| Transfer unit for individuals with partial or total disability -> Monitor Keywords |
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Transfer unit for individuals with partial or total disabilityTransfer unit for individuals with partial or total disability description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070246974, Transfer unit for individuals with partial or total disability. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/794395 filed on Apr. 24, 2006. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED R & D BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to assist and transfer devices for disabled persons. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable apparatus for assisting in the transfer of individuals who are partially or totally disabled. [0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0005] Previously conceived lifting and hoist systems designed for lifting and transferring disabled individuals from place to place suffer from various disadvantages. For example, some systems are principally designed for use in the person's home or for use in a hospital setting. Such systems are typically fixed in one place and cannot be moved around the person's home. Some prior systems were designed to be portable so that the system may be moved from place to place within the person's home. The aforementioned systems, however, have the disadvantage that they cannot be used outside of the home, and thus, the individual further requires additional assistance when traveling outside of his or her home. [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,654 to Roy is one example of a lifting and transfer systems known in the art. The system comprises a lifting arm assembly and a support, the lifting arm assembly providing a lifting arm rotatable about a vertical axis. A mounting rotatably mounts the lifting arm to the support so that the lifting arm cantilevers from the mounting. An extendable and retractable lifting cable depends from an outer end of the lifting arm. Two motors are provided for operating the system, and a controller is further provided to operate the two motors. The lifting and transfer system described therein further discloses that the system may be portable, however, the overall design of the system does not break down so that the system may be easily transported in a relatively small storage container by the individual. [0007] Therefore, what is desired is a lift or hoist system for lifting and transferring a person from one place to another that is designed such that it may easily be used in a variety of different places. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a lift system for a disabled or partially disabled person that may be easily transported outside of the person's home comprising a single horizontal bar substantially equal in length to a width of a wheelchair to receive the wheelchair beneath the bar, the bar supporting a winch between two ends of the bar. The system further includes first releasable joints at the two ends of the horizontal bar and leg pairs extending downward from the two ends of the horizontal bar from the first releasable joint, each leg pair having a second releasable joint dividing each leg into a first and second portion for transportation. Finally, the system includes a harness coupled to the winch, the harness capable of supporting a disabled person, whereby the system may be disassembled such that the bar and the leg pairs can be stored in parallel in a case. [0009] It is another object of the present invention that the system be relatively lightweight to facilitate the transportation of the system. [0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable lift system wherein the legs are generally splayed from a single joint so as to provide a wider base to provide the system with more stability. [0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide stabilizing feet on the ends of the legs so as to further secure the system to prevent tipping or rocking of the system. [0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a first releasable joint at the ends of the horizontal bar of the system so that the legs of the system may be detached from the horizontal bar to facilitate disassembly and transportation. [0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a second releasable joints to divide the legs of the system into substantially equal first and second portions; thus, providing a system that is easily disassembled for transport. [0014] It is another object of the present invention that the first releasable joints are collars configured to receive the ends of the legs configured to provide a secure connection between the legs and bar. In addition, a pin may be provided to extend through the collars and legs to further stabilize the connection between the collars and the legs. [0015] In accordance with these objectives, a portable transfer system is provided that includes a single horizontal bar having a length substantially equal to the width of a wheelchair. The horizontal bar further includes releasable joints at its two ends for connecting to the ends of the leg pairs of the system. The leg pairs extend downwardly from the joints of the horizontal bar and further include releasable joints that serve to divide the legs into first and second portions. A winch is coupled to the horizontal bar of the system and further includes a harness that is coupled to the winch for supporting a disabled or partially disabled person. [0016] Various alternative embodiments and modifications to the invention will be made apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art by the following detailed description taken together with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention. [0018] In the drawings: [0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable transfer system of the present invention positioned above a person to be transferred, the transfer unit providing two opposed A-frames separated by a bar supporting a winch; Continue reading about Transfer unit for individuals with partial or total disability... Full patent description for Transfer unit for individuals with partial or total disability Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Transfer unit for individuals with partial or total disability patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Transfer unit for individuals with partial or total disability or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Vehicle roof Next Patent Application: Vehicle seat Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Transfer unit for individuals with partial or total disability patent info. 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