Self or assist-operated human floor lift

A lift apparatus, comprising:

• a vertical rail;
• a linear bearing positioned to be moved along the vertical rail;
• a drive mechanism coupled to the linear bearing and configured to move the linear bearing at a controlled rate along the vertical rail between a first position at a lower end of a range of motion and a second position at an upper end of the range of motion;
• and
• a seat attached to the linear bearing, the seat being constructed at least in part of a substantially rigid material, having a size and shape suitable to accommodate a seated human occupant, and having a plane to accommodate the seated human occupant, wherein the seat includes a front ramp portion that points in a direction away from the plane to accommodate the seated human occupant and extends away from the linear bearing, wherein the seat includes a back portion attached to the linear bearing, wherein said back portion at said first position is within two inches from the floor and the front ramp portion at said first position is an inch from the floor in order to facilitate an unassisted mounting of the seat by a user from a position on the floor that is adjacent to the seat.