Patent ID: 6957859
Filing Date: 2005-10-25
Classification: A61G

Abstract:
1. A chair for use in a person transporting system having a hoist and motorized conveyor located on a rail whereby the person is vertically lifted from a first location and thereafter horizontally moved from the first location to a second location in response to an input provided by the person, said chair being characterized by: a frame defined by a first member having a first end and a second end and a second member having a third end and a fourth end, said first end and said third end being connected to each other by a first support member while a second support member located between said first and second ends and said third and fourth ends is fixed to said first member and said second member to form a rigid member with said first member being parallel with said second member; a first top arm and a first bottom arm attached to said first member in a plane perpendicular to said second support member; a second top arm and a second bottom arm attached to said second member in a plane perpendicular to said second support member; a first shaft with a first end that extends through said first member and a second end that extends through said first top arm; a second shaft with a first end that extends through said first member and a second end that extends through said first bottom arm; a third shaft with a first end that extends through said second member and a second end that extends through said second bottom arm; a first plank assembly connected to said second shaft; a second plank assembly connected to said first plank assembly to define a first portion of a seat; a third plank assembly connected to said third shaft; a fourth plank assembly connected to said third plank assembly to define a second portion of the seat; a first disc attached to said second support member; a second disc attached to said second support member; linkage means for connecting said first end of said first shaft with said first disc, for connecting said first disc with said first plank assembly, for connecting said first disc with said second disc, and for connecting said second disc with said third plank assembly; a lever that is fixed to said second end of said first shaft has a horizontal first position that is substantially with parallel with said first member and a vertical second position that is substantially parallel with said second support member, said lever being moved by the person from said first position to said second position to impart a force into said linkage means that causes said first and second disc to simultaneously rotate and move said first and second plank assemblies and said third and fourth plank assemblies from first positions parallel to said first and second members to a second position parallel with said second support member to define said seat; and fastener means attached to said first support member along a center of gravity for said chair such that on receipt of an input by a controller, the hoist moves the first and second members in parallel planes that are perpendicular to the rail.