APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING IMPAIRED OR DISABLED PERSONS

摘要

An apparatus for assisting a person to move from to and from a seated position, comprising: a base, an actuator arrangement supported by the base and a torso support configured for supporting the torso with the chest of the person facing the torso support. The torso support has a main engagement surface for engaging the chest of the person, the actuator arrangement being configured to move the torso support over a range of vertical positions. The actuator arrangement can move the torso support over a range of horizontal positions in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main engagement surface. The actuator arrangement can move the torso support in the vertical range of positions independently of the horizontal position of the torso support and vice versa. The apparatus also comprises a rotational actuator operatively connected to the torso support for rotating the torso support about a substantially horizontal pivot axis.