AU2012216245A1 - Mortuary trolley - Google Patents

Mortuary trolley Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2012216245A1
AU2012216245A1 AU2012216245A AU2012216245A AU2012216245A1 AU 2012216245 A1 AU2012216245 A1 AU 2012216245A1 AU 2012216245 A AU2012216245 A AU 2012216245A AU 2012216245 A AU2012216245 A AU 2012216245A AU 2012216245 A1 AU2012216245 A1 AU 2012216245A1
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Australia
Prior art keywords
connector
trolley
tray
item
location
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AU2012216245A
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AU2012216245B2 (en
Inventor
Robert Karl
Peter Thomas Kennedy
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TEKMED Pty Ltd
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TEKMED Pty Ltd
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Priority claimed from AU2011903287A external-priority patent/AU2011903287A0/en
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Priority to AU2012216245A priority Critical patent/AU2012216245B2/en
Publication of AU2012216245A1 publication Critical patent/AU2012216245A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU2012216245B2 publication Critical patent/AU2012216245B2/en
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Abstract

A mobile transport unit in the form of a mortuary trolley 5 for transporting cadavers having a transport module or assembly to effect loading and/or unloading of a body tray onto and/or from the trolley without having to lift the body tray between the trolley and a storage location of the cadaver. The transport module is provided with a 10 connector in the form of a releasable fastener or movable hook arrangement for cooperatively engaging with the handle of the tray to move the tray onto and/or off the top deck of the trolley. The connector extends beyond the front edge of the trolley so that the connector can 15 contact the handle of the tray to load and unload the tray, but can be retracted within the boundaries of the trolley so that the trolley can be moved safely. The connector is operable to be movable between, an engaging position in which the connector is engaged with the handle 20 so that when the connector moves, the tray moves correspondingly, and a release position in which the connector is free of the handle so that the trolley or connector can be withdrawn from the tray allowing the trolley or connector to move without corresponding 25 movement of the tray. The advantage of the trolley having the transport module is that the connector can be located close to the tray when in a storage condition so that there is no need to lift the tray onto the trolley at any time during the loading and unloading process. 36104121 (GHMatter) P87458A~U. LOi C')

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s) TekMed Pty Ltd Invention Title: MORTUARY TROLLEY The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 MORTUARY TROLLEY FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to mobile transportation units for transporting an item from one location to another location. In one form, the invention relates to a transfer or transport assembly or module for use in loading and/or unloading the mobile transportation units. 10 In one form, the present invention relates to a mobile transportation unit in the form of a wheeled trolley or similar vehicle, such as for example, a patient trolley or similar for transporting an item, including a patient, 15 from a first location to a second location. In one form, the present invention relates to a mortuary trolley of the type used in a mortuary for transferring a body, cadaver or the like from one location within the 20 mortuary to another location within the mortuary. In one form, the present invention relates to a transport or transfer module or assembly of a mortuary trolley permitting movement or transfer of a body or cadaver onto 25 and/or off the trolley without the need to manhandle and/or lift the body during transfer and/or transport of the body. The present invention finds particular application as an 30 on board self loading and/or unloading transfer or transport module or assembly of a mortuary trolley which is substantially self contained, allowing for automatic and/or remote control, using a suitable controller, of the 16/08/12 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 3 trolley for enabling the loading and/or unloading of bodies on trays onto and/or from the mortuary trolley thereby obviating the need for a mortuary attendant to lift and/or carry the body manually either when loading 5 and/or unloading the trolley or transporting the body. Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to one or other embodiments of the mortuary trolley and of the transport module or assembly, io it is to be noted that the scope of the invention is not restricted to the described embodiments but rather, the scope of the invention is more extensive so as to include within the scope of the invention, other forms and arrangements of the mortuary trolley, other forms and is arrangements of components of the mortuary trolley including forms and arrangements of the transfer or transport module and/or assembly for loading and/or unloading bodies on trays onto and from the trolley, and to applications of all of the various forms and 20 arrangements for uses and purposes other than described. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The bodies and remains of deceased persons are often 25 required to be moved to and from and within mortuaries for a variety of different purposes, such as for example, to perform autopsies on the bodies, to enhance cosmetically the appearance of the body prior to burial, and the like. Bodies are a dead weight and in many instances are heavy 30 to lift so that it is usual to require either a number of attendants to lift the body or to provide some type of mechanical assistance to move bodies within the mortuary such as for example, from refrigerated storage cabinets or 16/08/12 3810412.1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU-1 - 4 similar to the autopsy table, and return or the like, or to deliver the body for removal from the mortuary for burial or the like. Additionally, bodies are often used in medical schools for teaching and educational purposes. 5 Often it is necessary to transfer or transport the bodies from one location to another location for student access to the bodies. In the past, trolleys known as mortuary trolleys, have 10 been used to transport the bodies from place to place. However, whilst some mortuary trolleys are useful in relieving or reducing the effort required to lift and/or move bodies, currently available mortuary trolleys suffer from one or other shortcoming or disadvantage. One such 15 disadvantage or shortcoming primarily relates to the loading and/or unloading of bodies onto and from the mortuary trolley, rather than being primarily concerned with moving, i.e. transporting, the bodies when located on the trolley. Whilst some forms of mortuary trolleys can 20 be placed in very close proximity to a dead body, in many situations it is still necessary for mortuary attendants to have to lift the body from the storage area, such as for example, from a refrigerated storage cabinet onto the trolley since there is a gap or space between the trolley 25 and the storage area over which the body must be lifted manually or otherwise carried manually to place the body on the trolley. The lifting of the body often requires the combined strength of a number of personnel or attendants. The manual lifting of bodies is increasingly 30 becoming an occupational hazard and is increasingly becoming governed by additional rules, regulations, and conditions of use. Of some concern is the rules and regulations relating to occupational health and safety, 16/08/12 3810412_ (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 -5 particularly relating to lifting of heavy items, which are becoming more stringent and onerous, and/or workplace practices, such as for example, legislation reducing the maximum weight that is able to be lifted manually by 5 mortuary attendants and the like. Thus, there is a need for a self loading arrangement that can be employed to load and unload bodies onto and from a mortuary trolley without having to manually position the body prior to, during, or after loading and/or unloading of the body. 10 Along with the need to obviate lifting or positioning of the body on the trolley during the loading and unloading operations is a general increase in the weight of deceased persons who have an increased level of obesity in line is with the gradual increase of obesity of individuals in the general population. As an example, in the past mortuary trolleys were designed primarily to support weights of up to 200kg. For many years in the past, this was a sufficient lift capacity. Now trolleys are having to be 20 designed to withstand weights of up to 300kg due to the increase in obesity of the bodies. Such increased weights of bodies or cadavers require different handling techniques. Even having multiple attendants to lift excessively obese bodies onto and off the trolley is no 25 longer practical, and a viable alternative is required. Thus, there is a need for a mortuary trolley that is not only able to support heavier loads, but also to have a loading/unloading mechanism which can be used to load and 30 unload bodies onto and from the trolley. More particularly, there is a need to be able to transport or transfer such bodies, including a need to enable bodies to be loaded onto and removed from mortuary trolleys in a 16/08/12 3810412_1 (GHMatters) P87458 AUA - 6 more acceptable manner from an occupational health and safety viewpoint without having to lift manually the bodies onto and off the trolleys during part of the procedure for relocating the bodies. 5 Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a mobile unit for transporting an item in a more acceptable manner without having to lift or otherwise manhandle the item. 10 Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to obviate the need for manual handling of cadavers onto and from mortuary trolleys. 15 Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a loading and/or unloading mechanism or assembly which can be used to reduce the effort required to place a body on to a trolley and/or to withdraw or remove a body from a trolley. 20 Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a transfer or transport module of a mortuary trolley which allows ease of placing a body on and withdrawing a body from a mortuary trolley without having 25 to lift the body. It is to be noted that not all embodiments of the invention will satisfy all of the aims of the invention. Some embodiments may satisfy one aim, whilst other 30 embodiments may satisfy other aims and some other embodiments may satisfy one or more aims. 16301/12 36101A2_1 (GHMattem,) P87458 AU 1 - 7 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one form of the present invention, there is provided a transport assembly or module for loading and/or 5 unloading an item onto and/or from a mobile transport unit for transporting the item upon the mobile transport unit, comprising a first connector movable between a first location and a second location, the connector when in the first location, capable of cooperatively engaging with 10 part of the item so that movement of the connector to the second position causes corresponding movement of the item with respect to the transport unit to at least partially load the item onto the transport unit and movement of the connector in the direction towards the first location 15 unloads the item from the transport unit, the connector being arranged so that when the connector is in the first position, the connector is movable between an engagement condition in which the connector cooperatively engages with the part of the item to allow movement of the item in 20 response to corresponding movement of the connector and a release condition in which the connector is disengaged from the item to allow the connector to move in the direction from the first position to the second location without moving the item. 25 According to one form of the present invention, there is provided a transport assembly or module for loading and/or unloading an item onto or from a mobile transport unit for transporting the item on the mobile transport unit, the 30 transport assembly or module comprising a first connector movable between a first location and a second location, the connector, when in the first location, capable of cooperatively engaging with part of the item so that when 16/08/12 36104121 (GHMatter) P87458.AU.l - 8 the connector engages with part of the item, movement of the connector from the first location in the direction towards the second location moves the item to at least partially load the item onto the transport unit and s movement of the connector in the direction from the second location towards the first location unloads the item from the transport unit, wherein the connector is arranged so that when the connector is in the first location, the connector is movable between an engagement condition in 10 which the connector cooperatively engages with the part of the item to allow movement of the item in response to corresponding movement of the connector and a release condition in which the connector is disengaged from part of the item so as to allow the connector to move in the is direction towards the second position without moving the item. According to one form of the present invention, there is provided a mortuary trolley having a self-contained 20 transport assembly or module as described in either one of the two immediately preceding paragraphs. According to one form of the present invention, there is provided a transport assembly or module for loading and/or 25 unloading an item onto and/or from a mobile transport unit for transporting the item comprising a first connector movable between an extended position at a first location for engaging a part of the item and a retracted position for disengaging from the item when the item is at an 30 intermediate location, a second connector movable between a retracted position in which the second connector is not engaged with the item, and an operative position for engaging with the item when in the intermediate position, 16/08112 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458AU.1 - 9 and at least one drive element connected to the first connector and at least one drive element connected to the second connector, said drive element or elements capable of movement in a first direction, wherein operation of the 5 drive element in the first direction causes movement of the first connector from the first location to the intermediate location to move the item onto the mobile unit towards the intermediate position on the mobile carrier unit such that when the item is in the 10 intermediate position, the first connector moves to the retracted position to disengage from the item and the second connector is capable of movement from the retracted position to the operative position to engage the item so that further movement of the drive element in the first is direction causes movement of the item from the intermediate position to a transport position suitable for transporting the item on the mobile transport unit. According to one form of the present invention, there is 20 provided a transfer or transport assembly or module for moving a carrier member with respect to a mortuary trolley, comprising a first connector movable between a first position for engaging with the carrier member and a second position for disengaging from the carrier member, 25 such that when the first connector is in the first position, the first connector extends from the trolley so as to be capable of engaging a part of the carrier member when the trolley is located near to the carrier member, a second connector movable between a first position in which 30 the second connector is disengaged from the carrier member, and a second position for engaging the carrier member, and at least one drive element connected to the first connector and at least one drive element connected 16j0B/12 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.I - 10 to the second connector, such that when the first connector is in the extended position and engaged with the carrier member, operation of the drive element in a first direction causes movement of the first connector to s transport the carrier member to an intermediate position with respect to the mortuary trolley so that when the carrier member is in the intermediate position, the first connector disengages from the carrier member and the second connector engages with the carrier member so that io further operation of the drive element or elements in the first direction, moves the carrier member to a transport position for transporting the carrier member on the trolley. is According to one form of the present invention, there is provided a mortuary trolley having a transport mechanism, assembly or module for handling a body tray for loading and/or unloading the body tray onto and/or from the mortuary trolley, comprising a first connector extending 20 from one end or side of the trolley for cooperatively engaging with a handle provided at or towards one end of the body tray, a drive assembly located on the trolley for moving the first connector in use of the trolley substantially along a lengthwise extending axis of the 25 trolley from a first position to an intermediate position, the first connector connected to the drive assembly at a first location, wherein movement of the drive assembly in a first direction moves the first connector to move the body tray from the first position to the intermediate 30 position over a first part of the trolley, a second connector connected to the drive assembly at a second location for moving the tray over a second part of the trolley from the intermediate position to a transport 16/08/12 36104121 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 11 position, such that operation of the drive assembly causes movement of the first connector to move the tray over the first part, and causes movement of the second connector to move the tray over the second part to the transport 5 position. According to one form of the present invention, there is provided a mortuary trolley having a transport mechanism, assembly or module for handling a body tray for loading 10 and/or unloading the body tray onto and/or from the mortuary trolley to transport a cadaver, the transport module comprising a connector movable between a first location and a second location to load and/or unload the tray onto the trolley, the connector when in the first or 15 second location being movable between a first condition in which the connector cooperatively engages with a handle provided at or towards one end or side of the body tray and a second condition which is a release condition, the connector being arranged so that when the connector is in 20 the first condition at the first location, the connector cooperatively engages the handle of the tray so that movement of the connector from the first location in the direction towards the second location causes corresponding movement of the tray to at least partially load the tray 25 onto the trolley and when the connector is cooperatively engaged with the handle at or towards the second location, movement of the connector in the direction towards the first location from the second location causes corresponding movement of the tray to unload the tray from 30 the trolley, wherein when the connector is at the first location, the connector is movable between the first condition to cooperatively engage the handle of the trolley, and the second condition in which the connector 16108112 36104121 (GHMatters) P87458AU.1 - 12 is disengaged from the handle to allow movement of the connector in the direction towards the second location without corresponding movement of the tray. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Typically, the mobile transportation unit is a trolley. In one form, the trolley is a patient trolley. Preferably, the patient trolley is a mortuary trolley. 10 Preferably, the mortuary trolley is a lift trolley, having a raising and lowering arrangement and more preferably a more or less integrated loading and unloading arrangement contained on or within the trolley, for use in raising and lowering a cadaver on the mortuary trolley. 15 More preferably, the mortuary trolley is a self-contained mortuary trolley having a self loading transport module or assembly for allowing transportation of cadavers without having to manually lift or position the cadaver or tray 20 upon which the cadaver is placed, particularly after the cadaver has been placed on the tray, into a position suitable for transportation of the cadaver on the trolley. Typically, the item is for supporting a person, including 25 a live person such as for example, a patient or the person is a deceased person. In one form, the item is a support for a body or cadaver of a deceased person located within a suitable refrigerated storage facility. More typically, the item is a body or cadaver tray for transporting 30 bodies, cadavers or similar around a mortuary. Preferably, the body tray has a handle located at or towards one end, more preferably, the body tray has two handles, one located at or towards either end. 16108/12 38104i2.1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 13 Typically, the transfer or transport assembly or module is a translation device or translocation device for use in moving a deceased body upon a mortuary tray from one 5 location to another location on the mortuary trolley, ,typically to load and/or unload the tray onto the trolley. In one form, the translocation device is a movable device 10 or assembly located on board the trolley, preferably on the top level, surface or deck of a mortuary trolley. In one form, the first location is at or towards one end of the trolley, typically the front of a mobile mortuary 15 trolley. In one form, the retracted or release position or condition is a position in which either the first or the second connector or hook arrangement is not in engagement 20 with the item, particularly not in engagement with the handle of the body tray, thereby allowing movement of the connector without corresponding movement of the body tray. In one form, the item is a body tray, particularly a body 25 tray of the type used in mortuaries for transporting cadavers. Typically, in embodiments having two separate connectors, the intermediate location is between about a half to a 30 quarter the length of the trolley from one end, typically the front end of the trolley. In one form, the operative position is where the second 16/08/12 3610412_1 (GHMstters) P87458 AU-1 - 14 connector is in engagement with the body tray, more particularly the handle of the body tray thereby causing movement of the tray in response to corresponding movement of the second connector with respect to the trolley. 5 One form of the invention has a single movable connector, whereas another form of the invention has two movable connectors. 10 Typically, when there are two connectors, the first and second connector can be the same or different, and each can have any suitable form or arrangement. In one form, the connector, either the first connector, 15 the second connector or both, is a fastener, such as a movable fastener, releasable fastener, operable fastener or the like. In one form, the fastener is a self closing fastener, a fastener biased to the closed position, a coupling or the like. Preferably, the connector is a hook 20 arrangement or similar having one or more parts for engaging with the handle of the body tray. In one form, the connector is a movable connector that is movable between an engaging condition and a release 25 condition. In one form, the drive element is a flexible member extending between two movable supports. In one form, the flexible member is a drive chain, roller chain or drive 30 track, or similar, composed of a multitude of individual interconnected links. In one form, the two movable supports engage with the links of the chain. In one form, one or more of the movable supports is a driving support 16108/12 36104121 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.I - 15 for driving the chain. In one form, the other or others of the movable supports are driven supports which are driven by the chain. s In one form, the movable supports including both the driving supports and the driven supports, are sprockets, gear wheels, toothed wheels, pinions, or the like for engaging with the chain, more particularly the individual links of the chain. 10 In one form, the flexible drive unit is a belt, cord, endless loop or the like, made from suitable material, including rubber, rope, string, cord, or the like including being made from natural and synthetic materials. 15 In one form, the belt is a toothed belt or similar, provided with teeth or other projections for engaging the movable supports, typically movable supports having corresponding teeth, including teeth of the same of similar size, shape, profile, spacing, angle of cut, or 20 the like. In one form, the movable support is a pulley, gear wheel, pulley wheel, capstan, rollers, flanged wheels or the like. 25 It is to be noted that any form of mechanism or assembly which can be used to translate the tray between different positions, i.e. any form of translator can be used or can be incorporated into the trolley to move the body tray in 30 either or both directions. In one form, the drive unit is a rack and pinion 16108/12 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458 AU.I - 16 arrangement in which a pinion rotates to move along a fixed rack or track extending lengthwise along the trolley. 5 In one form, the drive unit is an electrically operated motor arranged to traverse along a rail, track, groove, channel or similar to move the first and/or second connector. In one form, the electric motor is mounted on the mortuary trolley so that operation of the motor 10 rotates wheels provided on the transport module or assembly of the trolley in engagement with the rails, track, groove, channel or the like so that as the wheels rotate, the connector moves linearly along the trolley. In some embodiments, there is more than a single motor, 15 such as for example, two electric motors. In one form, the drive unit is a hydraulic or pneumatic drive unit, such as for example, in the form of a hydraulic ram or similar which can extend and retract to 20 cause the first and/or second connectors to move lengthwise along the trolley. In one form, there is a hydraulic pump and/or motor combination for driving the first and second connectors. 25 In one form, the drive unit is a screw type drive, such as for example, a worm drive, jack screw, collar screw drive, screw threaded drive with carriage, ball threaded drive, or the like. 30 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of mortuary trolleys, as examples of the invention, will now be described with reference to the 16/08/12 35I14I2 (GHMatters) P07458.AU I - 17 accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top perspective view from one side of one form of a mortuary trolley having one form of the transfer s module showing a first connector in an extended position and the second connector in an operative position. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the mortuary trolley of Figure 1 showing the first connector in an extended 10 position and the second connector in an operative position. Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the mortuary trolley of Figure 1 in an elevated position. 15 Figure 4 is an enlarged top side perspective view of the first connector in a raised or extended position engaged with the handle of a body tray. 20 Figure 5 is a top side perspective view of the second connector in a raised operative position engaged with the handle of a body tray. Figure 6 is a partial schematic partial side elevation 25 cross-section view of one form of the drive assembly of one form of the transfer module mounted on the top deck of the mortuary trolley when the trolley is in close proximity to a refrigerated storage system. 30 Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the mortuary trolley of Figure 1, showing the first connector in an extended position engaged with the handle of a body tray in a refrigerated storage cubicle. 16/08/12 3810412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AUA - 18 Figure 8 is a side elevation view showing the position of the first and second connectors as the body tray moves with respect to the top deck of the trolley. 5 Figure 8A is an enlarged side view of the first connector in an extended position with the first connector engaged with the handle of the body tray for moving the body tray onto the trolley. 10 Figure 8B is an enlarged side view of the first connector in a retracted position in which the first connector is disengaged from the handle of the body tray for releasing the body tray when the body tray is in the intermediate 15 position. Figure 8C is an enlarged side perspective view of the second connector in the retracted position disengaged from the body tray prior to movement of the operative position 20 to engage with the handle of the tray when the tray is in the intermediate position. Figure 8D is an enlarged side view of the second connector in the operative position engaged with the handle of the 25 tray for moving the tray into the transport position. Figure 9 is a schematic side elevation view of one form of the drive element in the form of a chain. 30 Figure 10 is a side elevation view of another form of a mortuary trolley having a single connector. Figure 11 is a top plan view of the form of the mortuary 160812 30104121 (GHMatters) P87458 AU.1 - 19 trolley of Figure 10. Figure 12 is a top perspective view from one side of the trolley of Figure 10 having the single connector. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT One form of the mortuary trolley, generally denoted as 10, will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 of 10 the drawings which illustrate this form of trolley being a trolley provided with two connectors. Mortuary trolley 10, includes a base 14, to which are attached wheels 16 for transporting the trolley in use, 15 located at or towards both of the front corners and both of the rear corners of trolley 10. A control handle 18 is provided at one end, being the rear end in the normal use position of trolley 10, for moving and manoeuvring trolley 10 by enabling an attendant to push and/or pull on handle 20 18 to move trolley 10 accordingly. A load control panel 19 is provided on handle 18 for controlling operation of trolley 10 and the various assemblies and components as will be described later in this specification. 25 It is to be noted that the orientation of the trolley as described herein is that the end remote from handle 18 is referred to as being the forward end or front of trolley 10, and the end closer to handle 18 having control panel 19 is referred to as the rear or rearward end of trolley 30 10. This orientation is for ease of description and clarity of understanding. It is not meant to be limiting of the scope of the invention. However, items loaded and unloaded on and from trolley 10, is usually through the 161083t2 3610412_1 (GHMettea) P87458.AU.1 - 20 front or forward end of the trolley. A scissors lift arrangement, generally denoted as 20, is provided for lowering and elevating the top part of s trolley 10 in use. Scissors arrangement 20, comprises a pair of oppositely inclined movable members 22, 24 interconnected to each other substantially about their respective mid points, and to base 14 and provided with an hydraulic ram 26 or similar telescopic member. Operation 10 of ram 26 causes pivotal relative movement of movable members 22, 24 to each other and to base 14, to raise and lower the height of the trolley, particularly the height of top deck 30 located at or towards the top of trolley 10. When the lift arrangement is in the raised position, is top deck 30 is located at or towards the top of trolley 10 for receiving thereon a body tray 32 having a body 34 located thereon as shown more particularly in solid lines in Figure 6. In use, scissors arrangement 20 is operated from control panel 19 to raise and lower top deck 30 in 20 order to alter the height of the top deck to raise and lower the body and body tray for transporting the body in a safe and secure manner from one location to another location, such as within a mortuary when top deck 30 is in the lowered position as shown more particularly in phantom 25 in Figure 6. This is the transport position, which is the secure moving position, for securely moving body 34 since trolley 10 has a low centre of gravity or mass allowing trolley 10 to be pushed and/or pulled safely. 30 In one form body tray 32 which is used to store and to transport bodies of deceased persons thereon, is provided with an upper support surface 36 for supporting thereon a body 34. In one form, tray 32 is a seamless deep-drawn, 16/08112 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU1 - 21 rugged structure usually made from stainless steel without welded corners and edges on the inside surface for hygiene and to allow for easy cleaning. Two closed skids 38, extending outwardly from the lower surface of tray 32 in 5 spaced apart parallel relationship to each other, are provided for allowing sliding movement of tray 32 in use, such as for example, for relatively noiseless loading and unloading on suitable rollers, roller tracks or similar, typically in the form of resilient or soft rollers or the 10 like, provided on top deck 30 as will be described in more detail later in the specification. Skids 38 prevent unwanted lateral movement or tipping of tray 32 as it is being received onto and removed from top deck 30 when being loaded onto and removed respectively from trolley 15 10. Tray 32 is provided with handles 40 at either end to assist in transfer of tray 32. In one form, handle 40 is of a substantially stretched or elongated U-shape being made from a stainless steel rod or tube having a circular cross-section in which the web of the "U" shape 20 corresponds to the straight portion 41 of handle 40 and the legs or arms of the U-shape correspond to the spacer portions 43 of the handle for spacing straight portion 41 from the main part of tray 32. Handle 40 is connected at either end to the end of tray 32 by any suitable means, 25 such as for example, by suitable fasteners engaging with the ends of spacer portions 43, or by welding or similar bonding or attachment. Handle 40 is of a length which is about the same as the width of tray 32 as shown more particularly in Figure 5. 30 One form of top deck 30 of mortuary trolley 10 will now be described in more detail with particular reference to Figures 1 to 3. 3810412_1 (GHMatlers) P87458.AU.1 - 22 Top deck 30 includes a generally rectangular framework arrangement, generally denoted as 42, including two longitudinally extending side framework members 44, 5 located on either side of the top framework 42 and two transversely extending framework ends 46 located at either end of the framework arrangement. The two longitudinal side framework members 44 and two transverse end framework members 46 are interconnected together to form a strong io and rigid support base of top deck 30. A buffer or guide wheel 48, is mounted at each front corner of framework 42 and at each rear corner of framework 42, to each extend outwardly from side framework members 44 on either side of trolley 10 to assist in guiding trolley 10 during use when is being moved from one location to another, such as for example, in assisting trolley 10 negotiating corners in a room or corridor or in sliding past objects when moving trolley 10 in either the forward direction or rearward direction to enable the trolley to move around the 20 objects. A generally rectangular platen 50 is fixedly connected to the upper surface in use of rectangular framework arrangement 42 to form a solid surface of top deck 30. A 25 longitudinally extending side member 52a, 52b is arranged to extend longitudinally of trolley 10 along each side of the platen 50 and be upstanding from the top surface of platen 50. Longitudinal side members 52a, 52b have upper flanges 54a, 54b and are each provided with a multitude of 30 axles (not shown) for carrying rollers 56 located in parallel spaced apart relationship to one another along either side of the length of trolley 10 for engaging with skids 38 located on the underside of body tray 32 as the 16/08/12 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458 AU1 - 23 body tray is being loaded onto and/or removed from mortuary trolley 10 in order to facilitate movement of body tray 32 with respect to trolley 10. A channel 57 is formed between each longitudinal side member 52a, 52b and 5 the respective side wall of housing 58. One end of each channel, being the forward end, is flared, 55, to facilitate and guide entry of tray 32 into channels 57 and then onto rollers 56. 10 A lengthwise extending generally hollow box-like housing 58 having a generally closed top and a generally open base, is provided centrally along the central axis of top deck 30 on the upper surface of platen 50. Each channel 57 is flared 55 at either end to expand the openings at 15 the respective ends to receive skids 38 of tray 32 to guide tray 32 in the correct orientation to slide in alignment on top deck 30 when being loaded onto trolley 10. Housing 58 is for containing one form of the transfer or transport module or assembly 59, typically in the form 20 of a translator or translocator, for loading and/or unloading tray 32 onto and from trolley 10. Housing 58, forms part of the transport or transfer module or assembly 59. It is to be noted that transport or transfer module or assembly 59 is sometimes referred to as a translator or 25 translocator for moving the body tray or translating or translocating the position of the body tray form one location to another location. Housing 58 has a first channel in the form of an elongate 30 drive slot 60, located in the top surface towards the central axis of the trolley. Slot 60 extends from a first location at the front end of trolley 10 to a second location which is an intermediate location which is 16108/12 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 24 located towards the rear of trolley 10, such as for example, at a point which is generally located between about two thirds and about three quarters of the length of the trolley towards the rear end. However, slot 60 can s extend to any convenient or suitable length and take any suitable form or number of slots. A first connector in the form of a coupler is arranged to be received within drive slot 60 for allowing movement of the first connector lengthwise along the slot. In one form, the first coupler 10 is in the form of a hook arrangement 62 which, when in the extended position as shown in Figures 1 and 4, is able to engage with handle 40 of tray 32 as shown more particularly in Figure 4. Drive slot 60 allows hook arrangement 62 to move longitudinally along the central 15 axis of the mortuary trolley in use, and thus when engaged with handle 40 of body tray 32 to transfer body tray 32 along top deck 30, as will be described in more detail later in this specification. 20 It is to be noted that drive slot 60 is longer than the extent of movement of hook 62 in order to accommodate the full range of movement of hook 62 from one extreme position to the other extreme position. One extreme position of hook 62 is the forward extended extreme 25 position in which hook 62 is in an extended position extending from the front of trolley 10 as shown more particularly in Figure 1. The other extreme position is a retracted position in which hook 62 is retracted within drive slot 60 beneath the upper level of housing 58 as 30 shown in Figure 8B in which hook 62 is disengaged from handle 40 so as to be released from tray 32. The first connector can have any suitable or desirable shape or form. In one form, hook arrangement 62 is in the form of 16/08/12 3810412.1 (GHMaters) P87458.AU.I - 25 a clamp, catch, clasp or similar arrangement and preferably is in the form of a movable or releasable fastener or a spring biased hook or similar. In one form, when hook arrangement 62 is a movable fastener, hook 5 arrangement 62 is selectively movable between a lowered extended position (not shown), which is referred to as a release position or condition, and a raised extended position shown more particularly in Figures 3, 4 and 8A for engaging with straight portion 41 of handle 40 of io body tray 32 which is referred to as an engaging or cooperative engaging position or condition. In the raised position, the hook is in the engaging position, whereas in the lowered position, the hook is in a release position such as for example, in preparation for engagement with is handle 40 when contact with handle 40 is made in which case hook arrangement 62 moves from the lowered position to the raised position to securely engage with handle 40. It is to be noted that the arrangement of hook 62 can be reversed so that the release position or condition is when 20 hook 62 is raised and the engaging position is when hook 62 is lowered. In one form, hook arrangement 62 includes a ramp 64 or similar, having a tapered surface located at the extreme 25 distal end of the hook for extending in a forward direction from the front end of top deck 30 for facilitating location of the hook underneath tray handle 40. A generally U-shaped gap or cut-out 66, in the form of a concavity, socket or similar, is provided in the 30 upper surface of an intermediate portion of hook 62, for receiving therein tray handle 40. It is to be noted that the profile of the semi circular or U-shaped concavity or socket 66, located on the upper surface of hook 62, 16/08/12 3810412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.I - 26 corresponds either closely or generally to the shape or profile of the cross-section of straight portion of handle 40 so that the tray handle can be received securely in the concavity allowing the hook to engage with the body tray 5 and to move the body tray over the top deck of the trolley with skids 38 travelling on rollers 56. A stop 68 is provided proximally of concavity or socket 66 to form a reaction surface for handle 40 and to form a jaw of socket 66 to assist in moving tray 32 in use by engaging against 10 handle 40, particularly when moving tray 34 towards the first position or front end of trolley 10 for unloading tray 32 from trolley 10. A first drive assembly is located within housing 58 in 15 order to move hook arrangement 62 between the two extreme positions. In one form, the first drive assembly includes a main drive element. It is to be noted that the drive element or drive elements, can take any suitable or convenient form. In one form, with particular reference 20 to Figure 9, the drive element is a first chain 70 in the form of an endless chain loop which is carried by a front sprocket or gear wheel 72 or similar, and a rear sprocket or gear wheel 74. Either front sprocket 72 or rear sprocket 74, or both, are driven by a suitable driving 25 means, such as for example, an electric motor 75, driven by a suitable battery 76 via a suitable controller, such as for example, a switch box 77 or the like, which controls both the direction and speed of travel of chain 70 via motor 75. In one form, switch box 77 is 30 incorporated into control panel 19 on handle 18 for ease of operation for controlling operation of the drive element. 16108/12 3810412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 27 Optionally, there may be two or more motors, each driving a sprocket or similar connected to a single chain or two or more chains in parallel with each other. Hook 62 is connected to one link of chain 70 by a suitable fastener, 5 connector or the like. In one form, the suitable fastener is a clamp or the like 78. Chain 70 allows hook 62 to be moved between the extended position for engaging with handle 40 of tray 32 to withdraw the tray onto trolley 10, as shown more particularly in Figure 3, and the retracted io position as shown more particularly in Figure 8B in which hook 62 is disengaged from handle 40 and thus is released from tray 32. Returning to top deck 30, with particular reference to 15 Figure 1, a second drive channel 80 is located in housing 58 to extend from the rear end of mortuary trolley 10 towards about one quarter to about one half, typically between about one quarter and about one third, of the length of the top deck by terminating close to the end of 20 the first drive channel as shown in Figure 1. However, it is to be noted that the two inboard ends of the channels 60, 80 overlay one another as slots 60, 80 extend past one another. 25 A second connector in the form of a coupling, is provided to travel along second drive channel 80 in the form of an elongate drive slot. In one form, the coupling is in the form of a hook-like arrangement 82 having a distally located ramp portion 84, a centrally located socket 86 30 provided in the upper surface of hook 82, and a proximally located stop 88 similar to the shape of first hook 62, and is arranged to travel lengthways within drive channel 80 to assist in loading and/or unloading the body tray onto 16/08/12 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458 AU.1 - 28 the mortuary trolley and to position the mortuary trolley into a transport position for transporting the body tray during movement of the trolley. 5 The socket 86, or other open end section, is for cooperatively engaging with handle 40 of tray 32, particularly the undersurface of handle 40, to move tray 32 lengthwise along trolley 10, after tray 32 has been first moved by first hook arrangement 62 to the io intermediate position. In one form, the drive unit is in the form of a second drive chain 90 having a multitude of interconnected links which cooperatively engage with sprockets 92, 94 located at either end of chain 90 for supporting and/or driving chain 90 in the same manner as 15 drive chain 70 drive the first connector. One or both sprockets 92, 94 are driven by a suitable driving means, (not shown), in a manner similar to electric motor 75 for driving first drive chain 70 as described previously. In one example, the output shaft of an electric motor causes 20 movement of hook 82 to move tray 32 between the intermediate position and a transport position in which the tray is located at the rearward most position at the rear end of top deck 30. Thus, the first chain drive allows hook 62 to withdraw the tray from the storage 25 cabinet and to load the tray onto the trolley and to move it to the intermediate position whereupon the second drive chain comes into operation to move the second hook 82 to propel the tray from the intermediate position to the transport position in which tray 32 is fully locaded onto 30 trolley 10. Operation of the illustrated form of mortuary trolley 10 will now be described with particular reference to Figures 16/08/12 3810412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 29 6 to 9. Bodies 34 are generally stored in a suitable refrigerated storage assembly 100 comprising a multitude of individual s refrigerated cabinets or cubicles 102 located in a stacked array one upon the other in refrigerated storage assembly 100. Bodies 34 are stored on body trays 32 located within an individual refrigerated cabinet or cubicle 102. Tray handle 40 is provided at either end of the body tray 32 to 10 allow handling of body tray 32 as required. Generally, each handle 40 is in the form of a generally U-shaped stainless rod or bar of circular cross-section, extending outwardly from the respective ends of the body tray. When in the storage position, the body tray 32 and protruding is handle 40 are located wholly within the refrigerated cabinet 102 so that door 104 of the refrigerated cabinet can be securely closed. When it is required to move body 34, the front or forward 20 end of mortuary trolley 10 , is manoeuvred close to the position of refrigerated cabinet 102 and the remote control of the trolley or control panel 19 located on trolley handle 18 is operated to raise top deck 30 to the required height to receive body tray 32 from refrigerated 25 cabinet 102 as shown more particularly in Figure 6. Normally, top deck 30 is in the lowermost position, sometimes referred to as the secured or transport position as shown more particularly in phantom in Figure 6, to assist safe transportation of the body on trolley 10 by 30 trolley 10 having a low centre of gravity or mass so as to reduce the chance of the trolley tipping or becoming unstable. With first hook 62 in the extended position at the front of the trolley, as shown more particularly in 13e08/12 361D412_1 (GHMalem5) P87458.AU.1 - 30 Figures 6 and 7, trolley 10 is manoeuvred so that the tapered end 64 of the first hook engages with the undersurface of the tray handle 40 so that further movement of the trolley towards the tray, or further 5 movement of hook 62 towards tray 32, allows tray handle 40 to be received in socket 66 of hook 62 to secure tray 32 to trolley 10 as shown in Figure 7. In some embodiments, the hook is biased, such as for example, spring loaded to the raised position, so that on contact with the handle, 10 the hook is deflected downwardly to automatically engage with the tray handle so that handle 40 is received in the socket, whereas in other embodiments, the hook is selectively controlled to move between the raised and lowered positions to selectively engage and release from 15 handle 40 as required, or in still further embodiments, the hook is both spring biased to one position and controllable to another position. In some embodiments, the first hook is in the lowered 20 extended position prior to locating the trolley next to the body tray and the hook is then moved to the raised position so as to engage the handle. Any suitable or convenient assembly for raising and lowering the hook can be used. 25 Once the hook securely engages with the handle as shown in Figure 7, the transport module is operated so as to move the first chain 70 and hence the first hook 62, lengthwise within the first drive channel 60 along the central axis 30 of trolley 10 in the direction towards the rear of trolley 10, to withdraw tray 32 from refrigerated cabinet 102 onto the forward end of top deck 30 of trolley 10, whereupon skids 38 located on the undersurface of body tray 32 align 16/08/12 3610412_i (GHMatters) P87458 AU I - 31 with flared openings 55 of channels 57 to guide the direction of movement of tray 32 onto top deck 30 and into channels 57, thus allowing skids 38 to engage with rollers 56 located on either side of top deck 30 in order to 5 assist further movement of tray 32 more fully onto trolley 10 to a loaded position. Further operation of the first drive chain 70 of the transport module results in the first hook 62 travelling 10 further along drive channel 60 inboard of the trolley to the intermediate position. In this position, the body tray is mostly supported on the trolley with only one end of the body tray being located within refrigerated cabinet 102 as shown in Figure 8. 15 In this intermediate position, the first hook 62 is moved so as to be released from tray handle 40 to disengage from body tray 32 as shown in Figure 8B. In one embodiment, release of first hook 62 is due to movement of chain 70 20 moving through an arc over sprocket 74 to lower the position of first hook 62, whereas in other embodiments, first hook 62 is selectively activated so as to be lowered by a controlled mechanism when the chain is stationary so as to disengage from handle 40. 25 Simultaneously, whilst the body tray is in the intermediate position, second hook 82 is moved to engage with tray handle 40 in place of engagement by first hook 62, so as to take over responsibility for further movement 30 of tray 32 in the direction towards the rear of trolley 10. In one embodiment, second hook 82 is biased to the raised position and handle 40 rides along inclined ramp 84 into concavity 86 where the handle is securely retained, 3810412_1 (GHMatters) P87458 AU I - 32 whereas in other embodiments, the hook is moved from a lowered position to a raised position, to engage with the tray by the handle being securely received within the cavity. 5 Once tray handle 40 is secured within socket 86 of second hook 82, second drive chain 90 or similar is operated to move second hook 82 rearwardly along the second drive channel 80 towards the rear of trolley 10 to pull the tray 10 fully onto the top deck of the trolley. This rearward movement continues until the end of tray 32 passes over the front edge of the trolley so as not to extend beyond the front of the trolley so as to allow clearance of the tray handle at the other end of the body tray to be within 15 the confines of the trolley for safe transport of the body tray on the trolley and to permit relocation of the body tray, such as for example, allowing re-entry of the tray into the refrigerated storage cabinet. 20 It is to be noted that in one embodiment, the movement of the first hook is independent of movement of the second hook. However, in some embodiments, the movement of the second hook can be associated with movement of the first hook such that the release of the first hook from the tray 25 handle occurs almost simultaneously with the engagement of the second hook with the tray handle so that movement of the body tray onto the trolley is substantially continuous. In still other embodiments, engagement of the second hook can occur before release of the first hook. 30 In still further embodiments, hook 62 and hook 82 may be replaced with a single hook. When the body is to be returned to storage in the 16/08112 36104121 (GHMatters) P87458 AU.1 - 33 refrigerated cabinet, the reverse procedure occurs. In this case, with trolley 10 in the raised position so that top deck 30 is substantially level with the cubicle of the refrigerated storage cabinet for receiving the body tray, s the front of the trolley is located adjacent the opening of the refrigerated cabinet and the body tray aligned with the opening. Second hook 82 is operated by control panel 19 to move lengthways along drive channel 80 in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the 10 second hook previously by chain 90, as previously described, which is to move in a direction towards the front end of the trolley so as to push the tray from the trolley into the entrance of the refrigerated cabinet. When hook 82 reaches the limit of travel, it disengages 15 automatically, or is operated to disengage from the tray handle to release body tray 32, whereupon first hook 62 engages or is moved to engage with the tray handle. Thereupon, the first hook is moved lengthways along first drive channel 60 in the opposite direction by chain 70 20 than previously, i.e. now in a direction towards the front end of trolley 10, to push the body tray into the refrigerated cabinet along the rollers on either side of the top deck of the trolley. Since the first hook extends outwardly from the front end of the trolley, the body tray 25 can be inserted fully within the storage cabinet when the end of the trolley abuts against the entrance to the storage cabinet thereby obviating the need to manhandle the tray from the trolley into the refrigerated cabinet, such as to bridge the gap between the front end of the 30 trolley and the open end of the refrigerated cabinet. It is to be noted that by having the first hook extending from the front of the trolley and the second hook being 16/08/12 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 34 able to be extended from the rear of the trolley, it is possible to provide movement of the body tray through a full range of movements onto and off the trolley to allow retrieval and insertion into the refrigerated storage 5 cabinet without having to lift or otherwise manhandle the body tray at any time during the loading and/or unloading procedure. Another form of the mortuary trolley will now be described 10 with reference to Figures 10 to 12. This form of the trolley, denoted as trolley 110, is similar to trolley 10, except that trolley 110 is provided with a modified top deck 130 having a single connector, in the form of hook 162 which is able to travel from a position at or close to 15 the rear end of trolley 110 to a position at the forward end of trolley 110, and optionally to extend beyond the front end of trolley 110 so as to be able to engage handle 40 of body tray 32 supporting body 34 in order to assist in loading and unloading tray 32 and body 34 onto trolley 20 10 for transportation from one location to another location in a manner similar to hook 62 of trolley 10 which extends beyond the front end of trolley 10. Top deck of trolley 110 is a modified top deck and is 25 similar to trolley 10 except that assembly 159 is provided with a single slot 160, located in housing 158, which is in the form of two substantially parallel spaced apart interconnected parts 158a, 158b joined by web 161 at the rear end of assembly 159 spanning between parts 158a, 30 158b. Slot 160 extends the length of assembly 159 from one end, i.e. the forward end of housing 158 to near to or close to the other end, i.e. the rear end at which web 161 is located at the rear end of housing 158. Web section 16/08/12 3810412_1 (GHMatters) PB7458.AU.1 - 35 161 is located at the rear end of housing 158 to join the two parts 158a, 158b of housing 158 to form slot 160, as shown more particularly in Figure 12. 5 In this form, there is a single hook 162 which is arranged to travel from a first position or location being at or close to or extending from the front end of housing 158 to a second position or location being at or close to the rear end of housing 158 in slot 160. Hook 162 may be 10 controlled in any suitable manner by any suitable means. One embodiment is cable operated by having a cable (not shown) extending between the control panel of the trolley and hook 162 which, when operated, moves hook 162 between the engaging position and the release position by moving 15 the inner core or wire of the cable. In one form, hook 162 is provided with distal ramp 164 located along one end thereof, typically in the direction facing forwardly of trolley 110, a centrally located 20 cavity or socket 166 located in the lower surface of hook 162 and a proximal stop 168 for contacting handle 40 of tray 32 in use, as shown more particularly in Figures 10 and 12. Central cavity 166 is located intermediate distal ramp 164 and proximal stop 168. 25 One form of hook 162 (not shown) is in the form of a releasable fastener having a pair of generally arcuate fingers arranged in opposed face-to-face relationship defining a space therebetween. This arrangement is in the 30 form of a pair of pincers with the jaws of the pincers corresponding to the fingers of the releasable fastener. In use, one finger is located over the upper surface of handle 40, whereas the other finger is located around the 16/08/12 3810412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 36 lower surface of handle 40 to grip handle 40 when in an operative or engaging condition or position. The hook is released by separating the fingers from one another so as to disengage from around the handle. 5 Additionally, hook 162, when in one of the two positions, preferably the forward position at the front end of trolley 110, is movable between an engaging position or condition for engaging with handle 40 of tray 32, io typically, the upper surface of handle 40, and a release position or condition in which hook 162 disengages from handle 40 of tray 32 so as to be clear of handle 40. Preferably, hook 162 when in the cooperatively engaging position, is in a lowered position, and when in the is release position is in a raised position. More preferably, hook 162 moves momentarily or impulsively from the engagement condition to the release condition to be released from handle 40 and then to a lowered position after moving away from tray 32. Even more preferably, 20 hook 162 is spring loaded so as to move from an at rest position, which is a relatively lowered position, to an engagement condition on contact with handle 40 to ride over handle 40 to a raised position momentarily then to a lowered position to resume the at rest position whilst 25 being engaged with handle 40. Then, when hook 162 is to be disengaged, hook 162 is raised to clear handle 40 and moved back along the longitudinal axis of trolley 110 in slot 160 for a short distance in the direction towards the rear of trolley 110 whilst in the raised position so that 30 hook 162 is clear of handle 40 whereupon hook 162 is lowered to the at rest position again for travel to the rear end of trolley 110 in preparation for repeated movement to engage with another handle when a further tray 16/08/12 3810412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 37 is to be loaded onto trolley 110. In one embodiment, (not shown), the connector has two parts which cooperatively engage handle 40 from two 5 different directions, such as over the upper surface of handle 40 and under the lower surface of handle 40. Thus, the connector can engage handle 40 from above, from below, or from both above and below to secure tray 32 to the transport module or assembly. Other forms of the 10 connector are possible. In this embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 to 12, hook 162 is usually located in slot 160 at or towards the rear end of trolley 110 when trolley 110 is being pushed. When 15 top deck 130 of trolley 110 is adjusted to the level of tray 32 in the refrigerated storage cabinet, hook 162, which is in the at rest position, which is the lowered position, is caused to move from a position close to the rear of trolley 110, along slot 160 to the extreme front 20 end of trolley 110 in slot 160 to adopt a position where hook 162 in the lowered position extends beyond the front edge of trolley 110 as shown more particularly in Figures 10 and 12. In undergoing this movement, ramp 164 of hook 162 engages with handle 40 to cause hook 162 to move to a 25 raised position to ride over handle 40 so that when hook 62 drops down to the at rest lowered position again, handle 40 is received within socket 166 of hook 162 to be retained therein, thus securely connecting tray 32 to hook 162. Hook 162 is caused to move by the drive assembly 30 towards the rear end of trolley 110 to load tray 32 and body 34 onto the trolley. It is to be noted that as hook 162 can move between the front and rear ends of trolley 110, a single connector only, hook 162, is required to 16108/12 3610412_1 (GHMalters) P87458.AU.1 - 38 fully load and unload tray 32 onto and from trolley 110. When tray 32 is to be returned to the storage cabinet, after locating the forward end of trolley 110 close to the s cabinet of the refrigerated storage, hook 162 is moved along slot 160 from the rear to the front of trolley 110 to push tray 32 into the storage cabinet by stop 168 contacting handle 140, whereupon hook 162 is raised momentarily to enable socket 166 to be lifted clear of 10 handle 40 to disengage hook 162 from handle 40. Hook 162, when in the raised position, is moved back a small amount in the direction towards the rear of trolley 110 so as to be clear of tray 32 and then lowered to the at rest position for further movement back to the rear end of 15 trolley 110 to adopt a position adjacent web 161 in preparation for further operation. It is to be noted that the drive assembly and/or drive element for trolley 110 is similar to the drive assembly 20 and/or element of trolley 10 except that a single drive element, typically a single chain, is required since there is a single connector only to move. Other parts or components of trolley 110 are the same or similar to the corresponding parts and components of trolley 10. 25 ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION Advantages of one or other forms of the trolley having a transport module generally in accordance with the 30 invention include the following. e Use of the transport module eliminates manual handling of trays when loading or unloading. 16/08112 3810412_1 (GHMatter5) P87458.AU I - 39 e Motorised loading and unloading of trays on tables is possible. " Automatically locks trays to trolley with hook when the tray is in the correct or final position after 5 loading the tray onto the trolley. e The trolley is better able to comply with OH & S improvements by eliminating lifting, pulling and twisting risks. e The trolley and transport module is able to move 10 loads of up to 300kg. e Allows single person operation. * Simple to use with only a minimum number of controls. * Trolley wheels remain locked during loader operation 15 - no need to move trolley. * Single step roll-on or roll-off operation - not multi step. * Can be used on previously installed racking and tray systems. 20 e Can be "retro fitted" to existing trolleys. * Operates at all trolley heights. * Operation from end or either side of trolley. e Operates in tight spaces - trolley can be pushed sideways to correct position for load/unload. 25 The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features herein 30 disclosed. 16108/12 36104121 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.I - 40 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such s variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope. 10 16/O8/12 38104i2_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.

Claims (33)

1. A transport assembly or module for loading and/or unloading an item onto and/or from a mobile transport s unit for transporting the item upon the mobile transport unit, comprising a first connector movable between a first location and a second location, the connector when in the first location, capable of cooperatively engaging with part of the item so that 10 movement of the connector to the second position causes corresponding movement of the item with respect to the transport unit to at least partially load the item onto the transport unit and movement of the connector in the direction towards the first 15 location unloads the item from the transport unit, the connector being arranged so that when the connector is in the first position, the connector is movable between an engagement condition in which the connector cooperatively engages with the part of the 20 item to allow movement of the item in response to corresponding movement of the connector and a release condition in which the connector is disengaged from the item to allow the connector to move in the direction from the first position to the second 25 location without moving the item.
2. A transport assembly or module for loading and/or unloading an item onto or from a mobile transport unit for transporting the item on the mobile 30 transport unit, the transport assembly or module comprising a first connector movable between a first location and a second location, the connector, when in the first location, capable of cooperatively 16/08312 3010412_1 (GHMWttIr) P87458 AU1 - 42 engaging with part of the item so that when the connector engages with part of the item, movement of the connector from the first location in the direction towards the second location moves the item 5 to at least partially load the item onto the transport unit and movement of the connector in the direction from the second location towards the first location unloads the item from the transport unit, wherein the connector is arranged so that when the 10 connector is in the first location, the connector is movable between an engagement condition in which the connector cooperatively engages with the part of the item to allow movement of the item in response to corresponding movement of the connector and a release is condition in which the connector is disengaged from part of the item so as to allow the connector to move in the direction towards the second position without moving the item. 20
3. A mortuary trolley having a self-contained transport assembly or module according to either claim 1 or claim 2.
4. A transport assembly or module for loading and/or 25 unloading an item onto and/or from a mobile transport unit for transporting the item comprising a first connector movable between an extended position at a first location for engaging a part of the item and a retracted position for disengaging from the item when 30 the item is at an intermediate location, a second connector movable between a retracted position in which the second connector is not engaged with the item, and an operative position for engaging with the 16108112 3810412_1 (GHMalters) P87458.AU.1 - 43 item when in the intermediate position, and at least one drive element connected to the first connector and at least one drive element connected to the second connector, said drive element or elements 5 capable of movement in a first direction, wherein operation of the drive element in the first direction causes movement of the first connector from the first location to the intermediate location to move the item onto the mobile unit towards the intermediate io position on the mobile carrier unit such that when the item is in the intermediate position, the first connector moves to the retracted position to disengage from the item and the second connector is capable of movement from the retracted position to 15 the operative position to engage the item so that further movement of the drive element in the first direction causes movement of the item from the intermediate position to a transport position suitable for transporting the item on the mobile 20 transport unit.
5. A transfer or transport assembly or module for moving a carrier member with respect to a mortuary trolley, comprising a first connector movable between a first 25 position for engaging with the carrier member and a second position for disengaging from the carrier member, such that when the first connector is in the first position, the first connector extends from the trolley so as to be capable of engaging a part of the 30 carrier member when the trolley is located near to the carrier member, a second connector movable between a first position in which the second connector is disengaged from the carrier member, and 16/08/12 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU-1 - 44 a second position for engaging the carrier member, and at least one drive element connected to the first connector and at least one drive element connected to the second connector, such that when the first 5 connector is in the extended position and engaged with the carrier member, operation of the drive element in a first direction causes movement of the first connector to transport the carrier member to an intermediate position with respect to the patient 10 trolley so that when the carrier member is in the intermediate position, the first connector disengages from the carrier member and the second connector engages with the carrier member so that further operation of the drive element or elements in the is first direction, moves the carrier member to a transport position for transporting the carrier member on the trolley.
6. A mortuary trolley having a transport mechanism, 20 assembly or module for handling a body tray for loading and/or unloading the body tray onto and/or from the mortuary trolley, comprising a first connector extending from one end or side of the trolley for cooperatively engaging with a handle 25 provided at or towards one end of the body tray, a drive assembly located on the trolley for moving the first connector in use of the trolley substantially along a lengthwise extending axis of the trolley from a first position to an intermediate position, the 30 first connector connected to the drive assembly at a first location, wherein movement of the drive assembly in a first direction moves the first connector to move the body tray from the first 16/08/12 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 45 position to the intermediate position over a first part of the trolley, a second connector connected to the drive assembly at a second location for moving the tray over a second part of the trolley from the s intermediate position to a transport position, such that operation of the drive assembly causes movement of the first connector to move the tray over the first part, and causes movement of the second connector to move the tray over the second part to 10 the transport position.
7. A mortuary trolley having a transport mechanism, assembly or module for handling a body tray for loading and/or unloading the body tray onto and/or 15 from the mortuary trolley to transport a cadaver, the transport module comprising a connector movable between a first location and a second location to load and/or unload the tray onto the trolley, the connector when in the first or second location being 20 movable between a first condition in which the connector cooperatively engages with a handle provided at or towards one end or side of the body tray and a second condition which is a release condition, the connector being arranged so that when 2S the connector is in the first condition at the first location, the connector cooperatively engages the handle of the tray so that movement of the connector from the first location in the direction towards the second location causes corresponding movement of the 30 tray to at least partially load the tray onto the trolley and when the connector is cooperatively engaged with the handle at or towards the second location, movement of the connector in the direction 16/08/12 361012_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU1 - 46 towards the first location from the second location causes corresponding movement of the tray to unload the tray from the trolley, wherein when the connector is at the first location, the connector is movable 5 between the first condition to cooperatively engage the handle of the trolley, and the second condition in which the connector is disengaged from the handle to allow movement of the connector in the direction towards the second location without corresponding io movement of the tray.
8. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in the form of a mortuary trolley for transporting cadavers. 15
9. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the item is the body tray upon which a cadaver is transported. 20
10. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the first connector is a hook arrangement comprising a hook, a fastener, a cooperatively engaging element, or releasably securable element. 25
11. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the hook arrangement includes a ramp surface, a cavity or socket for receiving a part of the item, and a stop surface for engaging with the 30 part of the item.
12. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the part of the item is the handle portion of a body tray. 35 16/08/12 38104121 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 47
13. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the ramp surface engages the handle of the body tray in a first direction, the socket engages the handle in a first and a second direction s and the stop surface engages the handle in the first direction to move the tray in the first and second directions respectively.
14. A transportation unit according to any preceding 10 claim in which the first position is at the end of the trolley, preferably the forward end of the trolley and more preferably the extreme forward end of the trolley.
15 15. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the hook arrangement extends beyond the boundary of the forward or front end of the trolley. 20
16. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the second location is a location other than the first location at the front end of the trolley and includes an intermediate location or a location at or towards the rear end of the trolley. 25
17. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the trolley is in the form of a lift trolley having a raising and lowering arrangement for raising and lowering a top deck of the trolley. 30
18. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim further comprising a drive arrangement including one or more drive elements for being drivingly connected to the first connector or second 35 connector to move the first or second connectors. 16/08/12 3810412_1 (OHMatters) P87458.AU.1 - 48
19. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the drive arrangement is or includes a chain drive comprising a multitude of interconnected 5 chain links.
20. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim further including a handle located at or towards the rear end of the trolley in which the 10 handle is provided with a load control panel for effecting operation of the trolley.
21. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim further comprising a top deck in which the top is deck includes a housing having one or more drive slots arranged to extend longitudinally of the housing from the rear of the housing to the front of the housing. 20
22. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim wherein the drive slot is open at the forward end of the trolley to allow the hook to extend beyond the front end of the trolley for engagement with the handle of a body tray when located in a storage 25 facility.
23. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which there are two slots in side-by-side spaced part parallel relationship to one another for 30 providing respective drive slots for the first connector and second connector.
24. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the length of the two drive slots are 35 such so that the inboard ends of the drive slots 16/08/12 3610412_1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.A - 49 overlap one another.
25. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the hook is a spring biased hook or 5 similar arrangement which is capable of moving between an at-rest position against the bias of the spring to an engagement position.
26. A transportation unit according to any preceding 10 claim in which the cavity or socket is located in the upper surface of the hook or in the lower surface of the hook for cooperative engagement with the handle of a body tray. 15
27. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the connector is cable operated between the engagement position and the release position. 20
28. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the connector contacts the handle of the tray from above, from below, or from both above and below the handle so as to grip the handle when in the engaging position. 25
29. A transportation unit according to any preceding claim in which the connector comprises two arcuate fingers arranged in a pincer arrangement in which the fingers are in face-to-face opposed relationship 30 defining a gap or space therebetween for receiving the handle therein when the connector is cooperatively engaged with the handle.
30. 35
31. A mortuary trolley having a self-contained transport 16/08/12
3810412.1 (GHMatters) P87458.AUI - 50 assembly or module substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 5
32. A transfer or transport assembly or module for moving a carrier member with respect to a mortuary trolley substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 10
33. A mortuary trolley having a transport mechanism, assembly or module for handling a body tray for loading and/or unloading the body tray onto and/or from the patient trolley substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying 15 drawings. 16/08/12 3610412.1 (GHMatters) P87458.AU.1
AU2012216245A 2011-08-17 2012-08-16 Mortuary trolley Active AU2012216245B2 (en)

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AU2011903287A AU2011903287A0 (en) 2011-08-17 Patient handling apparatus
AU2011903287 2011-08-17
AU2012216245A AU2012216245B2 (en) 2011-08-17 2012-08-16 Mortuary trolley

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GB2515743A (en) * 2013-07-01 2015-01-07 Leec Ltd A cadaver carrier transfer apparatus

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US3034843A (en) * 1960-05-10 1962-05-15 Lakeside Mfg Inc Morgue cart and body refrigerating devices
US20060181100A1 (en) * 2003-01-15 2006-08-17 Lambarth Clifford E Ambulance cot loading and unloading device
DE102008005900A1 (en) * 2008-01-24 2009-07-30 Bayerisches Rotes Kreuz, Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts Telescopic like extensible ambulance table for use in patient room in emergency vehicle, has actuator driven backwards and forwards in longitudinal direction, and control device controlling drive of actuator depending on position and load
US20090307839A1 (en) * 2008-06-17 2009-12-17 Civco Medical Instruments Co., Inc. Patient transfer system for use in stereotactic radiation therapy
WO2010145691A1 (en) * 2009-06-16 2010-12-23 Aerolite Max Bucher Ag Stretcher receiving device

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3034843A (en) * 1960-05-10 1962-05-15 Lakeside Mfg Inc Morgue cart and body refrigerating devices
US20060181100A1 (en) * 2003-01-15 2006-08-17 Lambarth Clifford E Ambulance cot loading and unloading device
DE102008005900A1 (en) * 2008-01-24 2009-07-30 Bayerisches Rotes Kreuz, Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts Telescopic like extensible ambulance table for use in patient room in emergency vehicle, has actuator driven backwards and forwards in longitudinal direction, and control device controlling drive of actuator depending on position and load
US20090307839A1 (en) * 2008-06-17 2009-12-17 Civco Medical Instruments Co., Inc. Patient transfer system for use in stereotactic radiation therapy
WO2010145691A1 (en) * 2009-06-16 2010-12-23 Aerolite Max Bucher Ag Stretcher receiving device

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2515743A (en) * 2013-07-01 2015-01-07 Leec Ltd A cadaver carrier transfer apparatus
GB2515743B (en) * 2013-07-01 2016-12-28 Leec Ltd A cadaver carrier transfer apparatus

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