Patient lifting apparatus

Abstract

An improved patient lifting apparatus comprising a base frame and a vertically disposed pulley system extending upwardly from the base frame. A patient support platform extends from the primary spine column to support the patient and is raised or lowered to different levels by engaging the crank to operate the pulley system.

Claims

1. A patient lifting apparatus, comprising: at least one base frame having at least one rear frame member and at least front frame member, wherein the rear frame member has a first end and second end, and the front frame member has a first end and second end; at least one post fixedly connected to the first end of the front frame member, extending from the first end of the front frame member at an angle of at least 22 degrees; wherein the first end of the rear frame member is connected to the first end of the front frame member in a first configuration, and the first end of the rear frame member is detached from the first end of the front frame member and connected to the post member in a second configuration; at least one spine member having a first end and a second end fixedly connected to the second end of the front frame member at an angle of at least 22 degrees; a patient support member detachably connected to the spine member, the patient support member having a first end and a second end and located on a plane defined by the base frame; a pulley system fixedly connected to the spine member wherein the pulley system comprises a first pulley wheel and a second pulley, the pulley including a means to act between the two pulley wheels such that when force is applied a rope causes the pulley wheels to rotate.

2. A patient lifting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first pulley wheel is encased in a frame and said frame is adapted to be mounted parallel to the spine member.

3. A patient lifting apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first end of the patient support member is detachably connected to the frame of the first pulley wheel.

4. A patient lifting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the level of the patient support member is controlled by the pulley system.

5. A patient lifting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means to act between the two pulley wheels is a winch and a crankshaft.

6. A patient lifting apparatus of claim 5 wherein a handle is connected to said crankshaft, the turning of which rotates the crankshaft to move the rope thereby moving the patient support member along the rail of the spine member.

7. A patient lifting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base frame sits on at least three wheels.

8. A patient lifting apparatus, comprising: at least one base frame having at least one rear frame member and at least front frame member, wherein the rear frame member has a first end and second end, and the front frame member has a first end and second end; at least one post fixedly connected to the first end of the front frame member, extending from the first end of the front frame member at an angle of at least 22 degrees; wherein the first end of the rear frame member is connected to the first end of the front frame member in a first configuration, and the first end of the rear frame member is detached from the first end of the front frame member and connected to the post member in a second configuration; at least one spine member having a first end and a second end fixedly connected to the second end of the front frame member; a patient support member detachably connected to the spine member, the patient support member having a first end and a second end and located on a plane defined by the base frame; a pulley system fixedly connected to the spine member wherein the pulley system comprises a first pulley wheel and a second pulley, the pulley including a means to act between the two pulley wheels such that when force is applied a rope causes the pulley wheels to rotate.

9. A patient lifting apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first end of the rear frame member and the first end of the front frame member are detachably connected by at least one engaging member.

10. A patient lifting apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first end of the rear frame member may be detached from the first end of the front frame and detachably connected to the post member by at least one engaging member.

11. A patient lifting apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second end of the rear frame member has a stabilizing handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a patient lifting device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of a patient lifting device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a front view of a patient lifting device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of a patient lifting device in accordance with an alternative configuration of the invention.

(6) FIG. 5A shows an engaged front perspective view of a patient lifting device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 5B shows an engaged front perspective view of a patient lifting device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of a patient lifting device while the elements of the device are detached.

(9) FIG. 7 shows a patient lifting device in a disengaged and in a folded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a new and more effective patient lifting device.

(11) All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any embodiment or element of an embodiment disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

(12) It is to be understood that the drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate potential embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specification to one embodiment or an embodiment is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase in one embodiment or an embodiment in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

(13) Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure where the element first appears.

(14) As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term comprise and variations of the term, such as comprising, comprises and comprised are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

(15) In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Well-known features, elements or techniques may not be shown in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments.

(16) Turning attention to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of a patient lifting apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive a rear frame member 101, a front frame member 102, resting on four wheels 103. A viewer may also perceive that the rear frame member 101 is T-shaped and the front frame member 102 is Y-shaped. The rear frame member 101 and the front frame member 102 are detachably connected with a pin 104 or other securing mechanism.

(17) The patient lifting apparatus 100 also comprises a spine member 105 extending vertically from the front frame member 102. A platform seat 106 is detachably affixed to the spine member 105 and can be raised and lowered vertically along the spine by means of a two-wheel cable pulley system having a first wheel 107a and a second wheel 107b with circumferential groves (not shown) in which the rope 108 engages. The cable pulley system is operated by engaging the winch 109 which is controlled by a manual crank 110. As may be appreciated by those of skill in the art, while a two-wheel cable pulley system is shown in FIG. 1, embodiments with a one-wheel 107, three or more wheels 107, or no wheel 107 are also contemplated. The rope 108 or line may be comprised of any material known in the art such as, but not limited to, nylon, polypropylene, manila, Kevlar, or polyester.

(18) The present invention may also provide means for user stabilization while it is in use by means of a gripping handle 111 at the top of the spine member 105 and a foot stabilizer 112 at the back end of the rear frame member 101. Although the foot stabilizer 112 shown in FIG. 1 is rectangular shaped, other shape configurations are also contemplated such as a square, triangle, or circular shaped configurations.

(19) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the platform seat 106 has a support frame 113 and a gate belt 114. The platform seat 106 may be of any material with sufficient strength to withstand the weight of a heavy object, such as but not limited to metal, wood, or plastic. Moreover, in some embodiments, the platform seat 106 may provide for one or more raised traction elements, or surface ornamentation such as elastomer portions that enable an individual to stay put on top of the platform seat 106. In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for two or more platforms 102, which may be connected or operating independently. In other embodiments, the gate belt 114 may be used to secure an individual to the platform seat 106 by looping a belt (not shown) through the gate belt 114 and around the individual's waist.

(20) With respect to FIG. 2, a side view of a patient lifting apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive the platform seat 106, the winch 109 and crank 110, and the stabilizing handle 111.

(21) FIG. 2 serves to show generally the relationship between the base frame 101 and 102, the spine 105, and the platform seat 106. The spine 105 extends upward from the front frame member 102 at an angle that is at least 22 degrees 203. The first wheel 107a is encased in a supporting frame 202 with arms that extend around the spine member 105 and are suitably spaced to allow for the first wheel 107a and frame 201 to move freely along the spine member 105. The platform seat 106 is detachably secured to the spine 105 with a securing pin 201 having at least inches in diameter and length (not shown).

(22) FIG. 2 also serves to illustrate the relationship between the cable pulley system wheels 107 and the spine 105. The first wheel 107a is encased in a supporting frame 202 with arms that extend around the spine member 105 and are suitably spaced to allow for the first wheel 107a and frame 201 to move freely along the spine member 105. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive a storage post 204 extending from the front frame member 102 at an angle of at least 22 degrees.

(23) With regards to FIG. 3, a front view of a patient lifting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. FIG. 3 serves to show generally the relationship between the spine 105 and the securing pins of the cable pulley system. A viewer may perceive a plurality of engaging fasteners to secure the second wheel of the pulley system 301, the crank 302, the first wheel of the pulley system 303, and the supporting frame 304.

(24) Turning attention to FIG. 4, a front perspective view of patient lifting apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. FIG. 4 serves to generally show an alternative configuration of the spine 105 and cable pulley system. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive that the spine may be encased in a covering 401. To allow the cable pully system to work effectively, the covering 401 has a rectangular shaped opening 402 of sufficient width and length to allow the cable pulley rope 108 to raise and lower the platform seat 106 to the user's desired height. The covering 401 may be comprised of any material known in the art such as, but not limited to metal, plastic, or wood.

(25) Turing attention to FIGS. 5A and 5B, perspective views of the patient lifting apparatus in use in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. FIG. 5A serves to generally show that rotating the crank 501 in a clockwise direction lowers the platform seat 502 to the ground. FIG. 5B serves to generally show that rotating the crank 503 in a counter-clockwise direction raises the platform seat 502 up the spine.

(26) With regards to FIG. 6, a perspective view of the patient lifting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive the patient lifting apparatus 100 in a detached configuration. The rear frame member 101 is detachably connected to the front frame member 102 and is secured by a securing pin 601 or other securing mechanism. The base male end of the Y-shaped front frame member 102 inserts into the base female end of the T-shaped rear frame member 101.

(27) The platform seat 106 is detachably connected to the encasing frame 603 of the first wheel 107a and is secured by a pin or other securing mechanism (not shown). The male member 605 of the platform seat 604 inserts into female member (not shown) of the encasing frame 603 of the first wheel 107a.

(28) FIG. 7 shows a side view of the patient lifting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive that the rear base frame 101 detachably connected to the storage post and secured by a pin or other securing mechanism (not shown).

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

(29) Although the present invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that other versions are possible. As various changes could be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be illustrative and not used in a limiting sense. The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained in this disclosure.

(30) All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

(31) Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state means for performing a specified function or step for performing a specified function should not be interpreted as a means or step clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. 112.

(32) While the present invention generally described herein has been disclosed in connection with a number of embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.