GB1414644A - Patient raising apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1414644 Walking frame F A O WAREN 23 Nov 1973 [30 Aug 1972] 40099/72 Heading A6M [Also in Division B8] An invalid walking frame, to raise or lower an invalid up or down a step or stairs, comprises four vertical posts 10 connected by (shaped members) 11, 12 to leave the frame open for access by an invalid along a longer side thereof. A pair of platforms 13 are respectively slidably mounted on end posts 10 and are each coupled to a cable 14 secured to a pulley 16 mounted on a shaft 17. A further pulley 18 of larger diameter than the pulley 16, is freely rotatably mounted on the shaft and has a cable 21 wrapped there around and connected thereto by a pin and socket (19), (20), Fig. 4, 5 (not shown) with the ends of the cable secured respectively to an elastic cable 22 or spring secured to the frame, and to a treadle 26 pivoted to the frame. A ratchet wheel 27 is secured to the shaft 17 and is engaged by a pawl 33 mounted on the pulley 18 to transmit the motion of the pulley 18, on depression of the treadle to the shaft to raise the platforms 13. The ratchet allowing the pulley to rotate in the opposite direction, under the action of the cable 22, to return the treadle to its initial position. A further ratchet wheel 31 secured to the shaft 17, is engaged by a pawl (not shown) mounted on the frame to hold the platforms in their raised positions during the return stroke of the pulley 18 and the treadle. A further pulley 30 is secured to the shaft 17 and has a cable 35 wrapped therearound with opposite ends conected to the frame and to a handle 36 to apply tension to the cable and control the descent of the platforms. In a modification Fig. 7 (not shown) a pair of rods (46) are secured to the platforms to engage a seat and wheels (44) are provided on the frame. In an alternative embodiment Fig. 10 (not shown) the cable 21 and treadle are replaced by a handle (67) mounted on the pulley (66) and in a further embodiment Fig. 9 (not shown) each platform (13) has a separate lifting cable, retaining ratchet and brake, with the lifting cable (56) connected to an elastic cable (57) and an extension rod (58) with a handle 59. In operation the invalid, by using the handles 59, pushes the platforms down to the lower edge of the frame and in so doing tensions the cables (57). Then by shifting his weight from one platform to the other, the platforms will rise under the tension of the cables (57).