Patent Application
20070118982
The need to move objects, animals or people is a daily requirement in many situations. This movement can be accomplished in innumerable ways when required along a single level. However, it becomes more complicated when the object, animal or person must be moved to a level above or below the original position.
For example, water therapy in pools and spas has been recognized as an effective mode of treatment for a number of injuries and disabilities. However, injured or disabled individuals often cannot access pools and spas because they are unable to support themselves in order to enter or exit the water. Lowering from the side of a pool or even attempting to walk down stairs in a pool is often not possible for someone with a disability. Such individuals must be lifted or raised out of the water. While there are several lifts available, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,218,727; 5,572,921; 5,790,995; or 6,256,807; many are large and cumbersome, require complicated track systems or may not be sufficiently stable to use unassisted. A need still exists for a steady, durable lift to provide access for all persons to an in-ground or above-ground pool or spa.
The subject invention generally involves a device capable of lowering an object, animal or person (hereafter referred to collectively as a “person”) to a position that is below a starting level or position. Specifically, the exemplified embodiment is capable of lowering a person over the side or edge of a pool or spa, in a controlled manner, to a position within the pool or spa. The subject invention is also capable of lifting or raising a person back to the original starting level position in order to exit the pool or spa and the device.
In general, the device of the subject invention utilizes one or more support arms pivotally attached by one end to a transport assembly. The opposite end of the one or more support arms is further pivotally attached to a bracket support that itself is securely affixed to a firm surface, for example, at or near the edge of a pool or spa. The transport assembly further comprises one or more platform support masts connected to a platform on which a person can be positioned for lifting or lowering. One or more of the support arms can be actuated by various means that can raise or lower the support arms. When the support arms are raised or lowered by the actuating means the transport assembly is concurrently raised or lowered, respectively, which raises or lowers a platform into or out of a pool or spa.
The subject invention pertains to a device capable of lowering a person below a given level or position and/or raising the person back to the starting level or position. In general, the subject invention comprises a platform onto which a person can be positioned, the platform being attached to one or more support arms capable of raising or lowering a person, for example, into or out of a pool or spa from a position on the side or edge of the pool or spa. As a further non-limiting example, a person in a wheelchair could be positioned on the platform and lowered to a desired level, wheelchair and all, into a pool or spa. If desired, in this example, the person could leave the wheelchair to conduct aqua therapy exercises, or other activities (water massage therapy, swim for exercise, recreation, relaxation, and also for socializing as in a backyard hottub or residential pool). Then, upon returning to the platform, the person can be repositioned in the wheelchair and the platform can then be raised upwards, out of the pool or spa and positioned at the side of the pool or spa so that the wheelchair can be rolled off of the platform.
The invention will now be described in more detail, and with reference to parts that are illustrated in the accompanying figures.
The subject invention utilizes a transport assembly 12 that is pivotally attached to one or more support arms 26. The transport assembly 12 comprises a platform 14 of sufficient dimensions to accommodate a person and/or any desired support equipment, such as a wheelchair. In a preferred embodiment, the platform 14 has dimensions that can accommodate a person sitting in a wheelchair, such that the person and wheelchair can be rolled onto the platform. In a most preferred embodiment, the platform is approximately 30 inches long, from the front end 40 to the back end 45, and about 45 inches wide. In a further preferred embodiment, the transport assembly 12 further comprises a stowable ramp 22 that can be connected to the back end 45 of the platform 14 or connected to the adjoining deck to aid in rolling a wheelchair of similar equipment onto the platform. The ramp 22 can be removably attached to the platform, but in a preferred embodiment the ramp 22 is pivotally attached to the back end 45 of the platform utilizing techniques and devices known in the art (
The transport assembly 12 may further comprise one or more guide rails 18 attached to the platform 14, for example, as shown
Further, the transport assembly comprises at least one platform support mast 23 connected to the platform 14, preferably proximal to the back end 45 of the platform. Most preferred are two platform support masts 23, one positioned at each corner of back edge 45. In a preferred embodiment, platform support mast 23 comprises an upper portion that is angled back away from the platform as depicted in
In a further embodiment, one or more platform support lines 16 can be connected between the platform 14 and the platform support mast 23, to provide additional support to the platform (
As mentioned above, the transport assembly 12 is pivotally connected to one or more support arms 26 by the pivot segment 24 of the platform support mast 23. The one or more support arms 26 act as cantilevers to raise or lower the transport assembly 12. However, in order to maintain the platform 14, in a horizontal position and to minimize swinging, a rigid guide arm 25 is utilized with the support arm 26 in order to maintain the horizontal aspect of the transport assembly as it is raised or lowered. In one embodiment, one end of guide arm 25 is pivotally connected to the platform support mast 23 and the other end of guide arm 25 is pivotally connected to a suitably stable support, for example, the concrete or decking around a pool or spa. In a preferred embodiment, one end of guide arm 25 is pivotally connected to the platform support mast 23, at or near the end of the pivot segment 24 closest to the angle apex. The other end of the guide arm 25 is preferably pivotally connected to the bracket support 28, discussed below. The guide arm 25 should be sufficiently long enough to maintain the horizontal aspect of the platform 14. Further, it is preferred that the guide arm 25 and the support arm 26 be positioned so that, in operation, they are maintained substantially parallel to each other, as illustrated in
The subject invention utilizes at least one support arm 26 as a cantilever to raise or lower the transport assembly 12. To accomplish this, the support arm 26 is pivotally connected to and supported by one or more bracket supports 28, as illustrated in
The raising or lowering of the support arms 26 can be accomplished by a variety of actuating means, such as rotational or pivotal assemblies known to those with skill in the art, including motorized or manual means, for example, manual control devices, various piston or gear systems, etc. Such rotation or pivotal assemblies, in preferred embodiments, would provide adequate control to raise or lower the support arm 26, and, thus, the platform 14, and maintain a stable position anywhere within the axis of rotation of the support arm 26. In one embodiment, one or more linear actuator devices 30 are utilized, for example the LINAK model LA31 or model LA34. In a preferred embodiment, two linear actuator devices 30 are utilized, one on each side of platform 14 as illustrated in
The rotational or pivotal assemblies used in the subject invention can be controlled, for example, manually (such as by a jack; gears; crank; or fluid pressure, such as by water or oil, or pumping mechanisms), or electrically (powered by AC or by DC, by battery). However, in a preferred embodiment, the assembly is a linear actuator device 30 that is battery operated. In still a further preferred embodiment, the controls for the linear actuator device 30 are configured to be used, if desired, by a person positioned on the platform 14. This can be accomplished by a variety of techniques known to those with skill in the art, including remote controls, extended cord controls, radio controls, voice operated controls, valves, etc.
Generally, in operation, the one or more support arms 26 are raised or lowered which in turn causes the transport assembly 12, and the platform 14 thereof, to be accordingly raised or lowered. When properly positioned along the side or edge of a pool or spa, the angle between the pivot segment 24 and the support segment 20 of the platform support mast 23 allows the transport assembly to be lowered into the pool or spa with minimal or no contact with the wall of the pool or spa. Thus, the angle between the pivot segment 24 and the support segment 20 can be optimized in various embodiments depending upon the intended relative positions of the bracket support 28 and the length of the one or more support arms 26 and guide arms 25 utilized with the device. In a preferred embodiment, the front end 42 of the bracket support 28 is positioned approximately 1 foot from the edge of the pool or spa. In this embodiment depicted in
The subject invention is designed to be permanently affixed or semi-affixed to the side or edge of a pool or spa with optional alternative anchoring positions. Therefore, it may be desirable to reduce the space utilized by the device. This could be accomplished by removal of the platform 14 from the device when not in use, or by raising the platform 14, stowing it in an extended elevation so as not to interfere with the pool or spa. However, in a preferred embodiment, the platform 14 is pivotally attached to the support segment 20 of the platform support mast 23. This allows the platform 14 to be pivoted or flipped to a vertical standing position. Thus, when the support arm 26 is positioned in a relatively vertical position, the platform 14 can be pivoted or flipped to the vertical standing position, which will place it adjacent to the bracket support 28 to form a compact, stowed position that should not interfere with, or significantly protrude over, the side or edge of the pool or spa.
While the examples presented herein generally describe the device of the subject invention utilized in an aquatic setting, it can be readily recognized that the subject invention would have a multitude of uses away from a pool or spa setting. Therefore, it would also be realized that the materials used to manufacture the subject invention would depend upon the uses and environment to which the device would be exposed. One with skill in the art would recognize that various types of materials, including, but not limited to, metals, plastics, wood, fiberglass, etc. could be used to manufacture the various components of the subject invention.
In a preferred embodiment, the components of the subject device are of stainless steel construction with a UV resistant polyester (epoxy) powder-coating or electo-polished. The platform of the preferred embodiment is comprised of a low density polyethylene. However, one with skill in the art would be able to fashion various components from other materials that may be more amendable to the environment in which the device will be used in other applications.
All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, and publications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent they are not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.
It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application.
