A ceiling lift assembly includes first and second motor units which can be operated together in a dual mode configuration and which can be operated in a single mode operation, in which only one of the motor units is operative with the other motor unit being dormant. The system provides routines for switching between the single and dual modes of the assembly and which ensure that in each mode the necessary parts of the apparatus are in an operative condition, whereas those parts of the apparatus which are not used are placed in a storage condition to avoid inconvenience or injury to personnel and patients. The apparatus also includes a motor unit support device of a structure which can accommodate asymmetric loads, on one motor unit only without causing deformation of the support structure.

A spreader bar assembly includes first and second spreader bars and a coupling member that extends between the two spreader bars and holds them together. The spreader bars are pivotally coupled to the connecting member and are able to pivot with respect to the connecting member in a single direction only. The connecting member may be a telescopic structure with a rod and cylinder and is able to extend and contract in length. Also, there may be rotation within the spreader bar, in the example, rotation of the rod within the cylinder. This enables the spreader bar assembly to accommodate loading differences from one side of a spreader bar to the other. The structure enables two spreader bars to be manipulated together, reducing the risk of injury to a patient or caregiver.

An overhead lift apparatus includes a mounting structure and a rotatable assembly configured to attach a lift unit to the mounting structure. The rotatable assembly is rotatable with respect to the mounting structure about an axis of rotation. The apparatus also includes a rotatable electrical interface disposed in the rotatable assembly, the rotatable electrical interface comprises a static portion and a rotatable portion attached to the rotatable assembly such that the rotatable portion rotates in conjunction with the rotatable assembly. The apparatus also includes a first electrical connector extending from the static portion to a power source connector configured to be connected to an external power source for the lift unit. A second electrical connector extends from the rotatable portion such that the rotatable electrical interface is configured to provide power from the power source to an end of the second electrical connector via the first electrical connector.

A patient ceiling lift system including motor units that are attached to independent pivotable support members of a support frame assembly. The motor units are able to pivot on the support frame and relative to one another, which enables the motor units to follow the loading direction on tension support members connectable to a patient sling and eliminate motor unit side loading.

A ceiling lift tilt management system includes first and second motor units, which are attachable to a rail system of a medical care facility. Each motor unit includes a flexible strap, which can be coiled or uncoiled within the motor unit to raise or lower a spreader bar attached thereto. Coiling or uncoiling of the straps can cause raising or lowering of a sling attached to the spreader bars. The system also allows for tilting of the spreader bars by coiling or uncoiling a leading motor unit strap. The system includes a control system that measures the relative lengths of the two straps in order to ensure that relative tilt between the spreader bars does not exceed a threshold. Once a threshold tilt for height difference is reached, further user requests for additional tilting are prohibited. Patient comfort and safety are therefore ensured.

A patient lift system includes a lift housing, a base lift strap having a first end coupled to a lift housing and a second end coupled to a sling bar. The base lift strap is infection controlled. In one embodiment, a protective sleeve covers the base lift strap, wherein the protective sleeve has a first end and a second end. In another embodiment, the base lift strap is chemically treated to provide infection control.

A switch assembly for a lift unit includes a switch, an emergency stop device, and a reset actuator. The switch is arranged to move between a closed position, wherein the switch electrically couples a lift motor of the lift unit to an energy source, and an open position, wherein the switch electrically decouples the lift motor from the energy source. The emergency stop device is coupled to the switch and arranged to move the switch from the closed position to the open position. The reset actuator is coupled to the switch and arranged to move the switch from the open position to the closed position, wherein the reset actuator is controllable to move the switch from the open position to the closed position.

A lift transfer device for disabled people includes a wheeled chassis having a column with a bottom end attached to the chassis and a top end including an arm rest. A winch is provided that is supported by the chassis and/or the column. The winch includes a tow rope having a distal end and a hook disposed at the distal end of the tow rope. The tow rope runs through one or more guide rings disposed on the column and the arm rest. A harness is provided that is worn by a user of the lift transfer device. The hook on the tow rope may be connected to a pulling loop on the harness, the winch facilitates a lifting of the user as the tow rope is retracted by the winch and a lowering of the user as the tow rope is paidout by the winch.

An overhead lift system may include a motor and a lift strap connected to the motor. The motor raises and lowers the lift strap. A hand controller may be communicatively connected to the motor. The hand controller includes a force sensor associated with the body of the hand controller such that force applied to the body is detected with the force sensor. An orientation sensor may also be arranged within the body and determines an orientation of the hand controller. A control unit may be communicatively connected with the motor, the force sensor, and the orientation sensor. The control unit detects a force applied to the hand controller with the force sensor, determines a direction of motion of the hand controller with the orientation sensor, and provides a signal to the motor to raise or lower the lift strap based on the force and orientation of the hand controller.

A sling bar assembly allows variable positioning of a sling on the sling bar assembly. Some sling bar assemblies include opposing sling bar members that are movable with respect to one another in a lateral direction. Some opposing sling bar members are repositionable between a locked position, in which movement of the sling members with respect to one another is restricted, and an unlocked position. Some sling bar assemblies include multiple sling hooks positioned on a sling bar member. Some sling bar assemblies include a biasing member that permits movement of a sling hook with respect to the sling bar assembly in the lateral direction.