Patient lifting and support system

• US 6,035,465 A
• Filed: 10/15/1997
• Issued: 03/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elliot Kelman
• Original Assignee: Elliot Kelman
• Inventors: Rogozinski, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): TRETTEL, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/849,161
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 5/81.1 R, 5/83.1, 5/84.1, 5/85.1, 5/87.1, 5/89.1, 5/86.1
• US Class Current: 5/83.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/32 lying
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/34 sitting
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/36 standing
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/02 propelled by the patient or disabled person
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/043 Mid wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1015 Cables, chains or cords
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1019 Vertical extending columns or mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1021 Inflatable cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1042 Rail systems walking aids with suspension devices A61H3/008
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1046 Mobile bases, e.g. having wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1051 Flexible harnesses or slings
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1055 Suspended platforms, frames or sheets for patient in lying position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1076 Means for rotating around a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1078 Clamps for flexible harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/108 Weighing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1084 Head or neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1096 Knee, upper or lower leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0103 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0134 Cushion or similar support
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0165 Damping, vibration related features
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0192 : Specific means for adjusting dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1604 : Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1616 : Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1621 : Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1623 : Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1628 : Pelvis
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/163 : holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1635 : Hand or arm, e.g. handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 : Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1652 : Harness
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 : computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5061 : Force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/008 : using suspension devices for supporting the body in an upright walking or standing position, e.g. harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 : Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons

Abstract

Patient support apparatus comprising a patient support assembly, a winch for vertically displacing the patient support assembly, yieldable force application apparatus operative to apply a restraining force to the patient support assembly, and a displacement limiter operative to limit the vertical displacement of the patient support assembly in at least one direction.

Claims

1. Patient support apparatus comprising:

a movable base which translates along a support surface in response to motion of a patient;

a patient support assembly mounted on the movable base; and

a displacement limiter operative to limit a vertical displacement of the patient support assembly in at least one direction,

and wherein said movable base includes an air cushion generator for generating an air cushion for low friction engagement with a support surface.

2. Patient support apparatus comprising:

a patient support assembly;

a winch assembly for vertically displacing the patient support assembly, said winch assembly comprising;

a cable which extends over a pulley mounted on a portion of said patient support assembly;

a secondary cable which extends over another pulley mounted on another portion of said patient support assembly;

first and second winding drums; and

a pair of cable winding assemblies which are operative to wind said cable and said secondary cable onto said first and second winding drums, respectively;

and yieldable force application apparatus operatively connected to said cable winding assemblies for winding said cable and said secondary cable onto said first and second winding drums, respectively, so as to apply a restraining force to the patient support assembly.

3. Patient support apparatus according to claim 2 and wherein said yieldable force application apparatus is operative to cause said cable winding assemblies to maintain a desired vertical position of the patient support assembly, notwithstanding variations in the vertical tension applied said patient support assembly.

4. Patient support apparatus according to claim 2 and wherein said yieldable force application apparatus is operative to cause said cable winding assemblies to apply a desired vertical tension to the patient support assembly, notwithstanding variations in the vertical displacement applied said patient support assembly.

5. Patient support apparatus according to claim 2 and wherein said yieldable force application apparatus is operative to cause said cable winding assemblies to apply a variable vertical tension said patient support assembly as a function of the vertical position thereof within selectable limits.

6. Patient support apparatus according to claim 2 and wherein said yieldable force application apparatus is operative to cause said cable winding assemblies to periodically raise and lower the patient support assembly in a selectably preprogrammed manner, as for providing exercise to particular parts of a patient'"'"'s body.

7. Patient support apparatus according to claim 2 and wherein said yieldable force application apparatus is operative to cause said cable winding assemblies to periodically apply a vertical force to the patient support assembly in a selectably preprogrammed manner, as for providing exercise to particular parts of a patient'"'"'s body.