A patient transport loading and unloading apparatus for an emergency vehicle includes at least one support configured for mounting at the access opening of the vehicle. The support is deployable between a stowed position (in which the support cannot support the patient transport apparatus) and a deployed or loading position. Further, the support is configured to remain generally horizontal when the patient transport apparatus is loaded onto the support and while the patient transport apparatus is moved into the vehicle through the access opening.

A patient transport loading and unloading apparatus for an emergency vehicle includes at least one support configured for mounting at the access opening of the vehicle and a stationary mount. The support is deployable relative to the stationary mount between a stowed position (in which the support cannot support the patient transport apparatus) and a loading position. Further, the support is configured to remain stationary when the patient transport apparatus is loaded onto the support and while the patient transport apparatus is moved into the vehicle through the access opening.

A deployable gurney ramp assembly with a retractable ramp deployment apparatus having two deployment tracks extending parallel, parallel first and second base tracks terminating in stops, the deployment tracks slidably engage the base tracks, with ramp guides slidably pivotally engaging a ramp at the end permitting the ramp to pivot when raised or lowered. Extension devices are utilized to advance the deployment ramps and the ramp guides.

A method and an alignment system which auto-levels and/or auto-centers a loading platform (104) to load and unload a wheeled stretcher (106) to and from an emergency transport vehicle (100) are disclosed. A controller (114) of the alignment system receives a command to extend the loading platform from the emergency vehicle and extends the loading platform under power from the emergency transport vehicle. The controller recognizes an approaching wheeled stretcher, and aligns automatically the loading platform with a leading edge of the approaching wheeled stretcher to compensate automatically for any alignment issues between the loading platform and loading wheels (130) of the wheeled stretcher.

A patient transport loading and unloading apparatus for an emergency vehicle includes at least one support configured for mounting at the access opening of the vehicle and a stationary mount. The support is deployable relative to the stationary mount between a stowed position (in which the support cannot support the patient transport apparatus) and a loading position. Further, the support is configured to remain stationary when the patient transport apparatus is loaded onto the support and while the patient transport apparatus is moved into the vehicle through the access opening.

In one embodiment, a cot loading and unloading system includes a fixed rail having a track, wherein the fixed rail is operable to be fixed to a floor, and a carriage directly coupled to the track and operable to travel along the fixed rail on the track, wherein the carriage is further operable to travel to an extended position such that at least a portion of the carriage extends beyond a length of the fixed rail.

In one embodiment, a system includes a cot loading and unloading system having a fixed rail including a track, wherein the fixed rail is operable to be fixed to a floor, a carriage having a carriage wireless chip, wherein the carriage is coupled to the track and operable to travel along the fixed rail on the track, and a master controller having a master wireless chip. The system further includes a cot having a cot wireless chip. The master wireless chip is operable to transmit a broadcast address to the cot, and the cot wireless chip is operable to receive the broadcast address and transmit a cot address signal. The carriage wireless chip is operable to receive the cot address signal and transmit a strength signal based on the cot address signal. The master controller receives the strength signal from the carriage wireless chip.

In one embodiment, a carriage of a cot loading and unloading system includes a plurality of wheels for engaging a track defined by a fixed rail of the cot loading and unloading system, a power drive assembly operable to drive the carriage to travel along the track of the fixed rail, and a pair of lift arms for supporting a cot.

In one embodiment a support beam for supporting a carriage of a cot loading and unloading system includes a support beam member operable to translate within a fixed rail that is fixed to a vehicle, and operable to support the carriage beyond a length of the fixed rail when the support beam is in an extended position.

In one embodiment, a carriage of a cot loading and unloading system, the carriage includes a plurality of wheels for engaging a track defined by a fixed rail of the cot loading and unloading system, wherein the carriage is operable to travel to an end of the fixed rail such that a portion of the carriage extends beyond a length of the track, and a pair of load arms for supporting a cot.