Patent Publication Number: US-2010125947-A1

Title: Leg lifting apparatus

Description:
FIELD 
     This invention relates to apparatus for moving or transporting a user&#39;s legs onto, or off, a bed. The invention is particularly applicable to disabled and elderly persons. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Persons with certain disabilities have difficulty lifting or otherwise moving their legs onto a bed, or an object functioning as a bed, so that they may rest. Similarly, once on a bed in a prone position a disabled user may have difficulty removing his or her legs from the bed. Such persons can usually sit on the edge of a bed, but the act of lifting their legs onto (and sometimes off) the bed is difficult or impossible without human or mechanised assistance. 
     Products that attempt to address this problem are commonly referred to as “leg lifters”, “bed leg raisers” or “powered leg lifters”. These products take a variety of forms and typically function to lift the user&#39;s legs so that the user can then shuffle or otherwise manoeuvre his or her legs laterally onto and across the bed until the user&#39;s legs are fully supported by the bed in a position in which the user can comfortably sleep. The physical apparatus used to perform this function is typically large, unwieldy, complex and difficult to install. 
     Furthermore, the user&#39;s disability is frequently such that, even if the user&#39;s legs are lifted into a position adjacent to the upper surface of the bed, it is very difficult or impossible for the user to move his or her legs laterally onto the bed. 
     The applicant&#39;s published International Patent Application No. PCT/NZ2003/000033 entitled “LEG MOVEMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD”, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference, describes an apparatus and method for transporting a user&#39;s leg(s) between a position adjacent to an upper side of the bed and a position on an upper surface of the bed. 
     This apparatus works in two stages using two or more actuators and a system of pulleys to first raise the users legs from a sitting position at the side of the bed, to a substantially horizontal position adjacent to the upper surface of the bed, then moving the users legs transversely with respect to the bed towards the centre of the upper surface. This system can work very effectively but it is relatively complex and expensive to manufacture. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide leg transport apparatus or methods for transporting or moving a users leg(s) onto or off a bed which ameliorates one or more disadvantages of known constructions. 
     Alternatively it is an object of the invention to provide leg transport apparatus or methods for transporting or moving a user&#39;s leg(s) onto or off a bed which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. 
     Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Accordingly in one aspect the invention consists in leg transport apparatus for transporting or moving a user&#39;s leg(s) onto or off a bed, the apparatus comprising
         a support frame adapted to attach to a bed, or comprising part of a bed;   a leg support for supporting the leg(s) of a user, the leg support having a leg support surface and being slidably and pivotally mounted relative to the support frame;   an actuator means operable to move the leg support slidably relative to the support frame; and   a control arm pivotally connected between the leg support and the support frame whereby slidable movement of the leg support relative to the support frame causes pivotal movement of the leg support relative to the support frame such that the leg support can be disposed in a lowered position in which the leg support surface is substantially vertical for receiving the lower leg(s) of a user, and a raised position in which the leg support surface is substantially horizontal and laterally displaced from the lowered position to dispose the leg(s) of a user substantially adjacent to or on an upper surface of a bed.       

     In a further aspect the invention consists in a method for transporting or moving a user&#39;s leg(s) onto or off a bed, the method comprising providing a leg support on which the user rests his or her leg(s), and moving the leg support between a first generally vertical lowered position adjacent to a lower side of the bed and a generally horizontal raised position adjacent to an upper surface of the bed using a single actuator. 
     In a further aspect the invention consists in a bed including a leg transport apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
         a stationary support comprising part of the bed;   a leg support for supporting the leg(s) of a user, the leg support having a leg support surface and being slidably and pivotally mounted relative to the support frame;   an actuator means operable to move the leg support slidably relative to the support frame; and   a control arm pivotally connected between the leg support and the support frame whereby slidable movement of the leg support relative to the support frame causes pivotal movement of the leg support relative to the support frame such that the leg support can be disposed in a lowered position in which the leg support surface is substantially vertical for receiving the lower leg(s) of a user, and a raised position in which the leg support surface is substantially horizontal and laterally displaced from the lowered position to dispose the leg(s) of a user substantially adjacent to or on an upper surface of a bed.       

     In a further aspect the invention consists in leg transport apparatus for transporting or moving a user&#39;s leg(s) onto or off a bed, the apparatus comprising a leg support on which the user rests his or her leg(s), the leg support being moveable between a first generally vertical lowered position adjacent to a lower side of the bed and a generally horizontal raised position adjacent to an upper surface of the bed using a single actuator. 
     The invention also broadly consists in any novel feature (or the equivalent of that feature if not expressly stated) or novel combination of features (or equivalents) disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
       A number of embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first embodiment of a leg lifting apparatus according to the invention. 
         FIG. 1   a  is a simplified plan view of the first embodiment showing the control arm in a partially extended lowered position. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a further view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1   a  but showing the control arm in a non-extended lowered position. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a reverse, side view of the leg lifting apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are end and side elevations of a leg lifting apparatus according to the invention, shown attached to a bed at the fully lowered position of operation. 
         FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are end and side elevations of the leg lifting apparatus of  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , shown at an intermediate position of operation. 
         FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  are end and side elevations of the leg lifting apparatus of  FIGS. 5   a - 6   b , shown at a fully raised position of operation. 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment of a leg support member according to the invention, in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation of the leg support of  FIG. 16  in an extended position. 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of a further embodiment of a leg lifting apparatus according to the invention, incorporating an alternative leg support member shown in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of the leg lifting apparatus of  FIG. 8  with the leg support in an extended position. 
         FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  are side and end elevations of a further embodiment of the invention including an optional bed grab handle. 
         FIGS. 13   a  and  13   b  are side and end elevations of a further embodiment of the invention including an optional transfer rail. 
         FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b  are partial side elevations of a further embodiment of the invention fitted to a profiling bed. 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevation of leg lifting apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a partial end elevation of the apparatus of  FIG. 15  with a stability bar attached. 
         FIG. 17  is a diagrammatic partial end elevation of the apparatus of  FIG. 15  including a stability bar shown in use on a bed. 
         FIG. 18  is a partial side elevation of a profiling bed including leg lifting apparatus according to  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 19  is a side elevation of the leg lifting apparatus of  FIG. 15  attached to a profiling bed. 
         FIG. 20  is an end elevation of the apparatus of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIGS. 21A-21C  are an end elevation, side elevation and plan view respectively of a handrail for attachment to the leg lifting apparatus of bed of the preceding figures. 
         FIG. 22A  is a plan view of an extendable leg support assembly for selective use with the leg lifting apparatus of the preceding FIGS., with the leg support in an extended position. 
         FIG. 22B  is a plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 22A  in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 23  is an end view of  FIG. 22B . 
         FIG. 24A  is a side view of  FIG. 22B . 
         FIG. 24B  is a partial side view of  FIG. 22B  showing hinge detail. 
         FIG. 25  is a side elevation of the apparatus of  FIG. 15  including the leg support assembly of  FIGS. 22A to 24B  with the leg support in a lowered position. 
         FIG. 26  is a side elevation of the apparatus of  FIG. 15  including the leg support assembly of  FIGS. 22A to 24B  with the leg support in a raised position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Throughout the description like reference numerals will be used to refer to like features in different embodiments. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the invention provides a first embodiment of a leg transport apparatus, generally referenced  1 , for transporting or moving a user&#39;s leg(s) onto or off a bed. The various embodiments of leg transport apparatus described herein will be referred to generally as bed leg raising apparatus for purposes of convenience. 
     The apparatus comprises a transport means pivotally connected to a base support frame support  2  which is stationary in use and adapted to be connected to, or part of, a mattress base or bed frame. The transport means is adapted to move a leg support between a fully lowered position of operation, wherein the leg support is generally vertical and adjacent to a side of the bed, and a fully raised position, wherein the leg support is substantially horizontal and adjacent to or on an upper surface of the bed. The apparatus is shown in the fully lowered position of operation. 
     The base support frame  2  is provided with a height-adjustable stability bar  8  and one or more straps to secure the apparatus  1  to the side of the bed, in the illustrated embodiment, the stability bar  8  is in practice placed between the base and mattress of the bed. Because the stability bar  8  is positioned under the mattress approximately where a user would sit during use of the apparatus  1 , the downward pressure of the user on the stability bar counteracts the torque created by the weight of the users legs on the leg support during use. 
     The top strap  9 , extending from the end of the stability bar  8 , may be looped around under the bed base and secured to the base frame  2 . Similarly, the bottom strap  10  may be extended across the upper surface of the bed and looped around between the mattress and the bed base, and secured to the base frame  2 . To provide further support, the apparatus  1  also includes height-adjustable feet  11  to accommodate differing bed heights. 
     In this embodiment, the leg support, in the form of a footrest  3  in the example illustrated, is pivotally mounted to the transport means via a “lazy suzy” swivel bearing  7  which allows the footrest  3  to rotate, within limits, about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the transport means. 
     The transport means preferably comprises guide means such as a linear guide  5 , a carriage  4 , and an actuation means to move the carriage  4  relative to the linear guide  5 . The guide  5  may be curved if desired. In use, a control system in the form of a wired or wireless remote control handset  17  is provided which allows the user to control the operation of the actuation means. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the actuation means comprises an electric motor  6  and a driving means. The electric motor  6  is adapted to be powered by mains electricity from a wall outlet and therefore includes an electrical plug  25  suitable to be coupled with a mains electricity wall outlet, and a transformer  24  to convert the mains electricity to the current and voltage required by the electric motor  6 . In other embodiments the actuator may be powered by a battery. 
     In the illustrated embodiments, the driving means comprises a worm drive comprising a threaded rod provided within the linear guide  5 , and through a complementary threaded portion of the carriage  4 , in a self-locking worm drive arrangement. In practice, the electric motor  6  is used to rotate the threaded rod about its longitudinal axis, causing the carriage  4  to move relative to the linear guide  5 . Although a worm drive is disclosed, it will be appreciated that the driving means may alternatively comprise a pulley system, an alternative gear drive such as a chain drive or a tooth and sprocket drive arrangement, or any other such suitable driving means. 
     In this embodiment the linear guide  5  is pivotally connected directly to the base frame  2  at region  14 , while the second end is offset from the axis of rotation  12  by a lift arm  13 , which is pivotally connected to the base support frame  2  at region  15 . Together, the linear guide  5  and lift arm  13  form a moveable frame part. A control arm  16  is pivotally connected between the carriage  4  of the moveable frame part, and the stationary base support frame  2  such that movement of the carriage  4  relative to the linear guide  5  causes the moveable frame part to move pivotally relative to the stationary support about the pivot joints  14  and  15 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the control arm may be connected to another part of the moveable frame that moves with the carriage. 
     Therefore, as the actuator moves the carriage along the guide means, the control arm causes the moveable frame part to pivot, thus moving the user&#39;s legs upwardly or downwardly while they are also being moved laterally in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the bed or support frame. When the carriage is moved longitudinally toward pivot  14 , arm  16  forces the arm  13  to rise, pivoting arm  13  away from the stationary support frame. This raises the user&#39;s leg(s). When the carriage is moved away from pivot  14 , arm  13  pivots back towards the stationary support frame, thus lowering the user&#39;s leg(s). Therefore, slidable movement of the leg support relative to the support frame by the actuator causes pivotal movement of the leg support relative to the support frame such that the leg support can be disposed in a lowered position in which a leg support surface  3   a  of the leg support is substantially vertical for receiving the user&#39;s lower leg(s), and a raised position in which the leg support surface is substantially horizontal and laterally displaced from the lowered position to dispose the leg(s) of a user substantially adjacent to an upper surface of a bed. From the raised position the user may shuffle his or her leg(s) onto a middle part or central part of the upper surface of the bed. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , it can be seen that the stationary support frame  2  includes a ramp portion  30 . As shown in  FIG. 1   a , when the arm  13  is in the lowered position the carriage  4  moves along the ramp portion and the control arm  16  extends, allowing arm  13  to fold into position within the stationary frame  2 . Upon actuation of the actuator, the carriage  4  moves along the ramp portion. This moves the control arm  16  outwardly about spherical bearing  31 , and causes it to retract to a non-extended position as shown in  FIG. 1   b . Thus the control arm is positioned at an opening angle to allow it to act to control the upward pivoting movement of the arm  13 . The opening angle in the embodiment shown is approximately 6 degrees. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that an opening angle is required for the control arm to exert an outward force on arm  13 . Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the opening angle may be achieved ways other than using a ramp. For example, a can could also be used. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a - 7   b , the apparatus  1  is illustrated in use, shown diagrammatically in conjunction with a bed, referenced  26 , and a user of the apparatus, referenced  27 . The user may sit on the bed as shown, placing his or her legs such that the user&#39;s feet or lower legs are in front of the leg support or footrest  3  in its lowered position. Upon the user issuing an operating command (such as by pressing a button to activate a switch) using the remote control handset  17 , the actuator is activated which causes the footrest  3  to move from the lowered vertical position as shown in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , through a natural range of motion a person would ordinarily use, to the fully raised horizontal position adjacent to or on the upper surface of the bed, as shown in  FIGS. 17   a  and  17   b.    
     For illustrative purposes, the leg transport apparatus  1  is shown in an intermediate position, between the lowered and raised positions, in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . The footrest  3  has been moved part way along the linear guide  5 . In practice, the footrest will rotate about the mounting bearing  7  in such a way that the sides  3   a  remain approximately parallel with the user&#39;s legs. 
     Raising the footrest  3  from a generally vertical lowered position to a generally horizontal raised position moves the user&#39;s legs from a sitting position beside the bed, to a position whereby the user&#39;s feet are adjacent to the upper surface of the bed. The user need only then slide or lift their feet from the footrest  3  onto the upper surface of the bed. 
     The process may be reversed to assist the user in getting out of bed, whereby the user may place their legs on the footrest  3  in the raised position adjacent to the upper surface of the bed, then issue an operating command using the remote control handset  17  to lower the footrest  3  to the generally vertical lowered position beside the bed. The pivotal mounting of the footrest  3  relative to the carriage  4  allows the footrest to rotate as the apparatus moves between the lowered and raised positions. 
     Preferably the lift control arm  16  is telescopic, so that the transport means and footrest  3  can always be raised manually from its lowered position without use of the actuator, allowing the user to free his or her legs, clothing, or anything else which may get caught, if required. Also, if the arm  13  encounters an obstruction when being lowered, then the telescoping action of the control arm prevents the obstruction being entrapped. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , an alternative embodiment of a leg support having an extension function is shown. The leg support of this embodiment may also be used in the other embodiments of the invention. In this embodiment the swivel bearing or swivel plate  7  provides a base portion of the support and includes an actuator  20  which includes an elongate arm  21  that extends from a tube  22  or rail (preferably a worm gear drive arrangement). The arm  21  is connected to the footrest  3  so that the actuator  20  is operable to extend or retract the footrest  3  across the upper surface of the bed. Thus this embodiment can be used in place of the leg support described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , plan views of a leg lifting apparatus incorporating the alternative leg support are represented diagrammatically, again in conjunction with a bed  26  and a user  27  of the bed leg lifting apparatus  1 . The leg support  3  includes the further actuation means  20 , whereby the footrest  3  may be extended towards the centre of the bed&#39;s upper surface to further assist the user in getting onto or off abed. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the footrest  3  is shown in a retracted position. By manipulating the remote control handset  17 , the user&#39;s legs may be transported towards the centre of the bed by extending the footrest  3  towards the position shown in  FIG. 11 , and similarly retracted to the position illustrated in  FIG. 10 . A sheet material  28  preferably having a low coefficient of friction, may be provided about a part of the footrest, to allow the user&#39;s feet or lower legs to slide easily off the footrest so that they lie on the folded sheet material. When the footrest is withdrawn the sheet material slides out from under the user&#39;s feet. 
     Use of the bed leg lifting apparatus therefore comprises the steps of a user sitting on the bed as shown in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  by placing his or her legs such that the user&#39;s feet or lower legs are in front of the footrest  3 , issuing an operating command using the remote control handset  17  to activate the actuator which causes the footrest or support  3  to move from the lowered vertical position to the raised horizontal position adjacent to the upper surface of the bed, as shown in  FIG. 10 , then optionally activating the further actuation means  20  using the remote control handset  17  to extend the footrest  3  towards the centre of the upper surface of the bed, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Alternatively, the bed leg lifting apparatus  1  may be adapted to automatically extend the footrest  3  upon reaching the generally horizontal raised position, and similarly retracting the footrest  3  before returning the leg support to the lowered position. Again, the process is reversed to assist the user in getting out of bed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b , a bed leg lifting apparatus  1  according to the invention is shown fitted with an optional grab handle  18 . The substantially vertical grab handle  18  may be used to support the user when sitting on or standing up from the bed, and during operation of the leg lifting apparatus  1 . 
       FIGS. 13   a  and  13   b  show a bed leg lifting apparatus  1  according to the invention, fitted with an optional transfer rail  19 . Similar to the grab handle  18 , the transfer rail  19  may be used for support. Unlike the grab handle  18 , however, the transfer rail  19  extends transversely to the bed, providing a rail by which the user may support themselves when walking to and from the bed, and turning around before sitting on the bed. 
     The transfer rail  19  includes a height-adjustable foot  11 . The lateral support the transfer rail  19  provides to the bed leg lifting apparatus  1  means that the stability bar and top strap may be omitted or removed in this embodiment. 
     The base frame  2  is therefore preferably provided with an attachment means, such as bolt holes, to allow the secure attachment of optional components such as the grab handle  18  and/or transfer rail  19 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b , another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, like reference numerals are used to denote like features described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-13   b.    
     The apparatus is shown fitted to a profiling bed having recesses within the mattress and frame to hide and/or omit some of the leg lifter components, such as the base frame and feet. This allows the leg lifting apparatus  1  to be mounted substantially flush with the side of the bed, allowing the user better access to the seated position on the bed. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15 to 17 , a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Features of this embodiment that are similar to those of the other embodiments described are denoted using the same reference numerals. Therefore to avoid repetition, the only new features of this embodiment will be described in detail. The feature of this embodiment is that the support frame  2  and lift arm  13  incorporate are partly or wholly moulded from a suitable material such as plastic. In a preferred embodiment the process may be rotational moulding, but other processes may be used. Also the moulded parts are preferably such that the steel frame parts described in the previous embodiments are no longer required. Thus, bearing support sleeves or similar apparatus may be provided as inserts in the moulds and the plastic moulded about them so that the pivot points  14  and  15  can be provided in the finished article. A similar process can be employed to provide height adjustable (via threaded engagement) feet  11 . Also, the moulded frame  2  and lift arm  13  are constructed such that the actuator assembly and leg support can be mounted on the other side of the apparatus to allow the apparatus to be mounted on the left or right hand side of a bed. This means that a further set of moulds (and component inventory) is not required. In a preferred embodiment a “boot” or sleeve of flexible or resilient material is provided over the control arm  16 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a stability bar  8  having a threaded connector  27  is easily placed in one or each of slots  27   a , and fixed in place using nuts  28 . 
     In  FIG. 18  the embodiment of  FIGS. 15 to 17  is shown built as part of a profiling bed  32 . The bed frame has parts  30  to which the pivot connections  14  and  15  are made so the frame  2  is not required and the control arm is connected between the carriage and a part of the bed frame. As mentioned above, the lift arm  13  is moulded to allow the actuator assembly and leg support to be mounted on either side, so that the leg lifter apparatus as a whole is easily built onto either side of the bed. 
     In  FIGS. 19 and 20  the embodiment of  FIGS. 15 to 17  is shown fixed to a profiling bed. A U-bolt  40  and nuts over flat washer  41  engage the frame  2  with a near rail  43  of the bed frame. An adjustable length rod  44  may be used if necessary to further support the frame  2  by connecting it to a far bed rail  45 . This allows the leg lifter apparatus to move up and down with the bed as the bed is adjusted in height. A microswitch  46  is preferably provided along the base of the frame  2  which terminates the “down” movement function of the bed when pressure is encountered in order to prevent objects (such as toes) being trapped between the frame  2  and the floor. To assist a user the controller used to raise or lower the 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 15 to 17  includes a handle  2   a  which may be used to transport the apparatus. This may also serve as a handle for a user to support his or her upper body during a leg raising or lowering operation. However, a further handle  50  such as that shown in  FIGS. 23   a - 23 C may also be used. Handle  50  can be attached to the bed or to the frame  2  adjacent to the end of frame  2  that carries handle  2   a.    
     Turning now to  FIGS. 22 to 26 , a leg support assembly  51  is shown that may be used with any of the foregoing embodiments. The support assembly allows the leg support  3  to extend over the upper surface of the bed so that the user&#39;s leg(s) are conveniently located over a substantially central position of the upper surface of the bed at once the leg lifter apparatus is in its fully raised position. Therefore, the user does not need to shuffle his or her leg(s) transversely across the bed to assume a normal bed rest position. 
     The leg support assembly  51  comprises the leg support or footrest  3  which is hingedly connected to a base  52  by a hinge assembly  54 . The leg support  3  includes a fence or buttress  3   b  which in use contacts the side of a leg of the user to thereby facilitate turning of the support  3  about hinge  54  to allow the support  3  to extend from the base  52  as shown in  FIG. 22A . Projecting stop members  53  are positioned to contact the fence  3   b  at selected angular positions of the fence relative to the base in order to limit the extent of rotation of the support  3 . In one embodiment, a lower surface  3   c  of the support  3  is coated with a low friction material such as a low friction plastic sheet to facilitate rotation of the leg support  3  relative to the base  52 . 
     The construction of hinge  54  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 24B . An axle  57  includes a tapered bearing  58  at an upper end and another tapered bearing  59  at the lower end. The axle  57  is secured to the support  3  and the base  52  respectively by fixing bolts  56  and  60 . 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  show the leg lifting apparatus of  FIGS. 15 to 17  fitted with the leg support assembly  51 . In  FIG. 25  the apparatus is shown in the lowered position in which the leg support  3  is positioned over the base  52 . In  FIG. 26  the apparatus is in the raised position in which it can be seen that the support  3  has been rotated about hinge  54  to extend from base  52  so that user&#39;s legs are in a substantially central position over the upper surface of the bed. Thus the user needs to only slide his or her legs across upper surface  3   a  of the support  3  to adopt a normal bed rest position. 
     From the foregoing it will be seen that an apparatus is provided to allow a users legs to be transported from a position at the side of a bed onto an upper surface of the bed. In particular, the apparatus allows a single actuator to perform both a lateral sliding function and a pivoting function to move the leg support  3  between the required lowered and raised positions. The pivoting action is achieved by use of the control arm  16 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the actuator and control arm components may be reassembled in other configurations to achieve the same result. For example, the actuator may be provided on the support frame rather than the pivoting part of the apparatus, and move the leg support slideably through an appropriate linkage. A control arm between the leg support and the support frame may still be used to effect the pivotal or rotational movement of the leg support. Also, the pivotal mounting of the control arm on the leg support and/or the support frame may be such that the pivotal mounting slides relative to the leg support and/or the support frame. 
     Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. 
     Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.