Sling bars, methods for attaching a subject sling to sling bars, and lift systems using sling bars

A method of attaching a subject sling to a sling bar, the method comprising:

• applying a first insertion force, via one or more than one sling loop, to a first retention latch on a sling bar, wherein the first insertion force is a predetermined force that overcomes a first closing force, generated by a first spring positioned within a first spring aperture defined in a first bar portion of the sling bar, to pivot the first retention latch toward an open position where the first retention latch is positionable within a first latch slot defined in the first bar portion of the sling bar, and where a first engagement face of the first retention latch is separated from a first stop surface defined on a first sling attachment portion positioned at a first end of the first bar portion;
• inserting the one or more than one sling loop associated with a subject sling over the first sling attachment portion into a first receiving aperture defined by the first sling attachment portion;
• and
• returning the first retention latch to a closed position in which a first lock protrusion protruding from the first engagement face is received within a first lock aperture defined within the first stop surface, the first lock aperture shaped to receive the first lock protrusion to maintain the first retention latch in the closed position, the first retention latch comprising an outer curved surface matching a shape of the first bar portion at a first end of the outer curved surface and a shape of the first retention latch at a second end of the outer curved surface, the outer curved surface curving concavely between the first end and the second end toward the first receiving aperture to provide a consistent transition from an upper surface of the first sling attachment portion to the outer curved surface of the first retention latch.

A lift system, comprising:

• a subject lift including a lift mechanism coupled to a lift strap, wherein a sling bar attachment mechanism is coupled to the lift strap;
• and
• a sling bar coupled to the sling bar attachment mechanism, the sling bar comprising:
• a first bar portion that extends in a first longitudinal direction, the first bar portion defining a first latch slot and a first spring aperture;
• a first sling attachment portion positioned at a first end of the first bar portion, the first sling attachment portion extending from a lower part of the first bar portion to define a first receiving aperture, and the first sling attachment portion defining a first stop surface having a first lock aperture defined within the first stop surface;
• a first retention latch pivotally coupled to an upper part of the first bar portion and defining a first engagement face, the first engagement face restraining the first retention latch to pivot between an open position, where the first retention latch is positionable against the first bar portion within the first latch slot, and a closed position, where the first engagement face interfaces with the first stop surface of the first sling attachment portion, the first retention latch comprising a first lock protrusion protruding from the first engagement face, the first retention latch comprising an outer curved surface matching a shape of the first bar portion at a first end of the outer curved surface and a shape of the first retention latch at a second end of the outer curved surface, the outer curved surface curving concavely between the first end and the second end toward the first receiving aperture to provide a consistent transition from an upper surface of the first sling attachment portion to the outer curved surface of the first retention latch;
• and
• a first spring positioned within the first spring aperture to force the first retention latch toward the closed position, wherein the first lock aperture shaped to receive the first lock protrusion to maintain the first retention latch in the closed position.