| Method and means for assisting a person to, into and out of a seat in a confined space -> Monitor Keywords |
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Method and means for assisting a person to, into and out of a seat in a confined spaceMethod and means for assisting a person to, into and out of a seat in a confined space description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060082210, Method and means for assisting a person to, into and out of a seat in a confined space. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This invention relates to a method and means for assisting persons, particularly persons with restricted physical movement to transfer to, into and out of a seat located in a row of adjacent seats in a confined space. [0002] The invention has been devised primarily to overcome or reduce difficulties experienced by disabled passengers on an aircraft in transferring into and out of a seat not easily accessible from the main aisle, such as a window seat located within a row of seats. Under some widely applied civil aviation rules, a physically impaired person should be seated in such a location so as not to impede the rapid exit of other passengers in the event of an emergency. [0003] However, the rows of seats in an aircraft are so closely arranged that the row of seats in front of a given row greatly restricts the space available (leg room) in which a seat in the given row can be accessed. This makes the access to a central or window seat within a row difficult. In aircraft, there is often a restriction on the space above the seats which also hinders access to and from a seat. However, the invention is not limited to use with aircraft seats and the invention is broadly applicable to the movement of persons into and out of seats closely arranged in rows having a confined space, for example those seating arrangements found in theatres, cinemas, stadiums and on ferries. [0004] Often seats arranged in rows are separated by fixed or foldable armrests, a further factor which hinders movement to and from a seat. Additionally, such seats tend to be fairly low to the ground having relatively high armrests which makes sitting into and leaving a seat difficult for disabled and elderly persons. [0005] There is no known device or method to effectively assist a disabled or elderly person into and from a seat positioned in a row in a confined space. Usually, such a person is reliant upon another person or persons for providing guidance and support in moving to, into or out of the seat. Given the seating arrangement such assistance is difficult to provide and usually ineffective. [0006] Hoists are impractical and not possible on aircraft because of the overhead, aisle and leg space restrictions. [0007] A particular aim of the invention is to provide a means for assisting persons, to, into and out of a seat in a row of seats in a confined space. [0008] A further aim of the invention is that said means is compactable and lightweight. [0009] Yet a further particular aim of the invention is to provide a method for assisting persons to, into and out of a seat arranged in a row of seats in a confined space. [0010] According to the invention there is provided apparatus for assisting a person to transfer into or out of a seat in a row of seats, said apparatus comprising at least two inflatable structures for positioning on respective seats in the row and a substantially rigid transfer means arranged to be supported between the inflatable structures. [0011] Preferably, the at least two inflatable structures are connectible to a single air supply. [0012] Preferably, the at least two inflatable structures are fitted with non return valves. [0013] Preferably, the at least two inflatable structures are connectible to a single airline connectible to the air supply. [0014] Preferably the air supply is a portable air supply. [0015] Preferably, said transfer means comprises at least one board. [0016] Preferably, said transfer means comprises a transfer surface having a low co-efficient of friction. [0017] More preferably, said transfer means comprises a buffer means. [0018] Preferably, said buffer means comprises a roll of material, a portion of which has a low co-efficient of friction. [0019] Preferably the apparatus further comprises at least one rigid structure for assisting support of the at least one board when arranged between the two inflatable structures. [0020] Preferably, the at least one rigid structure is collapsible. More preferably, said at least one rigid structure comprises a collapsible box or crate. [0021] Preferably the apparatus further comprises a support means to assist transferring to, along and away from the apparatus. [0022] Preferably, the support means comprises at least one platform. [0023] More preferably, the support means comprises telescopic legs. [0024] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assisting a person to transfer into or out of a target seat in a row of seats, said method comprising placing an inflatable structure on the target seat and placing at least one other inflatable structure on a second seat, inflating the structures and arranging a substantially rigid transfer means between the inflatable structures to provide a transfer surface between the second seat and the target seat. Continue reading about Method and means for assisting a person to, into and out of a seat in a confined space... Full patent description for Method and means for assisting a person to, into and out of a seat in a confined space Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and means for assisting a person to, into and out of a seat in a confined space patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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