Extended transfer platform

Abstract

The invention provides a transfer board for aiding disabled individuals in moving from one surface to another, such as from a chair to a bed. The transfer board can also be designed to provide a seat for a toilet so that a disabled individual can be more easily transferred from a chair or bed to the toilet. The board is designed so that it can be utilized on a portable chair or can be affixed to a toilet in a home, hotel, or hospital, for example, to provide a toilet seat that better enables the transfer of a physically challenged individual onto the seat.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A transfer platform comprising 
 a seat portion and at least one side portion extending from the seat portion;    a chamfered edge on the at least one side portion providing a slightly inclined surface at an outer margin of the platform;    a raised lip extending along a first edge of the seat portion; and    at least one fastening means operably connected to a second edge of the seat portion, the second edge being parallel to the first edge.    
     
     
         2 . The transfer platform of  claim 1  further comprising an aperture within the seat portion 
 through which waste may be transmitted into a receptacle positioned beneath the aperture.  
 
     
     
         3 . The transfer platform of  claim 1  wherein the at least one side portion is formed of unitary construction with the seat portion.  
     
     
         4 . The transfer platform of  claim 1  wherein the at least one side portion is operably connected to the seat portion by at least one hinged element, the side portion thereby being positioned either perpendicular to the seat portion for storage, or positioned so that the side portion is extended from the seat portion to form a substantially planar surface for a physically challenged individual to be moved across the side portion to access the seat portion.  
     
     
         5 . A method of using a transfer platform to enable a physically challenged individual to be more easily moved from a bed or wheelchair to a patient-assistance device, the method comprising 
 providing a transfer board comprising 
 a seat portion and at least one side portion extending from the seat portion;  
 a chamfered edge on the at least one side portion providing a slightly inclined surface at an outer margin of the platform;  
 a raised lip extending along a first edge of the seat portion; and  
 at least one fastening means operably connected to a second edge of the seat portion, the second edge being parallel to the first edge;  
   attaching the transfer board by means of the at least one fastening means to a patient assistance device; and    sliding the physically challenged individual across the at least one side portion to be positioned on the seating portion.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the fastening means is a standard commode hinge.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the patient assistance device is selected from the group comprising a standard commode, a portable toilet chair, or a shower chair.