GB2515295A

GB2515295A - Improved handling belt

Info

Publication number: GB2515295A
Application number: GB1310815.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Debra Bassford
Original assignee: HARVEST HEALTHCARE Ltd
Current assignee: HARVEST HEALTHCARE Ltd
Priority date: 2013-06-18
Filing date: 2013-06-18
Publication date: 2014-12-24
Also published as: GB201310815D0

Abstract

A handling belt 10 for wearing around the waist of a user to facilitate handling of the user, the belt having a longitudinal length extending between a first end and a second end; the belt comprising a fastener for releasably connecting the first end to the second end, and at least one sleeve 18 for receiving the hands of a person handling the wearer of the handling belt. The belt may further comprise a non slip material for safety.

Description

Improved Handling Belt [0001] This invention relates to a handling belt, and more specifically to a handling belt for wearing around the waist of a user to facilitate handling of the user.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Handling belts (also known as transfer belts or gait belts) are typically worn around the waist of a patient and facilitate the handling (e.g. moving or maneuvering) of the patient by a carer or medical personnel. For example, a sick or infirm patient may wear such a handling belt to facilitate easier handling of the patient into and out of bed, or into and out of a chair.

[0003] Many known handling belts include a plurality of straps or loops providing the carer or medical personnel with something to grip in order to lift the belt wearing patient. Examples of belts having straps, loops or similar features are described in US8321972, CN2021 46398, US6073280 and 111264581.

[0004] A known disadvantage of belts having straps or loops is that they may be difficult for the carer or medical personnel to release quickly if needed; particularly, as is common practice, if the carer or medical personnel has passed their hands through the straps rather than simply gripping the straps in the manner they were designed for. The inability to quickly release one's hands from the handling belt may result in injury of the carer or medical personnel if the patient moves unexpectedly (e.g. loses balance or falls back into the bed or chair). Furthermore, the inability to quickly release one's hands may additionally result in injury to the patient if the carer or medical personnel falls on top of the patient or causes the patient to fall further.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a handling belt for wearing around the waist of a user to facilitate handling of the user, the belt having a longitudinal length extending between a first end and a second end; the belt comprising a fastener for releasably connecting the first end to the second end, and at least one sleeve for receiving the hands of a person handling the wearer of the handling belt.

(0006] In one preferable embodiment, the belt comprises two pails of said sleeves.

[0007] The belt may include a first sleeve extending along said longitudinal length from a first open end towards said first end of said belt, and a second sleeve extending along said longitudinal length from a second open end towards said second end of said belt.

(0008] Additionally or alternatively, the belt may include a third sleeve extending along said longitudinal length from a third open end away from said first end of said belt, and a fourth sleeve extending along said longitudinal length from a fourth open end away from said second end of said belt.

[0009] The belt may include a fifth sleeve extending between a fifth open end and a sixth open end, wherein the fifth sleeve extends along said longitudinal length.

[0010] An inner surface of the belt may comprise a non-slip material.

[0011] Said fastener may include a buckle or a clasp.

[0012] One or each of said at least one sleeves may extend along said longitudinal length by at least 15 cm, and preferably by at least 20 cm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an outer surface of a handling belt in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where the handling belt is in an open, unfastened configuration; Figure 2 shows an inner surface of the handling belt of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the handling belt of Figures 1 and 2, where the handling belt is in a fastened configuration; and Figure 4 shows a rear view of the handling belt of Figures 1 and 2, where the handling belt is in a fastened configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Figure 1 shows an outer surface 12 of a handling belt 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The handling belt 10 shown in Figure 1 is in an open, unfastened configuration to facilitate understanding of certain features of the belt 10. The belt is elongate and extends along a longitudinal length between a first end ba and a second end lOb. The belt 10 includes a fastener 16 for releasably connecting the first end 1 Oa to the second end lOb such that the belt 10 may be worn around the waist of a user and securely fastened using the fastener 16. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the fastener 16 includes a first fastener portion 1 6a connected to the first end 1 Oa and a second fastener portion 1 6b connected to the second end 1 Ob. The fastener 16 may be a buckle or a clasp or any alternative suitable fastener for releasably connecting the first end 1 Oa to the second end lOb. In preferable embodiments, the fastener 16 is capable of being adjusted so as to vary the longitudinal length of the fastener and permit the wearer of the belt 10 to ensure a comfortable and secure fit around the wearer's waist.

[0015] An inner surface 14 of the belt 10 is shown in Figure 2 and is largely featureless. This is due to the fact that the inner surface 14 of the belt is intended to be in contact with the wearer of the belt 10 when the belt 10 is being worn, so a smooth comfortable material is preferable so as to improve patient comfort. In particularly preferable embodiments, the inner surface 14 includes a non-slip material so as to minimize unwanted movement of the belt 10 once fastened around the wearer's waist which may lead to discomfort or less efficient handling or lifting of the belt 10 wearer. Edges at the interface between the inner surface 14 and the outer surface 12 may include soft piping to improve the comfort of the wearer.

[0016] On the outer surface 12, the belt 10 includes a plurality of sleeves, namely a first sleeve 18, a second sleeve 20, a third sleeve 22 and a fourth sleeve 24. Each sleeve 18,20,22,24 extends along the longitudinal length of the belt 10, preferably by at least 15cm and further preferably by at least 20 cm.

[0017] The first sleeve 18 has a first open end 18a and extends along the longitudinal length from the first open end 18a towards the first end ba of the belt 10. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in the Figures, the first sleeve 18 terminates at a first closed end 1 8b that is coincident with the first end 1 Oa of the belt 10. In alternative embodiments, the first closed end 1 8b may be spaced from the first end 1 Oa of the belt 10.

[0018] The second sleeve 20 has a second open end 20a and extends along the longitudinal length from the second open end 20a towards the second end lOb of the belt 10. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in the Figures, the second sleeve 20 terminates at a second closed end 20b that is coincident with the second end 1Db of the belt 10. In alternative embodiments, the second closed end 2Db may be spaced from the second end lOb of the belt 10.

[0019] The third sleeve 22 has a third open end 22a and extends along the longitudinal length from the third open end 22a towards the second end lOb of the belt 10 to a third closed end 22b of the third sleeve 22. The third sleeve 22 is positioned on the belt 10 between the first sleeve 18 and the fourth sleeve 24.

[0020] The fourth sleeve 24 has a fourth open end 24a and extends along the longitudinal length from the fourth open end 24a towards the first end 1 Oa of the belt 10 to a fourth closed end 24b of the fourth sleeve 24. The fourth sleeve 24 is positioned on the belt 10 between the third sleeve 22 and the second sleeve 20.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the third sleeve 22 and fourth sleeve 24 may extend towards one another so that the third closed end 22b is directly adjacent to the fourth closed end 24b. In a further alternative embodiment, the third closed end 22b and fourth closed end 24b may not be present and the third sleeve may merge into the fourth sleeve 24 effectively forming one long sleeve having two openings (namely the third open end 22a and the fourth open end 24a). Such a sleeve may be considered to be a "fifth sleeve" 22,24 having a "fifth open end" 22a and a "sixth open end" 24a.

[0022] The sleeves 18,20,22,24 may be formed in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, each sleeve 18,20,22,24 may be formed by a piece of material affixed (e.g. sewn) along edges of the belt 10 parallel to the longitudinal length and transverse to the longitudinal length forming the closed end 18b,20b,22b,24b of the respective sleeve 18,20,22,24 and leaving an unfixed part forming the open end 18a,20a,22a,24a of the respective sleeve 18,20,22,24. In an alternative embodiment, each sleeve 18,20,22,24 may be formed by affixing a tubular piece of material having a single open end (forming the open end 1 8a,20a,22a,24a of the respective sleeve 18,20,22,24) to the belt 10.

[0023] Figures 3 and 4 show a preferable embodiment of the belt 10 of the present invention where the belt 10 is in a closed, fastened configuration identical to the configuration when fastened around the waist of a user. Figure 3 shows a front view of the belt 10 and Figure 4 shows a rear view of the belt 10. As shown in Figure 3, the first fastener portion 1 6a is connected to the second fastener portion 1 6b so as to connect the first end 1 Oa of the belt 10 to the second end lOb of the belt 10. In the preferable embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the sleeves 18,20,22,24 are positioned on the belt 10 such that the first sleeve 18 and second sleeve 20 form a first pair of sleeves 18,20 at the front of the wearer and the third sleeve 22 and fourth sleeve 24 form a second pair of sleeves 22,24 at the rear of the wearer.

[0024] The first open end 18a and second open end 20a are positioned relative to the first sleeve 18 and second sleeve 20 respectively so that a person (e.g. a carer or medical personnel who is not the wearer of the belt 10) can place their hands in the first pair of sleeves 18,20 from a position in which they are stood behind the wearer. That is, the person may stand behind the wearer, pass their arms around the waist of the wearer and place their hands in the first pair of sleeves 18,20 via the first open end 18a and the second open end 20a at the front of the wearer.

[0025] Similarly, the third open end 22a and fourth open end 24a are positioned relative to the third sleeve 22 and fourth sleeve 24 respectively so that the person can place their hands in the second pair of sleeves 22,24 from a position in which they are stood in front of the wearer.

That is, the person may stand in front of the wearer, pass their arms around the waist of the wearer and place their hands in the second pair of sleeves 22,24 via the third open end 22a and the fourth open end 24a at the back of the wearer.

[0026] In use, a patient who requires assistance moving (e.g. into and out of bed) wears the belt 10 so that, when required, a person (e.g. carer or medical personnel who is not the wearer) may place their hands in the sleeves 18,20,22,24 in order to lift and/or support the patient. In preferable embodiments, the person places their hands in a pair of sleeves (e.g. the first pair of sleeves 18,20 or second pair of sleeves 22,24) to facilitate more efficient and balanced lifting and/or support. The use of a pair of sleeves is also more comfortable for the patient wearing the belt 10.

[0027] The use of sleeves 18,20,22,24 permits the person to safely and securely handle the wearer of the belt 10. In particular, the person may grip the wearer through the belt 10 in order to move or lift the wearer. The structure of the sleeves 18,20,22,24 permits the person's hands to quickly and easily be removed therefrom should the wearer of the belt 10 move in an unexpected manner (e.g. fall into the bed or chair they are being lifted from or placed into). The belt 10 of the present invention may therefore provide an adequate means for assisting the lifting and/or handling of a patient but minimizes the risk of injury to the person assisting in

comparison with prior art handling belts.

[0025] The sleeves 18,20,22,24 may be any sleeve-like structure such as an open glove or pocket. The sleeves 18,20,22,24 preferably have no features within them that may be gripped by a hand. Such features may encourage misuse of the belt 10 and may result in injury to the wearer or person assisting handling if such features make releasing one's hands from the sleeves 18,20,22,24 more difficult.

[0029] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0030] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process 50 disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0031] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A handling belt for wearing around the waist of a user to facilitate handling of the user, the belt having a longitudinal length extending between a first end and a second end; the belt comprising a fastener for ieleasably connecting the first end to the second end, and at least one sleeve for receiving the hands of a person handling the wearer of the handling belt.
2. A handling belt according to claim 1, wherein the belt comprises two pairs of said sleeves.
3. A handling belt according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the belt includes a first sleeve extending along said longitudinal length from a first open end towards said first end of said belt, and a second sleeve extending along said longitudinal length from a second open end towards said second end of said belt.
4. A handling belt according to any preceding claim, wherein the belt includes a third sleeve extending along said longitudinal length from a third open end away from said first end of said belt, and a fourth sleeve extending along said longitudinal length from a fourth open end away from said second end of said belt.
5. A handling belt according to any of claims ito 3, wherein the belt includes a fifth sleeve extending between a fifth open end and a sixth open end, wherein the fifth sleeve extends along said longitudinal length.
6. A handling belt according to any preceding claim, wherein an inner surface of the belt comprises a non-slip material.
7. A handling belt according to any preceding claim, wherein said fastener includes a buckle or a clasp.
8. A handling belt according to any preceding claim, wherein one or each of said at least one sleeves extends along said longitudinal length by at least 15 cm.
9. A handling belt according to claim 8, wherein one or each of said at least one sleeves extends along said longitudinal length by at least 20 cm.
10. A handling belt for wealing aiound the waist of a user to facilitate handling of the user substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.