Lifting sling

1 . A lifting sling for use with an invalid hoist, the sling comprising a flexible body support and suspension means for suspending the sling from an invalid hoist, the flexible body support having at least one inflatable chamber for cushioning at least a part of an invalid when supported by the body support, wherein the body support comprises a body portion and lower end dependent leg portions which in use respectively extend beneath and upwardly between the thighs of the invalid, and wherein each dependent leg portion has at least one inflatable chamber.

2 . A lifting sling as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the suspension means comprise short suspension tapes permanently attached to the body support and connected to attachment members adapted to hook onto the attachment points on the hoist.

3 . A lifting sling as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the attachment members comprise keyhole plates adapted to hook onto headed attachment studs providing said attachment points.

4 - 5 . (canceled)

6 . A lifting sling as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the body portion also includes at least one inflatable chamber.

7 . A lifting sling for use with an invalid hoist, the sling comprising a flexible body support and suspension means for suspending the sling from an invalid hoist, the flexible body support having at least one inflatable chamber for cushioning at least a part of an invalid when supported by the body support, and an upper end head-support extension including at least one inflatable chamber, wherein the body support comprises a body portion and lower end dependent leg portions which in use respectively extend beneath and upwardly between the thighs of the invalid.

8 . A lifting sling as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the sling has at least one pocket extending substantially throughout the head support extension and for a distance beyond a line joining attachment points of upper suspension means of the sling and a removable sheet or strip of substantially rigid but resiliently flexible material is housed in the at least one pocket.

9 . A lifting sling as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the substantially rigid but resiliently flexible material is a plastics material.

10 . A lifting sling as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one inflatable chamber is an integral part of the sling.

11 . A lifting sling as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one inflatable chamber is formed by an inflatable pad removably housed in a pouch of the body support.

12 . A lifting sling as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the pouch is releasably closable by hook and loop fastening means.

13 . A lifting sling for use with an invalid hoist, the sling comprising a flexible body support and suspension means for suspending the sling from an invalid hoist, the flexible body support having at least one inflatable chamber for cushioning at least a part of an invalid when supported by the body support, wherein the suspension means comprise short suspension tapes permanently attached to the body support and connected to attachment members adapted to hook onto the attachment points on the hoist, and wherein the attachment members comprise keyhole plates adapted to hook onto headed attachment studs providing said attachment points.