Abstract: A stationary patient lift can be used by individuals in their own homes to lift disabled and elderly individuals living with them. The lift has an electric hoist/winch for lifting the patients from a bed to a chair or wheelchair and back again to the bed. The lift is fixed to the rafters of a house. A cable hangs down through the ceiling of the house and the electric hoist hangs from the cable just below the ceiling. A chain or strap hangs down from the hoist mechanism to a sling for supporting the patient.