Lifting and seating device

Abstract

An apparatus for lifting a person from a supine position on the ground to a sitting position above ground level comprising at least one inflatable ring structure having a hollow, a flexible membrane and a collapsible support element, wherein the flexible membrane extends over at least a portion of the hollow to provide a seating surface for the person and the collapsible support element when erected projects in a substantially upward direction to support the person.

1 . Apparatus for lifting a person from a supine position on the ground to a sitting position above ground level, comprising at least one inflatable ring structure having a hollow, a flexible membrane and a collapsible support element, wherein the flexible membrane extends over at least a portion of the hollow to provide a seating surface for the person and the collapsible support element when erected projects in a substantially upward direction to support the person.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flexible membrane is releasably attached to said at least one inflatable ring structure.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the collapsible support element is connected to the flexible membrane.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support element is attached to an edge of the flexible membrane.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flexible membrane comprises an edge to which the collapsible support element is attached and at least two other edges attached to the inflatable ring structure.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flexible membrane is attached to the inflatable structure in a manner such that when the apparatus is in a collapsed position, the flexible membrane loosely covers at least a portion of the hollow.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein upon inflation of said at least one inflatable ring structure and erection of the support element, the flexible membrane is pulled taut across at least a portion of the hollow.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the collapsible support element comprises two members.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein at least one of the two members comprises an inflatable structure.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein upon erection the two members are arranged in an inverted “Y” arrangement.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a series of inflatable ring structures stacked on top of one another.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the inflatable structures are secured to one another by welding.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one inflatable ring structure is of a rectangular form.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one inflatable ring structure is made from a tubular structure.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein a portion of the wall of said at least one inflatable structure comprises a gusset.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the gusset is located axially along an inside part of the rectangular ring structure.  
   
   
       17 . An inflatable ring structure comprising a bend or corner wherein a portion of the tubular structure comprises a gusset.  
   
   
       18 . An inflatable tubular structure as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the gusset is arranged on the inside of the bend or corner of the tubular structure.  
   
   
       19 . An inflatable tubular structure as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the tubular structure comprises an upper shell panel, a lower shell panel and a gusset.  
   
   
       20 . An inflatable tubular structure as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the gusset is connected to the upper and lower shell panels such that the connection seams between the gusset and the panels are not located on the central axial line of the surface of the tubular structure.  
   
   
       21 . An inflatable structure as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the method of making the ring structure comprises connecting the ends of the gusset together to form a ring, placing the ring around a ring mould, attaching a lower shell panel below the mould and an upper shell panel above the mould, joining the gusset to both panels, removing the mould and joining the upper and lower shell panels together.