Uplift apparatus

Abstract

A manual uplift apparatus comprising a structural frame unit, a mechanical uplift assembly unit, and a power translating mechanism connecting the two units to allow the user to more easily obtain a standing position from a previously seated position. A second use for the apparatus may be as an exercise product for exercising upper body muscle groups. The structural frame unit is used to support and guide the mechanical uplift assembly unit. The mechanical uplift assembly unit has two sections that can independently move vertically with respect to the structural frame unit. One section has a seat, the other has rails or hand engagement handles. When downward force is applied to the hand engagement handles, the section having the handles move vertically downward and produces an upward force in the section having the seat through the power translating mechanism. This interface allows the user to more easily uplift themselves from a seated position and is especially useful for older and/or medically disabled persons. Having the downward movement of the seat produce upward movement of the hand engagement handles allows the device to be utilized as an exercise product.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A manual uplift apparatus comprising; 
 a frame having a right and left side;    a seat having a right and left seat mechanism engagement means associated therewith, said seat mechanism engagement means being moveable in an upward and downward direction with respect to said frame;    a right and left hand engagement handle having a right and left handle mechanism engagement means respecfully associateded therewith for receiving a downward force from a user, said handle mechanism engagement means being moveable independently of said seat mechanism engagement means in the upward and downward directions with respect to said frame;    a right power transfer mechanism operatively connecting said right seat mechanism engagement means, said right handle mechanism engagement means, and said right side of said frame, a left power transfer mechanism operatively connecting said left seat mechanism engagement means, said left handle mechanism engagement means, and said leftt side of said frame, said power translating mechanisms used for translating the downward forces applied by the user upon said hand engagement handles into an upward force on the seat,    whereby downward movement of said hand engagement handles produce upward movment of said seat.    
     
     
         2 . The manual uplift apparatus according to  claim 1 , said seat being mounted to a right and left first members and said right and left seat mechanism engagement means being mounted to said respective first members, said first members being used to incorporate said seat mechanism engagement means with said seat; and said right and left hand engagement handle being mounted to a right and left second member and said right and left handle mechanism engagement means being mounted to said respective second members, said second members being used to incorporate said handle mechanism engagement means with said hand engagement handle.  
     
     
         3 . The manual uplift apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said first member further comprises; 
 at least one substantially vertical support element connected to and extending downward from said seat.    
     
     
         4 . The manual uplift apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said second member further comprises; 
 at least one substantially vertical support element connected to and extending downward from said hand engagement handle.    
     
     
         5 . The manual uplift apparatus according to  claim 3 , said frame further comprising at least one guide member adapted to receive said first member and guide said first member in the upward and downward directions with respect to said frame, said guide member being used to couple said seat to said frame.  
     
     
         6 . The manual uplift apparatus according to  claim 5 , said guide member including a grooved roller turnably mounted on said frame, said grooved roller sized to contain and guide said first member as it moves along a portion of its groove.  
     
     
         7 . The manual uplift apparatus according to  claim 4 , said frame further comprising at least one guide member adapted to receive said second member and guide said second member in the upward and downward directions with respect to said frame, said guide member being used to couple said hand engagement handle to said frame.  
     
     
         8 . The manual uplift apparatus according to  claim 7 , said guide member including a grooved roller turnably mounted on said frame, said grooved roller sized to contain and guide said second member as it moves along a portion of its groove.  
     
     
         9 . The manual uplift apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said right power transfer mechanism is a tether, said right seat mechanism engagement means and said right handle mechanism engagement means engaging said tether, said right side of said frame having a right frame mechanism engagement means also engaging said tether, such that said tether operatively connects said right side of seat, said right hand engagement handle, and said right side of said frame, said left power transfer mechanism also being a tether, said left seat mechanism engagement means and said left handle mechanism engagement means engaging said tether, said left side of said frame having a leftt frame mechanism engagement means also engaging said tether, such that said tether operatively connects said left side of seat, said left hand engagement handle, and said left side of said frame.  
     
     
         10 . The manual uplift apparatus according to  claim 1 , said apparatus further comprising a weight means selectively attachable between said seat and said hand engagement handle, such that the amount of force applied by the user upon said hand engagement handle which is required to move said seat in the upward direction may be selectively varied.  
     
     
         11 . The manual uplift apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a cross connection means for connecting said right and left seat mechanism engagement means.  
     
     
         12 . The manual uplift apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a cross connection means for connecting said right and left handle mechanism engagement means.