EP3337437A1

EP3337437A1 - Transporter and transporter assembly

Info

Publication number: EP3337437A1
Application number: EP16753385.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mathias BERG; Gustav KARLSTRÖM
Original assignee: Innovational Movement AB
Current assignee: Innovational Movement AB
Priority date: 2015-08-19
Filing date: 2016-08-17
Publication date: 2018-06-27
Also published as: WO2017029339A1; SE1551081A1; SE540455C2

Abstract

A transporter assembly (100) for transportation of a human patient (400) is disclosed. The assembly comprises a first transporter (500A) and a second transporter (500B), each comprising a grid structure (300A, 300B), formed of a plurality of bars (310A, 310B) adapted to carry the patient, and a frame adapted to support a first end portion of the grid structure. The first end portion is connected to the frame such that the grid structure of the first transporter and the second transporter, respectively, is vertically movable relative to said frame. Further, the plurality of bars of the grid structure of the first transporter and the second transporter, respectively, are arranged such that the plurality of bars of the grid structure of the first transporter, when received in the grid structure of the second transporter, are interdigitated with the plurality of bars of the grid structure of the second transporter.

Description

TRANSPORTER AND TRANSPORTER ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a transporter and transporter assembly, more particular for use in transportation of e.g. medical patients.

BACKGROUND

A bed is essential for a patient to lie down in during medical care and for being transported in between various heath care departments. There is a great need within the healthcare system to minimize the physical burden on the medical personnel in relation to movement and care of bedridden patients. For example, the highly frequent movement of a patient from one bed to another is typically carried out by at least two nurses and associated with a relatively high physical constrain. There is an unmet need of beds which allow such a movement by one single nurse and with no or only a minimal physical burden. Furthermore, a conventional bed is associated with a static pressure load on the patient, with an increased risk of the development of bedsores. This is typically prevented by frequent manual re-positioning of the patient within the bed, which results in additional workload on the nurses. Although special mattresses have been developed to address this problem, the lack of beds with an effective such a built in function is eminent.

WO9503767A1 describes a bed with a mattress comprising a number of parallel elongated mattress elements extending in the longitudinal direction of the bed. The bed further comprises tubes aligned in parallel with the mattress elements and forming an essentially horizontal plane. Means are provided for moving the mattress in a vertical direction between a first plane defined by the tubes and a second plane below the first plane. The tubes coincide with furrows between the mattress elements in the first plane. The disclosed bed makes handling of a patient easier as compared to a conventional bed. Disadvantages of this type of bed include e.g. the fact that movement of a patient from one bed to another bed is as difficult as in the case of conventional beds.

GB2226004 A discloses a patient lifting device comprising a number of "C"-shaped patient support ribs being movable in a circumferential direction for lifting a patient from a bed and moving him to an alternative position. Disadvantages of this patient lifting device include, for example, the need to either press the patient support ribs from one side of the patient and under the same, or to lift the patient onto the ribs, which increases the risk of rocking or tipping the patient over in an undesirable way.

In view of at least above mentioned disadvantages, improved transporters and transporter assemblies, e.g. movable beds, for use in e.g. medical applications are needed.

SUMMARY It is an object of the invention, considering the disadvantages mentioned above, to provide a transporter assembly that permits user friendly and safe transfer of the load carried thereon to another transporter assembly of the same kind.

It is another objective of the invention, to provide a transporter assembly that can be moved horizontally.

It is yet another objective of the invention, to provide a transporter assembly that permits vertical movement of the load carried thereon.

These and other objects, which will appear from the following description, have now been achieved by a transporter 500 for horizontal transportation of a load 400 relative the surrounding and for docking with another one of the transporter 500, comprising a frame 100, a spatial positioner 200 and a set of bars 300, wherein at least three contact points between the frame 200, or extension thereof, and the surface which the transporter 500 is placed on and horizontally able to move relative, are located outside of a vertical projection defined by any imaginary lines between the distal end, the proximal end, the left end and the right end of the set of bars 300, when the load 400 is placed on top of the set of bars 300; the set of bars 300 comprise a plurality of individual bars 310 evenly spaced along an axis in the left-right direction of the transporter 500 and extend fully or partly in the horizontal plane; the set of bars 300 comprise a plurality of open spaces between the individual bars 310, each of the open spaces being adapted to accommodate each and one of the individual bars 310; and the spatial positioner 200 being connected to the frame 100 and to the set of bars 300, and adapted to move the set of bars 300 relative the frame 100 in a vertical direction from a lower position to an upper position and from the upper position to the lower position. According to another aspect, there is provided a transporter assembly 1000 for horizontal transportation of a load 400 relative the surrounding, comprising two transporters 500 and optionally a locking mechanism 600, which locking mechanism 600 is adapted to reversibly set the frame 100 of one of the two transporters 500 in a spatially constant relationship with the frame 100 the other of the two transporters 500.

Further features of the invention and its embodiments are set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of which the invention is capable will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of non-limiting embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows a transporter 500 the invention located in the horizontal plane as defined by the proximal 3, the distal 4, the left 5 and the right 6 directions, and in an standing position according to the directions up 1 and down 2, comprising a frame 100, which frame 100 is comprising a first vertical bar 101, a first horizontal lower bar 102, a first proximal wheel 103, a first distal wheel 104, a second vertical bar 111, a second horizontal lower bar 112, a second proximal wheel 113, a second distal wheel 114 and a horizontal upper bar 120, a spatial positioner 200, which spatial positioner 200 is comprising an outer horizontal member 210, a distal slit 211, an inner horizontal member 220, a horizontal controller 221, a first outer vertical member 230, a first inner vertical member 231, a second outer vertical member 240 and a second inner vertical member 241, a set of bars 300, which set of bars 300 is comprising a plurality of individual bars 310, according to one embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows the transporter of Fig. 1 with a load 400 placed upon and carried by the set of bars 300, according to one embodiment;

Fig. 3 shows a separate spatially rigid part of the transporter 500 of Fig. 1, comprising the bars 310 attached to the distal 4 end of the inner horizontal member 220, being partly separated therefrom by a plurality of indentations 320 located on the upper 1 side and on the lower 2 side, and the horizontal controller 221 located on the proximal 3 end of the inner horizontal member 220, according to one embodiment;

Fig. 4 shows the inner horizontal member 220 of the separate spatially rigid part of Fig. 3 slidably mounted in the inner space of the outer horizontal member 210, whereby the former is moved along its central axis relative the latter upon application of such a directed force on the horizontal controller 221 as permitted by the distal slit 211, and a linear serration 260 of the inner vertical member 231, 241 interacting with a gearwheel 250 for the enablement of vertical movement of the bars 310 relative the frame 100 upon rotation of the latter, according to one embodiment;

Fig. 5 shows the inner vertical member 231, 241 and the gearwheel 250 of Fig. 4 mounted in the outer vertical member 230, 240, whereby the former is moved along its central axis relative the latter and the horizontal upper bar 120 upon rotation of the gearwheel 250, according to one embodiment;

Fig. 6 shows a transporter assembly 1000, comprising two identical transporters 500 of Fig. 1, transporter 500 (A) and transporter 500 (B), assembled in a face-to-face fashion whereby the bars 310 (A) and 310 (B) complement each other to form an essentially continuous horizontal surface for placement of a load 400, according to one embodiment;

Fig. 7 - 1 to IX are sequential cut-through views from the side of a transporter assembly 1000 transporting a load 400 in the right direction relative the transporter assembly 1000, comprising two docked identical transporters 500 with bars 310 (A), extending toward the plane of the view, and bars 310 (B), extending from the plane of the view, respectively, showing a horizontal reference line L3, the furthermost left end LI and the furthermost right end L2 of the transporter assembly 1000, in which (I): bars 310 (A) and bars 310 (B) reside in a lower and furthermost right position, (II): bars 310 (B) are moved to a upper position, (III): bars 310 (A) are moved to a furthermost left position, (IV): bars 310 (B) are moved to a furthermost left position, (V): bars 310 (B) are moved to a lower position, (VI): bars 310 (A) are moved to an upper position, (VII): bars 310 (A) are moved to a furthermost right position, (VIII): bars 310 (B) are moved to a furthermost right position and (IX): bars 310 (A) are moved to a lower position, according to one embodiment;

Fig. 8 - 1 to IX are sequential cut-through views from the side of a transporter assembly 1000 showing a horizontal reference line L3 and substitution of two initially comprised identical transporters 500, comprising bars 310 (A), belonging to one transporter 500 with a furthermost left end LA and a furthermost right end RA, and 310 (B), belonging to another transporter 500 with a furthermost left end LB and a furthermost right end RB, respectively, for another two identical transporters 500, comprising bars 310 (C) , belonging to one transporter 500 with a furthermost left end LC and a furthermost right end RC, and 310 (D), belonging to another transporter 500 with a furthermost left end LD and a furthermost right end RD, respectively, while throughout all steps support is provided for the load 400, in which (I): bars 310 (A) and bars 310 (B) reside in a lower position, (II): bars 310 (B) are lifted together with the load 400 to an upper position, (III): the transporter 500 carrying the bars 310 (A) is removed by movement in the proximal direction, (IV): a transporter 500 carrying the bars 310 (C) is introduced by movement in the distal direction, (V): bars 310 (B) are lowered together with the load 400 to a lower position, (VI): bars 310 (C) are lifted together with the load 400 to an upper position, (VII): the transporter 500 carrying the bars 310 (B) is removed by movement in the distal direction, (VIII): a transporter 500 carrying the bars 310 (D) is introduced by movement in the proximal direction and (IX): bars 310 (C) are lowered together with the load 400 to a lower position, according to one embodiment;

Fig. 9 - 1 to II shows a locking mechanism 600, comprising a male locking member 610 (A) placed on the distal end of a bar 310 (A) of one transporter 500, which bar 310 (A) is in an elevated state relative the outer horizontal member 210 (B) of another transporter 500, and which male locking member 610 (A) will lockingly engage with a corresponding female locking member 620 (B), located on the side of the outer horizontal member 210 (B) of the other transporter 500, upon arrangement of the locking pin hole 640 (A) in accordance with the extension of the locking pin 630 (B) and placement of the latter in the former, according to one embodiment;

Fig 10 - I to II shows a locking mechanism 600, comprising a T-shaped male locking member 610 (A) placed on the distal end of a bar 310 (A) of one transporter 500, which bar 310 (A) is in an elevated state relative the bars 310 (B) of another transporter 500, and which male locking member 610 (A) will lockingly engage with a corresponding T-shaped female locking member 620 (B), located on the side of the outer horizontal member 210 (B) of the other transporter 500, upon lowering of the bar 310 (A), according to one embodiment;

Fig 11 shows the frames 100 of two identical transporters 500, forming a transporter assembly 1000 by being docked to each other by engagement of a male locking member 610 (A), extending distally from the right side of the first horizontal lower bar 102 (A) of the first transporter 500, with a female locking member 620 (B), extending in parallel with and on the right side of the second horizontal lower bar 112 (B) of the second transporter 500, and by engagement of a male locking member 610 (B), extending distally from the right side of the first horizontal lower bar 102 (B) of the second transporter 500, with a female locking member 620 (A), extending in parallel with and on the right side of the second horizontal lower bar 112 (A) of the first transporter 500, according to one embodiment;

Fig. 12 - 1 to II shows a bar 310, extending in a plane (L4), of a transporter 500, which transporter 500 is comprising a combination of curved inner (231, 241) and outer (230, 240) vertical members, which bar 310 being (I): in a lower position and parallel with the horizontal plane (L5), and (II): in an upper position extending in a plane (L4) with an angle being greater than zero in comparison to the horizontal plane (L5), according to one

embodiment;

Fig. 13 - 1 to II shows a bar 310 (A) being in an upper position and belonging to a first transporter 500, and a bar 310 (B) being in a lower position and belonging to a second transporter 500, each of the upper sides of the bars 310 (A) and 310 (B) having a central point being located below both of the distal end and proximal end of that side, in which the bars 310 (A) and 310 (B) are provided with (I): a downwards convex underside and (II): a flat lower side, according to one embodiment;

Fig. 14 shows two identical transporters 500 (A) and 500 (B) with sets of bars 300 (A) and 300 (B), respectively, being placed in a face-to-face position towards each other, according to one embodiment;

Fig. 15 shows a transporter assembly 1000 comprising the transporters 500 (A) and 500 (B) of Fig.14 pushed towards each other to dock with each other, whereby sets of bars 300 (A) and 300 (B) interacting in a puzzle like fashion to form an essentially uninterrupted horizontal plane, according to one embodiment; and

Fig. 16 shows the transporter assembly 1000 of Fig. 15 in which the set of bars 300 (A) of transporter 500 (A) being in an upper position and the set of bars 300 (B) of transporter 500 (B) being in a lower position, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings (Figs. 1 to 16) in order for those skilled in the art to be able to carry out the invention. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The embodiments do not limit the invention, but the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims. Furthermore, the terminology used in the detailed description of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

The transporter 500 and transporter assembly 1000 of the invention essentially comprise a frame 100, a spatial positioner 200 and a set of bars 300. The spatial positioner 200, being simultaneously connected to both of the frame 100 and the set of bars 300, may be used for user induced setting of the relative spatial relationship between the frame 100 and the set of bars 300. Appropriate setting of such a spatial relationship, and the appropriate order by which such relationships are set, enable several of the advantageous features of the present transporter 500 and transporter assembly 1000, as described in further detail herein. The spatial positioner 200 is adapted to be able to move the set of bars 300 relative the frame 100 in a vertical direction from a lower position to an upper position and from an upper position to a lower position. It may also be adapted to be able to move the set of bars 300 relative the frame 100 in a horizontal direction from a furthermost left position to a furthermost right position and from a furthermost right position to a furthermost left position. Two transporters 500 may be merged together by pushing the distal ends toward each other to allow the respective sets of bars 300, comprising a plurality of individual bars 310, to intersect with each other in a puzzle-like fashion to form a transporter assembly 1000. Both of a transporter 500 and a transporter assembly 1000 may be used individually for carrying and horizontal transportation of a load 400, e.g. a human being such as a patient, relative the surrounding. Such transportation may typically be carried out by manually pushing the transporter 500 or transporter assembly 1000 on a suitable ground, such as e.g. indoors on the floor, as aided by suitable ground contact points mounted to the underside of the frame 100, e.g. wheels, preferably wheel assemblies being rotatable around a vertical axis in addition to the wheels normal rotatability around their horizontal axis. A transporter 500 may comprise at least three, such as typically four, such contact points. These are preferably mounted on the frame in relation to the load carrying area of the set of bars 300, such that the transporter 500 does not rollover or tilt in the case of an uneven distribution of the load 400 there upon. For example, the contact points, e.g. wheels, may be located outside of a vertical projection defined by any imaginary lines between the distal end, the proximal end, the left end and the right end of the set of bars 300. In another example, four contact points, e.g. wheels, may be placed in or slightly outside the corners of the vertical projection of a rectangular or square set of bars 300. The set of bars 300 may comprise a plurality of individual bars 310, such as 3 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 30 or more than 30. The bars 300 may preferably be evenly spaced, of equal length and extending essentially in the horizontal plane, or with an angle of 0 to 5 °, 5 to 10 ° or 10 to 25 ° versus the horizontal plane. The horizontal extension in the left-right direction of the space between two adjacent bars 310 may be essentially equal to or slightly larger, e.g. 0 to 50 %, such as 2 to 10 % or 5 to 30 %, than the horizontal extension in the left-right direction of a bar 310. Hence, the open spaces between the bars 310 of one transporter 500 are thereby adapted to accommodate each and one of the individual bars 310 of another transporter 500. The optimal number, the optimal dimensions, the optimal space in between and the optimal cut-through geometry, e.g. square-, rectangular, circular- or oval-shaped, of the bars 310, is dependent on the particular application as readily understood by the skilled person. For example, for use of the transporter 500 to carry or transport a human patient, the number of ribs 310 may preferably be at least 5 or, preferably, at least 10 in order to provide a suitable spread of gravity induced pressure on the same. According to an embodiment, the frame 100 may comprise a first horizontal lower bar 102 and a second horizontal lower bar 1 12 adapted to support the frame 100 to the ground surface. The first horizontal lower bar 102 and the second horizontal lower bar 1 12 may e.g. be aligned with the individual bars 310 of the set of bars forming the grid structure 300. The horizontal bars 102, 1 12 may define an open space, extending between the horizontal bars 102, 1 12, allowing the frame 100 of a first transporter to be received or inserted in a frame of a second transporter of a transporter assembly. Further, the horizontal bars 102, 1 12 may be movably attached to the remaining portions of the frame 100, such as e.g. a first and a second vertical bar 101 , 1 1 1 and/or a horizontal upper bar 120, so as to allow the horizontal lower bars 102, 1 12 to pivot around a vertical axis. This is of particular interest for embodiments wherein the horizontal lower bars 102, 1 12 extend beyond a vertical projection of the grid structure 300, since the pivoting may allow for the horizontal lower bars 102, 1 12 to be at least temporarily folded away during e.g. transfer of a patient from a first transporter to a second

transporter, thereby reducing the risk of the frame structures of the first transporter and the second transporter accidentally engaging with each other. Such a transfer may e.g. be achieved by lifting the grid structure of the second transporter relative to the grid structure of the first transporter, so that the patient is carried only by the second transporter. The second transporter may then be laterally separated from the first transporter, i.e., such that the interdigitated bars of the grid structure of the respective transporters are released from each other. Once the grid structures are released from each other, the horizontal lower bars 102, 1 12 of at least one of the transporters (preferably the one for the moment not carrying the patient) may be at least partly folded away so as to allow the transporters to be moved relative to each other, in a longitudinal direction, without the horizontal lower bars 102, 1 12 of the frames 1 10 of the respective transporters accidentally engaging with each other. This is particularly advantageous in environments of restricted space, such as e.g. hospital wards, since the transporters of the transporter assembly may be removed even though the space for lateral separation of the transporters is limited. The present transporter 500 and transporter assembly 1000 may be used in various applications. For example, in a medical emergency a patient who cannot stand up may initially be placed on a stretcher being designed as a first transporter 500. After transportation to a hospital, e.g. by employment of an ambulance, the set of bars 300 may be set in an upper position prior to docking with a second suitable transporter 500 with the set of bars 300 set in a lower position. By reversing the positions of the sets of bars 300, the patient will be fully supported by the second transporter 500, and the first transporter may be removed. Subsequent docking of the second transporter 500 with a suitable third transporter 500 in a similar way, followed by setting of the sets of bars 300 to be in the same plane, may provide a more permanent bed for the patient in the form of a transporter assembly 1000 comprising the second transporter 500 and the third transporter 500. The load 400, e.g. a patient, may also be moved from one bed, in the form of a first transporter assembly 1000, to another bed, in the form of a second transporter assembly 1000, in accordance with the steps of Fig 8.

Advantageously, by employment of the present transporters 500, such a move from one bed to another does not require any manual lifting of the patient and is thus less strenuous. Another advantage includes the possibility to periodically vary the vertical position of the sets of bars 300 of a transporter assembly 1000. A periodic redistribution of the gravitational pressure caused by the same on e.g. a patient carried thereon is thereby achieved, which minimizes the risk of bedsores. Examples herein on the potential applications of the present transporter 500 and transporter assembly 1000 are non-limiting. A skilled person may readily foresee other potential applications, e.g. handling of loads 400 being of other kinds than human beings or patients, on basis of what are taught in the present disclosure.

According to one embodiment, the vertical distance between a point on the set of bars 300, when being in a lower position, and the same point on the set of bars 300, when being in an upper position, may be equal to or greater than the vertical extension of a bar 310 of the set of bars 300.

According to one embodiment, the vertical distance between a point on the set of bars 300, when being in a lower position, and the same point on the set of bars 300, when being in an upper position, may be less than the vertical extension of a bar 310 of the set of bars 300, such as 5 to 95 %, such as 10 to 50 %, of the vertical extension of the bar 310. The transporters 500 of a transporter assembly 1000 carrying a load 400 may then be separated by a backwards movement from each other without the necessity of having to lower one set of bars 300 of one of these the full distance of the vertical extension of a bar 310. Potential applications include, for example, the handling and transportation of loads 400 with a non-bendable underside, e.g. cargo boxes.

According to one embodiment, the horizontal distance between a point on the set of bars 300, when being in the furthermost left position, and the same point on the set of bars 300, when being in the furthermost right position, may be equal to or greater than the horizontal extension of a bar 310 of the set of bars 300. According to one embodiment, the vertical distance between a point on the set of bars 300, when being in a lower position, and the same point on the set of bars 300, when being in an upper position, may be equal to or greater than the vertical extension of a bar 310 of the set of bars 300. At the same time, the spatial positioner 200 may be adapted to move the set of bars 300 relative the frame 100 in a horizontal direction from a furthermost left position to a furthermost right position and from said furthermost right position to said furthermost left position. Furthermore, the horizontal distance between a point on the set of bars 300, when being in the furthermost left position, and the same point on the set of bars 300, when being in the furthermost right position, may be equal to or greater than the horizontal extension of a bar 310 of the set of bars 300. The sets of bars 300 of a transporter assembly 1000, comprising two identical transporters 500 with these features, may then be independently moved horizontally, each in a separate horizontal plane, without forming hindrance for each other. Horizontal movement of a load 400 relative a transporter assembly 1000 is thereby advantageously enabled by the carrying out of a suitable sequence of shifting the position of the sets of bars 300 in the horizontal and vertical direction, as exemplified in Fig. 7. For example, a transporter assembly 1000 may be equipped with suitable electronically controlled mechanical equipment as known in the art which is programmed to carry out the sequence of Fig. 7, or any other suitable sequence as readily understood by the skilled person. A user, e.g. a nurse, may then initiate such a sequence by providing initiating input, e.g. by pushing a button, to the electronically controlled mechanical equipment in order to move the load 400, e.g. a patient, a distance in the horizontal plane.

According to one embodiment, the transporter 500 may comprise at least five individual bars 310. The bars 310 may have the same size and geometric shape. Examples of suitable geometric shapes include, but are not limited to, square rod, rectangular rod, triangular rod, circular rod and elliptic rod.

According to one embodiment, the set of bars 300 may be pivotably movable relative the frame 200 around a pivot axis extending horizontally at or near, such as within 0 to 20 % of the length of the bars 310, the proximal end of the set of bars 300 in the left-right direction, from an extension fully or partly in the horizontal plane to an extension fully or partly in the vertical plane. Means for enabling such a pivoting movement includes, but is not limited to, hinges on each and one of the bars 310, as well known in the art. Advantages of a transporter 500 with such a pivotably movable set of bars 300 include, for example, facilitated turning of the load 400 by transition from having the set of bars 300 in the horizontal plane to a an angle versus the same. In addition, a user may more easy cover the set of bars 300 from the distal end with e.g. a sack-shaped cover, such as e.g. a sack-shaped mattress, from a fully or slightly elevated position of the set of bars 300, as compared to when the set of bars 300 is in the horizontal plane.

According to one embodiment, a first part of the set of bars 300 mat be pivotably movable relative a second part of the set of bars 300 around a pivot axis extending horizontally from the proximal end to the distal end of the set of bars 300 in the proximal-distal direction, from an extension fully or partly in the horizontal plane to an extension fully or partly in the vertical plane. Advantages of a transporter 500 with such a pivotably movable set of bars 300 include, for example, the ability to raise a patient from a laying into a sitting or half laying position.

According to one embodiment, the present transporter assembly 1000 may comprise two transporters 500, such as two identical transporters 500 or two non-identical transporters 500 suitably adapted to be docked with each other, and a locking mechanism 600. The locking mechanism 600 may be adapted to reversibly set the frame 100 of one of the two transporters 500 in a spatially constant relationship with the frame 100 of the other of the two transporters 500. The locking mechanism 600 may be adapted to reversibly lock the frame 100 or the set of bars 300 of one of the two transporters 500 with the frame 100 or the spatial positioner 200, respectively, of the other of the two transporters 500. Examples of suitable locking

mechanisms include, but are not limited to, the locking mechanisms 600 depicted in Figs. 9 to 11. Advantages of a locking mechanism 600 include the decreased risk of unintentional partial or full separation of a transporter assembly 1000 into two transporters 500.

According to one embodiment, the transporter 500 and the transporter assembly 1000 may be adapted to move relative said surface when placed thereon by a force provided by a human user.

According to one embodiment, the transporter 500 may comprise curved inner (231, 241) and outer (230, 240) vertical members, as exemplified in Fig. 12. This may lead to that the upper surface of the set of bars 300 lean slightly towards the proximal end of the transporter 500, whereby the risk for involuntary movement of the load 400 from the upper surface of the set of bars 300, such as falling of therefrom, is minimized.

According to one embodiment, the upper sides of the bars 310 may have a central point being located below both of the distal end and proximal end of that side, as exemplified in Fig. 13. The bars 310 may have a downwards convex underside or a flat underside. The risk for involuntary movement of the load 400 from the upper surface of the set of bars 300, such as falling of therefrom, is thereby minimized.

According to one embodiment, the spatial positioner 200 may comprise an inner horizontal member 220, an outer horizontal member 210, a distal slit 211 and a horizontal controller 221, as exemplified in Fig 4. The inner horizontal member 220 may be moved along the central axis of the outer horizontal member 210 by application of force parallel with the central axis of the outer horizontal member 210. The set of bars 310 may be indirectly attached to the inner horizontal member 220 via an extension slidable in the distal slit 211. Hence, the set of bars 310 may be moved horizontally by application of force parallel with the central axis of the outer horizontal member 210. Means for provision of a suitable force to the horizontal controller 221 are well known in the art and include, for example, manual force provided by a human, pneumatic force, hydraulic force and an electrical force provided by an electromagnet or an electric motor. According to one embodiment, spatial positioner 200 may be connected to one or several, such as two three or four, inner vertical members 231, 241, for regulation of its vertical position. Such inner vertical members 231, 241 may be slidingly encompassed by

corresponding outer vertical members 230, 240 attached to the frame 100. Upon provision of a vertical force to at least one of the inner vertical members 231, 241, the spatial positioner 200 may move either up or down relative the frame 100, whereby the thereto connected set of bars 310 are moved accordingly. Means for provision of a suitable force to at least one of the inner vertical members 231, 241 are well known in the art and include, for example, manual force provided by a human, pneumatic force, hydraulic force and an electrical force provided by an electromagnet or an electric motor, e.g. a motor driving a gearwheel 250 which interacts with and a linear serration 260 of at least one of the inner vertical members 231, 241.

According to one embodiment, the present transporter 500 may comprise a frame 100, a spatial positioner 200, a locking mechanism 600, a set of bars 300 and one or several side protectors for minimization of the risk of the load 400 falling over the outer sides of the transporter 500. The frame may comprise four wheel assemblies being rotatable around a vertical axis in addition to the wheels normal rotatability around their horizontal axis. The wheel assemblies may be located in or in close relation, such as just outside, the corners of the vertical projection of a rectangular set of bars 300, having the dimensions equivalent to a normal hospital bed. The set of bars 300 may comprise at least 5, such as at least 10, individual identical bars 310 evenly spaced in the left-right direction. The volumes between the bars 310 may be essentially identical to the volumes of the individual bars 310. The spatial positioner 200 may be adapted to control vertical movement and, optionally, horizontal movement of the set of bars 300. A transporter 500 with such described combination of features may be suitable for the support and transportation of a hospitalized patient.

In the claims, the term "comprises/comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. The terms "a", "an", "first", "second" etc do not preclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way. Itemized list of embodiments

1. Transporter (500) for horizontal transportation of a load (400) relative the surrounding and for docking with another one of said transporter (500), comprising a frame (100), a spatial

5 positioner (200) and a set of bars (300), wherein

at least three contact points between said frame (200), or extension thereof, and the surface which said transporter (500) is placed on and horizontally able to move relative, are located outside of a vertical projection defined by any imaginary lines between the distal end, the proximal end, the left end and the right end of said set of bars (300), when said load (400) is 10 placed on top of said set of bars (300);

said set of bars (300) comprise a plurality of individual bars (310) evenly spaced along an axis in the left-right direction of said transporter (500) and extend fully or partly in the horizontal plane;

said set of bars (300) comprise a plurality of open spaces between said individual bars (310), 15 each of said open spaces being adapted to accommodate each and one of said individual bars (310); and

said spatial positioner (200) being connected to said frame (100) and to said set of bars (300), and adapted to move said set of bars (300) relative said frame (100) in a vertical direction from a lower position to an upper position and from said upper position to said lower position.

20

2. Transporter (500) according to embodiment 1, wherein the vertical distance between a point on said

set of bars (300), being in said lower position, and the same point on said set of bars (300), being in said upper position, is equal to or greater than the vertical extension of a bar (310) of said set of bars (300).

25

3. Transporter (500) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein said spatial positioner (200) is further adapted to move said set of bars (300) relative said frame (100) in a horizontal direction from a furthermost left position to a furthermost right position and from said furthermost right position to said furthermost left position.

30

4. Transporter (500) according to embodiment 3, wherein the horizontal distance between a point on

said set of bars (300), being in said furthermost left position, and the same point on said set of bars (300), being in said furthermost right position, is equal to or greater than the horizontal , _ extension of a bar (310) of said set of bars (300). 5. Transporter (500) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein said individual bars (310) are at least five and all of said individual bars (310) have essentially the same geometric shape and size, for being suitable to carry a human load (400).

5 6. Transporter (500) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein said set of bars (300) are pivotably movable relative said frame (200) around a pivot axis extending horizontally at the proximal end of said set of bars (300) in the left-right direction, from an extension fully or partly in the horizontal plane to an extension fully or partly in the vertical plane.

10

7. Transporter (500) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein a first part of said set of bars (300) are pivotably movable relative a second part of said set of bars (300) around a pivot axis extending horizontally from the proximal end to the distal end of said set of bars (300) in the proximal-distal direction, from an extension fully or partly in the

15 horizontal plane to an extension fully or partly in the vertical plane.

8. Transporter assembly (1000) for horizontal transportation of a load (400) relative the surrounding, comprising two transporters (500) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a locking mechanism (600), which locking mechanism (600) is adapted to reversibly set said

20 frame (100) of one of said two transporters (500) in a spatially constant relationship with said frame (100) of the other of said two transporters (500).

9. Transporter assembly (1000) according to embodiments 8, wherein said locking

mechanism (600) is adapted to reversibly lock said frame (100) of one of said two

transporters (500) with said 25 frame (100) of the other of said two transporters (500).

10. Transporter assembly (1000) according to embodiments 8, wherein said locking mechanism (600) is adapted to reversibly lock said set of bars (300) of one of said two transporters (500) with said spatial positioner (200) of the other of said two transporters

30 (500).

Claims

1 . A transporter assembly (1000) for transportation of a human patient (400), comprising:

a first transporter (500A) comprising a grid structure (300A), formed of a plurality of bars (31 OA) adapted to carry the patient, and a frame adapted to support a first end portion of said grid structure, wherein said first end portion is connected to said frame such that said grid structure is vertically movable relative to said frame; and

a second transporter (500B) comprising a grid structure (300B), formed of a plurality of bars (310B) adapted to carry the patient, and a frame adapted to support a first end portion of said grid structure, wherein said first end portion is connected to said frame such that said grid structure is vertically movable relative to said frame;

wherein a second end portion of the grid structure of the first transporter and the second transporter, respectively, is open so as to allow the grid structure of the first transporter to receive the grid structure of the second transporter; and

wherein the plurality of bars of the grid structure of the first transporter and the second transporter, respectively, are arranged such that the plurality of bars of the grid structure of the first transporter, when received in the grid structure of the second transporter, are interdigitated with the plurality of bars of the grid structure of the second transporter.

2. The transporter assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the grid structure of the first transporter and the grid structure of the second

transporter are adapted to jointly carry the patient when said grid structures are arranged at the same vertical level, and to cooperate such that the patient is transferred from the first transporter to the second transporter when the grid structure of the second transporter is arranged at a vertically higher position than the grid structure of first transporter.

3. The transporter assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grid structure of at least the first transporter further is horizontally movable relative to the frame of the first transporter.

4. The transporter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the first transporter comprises a spatial positioner for connecting the first end portion of the grid structure of the first transporter to the frame of the first transporter and moving said grid structure relative to said frame.

5. The transporter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame of at least the first transporter is adapted to be supported on a ground surface in at least three contact points, the contact points spanning a surface extending beyond a vertical projection of the grid structure of the first transporter.

6. The transporter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame of the first transporter and the second transporter, respectively, comprises a first horizontal bar and a second horizontal bar supporting the frame to a ground surface, wherein the first horizontal bar and the second horizontal bar are aligned with the plurality of bars of the grid structure of the first transporter and the second transporter, respectively, and defines an open space for allowing the frame of the first transporter to receive the frame of the second transporter.

7. The transporter assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first horizontal bar and the second horizontal bar of the frame of at least one of the first transporter and the second transporter is pivotable around a vertical axis.

8. The transporter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the grid structure of at least one of the first transporter and the second transporter is tiltable out of a horizontal plane.

9. The transporter assembly according to claim 8, wherein said portion is tiltable around an axis aligned with the plurality of bars of said grid structure.

10. The transporter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a releasable locking mechanism (600) adapted to secure the first transporter and the second transporter to each other.