ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESILTLVFIROMKCYAL..............................JDIM350 (Ver 2.1 Jan 2001) 1620000/01092410EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATIONA320020828EP00308997.620001012EnEnEn992440519991016GB20020828200235200104182001167 7A 61G 7/10 A 7A 62B 35/00 BdeHebe- und StützhilfsmittelenA lifting and supporting aidfrMoyen d'assistance au levage et portage1Jasani, Yogen03152350E2682.0011 Kensington DrivePrescot, Merseyside L34 1PRGBJasani, Yogen11 Kensington DrivePrescot, Merseyside L34 1PRGBWalker, Ross Thomsonet al00091461Potts, Kerr & Co. 15 Hamilton SquareBirkenhead, Merseyside CH41 6BRGBATBECHCYDEDKESFIFRGBGRIEITLILUMCNLPTSEALLTLVMKROSI20020828200235

The present invention provides a belt (10) that, in use, is attachable around the midriff of a person's body and can be used as an aid to lift or support the person, the belt (10) including:

fastening means (13) that releasably fasten the belt (10) around the person's midriff;
handle means (11A, 11B) that when gripped by a third party can aid with the lifting and support of the person;
means (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D; 14A', 14B', 14C', 14D') for receiving at least one first strap (30, 31) member such that the belt can be converted into a harness which is connectable to a first lifting or support apparatus (40) that can lift or support the person from above; and
connecting means (15) that, in use, are connectable to a support member that can support a further portion of the person's body and/or to at least one second strap member which is attachable to a second lifting or support apparatus that can lift or support the person from the side.