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 transfer device for loading/unloading of a cargo such as wheelchair from a structure such as a vehicle the device having a platform movable from a deposit position at the level of the ground level to an access position at the floor level keeping the platform substantially horizontal. The platform is provided with a front safety barrier rotatable to serve as a ramp when the platform is at ground level, and with side safety barriers each substantially constituted by an articulated quadrilateral, such that when the platform is at the ground level, the side safety barriers fold down by kinematic mechanisms while preferably corresponding side ramps are made available. This arrangement allows transition of the wheelchair from/to the ground from any side of the platform, by virtue of the automatic folding of both the front and side barriers and the simultaneous presentation of the corresponding ramps.

To permit wheelchair access, a door assembly of an OEM vehicle may be modified with a replacement door hinge that increases the door swing angle while maintaining clearances between door and a front door assembly, the vehicle body, and a wheelchair ramp installed in the door opening. To preserve the door's OEM closed position, the replacement door hinge (when in the closed position) may match the geometry between the OEM hinge's door and vehicle connection points. Additionally or alternatively, the door assembly may be modified to include a powered door opening assembly comprising a slider block configured with a motor to reciprocate along a width of the door and a connecting rod pivotally coupled between the vehicle and the slider block.

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.

An apparatus is disclosed which enables a person to be moved into a seat which may be obstructed by an arm rest or another obstacle. In some implementations, an apparatus for seating a person into an obstructed seat may comprise a first support structure for supporting the person in a position adjacent the obstructed seat; a second support structure configured to be placed onto the seat; and a transfer structure configured to enable the person to move or be moved from the first support structure to the second support structure.

An apparatus is disclosed which enables a person to be moved into a seat which may be obstructed by an arm rest or another obstacle. In some implementations, an apparatus for seating a person into an obstructed seat may comprise a first support structure for supporting the person in a position adjacent the obstructed seat; a second support structure configured to be placed onto the seat; and a transfer structure configured to enable the person to move or be moved from the first support structure to the second support structure.

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.

A surgical table extension for use with a surgical table. The surgical table extension including: a leg including a base. The base having a plurality of casters; first and second rails extending from the leg; a hinge disposed on the leg, the hinge is configured to permit movement of the first and second rails about at least a first axis relative to the leg; and a clamp configured to at least indirectly clamp the first and second rails to the surgical table. Wherein the leg is linearly movable relative to the base to permit passive movement of the leg relative to the surgical table when the first and second rails are inclined relative to the base.