Abstract: The lifting device comprises essentially a flat, rigid frame suitable for wall fixing, formed by two longitudinally slotted vertical guide posts connected together at top and bottom by cross-struts. Within each guide post a screw-shaft spindle is set on bearings, and the two spindles can be driven in the same sense of rotation by a common motor. Two nuts placed above each other a certain distance apart run on each screw-shaft spindle and are guided along the slot in their respective post. A cantilever is attached to the pair of nuts in each guide post and projects from the plane of the frame. When a bed or other load is in a raised position, the space below it is left completely free and is freely accessible.