Garment With Detachable Support Portion For Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slings for lifting incapacitated individuals are uncomfortable and difficult to fit, leading to prolonged and costly processes, especially for elderly or bed-bound patients, as they require frequent re-fitting and can cause pain and bruising.
Innovation Solution
A garment with integrated attachment elements on both sides of a sagittal plane, allowing for efficient coupling with lifting devices, providing comfort and ease of use while minimizing the need for repeated fitting, using a detachable support portion with elongate attachment elements and coupling elements like eyelets or carabiners for secure lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional sling is used for lifting an incapacitated person, then the lifting function is achieved, but the sling digs into the body causing pain and bruising
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into a body portion and a detachable support portion with attachment elements. This segmentation allows the support structure to be separated from the wearable portion, enabling even distribution of lifting forces across multiple attachment points rather than concentrating them at single points that would cause pressure sores
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment elements extend substantially laterally from the spine element, distributing the lifting load across multiple dimensions and attachment points on the garment rather than through a single concentrated point, thereby reducing pressure on any one area of the body
2Reliability
If a conventional sling is fitted to an incapacitated person, then the lifting preparation is complete, but the process is time consuming and must be repeated frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion with attachment elements is pre-configured and can be quickly attached to the body portion before lifting is required. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site fitting adjustments during each lifting operation
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable support portion allows for quick attachment and detachment, enabling the garment to adapt dynamically between different states (with support portion attached for lifting, detached for storage or cleaning). This dynamic configuration reduces the time required for each lifting operation while maintaining secure fitting
3Ease of operation
If a conventional sling is used, then lifting is possible, but it is difficult to manoeuvre the person into different positions for proper fitting
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the support portion from the body portion, the garment allows care personnel to maneuver the incapacitated person into position without having to adjust a complex integrated sling. The support portion can be independently positioned and attached, simplifying the manoeuvring process
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion with its attachment elements is pre-positioned and secured to the body portion before the lifting operation. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex on-site adjustments and manoeuvring during the actual lifting task
4Productivity
If attachment elements are added to the garment, then lifting efficiency is improved, but the garment structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment elements are incorporated into a separate detachable support portion rather than being integrated throughout the entire garment. This segmentation allows the lifting functionality to be added without permanently complicating the basic garment structure, as the support portion can be detached when not needed
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion with attachment elements serves multiple functions: it provides lifting attachment points, distributes load across the body, and can be detached for storage or cleaning. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural element by consolidating multiple needs into a single component
Data Source
AI summary
A garment is provided for moving an incapacitated person. The garment includes a wearable body portion; and a support portion comprising a plurality of attachment elements attachable to a lifting device. Further, the plurality of attachment elements comprises a first attachment element located at a first location on a first side of a sagittal plane of the garment and a second attachment element located at a second location on a second side of the sagittal plane and substantially opposed to the first location. A method of moving an incapacitated person and a system comprising a garment and a sling are also provided.