DEVICE FOR RECORDING, TRANSPORTING AND STORING FURNITURE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for receiving, transporting and storing pieces of furniture, comprising a movable support frame and a lifting device fixed to the movable support frame, wherein the lifting device can raise a first piece of furniture so that a second piece of furniture can be arranged under the first piece of furniture raised by the lifting device, and wherein the movable support frame has a locking device for locking the second piece of furniture to or in the movable support frame.

[0002] German patent application DE 20 2016 103 991 Ul describes and illustrates a mobile cart in which several extendable shelves or wire mesh shelves can be arranged one above the other for storing high-purity products such as medical devices or microsystems technology products. The mobile cart allows the products stored in it to be transported without risk of contamination. However, such mobile carts are not intended or suitable for carrying multiple pieces of furniture.

[0003] It is common practice that furniture such as chairs or tables, which are not permanently needed in one location, are transported and, if necessary, stored on or in transport equipment until they are needed again and set up in their designated place. An example of this is stackable chairs in an event hall, which are set up as needed for each event and then dismantled and stored in a storage room so that the hall can be used for other purposes. The chairs and tables can be moved quickly and easily using a hand truck, for example.

[0004] Mobile transport trolleys are also known, on which stacked chairs or tables can be stored and put away. However, space-saving arrangement and storage of several pieces of furniture on a hand truck or such a transport trolley requires that the furniture in question is stackable. Very heavy or non-stackable furniture cannot be stored and put away in a space-saving manner using the transport trolleys known from practical experience.

[0005] Mobile workshop cranes are also known from practical experience, which could be used to lift very heavy objects such as car engines or, if necessary, very heavy pieces of furniture. Such a device is shown and described, for example, in US 5,988,597 A. However, these types of workshop cranes are not suitable for stacking and transporting more than one very heavy piece of furniture on top of the other.

[0006] US Patent 8,328,029 B1 and US Patent 4,954,038 A each disclose and describe a device designed and suitable for holding two snowmobiles stacked one above the other. The device comprises a frame with a lifting mechanism that allows a first snowmobile to be grasped and lifted, enabling the device to lift a second snowmobile underneath. A variant of this device also includes wheels, allowing it to be moved within a storage area for storing the snowmobiles.

[0007] US Patent 3,902,613 A shows and describes a trailer designed and suitable for transporting two snowmobiles stacked one on top of the other. A first snowmobile is loaded through a tailgate and a ramp that lowers toward the rear of the trailer. The ramp is then raised to a horizontal position by a cable mechanism, so that the first snowmobile protrudes through a rectangular opening in the roof of the trailer body. A second snowmobile is loaded through the tailgate into the space beneath the first snowmobile, which is positioned on the ramp.

[0008] One object of the present invention is therefore considered to be to design a device in such a way that at least two possibly heavy pieces of furniture can be quickly and easily arranged one above the other and transported with this device, and that the treatment of the furniture pieces contained therein with possibly environmentally hazardous substances is made possible with the aid of the device.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by a device according to claim 1, which has a sealing enclosure surrounding a usable space provided for the furniture pieces to be accommodated therein, so that a disinfectant introduced into the device remains within the enclosure, and wherein the device has a disinfectant supply device, wherein the disinfectant supply device can introduce the disinfectant into the enclosure of the device, so that the furniture pieces arranged in the device can be disinfected with the disinfectant. This allows the device according to the invention to be used, for example, to disinfect or decontaminate furniture pieces within the device that are contaminated with pathogenic germs or infested with pests.The disinfectant can be a gas, a mist, or smoke, wherein a mist is defined as a mixture of a gas and a liquid, and smoke as a mixture of a solid phase and a gaseous phase. The disinfectant can, for example, be a mist of air / hydrogen peroxide, air / peracetic acid, or a mixture thereof. Advantageously, the liquid used to generate the mist contains silver ions. The disinfectant can also be a gas such as ozone, formaldehyde, or suifuryl fluoride. It is also possible, and optionally provided according to the invention, for the disinfectant to be a smoke of air / pyrethrum. The smoke can also be flue gas produced by the combustion of organic matter, such as wood.

[0010] To comply with strict hygiene regulations in hospitals, for example, it is advantageous to disinfect the hospital bed with a suitable disinfectant in addition to cleaning and wiping its surfaces. In furniture restoration, for instance, the disinfectant can be used to combat wood-boring insects remaining in wooden furniture infested with wood pests.

[0011] In larger hospitals or restaurants, disinfection usually takes place in a central disinfection facility, meaning that disinfecting individual hospital beds or pieces of furniture involves considerable logistical effort. The hospital beds must be transported from their respective wards to the central disinfection facility, where they are stored and disinfected for an extended period. The disinfection facility itself must be kept ready and maintained. Transporting the hospital beds requires significant personnel resources, especially since frequent bed changes necessitate re-disinfection after a short time.

[0012] In contrast, the device designed with the covering allows for decentralized disinfection of the hospital bed close to the place of actual use of the hospital bed, for example in an unused room or in a corridor area within the respective ward.

[0013] The enclosure seals the enclosed volume, which can be treated with disinfectant during disinfection, from the surrounding environment. This allows the use of potentially environmentally harmful disinfectants without requiring separate protective measures for the surrounding area. Furthermore, by adapting the usable volume to the size of the furniture or hospital beds being disinfected, the amount of disinfectant required can be reduced, especially compared to the rooms typically used as central disinfection facilities in hospitals.

[0014] The sealing of the casing can be adapted to the specific disinfectant intended for use. For example, a simpler casing design can ensure sufficient sealing for a mist-like and non-hazardous disinfectant compared to the sealing required for a gaseous and potentially toxic disinfectant.

[0015] The enclosure can be made of a flexible material, for example, a plastic film, and can surround the support frame on all sides. During the disinfection process, the enclosure is adhered to the substrate and sufficiently sealed. It is also possible, and optionally provided according to the invention, for the enclosure to have dimensionally stable side wall elements and a dimensionally stable roof element, which are connected to each other in a disinfectant-tight manner and surround the support frame and the furniture arranged therein. To create a seal against the floor, sealing elements can be provided that can be moved from the side wall elements to the floor for decontamination. These sealing elements are also designed and arranged to seal against contact surfaces with adjacent sealing elements of neighboring side wall elements.

[0016] It is also conceivable that, in an alternative possible design of the enclosure, the shell side wall elements together with the shell roof element form a dimensionally stable enclosure housing open towards the ground, which can be moved towards the ground for the duration of disinfection in order to stand tightly on the ground and, together with the ground, tightly surround the usable space in the enclosure.

[0017] It is also possible, and conceivable with a view to achieving the tightest and most reliable enclosure of the usable space, for the enclosure to additionally include a base element that limits and seals the enclosure housing towards the floor. This base element can be positioned a short distance above the floor and should only allow for one movement of the device. The piece of furniture or hospital bed to be disinfected then simply needs to be rolled or slid onto the base element positioned directly above the floor, with the possible use of extendable ramps or rails.

[0018] To introduce the disinfectant into the enclosure, the device is provided with a disinfectant dispensing unit. This unit can introduce the disinfectant into the enclosure so that the furniture pieces arranged within the device can be disinfected. The disinfectant dispensing unit can be, for example, a fogging system, a gas injection system, or a flue gas generation system. The disinfectant dispensing unit can be located inside or outside the enclosure and is preferably attached to the support frame.

[0019] According to an advantageous implementation of the invention, the device has a connection device, whereby the disinfectant can be introduced into the device from outside the enclosure through the connection device. In such a configuration of the device, the disinfectant supplied by the disinfectant dispensing device located outside the enclosure can be introduced into the enclosure through the connection device. It is also possible, and optionally provided according to the invention, for a separate disinfectant dispensing device to be connected to the device via the connection device.

[0020] This allows, for example, a portable disinfectant dispensing device to be advantageously connected to the connection device when required and used to disinfect furniture arranged in the enclosure.

[0021] The connection device may also have a connection element accessible from outside the casing, to which a disinfectant hose of the disinfectant supply device can be connected in a force-fit and, if necessary, form-fit gas-tight manner.

[0022] In a further advantageous implementation of the invention, the device includes a control unit, which can record furniture information about the pieces of furniture arranged in the device. This furniture information can, for example, include a furniture identification number assigned to the respective piece of furniture or the time elapsed since the last decontamination. Based on this time elapsed since the last decontamination, a user can be automatically notified of the time of the next disinfection due for the piece of furniture, provided predefined disinfection intervals are specified.

[0023] Furniture information, such as the furniture identification number, can be entered manually by the user using an input element like a touch-sensitive dot-matrix display. It is also possible, and optionally provided according to the invention, for the furniture information to be captured electro-optically by the user. For example, a barcode attached to the piece of furniture can be read with a barcode reader. Alternatively, the furniture information can also be captured automatically and contactlessly by reading a transponder on the respective piece of furniture. The furniture information can be displayed to the user on a display device such as the touch-sensitive dot-matrix display.

[0024] Advantageously, the control device includes a communication device that enables preferably wireless communication with external communication devices, allowing the exchange of information acquired by the control device, including furniture information, with these external devices. Optionally, the control device can use the communication element to connect to a central logistics facility for data transmission, enabling the control device to transmit furniture information and other relevant information to the logistics facility as needed or at predetermined intervals. For example, the central logistics facility can access the furniture identification number or the time elapsed since the last decontamination of the furniture items stored in the device.If the device is intended for use in frequently changing locations, the device may also include a GPS module or other position sensor or position information transmitter and transmit the current location of the device.

[0025] Data transmission communication with external communication devices or with the central logistics facility can take place, for example, via a wireless local area network, via short-range data transmission between devices using radio technology, or via a mobile communication connection.

[0026] The movable support frame advantageously has the largest possible usable interior space, in which a piece of furniture can be arranged so that the movable support frame surrounds it. With this design of the device, a first piece of furniture can be quickly and easily positioned within the support frame and lifted with the lifting device, allowing a second piece of furniture to be positioned underneath it. Consequently, only a footprint corresponding to one of the two pieces of furniture, or the larger of the two, is required for this arrangement. If the second piece of furniture has furniture transport casters, it can be moved and stored together with the lifted first piece of furniture by locking it in or on the support frame using the device according to the invention, thus increasing the efficiency of transporting the furniture.

[0027] The device allows for the stacking of multiple pieces of furniture, thus enabling the storage of several items on a relatively small footprint without requiring extensive structural modifications to the storage room. The movable support frame is designed and constructed to support heavy loads and heavy furniture. The lifting mechanism can be configured so that even heavy or bulky furniture can be lifted by a single user.

[0028] The device according to the invention can have a structurally simple design of the movable support frame, the lifting device, and the locking device. The support frame can, for example, be made of welded or joined or interconnected steel profiles. The device can have laterally arranged handles to facilitate easy movement.

[0029] In an advantageous implementation of the invention, the support frame has a base frame that is open on one front side, allowing the furniture pieces to be placed on the front. In the base area, the support frame has frame elements only on the rear side opposite the front and on adjacent sides, while an interior space enclosed by the support frame is freely accessible from the front, allowing the furniture piece to be easily inserted into the support frame or, if necessary, the support frame to be easily slid over the furniture piece. Additional frame elements can be formed or attached to the base frame, for example, to increase the maximum load-bearing capacity of the support frame or to improve protection against damage for a piece of furniture located within the support frame.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking device can be moved from a receiving position, in which the furniture pieces can be picked up from the front, to a locking position in which a receiving opening formed on the front of the movable support frame is limited. Limiting the receiving opening prevents a piece of furniture located inside the support frame from being moved out again through the receiving opening, so that even if the movable support frame is moved, the furniture piece arranged therein is moved along with it. Preferably, the locking device is designed as a locking bolt hinged to the front of the support frame. The locking device can also be designed as a locking chain.It is also possible and optionally provided for that the foot frame forms clamping elements that project inwards in the locking position.

[0031] To make the support frame movable, it is preferably provided that the support frame has transport rollers arranged on the base frame, preferably swiveling transport rollers. It is also possible, and optionally provided according to the invention, that at least two of the transport rollers are electrically driven.

[0032] To prevent potential collisions between the furniture's swiveling casters, one embodiment of the invention advantageously provides that the device includes guide rails into which the furniture can be inserted. These guide rails can be positioned directly above a support surface of the movable frame, for example, on the sides of the base. Advantageously, the guide rails are arranged only slightly above the support surface and may be equipped with beveled entry ramps to facilitate insertion of the furniture. Furthermore, the guide rails may be mounted on the base so as to be height-adjustable or tiltable.

[0033] To increase the mechanical stability of the support frame, it is preferably provided that the support frame has a surrounding head frame. Advantageously, further elements can be attached to the head frame, which are required for lifting a piece of furniture or which serve to protect the furniture pieces held in the support frame from environmental influences or damage.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the lifting device has a group of at least two engagement elements arranged on opposite sides of the support frame, wherein the group of engagement elements can be brought into engagement with the first piece of furniture, and wherein each engagement element of the group of engagement elements is operatively connected to a drive device via mechanical actuating means, so that the first piece of furniture can be lifted by the lifting device by operating the drive device.

[0035] In this embodiment of the invention, the first piece of furniture arranged in the support frame can be quickly and easily grasped and lifted by the lifting device. The at least two engagement elements can be, for example, hooks or angled support elements. The mechanical actuating means can be, for example, racks or threaded rods. If the lifting device has a cable pull mechanism, the actuating means can be ropes, chains, or straps. The drive device can be, for example, an electric motor. It is also possible, and optionally provided for according to the invention, that the actuating means and the drive device form a single unit and are designed as linear drives, such as electric linear drives, pneumatic cylinders, or hydraulic cylinders.

[0036] The at least two engagement elements can be arranged at approximately the same height when used as intended. The at least two engagement elements can also be independently height-adjustable to accommodate irregularly shaped pieces of furniture. Such a design of the lifting device can be achieved by using rope-based components, for example, with a friction buckle, a rope clamp, or a rope deflection mechanism. Particularly when using separate linear drives for each engagement element, independent height adjustment of the respective engagement elements relative to each other can be carried out quickly and easily.

[0037] Preferably, one drive unit or, optionally, several drive units of the device can be operated independently. It is also possible, and optionally provided according to the invention, that the drive unit is supplied with energy from an energy source kept at a point of use, for example, via an electrical power cable or a compressed air line.

[0038] Advantageously, the device has a control unit, preferably operable from the front of the device, with which the lifting mechanism can be operated. The electrically driven transport rollers can optionally also be operated via the control unit.

[0039] To enable simple and cost-effective manufacturing and virtually maintenance-free operation of the lifting device, the actuating elements are designed to be cable components, preferably cable pulley systems. When using cable pulleys with deflection pulleys, the drive unit can be positioned in the area of ​​the base frame, thereby lowering the device's center of gravity and reducing the potential risk of tipping.

[0040] In an advantageous implementation of the invention, the lifting device has at least two guide rails arranged laterally on the support frame, each associated with an engagement element. Each engagement element is positively guided by its associated guide rail, and the at least two engagement elements are operatively connected to the drive unit. The engagement elements guided in the guide rails can be actuated by the cable elements or by the cable pull devices. It is also possible, and optionally provided for according to the invention, that the engagement elements guided in the guide rails are driven directly by electric linear actuators, pneumatic cylinders, or hydraulic cylinders.

[0041] To facilitate the handling of furniture, the at least two engagement elements are pivotably mounted on the corresponding guide rail. Preferably, these engagement elements are designed as angled support elements projecting from the guide rail. The engagement elements can be spring-loaded, allowing them to pivot upwards without any load being placed on them. Preferably, the pivotable engagement elements have a stop so that they cannot pivot downwards arbitrarily far and can, for example, be fixed in a horizontal position to allow a piece of furniture to be grasped and lifted.

[0042] To design the device for use with multiple pieces of furniture, it is advantageously provided that the device has at least two independently operable groups of at least two engagement elements, so that the device can lift at least two pieces of furniture. In such a design of the device, the at least two groups of engagement elements are advantageously operable independently of each other with only one drive unit. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the at least two groups of engagement elements are operable with the associated drive unit. Particularly in the case of the use of linear drives, each individual engagement element can be operated by an associated drive unit. In such an embodiment of the invention, the at least two engagement elements belonging to the group are operable together.

[0043] To enable the device to operate autonomously, it is advantageously provided that the device includes an energy storage device for operating the drive unit. For example, the drive unit could include a battery or a compressed air tank.

[0044] To protect the furniture pieces that can be transported and, if necessary, stored in the device from environmental influences, it is preferably provided that the device has an outer covering that partially surrounds the device or the movable support frame. Furthermore, it is possible, and optionally provided according to the invention, that the receiving opening formed on the front of the device is designed to be closable, for example, with hinged doors attached laterally to the support frame or with a roller blind.

[0045] Preferably, the device is adapted for use with hospital beds. The device can be designed such that the support frame, with regard to its dimensions and maximum permissible load capacity, is designed to accommodate hospital beds, and the lifting mechanism is designed to lift hospital beds. Advantageously, the device is quick and easy to clean in order to meet even the strict hygiene regulations of hospitals. Furthermore, it is possible, and optionally provided according to the invention, that the device does not contain any highly flammable components or is equipped with additional fire retardants to comply with hospital fire safety regulations.

[0046] In order to transport the device with two hospital beds contained within it as freely as possible within the premises of a hospital and to store it in storage rooms often located in the basement, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the device does not exceed a maximum height of 1.9 meters, a maximum width of 1.1 meters and a maximum length of 2.3 meters.

[0047] Some exemplary embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the drawing, are explained in more detail below. They show: Figures 1 to 3 each a schematic representation of different embodiments of a device according to the invention, Figure 4 a schematic representation of an enclosure of the device with a disinfectant supply unit connected to the enclosure, and Figure 5 a schematic representation of a detailed view of the in Figure 4device shown.

[0048] In Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 has a movable support frame 2. The support frame 2 has a base frame 4 that is open on a front face 3 of the device 1 and is arranged near a contact surface of the support frame 2 on a substrate. Transport rollers 5 are attached to the base frame 4, by means of which the support frame 2 can be moved on the substrate.

[0049] The support frame 2 further comprises a head frame 6 arranged at a distance from the base on the floor. The foot frame 4 and the head frame 5 are connected to each other by vertical struts 7. A locking device 8 is arranged on one of the struts 7, which are arranged along an edge on the front 3. In the embodiment shown here, this locking device is designed as a pivotable latch. The latch can be pivoted upwards and placed against the strut 7 to release the front 3 and allow a piece of furniture to be inserted into the interior enclosed by the support frame 2. The latch can also be pivoted into a horizontal position and its free end secured against an opposite strut 7 to hold a piece of furniture inside the support frame 2.

[0050] A lifting device 9 is attached to the support frame 2. The lifting device 9 has four engagement elements 10, which are designed here as hooks. The lifting device 9 also has actuating elements 11, via which the engagement elements 10 are operatively connected to a drive unit 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the actuating elements 11 are cable pulley devices with cable elements and deflection pulleys 13.

[0051] The drive unit 12 is an electric motor. In order to enable the embodiment of the device 1 shown here to be used independently of a permanent connection to a power grid, the device 1 has an energy storage device 14, which is designed as a rechargeable accumulator.

[0052] In Figure 2A second embodiment of the device 1 is shown. In this embodiment of the device 1, the head frame 6 and the base frame 4 are connected to each other by four lateral surface elements 15. Each of the lateral surface elements 15 has a guide rail 16. A grip element 10 is positively guided in each of the guide rails 16. The grip elements 10 are support elements pivotably mounted on the associated guide rail 16. In this embodiment, the locking device 8 has two pivotable bolts.

[0053] The in Figure 2 The illustrated device 1 also has mounting rails 17 arranged directly above the floor. A piece of furniture, for example a hospital bed that can be moved on its own casters, can be inserted into the mounting rails 17 and thus stored at a distance from the floor in the device 1 and moved together with the support frame 2.

[0054] In Figure 3 A third embodiment of the device 1 is shown in an exemplary frontal view. In the device 1, a first piece of furniture 18, with a first group 19 of engagement elements 10, and a second piece of furniture 20, with a second group 21 of engagement elements 10, are arranged one above the other within the support frame 2, each raised. A third piece of furniture 22 is arranged beneath the second piece of furniture 20. The three pieces of furniture 18, 20, and 22 are hospital beds. The pieces of furniture 18, 20, and 22 have furniture transport casters 23. The third piece of furniture 22 is locked in the transport frame 2 by a locking device 8, so that the two pieces of furniture 18 and 20 and the third piece of furniture 22 can be transported simultaneously with the device 1.

[0055] In Figure 4Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a casing 24 sealing the usable volume of the device 1, with a disinfectant dispensing device 25 connected to the casing 24. For clarity, the support frame 2 surrounding the casing 24, with the lifting device 9 attached to the support frame 2, is shown in Figure 2. Figure 4(Not shown) the enclosure 24 surrounds the support frame 2 and the furniture pieces 18, 20, 22 contained therein. The enclosure 24 comprises a door element 26 that is open to receive the furniture pieces 18, 20, 22. Furthermore, the enclosure 24 comprises a door element frame 27, three side wall elements 28, a roof element 29, and a bottom element 30. After the furniture pieces 18, 20, 22 have been received through the closed door element 26, the enclosure 24 seals the device 1 from the surroundings. The enclosure 24 can be designed to be lowered to the floor with the bottom element 30 to receive the furniture pieces 18, 20, 22.

[0056] The disinfectant dispensing device 25 is connected to the connection device 32 of the device 1 via a disinfectant hose 31. The connection device 32 forms a closable opening in the enclosure 24 through which the disinfectant supplied by the disinfectant dispensing device 25 can be introduced into the usable space enclosed by the enclosure 24. In the embodiment of the device 1 shown here, the disinfectant dispensing device 25 is designed as a portable fogging system separate from the device 1. For the decontamination of the furniture pieces 18, 20, 22, a disinfectant can be introduced into the enclosure 24 of the device 1 using the disinfectant dispensing device 25.A user can enter a furniture identification number for the respective piece of furniture 18, 20, 22 to be included in the device 1 on a touch-sensitive dot-matrix display element of a control device 33.

[0057] In Figure 5 is a schematic detail view of the in Figure 4The illustrated embodiment of the device 1 is shown. The control unit 33 comprises a display element 34 and an operating unit 35. In the embodiment of the device 1 shown here, the display element 34 is designed as a dot-matrix display and the operating unit 35 as a keypad. The control unit 33 includes a reader 36 for contactless reading of the furniture identification number stored on a transponder of the furniture pieces 18, 20, 22. The display element 34 can, for example, show the furniture identification number and a position of the furniture pieces 18, 20, 22 held in the device 1. In addition, the display element 34 can show the duration and remaining time of a disinfection process taking place within the device 1. The control unit 33 also includes a position determination module 37.The positioning module can, for example, be a receiver for satellite-based positioning such as a Global Positioning System (GPS). The positioning module can also be a receiver for a local network, where the device's position can be determined by calculating a distance and, optionally, an angle to a multitude of fixed base stations of the local network, with the location of each base station being known.

[0058] The control device 33 also includes a communication device 38, with which the control device 33 can communicate wirelessly with external communication devices or with a central logistics facility. The communication device 38 can, for example, transmit data to the external communication devices or the central logistics facility via a mobile communication connection. For example, the position of the device 1 or the furniture identification number of the furniture pieces 18, 20, 22 recorded by the device 1 can be transmitted from the device 1 to the external communication devices or the central logistics facility. In this way, for example, the device 1 can facilitate the central management of hospital beds. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0059] 1 Device 2 Support frame 3 Front 4 Base frame 5 Transport casters 6 Head frame 7 Struts 8 Locking device 9 Lifting device 10 Access elements 11 Actuating elements 12 Drive device 13 Deflection casters 14 Energy storage 15 Surface elements 16 Guide rails 17 Mounting rails 18 First piece of furniture 19 First group of access elements 20 Second piece of furniture 21 Second group of access elements 22 Third piece of furniture 23 Furniture transport casters 24 Enclosure 25 Disinfectant dispensing device 26 Enclosure door element 27 Enclosure door element frame 28 Enclosure side wall elements 29 Enclosure roof element 30 Enclosure bottom element 31 Disinfectant hose 32 Connection device 33 Control device 34 Display element 35 Operating device 36 Reader 37 Position determination module 38 Communication device

Claims

1. Device (1) for receiving, transporting and storing pieces of furniture (18, 20, 22), comprising a movable support rack (2) and comprising a lifting means (9) fastened to the movable support rack, wherein it is possible to lift a first piece of furniture (18) using the lifting apparatus (9) such that a second piece of furniture (20) can be arranged below the first piece of furniture (18) that has been lifted by the lifting apparatus (9), and wherein the movable support rack (2) comprises a locking apparatus (8) for locking the second piece of furniture (20) on or in the movable support rack (2), and wherein the device (1) comprises a cover (24) that seals the usable space in the device (1) intended for the pieces of furniture (18, 20, 22) that can be received therein, such that a disinfectant introduced into the device (1) remains within the cover (24), characterised in that the device (1) comprises a disinfectant supply means (25), wherein the disinfectant supply means (25) is able to introduce the disinfectant into the cover (24) of the device (1) such that the pieces of furniture (18, 20, 22) arranged in the device (1) can be disinfected by the disinfectant.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the device (1) comprises a connection means (32), wherein it possible to introduce the disinfectant into the device (1) from outside the cover (24) through the connection means (32).

3. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device (1) comprises a monitoring means (33), wherein it is possible to record furniture information regarding the pieces of furniture (18, 20, 22) arranged in the device (1) by means of the monitoring means (33).

4. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support rack (2) comprises a base frame (4) that is open at a front side (3) such that the device (1) can receive the pieces of furniture (18, 20, 22) at the front side (3) of the base frame (4).

5. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking means (8) can be moved from a receiving position, in which the pieces of furniture can be received at the front side (3) of the device (1), into a locking position, in which a receiving opening provided at the front side (3) of the movable support rack (2) is restricted.

6. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, if dependent on claim 4, characterised in that the support rack (2) comprises transport rollers (5), preferably pivotable transport rollers (5), arranged on the base frame (4).

7. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support rack (2) comprises receiving rails (17), into which the piece of furniture (18, 20, 22) can be slid.

8. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support rack (2) comprises a peripheral top frame (6).

9. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lifting means (9) comprises a group (19, 21) of at least two engagement elements (10) arranged on opposite sides of the support rack (2), wherein it is possible to bring the group (19, 21) of engagement elements (10) into engagement with the first piece of furniture (18), and wherein each engagement element (10) in the group (19, 21) of engagement elements (10) is operatively connected to a drive means (12) by mechanical actuation means (11), such that the first piece of furniture (18) can be lifted by the lifting means (9) by operating the drive means (12).

10. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the mechanical actuation means (11) of the lifting means (9) are cable elements, preferably cable-hoist means.

11. Device (1) according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterised in that the lifting means (9) comprises at least two guide rails (16) that are arranged on the sides of the support rack (2) and are each assigned to an engagement element (10), wherein each engagement element (10) is forcibly guided by the assigned guide rail (16), wherein the at least two engagement elements (10) are operatively connected to the drive means (12).

12. Device (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the at least two engagement elements (10) are pivotally mounted on the associated guide rail (16).

13. Device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that the device (2) comprises at least two separately operable groups (19, 21) of at least two engagement elements (10) each, such that the device (1) can lift at least two pieces of furniture (18, 20, 22).

14. Device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterised in that the device (1) comprises an energy storage device (14) for operating the drive means (12).

15. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device (1) comprises outer cladding that surrounds the device (1) in regions.

16. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device (1) is adapted for use for hospital beds.

17. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device (1) does not exceed a maximum height of 1.9 metres, a maximum width of 1.1 metres and a maximum length of 2.3 metres.