Carrier for supporting user's body

Claim 2

A carrier for supporting a user's body and for changing a horizontal rest posture of the user to a topsy-turvy posture, comprising: a first support means for normally carrying thereon the user's body substantially in the horizontal rest posture, said first support means being movable to a vertical upright position so that the posture of the user is changed to the topsy-turvy posture, at least one second support means pivotally mounted to one side of said first support means, said second support means being pivotable to overlie and sandwich the user's body when changing the posture of the user and being rotatable together with said first support means to transfer the user's body from said first support means to said second support means, and drive means operatively associated with at least one of said first and second support means for rotating said first and second support means together to transfer the user's body from said first support means to said second support means.

Claim 3

The carrier according to claim 1, wherein said drive means is operatively associated with only one of said first and second support means and wherein said first and second support means are linked together by link means.

Claim 4

The carrier according to claim 1, wherein a said second support means is provided at each side of said first support means.

Claim 5

The carrier according to claim 3, further comprising second drive means for pivoting said first support means about a pivot axis extending substantially along the longitudial center line of said first support means.

Claim 6

The carrier according to claim 3, wherein each said second support means is operatively associated with a corresponding drive means.

Claim 7

The carrier according to claim 1, wherein said first support means is provided with fixation means for fixing the user's body in situ on said first support means.

Claim 8

The carrier according to claim 1, wherein said first support means is provided with an opening through which liquid and solid body wastes are discharged.

Claim 9

The carrier according to claim 1, wherein said second support means is provided with removal prevention means for preventing the user's body from being removed from said second support means when said user's body is transferred from said first support means to said second support means while changing the the user's body into the topsy-turvy posture.

Claim 10

The carrier according to claim 8, wherein said removal prevention means is a ledge member slidingly contained in said second support member and adapted to be extended sideward of said second support means.

Claim 11

The carrier according to claim 8, wherein said removal prevention means is a grasping bar to be grasped by the user's hand.

Claim 12

The carrier according to claim 1, wherein said second support means is provided with removal prevention means for preventing the user's body from being removed from said second support means when said user's body is laid on said second support means substantially in a horizontal rest posture, said removal prevention means being a member which is contained in said second support means and which is extensible and pivotable to an upstanding protective position.

Claim 13

The carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second support means is provided with a recess or opening for preventing compressive force from being applied to the heart of the user.

Claim 14

The carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second support means is provided with reclining means.

Claim 15

The carrier according to claim 1, wherein said drive means includes a piston-cylinder unit actuated by fluid pressure, and a link mechanism for linking said piston-cylinder unit with at least one of said first and second support means.

Claim 16

The carrier according to claim 1, further comprising: movable carriage means for supporting thereon the user's body when it is desired to raise said user's body from said first support means; elevator means for suspending said movable carriage means to raise or lower the same; and transport means for moving said elevator means therealong; said elevator means being operatively associated with drive means for operating said reclining means to raise or lower said movable carriage means.

Claim 17

A carrier for supporting a user's body and for changing a horizontal rest posture of the user to a topsy-turvy posture, comprising: a first support means for normally carrying thereon the user's body substantially in the horizontal rest posture, said first support means being movable to a vertical upright position so that the posture of the user is changed to the topsy-turvy posture, at least one second support means pivotally mounted to one side of said first support means, said second support means being pivotable to overlie and sandwich the user's body when changing the posture of the user and being rotatable together with said first support means to transfer the user's body from said first support means to said second support means, drive means operatively associated with at least one of said first and second support means for rotating said first and second support means together to transfer the user's body from said first support means to said second support means, movable carriage means for supporting thereon the user's body when it is desired to raise the user's body from said first support means, elevator means for suspending said movable carriage means to raise or lower the same, and transport means for moving said elevator means therealong, said elevator means being operatively associated with said drive means to raise or lower said movable carriage means.

Claim 18

A carrier for supporting a user's body and for changing a horizontal rest posture of the user to a topsy-turvy posture, comprising: a first support means for normally carrying thereon the user's body substantially in the horizontal rest posture, said first support means being movable to a vertical upright position so that the posture of the user is changed to the topsy-turvy posture, at least one second support means pivotally mounted to one side of said first support means, said second support means being pivotable to overlie and sandwich the user's body when changing the posture of the user and being rotatable together with said first support means to transfer the user's body from said first support means to said second support means, drive means operatively associated with at least one of said first and second support means for rotating said first and second support means together to transfer the user's body from said first support means to said second support means, movable carriage means for supporting thereon the user's body when it is desired to raise the user's body from said first support means, elevator means for suspending said movable carriage means to raise or lower the same, and transport means for moving said elevator means therealong, said elevator means being operatively associated with said drive means to raise or lower said movable carriage means.

Claim 19

The carrier according to claim 16, wherein said elevator means includes a pulley and a wire or rope having one end connected to said movable carriage means and the other end connected to said first support means.

Claim 20

The carrier according to claim 16, wherein said elevator means includes a pulley and a wire or rope having one end connected to said movable carriage means and the other end connected to said second support means.

Claim 21

The carrier according to claim 16, wherein said transport means includes an overhead track and wheel or roller means connected to said pulley and adapted to run along said overhead truck.

Claim 22

The carrier according to claim 16, further comprising holder means for holding said movable carriage means at a fixed height while said movable carriage means is moved or transported along said transport means.