A first transport apparatus includes a deck for supporting a patient thereon and a lift mechanism supporting the deck. The deck is removable from the lift mechanism for use as a second transport apparatus or part of a second transport apparatus. The first transport apparatus further includes an electrically powered device at the first transport apparatus, and a user input device for wireless control of the electrically powered device, which is operable at or near the first transport apparatus and the second transport apparatus.

A first transport apparatus includes a deck for supporting a patient thereon and a lift mechanism supporting the deck. The deck is removable from the lift mechanism for use as a second transport apparatus or part of a second transport apparatus. The first transport apparatus further includes an electrically powered device at the first transport apparatus, and a user input device for wireless control of the electrically powered device, which is operable at or near the first transport apparatus and the second transport apparatus.

A powered ambulance cot and methods of raising and lowering the cot as well as loading and unloading the cot are disclosed. The cot includes a support frame and legs, each leg having a wheel. An actuator of an actuation system interconnects the frame and legs, and is configured to effect changes in elevation of the frame relative to the wheel of each of the legs. A control system controls activation of the actuation system, and detects both the actuator at a first location relative to the frame, where the first location is remote from a second location and which situates an end of the actuator that is remote from each wheel closer to the frame, and a presence of a signal requesting a change in elevation of said support frame to thereby cause the legs to move relative to the support frame.

A powered ambulance cot and methods of raising and lowering the cot as well as loading and unloading the cot are disclosed. The cot includes a support frame and legs, each leg having a wheel. An actuator of an actuation system interconnects the frame and legs, and is configured to effect changes in elevation of the frame relative to the wheel of each of the legs. A control system controls activation of the actuation system, and detects both the actuator at a first location relative to the frame, where the first location is remote from a second location and which situates an end of the actuator that is remote from each wheel closer to the frame, and a presence of a signal requesting a change in elevation of said support frame to thereby cause the legs to move relative to the support frame.

A device for rescuing a downed firefighter comprising a first rigid non flammable leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a second rigid non flammable leg having a proximal end and a distal end, a connecting member, the proximal end of the first leg and the second leg being connected to the connecting member, the first and second rigid non flammable legs diverging outwardly from the proximal ends to the distal ends, a grasping element being secured to the connecting member, at least one flexible cross member extending between the first leg and the second leg, and at least one flexible strap secured to at least one of the legs or cross member. The device is particularly useful for rescuing downed firefighters.

A person support apparatus includes a support surface for supporting a person thereon. The support surface includes at least a seat and a backrest coupled together by a pivot assembly. In some embodiments, the pivot assembly includes a backrest slide bar mounted to the backrest and a seat slide bar mounted to the seat. The backrest and seat slide along their respective slide bars when the backrest pivots. A seat link is coupled to the seat and backrest slide bar, and a backrest link is coupled to the backrest and seat slide bar. The slide bars are coupled at their ends to each other. The pivot assembly creates a virtual pivot axis that, as the backrest pivots from an upright position to a reclined position, moves backward and upwardly. Elongate openings may be defined in the slide bars to support the slide bars on the seat and backrest, respectively.

A person support apparatus includes a support surface for supporting a person thereon. The support surface includes at least a seat and a backrest coupled together by a pivot assembly. In some embodiments, the pivot assembly includes a backrest slide bar mounted to the backrest and a seat slide bar mounted to the seat. The backrest and seat slide along their respective slide bars when the backrest pivots. A seat link is coupled to the seat and backrest slide bar, and a backrest link is coupled to the backrest and seat slide bar. The slide bars are coupled at their ends to each other. The pivot assembly creates a virtual pivot axis that, as the backrest pivots from an upright position to a reclined position, moves backward and upwardly. Elongate openings may be defined in the slide bars to support the slide bars on the seat and backrest, respectively.

A patient transport apparatus for supporting a patient. The patient transport apparatus includes a seat assembly having a seat frame. A fowler assembly having a fowler frame is coupled to the seat frame and is moveable relative to the seat assembly. The seat and fowler assemblies support the patient. A telescoping handle assembly is coupled to the fowler assembly. A spine of the telescoping handle assembly is moveable relative to a guide of the fowler assembly along an axis to a plurality of spine positions. An upper handle coupled to and moveable with the spine is spaced farther from the seat assembly in an extended position than in a retracted position. A release linkage has a retainer to engage a receiver of the spine to retain the spine. A release interface is engageable to selectively move the retainer out of engagement with the receiver of the spine.

A patient transport apparatus for supporting a patient. The patient transport apparatus includes a seat assembly having a seat frame. A fowler assembly having a fowler frame is coupled to the seat frame and is moveable relative to the seat assembly. The seat and fowler assemblies support the patient. A telescoping handle assembly is coupled to the fowler assembly. A spine of the telescoping handle assembly is moveable relative to a guide of the fowler assembly along an axis to a plurality of spine positions. An upper handle coupled to and moveable with the spine is spaced farther from the seat assembly in an extended position than in a retracted position. A release linkage has a retainer to engage a receiver of the spine to retain the spine. A release interface is engageable to selectively move the retainer out of engagement with the receiver of the spine.

A patient transport apparatus for use with a vehicle, comprising a lift mechanism between a base and a support frame to move between an extended configuration defining a first distance and a retracted configuration defining a second distance. An interface generates a user signal. A sensor generates a sensor signal corresponding to force acting on the base relative to the support frame. A controller determines if the user signal corresponds to an extend or retract command; determines if the force acting on the base has exceeded a predetermined threshold value based on the sensor signal; drives the lift mechanism toward the extended configuration where the user signal corresponds to the extend command and toward the retracted configuration where the user signal corresponds to the retract command; and interrupts driving the lift mechanism to stop motion of the lift mechanism in response to the sensor signal exceeding the predetermined threshold value.