WO1993000844A1

WO1993000844A1 - Support device

Info

Publication number: WO1993000844A1
Application number: PCT/GB1992/001201
Authority: WO
Inventors: Denis Mcgarrigle
Original assignee: Denis Mcgarrigle
Priority date: 1991-07-02
Filing date: 1992-07-02
Publication date: 1993-01-21
Also published as: GB2263231B; GB9114276D0; GB2263231A; GB9302775D0; AU2196492A

Abstract

A support device for a person in bed comprises an inflatable chamber (11) made of flexible sheet material, attachment means (12) at opposite sides of the chamber, and locating means (13) connected to the attachment means for locating the device at a desired point along the length of a bed mattress.

Description

Support Device

This invention concerns a support device to prevent a person, especially a patient, sitting in bed from slipping down the bed.

It is a common experience that a person sitting in bed or propped in an inclined position against pillows tends to slide down the bed. The invention aims to provide a support device to prevent this which is hygienic and comfortable to use.

The invention accordingly provides a support device to prevent a person sitting in bed from slipping down the bed, comprising an inflatable chamber made of flexible sheet material, attachment means at opposite sides of the chamber, and locating means connected to the attachment means for locating the device at a desired point along the length of a bed mattress.

Preferably, the inflatable chamber extends substantially across the full width of the mattress and has a strap or straps which pass around underneath the mattress to secure it.

In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, an exemplary embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support device according to the invention; and

Figure 2 shows a section taken in the plane II-II, to a reduced scale. The device consists of an inflatable air-bag 11 of plastics material comprising a plurality of panels welded together. The bag is of generally circular cross-section and has an integral air valve (not shown) . The bag is designed to fix across the width of an ordinary bed and deforms to the shape shown in Fig. 2 once inflated and attached to a bed. The air-bag has two straps or lengths of webbing 13 attached to it which run around the underside of the mattress 15 or bed frame, looping back and attaching to the other welded end 16 of the air-bag. At their ends, the straps 13 pass through plastics reinforcements 12, four of which are welded into the flat ends of the bag. The straps 13 are readily adjustable to take up any slack and each have a guick-release clip or buckle 14 allowing the device to be moved to any position along the bed.

The bag is constructed of heat welded plastic about 1mm. thick with fabric on its outer surface suitable for the product to the washed and sterilised. The adjustable straps can be welded or stitched webbing.

The device is normally supplied with a footpump; the integral air nozzle/valve provided gives a simple and easy method of attaching the pump and sealing the air inside once the bag is inflated.

The bag can be easily deflated and stored flat whilst not in use.

When firmly strapped to the bed as shown, the device provides a warm, comfortable support for the feet, allowing the user to brace his/her body against the inflated bag, thus preventing the user from slipping gradually down the bed, especially if unable to support him/herself adequately because of illness. Numeral 17 shows the approximate position of a user's feet pressing in the direction of the arrows. The device would normally be positioned as shown about two-thirds of the way down the bed. However, the bag may be used to support any desired part of the body, and either above or below the sheets and/or blankets.

It may sometimes be appropriate for a patient to be supported just below the buttocks if the legs must be free of strain. The bag can also be used instead of a pillow. On certain beds, the device can be placed anywhere under the mattress also to provide support - but this is not seen as its predominant use. The nature of the support can in all cases vary in dependence upon the amount to which it is inflated.

Claims

1. A support device to prevent a person sitting in bed from slipping down the bed, characterised in that it comprises an inflatable chamber (11) made of flexible sheet material, attachment means (12) at opposite sides of the chamber, and locating means (13) connected to the attachment means for locating the device at a desired point along the length of a bed mattress.

2. A support device according to claim 1 , wherein the inflatable chamber (11) is arranged to extend substantially across the full width of the mattress and wherein said locating means comprise a strap or straps (13) which are arranged to pass around underneath the mattress.

3. A support device according to claim 2 wherein said strap(s) (13) is/are adjustable and/or readily releasable.

4. A support device according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means (12) comprise reinforcement means of plastics material.

5. A method of supporting a person in bed comprising placing against or underneath the person a support device in accordance with any preceding claim.