GB2431631A

GB2431631A - Invalid hoist

Info

Publication number: GB2431631A
Application number: GB0521680A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Dale; Ivor Ponting
Original assignee: Proto Magic Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Proto Magic Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-25
Filing date: 2005-10-25
Publication date: 2007-05-02
Also published as: GB0521680D0

Abstract

An invalid hoist or powered spreader bar comprises an enclosure 9 including a motor, battery and controller for driving a drum 17 on which a tape 2 is wound, the housing also having hooks (4, 5, 6, 7 fig 1) to which a harness may be attached, the tape having means such as a hook (1 fig 1) at its end remote from the housing to secure the tape to an overhead support such as ceiling and mans by which the tape may be detached from the hoist. The tape may terminate in a loop through which is fitted a rod 16 the end of which may fit into cut outs 15 in the drum. Alternatively the tape may comprise a main tape which may join a small length of tape attached to the drum. The tape have an enlarged end and may pass through a slot in the drum and be held in place by retainers which reduce the slot.

Description

ATTACHMENT MEANS FOR A POWERED SPREADER BAR

DESCRIPTION

Powered spreader bars have been in use for some years now, in order that the invention may be better understood, the basic function of a powered spreader bar will be explained.

A spreader bar is a bar similar in size to a coat hanger, it is normally made from rigid materials such as metal. The purpose of the spreader bar is to provide hooks on its extremities to allow a patient harness to be attached. In the centre and at the top is a hook that can be attached to a patient hoist or other lifting gear. Such standard spreader bars have been in use for many years. In more recent years some spreader bars have had a motor mechanism, battery and controller added such that, instead of the spreader bar being attached to a patient lifting hoist it may be attached via a tape to a ceiling hook. The new variant of powered spreader bars are capable of being moved from one location to another by means of a hook that attaches its tape to a ceiling hook, such ceiling hook may be attached to a ceiling track or directly to the ceiling. The tape is attached to the ceiling via a hook and to the powered spreader bar, the connection to the powered spreader bar being via a power driven drum being arranged such that the tape can be wound in or out. By this means the powered spreader bar may be raised or lowered. The practical problem with these devices is that when they are moved from one location to another it is necessary to attach the tape/hook to the ceiling hook, which is usually high up. This job is normally done by using steps or an arm attached to the tape hook, either way it is difficult. PAGE1

The present invention relates to a means of releasing the tape from the powered spreader bar. By this method of detachment it is possible to leave the tape attached to the ceiling hook. The powered spreader bar can be lowered to the floor or to a chair, either of which will take the weight of the powered spreader bar allowing the tape to be detached from it at a low level. When the powered spreader bar is taken to another location it is attached to another tape that is already attached to the ceiling.

The method of attachment of the tape to the powered spreader bar may take several different forms. For example there may be a join in the tape that can easily be connected! disconnected. Another method of attachment involves a loop formed on the lower end of the tape, or any other termination to the lower end of the tape that can be attached to the tape drum (17).

In order that the invention may be better understood reference will now be made to Fig #1 which shows a typical powered spreader bar. Fig #2 which shows a latching mechanism in a position where it is not quite latched. Fig #3 shows the same parts as shown in Fig #2 but with the view exploded. Fig #4 shows the mechanism in the latched position.

Firstly referring to Fig #1 which shows a typical powered spreader bar. The enclosure (9) has four sling hooks (4) (5) (6) (7) attached at opposite ends to facilitate sling attachment. A battery (8) is housed within the enclosure (9). A hook (1) suitable for attaching the powered spreader bar to the ceiling is also attached to the wide tape (2), normally the wide tape (2) goes inside the powered spreader bar and is attached to the drum (17). In the case of the present embodiment of the invention a narrow tape (3) is attached between the wide tape (2) and the drum (17).

PAGE 2 The present invention relates to a simple means of releasing the tape (2) and (3) from the drum (17). Now referring to Fig's 2, 3, 4 which show an embodiment of the invention. The tape drum (17) has a left hand end cheek (11) and a right hand end cheek (12) that are used to guide the tape (2) onto the drum (17). The tape (2) is guided onto the drum (17) and its cheeks (11) and (12) by the guide plate (10). The core of the drum (17) is arranged to be on two levels, the lower drum core (13) and the higher drum core (14). The higher drum core (14) is present on both sides of the tape drum (17). The tape (2) and (3) is made up of a short length of narrow tape (3) and a long length of wide tape (2). The narrow tape (3) is thicker than the wide tape (2) in order to have the required tensile strength. The rod (16) is arranged such that it can lock into the cut out (15), which is present on both sides of the drum (17). The size of the narrow tape (3) is arranged such that its width fits in the lower drum core and its length is just under one revolution of the drum (17). The wide tape (2) is arranged to fit within the left hand drum plate (11) and the right hand drum plate (12).

In order to attach the tape (2) and (3) to the drum (17) the narrow tape (3) is passed through the guide plate (10) and the rod (16) engages on the higher drum core. The drum (17) is then rotated until the cut out (15) comes into contact with the rod (16). The rod (16) then becomes engaged in the cut out (15) preventing the tape (2) and (3) from being removed. The powered spreader bar can then be used in the normal way.

When removal of the tape is to be effected the powered spreader bar is placed on a stable surface such as a chair, table or the floor. The tape is then pulled by hand as the down control is operated. When the tape is close to releasing, the PAGE 3 rotation of the drum (17) is stopped by a safety device. A safety switch is then operated in order to wind the drum (17) further and in order to automatically release the rod (16) with the tape (2) and (3).

In a further embodiment of the invention the rod (16) and the loop of tape over it may be arranged to be dropped through a slot in the drum and clamped, release being effected by operating a release mechanism.

Further embodiments of the invention include any alternative method of attaching the tape (2) and (3) to the tape drum (17). In a still further embodiment of the invention there can be a length of tape permanently attached to the tape drum (17), the free end remaining outside the powered spreader bar and being arranged such that it can be attached to the free end of another tape that is normally pre attached to the ceiling.

A still further embodiment of the invention not shown in the drawings allows for the tape to be removed from the side of the drum, the tape having an enlarged end that cannot be pulled through the tape slot.

Accordingly the present invention consists of a powered spreader bar comprising any means of detaching the tape from it such that the tape may be left attached to the ceiling or any other attachment.

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Claims

CLAiMS 1) A powered spreader bar comprising any means of detaching the

tape from it such that the tape may be left attached to the ceiling or any other attachment.

2) A claim as claimed in claim I where the tape is attached to the tape drum directly and by any means.

3) A claim as in claim 1 where a small length of tape is left attached to the tape drum and a join is made from it to the main tape.

4) A claim as in claim 1 where any other means are applied to allow the powered spreader bar to be released from the tape.

5) A claim as in claims 1-4 where the free end of the tape has a rod fitted through a loop at its end, said rod being arranged to engage in a cut out on the drum, when the drum is rotated, this preventing the tape from being removed without rotating the drum in the reverse direction.

6) A claim as in claims 1-4 where the tape is slid into a slot in the side of the drum and said tape cannot be pulled out of said slot in the normal lifting direction due to an enlarged end on said tape.

7) A claim as in claims 1-4 where the tape is lowered through a slot in the drum and is held from coming out in the normal lifting direction by one or more retainers that move to reduce the slot once the tape is in place, said tape having an enlarged end that cannot pass through the reduced slot.

8) A claim as in claims 1-4 where other methods are used to retain the tape end in the drum.

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