Bedside lower extremity lifting apparatus

A method of lifting the lower extremities of a person onto an elevated, substantially horizontal surface, comprising:

• positioning a lifting apparatus adjacent the side of an elevated, substantially horizontal surface, the lifting apparatus comprising a support frame, a platform coupled to the support frame and an actuator assembly coupled between the support frame and the platform for raising the platform from a first position to a second elevated position;
• having a user sit on an edge of the elevated horizontal surface so that the platform is positioned below the torso of the user;
• raising the platform from the first position to the second position thereby lifting at least one leg of the user;
• and
• having the user maneuver their at least one leg from the support platform to the elevated surface.

An apparatus for lifting the lower extremities of a person, comprising;

• a support frame configured for placing next to a bed;
• a platform coupled to the support frame, the platform configured for supporting at least one leg of a user while being lifted or lowered by the platform, the support frame and platform configured to allow a user to sit on the edge of the bed while actuating the platform from a first lower position to a second elevated position, said platform having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, said first lateral edge being supported by said support frame at a height below the top surface of a top mattress of the bed to allow a user to sit on an edge of the top mattress with the platform in its lowered position positioned between the top mattress and the leg or legs of the user;
• and
• an actuator assembly coupled between the support frame and the platform for raising the platform from the first position to the second position to allow a user to more easily maneuver at least one leg onto the bed.

An apparatus for lifting the lower extremities of a person, comprising;

• a support frame configured for placing next to an elevated, substantially horizontal surface;
• a platform having a first edge and a second edge, said platform being pivotally coupled relative to said support frame for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis proximate said first edge and having a surface area sufficient for supporting at least one leg of a user while being lifted or lowered by the platform;
• and
• an actuator assembly coupled between the support frame and the platform for pivoting the platform in a relatively controlled manner to move said second edge between a lower position and a raised position, said platform being substantially horizontal when said second edge is in said raised position, thereby allowing a user to more easily maneuver at least one leg onto and off of the elevated, substantially horizontal surface.

An apparatus for lifting the lower extremities of a person, comprising;

• a support frame configured for placing next to an elevated, substantially horizontal surface;
• a platform coupled to the support frame, the platform having a surface area sufficient for supporting at least one leg of a user while being lifted or lowered by the platform, the support frame and platform configured to allow a user to sit on the edge of an elevated, substantially horizontal surface while actuating the platform from a first lower position to a second elevated position;
• an actuator assembly coupled between the support frame and the platform for raising the platform from the first position to the second position to allow a user to more easily maneuver at least one leg onto the elevated, substantially horizontal surface;
• and
• a tether attached to said support frame and configured for attaching relative to said elevated, substantially horizontal surface.