Apparatus with transfer board
An apparatus for transferring to a commode or other seat is provided. Through the use of a transfer board that is both easily moveable between a storage position and in use position and readily stabilized, a user may independently, or with the assistance of a caregiver, be able to access a commode or other seat from a bed or wheelchair that is powered or manual and that is with or without an elevating seat or other position.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
(a) a base, wherein the base comprises a seat and a slot, wherein the seat has an upper surface and the upper surface of the seat has an outer edge;
(b) a transfer board, wherein the transfer board has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is proximate to the outer edge of the seat, and the transfer board is capable of being moved between an in use position and a storage position by rotating the transfer board relative to the upper surface of the seat around a horizontal axis at or near the first end of the transfer board; and
(c) a cord or rope, wherein the cord or rope is threaded through the slot, wherein the cord or rope tethers the transfer board to the base at or near the first end of the transfer board and the transfer board is tethered to the base in both the in use position and the storage position through the cord or rope.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to allow for at least one of: (i) the transfer board to be held in place at a plurality of angles relative to the outer edge of the seat; (ii) the transfer board to move laterally around a portion of the outer edge of the seat; and (iii) the transfer board to be held in place at a plurality of locations around the portion of the outer edge of the seat.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seat is capable of moving between a plurality of heights relative to a floor.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the slot comprises an opening, wherein the opening is curved and the cord or rope is threaded through the opening in the slot.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a spring embedded cylinder, wherein the spring embedded cylinder is attached to the cord or rope.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seat is a toilet seat.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the seat is part of a commode.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the commode is height adjustable.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base is part of a wheelchair.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of wheels.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the wheels to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein in the engaged position, the wheels contact a floor and in the disengaged position, the wheels do not contact the floor.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of floor stabilizers.
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the floor stabilizers to move between a first position and a second position.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein when in the second position, the floor stabilizers contact the floor and when in the first position, the floor stabilizers do not contact the floor.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein when the floor stabilizers are in the second position, the wheels are in the disengaged position.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein when the floor stabilizers are in the first position, the wheels are in the engaged position.
18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the base is capable of moving from a first height to a second height, wherein when the base is at the first height, the wheels are in an engaged position, and when the base is at the second height, the wheels are in a disengaged position.
19 . The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising an autoswitch, wherein the autoswitch causes the wheels to cease being engaged and capable of moving the apparatus a fixed amount of time after the autoswitch is activated.