A device for moving a load is provided. The device includes a platform defining a surface and an edge extending downward therefrom. The device further includes two pairs of opposing legs each defining a top portion pivotally engaged with the platform interior of the edge, wherein each pair of legs has an extended position where each leg extends away from the edge. Each pair of legs further includes a collapsed position where the top portion of each leg extends substantially parallel and interior to the edge, a middle portion of each leg extends through a corresponding slot defined by the edge, and a bottom portion of each leg extends substantially parallel and exterior to the edge.

A litter for carrying an injured person and method of making the same is provided. The litter comprises a pair of frame rails defining a middle space therebetween. A carrying structure is supported by the pair of frame rails in the middle space and defines a top surface and a bottom surface. The carrying structure is configured to support an injured person on the top surface. The litter further comprises at least one spreader bar disposed between the pair of frame rails. At least one foot defining a top and a bottom may be attached to a bottom side of either the at least one spreader bar or at least one of the pair of frame rails. The at least one foot defines a curved surface leading downwardly from the top to the bottom vertically away from the top surface of the carrying structure and horizontally towards the middle space.

A litter for carrying an injured person and method of making the same is provided. The litter comprises a pair of frame rails defining a middle space therebetween. A carrying structure is supported by the pair of frame rails in the middle space and defines a top surface and a bottom surface. The carrying structure is configured to support an injured person on the top surface. The litter further comprises at least one spreader bar disposed between the pair of frame rails. At least one foot defining a top and a bottom may be attached to a bottom side of either the at least one spreader bar or at least one of the pair of frame rails. The at least one foot defines a curved surface leading downwardly from the top to the bottom vertically away from the top surface of the carrying structure and horizontally towards the middle space.

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.

Patient support systems and methods for docking, transporting, sterilizing, and storing patient support decks. The patient support system comprises patient support decks that are configured to carry patients, such as in emergency situations or in a healthcare facility. The patient support decks are adapted to be engaged by docking stations and transport devices. Different configurations of docking stations and transport devices are contemplated. Sterilization apparatuses are provided to sterilize the patient support decks after use and storage facilities store the patient support decks for later use once they are sterilized.

A gurney transfer assist device for a helicopter has a fixed height frame supporting a slidably movable bed deck frame. The fixed height frame is releasably secured to a known wheeled gurney. The fixed height dimension raises a carried stretcher to a vertical height to allow transfer to and/or from a medical helicopter loading surface. The slidably movable bed deck frame is extendable outwardly from one end of the fixed height frame and the extending end is angulated to facilitate transfer of the stretcher and supported patient to/from the helicopter loading surface.

A gurney transfer assist device for a helicopter has a fixed height frame supporting a slidably movable bed deck frame. The fixed height frame is releasably secured to a known wheeled gurney. The fixed height dimension raises a carried stretcher to a vertical height to allow transfer to and/or from a medical helicopter loading surface. The slidably movable bed deck frame is extendable outwardly from one end of the fixed height frame and the extending end is angulated to facilitate transfer of the stretcher and supported patient to/from the helicopter loading surface.

A power supply system for a facility includes a patient support apparatus with a controller and a patient support. A power source is operably coupled to the patient support apparatus. The controller is in communication with the power source. A transmitting assembly is coupled to the patient support apparatus and the power source. A receiving assembly is operably coupled to the patient support. The transmitting assembly wirelessly communicates with the receiving assembly to power the patient support. A locating feature is in communication with the controller of the patient support apparatus. The locating feature is configured to aid in aligning the power source on the patient support apparatus to indicate when the receiving assembly is in communication with the transmitting assembly.

A power supply system for a facility includes a patient support apparatus with a controller and a patient support. A power source is operably coupled to the patient support apparatus. The controller is in communication with the power source. A transmitting assembly is coupled to the patient support apparatus and the power source. A receiving assembly is operably coupled to the patient support. The transmitting assembly wirelessly communicates with the receiving assembly to power the patient support. A locating feature is in communication with the controller of the patient support apparatus. The locating feature is configured to aid in aligning the power source on the patient support apparatus to indicate when the receiving assembly is in communication with the transmitting assembly.

A spring supported tray for mitigating a dominant frequency imparted thereto is provided. The spring supported tray includes a tray including a topside and underside, and configured to support an object on the topside, and N springs supporting the tray, N being a positive integer. A first end of each of the N springs is disposed at the underside of the tray. A second end of each of the N springs is disposed so as to receive vibrational motion imparted to the second end of each of the N springs from a source of the vibrational motion, the vibrational motion having a dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom. Each of the N springs has a spring constant k defined by the equation: $k=\frac{f_n^{2}4{\pi }^{2}w}{\mathrm{Ng}}$
where w denotes the collective weight of the tray and the object, g denotes the force of gravity, and f.sub.n denotes a natural frequency of the spring supported tray supporting the object, wherein f.sub.n is a lower frequency than the dominant undesired frequency f.sub.dom.