Abstract: A patient lift system includes a lift unit operable to raise and lower a lifting strap, the lift unit having a working load rating. A sling bar is attached with the lifting strap and a lifting accessory is coupled to the sling bar. The lifting accessory may comprises: a lifting sling; a lifting harness; a lifting vest; a lifting strap; or a repositioning sheet. The sling bar includes an opening sized to receive one or more attachment handles of the lifting accessory if the working load rating of the lift unit is larger than the working load rating of the lifting accessory. The opening of the sling bar is not capable of receiving one or more attachment handles of the lifting accessory if the working load rating of the lift unit is smaller than the working load rating of the lifting accessory.

Abstract: A gate system that includes a first gate that couples to a first rail, the first rail partially defining a travel path for a lifting carriage and the first gate including a first ramp having a slope that is angled relative to the first rail when coupled thereto. The system includes a second gate that couples to a second rail, the second rail partially defining the travel path for the lifting carriage and the second gate including a second ramp having a slope that is angled relative to the second rail when coupled thereto. The first ramp and the second ramp provide a switch location when coupled to the first rail and the second rail where the lifting carriage translates between the first rail and the second rail.

Abstract: A movement system for use with an overhead patient lift system includes a motor. A drum is operatively coupled to the motor. The drum is configured to be selectively driven by the motor to rotate in one of a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction. A lifting strap is coupled to the drum. The lifting strap is extendable and retractable with respect to a carriage of the overhead patient lifting system as the drum rotates. A manual release operatively coupled to the drum is actuatable to selectively disengage the drum from the motor to allow the lifting strap to be manually extended. Also disclosed is an overhead patient lift system including the movement system and a method for manually extending a lifting strap of an overhead patient lift system.

Abstract: In the embodiments described herein, the person lifting device automatically determines if an accessory, such as a sling, is properly connected to a sling bar of the person lifting device and, if the accessory is not properly connected, the person lifting device provides a user with a visual and/or audible warning and, in some embodiments, may lock-out the actuation controls of the person lifting device to prevent the person lifting device from being used.

Abstract: A method of determining a lifting event of a person lifting apparatus is provided. The method includes receiving one or more of (i) current load information from a current measuring device that is indicative of current drawn by an actuator operatively connected to a lifting strap of the person lifting apparatus; (ii) strap position information from a position sensor that is indicative of a paid out length of the lifting strap of the person lifting apparatus; and (iii) weight information from a weight sensor that is indicative of a load supported by the lifting strap of the person lifting apparatus. A computing device comprising a processor using logic is used to identify at least one of a raising event, a repositioning event and a lowering event based on the one or more of the current load information, strap position information and weight information.

Abstract: A patient lift system includes a motor and a drum. The drum is operably coupled to the motor. The drum can be selectively driven to rotate by the motor. A housing surrounds at least the motor and the drum. A load-bearing member is provided that includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the load-bearing member can be operably coupled to at least one of the housing and the drum. The second end of the load-bearing member can be operably coupled to a patient support assembly. An electrically conductive member can be positioned within the load-bearing member. A user interface is configured to actuate the patient support assembly in vertical and horizontal directions.

Abstract: A lift unit for supporting a subject includes a lift body configured to travel along an overhead rail and a lift strap having a payout length extending from the lift body. The payout length retracts and extends relative to the lift body. The lift strap includes a woven fiber construction having a pattern integrated into the woven fiber construction. The pattern includes a plurality of markings indicative of the payout length.

Abstract: Patient lift systems and lift accessories for the same are disclosed. In one example, a system may include a rail having a carriage support channel formed in the rail, the channel having a width, the rail has a working load rating; a carriage slidably disposed in the rail for relative movement to the rail, the carriage comprising a shaft having a length; and a lift unit coupled to the carriage and operable to raise and lower a lifting strap, wherein the lift unit has a working load rating; wherein the length of the shaft of the carriage is less than the width of the channel when the working load rating of the lift unit is equal to or less than the working load rating of the rail. In this manner, lift units that are incompatible with the working load rating of the rail cannot be connected with the rail.

Abstract: In the embodiments described herein, the person lifting device automatically determines if an accessory, such as a sling, is properly connected to a sling bar of the person lifting device and, if the accessory is not properly connected, the person lifting device provides a user with a visual and/or audible warning and, in some embodiments, may lock-out the actuation controls of the person lifting device to prevent the person lifting device from being used.

Abstract: A sling bar includes a bar extending between a first end and a second end, and a sling attachment member positioned at at least one of the first end and the second end, the sling attachment member including a bar attachment portion coupled to the bar, a lift hook extending outward from the bar attachment portion, the lift hook defining an upward-facing opening, and a latch member pivotally coupled to one of the bar attachment portion or the lift hook, where the latch member is repositionable between a closed position, in which the latch member extends across the upward-facing opening and engages the other of the lift hook or the bar attachment portion, and an open position, in which the latch member is spaced apart from the upward-facing opening and the other of the lift hook or the bar attachment portion.

Abstract: A subject support lift includes a mast portion, a base portion, and a lockable wheel assembly coupled to the base portion. The lockable wheel assembly includes an axle member, a lockable wheel coupled to the axle member, and a pivot member pivotally coupled to the lockable wheel and defining an axis extending in a vertical direction, where the lockable wheel is rotatable about the axis defined by the pivot member. A locking member is coupled to one of the pivot member or the lockable wheel, the locking member being repositionable between a locked position, in which the locking member engages the other of the pivot member or the lockable wheel, and an unlocked position, in which the locking member is spaced apart from the other of the pivot member or the lockable wheel.

Abstract: In the embodiments described herein, the person lifting device automatically determines if an accessory, such as a sling, is properly connected to a sling bar of the person lifting device and, if the accessory is not properly connected, the person lifting device provides a user with a visual and/or audible warning and, in some embodiments, may lock-out the actuation controls of the person lifting device to prevent the person lifting device from being used.

Abstract: A person lifting device may comprise a lift actuator operatively connected to an accessory coupling. The person lifting device may also comprise at least one imaging sensor. An electronic control unit may be communicatively coupled to the lift actuator and the at least on imaging sensor, the electronic control unit comprising a processor and a non-transitory memory storing a computer readable and executable instruction set. When executed by the processor, the instruction set collects, with the at least one imaging sensor, at least one image of a person to be lifted with the person lifting device; determines a characteristic of the person to be lifted with the person lifting device based on the at least one image; determines an identification of a lift accessory for attachment to the accessory coupling based on the determined characteristic; and, in some embodiments, communicates the identification of the lift accessory.

Abstract: A lift unit docking system includes a docking rail, a docking rail adapter, and a locking mechanism. The docking rail is configured to provide ingress and egress of a lift unit to and from an overhead rail, and includes a body defining a channel and an adapter receiving opening within the body. The docking rail adapter is repositionable relative to the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail and is configured to transport the lift unit into and out of the channel of the docking rail. The locking mechanism is repositionable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locking mechanism extends into the channel to block movement of a mounted lift unit toward the adapter receiving opening of the docking rail when in the locked position.

Abstract: In the embodiments described herein, the scale assembly automatically determines if an accessory, such as a sling, is properly connected to a sling bar of the person lifting device and, if the accessory is not properly connected, the scale assembly provides a user with a visual and/or audible warning and, in some embodiments, may lock-out the actuation controls of the person lifting device to prevent the person lifting device from being used.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprises a lift assembly configured to lift a patient; a control system configured to control operation of the lift system; and a reporting system in communication with the control system and configured to receive operational information for the lift assembly. The reporting system compares the operational information to a predetermined set of values to determine if the operation of the lift is in compliance with the protocols.

Abstract: Overhead lifts with control systems are disclosed. The overhead lifts may include a lift actuator communicatively coupled to a control system. The control system may include a control unit comprising a processor and a memory having computer readable and executable instructions and at least one port for communicatively coupling the control unit to at least one of a computer, a network, and a data storage device. The processor executes the computer readable and executable instructions to: determine at least one operating characteristic of the overhead lift and an operating time of the overhead lift as the overhead lift is actuated; determine an accumulated load-time parameter for the overhead lift based on the at least one operating characteristic and the operating time; and provide an indication that a component of the overhead lift requires service based on the comparison of the accumulated load-time parameter to a service constant.

Abstract: A person lifting apparatus includes a strap movement system. The person lifting device includes a housing and a lifting strap feeding device located in the housing. The lifting strap feeding device includes a motor connected to a drum and a lifting strap wound on the drum. A sensor provides a signal indicative of force on the lifting strap. A controller receives the signal from the sensor. The controller controls operation of the motor based on the signal. A user input is used to place the strap movement system in a fast mode during which the controller speeds up operation of the motor from a normal operating speed.

Abstract: A control system for a lifting device and a lifting device comprising the same are disclosed. The control system includes a control unit comprising a processor with a memory communicatively coupled to the processor and having computer readable and executable instructions. A battery is electrically coupled to the control unit in addition to at least one indicator. The processor executes the computer readable and executable instructions to: determine an operating characteristic of the lifting device and an operating time of the lifting device as the lifting device is actuated; determine an accumulated load-time parameter for the lifting device based on the operating characteristic and the operating time; store the accumulated load-time parameter in the memory of the lift control system; compare the accumulated load-time parameter to a service constant; and provide an indication the indicator that a lift structural component requires service based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method of rehabilitating a person using a person lift device, includes the steps of: calculating a first amount of assistance provided by the person lift device to assist a person in moving between a first position and a second position at a first time; comparing the first amount of assistance to a previously determined amount of assistance; and providing a second amount of assistance as a function of the difference between the first amount of assistance and the previous amount of assistance to assist a person in moving between the first position and the second position at a second time.