Torso sling for a hoist for lifting and supporting a physically disabled person

A torso sling for lifting and support a physically disabled or handicapped person by a hoist having hanger means comprising an elongate support strap adapted to extend around and be fitted to the torso of the wearer in the region between the waist and armpits and having opposing ends adapted to be releasably fastened together by releasable fastening means when said support strap is fitted to the torso of a wearer;

• a fist and second pair of elongate suspension straps, one of said suspension straps of said first pair of suspension straps having its lower end secured to said elongate support strap and extending upwardly therefrom on one side of and in front of the armpit of the wearer and the other suspension strap of said first pair having its lower end secured to said elongate support strap and extending upwardly therefrom on said one side of and behind the armpit of the wearer, and one of said suspension straps of said second pair of suspension straps having its lower end secured to said elongate support strap and extending upwardly therefrom on the other side of and in front of the other armpit of the wearer and the other suspension strap of said second pair having its lower end secured to said elongate support strap and extending upwardly therefrom on said other side of and behind said other armpit of the wearer, the upper ends of each of said suspension straps being adapted to be connected by connecting means to the hanger means of the hoist;
• and a pair of underarm support members, each adapted to extend beneath and support an armpit of the wearer, one of said underarm support members being secured at opposite ends thereof to each of said suspension straps of said first pair of suspension straps and the other of said underarm support members being secured at opposite ends thereof to each of said suspension straps of said second pair of suspension straps.