Invalid lift apparatus

Abstract

An invalid lift apparatus for raising an invalid or hospital patient includes a frame having vertically extending head and foot support assemblies and a horizontal connecting beam extending between the head and foot assemblies. A generally rectangular generally horizontally extending lifting frame or sheet frame is supported adjacent each end of the connecting beam by telescoping support tubes mounted on the connecting beam. The telescoping support tubes are driven by power means on the frame for selectively extending or retracting each support tube for raising or lowering one or both ends of the lifting frame. A sheet for supporting the patient is removably secured to the sides of the sheet frame by downwardly extending knobs on the frame which are inserted through slits along the sides of the sheet. The sheet may be provided with a longitudinally extending central opening to permit the sheet to be passed around the patient, the opening ordinarily being closed by a zipper. Hoist means are mounted on the central portion of the connecting beam, and a lift bar is connected to the hoist means by a cable or strap. A pair of straps are attached to each end of the lift bar, and the sheet can be attached to the straps by disconnecting the sheet from the lifting frame and attaching a pair of rods to each side of the sheet. The straps on each end of the lift bar can be attached to the rods on each side of the sheet, and, since one strap of each pair is shorter than the other, raising the lift bar by the hoist means will raise the sheet into a chair-like configuration. The patient can thereby be raised from a supine position to a sitting position for transfer to a chair or the like and vice versa.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of the co-pending application entitled "Invalid Lift Apparatus," Ser. No. 163,165, filed July 16, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,199.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a lift apparatus, and, more particularly, to a lift apparatus particularly suitable for use with invalids or patients confined to bed.

There is often a need to move or lift an invalid or patient to or from bed. For example, it may be desirable to elevate the head or foot of the patient, or both, for examination or other purposes, to raise the patient into a sitting position, to lift the patient so that the beddings can be changed, to rotate the patient from back to stomach or vice versa, to lift the patient completely out of bed to a wheelchair or the like, or to lift a fallen or injured patient from the floor to bed. All of the foregoing operations and others should be performed gradually and smoothly so that the patient is not discomforted in any way, and the apparatus should perform the operation automatically so that a nurse, the patient's wife, or any other non-technical person can safely lift the patient without physical effort or danger to the patient.

SUMMARY

The invention permits a single person to move an immobilized patient into a variety of positions without exertion or strain and without danger to the patient. The lift apparatus moves the patient safely and smoothly so that the patient is hardly aware of movement. The head and foot ends of the rectangular sheet frame can be raised or lowered individually or simultaneously to move the patient into almost any desired position, and this supporting sheet may be provided with an elongated central opening which is releasably closed by a zipper or the like to permit the patient to be transferred to a bed through the opening. If the patient is to be raised to a sitting position, the sheet is disconnected from the rectangular sheet frame, and a pair of rods are attached to each side of the sheet. The straps at each end of the lift bar are attached to the rods, and raising the lift bar will gradually and smoothly raise the patient into a sitting position. As the lift bar is continued to be raised, the patient will be lifted from the bed and supported by the sheet, which assumes a hammock-like configuration from which the patient cannot fall. The patient can then be lowered into a chair, tub, or the like. The lifting bar can also be used to raise a fallen patient from the floor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be explained in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing, in which

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an invalid lift apparatus formed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective view of the apparatus taken generally along the lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus and a hospital bed showing one end of the sheet frame raised;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 3 showing the other end of the sheet frame raised and the sheet positioned to permit the use of a bed pan;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of one of the end support assemblies;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken along the lines 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view, partially broken away, of the end support assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view, partially broken away, of the top connecting beam;

FIG. 9 is an exploded side elevational view of the top connecting beam and the three linear actuator assemblies;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view taken along the line 10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 11--11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12--12 of FIG. 9 showing one of the linear actuator assemblies connected to the top connecting beams;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the end support assemblies and the top connecting beam showing the telescoping relationship therebetween;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the sheet frame;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 2 taken through the sheet frame and showing one end of the sheet frame and its connection to the telescoping support tube;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the sheet frame and one of the sheet attaching knobs;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 15 showing the manner of attaching the sheet;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 18--18 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is an elevational view of the lift bar and the connecting straps;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of one of the bars that is attached to the straps of the lift bar for raising a patient to a sitting position;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 21--21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the other lift bar which is connected to the straps of the lift bar;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing the lift bar raising a patient from a fallen position;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a patient lifted to a sitting position by the lift bar;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing one side of the sheet frame pivoted to permit opening of the central opening in the sheet; and

FIG. 26 is a view of the opposite side of the sheet of FIG. 25 showing the zipper being opened to permit the patient to pass through the central opening of the sheet onto the bed.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIGS. 1--3, the numeral 30 designates generally a lift apparatus for invalids, immobilized or unconscious patients, accident victims, etc. For convenience the lift apparatus will be designated herein as an invalid lift apparatus, but it will be understood that the lift apparatus has many uses for people other than invalids. Accordingly, the word "invalid" or "patient" is meant to include any person whom it is desired to lift with a minimum amount of movement and discomfort to the patient.

The lift apparatus includes a frame having head and foot end support assemblies 31 and 32 and a top connecting beam 33 which extends between the head end and foot end supports, and a lifting frame or sheet frame 34 which is suspended from the connecting beam. The sheet frame is generally rectangular, and a support sheet 35 is detachably secured to the sides of the sheet frame for supporting the patient. The sheet frame is supported by head end and foot end telescoping support assemblies 36 and 37 which include electric motors within the connecting beam for extending or retracting telescoping support tubes. The motors are controlled by a switch 38 which is connected to the motors by an electric cord 39, and the switch can control each of the motors associated with the telescoping support tubes so that each support tube can be extended or retracted individually. FIG. 1 illustrates the sheet frame in a horizontal position in which both of the support tubes have been extended equally, and FIG. 3 illustrates the sheet frame in an inclined position in which the foot end support tube 37 has been retracted to provide a downward inclination of the patient from foot to head. If desired, the foot end support tube can remain extended while the head end tube is retracted as shown in FIG. 4 to place the patient in an upwardly inclined foot to head position, or both telescoping supports can be extended or retracted simultaneously.

Referring now to FIGS. 5.7, the foot end support assembly 32 includes a bottom tube 41 which is supported by a pair of casters 42, a vertically extending upright tube 43, and a pair of braces 44 which extend upwardly from the bottom tubular member 41 parallel with the upright tube 43 until just below the upper end of the upright member where they extend inwardly and are connected to the upright member. A plate 45 is attached to the upper end of the upright 43 and supports a pair of horizontally extending spaced-apart parallel bars 46 and 47. The ends of the bars are joined and reinforced by a cross bar 48. A pair of rollers 49 and 50 are rotatably attached to the bar 46, and a pair of rollers 51 and 52 are rotatably attached to the bar 47. The head end support assembly 31 is similarly formed.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, the connecting beam 33 is seen to be generally channel-shaped in cross section and includes a top wall 55, a pair of side walls 56 and 57, roller-supporting walls 58 and 59 which extend laterally inwardly from the side walls 56 and 57, and roller-retaining walls 60 and 61 which extend upwardly therefrom to provide roller-receiving troughs or guides.

The distance between the roller-supporting walls 58 and 59 and the top wall 55 is only slightly greater than the diameter of the rollers 49-52 which are carried by the end support assemblies 31 and 32, and the rollers 49 and 50 are spaced from the rollers 51 and 52 by the support bars 46 and 47 a distance corresponding to the distance between the roller-receiving troughs. The bars 46 and 47 can thereby be telescopingly received by the connecting beam 33 by inserting the rollers into the roller-receiving troughs and pushing the upright 43 toward the end of the connecting beam as shown in FIG. 13. The head end support assembly is similarly telescopingly connected to the other end of the connecting beam. The rollers facilitate extension and retraction of the roller support bars 46 and 47 with respect to the connecting beam, but the spaced-apart rollers on each support bar serve to securely support the connecting beam against vertical forces.

A bumper 62 (FIGS. 9 and 13) depends from the top wall 55 of the connecting beam outwardly of the cross bar 48 and is engageable with the cross bar to prevent excessive retraction of the roller support bars from the connecting beam. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the telescoping connections between the head and foot support assemblies and the connecting beam permit the lift apparatus to be used with beds of varying lengths. A similar bumper 63 is attached to the top wall 55 adjacent the other end of the connecting beam to prevent excessive withdrawal of the head support assembly.

The head and foot telescoping support assemblies 36 and 37 are illustrated in FIG. 9 disconnected from the connecting beam 33. The particular telescoping support assemblies in the embodiment illustrated are commercially available linear actuators available from the Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors Corporation, Saginaw, Michigan, and a detailed description thereof is believed unnecessary. Each of the telescoping assembles includes an outer tubular housing 66 and an inner rod 67 which is telescopingly mounted within the housing 66. The housing is attached to a base 68, and the housing encloses means for extending and retracting the rod 67. In the specific linear actuators illustrated, the rod is extended and retracted by means of ball bearing a screw actuator, rotation of the screw causing extension or retraction of the rod. An electric motor 69 is also mounted on the base 68 for rotating the screw actuator in either direction. Each of the motors 69 are connected to the switch 38 through the cable 39 (FIG. 3).

The telescoping support assembiles 36 and 37 are connected to the head and foot ends of the connecting beam by attaching brackets 71 and 72, respectively. Referring to FIG. 12, the attaching bracket 72 comprises a pair of bars 72a and 72b which extend downwardly from the top wall 55 of the connecting beam and which are provided with bolt openings 72c (FIG. 9) therethrough. A pair of rectangular plates 73 are welded to opposite sides of the housing 66, and each plate is provided with a pair of drilled and tapped holes 73a. The linear actuator 37 is pivotally connected to the brackets by a pair of bolts 74 (FIG. 12), each of which extends through one of the bracket bars into one of the plates 73.

The bracket 71 similarly includes a pair of spaced-apart bars, but the bars of bracket 71 extend downwardly beyond the bracket bars 72a and 72b and are each provided with a pair of volt openings 71a. A pair of plates 73 are secured to the housing 66 of the linear actuator 36, and the linear actuator 36 is rigidly secured to the bracket 71 by using a pair of bolts 74 on each side of the housing, one pair for each plate 73.

The sheet frame 34 may be seen best in FIGS. 14 and 15. The sheet frame includes a pair of elongated side tubes 75 and 76 which are spaced apart approximately the width of a standard hospital bed, and a pair of somewhat L-shaped end tubes 77 which extend laterally inwardly from the ends of the side tube 75, and a pair of somewhat L-shaped end tubes 78 which extend inwardly from the ends of side tube 76. The inward end of each of the end tubes 77 and 78 is connected to a pivot assembly 79, and the pivot assembly 79 is in turn pivotally connected to the rod 67 of the associated telescoping support assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 18, the pivot assembly 79 includes a generally C-shaped body 80 having a pair of laterally outwardly extending bifurcated end portions 81 and 82. A link 83 is welded to the end tube 77 and is pivotally secured between the spaced-apart portions of the bifurcated end portion 81 by a pin 84. Similarly, a link 85 is connected to the opposing end tube 78 and pivotally connected to the end portion 82 by pivot pin 86. The rod 67 of the linear actuator terminates in a lug 87 which is pivotally secured within a notch 88 by a pivot pin 89.

The end tubes 77 and 78 are prevented from pivoting downwardly beyond the horizontal positions shown in solid in FIG. 15 by engagement of the links 83 and 85 with the downwardly extending central portion of the T-shaped body 80. However, the end tubes can be individually pivoted upwardly to the upright or vertically extending positions illustrated in phantom in FIG. 15. A somewhat U-shaped spring bar 92 is secured to the bottom of the body 80 to maintain the end tubes in the raised position. The links 83 and 85 flex the upwardly extending ends of the spring bar outwardly somewhat as the end tubes approach their raised positions, and when each end tube reaches its vertical position, the associated end of the spring bar springs back to its original position below the link to retain the link and the end tube in the raised position. The end tubes can be pivoted downwardly merely by pulling down on the side tubes, which will cause the ends of the spring bar to flex outwardly.

Each of the side tubes 75 and 76 of the sheet frame is provided with a plurality of downwardly extending sheet-attaching lugs or hooks 95. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, each lug includes a generally spherical knob 96 and a stud 97 which is welded to the side tube. As can be seen in FIG. 14, the spacing between the sheet-attaching lugs in the central portion of the side tubes is about half the spacing between the lugs in the outer one third end portions for a purpose to be explained hereinafter.

The fabric sheet 35 is provided with a plurality of button holes or slits 99 (FIG. 17) along each longitudinal side thereof, and each opening may be reinforced by stitching 100. The spacing between the button holes corresponds to the spacing between the sheet-attaching lugs, and the sheet can be quickly and easily attached to the sheet frame simply by extending each longitudinal side edge of the sheet outwardly and downwardly around one of the side tubes 75 and 76 and pressing the sheet upwardly against the bottom of the side tubes so that the lugs are forced through the button holes. When a downward force is exerted on the center of the sheet, as when a patient is being supported by the sheet, the lugs firmly anchor each longitudinal edge of the sheet. Referring to FIG. 17, laterally inward tension on the sheet will cause the sheet to ride upwardly on the stud 97 and prevent the sheet from becoming detached from the lug. The enlarged knob 96 further insures against detachment of the sheet from the lugs, particularly when no tension is being exerted on the sheet, since the slits in the sheet will not pass downwardly over the enlarged knob without some manipulation. When removal of the sheet from the sheet frame is desired, however, the sheet can be detached from the lugs quickly and easily simply by pulling the longitudinal edges of the sheet downwardly over the knobs.

The sheet 35 is comprised of a pair of halves which are releasably joined by fastening means such as a zipper 101 which extends along the longitudinal center line of the sheet.

A third linear actuator assembly 105 (FIGS. 9 and 10) is secured to the midportion of the connecting beam 33 by a bracket 106. The linear actuator assembly 105 is similar to the linear actuator assemblies 36 and 37 and includes a base 107, an electric motor 108, and a tubular housing 109. However, rather than having a cylindrical rod, the linear actuators 105 includes a rack 110 which is telescopingly mounted within the housing 109 and which is extended or retracted by the screw actuator within the housing. The rack 110 meshes with a pinion 111, and the pinion 111 and a pulley or reel 112 are rotatably mounted within the connecting beam 33 by an axle 113. Although the pinion and pulley may rotate relative to the connecting beam, they are fixed relative to each other either by a direct connection or by being splined to the shaft 113. As the rack 110 is extended by the screw actuator, the pinion and the pulley rotate in one direction, and as the rack retracts, the pinion and pulley rotate in the opposite direction. The rack and pinion are enclosed within a housing 114 (FIG. 2) which encases the rack and pinion in oil and which is secured to the connecting beam 33.

The pulley raises and lowers a lift bar 115 illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 24. One end of a cable or strap 116 is attached to the central portion of the lift bar 115, and the other end of the strap is secured to the pulley 112. The end portions of the lift bar 115 extend downwardly slightly from the central portion of the bar, and a set 117 of attaching straps is secured to the lift bar adjacent each end. Each set of attaching straps includes a long strap 118 and a short strap 119, and a fastener or hook 120 is secured to the end of each strap.

As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the lift bar 115 is used in connection with a pair of rods 122 (FIG. 20) and a pair of rods 123 (FIG. 22) which are shorter than the rods 122. In the specific embodiment illustrated, each of the rods 122 is 32 inches long and includes four sheet-attaching lugs 95 identical to the sheet-attaching lugs 95 of the sheet frame. An eye hook 125 is secured to the center of the rod and extends perpendicularly to the sheet-attaching lugs. In the embodiment illustrated, the rods 123 are 18 inches long and include two sheet-attaching lugs 95 and a central eye hook 125 which extends perpendicularly to the attaching lugs.

When the lift bar is not being used, the motor of the center linear actuator 105 is operated by the switch 38 to wind the strap 116 about the pulley 112, and the lift bar can be stored on a storage rack 126 (FIGS. 3 and 4) which extends downwardly from the connecting beam 33. Although in the specific embodiment illustrated, a linear actuator was used to rotate the pulley, other power means for rotating the pulley can be used. We have found, however, that the linear actuator provides safe, smooth raising and lowering of the lift bar.

Housings 127 and 128, are attached to the connecting beam 33 for enclosing the linear actuator assemblies 36 and 37, respectively, and the housing 128 may be somewhat larger than the housing 127 to provide a storage space for an extra sheet 35' (FIG. 2). Cover plates 130 (FIG. 2) are secured to the bottom of the connecting beam between the housings 127 and 128 to enclose the bottom of the beam.

OPERATION

When it is desired to lift a patient lying on a bed B (FIG. 3) the apparatus is rolled on its casters with both halves of the sheet frame in the raised position illustrated in phantom in FIG. 15 so that the head support assembly 31 and the foot support assembly 32 straddle the head and foot of the bed. The length of the lifting apparatus can be adjusted to accommodate the length of the bed by extending or retracting the roller-supporting bars 46 and 47 of either or both of the head and foot support assemblies. A handle-equipped bolt 131 extends downwardly through the housing 128 and is engageable with the roller support bar 46 to releasably lock the roller-supporting bars in the desired position relative to the connecting beam 33. If the patient is lying on a sheet 35 equipped with botton holes along the sides, the sheet frame can be secured to the sheet by moving each of the pivotable halves of the sheet frame into its horizontal position and operating the head and foot linear actuators if necessary to position the sheet-attaching lugs of the sheet frame adjacent the sides of the sheet. The sheet can then be attached to the sheet frame by means of the button holes and the lugs.

Thereafter, the head end linear actuator 36 can be powered to raise the head end of the sheet frame and the head of the patient P, the foot end actuator assembly 37 can be operated to raise the foot end of the sheet frame and the foot of the patient, or both linear actuators can be operated simultaneously to raise the patient in a horizontal position. If the patient is to be transported, for example to radiology, surgery, or the like, both linear actuators are operated to raise the patient off of the bed, and the lifting apparatus can then be wheeled away from the bed to the desired destination. If additional safety precautions are desired, reinforcing straps can be secured to the side tubes of the sheet frame by means of the lugs below the sheet at longitudinally spaced locations. The sheet 35 alone will, however, safely support a considerable amount of weight.

If it is desired to return the patient to an ordinary bed sheet, for example, after changing the bed linen, the sheet frame is lowered until the patient is supported by the bed. Since the center of the hammock-like sheet 35 is below the side tubes of the sheet frame, the side tubes can remains slightly above the bed. Thereafter, the patient is rolled to one side as shown in FIG. 25, and the opposite side tube of the sheet frame is raised toward a horizontal position. Since other side tube is slightly above the level of the bed, the patient is maintained in a hammocklike pouch formed by the sheet and the side tube without danger of rolling off of the sheet or over the side tube. The zipper 101 is then pulled as shown in FIG. 26 to separate the two halves of the sheet. Thereafter the patient is rolled back to a supine position in which he overlies only a portion of one of the detached sheet halves and is then rolled on his other side to permit withdrawal of that sheet half. Both of the side tubes of the sheet frame can then be pivoted to their vertical positions, and the lifting apparatus can be wheeled away.

If it is desired to lift a patient who is resting on an ordinary bed sheet rather than a sheet 35 provided with button holes, the reverse procedure is followed. The patient is rolled to one side, and one of the detached sheet halves is positioned behind him. The patient is then rolled to the other side so that he rests on that sheet half, and the other sheet half is placed on the bed and connected to the first half by the zipper. The patient is returned to a supine position, and the lifting apparatus can then be wheeled in place and the sheet frame can be lowered and connected to the sheet.

If it is desired to position the patient for bed pan use, a sheet 35 is positioned under the patient as just described and the lifting apparatus is wheeled in place about the bed. The buttocks of the patient will be positioned in the middle portion of the length of the sheet and the sheet frame, and the head end of each side of the sheet is attached to the sheet frame down to the base of the spine. The patient's legs are then raised slightly to pull the foot end of the sheet forwardly so that, in the illustration given, the first button hole at the foot end of the sheet can be secured to the second sheet-attaching lug on each side. One or two adjacent button holes can then be attached to the next lugs to support the calf portion of each leg, but the portion of the sheet between the knees and the base of the spine will remain unattached. The head end linear actuator assembly 36 is then operated to raise the head of the lifting frame, and the upper body of the patient is securely supported by the upper half of the sheet. The lower half of the body is supported by the foot end of the sheet which supports the legs and by the bed since the patient's feet remain in contact with the bed.

The unattached portion of the sheet drapes downwardly below the buttocks to form a pocket, and the bed pan can be inserted in the pocket from the side between the patient and the sheet. The sheet-attaching knobs 95 are located relatively close together along the central portion of the side tubes to permit the central portion of the sheet to be adjusted as desired relative to the side tubes depending upon the exact position of the patient.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, when one end of the sheet frame is raised higher than the other end, the distance between vertical lines extending through the ends of the sheet frame will decrease. The pivotal attachment of the linear actuator assembly 37 to the connecting beam permits this linear actuator assembly to pivot toward the head end to accommodate the reduced horizontal dimension between the head and foot ends of the sheet frame. We have found that permitting pivotal movement of only one of the linear actuator assemblies is sufficient, and the other linear actuator is maintained stationary by the use of four attaching bolts 74 as previously described.

The lifting apparatus can also be used to lift a person from the ground or the floor. This might be desired, for example, when an invalid falls to the floor or at the scene of an accident when it is desired to move a victim having undetermined injuries with as little manipulation as possible. Referring to FIG. 23, the patient P is first positioned on the sheet 35 by using the side-to-side technique previously described, and one of each of the rods 122 and 123 of FIGS. 20 and 22 are attached along each side of the sheet. Each of the rods are attached by placing the rod below the side edge of the sheet with the attaching lugs thereof extending upwardly and the eye hook extending outwardly. The lugs inserted upwardly through the button holes of the sheet and then rotating the rod 270.degree. to roll the sheet thereabout until the eye hook can be inserted into a slit formed in the sheet inwardly of the button holes for this purpose. A long rod 122 is attached to the sheet adjacent the head end thereof on each side, so that the long rod extends generally from the lower back of the patient to the head. Each short rod 123 is attached along the central portion of the side edge of the sheet adjacent the upper leg of the patient, and the ends of the rods 122 and 123 on each side of the sheet are spaced apart by leaving at least one button hole unused.

The lifting apparatus is then wheeled in place over the patient, and the center linear actuator is operated to lower the strap 116 and the lift bar 115 until the straps 118 and 119 can be secured to the rods 122 and 123. Each of the long straps 118 is attached to the eye hook 125 of one of the short rods 123 by the hook 120, and each of the short straps 119 is attached to eye hook 124 of one of the long rods 122.

The center linear actuator is then operated to wind the strap 116 about the pulley 112 to raise the lift bar. As the lift bar is raised, the long rods 122 are raised before the short bars by virtue of the shorter connecting straps 119, and the patient is slowly raised to a sitting position. Continued upward movement of the lifting bar will then raise the short rods 122 which are attached to the straps 118 and which extend adjacent the upper legs, and the patient will be lifted from the floor in a sitting position as shown in FIG. 24. The straps 118 and 119 hold the rods in a V-shaped relationship to form a V-shaped hammock-like sling which safely and securely holds the patient, with the patient's buttocks in the bottom portion of the sling. The lower legs of the patient extend downwardly beyond the portion of the sheet which is supported by the rods 123, but the patient is maintained in a perfectly relaxed, normal sitting position. The lifting apparatus can then be wheeled to a bed and the patient can be lowered onto the bed by lowering the lifting bar 115. The patient is returned smoothly and comfortably in the reverse manner of the lifting procedure. The slight downward curvature of the lift bar 115 from the center to the ends insures that the center of the lift bar is positioned well above the head of the patient.

If it is desired to lift the patient into a wheelchair, tub, or the like from either a bed or the floor, the patient is first raised to the sitting position illustrated in FIG. 24, and a chair is positioned below the patient. The lift bar 115 can then be lowered to lower the patient into the chair.

While in the foregoing specification a detailed description of a specific embodiment of the invention was set forth for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that many of the details herein given may be varied considerably by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. An invalid lifting apparatus comprising a frame having a head end and a foot end, the frame including head support means and foot support means and connecting means extending between the upper end of the head and foot support means, first power lift means mounted on the connecting means adjacent the head end of the frame and second power lift means mounted on the connecting means adjacent the foot end of the frame, each of the power lift means including a generally vertically extending telescoping lift tube extending downwardly therefrom, a generally rectangular sheet frame attached to the telescoping lift tubes of the first and second power lift means, and a sheet attached to the sheet frame for supporting an invalid, each power lift means being operable to telescopingly extend or retract the associated lift tube to lower or raise the sheet frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including reel means mounted on the connecting means, cables connected to the reel means, a lift bar having a pair of ends attached to the cable means, a pair of straps attached to each end of the lift bar, one of the straps of each pair being longer than the other strap of the pair, and hook means on the end of each strap whereby a support sheet attached to the hook means is maintained in a generally chair-like configuration, and power means connected to the reel means for winding and unwinding the cable means about the reel means whereby the lift bar may be raised and lowered.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the sheet frame includes a pair of elongated side tubes and end tubes extending laterally inwardly from each end of each side tube, pivotal attachment means on each of the telescoping lift tubes attached to the end tubes at each end of the sheet frame, the pivotal attachment means permitting pivotal movement of each end tube between generally horizontal and generally vertical positions and pivotal movement of the sheet frame relative to the telescoping lift tubes as one telescoping lift tube telescopes relative to the other lift tube.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which each pivotal attachment means includes a body pivotally attached to the associated lift tube for pivotal movement about a first axis extending perpendicular to the axis of the lift tube, the associated end tubes being pivotally attached to the body for pivotal movement about a second axis extending perpendicular to the first axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which at least one of the power lift means is pivotally mounted on the connecting means whereby said one power lift means may pivot toward the other power lift means when the lift tubes telescope relative to each other.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the connecting means includes a beam having top and bottom walls, at least one of the head and foot support means including a roller support bar extending toward the other support means and a pair of rollers rotatably mounted on the roller support bar and spaced apart along the length of the bar, the roller support bar and the rollers mounted thereon being telescopingly received by the beam between the top and bottom walls thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 including a rod for each of the straps, each of the rods having means for attaching the rod to the invalid support sheet and means for attaching the rod to the associated strap.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the rod for each long strap is shorter than the rods for the other straps.