Patent ID: 8656529

Claim:
An open base patient lifting machine comprising: a) a frame comprising a generally upwardly extending first mast and a generally upwardly extending second mast, the frame comprising a lower portion and an opposed upper portion, the first mast and the second mast each comprising a lower end portion at the lower portion of the frame, the lower end portion of the second mast spaced apart from the lower end portion of the first mast to define a space therebetween; b) a patient support extending forwardly from the upper portion of the frame; and c) a base coupled to the lower portion of the frame and supporting the frame on a floor, the base comprising (i) a first leg extending generally forwardly from the first mast, the first leg comprising an inner end portion pivotably coupled to the lower end portion of first mast about a generally vertical first axis, the first axis extending through the lower end portion of the first mast, and an opposed outer end portion positioned forwardly of the first mast; and (ii) a second leg extending generally forwardly from the second mast, the second leg comprising an inner end portion pivotably coupled to the lower end portion of second mast about a generally vertical second axis, the second axis extending through the lower end portion of second mast, and an opposed outer end portion positioned forwardly of the second mast; the first leg and the second leg pivotable about the first and second axes, respectively, to move the outer end portions of the first and second legs towards and away from each other further comprising a first pivot pin mounted to the lower end portion of the first mast and positioned beneath the lower end portion of the first mast, and a second pivot pin mounted to the lower end portion of the second mast and positioned beneath the lower end portion of the second mast, wherein the inner end portion of the first leg is received on the first pivot pin and is pivotable thereabout, and the inner end portion of the second leg is received on the second pivot pin and is pivotable thereabout further comprising a first actuating assembly and a second actuating assembly for controlling the movement of the first and second legs, respectively, each actuating assembly comprising a motor drivingly connected to the inner end portion of one of the first leg and the second leg; wherein each actuating assembly further comprises an arm mounted to the inner end portion of one of the first leg and the second leg and extending rearwardly therefrom, and each actuating assembly is configured to rotate a respective one of the arms back and forth about a respective one of the first axis and second axis.