US20060082210A1 - Method and means for assisting a person to, into and out of a seat in a confined space - Google Patents

Method and means for assisting a person to, into and out of a seat in a confined space Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060082210A1
US20060082210A1 US11/252,536 US25253605A US2006082210A1 US 20060082210 A1 US20060082210 A1 US 20060082210A1 US 25253605 A US25253605 A US 25253605A US 2006082210 A1 US2006082210 A1 US 2006082210A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
seat
seats
person
inflatable
board
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/252,536
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard Fletcher
Richard Rimmington
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mangar International Ltd
Original Assignee
Mangar International Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mangar International Ltd filed Critical Mangar International Ltd
Publication of US20060082210A1 publication Critical patent/US20060082210A1/en
Assigned to MANGAR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED reassignment MANGAR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FLETCHER, RICHARD EDMOND, RIMMINGTON, RICHARD
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/245—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for handicapped persons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
    • A47C7/02—Seat parts
    • A47C7/021—Detachable or loose seat cushions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G5/00—Chairs or personal conveyances specially adapted for patients or disabled persons, e.g. wheelchairs
    • A61G5/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G5/1005—Wheelchairs having brakes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/10—Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons, e.g. special adaptations of hoists thereto
    • A61G7/1025—Lateral movement of patients, e.g. horizontal transfer
    • A61G7/103—Transfer boards
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/90—Details or parts not otherwise provided for
    • B60N2/914—Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G2200/00—Information related to the kind of patient or his position
    • A61G2200/30—Specific positions of the patient
    • A61G2200/34—Specific positions of the patient sitting
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G2220/00—Adaptations of particular transporting means
    • A61G2220/10—Aircrafts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/10—Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons, e.g. special adaptations of hoists thereto
    • A61G7/1013—Lifting of patients by
    • A61G7/1021—Inflatable cushions

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and means for assisting persons, particularly persons with restricted physical movement to transfer to, into and out of a seat located in a row of adjacent seats in a confined space.
  • the invention has been devised primarily to overcome or reduce difficulties experienced by disabled passengers on an aircraft in transferring into and out of a seat not easily accessible from the main aisle, such as a window seat located within a row of seats. Under some widely applied civil aviation rules, a physically impaired person should be seated in such a location so as not to impede the rapid exit of other passengers in the event of an emergency.
  • the rows of seats in an aircraft are so closely arranged that the row of seats in front of a given row greatly restricts the space available (leg room) in which a seat in the given row can be accessed. This makes the access to a central or window seat within a row difficult.
  • the invention is not limited to use with aircraft seats and the invention is broadly applicable to the movement of persons into and out of seats closely arranged in rows having a confined space, for example those seating arrangements found in theatres, cinemas, stadiums and on ferries.
  • a further aim of the invention is that said means is compactable and lightweight.
  • apparatus for assisting a person to transfer into or out of a seat in a row of seats, said apparatus comprising at least two inflatable structures for positioning on respective seats in the row and a substantially rigid transfer means arranged to be supported between the inflatable structures.
  • the at least two inflatable structures are connectible to a single air supply.
  • the at least two inflatable structures are fitted with non return valves.
  • the at least two inflatable structures are connectible to a single airline connectible to the air supply.
  • the air supply is a portable air supply.
  • said transfer means comprises at least one board.
  • said transfer means comprises a transfer surface having a low co-efficient of friction.
  • said buffer means comprises a roll of material, a portion of which has a low co-efficient of friction.
  • the at least one rigid structure is collapsible. More preferably, said at least one rigid structure comprises a collapsible box or crate.
  • the support means comprises telescopic legs.
  • a method of assisting a person to transfer into or out of a target seat in a row of seats comprising placing an inflatable structure on the target seat and placing at least one other inflatable structure on a second seat, inflating the structures and arranging a substantially rigid transfer means between the inflatable structures to provide a transfer surface between the second seat and the target seat.
  • the inflatable structures are inflated to substantially the same height above armrest level.
  • a person is lowered into the target seat by deflation of the inflatable structure.
  • a person is raised to substantially the same height as the transfer means by inflation of the inflatable structure in the target seat.
  • the transfer means comprises at least one board. More preferably, the at least one board is placed in abutment with two adjacent structures only.
  • the method comprises providing a support means, such as a platform to assist transferring to and/or along, and/or away from the apparatus.
  • a kit of apparatus which can be assembled and dismantled for assisting a person from an end of a row of seats to, into and out of a seat located in the row, said kit comprising at least two inflatable structures, an air supply and at least one transfer board.
  • the kit comprises a support means.
  • said support means comprises at least one box, into which the apparatus maybe stored.
  • the at least one board comprises buffer means.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 are plan views of the use and arrangement of apparatus according to all aspects of the invention.
  • FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show a rigid structure which may be used in a further arrangement of the apparatus according to the invention.
  • Three seats A, B and C are arranged in a row 10 as, for example may be found in an aircraft or theatre.
  • Seat A is located beside an aisle D and commonly referred to as an aisle seat.
  • Seat C is located between seat B and an obstacle such as a wall or window.
  • seat C is commonly referred to as a window seat.
  • a row of seats may be applied to two or more seats positioned side by side in a straight or curved alignment.
  • Inflatable cushion 1 is generally made of a plastics material which can hold a pressure of around 0.35 bar. Each cushion is fitted with a safety valve (not shown). The inflatable cushions preferably have the same base dimensions as those of the seat into which they are placed. Each cushion when inflated is of a generally cuboid shape.
  • Each cushion has an aperture 4 fitted with a standard sized venting connector (not shown) for connection to air hoses 5 of a single air line 6 .
  • One end of air line 6 is connected to an air supply 9 , such as a hand held electrically powered supply and the other end is connected to the cushion 1 on seat C.
  • the venting connectors may be fitted with non return valves so that with this arrangement, the air supply will inflate all the cushions at the same time, although it must be appreciated, that each cushion may be inflated separately by directly connecting an air supply to each cushion 1 .
  • the cushions 1 on seats A, Band C are inflated (see FIGS. 2 and 3 ) to substantially the same height above the level of the armrests 7 of the seats, if the armrests are fixed.
  • the armrests may be folded back to a substantially vertical position. If desired, the air line 6 and air supply 9 can then be detached and moved away from the row of seats.
  • a transfer board 8 is placed in abutment with a portion of cushion 1 on seat A and a portion of cushion 1 on seat B bridging the gap between the cushions.
  • the board 8 is made of a substantially rigid, light weight material, such as wood, or a plastics material and having a low coefficient of friction on at least one side.
  • a loop or roll of flexible material 14 may be placed at one or both ends of the board such that a portion is in abutment with the board and a portion extends over the end of the board. The loop or roll of material may serve as a buffer between the board and the person being transferred.
  • the order in which the cushions are inflated and the placing of board(s) in abutment with the cushions is not important, but may be determined by the presence or lack of armrests on the seats.
  • the board(s) is/are removed and the cushion 1 is deflated with the person on top being eased into the seat.
  • the air supply 9 maybe used to do this or, alternatively, it can be done manually.
  • the air line 6 is disconnected from the cushion leaving the deflated cushion 1 under the person on the seat. For long haul flights, this may be uncomfortable, especially if the person suffers from decubitus ulcers. It may therefore be necessary to place extra padding between the person and the cushion 1 .
  • Such padding is best placed on the cushion 1 before the person sits on it, however, some persons may be able to slide the padding under their buttocks when seated on cushion 1 .
  • Two identical sheets 34 are movably connected to each other along edges 38 of side portions 35 and along edges 37 of the upper portions 36 as shown in FIG. 9 .
  • the sheets 34 may be connected, for example by hinge means.
  • the upper portions 36 are positioned into a substantially horizontal plane by folding along fold lines 40 .
  • Side portions 36 are folded along the fold lines 39 and positioned under the upper portions 36 to provide a rigid box structure 30 having four side walls and an upper surface.
  • FIG. 10 shows the rigid structure 30 when erected.
  • Using a rigid structure in place of an inflatable structure has the advantage in that it need not be inflated, thus saving time in setting up the apparatus ready for use.
  • the inflatable cushions 1 are placed on seats A and C as before and the rigid structure 30 is placed on seat B with the upper portions 36 uppermost. Cushions 1 are inflated to the same or substantially the same height as the rigid structure 30 before the transfer board(s) 8 are arranged in abutment with the cushions 1 and the upper portions 36 of rigid structure 30 to provide a transfer surface between the cushions 1 on seats A and C.
  • the rigid structure may provide a container for storing some, or all of the apparatus: transfer board(s) 8 , cushions 1 , air supply 9 , air hoses 5 and airline 6 when not in use. Alternatively, the rigid structure may be dismantled or collapsed to a compact form for easy storing.
  • a further board 21 is placed in abutment with a portion of cushion 20 on the wheelchair Wand the cushion 1 on seat A. This provides a transfer surface between the wheelchair Wand seat A.
  • the cushion 20 is connected to the air supply 9 by airline 6 in the same manner as cushions 1 on seats A and B. All the cushions can then be inflated to substantially the same height above the level of the armrests of the seats and wheelchair allowing the person to slide from the wheelchair to seat A and then continuing to seat C in the manner previously described. The person can then be eased into seat C by deflation of the cushion on seat C.
  • the cushion on seat C under the person can be inflated to a height more or less the same as the others on seats A and B and boards placed in abutment with the cushions 1 and between the cushion 1 on seat C and the cushion 20 on wheelchair W to enable the person to slide back on to the wheel chair.
  • the cushion 20 is deflated allowing the person to ease into the wheel chair.
  • the deflated cushion 20 can be removed from under the person on the wheelchair, or simply left there.
  • a cushion 1 is placed on the aisle seat A and the target seat C and on a number of seats between.
  • a row of seats 13 is shown arranged in front of and close to row 10 .
  • it will be necessary to bridge the gaps between the cushions to create a suitable transfer surface it is still only necessary to have two transfer boards, since the boards when not in use can be removed and placed further along the row.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 An example of this is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 where two boards 21 and 8 are used to bridge the gaps between the cushion 20 on wheelchair Wand cushion 1 on seat A and between cushion 1 on seat A and cushion 1 on seat B, respectively.
US11/252,536 2004-10-18 2005-10-18 Method and means for assisting a person to, into and out of a seat in a confined space Abandoned US20060082210A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0423082.7A GB0423082D0 (en) 2004-10-18 2004-10-18 Method and means for assisting a person to,into and out of a seat in a confined space
GBGB0423082.7 2004-10-18
GBGB0424922.3 2004-11-11
GB0424922A GB2419282A (en) 2004-10-18 2004-11-11 Seat transfer device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060082210A1 true US20060082210A1 (en) 2006-04-20

Family

ID=36180024

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/252,536 Abandoned US20060082210A1 (en) 2004-10-18 2005-10-18 Method and means for assisting a person to, into and out of a seat in a confined space

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20060082210A1 (de)
DE (1) DE102005049903A1 (de)
GB (2) GB0423082D0 (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090289487A1 (en) * 2008-05-20 2009-11-26 Caterpillar Inc. Independent height adjustment system for a seat assembly and machine using same
FR2952613A1 (fr) * 2009-11-17 2011-05-20 Sicma Aero Seat Ensemble permettant le transfert d'un passager handicape dans un avion et procede de transfert de passager handicape associe
US20140167460A1 (en) * 2012-08-29 2014-06-19 Continental Automotive Gmbh Control Element for a Vehicle Seat
US9731638B2 (en) * 2012-09-20 2017-08-15 Faurecia Automotive Seating, Llc Seat cushion for a vehicle seat
GB2580912A (en) * 2019-01-29 2020-08-05 Roma Medical Ltd Apparatus

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102010015093B4 (de) * 2010-04-15 2013-09-12 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Matratze zum Umbetten eines Patienten

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1265257A (en) * 1917-02-06 1918-05-07 Lee L Schellinger Bed-leg.
US2698442A (en) * 1949-11-09 1955-01-04 Simmons Co Variable height bed
US4697290A (en) * 1984-03-07 1987-10-06 Regionala Stiftelsen I Varmland Med Firma Erress Device comprising a mattress support
US5742958A (en) * 1996-03-28 1998-04-28 Solazzo; Anthony Inflatable patient transfer roller mattress
US5902011A (en) * 1995-06-09 1999-05-11 Herman Miller, Inc. Office chair and adjustable lumbar support therefor
US5988747A (en) * 1995-04-25 1999-11-23 Jeans; Edward Lewis Inflatable lifting device and control apparatus therefor
US20010025391A1 (en) * 1999-12-14 2001-10-04 Mario Rabaiotti Patient Support
US6317909B1 (en) * 1999-01-30 2001-11-20 Edward Blum Arising aid
US6467106B1 (en) * 1999-06-14 2002-10-22 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient transfer apparatus
US7028350B1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2006-04-18 Woodlark Circle, Inc. Lifting cushion and method for transferring a patient from a chair

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GB2110527B (en) * 1981-04-29 1984-12-19 David Edmund Talbot Garman Apparatus for supporting disabled persons
IT8123538V0 (it) * 1981-11-16 1981-11-16 Fiamma Spa Bastone, particolarmente per persone debilitate.
GB2237188B (en) * 1989-07-22 1992-11-18 Mangar Aids Ltd Improvements in or relating to invalid seating
GB2235368B (en) * 1989-08-22 1993-04-21 Scott Barrett Julia Ann Seating accessory

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1265257A (en) * 1917-02-06 1918-05-07 Lee L Schellinger Bed-leg.
US2698442A (en) * 1949-11-09 1955-01-04 Simmons Co Variable height bed
US4697290A (en) * 1984-03-07 1987-10-06 Regionala Stiftelsen I Varmland Med Firma Erress Device comprising a mattress support
US5988747A (en) * 1995-04-25 1999-11-23 Jeans; Edward Lewis Inflatable lifting device and control apparatus therefor
US5902011A (en) * 1995-06-09 1999-05-11 Herman Miller, Inc. Office chair and adjustable lumbar support therefor
US5742958A (en) * 1996-03-28 1998-04-28 Solazzo; Anthony Inflatable patient transfer roller mattress
US6317909B1 (en) * 1999-01-30 2001-11-20 Edward Blum Arising aid
US20050102749A1 (en) * 1999-06-14 2005-05-19 Heimbrock Richard H. Patient transfer apparatus
US6467106B1 (en) * 1999-06-14 2002-10-22 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient transfer apparatus
US7032261B2 (en) * 1999-06-14 2006-04-25 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Patient transfer apparatus
US20010025391A1 (en) * 1999-12-14 2001-10-04 Mario Rabaiotti Patient Support
US7028350B1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2006-04-18 Woodlark Circle, Inc. Lifting cushion and method for transferring a patient from a chair
US20060123550A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2006-06-15 Davis David T Lifting cushion and method for transferring a patient from a chair
US7168115B2 (en) * 2004-12-07 2007-01-30 Woodlark Circle,Inc. Lifting cushion and method for transferring a patient from a chair

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090289487A1 (en) * 2008-05-20 2009-11-26 Caterpillar Inc. Independent height adjustment system for a seat assembly and machine using same
US7909404B2 (en) * 2008-05-20 2011-03-22 Caterpillar Inc. Independent height adjustment system for a seat assembly and machine using same
FR2952613A1 (fr) * 2009-11-17 2011-05-20 Sicma Aero Seat Ensemble permettant le transfert d'un passager handicape dans un avion et procede de transfert de passager handicape associe
US20140167460A1 (en) * 2012-08-29 2014-06-19 Continental Automotive Gmbh Control Element for a Vehicle Seat
US9731638B2 (en) * 2012-09-20 2017-08-15 Faurecia Automotive Seating, Llc Seat cushion for a vehicle seat
GB2580912A (en) * 2019-01-29 2020-08-05 Roma Medical Ltd Apparatus
WO2020157456A1 (en) * 2019-01-29 2020-08-06 Roma Medical Aids Limited Apparatus for seating a person in an obstructed seat
US20220087885A1 (en) * 2019-01-29 2022-03-24 Roma Medical Aids Limited Apparatus for seating a person in an obstructed seat
GB2580912B (en) * 2019-01-29 2023-02-08 Roma Medical Ltd Apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102005049903A1 (de) 2006-05-24
GB2419282A (en) 2006-04-26
GB0423082D0 (en) 2004-11-17
GB0424922D0 (en) 2004-12-15

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: MANGAR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FLETCHER, RICHARD EDMOND;RIMMINGTON, RICHARD;REEL/FRAME:017661/0638

Effective date: 20060130

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION