Abstract: A transfer chair has a chair frame, a seat, wheels, and a lift arm which has an articulated path between home and target positions. The articulated path may define a limited clearance height to allow use with, e.g., cars having a small door opening. In one embodiment the seat is split and moves to allow passage of the lift arm as it travels along the articulated path. The lift arm is articulated such that a lifting bridle attached to a distal end of the lift arm is maintained in a constant angular orientation with respect to the chair frame during movement. The lift arm further has multiple deployment paths for target positions with different heights and distances. A transfer seat for the lift arm includes two flexible webs removably attached to the lifting bridle. The lift arm is constructed using four links which are pivotally connected end-to-end. The links can be folded to a stowed position within the chair frame.

Abstract: A mobility unit uses several modular components that allow the unit to be assembled or re-configured into one of a number of different product designs. Four such modules may include a front module which houses the front pivoted casters or wheels and foot rests, a center module which provides the lifting/transfer/elevate functions, a propulsion module having the rear wheels, variable speed/reversible gear drive motors, batteries, and a chair control computer, and a rear module which contains the seat back cushion and support, and any push handles and controls for operation by an caregiver. Mechanical interfaces are designed to accommodate the interconnection of the modules in various configurations. Advantageously, the central lifting module is adapted to function in either a right-hand orientation or a left-hand orientation.