#$%^&*AU2015238822A120151126.pdf#####ABSTRACT The invention provides a patient lifting frame for use with an invalid hoist for lifting and supporting an invalid patient. The lifting frame comprises a pair of suspension 5 side bars (1) each of which has an upper end portion and a lower end portion and which is provided at its upper end portion with a linkage (2) for connection to a spreader bar of the invalid hoist and at its lower end portion with a suspension mounting (4). Each suspension mounting (4) comprises a pivotal/rotary connector (4A) which is pivotally connected to an associated side bar (1) and which rotatably 10 mounts a cantilever side bar assembly (4B). On one side of the pivotal axis of the pivotal/rotary connector (4A) there is connected a patient upper body support frame. On the other side of the pivotal axis of the pivotal/rotary connector (4A) there is connected a patient lower body support means (28,28) for engaging and supporting the posterior or upper legs of the patient. The patient upper body support frame 15 comprises a pair of side frame elements (13,15,16) including patient underarm support elements (13) for passing beneath the armpits of the patient and a pair of padded side plates (15,16), one suspended from each of the said patient underarm support elements (13) of the side frame elements, which engage in use against opposite sides of the patients ribcage and are drawn in against the ribcage by straps 20 (29,33) connecting together the padded side plates (15,16). The patient upper body support frame further comprises a link bar assembly (9) connecting together the side frame elements. Each end of the link bar assembly (9) is connected to an associated one of the cantilever side bar assemblies (4B) through a universal joint (8), each universal joint (8) and link bar assembly (9) combination being such as to permit 25 pivotal movement of each of the cantilever side bar assemblies (4B) relative to the link bar assembly (9) about three mut
