Beds – With means for relocating an invalid – Rotatable platform type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-09
2001-05-01
Melius, Terry Lee (Department: 3628)
Beds
With means for relocating an invalid
Rotatable platform type
C005S083100, C005S087100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223364
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for lifting and transferring persons into and out of vehicles and, more particularly, to a multi-motion lifting and transferring apparatus and method for assisting persons when entering and exiting a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Difficulties are often encountered when transferring disabled persons from one location to another. Particularly in the case of wheelchair-bound persons, it is often quite difficult to lift and transfer such persons to and from their wheelchair from and to, for example, a motor vehicle. One or more persons are usually required to assist the disabled person.
There have been some inventive efforts directed at alleviating the problems associated with transferring disabled persons from one location to another. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,924, Brigman et al. disclose a disabled person transfer device for transferring a disabled person from a wheelchair to a vehicle. Also, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,891, Reeve et al. disclose a hydraulically powered lift and transport apparatus for lifting and transporting wheelchair bound persons.
The aforementioned patents disclose devices which allow a disabled person to be lifted from a wheelchair or a bed and transferred to another location. However, the devices disclosed in both of these patents, as well as other known devices, have drawbacks in the areas of cost and complexity which could limit the potential mobility of a disabled individual. For instance, the disabled person transfer device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,924 requires extensive modifications to a vehicle as well as a modified wheelchair for use with the device. Also, the lift and transport apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,891 requires a remotely located hydraulic pump and 120 VAC current to power the various components of the apparatus. Similar drawbacks exist for other known lifting and transferring devices.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a lifting and transferring apparatus for assisting persons when entering and exiting a vehicle which overcomes the above-described inadequacies and shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a multi-motion lifting and transferring apparatus and method is provided for assisting persons when entering and exiting a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus in accordance with the present invention is realized as having an electrically actuated rotator for rotating a support member about a substantially vertical axis, an electrically actuated extension arm for moving the electrically actuated rotator and the support member along a plane having a vertical component (e.g., 45 degrees from the horizontal), and an electrically actuated slide tray for moving the electrically actuated extension arm, the electrically actuated rotator, and the support member along a substantially horizontal plane. The support member typically supports a seat for accommodating at least one person.
In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, the electrically actuated rotator can rotate the support member while the electrically actuated slide tray moves the electrically actuated extension arm, the electrically actuated rotator, and the support member. Alternatively, the electrically actuated rotator, the electrically actuated extension arm, and the electrically actuated slide tray can operate in a sequential order.
In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, the electrically actuated extension arm can move the electrically actuated rotator and the support member between a first position and a second position along the plane having the vertical component, wherein the electrically actuated rotator is prevented from operating when the electrically actuated extension arm moves the electrically actuated rotator and the support member from the first position. The first position is typically located vertically higher than the second position. Also, slide contacts can be mounted proximate the electrically actuated extension arm for disconnecting power to the electrically actuated rotator when the electrically actuated extension arm moves the electrically actuated rotator and the support member from the first position, thereby preventing the electrically actuated rotator from operating. The slide contacts preferably include mating contact plungers and contact plates.
In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, the electrically actuated extension arm can move the electrically actuated rotator and the support member between a first position and a second position along the plane having the vertical component, wherein the electrically actuated slide tray is prevented from operating when the electrically actuated extension arm moves the electrically actuated rotator and the support member from the first position. Again, the first position is typically located vertically higher than the second position, and slide contacts can be mounted proximate the electrically actuated extension arm for disconnecting power to the electrically actuated slide tray when the electrically actuated extension arm moves the electrically actuated rotator and the support member from the first position, thereby preventing the electrically actuated slide tray from operating.
In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, the electrically actuated rotator can rotate the support member between a first position and a second position about the substantially vertical axis, wherein the electrically actuated extension arm is prevented from operating when the electrically actuated rotator rotates the support member from the first position. In this case, the first position is typically a loading position, while the second position is typically a locking position. If such is the case, an electrically actuated latch can be provided for latching the support member into the locking position. The electrically actuated latch can include a release mechanism so as to allow manual operation. Also, the electrically actuated latch can be formed between a first mating latch component associated with the support member and a second mating latch component associated with the electrically actuated extension arm, wherein the electrically actuated extension arm is adjustable relative to the electrically actuated slide tray without affecting the mating alignment of the electrically actuated latch. The electrically actuated rotator is preferably configured to rotate the support member into the locking position with maximum thrust.
In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, a swivel bearing is typically provided for pivotally supporting the support member, wherein the swivel bearing and the electrically actuated rotator are co-located beneath the support member.
In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, the electrically actuated slide tray can move the electrically actuated extension arm, the electrically actuated rotator, and the support member between a first position and a second position along the substantially horizontal plane, wherein the electrically actuated extension arm is prevented from operating when the electrically actuated slide tray moves the electrically actuated extension arm, the electrically actuated rotator, and the support member from the first position. In this case, the first position is typically a loading position.
In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, the electrically actuated rotator, the electrically actuated extension arm, and the electrically actuated slide tray are preferably electrically configured to operate from a common control unit. The common control unit can be a remote control unit, or a hard wired modular control unit.
In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, at least one of the electrically actuated rotator and the electrically actuated slide tray beneficially includes a release mechanism so as to allow manual operation. Simi
Anderson Thomas E.
Conley Fredrick
Melius Terry Lee
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