WO1998004228A1

WO1998004228A1 - A stretcher loading platform

Info

Publication number: WO1998004228A1
Application number: PCT/IE1997/000052
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Reilly
Original assignee: Huntleigh Technology Plc
Priority date: 1996-07-26
Filing date: 1997-07-28
Publication date: 1998-02-05

Abstract

A stretcher loading platform (100) comprises a base frame (10) which is adapted to be secured within an ambulance, and a stretcher tray (30) having a head end and a foot end mounted on the base frame (10). A pair of lift arms is pivotally mounted between the base frame (10) and stretcher tray (30), namely a forward lift arm (20) at the head end of the tray and an aft lift arm (25) at the foot end of the tray (30). The forward lift arm (20) is operable to extend and retract the stretcher tray (30) into and out of the ambulance. The aft lift arm (25) is slidably engaged with the tray (30) and is operable to lift the stretcher tray (30) about a pivot point (40) provided on the forward lift arm (20), so that the stretcher tray (30) can be inclined at a suitable angle for the receipt of a stretcher and for the treatment of a patient. Stretcher latches (33, 19) are provided on the stretcher tray (30) for securing a stretcher when in position. The stretcher tray (30) may be extended out of the ambulance, a stretcher may be loaded and secured thereto, the tray (30) with the stretcher may be retracted into the ambulance, and the angle of the stretcher can be adjusted to suit the patient's condition.

Description

A STRETCHER LOADING PLATFORM

The present invention relates to a stretcher loading platform, in particular a stretcher loading platform for mounting within an ambulance. The stretcher loading platform of the present invention has particular, though not exclusive, application for the loading of one person operated stretchers and other stretchers where the controls for the collapsing of the legs are all at one end of the stretcher and therefore can be operated by one person who can collapse the front legs independently of the rear legs by manipulating the appropriate controls on the stretcher.

The use of one person stretchers does raise serious safety considerations because if the front leg is collapsed prematurely then the stretcher will collapse and the patient may be dislodged from the stretcher. Prior art stretcher loading platforms for use in ambulances have never worked sufficiently satisfactorily to enable ambulance authorities to dispense with the use of a second person to assist in the loading of a stretcher.

Accordingly, the present invention seeks to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the prior art stretcher loading platforms to provide a system whereby a stretcher can be loaded safely by one person into an ambulance.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a stretcher loading platform comprising a base frame adapted to be secured within an ambulance, a stretcher tray having a head end and a foot end mounted on the base frame, a pair of lift arms pivotally mounted between the base frame and stretcher tray, namely a forward lift arm at the head end of the tray and an aft lift arm at the foot end of the tray, the forward lift arm being operable to extend and retract the stretcher tray into and out of the ambulance, with the aft lift arm being slidably engaged with the tray and being operable to lift the stretcher tray about a pivot point provided on the forward lift arm, so that the stretcher tray can be inclined at a suitable angle for the receipt of a stretcher and for the treatment of a patient, with securing means being provided on the stretcher tray for securing a stretcher when in position, whereby the stretcher tray may be extended out of the ambulance, a stretcher may be loaded and secured thereto, the tray with the stretcher may be retracted into the ambulance, and the angle of the stretcher adjusted to suit the patient's condition.

Securing means is provided at the head end of the stretcher tray, so as to retain the stretcher on the stretcher tray and the aft lifting arm is operable to lift the stretcher tray with attached stretcher to the desired level which can be a generally horizontal position or an upwardly or downwardly inclined position if the medical condition requires it.

Advantageously, the lift arms are operable by electrically powered actuators mounted on the platform, with at least one actuator being provided to operate each arm.

Advantageously, the base is movable laterally within an ambulance between a travelling mode at one side of the ambulance and a loading mode towards the centre of the ambulance, the base including wheels movable along the ambulance floor, means for maintaining the base in correct alignment during lateral movement and means for locking the base in position at a desired location in the ambulance within the limits of the lateral movement.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment of a stretcher loading platform according to the invention.

In the drawings :

Figures 1a to 1 e inclusive are perspective views showing the sequence of steps in loading a stretcher carrying a patient, into an ambulance using the stretcher loading platform of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the loading platform showing the tray and the operating mechanism;

Figure 3 is a side view of the platform showing the stretcher tray in the extended and downwardly tilted portion (X), the horizontal portion (Y), and the raised portion ( Z ) ;

Figure 3a is an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 3;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the operating mechanism with the tray removed;

Figure 5a is a head end view of the chassis base, Figure 5b a side view, Figure 5c an enlarged view through the head end elevation and Figure 5d a cross sectional view through the latch assembly; and

Figure 6a is a side view of the tray, Figure 6b is a plan view of the tray and Figure 6c is a cross sectional view along C-C of Figure 6b.

Referring to the drawings, the stretcher loading platform of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 100 and includes a chassis 10 which is secured to the floor of an ambulance. The stretcher loading platform 100 also includes a stretcher tray 30 on which are provided tracks for receipt of the guide wheels 50 on a stretcher. The stretcher tray 30 is mounted on the chassis 10 which is movable laterally across the ambulance and also the tray 30 is movable longitudinally towards the entrance to the ambulance.

The stretcher loading platform 100 has a forward lifting arm 20 and an aft lifting arm 25 which are each operated by a respective electrical actuator 16. When arm 20 is activated it tilts and extends the stretcher tray 30 out of the ambulance thereby enabling the stretcher tray 30 to be inclined at a suitable angle so that a stretcher can be conveniently pushed onto the inclined stretcher tray 30. The platform 100 also includes a stretcher latch 19 provided on the stretcher tray 30 for securing a stretcher at its foot end. The stretcher latch 19 can be a sprung bar which is rotated by a user and released. The head of the stretcher is secured by a receiver 32, 33.

The stretcher loading platform 100 further includes a lateral latch assembly 60 which is activated in order to move the chassis 10 and stretcher tray 30 laterally on a rack and pinion arrangement 47, 49 across to the one side of the ambulance so as to allow a second stretcher to be accommodated within the ambulance. When the chassis 0 and stretcher tray 30 has been moved laterally, the chassis 10 is secured in its final position by means of the latch assembly 60.

A stretcher safety latch release mechanism 70 is also included in the platform 100, which provides means for releasing the stretcher from the stretcher tray 30 when it is desired to unload the stretcher from the tray. Referring to Figures 1a to 1e, the sequence of steps involved in loading a stretcher into an ambulance, using the stretcher loading platform 100 will now be described to assist in understanding the features of the invention.

Figure 1 a

The stretcher loading platform 100 is placed in the loading position i.e. with the stretcher tray 30 extended out of the rear of the ambulance over the ambulance step and approximately centred in the loading area. Guide wheels 50 on the stretcher are located in the tracks 31 provided on the stretcher tray 30 and the guide wheels 50 are centred by lead-in rollers 34 of stretcher tray 30. The stretcher legs 51 are forced to fold into a closed position when they are released by the operator and abut against the edge of the stretcher tray 30 or ambulance step.

Figure lb

The receiver 32 on the stretcher tray 30 is engaged by the stretcher so that it is secured onto the stretcher tray 30 when the latter is fully rolled thereon, thereby leaving the operator's hands free to secure the foot end of the stretcher with a second latch or sprung bar 19. The forward lift arm 20 is activated so as to retract fully the stretcher tray 30 into the vehicle.

Figure 1c

If desired, the stretcher loading platform 100 can be moved laterally and located against the side wall of the ambulance. This lateral movement allows for use of two stretchers in the ambulance. If improved access to the patient is required from the far side (as shown in drawings), the stretcher loading platform 100 need not be moved laterally. At this stage the ambulance doors can be closed and the ambulance is ready to move off.

Figure 1d

The stretcher tray 30 can be raised about the pivot of the platform to a level position for normal transit. This can be achieved by using the aft lift arm 25.

Figure 1 e

As shown in Figure 1e, the stretcher tray can be lifted further by the aft lift arm 25 and be angled as required to provide head-down drainage, which is necessary in a number of emergency cases. Positioning can be infinitely variable.

The unloading sequence is the reverse of the loading sequence described above.

With specific reference to Figures 2 and 3 the platform 100 comprises essentially a stretcher tray 30 mounted on a base frame or chassis 10. Included on the chassis 10 are the forward lift arm 20 and the aft lift arm 25. The forward lift arm 20 is pivotally connected to the chassis 10 by pivot pins 40 and has a pair of brackets 19 which are connected to the platform 30 by a pivot pin 21. The aft lift arm 25 has a two outer rollers 17 for sliding contact with the tray 30.

The arms 20 and 25 are each operated by electrical actuators 16 which are pivotally mounted on the chassis 10 by cylinder pivot pins 42. The aft lift arm 25 is pivotally connected to the chassis 10 by an aft lift pivot pin 43 and the aft actuator 16 is connected to the aft lift arm 25 by a piston rod pin 44.

The chassis 10 is mounted on four wheels 15 for movement across the floor of the ambulance. The extent of the movement of the chassis is limited by a control mechanism which comprises a pair of racks 49 on the underside of the chassis 10. Each rack 49 engages with a pinion wheel 47, both of which are connected by a squaring shaft 45 which is rotatably mounted in two plummer bearings 46 which are fixed to the floor of the ambulance by hold down blocks 48.

The lateral latch assembly 60 for the lateral movement of the chassis 10 along the floor of the ambulance is shown in Figures 5a and 5d and includes an actuating bar 71 , a swinging arm 72, a latch pin 73, a hold down block 74, a spacer bar 75, an actuating bar return spring 76, a latch receiver rail 77, a latch release pedal 78 which has a cover 79, a spacer/pivot bushing 80, an actuating bar stop 81 and a spring 82 which spring loads the latch pin 73 to engage with the latch receiver rail 77.

Finally, the full details of the stretcher tray 30 are shown in Figure 2 and 6a and 6c of the drawings. The basic elements of the stretcher tray 30 are the tracks 31 , the receiver bracket 32 and stretcher latch 33 at the head end of the stretcher tray 30, and lead in guide wheels 34 at the foot end of the stretcher tray. Adjacent the wheels 34 is the guide/release support bracket 35, latch release levers 36 and latch release cable 37 which passes underneath the tray 30 and above the reinforcing crossrail 38. The two latch release levers 36 are connected by a latch lever pivot bar 39. Other elements of the tray 30 are the reinforcing guide channel 85, latch return spring 81, latch/cable support bracket 82, cable support bracket 83 and roller assembly 84 at the foot end of the tray 30 which in conjunction with the guide wheels 34 facilitates transfer of a stretcher onto the stretcher tray.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims .

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A stretcher loading platform comprising a base frame (10) adapted to be secured within an ambulance, a stretcher tray (30) having a head end and a foot end mounted on the base frame (10), a pair of lift arms pivotally mounted between the base frame (10) and stretcher tray (30), namely a forward lift arm (20) at the head end of the tray and an aft lift arm (25) at the foot end of the tray (30), the forward lift arm ( 20 ) being operable to extend and retract the stretcher tray (30) into and out of the ambulance, with the aft lift arm (25) being slidably engaged with the tray (30) and being operable to lift the stretcher tray (30) about a pivot point (40) provided on the forward lift arm (20), so that the stretcher tray (30) can be inclined at a suitable angle for the receipt of a stretcher and for the treatment of a patient, with securing means (33,19) being provided on the stretcher tray (30) for securing a stretcher when in position, whereby the stretcher tray (30) may be extended out of the ambulance, a stretcher may be loaded and secured thereto, the tray (30) with the stretcher may be retracted into the ambulance, and the angle of the stretcher adjusted to suit the patient's condition.

2. A stretcher loading platform as claimed in claim 1, in which the securing means (33) is provided at the head end of the stretcher tray (30), so as to retain the stretcher on the stretcher tray (30) and the aft lifting arm (25) is operable to lift the stretcher tray with attached stretcher to the desired level which can be a generally horizontal position or an upwardly or downwardly inclined position if the medical condition requires it.

3. A stretcher loading platform as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein the lift arms (20,25) are operable by electrically powered actuators (16) mounted on the platform, with at least one actuator (16) being provided to operate each arm.

4. A stretcher loading platform as claimed in any of claim 1 to 3 , wherein the base (10) is movable laterally within an ambulance between a travelling mode at one side of the ambulance and a loading mode towards the centre of the ambulance, the base (10) including wheels (15) movable along the ambulance floor, means (45,46,47,48,49) for maintaining the base in correct alignment during lateral movement and means (60) for locking the base in position at a desired location in the ambulance within the limits of the lateral movement .

5. A stretcher loading platform according to claim 2, wherein the means for retaining the stretcher in position on the stretcher tray additionally comprises a stretcher latch (19) on the stretcher tray at the foot end of the stretcher tray.

6. A stretcher loading platform according to claim 5, wherein the stretcher latch comprises a spring loaded bar (19) which is rotatable in one direction by a user to release the latch and rotatable in another direction to engage the latch.

7. A stretcher loading platform according to claim 4, wherein the means for maintaining the base in correct alignment during lateral movement includes a lateral latch assembly (60) which is operable to allow movement of the base frame (10) and stretcher tray (30) and includes a rack (49) and pinion (47), the platform being movable so as to allow a second stretcher to be accommodated within the ambulance.

8. A stretcher loading platform according to any one of the preceding claims, including means for releasing the stretcher from the stretcher tray (30) when it is desired to unload the stretcher from the tray, in which the stretcher securing means comprises a releasable latch (33) and a latch return spring (81) and a remote latch release means which includes a latch release lever (36), and a release cable (37) connected to the latch (33) .

9. A stretcher loading platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the stretcher tray (30) includes stretcher wheel tracks (31) and a wheel and roller assembly (34,84) at the foot end of the stretcher tray so as to facilitate transfer of a stretcher onto the stretcher tray (30).

10. A stretcher loading platform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, mounted in an ambulance with electrical power for the operation of the platform being provided from the electrical system of the ambulance.