AU2019101077A4 - Portable personal lift platform - Google Patents

Abstract

A lift platform (1) comprises a peripheral frame of orthogonal members (2,3,4,5) each supported on a pivoting wheel or castor (7). A pantograph mechanism (11,12), operates through a remotely controlled (26) electrically powered pneumatic rod & cylinder assembly (25) to raise/lower a stand (22) of sufficient dimensions for an individual to stand or sit thereon. Handles (23,24) are provided to enable an individual to guide the platform (1) into position. A removable cushioned mat (27) is positioned on the upper surface of the stand (22). The platform (1) is wheeled to its desired use position and the stand (22) is placed at its lowest position. The user either sits or stands on the stand (22) and then activates the pantograph (11,12) using the remote control (26) to raise the stand (22) to the required height. Once at the required height, the user can vacate the stand (22) and transfer to a bath, bed or commode, etc.

Description

PORTABLE PERSONAL LIFT PLATFORM

Technical Field

THIS INVENTION relates to a lift device. In particular, it is directed to, but not limited to, a portable lift platform to elevate an individual from a substantially ground position to a required raised position such as the height of a bath, bed, commode, etc.

Background Art

There are a number of reasons why an individual can find it difficult to readily transfer from a chair to a bed, from a bed to a commode, into a bath or simply to stand after a fall. Such reasons include a physical disability or age-related failing strength. For individuals resident in a health-care environment, a carer is present who can assist such individuals and, should the mobility issues be severe, two or more carers can assist and/or commercial hoists - either fixed or portable - can be used. However, for individuals with less severe mobility problems who reside in a domestic environment, a carer may not always be present and the commercial hoists available are not particularly suitable in that environment - the fixed hoists are expensive to purchase and have to be attached to a ceiling or a wall and are therefore only usable in a limited defined area of the environment, and mobile hoists, while maybe of use in a wider environment, still require assistance from another person to engage/disengage the hoist.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages and provide a portable hoist which can readily be operated by the required user of the hoist without the assistance of another person.

2019101077 26 Apr 2019

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable lift platform for an individual to reversibly elevate said individual from an initial lower position to a required final upper position, said lift platform comprising:

a base perimeter frame for positioning on a floor or similar surface;

a pantograph-type linkage member connected at one end to one side of said base frame and connected at its other end to a stand, said stand adapted to support said individual; and power means for said linkage member operable by said individual for reversibly powering said lift linkage member to elevate said stand from said lower position to said upper position.

Preferably, said base includes a plurality of wheels, castors or the like pivotably connected thereto to enable said lift platform to be moved to a desired location by said individual prior to use of said lift platform.

Preferably, said plurality of wheels, castors or the like include a braking mechanism on one or more of said wheels.

Preferably, said braking mechanism is reversibly operable by said individual.

Preferably, said lift platform includes one or more handles for use by said individual to assist movement of said lift platform to a desired location.

Said power means can be selected from any one of the group comprising hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical power means.

Preferably, said power means is operated by a wireless remote control.

2019101077 26 Apr 2019

Preferably, said lift platform includes a shroud connected at one end around the perimeter of said frame and at its other end around the perimeter of said stand to substantially shield said linkage member and said power means from inadvertent contact by said individual when said lift platform is in use.

Said stand is of dimensions sufficient for an individual to sit or stand thereon.

Optionally, a cushioned surface, preferably removable, can be applied to the upper surface of said stand.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of a lift platform constructed in accordance with the present invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective sketch of a lift platform of the present invention in a raised position;

FIG. 2 is the platform of FIG. 1 adjacent a wheelchair; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective sketch of the platform of FIG. 1 in a lowered position.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

With reference to FIGS. 1 & 2, the lift platform (1) includes a peripheral frame composed of two opposed substantially L-shaped longitudinal members (2,3) connected at their respective ends by two opposed lateral members (4,5). Depending from the lateral member (4) at the respective intersections with members (2) and (3) are a pair of short extensions (6) to each of which is affixed a pivoting wheel or castor (7). Each wheel or castor (7) includes a reversible foot-operated mechanical friction braking mechanism (8) of the type known in the art. Depending from the respective ends of the

2019101077 26 Apr 2019 lateral member (5) are a pair of spaced extensions (9). The spacing between the extensions (9) is sufficient to enable a user to abut the platform (1) while in a wheelchair (10) (FIG. 2). A pantograph comprises two opposed X-arms (11,12) pivotally connected at their respective mid-points (13,14). One set of lower ends of the X-arms (11,12) are pivotally connected (15,16) to the respective lateral members (2,3). The opposing lower ends of the X-arms (11,12) have bearing-type wheels (17,18) affixed adapted to enable travel along the respective wells (only (3a) depicted) of the L-shaped lateral members (2,3). The upper ends (19,20) of the X-arms (11,12) are pivotally connected (only (21) depicted) to a substantially rectangular planar stand (22) of sufficient dimensions for an individual to stand or sit thereon. The longitudinal edges of the stand (22) have respective handles (23,24) attached to enable an individual to guide the platform (1) into position. An electrically powered pneumatic rod & cylinder assembly (25) of the type well known in the art operates the pantograph through a remote control (26). A removable cushioned mat (27) is positioned on the upper surface of the stand (22).

In use (FIGS, 1 & 3), the platform (1) is wheeled to its desired use position. The stand (22) is placed at its lowest position (FIG. 3). If required, the mat (27) is placed on the stand (22) for comfortable seating for the user of the platform (1). The user either sits or stands on the stand (22) and then activates the pantograph using the remote control (26) to raise the stand (22) to the required height (FIG. 1). Once at the required height, the user can vacate the stand (22) and transfer to a bath, bed or commode, etc.

The present invention offers a number of advantages which include:

can be used in a domestic environment without any fixing to a wall or ceiling:

can be operated by the actual individual requiring the lift without additional assistance from another person;

is portable so can be used in any convenient location;

2019101077 26 Apr 2019 can be of a size and weight suitable for transport in a vehicle for temporary use in another location such as visiting or on holiday;

is of a lower cost to manufacture than existing lift platforms.

The terms comprising or comprises as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiment is only an exemplification of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.

Claims (12)

1. A portable lift platform for an individual to reversibly elevate said individual from an initial lower position to a required final upper position, said lift platform comprising:

a base perimeter frame for positioning on a floor or similar surface;

a pantograph-type linkage member connected at one end to one side of said base frame and connected at its other end to a stand, said stand adapted to support said individual; and power means for said linkage member operable by said individual for reversibly powering said lift linkage member to elevate said stand from said initial lower position to said final upper position.

2. A lift platform as defined in Claim 1 wherein, said base frame includes a plurality of wheels, castors or the like pivotably connected thereto to enable said lift platform to be moved to a desired location by said individual prior to use of said lift platform.

3. A lift platform as defined in Claim 2 wherein, said plurality of wheels, castors or the like includes a braking mechanism.

4. A lift platform as defined in Claim 3 wherein, said braking mechanism is reversibly operable by said individual.

5. A lift platform as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 4 which further includes one or more handles for use by said individual to assist movement of said lift platform to a desired location.

2019101077 26 Apr 2019

6. A lift platform as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein, said power means is selected from any one of the group comprising hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical power means.

7. A lift platform as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein, said power means is operated by a wireless remote control.

8. A lift platform as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 7 which further includes a shroud connected at one end around the perimeter of said frame and at its other end around the perimeter of said stand to substantially shield said linkage member and said power means from inadvertent contact by said individual when said lift platform is in use.

9. A lift platform as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein, said stand is of dimensions suitable for said individual to sit thereon.

10. A lift platform as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein, said stand is of dimensions suitable for said individual to stand thereon.

11. A lift platform as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 10 which further includes a cushioned surface applied to the upper surface of said stand.

12. A lift platform as defined in Claim 11 wherein, said cushioned surface is removable from said upper surface of said stand.