Systems, devices, and methods are described for moving a patient to and from various locations, care units, etc., within a care facility. For example, a transport and support vehicle includes a body structure including a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally interface the vehicle to a travel path and to move the vehicle along the travel path, and a surface structured and dimensioned to support an individual subject. A transport and support vehicle can include, for example, an imager operably coupled to one or more of a power source, a steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., and having one or more modules operable to control the power source, steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., so as to maintain an authorized operator in the image zone.

Systems, devices, and methods are described for moving a patient to and from various locations, care units, etc., within a care facility. For example a transport and support vehicle includes a body structure including a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally interface the vehicle to a travel path and to move the vehicle along the travel path, and a surface structured and dimensioned to support an individual subject. A transport and support vehicle can include, for example, an imager operably coupled to one or more of a power source, a steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., and having one or more modules operable to control the power source, steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., so as to maintain an authorized operator in the image zone.

The invention relates to a control and to a method for controling rollers (2) mounted on a movable part such as, for example, a hospital bed (1), wherein one, several or all of the rollers (2) have a brake mechanism which can be set to a brake position and a release position, further preferably also to a direction-setting position, wherein, further, all the rollers (2) can be actuated electrically and one or several or all of the rollers (2) can in addition be actuated manually, and wherein, furthermore, an additional roller (3) with a wheel having a travel drive is provided, which additional roller (3) is preferably movable between a lowered position and a raised position. In order to obtain an advantageous control of the rollers in combination with the additional roller and also to provide an advantageous control method for this purpose, it is proposed that the travel drive can be activated only when the rollers (2) are located in the release position or the direction-setting position.

Techniques for generating a virtual map of a facility are disclosed. A server is coupled over a network to sensors equipped on patient transport apparatuses being located in the facility. The sensors produce readings as the patient transport apparatuses move in the facility. The server is configured to receive the readings over the network and to generate the virtual map of the facility based on analysis of the readings.

Systems and methods for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus. The patient transport apparatus has a support structure comprising a patient support surface. A wheel assembly comprises a base wheel having an outer periphery rotatably coupled to the support structure about a base rotational axis. The wheel assembly also comprises a plurality of peripheral wheels disposed about the outer periphery to rotate about a plurality of peripheral rotational axes. The wheel assembly comprises a motion control device configured to selectively control rotation of the peripheral wheels independent of rotation of the base wheel about the base rotational axis.

A directional wheel lock assembly includes, a pedal, a linking rod coupled to the pedal such that the pedal is configured to be offset from a wheel, an actuation plunger comprising an upper opening, an actuation pin disposed through the upper opening of the actuator plunger, wherein the linking rod is coupled to an end of the actuation pin. The directional wheel lock assembly further includes an actuation plate having a recess and an opening within the recess, wherein the actuation plunger is positioned within the opening, and a wheel lock plate comprising a lock opening. The wheel lock plate is operable to be coupled to a wheel.

A handle assembly for a cot includes a handle body configured to be attached to a cot, a handle actuator slidably coupled to the handle body, a first link arm and a second link arm pivotally attached to a surface of the handle body at a pivot point, wherein the second link arm is slidably coupled to the handle actuator, an actuator assembly, wherein a first end of the actuator assembly is coupled to the first link arm, and a locking linkage assembly including a locking pin, wherein a second end of the actuator assembly is coupled to the locking linkage assembly. When the handle actuator is pulled, the first link arm and the second link arm rotate about the pivot point to pull the actuator assembly and transition the locking pin from an extended state to a retracted state to enable a changing of a length of the cot.

A fastener post assembly for securing an emergency cot to a fastener of an emergency vehicle includes a rear plate, a front plate, a post body comprising a post and a pair of arms, a first locking tab and a second locking tab, each of the first locking tab comprising a hook at a first end, and an actuator body. The rear plate is secured to the front plate such that the pair of arms, the first locking tab, the second locking tab, and the actuator body are disposed between the rear plate and the front plate. The first locking tab and the second locking tab are pivotally coupled to the rear plate such that they are inwardly biased toward each other. Movement of the actuator body in a direction toward the post body outwardly pivots the first locking tab and the second locking tab away from each other.

A charging assembly for a patient support device includes an upper body having a mounting portion operable to be coupled to a fastener assembly of the patient support device, an actuator portion coupled to the upper body and operable to translate in a direction toward the upper body, and a pair of charging pins coupled to the actuator portion such that the pair of charging pins translate in a direction toward the mounting portion of the upper body when the actuator portion translates toward the upper body.

Patient support apparatusessuch as beds, cots, stretchers, or the likeinclude a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.