Abstract: A novel method of lifting a patient from a seated to a generally standing position employs a hoist comprising a support column mounted on a mobile chassis. A pivotal lifting arm arrangement projects from the column and presents laterally spaced attachment points for a padded sling which is passed around the back of the seated patient below the arms thereof. The hoist is positioned with knee abutment means, which are mounted on the column, located against the knees of the patient; and the feet of the patient are placed on footrests mounted on the chassis on opposite sides of the column. A lifting mechanism comprises a pivotal operating lever connected to the arm arrangement through a mechanical linkage which provides a mechanical advantage, such that operative movement of the lever through 180.degree. from an upwardly projecting to a downwardly projecting position pivots the arm arrangement upwardly through an angle of say 60.degree. to 65.degree.

Abstract: A toilet aid comprises a rear fixing bracket for mounting on a WC pan using the normal seat attachment bolt holes of the latter. Side support legs and side support arms are mounted on the bracket, the support leg and arm at each side of the toilet aid being secured to a corresponding end lug of the fixing bracket by a common pivot bolt. The two pivot bolts are aligned to define a common horizontal pivot axis for separate pivotal movement of the legs and the arms, with the former contacting the floor more or less directly below handgrips provided at the outer ends of the respective side support arms. The inner ends of the arms respectively engage the legs below the pivot axis to provide a reaction support for weight loading of the support arms.

Abstract: A toilet aid comprises a rear fixing bracket for mounting on a WC pan using the normal seat-attachment bolt holes of the latter. Two identical side support structures of inverted U-shape each provides a side user support arm, a front support leg and a rear support leg. The rear support legs extend through pivot bores in the bracket which provides lateral support for the legs with the side support structures independently pivotable about respective pivot axes.

Abstract: A mobile invalid hoist comprises a lifting arm projecting from an upstanding support column mounted on a mobile chassis. The chassis comprises a main portion which supports the column, and two chassis side members which are pivotally mounted on the main chassis portion. Two coaxial fixed-axis wheels support the main chassis portion and the chassis side members, which project forwardly from the main chassis portion, have front support castors.

Abstract: A lifting sling has end fittings for attachment to an invalid lifting device. The sling is of filled tubular form and comprises an outer sleeve of generally circular cross-section and a resilient filling, the resilience of which tends to maintain the normal cross-sectional shape of the sleeve. End tails extend from the fittings for attachment to the lifting device, and the sleeve is a woven tubular fabric of synthetic textile material.

Abstract: An invalid hoist comprises a base having a column support socket, an upstanding column detachably mounted in said socket and a lifting arm extending from the column. Said arm is movable along the column by a screw-and-nut lifting mechanism within the column, with the nut of said mechanism being coupled to the arm. A reversible electric motor unit and battery for energization of the motor are mounted on said base with an output shaft of a reduction gear box of the motor unit aligned with and directly coupled to the lower end of the screw of said lifting mechanism to provide a drive from the motor to the screw, through the socket. The drive between said output shaft and said screw is provided by a coupling which can readily be broken to enable the column to be detached from the base without disturbing the motor.

Abstract: A toilet chair comprises a seat portion supported on a support frame. A footrest mounted on the frame is pivotable between an operative forwardly projecting position and a retracted position within the frame, and the frame is open at the rear to fit over and around a WC pan. The frame has a front cross member on which the footrest is pivotally mounted. Projections of the footrest engage the cross member to define the lowered operative position of the footrest and thus the cross member 12 provides stop means defining that position, in addition to being a structural member of the frame and forming a pivot shaft for the footrest.

Abstract: A support structure for a hydrotherapy hoist or pool lift comprises a U-shaped upper portion which extends over the decking at a side edge of the pool, and a lower portion welded to the intermediate limb of the upper U and extending down into the pool. The upper portion engages an upper anchorage at each side limb of the U, and a reaction pad at the lower end of the lower portion bears against the side wall of the pool. The hoist has a vertical column from which a short cantilever lifting arm projects, a patient support seat being mounted on the arm. A lifting mechanism is operable to raise and lower the arm and seat. The hoist is detachably supported by means of pintle-type bearings mounted, respectively, adjacent the upper and lower ends of the lower support portion with offset bearing pins on the column engaging in bearing blocks welded to the support. The bearings allow the hoist to be swung through 180.degree.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting the circulating system of a whirlpool bath tub installation comprising blanking off or capping a nozzle or nozzles of the bath tub in such manner that a circulating pump and the nozzle(s) together with associated pipework form a closed path. A small supply of disinfecting solution is connected through a valve to the closed path around which the disinfectant solution is circulated by the pump during a disinfection period in order to disinfect the pump, nozzle(s) and associated pipework. A whirlpool bath tub which incorporates a nozzle or nozzles which can be blanked off or capped, thereby providing a closed path and allowing disinfection thereof, by the foregoing method. A whirlpool bath tub installation comprises a tub, nozzles which can be capped, and a disinfectant supply tank.

Abstract: A bed comprises a flexible web, preferably of mesh or net form, on which a patient is supported and which is slung between two parallel shafts. The ends of the web are respectively wound on to the two shafts which can be turned by end winding handles through drive clutch/brake units of the shafts. At the other ends the shafts have plain bearing assemblies. The drive units are non-rotatably received in support crutches of a frame of the bed, and these crutches can pivot about inclined axes in the manner of the rowlocks of a rowboat. The bearing assemblies are received in fixed crutches formed to allow a permissible range of angularity of the shafts in these crutches when removed from the drive end crutches.

Abstract: Equipment for transporting and lifting invalids and disabled persons comprises a wheeled chassis 1,a telescopic lifting column 2 and a patient support structure 4 supported by an arm 3 from the column 2. The structure 4 is of adjustable articulated form and comprises a central seat section 20 and adjustable end sections 21 22, adjustment of which allows a patient to be supported either in a lying down position or in a seated position facing one way or the other. Restraining means for use with a seated patient comprise an L-shaped member 27 with a first portion 28 which in operative position extends above the seat portion 20 in front of the patient and an end restraining portion 29 which then extends alongside the body of the patient. The member 27 can be turned in a mounting boss 30 to position the portion 29 according to the seated direction used, and the boss 30 turns on a spindle 17 to allow the member 27 to be raised to an inoperative position at the side of the support structure 4.