Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for disabled, impaired or handicapped persons in reaching or maintaining a standing or partially standing position. The apparatus includes a knee support and a movable torso support that is connected to an actuator arrangement. The actuator arrangement moves the torso support in a vertical range of positions independently of the horizontal position of the torso support and in a horizontal range of positions independently of the vertical position of the torso support. The user engages the torso support during the raising movement during which the torso support moves simultaneously forward and upward until he is substantially standing whilst leaning forward over the torso support (and vice versa for the lowering procedure). The torso support can also be rotated, independently of the vertical and horizontal position of the torso support. The apparatus is provided with a load sensing system monitoring self-participation of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for disabled, impaired or handicapped persons in reaching or maintaining a standing or partially standing position. The apparatus includes a knee support and a movable torso support that is operatively connected to an actuator arrangement. The actuator arrangement moves the torso support in a vertical range of positions independently of the horizontal position of the torso support and in a horizontal range of positions independently of the vertical position of the torso support. The user engages the torso support during the raising movement during which the torso support moves simultaneously forward and upward until the person has reached a position in which he is substantially standing whilst leaning forward over the torso support (and vice versa for the lowering procedure). The torso support can also be rotated during the movement. The apparatus is provided with an identification system for identifying the person to be assisted.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a person to move from a seated position on a seat to a standing position and vice versa. The apparatus includes a base, an actuator arrangement, and a torso support. The torso support has a main engagement surface for engaging the chest of the person. The actuator arrangement moves the torso support over a range of vertical and horizontal positions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main engagement surface. The actuator arrangement moves the torso support in the vertical range of positions independently of the horizontal position of the torso support. The actuator arrangement moves the torso support in the horizontal range of positions independently of the vertical position of the torso support. The apparatus also includes a rotational actuator connected to the torso support for rotating the torso support about a substantially horizontal pivot axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a person to move from a seated position on a seat to a standing position and vice versa. The apparatus includes a base, an actuator arrangement, and a torso support. The torso support has a main engagement surface for engaging the chest of the person. The actuator arrangement moves the torso support over a range of vertical and horizontal positions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main engagement surface. The actuator arrangement moves the torso support in the vertical range of positions independently of the horizontal position of the torso support. The actuator arrangement moves the torso support in the horizontal range of positions independently of the vertical position of the torso support. The apparatus also includes a rotational actuator connected to the torso support for rotating the torso support about a substantially horizontal pivot axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for disabled, impaired or handicapped persons in reaching or maintaining a standing or partially standing position. The apparatus includes a knee support and a movable torso support that is operatively connected to an actuator arrangement. The actuator arrangement moves the torso support in a vertical range of positions independently of the horizontal position of the torso support and in a horizontal range of positions independently of the vertical position of the torso support. The user engages the torso support during the raising movement during which the torso support moves simultaneously forward and upward until the person has reached a position in which he is substantially standing whilst leaning forward over the torso support (and vice versa for the lowering procedure). The torso support can also be rotated during the movement. The apparatus is provided with an identification system for identifying the person to be assisted.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for disabled, impaired or handicapped persons in reaching or maintaining a standing or partially standing position. The apparatus includes a knee support and a movable torso support that is connected to an actuator arrangement. The actuator arrangement moves the torso support in a vertical range of positions independently of the horizontal position of the torso support and in a horizontal range of positions independently of the vertical position of the torso support. The user engages the torso support during the raising movement during which the torso support moves simultaneously forward and upward until he is substantially standing whilst leaning forward over the torso support (and vice versa for the lowering procedure). The torso support can also be rotated, independently of the vertical and horizontal position of the torso support. The apparatus is provided with a load sensing system monitoring self-participation of the user.

Abstract: A safety hook for mounting on the extremity of a spreader bar of a patient lift is secured to a base member that is connected to or integral with the spreader bar. A load-bearing hook member is pivotally suspended from the base member to allow the hook member to move in the plane of the hook member between an open position and a closed position in which the free end of the hook member engages the base member at an engagement point. The hook member is shaped such that it is urged to the closed position when a downward load is applied to it, and that it is urged to the open position when an upward load is applied to it. Under normal circumstances the safety hook closes automatically because of the weight of the load.

Abstract: A telescopic rail and carriage assembly for suspending a patient lift. The carriage has a downward projection to which the patient lift is to be connected. The telescopic rail has an inner rail section and an outer rail section. The outer rail section is provided with first longitudinally extending interior support surfaces for supporting a lower set of wheels of the carriage. The inner rail section is provided with second longitudinally extending interior support surfaces for guiding and supporting an upper set of wheels of the carriage. In the extended state, the carriage is guided by the either the first or the second longitudinally extending support surfaces except where the first and second rail sections overlap. In the overlap, the wheels of the carriage are supported by both the first and second longitudinally extending interior support surfaces.

Abstract: A telescopic rail and carriage assembly for suspending a patient lift. The carriage has a downward projection to which the patient lift is to be connected. The telescopic rail has an inner rail section and an outer rail section. The outer rail section is provided with first longitudinally extending interior support surfaces for supporting a lower set of wheels of the carriage. The inner rail section is provided with second longitudinally extending interior support surfaces for guiding and supporting an upper set of wheels of the carriage. In the extended state, the carriage is guided by the either the first or the second longitudinally extending support surfaces except where the first and second rail sections overlap. In the overlap, the wheels of the carriage are supported by both the first and second longitudinally extending interior support surfaces.

Abstract: A telescopic rail and carriage assembly for suspending a patient lift. The carriage has a downward projection to which the patient lift is to be connected. The telescopic rail has an inner rail section and an outer rail section. The outer rail section is provided with first longitudinally extending interior support surfaces for supporting a lower set of wheels of the carriage. The inner rail section is provided with second longitudinally extending interior support surfaces for guiding and supporting an upper set of wheels of the carriage. In the extended state, the carriage is guided by the either the first or the second longitudinally extending support surfaces except where the first and second rail sections overlap. In the overlap, the wheels of the carriage are supported by both the first and second longitudinally extending interior support surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a winch (6) for raising and lowering persons, of the type that comprises a housing with an attachment member (16), an electric motor (39) driving a reel (27), a lifting strap (7) connected to the reel for winding and unwinding the lifting strap whereby the lifting strap is guided through one of two openings (17,19) formed in the housing.

Abstract: A telescopic rail and carriage assembly for suspending a patient lift. The carriage has a downward projection to which the patient lift is to be connected. The telescopic rail has an inner rail section and an outer rail section. The outer rail section is provided with first longitudinally extending interior support surfaces for supporting a lower set of wheels of the carriage. The inner rail section is provided with second longitudinally extending interior support surfaces for guiding and supporting an upper set of wheels of the carriage. In the extended state, the carriage is guided by the either the first or the second longitudinally extending support surfaces except where the first and second rail sections overlap. In the overlap, the wheels of the carriage are supported by both the first and second longitudinally extending interior support surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a winch (6) for raising and lowering persons, of the type that comprises a housing with an attachment member (16), an electric motor (39) driving a reel (27), a lifting strap (7) connected to the reel for winding and unwinding the lifting strap whereby the lifting strap is guided through one of two openings (17,19) formed in the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety hook for mounting on the extremity of a spreader bar (1) of a patient lift. The safety hook comprises a base member (5) that is connected to or integral with the spreader bar (1). A load-bearing hook member (2) is pivotally suspended from the base member (5) to allow the hook member (2) to move in the plane of the hook member (2) between an open position and a closed position in which the free end of the hook member (2) engages the base member (5) at an engagement point (15). The hook member (2) is shaped such that it is urged to the closed position when a downward load is applied to it, and that it is urged to the open position when an upward load is applied to it. Retaining means keep the hook member (2) in both the open position and in the closed position unless a substantial force is applied to the hook member.