Patent Publication Number: US-8122534-B2

Title: Multi-position support for a folding patient lift device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional patent application of currently U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/335,104, filed Dec. 15, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,921,486, and entitled “Multi-Position Support for Patient Support Device,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/335,104 claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/009,236, filed Dec. 27, 2007, and entitled MULTI-POSITION SUPPORT FOR PATIENT SUPPORT DEVICE. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to patient lifting and transferring. In particular, the invention relates to a device for lifting a disabled person from a sitting to a standing position and permitting the person to be readily moved. 
     It is often desirable to assist a disabled person in standing. This is particularly useful when the disabled person lacks strength or coordination to lift himself or herself. To assist these patients, it is common to have a patient lift, which can function as a lift or a stand assist device. An attendant may be required to assist the patient in using the device. 
     A lift typically includes a sling for supporting a patient. The sling may be lifted by a movable arm. In a lift, the patient is typically completely supported from an overhead position and has no active role in supporting him or herself or assisting in being lifted. A lift is commonly used to temporarily raise a patient or transport the patient without discomfort. 
     A stand assist device is used to lift a patient from a sitting position to a generally standing position. The device may include an upright member and an arm or support member movable by an actuator. When supported by the device, the patient may stand at an angle on a foot plate and hold the support member. With the support member lowered to a comfortable level to be used as a handle and with the foot plate removed, the device may be used to assist the patient in walking. 
     A sling may be used with a stand assist device to assist in supporting the patient. The sling may pass behind the patient&#39;s back and under the patient&#39;s arms and be suspended from the support member. With the sling in place, the patient can be lifted to a generally erect position. 
     A stand assist device may also be used with a sling to lift and suspend a patient. Once the patient is suspended, the stand may be moved to transport the patient or the patient may remain supported during patient care, such as while changing the patient&#39;s clothes or permitting the patient to use a toilet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a stand assist device comprising a base with legs that extend in a forward direction. The stand assist device also includes a mast assembly mounted on the base, the mast assembly including a mast. A boom is pivotally attached to the mast and an actuator is attached to the boom. The actuator is adapted to be driven in order to cause the boom to rotate relative to the mast. A knee pad is also attached relative to the mast assembly. The mast may be moved between a seated position wherein the mast extends upwardly from the base, and a folded position wherein the mast extends substantially in the forward direction. The base, mast assembly, and knee pad are configured so that the knee pad does not interfere with the base when the mast is moved into the folded position. 
     This invention also relates to a stand assist device comprising a base with legs that extend in a forward direction. The stand assist device also includes a foot plate attached to the base. The foot plate has a step area and is configured to support the feet of a patient using the patient lift. The stand assist device also includes a mast assembly mounted on the base. The mast assembly includes a mast. A boom is pivotally attached to the mast assembly and a knee pad is also attached to the mast assembly. The knee pad may be moved relative to the mast to a variety of positions including a storage position. The mast may be moved between a seated position wherein the mast extends upwardly from the base, and a folded position wherein the mast extends substantially in the forward direction. The base, mast assembly, and knee pad are configured so that the knee pad does not interfere with the base when the mast is moved into the folded position when the knee pad is in the storage position. 
     This invention also relates to a stand assist device including a base. The base includes at least two legs that extend in a forward direction and a leg space is defined between two of the legs. The stand assist device includes a foot plate attached to the base. The foot plate has a step area and is configured to support the feet of a patient using the patient lift. A mast assembly is mounted on the base and the mast assembly includes a mast. A boom is pivotally attached to the mast assembly. An actuator is attached to the boom and is adapted to be driven in order to cause the boom to rotate relative to the mast assembly. A knee pad is also attached to the mast assembly. The mast may be moved between a seated position wherein the mast extends upwardly from the base, and a folded position wherein the mast extends substantially in the forward direction. The base, mast assembly, and knee pad are configured so that the knee pad does not interfere with the base when the mast is moved into the folded position and at least a portion of the knee pad is located in the leg space when the mast is moved into the folded position. 
     Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, taken from behind, of a patient stand assist device. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the support member and a portion of the boom of the patient stand assist device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an plan view of an alternative, Y-shaped design of a support member suitable for the patient stand assist. 
         FIG. 4  is side view of the patient stand assist device of  FIG. 1 , showing the knee pad in a low position and the support member in a first position. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the patient stand assist device of  FIG. 1 , showing the knee pad in an intermediate position and the support member in a second position. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the patient stand assist device of  FIG. 1 , showing the knee pad in an intermediate position and the support member in a third position. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the patient stand assist device of  FIG. 1 , showing the knee pad in a raised position and the support member in a fourth position. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the patient stand assist device of  FIG. 1 , showing the mast raised and pivoted toward a folded position. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the patient stand assist device of  FIG. 1 , in the folded position. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the knee pad of the patient stand assist device of  FIG. 1 , including a strap attached to the knee pad. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view, partially in cross-section, of the locking mechanism and a portion of the boom of the patient stand assist device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken through the line  12 - 12  in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  one embodiment of a patient lift  10 . It should be appreciated that the illustrated patient lift  10  is a patient stand assist device. The illustrated patient lift  10  includes a base assembly, indicated generally at  12  and a mast assembly, indicated generally at  14 . 
     The illustrated base assembly  12  includes a base  16 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 12 , the base  16  includes a raised portion  108 . The raised portion  108  ends at a base edge  110  at the side of the raised portion  108  facing in a forward direction  19 . The base assembly  12  also includes a pair of legs  18 . The legs  18  extend in the forward direction  19 . The legs  18  are spaced apart so that there is a gap or space between the legs, such as the leg space, indicated generally at  112 . It should be appreciated that in the illustrated patient stand assist device  10 , the base edge  110  is located on the rearward side of the leg space  112 . The illustrated legs  18  are mounted for pivotal movement relative to the base  16 . The illustrated legs  18  are configured to rotate about separate hinges having substantially vertical axes. This allows an operator to spread the legs  18  apart or move the legs  18  closer together. It should be appreciated that changing the spacing of the legs  18  will change the size and shape of the leg space  112 . The legs  18  can be configured to be moved by foot pedals (not shown) or any other suitable means. 
     The illustrated base assembly  12  includes two front casters  20  and two rear casters  22 . The illustrated rear casters  22  are braked casters, but it should be appreciated that this is not required. The casters  20  and  22  are configured to support and allow rolling movement of the patient lift  10 . 
     The base assembly  12  also includes an optional foot plate  24 . The illustrated foot plate  24  is located within the leg space  112 , although it should be appreciated that the foot plate  24  could be located outside the leg space  112 . The foot plate  24  includes a step area  26 . The step area  26  is configured to support the feet of a patient using the patient lift  10 . The illustrated foot plate  24  is configured to be removable from the patient lift  10 . This allows the foot plate  24  to be moved so that the patient lift  10  can be used, as a walking device, for instance, without the patient&#39;s using the foot plate  24  or the step area  26 . The foot plate  24  could also be mounted for pivotal movement relative to the base  16 . 
     In the illustrated patient lift  10 , the mast assembly  14  is attached to the base  16 . As can be best seen in  FIG. 8 , the mast assembly  14  includes a column  28  that is mounted on the base  16 . The illustrated column  28  is disposed with a substantially vertical orientation. It should be appreciated that the column  28  could have a different orientation than that illustrated. A mast  30  is mounted on the column  28 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the mast  30  may be positioned in a seated position. In the seated position, the mast  30  extends upwardly from the base  16 . The mast  30  is a substantially hollow piece, and the inner diameter of the mast  30  is large enough to accommodate the outer diameter of the column  28 . A mast hinge or sliding hinge  32  attaches the mast  30  to the column  28 . The sliding hinge  32  has a substantially horizontal axis, and allows the mast  30  to pivot relative to the column  28  for folding. The sliding hinge  32  is also able to move in a substantially vertical channel  34  defined in the column  28  to raise the mast  30  relative to the column  28  prior to folding. The mast  30  is shown in its seated position in  FIG. 1 . The mast  30  can be moved upwards to a raised position, with the sliding hinge  32  moving in the channel  34 . The mast  30  can then be pivoted about the sliding hinge  32 , into a folded position. As shown in  FIG. 9 , in the folded position the mast  30  extends substantially in the forward direction  19 . When the mast  30  is moved into the folded position, the patient lift  10  takes up less space, and is easier to transport and store. The mast  30  is illustrated in its folded position in  FIG. 9 , and is shown in an intermediate position in  FIG. 8 . 
     The patient lift  10  includes a knee pad  36 . The knee pad  36  provides support for the patient using the patient lift  10 . The illustrated knee pad  36  includes optional resilient padding as a cushion for the patient&#39;s comfort. As is best shown in  FIG. 10 , the illustrated knee pad  36  includes two recesses  38 . Each recess  38  is a support surface configured to accommodate one leg of the patient using the patient lift  10 . The recesses  38  are configured to provide secure and comfortable engagement between the patient and the patient lift  10 . The knee pad  36  also includes an optional strap  40 . The strap  40  allows the patient&#39;s legs to be held in position when using the patient lift  10 . The illustrated strap  40  includes a buckle tongue  42  on each end (only one is visible in  FIG. 10 ), and a central loop  44  in the middle. As can be best seen in  FIG. 1 , the knee pad  36  includes two buckles  46  on the side of the knee pad  36  opposite from the recesses  38 . It should be appreciated that only one buckle  46  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The second buckle  46  is not visible in  FIG. 1  because it is behind the mast  30  in this perspective view. The buckles  46  are configured to engage the buckle tongues  42  on the strap  40 . The illustrated knee pad  36  also includes a horn  48  located between the two recesses  38 . The horn  48  and the central loop  44  are configured so that the central loop  44  can be secured to the horn  48 . The illustrated central loop  44  is secured to the horn  48  by sliding the central loop  44  over the upper end of the horn  48 . 
     The combination of the buckles  46  and the horn  48  allow the strap  40  to be used to secure the patient&#39;s legs to the knee pad  36  in a number of positions based on the individual patient requirements. For instance, when each buckle tongue  42  is attached to a buckle  46  and the central loop  44  is attached to the horn  48 , the most secure engagement with the patient is provided as each of the patient&#39;s legs is individually secured. When each buckle tongue  42  is attached to a buckle  46  but the central loop  44  is not attached to the horn  48 , the patient is held in engagement with the knee pad  36 , but the patient can be released by releasing either buckle  46 . This provides greater convenience to an attendant using the patient lift  10 . The central loop  44  is attached to the horn  48  and only one of the buckle tongues  42  is attached to a buckle  46  when only one leg is secured to the knee pad  36 . This is useful when the patient is missing the lower part of one leg. The central loop  44  is attached to the horn  48  and neither buckle tongue  42  is attached to the buckles  46  for storage of the strap  40 . The strap  40  does not secure the patient to the knee pad  36  when the strap  40  is stored like this, but the strap  40  remains secured to the patient lift  10  and is less likely to be misplaced. 
     A knee pad mounting assembly, indicated generally at  50 , attaches the illustrated knee pad  36  to the mast  30 . The illustrated knee pad mounting assembly  50  is adjustable to allow the position of the knee pad  36  to be changed for the convenience and comfort of the patient. The knee pad mounting assembly  50  includes a mounting bracket  52 . The mounting bracket  52  is attached to a fixed position on the mast  30 . The mounting bracket  52  releasably grips a guide tube  54  of the knee pad mounting assembly  50 . As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the guide tube  54  includes an engagement branch  114  and a mounting branch  116 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 through 7 , the height of the knee pad  36  can be adjusted by releasing the mounting bracket  52 , sliding the guide tube  54  up or down relative to the mounting bracket  52 , then re-engaging the mounting bracket  52  in order to grip the engagement branch  114  of the guide tube  54 . The knee pad  36  is mounted on the mounting branch  116  of the guide tube  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting branch  116  is non-collinear with the engagement branch  114  of the guide tube  54 . The knee pad  36  is shown in a low position in  FIG. 4  while it is shown in its most raised position in  FIG. 7 . The knee pad  36  and knee pad mounting assembly  50  are configured to allow the knee pad  36  to be positioned in a variety of positions throughout an operating range. The operating range is a range of positions in which the knee pad  36  is positioned to act as a fulcrum for the patient&#39;s knees or legs, and the operating range is selected to accommodate the physiology of anticipated patients. As can be best seen in reference to  FIG. 9 , the knee pad mounting assembly  50  is configured so that when the knee pad  36  is moved into its most raised position before folding, the knee pad  36  is high enough that it will not interfere with the base assembly  12 , particularly the base  16 , when the mast  30  is moved into the folded position. That is, as seen in  FIG. 9 , the knee pad  36  is far enough to the right that it does not interfere with the base  16  or the foot plate  24  when the mast  30  is moved to the folded position. This allows the patient lift  10  to be put into its folded position for storage or transportation without having to remove the foot plate  24 , the knee pad  36 , or other components. It should be understood that the illustrated knee pad  36  is between the legs  18  when the mast  30  is in the folded position. That is, when the knee pad  36  is in the storage position and the mast  30  is moved to the folded position, a portion of the knee pad  36  is located in the leg space  112 . It should be appreciated that the knee pad is situated farther from the mast hinge  32  in the forward direction  19  than the base edge  110  is. That is, as best seen in reference to  FIG. 12 , the base edge  110  is a first distance  118  from the mast hinge  32  in the forward direction  19 . The knee pad is a second distance  120  from the mast hinge  32  in the forward direction  19  when the knee pad  36  is in the storage position and the mast  30  is in the folded position. The second distance  120  is greater than the first distance  118 . The described configuration of the knee pad mounting assembly  50  makes it easier for an operator or attendant to fold and unfold the patient lift  10 . Since there are no parts to be removed or replaced from the patient lift  10 , there are fewer steps involved in folding or unfolding the patient lift  10 . Also, this makes it less likely for components of the patient lift  10  to be lost. Since no parts need to be removed when the patient lift  10  is folded, there are no separately stored parts to misplace. 
     The illustrated knee pad mounting assembly  50  is configured to provide substantially linear movement of the knee pad  36  through the operating range and to the most raised position. As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 7 , this is accomplished by the substantially linear engagement branch  114  of the guide tube  54  being moved relative to the mounting bracket  52 . It should be appreciated that this is not necessary, and the knee pad  36  could be configured for some other type of movement. Additionally, the most raised position of the illustrated knee pad  36  is outside the operating range. It should be appreciated that this is not necessary. Movement of the knee pad  36  could be limited to the operating range, for instance. 
     The illustrated patient lift  10  includes an optional steering handle  56 . The illustrated steering handle  56  is mounted on the mast  30 . The steering handle  56  is provided to assist the attendant in moving and maneuvering the patient lift  10 . 
     The patient lift  10  includes a boom  58 . An inner end of the boom  58  is pivotally attached to the upper end of the mast  30  by a boom hinge  60 . The illustrated boom hinge  60  has a substantially horizontal axis. The boom  58  also includes an actuator pivot  62 . The illustrated actuator pivot  62  is attached to the upper end of an arm or actuator  64 . The actuator  64  may be an electronic ball screw actuator or other suitable actuator. The illustrated actuator  64  is attached to a motor  66 . The illustrated motor  66  is also mounted to the mast  30 . The motor  66  is configured to extend or retract the actuator  64 . By driving the actuator  64 , the motor is able to cause the boom  58  to pivot about the boom hinge  60 . Pivoting the boom  58  about the boom hinge  60  will either raise or lower an outer end  68  of the boom  58 . The illustrated motor  66  is an electric motor, and is powered by a power supply  70 . The illustrated power supply  70  is attached to the mast  30 . It should be appreciated that any other suitable mechanism may be used to move the boom  58 . 
     The outer end  68  of the boom  58  supports a pivotally attached support member  72 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the illustrated support member  72  is a substantially U-shaped component. The support member  72  is attached to the boom  58  by a locking mechanism  74 . The support member  72  includes a pair of optional hand-holds  76 . The support member  72  also includes a pair of sling hooks or attachment points  78 . One attachment point  78  is located at each end of the support member  72 . The attachment points  78  on support member  72  are used to suspend a sling (not shown) used to lift the patient. It should be appreciated that  FIG. 2  depicts only one possible configuration of the support member  72 . The illustrated support member  72  includes two curved arms  90 . Each arm  90  extends from an opposite side of the locking mechanism  74 . An alternative configuration of support member  72  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The alternative configuration comprises a single element extending from the locking mechanism  74 . The single element branches into two individual arms at a distance separated from the locking mechanism  74 . 
     The locking mechanism  74  releasably grips the support member  72 . When the locking member  74  is released, the support member  72  is able to rotate around a substantially horizontal axis. When the locking member  74  is engaged, the support member  72  is fixed relative to the boom  58 . The illustrated locking mechanism  74  includes a release handle  80 . The release handle  80  is configured to be moved by the attendant in a first direction, as indicated by the arrow  82 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first direction  82  is the rearward direction. When the release handle  80  is moved in the first direction, the support member  72  is released for rotation relative to the boom  58 . The release handle  80  is spring biased in a second direction, toward the support member  72 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second direction is the forward direction  19 . When the release handle  80  is moved in the second direction, the support member  72  is no longer able to rotate relative to the boom  58  and the support member  72  is fixed in its current angular position. It should be appreciated that while the illustrated release handle  80  moves in the forward direction  19  in order to lock the support member  72 , the locking mechanism  74  can be configured so that the release handle  80  moves in other directions. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a cross-section of the boom  58  and the locking mechanism  74  is shown. In the illustrated patient lift, the outer end  68  of the boom  58  includes an outer cylinder  84 . The outer cylinder  84  is centered on a substantially horizontal centerline  86 . An inner cylinder  88  is disposed inside the outer cylinder  84 . The inner cylinder  88  is able to rotate about the centerline  86 . As shown, support member  72  includes two arms  90  (one of which is visible in  FIG. 11 ). The arms  90  are mounted on the inner cylinder  88 , and are able to rotate about the centerline  86 . The inner cylinder  88  defines a number of radial openings  92 . The illustrated inner cylinder  88  includes four radial openings  92 , situated with approximately 40 degrees separating adjacent openings. The outer cylinder  84  includes a radial bolt opening  94 . In  FIG. 11 , a bolt  96  is disposed within the bolt opening  94 . The bolt  96  is configured to pass through the bolt opening  94 , one of the radial openings  92 , and a bolt guide  98 . As shown, the bolt  96  is attached to a plate  100 . The plate  100  is attached to the release handle  80  by a pin  102 . The locking mechanism  74  includes also includes a spring  104 . The spring  104  is configured to provide a force biasing the plate  100  in the forward direction  19 . 
     When the bolt  96  is disposed through the bolt opening  94  and one of the radial openings  92 , the bolt  96  prevents rotation of the inner cylinder  88  about the centerline  86 . Thus, the bolt  96  locks the position of the inner cylinder  88  relative to the outer cylinder  84  and the bolt  96  also locks the position of the support member  72  relative to the boom  58 . Both the bolt  96  and the plate  100  are configured for sliding movement within the boom  58 . The release handle  80  can be moved in the first direction (indicated by the arrow  82 ) by an attendant overcoming the biasing force of the spring  104 . When the release handle is moved in the first direction  82 , the plate  100  and the bolt  96  are also moved in the first direction  82 . The locking mechanism is configured to move the bolt  96  a sufficient distance in the first direction to withdraw the bolt  96  from the radial opening  92 . This allows the inner cylinder  88  to rotate about the centerline  86 . 
     It should be appreciated that the weight of the support member  72  will tend to cause rotation of the inner cylinder  88  relative to the outer cylinder  84 . In reference to  FIG. 11 , the support member will attempt to rotate the inner cylinder  88  in the clockwise direction. The inner cylinder  88  can be provided with rotational resistance relative to the outer cylinder  84  in order to resist the weight of the support member  72  and help prevent the inner cylinder  88  from freely rotating when the handle  80  is moved in the first direction  82 . When the attendant decreases the force applied in the first direction  82  to the release handle  80 , the spring  104  will bias the plate  100 , the release handle  80  and the pin  96 , rearward, toward the right as viewed in  FIG. 11 . It should be appreciated that if the inner cylinder  88  has been pivoted relative to the outer cylinder  84 , the bolt  96  may strike the surface  106  of the inner cylinder  88 . In that case, the inner cylinder  88  will still be able to rotate. However, when the inner cylinder has rotated sufficiently to radially align one of the radial openings  92  with the bolt opening  94 , the bolt  96  will be pushed into the radial opening  92  by the force of the spring  104 . 
     It should be appreciated that one, non-limiting embodiment of a locking mechanism  74  has been described in detail. However, any suitable locking mechanism  74  can be used with the patient lift  10 . 
     The ability to adjust the support member  72  to various angular positions permits the patient lift  10  to accommodate a greater variety of patients. That is, the shape of the patient lift  10  can be changed, and the attachment points  78  can be repositioned to meet the patient&#39;s needs. The support member  72  is shown in a variety of positions in  FIGS. 4 through 7 . This also allows more compact folding of the patient lift  10 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the support member  72  may be adjusted so that a portion of the boom  58  is in the leg space  112  when the mast  30  is in the folded position. This allows the patient lift  10  to be folded into a more compact state than would otherwise be possible, since the support member  72  does not engage a floor or other surface that supports the patient lift  10 . The previously-described locking mechanism  74  is configured so that the support member  72  can be locked into specific, pre-selected angular positions relative to the boom  58 . The locking mechanism  74  could be configured so that the support member  72  can be locked into any angular position relative to the boom  58 , such as by the use of a set screw, wing nut or friction plates, for example. It should further be appreciated that the locking mechanism could be configured to use pre-selected angular positions that the attendant can select and set prior to using the patient lift  10  to lift the patient. 
     It should be appreciated that when a load is placed on the support member  72 , such as when the patient lift  10  is being used to lift a patient, the force of that load will generate a moment that tends to rotate the inner cylinder  88  about the centerline  86 . The bolt  96  will prevent rotation of the inner cylinder  88 , and the bolt  96  will be pinched between the inner cylinder  88  and the outer cylinder  84 . This will increase the amount of force necessary to move the release handle  80  in the first direction  82 . That is, when there is a load on the support member  72 , it is more difficult to release the locking mechanism  72  for rotational adjustment of the support member  72 . However, the locking mechanism could be configured to prevent release of the locking mechanism  72  when a load above a set amount is placed on the support member  72 . 
     When used as a stand assist, the patient lift  10  is positioned in front of a patient. The legs  18  may be adjusted in width to provide a stable base arrangement. The patient&#39;s feet may be situated on the foot plate  24 . A sling (not shown) may be suspended from the attachment points  78 . The sling is passed behind the patient&#39;s back and under the patient&#39;s arms. The motor  66  is driven to extend the actuator  64 . As the actuator  64  is extended, it pivots the boom  58  about the boom hinge  60 , and raises the outer end  68  of the boom  58 . This also raises the support member  72 , and the attached sling. The support member  72  can be raised until the patient is supported by the foot plate  24  and the support member  72  and the desired height is reached. 
     When used as a patient lift, the patient lift  10  may be positioned adjacent the patient and stabilized by adjustment in width of the legs  18 . A sling (not shown) may be placed under the patient and suspended from the attachment points  78 . The motor  66  then drives the actuator  64  to raise the support member  72  in order to lift the patient. The patient may be completely supported by the sling. That is, the patient&#39;s weight is supported entirely by the patient lift  10  through the sling. When used as a patient lift, the patient&#39;s feet are not supported by the foot plate  24 , and the foot plate  24  can be removed from the patient lift  10 . 
     The patient lift  10  may be used as a walking device for the patient. When used as a walking device, the support member  72  is generally lowered to make it comfortable for the patient to use the hand-holds  76  and the foot plate  24  is removed. This helps the patient to comfortably hold either the hand-holds  76  or the support member  72  while walking. 
     The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.