Patent Description:
Patient handling apparatuses such as lifts, also referred to as patient hoists, are commonly used to raise, lower and transfer patients who are disabled or who otherwise have mobility problems. Two common types of patient lifts are stanchion-mounted lifts, also known as floor lifts. and ceiling lifts. Floor lifts often have a hoist assembly which may be disposed at the upper end of a stanchion or a chair movably mounted to the stanchion. The stanchion has a wheeled base, which allows for the lift to be moved along the ground to different locations.

One common application for a patient handling apparatuses is to transfer patients into and out of a bathtub. This is associated with a number of challenges. The patient has to be seated securely without the risk of falling out, this is particularly important in cases where the patient has a limited balance when seated. Further, the patient has to be lifted high enough over the tub of the rim in order to clear the tub with the patient's feet. In addition, in cases where the patient is elderly and cognitively impaired, it is crucial to avoid a feeling of free falling for the patient. The feeling of free falling is particularly strong when only the backrest of the patient handling backrest is folded and the seat remains horizontal.

Typically, the patient handling apparatus for such an application implements a bath chair, i.e. a chair mounted to the frame or chassis of the patient handling apparatus. The bath chair only allows vertical movements with a fix hip angle, i.e. angle between a back portion and seat portion of the bath chair. In some cases, the patient handling apparatus provides a tilting movement once the chair comes in contact with sloping surfaces of the bath.

When the bath chair has been lowered into the chair, the slope of the tub wall has angled the chair correspondingly. The disadvantage with such a bath chair is that it is not possible to adjust the hip angle outside the tub and independently of the height position of the chair.

Another option is to provide the patient handling apparatus with a bath stretcher. Bath stretchers are more suitable for patients requiring more support and are less mobile. Some bath stretches enable a combination of independent height adjustment of the stretcher and a tiltable back rest. Such bath stretches typically implement technology which enables the back rest to be lifted or lowered, either manually or electrically. However, since only the angle of the back rest is reclinable the comfort is lacking.

A number of solutions for adjustment of sitting angles for disabled and specifically for wheelchairs are known in the prior art, for example from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. There are also many technologies that provides mobile chairs that can be transformed to stretchers and vice versa. Common for both these type of technologies is that they all have a supporting structure underneath the seat of the chair or stretcher. When in use with a bath tube there is no room for such a structure.

In the light of the above, there is a need for a patient handling apparatus which addresses the above mentioned challenges.

According to one aspect a patient handling apparatus is provided. The patient handling apparatus comprises a base with a frame and a patient support device. The patient support device is movable relative to the base.

The patient support device is movably mounted to the frame between an upright and an inclined position. In the inclined position, the patient support device is inclined backwards or forwards in the inclined position relative to the upright position by means of a guiding arrangement.

The guiding arrangement comprises at least one frame guiding element mounted to the frame. The guiding arrangement further comprises a support guiding element mounted to the patient support device.

The support guiding element is movably connected to the frame guiding element and at least one of the at least one frame guiding element and the support guiding element has a continuously arched portion concave relative the patient support device in the upright position. The continuously arched portion is arranged to guide a relative movement between the support guiding element and the frame guiding element for providing movement of the patient support device between the upright and inclined position.

Further objects and features of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG> shows a patient handling apparatus <NUM>. The patient handling apparatus <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> with a frame <NUM>. The base <NUM> may be movable relative the ground. The base <NUM> may be provided with wheels <NUM>, <NUM> adapted to allow movement of the base, i.e. the patient handling apparatus <NUM>, relative the ground.

The base <NUM> may comprise a horizontal portion <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may extend orthogonally to the horizontal portion. The horizontal portion <NUM> may be provided with the wheels <NUM>, <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> may protrude from a position adjacent to an end of the horizontal portion <NUM>. Said frame <NUM> may further be substantially aligned with one or more of the wheels <NUM>.

The patient handling apparatus <NUM> comprises a patient support device <NUM>. The patient support device <NUM> is adapted to support a patient, i.e. support the weight of said patient.

The patient support device <NUM> is movable relative to the base <NUM>. The patient support device <NUM> is movably mounted to the frame <NUM>. The patient support device <NUM> is movable between an upright position and an inclined position. The patient support device <NUM> is inclined backwards or forwards in the inclined position relative to the upright position by means of a guiding arrangement <NUM>.

An upright position may herein be defined as a position wherein the patient supported by the patient support device <NUM> is in an upright position. Accordingly, the spine of the patient extends substantially in a vertical direction when supported by the patient support device <NUM> in the upright position.

An inclined position may herein be defined as a position wherein the patient supported by the patient support device <NUM> is an inclined position, i.e. an inclined position relative the upright position. The inclined position is thus a position wherein the patient is tilted, i.e. the spine of the patient is tilted, relative a vertical axis of the patient handling apparatus.

The guiding arrangement <NUM> comprises at least one frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM>. The at least one frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> is mounted to the frame <NUM>. The guiding arrangement <NUM> further comprises a support guiding element <NUM>. The support guiding element <NUM> is mounted to the patient support device <NUM>.

The support guiding element <NUM> is movably connected to the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM>. At least one of the at least one frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> and the support guiding element <NUM> has a continuously arched portion. The continuously arched portion is concave relative the patient support device <NUM> in the upright position. Accordingly, the continuously arched portion is concave relative patient support device <NUM> when the patient support device <NUM> is in the upright position.

The continuously arched portion is arranged to guide a relative movement between the support guiding element <NUM> and the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> for providing movement of the patient support device <NUM> between the upright and inclined position.

The patient support device <NUM> may be movable backwards or forwards to the inclined position relative the upright position about a horizontal axis. The horizontal axis may extend through a vertical plane. Thus, the horizontal axis may be extending orthogonally to the vertical plane. The continuously arched portion may extend in said vertical plane. The continuously arched portion may be arranged to guide the relative movement between the support guiding element <NUM> and the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> in said vertical plane for providing the movement of the patient support device <NUM> between the upright and inclined position.

This type of guiding arrangement is associated with a number of advantages. Firstly, it allows for the patient support device to maintain an orientation which provides a natural position for the patient both when the patient support device is in the inclined position and the upright position. Secondly, the tilting movement of the patient support device may be achieved without the need of a support structure underneath the patient support device since the load of the patient support device and patient as well as the guiding arrangement may be concentrated to a vertical frame. This is particularly advantageous in the field of bath chairs and lifts wherein it is of great importance to be able to raise, lower and pivot a patient inside a bath tub or pool. The patient handling apparatus according to the invention allows for all of the required operations without the base obstructing. Also, it makes it possible to adjust the angle of patient support device inside a bath tub which is functionality not provided by conventional patient handling apparatuses.

Notably, the horizontal axis may be defined as a tilt axis of the patient support device <NUM>. The horizontal axis may be arranged to extend through a centrum point of a circular sector formed by the continuously arched portion. Said circular sector may extend in the previously mentioned vertical plane.

Preferably, the patient support device <NUM> is mounted to the base <NUM> solely by means of the guiding arrangement <NUM>. Thus, the patient support device <NUM> is only suspended from the base <NUM> at the guiding arrangement <NUM>. Thereby, the space underneath the patient support device may be kept free from structural elements for supporting the patient support device.

A connecting point P formed by the connection between the patient support device <NUM> and the support guiding element <NUM> may be movable along a curved trajectory about the horizontal axis. The curved trajectory may be a continuation of the continuously arched portion, i.e. the circular sector. Preferably, the patient support device <NUM> is mounted to the base <NUM> solely at the connection point P.

Movement of the patient support device backwards from the upright position to the inclined position may be considered a movement along said curved trajectory, i.e. along the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM>, towards the base <NUM>. Thus the connecting point P is moved towards the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> along the curved trajectory.

Movement of the patient support device forwards from the upright position to the inclined position may be considered a movement along said curved trajectory, i.e. along the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM>, away from the base <NUM>. Thus the connecting point P is moved away from the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> along the curved trajectory.

The patient support device <NUM> may be movable up to <NUM> degrees backwards or forwards to the inclined position relative the upright position about a horizontal axis.

More preferably, the patient support device <NUM> may be movable up to <NUM> degrees backwards or forwards to the inclined position relative the upright position about the horizontal axis.

It is particularly advantageous that the patient support device <NUM> is movably mounted to the frame <NUM> between an upright and an inclined position in which the patient support device <NUM> is inclined backwards relative to the upright position. This allows for the patient to maintain a comfortable position and a sense of safety.

In one embodiment, the patient support device <NUM> may comprise a seat supporting section <NUM>. The seat supporting section <NUM> is adapted to support the rear of a patient. The patient support device <NUM> may further comprise a back supporting section <NUM>. The back supporting section <NUM> is adapted to support the back of a patient.

The tilting of the patient support device <NUM> between the upright position and the inclined position allows for the sitting position of the patient to be maintained in a natural manner during movement of the patient support device.

In one embodiment, the patient support device <NUM> may be in the form of a chair support. The patient support device <NUM> is thus adapted to support a seated patient. Accordingly, the back supporting section <NUM> and the seat supporting section <NUM> may be substantially orthogonal to each other. In one embodiment, the patient support device <NUM> may further comprise a calf supporting section pivotally mounted to the seat supporting section <NUM>. Said calf supporting section is adapted to support the calves of a patient supported by the patient support device <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment, the patient support device <NUM> may be a stretcher. Thus, the patient support device <NUM> may comprise a substantially planar member. Said substantially planar member is adapted to support a patient, i.e. a patient in a recumbent position.

Further referencing <FIG>, the patient support device <NUM> has the back supporting section <NUM> and the seat supporting section <NUM>. The support guiding element <NUM> is mounted to the back supporting section <NUM> of the patient support device <NUM>.

The support guiding element <NUM> may be mounted to a top portion <NUM> of the back supporting section <NUM>. In one embodiment, the top portion <NUM> is the uppermost portion of the back supporting section <NUM> when the patient support device <NUM> is in the upright position.

Having the top portion <NUM> fix to the support guiding element <NUM> ensures that all structural elements of the patient handling apparatus may be kept outside a bath tub during lifting and handling operations. This is achieved while the arched portion provides the desired pivoting movement of the patient support device <NUM>.

The connecting point P may thus be arranged between the back supporting section <NUM> and the support guiding element <NUM>. The connecting point P may further be arranged between the top portion <NUM> and the support guiding element <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the top portion <NUM> may be further adapted to support the back of the head of a patient. Accordingly, said top portion <NUM> may constitute a neck support portion.

In one embodiment, the patient support device <NUM> is a substantially rigid patient support device. Thus, the patient support device <NUM> may be in a rigid material, such as plastic. For example, the patient support device <NUM> may be in the form of a rigid chair. In one embodiment, the rigid patient support device may be provided with padded sections for additional support. The substantially rigid patient support device <NUM> allows for a more stable movement of the patient by means of the patient handling apparatus compared to a flexible patient support device such as for example a patient sling.

The patient handling apparatus may be arranged such that the center of gravity of the patient supported by the patient support device is arranged with a horizontal offset relative the load bearing structure of the patient handling apparatus, i.e. the frame <NUM>. Accordingly, the patient handling apparatus may be arranged such that the center of gravity of the patient supported by the patient support device is arranged at a horizontal distance from the load bearing structure of the patient handling apparatus, i.e. the frame <NUM>. The moving of the patient at said offset increases the stability of the movement and allows for unobstructed lifting over obstacles such as beds. This may be achieved in a number of ways. In one embodiment, the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> is arranged at a horizontal distance from the patient support device <NUM> at least when the patient support device <NUM> is in the upright position. In one embodiment, the seat supporting section <NUM> is arranged at a horizontal distance from the guiding arrangement <NUM>. In one embodiment, the connection point P is arranged at a horizontal distance from the seat supporting section <NUM>.

Again referencing <FIG>, the patient handling apparatus may further implement an arrangement for linear movement, i.e. raising and lowering of the patient support device <NUM>. The patient handling apparatus <NUM> may comprise a translational arrangement <NUM>. The translational arrangement <NUM> movably connects the patient support device <NUM> and the base <NUM>. The translational arrangement <NUM> is adapted to guide raising and/or lowering of the patient support device <NUM> relative the base <NUM> in a vertical direction.

In one embodiment, the translational arrangement <NUM> and the guiding arrangement <NUM> are adapted to independently guide the movement of the patient support device <NUM> relative the frame <NUM>. Hence, the position and/or orientation of the patient support device <NUM> may be adjusted by means of the translational arrangement <NUM> and the guiding arrangement <NUM>. The adjustment of the patient support device <NUM> by means of the translational arrangement <NUM> is thus independent from the adjustment of said patient support device <NUM> by means of the guiding arrangement <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the translational arrangement <NUM> may be a telescopic arrangement. The translational arrangement <NUM> may comprise a support translational member <NUM> mounted to the patient support device <NUM> and a guiding translational member <NUM> mounted to the base <NUM>. The support translational member <NUM> and the guiding translational member <NUM> are movably connected to allow relative vertical movement between said support translational member <NUM> and the guiding translational member <NUM>. The guiding translational member may be comprised in the frame <NUM>.

One of the support translational member <NUM> and the guiding translational member <NUM> may be hollow and adapted to receive the other of the support translational member <NUM> and the guiding translational member <NUM>. In one embodiment, the support translational member <NUM> may be a hollow member and adapted to receive the guiding translational member <NUM>. Thus, the guiding translational member <NUM> is arranged inside the support translational member <NUM>. The support translational member <NUM> is thus movable relative the guiding translational member <NUM>, said guiding translational member <NUM> being fix. Thereby, a more compact translational arrangement is achieved. Further, having the fix translational member arranged inside the movable translational member mitigates the risk for pinching.

In one embodiment, the patient handling apparatus <NUM> may further comprise a locking unit. The locking unit may be adapted to upon actuation prevent the relative movement between the support guiding element and the at least one frame guiding element.

The locking unit may thus be adapted to upon actuation prevent relative movement between the patient support device <NUM> and the base <NUM> by means of the guiding arrangement <NUM> and/or the translational arrangement <NUM>.

The locking unit may be a friction lock such as a brake or a locking pin or any other mean known to the skilled person.

Further referencing <FIG>, the guiding arrangement <NUM> is in the form a gear rack interfacing with a pinion, i.e. a cogged wheel. Accordingly, one of the at least one frame guiding element <NUM> comprises a curved gear rack <NUM>. The support guiding element <NUM> comprises a pinion <NUM> interfacing with said curved gear rack <NUM> (depicted in further detail in <FIG>). The curved gear rack allows for the rotation of the patient support device around the center of mass of the patient. Thus, the patient support device may be moved between the upright and inclined position by a relatively small force.

The curved gear rack <NUM> may form the continuously arched portion. The curved gear rack <NUM> may form said continuously arched portion in itself or in conjunction with additional guiding elements.

A toothed surface of the curved gear rack <NUM> interfacing with the pinion <NUM> faces the patient support device <NUM>. This ensures that the engagement between the pinion and the gear rack is preserved, since movement of the patient handling apparatus will cause a contact force onto the pinion towards the gear rack.

Notably, in an alternative embodiment not encompassed by the wording of the claims, the support guiding element <NUM> may comprise the continuously arched portion comprising the curved gear rack <NUM>, whereby the frame guiding element <NUM> may comprise the pinion <NUM>.

Again referencing <FIG>, the patient handling apparatus may further comprise a casing <NUM>. The casing <NUM> is mounted to the at least one frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> or the support guiding element <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> may be arranged to cover at least a portion of the other of the at least one frame guiding element <NUM> and the support guiding element <NUM> at least when the patient support device <NUM> is in the inclined position. The casing reduces the exposure of the moving parts of the patient handling apparatus, thus a safer patient handling apparatus is achieved.

Depending on the direction of the patient support device <NUM> relative the base, the casing <NUM> is arranged to cover the other of the at least one frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> and the support guiding element <NUM> when the patient support device <NUM> is an inclined position which is backwards or forwards relative the upright position. Accordingly, the patient support device <NUM> may be adapted to support a patient facing away from the guiding arrangement or faces the guiding arrangement.

In one embodiment, the casing <NUM> may act as a part of the guiding arrangement <NUM> for further securing a robust and stable relative movement of the parts of the guiding arrangement. The casing <NUM> may form the continuously arched portion. The casing <NUM> may form said continuously arched portion in itself or in conjunction with guiding elements such as the previously described curved gear rack.

The support guiding element <NUM> may comprise the casing <NUM>. One of the at least one frame guiding elements <NUM> may be arranged to be in contact with the casing <NUM> for guiding the relative movement between the support guiding element <NUM> and the frame guiding element <NUM>. This will be further described with reference to <FIG>.

In one embodiment, at least one frame guiding element may have a matching continuously arched portion in the form of an outer surface corresponding to the casing for guiding relative movement between the casing <NUM>, i.e. the frame guiding element <NUM>, and the support guiding element <NUM> by means of sliding contact between said casing and continuously arched portion. In one embodiment, a single frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise said outer surface and the previously described curved gear rack. Accordingly, the single frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a first continuously arched portion comprising the outer surface and a second continuously arched position comprising the curved gear rack. In one embodiment, a first frame guiding element <NUM> may comprise said outer surface and a second frame guiding element <NUM> may comprise the curved gear rack. Accordingly, both the first and second frame guiding element may comprise a continuously arched portion.

In one embodiment, the patient handling apparatus <NUM> further comprises a drive unit <NUM> adapted to drive the support guiding element <NUM> relative the at least one frame guiding element <NUM>. Thus, the patient support device <NUM> may be moved relative the base <NUM> both by means of manual operation and by means of the drive unit <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the patient handling apparatus <NUM> may be solely manually operated and may thus not comprise said drive unit.

As depicted in <FIG>, the at least one of the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> may have a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The second end <NUM> may be opposite to the first end <NUM>. The first end <NUM> may be a non-fixated end and the second end <NUM> may be mounted to the base <NUM> and more preferably the frame <NUM> of the base <NUM>. Having the first end as a free end, i.e. floating end, allows better alignment between the parts of the guiding arrangement since the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> may flex slightly to guide the relative movement between the parts of the guiding arrangement.

In one embodiment, the first end <NUM> is a top end of the at least one of frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM>. The second end <NUM> is a bottom end of the at least one frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM>. The frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> may thus extend in a vertical direction.

The at least one frame guiding element <NUM> may comprise the continuously arched portion. Further, the at least one frame guiding element <NUM> may comprise the curved gear rack <NUM>. Extending along a portion of or the entire length of the frame guiding element <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the patient handling apparatus may comprise a control unit and a user interface connected to said control unit. The control unit is connected to the drive unit <NUM> and configured to control said drive unit <NUM>. The user interface is configured to receive a control signal based on user input, whereby the control unit is configured to control the drive unit based on said control signal.

Turning to <FIG> and <FIG>, a more detailed view of the guiding arrangement and the frame is depicted. In one embodiment, the patient handling apparatus <NUM> may comprise at least one support guide <NUM>, <NUM> adapted to support the relative movement between the support guiding element <NUM> and the at least one frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM>. In one embodiment, the at least one support guide <NUM>, <NUM> is a roller. The support guide allows the guiding arrangement to carry higher loads without affecting the relative movement of its parts, since the support guide will effectively take up a portion of the load.

Further referencing <FIG>, the at least one support guide <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged to unload the casing <NUM>. The casing <NUM> may thus be in contact with said at least one support guide <NUM>, <NUM>. The casing <NUM> may be in rolling contact with the at least one support guide <NUM>, <NUM>.

Thus, the at least one support guide may constitute frame guiding elements.

The frame <NUM> may comprise at least one vertical column <NUM>, <NUM>. In one embodiment, the frame <NUM> may comprise a first and second vertical column <NUM>, <NUM> extending orthogonally from the horizontal portion <NUM>. The first and second vertical column <NUM>, <NUM> may extend parallel and at a distance from each other. Both the first and second vertical column <NUM>, <NUM> may be movably connected to the patient support device <NUM> via the translational arrangement <NUM>.

The at least one frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> with the continuously arched portion may extend between the vertical columns <NUM>, <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. Said frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> may be attached to said vertical columns <NUM>, <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a partial cross-section of a part of the patient handling apparatus according to an embodiment. The patient handling apparatus is depicted when the patient support device is in the inclined position. Accordingly, the support guiding element <NUM> is in a lowered position relative the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM>, whereby the support guiding element <NUM> is in a raised position relative the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM> when the patient handling apparatus <NUM> is in the upright position.

The drive unit <NUM> may be fix to one of the support guiding element <NUM> and the frame guiding element <NUM>, <NUM>. The drive unit <NUM> may comprise an electrical motor and a transmission for transferring torque to a driven member of guiding arrangement <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the driven component of the guiding arrangement is the pinion <NUM>. Thus the drive unit <NUM> connected to said pinion <NUM> and configured to transfer torque to said pinion <NUM>.

Further referencing <FIG>, the drive unit <NUM> is fix to the support guiding element <NUM>. The drive unit <NUM> may be fix to the casing <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the pinion <NUM> is driven by the drive unit <NUM> in a first rotational direction, the pinion <NUM> will climb upwards on the curved gear rack <NUM> causing movement of the patient support device towards the upright position. When the pinion <NUM> is driven by the drive unit <NUM> in a second rotational direction, the pinion will climb downwards on the curved gear rack <NUM> causing movement of the patient support device backwards towards the inclined position.

<FIG> depicts the at least one support guide <NUM>, <NUM> in further detail.

A first support guide <NUM> may be mounted to the frame <NUM>. The first support guide <NUM> may be arranged to guide the casing <NUM> by being in contact with a first outer surface of the casing <NUM>. Said first outer surface of the casing <NUM> may be distal from the patient support device, i.e. facing away from the patient support device.

A second support guide <NUM> may be mounted to the frame <NUM>. The second support guide <NUM> may be arranged to guide the casing <NUM> by being in contact with a second outer surface of the casing <NUM>. Said second outer surface of the casing <NUM> may be proximal the patient support device, i.e. facing the patient support device.

Supporting both the first and second outer surface of the casing <NUM> is particularly advantageous, since it provides for unloading of the guiding arrangement resulting in a more robust and durable patient handling apparatus.

The first support guide <NUM> may be mounted to the frame <NUM> by means of a first frame element <NUM>. The first support guide <NUM> is connected to the first support guide <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first frame element <NUM> may comprise a U-shaped portion arranged to extend around the casing <NUM>. This provides additional support for the guiding arrangement in case of impacts etc..

Correspondingly, the second support guide <NUM> may be mounted to the frame <NUM> by means of a second frame element <NUM>. The second support guide <NUM> is connected to the second support guide <NUM>. In one embodiment, the second frame element <NUM> may comprise a U-shaped portion arranged to extend around the casing <NUM>. This provides additional support for the guiding arrangement in case of impacts etc..

In one embodiment, the first frame element <NUM> and the second frame element <NUM> may be mounted to the vertical columns <NUM>, <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. Accordingly, a first portion of the first frame element <NUM> may be mounted to the first vertical column <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and a second portion of the first frame element <NUM> may be mounted to the second vertical column <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. Correspondingly, a first portion of the second frame element <NUM> may be mounted to the first vertical column <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and a second portion of the second frame element <NUM> may be mounted to the second vertical column <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A patient handling apparatus (<NUM>) comprising a base (<NUM>) with a frame (<NUM>) and a patient support device (<NUM>), the patient support device (<NUM>) being movable relative to the base (<NUM>), wherein the patient support device (<NUM>) is movably mounted to the frame (<NUM>) between an upright and an inclined position, in which the patient support device (<NUM>) is inclined backwards or forwards in the inclined position relative to the upright position by means of a guiding arrangement (<NUM>), whereby said guiding arrangement (<NUM>) comprises at least one frame guiding element (<NUM>, <NUM>) mounted to the frame (<NUM>) and a support guiding element (<NUM>) mounted to the patient support device (<NUM>), wherein the support guiding element (<NUM>) is movably connected to the frame guiding element (<NUM>, <NUM>) and at least one of the at least one frame guiding element (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the support guiding element (<NUM>) has a continuously arched portion concave relative the patient support device (<NUM>) in the upright position, said continuously arched portion being arranged to guide a relative movement between the support guiding element (<NUM>) and the frame guiding element (<NUM>, <NUM>) for providing movement of the patient support device (<NUM>) between the upright and inclined position,
one of the at least one frame guiding element (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a curved gear rack (<NUM>) while the support guiding element (<NUM>) comprises a pinion (<NUM>) interfacing with said curved gear rack (<NUM>),
characterized in that, a toothed surface of the curved gear rack (<NUM>) interfacing with the pinion (<NUM>) faces the patient support device (<NUM>) whereby upon movement of the patient handling apparatus (<NUM>) a contact force is caused onto the pinion (<NUM>) towards the gear rack (<NUM>).