Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TRANSFER DEVICE WITH PLATFORM PLATE
HAVING TWO-SIDED FUNC11ONAUTY AND TREATMENT SYSTEM
Field of the Disclosure
[1] This disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for
transferring an
object from a position on a first surface, onto a platform of the device, and
then onto a
second surface (or back to the first surface).
Background
[2] Countries around the world are facing an aging problem whereby in the
coming decades, the majority of their populations will become dependents
rather than of
an independent age contributing to society. Coupled with this aging population
is a growing
number of people that have restricted mobility due to injury, illness, or old
age. Being
mobile necessitates a means of transportation (from point A to point B) as
well as being
transferred (from surface A to surface B).
[3] There are various transportation aids that are often used to aid
mobility.
Examples include walkers, wheelchairs, slings, transfer boards and gantry
hoists. Many
of these devices have not been updated or improved in decades and as a result,
fundamental problems associated with the operation of these transfer methods
persist.
These included injuries to practitioners, reduced patient health and well-
being as a result
of interaction with these devices, and induced stress on the health-care
sector due to
implications of the operation of these devices.
[4] The fact however, is that these devices are greatly needed, as between
30%
to 60% of patients in long-term care facilities need assistance with transfer
to perform
routine tasks such as eating a meal or going to the washroom. Without the aid
of these
devices, people would remain largely immobile once their health starts to
fail. Similar
challenges exist when performing routine medical diagnostics or conducting
routine
transfers with bariatrics patients. In these circumstances some transfers that
may be
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required include (but not limited to), from a gurney to a medical imaging
table (e.g. the bed
of an MRI or CT scanner), movement of a patient temporarily to perform routine
operations
(e.g. bed cleaning, obtaining a weight measurement for the patient), or simply
re-
positioning of their body on their existing surface.
[5] Currently the most popular devices used to assist in patient transfer
consist
of variations of lifts, slings, and transfer boards and sheets. The lifts
among these systems
are commonly referred to by their trade name as Hoyer Lifts, Hoyer being a
popular
manufacturer of these devices. These lifts have been in the market for decades
with most
innovations focusing on improving or re-packaging existing lift technologies.
Current
technologies typically place significant strain on a human operator, as they
typically require
some form of "staging" where a sling (or other strap(s) or harnesses) must be
inserted
underneath a patient, and then removed from under the patient after a
transfer.
Furthermore, these devices are often costly and may put heavy burdens on
operating
budgets of long-term care and health care facilities. These devices are also
error prone,
which often results in numerous injuries to the individuals being transferred,
and in some
cases has even resulted in death.
Summary of the Disclosure
[6] Disclosed is a transfer device having a device body with a
first end, a second
end, a first side, and a second side. The transfer device also has a transfer
platform
including a platform plate and a platform lateral actuator. The platform
lateral actuator is
configured to selectively move the platform plate laterally relative to the
device body, such
that the platform plate can be moved between a plurality of positions
including (i) a stowed
position in which the platform plate is retracted relative to the device body,
(ii) a first
extended position in which a first transverse edge of the platform plate is a
leading edge
that extends outward from the first side of the device body, and (iii) a
second extended
position in which a second transverse edge of the platform plate is a leading
edge that
extends outward from the second side of the device body. The transfer device
also has a
transfer belt having a first end secured to a first driven roller, a second
end secured to a
second driven roller, the belt extending from the first driven roller, around
the first
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transverse edge of the platform plate, above an upper surface of the platform
plate, around
the second transverse edge of the platform plate, and to the second driven
roller. The
transfer device also has a first motor configured for driving the first driven
roller, and a
second motor configured for driving the second driven roller independent of
the first driven
roller. The transfer device also has a treatment system configured to apply a
cleaning
and/or disinfecting treatment to at least one of the transfer belt and the
platform plate.
[7] The transfer belt can make it possible to load an object onto the
transfer
platform and/or unload the object from the transfer platform without having to
manually
manipulate the object. At the same time, the transfer platform of the transfer
device can
support two-sided functionality, which can be useful when moving an object
such as a
patient from a first surface onto the transfer platform and then onto a second
surface. This
is a notable improvement over transfer platforms which do not support two-
sided
functionality.
[8] In some implementations, the transfer belt is a first transfer belt and
the
transfer device also has a second transfer belt extending below a bottom
surface of the
platform plate on the first side of the device body, and a third transfer belt
extending below
a bottom surface of the platform plate on the second side of the device body.
The second
and third transfer belts can help avoid or mitigate friction between the first
transfer belt and
an upper surface holding or receiving the object.
[9] In some implementations, the transfer device has a locking mechanism
to
selectively detach and attach the second transfer belt and the third transfer
belt from and
to the platform plate. The second and third transfer belts can selectively
attach and detach
in order to enable the platform plate and the first transfer belt to
dynamically cross-over-
center from the first side of the device body to the second side of the device
body, and
vice-versa, even while there is a patient or object on top of the platform
plate. The second
and third transfer belts can also be detached for example for cleaning or
maintenance
purposes.
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[10] Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will
become apparent,
to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following
description of the various
embodiments of the disclosure.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[11] For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show
more
clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by
way of example,
to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transfer device, in accordance with an
embodiment;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the transfer device of Figure 1 with a
transfer
belt omitted for clarity;
Figures 3A to 3C are schematics of the transfer device of Figure 1 showing
a retracted position, a first extended position, and a second extended
position;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of another transfer device having a fixed base;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the transfer device of Figure 1 with housing
portions omitted for clarity;
Figures 6A to 6G are a series of schematics illustrating the transfer device
of
Figure 1 being used to transfer a human from a gurney onto a bed of a medical
imaging
scanner;
Figures 7A to 7E are a series of schematic illustrating another transfer
device
being used to transfer a human; and
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a transfer belt path of the transfer device
of
Figure 1;
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Figure 9 is a perspective view of the transfer device of Figure 8, with the
transfer belt omitted for clarity;
Figures 10 and 11 are top and side views of the transfer device of Figure 9;
Figure 12A is a schematic view of a transfer belt path of the transfer device
of Figure 1;
Figure 12B is a schematic view of a transfer belt path of the transfer device
of Figures 7A to 7E.
Figure 13 is an end view of the transfer device of Figure 9;
Figure 14 is an end view of the transfer device of Figure 9, with portions of
support plates removed to show a belt tensioner assembly;
Figures 15A and 15B are perspective views of the belt tensioner assembly of
Figure 14;
Figures 16A to 16C are partial section views of the belt tensioner assembly
of Figure 14;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of an outer side of an end drive assembly of
the transfer device of Figure 9 with a motor assembly and drive belts omitted
for clarity;
Figure 18 is a perspective view of an inner side of the end drive assembly of
Figure 17;
Figures 19 and 20 are perspective views of a motor assembly for the end
drive assembly of Figures 17 and 18;
Figures 21A to 21D are schematics showing platform extension supports of
a transfer device in accordance with another embodiment;
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Figures 22A to 22F are schematics of a locking mechanism to selectively
detach and attach second and third transfer belts;
Figures 23A to 23G are schematics of another locking mechanism to
selectively detach and attach second and third transfer belts; and
Figures 24A to 24E are schematic views of example cleaning components of
the transfer device of Figures 7A to 7E.
Detailed Description of Embodiments
[12] It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative
implementations of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are
provided
below, the disclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any
number of
techniques. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative
implementations,
drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary designs
and
implementations illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within
the scope of
the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
Overview of Transfer Device
[13] The drawings illustrate example embodiments of a transfer device 100,
which
can be used to move a human body (or other object) from a first location to a
second
location and/or to re-position the human body (or other object) on a surface.
An overview
of the transfer device 100 is provided in this section with reference Figures
1 to 5. It is to
be understood at the outset that the transfer device 100 is shown with very
specific features
for exemplary purposes only. Other implementations are possible and are within
the scope
of the disclosure.
[14] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the transfer device 100 has a
device body
having a first end 101, a second end 102, a first side 113, and a second side
114. The
transfer device 100 also has a transfer platform including a platform plate
210 and a
platform lateral actuator. In some implementations, the transfer device 100
has a transfer
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belt 150 covering the platform plate 210 as shown in Figure 1. Note that the
transfer
belt 150 has been removed from Figure 2 for clarity and to reveal the platform
plate 210.
[15] The platform lateral actuator is configured to selectively move the
platform
plate 210 laterally relative to the device body, such that the platform plate
210 can be
moved between a plurality of positions including (i) a stowed position in
which the platform
plate 210 is retracted relative to the device body, (ii) a first extended
position in which a
first transverse edge 213 of the platform plate 210 is a leading edge that
extends outward
from the first side 113 of the device body, and (iii) a second extended
position in which a
second transverse edge 224 of the platform plate 210 is a leading edge that
extends
outward from the second side 114 of the device body.
[16] With reference to Figures 3A to 3C, an example operation of the
transfer
device 100 is illustrated schematically, showing how a transfer platform 250
can be
extended outward using the platform plate 210. In the position shown in Figure
3A (which
may be referred to as a stowed position or as a retracted position), the
platform plate 210
is positioned centrally within the device body 110.
[17] In the position shown in Figure 3B, a transfer platform 250a has been
extended out from the first side 113 of the device body 110. The transfer
platform 250a
may be extended out by the platform plate 210 being extended laterally outward
by the
platform lateral actuator.
[18] In the position shown in Figure 3C, an transfer platform 250b has been
extended out from the second side 114 of the device body 110. In this example,
the
transfer platform 250b may be extended out by the platform plate 210 being
extended
laterally outward by the platform lateral actuator.
[19] Figures 3A to 3C illustrate how the transfer platform 250 and
250a-b of the
transfer device 100 can support two-sided functionality, because the platform
plate 210
can be extended out from the first side 113 and the second side 114 of the
device body 110.
This two-sided functionality can be useful when moving an object such as a
patient from a
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first surface onto the transfer platform and then onto a second surface. This
is a notable
improvement over transfer platforms which do not support two-sided
functionality.
[20] In some implementations, the transfer platform 250 and 250a-b is
covered by
the transfer belt 150, including when it is being extended outward from the
device body 110
.. and retracted back towards the device body 110. The transfer belt can make
it possible to
load an object onto the transfer platform and/or unload the object from the
transfer platform
without having to manually manipulate the object.
[21] In some implementations, the transfer belt 150 is driven using one or
more
actuators such that, when the transfer platform 250 and 250a-b is being
extended outward
from the device body 110 or retracted back towards the device body 110, a top
surface of
the transfer belt 150 is not moving and excess slack in the transfer belt 150
is avoided or
mitigated. In some implementations, as described in further detail below, the
transfer
belt 150 has a first end secured to a first driven roller, a second end
secured to a second
driven roller, such that the belt extends from the first driven roller, around
the first
transverse edge of the platform plate 210, above an upper surface of the
platform
plate 210, around the second transverse edge of the platform plate 210, and to
the second
driven roller.
[22] In some implementations, as described in further detail below, the
transfer
belt 150 is a first transfer belt, and the transfer device 100 also has a
second transfer belt
.. extending below a bottom surface of the platform plate 210 on the first
side of the device
body, and a third transfer belt extending below a bottom surface of the
platform plate 210
on the second side of the device body. The second and third transfer belts can
help avoid
or mitigate friction between the first transfer belt and an upper surface
holding or receiving
the object.
[23] In some implementations, the transfer device 100 has a locking
mechanism
to selectively detach and attach the second and third transfer belts from and
to the platform
plate 210, in order to enable the platform plate 210 and first transfer belt
150 to dynamically
cross-over-center from the first side 113 of the device body 110 to the second
side 114 of
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the device body 110, and vice-versa, even while there is a patient or object
on top of the
platform plate 210. The second and third transfer belts can also be detached
for example
for cleaning or maintenance purposes. Further example details of the locking
mechanism
are provided later with reference to Figures 22A to 22F and Figures 23A to
23G.
[24] In some implementations, the transfer device 100 has a belt treatment
system which can be used to clean or sterilize the first transfer belt 150,
the second transfer
belt and/or the third transfer belt. Further example details of the belt
treatment system are
provided below.
[25] In some implementations, the transfer device 100 has a platform plate
treatment system which can be used to clean or sterilize the platform plate
210 of the
transfer device 100. Further example details of the platform plate treatment
are provided
below.
[26] As shown in Figures 3A to 3C, the device body 110 has a width WD and a
height HD. The device body 110 can be supported above a floor service F by a
distance
Hfloor. In some implementations, as shown in Figure 3B, the transfer platform
250a may be
extended by an extended or cantilevered distance Dextend_l from the first edge
113 of the
device body 110, providing an overall platform width w ..extend_l - In some
implementations,
as shown in Figure 3C, the transfer platform 250b may be extended by an
extended or
cantilevered distance Dextend_2 from the second edge 114 of the device body
110, providing
an overall platform width w ¨extend_2-
[27] In some implementations, as can be seen from Figures 3A to 3C, the
extended distance Dextend_l of transfer platform 250a is approximately equal
to the width
WD of the device body 110. In some implementations, the transfer platform 250
can extend
by about the width of the device body 110 (e.g. within 25% of that width). For
example, if
the width of the device body 110 is between WD = 400mm to 1000mm, then the
transfer
platform 250a can extend by a distance of between Dextend_l = 360mm to 1250mm,
providing an overall platform width of about w ..extend_l = 760mm to 2250mm.
In some
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implementations, there are corresponding measurements for the transfer
platform 250b in
the other direction.
[28] In another implementation, the transfer device 100 has a nested drawer
system and telescoping actuator (not shown) enabling further extension of the
transfer
platform 250 in the first and second extended positions, such that the
platform plate 210
extends outward by a distance that is greater than the width of the device
body by 10% to
110%. For example, if the width of the device body 110 is between WD = 400mm
to
1250mm, the transfer platform 250a can extend by a distance of between
Dextend_l =
440mm to 1600mm, providing an overall platform width of about w ..extend_l =
840mm to
2850mm. In some implementations, there are corresponding measurements for the
transfer platform 250b in the other direction.
[29] Enabling the transfer platform 250a-b to extend by more than the width
of the
device body 110 may have one or more advantages. For example, this may
facilitate
maneuvering the transfer device 100 through tight hallways, and/or may reduce
the storage
footprint of the transfer device when the transfer platform is retracted. This
is made
possible by the nested drawer system and telescoping actuator as noted above.
[30] A relatively narrow width WD can advantageously facilitate maneuvering
the
transfer device 100 and/or reduce its storage footprint. However, in some
cases it may be
desirable for the transfer device 100 to have a supported (i.e. non-
cantilevered) surface
that has a relatively wider width WD. For example, the device body 110 can
have a wider
non-cantilevered support surface to provide increased comfort and/or safety
when
transporting a patient between locations by moving the transfer device 100
across a floor
surface.
[31] In some implementations, the transfer device 100 has a support
structure 188 configurable to adjust a height of the device body 110 above the
floor
surface F and/or an angle of the device body 110. In some implementations, the
support
structure 188 can adjust height and tilt of the device body 110 in both the
long and short
axis. In some implementations, the support structure 188 has actuators coupled
to a
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transfer device controller for controlling the height and/or the tilt of the
device body 110.
This can allow for changes in an angle of approach of the transfer platform in
advance of
or during transfer in order to reduce reactionary forces on the device, reduce
the pressure
applied to the patient (or object) being transferred or allow for medically
advantageous
positions when a patient is on the transfer platform such as Trendelenburg or
reverse
Trendelenburg position. The actuation of these support actuators may be
controlled by a
main transfer device controller or separately by its own controller and
operate in parallel
through electronic communication with the transfer controller.
[32] Referring back to Figures 1 and 2, in some implementations, the
transfer
device 100 has a base 120 that includes wheels 125 for assisting in
translating the transfer
device 100 across a floor surface. Some or all of the wheels 125 can be driven
by a motor,
such that the transfer device 100 is able to transport itself across the floor
surface.
However, it will be appreciated that the wheels 125 are optional. In other
implementations,
the transfer device 100 is not configured for easy mobility across a floor
service. For
example, with reference to Figure 4, the transfer device 100 can have a fixed
base 120
with no wheels 125. Such implementations may be advantageous if the transfer
device 100 is not intended to be moved during normal operation. For example,
the transfer
device 100 may be in a fixed position adjacent a bed of a CT or MRI machine.
[33] In some implementations, the transfer device 100 has at least one
control
panel coupled to the transfer device controller to allow a user to operate the
transfer
device 100. For example, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the transfer
device 100 has
two control panels 190a-b, including one control panel 190a at the first end
101 of the
device body 110, and another control pane1190b at the second end 102 of
transfer
device 100. It will be appreciated that, in other implementations, there may
be only one
control panel. Alternatively, or additionally, the transfer device 100 may be
configured to
be controlled from a remote device (e.g. pendant or tethered remote control, a
mobile
computing device, such as a tablet or laptop computer, or a control panel
positioned
elsewhere in a room in which the transfer device is positioned, or in an
adjacent room), in
which case the transfer device 100 could have no control panel.
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[34] In some implementations, the transfer device 100 has a transfer device
controller 180, which can control one or more actuators (e.g. motors) such as
the platform
lateral actuator of the platform plate 210 to extended or retract the transfer
platform 250
and 250a-b. In some implementations, the first driven roller and the second
driven roller
for the transfer belt 150 are operably coupled to the transfer device
controller 180, and the
transfer device controller 180 is configured to selectively actuate the first
driven roller and
the second driven roller concurrently or separately from each other. In this
way, the transfer
device controller 180 can control slack of the transfer belt 150. The transfer
device
controller 180 can also control the belt treatment system and/or the platform
plate
treatment system.
[35] In some implementations, the transfer device controller 180 is coupled
to one
or more sensors of the transfer device 100, and utilizes data from the sensors
when
operating the transfer device 100. In some implementations, the controller
synchronizes
and directly controls the transfer device 100 with its subsystems, provides
feedback to the
user in regards to a state of the transfer device 100, and uses the state it
is monitoring in
order to provide safe operation (e.g. shutting the system down automatically
if the transfer
device 100 is operating in an unsafe manner).
[36] In some implementations, the transfer device controller 180 is a
single
controller (e.g. single microcontroller) configured to handle all controllable
subsystems of
the transfer device 100. In other implementations, the transfer device
controller 180
includes multiple controllers (e.g. separate microcontrollers) for handling
the controllable
subsystems of the transfer device 100. Thus, the term "transfer device
controller" covers
one or more controllers (e.g. one or more microcontrollers). The purpose for
utilizing more
than one controller may be to reduce sensor transmission lengths, increase
redundancy
and/or locate the controllers advantageously, physically within the transfer
device 100 to
reduce latency. Multiple controllers may also be utilized due to practical
limitations of
current state of the art controllers (e.g. number of available General Purpose
Input
Outputs). For example, a first controller may be placed on the first end 101
and a second
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controller may be placed the second end 102 to capture signals from sensors
mounted on
each end independently.
[37] There are many possibilities for the controllable subsystems of the
transfer
device 100. As described herein, some possibilities for the controllable
subsystems can
include platform lateral actuator(s), driven roller(s) for transfer belt(s), a
belt treatment
system, and/or a platform plate treatment system. Additional or other
controllable
subsystems may be possible.
[38] In some implementations, the one or more actuators controlled by the
transfer device controller 180 are powered via a battery, which can help to
enable the
transfer device 100 to be portable. For example, with reference to Figure 5,
shown is the
transfer device 100 with the housing and control panels 190a-b removed for
clarity and to
reveal a battery pack 130 that can supply power to the transfer device
controller 180,
actuators (e.g. motors), etc. of the transfer device 100. Alternatively, a
battery pack may
not be provided, and transfer device 100 may be connected to an external
source of
electrical power.
[39] The examples described herein generally focus on the transfer device
100
having a transfer device controller 180, which is configured to control the
transfer platform,
and optionally provides additional functionality as described herein. However,
in another
embodiment, the transfer device 100 can be implemented without any transfer
device
controller 180. For instance, the transfer device 100 could be entirely
analogue and
designed to function without a device controller.
Transferring a Human Body
[40] Example operation of the transfer device 100 in transferring a human
body
from a first surface to a second surface will now be described with reference
to Figures 6A
to 6G. The operation will be described in connection with the transfer device
100
transferring a human body 10 from a gurney 20 to a bed 30 (e.g. a bed
associated with a
medical imaging device, such as CT or MRI scanner). However, it is to be
understood that
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the transfer device 100 may be used to transfer a human body (or other object)
off of and
on to any raised surface in substantially the same manner.
[41] The transfer device 100 is positioned between the gurney 20 with the
human
body to be transferred and the bed 30, e.g. in the position shown in Figure
6A, with the
leading edge of the platform plate at a similar elevation to the surface of
the gurney 20 on
which the human body 10 is supported. For example, the transfer platform 100
may be
supported by a wheeled base 120 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
[42] Referring to Figure 6B, platform lateral actuators (e.g. platform
drive
pinions 382 as described later, not shown in Figures 6A-G) can be used to
extend the
leading edge of the transfer platform laterally outwardly from a side of the
transfer
device 100. The transfer platform 250 may be extended until at least a portion
of the
transfer platform 250 is positioned below the human body 10 (and preferably
completely
between the surface of the gurney 20 and the human body 10), with a portion of
the transfer
belt 150 positioned between the transfer platform 250 and the human body 10.
[43] In some implementations, the motion of transfer platform 250 and/or
the
transfer belt 150 is controlled to provide limited (or zero) relative motion
between an upper
surface of transfer platform 250 (i.e. the transfer belt 150) and the human
body 10 during
some or all of the transfer. In this way, the transfer platform 250 can be
extended outward
and under the human body 10 as shown in Figures 6B to 6D without having to
lift the human
body 10 or roll the human body 10 onto the transfer platform 250.
[44] Optionally, a lower surface of a guard layer (e.g. guard layer
155 as described
later, not shown in Figures 6A to 6G) may be in contact with the surface of
the gurney 20
supporting the human body 10 before and during the transfer. Also, while not
illustrated, it
will be appreciated that the supporting surface 20 may be displaced and/or
compressed by
the transfer platform 250, e.g. to reduce force on the human body 10,
particularly when the
transfer platform 250 is being extended outward and under the human body 10 as
shown
in Figures 6B to 6D.
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[45] In some implementations, to enable limited relative motion between the
upper surface of transfer platform 250 (i.e. the transfer belt 150) and the
human body 10
while the transfer platform 250 is being extended outward from the transfer
device 100 (i.e.
Figures 6B to 6D), there is relative motion between the transfer belt 150 and
the surface of
the gurney 20. For instance, while the transfer platform 250 is being extended
outward
from the transfer device 100, the transfer belt 150 is pushing outward on the
surface of the
gurney 20. To reduce or mitigate friction between the transfer belt 150 and
the surface of
the gurney 20, the surface of the gurney 20 can include a low friction bed
sheet to enable
the movement of the transfer belt 150. Alternatively, to reduce friction due
to the relative
motion, the transfer belt 150 may be made of a low friction material designed
to perform
such patient moving operations. Some examples of the aforementioned low
friction belt
material may be silicone or Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated nylon or
polyester
fabrics.
[46] Preferably, driven rollers (e.g. driven rollers 160a and 160b as
described
later, not shown in Figures 6A to 6G) may be controlled to take-up slack in
the transfer
belt 150 during the extension and/or retraction of the transfer platform 250.
For example,
tension in transfer belt 150 may be controlled throughout the transfer process
by monitoring
one or more of the following exemplary sensors: current from motor drivers,
compression
distance of a tensioner (e.g. tensioner 900 as described later, not shown in
Figures 6A to
6G), strain sensors (not shown) embedded into the transfer belt 150, and/or
other suitable
sensors.
[47] Referring to Figures 6D and 6E, the driven rollers are then actuated
to convey
the human body 10 along upper surfaces of the transfer platform 250. For
example, this
may be achieved by 'winding' one driven roller while concurrently 'unwinding'
the other
driven roller to advance the upper surface of the transfer belt 150 towards
the opposite
side of the transfer device 100 in an actively controlled manner.
[48] While the human body 10 is being moved from the gurney 20 towards the
transfer device 100 (Figures 6D to 6E), if the transfer platform 250 is not
being retracted
towards the transfer device 100, then the transfer belt 150 continues to push
outward on
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the surface of the gurney 20. Again, to reduce or mitigate friction between
the transfer
belt 150 and the surface of the gurney 20, the surface of the gurney 20 can
include a low
friction bed sheet to enable the movement of the transfer belt 150. Again,
alternatively the
transfer belt 150 may be comprised of a low friction textile. Although not
depicted, in
another implementation, the transfer platform 250 is retracted towards the
transfer
device 100 at the same time as the human body 10is being moved from the gurney
20
towards the transfer device 100.
[49] Referring to Figure 6F, the human body 10 may then be transferred to
the
bed 30. For example, transfer device 100 may be controlled to laterally shift
transfer
platform 250 to a position overlying bed 30 while controlling transfer belt
150 to maintain
the human body 10 above the transfer device 100, and then transfer belt 150
may be
controlled to advance patient towards the bed 30. Alternatively, the transfer
device 100
may be controlled to laterally shift the transfer platform 250 to a position
overlying bed 30
while concurrently controlling transfer belt 150 to maintain the human body 10
above the
advancing end of the transfer platform, until the human body 10 and the
transfer
platform 250 overlie the bed 30.
[50] With reference to Figure 6G, following the platform lateral actuators
(e.g.
platform drive pinions 382) may be used to retract the transfer platform 250
from
underneath the human body 10. As illustrated, the transfer platform 250 may be
shifted
laterally until clear of the patient, at which point the transfer platform 250
may be in a
stowed position within the device body 110.
[51] It will be appreciated that, in use, at least some, preferably most,
and more
preferably substantially all of the transfer platform 250 is supported
vertically by a surface
onto which an object is to be transferred using the transfer platform 250, or
a surface from
which an object to be transferred is resting. In the illustrated example, the
transfer
platform 250 receives vertical support from the gurney 20 (Figures 6B-6E) and
the bed 30
(Figure 6F).
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[52] To transfer the patent 10 from the bed 30 to the gurney 20, the
process
illustrated in Figures 6A to 6G may be performed in reverse order.
[53] As noted above, there can be friction between the transfer belt 150
and the
surface of the gurney 20. While low friction bed sheets can reduce or mitigate
such friction,
other implementations are possible in which such friction can be largely
avoided, because
contact between the transfer belt 150 and the surface of the gurney 20 can be
mitigated or
avoided completely. For example, in other implementations, the transfer device
100 has a
second transfer belt (not shown) extending below a bottom surface of the
transfer
platform 250 when the transfer platform 250 is extended outward, such that the
second
transfer belt provides limited or zero relative motion between the bottom
surface of the
transfer platform 250 and the surface of the gurney 20. Such an implementation
is briefly
described below with reference to Figures 7A to 7E.
[54] With reference to Figures 7A to 7E, shown is another transfer device
200
transferring the human body 10 from the gurney 20 to the bed 30. The transfer
device 200
of Figures 7A to 7E is similar to the transfer device 100 of Figures 6A to 6G,
but includes
lower guard belts 170a-b, including a second transfer belt 170a shown on the
left side and
a third transfer belt 170b shown on the right side, in addition to the first
transfer belt 150 on
top. When the transfer platform 250 is being extended out the towards and
under the
human body 10 (Figures 7B to 7D), the third transfer belt 170b provides
limited or zero
relative motion between the bottom surface of the transfer platform 250 and
the surface of
the gurney 20. Likewise, when the human body 10 is moved towards and on top of
the
transfer device 100 (Figure 7E), the third transfer belt 170b provides limited
or zero relative
motion between the bottom surface of the transfer platform 250 and the surface
of the
gurney 20. The second transfer belt 170a operates substantially in the same
way as the
third transfer belt 170b but on the other side of the transfer device 200.
[55] Therefore, Figures 7A to 7E demonstrate the operation of the transfer
device 200 where the lower guard belts 170a-b have been routed in such a way
that
extension of the platform also draws out lower guard material from within the
middle of the
platform to create a lower no-shear surface simultaneously along with the
upper surface.
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The first transfer belt 150 interacts with the patient at rest and the lower
guard belts 170a-
b interact with the patient's support surface. Each transfer belt 150 and 170a-
b is
operatively terminated such that when the transfer platform extends, the
transfer belts 150
and 170a-b are drawn out from the centra cavity of the platform only, thereby
unrolling
under the patient and creating zero shear or relative velocity to the support
surface or
patient at rest. One or more of the transfer belts 150 and 170a-b may be
comprised of a
low friction material in order to reduce forces on the object being
transferred, relative friction
between the transfer belt 150 and the lower guard belts 170a-b, in addition to
reducing
reaction forces back to the transfer device 100 due to friction occurring
during the act of
transfer.
[56] While the embodiments disclosed herein are described specifically in
relation
to and in use with transferring a human body (e.g. an individual with reduced,
limited, or no
mobility, an able bodied individual, an unconscious individual, an
incapacitated individual,
etc.), it will be appreciated that the embodiments disclosed herein may
additionally or
alternatively be used to transfer other objects, such as those that may be
bulky,
cumbersome, delicate, and/or difficult to grasp and move. For example, the
embodiments
disclosed herein may be suited and/or adapted for use to transfer livestock or
domestic
animals, undomesticated animals (e.g. in a zoo or wildlife care facility),
human corpses
(e.g. in a funeral home of a mortuary), inanimate objects (e.g. in courier,
cargo, and/or
logistical operations), and the like.
Example Implementation Details
[57] Example implementation details of the transfer device 100 are provided
in
this section with reference to Figures 8 to 21D. It is to be understood at the
outset that the
transfer device 100 is shown in the Figures with very specific features for
exemplary
purposes only. Other implementations are possible and are within the scope of
the
disclosure.
[58] With reference to Figure 8, the transfer device 100 includes a first
end drive
assembly 300a on a first end 111 corresponding to the first end 101 shown in
Figures 1
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and 2, and a second end drive assembly 300b on a second end 112 corresponding
to the
second end 102 shown in Figures 1 and 2. These end drive assemblies 300a-b are
connected to each other by lateral support members, such that the end drive
assemblies 300a-b are on opposite ends of the transfer device 100.
[59] Figure 9 shows the transfer device 100 without the transfer belt 150
thereby
revealing the platform plate 210. Figures 10 and 11 are top and side views of
the transfer
device of Figure 9. The end drive assemblies 300a-b are shown.
[60] With reference to Figures 12A, details of the second end drive
assembly 300b
can be seen. In some implementations, the transfer belt 150 has a fixed
length, and a first
end of the transfer belt 150 is secured to a first driven roller 160a, and a
second end of the
transfer belt 150 is secured to a second driven roller 160b. Accordingly, the
transfer
belt 150 may be characterized as a discontinuous belt 150.
[61] Utilizing a discontinuous transfer belt 150 may have one or more
advantages.
For example, this may facilitate the removal and/or replacement of the
transfer belt 150
(e.g. by removing a driven roller with the transfer belt attached). This may
result in the
transfer device 100 being relatively easy to clean and/or maintain, which may
result in
reduced downtime. This may be of particular importance in use cases where
cross-
contamination is of concern (e.g. in hospitals, care homes, etc.).
[62] Additionally, or alternatively, using a discontinuous belt with driven
rollers on
both ends may also have a mechanical advantage, in that the transfer belt's
tension can
be controlled from both ends of the belt. For example, this may assist in
providing a desired
tension level, and/or a desired level of 'slack' (or a lack thereof) in
transfer belt 150.
[63] As shown schematically in Figure 12A, the transfer belt 150 extends
from the
first driven roller 160a and passes around a tensioner 165a. From there, the
transfer
belt 150 extends around a roller 440a, the first transverse edge 213 of the
platform
plate 210, along the upper surface 216 of the platform plate 210, and around
the second
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transverse edge 224 of the platform plate 210. The transfer belt 150 then
passes around
a roller 440d, a tensioner 165b, and terminates at the second driven roller
160b.
[64] In the illustrated example, the transfer belt 150 is guided around two
passive
(i.e. non-driven) rollers 165a and 165b to maintain tension and to avoid
potentially
interfering interactions with other components located within the housing
(e.g. control
systems, motors and motor drivers, gears, and the like). It will be
appreciated that fewer,
more, or no tensioners 165a and 165b may be provided in alternative
implementations.
[65] Figure 13 illustrates an example implementation of the first end drive
assembly 300a. As noted above, the end drive assemblies 300a and 300b are
provided
at the ends 101 and 102 of the transfer device 100. The end drive assemblies
300a
and 300b are substantially mirror images of each other, and are preferably
operated in
concert with each other to control opposite ends of the transfer platform 250,
the transfer
belt 150, optional guard layer(s) 155a and 155b, etc. substantially
simultaneously.
[66] In the illustrated example, the end drive assembly 300a, first and
second belt
drive sprockets 320a and 320d are driven by motors 390a and 390d,
respectively. The
belt drive sprockets 320a and 320d are connected to transfer belt roller
sprockets 360a
and 360b by drive belts 361a and 361b, respectively. Rotation of the transfer
belt roller
sprockets 360a and 360b results in rotation of the transfer belt rollers 165a
and 165b,
respectively. In the illustrated example, tension idlers 322a and 322b are
also provided to
control the tension of drive belts 361a and 361b, respectively. It will be
appreciated that
the tension idlers 322a and 322b are optional.
[67] Also shown are platform drive sprockets 320b and 320c, which are
driven by
motors 390b and 390c, respectively. The platform drive sprocket 320b is
connected via a
drive belt 371a to a first series of segment drive sprockets 380a and 380b.
The platform
drive sprocket 320c is connected via a drive belt 371b to a second series of
segment drive
sprockets 380c and 380d. Idlers 323a and 323b are provided in order to control
tension
on the drive belt 371a, and idlers 323c and 323d are provided in order to
control tension
on the drive belt 371b.
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[68] As illustrated in Figure 14, a belt tensioner assembly 900 may be
positioned
between structural plates of an end drive assembly 300a-b (discussed further
below). With
reference to Figure 15A, the belt tensioner assembly 900 includes a first
frame member
910 secured in fixed relation to a second frame member 920 by shafts 940a and
940b. A
movable frame member 930 can translate along shafts 940a and 940b. As
illustrated in
Figure 15B, a linear displacement sensor 990 is attached to provide an output
signal based
on the relative position of the movable frame member 930.
[69] Turning to Figures 16A to 16C, in the illustrated example, the movable
frame
member 930 is biased towards second frame member 920. In the illustrated
example, this
bias is applied by first springs 951 and second springs 952 arranged in
series, where the
first and second springs have different stiffnesses or spring rates. As a
result, during a first
travel range of the movable frame member 930 (e.g. between the positions shown
in
Figures 16A and 16B), only springs with a lower relative spring rate (e.g.
spring 951 in this
example) will be deformed, while during a second travel range of the movable
frame
member 930 (e.g. between the positions shown in Figures 16B and 16C), both
springs will
be deformed, including springs with a higher relative spring rate (e.g. spring
952 in this
example).
[70] An advantage of this design is that it may allow the linear
displacement
sensor 990 to provide a high resolution signal both at relatively low transfer
belt tensions
(e.g. when no objects are in contact with transfer belt 150 and/or transfer
platform 250),
and at relatively high transfer belt tensions (e.g. when a patient is being
transferred on the
transfer platform 250).
[71] In the illustrated example, each tensioner 165a and 165b is passively
sprung.
Alternatively, each tensioner 165a and 165b may be actively actuated, e.g. by
providing a
linear actuator instead of, or in addition to, one or more passive springs.
Additionally, or
alternatively, each tensioner 165a and 165b may be actively dampened, e.g.
using ferro-
dampening fluids or the like. In some implementations, the relative position
of each
tensioner 165a and 165b may be determined by a positioning sensor (not shown)
such as
a Time of Flight (TOF) or linear potentiometer, for example. This determined
tensioner
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position may be used e.g. by the transfer device controller to measure and/or
infer tension
within the transfer belt 150.
[72] In some implementations, each driven roller 160a and 160b is
driven using a
corresponding motor. It will be appreciated that any suitable motor type (e.g.
stepper
motors, DC or AC motors, brushless DC (BLDC) motors, pneumatic rotary motors,
direct
electrical motors, and the like) may be used in one or more variant
implementations.
Additionally, or alternatively, other gearing (e.g. two or more stages,
planetary gearing)
may be used. During operation, it will be appreciated that corresponding
motors or
actuators may be driven independently or synchronously to suit the required
function(s).
[73] As discussed above, the transfer belt 150 passes around the first
transverse
edge 213 of the platform plate 210 and around the second transverse edge 224
of platform
plate 210. Optionally, some or all of the first and second transverse edges
213 and 224
may be provided with one or more friction-reducing features. With reference to
Figure 9,
in the illustrated example, a number of rollers 255 are positioned along the
second
transverse edge 224 of the platform plate 210. Alternatively, or additionally,
some or all
surfaces proximate the first and second transverse edges 213 and 224 may be
made from
a low-friction material (e.g. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Polyam ides,
Graphite, Acetol,
Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW PE),) and/or have a low-
friction coating
applied thereto. Alternatively, or additionally, friction may be reduced via a
controlled
application of compressed air, one or more lubricants, captive ball bearings,
or other
suitable systems.
[74] In some implementations, with reference back to Figure 12A,
flexible guard
layers 155a and 155b are provided below the transfer belt 150 to inhibit or
prevent direct
contact between the transfer belt 150 and the surface on which the object
being transferred
to or from using the transfer platform 250. For example, as illustrated in
Figure 12A, a first
guard layer 155a may be formed from a textile and/or flexible material with a
first end 156a
secured to the platform plate 210, and a second end 157a secured to a take-up
roller 158a,
which may be spring-biased and/or actively driven to take up the first guard
layer 155a as
the transfer platform 250b moves towards a retracted position. In the
illustrated example,
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the first guard layer 155a passes over guide member 159a, which is secured to
the end
drive assembly 300a, such that guard layer 155a remains proximate the
underside of the
transfer platform 250a when the transfer platform 250a is in an extended
position. A
second guard layer 155b has a first end 156b secured to the platform plate
210, and a
second end 157b secured to a take-up roller 158b, which may be substantially
similar to
the take-up roller 158a. Optionally, the flexible guard layers 155a and 155b
may be formed
from a low-friction material, e.g. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Polyam
ides, Graphite,
Acetol, Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW PE), and the like.
[75] With reference to Figure 12B, shown is a schematic view of a transfer
belt
path of the transfer device of Figures 7A to 7E. An end drive assembly 300c
has a belt
path for the first transfer belt 150 that is similar to what is shown in
Figure 12A. Much like
in Figure 12A, the transfer belt 150 extends from the first roller 160a around
idler 165a,
around a top surface of the transfer platform, around idler 165b, and onto a
second
roller 160b. However, note that the first transfer belt 150 is not routed
between the
shafts 440a and 440b and the shafts 440c and 440d. Also note that there is a
second
transfer belt 170a and a third transfer belt 170b. The second transfer belt
170a extends
from roller 158a, and the third transfer belt 170b extends from roller 158b.
In some
implementations, the second transfer belt 170a and the third transfer belt
170b are both
passive (e.g. spring loaded, using multi-rotation torsion springs) and are not
connected to
any actuator or device controller. In other implementations, the second
transfer belt 170a
and the third transfer belt 170b are coupled to actuators that are operably
coupled to the
transfer device controller.
[76] Figure 17 is a perspective view of an outer side of an end drive
assembly 300a of the transfer device 100 of Figure 9 with a motor assembly and
drive belts
omitted for clarity. Figure 18 illustrates an inner side of the end drive
assembly 300a. In
the illustrated example, platform drive pinions 382a-d are provided at an
upper end of the
platform. These drive pinions 382a-d are connected to segment drive sprockets
380a-d,
respectively (see e.g. Figure 13).
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[77] In the illustrated example, teeth of platform drive pinions 382a-d
engage
platform rack segments (not shown) provided on the underside of the ends of
the platform
plate 210. It will be appreciated that in one or more alternative
implementations, the
engagement between the end drive assembly 300a and the platform plate 210 may
not
include a rack and pinion arrangement. For example, platform drive rollers may
have a
compressible elastomer configured to provide a sufficiently high frictional
coefficient
between themselves and the undersides of the ends of the platform plate 210.
[78] Figures 19 and 20 illustrate an example of a motor hub assembly 380.
In the
illustrated example, a motor baseplate 315 supports motors 390a-d. Two of the
motors 390a and 390d are connected to the belt drive sprockets 320a and 320d
and via
one or more linear driveshafts, and two of the motors 390b and 390c are
connected to the
platform drive sprockets 320b and 320c in a similar manner. Also, the tension
idlers 322a
and 322b are illustrated as being mounted on the motor base plate 315.
[79] Enabling the motor hub assembly 380 to be modular may have one or more
advantages. For example, allowing an entire set of motors and drive wheels to
be
'swapped out' may facilitate easier maintenance and/or service of the transfer
device 100,
which may lead to reduced downtime of the transfer device 100.
[80] In the examples illustrated in Figures 1 to 20, the transfer platform
250 is
supported by the device body 110 when in a retracted position, and are
cantilevered from
the device body 110 when extended (partially or fully). For example, with
reference to
Figure 12A, the platform plate 210 is supported by the rollers 440a-d when in
a retracted
position.
[81] Figures 21A to 21D illustrate an example embodiment of the transfer
device 100 that includes platform extension supports 570a-b that can be used
to increase
the width of the supported (i.e. non-cantilevered) surface. Such a design may
have one or
more advantages. For example, it may provide increased patient comfort and or
safety
when using the transfer device 100 to move a patient resting on the platform
from one room
to another.
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[82] With reference to Figures 21A and 21C, a first platform extension
support
570a extends outwardly from the first side 113 of the device body 110, and a
second
platform extension support 570b extends outwardly from the second side 114 of
the device
body 110. In the illustrated example, each platform extension support 570a-b
is supported
by one or more support arms 575. The support arms 575 are connected to the
device
body 110 below their respective platform extension supports 570, and provide
vertical
support for the platform extension supports 570 and the transfer platforms 250
resting
thereon.
[83] With reference to Figures 21B and 21D, in the illustrated example each
platform extension support 570a-b is pivotally connected to the device body
110 (e.g. using
a hinge or other suitable connection) and each support arm 575 is pivotally
connected to
the device body 110 and releasably securable to the platform extension support
570a-b.
An advantage of this design is that the platforms extension supports 570a-b
can be folded
inwardly when not needed, for example as shown in Figures 21B and 21D, to
provide a
smaller storage footprint for the transfer device 100.
[84] In the illustrated example, the platform extension supports 570a-b are
generally rectangular planar support surfaces. It will be appreciated that in
one or more
alternative implementations, platform extension supports may be of different
shapes and/or
may have different surface features. For example, one or more rollers may be
provided on
an upper surface of a platform extension support.
[85] Also, in the illustrated example, the platform extension supports 570a-
b may
be manually moved between the positions shown in Figures 21A and 21C, and the
positions shown in Figures 21B and 21D. In one or more alternative
implementations, one
or more platform extension support actuators (either 'passive' actuators, such
as gas
springs, hydraulic drag cylinders, and the like, or 'active' actuators, such
as linear,
pneumatic, or hydraulic actuators) may be provided to extend and/or retract
platform
extension supports automatically, e.g. via a control system of the transfer
device 100.
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[86] Referring now to Figures 22A to 22F, shown are schematics of a
locking
mechanism to selectively detach the second and third transfer belts. A main
purpose for
selectively detaching the second and third transfer belts is to enable the
platform plate 210
and first transfer belt 150 to dynamically cross-over-center from the first
side 113 of the
device body 110 to the second side 114 of the device body 110, and vice-versa,
even while
there is a patient or object on top of the platform plate 210. Although
Figures 22A to 22F
focus on a locking mechanism on the second side 114 of the device body 110 for
the third
transfer belt 170b, it is noted that there would be a corresponding locking
mechanism on
the first side 113 of the device body 110 for the second transfer belt 170a.
[87] With reference to Figure 22A, the second transverse edge 224 of the
platform
plate 210 includes a detachable member 225 for the third transfer belt 170b.
In some
implementations, the second transverse edge 224 has rollers 224a over which
the first
transfer belt 150 can move whilst mitigating friction, and the detachable
member 225
likewise has rollers 225a over which the third transfer belt 170b can move
whilst mitigating
friction. In some implementations, each end of the detachable member 225
selectively
attaches to the second transverse edge 224 of the platform plate 210 using a
dovetail
joint 228. With reference to Figure 22E, the dovetail joint 228 can be tapered
such that the
detachable member 225 can slide off in only one direction which occurs when
the platform
plate 210 crosses over from being centered in the device body 110 (see Figure
22C) to the
first side 113 of the device body 110 (see Figure 22E). Other attachment means
are
possible.
[88] In some implementations, each end of the detachable member 225
has a
spring-loaded magnet 226 that generally has two states: a first state shown in
Figure 22B
in which the spring-loaded magnet 226 is pushed by a spring into a
corresponding hole in
the platform plate 210 while the detachable member 225 is fixed to the second
transverse
edge 224, and a second state shown in Figures 22D and 22F in which the spring-
loaded
magnet 226 is pulled down by magnetic force into a recess 227 while the
platform plate 210
is either centered in the device body 110 (see Figure 22D) or has crossed over
to the first
side 113 of the device body 110 (see Figure 22F). The spring-loaded magnet 226
can help
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to ensure that the detachable member 225 remains fixed to the device body 110
when the
detachable member 225 becomes detached from the platform plate 210.
[89] It is noted that the spring-loaded magnet 226 is one of many
possibilities for
selectively securing the detachable member 225 to the device body 110.
Referring now to
Figures 23A to 23G, shown are schematics of another locking mechanism to
selectively
detach second and third transfer belts. Figures 23A to 23G illustrate an
implementation
which is entirely mechanical without any magnets. Although Figures 23A to 23G
focus on
a locking mechanism on the first side 113 of the device body 110 for the
second transfer
belt 170a, it is noted that there would be a corresponding locking mechanism
on the second
side 114 of the device body 110 for the third transfer belt 170b.
[90] With reference to Figure 23A, the first transverse edge 213 of the
platform
plate 210 includes a detachable member 214 for the second transfer belt 170a.
In some
implementations, the first transverse edge 213 has rollers 213a over which the
first transfer
belt 150 can move whilst mitigating friction, and the detachable member 214
likewise has
rollers 214a over which the second transfer belt 170a can move whilst
mitigating friction.
In some implementations, each end of the detachable member 214 selectively
attaches to
the first transverse edge 213 of the platform plate 210 using a dovetail joint
218. The
dovetail joint 218 can be tapered such that the detachable member 214 can
slide off in only
one direction which occurs when the platform plate 210 crosses over from being
centered
in the device body 110 (see Figure 23C) to the second side 114 of the device
body 110
(see Figure 23D). Other attachment means are possible.
[91] In some implementations, with reference back to Figure 23A, each end
of the
detachable member 214 can be selectively attached to the device body 110 using
another
dovetail joint 219. The dovetail joint 219 can be tapered such that the
detachable
member 214 can slide off in only one direction which occurs when the platform
plate 210
crosses over from being centered in the device body 110 (see Figure 23C) to
the first
side 113 of the device body 110 (see Figure 23B). The dovetail joint 219 can
help to
ensure that the detachable member 214 remains fixed to the device body 110
when the
detachable member 214 becomes detached from the platform plate 210.
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[92] In some implementations, with reference to Figures 23E to 23G,
each end of
the detachable member 214 has a pin 217 that can mechanically pivot into and
out of a
corresponding slot of the first transverse edge 213. This can help to secure
the detachable
member 214 to the first transverse edge 213.
[93] Note that the locking mechanisms depicted and described with reference
to
Figures 22A to 22F and Figures 23A to 23G are very specific and are provided
merely for
exemplary purposes. Components such as dovetail joints, spring-laded magnets,
and pins
can be present in specific implementations. More generally, there can be
provided a first
locking mechanism configured to selectively attach the second transfer belt
170a to the
first transverse edge 213 of the platform plate 210 for the first extended
position and to
selectively detach the second transfer belt 170a from the platform plate 210
for the second
extended position, and a second locking mechanism configured to selectively
attach the
third transfer belt 170b to the second transverse edge 224 of the platform
plate 210 for the
second extended position and to selectively detach the third transfer belt
170b from the
platform plate 210 for the first extended position.
[94] In some implementations, the transfer device 100 includes one or more
treatment systems (e.g. transfer belt treatment systems and/or platform plate
treatment
system) for applying a cleaning and/or disinfecting treatment to one or more
of the transfer
belts 150 and 170a-b and/or to the platform plate 210. There are many
possibilities for the
treatment systems. For example, as described in more detail below, the
transfer device
100 can include one or more of ultraviolet (UV) treatment systems, fluid spray
treatment
systems, fluid bath treatment system, contact cleaning systems, or any
combination
thereof. Specific examples are described below with reference to Figures 24A-
E, but it is
to be understood that the transfer device can be configured to include
features of any or
all of the example treatment systems shown in Figures 24A-E.
[95] In some implementations, the transfer device 100 has at least one
ultraviolet
(UV) light emitter positioned within the device housing to continuously or
selectively emit
UV light towards an upper surface of the transfer belt 150, or both an upper
surface and a
lower surface of the first transfer belt 150, as it passes by the UV light
emitter(s).
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Additionally, or alternatively, at least one UV light emitter is positioned
within the transfer
device 100 to continuously or selectively emit UV light towards the second and
third
transfer belts 170a-b as they pass by the UV light emitter(s). Additionally,
or alternatively,
at least one UV light emitter is positioned within the transfer device 100 to
continuously or
selectively emit UV light towards the platform plate 210 as the platform plate
210 pass by
the UV light emitter(s). Such a configuration may be characterized as an
ultraviolet
germicidal irradiation system.
[96] For example, with reference to Figure 24A, the transfer device 100 has
several UV light emitters, including two UV light emitters 501 for emitting UV
light on the
upper surface of the first transfer belt 150, two UV light emitters 502 for
emitting UV light
on the lower surface of the first transfer belt 150, a UV light emitter 503
for emitting UV
light on the upper surface of the second transfer belt 170a, a UV light
emitter 504 for
emitting UV light on the lower surface of the second transfer belt 170a, a UV
light
emitter 505 for emitting UV light on the upper surface of the third transfer
belt 170b, and a
UV light emitter 506 for emitting UV light on the lower surface of the third
transfer belt 170b.
Additionally, or alternatively, the transfer device 100 has at least one UV
light emitter 507
for emitting UV light on the platform plate 210. Although a specific
configuration with ten
UV light emitters is shown, it is to be understood that other configurations
are possible and
are within the scope of the disclosure. The number of UV light emitters and
their positioning
within the transfer device 100 are implementation-specific.
[97] In some implementations, the transfer device 100 has at least one
fluid
emitter configured to direct at least one of a cleaning fluid and a
disinfectant fluid towards
at least the upper surface of the transfer belt, or both an upper surface and
a lower surface
of the first transfer belt 150, as it passes by the fluid emitter(s).
Additionally, or alternatively,
at least one fluid emitter is positioned within the transfer device 100 to
continuously or
selectively emit fluid towards an upper surface and/or a lower surface of the
second and
third transfer belts 170a-b as they pass by the fluid emitter(s).
Additionally, or alternatively,
at least one fluid emitter is positioned within the transfer device 100 to
continuously or
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selectively emit fluid towards the platform plate 210 as the platform plate
210 pass by the
fluid emitter(s).
[98]
For example, with reference to Figure 24B, the transfer device 100 has
several fluid emitters, including two fluid emitters 511 for emitting fluid on
the upper surface
of the first transfer belt 150, two fluid emitters 512 for emitting fluid on
the lower surface of
the first transfer belt 150, a fluid emitter 513 for emitting fluid on the
upper surface of the
second transfer belt 170a, a fluid emitter 514 for emitting fluid on the lower
surface of the
second transfer belt 170a, a fluid emitter 515 for emitting fluid on the upper
surface of the
third transfer belt 170b, and a fluid emitter 516 for emitting fluid on the
lower surface of the
third transfer belt 170b. Additionally, or alternatively, the transfer device
100 has at least
one fluid emitter 517 for emitting fluid on the platform plate 210. Although a
specific
configuration with ten fluid emitters is shown, it is to be understood that
other configurations
are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. The number fluid
emitters and
their positioning within the transfer device 100 are implementation-specific.
[99]
In some implementations, the transfer device 100 has a fluid chamber
defined within the housing interior, and a fluid agitator (e.g. an ultrasonic
agitator or
ultrasonic transducer) is provided therewith (e.g. inside the fluid chamber,
coupled to an
outside wall of the fluid chamber, or otherwise coupled to the fluid chamber)
to continuously
or selectively agitate a fluid within the fluid chamber as the first transfer
belt 150 passes
through the fluid chamber. Additionally, or alternatively, a fluid chamber and
a fluid agitator
provided therewith are positioned within the transfer device 100 to
continuously or
selectively agitate a fluid within the fluid chamber as the platform plate 210
passes through
the fluid chamber. Such a configuration may be characterized as a fluid
agitation system
or as an ultrasonic bath system.
[100]
For example, with reference to Figure 24C, the transfer device 100 has two
fluid chambers 521-522 with fluid agitators 524-525 disposed therewith to
continuously or
selectively agitate a fluid within the two fluid chambers 521-522 as the first
transfer belt
150 passes through the two fluid chambers 521-522. Additionally, or
alternatively, the
transfer device 100 has a third fluid chamber 523 with a fluid agitator 526
disposed
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therewith to continuously or selectively agitate a fluid within the third
fluid chamber 523 as
the platform plate 210 passes through the third fluid chamber 523.
[101] In some implementations, a brush, sponge, microfiber, or other
material may
be positioned within the housing and in contact with a surface of the first
transfer belt 150,
such that when the transfer belt is advanced or retracted, dirt or debris may
be removed
from an upper surface of the first transfer belt 150, or both an upper surface
and a lower
surface of the first transfer belt 150. For example, with reference to Figure
24C, in some
implementations the transfer device 100 has a strip of contact material 540
and 541 (e.g.
a brush, sponge, microfiber, or other material) disposed on either side of the
device body
to contact the upper side of the transfer belt 150. In some implementations
the strips of
contact material 540 and 541 on the side of the body are configured for easy
replacement
without the use of tools or the need to access the interior of the transfer
device, for example
by pulling off an old strip and pressing a new strip into place. Contact
material may also
be positioned at other locations within the housing of the transfer device
100.
[102] Optionally, one or more reservoirs 550 (see Figure 24E) of a
cleaning and/or
disinfectant fluid (e.g. alcohol, peroxide, bleach, etc.) may also be
provided, for dispensing
cleaning and/or disinfectant fluid onto the brush, sponge, microfiber, or
other material,
and/or directly onto the first transfer belt 150. This reservoir 550 may be
configured in a
variety of formats, depending on the desired goal. For example, one such
reservoir 550
may be detachable from the transfer device 100 for ease of replacement. In
other
implementations, one or more reservoirs may be located internal to the
protective covers
of the transfer device, and such reservoir(s) may be accessed for refilling
via a pour spout.
In some implementations, these reservoirs 550 may be configured to passively
refill other
fluid cavities (such as, for example, fluid chambers 521, 522, 523, 530 and/or
531). In
some implementations, the transfer device may also include a fluid pump 551
which is
configured to fill the fluid chambers or other fluid cavities to specific
levels based on a
feedback system comprising fluid level sensors and a controller monitoring the
sensors
and controlling the aforementioned fluid pump 551. In some implementations,
the fluid
pump 551 may also be directly coupled to one or more fluid emitters
implemented
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throughout the transfer device 100 (connections between the fluid pump 551 and
fluid
emitters 513, 517 are illustrated in the Figure 24E example, but it is to be
understood that
the fluid pump 551 could also be coupled to other fluid emitters, such as
fluid emitters 511,
512, 514, 515 and/or 516 shown in Figure 24B).
[103] In some implementations, contact treatment can be combined with one
or
more other treatments for cleaning and/or disinfecting the platform or
transfer belts. For
example, with reference to Figure 24C, the transfer device 100 has contact
material 527-
529 (e.g. a brush, sponge, microfiber, or other material) disposed within the
fluid
chambers 521-523. This contact material 527-529 is positioned to make contact
with the
first transfer belt 150 and/or the platform plate 210, and is configured to
remove dirt or
debris when such contact involves movement (e.g. when the first transfer belt
150 and/or
the platform plate 210 are moving during operation). Other implementations are
possible
with the contact material 527-529 being disposed outside of the fluid chambers
521-523.
The contact material and their positioning within the transfer device 100 are
implementation-specific. In some implementations, contract treatment can also
be
combined with UV treatment and/or fluid spray treatment.
[104] Although a specific configuration with three fluid chambers 521-523
and
three fluid agitators 524-526 is shown in Figure 24C, it is to be understood
that other
configurations are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. The
number fluid
chambers and fluid agitators, and their positioning within the transfer device
100, are
implementation-specific. For example, Figure 24D shows an example
implementation that
is substantially the same as Figure 24C, but with additional fluid chambers
530 and 531
positioned within the housing below rollers 155a and 158b for respectively
cleaning and/or
disinfecting the second and third transfer belts 170a and 170b. Each fluid
chamber
350/351 has an associated agitator 352/353 and contact material 354/355
disposed
therewith.
[105] It will be appreciated that for implementations that include a fluid
dispensing
apparatus, 'fluid-proofing' or at least increased ingress protection may be
implemented for
fluid-sensitive parts of the device (e.g. electronics).
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[106] In some implementations, the transfer belt treatment system is
operably
coupled to the transfer device controller 180, and the transfer device
controller 180 is
configured to selectively actuate one or more of the UV light emitter 501-507,
the fluid
emitter 511-517, and the fluid agitator 524-256 concurrently or separately
from each other.
In some implementations, the transfer device controller is also operatively
coupled to the
platform plate treatment system, and the transfer device controller 180 is
configured to
selectively actuate one or more of the UV light emitter 501-507, the fluid
emitter 511-517,
and the fluid agitator 524-256 concurrently or separately from each other.
[107] In some implementations, a manual actuator (e.g. a depressible
button) may
be provided to selectively actuate the transfer belt treatment system to
provide one or more
treatments (e.g. UV light, disinfectant fluid, ultrasonic bath agitation,
contact treatment) to
the transfer belt 150. For example, the UV light emitter may be configured
such that, in
response to depression of the manual actuator, it emits UV light for a pre-set
period of time
(e.g. 10 seconds, 30 minutes), which may be selected based on e.g. the
decontamination
level required, a distance of the emitter from belt 150, the intensity of
light emitted by the
emitter, and/or other factors known to those in the art. As another example,
the agitator
may be configured such that, in response to depression of the manual actuator,
it agitates
fluid in the chamber for a pre-set period of time (e.g. 10 seconds, 30
minutes), which may
be selected based on e.g. the decontamination level required, composition of
fluid within
the chamber, and/or other factors known to those in the art. Additionally, or
alternatively,
the transfer belt treatment system may be configured such that one or more
treatments
(e.g. UV light, disinfectant fluid, ultrasonic agitation, contact treatment)
are provided at pre-
set intervals (e.g. following every transfer operation, every 24 hours)
without requiring
manual actuation, and/or at a preset time after a transfer operation has been
performed.
[108] Numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure are
possible
in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within
the scope of the
appended claims, the disclosure may be practised otherwise than as
specifically described
herein.
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