Patent Publication Number: US-10772777-B2

Title: Linkage assemblies for person lifting apparatuses

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/514,300, titled “Linkage Assemblies for Person Lifting Apparatuses,” filed Jun. 2, 2017, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present specification generally relates to person lifting apparatuses, and more particularly to person lifting apparatuses that include linkage assemblies for attaching sling bars to the person lifting apparatuses. 
     Technical Background 
     Person lifting apparatuses, such as mobile lifts and/or overhead lifts, may be used in hospitals, other health care facilities, and sometimes in home care settings to move a subject or assist in moving a subject from one location to another. Conventional person lifting apparatuses are coupled to a subject support apparatus that supports and engages the subject. The subject support apparatus may be connected to the person lifting apparatuses using a sling bar, as an example. The sling bar can include a connector that is used to releasably engage the person lifting apparatuses. Coupling the sling bar to and releasing the sling bar from the person lifting apparatuses can consist of a relatively simple unlatching process, not requiring much attention during the coupling and unlatching processes. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for alternative linkages between sling bars and person lifting apparatuses that require some amount of attention when coupling and decoupling the sling bars from the person support apparatuses. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a linkage assembly that connects a sling bar to a person lift apparatus includes a link body that connects to the person lift apparatus. The link body has a keyed slot extending therethrough. The keyed slot has a region of reduced dimension. An interlocking member that connects to the sling bar. The interlocking member has an interlocking portion that is sized to be slidably received in the keyed slot. The interlocking portion has a region of reduced dimension such that, in an interlocked orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is offset from the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby inhibiting removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot and, in a release orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is aligned with the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby allowing removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot to disconnect the sling bar from the person lift apparatus. 
     In another embodiment, a person lifting apparatus includes an overhead structure comprising a flexible member and a linkage assembly that is connected to the flexible member. The linkage assembly includes a link body that connects to the person lift apparatus. The link body has a keyed slot extending therethrough. The keyed slot has a region of reduced dimension. An interlocking member that connects to the sling bar. The interlocking member has an interlocking portion that is sized to be slidably received in the keyed slot. The interlocking portion has a region of reduced dimension such that, in an interlocked orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is offset from the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby inhibiting removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot and, in a release orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is aligned with the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby allowing removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot to disconnect the sling bar from the person lift apparatus. 
     In another embodiment, a method of coupling a sling bar to a person lift apparatus using a linkage assembly is provided. The method includes connecting a link body of the linkage assembly to the person lifting apparatus. The link body has a keyed slot extending therethrough. The keyed slot has a region of reduced dimension. An interlocking member is connected to the sling bar the interlocking member having an interlocking portion sized to be slidably received in the keyed slot. The interlocking portion has a region of reduced dimension such that, in an interlocked orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is offset from the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby inhibiting removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot and, in a release orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is aligned with the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby allowing removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot to disconnect the sling bar from the person lift apparatus. The interlocking member is positioned in the release orientation and the interlocking member is inserted into the keyed slot. 
     Additional features of subject support apparatuses described herein will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a person lift apparatus with a linkage assembly that releasably connects a sling bar to the person lift apparatus according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a link body of the linkage assembly of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an interlocking member of the linkage assembly of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the interlocking member of  FIG. 3  coupled with the link body of  FIG. 2  forming the linkage assembly according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the linkage assembly of  FIG. 4  in an interlocked configuration according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of the linkage assembly of  FIG. 4  in a release configuration according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the linkage assembly of  FIG. 4  in the release configuration according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the linkage assembly of  FIG. 4  in an interlocked configuration according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment of a linkage assembly according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a sling bar for use with the linkage assembly of  FIG. 4  according to one or more embodiment shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a person lift apparatus according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and 
         FIG. 12  illustrates another person lift apparatus according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of person lifting apparatuses and linkage assemblies for use therewith, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. The linkage assemblies are provided as multi-part linkage assemblies including a link body that connects to the person lifting apparatus. The linkage assemblies further include an interlocking member that connects to a sling bar. The link body includes a keyed slot that is sized to receive an interlocking portion of the interlocking member for releasable coupling between the link body and the interlocking member. In particular, the keyed slot of the link body and the interlocking portion of the interlocking member are shaped and configured such that the interlocking member has an interlocked orientation relative to the link body that inhibits removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot and a release orientation relative to the link body that allows removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot. Various embodiments of person lifting apparatuses and linkage assemblies will be described herein with specific reference to the appended drawings. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a person  10  is illustrated in a subject support apparatus  12 , which, in turn, is supported by a person lift apparatus  14 . The subject support apparatus  12  is coupled to a sling bar  16  by looping shoulder straps  18  over hooks  22  of the sling bar  16 . The subject support apparatus  12  is coupled to the sling bar  16  such that the subject support apparatus  12  may be removable from the sling bar  16 , and different subject support apparatuses may be coupled to the sling bar  16 . 
     The sling bar  16  may be coupled to an overhead structure  24 , such as a ceiling and/or overhead beam. In some embodiments, the overhead structure may be part of the person lifting apparatus, such as a mobile lift. The sling bar  16  is releasably connected to a support strap  26  of the person lift apparatus  14  by a linkage assembly  30 . The linkage assembly  30  includes a link body  32  that connects to the support strap  26  and an interlocking member  34  that connects to the sling bar  16 . As will be described in greater detail below, the interlocking member  34  has an interlocked orientation relative to the link body  32  that inhibits removal of the interlocking member  34  from the link body  32  and a release orientation relative to the link body  32  that allows removal of the interlocking member  34  from the link body  32 . 
     The subject support apparatus  12  is coupled to the sling bar  16  such that some or all of the bodyweight of the person  10  may be supported by the overhead structure  24 . This support of the overhead structure  24  can assist the person  10  in a variety of activities, such as standing, walking, sitting, laying, etc. For example, in some instances, the sling bar  16  and the overhead structure  24  may be located above a treadmill and the overhead structure  24  may support some or all of the bodyweight of the person  10  to assist the person  10  in walking on the treadmill. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  the link body  32  and the interlocking member  34 , respectively, are illustrated in isolation. Referring first to  FIG. 2 , the link body  32  includes a lift connecting portion  36  and a sling bar connecting portion  38 . The lift connecting portion  36  includes a connector  40 , which, in this embodiment, is an opening  42  through the link body  32 ; however, any suitable connector  40  may be used, such as a buckle or other fastening structure. The sling bar connecting portion  38  includes a first connection leg  44  and a second connection leg  46  that is spaced-apart from the first connection leg  44 . The first connection leg  44  extends downwardly from a first outer edge  48  of the lift connecting portion  36  and includes a first vertical portion  50  and a second vertical portion  52  that is connected to the first vertical portion  50  by a bend  54 . The second vertical portion  52  terminates at an end  56  that is spaced vertically from the lift connecting portion  36  forming a hook shape  63  and providing a gap  60  between the end  56  and the lift connecting portion  36 . As will be described below, the gap  60  is provided to allow the interlocking member  34  to be released from the link body  32 . 
     The second connection leg  46  extends downwardly from a second outer edge  64  of the lift connecting portion  36  that is opposite the first outer edge  48  and includes a first vertical portion  66  and a second vertical portion  68  that is connected to the first vertical portion  66  by a bend  70 . In the illustrated embodiment, both the first vertical portion  66  and the second vertical portion  68  of the second connection leg  46  are connected directly to the lift connecting portion  36 . The first vertical portion  66  of the second connection leg  46  is spaced from the second vertical portion  68  forming a slot  72  therebetween. The slot  72  extends vertically from the bend  70  of the second connection leg  46  toward the lift connecting portion  36 . The slot  72  is aligned with the hook shape  63  of the first connection leg  44  forming a keyed slot  74  therebetween. 
     The keyed slot  74  is provided by a vertical wall  76  that extends between the first connection leg  44  and the second connection leg  46 . The vertical wall  76  has a widthwise dimension d 1 . As will be described below, the thickness dimension d 1  of the vertical wall  76  provides the keyed slot  74  with a region  78  of reduced dimension d 2  in the widthwise direction compared to a region  80  of increased dimension d 3  below the vertical wall  76  where the interlocking member  34  ( FIG. 3 ) can rest. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the interlocking member  34  includes an interlocking portion  82  and a bar connecting portion  84  that extends outward from the interlocking portion  82 . The interlocking portion  82  has a rounded portion  86  and a flat portion  88  that intersects opposite ends  90  and  92  of the interlocking portion  82  forming a truncated cylinder shape having a region  94  of reduced dimension d 4 . While the portion  86  is illustrated as rounded, the portion  86  may be any suitable shape, such as polygonal. The bar connecting portion  84  extends outwardly from the interlocking portion  82  at a location between the ends  90  and  92  forming a T-shape. The bar connecting portion  84  extends outwardly from the interlocking portion  82  at a side of the interlocking portion  82  that is opposite the flat portion  88 . Although not shown in  FIG. 3 , the bar connecting portion  84  may include any suitable connector for connecting to a sling bar. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the linkage assembly  30  is illustrated in an interlocked orientation with the region  94  of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion  82  angularly offset from the region  78  of reduced dimension of the keyed slot  74 . In the interlocked configuration, the bar connecting portion  84  is located between the first connection leg  44  and the second connection leg  46 , extending away from the lift connecting portion  36  of the link body  32  in order to be connected to a sling bar. The end  90  of the interlocking portion  82  is received within the hook shape  63  of the first connection leg  44  while the end  92  is received within the slot  72  of the second connection leg  46 . A widthwise dimension d 5  parallel to the flat portion  88  is less than the dimension d 3  ( FIG. 4 ) such that the rounded portion  86  rests against a rounded seating surface  98  of the hook shape  63 . Likewise, the slot  72  of the second connection leg  46  may have a same dimension d 3 , or even a different dimension, depending on the shape of the interlocking portion  82  such that the rounded portion  86  rests against a rounded seating surface  100  of the slot  72 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the linkage assembly  30  in the interlocked orientation illustrating the region  78  of reduced dimension d 2  of the keyed slot  74  and the region  94  of reduced dimension d 4  of the interlocking portion  82  offset from the region  78  thereby positioning the interlocking member  34  in an interlocked orientation. To place the interlocking member  34  in a release orientation, the bar connecting portion  84  is rotated in the direction of arrow  102  (90 degrees in this embodiment) until the region  94  of reduced dimension d 4  is aligned with the region  78  of reduced dimension d 2  as shown by  FIG. 6 . In the release orientation, the dimension d 4  of the interlocking portion  82  is less than the dimension d 2  of the keyed slot  74  thereby allowing the interlocking portion  82  to slide vertically within the keyed slot  74  in the direction of arrow  104  along the vertical wall  76  as shown by  FIG. 7 . In this raised position, the bar connecting portion  84  is aligned with the gap  60  between the end  56  of the first connection leg  44  and the lift connecting portion  36  so that the interlocking portion  82  can slide out of the slot  72  and from the keyed slot  74 . It should be appreciated that a distance D between the first connection leg  44  and the second connection leg  46  may be selected to interfere with side-to side movement of the bar connecting portion  84  so that end  92  of the interlocking portion  82  cannot be removed from the slot  72  with the interlocking member in the interlocked orientation as shown by  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the linkage assembly  30  may have a locked configuration where a fastener  110  may be inserted within an opening  112  ( FIG. 3 ) of the interlocking member  34 . The fastener  110  may have a head portion  114  having a width that is greater than a width of the slot  72  so that the interlocking portion  82  cannot be removed from the slot  72 , even with the interlocking member  34  in the release orientation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of a linkage assembly  130  is illustrated that includes many of the features described above in regard to linkage assembly  30  including a link body  132  and interlocking member  134 . As above, the link body  132  includes a lift connecting portion  136  and a sling bar connecting portion  138 . The lift connecting portion  136  includes a connector  140 , which, in this embodiment, is a buckle that can releasably couple with a support strap  142  of an overhead structure. The sling bar connecting portion  138  includes a first connection leg  144  and a second connection leg  146  that together form a keyed slot  148  in a fashion similar to that described above. 
     The interlocking member  134  includes an interlocking portion  150  and a bar connecting portion  152  that extends outward from the interlocking portion  150  forming a T-shape. As above, the interlocking portion  150  has a rounded portion  154  and a flat portion  156 . In this example, the bar connecting portion  152  includes a connector  158  for connecting to a corresponding connector  160  on the sling bar  16 . 
     In various embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the subject support apparatus  12  is coupled to an overhead structure using a sling bar  200 .  FIG. 9  depicts a sling bar  200  in greater detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the sling bar  200  includes a connector  602  for coupling the sling bar  200  to an overhead structure, such as a lift assembly. The connector  602  is fixedly coupled to the sling bar  200  in  FIG. 10 , although in other embodiments, the connector  602  may be movably coupled to the sling bar  200 . Without being bound by theory, allowing the connector  602  to move with respect to the sling bar  200  may help to decrease the torque forces on the connector  602  when a subject support apparatus is coupled to the sling bar  200 , maintain the alignment of the subject support apparatus, sling bar, and overhead structure, and prevent twisting of various components. 
     The sling bar  200  includes an elongated bar  604  and two hooks  606  coupled to the distal ends of the elongated bar  604 . In other embodiments, the sling bar  200  may be an X-shaped sling bar that includes two curved frame members coupled by a middle frame member and including four support apparatus coupling mechanisms. In still other embodiments, the sling bar may include a U-shaped frame including two support apparatus coupling mechanisms and a U-shaped handle extending from the frame to provide stability to a subject being lifted. Other sling bar configurations are contemplated. Various sling bar configurations are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0216753, entitled “Person Lift System”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     The hooks  606  include a coupling base  608  with a recessed space  610  therein and a latch  612  configured to selectively enclose the recessed space  610 . The latch  612  is pivotally coupled to the coupling base  608  and is configured to extend across the recessed space  610  in a closed position and rotate towards the recessed space  610  in an open position. In operation, when a user couples a subject support apparatus to the hook  606 , the user pushes the latch  612  (i.e., rotates the latch  612  toward the recessed space  610 ), such as with a shoulder strap and/or a loop strap to allow the strap(s) or other portion of the subject support apparatus to be inserted into the recessed space  610 . When a user removes the subject support apparatus from the hook  606 , the user pushes the latch  612  to rotate the latch  612  toward an open position (i.e., rotates the latch  612  toward the recessed space  610 ) and allow the subject support apparatus to be removed from the recessed space  610 . 
     Suitable sling bars include, by way of example and not limitation, those commercially available under the trade names Universal SlingBar, SlingBar Mini, and Sling Cross-Bar, from Liko, HILL-ROM®, or Hill-Rom Services, Inc. (Batesville, Ind.). Additionally, it is contemplated that some embodiments may not include a sling bar. 
     In some embodiments, an overhead structure may be a lift assembly, such as a mobile lift or an overhead lift assembly  700  as depicted in  FIG. 11 . The overhead lift assembly  700  may include a lift  702 , a strap  704  (or other flexible member such as a rope) configured to be extended and retracted by the lift  702 , and a control system including an input device  706  configured to control operations of the lift  702 . In embodiments, the sling bar  200  is coupled to an end of the strap  704  through the connector  602  and the linkage assembly  30 ,  130 . The lift  702  may further include a motor and a drum, each positioned within a housing  708 . The drum may be coupled to a shaft of the motor and may be configured to extend and retract the strap  704  as the motor rotates the drum in response to a user providing an input to the control system via an input device  706 . Various lift assemblies may be employed, including those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0216753, entitled “Person Lift System”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Suitable commercially available lift assemblies include, by way of example and not limitation, lift systems available under the trade names GOLVO®, LIKO®, SABINA®, VIKING®, UNO™, LIKOGUARD™, LIKORALL™, and MULTIRALL™, from Liko, HILL-ROM®, or Hill-Rom Services, Inc. (Batesville, Ind.). 
     While a lift assembly, such as the one shown and described in  FIG. 11 , may enable vertical lifting of the subject, in some embodiments, such as embodiments in which the subject is capable of standing or walking with support, the overhead structure  24  may provide support rather than vertical lifting. In such embodiments, the overhead structure  24  may be a ceiling. Alternatively or in addition, the overhead structure  24  may be another structure that is stationary in one or both vertical and horizontal directions relative to the ceiling. Without being bound by theory, embodiments in which the subject support apparatus is coupled to a stationary overhead structure may enable facilities that cannot afford to have a complete overhead system including an overhead lift motor and a track, or otherwise lack such systems, to provide support to subjects that need it. Accordingly, coupling the subject support apparatus to a stationary overhead structure may reduce budgetary concerns while enabling facilities to provide care to subjects that can support body weight. 
     In some embodiments, an overhead structure  800  may be provided by a mobile lift assembly  802 . An exemplary mobile lift assembly  802  is illustrated by  FIG. 12 . As above, the linkage assemblies  30 ,  130  may be used in connecting a sling bar to the mobile lift assembly  802 . 
     Based on the foregoing, it should be understood that various embodiments provide for linkage assemblies that can be used to couple sling bars to a variety of person lift apparatuses. The linkage assemblies include a link body and an interlocking member that releasably couples to the link body. The link body can include a connector for connecting with a strap or other lifting member of the person lift apparatus. The interlocking member may also include a connector for connecting with the sling bar. The linkage assemblies include an interlocked configuration and a release configuration. An operator utilizes steps to place the interlocking member in a release orientation relative to the link body. In particular, the operator rotates the interlocking member relative to the link body to move the interlocking member from an interlocked configuration to the release configuration in which the interlocking member can be decoupled from the link body. This movement between the interlocked orientation to the release orientation demands some attention from the operator in order to both connect the link bar to and to release the link bar from the person lift apparatus. 
     Embodiments can be described with reference to the following numbered clauses, with preferred features laid out in the dependent clauses: 
     1. A linkage assembly that connects a sling bar to a person lift apparatus includes a link body that connects to the person lift apparatus. The link body has a keyed slot extending therethrough. The keyed slot has a region of reduced dimension. An interlocking member that connects to the sling bar. The interlocking member has an interlocking portion that is sized to be slidably received in the keyed slot. The interlocking portion has a region of reduced dimension such that, in an interlocked orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is offset from the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby inhibiting removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot and, in a release orientation, the region of reduced dimension of the interlocking portion is aligned with the region of reduced dimension of the keyed slot thereby allowing removal of the interlocking member from the keyed slot to disconnect the sling bar from the person lift apparatus. 
     2. The linkage assembly of the preceding clause, wherein the link body includes a lift connecting portion and a sling bar connecting portion. The lift connecting portion is configured to connect to the person lift apparatus. The sling bar connecting portion has the keyed slot. 
     3. The linkage assembly of the preceding clause, wherein the lift portion comprises a connector that connects to the person lift apparatus. The sling bar connecting portion includes a first connection leg that extends outwardly from an edge of the lift portion. A second connection leg extends outwardly from an opposite edge of the lift portion and is spaced from the first connection leg. 
     4. The linkage assembly of the preceding clause, wherein the first connection leg includes a first vertical portion that extends outwardly from the link body and a second vertical portion that is connected to the first vertical portion by a bend. 
     5. The linkage assembly of the preceding clause, wherein the second vertical portion terminates at an end that is spaced from the lift connecting portion forming a hook shape. 
     6. The linkage assembly of any of clauses 3-5, wherein the second connection leg includes a first vertical portion extending outwardly from the link body and a second vertical portion that is connected to the first vertical portion by a bend. 
     7. The linkage assembly of the preceding clause, wherein the second vertical portion being connected directly to the link body, the first vertical portion of the second connection leg being spaced from the second vertical portion of the second connection leg forming a slot therebetween, the slot being aligned with the hook shape of the first connection leg. 
     8. The linkage assembly of any of clauses 3-7, wherein the sling bar connecting portion includes a wall that extends between the first connection leg and the second connection leg. The wall has a widthwise dimension that provides the keyed slot with the region of reduced dimension. 
     9. The linkage assembly of any of clauses 3-8, wherein the interlocking member has a bar connecting portion that extends outwardly from the interlocking portion. The bar connecting portion is located between the first connection leg and the second connection leg with the interlocking member in the interlocked orientation. 
     10. The linkage assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the interlocking portion has a rounded portion and a flat portion forming a truncated cylinder that provides the interlocking member with the region of reduced dimension. 
     11. A person lifting apparatus including an overhead structure including a flexible member and linkage assembly of any of the preceding clauses that is connected to the flexible member. 
     12. The person lifting apparatus of the preceding clause further including a sling bar that is coupled to the linkage assembly. 
     13. The person lifting apparatus of the preceding clause, wherein the interlocking member has a bar connecting portion that extends outwardly from the interlocking portion, the bar connecting portion of the interlocking member coupled to the sling bar. 
     14. The person lifting apparatus of any of clauses 11-13, wherein the link body includes a lift connecting portion and a sling bar connecting portion. The lift connecting portion is connected to the flexible member. The sling bar connecting portion has the keyed slot. 
     15. The person lifting apparatus of the preceding clause, wherein the lift portion includes a connector that is connected to the flexible member. The sling bar connecting portion includes a first connection leg that extends outwardly from an edge of the lift portion. A second connection leg extends outwardly from an opposite edge of the lift portion and is spaced from the first connection leg. 
     16. The person lifting apparatus of the preceding clause, wherein the first connection leg includes a first vertical portion extending outwardly from the link body and a second vertical portion that is connected to the first vertical portion by a bend. 
     17. The person lifting apparatus of the preceding clause, wherein the second vertical portion terminates at an end that is spaced from the lift connecting portion forming a hook shape. 
     18. The person lifting apparatus of any of clauses 15-17, wherein the second connection leg includes a first vertical portion that extends outwardly from the link body and a second vertical portion that is connected to the first vertical portion by a bend. 
     19. The person lifting apparatus of the preceding clause, wherein the second vertical portion is connected directly to the link body. The first vertical portion of the second connection leg being spaced from the second vertical portion of the second connection leg forming a slot therebetween. The slot is aligned with the hook shape of the first connection leg. 
     20. The person lifting apparatus of any of clauses 15-19, wherein the sling bar connecting portion includes a wall that extends between the first connection leg and the second connection leg. The wall has a thickness dimension that provides the keyed slot with the region of reduced dimension. 
     21. The person lifting apparatus of any of clauses 15-19, wherein the interlocking member has a bar connecting portion that extends outwardly from the interlocking portion. The bar connecting portion is received between the first connection leg and the second connection leg with the interlocking member in the interlocked orientation. 
     22. The person lifting apparatus of any of clauses 11-21, wherein the interlocking portion has a rounded portion and a flat portion forming a truncated cylinder that provides the interlocking member with the region of reduced dimension. 
     23. A method of coupling a sling bar to a person lift apparatus using a linkage assembly of any of clauses 1-10 includes connecting a link body of the linkage assembly to the person lifting apparatus. The interlocking member is connected to the sling bar. The interlocking member is positioned in the release orientation and inserted into the keyed slot. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein provided such modification and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.