Aberystwyth Inventor Wins National Contest

A man from Aberystwyth will see his invention on display at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea throughout May after winning a competition to find new Welsh inventors.

Dr Huw Thomas was commended for the commercial potential and social awareness of his invention, the Promove Sling.

Wheelchair-user Dr Thomas was inspired to design the sling after he had to be lifted by firemen from the first floor of a building when the lift broke down. The retired scientist has created an emergency evacuation device that can help not only disabled or incapacitated people but also the growing population of overweight people in the UK and across the world.

The ‘Inventors Den’ competition is part of Museums and Galleries Month 2008 (MGM) which runs from 1 – 31 May. The theme for this year’s MGM is ideas and innovation and entrants to the competition were asked to submit their ideas for Wales’ ideas and innovations of the future that could change life for the better.

The competition was judged by representatives from Glamorgan University’s school of product design, the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea and the UK Intellectual Property Office in Newport.

Dr Thomas, aged 60, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, said: “I’m delighted to have won the competition and am really pleased that the sling will be showcased to visitors to the Waterfront Museum. I have had many people comment on the practicalities of the sling but it’s great to receive recognition.”

Promove makes moving individuals in difficult situations an easier and safer task. It can be used to move and handle incapacitated or disabled people, including overweight individuals up to 45 stone, in confined or outdoor spaces where a hoist cannot be used.

Steph Mastoris, head of the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea and one of the competition judges, said: “We had four excellent finalists in the Inventors Den competition but the Promove sling really stood out for all the judges.

“Not only does the product have excellent commercial potential, Dr Thomas’ research into the subject coupled with his own personal experiences gives it real credibility. I can really see this invention going far, with the ageing population and the obesity epidemic that is evident across the globe it should be commended for being socially driven.”

The sling is suitable for emergency services, airport service providers, public facilities managers and the health and social care sector. The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are currently trialing the product as are other brigades in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Dr Thomas is even in talks with distributors from as far as America, France, Germany and Ireland. It also recently won a bronze medal at the International Exhibition of Invention 2008 held in Geneva.

Promove can be easily placed beneath an incapacitated person who is on the ground, seated in a chair or restricted in a tight corner. The sling provides good support, forming a secure bucket shaped seat under the individual. Strategically placed handles on the device allows it to be used by two to four operatives (or up to eight for overweight individuals).

The other shortlisted entries in the Inventors Den competition were: a product which teaches parents to communicate with their babies through using sign language; a camera support which can be attached to surfaces and allows the photographer to be in the shot and a packet opening device that enables snacks to shared hygienically.

Announcing the winner of Inventors Den at the National Waterfront Museum, Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas said: “Wales is the birthplace of great innovation and is justly proud of its inventive past - the first steam railway locomotive and the first airplane were created here. There’s a lot of talent out there and many great ideas and innovations will come out of this country in the future. The National Waterfront Museum is a fantastic place to showcase Inventors Den as it uses the latest technology to tell the story of Wales’ industrial past.”

Inventors Den is being supported by the Wales Innovators Network (WIN), an initiative of the Welsh Assembly Government, which provides budding entrepreneurs with professional advice and support to help them develop their concepts into commercial products.

For further information and a free trial, please contact Dr Huw Thomas or Dana Thomas by telephone on 01970 820893 or by e-mail huw@promove.uk.com / dana@promove.uk.com.