Bed transfer assist method and apparatus

• US 20040049855A1
• Filed: 09/13/2002
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas Leoutsakos
• Original Assignee: Thomas Leoutsakos
• Inventors: Leoutsakos, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 6,813,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/662
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/02 Parts or details of bedsteads not fully covered in a single one of the following subgroups, e.g. bed rails, post rails
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 21/08 Devices for prevention against falling-out, e.g. detachable sidewalls for children's beds A47D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/053 Aids for getting into, or out of, bed, e.g. steps, chairs, cane-like supports

Abstract

Method and apparatus for assisting transfer into and out of a bed by a handle for engagement by a person seeking to transfer into or out of a bed, with the handle positioned aside the bed, and accompanied by a member for counteracting torque exerted by the handle when a person is seeking to transfer into or out of a bed; the torque is counteracted by an elongated member associated at a right angle with respect to the handle and an elongated tube for positioning the handle under a mattress.

Claims

1. Apparatus for assisting transfer into and out of a bed, comprising:

a handle for engagement by a person seeking to transfer into or out of a bed;

means for positioning said handle aside said bed; and

means for counter acting torque exerted by said handle when a person is seeking to transfer into or out of a bed

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the positioning means comprises means positioned under a component of said bed

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said positioning means comprises an elongated tubular member

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said elongated tubular member is attached to said handle.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the counteracting means comprises an elongated member associated with said handle and the positioning means.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the counteracting means is positioned at a right angle to said elongated tubular member

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said counteracting means is an elongated bar that is slidably inserted through an aperture of the combination of said handle and said positioning means.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle comprises a tubular member that extends from a first positioning means to a second positioning means.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said first positioning means is an elongated tubular member and said second positioning means is an elongated tubular member.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said handle is asymmetric and reversible with respect to said first and second positioning means.

11. A method for assisting transfer into and out of a bed, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a handle for engagement by a person seeking to transfer into or out of a bed,

(b) positioning said handle aside said bed and attaching said handle to means for securing said handle with respect to said bed, and

(c) counteracting torque exerted by said handle when a person is seeking to transfer into or out of a bed

12. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the step of positioning and attaching said handle comprises positioning the attaching means under a component of said bed.

13. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the step of positioning comprises positioning an elongated tubular member under a component of said bed

14. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the step of attaching said handle to the securing means comprises removably attaching said handle to said securing means.

15. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the step of counteracting torque comprises inserting an elongated member with respect to said handle and the positioning means.

16. The method as defined in claim 15 further including the step of positioning the counteracting means at a right angle to said elongated member.

17. The method as defined in claim 16 further including the step of slidably inserting said counteracting means through an aperture of the combination of said handle and said positioning means.

18. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the step of counteracting torque comprises providing a tubular member that extends from a first positioning means to a second positioning means.

19. The method as defined in claim 18 wherein the step of securing comprises providing said first positioning means as an elongated tubular member and said second positioning means as an elongated tubular member.

20. The method as defined in claim 19 wherein the step of providing said handle comprises providing an asymmetric and reversible member with respect to said first and second positioning means.