 in Figures l and 2. Secured between the upwardly projecting plate 'end portions 30 and 3'1 and extending longitudinally along one side edge of the lstretcher pad `is an elongated windlass housing 32.

Designated at 33 isa second elongated windlass `housing which is rigidly secured at its-ends to respective parallel barrnernbers 34,34. The bar members 34, 34 are adjustably secured in -a fmanner presently to be `described to respective additional bar members 35, 35. Bar members 35, 535 are -pivotally Vconnected at 36, -36 to respective upstanding lugs "37, 37 at the ends of the respective vertical plate members 2S and 29.

The bar members `34 are formed with longitudinal slots 38 through which 'extend longitudinally spaced pairs of studs 39, 39 rigidly 'secured to the respective bar members 35, 35. Wing nuts 4d are provided 'on the studs 39, whereby the :bar members 434 and 35y may 'be locked in longitudinally adjusted-relation to each othenand whereby the degree of extension of the Windlass `housing 33 from the wheeled stretcher `14 `may Ibe `adjusted in accordance with the Width of the yhospital bed with which the lapparatus is to be used.

.Adjustably :secured tothe outer side of the windlass housing 33 `are `a plurality of generally L-shaped clamping `brackets 41, Vsaid brackets being formed `with `vertical slots 42 through which extend .pairs of vertically spaced studs 43, 43 rigidly secured to the outer side wall of the windlass housing 33. Wing nuts 44 are provided on the studs 43 `as shown in Figure `8, so that the brackets 41 may be Yat times ,locked with respect to -windlass housing 33. Theend flange 45 of-each bracket 41 is preferablyat an Aangle of slightly more than ldegrees to the main body `of the 'bracket to rprovide a wedging action on the edge of 'the mattress 46 `-of -a hospital bed when lthe yapparatus is positioned for use, as will be presently described.-

.Respective outwardly projecting angle brackets 47, 47 areisecured to the nrespective verticalplate members l28 and 29 adjacent the upstanding end portions 39 and 31 thereof, said brackets 47 .serving as supports for the bar members 34, '34'whenithe apparatus is in its folded position, namely, when the windlass housing 33 is in the position thereot shown :in dotted view in Figure l`2.

Mounted on the central portion of the bottom wall 53 of windlass housing V33 isV an electric motor 48 having respective relatively small gears 49, 49 secured on the opposite ends of its shaft. Gears 49, 49 mesh with respective relatively large gears 50, 50 secured on respec tive longitudinal shafts 51, 51 journalled on upstanding brackets 52, 52 secured to bottom wall 53. Respective longitudinal shafts 54 are journalled on brackets 55, 56 in alignment with the shafts 51, 51, shafts 54 being of larger diameter than shafts 51 and being formed with end bore portions 57 receiving the adjacent ends of the shafts 51. The end portion of each shaft 54 is formed with a transverse slot 58 which may be aligned with a similar transverse slot 59 formed in the end of theassociated shaft l. A transverse coupling bar 60 is secured to a rod 6l extending slidably and axially through the associated shaft 54, as shown in Figure 3. Rod 61 extends through the end wall 62 of the housing and is provided with a handle knob 63. Thus, each shaft 54 may be uncoupled from its associated shaft 51 by moving its handle knob outwardly, for example, to the position shown in dotted view in Figure 3.

Siidably mounted on each shaft 54 and splined thereto so as to be positively rotated therewith is a reel 64 on which is wound a cable 65. The cables 65 extend between respective pairs of vertical guide rollers 66 journailed in the housing adjacent the opposite end portions of its side wall 67, and through respective apertures 68, as shown in Figure 4. Secured to the end of each cable 65 is a snap hook 69, and secured on the cable adjacent the snap hook is a block member 70.

A normally closed limit switch 71 is provided adjacent each aperture 68. Said switch may comprise a spring arm 72 secured to the inside surface of wall 67 and having a right-angled nger 73 extending through an aperture 74 in wall 67, as shown in Figure 5. Finger 73 is formed with an external lug 75 extending parallel to wall 67, said lug being formed with a slot 76 through which cable 65 passes.V Arm 72 is provided with a contact element 77 which normally engages a fixed contact element 78 secured to wall 67. The contact elements 77 and 78 are respectively suitably insulated from arm 72 and wall 67. As will be presently explained, the respective pairs of contact elements 77, 78 are connected in series with motor 48, so that the motor circuit is automatically opened when either of the block elements 70 engages the lug 75 of its associated limit switch 71.

The windlass housing 32 is similarly provided with a motor 48 coupled by respective pairs of gears 49 and 50 to shafts 51', 51', which in turn are coupled to reel shafts on which are mounted respective reels carrying respective cables 65', 65', as in the case of windlass housing 33. Respective handle knobs 63', 63' are provided on the ends of windlass housing 32, which may be extended to uncouple the reel shafts from driving shafts 51', as in Figure 3. The side wall 67 of windlass housing 32 is provided with normally closed limit switches 71', 71 having lug elements engageable by blocks 70 on the cables 65 to open said limit switches. The cables 65' are provided with snap hooks 69' similar to snap hooks 69.

The handle knobs 63, 63 and 63', 63' provide a means for at times manually uncoupling the reel shafts 54, 54 and 54', 54 from the drive shafts 51, 51 and 51', 51', and for enabling the reel shafts to be rotated independently of each other and of said drive shafts, as when it is desired to manually pull out the cables 65 or 65', or to adjust the reel shafts to equalize the cables 65, 65 or 65', 65.

Referring to Figure 13, it will be seen that the motor 48 is connected in series with limit switches 71, 71 bei tween the wires 79 and 80 of a suitable line cord 81 provided with a male double-prong plug 82. Cord 81 extends from one end of the windlass housing 33. A female socket 83 is mounted on the end portion of the plate Y j 4 member 28, said female socket being adapted to receive the plug 82. Mounted on the top wall of windlass housing 32 adjacent the upwardly projecting portion 30 are a main control switch 84 and a single pole, double-throw switch 85. Switch 85 has the stationary contacts 86 and 87. Contact 86 is connected by a wire 88 to one terminal of female socket 83. The other terminal of said socket is connected to one wire 89 of a line cord 90. The other Wire 91 of said line cord is connected through main control switch 84 to the pole of switch 85. Motor 48 is connected in series with limit switches 71', 71' between contact 87 and line wire 89.

As will be readily apparent, when the pole of switch 85 engages contact 87, motor 48' will be energized upon the closure of main switch 84. Motor 48' will operate to wind up cables 65', 65 and will become deenergized when the blocks 70 thereon engage the limit switches 71'. Similarly, the plug 82 engaged in socket 83, when the pole of switch 85 is rotated into engagement with contact 86, motor 48 will be energized to wind up cables 65, 65 and will become deenergized when the blocks 70 thereof engage the limit switches 71.

A transfer sheet 92 is provided, said sheet comprising a suitable flat framework consisting, for example, of at longitudinal relatively thin metal strips 93, 93 (see Figures ll and l2) connected at their ends by at, thin, transverse metal strips 94, 94 and being further connected by a plurality of spaced intermediate thin flat metal strips 95. Suitable padding 96 is provided around the framework and a exible cover 97 of suitable sheet material, such as plastic sheet material, canvas, or the like, surrounds the framework and padding. A rubber cushioning ring 98 is provided in the peripheral edge portion of the envelope 97 to define a soft edge around the transfer sheet. Suitable grommets 98' are provided at the corners of the transfer sheet, the overlapped welded, or otherwise connected end portions of the metal strips 93 and 94 being suitably apertured, as shown at 99, to receive said grommets.

In using the apparatus to transfer a patient, shown in dotted view at 100, from a hospital bed 101 to the wheeled stretcher 14, the stretcher is rst positioned alongside the bed and the frame 15 thereof is elevated by the hydraulic cylinder 22 until the transfer sheet 92 on the stretcher is substantially at the same level as the top surface of the mattress 46. The casters 21 are then locked to prevent movement of the stretcher. The wing nuts 40 are loosened and the arms 34 are extended with respect to the arms 35. The windlass housing 33 is then rotated from its dotted view position of Figure 2, over the bed, the windlass housing 33 being then pushed toward the stretcher after the arms 34, 35 have engaged the bed, whereby the clamp members 45 engage beneath the edge of the mattress, as shown in Figure 2, and wedgingly grip said edge, thus clamping the bed sheet to the mattress. Wing nuts 40 are then tightened to lock arms 34 and 35. The handle knobs 63 are then pulled out and the cables 65, 65 are extended from the windlass housing 33 suflicietly to allow the snap hooks 69 to be engaged with the grommets 98 of transfer sheet 92 nearest the bed. The snap hooks 69' may be engaged with the remaining grommets 98', as shown in Figure l. Plug 82 is then inserted in socket 83.

Handle knobs 63 may then be pushed back to their coupling positions after the cables 65 have been adjusted to equal tightness. The handle knobs 63' of housing 32 must then be pulled out to allow free unwinding of the cables 65' from housing 32.

Switch 85 is then set in the proper position to energize motor 48, and the main control switch 84 is then closed. Motor 48 then operates to wind up cables 65 on the reels 64, causing the transfer sheet 92 to move slowly toward the patient 100. As the transfer sheet reaches the patient, it is merely necessary to hold the patient stationary so as to allow the sheet to pass beneath arremete his body, no Ilifting or =rtiltin'gofthe p'atientis body 'being required. Y

The `envelope 97 Vof the :transfer sheet is preferably 'of relatively smooth material rto allow the -transfer-sheet'to pass beneath the `pa'tients body with minimum friction `and discomfort tolthe patient.

After the `patient lis on 'the vtransfer sheet, the vmain switch S4 may be opened, or,.alternatively, the transfer sheet may be allowed 'to travel `towardh'ousing '33 until one or both of the 'limit swtchesl71larefopened, as above described.` The handle knobs 63 of housing 33 -arethen pulled .out to uncoupling positions, land the handle knobs 63 vof 'housing 32 are pushed Vinwardlyto coupling :positions. Main switch 84 is then closed, if it has been previously opened, and switch 85 is operated to the position wherein motor 48' will be energized. The motor 48 then operates to cause cables 69' to be wound up on their reels, pulling the transfer sheet and the patient onto the stretcher. When the transfer sheet reaches its final position on the stretcher, the limit switches 71', 71 open and deenergize motor 48.

Snap hooks 69 are then disconnected from the transfer sheets, and cables 65 are wound up on their reels, as by pushing the handle knobs 63 into their coupling positions and energizing motor 48 by means of switch 85. Wing nuts 40 may then be loosened to allow housing 33 to be disengaged from the edge of the mattress 46 and to allow the housing 33 to be returned to its initial position, shown in dotted view in Figure 2.

The patient may then be transferred to the desired location on the wheeled stretcher. The patient may be transferred from the stretcher to a hospital bed by following a procedure similar to that above described, in which case the transfer sheet may be left on the hospital bed if it is not desired to unduly disturb the patient.

The windlass housings may be made of suitable sound insulating material, or may be internally padded or otherwise insulated to reduce mechanical noise to a minimum. The motors 4S and 48 are preferably shock-mounted, or otherwise suitably cushioned to prevent excessive noise therefrom.

While a specific embodiment of an improved patient transfer apparatus has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it Will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a patient transfer device, a stretcher adapted to receive a transfer sheet, support means pivoted to opposite end portions of said stretcher for rotation in vertical planes transverse to the stretcher, a longitudinal reel shaft journalled to said support means and being spaced a substantial distance from the pivotal connection thereof, cable reel means mounted on said reel shaft, and a pair of cables wound on said cable reel means, said cables being arranged for connection to the transfer sheet, whereby rotation of said reel shaft will cause the transfer sheet to be moved transverse to the stretcher toward said reel shaft.

2. In a patient transfer device, a stretcher, a transfer sheet movably disposed on said stretcher, support means pivoted to opposite end portions of said stretcher for rotation in vertical planes transverse to the stretcher, a longitudinal reel shaft journalled to said support means and being spaced a substantial distance from the pivotal connection thereof, means for at times securing said reel shaft in an extended position substantially horizontally aligned with said transfer sheet, cable reel means mounted on said reel shaft, and a pair of cables wound on said cable reel means, said cables being arranged for connection to the transfer sheet, whereby rotation of said reel shaft will cause the transfer sheet to be moved transverse to the stretcher toward said reel shaft.

"3. 11n a Apatient transfer "device, a stretcher, a rtransfer sheet movably disposed on said stretchergsupport means pivoted ito oppositeend portions-of said stretcher for Yro- 'tation inverti'cal planes ftransvers Ito :the stretcher, a longitudinal reel shaft ijourn'alle'd to said xsupport means "and lbeing spaced a substantial fdistancefrom the pivotalconnection "thereof, means for at *times securing 'said :reel shaft in an extended nposition `substantially V'horizontally alignedwith said vtransfer sheet, cable reelmeans lmounted on said Areel shaft, a-pa'ir o'f Acables -wound onsa'id cable ireel means, said 4cables being arranged "for connection 'to fthe transfer sheet, and amotor mounted onsaid 'support means 4`andV being -divingly v'connected to -said `reel ishaft =to rotate :said "shaft, 4whereby rotation lo'f said reel shaft will {cause -the `transfer sheet to be Amoved transverse to the ystretcher ttoward :said reel shaft.

4. In a patient transfer device, a stretcher adapted to receive a transfer sheet, support means pivoted to opposite end portions of said stretcher for rotation in vertical planes transverse to the stretcher, a longitudinal reel shaft journalled to said support means and being spaced a substantial distance from the pivotal connection thereof, cable reel means mounted on said reel shaft, a pair of cables wound on said cable reel means, said cables being arranged for connection to the transfer sheet, whereby rotation of said reel shaft will cause the transfer sheet to be moved transverse to the stretcher toward said reel shaft, a second reel shaft journalled to the stretcher parallel to said first-named reel shaft, second cable reel means mounted on said second reel shaft, and a pair of cables on said second reel means arranged for connection at times to the transfer sheet.

5. In a patient transfer device, a stretcher, a transfer sheet movably disposed on said stretcher,support means pivoted to opposite end portions of said strecther for rotation in vertical planes transverse to the stretcher, a longitudinal reel shaft journalled to said support means and being spaced a substantial distance from the pivotal connection thereof, means for at times securing said reel shaft in an extended position substantially horizontally aligned with said transfer sheet, cable reel means mounted on said reel shaft, a pair of cables wound on said cable reel means, said cables being arranged for connection to the transfer sheet, a motor mounted on said support means and being drivingly connected to said reel shaft to rotate said shaft, whereby rotation of said reel shaft will cause the transfer sheet to be moved transverse to the stretcher toward said reel shaft, a second reel shaft journalled to the stretcher parallel to said firstnamed reel shaft, second cable reel means mounted on said second reel shaft, a pair of cables on said second reel means arranged for connection at times to the transfer sheet, and a second motor mounted on said stretcher and being drivingly connected to said second reel shaft.

6. In a patient transfer device, a stretcher adapted to receive a transfer sheet, support means pivoted to opposite end portions of said stretcher at one side of said stretcher for rotation in vertical planes transverse to the stretcher, a longitudinal reel shaft journalled to said support means and being spaced a substantial distance from the pivotal connection thereof, cable reel means mounted on said reel shaft, a pair of cables wound on said cable reel means, said cables being arranged for connection to the transfer sheet, whereby rotation of said reel shaft will cause the transfer sheet to be moved transverse to the stretcher toward said reel shaft, a second reel shaftV journalled to the other side of the stretcher parallel to said first reel shaft, second cable reel means mounted on said second reel shaft, and a pair of cables on said second reel means arranged for connection at times to the transfer sheet.

7. The structure of claim 6, and clamp elements carried by said support means adjacent said first-named reel shaft and being arranged to grippingly engage a portion of a hospital bed beneath said first-named reel shaft when Vthe irst-named heel shaft is in an extended position with respect to the stretcher.

8. In a hospital stretcher, first windlass means mounted at one longitudinal side of the stretcher, support means pivoted to the other side of the stretcher for rotation transverse to said stretcher, and second windlass means carried by said support means and being located in outwardly spaced relation to said stretcher when said support means is rotated outwardly, said support means being arranged to allow said second windlass means to be rotated over a patient to a position on the side of said patient opposite said stretcher when the stretcher is disposed adjacent a hospital bed occupied by the patient.

9. The structure of claim 8, and means on said second windlass means engageable with a portion of the bed to secure said second windlass means in said position.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,565,761 Dean Aug. 28, 1951 2,630,583 Gilleland Mar. 10, 1953 `2,665,432 Butler Jan. 12, 1954

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