An occupational therapist from the University of Pittsburgh has designed an easy-to-use seat cover to be used in vehicles to assist with safe transfers into and out of vehicles.
Description
In the US, nearly one quarter of all non-crash vehicle incidents are a result of injuries from getting in and out of vehicles. This vehicle seat cover is designed to assist those with impaired or decreased mobility, balance, or strength to safely and easily transfer a person into and out of vehicles. Using turn and tilt actions, the Safer Seat has the potential to reduce over 100,000 non-crash related injuries in the US each year alone.
Applications
• Mobility assistance
• Safer transfer into and out of vehicles
• Promote independent living by supporting people in their daily activities
Advantages
Current techniques used to transfer people with reduced mobility, balance, or strength into and out of vehicles can be biomechanically compromising, challenging, and, in many cases unsafe. The Safer Seat is designed to facilitate not only a safe transfer, but an easy one.
The Safer Seat utilizes turn and lifting tilt functions. It is designed to aid the user in sitting into the vehicle or standing out of the vehicle with a lifting tilt. The Safer Seat’s lifting tilt, and turn function are operated with a remote-controlled key fob, allowing either the user or a caregiver to control it. This lifting tilt offers an elevated surface to sit onto as the user is lowered into or raised out of the vehicle seat. The turning function is designed to turn through 90 degrees. Initially, it faces the vehicle door, making it easy for users to sit down safely. Then, with minimal effort, it turns to a forward-facing position.
Invention Readiness
A second, refined prototype has been developed to improve upon the initial design. Further development is ongoing.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2024124025A1
