Abstract: A carabiner comprising a body having an opening, a closure movably coupled to the body, the closure being movable to an open position, and to a closed position in which the opening is closed by the closure such that the body and the closure define a closed shape, and an actuator, coupled to the closure and operatively connected to the body, the actuator being configured to cause the closure to move to the closed position in response to loading of the carabiner, and to cause the closure to move from the closed position to the open position in response to unloading of the carabiner.

Abstract: A frame for supporting and moving a load, the frame comprising first and second support legs for supporting said frame on at least one floor; a load support member, extending between the first support leg and the second support leg, wherein the load support member is sized and shaped to be length adjustable; and a trolley, movably mounted on an external surface of the load support member, the trolley and load support member being sized and shaped to permit the trolley to move along the load support member; whereby access to the trolley, without removing same from the load support member, is facilitated.

Abstract: A carabiner comprising a body having an opening, a closure movably coupled to the body, the closure being movable to an open position, and to a closed position in which the opening is closed by the closure such that the body and the closure define a closed shape, and an actuator, coupled to the closure and operatively connected to the body, the actuator being configured to cause the closure to move to the closed position in response to loading of the carabiner, and to cause the closure to move from the closed position to the open position in response to unloading of the carabiner.

Abstract: A track section for use with a patient carrying device, the device having a carriage, and the track section being configured such that the carriage can move along the track to carry a patient, the track section comprising a connecting piece, first and second carriage-supporting pieces, and at least one fixer fixing said connector piece to said first and second carriage-supporting pieces, the track section being shaped to traverse an angle of about 90 degrees.

Abstract: A component frame assembly for a patient lift device, the component frame assembly comprising: first and second opposed frame plates, and at least one plate connector connecting the plates, the plates and plate connector being sized, shaped and positioned such that the plates are separated by an interior component space and so as to define an opening to the interior component space between an edge of the first plate and an edge of the second plate, each plate having an inner side facing the interior component space and an opposite outer side; a force transmitter coupled to the plates and positioned in the interior component space; a force applicator mounted to the outer side of one of the first and second frame plates.

Abstract: A personal lift device is disclosed having a motor having an output shaft. A gearing system is operatively connected to the output shaft for increasing torque. A strap for suspending a weight is wound onto a spool and rotating the spool extends and retracts the strap. A drive connection is made between the gearing system and the spool to permit said motor to drive said spool. A brake is associated with said spool to prevent unwanted extension of said strap from said spool, when a weight is suspended by said strap. In a preferred embodiment a clutch is provided between the brake and the drive train, and the greater the weight supported by the spool the greater the braking force. An emergency lift and lower device is also provided in the event of a failure of the motor.

Abstract: A carabiner comprising a body having an opening, a closure movably coupled to the body, the closure being movable to an open position, and to a closed position in which the opening is closed by the closure such that the body and the closure define a closed shape, and an actuator, coupled to the closure and operatively connected to the body, the actuator being configured to cause the closure to move to the closed position in response to loading of the carabiner, and to cause the closure to move from the closed position to the open position in response to unloading of the carabiner.

Abstract: A frame for supporting and moving a load, the frame comprising first and second support legs for supporting said frame on at least one floor; a load support member, extending between the first support leg and the second support leg, wherein the load support member is sized and shaped to be length adjustable; and a trolley, movably mounted on an external surface of the load support member, the trolley and load support member being sized and shaped to permit the trolley to move along the load support member; whereby access to the trolley, without removing same from the load support member, is facilitated.

Abstract: A personal lift device is disclosed having a motor having an output shaft. A gearing system is operatively connected to the output shaft for increasing torque. A strap for suspending a weight is wound onto a spool and rotating the spool extends and retracts the strap. A drive connection is made between the gearing system and the spool to permit said motor to drive said spool. A brake is associated with said spool to prevent unwanted extension of said strap from said spool, when a weight is suspended by said strap. In a preferred embodiment a clutch is provided between the brake and the drive train, and the greater the weight supported by the spool the greater the braking force. An emergency lift and lower device is also provided in the event of a failure of the motor.

Abstract: A personal lift device is disclosed having a motor having an output shaft. A gearing system is operatively connected to the output shaft for increasing torque. A strap for suspending a weight is wound onto a spool and rotating the spool extends and retracts the strap. A drive connection is made between the gearing system and the spool to permit said motor to drive said spool. A brake is associated with said spool to prevent unwanted extension of said strap from said spool, when a weight is suspended by said strap. In a preferred embodiment a clutch is provided between the brake and the drive train, and the greater the weight supported by the spool the greater the braking force. An emergency lift and lower device is also provided in the event of a failure of the motor.

Abstract: A personal lift device is disclosed having a motor having an output shaft. A gearing system is operatively connected to the output shaft for increasing torque. A strap for suspending a weight is wound onto a spool and rotating the spool extends and retracts the strap. A drive connection is made between the gearing system and the spool to permit said motor to drive said spool. A brake is associated with said spool to prevent unwanted extension of said strap from said spool, when a weight is suspended by said strap. In a preferred embodiment a clutch is provided between the brake and the drive train, and the greater the weight supported by the spool the greater the braking force. An emergency lift and lower device is also provided in the event of a failure of the motor.