GB2433925A - Counterbalanced hoist - Google Patents

Abstract

A hoist includes a boom 5 from which a load may be suspended at 18, a base 6 which may include castors 1, 2, 3 and 4 and a weight 19, 20 to counterbalance the load. The weight may be removable and comprise separate weights 19, 20 or a tank for water or sand, which tank may be permanently attached to the base 6 or removable. The hoist may be used to raise a person's limb or body. The boom may be telescopic and may pivot on a mast, raised by an electrically operated actuator 14.

Description

<p>COUNTERBALANCED HOIST</p>

<p>DESCRIPTION</p>

<p>The use of patient hoists is well known. Such hoists are used to lift and move infirm patients. The design of such hoists is such that they generally have a base with forward projecting members that prevent the hoist assembly from tipping forward when a patient is lifted.</p>

<p>The present invention relates to a design of patient hoist that is compact and has no forward projecting members. The stability of the hoist is achieved by the addition of counter balance weights placed on the base and at the most advantageous position that is practical. Such a design of patient hoist can be used in applications where space is restricted such as in a small bedroom.</p>

<p>Further uses of the invention include its use in an operating theatre to lift or hold limbs in an elevated position.</p>

<p>In order that the invention may be better understood reference will now be made to the attached drawings where Fig #1 shows the assembled invention with the boom in its lowered or storage position.</p>

<p>Fig #2 shows the invention with the boom in the same position as Fig #1 and with the weights cover, the top weight and the hand nuts in exploded' positions.</p>

<p>Fig #3 shows the invention with the boom lifted to a lower working position.</p>

<p>Fig #4 shows the invention with the boom lifted to a higher working position.</p>

<p>The base (6) is supported by 4 castors (1) (2) (3) (4) that are used to manoeuvre the hoist. Mounted above the base (6) is a mast retention tube (12) into which is fitted a mast (13). The mast (13) is retained in the mast retention tube (12) by a locking device that is not shown in the figures. At the top of the mast (13) is a boom pivot (15) that pivots the boom (5). An electrically operated actuator (14) is pivotally connected to the mast (13) at pivot (17) and to the boom at pivot (16). The free end of the boom (5) has an attachment hole (18) through which any desired sling or lifting attachment can be fitted, such attachment is not shown in the figures. The attachment hole (18) may be replaced by any other attachment means. Figs (1) and (2) show the boom (5) in its low, or stored position, Figs (3) and (4) show the boom (6) in elevated positions. Depending on the dimensions of the relevant parts it is possible to extend the actuator (14) more than that shown in Fig (4) to cause the boom (5) to rise to a higher position. In further embodiments of the invention the actuator may be replaced by a hydraulic actuator or any other type of actuator.</p>

<p>In a still further embodiment of the invention the actuator (14) may be replaced by a clamp mechanism, the raising of the boom (5) being effected manually. The figures show the mast (13) leaning towards the rear of the hoist.</p>

<p>In further embodiments of the invention the mast (13) may be vertical or leaning away from the rear of the device. The figures show only attachment hole (18) at the free end of the boom (5). In other embodiments of the invention additional attachment holes can be provided along the boom (5) and between the attachment hole (18) shown and the boom pivot (15). Such additional attachment holes allow heavier loads to be lifted. In a still further embodiment of the invention the boom (5) can be constructed to be telescopic, thus allowing a compact size for storage and a long reach boom for lifting.</p>

<p>Such a telescopic boom is not shown in the figures.</p>

<p>As the attachment hole (18) is in front of the centre of gravity of the hoist it is necessary to add counterbalance weights to prevent the hoist tipping forward when lifting. Fig 2 shows 9 weights (20) and a top weight (19). The top weight (19) is showing lifted off the weights (20). A weight cover (7) and 2off hand nuts are shown in an upwardly exploded position. The counterbalance weights (19) & (20) are placed in the most advantageous position that is practical to give the best counterbalance effect. As the counterbalance weights are heavy they are arranged to be removable in this embodiment of the invention, to facilitate transportation of the hoist. In another embodiment of the invention the counterbalance weight may be fixed. In thrther embodiments of the invention the counterbalance weights may take the form of water, sand or other such material that is contained within a tank attached to the hoist. This arrangement that is not shown in the figures can be arranged to allow the tank to be emptied / filled as required. The embodiment of the invention that is shown in Fig 2 has the handle (11) attached to the weights cover (7) via the handle support (10). In other embodiments of the invention the handle and weights cover can be separate entities.</p>

<p>Accordingly the present invention comprises a counterbalanced hoist comprising counterbalance weights and a boom (5) with an attachment means for attaching any selected attachment for lifting or holding a persons limb or complete body.</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>CLAIMS</p>

   <p>1) A counterbalanced hoist comprising counterbalance weights and a boom (5) with an attachment means for attaching any selected attachment for lifting or holding a persons limb or complete body.</p>

   <p>2) A claim as claimed in claim 1 where the weights are permanently attached to the hoist.</p>

   <p>3) A claim as claimed in claim 1 where the weights are removable.</p>

   <p>4) A claim as claimed in claim 1 where the weights consist of water, sand or other such material that can be placed in a tank that is permanently attached to the hoist.</p>

   <p>5) A claim as claimed in claim 4 where the weights consist of water, sand or other such material that can be placed in a tank that is removable from the hoist.</p>

   <p>6) A claim as claimed in claims 1-5 where the lifting means for the hoist (14) is electrically operated.</p>

   <p>7) A claim as claimed in claims 1-5 where the lifting means for the hoist (14) is operated by any other means.</p>

   <p>Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows</p>

   <p>CLAIMS</p>

   <p>I) A limb supporting hoist comprising a boom with an attachment point that can be positioned outside the footprint of the floor engaging load bearing members, said limb supporting hoist being prevented from tipping over by the use of counter balance weights, the weight of said counter balance weights being designed to allow the lifting of one or more limbs.</p>

   <p>2) A claim as claimed in claim I where the weights are permanently attached to the hoist.</p>

   <p>3) A claim as claimed in claim I where the weights are removable.</p>

   <p>4) A claim as claimed in claim 1 where the weights consist of water, sand or other such material that can be placed in a tank that is permanently attached to the hoist.</p>

   <p>5) A claim as claimed in claim 4 where the weights consist of water, sand or other such material that can be placed in a tank that is removable from the hoist.</p>

   <p>6) A claim as claimed in claims 1-5 where the lifting means for the hoist (14) is electrically operated.</p>

   <p>7) A claim as claimed in claims 1-6 where the lifting means for the hoist (14) is operated by any other means.</p>

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