Friction-lift torso harness and patient handling device

A friction-lift torso harness for patient handling, the patient handling including raising and lowering a seated patient between a seated position and a raised activity position by lifting said friction-lift torso harness with a patient lift hoist, said friction-lift torso harness including:

• a tensioning mechanism, including at least one tensioning strand;
• and
• one or more torso-engagement sections coupled to said tensioning mechanism;
• wherein, during at least part of the raising of a patient wearing said friction-lift torso harness, said friction-lift torso harness is configured to apply a compressive force to the patient's torso above the patient's hips, between at least two opposing exterior torso portions;
• wherein the compressive force is applied with said tensioning mechanism via said one or more torso-engagement sections;
• wherein said tensioning mechanism includes a pulley system with at least one rotatable pulley, said at least one tensioning strand passing about said at least one rotatable pulley;
• and
• wherein the compressive force applied by said tensioning mechanism is proportional to the patient's weight being contemporaneously applied to the patient lift hoist.