초록 ▼

An apparatus for raising and lowering a payload, particularly a chair and its user to provide assistance with the sit-to-stand task. The apparatus comprises a base, a platform, linkages attached between base and platform to allow only vertical motion therebetween, an inflatable bag also situated bet

An apparatus for raising and lowering a payload, particularly a chair and its user to provide assistance with the sit-to-stand task. The apparatus comprises a base, a platform, linkages attached between base and platform to allow only vertical motion therebetween, an inflatable bag also situated between base and platform, and a source of pressurized fluid such as compressed air, whereby the bag is inflated and deflated to raise and lower the platform. The user may use an existing, favorite chair, including a reclining chair, which is placed upon the platform without modification. In a low position, the platform is quite close to the floor, providing comfort during sitting. In a high position, the platform is greatly elevated, to provide a full measure of sit-to-stand assistance. The apparatus is compact, doesn't interfere with reclining or rocking while sitting, and is easily deployable, movable, and storable.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A lifting apparatus for raising and lowering a payload comprising: a base, having a top surface and having x and y dimensions xbase and ybase, respectively;a platform having a bottom surface and being spaced above the top surface of the base;a plurality of linkage assemblies that couple the platf

1. A lifting apparatus for raising and lowering a payload comprising: a base, having a top surface and having x and y dimensions xbase and ybase, respectively;a platform having a bottom surface and being spaced above the top surface of the base;a plurality of linkage assemblies that couple the platform to the base such that the platform can be controllably raised and lowered relative to the base, each linkage assembly comprises a lower plate and an upper plate, the lower plate being pivotally coupled to the base, the upper plate being pivotally coupled to the platform and the lower plate and upper plate being pivotally coupled to one another, each linkage assembly being disposed along one edge of the base and a corresponding edge of the platform, each linkage assembly being movable between a collapsed position and an extended position, the linkage assemblies being arranged so as to define an interior space that is located internal to all of the linkage assemblies;an inflatable bag that is defined by a bag footprint; the inflatable bag being disposed between the base and the platform, wherein the bag footprint is located entirely within the interior space such then even when the linkage assemblies are in the collapsed positions, the inflatable bag is spaced from the collapsed linkage assemblies; anda fluid delivery device operatively coupled to the inflatable bag for delivering pressurized fluid to the inflatable bag;wherein the number of linkage assemblies is four, wherein the four linkage assemblies, denoted A1, A2, A3, and A4, are arranged to define a rectangle having x and y dimensions being ax and ay around the perimeter of the base lying in an xy plane, with ax