Lift pants for a patient lift system

Abstract

Lift pants for improved patient ambulation while the patient is supported by a lift system. The lift pants include a left pant leg and a right pant leg. A lower left leg tightening strap and a lower right leg tightening strap are connected to the pant legs and are utilized to tighten the lift pants around the patient's feet. A connection means is utilized to connect the lift pants to a lift system. The lift pants have sections that expose the patient's anal area and genitals so that the patient is able to use a toilet without removing the lift pants. The lift pants are configured so the patient is lifted primarily from his feet. In a preferred embodiment, lift shoes are also included that allow the patient to utilize the system while wearing his favorite shoes or his most comfortable slippers, or while wearing just his socks or while barefoot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) Lift pants for improved patient ambulation while a patient is supported by a lift system, comprising:
 A) a left pant leg for receiving a patient's left leg,   B) a right pant leg for receiving a patient's right leg,   C) two shoes with each having at least one boot strap connection,   D) at least one lower left leg tightening strap for tightening said left pant leg to one of the boot strap connectors,   E) at least one lower right leg tightening strap for tightening said right pant leg to one of the boot strap connectors,   F) a connection means for connecting said lift pants to said lift system,
 wherein said lift pants define sections exposing the patient's anal area and genitals thereby allowing the patient to use a toilet without removing said lift pants, and wherein the patient is lifted primarily from his feet. 
   
     
     
         2 ) The lift pants as in  claim 1  wherein said left pant leg and said right pant leg each comprise an outer support strap extending along the length of the pant leg and designed to provide additional tension support to the pant legs. 
     
     
         3 ) The lift pants as in  claim 1 , wherein said left pant leg and said right pant leg each comprise an inner vertical strap extending vertically along the length of the inside of the pant leg. 
     
     
         4 ) The lift pants as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one lower left leg tightening strap is a lower left leg inner tightening strap and a lower left leg outer tightening strap. 
     
     
         5 ) The lift pants as in  claim 4 , wherein said lower left leg inner tightening strap and said lower left leg outer tightening strap are connected to a patient's left footwear and tightened. 
     
     
         6 ) The lift pants as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one lower right leg tightening strap is a lower right leg inner tightening strap and a lower right leg outer tightening strap. 
     
     
         7 ) The lift pants as in  claim 6 , wherein said lower right leg inner tightening strap and said lower right leg outer tightening strap are connected to a patient's right footwear and tightened. 
     
     
         8 ) The lift pants as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 A) a right frontal tightening strap for further tightening said right pant leg, and   B) a left frontal tightening strap for further tightening said left pant leg.   
     
     
         9 ) lift pants as in  claim 1 , wherein said connection means comprises:
 A) a right frontal loop,   B) a left frontal loop,   C) a right rear loop,   D) a left rear loop,
 wherein said right and left frontal loops and said right and left rear loops are located at or near the waist area of said lift pants. 
   
     
     
         10 ) The lift pants as in  claim 1 , wherein said lift pants are worn by a patient and connected to a lift system, said lift system comprising:
 A) a lift motor for raising and lowering said lift system,   B) lift system bars connected to said lift motor,   C) lift system straps attached to said lift system bars and to said connection means.   
     
     
         11 ) The lift pants as in  claim 10 , wherein said lift system is connected to a track connection means extending downward from a switchless track. 
     
     
         12 ) The lift pants as in  claim 11 , wherein said switchless track comprises:
 A) a platform,   B) a plurality of castors attached to the bottom of said platform and rolling on said track,   C) a track slot,   D) a hook extending downward from said platform and through said slot,
 wherein said lift motor is connected to said hook. 
   
     
     
         13 ) The lift pants as in  claim 1 , further comprising lift shoes wherein said lower left leg tightening strap and said lower right leg tightening strap are connected to said lift shoes. 
     
     
         14 ) The lift pants as in  claim 13 , wherein the patient's left foot and the patient's right feet are inserted into said lift shoes.