Abstract: A lifting apparatus for a lift system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a) a motor adapted for providing a lifting force, b) at least one connector operatively connected to the motor, the connector adapted for connecting a load-bearing component to the motor, c) an information receiver for receiving a load limit information about the load-bearing component, d) a motor controller electrically coupled to the motor and the information receiver, wherein the motor controller is adapted to limit the lifting force of the motor based on the load limit information received by the information receiver.

Abstract: A patient lift including a lifting member and a hoist assembly connected to the lifting member. The hoist assembly has an enabled state to move the lifting member between a raised position and a lowered position, and a disabled state wherein the hoist assembly cannot move the lifting member between the raised and lowered positions. An elongated switch member descends from the hoist assembly such that the switch member is reachable by an operator. Urging the switch member in a first direction in an axial sense along the length of the elongated switch member or a rotational sense about the length of the elongated switch member, places the hoist assembly in the enabled state or the disabled state. Urging the switch member in a second direction different from the first direction places the assembly in the other of the enabled state and the disabled state.

Abstract: A patient hoist is provided on a trolley which tides along a track, with the hoist being powered by a conductor extending along the track. A contact carrier is loosely fit within the trolley, and it bears a contact which elastically biased against the track conductor, with die contact being in electrical communication with the hoist: The contact carrier is tree to laterally displace with respect to the trolley so that it (and its contact) follows the contour of the track, with the contact remaining in electrical communication with the track conductor.

Abstract: An open base patient lifting machine has generally upwardly extending first and second masts. There is a space between the lower end portion of the second mast. A patient support extends forwardly from the upper portion of the frame. A base at the lower portion of the frame supports the frame. The base has a forwardly extending first leg that is pivotably coupled to the lower end of the first mast about a vertical first axis. An opposed outer end portion of the first leg is positioned forwardly of the first mast. A second leg extends generally forwardly from the second mast. The second leg is pivotably coupled to the lower end portion of second mast about a vertical second axis. A portion of the second leg is positioned forwardly of the second mast. The legs are pivotable about their axes towards and away from each other.

Abstract: A patient lift connector for attaching and detaching a patient lifting bar to a load supporting member in a patient lifting system is described. The connector includes a connector body including a connecting block configured to be fixedly attached to the patient lifting bar. The connector also includes a pin holder coupled to the load supporting member and configured to be inserted through the connector body and into the connecting block, and an attachment latch secured to the connector body and configured to move between an open position and a closed position within the connector body. When the attachment latch moves from the closed position to the open position, the pin holder is allowed to be inserted into the connecting block and thereby allow the lifting bar to be attached to the load supporting member.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for a lift system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a) a motor adapted for providing a lifting force, b) at least one connector operatively connected to the motor, the connector adapted for connecting a load-bearing component to the motor, c) an information receiver for receiving a load limit information about the load-bearing component, d) a motor controller electrically coupled to the motor and the information receiver, wherein the motor controller is adapted to limit the lifting force of the motor based on the load limit information received by the information receiver.

Abstract: A patient lift for transporting patients having a hoist assembly, a lift assembly and an integrated flexible load-bearing supporting member. The flexible load-bearing supporting member is retractable into the hoist assembly and has integrated load-bearing, data communications, and power components to transmit data and/or power to/from the hoist assembly and lift assembly.

Abstract: An open base patient lifting machine has generally upwardly extending first and second masts. There is a space between the lower end portion of the second mast. A patient support extends forwardly from the upper portion of the frame. A base at the lower portion of the frame supports the frame. The base has a forwardly extending first leg that is pivotably coupled to the lower end of the first mast about a vertical first axis. An opposed outer end portion of the first leg is positioned forwardly of the first mast. A second leg extends generally forwardly from the second mast. The second leg is pivotably coupled to the lower end portion of second mast about a vertical second axis. A portion of the second leg is positioned forwardly of the second mast. The legs are pivotable about their axes towards and away from each other.

Abstract: A head component for an anchor assembly for mounting a load bearing track to a hanger component attached to an overhead structure (e.g. a ceiling or ceiling structure), the track comprising a rail element and a mounting element, the mounting element comprising one or more retaining formations, each retaining formation defining a holding cavity and an (cavity) opening communicating with the holding cavity, the holding cavity being sized larger than the (cavity) opening communicating therewith, the head component comprising a support member and a flarable member, the flarable member being attached to and flarable from the support member, the head component being sized and configured such that the head component is able to pass through the (cavity) opening into the holding cavity wherein the flarable member is able to flare (i.e.

Abstract: A patient hoist is provided on a trolley which tides along a track, with the hoist being powered by a conductor extending along the track. A contact carrier is loosely fit within the trolley, and it bears a contact which elastically biased against the track conductor, with die contact being in electrical communication with the hoist: The contact carrier is tree to laterally displace with respect to the trolley so that it (and its contact) follows the contour of the track, with the contact remaining in electrical communication with the track conductor.

Abstract: A head component for an anchor assembly for mounting a load bearing track to a hanger component attached to an overhead structure (e.g. a ceiling or ceiling structure), said track comprising a rail element and a mounting element, said mounting element comprising one or more retaining formations, each retaining formation defining a holding cavity and an (cavity) opening communicating with the holding cavity, said holding cavity being sized larger than the (cavity) opening communicating therewith, the head component comprising a support member and a flarable member, said flarable member being attached to and flarable from said support member, said head component being sized and configured such that said head component is able to pass through said (cavity) opening into said holding cavity wherein the flarable member is able to flare (i.e.

Abstract: A winch assembly comprising a) a person lowering and raising winch component attached to a carriage component, the carriage component being configured for coupling to a carriage track of an overhead support for displacement thereof along the carriage track and b) a carriage displacement component for inducing displacement of the carriage component along the carriage track, the carriage displacement component comprising an electric motor element and a clutch coupling element the electric motor element being configured for providing driving effort for the displacement of the carriage component along the carriage track the clutch coupling element being configured for coupling and de-coupling the driving effort of the electric motor element such that when the driving effort of the electric motor element is coupled and the electric motor element is energised the carriage component may be urged along the carriage track by the electric motor element and when the driving effort of the electric motor element is de

Abstract: A winch assembly comprising a) a person lowering and raising winch component attached to a carriage component, the carriage component being configured for coupling to a carriage track of an overhead support for displacement thereof along the carriage track and b) a carriage displacement component for inducing displacement of the carriage component along the carriage track, the carriage displacement component comprising an electric motor element and a clutch coupling element the electric motor element being configured for providing driving effort for the displacement of the carriage component along the carriage track the clutch coupling element being configured for coupling and de-coupling the driving effort of the electric motor element such that when the driving effort of the electric motor element is coupled and the electric motor element is energised the carriage component may be urged along the carriage track by the electric motor element and when the driving effort of the electric motor element is de-cou

Abstract: A system (i.e. apparatus, combination, etc.) for use in the transportation of a person (e.g. patient, handicapped person, invalid, etc.) from one location to another. The system may in particular be a steerable person handling system wherein the manoeuvrability thereof is facilitated by a steering mechanism wherein one forward swivelable castor wheel and one rear swivelable castor wheel, which are on opposite sides of the system, are connected or coupled together with a steering control component such that the steering control component may induce a controlled and simultaneous swivelling of these steerable castor wheels in opposite directions.

Abstract: A winch assembly comprising

Abstract: A winch assembly for the displacement of a person between a first vertical position and a second vertical position comprising: a winch for displacing a person in a harness between said first and second vertical positions; a first winch attachment means for realizably engaging said harness, said first winch attachment means being attached to said winch for the displacement of a person between said first and second vertical positions; and a second winch attachment means for realizably attaching the winch to an overhead support, the improvement wherein said first attachment means comprises two opposed support arms and displacement means associated with each said support arms whereby at least part of each arms is displaceable between a working extended position for engaging said harness and a non-working retracted position. The winch has a reduced or more compact aspect during non-working periods as well as in the case of a moving of the winch assembly during non-working periods.

Abstract: A winch assembly for the displacement of a person between a first vertical position and a second vertical position comprising:

Abstract: A head component for an anchor assembly for mounting a load bearing track to a hanger component attached to an overhead structure (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to support structures. The present invention in particular relates to a telescopic track as well as a telescopic mast assembly which may for example be exploited in the context of a person (e.g. patient) handling system.

Abstract: A winch assembly comprising