Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to assisting the movements of disabled persons, and more particularly but without limitation, to a system and associated method for removably attaching a hoist to a facility structure. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Specialty lifting devices are designed to aid in the movement of disabled persons for otherwise routine matters, such as accessing a bathing or restroom facility. Clearly, the lifting devices necessarily must be structurally sound to safely lift and transport the person. Unfortunately, the resulting design solution often yields an obtrusive and inflexible device. 
   For example, some design solutions involve erecting an overhead rail and supporting a lifting mechanism from the rail. Such solutions are relatively expensive to install, especially where the rail extends between rooms such as is needed to move a person from a bed to a restroom. Such design solutions are also inflexible for use beyond the reach of the predefined extent of the rail. 
   Other design solutions entail attaching an upright stanchion member to the facility structural framework and supporting a lifting mechanism from the stanchion. Although relatively less expensive than an overhead rail, such solutions are likewise inflexible for use beyond the reach of the predefined position of the stanchion. Where a one-point attachment of the stanchion is used, such as attaching the stanchion to the floor, the size and permanent placement of the stanchion is usually obtrusive to conducting other activities in the room. Where a two-point attachment is used, such as attaching the stanchion to the floor and ceiling, then either the stanchion is permanently sandwiched between the opposing supports or the stanchion is telescopingly extended to engage the supports. The former alternative yields a permanent, likewise obtrusive device, and the latter reduces the strength of the stanchion. 
   Other design solutions involve self-contained devices provided with casters for rolling the lifted person about. Such mobile support of person can present safety hazards in maneuvering the lifting vehicle across various floor materials and grades. 
   There is a need for a relatively inexpensive lifting device having the necessary strength and durability of a permanent fixture, yet easily movable from one place to another. It is to these advantages and features that the embodiments of the present invention are directed. 
   SUMMARY 
   Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an apparatus and method for removably erecting a hoist. 
   In some embodiments a hoist is provided for assisting in the movement of a disabled person, comprising a fixed-length stanchion supportable at opposing longitudinal ends thereof to first and second support members fixed to a facility structural framework. The stanchion is removable from the support members without detaching any of the support members from the facility structural framework. 
   A method is provided for removably erecting a hoist to a structural framework of a facility for assisting in the movement of a disabled person, comprising: providing first and second support members fixed to the structural framework; placing a stanchion in longitudinal alignment with and clearingly between the support members; and moving one of the support members to an engaged position to supportingly engage the stanchion in a two-point supporting engagement at opposing ends of the stanchion. 
   The method can further comprise removing the stanchion from the first and second support members without removing the support members from the structural framework. The method further comprises providing third and fourth support members fixed to a different portion of the structural framework; placing the stanchion in longitudinal alignment with and clearingly between the third and fourth support members; and moving one of the third and fourth support members to an engaged position to supportingly engage the stanchion in a two-point supporting engagement at opposing ends of the stanchion. 
   A hoist is provided for assisting in movement of a disabled person, having a structural framework and means for erecting the structural framework to a facility. The means for erecting is characterized as inserting the framework between two supporting members and moving one of the supporting members to an engaged position, such means for erecting characterized as removing the framework from the supporting members without removing any of the supporting members. 
   These and various other features and advantages which characterize the claimed invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reviewing the associated drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a hoist system constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention and attached to a wall. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric view of the hoist system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  are diagrammatic illustrations of the hoist system in the disengaged and engaged modes, respectively. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are elevational views of alternative support members. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating steps for removably erecting the hoist system of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings in general and more particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shown therein is a hoist  100  constructed in accordance with the present invention. The hoist  100  has a fixed-length stanchion  102  that is removably supportable at an upper end thereof by a first support member  104  and at a lower end thereof by a second support member  106 . 
   As used herein, the term “fixed-length” means that the stanchion  102  is unitarily constructed of a single component, and for purposes of this description and the claims, the term “fixed-length” does not include a stanchion of multi-component assembly construction such as a telescoping construction. For use in lifting a disabled person, it has been determined that sufficient strength can be obtained by using two-inch square stainless steel tubing to construct the stanchion  102 . 
   In the illustrative embodiments of  FIG. 1  the support members  104 ,  106  are first fixed to wall  108  and floor  110  portions of the facility structural framework. Advantageously, the stanchion  102  can be easily attached to and removed from the support members  104 ,  106  without removing either of the support members  104 ,  106  from the structural framework. This construction permits erecting the hoist  100  as needed for use, and then further permits quick and easy removal of the hoist  100  for storage or use in another location. Where the hoist  100  is used in multiple locations on a recurring basis, a set of the support members  104 ,  106  are preferably installed in each of the desired locations in which the hoist  100  is used. 
   The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1  having the support member  104  fixed to the wall  108  and the support member  106  fixed to the floor  110 . Generally, the support members are preferably attached to the appropriate structural framework members that are strong enough to lend the necessary structural integrity to the hoist  100 . In alternative embodiments, for example, the support member  104  can be fixed to a ceiling or roof member, and the support member  106  can be fixed to the wall  108  as well. 
   The support member  104  is a clamp which defines a cavity  112  that is receivingly engageable with the cross section of the stanchion  102 . In  FIG. 1  the upper end of the stanchion  102  is shown disposed in the cavity  112  and thereby supported by the wall  108 . Preferably, the stanchion  102  is slidingly engageable in the cavity  112  in a close mating relationship with the support member  104 . For example, the support member  104  of  FIG. 1  defines a three-sided cavity that cooperates with the wall  108  to define an enclosure closely conforming to the shape and size of the stanchion  102 . 
   The support member  106  has a base  114  fixed to the floor  110 . The support member  106  furthermore has a moveable bearing surface  116  for selectively providing a desired longitudinal distance between the bearing surface  116  and the cavity  112  of the support member  104 . 
   Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide a support member  114  that is positionable between a disengaged mode and an engaged mode.  FIG. 3  illustrates the disengaged mode in that the distance  118  between the bearing surface  116  and the adjacent end of the cavity  112  is greater than the longitudinal length of the stanchion  102 . This permits the insertion of the stanchion  102  in longitudinal alignment between the support members  104 ,  106 . 
     FIG. 4  contrarily illustrates the engaged mode in that the distance  120  between the bearing surface  116  and the adjacent end of the cavity  112  is less than the longitudinal length of the stanchion  102 . In the engaged mode the bearing surface  116  pressingly engages against one end of the stanchion  102  and thereby translates the other end of the stanchion  102  into receiving engagement with the cavity  112 . This provides a two-point supporting engagement by the structural framework of the opposing ends of the stanchion  102 . 
   In some embodiments the bearing surface  116  is made moveable by threadingly engaging it with a threaded post  122  that extends from the base  114 . A clearance opening is provided in the plate defining the bearing surface  116  and a threaded member  124 , such as a nut, is attached to the plate, such as by welding. In alternative equivalent embodiments the bearing surface  116  can be made moveable in other manners, such as but not limited to pinning, blocking, or camming the plate defining the bearing surface  116  with respect to the base  114 . 
   The support member  104  shown in  FIG. 1  can be attached to the wall  108  by attaching one or more fasteners  126  to a structural supporting member, such as a header or a ceiling plate (not shown). Alternatively, the pair of fasteners  126  can straddle an upright stud (not shown) and connect to a shoring plate either inside or on the opposing side of the wall  108 . In any event, such an arrangement is well suited for attaching the hoist  100  against the wall  108 . In this arrangement it will be noted that the surface defining the cavity  112  is operably disposed substantially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the stanchion  102 . 
   As mentioned above, it may be advantageous to attach the support member  106  to the wall also.  FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative support member  128  for doing so. The support member  128  has an angular base  114 A with one side  130  supporting the moveable bearing surface  116 , as above, but with the other side  132  attachable to the wall  108  such as with a fastener  134 . 
   It may also be advantageous to use the hoist  100  at a location away from a wall  108 , such as in the middle of a room adjacent to an entry location of a tub.  FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative support member  140  for attaching the upper end of the stanchion  102  to a structural support member in the ceiling  142 . It will be noted that in this arrangement the support member  140  has a surface  144  defining a cavity  112 A that is operably disposed substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the stanchion  102 . 
   Returning now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hoist  100  further comprises an articulating arm assembly  150  depending from the stanchion  102 . Preferably, the articulating arm assembly  150  can be quickly and easily attached to and removed from the stanchion  102  without the use of tools. This makes attaching the stanchion  102  to the support members  104 ,  106  easier by removing the weight and torsion of the articulating arm assembly  150 . 
   In the present embodiments, openings  152  are provided in opposing sides of the stanchion  102 . A mount  154  portion of the articulating arm assembly  150  defines a cavity that is receivingly engageable with a portion of the stanchion  102  cross section, and has openings  156  that are alignable with the openings  152 . A fastener  158 , such as a pin, can be inserted through the aligned openings  152 ,  156  of the stanchion  102  and mount  154 , respectively, to secure the mount  154 . A threaded member  160  can be advanced to pressingly engage a distal end thereof against the stanchion  102  in order to achieve a desired angle of the mount  154  relative to the longitudinal direction of the stanchion. 
   The articulating arm assembly  150  has an arm  162  journalled at a proximal end thereof to the mount  154  providing pivotal movement of the arm  162  in a plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the stanchion  102 . The mount  154  provides supporting flanges  164  for a spindle  166 . The spindle  166  provides a journal around which the hub  170  is rotatable upon a pair of bearings  168 . 
   The articulating arm assembly  150  further has an arm  172  journalled at a proximal end thereof to the distal end of the arm  162  for pivotal movement of the second arm  172  in relation to the arm  162  in a substantially parallel plane. The arm  172  has a spindle  174  at a proximal end thereof that is receivingly engageable within a hub  176  formed at a distal end of the arm  162 . The spindle  174  provides a journal around which the hub  176  is rotatable upon a pair of bearings  168 . A winch  178 , such as an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic type, is supported by the distal end of the arm  172 . 
     FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating steps of removably erecting the hoist in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The method  180  begins in block  182  by fixing the support members  104 ,  106  to the facility structural framework, such as the wall, floor, and/or ceiling structure of the facility. In block  184  the stanchion  102  is inserted in longitudinal alignment between the support members  104 ,  106 . In block  186  the support member  106  is moved to the engaged position, thereby translating the opposing end of the stanchion into supporting engagement with the support member  104 . Normal use of the hoist  100  begins in block  188 . In decision block  190  it is determined whether the hoist  100  is to be removed. If no, then normal use continues in block  188 ; if yes, then control passes to block  192  where the support member  106  is returned to the disengaged position. The stanchion  102  is then removed from the support members  104 ,  106  without removing any of the support members  104 ,  106  from the facility structural framework. The method can further comprise fixing third and fourth support members at a different location of the facility structural framework, and repeating the steps of  FIG. 7  in relation to the third and fourth support members. 
   It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the particular elements may vary depending on the particular manner of moving a support member to the engaged position without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   In addition, although the embodiments described herein are directed to a hoist for moving a disabled person, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter is not so limited and can be employed as various other lifting systems without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

Technology Category: 1