Ambulatory system

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein said network includes a primary track and a secondary track angularly related to the primary track for receiving said truck, and transfer means for transferring the truck between said segments.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2 further including suspension means for suspending said network above a walkway.

Claim 5

The system of claim 3 wherein said system is supported within a building and the primary track is extended along a corridor and said auxiliary track is extended through a doorway opening into the corridor.

Claim 6

The system of claim 4 wherein said transfer means includes a transfer track alternately displaceable between a first position wherein the transfer track is aligned with adjacent portions of the primary track and a second position wherein the transfer track is aligned with adjacent portions of the primary track and the secondary track.

Claim 7

The system of claim 5 wherein said transfer means further includes: A. means pivotally coupling said transfer track with said primary track, means for supporting said transfer track for pivotal displacement in coplanar relationship with said primary track and said secondary track; and B. means for displacing said transfer track between said first and second positions.

Claim 8

An ambulatory system supported within a building comprising: A. means including a network of tracks including a primary track extending along a corridor within a building, an auxiliary track extended through a doorway opening into the corridor, and transfer means including a transfer track, means pivotally coupling the transfer track with the primary track for pivotal displacement in coplanar relation with the primary track and the secondary track between a first position wherein the transfer track is aligned with mutually spaced adjacent portions of the primary track, and a second position wherein the transfer track is aligned with mutually spaced adjacent portions of the primary track and the secondary track, and means for displacing said transfer track between said first and second positions; and B. a truck mated with said tracks and supported for movement therealong, including support means depending from said truck for lending support to a human body, and a plurality of wheels affixed to the truck and vertically supported by the tracks of said network, and brake means responsive to predetermined forces downwardly applied to said support means for arresting motion of said truck.

Claim 9

An ambulatory system supported within a building comprising: A. means including a network of tracks including a primary track extending along a corridor within a building, an auxiliary track extended through a doorway opening into the corridor, and transfer means including a transfer track, means pivotally coupling the transfer track with the primary track for pivotal displacement in coplanar relation with the primary track and the secondary track between a first position wherein the transfer track is aligned with mutually spaced adjacent portions of the primary track, and a second position wherein the transfer track is aligned with mutually spaced adjacent portions of the primary track and the secondary track, and means for displacing said transfer track between said first and second positions; and B. a truck mated with said tracks and supported for movement therealong, including support means depending from said truck for lending support to a human body, and a plurality of wheels affixed to the truck and vertically supported by the tracks of said network, and brake means responsive to predetermined forces downwardly applied to said support means for arresting motion of said truck.

Claim 10

The system of claim 7 wherein said support means comprises means including a flexible member for receiving a human being.

Claim 11

The system of claim 8 wherein said support means further includes a winch interposed between said truck and said flexible member for vertically repositioning said flexible member relative to said truck.

Claim 12

The system of claim 9 wherein said transfer means further includes a selectively energizable actuator for repositioning said transfer track between said first and second positions.

Claim 13

The system of claim 10 further comprising arresting means responsive to displacement of said transfer track for arresting motion of said truck.

Claim 14

An ambulatory system for use, by those having debilitated ambulabory capabilities, in acquiring access to multiple, mutually remote zones within homes, hospitals, rest homes and similar establishments wherein care for the weakened, aged and the crippled is dispensed, comprising: A. a network of tracks suspended above walkways extended between said areas and including a primary track, a plurality of secondary tracks, each of the secondary tracks being extended from a point in close proximity with the primary track and terminating at a point located in a zone remote therefrom: B. selectively Operable transfer means displaceable along a given path including means for coupling the secondary tracks with said primary track; C. a travelling truck supported for rolling motion along said network and having a harness depending therefrom and configured to support the weight of a human body in suspension; D. selectively operable means for elevating and lowering said harness; E. means responsive to a change in weight supported by said harness for arresting rolling motion of said travelling truck; and F. means adjacent said transfer means and responsive thereto for positioning a barrier in the path of said travelling truck, whereby the rolling motion of said truck is arrested as said transfer means is operated.

Claim 15

An ambulatory system for use, by those having debilitated ambulabory capabilities, in acquiring access to multiple, mutually remote zones within homes, hospitals, rest homes and similar establishments wherein care for the weakened, aged and the crippled is dispensed, comprising: A. a network of tracks suspended above walkways extended between said areas and including a primary track, a plurality of secondary tracks, each of the secondary tracks being extended from a point in close proximity with the primary track and terminating at a point located in a zone remote therefrom: B. selectively Operable transfer means displaceable along a given path including means for coupling the secondary tracks with said primary track; C. a travelling truck supported for rolling motion along said network and having a harness depending therefrom and configured to support the weight of a human body in suspension; D. selectively operable means for elevating and lowering said harness; E. means responsive to a change in weight supported by said harness for arresting rolling motion of said travelling truck; and F. means adjacent said transfer means and responsive thereto for positioning a barrier in the path of said travelling truck, whereby the rolling motion of said truck is arrested as said transfer means is operated.

Claim 16

The system of claim 12 wherein said means responsive to a change in weight supported by said harness for arresting rolling motion of said travelling truck includes a plurality of pivotally supported arms, each having affixed to the distal end thereof a brake pad, and means for pivoting said arms in a direction such that said pads are displaced into frictional engagement with a surface of the track of said network.

Claim 17

The system of claim 12 wherein the means adjacent said transfer means and responsive thereto for positioning a barrier in the path of said travelling truck includes a terminal block supported at the distal end of the cam-operated lever positioned in the path of said transfer means.