GB2474690A

GB2474690A - A board for transferring a person with a sliding seat

Info

Publication number: GB2474690A
Application number: GB0918620A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Edmund Talbot Garman; Austin William Groves
Original assignee: Mangar International Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Mangar International Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-23
Filing date: 2009-10-23
Publication date: 2011-04-27
Also published as: GB0918620D0

Abstract

A support apparatus for transferring a patient comprising a board 12 and a pad 14 wherein the board 12 and pad 14 have corresponding formations which allow the pad 14 to slide over the board in a constrained range of directions. This may be achieved by having a projection 26 on the underside of the pad 14 which moves within a groove or channel 24 on the board 12. The pad 14 may also be arranged so it can rotate. The channel or groove 24 may have an open end to allow the pad 14 to be removed and it may widen at the ends of the board. They may also be means to open and close the channel end such as a latch. There may also be means to raise and lower the ends of the board 12.

Description

Support Apparatus The present invention relates to apparatus for supporting a user, the apparatus having a support member on which a user may slide. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to transfer apparatus such as transfer boards.

It is known to provide transfer boards to assist people with limited mobility in transferring from one surface to another. Wheelchair users, for example, often use a transfer board when transferring into and out of a wheelchair. Transfer boards are popular because they are simple to use, portable and are produced in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit different applications and loads.

Transfer boards are designed to be positioned across a gap between two surfaces to form a substantially rigid support member across which a user can slide. To improve portability, foldable transfer boards have been developed which have two or more pivotally connected portions. However, once deployed for use, foldable transfer boards also form a substantially rigid support member.

To make it easier for a user to slide across them, transfer boards are typically made from or coated with materials to provide a slippery upper surface. However, if the surface of the board is made too slippery there is a risk that a user might slip off the board in the process of transferring. In an attempt to overcome this disadvantage, transfer boards have been produced which have a rigid seat mounted for movement along a slot in the board. The seat has a non-slip upper surface so that a user is less likely to slide off, whilst the seat is mounted to the board so that it can move along the board with ease. Although this arrangement can be effective in certain circumstances, users can find it difficult to get on and off the seat. Furthermore, boards of this nature are expensive to manufacture and are not suitable for all applications. The increase in weight and overall thickness of the board and seat combination also makes this arrangement less easily portable than conventional transfer boards..

In addition to transfer boards, there are other types of apparatus for --assisting people with limited mobility that incorporate a support member across which a user slides. These include bath boards which can be positioned across the top of a bath so that a user can sit on the board whilst they shower or wash.

When entering or leaving the bath, the user will often slide along the board to or from the middle of the bath. As with transfer boards, a slippery upper surface makes it easier for the user to slide but carries the risk that the user may inadvertently slip off, particularly when the surface is wet.

Another form of apparatus which incorporates a support member for a user to slide over is a transfer device for assisting a person getting into bed of the type described in the applicant's co-pending patent application, Ref: SJC/SE13/P/85879.GB/B. This device includes a seat with a back rest and a lower leg lifting member for moving a user's lower legs to an elevated position.

* .. The device is positioned next to a user's bed and once a user is sat in the seat, the lower leg lifting member is used to raise their legs. The seat is then raised * to a height which is just above the bed and tilted so that a user slides sideways off the seat and across a side panel on to the bed. Once again, the provision of a slippery surface on the seat, the side panel and the lower leg lifting member can aid the user in sliding onto the bed. However, there is a risk that a user might inadvertently slip forwards on the seat, particularly if the back rest is inclined backwards.

There is a need then for an improved apparatus having a support member for a user to slide across which overcomes or at least mitigates, the drawbacks of the known apparatus There is also a need for an improved transfer board arrangement which overcomes, or at least mitigates, the drawbacks of the known transfer board arrangements.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus comprising a support -member -and -a removable slide pad for ----positioning on an upper surface of the support member for sliding movement over the support member, the support member and the slide pad having corresponding formations which co-operate when the pad is placed on the support member to constrain the direction in which the pad can slide over the support member.

The support member may have at least one guide surface against which a corresponding formation on the slide pad abuts to constrain the direction in which the pad can slide over the support member.

The support member may have a single guide surface on its upper surface which may be formed by means of a ridge.

The corresponding formation on the slide pad may comprise an edge of the pad which abuts the guide surface.

In an alternative embodiment, the slide pad has a main body portion with a lower surface for contact with an upper surface of the support member and at least one projection on the underside of the main body portion which 4, abuts the at least one guide surface to constrain the direction in which the slide pad can slide along the support member.

The at least one projection may be relatively rigid in comparison to the main body portion. The main body portion may be flexible.

Where there is only one projection, it may be positioned substantially centrally. The slide pad may be able to rotate freely on the support member.

The main body portion may be substantially planar.

The slide pad may comprise a central boss and an outer flange portion surrounding the boss, the flange being relatively flexible in comparison with the central boss.

The support member may have a pair of opposed guide surfaces, the at least one projection being located between the opposed guide surfaces to constrain the direction in which the slide pad can slide across the support member.

The opposed guide surfaces may comprise opposed sides walls of a groove or slot in the support member, The groove or slot may have at least one open end at an edge of the support member configured such that, in use, the at least one projection can exit the groove or slot through the open end. The groove or slot may widen as it approaches the edge of the support member to form an enlarged mouth at the open end. The support member may be tapered so that it is thinner at its edge where the open end of the groove or slot is located than in a central region of the support member. The support member may have means for selectively opening or closing off an end of the groove or slot. The support member may have a main body portion and a sliding latch at one edge, the latch being selectively movable between a first position in which an open end portion of the groove or slot formed in the sliding latch aligns with a further portion of the groove or slot in the main body portion and a second position in which the latch closes off the groove or slot in the main body portion.

The support member may have a plurality of slots or grooves and the slide pad may have more than one projection, each projection locating in one of the grooves or slots.

In a further alternative embodiment, the support member and the slide pad have corresponding grooves and ridges which inter-engage when the pad is placed on the support member so that the pad is constrained to slide along the support member in the direction in which the grooves and ridges are aligned.

In a yet further alternative embodiment, the support member has a rail member extending along its upper surface and the slide pad may have a groove in a lower surface in which the rail is received to control the direction in which the slide pad is able to slide Over the support member.

The slide pad may have an upper surface for a user to sit on and a lower ---surface for-contact the support member, the lower surface of the slide pad being -more slippery than the upper surface.

The upper surface of the slide pad may be made from, coated or covered with a first material and the lower surface may be made from, coated or covered with a second material, the second material being more slippery than the first material.

The slide pad may be made from plastics materials.

The slide pad may comprise a core and an outer covering surrounding the core. The core may be made of plastic materials. The core may comprise a central boss and an outer flange portion surrounding the boss, the flange being relatively flexible in comparison with the central boss. The outer covering may comprise two different materials, a first material covering an upper portion of the core and a second material covering a lower portion of the core, the second material being more slippery than the first material.

The slide pad may comprise a lower portion for contact with the support member and an upper portion rotatably mounted to the lower portion on which the user sits.

The apparatus may comprise an actuator for selectively raising an end of the support member. The actuator may be a pneumatic actuator.

The support member may be a bath board.

The support member may be a transfer board.

The support member may be part of a transfer apparatus. The support member may be a seat forming part of the transfer apparatus.

The slide pad may be a seat pad on which a user sits.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a transfer board having an upper surface on which a user may slide, the transfer board comprising an actuator for selectively raising and lowering an end or ---edge of the board. The actuator may be a pneiimatic actuator. -----Several embodiments of the invention in both its aspects will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a transfer board arrangement in accordance with of a first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view through part of the transfer board arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial view of a section of a support member forming part of an apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the invention; Figures 4 to 6 are cross sectional views through a slide pad and support member forming part of an apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the invention illustrating alternative arrangements for locating a slide pad on a support surface; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a seat and a slide pad forming part of an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; Figure 8 is a cross sectional view through part of the seat and slide pad of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 8 but illustrating an alternative slide pad construction; Figures 10 and 11 are cross sectional views through a slide pad and support member forming part of an apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the invention illustrating further alternative arrangements for locating the slide pad on the support surface; Figure 12 is a cross sectional view through a slide pad and support member lurming part of an apparatus in accordance with a fist aspect of the invention illustrating a yet further alternative arrangement for locating the slide pad on the support surface; ----Figure 13 is a partial perspective view of the slide pad and support member of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a perspective view in partial cross section of a slide pad and support member forming part of an apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, illustrating an arrangement for returning the slide pad to an initial position after use; Figure 15 is a partial perspective view of a further embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 16 is a perspective view of a transfer board in accordance with both the first and the second aspects of the invention; Figure 17 is a perspective view of a further embodiment ofa transfer board in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; and, Figure 18 is a perspective view of a yet further embodiment of a transfer board in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

The same reference numerals but increased by one hundred in each case 0: 20 will be used to identify the same or similar features or features which perform 0 the same function in the various embodiments described below.

Figures 1 and 2 show a support apparatus, indicated generally at 10, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention. The apparatus 10 includes a support member 12 in the form of a transfer board and a seat or slide pad 14.

The transfer board 12 is a generally planar support member which is configured to be positioned across the gap between two surfaces so that a user can transfer from one of the surfaces to the other by sliding along the board from end to end. The board can be made of any suitable material and is sufficiently rigid as to be able to support the weight of a user during the transfer process. The transfer board 12 can be manuficiured from w)U, Thie glass or plastics materials, for example, and can be made in any suitable size ----and shape. -----The seat pad 14 comprises a flexible main body portion 16 which rests on the upper surface 18 of the transfer board. The upper surface 18 of the support member and the underside 20 of the main body portion are made of, coated or covered with materials which are relatively slippery and which have a low coefficient of friction so that the seat pad 14 is able to slide across the transfer board 12 with ease. In use, a user sits on the seat pad when it is in position of the transfer board 12 to make it easier for the user to slide along the board. The upper surface 22 of the seat pad may be made from, coated or covered with a material which is relatively non-slip to reduce the chances of a user sliding off the seat pad 14 whilst transferring from one surface to another.

References to the main body portion 16 of the seat pad 14 being flexible should be understood as meaning that the main body portion would be incapable of supporting the weight of a user without being placed on a rigid support member. In some cases, the main body portion may be sufficiently flexible that it can be folded for ease of use in positioning under a user and for transport or storage.

Suitable materials for use in manufacturing, coating or covering the upper surface of the support member and/or the lower surface of the seat pad to produce a low coefficient of friction include silicone and PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), for example, though there are many others that will be known to a person skilled in the art. Typically, a coefficient of friction of 0.2 or less between the seat pad and the support member will be aimed for.

However, it will be appreciated that the important factor is that the seat pad 14 is able to slide easily across the transfer board 12 and that materials having a coefficient of friction above these values may also be useful in some applications.

To prevent the seat pad 14 from slipping off the transfer board 12 as a user slides across it, a groove 24 is formed in its upper surface 18 and the seat --pad 14 has a centrally located projection 26 on its underside which locates in the groove 24. The projection 26 is relatively rigid in comparison with the main body portion 16 of the seat pad and co-operates with the side walls 28, 30 of the groove, which act as guide surfaces, so that the seat pad is constrained to slide along the board in the direction of the groove 24, as indicated by the arrows. The groove 24 has an enlarged open mouth region 32 at either end of the board so that the projection 26 is able to slide out of or into the groove 24.

The projection 26 in the present embodiment is round in cross-section and is relatively small compared to the main body portion, this allows the pad 14 to rotate on the support surface easily as well as slide along the board. If rotation of the seat pad 14 is not desired, the projection could be shaped so that it cannot rotate within the slot.

In use, the transfer board 12 is positioned between two surfaces and the seat pad 14 is placed on the board at the end adjacent the user, with the :::: projection 26 in the groove 24. The user manoeuvres themselves on to the seat pad 14 with their legs over one side edge of the board so that they can slide in a sideways fashion along the transfer board 12 to the other surface. The seat pad It' 14 also allows the user to swivel on the support surface but location of the projection 26 in the groove 24 prevents the seat pad from sliding forwardly or rearwardly as it moves along the board, reducing the risk of a user sliding off the transfer board 12 in mid transfer.

References to "forwardly" and "rearwardly" and the like in this context refer the orientation of the user when sitting on the seat pad.

Because the seat pad 14 is not permanently fixed to the transfer board, the user can use the pad to slide off the board 12 onto the target surface with the projection 26 being able to leave the groove through the open mouth region 32. Once on the target surface, the flexible seat pad 14 can be removed from underneath the user for future use.

----1n some applications, the seat pad 14 can be used to help a user get onto -the transfer board 12 from a first surface. In this case, the seat pad 14 is placed under the user initially and the transfer board 12 inserted so that one edge is under part of the seat pad 14 with the open mouth 32 of the groove 24 lined up approximately with the projection. The user can then slide onto the board 12 using the pad 14, with the projection entering the groove 24 through the open mouth region 32. The walls of the mouth region 32 are shaped so as to guide the projection 26 into the main, narrower portion of the groove 24.

In circumstances where a user is unable to manoeuvre themselves onto the board, a modified board 12 (not shown) can be provided with a winch mechanism for use by a carer to pull the user onto the board using the seat pad 14. In this arrangement, the winch mechanism is mounted to the board at the * fl opposite end from the user and a winch cable is attached to the edge of the seat pad 14. With the other end of the board inserted under part of the seat pad so that the mouth of the groove is aligned with the projection 26, the carer uses the winch to draw the seat pad, and hence the user, on to the transfer board with the * 20 projection entering the groove 24. Once the user is on the board, the winch can be disconnected and removed so that the transfer can be completed and/or the usercan be assisted to a standing position from the middle of the board. When the board is not in use, the winch mechanism can conveniently be stored in the groove 24. The winch mechanism may comprise a ratchet arrangement with a handle. Rather than a winch, a pneumatic or other pushing device could be used to assist a user in sliding across the support member.

It can be seen that the transfer board apparatus 10 described above provides a simple to use and highly effective means of assisting a user to slide from one surface to another. Since the seat pad 14 is constrained to slide along the transfer board 12, the materials used for the upper surface 18 of the board and the lower surface 20 of the seat pad can be selected to provided a very low coefficient of friction to enable the user to slide easily but wiUimii the risk of the seat pad sliding off a side edge of the board in a forward or rearward direction with catastrophic effect.

The seat pad arrangement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention is simpler to use and cheaper to manufacture than the prior art transfer boards having a built in seat and because the seat pad is able to slide on to and off the board, it provides a much more flexible range of applications.

The seat pad 14 also does not significantly increase with overall thickness of the board and is relatively light weight and easily transported.

Transfer boards 10 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention can be produced in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit different loads and applications. Transfer boards in accordance with the invention need not be straight but could be any suitable shape required for a particular application and may be curved. Similarly, the groove 24 need not be straight but can have any *::* suitable shape to achieve a desired path of sliding. Whilst the groove 24 and projection 26 are arranged to prevent the seat pad 14 from slipping off the forward or rearward edge of the board 12, the groove may be shaped to allow I...

* 20 the user to slide in a forwards or rearwards direction to a limited extent as they : *. traverse the board if this is desired. Figure 3 illustrates an arrangement in which **S.

a groove 24 in a support member 12 is curved. In this case, the groove is only open at one end 32, at an edge of the support surface.

Whilst the first aspect of the invention has particular application to transfer boards, it can be adapted for use in any apparatus having a support member or surface across which a user slides. For example, the first aspect invention can be applied to bath boards which are positioned across the top of a bath so that a user can sit on the board whilst they wash or shower in the bath.

When getting in and out of the bath, a user will typically slide along the board to and from the middle of the bath. To make sliding along a bath board easier, a seat pad 14 similar to that described above can be placed on the board so that the user can sit on the pad to slide. The upper surface of the board bay be provided with a groove 24 in which a projection 26 on the under surface of the seat pad locates to prevent the pad from liding off the board. Alternatively, where the board is constructed from a number of spaced apart parallel slats, the projection can be located in the gap between two of the slats. To provide greater control and to prevent rotation if desired, the seat pad may have more than one projection, each projection locating in the gap between two adjacent the slats.

Although the location of a substantially rigid projection in a groove provides a particularly convenient and adaptable arrangement for constraining the direction in which the seat pad can slide over the support member 12, other arrangements can be adopted. Figure 4 for example illustrates an arrangement in which a projection 126 on the seat pad locates in a slot 124 in the support *:::: member 112 to similar effect. This arrangement is similar to the slatted bath board construction described above in which the slot comprises the gap S...

between adjacent slats. Figure 5 illustrates a modification of the arrangement in Figure 4, in which the projection 226 has a flange 240 on its lower end which * : * 20 locates under the support member 212 on either side of the slot 224. This : ** prevents the seat pad 214 from being lifted out of the slot 224. In this case, the *:*. projection must be removed from the slot at through an open mouth region at one edge of the support member. The use of a slot may be particularly suitable where the seat pad 214 is only required to slide over a part of a support member, say from a central region towards one edge, as illustrated in Figure 3

for example.

A further alternative arrangement is shown in Figure 6, in which the underside of the seat pad 314 and the upper surface 318 of the support member are both provided with a number of aligned grooves 342 and ridges 344. The ridges and grooves on the seat pad and the support member inter-engage so that the seat pad 314 is constrained to slide along the support member in the direction of the groves and ridges. The grooves and ridges may follow a straight or a curved path.

In a11 the arrangements described above, co-operating formations constrain the seat pad from sliding on the support surface in two generally opposed directions at any given position along the support surface. This is advantageous for use with apparatus such as a transfer board or bath board where there is a risk a user could slide off the support surface in either a forward or a rearwards direction. However, in some apparatus, the user is only able to slide off the support in one general direction, as movement of the user in the other direction is otherwise prevented. For example, where the first aspect of the invention is applied to apparatus comprising a back rest which would prevent a user sliding rearwardly, it may be sufficient to constrain the seat pad so that it cannot slide off a forward edge of the support surface. In these circumstances, it may be sufficient for the support surface to have a *: :: : single guide surface for co-operation with a formation on the seat pad.

Figure 7 illustrates application of the first aspect of the invention to a support apparatus 410 having a support surface 412 in the form of a seat. The seat in this case includes an integral back rest 450. The seat 412 could form * 20 part a transfer device for assisting a person into bed of the type described in the application's co-pending patent application Reference No. ** SJC/SEB/P/85879.GB/B. Devices of this type include a seat with a back rest and a lower leg lifting member (not shown) for moving a user's lower legs to an elevated position. The device is positioned next to a user's bed and once a user is sat in the seat the lower leg lifting member is used to raise their legs.

The seat is then raised to a height which just above the bed and tilted so that a user slides sideways off the seat and on to the bed. Although not shown in Figure 7, the seat may be provided with a side panel which projects laterally from one side edge of the seat to form an extended support surface across which the user slides onto the bed.

To make it easier for a user to slide across the seat 412 on to the bed when the seat is tilted, a seat pad 414 similar to the pad 14 described above is positioned on the upper surface 418 of the seat. Because the seat 412 has a back rest, the user is not able to slide off the seat in a rearward direction but there is still a risk that the us will slide bff the forward edge 452 oithe seat. Indeed, where the back rest is inclined rearwardly as shown, this has the effect of increasing the tendency for a user to slump forwardly in the seat. To reduce the risk of this happening, the upper surface 418 of the seat 412 is provided with a ridge 454 which forms a single guide surface. The ridge 454 is contacted by the projection 426 on the underside of the seat pad so that the seat pad is unable slide forwardly beyond the ridge. In the present embodiment, the ridge 454 extends in a straight line transversely across the seat. However, the ridge 454 could be curved or angled so that some movement of the seat pad 414 in a forward direction from the an initial starting position in the middle of the seat is permitted in a controlled manner without the pad unintentionally slipping off the forward edge 452 of the seat.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view through the seat portion 412 of the S...

apparatus 410 with the seat pad 414 in position. The ridge 454 has a steep face S. 456 against which the projection 426 abuts and which faces towards the back rest. The other side of the ridge 458 is formed as a gentle slope and is overlaid : ** by the flexible main body portion 416 of the seat pad. S...

The seat pad 414 in this embodiment comprises a central boss which forms the projection 426 and has a flexible flange region surrounding the boss which forms the main body portion 416. The seat pad 414 can be made of any suitable materials including plastics materials.

Figure 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the seat pad 514, which comprises a central core 560 encased in an outer cover 562. The central core 560 is similar in construction to the pad 414 in the previous embodiment and comprises a central boss which forms the projection 526 and an outer flange.

The cover 562 encases the core and is made from two different materials, a first material 564 covering an upper portion of the core and a second material 566 covering a lower portion of the core. The first upper material is selected to have non-slip properties so that a user sitting on the pad is less likely to slide off the pad: The second, lower material is selected so as to be slippery and to have a -low coefficient with the material on the upper surface of the support member 512. The lower material 566 encases the projection 526 so that it is also able to slide freely along the ridge. Padding may be provided between the core 560 and the outer cover 562 at least on the upper surface of the core.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate alternative arrangements for constraining the direction in which a seat pad slides across a support member which are particularly suitable where only one guide surface on the support member is required. In these embodiments, a side edge 668, 768 of the seat pads 614, 714 contacts the guide surface 670, 770. This arrangement is advantageous as the seat pad does not have to be provided with a projection. However, the seat pads :::: 614, 714 in these embodiments must be sufficiently rigid that they do not fold up or ruck in use and free rotation of the seat pad may be hindered. In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, a lip 771 is provided at the upper edge of the S.... guide surface to retain the edge of the seat pad. *..*

* 20 Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of the first * : aspect of invention. In this embodiment, the support member 812 has a guide *:*.; rail 872 on its upper surface which locates in a slot 874 in a lower surface of the seat pad 814 so that the pad is constrained to slide across the support member in the direction of the rail. The seat pad 814 in this embodiment has a lower portion 876 in which the slot is formed and an upper portion 878 which is rotatably mounted to the lower portion by means of ball bearings 880. The arrangement allows the user to pivot whilst sitting on the seat pad. The concept of a seat pad having an upper portion rotatably mounted on a lower position can be combined with any of the arrangements for constraining the direction in which the seat pad is able to slide on a support member disclosed in this application or covered by the claims.

Whilst it is advantageous that the seat pad is removable from the support -member in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, in some applications it may be advantageous to provide a mechanism for automatically returning the seat pad to an initial position on the support member. Figure 14 illustrates schematically one way in which this could be achieved. In the embodiment 910 shown in Figure 14, the support member 912 has a groove 924 in its upper surface with is open at one end only at an edge of the support surface. The seat pad has a projection 926 which locates in the groove 924 to constrain the direction in which the seat pad can slide in a manner discussed above. The projection 926 is connected to a weight 982 by means of a cord 984 which passes through a hole 986 in the base of the groove at a position close to a closed inner end of the groove. In use, after a user has transferred from the support surface onto a target surface, the seat pad is drawn pack on to the support surface to its initial position by the weight. Other mechanisms for returning the seat pad to an initial position can be employed. These might included winding the cord 984 onto a spring loaded axle so that the cord is S.' unwound from the axle as the user transfers, the spring rewinding the cord after * * 20 use to draw the seat pad back to the initial position.

Although the seat pads illustrated in the accompanying drawings are all circular, this is not essential and the seat pads can be of any suitable shape and size. Furthermore, whilst the first aspect of the invention has been described in relation to apparatus having a seat pad on which a user sits, it can be adapted for use with apparatus on which a user is slid across a support member or surface whilst lying down or in any other suitable position. In this case, the seat or slide pad may be larger than the pads disclosed herein and could be in the form of a sheet like member having a plurality of formations which co-operate with corresponding formations on the support surface or member, for example.

For application in apparatus where the user sits on the pad but is also required to slide their legs over a leg support member, such as the lower leg lifting member in the transfer apparatus described above with reference to --Figure 7, the seat pad may be enlarged to provide a seating area and a portion which locates under the user's legs. Alternatively, a second slide ad niaybe located under the user's legs. The second slide pad may be provided with one or more formations which co-operate with corresponding formations on the leg supporting member to constrain the direction in which the second pad slides in a similar manner to those described above for the seat pad. However, in a particularly convenient arrangement, the second pad can be tethered to the seat pad by means of a flexible tether.

In most applications, it is desirable that the seat pad is able to slide off the support member to assist a user in transferring onto a target surface.

However, in some circumstances it may be desirable to be able to selectively prevent the seat pad from sliding off the support member. Figure 15 illustrates one arrangement in which a support member 1012 can be provided with means for selectively opening or closing off an end of a guide groove 1024.

The support member 1012 in Figure 15 is a transfer board similar to the board 12 described above in relation to Figure 1 and has a groove 1024 for *...w.

* 20 guiding a projection 1026 on the seat pad 1014. The board 1012 has a main :;. portion 1012A and a sliding latch 1012B at one end. The groove 1024 extends * along the main portion 1012 towards the latch. The latch has two end groove portions 1024A and 1024B formed in its upper surface. A first end groove portion 1 024A comprises an open mouth whilst the other end groove portion is closed. The latch 1012B is selectively movable from a first position (not shown) in which the first open mouth portion 1 024A is in registration with the groove 1024 in the main portion 1012A and a second position (shown in Figure 15) in which the closed groove portion 1024B is aligned with the groove 1024.

When the latch is in the first position, the projection 1026 is able to pass through the open mouth end groove portion 1024A and the seat pad can be slid out of or into the groove 1024 in the usual manner. However, by sliding the latch to the second position, the end of the groove 1024 is closed so that a seat pad having a projection engaged in the groove 1024, is prevented from sliding off the end of the support member. Releasable locking means can be provided --5 to hold the latch in either of the first or second position. --A similar sliding latch may be provided at the other end of the board 1012 so that the board could be set up in various ways: with one end of the groove open and the other closed, with both ends of the groove open or both ends closed. Alternatively, the other end of the groove 1024 may be permanently open or permanently closed.

It will be appreciated that other arrangements for selectively closing off an open end of a groove or slot in a support member or for otherwise selectively preventing the seat pad from sliding off the support member at an end of a guide surface can be adopted. For example, a removable insert could be provided to selectively prevent a seat pad from sliding off an edge of the * support member at the end of a guide surface support member. The insert may *;* close off a groove or slot or could be simple peg that prevents the passage of the projection. It should also be appreciated that this concept is not limited to application to transfer boards but could be adopted with any type of apparatus 11...

* 20 in accordance with a first aspect of the invention.

Figure 16 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a transfer board , , 1112 in accordance the first and a second aspect of the invention. The board 1112 is similar to the transfer board 12 described above in relation to Figure 1 and comprises a support member having an upper surface along which a user can slide. The upper surface of the board has a groove 1124 which extends along its length and which is open at either end for guiding a projection of a seat pad in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The transfer board 1112 differs from previous embodiments in that it comprises a pneumatic actuator 1190 positioned beneath the board at a first end. The actuator 1190 is connected via a hose 1192 with a control system which enables selective inflation and deflation of the actuator in order to selectively raise and lower the first end of the board. This arrangement enables the first end of the board 1112 to be raised to assist a user in sliding along the board towards the opposite end.

-5 Typicáliy the board 1112 will be positioned with the first end adjacent a user on a first surface and the second end on a target surface with the actuator deflated. A user positions themself or is assisted on to the first end of the board and the actuator inflated to raise the first end so that the user slides towards the second end.

Although a pneumatic actuator 1190 is considered to be a particularly practical arrangement, it should be appreciated that any suitable type of actuator could be used to raise the end of the board.

Transfer boards having an actuator to selectively raise and lower one end can be used in many different applications but may be particularly helpful in assisting a user getting out of bed and on to a chair, which may be a wheel .. : chair, or on to the seat of a transfer apparatus such as that described in the *. applicant's co-pending patent application Ref: SJC/SEB/P/8 5879. GB/B.

*::::* Whilst it may be advantageous to use a seat pad arrangement in *:... accordance with the first aspect of the invention in conjunction with a transfer * 20 board having an actuator to selectively raise and lower one end this is not : : :; essential. Figures 17 and 18 illustrate two further transfer board arrangements * which have an actuator to selectively raise and lower one end but which are not adapted for use with a seat pad in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. In these embodiments, the user can slide along the upper surface of the boards in a conventional manner without the use of a seat pad. The board 1212 in Figure 16 is essentially the same as the board 1112 in Figure 15 and has an actuator 1290 at one end. However, since the board 1212 is not specifically designed for use with a transfer pad in accordance with the first aspect of the invention there is no guide groove in its upper surface. The transfer board 1312 in Figure 17 is similar to the board 1112 in Figure 16 having a pneumatic actuator 1390 at one end. In this case the transfer board 13 12 is designed for use with bariatric users and so is wider than it is long.

Whereas the invention has been described in relation to what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed arrangements but rather is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent constructions included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature, integer, step, component or group thereof. *... * * * ** S *. * S S... ** .5 * S ***. *

SSS**S * * * S. * S S *SS. S. * * I 55

Claims

Claims 1. A support apparatus comprising a support member and a removable slide pad for positioning on an upper surface of the support member for --5 -sliding movement over tile support member, the support member and the slide pad having corresponding formations which co-operate when the pad is placed on the support member to constrain the direction in which the pad can slide over the support member.
2. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the support member has at least one guide surface against which a corresponding formation on the slide pad abuts to constrain the direction in which the pad can slide over the support member.
3. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the support member has a single guide surface on its upper surface.
4. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the guide surface is :::: formed by means of a ridge.

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5. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the corresponding formation on the slide pad is an edge of the pad which abuts the guide surface.
6. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the : * slide pad has a main body portion having a lower surface for contact with an upper surface of the support member and at least one projection on the underside of the main body portion which abuts the at least one guide surface to constrain the direction in which the slide pad can slide along the support member.
7. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the at least one projection is relatively rigid in comparison to the main body portion.
8. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which the main body portion is flexible.
9. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the slide pad has a single projection positioned substantially centrally.
10. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which the slide pad is able to rotate freely on the support member.
11. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10, in which the main body portion is substantially planar.
12. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the slide pad comprises a central boss which forms the projection and an outer flange portion surrounding the boss, the flange being relatively flexible in comparison with the central boss.
13. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 12, in which the support member has a pair of opposed guide surfaces, the at least one projection being located between the opposed guide surfaces to constrain the direction in which the slide pad can slide across the support member.
14. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in which the opposed guide surfaces are opposed side walls of a groove or slot in the support member.
15. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 14, in which the groove or slot * * 20 has at least one open end at an edge of the support member configured : *s such that, in use, the at least one projection can exit the groove or slot through the open end.
16. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the groove or slot widens as it approaches the edge of the support member to form an enlarged mouth at the open end.
17. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, in which the support member is tapered so that it is thinner at its edge where the open end of the groove or slot is located than in a central region of the support member.
18. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, in which the support member comprises means for selectively opening or closing off an end of the groove or slot.
19. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 18, in which the support member comprises a main body portion and aslidinglatch a one edge, the latch being selectively movable between a first position in which an open end portion of the groove or slot formed in the sliding latch aligns with a further portion of the groove or slot in the main body portion and a second position in which the latch closes off the groove or slot in the main body portion.
20. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 19, in which the support member has a plurality of slots or grooves and the slide pad has more than one projection, each projection locating in one of the grooves or slots.
21. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the support member :::: and the slide pad have corresponding grooves and ridges which inter-engage when the pad is placed on the support member so that the pad is S...constrained to slide along the support member in the direction in which **.* the grooves and ridges are aligned.
22. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the support member : *.* has a rail member extending along its upper surface and the slide pad S...has a groove in a lower surface in which the rail is received to control the direction in which the slide pad is able to slide over the support member.
23. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which the slide pad has an upper surface for a user to sit on and a lower surface for contact with the support member, the lower surface of the slide pad being more slippery than the upper surface.
24. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 23, in which the upper surface of the slide pad is made from, coated, or covered with a first material and the lower surface is made from, coated, or covered with a second material, the second material being more slippery than the first material.
25. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which the slide pad is made from plastics materials.
26. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of the previous clams, in which the slide pad comprises a central core and an outer covering surrounding the core.
27. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 26, in which the core comprises a central boss and an outer flange portion surrounding the boss, the flange being relatively flexible in comparison with the central boss.
28. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27, in which the outer covering comprises two different materials, a first material covering an upper portion of the core and a second material covering a lower portion of the core, the second material being more slippery than the first material.
29. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the slide pad comprises a lower portion for contact with the support member and an upper portion rotatably mounted to the lower portion on which the user * . *.*. sits.
30. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the : *s*, apparatus comprising an actuator for selectively raising an end of the *:*. support member.
31. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 30, in which the actuator is a pneumatic actuator.
32. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which the support member is a bath board.
33. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31, in which the support member is a transfer board.
34. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31, in which the support member forms part of a transfer apparatus.
35. A support apparatus as claimed in claim 34, in which the support member is a seat.
36. A support apparatus as claimed in any one of the previous claims, in which the slide pad is a seat pad.
37. A transfer board having an upper surface on rhich a user thay slide, the transfer board comprising an actuator for selectively raising and lowering an end or edge of the board.
38. A transfer board as claimed in claim 37, in which the actuator is a pneumatic actuator. * .** * * * ** S * S S... * * *.S. *S..... * . * S. * S * S... S * * S **