# US 11,432,978 B1 · Method of positioning a user relative to a lift assist device retained on a mobility apparatus to maximize efficiency thereof

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- Number: US 11,432,978 B1
- Document ID: US11432978B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 17/523,062
- Filed: 2021-11-10
- Granted: 2022-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2021-07-12
- Applicants: Mark S. Inkmann
- Inventors: Mark S. Inkmann
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11432978B1

## CPC

- A61G 5/14: Standing-up or sitting-down aids
- A61G 7/1019: {Vertical extending columns or mechanisms}
- A61H 3/04: Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons
- A61G 5/08: foldable
- A61H 2003/043: {with a drive mechanism}
- A61H 2201/0161: Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
- A61H 2201/123: Linear drive
- A61H 2201/1253: driven by a human being, e.g. hand driven
- A61H 2201/1633: Seat (A61H2201/0149 takes precedence)
- A61H 2201/1635: Hand or arm, e.g. handle
- A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00)
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)

## Abstract

A lift assist device preferably includes a pair of lift units and a battery. Each lift unit preferably includes a linear actuator, a lift projection, a top bracket and a bottom bracket. A screw sled extends from one side of the linear actuator. An end of a lift projection is secured to the screw sled. One end of the top bracket is attached to a top of the linear actuator. One end of a bottom bracket is attached to a bottom of the linear actuator. The top and bottom brackets will be different depending on whether they are attached to rollators, wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs and motorized scooters. The lift assist device may be used to help lift a user from a chair adjacent the rollator, wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or motorized scooter, or when the user is seated in rollator, wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or motorized scooter.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of positioning a user relative to a lift assist device attached to a mobility apparatus to maximize efficiency of said lift assist device, comprising the steps of:
providing a theoretical vertical center of gravity line;
passing said theoretical vertical center of gravity line through feet of the user;
passing said theoretical vertical user center of gravity line through a top of a shoulder of the user;
keeping a forearm and an upper arm of each arm straight and vertical during raising of said pair of lift projections, said theoretical vertical user center of gravity passing through said forearm and said upper arm;
passing said theoretical vertical user center of gravity line through a pair of lift projections of said lift assist device, where a pair of hands contact said pair of lift projections;
starting said pair of lift projections at a lowest height;
gripping said pair of lift projections; and
raising said pair of lift projections to enable the user to stand from a sitting position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of positioning a user of claim 1 wherein:
said mobility device is a rollator.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of positioning a user of claim 1 wherein:
said mobility device is a wheel chair.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of positioning a user of claim 1 wherein:
said mobility device is a motorized wheel chair.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of positioning a user of claim 1 wherein:
said mobility device is a motorized scooter.

### Claim 6

A method of positioning a user relative to a lift assist device attached to a mobility apparatus to maximize efficiency of said lift assist device, comprising the steps of:
providing a theoretical vertical user center of gravity line;
passing said theoretical vertical user center of gravity line through feet of the user;
passing theoretical vertical user center of gravity line through a top of a shoulder of the user;
keeping a forearm and an upper arm of each arm straight and vertical during lowering of said pair of lift projections, said theoretical vertical user center of gravity passing through said forearm and said upper arm;
passing theoretical vertical user center of gravity line through a pair of lift projections of said lift assist device, where a pair of hands contact said pair of lift projections;
starting said pair of lift projections at a greatest height;
gripping a pair of lift projections of said lift assist device; and
lowering said pair of lift projections to enable the user to sit from a standing position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of positioning a user of claim 6 wherein:
said pair of lift projections being lowered to a lowest height thereof.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The method of positioning a user of claim 6 wherein:
said mobility device is a rollator.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method of positioning a user of claim 6 wherein:
said mobility device is a wheel chair.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The method of positioning a user of claim 6 wherein:
said mobility device is a motorized wheel chair.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The method of positioning a user of claim 6 wherein:
said mobility device is a motorized scooter.