GB2296429A

GB2296429A - Inflatable lifting seat

Info

Publication number: GB2296429A
Application number: GB9426460A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Edmund Talbot Garman
Original assignee: Mangar International Ltd
Current assignee: Mangar International Ltd
Priority date: 1994-12-31
Filing date: 1994-12-31
Publication date: 1996-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2014-12-31
Also published as: GB9426460D0; GB2296429B

Abstract

An inflatable seat (eg a wheelchair) 12 has a backrest 14 which is held upright by the inflated seat but can fold away from the seat when deflated. The seat may included a stack of individually inflatable bags as described in GB2286430 having loops 19 which engage and slide along the uprights of the backrest. The seat is able to collapse flat for transport. <IMAGE>

Description

LIFTING DEVICES This invention concerns lifting devices, e.g. for lifting injured or disabled persons.

It is known to raise a person by means of a pneumatically inflatable apparatus comprising a platform which is disposed on a bellows and is stabilised by a mechanism contained in the bellows. Such apparatus provides stable lifting, but is expensive to construct, is cumbersome to carry and in its lowermost condition is too thick to be slid easily under a person without the person being raised significantly by hand.

For emergency use, it is known to employ stretchers comprising a pneumatically inflatable mattress slung between poles. Such apparatus is bulky because of its length, and the maximum thickness of the mattress is very small and thus provides insufficient lift, so that the stretcher has to be raised manually by means of the poles.

It is also known to employ a large inflatable bag for lifting purposes. Such bags are inherently unstable during lifting, and are not therefore suitable for lifting disabled persons.

Stability of lifting is n;ost important where disabled persons are concerned, and in particular in circumstances where only one or two helpers or attendants are available to assist such a person.

The problems of lifting persons, who are usually disabled, infirm or at least unsteady in themselves, remains. Hoists, and other lifting equipment in present use, are cumbersome and often difficult to get into position for lifting a patient.

Our co-pending Applications Nos. 94012675 and 9413882 address some of the problems associated with the provision of stability during lifting, and the whole content of these applications is incorporated herein by reference and should be read in conjunction with this specification.

The problems of providing stability for users, who are usually disabled, infirm or at least unsteady themselves, remains where access is not available for lifting a wheelchair or other apparatus having a rigid frame to support the user.

The present invention provides wheelchair apparatus comprising an inflatable elevating seat, rotary support members to support the seat, and a backrest connected to a rear of the seat, wherein the connection between the seat and the backrest in such that the seat when inflated holds the backrest in an upstanding condition, and is such that when the seat is deflated the backrest can be laid down to extend rearwardly from the seat.

The present invention further provides lifting apparatus comprising an inflatable elevating seat, and a backrest connected to a rear of the seat, wherein the connection between the seat and the backrest in such that the seat when inflated holds the backrest in an upstanding condition, and is such that when the seat is deflated the backrest can be laid down to extend rearwardly from the seat.

The present invention provides a stack of substantially rectangular bags secured together, in which the fully inflated thickness of each bag is less than the width and breadth of the bag, at least the bag or bags below the uppermost bag of the stack containing internal flexible links to limit the inflated thickness thereof, wherein the bags are individually inflatable, and wherein a backrest is connected to the bags so that it can be raised from a position extending rearwardly from the stack when the bags are deflated to a generally upright position in which it is held when the bags, or some thereof, are inflated.

The backrest is preferably releasably connected to the seat or stack, and is preferably collapsible or comprises separate or separable parts to enable the area occupied by the backrest to be reduced for transportation or storage.

The backrest structure, may be connected to the lowest bag of the stack, to enhance the stability of the stack by effectively increasing its "footprint" on the floor.

The backrest is preferably pivotally engageable or connected at its lower end with or to a mounting or base provided at the bottom of the seat or stack.

The device or seat preferably includes a jacking base as is disclosed in our co-pending Application No. 9413882.

The backrest is preferably pivotally attached or attachable to said base.

The bags of stack are preferably sequentially inflatable by pneumatic control means as is disclosed in our co-pending Application No. 9402675.

The seat or stack may have a hard stiff upper cover, e.g. a panel as is disclosed in said co-pending applications, which cover is preferably split to permit the stack and cover to be folded, when the stack is deflated.

The stack is preferably constructed as disclosed in our accompanying co-pending Application having the same date as this application and the air inlets to the bags are preferably horizontally or transversely offset from each other so that the height overall of the stack is minimised when the stack is deflated.

The backrest is preferably constrained, tethered or attached to the rear of each bag of the stack so as to permit at least linear movement between the backrest and each bag as the stack is inflated and deflated.

The backrest preferably comprises a plurality of elongate members, such as staves, which may abe linked together in pairs or groups, and which are preferably of thin flat form and of a stiff material such as aluminium, plywood, plastics, fibre reinforced plastics. The staves may be hollow.

A cushion is preferably provided at the upper end of the backrest to serve as a pillow or back-cushion.

The lower end of the backrest may be provided with means, such as rollers or glides, to facilitate movement of said lower end as the backrest is lifted prior to inflation of the seat or stack.

Wheels, rollers or castors may be provided at or attachable to the bottom end of the backrest or the base, e.g. so that the device when inflated can be used as a trolley to move a person; or suckers may be provided at or securable to the bottom end or the base so that the device can serve as a "bath lift".

The backrest may be telescopically extensible.

The bags in the stack may be offset from one another, at least at the rear, so that the rear of the stack and the backrest are angled, e.g. rearwards, when the stack is inflated whilst supported on a horizontal surface.

The device may further provide side support for the user, e.g. by means of an armrest or armrests. The armrest is preferably detachable, or partially releasable, from the device; and preferably extends between the backrest and the uppermost of the bags. The armrest may be extensible, e.g. telescopically, or flexible.

The device may include a handle or handles securable to the backrest, inelastic ties to link the or each handle to a base or bottom member, a pivot connecting the rear of the bottom member to the backrest, and castors or wheels near the pivot to facilitate the device being used as a trolley in which the base or bottom member, the backrest and the ties serve together as a triangulated frame for the stack.

The invention further provides lifting apparatus comprising compressed air supply and control means, and the lifting device of the invention.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein FIGURE 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in rear perspective view with a lifting device of the invention in a fully inflated condition; FIGURE 2 shows the lifting device, fully deflated, in a folded storage or transport condition; FIGURES 3 to 5 are diagrams showing three stages in which the lifting device is respectively depicted as being laid flat and deflated with a person lying thereon, being held so that its backrest is upright with the person supported on the device, and after being fully inflated to raise the person to a sitting position and to support the backrest in an upright condition; FIGURE 6 shows a rear perspective view of a second embodiment;; FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 but showing the second embodiment; FIGURES 8 and 9 are detail views of part of the second embodiment as laid flat and with backrest raised, and FIGURES 10 and 11 show sections through one bag of the lifting device in an almost deflated condition and in a fully inflated condition respectively.

The apparatus includes a lifting device 10 and compressed air supply and control means 11.

The lifting device 10 comprises a stack 12 of four pneumatically inflatable bags 13, of substantially rectangular plan form which are bonded together, and a backrest 14 in the form of two stiff support members of Ushape. Each support member includes two staves 16 joined at one end by a transverse member 17 and at the opposite end by a pillow or cushion member 18 which extends across the backrest and links the two support members.

Each bag 13 above the bottom bag of the stack has at its rear a row of four flexible loops 19 through which the staves 16 extend to connect the backrest and stack. The bottom bag 13 has a flexible plastics rod 20 secured at its rear by a bonded on web 21 (FIGURE 2) which web is apertured to receive the staves so that the rod 20 can serve as pivot against which the staves abut during operation of the device for lifting. The bottom bag also has carrying handles 22 secured for projecting beyond the sides of the bag, which handles are fitted with fasteners 23 for holding the device in a folded condition shown in FIGURE 2. The top surface of the stack is preferably provided with a hand smooth surface, e.g. by means of a bonded-on panel of plastics sheet material, which may be divided into two sub-panels 29 (as indicated in broken lines in FIGURE 1) to permit folding of the stack.

The air supply and control means 11 comprises a rechargeable battery powered motor driven compressor, electro-pneumatic control means including circuitry for operating air supply solenoid valves and at least one exhaust valve, all housed in a case 24, and a remote control handset 25 connected by electrical cable 26 to the electro-pneumatic control means.

In use, from the storage condition the lifting device is unfolded and laid flat alongside a person 30 to be lifted so that the member 18 is alongside the person's head and the deflated stack 12 is alongside the person's thighs and hips. Each bag 13 of the stack is then connected to the compressed air supply means via respective pipes 27 secured to the bags by anchors 28 (which are offset transversely of the rear of the stack as shown in FIGURE 1). The person is then rolled to enable the device to be inserted beneath the person or to move the person onto the device (as shown in FIGURE 3). The member 18 may, if it is of inflatable form, be inflated before or after the person is disposed on the device. Alternatively, the headrest member 18 may be prefilled with resilient padding material.

The backrest is then raised manually to raise the person's back to an upright condition as shown in FIGURE 4, during which movement the staves 16 pivot against the rod 20.

The bags are then sequentially fully inflated starting with the bottom bag, by appropriate manual actuation of the handset, so that the person is raised progressively from the condition shown in FIGURE 4 to the sitting position shown in FIGURE 5. During lifting, the loops 19 slide upwards along the staves 16 so as to offer progressively increasing support for holding the backrest in an upright condition, thus freeing the operator 31 to support manually the shoulders/head of the person 30. When the stack is inflated the member 18 provides support for the persons lumber region.

From this position it is usually a straightforward operation not requiring great strength or lifting effort to transfer the person to a suitable chair or wheelchair. In extremis the apparatus with the person in situ can be dragged to a suitable location where transfer is possible.

The second embodiment is basically similar to the first embodiment but incorporates additional features to facilitate a person being moved onto and being transported upon the lifting device.

Referring to FIGURES 6 to 9, the additional features include a base 40, a handle device 41, triangulating means 42 and rollers 43, and, optionally, armrests 44 (shown in FIGURE 7 only).

The base 40 comprises two stiff panels 45 of a structural material such as aluminium alloy bonded to the underside of the bottom bag 13 so as to leave a space running front to rear therebetween. The rear end of each panel 45 is provided with a pair of spaced apart rearwardly extending spaced apart lugs 46. Each lug has a rear portion bent to form a downwardly open hook 47 in which an end part 48 of one transverse member 17 can pivotally engage. The rollers 43 are of small diameter in relation to their length and are mounted around the extensions between the staves.

The handle device 41 comprises two inverted U-shaped frames 32 in which the end portions of the limbs 33 telescopically engage the upper end portions of the staves 16. Catches 34 are provided at the top of these staves to retain the device 41 in position. The crossbars 35 preferably carry a cushion 36 to serve as a shoulder, neck or headrest.

The triangulating means 42 comprises a band of inelastic fabric anchored or releasably secured at its ends to the device 41, which band also engages in sockets provided in the sides of the base 40, near the front of the stack, and extends beneath the base, so that the upwardly extending runs 37 of the band serve as ties or tension members.

In use, the lifting device is laid on the floor, with the handle device telescopically retracted with the backrest so that the cushion 36 is proximal to the cushion 18, and with the rollers 43 some way forwards below the rear of the base as indicated in FIGURE 8.

During raising of the backrest, the rollers are moved rearwards until the end parts pivotally engage in the hooks 47 as indicated in FIGURE 9.

After inflation of the stack 12, the handle device 41 is raised manually until the catches 34 engage and the runs 37 are tensioned or are extended almost to a tensioned state.

The lifting device can then be partially rotated about the rollers by pulling back on the crossbars 35 to raise the front of the base from the floor so that the device and the person are carried by the rollers. The device can thus serve as a trolley for transporting the person to a suitable location for being transferred to a suitable support, e.g. a bed or chair.

The bags 13 in these embodiments are formed by folding a sheet of flexible impervious inelastic composite material to form panels 52 and 53 joined by a folded front 50; welding or otherwise securing webs 51 between the panels 52,53 except at the side and rear margins thereof, providing a seam 55 joining said margins to close the bag, and, at some suitable stage during the above, anchoring the inflation pipe 27 (or an inlet fitting to receive a pipe connector) to the bag by means of the clamped-on or bondedon anchor 28, so that the internal structure of the bag limits its inflated thickness and enables the bag to be laid flat for minimal thickness when deflated as indicated in FIGURES 10 and 11.

The invention is not confined to details of the foregoing examples and many variations and modifications thereof are possible within the scope of the invention.

The invention further includes within its scope any novel part or feature or combination thereof disclosed herein, and any combination thereof with any part or feature disclosed in the aforesaid co-pending applications.

For example, either embodiment described may be provided with a jacking base, retractable underbag and detachable castors; and/or with a low-friction overlay on the upper surface of the stack.

Claims

1. Lifting apparatus comprising an inflatable elevating seat, and a backrest connected to a rear of the seat, wherein the connection between the seat and the backrest is such that the seat when inflated holds the backrest in an upstanding condition, and is such that when the seat is deflated the backrest can be laid down to extend rearwardly from the seat.

2. Wheelchair apparatus comprising an inflatable elevating seat, rotary support members to support the seat, and a backrest connected to a rear of the seat, wherein the connection between the seat and the backrest is such that the seat when inflated holds the backrest in an upstanding condition, and is such that when the seat is deflated the backrest can be laid down to extend rearwardly from the seat.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the backrest is releasably connected to the seat.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the backrest is pivotally engageable or connected at its lower end with or to a mounting provided at the bottom of the seat.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the seat has a hard, stiff upper cover.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the seat comprises a base.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the base is a jacking base.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 wherein the base is provided with wheels, rollers or castors or wherein said rotary support members are attached to said base.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said rotary support members, or said wheels, rollers or castors, are detachable.

10. Apparatus comprising a stack of substantially rectangular bags secured together, in which the fully inflated thickness of each bag is less than the width and breadth of the bag, at least the bag or bags below the uppermost bag of the stack containing internal flexible links to limit the inflated thickness thereof, wherein the bags are individually inflatable, and wherein a backrest is connected to the bags so that it can be raised from a position extending rearwardly from the stack when the bags are deflated to a generally upright position in which it is held when the bags, or some thereof, are inflated.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the backrest is releasably connected to the stack.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 or 11 wherein the backrest is connected to the lowest bag or the stack, to enhance the stability of the stack.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, 11, or 12 wherein the backrest is pivotally engageable or connected at its lower end with or to a mounting or base provided at the bottom of the stack.

14. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein the bags of stack are sequentially inflatable by pneumatic control means.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 wherein stack has a hard stiff upper cover.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 wherein the backrest is constrained, tethered or attached to the rear of each bag of the stack so as to permit at least linear movement between the backrest and each bag as the stack is inflated and deflated.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 16 wherein the bags in the stack are offset from one another, at least at the rear, so that the rear of the stack and the backrest are angled rearwards, when the stack is inflated whilst supported on a horizontal surface.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 17 and including a handle or handles securable to the backrest, inelastic ties to link the or each handle to a base or bottom member, a pivot connecting the rear of the bottom member to the backrest, and castors or wheels near the pivot to facilitate the apparatus being used as a trolley in which the base or bottom member, the backrest and the ties serve together as a triangulated frame for the stack.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the backrest is collapsible or comprises separate or separable parts to enable the area occupied by the backrest to be reduced for transportation or storage.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the backrest comprises a plurality of elongate members, such as staves, which are linked together in pairs or groups, and which are of thin flat form and of a stiff material.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a cushion is provided at the upper end of the backrest to serve as a pillow or back-cushion.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lower end of the backrest is provided with means, such as rollers or gliders, to facilitate movement of said lower end as the backrest is lifted prior to inflation of the seat or stack.

23. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the backrest is telescopically extensible.

24. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus provides a side support for the user by means of an armrest or armrests.

25. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, and further comprising a compressed air supply and control means for controlling inflation and deflation of the seat or stack.

26. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGURES 1 to 5 or FIGURES 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

27. Apparatus comprising any novel part or feature or combination thereof disclosed herein, and any combination thereof with any part or feature disclosed in the aforesaid co-pending applications.