Abstract: Fitting for attachment to a membrane of an inflatable device comprises a mounting adapter (1) to be secured to said membrane. A resiliently deformable part (5c) associated with said mounting adapter is arranged to embrace and hold an initially separate insert (2). The resiliently deformable part (5c) is arranged such that when the mounting adapter is secured to the membrane and exposed to a force exerted by fluid at one of two sides of the membrane, the resiliently deformable part is urged into applying engagement with the insert (2). A variety of different inserts (2) having different valve arrangements can be held by the mounting adapter.

Abstract: A device for lifting a person from a supine position into a raised supine position or sitting posture. The device comprises at least one U-shaped inflatable structure which defines a hollow and a flexible membrane which is attachable to the device. The membrane is extendable over at least a portion of the hollow to provide a support surface for the person.

Abstract: Fitting for attachment to a membrane of an inflatable device comprises a mounting adapter (1) to be secured to said membrane. A resiliently deformable part (5c) associated with said mounting adapter is arranged to embrace and hold an initially separate insert (2). The resiliently deformable part (5c) is arranged such that when the mounting adapter is secured to the membrane and exposed to a force exerted by fluid at one of two sides of the membrane, the resiliently deformable part is urged into applying engagement with the insert (2).

Abstract: The present invention is a control unit which controls the supply of compressed air to a plurality of inflatable devices for inflating them and for venting air from them in order to deflate them. The unit has valves which are operated by finger operable devices. The valves are arranged in two groups. The first group of valves are disposed between an inlet connected to the source of compressed air and a corresponding number of individual ports which are connected to the inflatable devices. The second group of valves are connected between a venting outlet and the ports or a corresponding number of further ports which are connected to the inflatable devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting or/and lowering persons has two interconnected X-frames each with two pivotally connected members arranged in an upright position in spaced parallel relationship, a support supported by the members, and one of two inflatable bags surrounding the pivotal connections so that portions of the bags lie between members, whereby inflation and deflation of the bags, opens the X-frames in scissors-fashion and allows the frames to close in a similar fashion thereby raising and lowering the support.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a rigid mounting and a valve member located in an opening in the mounting wherein an annular part of the mounting around the opening provides a first valve seat on one side thereof and a second valve seat on the other side; wherein the valve member includes a first head joined to a second head by a neck which extends through the aperture; wherein the first head has a resilient flange which resiliently engages the first valve seat to form a first valve and the second head has a resilient flange which resiliently engages the second seat to form a second valve; and wherein the flange of the second head has an actuator formation thereon which is movable to move at least part of this flange off the second seat whereby, in use, to allow fluid under pressure to flow past this flange into the opening for automatically lifting the flange of the first head off the first seat when the fluid pressure in the opening is greater than the fluid pressure at said one side of the mounting.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a platform having a flank panel connected pivotally to a lateral margin of the seat or platform by means of a hinge device, wherein the hinge device comprises at least two mountings and a moulding comprising an elongate flexible web bridging mounting formation which are releasable securable on the mountings; wherein one of the mountings is provided on or secured to the lateral margin of the platform and the other of the mounting is provided on or secured to a margin of the flank panel; so that the web of the moulding provides a flexible bridge between the platform and flank panel.

Abstract: A toilet aid (10), for use on an ordinary water closet/toilet fitted with an ordinary lift up toilet seat, which aid comprises an overseat (20) supported on an annular or part annular pneumatically inflatable bag assembly (21), and is characterized in that flexible locating means (22) is attached to a bottom part of the bag assembly (21) so as to be foldable or bendable to extend beneath the toilet seat (14) to locate the bag assembly (21) on the toilet seat (14) for pneumatically raising and lowering the overseat (20) relative thereto.

Abstract: Backrest support apparatus comprising an inflatable flexible bag structure which comprises two hollow limbs (11, 12) configured and connected at a junction or tethered to assume a stable configuration when fully inflated, and to collapse to a substantially planar configuration in which one limb (11) at least partially overlies the other (12) when the structure is deflated.

Abstract: Mobile medical lifting apparatus comprising a mobile support means having wheels, castors or rollers, which mobile support means supports or provides a mounting for a lifting device comprising a stack of inflatable bags for raising a seat or platform supported by the lifting device, an inflatable bag at the bottom of the lifting device is actuable to raise the wheels, castors or rollers off the ground to enable the wheels, castors or rollers, and, optionally, associated parts of the mobile support means, to be removed so that the lifting device can lower the seat or platform to very close to the ground to minimize the effort required to move a fallen person onto the platform.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transferring disabled persons horizontally on a slider (11) from a first supporting surface to an adjacent supporting surface by using a cable winch (10) to apply tension to a cable (15) to drag the slider (11) (and the person thereon) from one surface to the other. The cable and/or winch is/are relocatable to drag the slider substantially horizontally in the opposite direction. Either or both of the supporting surfaces may be on platforms (beds, seats etc) supported by lifting devices (39, 60, 63) and bridging means (42) may be provided on the platforms. The apparatus can be integrated into a bed, trolley, wheelchair or a medical, nursing or sanitary installation.

Abstract: A lifting device locatable proximal to a chair for raising and lowering a person's legs by an inflatable bag providing a pneumatically resilient leg supporting cushion, which bag is supported by a mounting interposed between the bag and the chair, the mounting being in engagement with the chair to determine the position of the mounting. The mounting is preferably held in position by legs of the chair resting on abutments provided on the mounting; and the mounting is preferably geometrically adjustable.

Abstract: Portable, low noise air pump apparatus employing an inexpensive lightweight pump and motor unit, which pumps a pulsed noisy output into a plenum chamber inside a rubber impervious sub-housing which absorbs noise and vibration; and a sound deadening plastics tube which carries the compressed air from the plenum, via a sound absorbing chamber (surrounded by lightweight sound absorbing material which supports the sub-housing) and across an accommodation space to an outlet fitting from which a smooth low-noise compressed air output can be supplied.