Two piece subject support apparatuses

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11446192-B2
Application number	US-202016851425-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 17, 2020
Priority date	Apr 19, 2019
Publication date	Sep 20, 2022
Grant date	Sep 20, 2022

Abstract

A subject support apparatus includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a vest having a first end and a second end, a closure mechanism configured to couple the first end of the vest to the second end of the vest from a bottom end of the vest to a top end of the vest to form a closed loop, and a pair of shoulder straps extending from the vest. The lower portion includes a seat piece having a first end and a second end, and a pair of loop straps extending from the first end and the second end of the seat piece. Subject support systems including the subject support apparatus and methods of lifting a subject using the subject support apparatus are also described.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A subject support apparatus comprising:
an upper portion comprising:
a vest having a first end and a second end;
a closure mechanism configured to couple the first end of the vest to the second end of the vest from a bottom end of the vest to a top end of the vest to form a closed loop; and
a pair of shoulder straps extending from the vest; and

a lower portion comprising a seat piece having a first end and a second end, and a pair of loop straps extending from the first end and the second end of the seat piece, wherein the lower portion releasably couples to the upper portion, wherein the pair of shoulder straps and the pair of loop straps each extend for a length such that the pair of shoulder straps and the pair of loop straps are receivable by a single sling bar.

2. The subject support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a zipper.

3. The subject support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of the loop straps is non-releasably coupled to the seat piece of the subject support apparatus.

4. The subject support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is free of straps extending from the first end of the vest and/or the second end of the vest.

5. A subject support system comprising:
a subject support apparatus comprising:
an upper portion comprising:
a vest having a first end and a second end;
a closure mechanism configured to couple the first end of the vest to the second end of the vest to form a closed loop; and
a pair of shoulder straps extending from the vest; and

a lower portion comprising a seat piece having a first end and a second end, and a pair of loop straps extending from the first end and the second end of the seat piece, wherein the lower portion releasably couples to the upper portion;

a sling bar comprising at least two hooks to receive the pair of shoulder straps and the pair of loop straps; and
a lift mechanism coupled to the sling bar.

6. The subject support system of claim 5 , wherein the lower portion does not couple to the upper portion.

7. The subject support system of claim 5 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a zipper.

8. The subject support system of claim 5 , wherein the upper portion is free of straps extending from the first end of the vest and/or the second end of the vest.

9. A method of lifting a subject comprising:
positioning an upper portion of a subject support apparatus around a torso of the subject, the upper portion comprising a vest having a first end and a second end, a closure mechanism configured to couple the first end of the vest to the second end of the vest to form a closed loop around the torso of the subject, and a pair of shoulder straps extending from the vest;
positioning a seat portion of a lower portion of the subject support apparatus between legs of the subject and a surface upon which the subject is disposed, wherein the seat portion comprises a first end and a second end, and the lower portion further comprises a pair of loop straps extending from the first end and the second end of the seat portion, wherein a lower portion releasably couples to the upper portion, wherein the pair of shoulder straps and the pair of loop straps each extend for a length such that the pair of shoulder straps and the pair of loop straps are receivable by a single sling bar;
coupling the pair of shoulder straps of the upper portion of the subject support apparatus and the pair of loop straps of the lower portion of the subject support apparatus to a lift mechanism; and
activating the lift mechanism to lift the subject.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the lower portion of the subject support apparatus does not couple to the upper portion of the subject support apparatus.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the lower portion of the subject support apparatus releasably couples to the upper portion of the subject support apparatus.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a zipper.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the upper portion of the subject support apparatus is free of straps extending from the first end of the vest and/or the second end of the vest.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein each of the pair of the loop straps is non-releasably coupled to the seat portion of the subject support apparatus.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the lower portion of the subject support apparatus does not encircle thighs of the subject.

Assignees

• Liko Res & Dev Ab

Inventors

• Leiker William
• Cushman Jessica
• Nyström Henrik
• Eriksson Anders
• Johansson Daniel

Classifications

• A61G7/1078

  Clamps for flexible harnesses · CPC title

• A61G7/1086

  Upper body · CPC title

• A61G7/1042

  Rail systems (walking aids with suspension devices A61H3/008) · CPC title

• A61G7/1059

  Seats · CPC title

• A61G7/1051

  Flexible harnesses or slings · CPC title