A slingbar includes a sling attachment member. The sling attachment member includes a frame including a base having a top end and a bottom end, and a hook extending from the bottom end to a hook terminus. The hook terminus and the top end of the base define an opening. The hook, base, and opening bound an interior of the attachment member. A closure element includes an outboard gate hinged to the hook terminus and an inboard gate hinged to the base. The gates have a default state in which each gate extends laterally only part way across the opening.

A locking clip for attaching a patient sling to a spreader bar includes a first attachment site for accepting an attachment element mounted on either the sling or the spreader bar, a second attachment site for attaching the device to the other of the sling or the spreader bar, and at least one locking element for locking the attachment element in place. The clip also includes a release mechanism to allow removal of an attachment element and is configured to allow rotation of the attachment element when it is locked in place so that the sling can be rotated relative to the spreader bar.

A subject support system includes a sling, a clamp, and a strap coupled to the clamp. The sling includes an outer perimeter extending around and defining a support region of the sling and a visual indicator positioned along the outer perimeter of the sling. The clamp is selectively coupled to the visual indicator. The clamp is repositionable between a closed position, in which the clamp is engaged with the visual indicator, and an open position, in which the clamp is disengaged from the visual indicator. The strap coupled to the clap is configured to couple the clamp to a lift mechanism.

There is provided a weight bearing device for being located overhead to support the weight of a load applied to the device in use. Embodiments comprise a reel for winding up or unwinding a support belt for supporting the load, the reel being rotatable about a first axis of rotation. An actuator element is provided for being driven about a second axis of rotation to drive a locking mechanism to lock the reel against unwinding of the support belt when the weight of the load is applied to the support belt. The reel is released by the locking mechanism when the weight of the load is removed from the support belt. Methods for use of the device are also provided.

Disclosed is an assembly comprising a clamp, strap and rod. The strap is provided for suspending a load from the rod and/or clamp. The clamp comprises a gripping part for gripping around the rod, enabling a clamping of the clamp on the rod. The strap engages with the clamp along a first and second contact line. Two adjacent strap parts form an angle around the first contact line. When a load is suspended from the strap, the strap exerts a force on the clamp at the first contact line, pushing the clamp at the first contact line in a closing direction, pressing the gripping part against the rod. The gripping part is resilient and provided with a pretension for pressing against the rod when no load is suspended from the strap. Further disclosed are lifting aids using the clamp for lifting/repositioning patients with physical limitation.

A subject support apparatus includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a vest having a first end and a second end, a closure mechanism configured to couple the first end of the vest to the second end of the vest from a bottom end of the vest to a top end of the vest to form a closed loop, and a pair of shoulder straps extending from the vest. The lower portion includes a seat piece having a first end and a second end, and a pair of loop straps extending from the first end and the second end of the seat piece. Subject support systems including the subject support apparatus and methods of lifting a subject using the subject support apparatus are also described.

A person lift system includes a motor and a sling bar coupled to the motor. The sling bar includes a first attachment hook at a first end region of the sling bar and a second attachment hook at a second end region of the sling bar. A sling includes a main body section and a plurality of loops coupled to the main body section. Each of the plurality of loops is configured to attach to one of the plurality of attachment hooks. A first electronic reader is coupled to the sling bar near the first attachment hook. A second electronic reader is coupled to the sling bar near the second attachment hook. Each of a plurality of short range wireless tags is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of loops.

A clamp for engaging one or more sheets of fabric for moving or repositioning an immobile occupant of a bed or trolley, the clamp having a body with chamfered channel, a block configured to be received within the channel, and a returning member to selectively permit the block to be removed from the channel.

A patient lift system includes a lift unit operable to raise and lower a lifting strap, the lift unit having a working load rating. A sling bar is attached with the lifting strap and a lifting accessory is coupled to the sling bar. The lifting accessory may comprises: a lifting sling; a lifting harness; a lifting vest; a lifting strap; or a repositioning sheet. The sling bar includes an opening sized to receive one or more attachment handles of the lifting accessory if the working load rating of the lift unit is larger than the working load rating of the lifting accessory. The opening of the sling bar is not capable of receiving one or more attachment handles of the lifting accessory if the working load rating of the lift unit is smaller than the working load rating of the lifting accessory.

An inflatable device for lifting a patient includes an inflatable body having a top sheet and a bottom sheet attached along opposing side edges and forming at least one cavity there between, and a plurality of connecting members extending outwardly from the opposing side edges of the inflatable device.