WO2004112677A1

WO2004112677A1 - Lifting and lowering apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2004112677A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/002655
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edmund Talbot Garman David; Rimington Richard
Original assignee: Mangar International Ltd
Current assignee: Mangar International Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-20
Filing date: 2004-06-21
Publication date: 2004-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2005-12-20
Also published as: GB0314446D0

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting and/or lowering persons and/or objects comprising at least one inflatable structure having a lower part for supporting the at least one structure on a support surface, for example a floor or the ground, and an upper part for supporting a person or object. The upper part is arranged to move upwardly away from the lower part on inflation of the structure in order to raise said person or object. The apparatus is provided with a number of rigid elongate elements and means for releasably securing said elements to the at least one inflatable structure such that at least two elements of the lower part of the structure engage with a support surface to provide stability of the structure.

Description

LIFTING AND LOWERING APPARATUS

This invention relates to apparatus for lifting or/and lowering persons

or/and objects.

The invention has been devised primarily for application to apparatus for

raising a person, particularly but not exclusively a person in a recumbent, for

example prone or supine, posture. Although the following description is

directed mainly to this application of the invention, it is to be understood that

there is no limitation in this regard as the invention is applicable to any

appropriate type of apparatus for lifting and or lowering persons or objects.

It may be necessary to raise a person in order to transfer him or her from

the floor or ground to a stretcher, bed or trolley. In some circumstances, if the

person is in a recumbent position, he or she may have to be moved in that

position. The person may be injured and for medical reasons needs to be kept

in a recumbent position or the person may have fallen and cannot raise himself

or herself to a standing position as a result of injury, disability or infirmity.

Various forms of apparatus have previously been proposed for lifting

persons, which mainly involve the use of an overhead fixed or mobile hoist.

These can be electrically or hydraulically operated or operable by a gear

winding mechanism. Such apparatus, which can be used to lift persons in a

recumbent or sitting posture, are cumbersome and awkward to use, especially in

a confined space. Various forms of pneumatically operable apparatus are also known for

lifting persons, as disclosed for example in GB2291040 and GB2296429, but

these can only be used if the person is in a sitting posture.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus which is

capable of raising and lowering a person or object and which can be used in a

confined space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pneumatically operable

apparatus which is capable of raising and lowering a person in a recumbent

posture.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is not

only capable of raising and lowering a person or object but can also be used to

move a person or object from place to place.

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for lifting

or/and lowering persons or/and objects which comprises at least one inflatable

structure having a lower part for supporting the structure on a support surface,

for example a floor or the ground, and an upper part for supporting a person or

object which is arranged to move upwardly away from the lower part on

inflation of the structure in order to raise said person or object, wherein the

apparatus is provided with a number of rigid elongate elements and means for

releasably securing said elements to the inflatable structure in positions such

that at least two elements of the lower part of the structure engage with a support surface to provide stability of the structure.

The idea of the invention is that by securing the elongate elements to the

at least one inflatable structure, the area of support for the apparatus on the

support surface can be extended increasing the stability of the apparatus.

A person or object may be placed directly onto a surface of the upper

part of the inflatable structure. Alternatively, a rigid support surface, such as a

stretcher may be attached to the upper part of the structure onto which a person

or an object maybe placed.

The inflatable structure does not therefore have to be made of a size such

that it alone provides the whole support area required for a person or object. If,

for example, the apparatus were to be used to lift a recumbent person the

inflatable structure would have to be relatively large if the person were to be

supported by the structure alone. As the support area can be extended by the

attachment of a rigid support surface to the inflatable structure, the latter can be

made relatively small.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the upper part of the at least

one inflatable structure is provided with at least two elements which project

beyond the lateral confines of the upper part of the structure. The elements

extend the support area of the upper part of the inflatable structure and are

releasably securable to the inflatable structure. The structure can therefore be

conveniently transported and moved from place to place in a deflated condition and without elements attached to it. The intention is that the elements will be

secured to the structure, preferably whilst it is still deflated, at the location

where it is to be used, and the elements will be detached from the structure after

use and before the apparatus is moved from said location. The apparatus can

therefore be used in a relatively confined space. The elements provide the

inflatable structure, when inflated, with a degree of rigidity and stability.

Preferably, the means for securing the elongate elements to the inflatable

structure are such that the elements projecting from the upper part of the

structure and/or the elements projecting from the lower part of the structure are

parallel to one another.

Preferably, the apparatus has two said elements for attachment to the

upper part of the inflatable structure and/or two said elements for attachment to

the lower part of the structure.

However, the number and relative dispositions of the elongate elements

may vary.

The inflatable structure may comprise one or more inflatable bags.

Preferably, the bags are arranged in a stack.

Preferably, the inflatable bags are compartmentalised, each bag having

an aperture or valve to enable deflation and inflation of the bags. A bag may

therefore be inflated and deflated separate of the other bags. When the

inflatable structure comprises two or more bags, they are preferably inflated individually and sequentially upto a rigid state. Inflation of the bags in this

manner maintains the stability of the apparatus. Individual and sequential

deflation of the bags also maintains stability of the apparatus when lowering

persons or objects.

In an alternative arrangement two or more bags maybe connected

together so that air (or other gas) can flow between them and whereby they can

be inflated and deflated together.

In a further arrangement of the invention two or more inflatable

structures are positioned adjacent to one another. The means for securing

elongate elements to the lower part of each inflatable structure are positioned

on each structure so that the elongate elements can be releasably secured to

both, or all of the inflatable structures and project beyond the outer lateral

confines of the two outermost structures thus extending the area of support of

the apparatus with the floor or ground. A stretcher, or other rigid support

surface may be attached to the upper parts of the two or more inflatable

structures onto which a person or object may be placed.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention, elongate members may

connect the upper parts of the two or more inflatable structures. In such an

embodiment the upper part of each inflatable is provided with means for

releasably securing elongate elements to both or all the upper parts of each

structure so that at least two elements project beyond the outer lateral confines of the outermost inflatable structures. The elongate elements may be single

elements having adequate length to secure both, or all of the inflatable

structures together. Alternatively, each inflatable structure may have its own

set of elongate elements which can be joined to another set of the elongate

elements of the other inflatable structure so as to provide continuous elongate

members between the adjacent inflatable structures. Preferably, the means for

securing the elongate elements to the inflatable structures are such that the

elements projecting from the upper parts of the structures and/or the elements

projecting from the lower parts of the structures are parallel to one another.

Each of the inflatable structures maybe individually inflated and deflated

having the advantage that part of the apparatus maybe raised and lowered

relative to another part. Preferably, the two or more structures are connected to

enable simultaneous inflation and deflation.

The apparatus for all the arrangements and embodiments described may

be provided with operating means comprising control means for controlling the

supply of air (or gas) under pressure to the inflatable structure or structures and

the venting of air from said structure or structures and these means may be

connected to any one or more of the inflatable bags.

The or each bag of each inflatable structure is preferably made of a

flexible material and provided with one or more internal webs extending

between the top and bottom walls of the bag, the web or webs acting to maintain the shape and increase the stability of the bag as it is inflated and

deflated.

The apparatus may readily be adapted for carrying a person or object

from place to place. For this purpose the rigid elongate elements projecting

from the lateral confines of the respective upper and lower parts of the

inflatable structure or structures are preferably connected together to form

upper and lower rigid frames, the lower frame being fitted with wheels to

enable the apparatus to be moved in the manner of a trolley. The upper frame

projects beyond the confines of the upper part of the structure to provide a

support for a person or object.

According to a further aspect of the invention, therefore, there is

provided an apparatus for lifting or/and lowering persons or/and objects and for

moving objects from place to place which comprises one or more inflatable

structures having a lower part for supporting the one or more structure on a

support surface, for example a floor or the ground, and an upper part for

supporting a person or object which is arranged to move upwardly away from

the lower part on inflation of the structure or structures in order to raise said

person or object, wherein the apparatus is provided with two frames and means

for releasably securing said frames to the one or more inflatable structures in

respective upper and lower positions such that the lower frame projects beyond

the lateral confines of the lower part of the structure, or, in the case of two or more inflatable structures beyond the outer lateral confines of the outermost

structures, for engagement with a support surface and the upper frame projects

beyond the lateral confines of the upper part of the structure, or in the case of

two or more inflatable structures beyond the outer lateral confines of the

outermost structures.

Preferably, the upper and lower frames are connected to provide additional

stability to the apparatus.

Preferably, the lower frame is secured to a portion of the inflatable structure

between the lowest bag of the structure and a subsequent bag of the structure.

Preferably, the lower frame is provided with wheels to enable the apparatus to

be moved in the manner of a trolley.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference

to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a preferred form of apparatus for lifting a

person embodying the invention, and

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the apparatus.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a further arrangement of apparatus

embodying the invention, and

FIGURE 4 is a side view of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of an alternate arrangement of the apparatus embodying the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of an alternative form of apparatus for

lifting and/or lowering and/or moving a person embodying the invention.

The apparatus illustrated in figures 1 and 2 comprises an inflatable

structure 1 comprising four generally rectangular bags 2 bonded together in a

stack. Each bag is provided with a connector 3 connected by a pipe 4 to a

control unit (not shown).

The bags 2 are all made from a flexible fabric which is suitably coated

with a thermoplastics material to make it leak-proof so that the elements can be

inflated, and also tear-proof. Each bag is made by welding, or otherwise

joining together the edges of two pieces of material.

The control unit is connected to a source of compressed air (or other

gas). This source of compressed air is an electrically (mains or battery)

operated compressor and a control unit, which is operable to control the supply

of compressed air to the bags 2 and the venting of air from the bags.

The inflatable structure 1 is provided on top of its upper part with two

spaced parallel channels 5 formed by pieces of material welded to the upper bag

2. Similar channels 6 are also provided on the undersurface of the lower part of

the inflatable structure. The channels 5, 6 are designed to receive with a close sliding fit rigid

poles 7 of a suitable material, the arrangement being that the two poles attached

to each of the upper and lower parts of the inflatable structure project at both

ends beyond the confines of the inflatable structure.

The apparatus is intended to be used in the following manner. It is

carried to the location where it is required to be used with the bags 2 deflated

and the poles 7 detached from the inflatable structure. With the structure in

position the poles are then secured to the structure by sliding them into the

channels 5, 6.

A support on which a person required to be lifted has been placed in a

recumbent position, for example a stretcher, is then positioned on the upper

poles 7. Alternatively a support may be provided between the poles, for

example a stretcher-like sheet, so that the person is lifted directly on the

apparatus in a recumbent position.

The bags 2 are then inflated under the control of the control unit (so that

the apparatus assumes the form shown in the drawings), thereby raising the

person to a position for transfer to, for example, a bed or trolley. The bags 2

are then deflated and the poles 7 detached from the inflatable structure so that

the apparatus can be carried away and stored ready for use again.

When the apparatus is erected the lower poles 7 provide a stable support

for the apparatus on a support surface such as the ground or a floor. The poles 7 provide the apparatus with a degree of rigidity.

Instead of attaching the channels directly to the inflatable structure they

may be provided on an ancillary cover which fits closely over the structure.

Figures 3 and 4 show a plan view and a side view respectively of a

further arrangement of the apparatus embodying the invention. The same

numerals have been used in these drawings to describe the same features

described in figures 1 and 2. Two inflatable structures 1 comprising rectangular

bags 2 are shown adjacent to one another. Each structure 1 is provided with

two spaced parallel channels 5 and 6 located on an upper bag 2 and a lower part

of the inflatable structure 1 respectively. The channels are designed to receive

rigid poles 7. In this example, the poles 7 are arranged so that both ends project

beyond the lateral confines of each inflatable structure 1. A connector means 10

connects poles 7 of one inflatable structure to poles 7 of the other inflatable

structure to form continuous pole supports 7b between the structures. The

connector means 10 maybe, for example, a rigid tube into which poles 7 from

each structure 1 may be inserted. It must of course be understood that single

continuous poles of an adequate length could replace the need for each

structure to have its own set of poles and a connector means 10. Each bag can

be deflated and inflated separately and therefore one part of the apparatus may

be inflated to a higher or lower position than another part. Alternatively, the

pipes 4 of each bag of each structure maybe connected so that both structures can be inflated and deflated simultaneously enabling the apparatus to be raised

and lowered evenly. It must be understood that two or more structures could be

placed adjacent to one another and further poles and connector means used to

connect the structures.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative arrangement of the

invention in which the bags 2 of each inflatable structure 1 are connected

together so that air (or other gas) can flow between them and whereby at least

one bag from one structure can be inflated simultaneously with one bag of the

other structure. Each bag 2 has a valve or aperture which is attached to a

connector 3 which is connected to a pipe 4. A pipe 4 from one bag 2 of one

structure 1 is connected to a pipe 4 of a bag 2 of the other structure 1 and a

single air hose 30 by means of a T-piece connector 31. All the pipes 4 of each

inflatable structure are thus connected such that the single air hoses 30 maybe

connected to a source of compressed air (or other gas) which maybe an

electrically generated compressor and a control unit (not shown) and which is

operable to control the supply of compressed air to the bags. Operation of the

control unit enables the simultaneous inflation and deflation of one or more

bags of each structure. This arrangement enables even raising and lowering of

the apparatus.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an alternative form of the

invention having means for lifting and/or lowering and/or moving a person. Poles 7 are inserted through the parallel channels 5 and 6b located on top of the

upper part of inflatable structure 1, and between the lowest bag 19 and

subsequent bag 23 of the structure 1 respectively. The end portions of the

poles 7 are connected by suitably shaped connecting elements 13 to form a

substantially rectangular shaped upper frame 14 and a substantially rectangular

shaped lower frame 15. Two releasable straps 16 are fitted to the frames 14

and 15 on each side of the inflatable structure 1 and can secure the upper frame

and lower frames together to improve the stability of the apparatus when in an

inflated condition. The upper poles 20 and lower poles 21 are provided with

bracket means 18 for keeping the straps in place. The lower poles are provided

with wheels 22 for moving the structure from place to place; the wheels maybe

provided with braking means.

The apparatus may be stored in a deflated condition and the releasable

straps tightened so that the two frames are resting in an adjacent position in a

compact form. Wheel attachment means 25 may be rotated inwards so that the

wheels lie in the same plane as the frames. When required, the apparatus may

be transported to a desired location. The releasable straps 16 are released and

the lowest inflatable bag 19 inflated. The wheel attachment means 25 may then

be rotated so that the wheels are in a vertical position ready for use. The wheel

attachment means may then be locked in this position. If appropriate, the

brakes to the wheels may be applied to steady the apparatus. The lowest

inflatable bag 19 is then deflated and retracted so that the wheels 22 are in contact with the ground. A support surface such as a stretcher (not shown) may

be placed on the upper frame 14 and a person or object then lifted onto the

stretcher. Alternatively, a person or object may be placed onto a stretcher

directly and the stretcher and person placed on the upper frame 14. The

stretcher may be secured to the upper frame by straps or other means. The bags

of the inflatable structure 1 can then be inflated in the manner previously

described. (In this figure, the inflatable structure is not shown with the

webbing or connection pipes). Once inflated to the desired height, the

releasable straps 16 can be tightened to prevent movement between the upper

and lower frames and increase the stability of the structure.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be stored or transported in separate

components: inflatable structure 1, poles 7, releasable straps 16, connecting

elements 13 and wheels 22. In this case, the apparatus may be taken to the

desired location where a decision can be made as to whether a means for

moving a person from one location to another location is required, or whether a

means for lifting and lowering is required (as previously described). If a

trolley is required, the lower and upper poles 20 and 21 are inserted through

channels 5 and 6b respectively and wheels 22 are attached to the lower poles

21. Connecting elements 13 are connected to the poles 7 to form upper and

lower frameworks 14 and 15, and inflation of the inflatable structure can begin.

When inflated to a required height the straps 16 can be tightened and the

apparatus used as a trolley to move the person or object to another location. Figure 6 shows the trolley having one inflatable structure, however, it

must be appreciated that a similar embodiment of the invention may be

achieved by placing two or more inflatable structures adjacent to one another

and connecting them as previously described so as to create a similar means for

lifting and/or lowering and/or moving a person.

The advantage of the invention described is that it may be stored and

transported partially assembled or as separate components so that the most

appropriate lifting and/or lowering and/or moving apparatus can be created for

a given situation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for lifting and/or lowering persons and/or object comprising at

least one inflatable structure having a lower part for supporting the at least one

structure on a support surface, for example a floor or the ground, and an upper

part for supporting a person or object which is arranged to move upwardly away

from the lower part on inflation of the structure in order to raise said person or

object, wherein the apparatus is provided with a number of rigid elongate

elements and means for releasably securing said elements to the inflatable

structure in positions such that at least two elements of the lower part of the

structure engage with a support surface to provide stability of the structure.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elements project beyond

the lateral confines of the lower part of the structure.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the upper part of the

structure is provided with means for releasably securing two elongate elements

such that at least two elements project beyond the lateral confines of the upper

part of the structure.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein two or more

inflatable structures are positioned adjacent to one another.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the inflatable structures are

provided with elongate elements projecting beyond the outer lateral confines of

the lower parts of the outermost inflatable structures.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the inflatable

structures are provided with elongate elements projecting beyond the outer

lateral confines of the upper parts of the outermost inflatable structures.

7. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each of the

elongate elements are single continuous elements.

8. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in an arrangement with

one or more further similar apparatuses wherein the elongate elements of one

apparatus are connected to the elongate elements of the other apparatus or

apparatuses so as to provide continuous elongate elements therebetween.

9. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means for

securing the elongate elements to said inflatable structure is such that the

elements projecting from the upper part of the structure and/or the elements

projecting form the lower part of the structure are parallel to one another.

10. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate

elements of the lower part of the structure are connected so as to form a lower

frame projecting beyond the lateral confines of the lower part of the inflatable

structure.

11. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 10 wherein the elements

of the upper part of the structure are connected so as to form an upper frame

projecting beyond the lateral confines of the upper part of the structure.

12. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus

comprises two said elements for attachment to the upper part of the inflatable structure and/or two said elements for attachment to the lower part of the

structure.

13. An apparatus for lifting and/or lowering persons and objects and for

moving persons and objects from place to place comprising one or more

inflatable structures having a lower part for supporting the one or more structure

on a support surface, for example a floor or the ground and an upper part for

supporting a person or object which is arranged to move upwardly away from

person or object, wherein the apparatus is provided with two frames and means

for releasably securing said frames to the one or more inflatable structures in

respective upper and lower positions such that the lower frame projects beyond

the lateral confines of the lower part of the structure, or, in the case of two or

more inflatable structures beyond the outer lateral confines of the outermost

structures for engagement with a support surface and the upper frame projects

two or more inflatable structures beyond the outer lateral confines of the

outermost structures.

14. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a rigid support

surface is attached to the upper part of the inflatable structure onto which a

person or an object maybe placed.

15. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said rigid

support surface is a stretcher.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claims 11 to 15 wherein the apparatus is

provided with a connection means for connecting the upper frame with the

lower frame to provide additional stability to the apparatus.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said connection means

comprises two or more releasable straps located either side of the one or more

inflatable structures and which secures the upper frame with respect to the lower

frame.

18. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elements of

the lower part of the structure or structures are provided with wheels to enable

the apparatus to be moved in the manner of the trolley.

19. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one

inflatable structure comprises one or more inflatable bags.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the inflatable bags are

compartmentalised, each bag provided with an aperture allowing separate

inflation and deflation of each bag.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the bags are

made from a substantially flexible fabric

22. The apparatus as claimed in claims 19 to 21 wherein the bag or bags of

each inflatable structure comprise one or more internal webs extending between

the top and bottom walls of the bag, the web or webs acting to maintain the

shape and increase the stability of the bag as it is inflated or deflated.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claims 19 to 22 wherein the bags are

arranged in a stack.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claims 19 to 23 wherein the two or more

bags of the inflatable structure are inflated individually and sequentially up to a

rigid state.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claims 19 to 24 wherein the bags are coated

with a thermoplastics material

26. The apparatus as claimed in claims 19 to 25 wherein two or more bags

are connected together so that air or other gas can flow between them and

whereby they can be inflated and deflated together.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claims 19 to 26 wherein inflation and

deflation of the bags is achieved by an electrically operated compressor and a

control unit.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claims 19 to 27 wherein the lower frame is

located between the lowest bag and a subsequent stacked bag of the one or more

inflatable structures.

29. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein a deflated

inflatable structure or structures is taken to a desired location and wherein said

apparatus is constructed by the attachment of elongate elements to a lower part

of the structure or structures for engagement on the support surface.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein elongate elements are

attached to an upper part of the structure or structures.

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30 further comprising a lower frame

constructed from the elements of the lower part of the structures or structures, an

upper frame constructed from the elements of the upper part of the structure or

structures and whereby inflation of a portion of the inflatable structure between

the lower frame and the ground or floor allows the wheels provided on the lower

frame to engage with said ground or floor.

32. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inflatable

structures are provided with channels for the attachment of elongate elements

thereto.