Patent Publication Number: US-2007118982-A1

Title: Device and method for lifting

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
      The need to move objects, animals or people is a daily requirement in many situations. This movement can be accomplished in innumerable ways when required along a single level. However, it becomes more complicated when the object, animal or person must be moved to a level above or below the original position.  
      For example, water therapy in pools and spas has been recognized as an effective mode of treatment for a number of injuries and disabilities. However, injured or disabled individuals often cannot access pools and spas because they are unable to support themselves in order to enter or exit the water. Lowering from the side of a pool or even attempting to walk down stairs in a pool is often not possible for someone with a disability. Such individuals must be lifted or raised out of the water. While there are several lifts available, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,218,727; 5,572,921; 5,790,995; or 6,256,807; many are large and cumbersome, require complicated track systems or may not be sufficiently stable to use unassisted. A need still exists for a steady, durable lift to provide access for all persons to an in-ground or above-ground pool or spa.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY  
      The subject invention generally involves a device capable of lowering an object, animal or person (hereafter referred to collectively as a “person”) to a position that is below a starting level or position. Specifically, the exemplified embodiment is capable of lowering a person over the side or edge of a pool or spa, in a controlled manner, to a position within the pool or spa. The subject invention is also capable of lifting or raising a person back to the original starting level position in order to exit the pool or spa and the device.  
      In general, the device of the subject invention utilizes one or more support arms pivotally attached by one end to a transport assembly. The opposite end of the one or more support arms is further pivotally attached to a bracket support that itself is securely affixed to a firm surface, for example, at or near the edge of a pool or spa. The transport assembly further comprises one or more platform support masts connected to a platform on which a person can be positioned for lifting or lowering. One or more of the support arms can be actuated by various means that can raise or lower the support arms. When the support arms are raised or lowered by the actuating means the transport assembly is concurrently raised or lowered, respectively, which raises or lowers a platform into or out of a pool or spa. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a partial exploded view of an embodiment of the subject invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a side-view of an embodiment of the subject invention illustrating the motion of the transport assembly as the support arm is raised or lowered by the actuating means.  
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the subject invention, as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a side-view of an embodiment of the subject invention shown in a stowed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DISCLOSURE  
      The subject invention pertains to a device capable of lowering a person below a given level or position and/or raising the person back to the starting level or position. In general, the subject invention comprises a platform onto which a person can be positioned, the platform being attached to one or more support arms capable of raising or lowering a person, for example, into or out of a pool or spa from a position on the side or edge of the pool or spa. As a further non-limiting example, a person in a wheelchair could be positioned on the platform and lowered to a desired level, wheelchair and all, into a pool or spa. If desired, in this example, the person could leave the wheelchair to conduct aqua therapy exercises, or other activities (water massage therapy, swim for exercise, recreation, relaxation, and also for socializing as in a backyard hottub or residential pool). Then, upon returning to the platform, the person can be repositioned in the wheelchair and the platform can then be raised upwards, out of the pool or spa and positioned at the side of the pool or spa so that the wheelchair can be rolled off of the platform.  
      The invention will now be described in more detail, and with reference to parts that are illustrated in the accompanying figures.  
      The subject invention utilizes a transport assembly  12  that is pivotally attached to one or more support arms  26 . The transport assembly  12  comprises a platform  14  of sufficient dimensions to accommodate a person and/or any desired support equipment, such as a wheelchair. In a preferred embodiment, the platform  14  has dimensions that can accommodate a person sitting in a wheelchair, such that the person and wheelchair can be rolled onto the platform. In a most preferred embodiment, the platform is approximately 30 inches long, from the front end  40  to the back end  45 , and about 45 inches wide. In a further preferred embodiment, the transport assembly  12  further comprises a stowable ramp  22  that can be connected to the back end  45  of the platform  14  or connected to the adjoining deck to aid in rolling a wheelchair of similar equipment onto the platform. The ramp  22  can be removably attached to the platform, but in a preferred embodiment the ramp  22  is pivotally attached to the back end  45  of the platform utilizing techniques and devices known in the art ( FIG. 4 ), such as, for example one or more hinges. And, in a still further preferred embodiment, the ramp  22  can be pivoted vertically upwards and “stowed” in that position so that it will not interfere with the side or edge of the pool or spa when the subject invention is in operation. In a most preferred embodiment, the ramp is approximately 14 inches long, from the its leading edge to its hinged edge, and is about 27 inches wide.  
      The transport assembly  12  may further comprise one or more guide rails  18  attached to the platform  14 , for example, as shown  FIG. 2 , to assist in positioning and/or securing a person or equipment on the platform. In addition, the platform may have ridges, edges, or wheel stops strategically positioned so as to inhibit a wheelchair or other equipment from accidentally rolling off the front end  40  and/or sides of the platform.  
      Further, the transport assembly comprises at least one platform support mast  23  connected to the platform  14 , preferably proximal to the back end  45  of the platform. Most preferred are two platform support masts  23 , one positioned at each corner of back edge  45 . In a preferred embodiment, platform support mast  23  comprises an upper portion that is angled back away from the platform as depicted in  FIG. 2 , and referred to as the pivot segment  24 . The lower segment of the platform support mast  23  is the support segment  20 , which is positioned relatively perpendicular to the platform  14  when the platform  14  is in its extended position. In a preferred embodiment, during operation, the support segment  20  is maintained in a relatively vertical position, for example as shown in  FIG. 2 , so as to maintain the extended platform  14  in a relatively horizontal position. The pivot segment  24  of platform support mast  23  is pivotally attached by means known to those with skill in the art, to at least one support arm  26 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
      In a further embodiment, one or more platform support lines  16  can be connected between the platform  14  and the platform support mast  23 , to provide additional support to the platform ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The support lines  16  can comprise a variety of materials that may be rigid or flexible, including, but not limited to, ropes or cords, chains, collapsible arms or rods, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the support lines comprise a strong flexible cable. In a further preferred embodiment, the subject invention utilizes two support lines  16 . In this embodiment, one end of each support line  16  is connected to each side of the platform  14 , nearer the front end  40 , while the other end of each support line  16  is connected to the nearest platform support mast  23 , preferably at a point on the support mast near the angle formed between the support segment  20  and the pivot segment  24 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In order to assist in providing ideal support, the support lines  16  should be sufficiently taut between the two connection points such that the weight of the platform  14 , and any person or equipment thereon, is adequately supported by the support segment  20  and the support lines  16 .  
      As mentioned above, the transport assembly  12  is pivotally connected to one or more support arms  26  by the pivot segment  24  of the platform support mast  23 . The one or more support arms  26  act as cantilevers to raise or lower the transport assembly  12 . However, in order to maintain the platform  14 , in a horizontal position and to minimize swinging, a rigid guide arm  25  is utilized with the support arm  26  in order to maintain the horizontal aspect of the transport assembly as it is raised or lowered. In one embodiment, one end of guide arm  25  is pivotally connected to the platform support mast  23  and the other end of guide arm  25  is pivotally connected to a suitably stable support, for example, the concrete or decking around a pool or spa. In a preferred embodiment, one end of guide arm  25  is pivotally connected to the platform support mast  23 , at or near the end of the pivot segment  24  closest to the angle apex. The other end of the guide arm  25  is preferably pivotally connected to the bracket support  28 , discussed below. The guide arm  25  should be sufficiently long enough to maintain the horizontal aspect of the platform  14 . Further, it is preferred that the guide arm  25  and the support arm  26  be positioned so that, in operation, they are maintained substantially parallel to each other, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
      The subject invention utilizes at least one support arm  26  as a cantilever to raise or lower the transport assembly  12 . To accomplish this, the support arm  26  is pivotally connected to and supported by one or more bracket supports  28 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The bracket supports  28  are, preferably, affixed to a firm, sturdy foundation, for example the concrete or decking that usually surrounds a pool or spa. However, a specially designed platform or area could be utilized. In a preferred embodiment, the bracket support is fixedly connected to a base  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The base  34  can then be fixedly attached to a firm, sturdy foundation utilizing various means known in the art, such as nails, screws, adhesives, nut and bolt assemblies, or combinations thereof.  
      The raising or lowering of the support arms  26  can be accomplished by a variety of actuating means, such as rotational or pivotal assemblies known to those with skill in the art, including motorized or manual means, for example, manual control devices, various piston or gear systems, etc. Such rotation or pivotal assemblies, in preferred embodiments, would provide adequate control to raise or lower the support arm  26 , and, thus, the platform  14 , and maintain a stable position anywhere within the axis of rotation of the support arm  26 . In one embodiment, one or more linear actuator devices  30  are utilized, for example the LINAK model LA31 or model LA34. In a preferred embodiment, two linear actuator devices  30  are utilized, one on each side of platform  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In a still further preferred embodiment, the piston rod of each linear actuator devices  30  is pivotally connected to a support arm  26  and the housing of actuator device  30  is pivotally connected to a stable foundation, for example the base  34 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The linear actuator device  30  should have sufficient range to lower the support arm  26  and position the platform  14  to the desired depth below the base  34  of the bracket support  28 . In a preferred embodiment, the linear actuator device  30  is capable of lowering the platform  14  to a position approximately 30 inches to about 42 inches below the base  34  of the bracket support  28 . In a preferred embodiment, the linear actuator device  30  is able to lower the platform to a level approximately 36 inches below the base  34  of the bracket support  28 . It should also be understood that the linear actuator device  30  would have sufficient power to raise the platform  14 , with a person and/or equipment thereon, to the original position on the side or edge of the pool, so that the ramp  22  could be placed to allow a person to exit the platform. For example, the LINAK model LA31 is advertised as able to support between about 900 lbs. to about 1300 lbs. (for the model LA34, 7000 Newtons in push or about 1570 lbs.), which should be more than sufficient to operate the subject invention when utilized to lift a person in a wheelchair.  
      The rotational or pivotal assemblies used in the subject invention can be controlled, for example, manually (such as by a jack; gears; crank; or fluid pressure, such as by water or oil, or pumping mechanisms), or electrically (powered by AC or by DC, by battery). However, in a preferred embodiment, the assembly is a linear actuator device  30  that is battery operated. In still a further preferred embodiment, the controls for the linear actuator device  30  are configured to be used, if desired, by a person positioned on the platform  14 . This can be accomplished by a variety of techniques known to those with skill in the art, including remote controls, extended cord controls, radio controls, voice operated controls, valves, etc.  
      Generally, in operation, the one or more support arms  26  are raised or lowered which in turn causes the transport assembly  12 , and the platform  14  thereof, to be accordingly raised or lowered. When properly positioned along the side or edge of a pool or spa, the angle between the pivot segment  24  and the support segment  20  of the platform support mast  23  allows the transport assembly to be lowered into the pool or spa with minimal or no contact with the wall of the pool or spa. Thus, the angle between the pivot segment  24  and the support segment  20  can be optimized in various embodiments depending upon the intended relative positions of the bracket support  28  and the length of the one or more support arms  26  and guide arms  25  utilized with the device. In a preferred embodiment, the front end  42  of the bracket support  28  is positioned approximately 1 foot from the edge of the pool or spa. In this embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the angle between the pivot segment  24  and the support segment  20  would ideally be approximately between 115 degrees and 125 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, with this configuration the angle is approximately 120 degrees.  
      The subject invention is designed to be permanently affixed or semi-affixed to the side or edge of a pool or spa with optional alternative anchoring positions. Therefore, it may be desirable to reduce the space utilized by the device. This could be accomplished by removal of the platform  14  from the device when not in use, or by raising the platform  14 , stowing it in an extended elevation so as not to interfere with the pool or spa. However, in a preferred embodiment, the platform  14  is pivotally attached to the support segment  20  of the platform support mast  23 . This allows the platform  14  to be pivoted or flipped to a vertical standing position. Thus, when the support arm  26  is positioned in a relatively vertical position, the platform  14  can be pivoted or flipped to the vertical standing position, which will place it adjacent to the bracket support  28  to form a compact, stowed position that should not interfere with, or significantly protrude over, the side or edge of the pool or spa.  FIG. 4  illustrates an example of an embodiment of the subject invention in the stowed configuration.  
      While the examples presented herein generally describe the device of the subject invention utilized in an aquatic setting, it can be readily recognized that the subject invention would have a multitude of uses away from a pool or spa setting. Therefore, it would also be realized that the materials used to manufacture the subject invention would depend upon the uses and environment to which the device would be exposed. One with skill in the art would recognize that various types of materials, including, but not limited to, metals, plastics, wood, fiberglass, etc. could be used to manufacture the various components of the subject invention.  
      In a preferred embodiment, the components of the subject device are of stainless steel construction with a UV resistant polyester (epoxy) powder-coating or electo-polished. The platform of the preferred embodiment is comprised of a low density polyethylene. However, one with skill in the art would be able to fashion various components from other materials that may be more amendable to the environment in which the device will be used in other applications.  
      All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, and publications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent they are not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.  
      It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application.