Abstract: A stretcher includes an elongated base having a head end and a foot end, a plurality of floor-engaging casters rotatably mounted to the base, a radiolucent upper deck, head and foot end hydraulic cylinders coupled to the base adjacent to the head and foot ends thereof, and head and foot end connectors for coupling the head and foot end hydraulic cylinders to the head and foot ends of the upper deck. The head and foot end connectors secure the upper deck to the base while allowing (a) movement of the upper deck between a low position and a high position, (aa) translation of the upper deck toward the foot end of the base, and (aaa) rotation of the upper deck to a Trendelenberg position or to a reverse Trendelenberg position. The head end and foot end hydraulic cylinders are spaced apart to define a central imaging region above the base between the hydraulic cylinders which is free of structure that would interfere with imaging.

Abstract: A height and angle adjustable bed having a rolling base which utilizes a unique pivoting base having castors and a unique support arm assist spring mechanism. The pivoting castor base allows movement of the bed in any direction on the plane of the floor when also positioned at any user desired height while also providing a stable and lockable support for the bed. The support arm spring mechanism provides an initial assist force when the bed is in a nearly or fully lowered position and thereby minimizes the force required by the linear actuators used to raise the bed.

Abstract: A portable support apparatus designed to support and transfer people with disabilities in a variety of environments. In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus in accordance with the present invention is realized as having two legs on a horizontal plane, containing four pivoting casters, pivoting along a vertical axis from a main cross member on a horizontal plane, a vertical support and handle pivoting about a horizontal axis, a locking pin to secure the vertical support when in the vertical position, attachment pins for supporting a portable patient lift or other device, and a motion-limiting device and interlock to constrain the movement of the lifting and transferring apparatus.

Abstract: An accident and emergency trolley supports and transports a patient, and includes a surface overlying an upper frame which is supported on a base frame in order to be raised and lowered relative to the base frame. The upper frame is mounted at its periphery on opposed radius arms connected to respective first and second actuators, which are operated by foot-operated pedals. The pedals are disposed on one or either side of the trolley such that operation of any single pedal enables the trolley to be raised at either end or both ends simultaneously. The opposed radius arms provide an uninterrupted window under the trolley allowing for X-ray/imaging.

Abstract: An invalid lifting device includes a mobile chassis, a lifting mechanism and a sling connectible to the arm supports to assist in raising a seated person to a standing or substantially standing position. The lifting mechanism includes a lifting arm and an actuator device operative to raise and lower the lifting arm. The lifting arm is pivotable about first and second horizontal axes, the first horizontal axis being fixed and being further from the arm supports than the second horizontal axis. The lifting mechanism also includes guiding elements defining a guide path along which the second horizontal axis is caused to move as the actuating device raises and lowers the lifting arm.

Abstract: A stretcher comprised of a roller base, a scissor-type lift frame having a lower end rotatably connected to the base, a tubular undercarriage rotatably and slidably connected to an upper end of the frame, a foldable rigid support positionable over the undercarriage, a soft, foldable cushion positionable over the support and connected thereto to prevent disassociation therefrom, and first and second side-arm supports rotatably connected to the undercarriage. The lift frame includes left and right side assemblies, each side assembly having a fixed-length leg member and a telescoping variable-length leg member, both of which are rotatably connected to the base, and rotatably and/or slidably connected to the undercarriage. The leg members of each side assembly are connected to one another at their respective mid-sections by a joint, and are rotatable with respect to one another along an axis of the joint, which is offset from the member's central axes.

Abstract: A maneuverable self-propelled cart having a drive assembly including independently suspended drive wheels for propelling the cart over rough or uneven surfaces. The drive assembly is comprised of a drive wheel carriage having at least two drive wheels. The drive wheel carriage may include a turntable or the like adapted to rotate the carriage about a substantially vertical axis relative to the frame of the cart. Each drive wheel may be independently suspended beneath the cart frame by a suspension apparatus so as to allow each drive wheel to individually engage a ground or floor surface.

Abstract: A hospital bed is provided for support of a patient. The hospital bed includes a base, a patient support coupled to the base, and a walker dockable to the patient support.

Abstract: An invalid hoist comprises a lifting arm, a sling hanger support angularly displaceable relative to the lifting arm about a vertical or substantially vertical axis and a sling hanger which is of unitary construction pivotable about a horizontal axis relative to the sling hanger support and which presents two spaced sling attachment points on one side of the horizontal axis and at least one sling attachment point on the other side of the horizontal axis. A rotary drive mechanism is provided for pivoting the sling hanger about said horizontal axis relative to the sling hanger support and switch means are provided for selectively rotating the rotary drive means in one or other of two opposite directions. The sling hanger support is of generally inverted U-shape configuration having a cross member and two parallel or substantially parallel limbs depending from the cross member.

Abstract: A portable lifting apparatus for lifting and transferring of heavy objects. The lifting apparatus having a load-supporting platform which can be moved both vertically and rotated about the vertical axis of an upwardly extending lifting column. The lifting apparatus further includes an outrigger linkage coupled to the lifting column and is provided with a load support coupled to a retractable pulley. The lifting column is attached to a base and is normally prevented from rotating relative thereto.

Abstract: A device for assisting a disabled person to rise from a bed to a standing position is provided by the invention. The device includes a planar base with a plurality of casters attached to its bottom surface to enable rolling movement of the device across a floor. A support structure which extends vertically from the upper surface of the base is defined by a vertical members and at least one horizontal member connecting the vertical members, the support structure being closed on three sides and open on a fourth side. A pair of mating hinge components are provided for releasably connecting the device to a bed frame thus forming a pivot point. The device is thus pivotable from a position facing the bed for access of a disabled person thereto and is pivotable ninety degrees to enable egress therefrom. A first hinge component is affixed to a vertical member of the support structure adjacent to its open side.

Abstract: An invalid positioning device comprising a support structure, a lifting element which is angularly displaceable about a main horizontal axis relative to the support structure, and a power operated mechanism for pivoting the lifting element about the said main horizontal axis. The power operated mechanism is arranged such that the torque applied by the power operated mechanism decreases as the lifting element moves away from one extreme position and increases again as the lifting element approaches its other extreme position and such that the angular speed of the lifting element increases as it moves away from one extreme position and decreases as it approaches its other extreme position.

Abstract: An invalid hoist comprises a mast, a lifting arm which can be raised and lowered by telescopically extending and retracting the mast and/or by raising and lowering a carriage, which may support the lifting arm, relative to the mast, and a load cell on the lifting arm for providing a signal representative of the weight of a person being lifted. The lifting arm is connected to the mast or the carriage by an arrangement which allows the lifting arm to be displaced angularly in a vertical plane against a spring force in order to maintain the load cell in a constant orientation as a vertical load is applied to the lifting arm.

Abstract: A lift wheelchair having a slide assembly seat support mechanism is disclosed. An extension element or cylinder is used to force a seat-supporting slide assembly upwardly and outward from the wheelchair frame. Stabilizing means are employed to accommodate the shifting center of gravity of the wheelchair-occupant system, and arms on the seat may be pivoted to create a transfer-assisting bed-board or slide. One or more lift arms may be used to transfer the force from the extension element to the slide assembly and to provide load bearing support and seat stabilization for the wheelchair assembly.

Abstract: A stretcher for transporting a patient along a floor includes an elongated frame, a patient-support deck carried by the frame, and an elongated shaft having a longitudinally-extending axis of rotation. The shaft is coupled to the frame for rotation about the axis of rotation between a first orientation and a second orientation. The stretcher also includes a wheel supported relative to the frame and movable relative to the frame in response to rotation of the shaft. The wheel is in a first position engaging the floor when the shaft is in the first orientation and the wheel is in a second position spaced apart from the floor when the shaft is in the second orientation.

Abstract: A chair for transporting a patient includes a base frame, a plurality of casters mounted to the base frame, a seat, and a push bar mounted to a back section of the seat for use when transporting the patient. A wheel is coupled to the base frame for movement between a downward brake-steer position, facilitating steering the chair during transport of the patient, and an upward neutral position. A brake mechanism brakes the casters when the brake mechanism is in a braking position and permits rotation of the casters when the brake mechanismn is in a releasing position. A brake-steer shaft is coupled to the brake mechanism. Movement of the shaft moves the brake mechanism between the braking position and the releasing position. The brake-steer shaft is pivotably coupled to the base frame. The brake-steer shaft is coupled to the wheel so that rotation of the brake-steer shaft moves the wheel between the brake-steer position and the neutral position.

Abstract: A pedal assembly for rotating a brake-steer shaft of a stretcher. The pedal assembly includes a yoke coupled to the brake-steer shaft to rotate therewith and a flip-over pedal having a proximal end coupled to the yoke and a distal end spaced therefrom. The flip-over pedal is pivotable about a flip-over axis relative to the yoke. The flip-over pedal has a first orientation in which the flip-over pedal extends away from the yoke in a first direction so that the distal end of the flip-over pedal can be engaged to rotate the brake-steer shaft in a first direction. The flip-over pedal has a second orientation in which the flip-over pedal extends away from the yoke in a second direction so that the distal end of the flip-over pedal can be engaged to rotate the brake-steer shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: An invalid dolly for transporting an individual such as a patient or invalid between various sitting locations, for example, on a bed, on a toilet, or in a wheelchair, has a pair of front wheels with a pair of fixed crutch tips in front of and slightly above the front wheels, a pair or rear caster wheels, a diagonally upwardly extending handle, a padded cushion and hand and foot crossbars. The dolly is tipped toward the individual to a position where the handle is nearly vertical and the dolly is resting on the pair of fixed crutch tips. The patient grips a crossbar handle with his chest or stomach against the cushion and with his feet resting on a footbar. The helper or orderly then draws the handle toward him pivoting the dolly onto a pair of front wheels and eventually also onto a pair of rear casters 21. The patient is then resting on the cushion and is wheeled to a new location and the process reversed to deposit him again in a sitting position.

Abstract: A carriage, such as an invalid hoist or shopping trolley, is mounted on castors. Each castor is swivellable about a first axis. At least one of the castors is supported by a support element which is angularly displaceable about a second axis parallel to the intended direction of fore and aft movement of the carriage. The first axis is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the second axis. Means are provided for angularly displacing the support element about the second axis to encourage the castor supported thereby to swivel one way or the other according to the direction in which the support element is angularly displaced and to steer the carriage when the latter is propelled along the ground.

Abstract: Method and device for raising or moving a person from a seated position to a standing position, or vice versa. With this arrangement use is made of a movable frame to which an articulated construction is fixed, which construction consists of a lifting arm which is hingeably connected to the frame via an auxiliary arm. By independently controlling the movement of the lifting arm and the auxiliary arm, it is possible to execute a movement which is adapted to the circumstances of the person who has to be moved, which raising movement can differ from that required when lowering again.

Abstract: A moveable support platform incorporates a base plate 1 mounted on front castor wheels 2 and rear castor wheels 3. Side struts 7 extend up from the base plate 1 and between these is mounted a gripping and pushing bar 8. At a central location of the base plate 1 a guide cover 11 supports the spindle of a larger wheel 12. A patient standing on the base plate 1 can support himself by gripping the bar 10 and can be moved around on the base plate 1 by a helper. When it is necessary to move the construction around a corner or to rotate into the reverse direction, pushing or pulling on the bar 8 will tend to rotate the whole support platform construction generally about the central wheel 12, with the various pulley wheels rotating around the axis of the wheel 12.

Abstract: An assembly for lifting, supporting and transporting a person which includes a base, a frame extending upwardly from the base, a lifting arm pivotally coupled to an upper end of the frame, an actuator coupled to the lifting arm for moving the lifting arm between the lowered position and a raised position, and an attachment bar coupled to the lifting arm. A person to be lifted is secured in a sling assembly which includes attachment loops that can be coupled to the attachment bar. The apparatus can also include a scale that can be used to weigh a person being lifted.

Abstract: A stretcher for transporting a patient along a floor includes an elongated frame, a patient-support deck carried by the frame, and an elongated shaft having a longitudinally-extending axis of rotation. The shaft is coupled to the frame for rotation about the axis of rotation between a first orientation and a second orientation. The stretcher also includes a wheel supported relative to the frame and movable relative to the frame in response to rotation of the shaft. The wheel is in a first position engaging the floor when the shaft is in the first orientation and the wheel is in a second position spaced apart from the floor when the shaft is in the second orientation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunction bed that has a simple structure to allow its size to be reduced and that can be automatically changed between a bed form and a wheelchair form using very simple operations. This multifunction bed comprises a fixed U-shaped bed 1 having a U-shaped cut-out section 6 and a movable auxiliary bed 2 that is detachably fitted in the U-shaped cut-out section of the fixed U-shaped bed. The movable auxiliary bed can travel on underlying wheels 14 and 16 and can be changed between a bed form for a horizontal position and a wheelchair form having a backrest section 19, a seat section 20, and a leg-rest section 21.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage for supporting a patient in a substantially horizontal position, which wheeled carriage has thereon a patient support having head and foot regions and a pair of lateral side regions and a wheeled base supported at least by three floor surface engaging and castered wheels spaced from one another at locations defining corners of a theoretical polygon. An auxiliary wheel and a support structure therefor are suspendedly mounting the auxiliary wheel to the wheeled base. The auxiliary wheel is oriented inside a boundary of the theoretical polygon and includes an axle about which the wheel rotates. A control structure includes a first manually manipulatable member at at least one of the pair of lateral side regions and a second manually manipulatable member at at least one of the head end and the foot end so that an attendant can operate a selected one of the manually manipulatable members to effect a movement of the auxiliary wheel and the support structure therefor.

Abstract: A traveling lift comprises a substantially T-shaped leg unit 4 provided with freely rollable casters 11, 21, 31, a tubular support post 5 set up on the leg unit 4, and an inner post 6 inserted in the support post 5 and provided with a suspension arm 7 at a front portion thereof. The suspension arm 7 is positioned above the front leg 3 so as to extend substantially in parallel therewith. The inner post 6 is formed movably in the vertical direction in the support post 5 by a driving means. This enables a physically handicapped person to be lifted and lowered easily even by a small force, the lift as a whole to be folded to small dimensions lightly and simply, and the folded lift to be transported by car with ease.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage for supporting a patient in a substantially horizontal position, the wheeled carriage has thereon a patient support having head and foot ends and a wheeled base supported by castered wheels. An auxiliary wheel and a wheel support structure therefor suspendedly mount the auxiliary wheel at its axis to the wheeled base at a distance L in a horizontal direction from the center of gravity of the wheeled carriage along the length of the wheeled base when the auxiliary wheel is engaged with the floor surface. A moment Mmass is defined by the distance L multiplied by a force Fmass, the force Fmass being defined by the mass of the carriage or carriage and patient at the center of gravity. The moment Mmass is greater at all times than a moment Mforce to prevent teetering of the wheeled carriage, where moment Mforce is defined by multiplying the height H by a force Fmax. The force Fmax is the force required to move the wheeled carriage.

Abstract: A wheelchair including a chassis (2) and an articulated height adjustment structure (12) with a seat, foot rest and back is disclosed. The articulated structure is made up of two symmetrical and lateral articulated systems, each having a first folding quadrilateral (17) with upper and lower bars (18, 19), pivoted at the front to the chassis and at the back by a spacer (20), and a second folding quadrilateral which helps to support the foot rest and connects the chassis at the front to the first quadrilateral. Each spacer is in the form of a triangular plate connected to the upper and lower bars (18, 19) by fixing nuts which can be set in adjustable positions on the bars. The spacers on opposite sides of the wheelchair are connected by a crosspiece.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage for supporting a patient in a substantially horizontal position, which wheeled carriage has thereon a patient support having head and foot regions and a pair of lateral side regions and a wheeled base supported at least by three floor surface engaging and castered wheels spaced from one another at locations defining corners of a theoretical polygon. An auxiliary wheel and a support structure therefor are suspendedly mounting the auxiliary wheel to the wheeled base. The auxiliary wheel is oriented inside a boundary of the theoretical polygon and includes an axle about which the wheel rotates. A control structure includes a first manually manipulatable member at at least one of the pair of lateral side regions and a second manually manipulatable member at at least one of the head end and the foot end so that an attendant can operate a selected one of the manually manipulatable members to effect a movement of the auxiliary wheel and the support structure therefor.

Abstract: A patient's transportation device has a support provided with handles and wheels on which the support is supported, the wheels being vertically adjustable.

Abstract: The present invention is a connector assembly for use in coupling a wheelchair to a wheelchair lift. The assembly includes a lift connector which has a lower arm and an upper arm, with each arm having first and second ends. An end link joins the first ends of the lower and upper arms, and the second end of each arm is free. A chair mount is removably connectable to the second free end of the lower arm of the lift connector, and is secured to a wheelchair. A lift mount is selectively positionable along the upper arm of the lift connector and is adapted to be coupled to a wheelchair lift.

Abstract: A chair for the handicapped or invalids. In the chair the second assembly is disposed at least in part behind the front plane and is linked to the first assembly by at least one reversible actuation and coupling rod, itself set back from the front plane and beneath the plane defined by the seat in its low position. The invention is particularly applicable to verticalizing chairs.

Abstract: A stretch mounting unit includes a unit body detachably mounted on a stretcher, a drive device attached to the unit body for providing an output, a center shaft for receiving the output of the drive device, a coupling that couples the drive device and the center shaft for transmitting the output of the drive device to the center shaft, a roller pressed on the center shaft to produce torque, a carrier swingably disposed on the center shaft, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on the carrier and rotated by the torque of the roller, and a friction clutch provided rotatably on the center shaft and associated with the carrier for swinging the carrier until one of the pair of wheels touches the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a person in achieving a standing position. The apparatus include a base, a frame extending upward from the base, a lifting arm pivotally coupled to the frame, a platform upon which a person can stand, and an actuator which is controlled to raise and lower the lifting arm. The apparatus also includes a sling assembly which is removably attachable to the lifting arm. The sling assembly includes matched sets of attachment loops for attaching the sling assembly to the lifting arm. The sling assembly also includes at least one caregiver handle on an outer back portion thereof.