DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a lifting and transfer apparatus, generally indicated by reference numeral 10 , incorporating the features of the invention. The lifting and transfer apparatus 10 includes a substantially horizontally disposed rectangular base 12 . Four legs 14 are adapted to extend outwardly from the base 12 . In the preferred embodiment, the legs 14 are arranged in pairs, one pair of which is secured to one end of the base 12 , while the other pair is secured at the opposite end. Ground engaging wheels or castor assemblies 16 are suitably secured to the distal ends of each leg 14 . The legs 14 are individually pivotally mounted to the base 14 so as to pivot about a vertical axis.

[0023] The lifting and transfer apparatus 10 further includes an upwardly extending vertically disposed lifting column 20 . A mounting plate 22 is interposed between the lower end of the lifting column 20 and a swivel mechanism 18 mounted on the base 12 . The swivel mechanism 18 includes a lock which is normally actuated to prevent any relative rotational movement between the lifting column 20 and the base 12 , as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.

[0024] Typically, the lifting column 20 is comprised of a pair of cooperating telescoping members which are adapted to slide together one into another as illustrated in the FIGS. 1 and 2 . The length of the lifting column 20 may be increased from that shown by an internally disposed actuator system. The actuator system includes an electric DC motor, a drive gear, and a spindle including a drive nut. The gear between the motor and the spindle is developed to achieve an optimum function of the actuator system. It has been found satisfactory results may be obtained by utilizing a commercially available lifting column and actuator manufactured and sold by Linak of Denmark.

[0025] A steering handle 26 is disposed at the upper end of the upwardly extending lifting column 20 . The electric motor of the telescoping column 20 is coupled to a source of electrical energy such as, for example, a battery 28 . The electric motor is further coupled to a control panel 30 which may include a handset control coupled to the control panel 30 through a flexible electrical cord 34 .

[0026] A boom 36 is secured to the upper end of the lifting column 20 and is adapted to extend laterally outwardly therefrom. Two downwardly depending support arms 38 are slidingly coupled to the boom 36 . An invalid supporting assembly is adapted to be coupled to the lower ends of the support arms 38 by releasable locks 40 such as, for example automobile or airplane seatbelt clasps. In the embodiment shown, the invalid supporting assembly includes a seat 42 , a seat back 44 , and a patient lifting harness 46 . The seat back 44 is coupled to the lifting harness 46 . The seat back 44 and lifting harness 46 may be constructed of a suitable fabric so as to provide support and comfort to a patient during lifting.

[0027] One end of a hollow outrigger 48 is affixed to the upper end of the lifting column 20 . The other end of the outrigger 48 extends outwardly and upwardly at an angle and substantially in the same vertical plane as the boom 36 . The outrigger 48 is illustrated as being disposed at an angle of 45° substantially with respect to the boom 36 . A load supporting rope 50 is disposed at the distal end of the outrigger 48 . The rope 50 is disposed within the hollow interior of the outrigger 48 , and is operatively connected to a retraction means such as, for example, an electric motor driven pulley (not shown). The outermost end of the rope 50 is suitably secured to a V-shaped spreader bar 52 . The ends of the V-shaped spreader bar 52 are adapted to be coupled to the patient lifting harness 46 . The rope 50 is retracted by the DC electric motor 54 coupled to a source of electrical energy such as, for example, the battery 28 through the control panel 30 . In the embodiment shown, the control panel 30 having a handset control is illustrated for controlling both the electric motor 54 coupled to the pulley for retracting the rope 50 , and the electric motor coupled to the telescoping lifting column 20 . However, it is understood that alternative embodiments may be used such as, for example two control panels and two handset controls.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred swivel structure which allows the base 12 to remain stationary in respect of the lifting column 20 . More specifically, there is shown an annular sprocket 60 having teeth 62 formed to extend around the entire outer periphery thereof. The sprocket 60 is typically integral with the lifting column 20 and is generally affixed to a shaft 64 which functions to connect the lifting column 20 to the swivel mechanism 18 . Normally, the sprocket 60 and the associated shaft 64 are locked to prevent swivel relative to the base 12 . A locking assembly is utilized to prevent relative movement between the sprocket 60 and the base 12 . The locking assembly, which has been found to function surprisingly well, consists of a linkage 66 which is mounted to the swivel mechanism 18 which, in turn, is secured to the base 12 . The locking assembly further includes a locking receiver 68 which is formed with a segment containing an array of cavities which are spaced to receive an annular arched group of the teeth 62 formed to extend radially from the sprocket 60 . The linkage 66 and the associated receiver 68 are normally urged by a compression spring 70 such that the cavities of the receiver 68 are in engagement. Therefore, the lifting column 20 and the associated structure are prevented from rotating relative to the base 12 .

[0029] The cavities of the receiver 68 may be moved out of engagement with the teeth 62 of the sprocket 60 by pressing the spring biased lever 72 downward which is connected to the linkage 66 by a spring biased pivotal connection 74 . The cavities of the receiver 68 may be re-engaged with the teeth 62 of the sprocket 60 by bumping the operator's foot against the spring biased lever 72 .

[0030] Still another feature of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein there is illustrated a set-to-stand framework 76 . The framework 76 is comprised of a pair of vertically disposed spaced apart parallel side members 78 and 80 and a pair of horizontally disposed spaced apart parallel cross members 82 and 84 . The ends of the cross members 82 and 84 are suitably secured to respective ones of the side members 78 and 80 by welding or other means. The upper ends of the side members 78 and 80 are provided with suitable supporting O-rings 86 and 88 , respectively. The side members 78 and 80 and the cross members 82 and 84 are typically formed of tubular metal stock. Therefore, the O-rings 86 and 88 may be welded to the side members 78 and 80 . It will be understood that the components may be fastened together by other means such as, for example, press-fit, threaded fasteners, as well as, by welding.

[0031] In operation, the base assembly 12 is positioned beneath a bed or a chair allowing an operator to position the incapacitated person on the load-supporting platform assembly, assist the patient into the lifting harness, and connect the lifting harness to the V-shaped spreader bar 52 . The operator may actuate the cable retraction means, causing the rope 50 to be retracted within the hollow interior of the outrigger 48 and causing a reclining person to be raised to an upright, seated position. The operator may further actuate the telescoping lifting means causing the lifting column 20 , and the associated load-supporting seat 44 to be extended upwardly. The operator may thereafter disengage the swivel lock, apply a lateral force to the handle 26 or the boom 36 , and cause the boom 36 and load-supporting seat 44 to rotate about the vertical axis of the lifting column 20 . The lifting apparatus 10 may also include an electric motor 54 . The operator may prevent operation of the lifting apparatus 10 by opening a switch and interrupting the transmission of power from the battery 28 .

[0032] The ability to raise and lower the invalid supporting assembly 40 and swing the assembly about the vertical axis of the lifting column 20 eliminates the need to move the base 12 of the lifting apparatus 10 with an incapacitated person when transferring an incapacitated person to auxiliary equipment, such as, for example, a wheelchair or a toilet chair. In the preferred embodiment shown, a patient lifting and transfer apparatus is illustrated. However, it will be understood the there are other embodiments of the invention such as, for example, for lifting heavy objects other than patients.

[0033] The frame illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be pivotally attached to the uppermost ends of the arms 38 . The upper ends of the arms 38 are provided with slotted apertures generally in the shape of an inverted “T”. The apertures are formed to receive respective ends of the cross member 84 such that the frame is pivotal about the axis of the cross member 84 . At the same time, ends of the spreader bar 52 are hooked unto respective ones of the O-rings 86 and 88 .

[0034] In operation, the left column 20 is caused to be swiveled to a position ninety degrees clockwise from the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and thus allowed to be locked against swiveling movement. At this point, a seated invalid would place his/her knees against the padded vertically disposed support 24 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The operator then actuates the motor 54 to retract the rope 50 , while the invalid firmly grasps the cross member 82 . As the rope 50 is retracted, the cross member 82 is raised assisting the invalid to move from a seated to a standing position.

[0035] The structure may also be equipped with a means to control the pivotal position of the legs 14 with respect to the base 12 . In such an embodiment, there is provided a lever 90 , illustrated in FIG. 2 , which is coupled to control linkage disposed within the base 12 . Manipulation of the lever 90 may be employed to actuate pivotal movement of the legs 14 typically in pairs such as, for example, the front legs and the rear legs. Such structure will permit transport of the apparatus through narrow doorways, for example.

[0036] From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.