Patent Application
20130152304
This disclosure relates to person support devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, this disclosure relates to person support devices configured to cooperate with person moving devices to suspend and/or move at least a portion of a person from a first position to a second position. While various person support devices have been developed, there is still room for improvement. Thus a need persists for further contributions in this area of technology.
In one illustrative embodiment, a person support device comprises a body support, a first support loop, and a second support loop. The body support is configured to support at least a portion of a person. The first support loop is coupled to the body support and extends there from a first distance. The second support loop is coupled to the body support and is overlappingly coupled along a portion of the first support loop. The second support loop extends a second distance from the body support.
In another illustrative embodiment, a person support device comprises a body support, a first support loop, and a second support loop. The first support loop is coupled to the body support. The first support loop includes an upper layer and a lower layer. The second support loop is coupled to the first support loop such that a portion of the second support loop is positioned between the upper layer and the lower layer of the first support loop and extends along a portion of the first support loop.
In another illustrative embodiment, a support extension comprises a first loop of a first length and a second loop of a second length. The second loop is overlappingly coupled to the first loop along a substantial portion of the second length.
Additional features alone or in combination with any other feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims and those described in detail below, can comprise patentable subject matter. Others will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
Referring now to the illustrative examples in the drawings, wherein like numerals represent the same or similar elements throughout:
a is a top view of an extension loop according to one illustrative embodiment;
b is a cross-sectional view of the extension loop of
a is a top view of an extension loop according to another illustrative embodiment;
b is a cross-sectional view of the extension loop of
While the present disclosure can take many different forms, for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. No limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Various alterations, further modifications of the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure, as described herein, are contemplated.
A person support device 10 according to one illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure is shown in
The support device 10 includes a main panel 12 or body support 12, handles 14, a binding 16, upper loops 18, and leg support loops 20. The main panel 12 includes a back support portion 22 and leg support portions 26 extending from the back support portion 22 as shown in
The handles 14 are configured to help a person, such as, a caregiver, move the occupant when the occupant is supported by the person support device 10. The handles 14 include a grip portion GP1 and coupling portions CP1 that couple the handles 14 to the bottom surface of the back support portion 22 as shown in
The binding 16 is coupled to the perimeter edge of the main panel 12 and forms the upper loops 18 and a portion of the leg support loops 20. In some contemplated embodiments, the binding 16 is not coupled along the perimeter edge of the main panel 12. The binding 16 is C-shaped and includes an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 30 as shown in
The upper loops 18 and the leg support loops 20 are configured to be coupled to the support device coupling portion of the person lifting device LD1 and cooperate therewith to suspend/lift/lower/turn/transport a person supported by the main panel 12. In one illustrative embodiment, the upper loops 18 extend from the back support portion 22 and the leg support loops 20 extend from the leg support portions 26. The upper loops 18 and/or leg support loops 20 can be configured a number of ways to help support people of different sizes and perform different functions. In one illustrative embodiment, the leg support loops 20 include an outer loop 34 and an inner loop 36. In some contemplated embodiments, the upper loops 18 can also include inner and outer loops (not shown). The outer loop 34 is defined by a portion of the binding 16 and extends a first distance D1 from the end of the leg support 26. In some contemplated embodiments, the binding 16 can cross itself to define the outer loop 34 and can be coupled to itself where the portions of the binding 16 intersect. The inner loop 36 is coupled to the outer loop 34 and the leg support 26 and extends a second distance D2 from the end of the leg support 26, which is less than the first distance D1. In some contemplated embodiments, the second distance D2 can be greater than the first distance D1 to allow the inner loop 36 to be used as an extended position rather than a shortened position. The second distance D2 can depend on the size and geometry of the person support device 10. In one illustrative embodiment, the first distance D1 is about 58 cm and the second distance is about 48 cm.
The inner loop 36 includes a first portion 38 coupled between the sides 40 of the outer loop 34 and a second portion 42 that extends along the sides 40 of the outer loop 34 as shown in
The person support device 10 is in a full length configuration when the outer loop 34 is coupled to the lifting device LD1, and in a shortened length configuration when the inner loop 36 is coupled to the lifting device LD1. The inner loop 36 cooperates with the outer loop 34 to define a first opening 46, and cooperates with the outer loop 34 and the leg support portions 26 to define a second opening 48 as shown in
In another illustrative embodiment, the upper loop 18 and the leg support loops 20 are coupled to the lifting device coupling portion LD1 via extension loops 50 as shown in
The loops 52 & 54 include a lifting device coupling portion 56a and 56b, a support device coupling portion 58a and 58b, respectively, a first opening 60 between the support device coupling portion 58a and 58b and the lifting device coupling portion 56a, and a second opening 62 between the lifting device coupling portion 56a and the lifting device coupling portion 56b as shown in
Many other embodiments of the present disclosure are also envisioned. For example, a person support device comprises a body support, a first support loop, and a second support loop. The body support is configured to support at least a portion of a person. The first support loop is coupled to the body support and extends there from a first distance. The second support loop is coupled to the body support and is overlappingly coupled along a portion of the first support loop. The second support loop extends a second distance from the body support.
In another example, a person support device comprises a body support, a first support loop, and a second support loop. The first support loop is coupled to the body support. The first support loop includes an upper layer and a lower layer. The second support loop is coupled to the first support loop such that a portion of the second support loop is positioned between the upper layer and the lower layer of the first support loop and extends along a portion of the first support loop.
In another example, a support extension comprises a first loop of a first length and a second loop of a second length. The second loop is overlappingly coupled to the first loop along a substantial portion of the second length.
Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of principles of the present disclosure and is not intended to make the present disclosure in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, illustrative embodiment, proof, or finding. It should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably or preferred in the description above indicates that the feature so described can be more desirable, it nonetheless can not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same can be contemplated as within the scope of the disclosure, that scope being defined by the claims that follow.
In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” “at least a portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all possible alternatives, modifications, aspects, combinations, principles, variations, and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosure as defined herein or by any of the following claims are desired to be protected. While embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same are to be considered as illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Additional alternatives, modifications and variations can be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, while multiple inventive aspects and principles can have been presented, they need not be utilized in combination, and various combinations of inventive aspects and principles are possible in light of the various embodiments provided above.
