AU2010219375A1

AU2010219375A1 - Bed Hoist

Info

Publication number: AU2010219375A1
Application number: AU2010219375A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen Dichiera
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-09-11
Filing date: 2010-09-10
Publication date: 2011-03-31

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Stephen Dichiera Actual Inventor(s): Stephen Dichiera Address for Service: A.P.T. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys PO Box 222, Mitcham, SA 5062 Invention Title: Bed Hoist The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 2 Bed Hoist FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a bed hoist and in one form to a tiltable bed incorporating a bed hoist. 5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hospital patients and individuals having limited mobility require assistance when moving. This is particularly the case when a person is mounting or getting down off a hospital bed. Caregivers are often required to lift and support these people during the process. This has resulted in many caregivers acquiring muscular 10 related injuries. Various lift supports and movable bed arrangements have been developed for persons having limited mobility. The simplest form of support is a post attached to the side of a bed and grasped by the user to support their weight while they haul themselves into, or out of, bed. These types of devices are not suitable for patients 15 that are unable to bend their back, such as when they have fussed vertebrae, or for many wheelchair-bound patients. There are paper publications that suggest a number of tiltable bed arrangements that may be used to assist a person to move between a horizontal and vertical posture. Typically the tiltable beds include some type of wheeled frame, 20 adapted to rest on the ground surface, attached to a mattress platform supporting a mattress. The frame is typically adjustable from a folded lowered position to an extended raised position. At least a portion of the mattress platform is typically configured to pivot or tilt around an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the bed. 25 In this way the foot of bed can be lowered while the mattress platform is raised into an upright position. Conventional tiltable beds generally include a support post attached towards the head of the bed that can be grasped by the person for support during tilting of the bed. Alternatively a harness can be used to support the person. In the tilted position the users feet are positioned against the foot of the bed 30 and they can then simply step forward without having to bend their back.

3 There are however a number of difficulties with currently available tiltable beds. One of the problems is that the user remains against the mattress when the bed is in an upright position. In the case of persons requiring a wheelchair, this means that the individual must be supported while they move away from the bed 5 surface and into the wheelchair. Furthermore, if the foot of the bed does not rest on the ground the bed could become unstable resulting in further injuries. It should be appreciated that any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention and should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art 10 was widely known or formed part of the common general knowledge in the field as it existed before the priority date of the application. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, but not necessarily the broadest or only aspect, there is proposed a hoist, for attachment to a tiltable bed, 15 including, a lifting frame having first and second ends attachable to opposing sides of the tiltable bed, the lifting frame pivotable between a lowered position, and a raised position, whereby in the raised position the lifting frame extends outwardly from the tiltable bed such that a mid portion of the lifting frame is positioned apart from a 20 patient receiving surface of said bed, the lifting frame operatable by drive means having a slidable ram and a coupling shaft for movement of the lifting frame between the lowered and raised positions, whereby the coupling shaft is pivotably connected between the lifting frame and the slidable ram, 25 a hoisting device connected to the mid portion of the lifting frame and engagable with a patient support means, wherein a patient may be connected to the patient support means and lifted, to be positioned forward of, and spaced apart from, a foot of the tiltable bed when said bed is in a tilted position. 30 The lifting frame, in one form, may include a generally U-shaped member having generally parallel side portions and a perpendicular mid portion extending therein between.

4 The lifting frame may include telescopic or extendible side portions, to raise the perpendicular mid portion further upwardly off the bed surface when the tiltable bed is in a lowered position, or further away from the bed surface when the tiltable bed is in a tilted position. 5 The length of the side portions is preferably greater than the distance between the point where the first and second ends are attached to opposing sides of the tiltable bed and the foot of the tiltable bed. This means that the mid portion may be folded over and positioned forward of the foot of the bed. In this way the lifting frame can be positioned so that it does not interfere with access to the patient, or use 10 of the bed by a mobile individual. In one form the hoisting device includes a gearbox for the dispensing and retracting of a cable. The cable is preferably coupled to a patient harness that can be used to raise and lower the patient, for instance from a bed surface or a wheelchair. 15 Respective drive means may engage each of the side portions of the lifting frame. In the present discussed form the respective coupling shafts engage a pivot hinge attached to each of the side portions of the lifting frame. The opposing ends of the coupling shafts engage respective pivot hinges attached to an end of respective slidable rams. The rams preferably slidably engage respective outer sleeves. The 20 outer sleeve may form an integral part of the tiltable bed, or alternatively may be demountably attached to the tiltable bed. The respective slidable rams may be hydraulically operated ram or mechanically operated. The slidable rams may be manually or automatically operated and include a locking means or toothed member for securing the lifting 25 frame at a desired angle. Other types of articulated drive means could be used without departing from the scope of the patent application. The lifting frame may be constructed from a length of hollow tubular steel treated to form a generally U-shaped configuration, having generally parallel sides portions joined by a perpendicular mid portion.

5 The cross section of the hollow tubular steel frame may be circular, square, rectangular or any other preferred shape. Alternatively, the frame may be constructed from a rigid plastic or other type of material. The hoist may be affixed to the tiltable bed, in that the hoist members are 5 connected to the bed by way of welding or some other form of connection. In an alternate form the hoist may be removable attached to a tiltable bed. The use of a demountable patient hoist means that it may be used on different beds. In the presently discussed form the hoist may include clamps or other securing devices to removably attach it to the frame of the tiltable bed. 10 In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is proposed a tiltable bed with hoist, including a bed frame pivotably supporting a mattress platform so that a foot of the mattress platform can be lowered from a resting position to a fully lowered position relative to a head of the mattress platform, 15 the hoist including a patient lifting part supported over a longitudinally central portion of the mattress platform by a side arm attached to a side of the bed and operable to be raised and lowered relative to the mattress support, the patient lifting part can be pivoted between a fully lowered position and a fully raised position, when in a fully lowered position the patient lifting part is adjacent an end of the mattress platform 20 and the fully raised position being such that when the mattress platform is in the fully lowered position the patient lifting part is vertically clear of the foot of the mattress platform. The configuration ensures that the side arm and patient lifting part can be held close to the bed when not in use, so that they do not obstruct or interfere with 25 use of the bed or access to the patient. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is proposed a tiltable bed arrangement including, an adjustable bed frame directly or indirectly engagable with a ground surface, a mattress platform, for supporting a mattress, pivotably connected to the bed frame, 30 the mattress platform being elongate extending between a head and a foot portion of the bed, wherein the mattress platform pivots around a horizontal axis that is 6 perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the tiltable bed, a hoist including a lifting frame having first and second ends pivotably attachable to opposing sides of the mattress platform, the lifting frame movable between a lowered position and a raised position wherein a mid portion of the lifting frame is located 5 along an inclined plane relative to an upper surface of the mattress, the lifting frame operatable by a drive means, having a coupling shaft pivotably connected between the lifting frame and a slidable ram, for movement of the lifting frame between the lowered and raised positions, a pulley connected to the mid portion of the lifting frame and engagable with a flexible 10 cable, the tiltable bed arrangement being movable between a rest position whereby an elongate plane of the mattress platform is substantially parallel with the ground surface and an upright position whereby the elongate plane of the mattress platform is oblique to the ground surface, 15 wherein the patient may be connected to the flexible cable and lifted to be positioned forward of, and spaced apart from, the foot of the tiltable bed when in the upright position. In one form the adjustable bed frame includes an upper support portion spaced above a lower support portion, the upper support portion adapted to support 20 a mattress platform and the lower support portion being directly or indirectly ground engaging. The adjustable bed frame may further include at least one front upright member, positioned towards the foot of the bed, and connecting a front part of the upper and lower support portions and at least one rear upright member, positioned towards the head of the bed, connecting a rear part of the upper and lower support 25 portions. The front upright member pivotably connected with the upper support portion and the lower support portion. The rear upright member pivotably connected to the upper support portion and engagable with a track wherein the rear upright member is able to pivot and slid within the track to adjust the relative height of the rear and front 30 of the upper support portion. The slidable ram and adjustable bed frame may be moveable by way of a plurality of hydraulic or pneumatic rams. Alternatively manual or motorized mechanical drive means could be used.

7 The front upright member is preferably pivotable with respect to the front part of the upper and lower support portions so that the height of the upper support portion can be raised or lowered relative to the lower support portion. The upper and lower support portions may be generally rectangular and 5 preferably two front upright members are connected at respective front corners of the upper and lower support portions, and two upright rear members are connected between respective rear corners of the upper and lower support portions. The bed frame may be ground engaging by reason of downwardly depending legs, thus the support frame may be generally stationary. Alternatively ground 10 engaging wheels may be provided to facilitate shifting of the bed from one location to another. Other arrangements known for ground support for beds may also be employed. Typically the upper and lower support portions take on the form of a rectangular frame made from four tubular steel members joined together perhaps by 15 welding. Alternatively a plastics moulded rectangular frame may be made, or perhaps the support portions might take the form of a unitary moulded flat web with downturned peripheral skirt and perhaps one or more reinforcing ribs. The mattress platform itself will also typically be generally rectangular and is of a rigid construction. The mattress platform may however in addition be adjustable 20 and, for example include a number of subframes or segments that permit adjustment of support to parts of the patient. Thus there might be the capacity to raise one leg, provide a means to raise the knees, or the upper body relative to the rest of the body. In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is proposed a tiltable bed arrangement including, 25 an adjustable bed frame directly or indirectly engagable with a ground surface, a mattress platform pivotably connected to the bed frame, the mattress platform being elongate extending between a head and an extendable foot portion of the bed, wherein the mattress platform pivots around a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the tiltable bed, 30 the tiltable bed arrangement being movable between a lowered position wherein an elongate plane of the mattress platform is substantially parallel with the ground 8 surface and a raised position wherein the elongate plane of the mattress platform is oblique to the ground surface, the foot portion being extendable such that in the raised position the foot portion directly or indirectly engages the ground surface to thereby provide support for the bed frame. 5 In one form, in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, the foot portion includes a depending stop. A single stop or multiple stops may be attached to the underside of the foot portion. The stop or stops may be constructed from resiliently flexible rubber blocks. In an alternate form the foot portion may include dependent roller means. 10 An advantage of this arrangement is that on pivoting the bed downwardly the roller at the foot of the bed contacts the ground when spaced away from the bed support thereby providing additional support for the weight of the patient thereon. A bed end may be removably attached to foot portion of the bed. In this way the bed end can be removed to enable the user direct contact with the floor when the 15 bed it tilted into an inclined position. Alternately the bed end can be left in place and used as a step to assist the user in mounting and dismounting the tiltable bed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate implementations of the invention and, together with the 20 description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed incorporating a hoist of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the bed of figure 1 illustrating the hoist in a raised 25 configuration; Figure 3 is a side view of the bed platform of figure 1 being raised; Figure 4 is a side view of the bed platform of figure 1 in an upright position and the placement of a wheelchair; 9 Figure 5 is a side view of the bed platform of figure 4 illustrating the lowering of the hoist for positioning a patient into the wheelchair; and Figure 6 is a side view of the bed of figure 1 in a folded configuration illustrating the position of the hoist. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED AND EXEMPLIFIED EMBODIMENTS There are numerous specific details set forth in the following description. However, from the disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and/or substitutions may be made without departing from the scope 10 and spirit of the invention. In some circumstance specific details may have been omitted so as not to obscure the invention. Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description, a hoist 10 is illustrated, demonstrating by way of example an arrangement in which the principles 15 of the present invention may be employed. As illustrated in figure 1, the hoist 10 for moving a patient is attachable to a tiltable bed 12. The hoist 10 includes a lifting frame 14 having first and second ends attachable to opposing sides of the tiltable bed 12 by way of pivotable members 16, 18. The lifting frame 14 is pivotable between a lowered position, and a raised 20 position wherein a mid portion 20 of the lifting frame 14 is located generally above a patient receiving surface of the tiltable bed, as illustrated in figure 1. The lifting frame 14 operatable by articulated drive means 22 positioned on opposing sides of the bed 12, each drive means 22 having a coupling shaft 24 pivotably connected between the lifting frame 14 and a slidable ram 26, for movement of the lifting frame 14 between 25 the lowered and raised positions. A hoisting device in the form of a pulley 28, is connected to the mid portion 20 and engagable with a patient support means in the form of a cable 30 wherein a patient may be attached to the cable 30 by way of a harness (not shown) and lifted to be positioned forward of, and spaced apart from, an end of the tiltable bed 12 when 30 in a tilted position, as illustrated in figure 1.

10 The hoisting device 28 includes a gearbox (not shown) for the dispensing and retracting of the cable 30. The cable 30 is preferably coupled to a patient harness (not shown) that can be used to move a patient with respect to a bed surface or a wheelchair. 5 In use the lifting frame 14 is pivoted into a raised position. The patient is connected to cable 30 and the hoisting device 28 is operated to retract the cable thereby lifting the patient off the bed surface. The patient is supported in this lifted position while the tiltable bed 12 is raised into a tilted position. The hoisting device 28 is then operated to dispense the cable 30 thereby lowering the patient onto the 10 floor or into a wheelchair, as illustrated in figure 5. This process is simply reversed when moving a patient onto the bed surface. The lifting frame 14, in the illustrated embodiment is generally U-shaped having parallel side portions 32, 34 and a perpendicular mid portion 20 extending therein between. The length of the side portions is greater than the distance 15 between the point where the first and second ends 16, 18 are attached to opposing sides of the tiltable bed 12 and the foot 36 of the tiltable bed 12. This means that the mid portion may be folded over and positioned forward of the foot 36 of the bed 12 when not in use. In this way the lifting frame 14 can be positioned so that it does not interfere with access to the patient, or use of the bed 12 by an able patient. 20 Although not illustrated, it should be appreciated that the lifting frame 14 may include telescopic side portions 32, 34. The side portions 32, 34 may be telescopic or extendible so that the perpendicular mid portion 20 can be raised either, further off the bed surface when the bed is in a lowered position, or further away from the bed surface when the bed is in a tilted position. 25 It is envisaged that lifting frame 14 will be constructed from a length of hollow tubular steel treated to form a generally U-shaped configuration. It should however be appreciated that the frame 14 may be constructed from any type of rigid plastic or other type of material. Furthermore the configuration of the frame may be other than generally U-shaped.

11 The hoist 10 may be incorporated into the general construction of a tillable bed or alternatively the hoist 10 may be retrofitted onto an existing tiltable bed arrangement. The tiltable bed arrangement, illustrated in the figures includes an adjustable 5 bed frame 38 directly or indirectly engagable with a ground surface, a mattress platform 40, for supporting a mattress 42 that defines a patient receiving surface, as illustrated in figures 1 and 2. The mattress platform 40 is pivotably connected to the bed frame and elongate extending between a head 44 and an extendable foot portion 36, wherein the mattress platform 40 pivots around a horizontal axis that is 10 perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the tiltable bed as illustrated in figure 1. The mattress platform 40 of the illustrated embodiment includes an outer frame 46 and adjustable members 48, 50, 52, 54. These adjustable members may be raised and lowered to provide support for the patient as is known in the art. The mattress platform 40 further includes an extendable foot portion 36. 15 The extendable foot portion 36 may be extended downwardly when the bed 12 is in a raised position, as illustrated in figure 1. An end of the extendable foot portion 36 includes rollers 56 that bear some of the weight of the bed and patient thereon so that there is less pressure on the front part of the bed frame 12 and therefore less inclination for the rear of the bed to lift upwards. This therefore 20 provides additional stability to the bed frame. As illustrated in figure 1 the hoist 10 is pivotably connected to the side of the outer frame 46 of the mattress platform 40. The outer frame 46 also forms a sleeve for slidable engagement of the ram 26. A motorized drive (not shown), for movement of the ram 26 between a retracted and extended position may be located within the 25 outer frame 46 or attached adjacent pivotable hinge 58. When the slidable ram 26 is in a fully extended position, as illustrated in figure 6 the lifting frame 14 is positioned along a similar plane as the upper surface of the mattress 42. As the reader will appreciate the movement of the slidable ram 26 into a retracted position raises the lifting frame 14, as the coupling shaft 24 pivots around 30 hinges 58, 60. This raises the mid portion 20 of the lifting frame away from the plane of the bed. This can therefore be used to support the patient off the bed surface.

12 When the tiltable bed is in the inclined position the slidable ram 26 can be extended to lower a patient, in conjunction with gearbox of the hoisting device 28, into a wheelchair 62 as illustrated in figures 4 and 5. The adjustable bed frame 38 of the present embodiment includes a upper 5 support portion 64 that is constructed from frame members positioned in a generally rectangular configuration, and spaced above a lower support portion 66 that is likewise constructed from frame members positioned in a generally rectangular configuration. The upper support portion 64 is adapted to support the mattress platform 40 10 and the lower support portion 66 includes ground-engaging wheels 68. The adjustable bed frame 38 further includes two front upright members 70, positioned towards the foot 36 of the bed 12, and connecting a front part of the upper and lower support portions 64, 66, and two rear upright member 72, positioned towards the head 44 of the bed 12, and connecting a rear part of the upper and lower support 15 portions 64, 66. The front upright members 70 are pivotably connected with the upper support portion and the lower support portion by way of hinges 74, 76. The rear upright members 72 are pivotably connected to the upper support portion by way of hinge 78 and engagable with a track 80 wherein the rear upright members 72 is able to pivot 20 and slid within the track 80 to adjust the relative height of the rear and front of the upper support portion 64. It is envisaged that all frame members will be made of RHS steel and are fastened together by welding. Alternatively one or both of the upright members may perform another function such as a pivot shaft and may therefore take the form of a 25 rod that is bolted into place. The adjustable bed frame 38 can be moved by way of hydraulic rams 82, 84, 86 controllable by way of control box 88. The foldable bed is configured so that upper support 64 and rear upright members 72 fold either side of the control box 88 when in a lowered position as illustrated in figure 6. 30 The skilled addressee will now appreciate the many advantages of the illustrated invention. In one form the invention provides hoist that can raise a patient 13 out of a tiltable bed and position them forward of the foot of the bed. This enables the position of a wheelchair so that the patient can be lowered into the wheelchair without having to move away from the bed. The length of the side portions of the lifting frame also means that the mid portion can be positioned forward of the foot of 5 the bed when not in use. This means that the lifting frame can be positioned so that it does not interfere with access to the patient. Furthermore an able or mobile person can also use the bed when the lifting frame is not required. The extendible foot portion provides support for the tiltable bed arrangement when in the inclined position. This prevents the bed from tipping during use. 10 Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the exemplified embodiments of the invention, however, it must be understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate and that the invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly the invention can include various modifications, which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be further understood 15 that for the purpose of the specification the word "comprise" or "comprising" means "including but not limited to".

Claims

1. A hoist, for attachment to a tiltable bed, including, a lifting frame having first and second ends attachable to opposing sides of the tiltable bed, the lifting frame pivotable between a lowered position, and a raised 5 position, whereby in the raised position the lifting frame extends outwardly from the tiltable bed such that a mid portion of the lifting frame is positioned apart from a patient receiving surface of said bed, the lifting frame operatable by drive means having a slidable ram and a coupling shaft for movement of the lifting frame between the lowered and 10 raised positions, whereby the coupling shaft is pivotably connected between the lifting frame and the slidable ram, a hoisting device connected to the mid portion of the lifting frame and engagable with a patient support means, wherein a patient may be connected to the patient support means and lifted, to 15 be positioned forward of, and spaced apart from, a foot of the tiltable bed when said bed is in a tilted position.

2. The hoist in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lifting frame includes a generally U-shaped member having generally parallel side portions and a perpendicular mid portion extending therein between. 20

3. The hoist in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein the lifting frame includes telescopic or extendible side portions, to raise the perpendicular mid portion further upwardly off the bed surface when the tiltable bed is in a lowered position, or further away from the bed surface when the tiltable bed is in a tilted position. 25

4. The hoist in accordance with claim 2 or 3 wherein the length of the side portions is greater than the distance between the point where the first and second ends are attached to opposing sides of the tiltable bed and the foot of the tiltable bed.

5. The hoist in accordance with any one of the above claims wherein the hoisting 30 device includes a gearbox for dispensing and retracting of a cable, the cable 15 being coupled to a patient harness that can be used to raise and lower the patient.

6. The hoist in accordance with any one of claim 2 to 5 wherein respective drive means engage each of the side portions of the lifting frame. 5

7. A tiltable bed with hoist, including a bed frame pivotably supporting a mattress platform so that a foot of the mattress platform can be lowered from a resting position to a fully lowered position relative to a head of the mattress platform, the hoist including a patient lifting part supported over a longitudinally central 10 portion of the mattress platform by a side arm attached to a side of the bed and operable to be raised and lowered relative to the mattress support, the patient lifting part can be pivoted between a fully lowered position and a fully raised position, when in a fully lowered position the patient lifting part is adjacent an end of the mattress platform and the fully raised position being such that when 15 the mattress platform is in the fully lowered position the patient lifting part is vertically clear of the foot of the mattress platform.

8. The tiltable bed with hoist in accordance with claim 7 wherein the bed frame includes an upper support portion spaced above a lower support portion, the upper support portion adapted to support a mattress platform and the lower 20 support portion being directly or indirectly ground engaging, the bed frame further including at least one front upright member, positioned towards the foot of the bed, and connecting a front part of the upper and lower support portions and at least one rear upright member, positioned towards the head of the bed, connecting a rear part of the upper and lower support portions. 25

9. The tiltable bed with hoist in accordance with claim 8 wherein the front upright member pivotably connected with the upper support portion and the lower support portion, whereby the rear upright member pivotably connected to the upper support portion and engagable with a track wherein the rear upright member is able to pivot and slid within the track to adjust the relative height of 30 the rear and front of the upper support portion. 16

10. The tiltable bed with hoist in accordance with claim 8 or 9 wherein the front upright member is pivotable with respect to the front part of the upper and lower support portions so that the height of the upper support portion can be raised or lowered relative to the lower support portion. 5

11. The tiltable bed with hoist in accordance with any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the bed frame may be ground engaging by reason of downwardly depending legs, or ground engaging wheels may be provided to facilitate shifting of the bed from one location to another.

12. The tiltable bed with hoist in accordance with any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein 10 the mattress platform is generally rectangular and is of a rigid construction.

13. The tiltable bed with hoist in accordance with any one of claims 7 to 12 wherein the mattress platform may be adjustable and, include a number of subframes or segments that permit adjustment of support to parts of the patient.

14. The tiltable bed with hoist in accordance with claim 7 including, 15 an adjustable bed frame directly or indirectly engagable with a ground surface, the mattress platform, for supporting a mattress, pivotably connected to the bed frame, the mattress platform being elongate extending between a head and a foot portion of the bed, wherein the mattress platform pivots around a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the tiltable bed, 20 the hoist including a lifting frame having first and second ends pivotably attachable to opposing sides of the mattress platform, the lifting frame movable between a lowered position and a raised position wherein a mid portion of the lifting frame is located along an inclined plane relative to an upper surface of the mattress, the lifting frame operatable by a drive means, having a coupling 25 shaft pivotably connected between the lifting frame and a slidable ram, for movement of the lifting frame between the lowered and raised positions, a pulley connected to the mid portion of the lifting frame and engagable with a flexible cable, the tiltable bed arrangement being movable between a rest position whereby 30 an elongate plane of the mattress platform is substantially parallel with the ground surface and an upright position whereby the elongate plane of the mattress platform is oblique to the ground surface, 17 wherein the patient may be connected to the flexible cable and lifted to be positioned forward of, and spaced apart from, the foot of the tiltable bed when in the upright position.

15. A tiltable bed arrangement including, 5 an adjustable bed frame directly or indirectly engagable with a ground surface, a mattress platform pivotably connected to the bed frame, the mattress platform being elongate extending between a head and an extendable foot portion of the bed, wherein the mattress platform pivots around a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the tiltable bed, 10 the tiltable bed arrangement being movable between a lowered position wherein an elongate plane of the mattress platform is substantially parallel with the ground surface and a raised position wherein the elongate plane of the mattress platform is oblique to the ground surface, the foot portion being extendable such that in the raised position the foot portion directly or indirectly 15 engages the ground surface to thereby provide support for the bed frame.

16. The tiltable bed arrangement in accordance with claim 15 wherein the foot portion includes a depending stop.

17. The tiltable bed arrangement in accordance with claim 16 wherein the stop may be a single stop or multiple stops being attached to the underside of the foot 20 portion.

18. The tiltable bed arrangement in accordance with claim 16 or 17 wherein the stop or stops may be constructed from resiliently flexible rubber blocks or may include a dependent roller means.

19. The tiltable bed arrangement in accordance with any one of claims 15 to 18 25 wherein a bed end may be removably attached to foot portion of the bed.

20. The bed hoist or tiltable bed arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the figures.