A cot fastening system for fastening a cot to an emergency vehicle includes a frame configured for mounting to the floor of an emergency vehicle, which has a longitudinal axis and a cot loading direction along the longitudinal axis. The system includes a first restraint assembly for coupling to a first cot attachment of the cot, which is mounted to the frame. The system further includes a second restraint assembly for coupling to a second cot attachment, which is also mounted to the frame. The system further includes a spring, such as a coil spring, for biasing the cot in a direction opposed from the loading direction of the frame to thereby apply a pre-load on at least one of said restraint assemblies.

Cot fastening systems which fix and hold an emergency cot to a crash stable, cot fastener track included in the system and provided within an emergency vehicle and methods of affixing the emergency cot thereto are disclosed. The track has a longitudinal length with first and second ends, open side rails longitudinally extending between the ends, and a channel centrally located between the rails. The side rails align, accommodate and guide a first fixture of the cot towards the first end as the cot is rolled within the vehicle and to retain the first fixture adjacent the first end at least vertically and laterally therein. The channel accommodates therein and retains a second fixture adjacent the second end at least vertically and laterally therein. A securing mechanism releasably prevents removal of the first fixture from the open side rails and removal of the second fixture from the channel.

A litter lift system includes a winch and a lifting strap. The winch includes a rotatable spool. The lifting strap has one end coupled to the rotatable spool and is movable due to rotation of the rotatable spool. The lifting strap has a first lifting segment and a second lifting segment positioned away from the end of the lifting strap coupled to the rotatable spool. The first lifting segment and the second lifting segment are each forked to interface with a frame of a litter at first lifting segment and second lifting segment distal ends, wherein a coupling is attached to the first lifting segment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a first direction raises the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a second direction different from the first direction lowers the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment.

A litter lift system includes a motor-driven winch and a lifting strap. The motor-driven winch includes a rotatable spool. The lifting strap has one end coupled to the rotatable spool and is movable in response to rotation of the rotatable spool. The lifting strap has a first lifting segment and a second lifting segment positioned away from the end of the lifting strap coupled to the rotatable spool. The first lifting segment and the second lifting segment are each forked to define two separate lifting loops. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a first direction raises the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a second direction different from the first direction lowers the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment.

A modular payload transport system is described for the releasable coupling of a payload to a support structure. The payload transport system may be adaptable to multiple modes of transportation to create a flexible and portable system for securing a payload. In some embodiments, the payload transport system may consist of a portable medical stretcher and a coupling system that secures the stretcher to a transportation vehicle such as an aircraft.

A cot fastening system for fastening a cot to an emergency vehicle includes a frame configured for mounting to the floor of an emergency vehicle, which has a longitudinal axis and a cot loading direction along the longitudinal axis. The system includes a first restraint assembly for coupling to a first cot attachment of the cot, which is mounted to the frame. The system further includes a second restraint assembly for coupling to a second cot attachment, which is also mounted to the frame. The system further includes a spring, such as a coil spring, for biasing the cot in a direction opposed from the loading direction of the frame to thereby apply a pre-load on at least one of said restraint assemblies.

A track assembly for mounting a movable object includes a track having a web and at least one flange joined with the web. A stop assembly is mounted to the track at the web by a releasable connection and configured to engage the flange to form a moment restraint for the connection of the stop assembly to the web.

A deployable gurney lift assembly (12), which has a carriage assembly (14) plate (20) with two pivot arms (38) disposed opposite one another on each side of the carriage assembly (14), an antler holder (16) to accommodate a bar of the gurney, and at least one hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric jack (22) lift actuator for lifting and lowering the arms (38). Retractable deployment apparatus for slidably moving the retractable deployment apparatus along a length of base tracks (28). Base tracks (28) having rear ends terminating in stops (42), and carriage assembly (14) guides slidably engaged along deployment tracks (28).

A litter lift system includes a winch system and a lifting strap. The winch system includes a rotatable spool. The lifting strap has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate segment extending away from the lifting strap between the first end and the second end. The first end is coupled to the rotatable spool such that rotation of the spool in a first direction winds the lifting strap about the spool and rotation of the spool in a second direction unwinds the lifting strap from the spool. The second end defines a first lifting segment and the intermediate segment defines a second lifting segment. The first lifting segment and the second lifting segment are each forked to define two separate lifting loops.

The embodiments described and claimed herein are a restraint system for securing a gurney in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a conventional antler and rail-type gurney restraint system is improved by the addition of a center latch restraint that engages with a latch member secured by a support bracket to the underside of the gurney. In one configuration, the latch member enters into engagement with the center latch restraint through lateral movement of the control end of the gurney. In that respect, the EMT may use the same autonomic movements used with the conventional antler and rail-type system to secure the gurney in the vehicle. Optionally, one or more of the gurney occupant restraint belts are directly connected to the support bracket, whereby occupant loads during an accident will bypass the gurney and occupant head excursions can be reduced.