EP0858310B1 - A transverse stretcher - Google Patents

A transverse stretcher Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0858310B1
EP0858310B1 EP97935728A EP97935728A EP0858310B1 EP 0858310 B1 EP0858310 B1 EP 0858310B1 EP 97935728 A EP97935728 A EP 97935728A EP 97935728 A EP97935728 A EP 97935728A EP 0858310 B1 EP0858310 B1 EP 0858310B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stretcher
ambulance
undercarriage
end section
frame
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97935728A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0858310A1 (en
Inventor
Peter Reilly
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ferno UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Ferno UK Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ferno UK Ltd filed Critical Ferno UK Ltd
Publication of EP0858310A1 publication Critical patent/EP0858310A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0858310B1 publication Critical patent/EP0858310B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G1/00—Stretchers
    • A61G1/04—Parts, details or accessories, e.g. head-, foot-, or like rests specially adapted for stretchers
    • A61G1/052—Struts, spars or legs
    • A61G1/056—Swivelling legs
    • A61G1/0565—Swivelling legs simultaneously folding, e.g. parallelogram structures
    • A61G1/0567—Swivelling legs simultaneously folding, e.g. parallelogram structures folding in x-shape
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G1/00—Stretchers
    • A61G1/02—Stretchers with wheels
    • A61G1/0206—Stretchers with wheels characterised by the number of supporting wheels if stretcher is extended
    • A61G1/0212—2 pairs having wheels within a pair on the same position in longitudinal direction, e.g. on the same axis
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G1/00—Stretchers
    • A61G1/02—Stretchers with wheels
    • A61G1/0237—Stretchers with wheels having at least one swivelling wheel, e.g. castors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G3/00—Ambulance aspects of vehicles; Vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances, e.g. for facilitating access of, or for loading, wheelchairs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a stretcher, in particular a transverse stretcher, i.e. a stretcher which can be secured in an ambulance and carried while mounted transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ambulance.
  • a transverse stretcher i.e. a stretcher which can be secured in an ambulance and carried while mounted transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ambulance.
  • Document US-A-4 767 148 discloses a stretcher comprising an undercarriage with four wheels, each wheel being pivotable on a vertical axis a frame on which a stretcher top is fixed and a collapsible brace assembly between the frame and the undercarriage arranged to elevate and lower the stretcher.
  • the frame has end section which is hingedly connected to the frame and may be moved downwardly from the frame plane, wherein some anchoring means mounted on said end section are releasably engageable to some complementary anchoring means mounted on the floor of an emergency vehicle.
  • the present invention provides a stretcher comprising an undercarriage with four wheels depending from the undercarriage each wheel being pivotable on a vertical axis, a stretcher top, and a collapsible brace assembly between the stretcher top and the undercarriage, with an end section of the stretcher top being releasable and pivotally movable from the plane of the stretcher top so as to shorten the length of the stretcher without affecting its mobility.
  • the undercarriage can be lowered towards ground level by means of the brace assembly, irrespective of the position of the pivoted end section.
  • the four wheels are fixed to the undercarriage by four depending spigots so as to raise the undercarriage high enough for it to clear a normal wheel arch of an ambulance.
  • the stretcher top includes an outer tubular frame and the end section is provided at the foot end of the frame.
  • the end section is connected to the frame by two articulated joints which are releasable by a pair of movable sleeves, whereby the end section may be pivoted downwardly so as to decrease the overall length of the stretcher.
  • pulling handles are loosely pivotally attached to the stretcher top at each end thereof so that when not grasped by an attendant hang loosely and do not add to the overall length of the stretcher.
  • the stretcher when in the collapsed mode is at a good working height for an attendant and is movable on the four wheels either in an ambulance or outside, regardless of whether or not the end section is pivoted downwardly.
  • the stretcher when the end section is pivoted downwardly, the stretcher is locatable in a transverse position in an ambulance and is adapted to be anchored by a locking device.
  • the stretcher may be used to carry three sitting patients facing rearwardly within the ambulance.
  • the stretcher of the invention includes an undercarriage 10, a stretcher top 20, and a collapsible brace assembly 30 between the undercarriage 10 and the stretcher top 20 for elevating and lowering the stretcher top 20 relative to the undercarriage 10.
  • the stretcher top 20 includes an outer tubular frame 22. At the foot end of the frame 22 is provided an end section 40.
  • the end section 40 is connected to the frame 22 by two articulated joints 45 which can be released by moving two sleeves 46 to enable the end section to be pivoted downwardly so as to decrease the overall length.
  • the pulling handles 60 are loosely pivotally attached to the stretcher top 20 at each end and when not grasped by an attendant hang loosely and do not add to the overall length of the stretcher.
  • the stretcher when the end section 40 is pivoted downwardly, the stretcher can be positioned in a transverse position in an ambulance and anchored by a locking pole (not shown). With a mattress top 50 on the stretcher top 20 located beneath back rests 55, the stretcher can be used to carry three sitting patients facing rearwardly in accordance with European Regulations.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)

Description

The present invention relates to a stretcher, in particular a transverse stretcher, i.e. a stretcher which can be secured in an ambulance and carried while mounted transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ambulance.
Document US-A-4 767 148 discloses a stretcher comprising an undercarriage with four wheels, each wheel being pivotable on a vertical axis a frame on which a stretcher top is fixed and a collapsible brace assembly between the frame and the undercarriage arranged to elevate and lower the stretcher. In this known stretcher, the frame has end section which is hingedly connected to the frame and may be moved downwardly from the frame plane, wherein some anchoring means mounted on said end section are releasably engageable to some complementary anchoring means mounted on the floor of an emergency vehicle.
The present invention provides a stretcher comprising an undercarriage with four wheels depending from the undercarriage each wheel being pivotable on a vertical axis, a stretcher top, and a collapsible brace assembly between the stretcher top and the undercarriage, with an end section of the stretcher top being releasable and pivotally movable from the plane of the stretcher top so as to shorten the length of the stretcher without affecting its mobility.
Conveniently, during unloading, the undercarriage can be lowered towards ground level by means of the brace assembly, irrespective of the position of the pivoted end section.
Preferably, the four wheels are fixed to the undercarriage by four depending spigots so as to raise the undercarriage high enough for it to clear a normal wheel arch of an ambulance.
Advantageously, the stretcher top includes an outer tubular frame and the end section is provided at the foot end of the frame.
Ideally, the end section is connected to the frame by two articulated joints which are releasable by a pair of movable sleeves, whereby the end section may be pivoted downwardly so as to decrease the overall length of the stretcher.
Preferably, pulling handles are loosely pivotally attached to the stretcher top at each end thereof so that when not grasped by an attendant hang loosely and do not add to the overall length of the stretcher.
Advantageously, the stretcher when in the collapsed mode, is at a good working height for an attendant and is movable on the four wheels either in an ambulance or outside, regardless of whether or not the end section is pivoted downwardly.
Conveniently, when the end section is pivoted downwardly, the stretcher is locatable in a transverse position in an ambulance and is adapted to be anchored by a locking device.
Ideally, when a mattress top is located on the collapsed stretcher adjacent back rests on an ambulance wall, the stretcher may be used to carry three sitting patients facing rearwardly within the ambulance.
The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, one embodiment of a transverse stretcher according to the invention. In the drawings:
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stretcher in its elevated position with the end section in the plane of the stretcher top;
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of the stretcher with the end section also in the plane of the stretcher top; and
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the stretcher mounted in a transverse position in an ambulance, with the end section of the stretcher top pivoted downwardly.
    • Referring to the drawings, the stretcher of the invention includes an undercarriage 10, a stretcher top 20, and a collapsible brace assembly 30 between the undercarriage 10 and the stretcher top 20 for elevating and lowering the stretcher top 20 relative to the undercarriage 10.
    Four wheels 12 are fixed to the undercarriage 10 by four depending spigots 13 which raise the undercarriage high enough for it to clear a normal wheel arch found in an ambulance.
    The stretcher top 20 includes an outer tubular frame 22. At the foot end of the frame 22 is provided an end section 40.
    The end section 40 is connected to the frame 22 by two articulated joints 45 which can be released by moving two sleeves 46 to enable the end section to be pivoted downwardly so as to decrease the overall length.
    The pulling handles 60 are loosely pivotally attached to the stretcher top 20 at each end and when not grasped by an attendant hang loosely and do not add to the overall length of the stretcher.
    When the stretcher is collapsed, it is at a good working height for an attendant and can still be moved on four wheels 12 either in an ambulance or outside regardless of whether or not the end section 40 is pivoted downwardly.
    As shown in Figure 3, when the end section 40 is pivoted downwardly, the stretcher can be positioned in a transverse position in an ambulance and anchored by a locking pole (not shown). With a mattress top 50 on the stretcher top 20 located beneath back rests 55, the stretcher can be used to carry three sitting patients facing rearwardly in accordance with European Regulations.
    It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in appended claims.

    Claims (7)

    1. A stretcher comprising an undercarriage (10) with four wheels (12), depending from the undercarriage (10), each wheel (12) being pivotable about a vertical axis, a stretcher top (20), and a collapsible brace assembly (30) between the stretcher top (20) and the undercarriage (10) arranged to elevate and lower the stretcher top (20), with an end section (40) of the stretcher top (20) being releasable and pivotally movable downwardly from the plane of the stretcher top (20) so as to shorten the length of the stretcher without affecting its mobility regardless of whether the stretcher top has been elevated or lowered by the brace assembly.
    2. A stretcher as claimed in Claim 1 in which the four wheels (12) are fixed to the undercarriage (10) by four depending spigots (13) so as to raise the undercarriage (10) high enough for it to clear a normal wheel arch of an ambulance.
    3. A stretcher as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the stretcher top (20) includes an outer tubular frame (22) and the end section (40) is provided at the foot end of the frame (22).
    4. A stretcher as claimed in Claim 3 in which the end section (40) is connected to the frame (22) by two articulated joints (45) which are releasable by a pair of movable sleeves (46), whereby the end section (40) may be pivoted downwardly so as to decrease the overall length of the stretcher.
    5. A stretcher as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which pulling handles (60) are loosely pivotally attached to the stretcher top (2) at each end thereof so that when not grasped by an attendant hang loosely and do not add to the overall length of the stretcher.
    6. An ambulance incorporating a stretcher as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which, when the end section (40) is pivoted downwardly, the stretcher is located in a transverse position in the ambulance and is anchored by a locking device.
    7. An ambulance as claimed in Claim 6 in which a mattress top (50) is located on the stretcher top (20) adjacent back rests (55) on the ambulance wall so that the stretcher may be used to carry three sitting patients facing rearwardly within the ambulance.
    EP97935728A 1996-07-26 1997-07-28 A transverse stretcher Expired - Lifetime EP0858310B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    IE960545 1996-07-26
    IE960545 1996-07-26
    PCT/IE1997/000054 WO1998004227A1 (en) 1996-07-26 1997-07-28 A transverse stretcher

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0858310A1 EP0858310A1 (en) 1998-08-19
    EP0858310B1 true EP0858310B1 (en) 2002-12-04

    Family

    ID=11041226

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP97935728A Expired - Lifetime EP0858310B1 (en) 1996-07-26 1997-07-28 A transverse stretcher

    Country Status (2)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP0858310B1 (en)
    WO (1) WO1998004227A1 (en)

    Family Cites Families (6)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US3644944A (en) * 1970-05-20 1972-02-29 Ferno Washington Ambulance cot construction
    BE791665A (en) * 1971-12-01 1973-03-16 Baxter Laboratories Inc EMERGENCY STRETCHER
    GB1388960A (en) * 1972-10-12 1975-04-03 Lomas Ltd Herbert Ambulance stretchers
    AU2775677A (en) * 1976-08-11 1979-02-15 Caldow K J Ambulance stretcher
    US4767148A (en) * 1987-10-28 1988-08-30 Ferno-Washington, Inc. Multiple level roll-in cot
    US5435027A (en) * 1993-08-09 1995-07-25 Ferno-Washington, Inc. Roll-in cot with high ground clearance

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    WO1998004227A1 (en) 1998-02-05
    EP0858310A1 (en) 1998-08-19

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