Abstract:
The present disclosure provides for individuals who may otherwise have trouble lifting themselves from the floor after a fall. Using the teachings of the present disclosure, such individuals may autonomously regain their footing, without the necessity of calling paramedics or others for help. An individual may crawl onto the seat of the device and then, using either a handcrank or an electric motor, lift himself to a sitting/standing position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 12/829,508, filed Jul. 2, 2010 now abandoned, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if set forth fully herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to the field of devices designed for use by elderly, infirm, injured, handicapped, disabled, seizure-prone, or otherwise mobility-impaired individuals. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to individuals who may have trouble lifting themselves from the floor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is a known problem that elderly, infirm, injured, handicapped, disabled, seizure-prone, or otherwise mobility-impaired individuals may in some circumstances find themselves on the floor and unable to regain their footing. 
     This problem requires a technical solution for various reasons. An unassisted individual might or might not be able to pull himself up using furniture or fixtures in the home. A family member or friend might or might not be able to assist, if such a person is even available. Paramedics may be called, if a phone is accessible; but only at great expense and with significant delay. 
     One known apparatus for lifting a person from the ground comprises a chair seat attached to single vertical shaft as part of a metal frame resting on a pair of small wheels. The chair seat is lifted by a worm gear connected to either a handcrank or a motor at the top of the shaft. Various problems with this design are evident. For example, if the handcrank is to be used, the person sitting in the chair seat will not be able to actuate it on his own. It will require another person already standing. The way the chair seat attaches to only a single vertical shaft also increases the torque exerted on the drive train by the weight of the user. This may increase wear and make it more difficult to turn the handcrank. The chair seat of this apparatus also does not lower all the way to the floor, which makes it more difficult for the user to sit down. The wheeled design of this apparatus allows it to move with relative ease over a hard floor, but the bulky nature may make it difficult for a person of advanced age or other disability to move the device, particularly on carpet. 
     Another known device is essentially a standard wheelchair with two large rear wheels and two small front wheels, wherein the seat is able to move vertically under the power of a rechargeable battery. One problem with this device is its large size and weight, which may make it cumbersome to move and lift for a person of advanced age or other disability. Another problem is that its seat may not be able to lower all the way to become flush with the floor, increasing the difficulty of mounting the device. Yet another problem is that by relying solely on a rechargeable battery, this device may be inoperable at the time it is most needed. Yet another problem is that this device may not be able to lift its user high enough for an easy transition from a sitting position to a standing position. Yet another problem is that, being on wheels, the device may be prone to movement when a user is trying to climb onto the seat. 
     These and other problems are present in known prior art designs having to do with the subject matter of the present disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, a need has arisen for a way for elderly, infirm, injured, handicapped, disabled, seizure-prone, or otherwise mobility-impaired individuals to autonomously regain their footing after suffering a fall, seizure, or other event that has left them on the floor. 
     According to the present disclosure, such an individual may quickly, easily, and without help from others lift himself from the floor to a sitting and/or a standing position. The devices of the present disclosure include a seat that is near or flush with the level of the floor, so that the individual may crawl to the device and sit on the seat. He may then cause the seat to lift to essentially the height of a chair or higher, from which he may then stand up and regain his footing. The lifting of the seat may be accomplished, in various embodiments, by either a manual handcrank or an electric motor. 
     The devices of the present disclosure may also be made of lightweight materials (for example, aluminum, steel, plastics, carbon fiber, etc.), such that they may be easily transported. Some particularly lightweight embodiments may be lifted and moved with a single hand, even by a person of advanced age or disability. This is an advantage because when a person has fallen down, a friend or family member may easily lift the device and bring it to him. 
     The dimensions of the disclosed devices also allow for easy storage. One embodiment has dimensions (when the seat is lowered and the stabilizing members are folded in) of approximately 42 inches in height, 36 inches in width, and 6 inches in thickness. This allows easy storage, for example in a closet, when the device is not in use. 
     By using the devices of the present disclosure, such an individual may avoid the disadvantages of known methods for rising after a fall. 
     These and other advantages of the disclosed subject matter, as well as additional novel features, will be apparent from the description provided herein. The intent of this summary is not to be a comprehensive description of the subject matter, but rather to provide a short overview of some of the subject matter&#39;s functionality. Other systems, methods, features and advantages here provided will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following FIGURES and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages included within this description, be within the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, nature, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the present disclosure in its lowered state; 
         FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the present disclosure in its raised state; 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of an embodiment of the present disclosure in its raised state; 
         FIG. 4  shows a front detail view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the present disclosure having an electric motor; 
         FIG. 6  shows a front view of a user sitting on an embodiment of the present disclosure in its lowered state; 
         FIG. 7  shows a front view of a user using an embodiment of the present disclosure in its raised state; 
         FIG. 8  shows an isometric view of a user using an embodiment of the present disclosure in its raised state; 
         FIG. 9  shows a detail view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  shows a detail view of a worm gear assembly and enclosure in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  show a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure including wall stand-offs. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although described with reference to specific embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art could apply the principles discussed herein to other areas and/or embodiments. 
     Those with skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed embodiments have relevance to a wide variety of areas in addition to those specific examples described below. 
       FIG. 1  shows a view of lifter  10 , an embodiment of the present disclosure. Lifter  10  rests on base  11 . To use the device, a user who has fallen may crawl over and seat himself on seat  12 . Seat  12  may, in some embodiments, have an indentation running along its length to prevent the user from slipping off during operation. Seat  12  may also in some embodiments taper down to be level with the floor, for easier accessibility. A safety belt (not shown) could also be included in order to ensure that the user of the device remains secure in the seat. The user may then manually turn handcrank  14 . 
     Handcrank  14  is beneficial for several reasons. Electrical motors make the device easier to use, but in situations where electrical power is unavailable, the ability to still use the device is important. Battery-powered embodiments are possible, but a battery may be discharged at the moment when the device is needed. One preferred embodiment uses both a handcrank and a battery-powered motor, with a mechanism for switching between them. One embodiment of this type of mechanism is shown in more detail in  FIG. 10 . 
     Handcrank  14  may be geared down appropriately to allow it to turn easily. As discussed in more detail below, a worm gear arrangement may be beneficial. The gear ratio may be such that a person of advanced age or with a disability can easily turn the handle while lifting his entire weight. Handcrank  14  (or a motor, if used, as discussed in more detail below) may further include a ratcheting mechanism to allow it to raise the seat when torque is applied, but not allow the seat to fall when torque is not applied. In one embodiment, handcrank  14  may operate by winding a belt (not shown) onto spool  13 . This belt may pass underneath seat  12 , so that tensioning the belt causes seat  12  to rise. 
     Lifter  10  also includes support structure  15 , which is coupled to seat  12  and is lifted along with it. Support structure  15  may also include a curved portion adapted for the user to hold onto, such as bar  17 . Bar  17  may also increase the structural soundness of the overall device. 
     For stability, the lifter of the present disclosure may include stabilizing members  16 , which may be attached to base  11 , support structure  15 , or both. In lifter  10 , they are shown as comprising two separate pieces that may fold out from different places. The horizontal parts of stabilizing members  16  may fold out from base  11 , and the diagonal parts may fold down from a vertical position in which they are attached to the frame of lifter  10 . This configuration allows for compactness and stability, but one of ordinary skill will recognize that many other configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Some embodiments of the present disclosure may also have stabilizing members that extend perpendicularly to stabilizing members  16 . 
     Stabilizing members  16  may also be omitted, as shown in some of the other FIGURES. If they are omitted, the lifter may be instead affixed permanently or removably to a rigid structure, such as a wall, floor, ceiling, desk, or any other surface capable of stabilizing the weight of the lifter and the user. Means for affixing the lifter to such a surface may include, but are not limited to, nails, screws, bolts, staples, rivets, glue, magnets, and other types of affixing hardware known in the art. 
     Another option for a wall-supported lifter is shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . These figures depict a side view of a lifter in accordance with the present disclosure, including wall stand-offs  62 .  FIG. 11A  shows the lifter in a vertical position, without any loading.  FIG. 11B  shows the same lifter, under the strain of some load (not shown), which has caused it to lean toward the wall. Wall stand-offs  62  have prevented the lifter from tipping over, allowing it to rest harmlessly against the wall. 
     The lifter may also be used to lift heavy objects. This feature may be advantageous to the people who would use the devices of the present disclosure, as those people may tend to be advanced in age and have difficulty lifting heavy objects. To this end, optional cargo lashings (not shown) could be included for affixing cargo to the seat of the disclosed devices. Alternatively, the seat may be made removable and interchangeable with a cargo-supporting platform, which may or may not include cargo lashings. 
       FIG. 2  depicts the lifter of  FIG. 1  in its raised state. From this height, a user could easily reach a standing position. Alternatively, an assistant could move a wheelchair into position behind the lifter, and then the user could be lowered into the wheelchair by lowering the seat of the lifter. As shown, support structure  15  and seat  12  remain at a fixed distance from one another as the lifter is raised. This arrangement, in which support structure  15  raises in conjunction with seat  12  allows the user to sit comfortably within the device while lifting himself. 
       FIG. 3  presents a front view of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 . Note that seat  12  is wide enough to accommodate even a large user, but that the entire device is still narrow enough to fit through doorways easily or even be set up within a doorway. The horizontal sections of stabilizing members  16  (not shown) may be folded underneath or into base  11 . 
     The exact details of the mechanism by which handcrank  14  lifts seat  12  and support structure  15  are not essential aspects of the present disclosure, but one possible embodiment is shown in the detail view presented in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, strap  20  is fixed to anchor  21 , passes underneath seat  12  and across side rollers  25 , bottom rollers  24 , and top roller  26 , and is then wound around spool  13  as handcrank  14  is turned. As strap  20  is wound around spool  13 , it causes seat  12  and the accompanying support structure  15  to rise. As shown, bottom rollers  24  may in some embodiments be recessed into seat  12 , in order to allow seat  12  to lower all the way flush to the floor. The arrangement shown allows the bulk of the weight to be carried by bottom rollers  24 , with some weight shared by side rollers  25 . Having the rollers directly under seat  12  may prevent seat  12  being flush with the floor. Rollers  24 ,  25 , and  26  may have flanges at their ends in order to guide strap  20  and prevent it from slipping out of the path. A sheath or channel in the bottom of seat  12  for holding strap  20  in place and preventing tangling may also be used. Strap  20  may be made of any suitable material that is sufficiently strong to support the weight of the user. In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to use a material similar to the textile used in making automobile seatbelts. Such a material exhibits very high tensile strength, while being adapted to easily slide over the contact surfaces in the lifter of the present disclosure. Other embodiments may use a cable, a rope, a belt, a piece of nylon, cloth, fabric, or any other reasonably high-strength non-rigid material. All of these embodiments will be referred to generically herein as a “strap.” 
       FIG. 9  shows another possible embodiment of the interface between the motor/handcrank and the strap. This embodiment includes handcrank  46  as well as motor  42 . Motor  42  is optional. Power in this embodiment comes from battery  41 , eliminating the danger of tripping over a power cord. Motor  42  is controlled by detachable remote control  44 , show in this FIGURE in its docked position alongside motor  42 . Handcrank  46  may be disengaged from the rest of the machinery when motor  42  is in use to prevent it from spinning and possibly causing a hazard. As shown, power is transferred via worm gear  48  to the spool via spool gear  43 . This winds up the strap, lifting the seat (not shown). 
       FIG. 10  shows a detail view of the worm gear assembly shown in  FIG. 9 . Worm gear  48  and spool gear  43  (not shown) are at a fixed vertical position relative to the rest of the device. Housing  50  may be moved to either of two vertical positions by handle  52 , which rotates about pivot  54 . In the embodiment shown, handle  52  contains a spring-loaded ball, which fits into either of detents  56  and is thereby locked into position. Handcrank  46  is connected to shaft  58 , and motor  42  is connected to shaft  59 . By moving lever  52 , the user may select either handcrank  46  or motor  42  (but not both) to interface with worm gear  48  and power the lifting. In this way, when motor  42  is used, handcrank  48  is prevented from spinning; and when handcrank  48  is used, motor  42  is not forced to turn. As shown, handle  52  is in the “down” position, putting housing  50  into the “up” position and allowing the device to be powered manually by handcrank  48 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of lifter  30  of the present disclosure using an electric motor in place of a handcrank. As above, spool  33  winds a strap (not shown), which lifts seat  32  and support structure  36 . And as above, the strap arrangement could be replaced with a direct-drive system or any other way of translating the rotary motion of motor  34  into linear motion in the lifter. 
     One advantage of using a motor instead of a handcrank is that it may be designed to stop at a height appropriate for a given user, by using a limit switch or other cutoff mechanism. Such a limit switch may be advantageous in the common case where only a single user frequently uses the lifter. When more than one user frequently uses the lifter, a single limit switch may be inadequate to satisfy differing height needs. 
     Motor  34  is shown in this embodiment as having a battery power supply. In other embodiments, a power cord could be used, but this may be disadvantageous as it increases the risk of tripping and decreases portability. 
     The switch used for activating motor  34  may be of any suitable type. In some embodiments, a SPCO (single pole, center off) switch may be used. In this embodiment, the motor  34  runs in one direction when the switch is in its first position, motor  34  is off when the switch is in its second position, and motor runs in the opposite direction when the switch is in its third position. Using a switch with an off position between the two on positions may reduce the likelihood of unintentionally reversing direction. 
     Lifter  30  omits stabilizing members, but they could be included as shown above. Alternatively, lifter  30  could simply be affixed to some suitable surface for stability. 
       FIG. 6  shows a user sitting on lifter  10  in its lowered position.  FIG. 7  shows that user after he has used handcrank  14  to lift himself to a sitting position, from which he may then regain his footing. And  FIG. 8  shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. Thus, the subject matter claimed is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 
     It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages that are included within this description, be within the scope of the claims.