Toilet transfer systems and methods

Abstract

A toilet transfer system is described for assisting a person to transfer between a wheelchair and a toilet. The system comprises a base unit that is attached to a toilet and that may be supported by one or more legs. The system further comprises a transfer board that is rotatably coupled to the base unit, allowing the transfer board to be positioned in a variety of positions without need to detach the toilet transfer system from the toilet. The transfer board may be pointed forward to allow the wheelchair to be positioned for transfer, pointed towards the wheelchair for transfer, and pointed back for compact storage between transfers and for normal use of the toilet. A coupling system accommodates height differentials between the toilet and the wheelchair, and allows the transfer board to become lifted up off the base unit and/or rotated without becoming misaligned from the base unit.

1 . An apparatus for assisting a person to transfer between a wheelchair and a toilet, comprising: 
 a base unit that comprises a coupler-receiving hole and that attaches to said toilet;    a transfer board; and    a coupling mechanism that rotatably attaches said transfer board to said base unit, said coupling mechanism further comprising: 
 a coupling mount that is attached to said transfer board; and  
 a guide post that joins at a first end to said coupling mount with a ball joint, and that extends from said coupling mount through said coupler-receiving hole in said base unit, wherein an end cap of said guide posts restrains said coupling mechanism from becoming detached from said base unit;  
   wherein said coupling mechanism allows said transfer board to be rotated about a plurality of axes without becoming detached from said base unit.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said coupling mechanism allows said transfer board to be rotated into a variety of positions on a horizontal plane while said transfer board is supported on and attached to said base unit.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said coupling mechanism allows said transfer board to be rotated into a variety of positions while said transfer board is lifted off and still attached to said base unit.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said end cap is detachably attached to said guide post, and wherein, when said end cap is detached from said guide post, said guide post may be withdrawn from said coupler-receiving hole, allowing said transfer board to be detached from said base unit.  
   
   
       5 . A device for assisting in the transfer of a person from a wheelchair to a toilet, comprising: 
 a base unit positioned between said wheelchair and said toilet;    a transfer member having a surface along which said person can slide between said wheelchair and said toilet, said transfer member having a first end and having a second end which rests on said wheelchair; and    a joint assembly for connecting said first end of said transfer member to said base unit, said joint assembly permitting rotation of said transfer member about said base unit along two axes.    
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said joint assembly permits rotation of said transfer member about said base unit along three axes.  
   
   
       7 . A method of assisting a person to transfer between a wheelchair and a toilet, comprising: 
 attaching a base unit to said toilet;    attaching a first end of a transfer board to said base unit, and resting a second end of said transfer board on said wheelchair; and    sliding said person from said wheelchair to said toilet on said transfer board.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein attaching a first end of said transfer board to said base unit further comprises rotatably coupling said first end of said transfer board to said base unit such that said transfer board may be rotated about said coupling into a plurality of positions with respect to said base unit and said toilet.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said transfer board may be rotated about a plurality of axes without becoming detached from said base unit.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for assisting a person to transfer between a wheelchair and a toilet, comprising: 
 a base unit comprising a platform and a bracket system, wherein said bracket system secures said base unit to said toilet; and    a transfer board having a first end supported on and rotatably coupled to said base unit, said transfer board having a second end supported on a wheelchair.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more legs for supporting said base unit.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said one or more legs are height adjustable.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said one or more legs are detachably connected to said base unit.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said base unit is made of at least one of the set consisting of: wood, laminated wood, metal, fiberglass, and plastic.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said transfer board is made of at least one of the set consisting of: wood, laminated wood, metal, fiberglass and plastic.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said second end of said transfer board is beveled.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said transfer board is coupled to said base unit with a coupling system that allows said first end to be pivoted up off said base unit without becoming detached from said base unit.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said toilet transfer system is portable for use at another toilet.  
   
   
       19 . A system for assisting a person to transfer between a wheelchair and a toilet, comprising: 
 means for attaching a base unit to said toilet; and    means for coupling a first end of a transfer board to said base unit, such that a second end of said transfer board may rest on said wheelchair.    
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said means for coupling allow said transfer board to lift off said base unit while remaining coupled to said base unit.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said means for coupling allow said transfer board to be pivoted about a plurality of axes while remaining coupled to said base unit.