GB2483874A

GB2483874A - Folding transfer board

Info

Publication number: GB2483874A
Application number: GB1015896.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susie Scorer
Original assignee: NHS INNOVATIONS SOUTH EAST
Current assignee: NHS INNOVATIONS SOUTH EAST
Priority date: 2010-09-22
Filing date: 2010-09-22
Publication date: 2012-03-28
Also published as: GB201015896D0

Abstract

A folding transfer board 10 comprises a main board 15, a first arm 20 and a second arm 25. The first and second arms 20, 25 are attached to the main board 15 by means of hinges 30 and are independently movable relative to the main board 15 between an open position and a folded position. When each of the first arm 20 and the second arm 25 is in the open position a transfer surface is formed; and when each of the first arm 20 and the second arm 25 is in the folded position the arms overlap across the main board 15. The invention also describes a method of making a folding transfer board, and a method of using the same.

Description

Folding Transfer Board

Field

The invention relates to a folding transfer board, in particular to a board comprising a first arm and a second arm movable between open and folded positions. The invention also relates to a method of making a folding transfer board and to a method of using the board.

Background

Transfer boards are used to help individuals with low mobility move between a wheelchair and other surfaces such as a bed, chair, car or toilet. However, these boards are generally large, heavy, and as a result can be awkward to carry. This lack of portability limits the situations in which the boards can be used to, for instance, the home or a hospital situation.

When away from either of these environments the user will typically either rely upon an assistant to aid the transfer, or struggle alone. The need for assistance limits the user's independence in the short term. However, if assistance is not sought, longer term damage can occur to the joints of the upper limbs as a result of repetitive loads during the persQns transfers; such load causes wear and tear and restricts the long term independence of the user as a result of the pain experienced from this wear and tear. In addition, such boards are typically purely functional in construction with little or no thought given to ease of use and aesthetic appeal.

Examples of known transfer boards include the board described in US 2006/0103182. This board is integral to a wheelchair and as such offers one solution to the need to supply portable transfer boards. However, this board is limited in that it can only be used for transfer to and from wheelchairs, and not between other surfaces. In addition, the positioning of the board as part of the arm of the wheelchair may increase the weight of the chair and may make the arm cumbersome and uncomfortable.

A pivoting transfer board is described in US 4,908,890, the pivoting motion is intended to ease the transfer process. However, the presence of a post to support the board during transfer reduces portability resulting in a board which is suitable for regularly executed domestic or hospital transfers only, for instance from the wheelchair to bed, where it may be appropriate to leave the board in position more or less permanently.

GB 2 236 946 describes a semi-portable transfer board with handles to enable ease of lifting and positioning and to additionally allow the board to be carried on the back of a wheelchair.

However, this board is large and unwieldy and further modification is desirable.

Bendable boards have also been developed, such as the board described in JP 2006/034570.

This board is bendable in the middle to facilitate the resting of the board on surfaces of differing heights. JP 2004/2298 82 describes a board with two longitudinal folding arms, each arm has an area of approximately half that of the main board, this allows the arms to be folded across the main board to form a single additional layer of material on top of the main portion of the board. This reduces the size of the board improving portability and making storage easier.

However, there remains a need in the art for a transfer board which is portable, light, robust, easy to use and store, of simple construction, and aesthetically pleasing. Where possible, such boards should be usable by individuals with little or no active finger movements and partial arm range of movements (such as tetraplegics or other individuals with impaired upper limb strength and/or function). The foldable transfer board of the invention is intended to ameliorate some or all of these problems.

Summary

There is provided, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a folding transfer board comprising a main board, a first arm and a second arm: wherein the first and second arms are attached to the main board and are independently movable relative to the main board between an open position and a folded position; wherein when each of the first arm and the second arm is in the open position a transfer surface is formed; and wherein when each of the first arm and the second arm is in the folded position the first arm overlaps the second arm.

The folding transfer board of the invention is simple in construction. The formation of a single transfer surface ensures that the product is stable in use and easy to slide across. The presence of two arms which can overlap across the main board when not in use aids portability as the folded product is smaller than would otherwise be possible. Further, the independent movement of the arms offers the possibility of opening only one of these where the gap to be bridged is particularly small and/or the surfaces between which transfer must occur are at differing levels. Where only one arm is open during use an end of the board formed as a result of the other arm remaining folded will be deeper than a fully open end of the board and can therefore help to counteract any difference in height between surfaces, reducing the gradient at which the board must be placed.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided, a method of making a folding transfer board as described in the first aspect of the invention, comprising the step of attaching a first arm and a second arm to a main board.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided, a use of a folding transfer board as described in the first aspect of the invention comprising: moving a first and a second arm to an open position; placing the board across a gap between two seating positions; and a user moving from a first seating position to a second seating position along the board. Movement may be independent or assisted and accordingly, the user may move from a first seating position to a second seating position along the board, or the user may be moved from a first seating position to a second seating position along the board.

In most applications of the invention the main board will be of substantially rectangular construction, often approximately square in cross-section. This is advantageous for simplicity of construction and ease of attachment of the arms, In alternative designs, the main board may be substantially rectangular so as to provide a main board surface which is narrower from front to back than from arm to arm. When both arms are in the folded position this provides a compact board which is easy to store.

It will often be the case that the arms are of smaller area than the main board, so that when folded the cross-section of the transfer board is dependent upon the cross-section of the main board (i.e. the arms are shaped to fit within the cross-section of the main board). In such instances, it is often beneficial to ensure that the folded cross-section of the board, and hence the shape of the main board, is such that it can easily be stowed under or on the back of a wheelchair. If this is to be achieved, generally square cross-sections can often be beneficial.

It is particularly advantageous if the cross-section of the main board is slightly smaller than the cross-section of a wheelchair seat or back, and so the transfer may be stowed on the wheelchair back or under the seat of the wheelchair when not in use. It is also beneficial for the cross-section of the main board to be of a size where it can be stowed in a backpack or other mid-sized bag when not in use. Generally the cross-section of the main board will be of a size such that the transfer board can easily be transported by the user. For instance the main board may be of cross-section less than 350 x 350 mm, on occasion less than 300 x 300 mm, often less than 280 x 280 mm. In such instances, the transfer board could be stored in a back-pack and hung on the back of the wheelchair.

Additionally or alternatively, the main board may be configured to provide added comfort during transfer, for instance the main board may form part of an arc defining a front edge of the transfer board when both arms arc in the open position. As used herein the term "front" is intended to be used in the same manner as the term would apply to, for instance, a chair or stool. The front meaning an edge of the transfer board which will be positioned in use closest to the users knees and towards which the user will face during transfer.

Other shapes may also be adopted for the main board, for aesthetic reasons. However, in all instances the shape of the main board must be such that at least two arms can be foldably attached to the main board and a transfer surface formed when the arms are in the open position.

In many embodiments, the folding transfer board will be of substantially square cross-section when the first and the second arm are in the folded position. The term "substantially square" is intended to mean that the difference in length between the two sets of opposing sides in the rectangle is less then 10%.

The two arms of the folding board will typically be positioned at generally opposing edges of the main board; this positioning offers an elongate transfer surface when both arms are in the open position. However, the arms may also be attached at different positions around the main board. For instance, where the main board is of rectangular construction the two arms may be positioned along adjacent edges of the rectangle. \Vherc this is the case, the two edges of the rectangle which do not have arms attached thereto may be curved to improve the comfort of the user during transfer. The arms may be the same or different, in particular the first or second arm may comprise a minor image of the other of the first or second arm.

As described above, when the first arm and the second arm are in the open position a transfer surface is formed. The transfer surface is a generally planar, substantially continuous surface with only minimal deviation within the surface arising from the attachment of the arms to the main board and any tapering which may be present. It is the transfer surface against which a user may rest during transfer.

In some instances, the first arm or the second arm is between the main board and the other of the first arm or the second arm when the arms are in the folded position. Accordingly, both arms are folded either to a position under a surface of the main board which forms part of the transfer surface in use (the user resting on a top surface of the main board, the arms being folded to a bottom surface of the main board); or to a position in which the arms at least partially cover the top surface of the main board when folded. Alternatively, the main board may be between the first arm and the second arm when the arms are in the folded position, in these instances a 7" shaped configuration is adopted. In many examples it is preferable that the arms are folded away from the top surface of the main board as this offers a product with a greater aesthetic appeal because the functional aspects of the board (found on the bottom surface of the main board) are hidden when the arms are folded.

Additionally, where the first and second arms are positioned on adjacent edges of a rectangular or square main board (so as to form a roughly "L" shape when in the open position), the arms may be folded so that they overlap in a position where both arms are under a surface of the main board which forms part of the transfer surface in use, or to a position where the main board is between the first arm and the second arm. As noted above, it is often desirable that the arms are folded away from the top surface of the main board as the resulting product is generally considered to have a greater aesthetic appeal.

It can be seen from the above that as used herein the term "overlap" is intended to refer to any configuration of folding (i.e. both arms in the folded position), where a cross-section through the transfer board taken perpendicular to the plane containing the top surface of the main board will intersect both arms. This includes configurations where both arms are folded towards one another and configurations where folding results in folding of the arms towards opposing surfaces of the main board.

It is generally advantageous if the first arm overlaps the second arm substantially entirely when both arms are in the folded position. This allows the arms, and hence the board, to be as large as possible given the small and portable folded configuration obtained. By substantially entirely is meant that the arms overlap along substantially the entirety of a length of the arm. The length of an arm is the distance between a point of attachment to the main board (an inner edge) and an edge furthest from the point of attachment to the main board (an outer edge). This may be an overlap in the range 50 -100%, 70 -100% or 80 -95%.

Where the first and second arms are positioned at generally opposing edges of the main board; thereby offering an elongate transfer surface, the elongate transfer surface may be of any length (i.e. distance along the largest axis) appropriate to allow the board to perform the transfer function whilst being capable of being stowed when folded in a bag, for instance, and transported easily by the user. Such length dimensions may be in the range 500 -1000 mm, often 600 -800 mm. The maximum width will typically correspond to the width cross-section of the main board, although this is not essential.

For aesthetic and storage reasons it is often the case that either the first and/or the second arm is of a cross-sectional area less than a cross-sectional area of the main board. Where the cross-sectional area is less than the cross-sectional area of the main board, it is generally desirable that the size of the arm is such that when in the folded position it fits within the area defined by the main board and does not protrude beyond the edges thereof This provides a board with fewer potentially hazardous edges against which a user could hurt themselves. In addition, this feature offers a product which is "neat" in appearance because the arms may (when folded away from the top surface of the main board) be hidden from view behind the main board and is hence more aesthetically pleasing. A particularly aesthetically pleasing product can be obtained where both arms have a cross-sectional area which is less than the cross-sectional area of the main board.

In some examples of the inventive product, the first and/or the second arm may be less deep at the edge of the arm furthest from the point of attachment to the main board (the outer edge), than at the point of attachment of the arm to the main board (the inner edge). As used herein the term "deep" and associated terms is intended to refer to the axis of the board perpendicular to the plane containing the transfer surface. In this invention it will generally be the case that the depth of the board is significantly less than the width (the axis within the plane containing the transfer surface which is shorter) or length (the axis within the plane containing the transfer surface which is longer).

The lessening in depth may be a taper, or a stepwise decrease in depth. Tapering is generally preferred as fewer sharp edges are introduced which could cause a hazard to the user (whether through direct injury or damage.to clothing) and the overall appearance of the transfer board is more pleasing. It is advantageous to reduce the depth of one or both arms (preferably both arms) from the inner edge to the outer edge as this reduces the amount of material used in the board, and hence the weight of the board. However, to avoid a reduction in the stability of the transfer board, it will typically be the case that the taper originates from a top surface of the arm, with a bottom surface of the arm remaining substantially planar.

In addition, the presence of arms that are less deep at the outer edge than the inner edge provides a more efficient overlap of the arms when folded towards one another. This is because the outer edge of whichever of the first or the second arm which is folded first and hence lies closest to the main board can tuck more neatly into a space left by the folding of the other of the first or second arm, ensuring that both arms can fold as closely as possible to the main board. This folding minimises the depth of the folded transfer board, enhancing the portability of the board.

In further embodiments, the first and/or the second arm may be narrower in width at the edge of the arm furthest from the point of attachment to the main board (the outer edge), than at the point of attachment of the arm to the main board (the inner edge). The narrowing in width may be any form of shaping including stepwise reduction in width and tapering. In general the narrowing in width will be a tapering one or both arms via the inclusion of an arc at a front edge of the arm. The presence of an arc at this edge reduces sharp edges which may be directly hazardous to the user or which may catch and damage their clothing during transfer.

In addition, a rear edge of the arm (i.e. the edge generally opposing the front edge) may also be shaped, for instance as an arc similar to that which may be present at the front edge or as an inwardly shaped curve. The reduction in width from the inner to outer edge of the arm also facilitates the support of the arm on a narrower point of support for the transfer board such as where space is restricted.

A further benefit of the introduction of shaping in the arms is the reduction in material used and hence the weight reduction gained in the overall product. Such weight reductions have benefits in terms of improved portability and reduction in the cost of materials in the transfer board. In addition to the improved portability arising from the weight reduction, a transfer board including generally curved arms may be considered as "ergonomic" and as a result aesthetically pleasing.

The arms must be attached to the main board when the board is open for use, it will be very rare for the arms not to be permanently attached to the main board. A point of attachment between the main board and the first or second arm may be the same for each arm, or different. Generally the point of attachment will be the same. Each arm may be attached to the main board at a single point, or at more than one point depending upon for form of attachment used. For example, if an arm and the main board are integral, motion of the arm being achieved by, for instance, the simple presence of a groove providing a pivot plane in the integral unit, then only a single point of attachment may be necessary. Alternatively, if the point of attachment of the first and/or the second arm to the main board comprises a hinge, there may be more than one point of attachment, even multiple points of attachment.

In one embodiment the point of attachment comprises two hinges, one positioned proximal to the front edge of the transfer board and one proximal to a rear edge of the transfer board.

The arms may be configured to "lock" in an open position, or the.combination of gravity and the mass of the user sliding across the transfer board may be used to ensure that the arms do not move relative to the main board when in use. There the arms are configured to lock, this may be using any commonly known locking mechanism including compression locking. In some examples the inner edge of the arm may include a protrusion at one or more positions which upon deployment of the arm in an open position forms a detent against a surface of the main board, often the bottom surface of the main board, preventing the arm from returning to a folded position without the application of force to release the detent. Often the detent will be positioned proximal to the hinges.

The use of a locking mechanism can be advantageous as locking of the arms prevents any movement of these relative to the board, removing the possibility that the arms could flex relative to the board and catch the user or their clothing causing "pinching" and hence discomfort or damage to the garment.

The transfer board may further comprise a handle. The presence of a handle can make positioning of the board easier for the user. The handle may be selected from a rigid or non-rigid loop of material attached to the board, a "pull handle", and one or more apertures in the board. In many cases the handle comprises an aperture in the board. This is advantageous as removal of material from the board further decreases the weight of the board and the provision of an aperture in the board offers a simple method of manufacturing a board including this feature.

It will generally be the case that the board of the invention comprises two, three or four handles, these may be the same or different. Often where two handles are present there will be a first handle comprising an aperture in the first arm and a second handle comprising an aperture in the second arm. The presence of a handle in each arm facilitates easy movement of the arms between folded and open positions and aids in the positioning of the transfer board for use. A third or fourth handle may comprise an aperture placed in an arm or the main board.

In some embodiments, the aperture is positioned proximal to the front edge of the transfer board. The aperture may be in the main board, the first arm or the second arm. Often where there is one aperture only this will be in the main board. Where there are two apertures these may be both in the main board (for instance one aperture may be proximal to a front edge of the main board and one aperture may be proximal to a rear edge of the main board).

Alternatively, there may be one aperture in each of the first and second arms. It will often be the case that there will be a single aperture in each arm, in such cases each aperture may independently be positioned proximal to the front or outer edge of the arm. This positioning facilitates positioning of the board with a minimum of stretching by the user. Where three apertures are present these will generally be positioned one each in the first arm, the main board and the second arm; the apertures may be proximal to an edge of the board in which they are positioned, often the aperture in the main board will be proximal to the front edge of the transfer board. The apertures in the arms may be independently positioned proximal to the front or outer edge of each arm. Where there are four apertures the additional aperture, beyond three will typically also be placed in the main board. This aperture will often be proximal to a rear edge of the main board.

The aperture may be of any size or shape which allows the use of the aperture as a handle.

As such, it must be possible for the user to place at least their fingers through the aperture and grip the transfer board. Where the aperture is in an arm, it may be used to facilitate movement of the arm from one of the open or folded position to the other of the open or folded position. In some embodiments the aperture will be elongate to accommodate the shape of a hand with comfort. In some instances the aperture will include rounded edges to increase the aesthetic appeal thereof, the comfort of use and to reduce the risk of direct damage to the user or damage to the users clothing as a result of sharp edges being present. It is sometimes advantageous to at least partially line the edges of the aperture with a soft material, such as rubber, to improve comfort in use. Where lining is included, total lining is preferred. The lining may be simply pushed onto the edge of the aperture or may be glued as would be known to the person skilled in the art.

In general, the transfer surface of the transfer board will typically be planar, this surface may be smooth to help facilitate sliding across the board during transfer.

A bottom surface of the transfer board may include reinforcing ribs, providing strength and rigidity and hence allowing less material to be used in the. board thereby reducing the weight of the product. The use and positioning of such ribs would be well known to the person skilled in the art.

In addition, the bottom surface may include one or more grip pads. These may be present to help reduce slippage of the transfer board during use. As used herein the term "grip pad" is intended to include any feature which reduces slippage of the transfer board relative to a surface onto which the board is placed. The presence of the grip pad improves the safety of use of the transfer board.

In some examples there will be two grip pads present, these may be positioned anywhere on the underside of the transfer board, but will preferably be present one each, on each of the first and second arms. It is generally advantageous if the grip pad covers a substantial area of the bottom surface of the first and/or second arm, possibly in the range 20% -90%, often 30% -75%, or 40% -60%. In many embodiments the gñp pad will be elongate. The presence of a grip pad which covers a substantial area of the bottom surface of the first and/or second arm, and/or which may be elongate, helps to ensure that a point of contact between the transfer board and the surface being transferred to or from is covered by the grip pad, helping to ensure that the transfer board will remain in position during transfer of the user.

The grip pad may be affixed using glue or other well know methods. The grip pad may be positioned over a ribbed area but will often be affixed to a smooth surface, often the grip pad will be recessed. The grip pad may be textured. The grip pad may be made from any slip inhibiting material, for example the grip pad may be made from an elastomeric material, this may include natural or synthetic rubber, PVC, polyurethane and the like as would be well known to the person skilled in the art.

The transfer board may be made from wood, a moulded plastics material, carbon fibre, metal or a combination thereof It is often advantageous if the transfer board is made from a moulded plastics material as such materials are robust, lightweight and can be quickly and simply made in a wide variety of shapes. In addition, both wood and metal may have rough edges or splinters present which can harm the user or damage their clothing during transfer.

Moulded plastics products can be produced with a smooth surface. The moulded plastics material may be any commonly used plastics material such as, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene and combinations thereof In general the transfer board will comprise a plastics material selected from polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane and combinations thereof As discussed above, it is desirable that the transfer board of the invention look aesthetically pleasing. Accordingly, the transfer board of the invention may be made available in a range of colours such as to be attractive to users of a variety of different ages and lifestyles. For instance, transfer boards for younger people could be produced in bright colours and perhaps include surface decoration. Other users may prefer simpler colour schemes and be desirous of a transfer board which is discrete when not in use. Such a board may be of a similar colour to the user's wheelchair, for instance.

The transfer board described above may be made using techniques known to the person skilled in the art and appropriate for use with the materials selected for any particular board.

However, it will generally be the case that the method of manufacture include the step of attaching a first arm and a second arm to a main board.

The use of the inventive transfer board is intended to be simple and involves the following steps: moving a first and a second arm to an open position; placing the board across a gap between two seating positions; and a user moving from a first seating position to a second seating position along the board.

Brief Description of Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a transfer board of the invention with two arms in the open position; Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the transfer board of Figure 1 with the two arms in the folded position; Figure 3 is a perspective view from below of the transfer board of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the transfer board of Figure 1 with the two anns in the folded position; and Figure 5 is a side view of the transfer board of Figure 1 with the two arms in the folded position.

Description of Embodiments

Figure 1 illustrates a folding transfer board 10, comprising a main board 15, a first arm 20 and a second arm 25. The first and second arms 20 25, are attached to the main board 15 at opposing sides of the main board 15 by a hinge 30. Accordingly, there are four hinges 30 in total. Each arm 20 25 includes a handle 35.

In this embodiment the transfer board 10 is of moulded plastics construction, formed from grey polypropylene. The main board 15 is of substantially square cross-section and has maximum dimensions in the plane of the main board 15 of 240 mm (front edge 60 to rear edge 65) and 263 mm (arm 20 to arm 25). Each arm 20 25 includes an arced front edge 40 and a curved rear edges 45 as illustrated in the figures, each arm 20 25 is 217 mm long (inner edge 50 to outer edge 55) and 240 mm from (front edge 40 to rear edge 45) at the widest point. The first and second arms 20 25 are mirror images of one another. In addition, it is clear that the first and second arms 20 25 are sized such that they are each smaller than the mainboardls.

The maximum depth of the transfer board 10 is at the inner edge 50 of each arm 20 25 where the hinge 30 is positioned. At this point the open transfer board 10 is 32 mm deep, the depth of the main board 15 and some parts of the arms 20 25 is 15 mm. The arms 20 25 each taper to the outer edge 55 of the arm 2025, the bottom surface 70 of the arm 20 25 is substantially flat, the taper being introduced from the top surface 75 of the arm 20 25.

The hinge 30 of this embodiment includes a 10 mm diameter hinge pin to ensure that loading of the transfer board 10 will not shear the hinge 30.

In each arm is a handle 35. The handle 35 is in the form of a curved aperture positioned proximal to the front edge 60 of the transfer board 10. The fingers of the user can pass through this aperture to grip the transfer board 10.

When the arms 20 25 are folded, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the first and second arms 20 are folded towards one another both to a bottom surface 80 of the main board 15. The arms 20 25 are sized such that they do not protrude beyond the area of the main board 15.

When folded the transfer board 10 of this specific example is of approximate dimensions 263 mm x 240 mm x 49 mm.

The top surface of the transfer board (comprised of the top surface of the main board 85 and the top surface 75 of each arm) is smooth, no texture has been added to that conferred by the plastics moulding. The bottom surface of the board 70 80, as shown in Figure 3, includes a series of reinforcing ribs 90. A synthetic rubber grip pad 95 is positioned on the bottom surface 70 of each arm 20 25. The grip pad 95 is positioned using adhesive as would be known to the person skilled in the art. Each grip pad 95 is of rectangular construction with rounded corners. The grip pads 95 are each of approximate dimension iSO mm x 100 mm.

Unless otherwise stated each of the integers described in the invention may be used in combination with any other integer as would be understood by the person skilled in the art.

Further, although all aspects of the invention preferably "comprise" the features described in relation to that aspect, it is specifically envisaged that they may "consist" or "consist essentially" of those features outlined in the claims. In addition, unless otherwise stated, all numerical values appearing in this application are to be understood as being modified by the term "about".

Claims

Claims 1. A folding transfer board comprising a main board, a first arm and a second arm: wherein the first and second arms are attached to the main board and are independently movable relative to the main board between an open pOsition and a folded position; wherein when each of the first arm and the second arm is in the open position a transfer surface is formed; and wherein when each of the first arm and the second arm is in the folded position the first arm overlaps the second arm.
2. A board according to claim 1 wherein the first arm or the second arm is between the main board and the other of the first arm or the second arm when the arms are in the folded position.
3. A board according to claim I wherein the main board is between the first arm and the second arm when the arms are in the folded position.
4. A board according to any preceding claim ftirther comprising a handle,
5. A board according to claim 4 wherein the handle comprises an aperture in the board.
6. A board according to claim 4 comprising two handles, a first handle comprising an aperture in the first arm and a second handle comprising an aperture in the second arm.
7. A board according to any of claims 4 to 6 comprising three or four handles.
8. A board according to any preceding claim wherein the first arm overlaps the second arm substantially entirely when both arms are in the folded position.
9. A board according to any preceding claim wherein either the first and/or the second arm is of a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the main board.
10. A board according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or the second arm is less deep at an edge of the arm furthest from a point of attachment to the main board, than at the point of attachment of the arm to the main board.
11. A board according to any preceding claim wherein the first and/or the second arm is narrower in width at an edge of the arm furthest from a point of attachment to the main board, than at the point of attachment of the arm to the main board.
12. A board according to claim 11 wherein the narrowing in width is a tapering.
13. A board according to claim 10 wherein the lessening in depth is a tapering.
14. A board according to any preceding claim wherein a point of attachment of the first and/or the second arm to the main board comprises a hinge.
15. A board according to any preceding claim additionally comprising a grip pad.
16. A method of making a folding transfer board according to any preceding claim comprising the step attaching a first arm and a second arm to a main board.
17. A use of a folding transfer board according to any of claims 1 to 16 comprising: moving a first and a second arm to an open position; placing the board across a gap between two seating positions; and a user moving from a first seating position to a second seating position along the board.
18. A folding transfer board substantially described herein with reference to the drawings.
19. A method of making a transfer board substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.
20. A method of use of a transfer board substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.