Portable lifting and transferring techniques for assisting in the mobility of disabled persons are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a portable lifting and transferring apparatus for assisting disabled persons that is compact, lightweight, and portable for use in different locations. Preferably, such an apparatus would provide multiple pivot points for providing multiple degrees of maneuvering freedom when lifting and transferring disabled persons and/or their mobility devices and for providing compatibility with a wide range of vehicles. The techniques may also be realized in other embodiments as disclosed herein.

The invention concerns a suction silencer (1) for an encapsulated refrigerant compressor, with an inlet (5), an outlet (6), a damping chamber (7) connecting the inlet (5) and the outlet (6) for sound attenuation, and an equalization chamber connected to the damping chamber (7) for equalizing the pressure of the damping chamber (7), wherein the suction silencer (1) is provided in the operating position for integration in a compressor housing (20) of the refrigerant compressor having a bottom area (21) for reception of an oil sump (26). To ensure a continuous pressure equalization between the damping chamber (7) and the environment even during start-up of the refrigerant compressor, it is intended in accordance with the invention that the equalization chamber is designed as a first equalization chamber (11) with a first opening (9) for pressure equalization and the suction silencer (1) has a further, second equalization chamber (14) with a second opening (10) for pressure equalization.

A motor home seat lift apparatus is provided which is located within the vehicle at the front passenger door, which is foldable to a storage location adjacent to the dashboard and forward of the front passenger seat, and which unfolds for usage to place a lift seat adjacent to the level of the front passenger seat, from which a user can slide onto (or off of) the lift seat. The lift seat is then movable from the that level, downward and outward through the opened front passenger door, to a level comfortably adjacent the ground level, for the user to then stand upon when exiting the lift seat. In general, the apparatus includes a lift seat which moves laterally within the vehicle into and out of the door, and rotates up and down between the exterior ground level and the passenger seat level, above the passenger compartment floor. The lift seat is also rotatable during this lateral and rotational motion, so that the user can be comfortably reoriented to face the direction of motion and avoid impact with other vehicle structure.

A litter lift system includes a motor-driven winch and a lifting strap. The motor-driven winch includes a rotatable spool. The lifting strap has one end coupled to the rotatable spool and is movable in response to rotation of the rotatable spool. The lifting strap has a first lifting segment and a second lifting segment positioned away from the end of the lifting strap coupled to the rotatable spool. The first lifting segment and the second lifting segment are each forked to define two separate lifting loops. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a first direction raises the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a second direction different from the first direction lowers the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment.

A system includes a computer having a processor and a memory, and the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the processor to determine that a wheelchair is located within a threshold distance of a vehicle; actuate a puddle lamp to project a light projection proximate to a door of the vehicle; determine whether the wheelchair is aligned with respect to the light projection based on an image captured by a camera, wherein the image includes image data comprising a position of the wheelchair relative to the light projection; and actuate the door of the vehicle to open in response to determining that a wheelchair user is located at a designated location relative to the vehicle.

A displacement mechanism contains: a support rack, a sitting assembly, a slide rod, two fixing feet, a back, a first holding plate, a second holding plate, and an expandable sheet. The support rack includes a fixer having a post, a rolling stand having multiple first rollers, and a lifter. The sitting assembly includes a receiving orifice and a rotatable mounting. The slide rod includes an elongated hole for connecting the slide rod with the post. A respective foot includes a second roller. The back is disposed on a rear end of the sitting assembly. The first holding plate is mounted on a seat of a wheelchair, and the sitting assembly is slid between the fixer and the first holding plate. The second holding plate is connected on a seat of a car. The expandable sheet is disposed between the fixer and the second holding plate.

A hoist mechanism for lifting articles, such as a mobility scooter, into and from an interior of an automobile has a boom arranged to be mounted on the vehicle. A length of webbing depends from the boom and can be attached to the article to be lifted in use. An electric motor is configured to retract the webbing to provide lifting of the article by winding the webbing onto a spool. The boom has a mounting bracket. The spool is mounted to one side of the mounting bracket and the electric motor is mounted on the other side of the mounting bracket. The boom may take the for of a pivoting and swivelling armature. The boom may be releasably latched in a raised condition for use.

A wheelchair lift includes a base, and an arm slideably supported by the base. A chair support is rotatably supported by the arm. A linkage is supported by the arm and is extendable relative to the chair support from a coiled position to a straightened position. A motor is supported by the arm and is connected to the linkage. The linkage is coiled about the motor in the coiled position.

A system for a vehicle includes a LIDAR sensor attachable to the vehicle and a puddle lamp fixed relative to the LIDAR sensor and oriented to project a light projection downward beside the vehicle. A computer may be in communication with the LIDAR sensor and the puddle lamp and programmed to actuate the puddle lamp in response to receiving data generated by the LIDAR sensor indicating a user positioned within a threshold distance of the vehicle.

The presently disclosed Lifter comprises a substantially level horizontal, partially or totally tracked, overhanging bar, which is supported by the roof of a vehicle. The tracked bar is held up against the upper door frames by a ratcheted strap over the roof and in between two open doors on each side of the vehicle. Another ratchet attached to the bar via a trolley is usable for lifting the object, and the trolley allows for its horizontal movement along the tracked bar. Particularly, the object may be an incapacitated person such as a patient. Even more particularly, the patient may be held and restrained in harness-type garment comprising a lifting loop. Generally, the Lifter may be used to lift any heavy object in and out of a vehicle using mechanical leverage. In some embodiments, the bar comprises two shorter C channels removably joined, or a shorter channel with a telescoping extension. Thus, the presently disclosed lifter is very easy to carry, store, and generally handle as an auto accessory.