Abstract: A patient assisting system includes a frame having a sling assembly attachment point and a lifting arm which is movable relative to the frame and which includes a receptacle. When the sling assembly is attached to the attachment point and extends through the receptacle, a portion of the sling travels through the receptacle as the lifting arm moves relative to the frame. Another embodiment includes exactly one four bar linkage comprised of a frame having an attachment point for a sling assembly, a lifting arm having a receptacle, a lower cross arm and an upper cross arm. The lifting arm is adapted to be movable between a person-seated position and a person-standing position. The receptacle is located along the lifting arm so that motion of the lifting arm causes the receptacle to move along a curved path having a concave side which is person-facing.

Abstract: A patient assisting system includes a frame having a sling assembly attachment point and a lifting arm which is movable relative to the frame and which includes a receptacle. When the sling assembly is attached to the attachment point and extends through the receptacle, a portion of the sling travels through the receptacle as the lifting arm moves relative to the frame. Another embodiment includes exactly one four bar linkage comprised of a frame having an attachment point for a sling assembly, a lifting arm having a receptacle, a lower cross arm and an upper cross arm. The lifting arm is adapted to be movable between a person-seated position and a person-standing position. The receptacle is located along the lifting arm so that motion of the lifting arm causes the receptacle to move along a curved path having a concave side which is person-facing.

Abstract: A patient assisting system includes a frame having a sling assembly attachment point and a lifting arm which is movable relative to the frame and which includes a receptacle. When the sling assembly is attached to the attachment point and extends through the receptacle, a portion of the sling travels through the receptacle as the lifting arm moves relative to the frame. Another embodiment includes exactly one four bar linkage comprised of a frame having an attachment point for a sling assembly, a lifting arm having a receptacle, a lower cross arm and an upper cross arm. The lifting arm is adapted to be movable between a person-seated position and a person-standing position. The receptacle is located along the lifting arm so that motion of the lifting arm causes the receptacle to move along a curved path having a concave side which is person-facing.

Abstract: A sling support assembly is configured to be moved by a lift assembly. The sling support assembly includes a frame and a plurality of sling coupling mechanisms configured to removably couple a sling to the sling support. At least a portion of the frame is movable to selectively change the spatial relationship of the plurality of sling coupling mechanisms.

Abstract: A linkage assembly that connects a sling bar to a person lift apparatus includes a link body that connects to the person lift apparatus. The link body has a keyed slot extending therethrough. The keyed slot has a region of reduced dimension. An interlocking member connects to the sling bar. The interlocking member has an interlocking portion that is sized to be slidably received in the keyed slot. The interlocking portion has a region of reduced dimension such that, in an interlocked orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is offset from the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby inhibiting removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot and, in a release orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is aligned with the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby allowing removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot to disconnect the sling bar from the person lift apparatus.

Abstract: A patient assisting system includes a frame having a sling assembly attachment point and a lifting arm which is movable relative to the frame and which includes a receptacle. When the sling assembly is attached to the attachment point and extends through the receptacle, a portion of the sling travels through the receptacle as the lifting arm moves relative to the frame. Another embodiment includes exactly one four bar linkage comprised of a frame having an attachment point for a sling assembly, a lifting arm having a receptacle, a lower cross arm and an upper cross arm. The lifting arm is adapted to be movable between a person-seated position and a person-standing position. The receptacle is located along the lifting arm so that motion of the lifting arm causes the receptacle to move along a curved path having a concave side which is person-facing.

Abstract: A method of rehabilitating a person using a person lift device, includes the steps of: calculating a first amount of assistance provided by the person lift device to assist a person in moving between a first position and a second position at a first time; comparing the first amount of assistance to a previously determined amount of assistance; and providing a second amount of assistance as a function of the difference between the first amount of assistance and the previous amount of assistance to assist a person in moving between the first position and the second position at a second time.

Abstract: A linkage assembly that connects a sling bar to a person lift apparatus includes a link body that connects to the person lift apparatus. The link body has a keyed slot extending therethrough. The keyed slot has a region of reduced dimension. An interlocking member connects to the sling bar. The interlocking member has an interlocking portion that is sized to be slidably received in the keyed slot. The interlocking portion has a region of reduced dimension such that, in an interlocked orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is offset from the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby inhibiting removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot and, in a release orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is aligned with the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby allowing removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot to disconnect the sling bar from the person lift apparatus.

Abstract: A method of rehabilitating a person using a person lift device, includes the steps of: calculating a first amount of assistance provided by the person lift device to assist a person in moving between a first position and a second position at a first time; comparing the first amount of assistance to a previously determined amount of assistance; and providing a second amount of assistance as a function of the difference between the first amount of assistance and the previous amount of assistance to assist a person in moving between the first position and the second position at a second time.

Abstract: A lift system comprises a lift assembly and a control system. The lift assembly is configured to assist a person in moving between a first position and a second position. The control system is configured to change the amount of assistance provided by the lift assembly as a function of a change in a characteristic of the person.

Abstract: A sling support assembly is configured to be moved by a lift assembly. The sling support assembly includes a frame and a plurality of sling coupling mechanisms configured to removably couple a sling to the sling support. At least a portion of the frame is movable to selectively change the spatial relationship of the plurality of sling coupling mechanisms.

Abstract: A person lift system comprises a lift assembly, and a sling support assembly configured to be moved by the lift assembly. The sling support assembly includes a frame and a plurality of sling coupling mechanisms configured to removably couple a sling to the sling support. At least a portion of the frame is movable to selectively change the spatial relationship of the plurality of sling coupling mechanisms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new sling bar for use with an overhead lift system to lift a load suspended in a lift sling there below. The sling bar comprises a cross bar having first and second ends, a pair of lift loop retention ears extending from each of the first and second ends of the cross bar. Each pair of ears includes a first ear in the pair being disposed adjacent a first face of the cross bar and a second ear in the pair disposed adjacent a second opposite face of said cross bar, the pair of retention ears defining a space there between. A lift hook is disposed at each of the first and second ends of the cross bar in the space defined between the pair of retention ears, the pair of ears extending at least up to an inner surface of a bend portion of the lift hook.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new sling bar for use with an overhead lift system to lift a load suspended in a lift sling there below. The sling bar comprises a cross bar having first and second ends, a pair of lift loop retention ears extending from each of the first and second ends of the cross bar. Each pair of ears includes a first ear in the pair being disposed adjacent a first face of the cross bar and a second ear in the pair disposed adjacent a second opposite face of said cross bar, the pair of retention ears defining a space there between. A lift hook is disposed at each of the first and second ends of the cross bar in the space defined between the pair of retention ears, the pair of ears extending at least up to an inner surface of a bend portion of the lift hook.

Abstract: A person lift system comprises a lift assembly, and a sling support assembly configured to be moved by the lift assembly. The sling support assembly includes a frame and a plurality of sling coupling mechanisms configured to removably couple a sling to the sling support. At least a portion of the frame is movable to selectively change the spatial relationship of the plurality of sling coupling mechanisms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new sling bar for use with an overhead lift system to lift a load suspended in a lift sling there below. The sling bar comprises a cross bar having first and second ends, a pair of lift loop retention ears extending from each of the first and second ends of the cross bar. Each pair of ears includes a first ear in the pair being disposed adjacent a first face of the cross bar and a second ear in the pair disposed adjacent a second opposite face of said cross bar, the pair of retention ears defining a space there between. A lift hook is disposed at each of the first and second ends of the cross bar in the space defined between the pair of retention ears, the pair of ears extending at least up to an inner surface of a bend portion of the lift hook.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new sling bar for use with an overhead lift system to lift a load suspended in a lift sling there below. The sling bar comprises a cross bar having first and second ends, a pair of lift loop retention ears extending from each of the first and second ends of the cross bar. Each pair of ears includes a first ear in the pair being disposed adjacent a first face of the cross bar and a second ear in the pair disposed adjacent a second opposite face of said cross bar, the pair of retention ears defining a space there between. A lift hook is disposed at each of the first and second ends of the cross bar in the space defined between the pair of retention ears, the pair of ears extending at least up to an inner surface of a bend portion of the lift hook.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprises a lift assembly configured to lift a patient; a control system configured to control operation of the lift system; and a reporting system in communication with the control system and configured to receive operational information for the lift assembly. The reporting system compares the operational information to a predetermined set of values to determine if the operation of the lift is in compliance with the protocols.

Abstract: A lift system comprises a lift assembly and a control system. The lift assembly is configured to assist a person in moving between a first position and a second position. The control system is configured to change the amount of assistance provided by the lift assembly as a function of a change in a characteristic of the person.