Patent ID: 8397320

Claim:
A patient lifting device for moving a patient relative to a bed or chair, comprising: a first support structure and a second support structure spaced from said first support structure; a transverse beam including a beam portion extending horizontally between a first beam end and a second beam end, one of said first and second beam ends engaging one of said first and second support structures and the other of said first and second beam ends engaging the other of said first and second support structures to define an open area between said transverse beam and said first and second support structures for placement of the patient; a lift assembly engaging said beam support and capable of horizontal movement along said transverse beam and for moving the patient disposed in said open area vertically upward and downward relative to said transverse beam; a pair of upwardly extending flanges extending upwardly from said beam portion between said first and second beam ends to define a first channel; a pair of downwardly extending flanges extending downwardly from said beam portion between said first and second beam ends to define a second channel; a battery capable of receiving a charge and carried by said lift assembly for powering said lift assembly to move the patient vertically upward and downward; and a charging station disposed within said second channel adjacent one of said first and second beam ends of said transverse beam for receiving said lift assembly; said charging station including a bottom wall and three upwardly extending side walls to define an open end for receiving said lift assembly; and a power source electrically connected to said charging station for providing electrical power to said charging station to charge said battery when said lift assembly is received in said open end to power said lift assembly.