Powered patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more powered 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.

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 support apparatus includes a base having a length and including a plurality of caster wheels enabling movement of the patient support apparatus across a floor surface. An auxiliary wheel support structure is secured to the base and rotatably supports at least one non-castered auxiliary wheel. A drive mechanism including a motor may be configured to drive the auxiliary wheel. A braking system including at least one brake member may be configured to apply a braking force to decelerate the auxiliary wheel and is movable between a first position wherein the at least one brake member is disengaged from the auxiliary wheel and a deployed position wherein the at least one brake member is frictionally engaged with the auxiliary wheel to restrict rotation of the auxiliary wheel. The braking system may be configured to synchronize the braking forces applied to first and second auxiliary wheels.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support frame to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over a floor surface. The auxiliary wheel is movable to a deployed position with the auxiliary wheel engaging the floor surface and a stowed position with the auxiliary wheel spaced a distance from the floor surface. An actuator assembly including a lift actuator a biasing device, and a biasing load adjustment assembly. The lift actuator is operable to move the auxiliary wheel to the deployed position and to the stowed position. The biasing device configured to bias the auxiliary wheel towards the deployed position. The biasing load adjustment assembly configured to adjust a biasing force being applied by the biasing device to the auxiliary wheel.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support frame to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over a floor surface. The auxiliary wheel is movable to a deployed position with the auxiliary wheel engaging the floor surface and a stowed position with the auxiliary wheel spaced a distance from the floor surface. An actuator assembly coupled to the support frame and to the auxiliary wheel. The actuator assembly includes a lift actuator and a spring cartridge assembly. The lift actuator is operable to move the auxiliary wheel to the deployed position and to the stowed position. The spring cartridge assembly is configured to bias the auxiliary wheel towards the deployed position.

A hydraulic system for a mobile rescue stretcher has a hydraulic cylinder, with first and second working chambers, a tank and pump. The first and second chambers are connected to the pump via first and second line arrangements, respectively, and can be pressurized by the pump. Hydraulic fluid flows out of the first chamber via the first line arrangement when pressure is applied to the second chamber. The first line arrangement has a first check valve which opens when pressure is applied to the second line arrangement. Hydraulic fluid flows out of the second chamber via the second line arrangement when pressure is applied to the first chamber. The second line arrangement has a first branch line connected to the pump and a second branch line connected to the tank. A pressure valve in the second branch line opens when pressure is applied to the second line arrangement.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support structure to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. An actuator is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel and operable to move the auxiliary wheel relative to the support structure from a retracted position to a deployed position. A user interface sensor is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to generate signals responsive to the user touching the user interface. A controller is operatively coupled to the user interface sensor and the actuator to operate the actuator in response to detection of signals.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface and includes a support structure and a plurality of support wheels coupled to the support structure. The patient transport apparatus also includes a user interface including at least two handles coupled to the support structure, with each of the handles movable between a stowed position and non-stowed position. The patient transport apparatus also includes a user input device coupled to the user interface, and a controller coupled to the user interface. The controller is configured to electronically coordinate the movement of the handles to the stowed position upon actuation of the user input device.

A patient transport apparatus with a throttle assembly arranged for rotation by a user between a maximum forward position and a maximum backward position to modulate propulsion via a wheel drive system. The throttle assembly includes a handle configured to be gripped by the user and a throttle arranged for user-selected rotation relative to the handle about a central axis between a maximum forward throttle position and a maximum backward throttle position. A damper assembly is interposed between the throttle and the handle to provide torque resisting rotation of the throttle as the throttle rotates relative to the handle.

According to one embodiment, a roll-in cot may include a support frame, a pair of front legs, a pair of back legs, and a cot actuation system. The pair of front legs may be slidingly coupled to the support frame. Each front leg includes at least one front wheel. The pair of back legs may be slidingly coupled to the support frame. Each back leg includes at least one back wheel. The cot actuation system includes a front actuator that moves the front legs and a back actuator that moves the back legs. The front actuator and the back actuator raises or lowers the support frame in tandem. The front actuator raises or lowers the front end of the support frame independently of the back actuator. The back actuator raises or lowers the back end of the support frame independently of the front actuator.