Abstract: A bath comprises a bath tub and apparatus for assisting persons into and out of the bath tub. The apparatus comprises a lifting column in the form of a telescopic mast, a seat supported by the mast, a first actuator provided for the most part within the mast, for raising and lowering the seat relative to the bath tub, and a second actuator for angularly displacing the mast. The apparatus also comprises a control device for operating the first and second actuators so as to raise the seat from a lowered to an elevated position and to then swivel the seat to a position in which it extends over a rim of the bath tub, and so as to swivel the seat in an opposite direction and to then lower the seat into the bath tub.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting physically disabled persons into and out of a bath, comprises a base, suckers provided on the base for releasably gripping an inside bottom surface of the bath, a lifting column fixed to the base, a seat supported by the lifting column, and an electrically powered actuator mounted with respect to the lifting column for raising and lowering the seat relative to the base. The lifting column is in the form of a telescopic mast having a lower part fixed to the base and an upper part which can be extended and retracted relative to the lower part by the actuator. The apparatus is self-contained and can be placed in or removed from a bath at will.

Abstract: In order to raise infirm or disabled persons from a sitting to a generally standing position, a hoist comprises a mast, a carrier movable along the mast, and a U-shaped lifting member which is connected at its closed end to an upper end of the mast for pivotable movement about a horizontal axis and which at its open part provides laterally spaced attachment points for the attachment of a body sling. The hoist also includes a U-shaped strut pivotably connected at its closed end to the carrier and at its open part to the open part of the lifting member, and an operating mechanism for raising and lowering the carrier along the mast to thereby move the attachment points along an arcuate path. The operating mechanism is self-locking at any chosen position. Such a hoist is capable of being used for lifting of persons of widely differing heights and builds.

Abstract: A bath lift, for lifting a disabled person into and out of a bath, has a telescopic column for mounting on the floor alongside the bath. A lifting arm mounted on the top of the column projects therefrom and carries a support, such as a legless chair structure, for the person being bathed. An upper portion of the column is non-rotatable about the axis of the column, and the arm is mounted to swing about a vertical axis. Locking means are operative to lock the arm against swinging movement relative to said upper portion of the column in one or more angular positions, and the locking means can be released manually to free the arm for movement about said vertical axis.

Abstract: A hoist for lifting and weighing a disabled person comprises a chassis supporting an upstanding column from which a lifting arm projects. The arm can be raised and lowered by means of elevating mechanism associated with the column, and a patient to be lifted, transported and/or weighed can be supported by a patient support member fitted at the end of the arm remote from the column. Weighing means fitted at the top of the column are responsive during weighing to the weight of the arm, including the supported load, at the column.

Abstract: A toilet aid is designed for use with a W.C. to assist disabled, elderly and infirm persons using the W.C. The aid is constructed for attachment to the W.C. pan using the normal seat-attachment bolt holes provided in the pan. An arm structure has side support arms which extend fowardly on either side of a user when seated on the toilet seat. The arms have inturned end portions to provide front support for the user, these portions being movable to the side to a front entry position which permits free entry and exit between the arms. When the arm portions are in this entry position the main side portions of the arms remain in their normal side support position, thus being positioned to assist the user when maneuvering into and out of the seated position. The aid can be used with all normal W.C. suites with a standard toilet seat.

Abstract: An invalid hoist has a wheeled chassis with a rear mounting for an upstanding column and lifting arm. The chassis comprises a cross member with main load-carrying wheels adjacent the ends thereof and three fore-and-aft wheel-carrying arms projecting from the cross member. Two of the arms extend forwardly in spaced relation to leave an opening between them and the third arm extends rearwardly to support the column.