Overhead lift systems for mounting and dismounting lift units on an overhead rail
AssigneeLiko Research & Development AB
InventorJonas Wallin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An overhead lift system for supporting a person with a lift unit includes an overhead rail and an elevator track. The overhead rail includes a subject support portion and a docking portion. An end of the docking portion is removably coupled to an end of the subject support portion. The elevator track is coupled to the docking portion of the overhead rail. The elevator track is configured to convey the docking portion of the overhead rail from a height of the subject support portion of the overhead rail toward a position below the height of the subject support portion of the overhead rail.
Claims20
An overhead lift system for supporting a person with a lift unit, the overhead lift system comprising:
- an overhead rail comprising a subject support portion, a docking portion, a transit switch portion positioned laterally between the subject support portion and the docking portion, wherein an end of the docking portion is removably coupled to an end of the subject support portion through the transit switch portion, and each of the subject support portion, the docking portion, and the transit switch portion comprises a body comprising a first flange and a second flange configured to support the lift unit thereon;
- and
- an elevator track coupled to the docking portion such that the docking portion is moveable on the elevator track with respect to the subject support portion of the overhead rail, wherein the elevator track is configured to convey the docking portion of the overhead rail from a height of the subject support portion of the overhead rail toward a position below the height of the subject support portion of the overhead rail.
An overhead lift system comprising:
- an overhead rail comprising a subject support portion, a docking portion, and a transit switch portion, wherein an end of the docking portion is coupled to an end of the subject support portion with the transit switch portion;
- an elevator track coupled to the docking portion such that the docking portion is moveable on the elevator track with respect to the overhead rail, wherein the elevator track is configured to convey the docking portion of the overhead rail from a height of the subject support portion of the overhead rail toward a position below the height of the subject support portion of the overhead rail;
- and
- a lift unit slidably engaged with the overhead rail, wherein:
- when the lift unit is positioned within the docking portion, the docking portion is configured to convey the lift unit along the elevator track;
- and
- the transit switch portion comprises a deformable material that interfaces with the lift unit as the lift unit travels through the transit switch portion, wherein the deformable material deforms upon application of a load above a predetermined amount and prevents the lift unit from entering the docking portion of the overhead rail when the load of the lift unit is above the predetermined amount.
A kit of parts for retrofitting an overhead rail to facilitate raising and lowering a lift unit to and from the overhead rail, the kit of parts comprising:
- a docking portion of the overhead rail and a transit switch portion of the overhead rail, wherein the transit switch portion couples the docking portion of the overhead rail to an end of a subject support portion of the overhead rail through the transit switch portion such that the transit switch portion is positioned laterally between the subject support portion and the docking portion, and each of the subject support portion, the docking portion, and the transit switch portion comprises a body comprising a first flange and a second flange configured to support the lift unit thereon;
- and
- an elevator track for coupling to the docking portion such that the docking portion is translatable on the elevator track with respect to the subject support portion of the overhead rail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.