Apparatus for lifting a human being

An apparatus useful for lifting a human being from a surface, comprising stretcher means adapted to be placed between said human being and said surface, said stretcher means having substantially opposing first and second side ends and being capable of supporting said human being;

• first motive means comprising a first electric motor and a plurality of first cables associated with said first side end of said stretcher means, the operation of said first electric motor causing movement in said first cables and, in turn, the lifting or lowering of said first side end of said stretcher means, as desired;
• second motive means comprising a second electric motor and a plurality of second cables removably associated with said second side end of said stretcher means, the operation of said second electric motor causing movement in said second cables and, in turn, the lifting or lowering of said second side end of said stretcher means, as desired, provided that said first and second motive means are capable of independent operation;
• frame means acting to support said stretcher means and said first and second motive means;
• first and second switch means associated with said frame means and in electrical communication with said first and second motive means, respectively;
• and a first and a second contact block located on one of said first and second cables, respectively, and being capable of independently contacting said first and second switch means in response to the operation of said first and second electric motor respectively, whereby said contacting acts to deactivate said first and second electric motors and said movement of said first and second side end, respectively, of said stretcher means.