A system for loading a patient transport apparatus into a vehicle is described. The system includes a loading and unloading system including a track and a trolley supporting a receiver movable between locked and unlocked configurations. The system also includes a patient transport apparatus for attachment to the loading and unloading system including a base, a litter, and a lift mechanism to facilitate arranging the litter at different heights relative to the base with an actuator movable between fully-retracted and fully-extended configurations, a coupler for engaging the receiver to secure the patient transport apparatus, first and second sensors configured to output a first signal and second signal and a controller to determine a target lift configuration during unloading from the emergency based on first and second values and to drive the actuator to the target lift configuration to limit relative movement between the patient transport apparatus and the trolley.

A patient transport apparatus with a base, a litter comprising a support surface, and a lift mechanism to facilitate arranging the litter at different heights relative to the base between a plurality of lift configurations including a fully-retracted configuration and a fully-extended configuration. The lift mechanism includes an actuator including a cylinder, fluid reservoir, and a pump driven by a motor to direct hydraulic fluid from the fluid reservoir to the cylinder. A sensor outputs a signal indicative of a magnitude of pressure in the cylinder. A user interface with an input control is provided. A controller determines a target parameter for the motor and, in response to user engagement with the input control, drives the motor at the target parameter to effect movement of the litter relative to the base at a predetermined rate irrespective of a weight of a patient supported on the litter.

A patient support apparatus supports a patient and includes a litter. A base is disposed below the litter. A lift mechanism is configured to move the litter and the base relative to one another between extended and collapsed positions. The lift mechanism includes first and second frame assemblies each including an outer frame member and an inner frame member arranged to move within the outer frame member. First and second rollers and first and second slide members are disposed between the outer and inner frame members. The first and second rollers are arranged to roll along at least one of the outer and inner frame members with a load exerted on the lift mechanism from the litter. The first and second slide members are arranged to slide along at least one of the outer and inner frame members with a load exerted on the lift mechanism from the base.

A deployable gurney lift assembly (12), which has a carriage assembly (14) plate (20) with two pivot arms (38) disposed opposite one another on each side of the carriage assembly (14), an antler holder (16) to accommodate a bar of the gurney, and at least one hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric jack (22) lift actuator for lifting and lowering the arms (38). Retractable deployment apparatus for slidably moving the retractable deployment apparatus along a length of base tracks (28). Base tracks (28) having rear ends terminating in stops (42), and carriage assembly (14) guides slidably engaged along deployment tracks (28).

An emergency cot includes a litter frame, a base, and a lift assembly supporting the litter frame relative to the base. The lift assembly includes load bearing members pivotally coupled to the litter frame by head-end upper pivot connections and foot-end upper pivot connections and to the base by head-end lower pivot connections and foot-end lower pivot connections for raising or lowering the base or the litter frame with respect to the other. The foot-end upper pivot connections or head-end upper pivot connections are movable toward or away from the longitudinal axis of the litter frame to allow one end of the litter frame to be tilted upwardly.

A patient handling apparatus includes a frame, a base, and a lift assembly supporting the frame relative to the base, the lift assembly configured to extend or contract to raise or lower the base or the frame with respect to the other of the base and the frame. The patient handling apparatus further includes a control system, which comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder to extend or contract the lift assembly, a hydraulic circuit to direct the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic cylinder, and a controller operable to control the hydraulic circuit. Based on an input signal, for example, an input signal that is indicative of a status or condition of the patient handling apparatus, the controller is configured to open, optionally automatically, fluid communication between the rod end chamber and the cap end chamber to redirect a portion of the fluid output from the rod end chamber to the cap end chamber when the rod is extending to thereby increase the extension speed of the rod.

An apparatus includes a hydraulic circuit that is configured to selectively open fluid communication between one portion of the hydraulic circuit and another portion of the hydraulic circuit, such as a reservoir, based on the flow of the hydraulic fluid in the one portion. When the flow of hydraulic fluid exceeds a selected threshold in the one portion of the hydraulic circuit, the flow of fluid urges the opening of a hydraulic component of the hydraulic circuit to allow fluid communication between the one portion and the reservoir to discharge fluid from the one portion.

A patient handling apparatus includes a patient support surface, a base, and a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit includes a pump, a fluid reservoir, and a hydraulic cylinder operable to selectively raise or lower the patient support surface or the base. The hydraulic circuit controls flow of fluid between the cylinder and the fluid reservoir to thereby control the movement of the base or patient support surface. In addition, the hydraulic circuit may include a manual bypass circuit configured to bypass the pump in response to a manual input, which allows manual extension or retraction of the cylinder, for example, when the pump is not operational. The hydraulic circuit may also include a pump bypass circuit configured to bypass the pump to allow fluid to discharge from the cap end to the fluid reservoir for faster evacuation of fluid from the cylinder, thereby increasing retraction speed of the rod.

The embodiments described and claimed herein are a restraint system for securing a gurney in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a conventional antler and rail-type gurney restraint system is improved by the addition of a center latch restraint that engages with a latch member secured by a support bracket to the underside of the gurney. In one configuration, the latch member enters into engagement with the center latch restraint through lateral movement of the control end of the gurney. In that respect, the EMT may use the same autonomic movements used with the conventional antler and rail-type system to secure the gurney in the vehicle. Optionally, one or more of the gurney occupant restraint belts are directly connected to the support bracket, whereby occupant loads during an accident will bypass the gurney and occupant head excursions can be reduced.

The embodiments described and claimed herein are a restraint system for securing a gurney in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a conventional antler and rail-type gurney restraint system is improved by the addition of a center latch restraint that engages with a latch member secured by a support bracket to the underside of the gurney. In one configuration, the latch member enters into engagement with the center latch restraint through lateral movement of the control end of the gurney. In that respect, the EMT may use the same autonomic movements used with the conventional antler and rail-type system to secure the gurney in the vehicle. Optionally, one or more of the gurney occupant restraint belts are directly connected to the support bracket, whereby occupant loads during an accident will bypass the gurney and occupant head excursions can be reduced.