Technical field

The present disclosure relates to a portable support positionable on a seat.

Background

Standard seats for passengers, such as those on aircraft, trains, coaches, ferries and other modes of transport are designed to accommodate an average person whilst adhering to strict design regulations. Although effort is made to ensure the seats are relatively comfortable for the average person, it is not of primary concern. This can be particularly challenging for passengers suffering from physical disabilities who must sit in seats which have not been designed to properly support them. This can result in extremely uncomfortable journeys and in the some cases may result in the development of pressure sores. Additionally, for those with more severe physical disabilities who require a wheelchair, the standard procedure is for the passenger to be removed from their wheelchair and placed in a thin wheelchair designed to enable the passenger to be wheeled down the aisle of the vehicle to their seat. They must then sit in the standard passenger seat for the duration of the journey, before then being placed back into the aisle wheelchair to be taken off the vehicle.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a portable support positionable on a seat, the support comprising: a frame; and a flexible material extending across the frame, wherein the frame is configured to support the flexible material above, and in spaced relation to, a base portion of the seat when the frame is located on the base portion of the seat so that a person sitting on the flexible material is supported in an elevated position above the base portion of the seat.

The support may comprise a frame member hingedly connected to the frame such that the frame member is pivotable relative to the frame to facilitate conversion of the support between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.

The support may comprise a releasable locking feature enabling the support to be releasably locked in the folded and unfolded configuration. The frame member may be a front frame member configured to support the person’s legs.

The releasable locking feature may be configured to allow the front frame member to be releasably locked in relation to the frame in a plurality of different positions.

The front frame member may comprise a footrest.

The front frame member may comprise a plurality of harness attachment features.

The frame member may be a rear frame member configured to support the person’s back when sitting on the support.

The releasable locking feature may be configured to allow the rear frame member to be releasably locked in relation to the frame in a plurality of different positions.

The support may comprise flexible material extending across the rear frame member.

The rear frame member maybe configured to support the flexible material above, and in spaced relation to, a vertical portion of the seat so that the person sitting on the flexible material is supported in an elevated position above the vertical portion of the seat.

The support may comprise a headrest attached to the rear frame member.

The headrest may be rotatably and telescopically attached to the rear frame member.

The support may comprise a pair of lateral trunk supports removably attached to and extending from the rear frame member.

The support may comprise a plurality of harness attachment features attached to the rear frame member.

The support may comprise both the front and rear frame members. The support may comprise an additional frame member hingedly connected to the frame, the additional frame member and front frame member may each comprise a pair of wheels configured to facilitate movement of the support along an aisle of the vehicle when the support is in the unfolded configuration.

The additional frame member may be pivotable relative to the frame to facilitate conversion of the support between the folded and unfolded configuration.

The support may comprise a locking member hingedly connected to the frame and the additional frame member, the locking member may be configured to lock the additional frame member in relation to the frame when the support is in the unfolded configuration.

The locking member may comprise first and second locking portions hingedly connected to each other such that the first and second locking portions pivot in relation to each other when the support is converted between the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration.

The frame may comprise a pair of curved frame members and at least two struts extending between and connecting the pair of curved frame members in spaced parallel relation to each other.

The flexible material maybe an elastically deformable material. The flexible material may be attached to the frame via a plurality of elastically deformable support members.

The plurality of elastically deformable support members may be elastically deformable straps, chords or springs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1A and 1B are isometric views of a portable support according to an embodiment of the invention alone and positioned on a seat respectively; Figure 2 is an isometric view of another portable support according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 3A and 3B are isometric views of another portable support according to an embodiment of the invention alone and positioned on a seat respectively; Figure 4 is an isometric view of the portable support shown in Figure 3A in a fully extended position;

Figures 5A and 5B are isometric views of another portable support according to an embodiment of the invention alone and positioned on a seat respectively;

Figure 5C is a rear isometric view of another portable support according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 5D and 5E are a front isometric view and side-on view of another portable support according to an embodiment of the invention alone and positioned on a seat respectively;

Figures 6A and 6B are isometric views of another portable support according to an embodiment of the invention alone and positioned on a seat respectively; and

Figures 7A to 7E are isometric views of the portable support shown in Figure 5A showing conversion of the portable support between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. Detailed Description

Figures 1A and 1B illustrate isometric views of a portable support according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 1A illustrates the portable support alone and Figure 1B illustrates the portable support positioned on a seat, specifically an aircraft passenger seat. The portable support 1 comprises a frame 2 and a flexible material 3 extending across the frame 2. In other words, the frame 2 defines a space across which the flexible material 3 extends such that the flexible material 3 covers the entire space defined by the frame 2. As depicted in Figure 1B, the frame 2 is configured to support the flexible material 3 above, and in spaced relation to, a base portion 4 of the aircraft seat 5. Therefore, when positioned on the aircraft seat 5, a person sitting on the flexible material 3 is supported in an elevated position above the base portion 4 of the aircraft seat 5. This minimises or prevents the development of pressure sores since the person is not in direct contact with the aircraft seat 5.

In this particular embodiment, the frame 2 comprises a pair of curved frame portions 6a, 6b and at least two struts 7a, 7b extending between and connecting the pair of curved frame portions 6a, 6b in spaced parallel relation to each other. The curvature of the frame portions 6a, 6b provides a space between the flexible material 3 and the base portion 4 of the aircraft seat 5. It is to be appreciated that the frame 2 is not limited to this design and may take a different form whilst still providing the spacing between the flexible material 3 and the base portion 4 of the aircraft seat 5. Additionally, the frame 2 comprises a central support strut 8 configured to contact the base portion 4 of the aircraft seat 5 and to support the flexible material 3 in an elevated position above the base portion 4 of the aircraft seat 5. The portable support 1 may comprise a crotch strap configured to prevent a person from sliding forward whilst sitting on the portable support 1. The crotch strap maybe attached to the flexible material 3, or alternatively, to the central support strut 8 and fed through an aperture in the flexible material 3.

The flexible material 3 maybe an elastically deformable material. Elastically deformable material is configured such that it will deform when a person is sitting on the elastically deformable material, and such that it will recover its original structure when the person is not sitting on the elastically deformable material. Alternatively, the flexible material 3 may be attached to the frame 2 via a plurality of elastically deformable support members. This facilitates elastic deformation of a flexible material which is not itself elastically deformable. The elastically deformable support members may be in the form of elastically deformable straps, chords or springs. The ability of the flexible material to deform and mould to the shape of a specific person improves comfort whilst the portable support 1 is in use. The flexible material 3 may be a woven mesh of material.

The portable support 1 comprises a frame member 9 hingedly connected to the frame 2 such that the frame member 9 is pivotable relative to the frame 2 to facilitate conversion of the portable support 1 between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. As used herein, the term ‘folded configuration’ refers to the configuration where the portable support 1 is completely folded away and the term ‘unfolded configuration’ refers to the configuration where the portable support 1 is positionable on the aircraft seat 5. When the portable support 1 is not in use, the frame member 9 may be folded relative to the frame 2 so that the portable support 1 is compact and easily transported. When use of the portable support 1 is required, the frame member 9 can be unfolded relative to the frame 2 such that the portable support 1 is in an unfolded configuration and is positionable on the aircraft seat 5. The portable support 1 further comprises a releasable locking feature 20 which enables the portable support 1 to be releasably locked in the folded and unfolded configuration. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the frame member 9 is a front frame member 9a configured to support the person’s legs. Additionally, the front frame member 9a is configured to support the frame 2 against the floor of the aircraft when the portable support 1 is positioned on the aircraft seat 5. Here, the front frame member 9a is substantially U-shaped, however, it is to be appreciated that the front frame member 9a may take any from suitable to perform the desired function. For example, the front frame member 9a may be formed from two separate L-shaped frame portions hingedly connected to the frame 2. As well as releasably locking the portable support 1 in the folded and unfolded configurations, the releasable locking feature 20 allows the front frame member 9a to be releasably locked in relation to the frame 2 in a plurality of different positions. This allows the person’s legs to be supported in any desired position. As seen in Figure 1A, the releasable locking feature 20 is a pair of release buttons located at the ends of the strut 7a.

The front frame member 9a comprises a footrest 10. The footrest 10 is hingedly connected to the front frame member 9a to enable folding away of the footrest 10. The footrest 10 is configured to support the person’s feet when the person is seated upon the portable support 1 positioned on the aircraft seat 5. The hinged connection also allows the inclination of the footrest 10 to be changed to suit the person sitting on the portable support 1. Additionally, the footrest 10 is slidably connected to the front frame member 9a to allow the height of the footrest 10 to be selected to accommodate people with varying leg lengths. When the portable support 1 is used on an aircraft, it is important that the footrest 10 does not impede passengers attempting to leave the aircraft during an emergency. Additionally, the space underneath the aircraft seat is typically used to accommodate an emergency life vest, and thus must not be obstructed during taxi, take-off, and landing. It is to be appreciated that due to the hinged connection the footrest 10 can be rotated upwards or downwards, depending on the location of the footrest 10 on the front frame member 9a, such that the footrest 10 does not impede other passengers or access to the life vest. For example, during taxi, take-off and landing, the footrest 10 maybe positioned at the top of the front frame member 9a and rotated vertically downwards so that the footrest 10 is perpendicular to the floor to accommodate access to the life vest. The front frame member 9a comprises a plurality of harness attachment features 11 (shown in Figure 6A). The harness attachment features 11 are configured to facilitate securing the person’s legs to the portable support i when in use and if required. For example, a person’s legs maybe secured in position relative to the front frame member 9a. This arrangement is particularly suitable for a paraplegic. Alternatively, as depicted in Figure 2, the frame member 9 is a rear frame member 9b configured to support the person’s back when sitting on the portable support 1. The portable support 1 comprises flexible material 3 extending across the rear frame member 9b. In other words, the rear frame member 9b defines a space across which the flexible material 3 extends such that the flexible material 3 covers the entire space defined by the rear frame member 9b. The rear frame member 9b is configured to support the flexible material 3 above, and in spaced relation to, a vertical portion 12 of the aircraft seat 5 so that the person sitting on the flexible material 3 is supported in an elevated position above the vertical portion 12 of the aircraft seat 5 (shown in Figures 3B, 5B and 6B). Here, the rear frame member 9b is curved such that it defines a space between the flexible material 3 and the vertical portion 12 of the aircraft seat 5. It is to be appreciated that the rear frame member 9b is not limited to this design and may take a different form whilst still providing the spacing between the flexible material 3 and the vertical portion 12 of the aircraft seat 5. A person sitting on the portable support 1 is spaced from the vertical portion 12 of the aircraft seat 5, thus minimising or preventing the development of pressure sores. The releasable locking feature 20 allows the rear frame member 9b to be releasably locked in relation to the frame 2 in a plurality of different positions. This allows the person’s back to be supported in any desired position. As seen in Figure 2, the locking feature 20 is a pair of release buttons located at the ends of the strut 7b.

As illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B, the portable support 1 may comprise both the front and rear frame members 9a, 9b. Both the front and rear frame members 9a, 9b are hingedly connected to the frame 2 to enable the portable support 1 to be converted between the folded and unfolded configuration. In other words, the front frame member 9a is pivotable about the front most strut 7a of the frame 2 and the rear frame member 9b is pivotable about the rear most strut 7b of the frame 2.

Figure 4 illustrates the portable support 1 in a fully extended position. The front and rear frame members 9a, 9b are pivotable about and releasably lockable in relation to the frame 2 in a plurality of positions including the fully extended position, the unfolded configuration and the folded configuration. The releasable locking feature 20 is configured to releasably lock the front and rear frame members 9a, 9b in a desired position relative to the frame 2. This allows the portable support 1 to be used with any type of passenger seat including but not limited to standard seats, reclining seats and flatbed seats.

Figure 5A and 5B illustrate another portable support 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The portable support 1 comprises an additional frame member 13 hingedly connected to the frame 2. Therefore, the additional frame member 13 is pivotable relative to the frame 2 to facilitate conversion of the portable support 1 between the folded and unfolded configuration. In particular, the additional frame member 13 is pivotable about the rear most strut 7b of the frame 2.

The additional frame member 13 and the front frame member 9a each comprise a pair of wheels 14 configured to facilitate movement of the portable support 1 along an aisle of the aircraft when the portable support 1 is in the unfolded configuration. In some embodiments, the wheels 14 attached to the front frame member 9a may be attached to the footrest 10. The pair of wheels 14 maybe either fixed wheels, castors, or omnidirectional wheels, and may be lockable to prevent unwanted movement of the portable support 1. Locking of the wheels 14 may be foot, hand or brake cable operated to prevent any unwanted movement of the portable support 1. In particular, if a user is being transferred to and from the portable support, typically via a sling, and the portable support is situated on an incline, locking of the wheels prevents unwanted movement of the portable support and allows safe sling transfer. Additionally, foot operation of the wheel locks is preferable in this situation as this can also be used to stabilise the sling transfer process.

In some embodiments, the wheels 14 may be extendable in a vertical direction. In particular, when the wheels 14 attached to the additional frame member 13 are folded away and the portable support 1 is located on the seat 5, as shown in Figure 5B, the wheels 14 attached to the front frame member 9a may be extendable vertically to facilitate movement of the portable support 1 along the row of seats 5. In other words, the portable support 1 may be transferred from one seat to another by extending the wheels 14 attached to the front frame member 9a so that the portable support 1 can be lifted and wheeled sideways to another seat. Preferably, the wheels 14 may be extendable vertically between 50 mm and too mm to allow the portable support 1 to clear the seats. As seen in Figure 5A, when in the unfolded configuration, the portable support 1 can be used as a wheelchair to transport the passenger down the aircraft aisle to their seat. This is particularly beneficial for those with more severe physical disabilities who are unable to get to their seat unaided.

As shown in Figure 5B, the additional frame member 13 can be folded relative to the frame 2 such that the portable support 1 can be positioned on the aircraft seat 5. In particular, the additional frame member 13 is folded away and housed within the space between the flexible material 3 and the base portion 4 of the aircraft seat 5. When it is time for the person to disembark the aircraft, the portable support 1 can be removed from the aircraft seat 5, and the additional frame member 13 can be unfolded to facilitate transport of the passenger off the aircraft. Additionally, the portable support 1 comprises a locking member 15 hingedly connected to the frame 2 and the additional frame member 13. In particular, the locking member 15 is connected to the central support strut 8 and the additional frame member 13. The locking member 15 is configured to lock the additional frame member 13, and thus the pair of wheels 14, relative to the frame 2 when the portable support 1 is in the unfolded configuration. The locking member 15 comprises first and second locking portions 15a, 15b hingedly connected to each other such that the first and second locking portions 15a, 15b pivot in relation to each other when the portable support 1 is converted between the folded and unfolded configuration. As shown in the embodiments depicted in Figures 5C to 5E, the additional frame member 13 may comprise a sliding mechanism 21 which contacts the seat 5 when the portable support 1 is positioned on the seat 5 (i.e. when the additional frame member 13 is in the folded configuration). The sliding mechanism 21 is configured to facilitate easier movement of the portable support 1 from one seat to another. In this manner, a user positioned on the portable support 1 may be moved from one seat to another without the need to lift the user and the portable support 1. Furthermore, to aid with movement of the portable support 1, the portable support 1 may comprise handles 22 (shown in Figures 5C and 5E) which can be grasped in order to drag the portable support 1 across the seats. The handles 22 may be removably attached to or integral with the portable support 1. In particular, the handles 22 may be connected to the frame portions 6a, 6b. Additionally, the handles 22 may be formed from a rigid material or from a flexible material to form straps.

As depicted in Figure 5C, the sliding mechanism 21 comprises a cover 23 attached to the additional frame member 13. The cover 23 is configured to act as a sled to aid movement of the portable support 1 along the seats. The cover 23 may be formed from a moulded plastic material, for example moulded high density polyethylene (HDPE). However, it is to be appreciated that other suitable materials maybe used to form the cover 23 which are capable of supporting the weight of a user seated on the portable support 1 and allow sliding of the portable support 1 across the seats. Additionally, the cover 23 may be removably attached to or integral with the additional support 13.

Alternatively, as shown in Figures 5D and 5E, the sliding mechanism 21 may comprise rollers 24 attached to the additional frame member 13. Specifically, four rollers 24 are positioned on the additional frame member 13, two on each side of the additional frame member 13, However, it is to be appreciated that any suitable number of rollers may be used. For example, the additional frame member 13 may comprise two, six or eight rollers. As shown in Figure 5E, when the additional frame member 13 is in the folded configuration and the portable support 1 is located on a seat 5, the rollers 24 contact the seat and, in a similar manner to the cover, are configured to aid sliding of the portable support 1 between different seats. The rollers 24 may have a diameter between 50 mm and 80 mm. It is to be appreciated that the rollers 24 maybe formed from any suitable material which is capable of supporting the weight of a user seated on the portable support 1 and will allow sliding of the portable support 1 across the seats. Figures 6A and 6B illustrate another portable support 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the portable support 1 may be provided with a number of extra modular features to better support the person in use. The rear frame member 9b comprises a headrest 16 attached to the rear frame member 9b and configured to support the person’s head when sitting on the portable support 1. The headrest 16 is rotatably and telescopically attached to the rear frame member 9b which allows the headrest 16 to be positioned to best support the person’s head and also to allow the headrest 16 to be folded away when the portable support 1 is in the folded configuration. The headrest 16 may also be removably attachable to the rear frame member 9b such that it can be removed prior to folding of the portable support 1. Additionally, the portable support i comprises a pair of lateral trunk supports 17 removably attached to, and extending from, the rear frame member 9b. The portable support 1 also comprises a plurality of harness attachment features 18 attached to the rear frame member 9b. The harness attachment features 18 are configured to facilitate securing the person’s torso to the portable support 1 when in use and if required. For example, the person’s torso may be secured in position relative to the rear frame member 9b via a harness such as a torso support 19.

Figures 7A to 7E illustrate how the portable support 1 shown in Figure 5A is converted between the unfolded and folded configuration. As seen in Figure 7A, the portable support 1 is in an unfolded configuration. As described above, and depicted in Figure 7B, the additional frame member 13 is pivoted relative to the frame 2. This is achieved by releasing the locking member 15 and pivoting the first and second locking portions 15a, 15b relative to each other. As seen in Figure 7C, the additional frame member 13 is fully folded away and the footrest 10 is also folded relative to the front frame member

9a. The front frame member 9a can then be folded relative to the frame 2 into a stowed position as shown in Figure 7D. Finally, as shown in Figure 7E, the rear frame member 9b can be folded relative to the frame 2 such that the portable support 1 is in the folded configuration.

Although the portable support has been described above in relation to use on an aircraft, it is to be appreciated that the portable support is not limited to such use and may be used on other vehicles such as trains, coaches, ferries and other modes of transport.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.

Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.