Abstract: A switch assembly for a lift unit includes a switch, an emergency stop device, and a reset actuator. The switch is arranged to move between a closed position, wherein the switch electrically couples a lift motor of the lift unit to an energy source, and an open position, wherein the switch electrically decouples the lift motor from the energy source. The emergency stop device is coupled to the switch and arranged to move the switch from the closed position to the open position. The reset actuator is coupled to the switch and arranged to move the switch from the open position to the closed position, wherein the reset actuator is controllable to move the switch from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: An overhead lift system may include a motor and a lift strap connected to the motor. The motor raises and lowers the lift strap. A hand controller may be communicatively connected to the motor. The hand controller includes a force sensor associated with the body of the hand controller such that force applied to the body is detected with the force sensor. An orientation sensor may also be arranged within the body and determines an orientation of the hand controller. A control unit may be communicatively connected with the motor, the force sensor, and the orientation sensor. The control unit detects a force applied to the hand controller with the force sensor, determines a direction of motion of the hand controller with the orientation sensor, and provides a signal to the motor to raise or lower the lift strap based on the force and orientation of the hand controller.

Abstract: A multi-link device includes a load tension pin including a sensor configured to measure tension applied to the load tension pin, network interface hardware, one or more processors, and one or more memory modules storing computer readable and executable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the multi-link device to: determine whether the tension measured by the load tension pin exceeds a threshold value; and transmit, by the network interface hardware, load event data to a receiver in response to determination that the tension exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A sling for supporting a subject such as a patient includes a panel assembly including a left flank with a left end, a right flank with a right end, and an interflank panel. The interflank panel has a left extremity permanently joined to the left end of the left flank and a right extremity permanently joined to the right end of the right flank. The sling also includes a left closure element and a right closure element which are securable to each other and releasable from each other to adjust an effective dimension of the sling. In another embodiment, the sling includes a frangible closure member which secures the left flank to the right flank.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a method for operating a lifting device monitoring with a control unit, monitoring current supplied to the lift actuator when the lift actuator is actuated; discontinuing the current supplied to the lift actuator when the current exceeds a current threshold value; determining an accumulated number of overload stops based on the current supplied to the lift actuator; determining at least one operating characteristic of the lifting device and an operating time of the lifting device as the lifting device is actuated; determining an accumulated load-time parameter for the lifting device based on the at least one operating characteristic and the operating time; and uploading, with a transceiver, at least one of the accumulated number of overload stops and the accumulated load-time parameter to at least one of the computer, the network, and the data storage device.

Abstract: Assistive control devices, provider assistance systems, systems incorporating the same, and methods for operating the same are disclosed. One system includes an assistive control device and audiovisual communications components communicatively coupled to the assistive control device. The audiovisual communications components are controllable to selectively capture image and audio within the care space and transmit audio. The system further includes subject care components communicatively coupled to the assistive control device. The one or more subject care components are operable locally and remotely. Upon initiation of a remote assistance session, the audiovisual communications components are operated via the assistive control device to move and capture images of a particular area of concern, provide two-way communications between the care space and the assistive control device, and provide indicia.

Abstract: A person relocation device includes sheet which defines a person space for a person. The sheet includes a left lateral strap, a right lateral strap, a head end strap and a foot end strap. Each strap is attached to the sheet only at a perimeter thereof and does not extend into the person space. The straps are adapted to be connected to a hoist so that when all of the straps are so connected and tensioned by the weight of the person the sheet suspends the person in a seated posture.

Abstract: Lifting devices for positioning a lift actuator in a high range position and a low range position are disclosed. The lifting devices may include a lift mast, a lift arm pivotally coupled to the lift mast, a lift actuator having a first end and a second end, and a linkage member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the lift actuator is pivotally coupled to the lift mast. The first end of the linkage member is pivotally coupled to the lift arm and the second end of the linkage member is pivotally coupled to the second end of the lift actuator such that the lift actuator includes a high range position relative to the lift arm and a low range position relative to the lift arm.

Abstract: An overhead lift apparatus includes a mounting structure and a rotatable assembly configured to attach a lift unit to the mounting structure. The rotatable assembly is rotatable with respect to the mounting structure about an axis of rotation. The apparatus also includes a rotatable electrical interface disposed in the rotatable assembly, the rotatable electrical interface comprises a static portion and a rotatable portion attached to the rotatable assembly such that the rotatable portion rotates in conjunction with the rotatable assembly. The apparatus also includes a first electrical connector extending from the static portion to a power source connector configured to be connected to an external power source for the lift unit. A second electrical connector extends from the rotatable portion such that the rotatable electrical interface is configured to provide power from the power source to an end of the second electrical connector via the first electrical connector.

Abstract: A lift system includes a trolley member defining an aperture extending through the trolley member, a locking unit coupled to the trolley member, the locking unit including a locking unit body and a pin that extends outward from the locking unit body, where the pin is repositionable between an engaged position, in which the pin extends through and outward from the aperture of the trolley member, and a disengaged position, a cable extending between and terminating at an actuator end that is engaged with the actuator and a subject lift end positioned opposite the actuator end, where the cable is selectively drawn to the trolley member or paid out from the trolley member upon actuation of the actuator, and a subject lift connecting member coupled the subject lift end of the cable.

Abstract: Lifting devices for positioning a lift actuator in a high range position and a low range position are disclosed. The lifting devices may include a lift mast, a lift arm pivotally coupled to the lift mast, a lift actuator having a first end and a second end, and a linkage member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the lift actuator is pivotally coupled to the lift mast. The first end of the linkage member is pivotally coupled to the lift arm and the second end of the linkage member is pivotally coupled to the second end of the lift actuator such that the lift actuator includes a high range position relative to the lift arm and a low range position relative to the lift arm.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a cross-rail of an overhead rail system includes a mounting rail, an attachment bracket, and a spring-loaded pin. The mounting rail is configured to mount to a sidewall and includes a bracket receiving recess. The attachment bracket includes an attachment portion and an extension portion, wherein the attachment portion is shaped to correspond to the bracket receiving recess such that the attachment portion is positionable within the bracket receiving recess. The spring-loaded pin is coupled to the attachment bracket and includes a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the spring-loaded pin is biased to the extended position to lock the cross-rail to the extension portion of the attachment bracket.

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: According to embodiments, a method for operating a lifting device monitoring with a control unit, monitoring current supplied to the lift actuator when the lift actuator is actuated; discontinuing the current supplied to the lift actuator when the current exceeds a current threshold value; determining an accumulated number of overload stops based on the current supplied to the lift actuator; determining at least one operating characteristic of the lifting device and an operating time of the lifting device as the lifting device is actuated; determining an accumulated load-time parameter for the lifting device based on the at least one operating characteristic and the operating time; and uploading, with a transceiver, at least one of the accumulated number of overload stops and the accumulated load-time parameter to at least one of the computer, the network, and the data storage device.

Abstract: A person lift system includes a lift unit, a sling bar that is coupled to the lift unit, where the sling bar includes a plurality of attachment points each having coupling sensors and an electronic control unit that is communicatively coupled to the coupling sensors. The person lift system also includes a lifting accessory having a plurality of lifting points that are adapted to be selectively coupled to the plurality of attachment points of the sling bar. The electronic control unit comprises a processor and a computer readable and executable instruction set which, when executed by the processor detects with the coupling sensors whether the lifting accessory is installed in a proper manner and projects an indication when the lifting accessory is installed in the proper manner.

Abstract: A subject support apparatus includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a vest having a first end and a second end, a closure mechanism configured to couple the first end of the vest to the second end of the vest from a bottom end of the vest to a top end of the vest to form a closed loop, and a pair of shoulder straps extending from the vest. The lower portion includes a seat piece having a first end and a second end, and a pair of loop straps extending from the first end and the second end of the seat piece. Subject support systems including the subject support apparatus and methods of lifting a subject using the subject support apparatus are also described.

Abstract: According to embodiments, an overhead lift includes a lift actuator; and a control system communicatively coupled to the lift actuator. The control system may include a control unit comprising a processor with a memory communicatively coupled to the processor and having computer readable and executable instructions and at least one transceiver 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 upload the accumulated load-time parameter to at least one of the computer, the network, and the data storage device.