Lifting Apparatus
The present invention relates to lifting apparatus. In particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to lifting apparatus for manually lifting a first person by a second person.
Various lifting apparatus are known for lifting a person such as a patient, disabled person, injured person or the like. Such apparatus are typically bulky, rigid, mechanically complex, static and/or non-portable. A common example is some form of sling attached to a heavy frame. Such apparatus are of limited use in circumstances such as assisting an immobile person to get into a car.
It is desirable to provide alternative apparatus which can be one or more of: flexible, simple, manual and portable.
Various child carriers or papooses also exist which allow the transportation of a first person by a second person. The first person is supported at the back or front of the first person. However, such carriers are limited to use with small children. Also, they are carriers but do not assist in lifting, in particular the lifting of a larger, heavier person.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a lifting apparatus for lifting a first person by a second person, the apparatus comprising:
a base member;
a back member coupled to the base member to collectively provide a seat for the first person;
wherein the base member includes a first carrying means such that the apparatus is supportable by a first arm of the second person,
and wherein the back member includes a second carrying means such that the apparatus is supportable by a second arm of the second person.
The first carrying means may comprise at least one sleeve, handle or strap for receiving the first arm of the second person.
The first carrying means may comprise a first sleeve, handle or strap and a second sleeve, handle or strap. The first strap or handle may be spaced apart from the second strap or handle. The first strap or handle may be provided at a first side portion of the base member. The second strap or handle may be provided at a second side portion of the base member. This helps to spread the load of the apparatus and supported first person along the first arm of the second person.
The second carrying means may comprise a sleeve, handle or strap for receiving the second arm of the second person.
The second carrying means may comprise a third sleeve, handle or strap and a fourth sleeve, handle or strap. The third strap or handle may be spaced apart from the fourth strap or handle. The third strap or handle may be provided at a first side portion of the back member. The second strap or handle may be provided at a second side portion of the back member.
The first carrying means may extend upwards from the base member. The second carrying means may be provided at an elevation which corresponds with the first carrying means such that, in use, the arms of the second person are level.
The apparatus may be configured such that, in use, the second person is positioned laterally adjacent to the apparatus. This ensures that the second person is closer to the centre of gravity of the apparatus and first person. Consequently, the combined load is easier to support.
The apparatus may be configured such that, in use, the seat is laterally orientated with respect to the second person.
The back member and the base member may be flexible. The apparatus may be rollable and/or foldable.
In an alternative embodiment, the back member and the base member may be substantially rigid. The back member may be pivotably connected to the base member. Stop means may be provided to limit pivoting of the back member relative to the base member in the forward and/or rear direction.
The apparatus may include one or more lifting points for connecting to a mechanical lifting device. Each lifting point may comprise a looped strap, hook, sleeve or the like.
The apparatus may be configured such that it is operable by the second and a third person. The apparatus may be configured such that it is operable by the second person located at a first side of the seat and the third person located at a second side of the seat.
The second carrying means may comprise a fifth sleeve, handle or strap for receiving the arm of the third person.
The apparatus may be configured and/or dimensioned to be positionable in a wheelchair of standard or typical dimensions.
The apparatus may be configured and/or dimensioned to be positionable in a bath of standard or typical dimensions. The apparatus may be waterproof. The apparatus may have a waterproof exterior surface.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus being used by a second person;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in isolation;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 when (a) laid flat and (b) rolled up;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 when inserted in a wheelchair; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 when inserted in the seat of a vehicle.
Figure 1 shows a lifting apparatus 10 for lifting a first person 100 by a second person 102. The first person 100 is at least partially immobile and could be an infirm patient, a disabled person, an injured person or similar.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lifting apparatus 10 comprises a base member 20 and a back member 30. The base member 20 and back member 30 are connected together at a common edge and collectively provide a seat for the first person 100. It is to be understood that, although the base member 20 and back member 30 are presented as separate features, they may be provided by a unitary component or material. Both of the base member 20 and back member 30 are provided with padding 12 to increase comfort for the first person 100.
The base member 20 includes first carrying means so that the lifting apparatus 10 is supportable by a first arm 104 of the second person 102. This first carrying means comprises a first strap 22 and a second strap 24, each of which form a loop for receiving the first arm 104 of the second person 102. Both the first and second straps extend upwards from the base member 20. The first strap 22 is provided at a first side of the base member 20 and the second strap 24 is provided at a second side of the base member 20. This ensures that the weight of the apparatus 10 and first person 100 are distributed along the first arm 104 of the second person 102.
The back member 30 includes second carrying means so that the lifting apparatus 10 is supportable by a second arm 106 of the second person 102. The second carrying means comprises a length of fabric which extends laterally along the rear surface of the back member 30. Both longitudinal edges of the fabric are connected, such as by stitching, to the back member 30. This forms a sleeve 32 for receiving the second arm 106 of the second person 102.
In use, the second person 102 is positioned laterally adjacent to the apparatus 10 and inserts a first arm 104 into each of the first and second straps and a second arm 106 into the sleeve 32.
The first and second straps extend upwards so that their uppermost portions correspond in height to that of the sleeve 32. Consequently, in use, the second person 102 can maintain their first and second arms at the same elevation and the seat of the apparatus 10 will be laterally orientated.
As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 10 is supported along each forearm of the second person 102. The second person 102 may keep each upper arm close to their body. The second person 102 is therefore close to the centre of gravity of the apparatus 10 and first person 100 and their combined weight is spread along each forearm of the second person 102. These features (alone and in combination) reduce the effort required in lifting and maintaining the load of the apparatus 10 and first person 100.
The apparatus 10 includes a side loop 40 provided at each side of the back member 30. The first person 100 can insert an arm in each side loop 40 to feel more stable while being carried. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus 10 can include a seat belt
arrangement.
The apparatus also includes a number of lifting points for connecting to a mechanical lifting device. Each lifting point comprises a looped strap 42.
As shown in Figure 3 (a) and (b), the back member 30 and the base member 20 are made from a flexible material. This allows the apparatus 10 to be rolled up when not in use. The apparatus 10 is therefore compact and portable.
The apparatus 10 can be positioned in a wheelchair of standard or typical dimensions as shown in Figure 4, or it may be laid flat, such as on a bed, with the first person 100 lying on top of the apparatus 10 as shown in Figure 5. In either case, the first person 100 may be instantly and easily lifted from the wheelchair or bed.
In one version of the invention, the apparatus 10 is of suitable dimensions for positioning within a bath tub of standard or typical dimensions. The apparatus 10 can have a waterproof exterior surface. Thus the apparatus 10 can be used for lifting a person into and out of a bath.
The apparatus 10 can also be operated by both the second and a third person (not shown). The second person 102 can position themselves at a first side of the seat and the third person can position themselves at a second side of the seat.
The second carrying means can comprise a third sleeve for receiving the arm of the third person.
The apparatus 10 is therefore flexible, simple, manual and portable. It is of particular use for lifting the first person 100 and positioning them in a vehicle, due to the second person 102 being at the side of the apparatus 10 and first person 100.
Various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.