Patient movement system, method, and apparatus

A hoist assembly for controlling the lifting and lowering of a person, comprising:

• first and second end plates separated by a plurality of guides extending between the first and second end plates;
• a first moving device coupled to the first end plate and to a first screw that extends between the first and second end plates;
• a first traveler coupled to the screw and one or more of the guides and having one or more pulleys coupled to linkages extending from the first moving device to the person
• a second moving device coupled to the second end plate and to a second screw that extends between the first and second end plates;
• and
• a second traveler coupled to the screw and one or more of the guides and having one or more pulleys coupled to linkages extending from the second moving device to the person.

A method for moving a person from a first position to a second position, comprising the steps of:

• positioning a hoist assembly having a first and second motor each coupled to linkages that route horizontally and vertically and couple to the person;
• operating a first motor to move a first linkage horizontally around a plurality of pulleys to a pulley that adjusts the first linkage to a vertical orientation extending to the person;
• operating a second motor to move a second linkage horizontally around a plurality of pulleys to a pulley that adjusts the second linkage to a vertical orientation extending to the person;
• and
• wherein the length of the horizontal sections of each of first and second linkages increases as the person is lifted, and wherein the length of the horizontal sections of each of first and second linkages decreases as the person is lowered.