SICKLY PERSON LIFTING DEVICE

Abstract

 An invalid lift apparatus which can be compactly folded to be handy to carry is disclosed. An upright bar 10 is rotatably mounted on a base 2 on which a plurality of wheels 8, 9 capable of rolling on a floor face are mounted. An arm 11 is rotatably mounted on a movable end of the upright bar 10. A shackle 12 engaged with a hanger 63 for supporting the weight of an invalid 62 to be lifted up is provided on a movable end of the arm 11. Respective end portions of an actuator 13 are rotatably coupled to respective ones of a longitudinal intermediate portion of the upright bar 10 and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the arm 11. Due to driving of the actuator 13, the movable end of the arm 11 is upwardly or downwardly moved. When not used, the upright bar 10 and the arm 11 are brought to extend substantially in parallel with the base 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an invalid lift apparatus, and more particularly, it relates to an invalid lift apparatus of a movable system.

Background Technique

[0002] In case of moving an invalid between a bed, a bathtub, a chamber pot, a wheelchair and the like, an invalid lift apparatus is often employed in order to lighten the burden imposed on the nurser. Basically, the invalid lift apparatus has a function of lifting up the invalid and a function of moving the invalid in the transverse direction. An invalid lift apparatus of a movable form comprises a plurality of wheels which can roll on a floor face, and the aforementioned movement in the transverse direction is achieved by movement of this invalid lift apparatus itself along the floor face.

[0003] Such an invalid lift apparatus of a movable form is easy to use. This is because it can be employed substantially with no hindrance for moving the invalid between the aforementioned bed, bathtub, chamber pot, wheel chair and the like regardless of the positional relations therebetween.

[0004] The best use of such an advantage is particularly made when it is necessary to move an invalid who is under in-home care at his own home in case of travelling bathing assistive service, for example. This is because the arrangement of the rooms and the position where a bed or the like is placed vary with the house where the invalid lives.

[0005] In case of making the aforementioned travelling bathing assistive service, the invalid lift apparatus is generally moved on vehicle. However, the conventional invalid lift apparatus is not necessarily suitable for such carriage. Namely, the invalid lift apparatus requires a height sufficient for lifting up the invalid from the bed or the like and requires extent of a base part for stably supporting the invalid in a state movable along the floor face, and hence the same is relatively bulky and unhandy to carry.

Disclosure of the Invention

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an invalid lift apparatus which can be compactly folded.

[0007] In order to solve the aforementioned technical problem, the invalid lift apparatus according to the present invention comprises a base on which a plurality of wheels capable of rolling on a floor face are mounted, an upright bar which is rotatably mounted on this base thereby selectively taking a state upright from the base and a state extending along the base, an arm which is rotatably mounted on a movable end of this upright bar for supporting an invalid to be lifted up on the movable end, and an actuator for making driving for rotating the arm with respect to the upright bar when the upright bar is in the state upright from the base thereby changing the height of the movable end of the arm.

[0008] When the invalid lift apparatus according to the present invention is used, the upright bar is brought into the state upright from the base. Then, the invalid to be lifted is brought into a state suspended on the movable end of the arm. When the actuator is worked and the arm is rotated with respect to the upright bar in such a state, the height of the movable end of the arm is changed so that the invalid can be moved in the vertical direction. Further, it is possible to move the invalid in the transverse direction along with this invalid lift apparatus by making the wheels mounted on the base roll on the floor face. Thus, the invalid is moved to an arbitrary place.

[0009] When the invalid lift apparatus is not used, on the other hand, the upright bar is brought into the state extending along the base, while the arm is brought into a state extending along the upright bar. Thus, the three elements of the base, the upright bar and the arm can be brought into a state aligned in parallel with each other.

[0010] According to the present invention, therefore, such a compact state that both of the upright bar and the arm extend along the base can be implemented when the invalid lift apparatus is not used while ensuring a sufficient height by the upright bar and the arm when the invalid lift apparatus is used. Consequently, carriage is simplified and the best use of this advantage can be effectively made when employed in travelling bathing assistive service, for example.

[0011] According to the present invention, the actuator is preferably so structured that respective end portions thereof are rotatably coupled to respective ones of a longitudinal intermediate portion of the upright bar and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the arm for rotating the arm with respect to the upright bar by changing the distance between the both end portions. Further, the portion of the actuator coupled with the arm comprises an auxiliary link, so that an end portion of this auxiliary link is rotatably coupled to the arm and the other end portion of the auxiliary link is rotatably coupled to the actuator. The actuator is worked to rotate the arm with respect to the upright bar in such a state that the auxiliary link is directed toward the movable end of the arm, and the arm enters a state extending substantially in parallel with the upright bar when the auxiliary link is directed toward the portion of the arm coupled with the upright bar while the actuator minimizes the distance between its both end portions.

[0012] It is possible to implement an operation of rotating the arm with respect to the upright bar with a simple mechanism by employing the actuator whose distance between both end portions is changed in its operation and mounting this actuator to be coupled between the longitudinal intermediate portion of the upright bar and the longitudinal intermediate portion of the arm, as hereinabove described.

[0013] When the auxiliary link is employed on the portion of the actuator coupled with the arm as described above, the positional relation between the end portion of the actuator and the arm can be adjusted in two stages. Namely, the position of the end portion of the actuator is changed by bringing the auxiliary link into the state directed toward the movable end of the arm or into the state directed toward the portion of the arm coupled with the upright bar. In the former state, the end portion of the actuator can be more approached toward the movable end of the arm, whereby the actuator can rotate the arm with respect to the upright bar with relatively small force even if a load by the weight of the invalid is applied to the movable end of the arm. In the latter state, i.e., in the state that the auxiliary link is directed toward the portion of the arm coupled with the upright bar, on the other hand, the end portion of the actuator is more approached toward the portion of the arm coupled with the upright bar. Consequently, the dimensional relation between the actuator whose distance between both end portions is minimized and the auxiliary link allows such a state that the arm and the upright bar extend substantially in parallel with each other.

[0014] In the present invention, the upright bar and the arm preferably consist of single bar members respectively, and the base comprises two base bars extending in parallel with each other and a bendable cross-directional connecting bar provided across these base bars, while the upright bar is mounted on a longitudinal central portion of the cross-directional connecting bar.

[0015] If the base is structured in the aforementioned manner, the space between the two base bars can be spread thereby stably maintaining the upright bar not to fall when this invalid lift apparatus is in a used state. When this invalid lift apparatus is to be folded, on the other hand, the space between the two base bars is narrowed by bending the cross-directional connecting bar. The upright bar and the arm consist of single bar members respectively, whereby the folded state of this invalid lift apparatus goes into a relatively thin bar form as a whole, so that a more compact folded state can be attained.

[0016] In the aforementioned structure, further, it is preferable to comprise a transmission mechanism for transmitting the operation of the upright bar to the cross-directional connecting bar when the upright bar is rotated with respect to the base thereby bringing the cross-directional connecting bar into a linear state when the upright bar is in the state upright from the base while bringing the cross-directional connecting bar into a bent state when the upright bar is in the state extending along the base.

[0017] When the transmission mechanism is comprised as described above, it is possible to cause bending and stretching operations of the cross-directional connecting bar in association with rotation of the upright bar with respect to the base, whereby this invalid lift apparatus can be folded and opened by simple operations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an invalid lift apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing such a state that a movable end of an arm 11 is relatively highly positioned.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 1, showing such a state that the movable end of the arm 11 is most lowly positioned.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 1, showing such a state that an upright bar 10 and the arm 11 in an intermediate stage of folding extend substantially in parallel with each other.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 1, showing such a state that this lift apparatus 1 is folded.

[0022] Fig. 5 is a right side elevational view of the lift apparatus 1 which is in the state shown in Fig. 1.

[0023] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the lift apparatus 1 which is in the state shown in Fig. 1.

[0024] Fig. 7 is a plan view of the lift apparatus 1 which is in the state shown in Fig. 4.

[0025] Fig. 8 is a front elevational view showing a part of the lift apparatus 1 which is in the state shown in Fig. 3 in an enlarged manner perspectively through its interior.

[0026] Fig. 9 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 8, showing such a state that locking by a lock member 35 is canceled.

[0027] Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the lift apparatus 1 which is in the state shown in Fig. 6 in a partially fragmented manner while enlarging a part thereof.

[0028] Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI - XI in Fig. 10.

[0029] Fig. 12, which is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 10, is a plan view showing the lift apparatus 1 which is in the state shown in Fig. 7 in a partially fragmented manner while enlarging a part thereof.

[0030] Fig. 13, which is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 11, is a schematic sectional view taken along the line XIII - XIII in Fig. 12.

[0031] Fig. 14 independently shows an intermediate link 14, and (a) is a plan view, (b) is a front elevational view, (c) is a left side elevational view, and (d) is a right side elevational view.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] The drawings are adapted to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 1 to 7 illustrate the whole of an invalid lift apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. Here, Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 are front elevational views of the lift apparatus 1, showing states changed on the basis of functions provided in the lift apparatus 1 respectively. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are a right side elevational view and a plan view of the lift apparatus 1 which is in the state shown in Fig. 1 respectively. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the lift apparatus 1 which is in the state shown in Fig. 4.

[0033] The lift apparatus 1 comprises a base 2. The base 2 comprises two base bars 3 and 4 extending in parallel with each other and a bendable cross-directional connecting bar 5 provided across these base bars 3 and 4. Wheels 6 to 9 which can roll on a floor face are mounted on respective end portions of the respective ones of the base bars 3 and 4. These wheels 6 to 9 are preferably structured by casters capable of freely changing directions.

[0034] The lift apparatus 1 further comprises an upright bar 10. The upright bar 10 consists of a single bar member, and is rotatably mounted on the base 2, more specifically on a longitudinal central portion of the cross-directional connecting bar 5. Thus, the upright bar 10 can selectively take a state upright from the base 2 as shown in Fig. 1, for example, and a state extending along the base 2 as shown in Fig. 4, for example.

[0035] The lift apparatus 1 further comprises an arm 11. The arm 11 consists of a single bar member, and is rotatably mounted on a movable end of the upright bar 10. The arm 11 is adapted to support an invalid to be lifted up on its movable end, and a shackle 12, for example, is provided on such a movable end.

[0036] The lift apparatus 1 further comprises an actuator 13. The actuator 13 is adapted to make driving for rotating the arm 11 with respect to the upright bar 10 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, for example, when the upright bar 10 is in the state upright from the base 2, thereby changing the height of the movable end of the arm 11.

[0037] This lift apparatus 1 takes typical states shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 respectively when used, and folded as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 when not used.

[0038] The structure of this lift apparatus 1 is now described in further detail.

[0039] The cross-directional connecting bar 5 included in the base 2 comprises an intermediate link 14 and end links 17 and 18 which are rotatably coupled to respective end portions thereof through pins 15 and 16 respectively, as clearly shown in Fig. 10, for example. The end links 17 and 18 are rotatably coupled to brackets 19 and 20 which are mounted on the base bars 3 and 4 through pins 21 and 22 respectively.

[0040] The aforementioned intermediate link 14 is independently shown in Fig. 14. Referring to Fig. 14, (a) is a plan view, (b) is a front elevational view, (c) is a left side elevational view, and (d) is a right side elevational view.

[0041] The intermediate link 14 comprises a body part 23 whose section receiving a lower end portion of the upright bar 10 is substantially U-shaped. The body part 23 is provided with penetrating through holes 24, and the upright bar 10 is rotatably held with respect to the intermediate link 14 through a pin 25 passing through these through holes 24, as shown in Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 11 and Fig. 13, for example. Further, a lock engaging part 26 is formed on the body part 23 by a pin, for example.

[0042] Bracket parts 27 and 28 whose sections are substantially U-shaped are provided to extend from the front surface and the rear surface of the body part 23 respectively. Penetrating through holes 29 and 30 are provided in the bracket parts 27 and 28 respectively. Respective end portions of the end links 17 and 18 are received in the bracket parts 27 and 28 respectively, while the aforementioned pins 15 and 16 are passed through the end links 17 and 18 through the through holes 29 and 30 respectively.

[0043] The intermediate link 14 is further provided with a bracket part 31. Penetrating through holes 32 are provided in vertical walls of the bracket part 31 extending in parallel with each other. Two longitudinal through holes 33 and 34 are provided in line in a horizontal wall of the bracket part 31. Referring to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, a lock member 35 is arranged on a lower end portion of the upright bar 10. The lock member 35 is guided by a guide member 36 provided on the lower end portion of the upright bar 10 to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the upright bar 10. In order to allow such movement, the lock member 35 is provided with a longitudinal through hole 37 for receiving the pin 25. The lock member 35 is urged by a compression spring 38 which is arranged between this lock member 35 and the guide member 36 to downwardly move. The terminal end of the downward movement of the lock member 35 is defined by engagement of the pin 25 with an upper end of the longitudinal through hole 37.

[0044] A lower end of a rod 39 is coupled to the lock member 35. The rod 39 passes through the hollow upright bar 10 and extends up to the upper end of the upright bar 10, so that the upper end of the rod 39 is coupled to a control lever 40 here. A bracket 41 is mounted on the upper end, i.e., the movable end of the upright bar 10, and the control lever 40 is rotatably held with respect to this bracket 41 through a pin 42. Alternatively, a wire may be employed in place of the rod 39.

[0045] Referring to Fig. 8, the upright bar 10 is fixed in the state upright from the base 2. Namely, the lock member 35 engages with the lock engaging part 26, so that the upright bar 10 enters a state unrotatable in the clockwise direction about the pin 25. Rotation of the upright bar 10 in the anticlockwise direction is inhibited by walls provided on the body part 23 of the intermediate link 14.

[0046] When an end portion of the control lever 40 is rotated to be lifted up as shown in Fig. 9, the lock member 35 is upwardly moved through the rod 39 against the elasticity of the compression spring 38. Thus, the engagement of the lock member 35 with respect to the lock engaging part 26 is canceled, whereby the upright bar 10 enters a state rotatable in the clockwise direction about the pin 25.

[0047] As clearly shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, for example, respective end portions of the aforementioned actuator 13 are rotatably coupled with respect to the respective ones of a longitudinal intermediate portion of the upright bar 10 and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the arm 11. As understood when Fig. 1 is compared with Fig. 2, the actuator 13 has a structure including telescopic pipes, for example, and is so structured as to rotate the arm 11 with respect to the upright bar 10 by changing the distance between its both end portions.

[0048] In more detail, the lower end of the actuator 13 is held by a fixture 43, and the fixture 43 is mounted on the upright bar 10 to rotate about a pin 44. On the other hand, the upper end of the actuator 13 is coupled to an end portion of an auxiliary link 45 to be rotatable about a pin 46. The other end portion of the auxiliary link 45 is coupled to a bracket 47 which is fixed to the arm 11 about a pin 48. The bracket 47 holds the auxiliary link 45 from both sides in the state shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, so that the auxiliary link 45 is not unsteadied with respect to the arm 11. The auxiliary link 45 can be brought from a state directed toward the movable end of the arm 11 into a state directed to a portion of the arm 11 coupled with the upright bar 10, i.e., toward a pin 49 by raising the movable end of the arm 11 in the state shown in Fig. 2, for example. The pin 49 is positioned on the bracket 41, and rotatably holds the arm 11 with respect to the bracket 41.

[0049] On a relatively upper portion of the upright bar 10, a handle 50 extending on its both sides is provided. The handle 50 is grasped by the hands of a proper operator, in order to supply force for moving this lift apparatus 1 on the basis of rolling of the wheels 6 to 9.

[0050] The lift apparatus 1 according to this embodiment further comprises a transmission mechanism for transmitting the operation of the upright bar 10 to the cross-directional connecting bar 5 when the upright bar 10 is rotated with respect to the base 2 thereby bringing the cross-directional connecting bar 5 into a linear state when the upright bar 10 is in the state upright from the base 2 while bringing the cross-directional connecting bar 5 into a bent state when the upright bar 10 is in the state extending along the base 2. This transmission mechanism is described mainly with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 13.

[0051] A sleeve 51 is provided on the upright bar 10, to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the upright bar 10. The sleeve 51 is positioned on a side closer to the movable end of the upright bar 10 than the aforementioned intermediate link 14.

[0052] A central portion of a bending control link 52 which is structured by bending a rod having a circular section is passed through the sleeve 51, and the bending control link 52 is held with respect to the sleeve 51 to be rotatable about its axis. Both end portions of the bending control link 52 extend in opposite directions on the same linear line, and these end portions are received in joints 53 and 54 respectively. The respective end portions of the bending control link 52 are rotatable with respect to the respective ones of the joints 53 and 54 about axes thereof. The joints 53 and 54 are mounted on the end links 17 and 18 through pins 55 and 56 extending in directions perpendicular to the extending directions of the respective end portions of the bending control link 52 respectively. The joints 53 and 54 are rotatable with respect to the end links 17 and 18 respectively about the pins 55 and 56.

[0053] An end of a slide control link 57 is rotatably mounted on the central portion of the aforementioned bending control link 52. The other end of the slide control link 57 is rotatably held by a pin 58 passing through the through hole 32 provided in the bracket part 31 of the aforementioned intermediate link 14.

[0054] First ends of parallelism keeping links 59 and 60 are received in the longitudinal through holes 33 and 34 (see Fig. 14(a)) provided in the bracket part 31 of the intermediate link 14 respectively, so that these parallelism keeping links 59 and 60 are rotatably held with respect to the intermediate link 14. Second ends of the respective ones of the parallelism keeping links 59 and 60 are rotatably held on the brackets 19 and 20 which are mounted on the base bars 3 and 4 respectively.

[0055] In the state shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the cross-directional connecting bar 5 is in the linear state, and the pair of base bars 3 and 4 define the widest space therebetween. Further, the parallelism keeping links 59 and 60 extend in parallel with the cross-directional connecting bar 5, to keep parallel states of the pair of base bars 3 and 4.

[0056] When the upright bar 10 is inclined and brought into the state extending along the base 2 in the aforementioned state, the state shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 is implemented. Namely, when the upright bar 10 is rotated about the pin 25 which is provided on the intermediate link 14, the sleeve 51 is slid along the upright bar 10 toward its movable end due to a bracing action of the slide control link 57. Following this sliding of the sleeve 51, the bending control link 52 is also moved toward the movable end of the upright bar 10. Due to the movement of the bending control link 52 in such a direction, the joints 53 and 54 are also attracted toward the movable end of the upright bar 10. On the other hand, the intermediate link 14 is mounted on the upright bar 10 through the pin 25, whereby the end links 17 and 18 are rotated with respect to the intermediate link 14 about the pins 15 and 16 respectively, due to the aforementioned movement of the joints 53 and 54. Consequently, the cross-directional connecting bar 5 is brought into the bent state. Following the aforementioned rotation of the end links 17 and 18, the joints 53 and 54 rotate with respect to the end links 17 and 18 respectively, while positions on the bending control link 52 are changed.

[0057] Following the aforementioned bending operation of the cross-directional connecting bar 5, the pair of base bars 3 and 4 are approached to each other. Thus, the directions of the respective ones of the parallelism keeping links 59 and 60 are also changed, similarly to the end links 17 and 18.

[0058] Thus, the state shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 is finally obtained. In order to reversely change the state shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 to the state shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the upright bar 10 may be rotated to enter the state upright from the base 2. Thus, the aforementioned operation reversely advances, so that the state shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 is finally obtained.

[0059] An exemplary method of using this lift apparatus 1 is now described.

[0060] In case of using this lift apparatus 1 in travelling bathing assistive service, for example, the apparatus is carried in the folded state shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7. In the home where an invalid lives, the apparatus is brought into the open state shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, for example. In order to bring the apparatus into such an open state, the upright bar 10 is first brought into the state upright from the base 2, as shown in Fig. 3. Thus, the cross-directional connecting bar 5 is brought into the linear state, and the space between the pair of base bars 3 and 4 is widened. Then, the movable end of the arm 11 is raised, so that the auxiliary link 45 is directed toward the movable end of the arm 11, as shown in Fig. 2. The actuator 13 is driven in this state, so that the movable end of the arm 11 is upwardly moved as shown in Fig. 1.

[0061] Referring to Fig. 1, a bed 61 and an invalid 62 thereon are shown by phantom lines. An end of the base 2 is inserted under the bed 61. Thus, the movable end of the arm 11 enters a state positioned substantially above a cross-directional central portion of the bed 61. The upright bar 10 is preferably mounted on a position biased toward one side of the base 2, so that the movable end of the arm 11 is positioned within the range of the extent of the base 2 as observed in a plan view in the used state of the lift apparatus 1.

[0062] In the state shown in Fig. 1, the invalid 62 is wrapped up in a hammock which is not shown, and this hammock is hung on the shackle 12 through a hanger 63 shown by phantom lines.

[0063] Then, the actuator 13 is so driven that the invalid 62 floats in the air, and the movable end of the arm 11 is upwardly moved. In order to bathe the invalid 62 in this state, the lift 1 is moved to a portion close to a bathtub. At this time, the actuator 13 may be driven at need, so that the movable end of the arm 11 is downwardly moved.

[0064] When the aforementioned operation is reversely performed, it is possible to return the invalid 62 on the bed 61 again.

[0065] When the use of the lift apparatus 1 is completed, the actuator 13 is driven to minimize the distance between the both end portions thereof, as shown in Fig. 2. Then, the movable end of the arm 11 is raised by the operator's hand, so that the auxiliary link 45 is brought into a state directed toward the bracket 41. Consequently, the arm 11 enters the state extending substantially in parallel with the upright bar 10 as shown in Fig. 3, when the force for raising the movable end of the arm 11 is removed. Then, the control lever 40 is operated to be pulled up, whereby the engagement of the lock member 35 with the lock engaging part 26 is canceled and the upright bar 10 enters a state rotatable with respect to the base 2, so that the upright bar 10 enters the state extending substantially in parallel with the base 2 along with the arm 11 as shown in Fig. 4, as the result of the rotation. At this time, the cross-directional connecting bar 5 is bent on the basis of the transmission mechanism described with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 13, so that the space between the pair of base bars 3 and 4 is narrowed as shown in Fig. 7.

Industrial Availability

[0066] The present invention is usefully applicable to an invalid lift apparatus of a movable form.

Claims

1. An invalid lift apparatus comprising:

a base on which a plurality of wheels being capable of rolling on a floor face are mounted;

an upright bar being rotatably mounted on said base thereby selectively taking a state upright from said base and a state extending along said base;

an arm being rotatably mounted on a movable end of said upright bar for supporting an invalid to be lifted up on said movable end; and

an actuator for making driving for rotating said arm with respect to said upright bar when said upright bar is in the state upright from said base thereby changing the height of the movable end of said arm.

2. The invalid lift apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuator is so structured that its respective end portions are rotatably coupled to respective ones of a longitudinal intermediate portion of said upright bar and a longitudinal intermediate portion of said arm for rotating said arm with respect to said upright bar by changing the distance between its both end portions,
   a portion of said actuator being coupled with said arm comprises an auxiliary link, so that an end portion of said auxiliary link is rotatably coupled to said arm and the other end portion of said auxiliary link is rotatably coupled to said actuator, and
   said actuator is worked to rotate said arm with respect to said upright bar in such a state that said auxiliary link is directed toward the movable end of said arm, and said arm enters a state extending substantially in parallel with said upright bar when said auxiliary link is directed toward a portion of said arm being coupled with said upright bar while said actuator minimizes the distance between its both end portions.

3. The invalid lift apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said upright bar and said arm consist of single bar members respectively, said base comprises two base pars extending in parallel with each other and a bendable cross-directional connecting bar being provided across these base bars, and said upright bar is mounted on a longitudinal central portion of said cross-directional connecting bar.

4. The invalid lift apparatus in accordance with claim 3, further comprising a transmission mechanism for transmitting the operation of said upright bar to said cross-directional connecting bar when said upright bar is rotated with respect to said base thereby bringing said cross-directional connecting bar into a linear state when said upright bar is in the state being upright from said base while bringing said cross-directional connecting bar into a bent state when said upright bar is in the state extending along said base.

Drawing