Transport apparatus

Abstract

A first transport apparatus includes a deck for supporting a patient thereon and a lift mechanism supporting the deck. The deck is removable from the lift mechanism for use as a second transport apparatus or part of a second transport apparatus. The first transport apparatus further includes an electrically powered device at the first transport apparatus, and a user input device for wireless control of the electrically powered device, which is operable at or near the first transport apparatus and the second transport apparatus.

Claims

1. A first wheeled transport apparatus comprising: a deck for supporting a patient thereon; a wheeled base with a plurality of wheels mounted thereto; a lift mechanism supporting said deck relative to said wheeled base, said deck being removable from said lift mechanism for use as a second wheeled transport apparatus or part of a second wheeled transport apparatus, the second wheeled transport apparatus having a wheeled base with a plurality of wheels mounted thereto; an electrically powered device at said first wheeled transport apparatus; and a user input device for wireless control of said electrically powered device and operable to provide said wireless control from or near said first wheeled transport apparatus and from or near the second wheeled transport apparatus when the second wheeled transport apparatus is in proximity to said first transport apparatus.

2. The first wheeled transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrically powered device comprises a drive mechanism operable to raise or lower said lift mechanism.

3. The first wheeled transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said deck includes a track, wherein said electrically powered device comprises a drive mechanism to drive said track.

4. The first wheeled transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said deck includes a seat section, a head section articulatable relative to said seat section, and a foot section articulatable relative to said seat section, wherein said electrically powered device comprises a drive mechanism operable to move said head section or said foot section relative to said seat section.

5. The first wheeled transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said deck includes a seat section, a head section articulatable relative to said seat section, and a foot section articulatable relative to said seat section, wherein said user input device is mounted to said head section.

6. The first wheeled transport apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said head section includes a patient facing side and an underside opposed from said patient facing side, said user input device being mounted to said underside of said head section.

7. The first wheeled transport apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said user input device comprises a handheld device and is removably mounted to said underside of head section.

8. The first wheeled transport apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said user input device comprises a touchscreen.

9. The first wheeled transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said user input device comprises a first user input device, said first transport apparatus further comprising a second user input device operable to control said electrically powered device, one of said first and second user input devices configured to override another of said first and second user input devices.

10. The first wheeled transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said user input device includes a controller operable to forward data associated with (1) a patient or (2) said first transport apparatus or (3) said second transport apparatus.

11. The first wheeled transport apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to forward data relative to a patient supported on said deck or forward data relative to said first transport apparatus to a location remote from said first transport apparatus for external storage.

12. A patient transport system comprising: a first wheeled patient transport apparatus, said first wheeled patient transport apparatus including a deck for supporting a patient thereon and a wheeled base having a plurality of wheels mounted thereto, said deck supported relative to said base to form said first wheeled patient transport apparatus and being removable from said base without disassembly to form a deck of a second, independent wheeled patient transport apparatus for said patient transport system; and a controller mounted relative to said deck and removable with said deck from said base of said first wheeled patient support apparatus and configured to forward data relative to a patient supported on said deck when forming said first wheeled patient support apparatus and when forming said second independent wheeled patient support apparatus to a location remote from said patient transport system for external storage.

13. The patient transport system according to claim 12, wherein said controller is configured to form an association between one of said patient transport apparatuses and a device.

14. The patient transport system according to claim 13, wherein said one of said patient support apparatuses includes data indicative of the location of said one of said patient transport apparatuses and/or said device.

15. The patient transport system according to claim 13, wherein said controller is further configured to determine an identity of said device by communicating with said device through a near field communication transceiver or a far field communication transceiver.

16. The patient transport system according to claim 15, further comprising a display, said display displaying (1) said identity of said device or (2) said association between said device and said one of said patient transport apparatuses.

17. The patient transport system according to claim 16, further comprising a computer that is configured to act a thin client for at least one network service thereby enabling upgrades, modifications, improvements, or customizations of one or more functions performed by said one of said patient transport apparatuses.

18. The patient transport system according to claim 12, further comprising a computer that is configured to act a thin client for at least one network service thereby enabling upgrades, modifications, improvements, or customizations of one or more functions performed by said one of said wheeled patient transport apparatuses.

19. A patient transport system comprising: a first wheeled patient transport apparatus, said first wheeled patient transport apparatus including a deck for supporting a patient thereon and a wheeled base having a plurality of wheels mounted thereto, said deck supported relative to said wheeled base to form said first patient transport apparatus and being removable therefrom to form a second wheeled patient transport apparatus for said patient transport system; and a controller configured to forward data relative to a patient supported on said deck or relative to said patient transport system to a location remote from said patient transport system for external storage; wherein one of said wheeled patient transport apparatuses is configured to act as a wireless hotspot for providing Internet access to one or more devices or other wheeled patient support apparatuses wherein said patient transport system is operable as a WiFi hub.

20. The patient transport system according to claim 19, wherein said controller is configured to form an association between one of said wheeled patient transport apparatuses and another device.

21. The patient transport system according to claim 20, wherein said data includes data indicative of the location of said one of said wheeled patient transport apparatuses and/or said other device.

22. The patient transport system according to claim 20, wherein said controller is further configured to determine an identity of said other device by communicating with said other device through a near field communication transceiver or a far field communication transceiver.

23. The patient transport system according to claim 22, further comprising a display, said display displaying (1) said identity of said other device or (2) said association between said other device and said one of said wheeled patient transport apparatuses.

24. A patient transport system comprising: a first wheeled patient transport apparatus, said first wheeled patient transport apparatus including a deck for supporting a patient thereon and a wheeled base having a plurality of wheels mounted thereto, said deck supported relative to said wheeled base to form said first wheeled patient transport apparatus and being removable therefrom to form a second wheeled patient transport apparatus for said patient transport system; and a controller configured to forward data relative to a patient supported on said deck or relative to said patient transport system to a location remote from said patient transport system for external storage; an electrically powered device at said first wheeled patient transport apparatus or said second wheeled patient transport apparatus; and a removable user input device removably mounted to said first wheeled patient transport apparatus for wireless control of said electrically powered device and operable to provide said wireless control when mounted or removed from said first wheeled patient transport apparatus.

25. The patient transport system according to claim 24, wherein said removable user input device includes said controller.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transport apparatus of the present invention shown in a chair configuration;

(2) FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 4 is another side elevation view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 6 is yet another perspective view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 7 is another side elevation view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 1;

(11) FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in a cot configuration;

(12) FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the transport apparatus in the cot configuration illustrating the addition of wheels to the transport apparatus;

(13) FIG. 13 is a similar view of FIG. 12 with the axillary wheels mounted to the transport apparatus;

(14) FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the transport apparatus with the axillary wheels mounted;

(15) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the transport apparatus in the cot configuration with the axillary wheels mounted;

(16) FIG. 16 is an end perspective elevation view of the transport apparatus in the cot configuration;

(17) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a transport apparatus of the present invention in the form of a cot shown reconfigured in a chair configuration;

(18) FIG. 17A is a front view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 17;

(19) FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 17;

(20) FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 17;

(21) FIG. 19A is a side elevation similar to FIG. 19 showing the deck tilting;

(22) FIG. 19B is a side elevation similar to FIG. 19 showing the deck tilting to an even greater angle;

(23) FIG. 20 is another side elevation view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 17;

(24) FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 17;

(25) FIG. 22 is yet another perspective view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 17;

(26) FIG. 23 is another side elevation view of the transport apparatus of FIG. 17 shown in a configuration for supporting a patient in a supine position;

(27) FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the transport apparatus in the configuration shown in FIG. 23;

(28) FIG. 25 is a top perspective view of the transport apparatus in the configuration shown in FIG. 23;

(29) FIG. 26 is another perspective view of the transport apparatus in the configuration shown in FIG. 23 with the litter deck removed and transferred to a stair chair frame in a chair configuration to form a transport apparatus system;

(30) FIG. 27 is another perspective view of the transport apparatus in the configuration shown in FIG. 26;

(31) FIG. 28 is another perspective view of the transport apparatus in the configuration shown in FIG. 26;

(32) FIG. 29 is a similar view of FIG. 27 with the stair chair moved further away to show the back of the stair chair engagement structure;

(33) FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the stair chair that mounts onto the base of a cot to form a transport apparatus system;

(34) FIG. 31 is another perspective view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 30;

(35) FIG. 32 is another enlarged perspective view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 30;

(36) FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 30;

(37) FIG. 34 is a bottom perspective view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 30 showing the deck in a cot configuration;

(38) FIG. 35 is a front elevation of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 30;

(39) FIG. 36 is a side perspective view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 30;

(40) FIG. 37 is another side view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 30;

(41) FIG. 38 is another perspective view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 30 showing the deck in a chair configuration;

(42) FIG. 39 is another side elevation view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 30 shown in a configuration for supporting a patient in a seated position;

(43) FIG. 40 is a side elevation view of a transport apparatus system;

(44) FIG. 41 is another side elevation view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 40 showing the loading of the transport chair apparatus onto the cot apparatus; FIG. 40 is a side elevation view of a transport apparatus system;

(45) FIG. 42 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a transport apparatus system;

(46) FIG. 43 is a side elevation view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 42 showing the loading of the transport chair apparatus onto the cot apparatus;

(47) FIG. 44 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a transport apparatus system;

(48) FIG. 45 is a side elevation view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 44 showing the loading of the transport chair apparatus onto the cot apparatus;

(49) FIG. 46 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a transport apparatus system;

(50) FIG. 47 is a side elevation view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 46 showing the loading of the transport chair apparatus onto the cot apparatus;

(51) FIG. 48 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a transport apparatus system;

(52) FIG. 49 is another side elevation view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 48 showing the loading of the transport chair apparatus onto the cot apparatus;

(53) FIG. 50 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a transport apparatus system;

(54) FIG. 51 is a side elevation view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 50 showing the loading of the transport chair apparatus onto the cot apparatus;

(55) FIG. 52 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a transport apparatus system;

(56) FIG. 53 is a side elevation view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 52 showing the loading of the transport chair apparatus onto the cot apparatus;

(57) FIG. 54 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a transport apparatus system;

(58) and

(59) FIG. 55 is a side elevation view of the transport apparatus system of FIG. 54 showing the loading of the transport chair apparatus onto the cot apparatus,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(60) Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 generally designates a transport apparatus of the present invention. As will be more fully described below, transport apparatus 10 may include an articulatable deck to allow the transport apparatus to be configured between a chair configuration, such as shown in FIG. 1, and cot configuration, such as shown in FIG. 13. Further, the transport apparatus optionally includes a lift mechanism that has a compact configuration, which can provide a great range of motion and further may tilt the deck section to provide a more comfortable sitting arrangement for a person supported on the transport apparatus when the transport apparatus is a chair configuration. Further, the transport apparatus may incorporate a track assembly and/or a large axillary wheel in addition to its casters to optionally provide a powered transport apparatus and, further, one that offers greater maneuverability.

(61) In another aspect, the transport apparatus may incorporate a releasable litter deck so that the deck may be removed for use as or on another transport apparatus. For example, the litter deck may be transferred to another transport apparatus frame or removed for replacement with another litter deck to thereby customize the transport apparatus. Or the litter may be configured to be removed and then folded into a chair configuration, such as a stair chair configuration. In this manner, apparatus 10 may provide increased versatility.

(62) Referring again to FIG. 1, transport apparatus 10 includes a deck 12, which is supported on a deck support frame 14 and a base 16, which supports frame 14 and deck 12 by way of a lift mechanism 18. Optionally, deck 12 may be removable, such as described below in reference to apparatus 210.

(63) In the illustrated embodiment, lift mechanism 18 comprises a double X-frame lift mechanism with a pair of lower X-frames 18a and a pair of upper X-frames 18b, which are joined at their respective upper and lower ends by pivot connections 20a and 22a. The lower ends of lower X-frame members 18a are pivotally joined to base 16 with one of the lower ends being slidably, pivotally mounted to the base and the other pinned to the base. Similarly, the upper X-frame members are pivotally mounted to frame 14 with one upper end being slidably pivotally mounted and the other end pinned. In this manner, when the X-frames are pivoted about to their respective central pivot axes 20 and 22, frame 14, and hence deck 12, will be lowered or raised relative to base 16, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

(64) The unfolding and folding of the respective X-frames is provided by a driver 24, which is best illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, in the form of a cylinder, such as an electrically actuated cylinder, which is mounted on one end to base 16, for example, by way of a pivot connection, such as a bushing, and pivotally mounted by a bushing at its opposed end to a transverse rod 25, which is mounted between the arms of the upper X-frame members, as described below.

(65) Referring to FIG. 8, deck 12 includes a seat section 26 and a head section 28 and a foot section 30, which are each articulatable relative to the seat section 26 (and independently articulatable relative to the seat section 26) and further with respect to lift mechanism 18. Each section may include a frame and a skin to support pads described below. Alternately, one or more of the seat section, head section, and foot section may comprise a perimeter frame and a pad supported by said frame, wherein the pad is exposed on both sides of the respective section. For example, the pad (or pads) may comprise a core cushioning member and a base supporting the cushioning member, with both the base and cushioning member enveloped in a cover, such as a liquid impermeable cover, such as vinyl. The base may be formed form a variety of materials that provide stiffness to the cushioning member. For example, the base may be solid or a mesh or a lattice and be formed from wood, metal, plastic, including plastic reinforced, for example with fibers or the like or a combination thereof. The base may also be formed from discrete members, such as strips or batons.

(66) Foot section 30 may be pivotally mounted to frame 14 by way of a transverse shaft 30a, which is received in bushings 30b mounted to frame 14 and secured to the framework of section 30. The head section 28 may be pivotally mounted to the seat section 26 by a pivot shaft or the like, similarly mounted to the head section framework. The articulatable sections of deck 12 may be manually moved or may be moved by actuators, such as electric actuators. When manually moved, the respective mounts may provide resistance or may incorporate a release mechanism, for example, which are released by handles or the like provided in the head section and/or foot section (such as a handle 30e of foot section 30 shown in FIG. 3).

(67) Each respective section of the deck may include a pad to thereby form a sectioned support surface for a patient. The respective pads are sized and configured (and gatched) such that the deck sections may be moved between the chair configuration as shown in FIGS. 1-10, and further the cot configuration such as shown in FIGS. 13-16 without running interference with the adjacent pad or pads. Additionally, the padded sections 28b and 30b, may include laterally extending lips 28c and 30c, respectively, which optionally extend beyond the supporting framework of the deck to reduce the gap between the deck and an adjacent support surface, for example, when the deck is in its cot configuration to facilitate a patient transfer from the cot, so that the lip or lips at least partially fill the space to the adjacent surface to which the patient is being transferred.

(68) Seat section 26 optionally includes side rails 40 that are pivotally mounted about the opposed sides of seat section 26 to frame 14. Side rails 40 may each include a hand hold 42, and further may be provided with a pad 40a to provide cushioned lateral support to a patient supported on apparatus 10.

(69) Side rails 40 are mounted in a generally vertical orientation relative to seat section 26 and may further be released from their generally vertical orientation to an angle relative to the support surface to increase the width of the deck, at least of the seat section of the deck. For example, side rails 40 may be configured to be tilted in a range from a generally vertical orientation, such as about 80-90 degrees relative to the patient deck at seat section 26 to an angle in a range from about 30-50 degrees relative to the seat section, and optionally no more than 45 degrees to avoid creating any instability issues.

(70) In addition to seat sections and head sections, deck 12 may also incorporate extendible head and foot rests 44, 46 which may be mounted on telescoping tubes to thereby extend the length of the deck to accommodate taller patients. Telescoping tubes 44a and 46a may be moved manually, for example, by way of handles 44b and 46b. For example, the telescoping tubes 44a and 46a may provide resistance to movement of the respective head rest and foot rest (and provide infinite positioning between a fully extended position and retracted position) or may include detent mechanisms to provide defined positions for the respective rests. Alternately, the rests may be moved by actuators, such as electrically powered actuators.

(71) Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, X-frames 18a, 18b of lift mechanism 18 are formed by pivotally joined arms 50 and 52, and 54 and 56, respectively. Each arm 50, 52, 54, and 56 may include a telescoping arm 50a, 52a, 54a, and 56a, respectively. The telescoping arm sections of X-frames 18a may be pivotally mounted to base 16, with the telescoping arms 54a, 56a being pivotally mounted to frame 14. Therefore, in addition to folding about the respective pivot axes, the respective arms of the X-frames can be extended or contracted to thereby tilt deck 12, such as shown in FIGS. 2-4, and 7. In this manner, when a patient is supported on the deck 12, and transport apparatus 10 is in its stair chair configuration, such as shown in FIGS. 1-10, a patient may be tilted relative to the lift mechanism and therefore relative to the base at an angle that is more comfortable for patient, for example in a range of 0 (zero) degrees plus or minus about 40 degrees from horizontal. Further, lifting mechanism 18 may tilt deck 12 when in its cot configuration to tilt the deck into a Trendelenberg or reverse Trendelenberg configuration.

(72) As best seen in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9, arms 50 may be joined together by a transverse member, such as a transverse rod 52a. Similar, arms 54 may be joined by transverse rod 25 (FIG. 10) by way of offsetting arms 54b (FIG. 4). With this configuration, the lift mechanism may have a compact configuration, which can provide a greater range of motion and further may allow the deck to be lowered to a low height of less than 14, less than 13 and as low as 12.

(73) As previously noted, transport apparatus 10 may be configured as a chair, and more particularly as a stair chair. In the illustrated embodiments, base 16 includes a track assembly 60. Track assembly 60 may be formed from a pair of continuous loops of treaded belt to form a pair of moving tracks 62, which are mounted about wheels 64, 66, and 68 to form generally triangular shaped pathways for the belts. A suitable belt has an inner drive tread and an outer drive tread. Wheels 64, 66, and 68 may be mounted directly to base 16 or may be mounted to a separate frame, which can then be mounted to base 16, which allows the whole track assembly to be removable.

(74) As noted above, track assembly 60 may be powered. For example, as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, wheel 66 may be mounted about a drive axle 66a, which is driven by a motor 69 housed in base 16. For example, motor 69 may be housed in housing 70, which may also include a power supply for driving the motor, such as a battery, including a rechargeable battery. Optionally, foot end wheels 64 of track assembly 60 may also be power driven, for example, by a motor positioned between wheels 64, which drives a drive shaft supporting wheel 64.

(75) Actuator 24 and motor 69 (or motors) may be controlled by controls mounted to apparatus 10 including, for example, a wireless motor control provided for example by a user interface 72. In the illustrated embodiment user interface 72 comprises a touch screen 74. User interface 72 may be incorporated into apparatus 10, for example, at the head section, or may be removably mounted such as shown in FIG. 10, as well as to various hand holds or handles provided around support more fully described below. For example, head deck section 28 may support a mounting structure 76, such as a rail 78, which allows user interface 72 to be removably mounted to head section of deck 12. Further, when in the form of a rail, the position of the user interface may be adjusted. For example, a suitable mounting mechanism may comprise a clamp with an optional release mechanism to allow the position of the user interface to be adjusted. Therefore, an attendant standing behind the raised head section of apparatus 10 may operate motor 69 by simply touching touch screen 74, which may provide multiple functions by way of multiple touch screen areas, all controlled by a graphic user interface (GUI). For example, user interface 72 may have an application that generates designated touch screen areas that form a menu, with user input areas, and further which may generate displays or icons representative of the function being controlled. Further, user interface 72 may be configured as a monitor to display images or movies to show the patient or the caregiver. Optionally, user interface 72 may incorporate a camera, microphone and/or speaker. For example a suitable interface may comprise a tablet, such as an iPad available from Apple, with applications that provide these and other features.

(76) In addition to controlling motor 69, user interface 72 may also control lighting provided about apparatus 10, described more fully below. Alternately, the lighting may be controlled by onboard circuitry and sensors, such as light sensors that detect the ambient lighting conditions and actuate the lights to provide better visibility of apparatus 10 (also as described below).

(77) In some embodiments, the user interface may include a controller that forwards data to a location remote from the support, for example patient data and information, and optionally other data related to either the patient support or a device or other objects (e.g. medical devices, mattress, patients or caregivers wearing near field ID tags, or other items). Further, the controller may send data that indicates an association between the support and a device. The data may be forwarded wirelessly using a far field communications transceiver. For example, the recipient of the data may be a healthcare computer network, such as, but not limited to, an Ethernet. The controller may include a far field communications transceiver for example a WIFI device (IEEE 802.11) that forwards the data to the healthcare computer network. The data forwarded by the patient support to the healthcare network, in some instances, may include data indicative of the location of the patient support and/or the device. The controller may further be configured to determine an identity of the device by communicating with it through either near field or far field communication transceivers. A display of the interface 72 may display the identity of the device and/or information indicating the association between the device and the patient support. The user interface may include a keypad, one or more buttons, a touch screen, one or more switches, or the like, which is adapted to allow a user to select certain functions and also either accept a displayed association with the device or to override the displayed association.

(78) In another embodiment, the controller may include a near field communication system that communicates in any of the manners, and with any of the devices, disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/802,992, filed Mar. 14, 2013 by applicants Michael Hayes et al, and entitled COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS FOR PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUSES (P397A), which is which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and commonly owned by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Mich. Such a near field communications transceiver can be used for establishing associations between the patient support and a device or other objects (e.g. medical devices, mattress, patients or caregivers wearing near field ID tags, or other items). For example, in some embodiments, near field communications may be used as a proxy for determining associations amongst wirelessly communicating devices due to the limited physical range of the near field communications. In other words, if two devices are able to communicate with each other using near field communication, they must be located within a certain relatively close range, and given that close range, a determination can be made as to whether the devices are likely associated with each other or not. In still other embodiments, the far field communication is incorporated into the patient support, either alone or in combination with the near field communication, and used for determining associations and/or for communicating data at a rate higher than what is possible using near field communications.

(79) Interface 72 may also be configured to communicate with other devices, such as any of the devices disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/570,934 filed Aug. 9, 2012, by applicants Michael Hayes et al. and entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH IN-ROOM DEVICE COMMUNICATION, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference and commonly owned by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Mich. For further details of user interface 72 reference is made to copending application Ser. No. 61/781,308, entitled CONFIGURABLE PATIENT SUPPORT, filed on even date herewith, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and commonly owned by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Mich.

(80) In addition, apparatus 10 may incorporate a computer (e.g. at interface 72) that acts as a thin client for at least one network service, thereby enabling upgrades, modifications, improvements, and customizations of the one or more functions performed by apparatus 10.

(81) Apparatus 10 may also incorporate sensors to detect the orientation of the support and/condition or status of a patient or devices at the support. The network service may then also provide information, algorithms, data processing, and/or other features for apparatus 10 that relate to such features as: monitoring patient activity, providing patient care assessments, implementing a patient care protocol, monitoring maintenance needs, and analyzing sensor data.

(82) In still other embodiments, the patient support may be configured to act as a wireless hotspot for providing Internet access to one more mobile devices, including, but not limited to, other patient support apparatuses, smart phones, computer tablets, and medical devices. In this manner, information may be downloaded to the support from, for example, at a remote location, such as a hospital, or vice versainformation at the support can be uploaded to a hospital, such as an emergency room in advance of the patient arriving at the hospital. For further details of suitable communication, reference is made to co-pending patent application Ser. No. 61/790,823, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS. Other suitable communication systems are also described in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 61/791,117, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, entitled PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS WITH PATIENT INFORMATION SENSORS, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties and commonly owned by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Mich.

(83) Referring to FIGS. 1-10, apparatus 10 also may incorporate a plurality of caster wheels 80 to allow apparatus 10 to be maneuvered independently of track assembly 60. For example, suitable caster wheels are available from Tente. Caster wheels 80 may be mounted by articulating arms 82, which allow the caster wheels to be moved from ground engaging positions to non-ground engaging positions where the bottom surface of the respective caster wheel is above the bottom surface of the tracks 62, such as shown in FIG. 3.

(84) As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 10, articulating arms 82 of the foot end caster wheels may be mounted to rotatable shafts 84 supported by supports 86, which optionally include a resistive mechanism which resists the movement of the shaft and hence respective caster wheels but allows the caster wheels to be manually moved only when sufficient force is applied to the casters. For example, foot end caster wheels 80 may be mounted to an axle 84, rotatable mounted in supports 86 by bushings and further with a torsional spring, which provides resistant to rotation of shaft over certain ranges of motion but little or no resistance over other ranges of motion to define two defined positions with high resistance, such as the ground engaging position and the non-ground engaging position. For an example of a suitable shaft and spring reference is made to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/783,699, entitled PATIENT SUPPORT, filed on Mar. 4, 2013, which is which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and commonly owned by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Mich.

(85) As best seen in FIG. 10, head end caster wheels 80 may be also mounted to an axle 88, which may be supported in transverse support 90. Support 90 may also be configured to provide resistance to the rotation of shaft 88 and further, optionally, with high resistance positions defining the ground and non-grounding engaging positions of the head end caster wheels.

(86) As noted above, apparatus 10 may incorporate a plurality of lights to provide various functions. For example, apparatus 10 may include lights to provide lighting when the support is used in a low ambient light condition, to provide increased visibility of apparatus 10, or simply to provide enhanced visibility for the emergency medical staff, for example, to indicate where the side rails are and further where the head section is so that the attendants can quickly locate and, when needed, maneuver sections of the support.

(87) For example, referring to FIG. 1, the lighting may comprise light strips 92, for example LED light strips, mounted at side rails 40, in X-frame 18 for example in arms 50 and 52, as well as seat section 28, such as shown in FIG. 9. In this manner, the support and its several components are quickly visible to emergency medical personnel, even when in a low light condition. The support may include additional lighting, such as lighting strips 94 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 10), which may be provided to indicate the status of one or more components, such as the battery or batteries. For example, the light may indicate a fully charged battery status or a low charge battery status.

(88) Referring again to FIGS. 9 and 10, head section 28 may be adapted to support a pair of oxygen bottles 94. For example, head section 28 of deck 12 may include a support 96 mounted to the framework of head section 28 at the back of the deck, which forms receptacles 98 for receiving respective oxygen bottles 94. The support may be removable and further may also support for rail 78 or may include rail 78.

(89) Additional controls may be provided in handles 100, which are mounted to frame 14. For example, handles 100 may be pivotally mounted to frame 14 to allow handles 100 to be moved between operative positions where the handles may be pushed or pulled on to move transport apparatus 10 or a stored position, such as shown in FIGS. 8-10. For example, handles 100 may support one or more switches, such as shown in FIG. 5 which may be used to also control motor 69. In this manner, switches 102 may be configured to override the status of the motor control provided by user interface 72. Similarly, user interface 72 may be configured to override switches 102. In addition, switches 102 may optionally comprise wireless switches to allow further wireless control of apparatus 10. Handles 100 may also provide a mounting surface for user interface 72.

(90) Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, as previously noted, deck 12 may be reconfigured such that seat section 26, head section 28, and foot section 30 lie in a generally common plane to thereby form a cot configuration for apparatus 10. Further, as noted the deck may be positioned in a generally horizontal orientation, such as shown in FIG. 13 or may be tilted in a Trendelenberg or reverse Trendelenberg configuration. This may be achieved by the tilting of deck sections by way of lift mechanism 18.

(91) To increase maneuverability of apparatus 10, apparatus 10 optionally includes auxiliary wheels 110, which may be mounted such as shown in FIGS. 11-12 to drive axle or drive socket 68a of wheels 68 by way of a stub shaft 112. In this particular configuration, handles 100 are particularly suitable for maneuvering apparatus 10.

(92) Referring to FIG. 16, when arms 100 are moved to their generally vertical orientation, such as shown in FIG. 16, switches 102 may be alternately or in addition provided at the base or elbows of handles 100. Alternately, additional switches 102 may be provided adjacent the bases of elbows of handles 100, which provide control of the respective motors, actuators and other devices at apparatus 10 in lieu of the user interface device, which may be generally inaccessible once the head section 28 is lowered generally to the cot configuration. However, it should be understood that the user interface may be removed from head section 28 and instead mounted to, for example, handle 100 or handle 44a to provide controls which are readily accessible to a person handling apparatus 10 even when support is a cot configuration.

(93) As would be understood, the transport apparatus may include an articulatable deck to allow the transport apparatus to be configured between a chair configuration and cot configuration and further optionally includes a lift mechanism, which is configured to tilt the deck with the deck is in its cot configuration. The chair may be configured as stair chair with tracks or may have the tracks removed and used as a trackless chair. The lift mechanism may have a compact configuration, which can provide a great range of motion and further may allow the deck to be lowered to a low height of less than 14, less than 13 and as low as 12 inches. Further, the lift mechanism allows the deck to tilt even when in its chair configuration to provide a more comfortable sitting arrangement for a person supported on the transport apparatus. In addition, with the dual X-frame configuration the foot section can be lowered into a chair position even when said X-frames are in a lowered position. For example, the X-frames as shown may be configured to remain in a footprint defined by the seat section when the X-frames are fully collapsed to their lower most position to provide a compact mechanism while still retaining a full range of motion.

(94) Further, the transport apparatus may incorporate an auxiliary wheel, in addition to its casters, to offer greater maneuverability and stability and optionally to provide a powered transport apparatus.

(95) Referring to FIG. 17, the numeral 210 generally designates another embodiment of a transport apparatus. As will be more fully described below, transport apparatus 210 may, similar to apparatus 10, include an articulatable deck to allow the transport apparatus to be configured between a chair configuration, such as shown in FIG. 17, and cot configuration, such as shown in FIG. 23. Further, the transport apparatus, similar to apparatus 10, optionally includes a lift mechanism which has a compact configuration that can provide a great range of motion. In addition, the lift mechanism may be configured to tilt the deck section to provide a more comfortable sitting arrangement for a person supported on the transport apparatus when the transport apparatus is a chair configuration.

(96) In another aspect, the transport apparatus may incorporate a releasable litter deck so that the deck may be removed for use as or on another transport apparatus. For example, the litter deck may be transferred to another transport apparatus frame or removed for replacement with another litter deck to thereby customize the transport apparatus. Or the litter may be configured to be removed and then folded into a chair configuration, such as a stair chair configuration. In this manner, apparatus 210 may provide increased versatility.

(97) Referring again to FIG. 17, the transport apparatus includes a litter deck 212, which is supported on a frame 214 and a base 216, which supports the frame and the deck by way of a lift mechanism 218. In the illustrated embodiment, lift mechanism 218 comprises a double X-frame lift mechanism with a pair of lower X-frames 218a and a pair of upper X-frames 218b, which are joined at their respective upper and lower ends by pivot connections 220a and 222a. The lower ends of lower X-frame members 218a are pivotally joined to base 216 with one of the lower ends being slidably, pivotally mounted to the base and the other pinned to the base. Similarly, the upper X-frame members are pivotally mounted to frame 214 with one upper end being slidably pivotally mounted and the other end pinned, which is beneath the pinned ends of the upper X-frames. In this manner, when the X-frames are pivoted about to their respective central pivot axes 220 and 222, frame 214 and hence deck 212 will be lowered or raised relative to base 216, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. Further, the deck will shift in the direction of the head end of the base.

(98) The unfolding and folding of the respective X-frames is provided by a driver 224, which is best illustrated in FIG. 19, for example, in the form of a cylinder, such as an electrically actuated cylinder, which is mounted on one end to base 216, for example, by way of a pivot connection, such as a bushing, and pivotally mounted by a bushing at its opposed end to a transverse rod 225 (FIG. 21), which is mounted between the arms of the upper X-frame members, as described below.

(99) Referring to FIG. 24, deck 212 includes a seat section 226 and a head section 228 and a foot section 230, which are each articulatable relative to the seat section 226 and independently articulatable relative to the seat section 226 and further with respect to lift mechanism 218. Each section may include a frame and a skin to support pads described below. Alternately, one or more of the seat section, head section, and foot section may comprise a perimeter frame and a pad supported by said frame, wherein the pad is exposed on both sides of the respective section. For example, the pad (or pads) may comprise a core cushioning member 239a and a base 239b supporting the cushioning member, with both the base and cushioning member enveloped in a cover, such as a liquid impermeable cover, such as vinyl. The base may be formed form a variety of materials that provide stiffness to the cushioning member. For example, the base may be solid or a mesh or a lattice and be formed from wood, metal, plastic, including plastic reinforced, for example with fibers or the like or a combination thereof. The base may also be formed from discrete members, such as strips or batons.

(100) Each respective section of the deck may include a pad to thereby form a sectioned support surface for a patient. The respective pads are sized and configured (and gatched) such that the deck sections may be moved between the chair configuration as shown in FIGS. 17-22, and further the cot configuration such as shown in FIGS. 23-25 without running interference with the adjacent pad. Additionally, the pad sections 226b, 228b and 230b may include laterally extending lips 226c, 228c, and 230c, respectively, which optionally extend beyond the supporting framework of the deck to reduce the gap and at least partially fill the space between the deck and adjacent support surface to facilitate a patient transfer from the cot to the adjacent support surface.

(101) Seat section 226 optionally includes side rails 240 that are pivotally mounted about the opposed sides of seat section 226 to frame 214. Side rails 240 may each include a hand hold 242 and further may be provided with a pad 240a to provide cushioned lateral support to a person supported on apparatus 210.

(102) Side rails 240 are mounted in a generally vertical orientation relative to seat section 226 and may further be released from their generally vertical orientation to an angle relative to the support surface to increase the width of the deck at least of the seat section of the deck. For example, side rails 240 may be configured to be tilted in a range from a generally vertical orientation, such as about 80-90 degrees relative to the patient deck at seat section 226 to an angle in a range from about 30-50 degrees relative to the seat section, and optionally no more than 45 degrees to avoid creating any instability issues.

(103) In addition to foot section 230 and head section 228, deck 212 may also incorporate extendible head and foot rests 244, 246 which may be mounted on telescoping tubes to thereby extend the length of the deck to accommodate taller patients. Telescoping tubes 244a and 246a may be moved manually, for example, and further may provide resistance to movement of the respective head rest and foot rest (and provide infinite positioning between a fully extended position and retracted position) or may include detent mechanisms to provide defined positions for the respective rests. Alternately, the rests may be moved by actuators, such as electrically powered actuators.

(104) Referring again to FIGS. 19 and 19A, X-frames 218a, 218b of lift mechanism 218 are formed by pivotally joined arms 250 and 252, and 254 and 256, respectively. Each arm 250, 252, 254, and 256 may include a telescoping arm 250a, 252a, 254a, and 256a, respectively. The telescoping arm sections of X-frames 218a may be pivotally mounted to base 216, with the telescoping arms 254a, 256a being pivotally mounted to frame 214. Therefore, in addition to folding about the respective pivot axes, the respective arms of the X-frames can be extended or contracted to thereby tilt deck 212 such as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B. In this manner, when a patient is supported on the deck 212, and transport apparatus 210 is in its stair chair configuration, such as shown in FIGS. 17-26, a patient may be tilted relative to the lift mechanism and therefore relative to the base at an angle that is more comfortable for patient, for example in a range of 0 (zero) degrees to plus or minus about 40 degrees from horizontal. Further, lift mechanism 218 may tilt deck 212 when in its cot configuration to tilt the deck into a Trendelenberg or reverse Trendelenberg configuration.

(105) As best seen in FIGS. 17, 24 and 25, arms 250 may be joined together by a transverse member, such as a transverse rod 252a. Similar, arms 254 may be joined by transverse rod 225 (FIG. 26) by way of offsetting arms 254b (FIG. 20). With this configuration, the lift mechanism may have a compact configuration, which can provide a greater range of motion and further may allow the deck to be lowered to a low height of less than 14, less than 13 and as low as 12.

(106) Actuator 224 may be controlled by controls mounted to apparatus 210 including, for example, a wireless motor control provided for example by a user interface 272, mounted for example to a rail 278 provided on the back of head section 228. In the illustrated embodiment user interface 272 comprises a touch screen 274.

(107) Referring to FIGS. 17-26, apparatus 210 may incorporate a plurality of caster wheels 280. For example, suitable caster wheels are available from Tente. In addition, caster wheels 280 may be mounted to axles rotatably mounted in base 216 by bushings and further with springs, such as torsional springs, which may provide a more cushioned ride for the patient. For an example of a suitable shaft and spring reference is made to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/783,699, entitled PATIENT SUPPORT, filed on Mar. 4, 2013, which is which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and commonly owned by Stryker Corporation of Kalamazoo, Mich.

(108) In addition, apparatus 210 may incorporate its plurality of lights, such as light strips 292 similar to light strips 92 described above, to provide various functions. As noted, one or more lights may provide an indication of a status of a component of the transport apparatus or of a component supported or mounted to apparatus 210. For example, the lights may be used to indicate that the apparatus is in a transport height or a loading height configuration, for example, using sensors that detect the position of the actuators or the lift mechanism and which are in communication with the on-board controller, which controls the light or lights. Lights also may be used to indicate the status of the apparatus. For example, the apparatuses described herein may incorporate an impact detector or indicator that provides an indication that the apparatus was subject to a damaging impact abuse, such as described in copending U.S. patent application entitled ENERGY ABSORBING FASTENING SYSTEM, Ser. No. 13/712,303, filed Dec. 12, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. As described, the indicator may located between the deck and the deck support frame comprise a strain gauge, such as a load cell, a piezoelectric crystal, or an accelerometer in combination with a scale to indicate the level of acceleration all of which can generate signals that can be processed by the controller mounted on the apparatus, which then generates an indicia, visual or audible, to indicated either the level of impact or that a certain magnitude had been exceeded. This indicia, for example, may comprise one or more of the lights referenced above being illuminated or illuminated with a specified color.

(109) Referring again to FIGS. 25 and 26, head section 228 may similarly include a support 296 mounted to the framework of head section 228 at the back of the deck, which forms receptacles 298 for receiving respective oxygen bottles 294 and also may include controls provided, for example, in handles 299, which may be mounted to frame 214. In the illustrated embodiment, handles 299 comprised fixed tubes located and mounted at the head end of frame 214 and further may be commonly mounted to a transverse support 299a, which may be configured as a handle and a mounting structure for head end caster wheels 280a. Head end casters wheels 280a are supported from frame 214 to support the head end of support when apparatus 210 is in a folded configuration when deck is lowered and, for example, when apparatus 210 is being loaded for example into an emergency vehicle, such as into the back of an ambulance.

(110) Referring now to FIGS. 23-25, as previously noted, deck 212 may be reconfigured such that seat section 226, head section 228, and foot section 230 lie in a generally common plane to thereby form a support surface in a cot configuration for apparatus 210. Further, as noted the deck may be positioned in a generally horizontal orientation, such as shown in FIG. 29 or may be tilted in a Trendelenberg or reverse Trendelenberg configuration. This may be achieved by the tilting of deck sections by way of lift mechanism 218. As would be understood from the description, the lift mechanism, allows the deck to tilt even when in its chair configuration to provide a more comfortable sitting arrangement for a person supported on the transport apparatus. In addition, with the dual X-frame configuration the foot section can be lowered into a chair position even when said X-frames are in a lowered position. For example, the X-frames as shown may be configured to remain in a footprint defined by the seat section when the X-frames are fully collapsed to their lowest position with clearance for articulated foot section to be moved to a seated to provide a compact mechanism while still retaining a full range of motion.

(111) Referring to FIG. 26, the numeral 310 generally designates a stair chair frame with a base 312, which supports a plurality of rear and forward casters 314, 314a and further which supports seat frame 316 on which the litter deck 212 which, after being decoupled from frame 214 of support apparatus 210, can be coupled to thereby transfer the litter deck from apparatus 210 to stair chair frame 310 and thereby form a chair transport apparatus 350 in the form of a stair chair transport apparatus. In this manner, apparatus 210 and apparatus 350 form a transport system 200 to provide increased versatility.

(112) For example, the transport apparatus 210 may be positioned in its cot configuration such as shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 25, and placed adjacent to the frame of stair chair frame 310, such as shown in FIG. 26, for example, at the foot end of frame 214. Optionally, as best seen in FIGS. 27 and 29, transport apparatus 210 includes a pair of projecting engagement structures 320, for example, hooks for engaging a rearwardly extending transverse bar 322 mounted to the back of frame 316 of stair chair frame 310. When engaged with bar 322, engagement structures 320 thereby couple the stair chair 310 to transport apparatus 210. Optionally, once coupled and docked, the respective sections of litter deck 212 may be released from engagement with frame 214 of transport apparatus 210 and thereafter moved either as an assembly or individually and then mounted to the respective portions of frame 316 of stair chair frame 310.

(113) Alternately, frame 310 of stair chair apparatus 350 may be tilted so that the deck sections support may be transferred over from apparatus 210 to stair chair frame 310 as an assembly in a sliding or rolling fashion, by way of bearings or bearing surfaces (provided on the respective frames) or the like so that deck 212 may be simply passed over the foot end of frame 214 and onto the head end of frame 310. Once properly positioned, deck 212 may then be coupled to the respective sections of the frame. Suitable reliable mounting mechanisms may include spring loaded or over center clamps.

(114) Another method may include removing the tracks of stair chair frame 310 first, to provide a less obstructed path between frames 214 and 310. With their removal, the chair frame may need not be tilted and instead simply coupled to the end of frame 214 by hooks 298 again so that the deck sections may be transferred over from apparatus 210 to stair chair frame 310 as an assembly.

(115) In yet another form, as best understood from FIGS. 30-39, apparatus 350 may be moved onto base 214 of apparatus 210 and reconfigured into a collapsed state to form the litter deck for apparatus 210. Referring to FIG. 30, when hooks 320 are engaged with transverse bar 322, mounted to the back of stair chair frame 310, stair chair frame 310 may be lifted and pivoted (FIG. 30-33). Once apparatus 350 is sufficiently tilted over frame 214, the stair chair frame 310 and deck may be collapsed by folding frame 310 about its releasable hinged connections 316a and 316b. In its collapsed state as shown in FIG. 34, the sections of deck 212 can pivot about its hinged connections 312a, and 312b, can lay in a generally horizontal configuration along with frame 310 and tracks 318.

(116) Further the tracks may facilitate the transfer of stair chair apparatus 350 onto apparatus 210 and/or removal of apparatus 350 from transport apparatus 210. After the apparatus 350 is then transferred off frame 214 of transport apparatus 210, it may then be reconfigured in a stair chair configuration such as shown in FIGS. 27-29.

(117) As will be more fully described below, to facilitate the transfer of a deck section or apparatus 350 onto apparatus 210 either the deck section or respective frames may incorporate rollers, bearings, segmented channels, or a carriage onto which the tracks of the stair chair can be guided. Once mounted to the cot base, the deck may be positioned in a cot configuration as shown in FIGS. 34-37, or in a seated configuration such as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39.

(118) To facilitate the transfer of apparatus 350 onto and off cot base 214, apparatus 350 may include hand holds, in the form of tubular handles at each of its head end and foot end. Further, to increase the length of the deck, deck 212 of apparatus 350 (similar to the previous embodiment) may include extendible foot and head rests. For details of how they could be mounted, reference is made to the description above.

(119) In this manner, a single deck may be used both on a cot base and/or on a stair chair base. Furthermore, when the deck is moved as an assembly, with or with the entire stair chair structure, a person supported on the deck may also be transferred.

(120) As described above, a transport apparatus system may be provided that offers different modes of transportation of a person, including transportation of a person in a supine position, such as on a cot, or in a seated position, such as on a transport chair by simply transferring the support surface from one apparatus to the other apparatus. Or as described, one apparatus may be mounted on a second apparatus and then reconfigured to form the support surface of the second apparatus. Further examples of how this can be achieved are illustrated in FIGS. 40 through 55.

(121) Referring to FIG. 40, the numeral 400 designates a transport apparatus system which includes at least a first transport apparatus 410 and a second transport apparatus 412. In the illustrated embodiment, apparatus 410 comprises a cot, while apparatus 412 comprises a stair chair apparatus with a track assembly 414, including, for example, a driven track assembly. Although shown with a single X-frame lift mechanism 418, it should be understood that cot 410 may be configured with a double X-frame lift mechanism, such as described above in reference to apparatuses 10 and 210.

(122) As best understood from FIGS. 40 and 41, a fixed or stationary pivot joint 420 is formed between apparatus 412 and 410 to facilitate loading of apparatus 412 onto apparatus 410. For example, pivot joint 420 may be formed by hooks mounted to the frame of apparatus 410 which engage a corresponding bar mounted to the back of apparatus 412, such as described above in reference to FIG. 29. Alternately, the pivot joint may be formed by one or more sliding or pivoting or retractable rods formed or mounted on one apparatus that extend into corresponding receptacles, such as bushings, formed on or mounted to the other apparatus. The receptacles may also be movably mounted between an operative position and stowed position. In this manner, the components forming the joint may be retractable and stowable in either or both apparatuses. Further, the rods or bushings may be biased, for example, by a spring, in their stowed positions. Similar to the connection illustrated in FIG. 29, pivot joint 420 may be located inwardly of the respective tracks of the track assembly. Alternately, pivot joint 420 may straddle the track assembly.

(123) Optionally pivot joint 420 provides a stationary pivotal coupling between the respective apparatuses over a defined range of motion of apparatus 412 but may be configured to release the coupling once apparatus 412, for example, has been mounted to apparatus 410 and tilted and loaded sufficiently, for example, so that at least most of its weight, or at least the center of gravity of apparatus 412, will be over apparatus 410.

(124) Referring to FIGS. 42 and 43, apparatuses 410 and 412 may be joined by a moving pivot joint 422. In the illustrated embodiment, moving pivot joint 422 is formed by a linkage 424, which is pivotally mounted on one end 426 to apparatus 410, for example, to base 416 and pivotally mounted at its opposed end to apparatus 412, for example to frame 429. In this manner as apparatus 412 is raised, linkage 424 will pivot about end 426 to allow apparatus 412 to then be placed on top of apparatus 410. Further, the linkage may incorporate a force producing device, such as a spring or cylinder, to assist by reducing the force needed to move apparatus.

(125) Referring to FIGS. 44 and 45, apparatuses 410 and 412 may be joined by a four-bar linkage assembly 430. Four-bar linkage assembly 430 includes two linkages 432 and 434, each with a first end 436, 438 pivotally mounted to apparatus 410, for example, to base 416, and opposed second ends 438 and 440, which are pivotally mounted to apparatus 410, for example to frame 429. Further, one or both linkages may incorporate a force producing device, such as a spring or gas cylinder or an electric linear actuator, to assist by reducing the force needed to move apparatus 412 or to move apparatus 412.

(126) Referring to FIGS. 44 and 45, alternately apparatuses 410 and 412 may be coupled by a translating frame 450. Frame 450 can be used to facilitate the loading of apparatus 412 onto apparatus 410 by simply providing a guide for apparatus 412. Further, frame 450 may be powered to at least reduce some of the force required to load of apparatus 412 onto apparatus 410. Frame 450 may be movably coupled on one end 452 to frame 456 of apparatus 410 and pivotally mounted at its opposed end 454 to apparatus 412, for example to frame 429 of apparatus 410. Optionally, end 452 of frame 450 may be slidingly mounted to frame 456 and, for example, received in a pair of spaced apart channels supported or mounted to the frame 456. Frame 450 may also be coupled to a force producing device, such as a spring or gas cylinder or an electric linear actuator, for example, which is mounted in frame 456 which when, for example, contracted pulls on frame 456 assists in moving apparatus 412 or moves apparatus 412 along apparatus 410. Alternately, the force producing device may be arranged to selectively push frame 450 along frame 456.

(127) While each of the pivot joints or linkages are illustrated at, for example, the foot end of apparatus, it should be understood that they may be located at a side of the apparatus instead. Referring to FIGS. 48 and 49, when located at the side, apparatus 412 can be initially loaded so that apparatus 412 will be raised so that it is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 410a of apparatus 410 (see FIG. 49) but thereafter will require turning so that the head end 412b of the apparatus 412 will be aligned with the head end 410b of apparatus 410. Turning can be achieved manually or may be assisted. For example, the pivot joint or linkages may be configured to allow or assist in initially raising apparatus 412 but thereafter will pivot or articulate to allow turning of apparatus 412 so that the head end 412b of the apparatus 412 will be aligned with the head end 410b of apparatus 410.

(128) Referring to FIGS. 50 and 52, apparatuses 410 and 412 may be configured to allow apparatus 412 to be driven onto apparatus 410. For example, apparatus 410 may include a ramp 460, with one end 462 extended for engaging the ground and its opposed end pivotally mounted to apparatus 410 for example at the foot end of frame 456. In this manner ramp 460 may be deployed to load apparatus 412 onto apparatus 410 and then moved to stowed position, for example, either underneath the deck support frame or on top of the deck support frame. Alternately, ramp 460 may be slidably mounted via its pivot connection in a receptacle or sleeve formed in frame 456 so that it can slide into frame 456 for storage. In this manner, track 414 (whether a driven track or not) may be used to facilitate loading of apparatus 412 onto apparatus 410. Alternately, as shown in FIGS. 52 and 53, instead of a ramp, apparatus 410 may be tilted using lift mechanism 418 so that apparatus 412 may be driven onto frame 456 of apparatus 410 using track 414.

(129) As noted above, several of the pivot assemblies or linkage assemblies may be powered. Referring to FIGS. 54 and 55, apparatus 410 may include a deployable force producing device 470, such as a gas cylinder or a linear actuator, to reduce the force needed to move apparatus 412. In the illustrated embodiment, force producing device 470 comprises a linear actuator that is pivotally mounted on one end, for example to frame 456 of apparatus 410, and pivotally mounted at its opposed end to apparatus 412, for example at frame 429. In this manner, apparatus 412 may be pivoted about pivot joint 420 by force producing device 470 over at least a specified range of motion where thereafter the force producing device 470 can be disconnected from apparatus 412 to return it to its stowed position, for example within frame 456. Optionally, force producing device 470 may comprise one of the lift actuators for lift mechanism 418. For example, force producing device 470 may be disconnected from its operative position within the lift mechanism for use in moving apparatus 412 and then returned to its operative position once apparatus 412 is sufficiently loaded onto apparatus 410. For example the term sufficiently loaded may include where the center of gravity of apparatus 412 is aligned over frame 456 of apparatus 410.

(130) The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles a, an, the or said, is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Directional terms, such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper, lower, inner, inwardly, outer and outwardly, are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s).