SE1551081A1 - Transporter and transporter assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a transporter (500) for horizontal transportation of a load (400) relative the surrounding and for docking with another transporter (500), comprising a frame (100), a spatial positioner (200) and a set of bars (300). A transporter assembly (1000), comprising two transporters (500) and, optionally, a locking mechanism (600), is also described.To be published with Fig. 1.

Description

TRANSPORTER AND TRANSPORTER ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELDThe 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 beingtransported in between various heath care departments. There is a great need within thehealthcare system to minimize the physical burden on the medical personnel in relation tomovement and care of bedridden patients. For example, the highly frequent movement of apatient from one bed to another is typically carried out by at least two nurses and associatedwith a relatively high physical constrain. There is an unmet need of beds which allow such amovement by one single nurse and with no or only a minimal physical burden. Furthermore, aconventional bed is associated with a static pressure load on the patient, with an increased riskof the development of bedsores. This is typically prevented by frequent manual re-positioningof the patient within the bed, which results in additional workload on the nurses. Althoughspecial mattresses have been developed to address this problem, the lack of beds with aneffective such a built in fianction is eminent.

WO9503767Al describes a bed with a mattress comprising a number of parallelelongated mattress elements extending in the longitudinal direction of the bed. The bed furthercomprises tubes aligned in parallel with the mattress elements and forrning an essentiallyhorizontal plane. Means are provided for moving the mattress in a vertical direction between afirst plane defined by the tubes and a second plane below the first plane. The tubes coincidewith fiarrows between the mattress elements in the first plane. The disclosed bed makeshandling of a patient easier as compared to a conventional bed. Disadvantages of this type ofbed include e. g. the fact that movement of a patient from one bed to another bed is as difficultas in the case of conventional beds.

GB2226004 A discloses a patient lifting device comprising a number of “C”-shapedpatient support ribs being movable in a circumferential direction for lifting a patient from a bedand moving him to an altemative 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 andunder 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, toprovide a transporter assembly that perrnits user friendly and safe transfer of the load carriedthereon to another transporter assembly of the same kind.

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

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

These and other objects, which will appear from the following description, have nowbeen achieved by a transporter 500 for horizontal transportation of a load 400 relative thesurrounding and for docking with another one of the transporter 500, comprising a frame 100, aspatial positioner 200 and a set of bars 300, wherein at least three contact points between theframe 200, or extension thereof, and the surface which the transporter 500 is placed on andhorizontally able to move relative, are located outside of a vertical proj ection defined by anyimaginary lines between the distal end, the proximal end, the left end and the right end of theset of bars 300, when the load 400 is placed on top of the set of bars 300; the set of bars 300comprise a plurality of individual bars 310 evenly spaced along an axis in the left-rightdirection of the transporter 500 and extend fully or partly in the horizontal plane; the set of bars300 comprise a plurality of open spaces between the individual bars 310, each of the openspaces being adapted to accommodate each and one of the individual bars 310; and the spatialpositioner 200 being connected to the frame 100 and to the set of bars 300, and adapted tomove 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 forhorizontal transportation of a load 400 relative the surrounding, comprising two transporters500 and optionally a locking mechanism 600, which locking mechanism 600 is adapted toreversibly set the frame 100 of one of the two transporters 500 in a spatially constantrelationship 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 capablewill 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 definedby 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 secondproximal wheel 113, a second distal wheel 114 and a horizontal upper bar 120, a spatialpositioner 200, which spatial positioner 200 is comprising an outer horizontal member 210, adistal slit 211, an inner horizontal member 220, a horizontal controller 221, a first outer verticalmember 230, a first inner vertical member 231, a second outer vertical member 240 and asecond inner vertical member 241, a set of bars 300, which set of bars 300 is comprising aplurality 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 theset of bars 300, according to one embodiment; Fig. 3 shows a separate spatially rigid part of the transporter 500 of Fig. 1, comprisingthe bars 310 attached to the distal 4 end of the inner horizontal member 220, being partlyseparated therefrom by a plurality of indentations 320 located on the upper 1 side and on thelower 2 side, and the horizontal controller 221 located on the proximal 3 end of the innerhorizontal member 220, according to one embodiment; Fig. 4 shows the inner horizontal member 220 of the separate spatially rigid part ofFig. 3 slidably mounted in the inner space of the outer horizontal member 210, whereby theformer is moved along its central axis relative the latter upon application of such a directedforce on the horizontal controller 221 as permitted by the distal slit 211, and a linear serration260 of the inner vertical member 231, 241 interacting with a gearwheel 250 for the enablementof 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. 4mounted in the outer vertical member 230, 240, whereby the former is moved along its centralaxis 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 500of Fig. 1, transporter 500 (A) and transporter 500 (B), assembled in a face-to-face fashionwhereby the bars 310 (A) and 310 (B) complement each other to form an essentiallycontinuous 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 transporterassembly 1000 transporting a load 400 in the right direction relative the transporter assembly1000, comprising two docked identical transporters 500 with bars 310 (A), extending towardthe plane of the view, and bars 310 (B), extending from the plane of the view, respectively,showing a horizontal reference line L3, the furtherrnost left end L1 and the furtherrnost rightend L2 of the transporter assembly 1000, in which (1): bars 310 (A) and bars 310 (B) reside in alower and furthermost right position, (11): bars 310 (B) are moved to a upper position, (111):bars 310 (A) are moved to a furtherrnost left position, (1V): bars 310 (B) are moved to afurtherrnost left position, (V): bars 310 (B) are moved to a lower position, (V1): bars 310 (A)are moved to an upper position, (V11): bars 310 (A) are moved to a furtherrnost right position, (V111): bars 310 (B) are moved to a furtherrnost right position and (IX): bars 310 (A) aremoved to a lower position, according to one embodiment; Fig. 8 -1 to IX are sequential cut-through views from the side of a transporterassembly 1000 showing a horizontal reference line L3 and substitution of two initiallycomprised identical transporters 500, comprising bars 310 (A), belonging to one transporter500 with a furtherrnost left end LA and a furtherrnost right end RA, and 310 (B), belonging toanother transporter 500 with a furtherrnost left end LB and a furtherrnost right end RB,respectively, for another two identical transporters 500, comprising bars 310 (C) , belonging toone transporter 500 with a furtherrnost left end LC and a furtherrnost right end RC, and 310(D), belonging to another transporter 500 with a furtherrnost left end LD and a furtherrnostright end RD, respectively, while throughout all steps support is provided for the load 400, inwhich (1): bars 310 (A) and bars 310 (B) reside in a lower position, (11): bars 310 (B) are liftedtogether with the load 400 to an upper position, (111): the transporter 500 carrying the bars 310(A) is removed by movement in the proximal direction, (1V): a transporter 500 carrying thebars 310 (C) is introduced by movement in the distal direction, (V): bars 310 (B) are loweredtogether with the load 400 to a lower position, (V1): bars 310 (C) are lifted together with theload 400 to an upper position, (V11): the transporter 500 carrying the bars 310 (B) is removedby movement in the distal direction, (V111): a transporter 500 carrying the bars 310 (D) isintroduced by movement in the proximal direction and (IX): bars 310 (C) are lowered togetherwith the load 400 to a lower position, according to one embodiment; Fig. 9 -1 to 11 shows a locking mechanism 600, comprising a male locking member610 (A) placed on the distal end of a bar 310 (A) of one transporter 500, which bar 310 (A) isin 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 femalelocking member 620 (B), located on the side of the outer horizontal member 210 (B) of theother transporter 500, upon arrangement of the locking pin hole 640 (A) in accordance with theextension of the locking pin 630 (B) and placement of the latter in the former, according to oneembodiment; Fig 10 - 1 to 11 shows a locking mechanism 600, comprising a T-shaped male lockingmember 610 (A) placed on the distal end of a bar 310 (A) of one transporter 500, which bar310 (A) is in an elevated state relative the bars 310 (B) of another transporter 500, and whichmale locking member 610 (A) will lockingly engage with a corresponding T-shaped femalelocking member 620 (B), located on the side of the outer horizontal member 210 (B) of theother transporter 500, upon lowering of the bar 310 (A), according to one embodiment; Fig 11 shows the frames 100 of two identical transporters 500, forrning a transporterassembly 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 firsttransporter 500, with a female locking member 620 (B), extending in parallel with and on theright side of the second horizontal lower bar 112 (B) of the second transporter 500, and byengagement 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 member620 (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 11 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 (1): in a lower position and parallel with thehorizontal plane (L5), and (11): in an upper position extending in a plane (L4) with an anglebeing greater than zero in comparison to the horizontal plane (L5), according to oneembodiment; Fig. 13 -1 to 11 shows a bar 310 (A) being in an upper position and belonging to a firsttransporter 500, and a bar 310 (B) being in a lower position and belonging to a secondtransporter 500, each of the upper sides of the bars 310 (A) and 310 (B) having a central pointbeing 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 (1): a downwards convex underside and (11): a flat lowerside, 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, accordingto one embodiment; Fig. 15 shows a transporter assembly 1000 comprising the transporters 500 (A) and500 (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 uninterruptedhorizontal 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 withreference to the accompanying drawings (Figs. 1 to 16) in order for those skilled in the art to beable to carry out the invention. The invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclo sure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The embodiments do not limit theinvention, but the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims. Furthermore, theterrnino lo gy 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 essentiallycomprise 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 ofbars 300. Appropriate setting of such a spatial relationship, and the appropriate order by whichsuch relationships are set, enable several of the advantageous features of the present transporter500 and transporter assembly 1000, as described in further detail herein. The spatial positioner200 is adapted to be able to move the set of bars 300 relative the frame 100 in a verticaldirection from a lower position to an upper position and from an upper position to a lowerposition. It may also be adapted to be able to move the set of bars 300 relative the frame 100 ina horizontal direction from a furtherrnost left position to a furtherrnost right position and from afurtherrnost right position to a furtherrnost left position. Two transporters 500 may be mergedtogether 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-likefashion to form a transporter assembly 1000. Both of a transporter 500 and a transporterassembly 1000 may be used individually for carrying and horizontal transportation of a load400, e.g. a human being such as a patient, relative the surrounding. Such transportation maytypically be carried out by manually pushing the transporter 500 or transporter assembly 1000on a suitable ground, such as e. g. indoors on the floor, as aided by suitable ground contactpoints mounted to the underside of the frame 100, e. g. wheels, preferably wheel assembliesbeing rotatable around a vertical axis in addition to the wheels normal rotatability around theirhorizontal axis. A transporter 500 may comprise at least three, such as typically four, suchcontact points. These are preferably mounted on the frame in relation to the load carrying areaof the set of bars 300, such that the transporter 500 does not rollover or tilt in the case of anuneven distribution of the load 400 there upon. For example, the contact points, e. g. wheels,may be located outside of a vertical proj ection defined by any imaginary lines between thedistal end, the proximal end, the left end and the right end of the set of bars 300. In anotherexample, four contact points, e.g. wheels, may be placed in or slightly outside the comers ofthe vertical proj ection of a rectangular or square set of bars 300. The set of bars 300 maycomprise 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 thehorizontal 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 adj acent bars 310may 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 spacesbetween the bars 310 of one transporter 500 are thereby adapted to accommodate each and oneof the individual bars 310 of another transporter 500. The optimal number, the optimaldimensions, 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 applicationas readily understood by the skilled person. For example, for use of the transporter 500 to carryor 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.

The present transporter 500 and transporter assembly 1000 may be used in variousapplications. For example, in a medical emergency a patient who cannot stand up may initiallybe placed on a stretcher being designed as a first transporter 500. After transportation to ahospital, e. g. by employment of an ambulance, the set of bars 300 may be set in an upperposition prior to docking with a second suitable transporter 500 with the set of bars 300 set in alower position. By reversing the positions of the sets of bars 300, the patient will be fullysupported by the second transporter 500, and the first transporter may be removed. Subsequentdocking 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 morepermanent bed for the patient in the form of a transporter assembly 1000 comprising thesecond transporter 500 and the third transporter 500. The load 400, e. g. a patient, may also bemoved from one bed, in the form of a first transporter assembly 1000, to another bed, in theform 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 toanother does not require any manual lifting of the patient and is thus less strenuous. Anotheradvantage includes the possibility to periodically vary the vertical position of the sets of bars300 of a transporter assembly 1000. A periodic redistribution of the gravitational pressurecaused by the same on e. g. a patient carried thereon is thereby achieved, which minimizes therisk of bedsores. Examples herein on the potential applications of the present transporter 500and transporter assembly 1000 are non-limiting. A skilled person may readily foresee otherpotential applications, e.g. handling of loads 400 being of other kinds than human beings orpatients, on basis of what are taught in the present disclosure.

According to one embodiment, the vertical distance between a point on the set of bars300, when being in a lower position, and the same point on the set of bars 300, when being inan upper position, may be equal to or greater than the vertical extension of a bar 310 of the setof bars 300.

According to one embodiment, the vertical distance between a point on the set of bars300, when being in a lower position, and the same point on the set of bars 300, when being inan 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 transporters500 of a transporter assembly 1000 carrying a load 400 may then be separated by a backwardsmovement from each other without the necessity of having to lower one set of bars 300 of oneof 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 ofbars 300, when being in the furtherrnost left position, and the same point on the set of bars 300,when being in the furtherrnost right position, may be equal to or greater than the horizontalextension ofa bar 310 ofthe set ofbars 300.

According to one embodiment, the vertical distance between a point on the set of bars300, when being in a lower position, and the same point on the set of bars 300, when being inan upper position, may be equal to or greater than the vertical extension of a bar 3 l0 of the setof bars 300. At the same time, the spatial positioner 200 may be adapted to move the set of bars300 relative the frame l00 in a horizontal direction from a fiarthermost left position to afurtherrnost right position and from said furtherrno st right position to said fiarthermost leftposition. Furthermore, the horizontal distance between a point on the set of bars 300, whenbeing in the furtherrnost left position, and the same point on the set of bars 300, when being inthe furtherrnost right position, may be equal to or greater than the horizontal extension of a bar3 l0 of the set of bars 300. The sets of bars 300 of a transporter assembly l000, comprising twoidentical transporters 500 with these features, may then be independently moved horizontally,each in a separate horizontal plane, without forrning hindrance for each other. Horizontalmovement of a load 400 relative a transporter assembly l000 is thereby advantageouslyenabled by the carrying out of a suitable sequence of shifting the position of the sets of bars300 in the horizontal and vertical direction, as exemplif1ed in Fig. 7. For example, a transporterassembly l000 may be equipped with suitable electronically controlled mechanical equipmentas known in the art which is programmed to carry out the sequence of Fig. 7, or any othersuitable sequence as readily understood by the skilled person. A user, e.g. a nurse, may theninitiate such a sequence by providing initiating input, e.g. by pushing a button, to theelectronically controlled mechanical equipment in order to move the load 400, e.g. a patient, adistance in the horizontal plane.

According to one embodiment, the transporter 500 may comprise at least fiveindividual bars 3 l0. The bars 3 l0 may have the same size and geometric shape. Examples ofsuitable geometric shapes include, but are not limited to, square rod, rectangular rod, triangularrod, circular rod and elliptic rod.

According to one embodiment, the set of bars 300 may be pivotably movable relativethe frame 200 around a pivot axis extending horizontally at or near, such as within 0 to 20 % ofthe length of the bars 3 l0, the proximal end of the set of bars 300 in the left-right direction,from an extension fi.1lly or partly in the horizontal plane to an extension fully or partly in thevertical plane. Means for enabling such a pivoting movement includes, but is not limited to,hinges on each and one of the bars 3 l0, as well known in the art. Advantages of a transporter500 with such a pivotably movable set of bars 300 include, for example, facilitated tuming ofthe load 400 by transition from having the set of bars 300 in the horizontal plane to a an angleversus the same. In addition, a user may more easy cover the set of bars 300 from the distal endwith e. g. a sack-shaped cover, such as e. g. a sack-shaped mattress, from a fully or slightlyelevated position of the set of bars 300, as compared to when the set of bars 300 is in thehorizontal plane.

According to one embodiment, a first part of the set of bars 300 mat be pivotablymovable 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 fi.1lly or partly in the horizontal plane to an extension fully or partly in thevertical plane. Advantages of a transporter 500 with such a pivotably movable set of bars 300include, for example, the ability to raise a patient from a laying into a sitting or half layingposition.

According to one embodiment, the present transporter assembly 1000 may comprisetwo transporters 500, such as two identical transporters 500 or two non-identical transporters500 suitably adapted to be docked with each other, and a locking mechanism 600. The lockingmechanism 600 may be adapted to reversibly set the frame 100 of one of the two transporters500 in a spatially constant relationship with the frame 100 of the other of the two transporters500. The locking mechanism 600 may be adapted to reversibly lock the frame 100 or the set ofbars 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 lockingmechanisms include, but are not limited to, the locking mechanisms 600 depicted in Figs. 9 to11. Advantages of a locking mechanism 600 include the decreased risk of unintentional partialor fi1ll separation of a transporter assembly 1000 into two transporters 500.

According to one embodiment, the transporter 500 and the transporter assembly 1000may be adapted to move relative said surface when placed thereon by a force provided by ahuman 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 thatthe upper surface of the set of bars 300 lean slightly towards the proximal end of thetransporter 500, whereby the risk for involuntary movement of the load 400 from the uppersurface 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 centralpoint being located below both of the distal end and proximal end of that side, as exemplifiedin Fig. 13. The bars 310 may have a downwards convex underside or a flat underside. The riskfor involuntary movement of the load 400 from the upper surface of the set of bars 300, such asfalling of therefrom, is thereby minimized.

According to one embodiment, the spatial positioner 200 may comprise an innerhorizontal member 220, an outer horizontal member 210, a distal slit 211 and a horizontalcontroller 221, as exemplified in Fig 4. The inner horizontal member 220 may be moved alongthe central axis of the outer horizontal member 210 by application of force parallel with thecentral axis of the outer horizontal member 210. The set of bars 310 may be indirectly attachedto the inner horizontal member 220 via an extension slidable in the distal slit 211. Hence, theset of bars 310 may be moved horizontally by application of force parallel with the central axisof the outer horizontal member 210. Means for provision of a suitable force to the horizontalcontroller 221 are well known in the art and include, for example, manual force provided by ahuman, 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 orseveral, such as two three or four, inner vertical members 231, 241, for regulation of its verticalposition. Such inner vertical members 231, 241 may be slidingly encompassed bycorresponding outer vertical members 230, 240 attached to the frame 100. Upon provision of avertical force to at least one of the inner vertical members 231, 241, the spatial positioner 200may move either up or down relative the frame 100, whereby the thereto connected set of bars310 are moved accordingly. Means for provision of a suitable force to at least one of the innervertical members 231, 241 are well known in the art and include, for example, manual forceprovided by a human, pneumatic force, hydraulic force and an electrical force provided by anelectromagnet or an electric motor, e. g. a motor driving a gearwheel 250 which interacts withand 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 sideprotectors for minimization of the risk of the load 400 falling over the outer sides of thetransporter 500. The frame may comprise four wheel assemblies being rotatable around avertical axis in addition to the wheels normal rotatability around their horizontal axis. Thewheel assemblies may be located in or in close relation, such as just outside, the comers of thevertical proj ection of a rectangular set of bars 300, having the dimensions equivalent to anormal hospital bed. The set of bars 300 may comprise at least 5, such as at least 10, individualidentical bars 310 evenly spaced in the left-right direction. The volumes between the bars 310may be essentially identical to the volumes of the individual bars 310. The spatial positioner200 may be adapted to control vertical movement and, optionally, horizontal movement of theset of bars 300. A transporter 500 with such described combination of features may be suitablefor the support and transportation of a hospitalized patient.

In the claims, the term “comprises/comprising” does not exclude the presence of otherelements or steps. Additionally, although individual features may be included in differentclaims, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claimsdoes not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, a: aa a:a, singular references do not exclude a plurality. The terms , an”, “f1rst”, “second” etc do notpreclude 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.

Claims (10)

1. Transporter (500) for horizontal transportation of a load (400) relative the surrounding andfor docking with another one of said transporter (5 00), comprising a frame (100), a spatialpositioner (200) and a set of bars (300), wherein at least three contact points between said frame (200), or extension thereof, and the surfacewhich said transporter (500) is placed on and horizontally able to move relative, are locatedoutside of a vertical proj ection defined by any imaginary lines between the distal end, theproximal end, the left end and the right end of said set of bars (300), when said load (400) isplaced on top of said set of bars (300); said set of bars (300) comprise a plurality of individual bars (310) evenly spaced along an axisin the left-right direction of said transporter (5 00) and extend fillly or partly in the horizontalplane; said set of bars (300) comprise a plurality of open spaces between said individual bars (310),each of said open spaces being adapted to accommodate each and one of said individual bars(3 10); 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.

2. Transporter (5 00) according to claim 1, wherein the vertical distance between a point on saidset 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).

3. Transporter (5 00) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said spatialpositioner (200) is further adapted to move said set of bars (300) relative said frame (100) in ahorizontal direction from a furtherrnost left position to a furtherrnost right position and from said furtherrnost right position to said furtherrnost left position.

4. Transporter (5 00) according to claim 3, wherein the horizontal distance between a point onsaid set of bars (300), being in said furtherrnost left position, and the same point on said set ofbars (300), being in said furtherrnost right position, is equal to or greater than the horizontal extension of a bar (310) of said set of bars (300). 12

5. Transporter (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, 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).

6. Transporter (500) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said set of bars(3 00) are piVotably moVable relatiVe said frame (200) around a piVot axis extendinghorizontally at the proximal end of said set of bars (300) in the left-right direction, from anextension fi.1lly or partly in the horizontal plane to an extension fially or partly in the Vertical plane.

7. Transporter (5 00) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first part of saidset of bars (300) are piVotably movable relative a second part of said set of bars (300) around apiVot axis extending horizontally from the proximal end to the distal end of said set of bars (3 00) in the proximal-distal direction, from an extension fially or partly in the horizontal plane to an extension fially or partly in the Vertical plane.

8. Transporter assembly (1000) for horizontal transportation of a load (400) relatiVe thesurrounding, comprising two transporters (500) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and alocking mechanism (600), which locking mechanism (600) is adapted to reversibly set saidframe (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 claim 8, wherein said locking mechanism (600) isadapted to reversibly lock said frame (100) of one of said two transporters (500) with saidframe (100) of the other of said two transporters (500).

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