Method and apparatus for transporting a disabled person
First Claim
1. Apparatus for transporting a disabled person in a carrying means, comprising:
- a pair of vertically adjustable end support members having upper and lower ends wherein the upper ends of said vertical end support members are adapted to provide friction engagement with a ceiling;
a pair of transverse support members extending between said end support members;
hoist means to raise or lower the carrying means;
trolley means to move said hoist means back and forth along said transverse support members;
first motor means to power said hoist means;
second motor means to power said trolley means; and
control means to control said first and second motor means.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for transporting a disabled person in a carrying means. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a dual-track structure for supporting a hoist and trolley which are controlled by the disabled person. In a further embodiment, the structure is designed to be supported by a floor and ceiling together, or by a floor alone, and is adjustable to accommodate rooms of different dimensions. A still further embodiment of the invention includes mechanical and electronic safety means for the hoist which senses a malfunction and provides an appropriate response thereto, such as sounding an alarm and/or lowering the hoist at a specific pre-programmed location and at a controlled descent rate. The embodiments may be used independently or in concert in accordance with the invention. One method of the invention comprises transporting the disabled person utilizing the dual-track structure controlled by the disabled person. Another method comprises utilizing the structure supported by a floor and ceiling togther, and still another method comprises providing safety for the disabled person being transported by sensing a malfunction and providing an appropriate response to the malfunction. The methods may be used independently or together.
126 Citations
23 Claims
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1. Apparatus for transporting a disabled person in a carrying means, comprising:
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a pair of vertically adjustable end support members having upper and lower ends wherein the upper ends of said vertical end support members are adapted to provide friction engagement with a ceiling; a pair of transverse support members extending between said end support members; hoist means to raise or lower the carrying means; trolley means to move said hoist means back and forth along said transverse support members; first motor means to power said hoist means; second motor means to power said trolley means; and control means to control said first and second motor means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for transporting a disabled person in a carrying means, comprising:
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support means adapted to engage both a ceiling and a floor; hoist means secured to said support means for raising and lowering the carrying means; and safety means to sense a malfunction in said hoist means, and to provide a controlled rate of descent of said hoist in response to said malfunction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for supporting a hoist for disabled persons, comprising:
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a pair of vertically adjustable end support members wherein the upper ends of said vertical end support members are adapted to provide friction engagement with a ceiling; and a pair of transverse support members extending between and fixedly secured proximate the upper ends of said vertical end support members; wherein said transverse support members are arranged to support a heist for disabled persons.
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13. A safety device for an electric hoist for disabled persons, comprising:
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means for sensing a malfunction in said hoist; and
,means for providing a controlled rate of descent of said hoist in response to said sensed malfunction. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for providing safety for a disabled person being carried by a hoist, comprising:
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sensing a malfunction in said hoist; and providing a controlled rate of descent of said hoist in response to said malfunction.
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17. A method for supporting a hoist and trolley for a disabled person, comprising supporting said hoist and trolley by means of a support structure in contact with a floor and a ceiling, said support structure having a dual track in contact with a ceiling wherein each track has a web which supports one or more trolley wheels and wherein the distance from the ceiling to the bottom of the body of said supported hoist and trolley is independent of the thickness of said web.
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18. Apparatus for transporting a disabled person in a carrying means, comprising:
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support means adapted to engage both a ceiling and a floor; hoist means secured to said support means for raising and lowering the carrying means; and safety means to sense when said disabled person fails to issue an expected command to said hoist means within a predetermined period and to provide a controlled rate of descent of said disabled person in response to said failure. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A safety device for an electric hoist for a disabled person, comprising:
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means for sensing when said disabled person fails to issue an expected command to said hoist within a predetermined period; and
,means for providing a controlled rate of descent of said hoist in response to said failure. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method for providing safety for a disabled person being carried by a hoist, comprising:
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sensing when said disabled person fails to issue an expected command to said hoist within a predetermined period; and providing a controlled rate of descent of said hoist in response to said failure.
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Specification