Abstract:
A portable apparatus for moving subjects is claimed in which a base structure has one or more rolling devices attached to facilitate moving of the apparatus. A stem structure rising from the base structure in turn supports a moveable support arm having a having pulley affixed to a distal end. A moveable lifting line capable of supporting a lifted subject ends in a fitting. A pulling mechanism is attached to the apparatus and operably coupled to the lifting line, whereby a subject secured to the fitting can be lifted and moved. In disclosed preferred embodiments, the portable apparatus for moving subjects is configured for lifting a subject without lifting movement of the support arm.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to an apparatus for moving items, and more specifically to a portable apparatus for moving human subjects such as physically impaired individuals. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is known to lift, move, and lower objects with an extended moveable boom such as a construction crane. It is also known to lift and lower objects with a fixed boom such as that found on some marine davit apparatus. There is a need, however for more specialized lifting, moving, and lowering apparatus, particularly in the medical field. The movement of an impaired or invalid medical subject for ingress and egress to and from a common passenger vehicle, for example, presents particular problems. Crane and davit systems found in the art are not readily suited for such applications, due to space and access constraints presented by the size and orientation of vehicle entrances, for example. Cranes that perform lifting functions using a pivoting boom are typically limited by the requirement that a subject be inserted into a vehicle more-or-less horizontally, rather than in an arc from above. Davit apparatus, such as those applied in maritime applications, are generally suited for vertical raising and lowering, but not for strictly horizontal movement. In the cases of both davits and cranes known in the art, the bulk and lack of portability of the apparatus are generally limiting factors ruling out the ready movement of relatively small loads, such as less than 500 pounds, into and out of relatively small openings, such as the doors of common passenger vehicles. 
         [0003]    Due to these and other problems and potential problems with the current state of the art, improved lifting and moving mechanisms for use in the context of moving human subjects would be useful and advantageous. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In carrying out the principles of the present invention, in accordance with preferred embodiments, the invention provides advances in the arts with novel apparatus directed to providing mobility assistance useful for moving subjects into and out of seats, vehicles, or other conveyances. The apparatus provides portable lifting and moving systems that are readily adjustable for presenting their load to a relatively small target area. The apparatus also avoids some of the practical problems with the prior art by reducing or eliminating reliance on the use of a boom for applying lifting force to the load, allowing a substantially horizontal support arm to remain in the same position as the load, or passenger, is raised or lowered. The configuration of the apparatus is also adapted to place the moved subject&#39;s torso in proximity to the support arm, further contributing to the utility of the apparatus in relatively close quarters. 
         [0005]    According to one aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a portable base structure fitted with one or more rolling devices such as wheels. A stem structure rises from the base structure. A moveable support arm is affixed to the stem structure, with a pulley affixed to a distal end of the support arm. A moveable lifting line operably engaged by the pulley and includes a fitting at its distal end. A pulling mechanism mounted to the apparatus is coupled to the lifting line such that a subject secured to the fitting to be lifted, and/or lowered, and moved. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment of portable moving apparatus is configured for lifting a subject without the exertion of lifting force by movement of the support arm. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a pivotable joint coupling the proximal end of the support arm to the stem structure. 
         [0008]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a support arm elevator for pivoting and supporting the support arm at a selected angle relative to the stem, and for adjusting the height of the distal end of the support arm relative to the base. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect of the invention, in a preferred embodiment of the portable moving apparatus for moving subjects, the support arm elevator is coupled between the support arm and the stem structure. 
         [0010]    According to an additional another aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a support arm elevator is coupled between the support arm and the base. 
         [0011]    According to still another aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a support arm elevator having a hydraulic mechanism operable for moving the support arm. 
         [0012]    According to a further aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a support arm elevator having a pneumatic mechanism operable for moving the support arm. 
         [0013]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes one or more telescopic sections for moving the distal end of the support arm relative to the proximal end attached to the stem. 
         [0014]    According to an aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a support arm endowed with one or more moveable peg-and-hole adjustment positions for moving the distal end of the support arm relative to the proximal end attached to the stem. 
         [0015]    According to an aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a harness for securing a subject to the lifting line for movement. 
         [0016]    According to an aspect of the invention, in a preferred embodiment, the pulling mechanism of the portable moving apparatus is secured to the base. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the invention, in a preferred embodiment, the pulling mechanism is secured to the stem of the portable moving apparatus. 
         [0018]    According to still another aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a pulling mechanism secured to the support arm. 
         [0019]    According to another aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment the pulling mechanism of the portable moving apparatus employs a winch. 
         [0020]    According to an additional aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment of the portable moving apparatus for moving subjects includes a powered winch pulling mechanism. 
         [0021]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a portable power supply operably coupled to an electrically powered pulling mechanism. 
         [0022]    According to another aspect of the invention, in a preferred embodiment, the portable moving apparatus for moving subjects also includes a portable power supply operably coupled to the pulling mechanism, as well as and a charging mechanism for charging the portable power supply. 
         [0023]    According to an additional aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a ratchet mechanism associated with the pulling mechanism for selectably retarding lowering of the lifting line fitting. 
         [0024]    According to another aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes a ratchet mechanism associated with the pulley for selectably retarding lowering of the lifting line. 
         [0025]    The invention has advantages including but not limited to providing one or more of the following features, improved mobility assistance, particularly in close quarters such as ingress and egress to a vehicle, improved safety, ease of operation, and convenience. These and other advantageous features and benefits of the invention can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the arts upon careful consideration of the detailed description of representative embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a top front perspective side view of an example of a preferred embodiment of apparatus for moving subjects according to the invention, depicting a lifting line and fitting, pulling mechanism, and a stem and support arm each employing pin-and-hole adjustable locking assemblies; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a top rear perspective side view of an example of an alternative preferred embodiment of apparatus for moving subjects according to the invention, showing a hand-powered winch, harness, and an adjustable support arm elevator assembly; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3A  is a top perspective partial side view of an example of a lifting line, fitting, harness, and pulleys in a preferred embodiment of apparatus for moving subjects according to the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3B  is a top perspective partial side view of an example of a lifting line, fitting, harness, pulleys, and pulling mechanism in a preferred embodiment of apparatus for moving subjects according to the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a top front perspective side view of an example of a preferred embodiment of apparatus for moving subjects according to the invention, showing an electrically powered pulling mechanism, hydraulically adjustable support arm elevator, and extendable support arm; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a top rear perspective side view of an example of an alternative preferred embodiment of apparatus for moving subjects according to the invention, illustrating an implementation using a hydraulically adjustable telescoping support arm. 
       
    
    
       [0033]    References in the detailed description correspond to like references in the various drawings unless otherwise noted. Descriptive and directional terms used in the written description such as right, left, back, top, bottom, upper, side, et cetera, refer to the drawings themselves as laid out on the paper and not to physical limitations of the invention unless specifically noted. The drawings are not to scale, and some features of embodiments shown and discussed are simplified or amplified for illustrating principles and features, as well as novel aspects and advantages of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Initially referring primarily to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a portable moving apparatus  10  for moving subjects is shown. A base  12  provides a structural foundation for the apparatus  10 . The base  12  is preferably configured to be low to the ground in order to avoid obstructing the subject to be moved, as well as to avoid obstructions to the horizontal movement of the apparatus  10 . Preferably, the base  12  is adapted for positioning under many common wheel chairs, beds, or automobiles, for example. Preferably, one or more rolling devices  14  are attached to the base structure  12 , in this case a number of wheels, so as to facilitate horizontal movement of the apparatus  10 . A stem structure  16  extends upward from the base structure  12 . A support arm  18  in turn extends substantially horizontally from the upper portion of the stem  16 . The support arm  18  is secured with a joint  20  at the upper portion of the stem  16  such that the support arm  18  extends over the base  12 . A pulling mechanism  22  is provided, in this case depicted mounted to the upper portion of the stem  16 . A lifting line  24 , preferably housed within the support arm  18  is operably connected to the pulling device  22 . A pulley  26  is provided at the distal end of the support arm  18 . The pulley  26  constrains the lifting line  24 , and when the lifting line  24  is moved by the pulling mechanism  22 , is operable to convert the substantially horizontal motion of lifting line along the support arm  18  to a lifting motion at the distal end of the lifting line  24 . Preferably, the lifting line  24  is equipped with a fitting  28  attached at its distal end. Depending on the location of the pulling mechanism  22 , one or more additional pulleys, e.g.  30 , may be provided. In operation, a load, such as a human subject, or passenger, is secured to the distal end of the lifting line  24 , preferably at the fitting  28 , and is lifted by force applied at the pulling mechanism  22 . Also illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in many applications it is preferable to provide the capability for the adjustment of the length of the support arm  18 . In this example, a pin-and-hole arrangement  32 ,  34 , is used, making the support arm  18  adjustable within a range of predetermined lengths by removing the pin  32 , adjusting the length as shown by arrow  36 , and inserting the pin  32  in a selected hole  34 . 
         [0035]    Now referring primarily to  FIG. 2 , an example of an alternative preferred embodiment of apparatus  10  for moving subjects is described. As can be seen in this example, the support arm  18  is preferably affixed to the stem  16  with a joint  20  suitable for pivoting, although a fixed joint may also be used. The use of a pivot joint  20  permits adjustment of the angle of the support arm  18  relative to the base  12 , which may be advantageous for directing the movement of a load in some applications. A support arm elevator  38 , attached between the support arm  18  and the stem  16 , or between the support arm  18  and the base  12  (not shown), may be used to provide additional weight-bearing support to the support arm  18 . The support arm elevator  38  is preferably adjustable in length, e.g., using pin  32  and hole  34  adjustments, in order to facilitate adjusting up or down for adapting the support arm  18  elevation relative to the horizontal. Also shown in  FIG. 2 , a harness  40  may preferably be used at the distal end of the lifting line  24  for securing a subject to be lifted and/or moved by the apparatus  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pulling mechanism  22  may be a hand-cranked winch of suitable size and weight capacity. 
         [0036]    Further details of examples of preferred alternative embodiments of the lifting line  24  configuration and operation are shown in the top perspective partial side views of  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  FIG. 3A  depicts a lifting line  24  constrained and supported by a pulley  26  near its distal end and by a second pulley  30  near the other end. At the distal end of the lifting line  24 , a fitting  28 , such as a hook, eye, shackle, or carabiner, for example, is preferably used to couple a harness  40  for securing a subject or passenger for lifting, moving, and lowering, by the action of the lifting line  24 . The harness  40  may be configured according to the particulars of the subject and may include web strapping, seating, or other accommodations. As shown in  FIG. 3B , the pulling mechanism  22  may be a winch, such as the hand-crank operated winch shown. Preferably, a ratchet and pawl mechanism  42  is provided to prevent uncontrolled or unintended lowering of a subject secured to the lifting line  24 . The ratchet and pawl mechanism  42 , shown here at the pulling mechanism  22 , may also be located at one or more of the pulley locations, e.g.  26 ,  30 . In addition to, or in place of a ratchet and pawl mechanism, other means for retarding the descent of, or for preventing sudden release of, the lifting line under load may be used. 
         [0037]    An additional embodiment of apparatus for moving subjects is shown in the top front perspective side view of  FIG. 4 . As can be seen in the figure, a powered pulling mechanism  22  such as an electric winch may be used, in this example shown mounted to the base  12 . A suitable power and control module  44  is included. The power and support module may be adapted to the operating environment anticipated by the user of the apparatus  10 . For example, a battery, with the optional inclusion of a charging system  46 , may be used for portable applications, whereas a power cord for common household current may be used for more stationary or sheltered locations. An exemplary adjustable support arm elevator  38  is also shown. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the arts that the use of a hydraulic adjusting mechanism, for either the support arm, or support arm elevator  38  as shown, facilitates adjustment while subjected to a load. A pneumatic adjustment mechanism may also be used without departure from the principles of the invention. Another possible aspect of the invention is an engagement mechanism between the hoist and the support arm, inducing retraction of the support arm once the hoist has achieved a certain predetermined amount of lifting of the lifting line. 
         [0038]    There are many possible variations and potential embodiments of the invention, which cannot, and need not, all be shown. Now referring primarily to  FIG. 5 , a top rear perspective side view of an example of an alternative preferred embodiment of apparatus for moving subjects according to the invention is shown. In this apparatus  10 , a hydraulically adjustable telescoping support arm  18  is shown. Additionally, a hydraulic support arm elevator  38  is featured. An electrically powered winch is employed as a pulling mechanism  22 . It should be understood that although the adjustment mechanisms shown and described herein may in some cases be operable to adjust the angle and height of the support arm under load, their primary function is to position the support arm according to the applicable operating environment. For example, it may be desirable to position the support arm for assisting a subject passenger in ingressing and egressing a particular vehicle. It is preferable that the pulling mechanism, and associated lifting line, perform the lifting and lowering functions required in use. Unlike the boom of a crane used for lifting, for example, the support arm is primarily used for positioning the lifting line, and lifting functions are secondary. 
         [0039]    Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, some variations in the physical configuration of the components are possible and may be advantageously employed in particular applications without departure from the invention, such as providing a pulling mechanism secured to the support arm, or coupling the support arm elevator assembly between the support arm and the base, or using casters instead of wheels. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.