Background of the technology

The invention relates to construction technology and concerns a minihoist.

Apartments often have thresholds or differences in levels which make moving more difficult from one room to another. Such hindrances can make it very difficult or even impossible for old or disabled people to move.

Usually, different ramps have been provided to make the crossing of thresholds easier. The ramp must not be too steep (according to recommendations, the inclination may be 5 % at the most); therefore, it must be made fairly long. However, then it is difficult to accommodate it in the available space. It is also often necessary to move large ramps to provide space for other purposes. It is obvious that those who need the ramps are not able to move them. When wet, the ramps can also be dangerously slippery.

Various hoists are known which are installed on a floor and used to move a wheel chair from one level to another, for example. In the known hoists, the distance of the jack plane from the floor in its lower position is fairly high. Publication GB 2 136 396, for example, discloses a hoist of this type.

Discription of the invention

A minihoist according to Claim 1 has now been invented. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the other claims.

The invention comprises a hoisting device which is flush with the floor, and a lift plane which is moved by the hoisting device. The lift plane can be lowered as low as possible in its lower position, so the ramp to the plane can be as short possible, or sometimes no ramp is even needed. The distance of the lift plane from the floor in its lower position is preferably about 2 cm at the most.

The hoist can be hydraulically or electrically driven, for example. One advantage of a hydraulic hoist is that the portion which is flush with the floor is generally relatively small. The hydraulic hoist can also easily be made suitable for outdoor use.

Another object of the invention is a handle attached to a wall which can be used as a support by a person who is moved by the hoist.

In the following, some preferred applications of the invention are presented by way of example. In the drawings of the description:

Fig. 1 shows a minihoist according to the invention in its upper position, installed in front of a door, Fig. 2 shows the hoist in its lower position, Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the hoist, and Fig. 4 is a side view of another hoist.

The minihoist according to the figures comprises lift member 1 placed in front of a threshold on a floor. Lift member 1 comprises vertical hydraulic cylinder la and piston lb. Piston lb comprises upper arm lc. Cylinder la is submerged in the floor so that only its upper end is above the floor level. The upper end of cylinder la is provided with a flange-like fastening part 2 by which the cylinder is attached to the floor. In addition, channels required by hydraulic and control cables are made in the floor. The hydraulic machinery is placed in a suitable location, apart from the hoist. The same machinery can be used to drive several hoists. Control of the hoist can be implemented, for example, pneumatically or by low-voltage electricity. If the hoist is used outdoors, for example, on a balcony; naturally, a proper cold resistant hydraulic oil is used.

Hydraulic cylinder la according to Fig. 3 comprises one piston lb. Cylinder l a according to Fig. 4 comprises two nested telescopic pistons lb, of which the innermost one can be lifted above the outer piston. The solution according to Fig. 4 provides higher lift height by cylinder la of the same length.

Supporting part 3 is attached to the upper end of the innermost piston rod lc. The upper surface of supporting part 3 is provided with lift plane 4. The front edge of supporting part 3 comprises ramp 5 which is attached to the supporting part to be pivoted on hinge 6 in the vertical direction.

The sides of supporting part 3 comprise side shields 7 attached to the floor.

Supporting handle 8 is attached to a wall at a suitable height on the side of the opening edge of door 9. Handle 8 protrudes vertically from the wall. Handle 8

comprises a ring attached to the wall and a rod extending straight down from its lowermost point, the lower end of the rod being bent against the wall. A person can grip the handle firmly with either hand. When desired, one can also push his or her arm through the ring. The hoist is particularly intended to be used so that the person places him or herself on it sideways. In this case, it is as easy as possible to get support from the handle and move through the door.

Lift plane 4 comprises operating switches 10 of the hoist which are operated by foot. When one of the switches is pressed, the lift plane ascends and when the other one is pressed, it descends. The switches are placed side by side on the edge on the side of supporting handle 8 of lift plane 4. In this way, the user naturally finds the best possible position on the lift plane.

Supporting member 3 is as low as possible. Therefore, the distance of lift plane 4 from the floor is preferably about 2 cm at the most in its lower position. In this case, the length of ramp 5 is about 16 cm, for example. A suitable length for hoisting a standing person and a suitable length of lift plane 4 (perpendicular to the wall) is, for example, about 30 to 35 cm. The length of a plane suitable for hoisting a wheelchair, for example, is 70 to 100 cm. It is easy to move onto low lift plane 4 which is in its lower position, and away from it. Low-gradient ramp 5 makes moving even easier. Operating switches 10 can be used to cause lift member 1 to move the lift plane to the desired direction in the vertical direction. In this way, ascending from the floor to the level of the threshold and, correspondingly, descending back can be carried out. The sufficient maximum lift height in normal apartments is generally about 20 cm which can be accomplished by the above- described telescopic, hydraulic cylinder which is flush with the floor. A lift height of about 10 to 15 cm is easily achieved by a simple cylinder.

When needed, there can be several cylinders, particularly for firmness when larger lift planes are used.

The operating switches can be placed at a suitable height on the wall when desired.

Side shields 7 and ramp 5 prevent items from going under supporting plate 3. However, when the supporting plate is up, the bottom of the plate can be cleaned from the front.

The edges of side shields 7 are rounded so that they do not hurt the user if he or she falls. The location of hinges between lift plane 4 and ramp 5 and the gaps between

side shields 7 and the lift plane and the ramp are constructed so that fingers or toes cannot get caught between them and that they will not pinch the skin. A suitable distance of side shields 7 from lift plane 4 and ramp 5 is about 5 mm. The gap between lift plane 4 and ramp 5 is covered by the back part of the hinge.

The minihoist makes it possible for disabled persons to safely move from one plane to another. During the transfer, the person can hold handle 8. The hoist is small in size and it can be accommodated easily in the rooms of normal apartments. Because of its small size, the hoist hardly disturbs other activities.

When moving by a vehicle, such as a rollator or a wheelchair, the vehicle can be left on lift plane 4 and the user can move forward with the aid of rails 10 and other supports that are properly installed. In this way, it is not necessary to the take the vehicle to a wash-room where there often is veiy little room to move. In this case, the wash-room must be provided with suitable supports which make it possible for the person to move.

One special use of the minihoist is the fronts of the doors of wash-rooms built of prefabricated structures. Typically in apartments there is a step of about 80 to 140 mm at the door of such a wash-room. Other objects include balconies, porches, and the fairly small differences in levels typical for detached houses built on a slope.

Lift plane 4 and ramp 5 can be coated with suitable material which prevents slipping.

The materials and colours of the hoist and the handle can be selected according to the interior decoration.

The structure of the hoist is fairly simple and it is easy to put in place.

By using the hoists, apartments can be rendered practical for disabled persons without making large reparations. No permits from the authorities are needed. When the hoist is no longer needed in the apartment, it is easy to remove the hoist and restore the location. The removed hoist can be located in another apartment.