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A transport apparatus includes a movable base, a sling, and a support frame mounted to the base. The frame extends over the base and is configured to move from a position spaced above the base at a first height wherein the frame may be extended over and proximate a support surface for engaging the s

A transport apparatus includes a movable base, a sling, and a support frame mounted to the base. The frame extends over the base and is configured to move from a position spaced above the base at a first height wherein the frame may be extended over and proximate a support surface for engaging the sling when placed on the surface to another position spaced at a height greater than the first height after engagement with the sling. The sling is adapted to be engaged by the frame, which provides lateral support to the sling, wherein when the frame and sling are raised to the greater height the sling is raised above the surface so that a person supported on the sling may be lifted off the surface with the sling and the frame and supported in a stabilized sitting position so that the person can moved away from the surface.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A transport apparatus comprising: a base;a sling, said sling forming a seat portion and a back portion, said seat portion being directly connected to said back portion, and said seat portion and said back portion being reconfigurable between an unfolded, generally planar configuration wherein sai

1. A transport apparatus comprising: a base;a sling, said sling forming a seat portion and a back portion, said seat portion being directly connected to said back portion, and said seat portion and said back portion being reconfigurable between an unfolded, generally planar configuration wherein said sling can lie generally flat on a support surface and a folded configuration wherein a person can be supported in a sitting position;a support frame mounted to said base, said support frame extending over said base and being configured to move from a first position spaced above said base at a first height, said support frame including a pair of arms for engaging said seat portion, wherein when said support frame is extended over and proximate a support surface, said arms are extendible to engage said sling when placed on the support surface; anda plurality of couplers directly connecting said back portion to said support frame when said arms of said support frame are engaged with said seat section and said sling is moved to its folded configuration, and said frame being movable to a second position spaced above a second height greater than said first height once engaged with said sling wherein said sling is raised above the support surface, and said support frame providing lateral support to said seat portion of said sling when engaged with said sling, wherein when said support frame and said sling are raised to said second position said sling is raised above the support surface so that a person supported on said sling may be lifted off the support surface with said sling and said frame supporting the person in a stabilized sitting position so that the person can be moved away from the support surface by said base. 2. The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said couplers includes a strap and a buckle, said straps securing said buckles to said frame. 3. The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said seat portion includes a pair of sleeves for receiving said arms. 4. The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base includes a plurality of bearings. 5. The transport apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said bearings define a footprint, said support frame mounted to said base outside of said foot print. 6. The transport apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an upstanding support mounted to said base and a four bar linkage mounted at its proximal end to said upstanding support, said support frame mounted to the distal end of said four bar linkage. 7. The transport apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said four bar linkage comprises two four bar linkages, each of the proximal ends of the four bar linkages being pivotally mounted to said upstanding support, and said support frame mounted to the distal ends of said four bar linkages, and said four bar linkages being interconnected by a transverse member, said base supporting a driver engaging said transverse member to pivot said four bar linkages about their proximal ends. 8. The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support frame is further configured to move to a third position at a third height different than said first height and said second height wherein a person supported on said sling may be deposited on a second support surface at a lower or greater height than the first support surface. 9. A transport apparatus comprising: a movable base;a sling, said sling forming a seat portion and a back portion, said seat portion directly connected to said back portion and said seat portion and said back portion reconfigurable between a generally planar configuration wherein said sling can lie generally flat on a support surface and a folded configuration wherein a person can be supported in a sitting position in said sling; anda support frame mounted to said base, said frame being configured to move from a first position spaced above said base at a first height wherein said support frame may be extended over and proximate a support surface to a second position spaced above said base at a second height greater than said first height, said frame being engaged with said seat portion when said frame is in said first position and said sling is in its generally planar configuration, a pair of couplers directly connecting said frame to said back section when said frame is engaged with said seat section and said sling is in said folded configuration wherein said transport apparatus can support and transport a person supported by said sling from one location to another location, and said sling releasably engaged with said frame wherein a person supported by said sling may be deposited with said sling on another support surface when the frame is extended over the other support surface. 10. The transport apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a driver supported on said base, said driver being operable by a user or a person supported by said transport apparatus, and said driver selectively moving said frame between said first and second positions. 11. The transport apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an upstanding support mounted to said base and two four bar linkages, each of the proximal ends of the four bar linkages being pivotally mounted to said upstanding support, and said support mounted to the distal ends of said four bar linkages, and said four bar linkages being interconnected by a transverse member, said driver selectively applying a force to said transverse member to pivot said four bar linkages about their proximal ends. 12. The transport apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said seat portion includes a pair of sleeves, said frame having a pair of arms, said arms being extendible into said sleeves to thereby releasably engage said seat portion of said sling. 13. The transport apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said frame is releasably connected to said back portion by said couplers, when connected said couplers retaining said sling in said folded configuration. 14. The transport apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said each of said couplers includes a strap and a buckle, said straps securing said buckles to said frame, and said buckles releasably connecting said frame to said back portion. 15. The transport apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said base includes a plurality of bearings.