Spring retractable transfer belt apparatus
View Patent ↗A transfer belt for assisting in moving patients includes a transfer belt, a mechanism to retract the belt into a compact unit and a mechanism to fix the belt in a fixed loop around a patient at the size desired.
1. A retractable transfer belt comprising:
an elongated belt having a free end and a fixed end;
a spool about which said belt is wound with said fixed end being secured to said spool;
a casing in which said spool is held such that the spool may rotate, said casing further including an opening through which said belt exits the casing;
a spring mechanism inside said casing coupled to said spool to cause said belt to be retracted into said casing onto said spool; and
a loop securing mechanism for securing an extended belt into a loop, wherein said loop securing mechanism includes a plurality of belt openings and said free end of said belt includes a member that may pass through and be secured to a belt opening.
2. A transfer belt apparatus comprising:
an elongated belt having a free end and a fixed end, said fixed end being securable to a spool inside a casing, said casing further including a spring mechanism which is coupled to said spool for retracting said belt about said spool, the free end of said belt including a mechanism for securing the belt into a loop of a selected size, wherein said belt includes a plurality of spaced openings and said free end of said belt securing mechanism includes a device for passing through one of said spaced openings to form a securely closed loop.
3. The transfer belt apparatus of claim 2 wherein said belt free end includes a t-bar connector which may be threaded through a belt opening to provide a secured loop.
4. The transfer belt apparatus of claim 3 characterized in that said casing includes a clip for securing said apparatus to a belt or other clothing item for storage when not being used.