Abstract: Lift pants for improved patient ambulation while the patient is supported by a lift system. The lift pants include a left pant leg and a right pant leg. A lower left leg tightening strap and a lower right leg tightening strap are connected to the pant legs and are utilized to tighten the lift pants around the patient's feet. A connection means is utilized to connect the lift pants to a lift system. The lift pants have sections that expose the patient's anal area and genitals so that the patient is able to use a toilet without removing the lift pants. The lift pants are configured so the patient is lifted primarily from his feet. In a preferred embodiment, lift shoes are also included that allow the patient to utilize the system while wearing his favorite shoes or his most comfortable slippers, or while wearing just his socks or while barefoot.

Abstract: An overhead support system. A riding surface is located over a space and supports at least one overhead cart from which a load is supported by a tension element. A plurality of spherical elements are positioned between the riding surface and overhead cart and are attached to either the cart or the riding surface. The load can be moved horizontally in the space by applying a horizontal force to the load causing the cart to move over the riding surface while carrying the load in the horizontal direction. In preferred embodiments the riding surface is an array of spoked rimless wheels. In other preferred embodiments the riding surface is a slot track, or the riding surface may be a combination of the array and slot tracks. In other preferred embodiments a hoist assembly is used to raise and lower the load. In a preferred embodiment the hoist assembly is located below the riding surface. In another preferred embodiment, the hoist assembly is located above the riding surface.

Abstract: An overhead support system. A riding surface is located over a space and supports at least one overhead cart from which a load is supported by a tension element. The load can be moved horizontally in the space by applying a horizontal force to the load causing the cart to move over the riding surface while carrying the load in the horizontal direction. In preferred embodiments the riding surface is an array of spoked rimless wheels. In other preferred embodiments the riding surface is a slot track, or the riding surface may be a combination of the array and slot tracks. In preferred embodiments casters are mounted on the top of the riding surface to permit easy horizontal movement of the cart over the casters. In other preferred embodiments the riding surface is flat and casters are mounted on the bottom of the overhead cart.

Abstract: An overhead support system. An array of spoked rimless wheels are located over a space and supports at least one overhead cart from which a load is supported with a tension element. The load can be moved horizontally in the space by applying a horizontal force to the load causing the cart to move over the array of spoked rimless wheels carrying the load in the horizontal direction. The spoked rimless wheels rotate permitting the tension element to pass horizontally through the array of spoked rimless wheels. In preferred embodiments the spoked rimless wheel has the general shape of a star or a daisy and is referred to as a star wheel or a daisy wheel and the cart has a circular bottom surface. In preferred embodiments casters are mounted on top of the star wheels or daisy wheels to permit easy horizontal movement of the cart over the wheels. In other preferred embodiments the daisy wheels are flat on top and casters are mounted on the circular bottom of the cart.