A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a base and support wheels coupled to the base. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base and comprises one or more auxiliary wheels that influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the surface to assist caregivers. An actuator system is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheels to move the auxiliary wheels relative to the base from a stowed position to a first deployed position, and further to a second deployed position.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a base and support wheels coupled to the base. An auxiliary wheel assembly is coupled to the base and comprises one or more auxiliary wheels that influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the surface to assist caregivers. An actuator system is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheels to move the auxiliary wheels relative to the base from a stowed position to a first deployed position, and further to a second deployed position.

A patient support apparatus comprises a base supported by caster assemblies with each caster assembly comprising a stem, a caster wheel, and a caster wheel axle. A patient support surface is coupled to the base and is configured to receive a load. One or more load sensors are integrated with at least one of the stem, the caster wheel, or the caster wheel axle for measuring the load. One or more of the caster assemblies can be coupled to a steering motor, which controls orientation of the caster assembly. A controller can control the steering motors based on analyzing the measurements of the load sensor. The load sensors can produce measurements indicative of both vertical load and non-vertical load applied to the caster assembly. The controller can also analyze the measurements of the load sensor to determine the load received by the patient support surface by negating the non-vertical load.

A patient support apparatus comprises a base supported by caster assemblies with each caster assembly comprising a stem, a caster wheel, and a caster wheel axle. A patient support surface is coupled to the base and is configured to receive a load. One or more load sensors are integrated with at least one of the stem, the caster wheel, or the caster wheel axle for measuring the load. One or more of the caster assemblies can be coupled to a steering motor, which controls orientation of the caster assembly. A controller can control the steering motors based on analyzing the measurements of the load sensor. The load sensors can produce measurements indicative of both vertical load and non-vertical load applied to the caster assembly. The controller can also analyze the measurements of the load sensor to determine the load received by the patient support surface by negating the non-vertical load.

A retractable wheel system includes a rotatable member, a swing arm attached to the rotatable member and a wheel, a swing mount attached to the rotatable member, and a spring member. The spring member is attached to the swing mount at a connection point on a first end and to the swing arm on a second end. The spring member is rotatable relative to the swing mount at the connection point. The spring member is configured to apply a force in an upward direction when the connection point is above a line extending between a wheel attachment point and a swing arm rotation point of the swing arm and a force in a downward direction when the connection point is below the line of the swing arm. A transportation unit including the retractable wheel system is also disclosed.

A retractable wheel system includes a rotatable member, a swing arm attached to the rotatable member and a wheel, a swing mount attached to the rotatable member, and a spring member. The spring member is attached to the swing mount at a connection point on a first end and to the swing arm on a second end. The spring member is rotatable relative to the swing mount at the connection point. The spring member is configured to apply a force in an upward direction when the connection point is above a line extending between a wheel attachment point and a swing arm rotation point of the swing arm and a force in a downward direction when the connection point is below the line of the swing arm. A transportation unit including the retractable wheel system is also disclosed.

A patient transport apparatus comprises support structure. The support structure comprises a base, a support frame, and a patient support deck. A headboard and a footboard are coupled to the support structure. The support frame comprises a head section and a body section, the body section coupled to the patient support deck. The patient support deck comprises a patient support surface capable of articulating relative to the support frame. The head section is movable relative to the body section to define first and second configurations of the support frame, the support frame having a first footprint in the first configuration and a second footprint, smaller than the first footprint, in the second configuration.

A patient transport apparatus comprises support structure. The support structure comprises a base, a support frame, and a patient support deck. A headboard and a footboard are coupled to the support structure. The support frame comprises a head section and a body section, the body section coupled to the patient support deck. The patient support deck comprises a patient support surface capable of articulating relative to the support frame. The head section is movable relative to the body section to define first and second configurations of the support frame, the support frame having a first footprint in the first configuration and a second footprint, smaller than the first footprint, in the second configuration.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a base and support wheels coupled to the base. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the base to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. A wheel drive system is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel to rotate the auxiliary wheel relative to the base at a rotational speed. A throttle assembly having a throttle operably coupled to the actuator. The throttle is movable in a first position, a second position, and intermediate positions between the first and second positions. The rotational speed of the auxiliary wheel changes in a non-linear manner with respect to movement of the throttle.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a base and support wheels coupled to the base. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the base to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. A wheel drive system is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel to rotate the auxiliary wheel relative to the base at a rotational speed. A throttle assembly having a throttle operably coupled to the actuator. The throttle is movable in a first position, a second position, and intermediate positions between the first and second positions. The rotational speed of the auxiliary wheel changes in a non-linear manner with respect to movement of the throttle.