WO2014016798A1

WO2014016798A1 - A transfer apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014016798A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/056109
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andries Retief
Original assignee: RETIEF Macha Georgene
Current assignee: RETIEF Macha Georgene
Priority date: 2012-07-26
Filing date: 2013-07-25
Publication date: 2014-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2015-01-26
Also published as: ZA201501312B

Description

A TRANSFER APPARATUS

THIS INVENTION relates to a transfer apparatus. In particular to a person transfer apparatus, a person transfer kit and to a method for transferring a person to an aircraft seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Paraplegics and other lower body disabled/frail persons often find it difficult to move from their wheelchairs to permanent seats and vice versa. This is especially a problem during public transport, for instance aircraft, busses, trains and the like. Currently when these persons travel by airplane, the person is manually transferred from his/her personal wheelchair to an aisle chair (a wheelchair adapted to fit through the narrow passages in an airplane). The person is then pushed along the aisle to his/her permanent seat. The person is then manually transferred from the aisle chair into the permanent seat. Transferring a person can require a lot of strength from airplane personnel who need to move the person in and out of the various seats. The current transferring process poses many risks of injuries both to the person as well as the airplane personnel. Further it can be very uncomfortable and degrading for the person being transferred. The inventor identified a need for a transfer device, which is tailored to fit through the narrow aisles of public transport carriers and which substantially automates the transferring process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly according to the invention there is provided a transfer apparatus which includes

an undercarriage defined by a base member having wheels for supporting the transfer apparatus on a support surface and for moving the transfer apparatus on the support surface; and

person support means laterally transferable on the undercarriage, for laterally transferring a person to and from a seating place. The transfer apparatus may have a width dimensioned to pass down an aisle of an aircraft or other transport vehicle.

The undercarriage may include an upright extending operatively upwardly from the base member. The person support means may be connected to the upright.

The undercarriage may include a seating arrangement, in use, on which a person may be seated. The seating arrangement may include handles for manually pushing the transfer apparatus on the support surface.

The wheels of the base member may be in the form of casters or the like. The wheels may be lockable to prevent the transfer apparatus from moving during lateral transfer of a person. The undercarriage may include lateral supports for stabilizing the undercarriage during lateral transfer of the person support means. The lateral supports may be in the form of at least one strut attached to the base member. The strut may be movable between a stowed condition in which it is retracted onto the base member and a deployed condition in which it extends laterally from either side of the base member. In one embodiment of the lateral supports the strut may be foldable. Alternatively the strut may be slidable.

In one embodiment the transfer apparatus may include an overhead lifting mechanism mounted on the upright.

The overhead lifting mechanism may be defined by a substantially horizontal working arm hingedly attached to the upright. In this embodiment the person support means may be attached to the working arm and the person support means may be connected the upright through the working arm.

The horizontal working arm may be telescopic. A worm drive or the like may be attached to the working arm in order to extend or retract the working arm.

In this embodiment the person support means may include a downwardly depending person support strut. The person support strut may be attached to the horizontal working arm by means of a swivel connector to permit articulation of the person support strut.

In this embodiment the person support means may further include any one or more of at least one arm support, a sling, at least one leg strap and the like.

The person support means may depend from the overhead lifting mechanism. The arm support may extend horizontally from the person support strut. The arm support may be shaped and dimensioned to provide underarm support to a person. The at least one leg strap may support a person's legs and may include attachment means for attaching to the horizontally extending arm support. In use the at least one leg strap may loop around a person's legs and be attached to the arm support.

The transfer apparatus may include jacking means integral with any one of the undercarriage and the overhead lifting mechanism for lifting or lowering the person support means. The jacking means may include any one of a hydraulic jack, a pneumatic jack, an electrical actuator or the like.

Particularly the jacking means may be in the form of a hydraulic cylinder disposed between the upright and the horizontal working arm to define a lever of the third order. The jacking means may be operable to lift or lower the person support means.

The jacking means may include a jacking actuator. The jacking actuator may be in the form of a hand lever, remote control or the like. The upright may include rotational means to permit rotation of the person support means on the undercarriage.

The rotational means may include a rotational actuator. In one embodiment, the rotational actuator may include a generally horizontal input drive shaft. The input drive shaft may include a first gear formation. The first gear formation of the input shaft may be a bevel gear formation. The rotational means may also include a generally vertical output drive shaft, having a second gear formation. The second gear formation may be a gear formation meshed with the first gear formation. The gear formation of the output drive shaft may be a second bevel gear formation. The rotational actuator may be in the form of a worm drive, with the first gear formation in the form of a worm and the second gear formation in the form of a worm wheel. The outer end of the input drive shaft may include a crank within easy reach of an operator of the apparatus for turning the input drive shaft. Alternatively the input drive shaft end may be shaped and dimensioned to locate a motor for turning the input drive shaft. The motor may include actuating means in the form of a remote control, switch or the like.

In use the crank or motor may rotate the input drive shaft and the rotational torque may be transferred to the output drive shaft and a turntable to rotate the upright on the undercarriage. In another embodiment of the transfer apparatus the person support means may include a support platform on which the person can be seated.

In this embodiment the undercarriage may include support structures for supporting the support platform. The support structures may be in the form of slideable rails, arranged to slide coplanar with the support surface. The rails may be telescopic to extend beyond the sides of the seating arrangement. The transfer apparatus may be collapsible to allow for easy storage of the transfer apparatus when not in use.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of transferring a person into a airplane seat, which method includes loading a person onto a seating arrangement of a transfer apparatus; moving the loaded transfer apparatus to a position proximate an vehicle seat; positioning lateral supports to retain the centre of gravity of the loaded transfer apparatus in a stable state during operation;

mechanically transfer the seating arrangement towards an intended vehicle seat; and

transferring the person from the seating arrangement onto the intended vehicle seat.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a person transfer kit, which includes

an aisle chair having an undercarriage defined by a base member having wheels for supporting the aircraft boarding chair on a support surface and for moving the aisle chair on the support surface; and

an overhead lifting mechanism having person support means which is laterally transferable, the overhead lifting mechanism being reversibly attachable to the aisle chair.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the following drawing(s): DRAWING(S)

In the drawing(s):

Figure 1 shows a side view of the transfer apparatus in use. Figure 2 shows a top view of the transfer apparatus in use in an aircraft before transfer.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the transfer apparatus in use in an aircraft, after transfer. EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In Figure 1 reference numeral 10 refers to a transfer apparatus in use, which includes an undercarriage 12 defined by a base member 14 and an upright 16 extending operatively upwardly from the base member 14. The transfer apparatus 10 further includes person support means 18 connected to the upright 16, the person support means 18 is laterally transferable on the undercarriage 12. The width of the transfer apparatus 10 is sufficiently narrow to pass down an aisle of an aircraft.

The base member 14 includes wheels 20 for supporting the base member 14 on a support surface and for moving the transfer apparatus 10. The wheels 20 are in the form of casters. The undercarriage 12 includes a seating arrangement, in use on which a person is seated.

The transfer apparatus 10 includes a lateral support 22 for stabilizing the undercarriage 12 during lateral transfer of the person support means 18. The lateral support 22 is in the form of a strut attached to the base member 14. The strut is movable between a stowed condition (as shown in Figure 2) in which it is retracted onto the base member 14 and a deployed condition (as shown in Figure 3) in which it extends laterally from the side of the base member 14. In this example the lateral support 22 is foldable. The lateral support 22 is movable so that it can be positioned to retain the centre of gravity of the transfer apparatus, during use and in particular if the weight of the person is laterally transferred.

In this example of the transfer apparatus 10, the transfer apparatus 10 includes an overhead lifting mechanism 24 mounted on the upright 16. The overhead lifting mechanism 24 is defined by a substantially horizontal working arm 26 attached through a hinge 30 to the upright 16.

A worm drive 28 is attached to the working arm 26 in order to extend or retract the working arm 26 in a telescopic fashion.

The person support means 18 is attached to the working arm 26 and connected to the upright 16 through the working arm 26. In this example the person support means 18 includes a downwardly depending person support strut 32. The person support strut 32 is attached to the horizontal working arm 26 by means of a swivel connector 34 to permit articulation of the person support strut 32.

The person support means 18 depend from the overhead lifting mechanism 24. In this example the person support means 18 further includes arm supports 36 and a leg strap 38. The arm supports 36 extends horizontally from the person support strut 32 and is shaped and dimensioned to provide underarm support to a person. The leg strap 38 supports a person's legs and includes attachment means for attaching to the horizontally extending arm supports 36. As seen in Figure 1 , during use the leg strap 38 is looped around a person's legs and attached to the arm supports 36.

In this example the transfer apparatus 10 includes jacking means 40 in the form of a hydraulic cylinder disposed between the upright 16 and the horizontal working arm 26 to define a lever of the third order. The jacking means 40 is operable to lift or lower the person support means 18. The jacking means 40 includes a jacking actuator in the form of a hand lever 42.

In this example the upright 16 includes rotational means 44 to permit rotation of the person support means 18 on the undercarriage 12. The rotational means 44 is disposed in the upright 16 to permit rotation of the person support means 18.

In use, a person is transferred into an airplane seat by loading a person onto a seating arrangement of a transfer apparatus 10 and moving the loaded transfer apparatus 10 to a position proximate a vehicle seat. As seen in Figure 2 the lateral support 22 is retracted onto the base member 14 when the transfer apparatus 10 is moved. The lateral support 22 is then positioned to retain the centre of gravity of the loaded transfer apparatus 10 in a stable state during operation. As seen in Figure 3 the lateral support 22 extends laterally from the side of the base member 14. The person is then mechanically transferred from the seating arrangement towards an intended vehicle seat and as seen in Figure 3 onto the intended vehicle seat. The inventor believes that the invention provides a new person transfer device, which is tailored to fit through the narrow aisles of public transport carriers and which substantially automates the transfer of a person in and out of a seat.

Claims

1 . A transfer apparatus, which includes

person support means laterally transferable on the undercarriage, for laterally transferring a person to and from a seating place.

2. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the width of the transfer apparatus is dimensioned to pass down an aisle of an aircraft.

3. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the undercarriage includes an upright extending operatively upwardly from the base member.

4. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the person support means is connected to the upright.

5. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the undercarriage includes a seating arrangement, in use, on which a person is seated.

6. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the seating arrangement includes handles for manually moving the transfer apparatus on the support surface.

7. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the wheels are in the form of lockable castor wheels.

8. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the undercarriage includes lateral supports for stabilizing the undercarriage during lateral transfer of the person support means.

9. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which the lateral supports are in the form of at least one strut attached to the base member.

10. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which the at least one strut is movable between a stowed condition in which it is retracted onto the base member and a deployed condition in which it extends laterally from either side of the base member.

1 1 . A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the at least one strut is foldable.

12. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the at least one strut is slidable.

13. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the transfer apparatus includes an overhead lifting mechanism mounted on the upright.

14. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in which the overhead lifting mechanism is defined by a substantially horizontal working arm hingedly attached to the upright.

15. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 14, in which the person support means is attached to the working arm and the person support means is connected to the upright through the working arm.

16. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 14, in which the working arm is telescopic.

17. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 14, in which the working arm includes a worm drive attached to the working arm in order to extend or retract the working arm.

18. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the person support means includes a downwardly depending person support strut.

19. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 18, in which the person support strut is attached to the horizontal working arm by means of a swivel connector to permit articulation of the person support strut.

20. A transfer apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 and 18, in which the person support means include any one or more of at least one arm support, a sling and at least one leg strap.

21 . A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in which the person support means depends from the overhead lifting mechanism.

22. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 20, in which the at least one arm support extends horizontally from the person support strut.

23. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 20, in which the at least one arm support is shaped and dimensioned to provide underarm support to a person.

24. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 20, in which the at least one leg strap, in use, supports a person's legs and includes attachment means for attaching to the arm support.

25. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the transfer apparatus includes jacking means integral with the undercarriage to lift or lower the person support means.

26. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the transfer apparatus includes jacking means integral with the overhead lifting mechanism, to lift or lower the person support means.

27. A transfer apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 25 and 26, in which the jacking means includes any one of a hydraulic jack, a pneumatic jack and an electrical actuator.

28. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 26, in which the jacking means integral with the overhead lifting mechanism, is in the form of a hydraulic cylinder disposed between the upright and the horizontal working arm to define a lever of the third order.

29. A transfer apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 25 and 26, in which the jacking means includes a jacking actuator.

30. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 29, in which the jacking actuator is in the form of any one of a hand lever and a remote control.

31 . A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the upright includes rotational means to permit rotation of the person support means on the undercarriage.

32. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 31 , in which the rotational means includes a rotational actuator.

33. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 32, in which the rotational actuator includes a generally horizontal input drive shaft having a first gear formation and a generally vertical output drive shaft, having a second gear formation.

34. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 33, in which the second gear formation is a gear formation meshed with the first gear formation.

35. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 34, in which the first gear formation of the input drive shaft is a bevel gear formation and the gear formation of the output drive shaft is a second bevel gear formation.

36. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 34, in which the rotational actuator is in the form of a worm drive and the first gear formation is in the form of a worm and the second gear formation is in the form of a worm wheel.

37. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 33, in which an outer end of the input drive shaft includes a crank within easy reach of an operator of the apparatus for turning the input drive shaft, and rotational torque is transferred to the output drive shaft and a turntable to rotate the upright on the undercarriage.

38. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 33, in which the input drive shaft end is shaped and dimensioned to locate a motor for turning the input drive shaft, and rotational torque is transferred to the output drive shaft and a turntable to rotate the upright on the undercarriage.

39. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 38, in which the motor includes actuating means in the form of any one of a remote control and a switch.

40. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the person support means includes a support platform on which a person can be seated.

41 . A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 40, in which the undercarriage includes support structures for supporting the support platform.

42. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 41 , in which the support structures is in the form of slideable rails, arranged to slide coplanar with the support surface.

43. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 42, in which the rails are telescopic to extend beyond the sides of the undercarriage.

44. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the transfer apparatus is collapsible, to allow for easy storage of the transfer apparatus when not in use.

45. A method of transferring a person into an airplane seat, which includes

loading a person onto person support means of a transfer apparatus to provide a loaded transfer apparatus;

moving the loaded transfer apparatus to a position proximate a vehicle seat;

positioning lateral supports to retain the centre of gravity of the loaded transfer apparatus in a stable state during operation;

mechanically transfer the person support means towards an intended vehicle seat; and

transferring the person from the person support means onto the intended vehicle seat.

46. A person transfer kit, which includes

47. A transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as herein described and illustrated.

48. A method of transferring a person into an airplane seat as claimed in claim 44, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

49. A person transfer kit as claimed in claim 46, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

50. A new transfer apparatus, a new method of transferring a person into an airplane seat and a new person transfer kit, substantially as herein described.