Abstract: Slings for rotation of individuals are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a sling includes a central support section supporting at least a torso of the individual, a superior support section disposed along a first side of the central support section, an inferior support section disposed along a second side of the central support section opposing the superior support section, and straps extending from each lateral side of the central support section. The superior support section includes an anterior support flap and a posterior support flap, and at least a portion of the posterior support flap is separated from at least a portion of the anterior support flap. A central axis bisects the superior support section, the central support section, and the inferior support section such that the sling is foldable about the central axis, and the central axis acts as a fulcrum for rotating the individual.

Abstract: A person support device comprises a body support, a first support loop, and a second support loop. The body support is configured to support at least a portion of a person. The first support loop is coupled to the body support and extends there from a first distance. The second support loop is coupled to the body support and is overlappingly coupled along a portion of the first support loop. The second support loop extends a second distance from the body support.

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: Disclosed is a new sling bar for use with an overhead lift system to lift a load suspended in a lift sling there below. The sling bar comprises a cross bar having first and second ends, a pair of lift loop retention ears extending from each of the first and second ends of the cross bar. Each pair of ears includes a first ear in the pair being disposed adjacent a first face of the cross bar and a second ear in the pair disposed adjacent a second opposite face of said cross bar, the pair of retention ears defining a space there between. A lift hook is disposed at each of the first and second ends of the cross bar in the space defined between the pair of retention ears, the pair of ears extending at least up to an inner surface of a bend portion of the lift hook.

Abstract: Rail-mounted lift systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, the lift system includes a rail having at least one conductor positioned on an upper interior surface of the rail. A carriage may be slidably disposed in the rail for relative movement to the rail. The carriage generally includes a carriage body, at least one pair of support wheels rotatably coupled to the carriage body and slidably engaged with the rail, and a conductor truck comprising at least one conductive roller rotatably attached to the conductor truck. The conductor truck may be mounted to the carriage body with a biasing member upwardly biasing the conductive roller into rolling engagement with the at least one conductor. A lift unit may be coupled to the carriage body and includes a motor paying out and taking up a lifting strap. The lift unit is electrically coupled to the at least one conductive roller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a patient lift system having a sling bar with an inductively charged integrated scale. The lift system comprises a lift apparatus, a lift strap connected at a first end to the lift apparatus, a sling bar connected to a second free hanging end of the lift strap, the sling bar having a scale with a tension load cell integrally disposed therein for measuring forces applied thereto and a power source electrically connected to the scale to provide power to the scale and load cell. An accelerometer is disposed within the sling bar to determine a tilt angle of a lift axis of the load cell relative to a vertical direction of gravitational force. Programming stored in a processor of the integrated scale calculates an accurate weight of an active load suspended from the sling bar, based on the determined tilt angle and the measured force on the load cell.

Abstract: A weight scale for a patient lift system includes a frame assembly. A plurality of force sensors are coupled to the frame assembly. Each of the plurality of force sensors is configured to generate a signal indicative of a measured weight force. A foot rest panel is coupled to the frame assembly. The foot rest panel is configured to support a patient. An angle sensor is operatively coupled to the frame assembly. The angle sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of an angle of the frame assembly with respect to a horizontal reference plane. A controller is coupled in signal communication with each force sensor and the angle sensor. The controller includes one or more processors configured to receive signals from each force sensor and the angle sensor to determine an actual weight force of the patient.

Abstract: Rail-mounted lift systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, the lift system includes a rail having at least one conductor positioned on an upper interior surface of the rail. A carriage may be slidably disposed in the rail for relative movement to the rail. The carriage generally includes a carriage body, at least one pair of support wheels rotatably coupled to the carriage body and slidably engaged with the rail, and a conductor truck comprising at least one conductive roller rotatably attached to the conductor truck. The conductor truck may be mounted to the carriage body with a biasing member upwardly biasing the conductive roller into rolling engagement with the at least one conductor. A lift unit may be coupled to the carriage body and includes a motor paying out and taking up a lifting strap. The lift unit is electrically coupled to the at least one conductive roller.

Abstract: A patient lift system includes a lift housing, a base lift strap having a first end coupled to a lift housing and a second end coupled to a sling bar. The base lift strap is infection controlled. In one embodiment, a protective sleeve covers the base lift strap, wherein the protective sleeve has a first end and a second end. In another embodiment, the base lift strap is chemically treated to provide infection control.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new sling bar for use with an overhead lift system to lift a load suspended in a lift sling there below. The sling bar comprises a cross bar having first and second ends, a pair of lift loop retention ears extending from each of the first and second ends of the cross bar. Each pair of ears includes a first ear in the pair being disposed adjacent a first face of the cross bar and a second ear in the pair disposed adjacent a second opposite face of said cross bar, the pair of retention ears defining a space there between. A lift hook is disposed at each of the first and second ends of the cross bar in the space defined between the pair of retention ears, the pair of ears extending at least up to an inner surface of a bend portion of the lift hook.

Abstract: A lift apparatus for lifting a patient comprises a sling bar (60) adapted to have a sling (110) secured thereto, a controller (138) and a status indicator (160) responsive to the controller for indicating the status of at least one parameter associated with the lift apparatus. The associated parameters comprise height, speed, sling securement state, sling compatibility, and fault state.

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: A weight scale for a patient lift system includes a frame assembly. A plurality of force sensors are coupled to the frame assembly. Each of the plurality of force sensors is configured to generate a signal indicative of a measured weight force. A foot rest panel is coupled to the frame assembly. The foot rest panel is configured to support a patient. An angle sensor is operatively coupled to the frame assembly. The angle sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of an angle of the frame assembly with respect to a horizontal reference plane. A controller is coupled in signal communication with each force sensor and the angle sensor. The controller includes one or more processors configured to receive signals from each force sensor and the angle sensor to determine an actual weight force of the patient.

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 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 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 brake system for a rollator may include a brake handle, a braking device operatively coupled to the brake handle, and a gear rim mechanically coupled to at least one wheel of the rollator. The brake handle may be pivotally attached to a frame of the rollator and comprises a service-brake position and a parking-brake position while the braking device may be disposed on the frame of the rollator proximate the at least one wheel. When the brake handle is in a service-brake position, a braking member of the braking device is frictionally engaged with an inner portion of a rim of the at least one wheel thereby braking the wheel. When the handle is in a parking-brake position, the braking member of the braking device is engaged with teeth of the gear rim thereby preventing the wheel from rotating.

Abstract: A safety locking device for a lifting hook comprising a lifting part and a hook part having a first and a second shank arranged in the same plane, the first shank being attached to the lifting part. The safety-locking device is pivotably attached to either of the shanks or the lifting part and comprises a spring means formed integrally with the safety locking device, one end of which is attached to the safety locking device diametrically opposed its fastening point to either shank or the lifting part and the other end is arranged to bear on the opposite shank or the lifting part, to which the safety locking device is pivotably attached to automatically bring the safety locking device to bear on the lifting part or the opposite shank so as to prevent unhooking of a hoisting cable or similar means introduced into the hook part.