Inflatable Coveralls Transforms into a Chair to Lift a Fallen Person

Abstract

Inflatable coveralls provide individuals, who fall frequently, with protection and independence. The coveralls consist of pads on the shoulders and hips to reduce the impact of a fall on the person. When worn and located underneath the fallen person, the coveralls can be inflated with air into a chair, creating a higher platform from which the person can more easily get up. This reduces the dependence these individuals have on a caregiver. Users can fasten the coveralls using hook & loop or magnets, instead of buttons or zippers, because it is easier to wear and they automatically open from the increase in air pressure of the inflated coveralls. Made of lightweight and air-impermeable material, the inflatable coveralls pads the fall of individual and elevated the fallen individual so that they can more easily rise, allowing them to gain independence.

Claims

1. An inflatable coveralls comprising (i) one or more layers of wearable flexible material where at least one layer is made up of air-impermeable material, a outermost layer of the inflatable coverall is referred to as an outer layer, (ii) one or more air chambers that are formed when the coveralls are inflated, (iii) fasteners, which a person uses to tie the inflatable coveralls, and which untie automatically, due to air pressure without tearing the coveralls during inflation of the coveralls, (iv) pads at hips and shoulder areas to reduce an impact of a fall, (v) inflation devices to inflate the coveralls, which are configured to transform into a chair with a seat and backrest to help the person, who, after falling on a floor cannot get up by themselves, (vi) triggering device for the inflation devices to inflate the coveralls, (v) pants, suspenders, and shirt with sleeves, whereby the inflatable coveralls are designed to transform the pants of the coveralls to form the seat, to transform the shirt of the coveralls into a backrest of the chair, thereby transforming the coveralls into the chair, when inflated, to enable the person, who has fallen on the floor, to get up on their own.

2. The inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, has the inflation devices, which in one embodiment, are battery-powered air pumps to inflate the coveralls configured to transform into the chair.

3. The inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, has the inflation devices, which in another embodiment are canisters of compressed air to inflate the coveralls, configured to transform into the chair.

4. The inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, has the inflation devices, which in another embodiment are gas-generating systems through a chemical reaction to inflate the coveralls configured to transform into the chair.

5. The inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, has the triggering devices, which in one embodiment, are configured to trigger to inflate the coveralls by a smartwatch or a smart device, which can detect the fall of the person, who is wearing the inflatable coveralls configured to transform into the chair when inflated.

6. The inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, has the triggering devices, which in another embodiment are configured to trigger by a smart device voice recognition system to inflate the coveralls configured to transform into the chair.

7. The inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, has the sleeves, which in another embodiment, are configured to inflate into armrests of the chair.

8. The inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, has the outer layer, which in one embodiment, is made of breathable material for summer.

9. The inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, has the outer layer, which in another embodiment, is made of water-proof material for outdoor use during rain.

10. The inflatable coveralls, of claim 8, has the outer layer, which in another embodiment, is made of material that keeps the person warm for outdoor use during winter.

11. In the inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, the air-impermeable material layer in one embodiment of the invention, is made up of balloons, which form air chambers when inflated, and which are connected by a flexible tube.

12. In the wearable and inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, the fasteners in one embodiment, are magnets.

13. In the inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, the fasteners in another embodiment, are hook and loop fasteners.

14. In the inflatable coveralls, of claim 1, in another embodiment, the triggering device, is a manually initiated switch to inflate the coveralls to transform them into the chair.

15. A method for using an inflatable coveralls comprises (a) putting on the inflatable coveralls as daily wear by a person, by attaching devices for inflating the coveralls, and by using fasteners to fasten up the inflatable coveralls, (b) in case of a fall of the person, who is wearing the inflatable coveralls, rotates themself into the supine position, so that they are lying on their back, (c) triggering manually through a switch or voice activation or automatically through sensors in smart devices worn by the person, the inflation devices inflate the coveralls, which is configured to transform into a chair when inflated, (d) automatically untying of fasteners due to pressure created by inflation of the inflatable coveralls, (e) inflating coveralls, which come off the person and transforms into a chair under the person, thereby enabling the person to get up on their own, (f) deflating the chair and wearing back the coveralls, after the person has got up after the fall, (g) removing the inflation devices for charging batteries, when the coveralls are not being used, (h) removing the outer layer from the multi-layer inflatable coveralls for cleaning or replacing it with another outer layer before wearing it again.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] FIG. 1 is the front view of the coveralls, which will be placed on the back of the person.

[0051] FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but it demonstrates by arrows how the coverall can be worn by the person. This is one of the ways the coveralls can be worn but it can change based on the mobility of the wearer.

[0052] FIG. 3(a) is the right-side view of the inflated coverall as a chair.

[0053] FIG. 4(a) is the front view of the inflated coverall as a chair.

[0054] FIG. 3(b) is the right-side view of the inflated coverall as a chair with armrest.

[0055] FIG. 4(b) is the front view of the inflated coverall as a chair with armrest

[0056] FIG. 5 is the front view of the coveralls using balloons as an air-impermeable material.

[0057] Each figure shows a different aspect of the same coveralls instead of showing all in one diagram so it becomes easy to read and understand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] An inflatable coverall is designed for use by seniors or persons, who frequently fall down and cannot get up from the floor themselves.

[0059] An inflatable coveralls comprising (i) one or more layers of wearable flexible material where at least one layer is made up of air-impermeable material, a outermost layer of the inflatable coverall is referred to as an outer layer [2007], (ii) one or more air chambers that are formed when the coveralls are inflated, (iii) fasteners, which a person uses to tie the inflatable coveralls, and which untie automatically, due to air pressure without tearing the coveralls during inflation of the coveralls, (iv) pads at hips and shoulder areas to reduce an impact of a fall, (v) inflation devices to inflate the coveralls, which are configured to transform into a chair with a seat and backrest to help the person, who, after falling on a floor cannot get up by themselves, (vi) triggering device for the inflation devices to inflate the coveralls, (v) pants [1019], suspenders [1001] [1017], and shirt [1013] with sleeves [1020], whereby the inflatable coveralls are designed to transform the pants [1019] of the coveralls to form the seat, to transform the shirt of the coveralls into a backrest of the chair, thereby transforming the coveralls into the chair, when inflated, to enable the person, who has fallen on the floor, to get up on their own.

[0060] One of the ways coveralls can be put on by the person as shown by FIG. 2 and in the direction pointed by the arrows and presented by following steps (a) putting the coveralls by putting first on the back and bringing the suspenders—[2001] & [2010] in the front and tying it to the waist—[2002] & [2006] of the pants part of the coveralls by wrapping around the legs as shown. (b) complete the wrapping around the legs [2003] as shown in FIG. 2 by the arrows. (c) Then wrap the shirt part of the coveralls as shown in FIG. 2 by the arrows. (d) Then wrapping the sleeves of the coverall around the arms [2008].

[0061] This is not the only method for putting on the coveralls as it depends on the mobility of the person wearing the coveralls.

[0062] If such a person is wearing the coveralls, when they fall, the coveralls is configured to be transformed into a chair, through inflation. It helps them to get up on their own, without the help of a caregiver.

[0063] A method of inflation of the coveralls is as follows: (a) When the inflation devices are triggered, the air starts to fill in the inflatable coveralls. The process is very similar to inflation of air mattress with an air pump while a person is lying on it (b) In the beginning hook and loop [4009] or magnets [4009] hold coveralls around the fallen wearer while the coveralls are getting inflated. Also, in the beginning, the air is filled more in areas not under the fallen wearer as there is no weight of the fallen wearer in those areas. This creates a cocoon around the wearer. (c) As more and more air is filled in and pressure increases the hook & loop or magnet fasteners [3005] are untied automatically due to air pressure (d) The air gets filled in the inflatable coveralls to form air chambers. (e) Slowly the inflatable coveralls is transformed into an air-filled chair and becomes firm and also lifts the fallen person up in the chair. (f) Then the person gets up from the chair and stops the inflation device by switching off the triggering switch.

[0064] A method of inflation of inflatable coveralls is similar to manually triggered battery-powered air pumps used for inflating air-beds, pillows, and tires of the vehicles.

[0065] It includes one or more inflation devices to inflate the coveralls into a chair from which the person, who has fallen, can get up easily.

[0066] The shape of chair will depend on the elasticity of the layers of flexible wearable material used in building the inflatable coveralls as well as the shape of the coverall once it is inflated.

[0067] The shape of the coveralls especially the air-impermeable layer is such that when it inflates it transforms into the shape of the chair.

[0068] The shape of chair that is very simple and it consists of (a) seat like a air mattress formed by inflation of pants part of the coveralls (b) backrest formed by the inflation of the shirt part of the coveralls. Hip pad [1011] acts as a brace to hold the back rest and seat together at close to right angle.

[0069] The air pressure inside the inflatable coverall converts coveralls to a rigid chair structure to support the weight of the wearer similar to when the air is filled in the tire of the automobile to form a rigid structure to support the weight of the vehicle.

[0070] Due to the large amount of air required to be filled as well as to not prevent further injury to the person the air is filled in the coveralls over a period of tens of minutes instead of filling in the coveralls in sub-sec.

[0071] The coveralls are expected to be worn regularly by persons, who are prone to falls.

[0072] To facilitate easier wearing, the coveralls with, [1001], [1017], [2002], [2010], use hook and loop or magnets, [1003], [1004], [1005], [1008], [1012], [1014], [1015], [2001], 2011], [2006], as fasteners, instead of buttons or zippers.

[0073] Secondly, the hook & loop and magnetic fasteners are made such that they untie the coveralls automatically, due to air pressure without tearing the coverall, when the coveralls is inflated, to transform it into a chair.

[0074] To make the coveralls comfortable for the wearer, the outer layer can be made of breathable material such as cotton for summer. The outer layer further provides strength to the inner layer against rupture and protection against puncture.

[0075] The inflatable coveralls has an outer layer, which in another embodiment, is made of water-proof material such as plastic, rubber & nylon for outdoor use during rain.

[0076] For use when it is winter, the outer layer is made of material that keeps the person warm for outdoor use during winter.

[0077] The coveralls as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, are made of air-impermeable light-weight material, also referred to as the inner layer, which is covered in comfortable wearable fabric, also referred to as the outer layer, to support daily use.

[0078] Coveralls have pads on the shoulders [1002] and [1016] and hips [1011] to reduce the impact upon hitting the ground.

[0079] In addition, coveralls use hook & loop or magnetic fasteners, [1003], [1004], [1005], [1008], [1012], [1014], and [1015] so that a senior or a patient can easily fasten the coveralls, without any assistance.

[0080] Hook & Loop and magnetic fasteners are easy to unfasten when the coveralls are inflated.

[0081] The triggering devices can be designed to trigger inflation devices to inflate even as the person starts falling.

[0082] This will provide a cushion for reducing the adverse impact of the fall on the wearer of the coveralls.

[0083] The wearer of the coveralls, who has fallen, needs to quickly rotate themself into the supine position so that they are lying on their back.

[0084] The person—[2009] manually activates, by pressing a switch [1018] & 2018, the inflation devices such as small lightweight battery-powered air pumps, compressed air canisters, or a chemical reaction to generate gas. In the manual process, the triggering device is a switch that is connected by wire [1022].

[0085] The battery is already there in battery-powered air pumps so no additional battery is needed in the switch but a battery will be needed in the switch to open the compressed air canister or to trigger a chemical reaction to generate the gas.

[0086] In other embodiments, it could be a wireless or WiFi connection instead of a wired connection.

[0087] Inflation devices [1009], [1010], [2004], [2005], [3003], [4001], and [4006] are placed at the ankles to inflate the coverall into the shape of a chair.

[0088] When the coveralls is inflated, coveralls comes-off the wearer is transformed into a chair.

[0089] The chair will have one or more chambers [3001], [3002], [4002], [4005], and [4007], which can be filled with air to raise the individual [3004] and [4008], in one embodiment, to balance the individual on the chair, which has inflated armrests [4009].

[0090] On inflation, the coveralls get transformed into a chair as it lifts the wearer up from the floor.

[0091] Once the coveralls is inflated into a chair, the person gets up from the chair.

[0092] The chair can be deflated and worn back as coveralls.

[0093] The inflation devices can be removed from the coveralls for cleaning of coveralls or for other reasons such as putting on other coveralls or for charging batteries.

[0094] The outer layer of the coveralls can be made of various materials depending on their use e.g. woolen material for winter coats, cotton fabric for summer weather, and weather-resistant material for snow and rain.

[0095] So a person can have multiple outer layers for one inflatable coveralls and change the outer layer of the coveralls based on weather conditions or use e.g. going out shopping to clean or to put the already worn outer layer for wash as it has become dirty.

[0096] The outer layer of the coveralls can be removed and cleaned by various methods depending on the type of material of the outer layer. After cleaning the outer layer is put back on the coveralls.

[0097] In another embodiment, the triggering of the inflation devices will be integrated smart devices [1024] such as iPhone or iWatch or other similar devices which are worn by the person.

[0098] These smart devices have integrated sensors for detecting falls automatically and triggering inflations of the coveralls.

[0099] Smart devices can be connected using Internet of Things (IoT) protocols with the inflation devices.

[0100] This will reduce the impact, as well as contact with the local emergency departments.

[0101] Coveralls inflation system can be integrated with smart devices such as smartphones or smart watches as IoT devices and then can be voice-enabled to trigger inflation of inflatable coveralls as well as allow automatic connection to 911 or emergency contacts or services. Various protocols such as BlueTooth, Wifi, Z-Wave, ZigBee, NFC, and even RFID-based technologies can be used to integrate with the triggering devices.

[0102] The coveralls is designed to help the elderly live independently and get up on their own after a fall.

[0103] The air-impermeable material layer in one embodiment of the invention is made up of balloons, which form air chambers when inflated, and which are connected by a flexible tube.

[0104] The advantage of this method is that as balloons deflate into smaller sizes, the coveralls could be completely breathable and more comfortable to wear.

[0105] The number of balloons used will depend on the size of the coveralls and the size of the balloons.

[0106] A flexible tube or multiple tubes will be used to connect all the balloons.

[0107] The disadvantage of using balloons is that more powerful inflation devices will be needed to push air into the balloons and to inflate coveralls into a chair.

[0108] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with one preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand.