Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6389623
-
Patent Number
6,389,623
-
Date Filed
Thursday, March 23, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 21, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Killworth, Gottman, Hagan & Schaeff LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 005 611
- 005 610
- 005 617
- 005 618
- 005 861
- 005 11
- 005 627
- 005 625
- 005 811 R
- 005 424
- 005 425
- 005 613
- 005 723
- 005 658
- 296 20
- 016 35 R
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A stretcher comprised of a roller base, a scissor-type lift frame having a lower end rotatably connected to the base, a tubular undercarriage rotatably and slidably connected to an upper end of the frame, a foldable rigid support positionable over the undercarriage, a soft, foldable cushion positionable over the support and connected thereto to prevent disassociation therefrom, and first and second side-arm supports rotatably connected to the undercarriage. The lift frame includes left and right side assemblies, each side assembly having a fixed-length leg member and a telescoping variable-length leg member, both of which are rotatably connected to the base, and rotatably and/or slidably connected to the undercarriage. The leg members of each side assembly are connected to one another at their respective mid-sections by a joint, and are rotatable with respect to one another along an axis of the joint, which is offset from the member's central axes. The undercarriage includes first and second longitudinal frame members and first and second movable end extensions. Internal to each of the longitudinal frame members is a releasably locking mechanism to lock the stretcher at a predetermined height. The internal locking mechanism is releasable allowing the stretcher to be vertically adjusted by either one or two thumb triggers, located at one of the movable end extensions.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an emergency stretcher for emergency vehicles, and more particularly, to an emergency stretcher with an improved height adjustment feature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typically, an emergency stretcher for emergency vehicles includes a patient litter vertically movable by an X-frame undercarriage that is supported by a wheel base. Examples of such prior art stretchers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,097,941, 4,192,541, 4,767,148, 5,537,700, and 5,575,026. Although the prior art stretchers have been generally adequate for their intended purposes, they have not been satisfactory in all aspects.
For example, some of these prior art X-frame undercarriages include a releasable locking mechanism having springs, saw toothed members, levers, and horizontal cross members that are external and exposed underneath the patient litter. In some emergency situation, blood soaking through or around the litter padding may contaminate the exposed parts of the undercarriage making the cleaning of the stretcher more difficult. Additionally, some of these prior art stretchers include crossbars on the X-frame undercarriages for added support strength, but having these crossbars adds further to the cleaning problem.
Furthermore, when a number of ambulances respond to an emergency situation the stretchers from the various unit are often not interchangeable due to the incompatible fastening systems on the cots with some of the responding ambulances. This is a problem in the situations where a unit is the first to respond to a scene to retrieve patients but is block-in by later arriving emergency vehicles. If the securing attachment of the stretcher of the first responding ambulance is incompatible with the securing system of an unblocked ambulance, then the patient will either need to be move to a compatible stretcher or wait until the carrying ambulance is freed from the traffic of emergency vehicles.
Accordingly, there is a need for an emergency stretcher with an improved undercarriage that does not have an exposed releasable locking mechanism for vertical height adjustment, does not require crossbars, and has a fastening arrangement that makes it universal with a majority of the cot fastening systems carried on emergency vehicles.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This need is met by the present invention wherein a stretcher comprises, generally, a roller base, a scissor-type lift frame having a lower end rotatably connected to the base, a tubular undercarriage rotatably and slidably connected to an upper end of the frame, a foldable patient support positionable over the undercarriage, a soft, foldable cushion positionable over the patient support and connected thereto to prevent disassociation therefrom, and first and second side-arm supports rotatably connected to the undercarriage.
The wheeled base is rectangular and supports caster wheels at its comers and includes an attachment which permit the stretcher to be secured within conventional ambulances. The lift frame includes a pair of fixed-length leg members and a pair of telescoping variable-length leg members, both of which are rotatably connected to the wheeled base. One of each pair of the leg members is connected to one another at their respective mid-sections by a joint, and is rotatable with respect to one another along an axis of the joint, which is offset from the leg member's central axes. This allows the leg members to be aligned with one another when the frame is fully collapsed. The variable-length leg members may include gas-charged cylinders therein to assist in extending the lift frame and in raising the stretcher thereby.
The undercarriage includes first and second longitudinal frame members and first and second movable end extensions. The upper ends of the fixed-length members of the lift frame are rotatably connected to the undercarriage, whereas the upper ends of the variable-length members of the lift frame are slidably, as well as rotatably, connected to the undercarriage. A securing device is provided internally to the longitudinal frame members, wherein a pair of securing bars are slidably positioned therein. Each securing bar has one or more recesses spaced there along which is engaged by one of a pair of latches to lock the stretcher at a predetermined height. Each latch is disengaged from the recess of the slidable securing bar by either one or two thumb triggers, located at one of the movable end extensions. Both movable end extensions of the stretcher can be rotatably adjusted from a planar position, to a beveled position and to a dropped position by an associated end release lever.
The patient support and the cushion affixed thereto are also adjustable in thirds and the rigid support includes a mechanical or gas-charged cylinder to assist lifting. Preferably, these components have waffle-type engagement ends to permit articulatable attachment of the three pieces. The side-arm supports rotate about an axis which is offset from the axis of the longitudinal frame members, thereby providing 180 degrees rotational freedom of the side-arm supports from a vertically-up position to a vertically-down position.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, provided is an emergency stretcher, comprising a vertically adjustable wheeled undercarriage having a tubular frame member providing a cavity; an articulatable patient support mount to the undercarriage; and a securing device accommodated within the cavity of the tubular frame member to releasably arrest vertical movement of the patient support by the undercarriage.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, provided is an emergency stretcher, comprising a vertically adjustable wheeled undercarriage having opposed first and second longitudinal frame members each having a proximate end and a distal end, the undercarriage includes a first movable end extension rotatably mounted at the proximate end of each the longitudinal support members, and a second movable end extension rotatably mounted at the distal end of each the longitudinal support members; an articulatable patient support provided on the undercarriage; and a securing device mounted to the undercarriage to releasably arrest vertical movement of the patient support by the undercarriage.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, provided is an emergency stretcher, comprising a vertically adjustable wheeled undercarriage having opposed first and second longitudinal frame members each having a proximate end, the undercarriage includes a first movable end extension rotatably mounted at the proximate end of each the longitudinal support members, the first movable end extension being positionable in at least two positions; an articulatable patient support provided on the undercarriage; a securing device mounted to the undercarriage to releasably arrest vertical movement of the patient support by the undercarriage; and at least one release flipper mounted to the first movable end extension and operational connected to the securing device such that depressing the at least one release flippers will release the securing device in the at least two positions, thereby permitting the vertical movement of the patient support by the undercarriage.
Other objects of the present invention will be apparent in light of the description of the invention embodied herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
FIG. 1
is a side view of an emergency stretcher which embodies the present invention, with a longitudinal frame member illustrated by a partial sectional view showing an internal securing device of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of the emergency stretcher of
FIG. 1
, with one of the provided side-arm supports folded completely down;
FIG. 3
is a side view of the holding device for the leg support portion of emergency stretcher of the present invention;
FIGS. 4
a
and
4
b
are bottom and back section views, respectively, of the emergency stretcher of
FIG. 1
along section line
4
—
4
, illustrating the manner in which a foldable cushion is releasably connected to a patient support of the emergency stretcher;
FIG. 5
is a section view of a docking hinge of the present invention adapted to receive an accessory attachment;
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of the emergency stretcher of
FIG. 1
, with an articulatable patient support and side-arm supports omitted for purposes of clarity;
FIG. 7
is a close-up side view of a wheel brake used with the emergency stretcher of the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a section view of the emergency stretcher of
FIG. 6
along section line
8
—
8
, illustrating the construction of a frame member of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of a second movable end extension of the emergency stretcher of the present invention;
FIG. 10
is an exploded view of a first movable end extension of the emergency stretcher of the present invention;
FIG. 11
is a perspective fragmented view of a longitudinal frame member of the emergency stretcher of the present invention, partially cut-away showing a securing device of the present invention; and
FIG. 12
is a side view of the stretcher of
FIG. 1
, in a different operational position;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, illustrated in an elevated position is an emergency stretcher
10
, which is designed to be rolled into and fastened to ambulances or other emergency vehicles having different floor heights and fastening systems. The stretcher
10
includes an articulatable patient support
12
used to transport a patient placed thereon, a vertically adjustable undercarriage
14
having a pair of side-arm supports
16
,
18
rotatably connected to the undercarriage
14
. The undercarriage
14
includes an approximately rectangular support frame
20
, a scissor-type lift mechanism
22
, and a wheeled base frame
24
. Optionally, the support frame
20
may include a foldable handle bar
25
for easier handling and maneuverability. The support frame
20
is height-adjustable relative to the wheeled base frame
24
by the lift mechanism
22
between the shown elevated position and the fully collapsed position of
FIG. 12
, and a number of relative positions therebetween. To accomplish the lifting, the lift mechanism
22
has its lower ends
26
,
28
rotatably connected to the wheeled base frame
24
, a first upper end
30
rotatably connected to the support frame
20
, and a second upper end
32
rotatably and slidably connected to the support frame
20
. Additionally, a securing device
33
is provided internally to the support frame
20
to releasably arrest the vertical movement of the undercarriage securing the support frame at its height-adjusted position. A more specific detailed discussion now follows regarding the construction of the emergency stretcher
10
.
The patient support
12
includes a rectangular, longitudinally extending rigid body bed
34
that is articulated in thirds, forming a vertically adjustable back rest portion
36
, a seat portion
38
, and a vertically adjustable leg support portion
40
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the seat portion
38
is rotatably connected or hinged to both the back rest portion
36
and leg support portion
40
by a waffle-type engagement or bifurcated hinge end portions
42
and
44
. The hinge end portions
42
and
44
are integrally formed in each portion of the rigid body bed
34
, and thus, preferably, the rigid body bed is made of a molded thermoplastic construction, but alternatively can be any rigid material, such as aluminum or steel. Accordingly, the hinge end portions
42
and
44
of the rigid body bed
34
are held together by pivot pins
46
and
48
, indicated by the dotted lines. It is to be appreciated that the hinge end portions
42
and
44
are orientated so that the patient support
12
may be positioned to provide support and comfort to a patient during transport.
The vertically adjustable back rest portion
36
of the patient support
12
, shown in its upright position, is movable to a reclined position as illustrated by the broken lines in FIG.
1
. The back rest portion
36
of the patient support
12
is assisted from the reclined position to the upright position, and a plurality of positions therebetween indicated by the arrow line in
FIG. 1
, by a lifting device
50
attached at an upper end to a back surface
52
of the back rest portion
36
. Preferably, the lifting device
50
is a gas-assisted cylinder, or alternatively a hydraulically or mechanically-assisted cylinder. In the preferred embodiment, manipulation of a lever
54
, also provided at the upper end of the lifting device, causes the gas-assisted cylinder
50
to raise or lower the back rest portion
36
as desired. That is, depressing or raising the lever
54
operates a detent on the gas-assisted cylinder
50
which releases a locking mechanism internally on the cylinder and permits movement of the back rest portion
36
of the patient support
12
. When the lever
54
is released, it moves back to a centered, at rest, position permitting the detent on the cylinder to rise and lock the back rest portion
36
in place. The lower end of the lifting device
50
is connected to the undercarriage
14
by a rotatable mount
56
(
FIG. 6
) so that it may rotate downward as it retracts permitting the back rest portion
36
to be placed in the reclined position. As shown in
FIG. 2
, hand grips
55
are integrally form in both the back rest and leg support portions of the rigid body bed to further assist the technician in the lifting of these portion, and of which a discussion regarding the leg support portion now follows.
The vertically adjustable leg support portion
40
of the patient support
12
, shown in a raised position, is movable to a reclined position as illustrated by the broken lines in FIG.
1
. The leg support portion
40
of the patient support
12
is maintained at the raised position by a slidable arm
58
rotatably mounted to the undercarriage
14
at a first end
60
(FIG.
6
), and slidably mounted to an underside
62
of the leg support portion
40
at a second end
64
, best seen in FIG.
3
.
FIG. 3
shows that the slidable arm
58
at the second end
64
includes a pin
66
, wherein the arm moves between a pair of guide slots
68
provided on the underside
62
of the leg support portion
40
to which the pin slides there within. A holding device
70
locks the pin
66
of the arm
58
in place by a hook
72
when the leg support portion is in the raise position. The holding device
70
is mounted to the underside
62
of the leg support portion adjacent the guide slots
68
. As the pin
66
moves towards the holding device
70
, from the lifting of the leg support portion
40
by a technician, the pin
66
contacts and pushes downward a lifting bar
74
of the holding device
70
. The lifting bar
74
when pushed downward lifts the hook
72
, allowing the pin
66
to be passed underneath the hook. After the pin
66
passes over the lifting bar
74
, the hook
72
lowers trapping the pin. The pin
66
is released by the holding device
70
by the technician further lifting the leg support portion
40
, such that the pin
66
pushes against a release button
76
of the holding device
70
. The release button
76
when pressed raises and locks the hook
72
in a raised position allowing the pin
66
to be slid from the holding device
70
. As the pin
66
slides over the lifting bar
74
from the technician lowering the leg support portion
40
the hook
72
, being spring biased, drops from its raised position to its lowered position, thereby resetting the holding device
70
.
Turning back to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a cushion
78
may be provided over the rigid body bed
34
to complete the patient support
12
. The material of the cushion is conventional in the art, and is sized to properly fit over the rigid body bed
34
and be foldable in thirds with the rigid body bed when affixed thereto. The cushion
78
is releasably connected to the rigid body bed
34
by a button arrangement
80
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the button arrangement
80
of the cushion includes a plurality of buttons
82
-
100
positioned in a pattern, wherein the pattern of buttons match a number of through-bores
102
-
120
provided in the rigid body bed
34
to prevent disassociation therefrom. As illustrated by
FIGS. 4
a
and
4
b,
showing a section of the cushion along line
4
—
4
of
FIG. 1
, each button
82
-
100
of the button arrangement
80
is elastically fastened with cord
122
to the cushion
78
. Each cord
120
of the button is strung internally to the cushion
78
and looped through eyelets of each button
82
-
100
. As shown, each button
82
-
100
is elliptically or football shaped. The through-bores
102
-
120
of the rigid body bed
34
are similarly shaped and sized to allow their associated button
82
-
100
of the cushion to pass through. As shown in
FIG. 4
b
the button arrangement
80
is such that each button
96
,
98
,
100
when holding the cushion
78
in place is offset about 90 degree from its similar shaped through-bore
116
,
118
, and
120
, respectively, of the rigid body bed
34
. In this manner, the cushion
78
is releasably secured to a front surface
51
of rigid body bed
34
of the patient support
12
by each button
82
-
100
passing through the through-bores and elastically pressing against the back surface
52
of the rigid body bed
36
.
As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, it is to be appreciated that the pair of side-arm supports
16
and
18
rotate about an axis which is offset from a central axis of opposing, spaced apart first and second longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
of the undercarriage
14
, thereby providing 180 degrees rotational freedom of the side-arm supports from a vertically-up position, as illustrated, to a vertically-down position that is indicated by the dotted lines in
FIG. 2. A
side-arm release
127
is accommodated around the perimeter of one of a pair of through bores
129
of each side-arm supports
16
and
18
. The side-arm release
127
when squeezed by a technician lifts a pair of spring biased holding pins (not shown) from a pair of recesses
131
(
FIG. 5
) provided in a respective pair of hinging mounts
130
to which one of the side-arm support
16
or
18
is rotatably mounted to their respective longitudinal frame member
124
or
126
.
When the side-arm support
16
or
18
is in the vertically-down position a docking port
128
provided with the hinging mount
130
is exposed as illustrated in FIG.
5
. It is to be appreciated that the docking port
128
permits various accessories, such as an IV pole to be conveniently and quickly mounted to the stretcher
10
. Preferably, the docking port
128
has a dove-tail channel
132
to which an accessory's end having a oppositely shape body attachment
134
may slide in to the channel
132
. A detect button or lifting pin
136
provided on the bottom surface of the attachment of the accessory, if so provided, may also engage the one of the pair recesses
138
provided in the center of the channel
132
. Additionally, one or both of the recesses
138
of the docking port
128
may also be threaded in order to accept a screw from the attachment
134
, if so provided.
FIG. 6
illustrates the rectangular undercarriage
14
of the invention with the patient support
12
removed for convenience of illustration. At the lower end of the undercarriage
14
is the wheeled base frame
24
that is an approximately rectangular frame with four wheels
140
-
146
located at its corners each by a wheel mount
148
-
154
. The wheeled base frame
24
includes opposing side frame members
156
and
158
interconnected with transverse frame members
160
and
162
by corner mounts
164
-
170
, and includes an attachment
172
which permit the stretcher to be secured within conventional ambulances. Each of the wheel mounts
148
and
150
(same on the opposite side of the stretcher) has a foot brake mounted rotatably mounted to the wheel mount
148
-
154
and which arrests the movement of the associated wheel when depressed.
FIG. 7
shows a cut-away view of the wheel brake
174
along line
7
—
7
of
FIG. 1
being rotatably mounted to the wheel mount
154
offset from the rotational axis of the wheel
146
and slight above the top surface of the wheel. It is to be appreciated that the wheel brake having a nose portion
176
at the end of a level arm portion
178
provides the nose portion with a large mechanical advantage with only a small downward movement of the lever arm portion, indicated by the arrows, thereby providing a feather touch to the braking and braking release of the associated wheel
146
.
Turning back to
FIG. 6
, at the upper end of the undercarriage
14
is the support frame
20
which includes the first and second longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
, with proximate and distal ends, indicated generally by
125
and
127
, respectively, a first movable end extension indicate generally by
180
, rotatably connected at the proximate ends
125
of said longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
, and a second movable end extension, indicated generally by
182
, rotatably connected to said distal ends
127
of said longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
. It is to be appreciated that both the longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
, framing members
156
,
158
,
206
,
210
,
228
, and
232
, and fixed length leg members
302
, which form part of the movable end extensions and wheeled base, both discussed more specifically hereafter, are tubular and preferably, an elliptical tube of composite material, but alternatively can be plastic, aluminum or steel, or a combination thereof.
More specifically, as illustrated in
FIG. 8
, which shows a cross-section of the first longitudinal frame member
124
along line
8
—
8
of
FIG. 6
, all other framing members provided on the stretcher is similar in construction and dimensions to an outer-tubular layer
184
of the longitudinal frame member
124
, in order to minimize manufacturing costs. Since the securing device
33
is accommodated within an interior cavity
188
the longitudinal frame member
124
, the outer-tubular layer of the frame members is a tube having an inside cross section based on an ellipse with a major axis of about 2 to 2.5 inches, preferably 2.1 inches, and a minor axis of 1.25 to 1.5 inches, preferably 1.435 inches. The shape of the outer-tubular layer
184
is preferably formed from a pultruded profile. To further add to the overall strength of the undercarriage
14
, an insert
186
is accommodated within the interior cavity
188
of the outer-tubular layer
184
.
The insert
186
is preferably oppositely shaped to the interior surface of the outer-tubular layer
184
, having a slightly smaller diameter, to provide a tight fit there within. The insert
186
is preferably aluminum, but alternatively can be a high-density plastic, laminate, or metal. It is further to be appreciated that the combination of the outer-tubular layer
184
and insert
186
function together to provide an extremely light but sturdy framing member. Additionally, the insert
186
improves the wear resistance of the outer-tubular layer
184
from the securing device
33
sliding/rolling within the longitudinal members
124
and
126
. This is accomplished by providing inside the insert
186
a rectangular cavity
190
. The rectangular cavity
190
of each insert
186
slidably houses an elongated securing bar
192
having a set of rollers
194
. Each securing bar
192
, thus internal to the longitudinal members
124
and
126
, forms part of the securing device
33
. A more detailed discussion concerning the securing device
33
and its operation will follow after completing the discussion on the components which comprise the support frame
20
of the undercarriage
14
.
In a middle portion of the support frame
20
shown by
FIG. 6
provided is the pair of pivot pins
46
and
48
to which the patient support
12
is held together at its hinge end portions
42
and
44
, respectively. Each of the pivot pins
46
,
48
is mounted at their ends to the support frame
20
by two pairs of seat support brackets
196
and
198
that are conventionally attached to the longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
. To a first crossbar
200
, which is adjacent the second movable end extension
182
and centrally provided thereon, provided is the rotatable mount
56
that connects the lower end of the lifting device
50
, which is shown in fragmented view. The first crossbar
200
is mounted at each of its ends to the longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
of the undercarriage
14
by a pair of support brackets
202
that are integral with a pair of rotatable locking hinges
204
, see also
FIG. 1
for the other side. The pair of rotatable locking hinges
204
are connected to the distal ends of the longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
. The pair of rotatable locking hinges
204
serve to rotatably mount the second movable end extension
182
thereon.
As shown by
FIG. 9
, the second movable end extension
182
has a pair of tubular side frame members
206
joined at their first ends by the pair of rotatable locking hinges
204
. The side frame members
206
at second ends are connected to a pair of wheel mounts
208
, which in turn connect to each other via a tubular end frame member
210
. The end frame member
210
includes a pair of spaced apart handgrips
212
that are shaped to be conveniently gripped by a technician's hand. The second movable end extension
182
is provided with a pair of loading wheels
214
projecting downwardly from the pair of wheel mounts
208
. A pair of rest stops
215
which support the back-rest portion
36
of the patient support
34
extend horizontally from the pair of wheel mounts
208
. Further, the wheel mounts
208
are interconnected by a convexly-shaped rod
216
supporting a safety hook
218
, and a generally U-shaped tubular bail
220
which is spring biased to an anchoring position which extends downwardly between said wheel mounts
208
. The bail
220
is movable from the anchoring position to an elevated release position, which permits the attendant to release the safety hook
218
from an engagement with a compatible floor fitting of an ambulance, if so provided. Further a pair of bolting brackets
222
(
FIG. 1
) are mounted to the first crossbar
200
. Accordingly, the safety hook
218
and bail
220
, and the pair of bolting brackets
22
are provided to interface with one of the conventional fittings that may be mounted within the emergency vehicle to safely secure the stretcher when placed in the emergency vehicle, making the stretcher
10
compatible with number of an ambulance fastening system currently in use.
As illustrated in
FIG. 1
, the second movable end extension
182
may be rotatably adjusted to a planar position
181
, to a beveled position
183
, and to a dropped position
185
by a pair of release levers
224
, as illustrated by
FIG. 1
with the latter two positions being indicated by the dashed lines. As shown best in
FIG. 9
, the pair of release levers
224
are mounted inboard of the rotatable locking hinges
204
and interconnected by a release bar
226
which permits a technician to rotate the second movable end extension
182
to one of these positions by one finger operating either release levers or the release bar. It is to be appreciated that the dropped position (
FIG. 1
) places the second movable end extension about perpendicular to the wheeled base frame
24
, which permits the stretcher
10
to be moved in tight spaces. Further it is to be appreciated that the bevel position
183
permits a technician to better grasp the stretcher
10
when lifting in certain situations, e.g., down stairs. Accordingly, the release levers
224
operate a locking arrangement that is provided internally to each of the rotatable locking hinges
204
, and of which a more detailed discussion on the locking arrangement will be provided with regards to the first movable end extension
180
. When the technician releases the levers
224
the second movable end extension is locked in the desired position by the rotatable locking hinges
204
.
As illustrate in exploded view by
FIG. 10
, the first movable end extension
180
has a pair of tubular side frame members
228
joined at first ends to a second tubular end frame member
232
, via a pair of spaced apart handgrips
234
. The handgrips
234
are shaped to be conveniently gripped by a technician's hand. The side frame members
228
at second ends are rotatably connected by another pair of rotatable locking hinges, generally indicated by
230
. The pair of rotatable locking hinges
230
are connected to the proximate ends
125
of the longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
, and are similar in design and operation as the pair of rotatable locking hinges
204
at the distal end of the longitudinal members. More specifically, the side frame members
228
are interconnected to a pair of first intermediate member
236
of the locking hinges
230
by a tube and butt arrangement, as well as the longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
each to one of a pair second intermediate member
238
of the locking hinges
230
. It is to be appreciated that wherever a frame member connects with a respective mount it may also be by a tube and butt arrangement.
Further, as with the second movable end extension
182
, another pair of release levers
240
are provided one of each on the outer facing surface of the first intermediate member
236
of the locking hinges
230
, thereby facing each other across the second movable end extension. Mounting the two pairs of release levers
224
and
240
in this manner provides for easy thumb activation by a technician and further provides the support frame
20
with a clean outwardly facing side surface, thereby minimizing the surfaces to which obstructions may catch or strike. A technician desiring to reposition the first movable end extension
180
must depress both release levers
240
in order to release the internal locking components of each rotatable locking hinge
230
. For convenience, a discussion will now be provided in reference to only one rotatable locking hinge as the others locking hinges are constructed and operate in essentially the same fashion.
Between the first and second hinge members
236
and
238
, respectively, forming the internal locking components of each of the locking hinges, provided and housed therebetween are a push plate
242
and a sliding pull plate
244
. These locking components are held together by a bolt and nut arrangement
246
that is accommodated to pass centrally through each component, indicated by the dotted line
248
. To move the push plate
242
, the release lever
240
on an interior surface is formed with a pair of sloping ramps
248
which are in an abutting relationship with a pair of posts
252
provided on the push plate. The posts
252
of the push plate
242
are size to extend through a pair of through-bores
256
provided in the first hinge member
236
, such that when the release lever
240
is depressed the posts
252
are moved by sliding up the ramps
248
of the release lever.
The movement of the push plate
242
, via the posts being ramped up, unseats a set of pins
260
from nesting holes
264
provided in the second hinge member
238
. Since the set of pins
260
are spring biased, when the release lever
240
is no longer depressed, the pins will spring into an associated nesting hole when properly positioned. It is to be appreciated that the arrangement of the nesting holes
264
on the second hinge member
238
provide for the positions that are available to the first and second movable end extensions
180
and
182
. As such, the nesting holes
264
are arranged to permit the first movable end extension
180
, as well as the second end extension
182
, to be rotatably adjustable between the planar position
181
, the beveled position
183
, and the dropped position
185
by the pair of release levers, as illustrated by
FIG. 1
, with the latter two positions being indicated by the dashed lines. It is to be appreciated that stops are provided in each of the rotatable locking hinges to prevent over positioning of either of the two movable end extensions. Further it is to be appreciated that the bevel position
183
permits a technician to more easily lift the stretcher
10
into an emergency vehicle with a high loading floor than if in the planar position
181
. Preferably, the bevel position
183
drops the movable end section
180
or
182
about 30 degrees from its planar position
181
.
Further illustrated by
FIG. 10
, provided on the first movable end extension
180
is a pair of release flippers
268
that are operationally connected to the securing device
33
, such that depressing one of the pair of release flippers releases the securing device permitting vertical movement of the patient support
34
by the undercarriage
14
. Further, it is to be appreciated that the release flippers will release the securing device in any of the position of the first end extension. The release flippers
268
are rotatably mounted to the inner facing surface the first movable end extension each by a pin
270
. Additionally, the pair of release flippers
268
are situated adjacent and forward of the pair of hand grips
234
to permit operation by the thumbs of a technician when gripping either hand grip. Each pin
270
of the pair of release flippers
268
extends into a hole
272
provided in its respective side framing member
228
, and mounted there by a mounted cam
274
. The cam
274
is further rotatably connected to a linkage
276
, which is in turn rotatably connected to the sliding pull plate
244
through an opening
278
centrally provided on the interior base surface of the first hinge member
236
. The sliding pull plate
244
on each side of the first end extension is in turn connected to a release arm
280
which extends through an opening
282
provided in a base surface of the second hinge member
238
to an associated latch
284
(
FIG. 11
) of the securing device
33
, and of which a detailed discussion is now provided.
FIG. 11
is a fragmented view of the first longitudinal frame member
124
, partially cut away, showing that internally housed is a first side of the securing device
33
. A second side of the securing device
33
is shown internal to the longitudinal frame member
126
in FIG.
1
. For convenience of illustration, however, only the first longitudinal frame members
124
and the components of the first side of the locking device
33
will be discussed as the corresponding structure on the opposite side of stretcher is the same. With reference made also to
FIG. 6
, shown is a second crossbar
286
that is slidably connected at its ends to the longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
by a pair of mounting brackets
288
. Each of the mounting brackets
288
includes a roller
290
which rolls in one of a pair of track
292
mounted below a slot
294
provided in the inner facing side of each longitudinal frame member
124
. Each pair of mounting brackets
288
attaches adjacent a first end
291
of its respective securing bar
192
through the provided slot
294
. It is to be appreciated that the roller
290
of each mounting bracket
288
assists in the sliding action of the second crossbar
286
by carrying the weight/load of the support frame
20
upon the guide tracks
292
of the longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
.
Each securing bar
192
includes a plurality of spaced apart notches
296
spaced there along which are selectively engaged by its associated latch
284
to prevent the movement of the second crossbar
286
, thereby releasably arresting the vertical movement of the undercarriage
14
. The pair of latches
284
when positioned in one of the notches
296
of their associated securing bar
192
secures the stretcher at that predetermined height which corresponds to the recesses location along the securing bar
192
. Preferably, one of the notches
296
closest to the first end
291
of the securing bar
192
secures the stretcher
10
in its fully elevated position (FIG.
1
), and one of the notches
296
closest to a second end
293
of the securing bar
192
secures the stretcher at its fully collapsed position of FIG.
12
.
The notches
296
of the securing bar
192
are shaped to permit the support frame
20
to be vertically adjusted by a technician lifting upon the support frame by the either pair of hand grips
234
or
212
. Lifting the support frame
20
pushes the securing track towards the distal end
127
of the longitudinal members
124
and
126
, which unseats the latches
284
of the securing device
33
from the recesses of the securing bar. At the desired vertical height, the latches
284
, with their pointed nose shape, will engage firmly in the oppositely shaped notches
296
of their associated securing bar
192
. It is to be appreciated that the latches
284
stay firmly rooted in the accommodating notches
296
since they are spring biased towards the securing bar
192
. Additionally, the pair of latches
284
are interconnected by a cross rod
298
. Having the pair of latches
284
interconnected permits the disengaging each of the pair of latches
284
from its associated notches of the securing bar
192
in unison.
The set of rollers
194
are mounted at or near the first and second ends
291
and
293
of the securing bar
192
. Mounting the set of roller in this manner permits the rolling of the securing bars along the interiors of the longitudinal frame member
124
and
126
when the pair of latches
284
are lifted out of their accommodating notches. The pair of latches are lifted out of their accommodating notches by the pull of the pair of releasing arms
280
from a technician depressing either one or both of the pair of release flippers
268
provided on the first movable end extension
180
, thereby permitting the stretcher
10
to be vertically adjusted downward or upward.
As shown in
FIG. 6
, the second cross bar
286
also supports an additional safety hook
300
that is compatible with an anchoring system, such as the type disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,559 to Sexton et al., and of which is incorporated by reference. It is to be appreciated that the leg attachment
172
, the safety hooks
218
and
300
, the bail
220
, and the pair of bolting brackets
222
together are anchor attachments that makes the stretcher
10
compatible with a majority of ambulance securing devices currently in use. As such the stretcher
10
is ensured provided an anchoring attachment that is releasably engageable with at least one complementary stretcher anchoring system mounted on the floor of the emergency vehicle.
Additionally shown in
FIG. 6
is the lift mechanism
22
which includes a pair of fixed-length leg members
302
and a pair of telescoping variable-length leg members
304
. The pair of telescoping variable-length leg members each having an extensible member
306
and a cylinder member
308
. The variable-length leg members
304
may include gas-charged cylinders therein to assist in extending the lift mechanism
22
and in raising the stretcher
10
thereby. At their uppermost ends, the cylinder member
308
of each variable-length member
304
is rotatably connected to the second crossbar
286
, and the fixed-length leg members
302
are rotatably connected to the first crossbar
200
by a pair of L-shaped crossbar fittings
310
. At their lowermost ends both pairs of leg members
302
and
304
are rotatably connected to a respective transverse frame member
160
and
162
, respectively, of the wheeled base by additional pairs of L-shaped fittings
312
and
314
.
Each fixed-length leg member
302
is connected to one of the pair of variable-leg members
306
at their respective mid-sections by a rotatable joint
316
, and are rotatable with respect to one another along an axis of the joint. It is to be appreciated that do to the diameter of the leg members and the with the interconnection of the leg members with rotatable joint
316
, sway bars are not need to steady the legs members. With the arrangement just described, the support frame may be collapsed against the wheeled based as shown in
FIG. 12
with a one-hand operation by depressing one of release flippers
268
(
FIG. 10
) to release the pair of latches
284
from their associated securing bar
192
(
FIG. 9
) and permitting the second cross bar
286
to move to the outermost ends of the guide tracks
292
provided along the longitudinal frame members
124
and
126
, coupled with the telescoping of the extensible members
308
of the telescoping legs
304
within lowermost ends of cylinder members
306
.
As the stretcher
10
is elevated, the sets of leg members
302
and
304
will elevate the patient support
12
relative to the undercarriage
14
in a generally horizontal plane. However, as the fully elevated positions of the patient support
12
is approached, i.e., such as the two innermost recesses on the pair of securing bars
192
, the patient support
12
will be inclined upwardly at the second movable end extension
182
, as illustrated in FIG.
1
. The upward positioning of the second movable end extension occurs by reason of the telescoping of the variable-length leg members
304
being shorter than the fixed-length leg members
302
and the attachment points of intersection of these pairs of leg members by the pair of joints
316
. Accordingly, elevating the loading wheels to a higher position than if the patient support remained horizontal permits the transfer of the stretcher into an emergency vehicle having an unusually high floor level.
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. An emergency stretcher, comprising:a vertically adjustable wheeled undercarriage having opposed first and second longitudinal frame members each having a proximate end, said undercarriage includes a first movable end extension rotatably mounted at said proximate end of each said longitudinal support members, said first movable end extension being positionable in at least two positions; an articulatable patient support provided on said undercarriage; a securing device mounted to said undercarriage to releasably arrest vertical movement of said patient support by said undercarriage; and at least one release flipper mounted to said first movable end extension and operationally connected to said securing device such that depressing said at least one release flipper will release said securing device in said at least two positions, thereby permitting said vertical movement of said patient support by said undercarriage.
- 2. An emergency stretcher, comprising:a vertically adjustable wheeled undercarriage having a tubular frame member providing a cavity; an articulatable patient support provided on said undercarriage; and a securing device slidably housed inside said cavity of said tubular frame member and includes an elongated securing bar having a plurality of spaced apart notches, and a latch for selectively engaging the notches in said elongated securing bar to releasably arrest the vertical movement of said undercarriage.
- 3. An emergency stretcher, comprising:a vertically adjustable wheeled undercarriage having a tubular frame member providing a cavity and comprising opposed first and second longitudinal frame members having proximate ends and distal ends, said undercarriage further including a first movable end extension rotatably mounted to said proximate ends of said longitudinal support members and a second movable end extension rotatably mounted to said distal end of said longitudinal support members; an articulatable patient support provided on said undercarriage; and a securing device accommodated within said cavity to releasably arrest vertical movement of said patient support by said undercarriage, wherein said first movable end extension mounts a pair of release flippers which are operationally connected to said securing device such that depressing at least one of said release flippers will release said securing device permitting said vertical movement of said patient support by said undercarriage.
- 4. An emergency stretcher, comprising:a vertically adjustable wheeled undercarriage having a tubular frame member providing a cavity; an articulatable patient support provided on said undercarriage; a securing device accommodated within said cavity of said tubular frame member to releasably arrest vertical movement of said patient support by said undercarriage; and a pair of side-arm supports rotatably mounted to said undercarriage by a pair of rotatable mounts each have a docking port for accessory attachment, wherein each of said pair of side-arm supports includes a grip release handle to permit rotation of respective said pair of side-arm supports about an axis offset from a central axis of said frame member of said undercarriage, thereby providing 180 degrees rotational freedom of said side-arm supports from a vertically-up position to a vertically-down position.
- 5. An emergency stretcher, comprising:a vertically adjustable wheeled undercarriage comprising: a wheeled base frame, a support frame providing a cavity and having a pair of opposed slotted longitudinal frame members which have a first movable end extension rotatably mounted at proximate ends thereof and a second movable end extension rotatably mounted at distal ends thereof; a scissor-type lift mechanism having a pair of fixed-length leg members and a pair of telescoping variable-length leg members, each fixed-length leg member is connected to one of the pair of variable-leg members at their respective mid-sections by a rotatable joint; an articulatable patient support having a seat portion and a pair of pins, said seat portion is mounted between said opposed slotted longitudinal frame members by said pair of pins; and a securing device accommodated within said cavity to releasably arrest vertical movement of said patient support by said undercarriage, wherein said support frame further includes a first crossbar mounted between said opposed slotted longitudinal frame members and a second crossbar mounted through said opposed slotted longitudinal frame members to said securing device, and uppermost ends of said pair of fixed length leg members are rotatably connected to said first crossbar of said support frame, and said variable-length members are rotatably connected to said second crossbar, and lowermost ends of said fixed and variable-length leg members are rotatably connected to said wheeled base frame, wherein said support frame is height-adjustable relative to said wheeled base frame by said lift mechanism from an elevated position to a collapsed position and a number of relative positions therebetween.
- 6. An emergency stretcher, comprising:a vertically adjustable wheeled undercarriage having a holding device, a slidable arm, and a tubular frame member providing a cavity; an articulatable patient support provided on said undercarriage, said articulatable patient support includes a vertically adjustable back-rest portion, a seat portion having a first and second ends, and a vertically adjustable leg support portion, wherein said back rest portion is hinged to said first end of said seat portion, and said leg support is hinged to said second end of said seat portion, said vertically adjustable leg support portion is positionable in either an elevated position or a recline position, said leg support portion has an underside to which provided is a pair of guide slots which said holding device is adjacently mounted, and said slidable arm has a first end and a second end with a pin, said first end of said slidable arm is rotatably mounted to said undercarriage, and said pin of second end of said slidable arm is slidable within said guide slots, wherein said holding device holds said sliding arm when said leg support is in said elevated position; and a securing device accommodated within said cavity of said tubular frame member to releasably arrest vertical movement of said patient support by said undercarriage.
- 7. The emergency stretcher of claim 6, wherein said holding device includes a hook, and a lifting bar, said hook is raisable by said lifting bar when said lifting bar is pushed downward by said pin.
- 8. The emergency stretcher of claim 7, wherein said holding device further includes a release button, which when pressed raises and locks said hook in a raised position allowing said pin to be slid from said holding device to permit said leg support portion to be placed in said reclined position from said elevated position.
US Referenced Citations (30)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
555994 |
Apr 1957 |
BE |