The Wheelchair Hoist is an overhead, ceiling-mounted lifting device designed to lift an occupant out of a wheelchair and support safe transfers to or from a bed or chair. It is intended for use in low-resource clinics and care centers, where imported lifting equipment may be unavailable or unaffordable, but the need for safe patient transfers remains critical for both patient wellbeing and caregiver safety.
The hoist is constructed from aluminium tube, climbing straps, and strong textile, using hand tools for fabrication and assembly. By using accessible materials with known load-bearing properties, this design allows overhead patient hoists to be fabricated locally in clinics and care settings where conventional hoist systems are not available.
Field Ready develops manuals to support both the fabrication and safe use of its products. A maker manual provides step-by-step instructions for replicating the design, including materials, tools, and assembly guidance, so that makers in different locations can build the product accurately and consistently. A user manual, where applicable, explains how to properly set up, use, and maintain the product once it is built, helping ensure it performs safely and as intended for the end user. Together, these manuals make the design accessible to both fabricators and the people who ultimately rely on the product.
Field Ready's Wheelchair Hoist being used
Closer shot of the Wheelchair Hoist
