EP1245212B1 - Carriage for a stretcher - Google Patents

Abstract

Each stand (3) is pivoted on a first runner (11) connected to the chassis (2) so as to be able to slide longitudinally along the chassis. A strut (12) is pivoted on the stand and on a second runner (13) connected to the chassis. First (18) and second (29,30,47) immobilization means are provided to immobilize the runners on the chassis. The trolley comprises sensors (21,22) able to act on the second immobilization means so as to release the sliding of the second runner in the folding direction of the stand.

Description

The present invention relates to a rack-carrier for stretcher, in particular for use to transport a patient lying on a stretcher from an ambulance to a hospital room, and vice versa.

A rack-carriage of this type comprises a frame adapted to receive a stretcher and two crutches equipped with wheels, pivotally mounted on the frame. These stands are movable between an unfolding position for rolling the rack-carriage and a folding position against the frame, allowing the introduction of the rack-carriage in an ambulance.

Such a rack-carriage further comprises a mechanism for controlling the unfolding and folding of each stand, generally including means for immobilizing the stand in intermediate positions. These intermediate positions make it possible to place the stretcher in a proclive, declivity or lowered position, according to the needs of the patient.

The operation of introducing a rack-carriage in an ambulance has the disadvantage, with the existing mechanisms, to be difficult to achieve. It is indeed difficult for a single person to control the folding of the front stand, while the front of the rack-carriage is introduced into the ambulance, while holding the rack-carriage and pushing it to introduce it further. in the ambulance.

Existing control mechanisms also have the disadvantage of not giving complete satisfaction in a general way, none of them simultaneously having the advantages of being simple, reliable, resistant, easy to handle, and, as far as the manufacturer of the rack-carriage, relatively easy to manufacture.

The document US 3,826,528 discloses a stretcher carriage comprising a front stand pivotally and slidably mounted on the frame of the carriage and a rear stand pivotally mounted on the frame. Each stand is connected to a strut mounted pivotally and sliding on the frame.

The present invention aims to remedy these disadvantages. Its main purpose is to provide a rack-carriage comprising a mechanism for controlling the unfolding and folding crutches at once simple, reliable, resistant, easy to handle, and easy to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rack-carriage to make automatic the unlocking of the crutches during the operation of introduction of the rack-carriage in an ambulance.

The carrier carriage concerned comprises, in a manner known per se, a chassis adapted to receive a stretcher, two crutches equipped with wheels, pivotally mounted on the frame, and a mechanism for controlling the unfolding and folding of each leg.

• chaque béquille est montée pivotante sur un premier coulisseau relié au châssis de manière à pouvoir coulisser dans le sens longitudinal de ce châssis ;
• des premiers moyens d'immobilisation sont prévus pour immobiliser ce premier coulisseau selon une pluralité de positions distinctes le long du châssis ;
• chaque béquille est équipée d'une jambe de force qui la relie au châssis, cette jambe de force étant montée pivotante sur la béquille d'une part et sur un deuxième coulisseau relié au châssis d'autre part, ce deuxième coulisseau pouvant coulisser dans le sens longitudinal du châssis lors du pivotement de la béquille entre ses positions de dépliage et de repliage ;
• des seconds moyens d'immobilisation sont prévus pour immobiliser ledit deuxième coulisseau dans une position de coulissement par rapport au châssis correspondant au dépliage de la béquille ;
• le chariot-portoir comprend des moyens de commande propres à agir sur lesdits seconds moyens d'immobilisation dudit deuxième coulisseau de la béquille correspondante de manière à libérer le coulissement de ce deuxième coulisseau dans le sens du repliage de cette béquille.

According to the invention, as claimed in claims 1 to 8,

• each stand is pivotally mounted on a first slide connected to the frame so as to slide in the longitudinal direction of this frame;
• first immobilizing means are provided for immobilizing the first slider in a plurality of distinct positions along the frame;
• each stand is equipped with a strut which connects it to the chassis, this strut being pivotally mounted on the stand on one hand and on a second slide connected to the frame on the other hand, this second slide being able to slide in the longitudinal direction of the frame during the pivoting of the stand between its unfolding and folding positions;
• second immobilizing means are provided for immobilizing said second slide in a sliding position relative to the frame corresponding to the unfolding of the stand;
• the carriage-rack comprises control means adapted to act on said second means of immobilizing said second slide of the corresponding stand so as to release the sliding of the second slide in the direction of folding of this stand.

When introducing an end of the frame into an ambulance, said control means act on said second immobilizing means so as to release the sliding of said second slide of the corresponding stand in the direction of folding of this stand.

Apart from this situation of introducing the rack-carriage into an ambulance, said second slide is immobilized relative to the frame by said second immobilizing means; said first immobilizing means can then be actuated so as to release the sliding of said first slide of the corresponding stand relative to the frame; said second slider being immobilized, the sliding of this first slider will allow, via said strut, to achieve an inclination of the crutch in different positions, thereby placing the frame of the carriage rack in proclive, declivid or lowered positions, according to the needs of the patient.

Preferably, said control means comprise at least one probe located in front of a corresponding stand, able to detect the engagement of the zone of the frame which comprises this feeler in a vehicle, in particular an ambulance, this probe being shaped for act, following this detection, on the control mechanism of unfolding and folding the corresponding stand so as to allow the folding of this stand.

The term "before" mentioned above is considered in relation to the direction of insertion of the rack-carriage into the vehicle.

When introducing an end of the frame into an ambulance, the probe detects the presence of the ambulance, in particular the floor thereof, and acts on said mechanism so as to release the folding of the corresponding stand.

The operation of introducing a rack-carriage into an ambulance is thus made particularly simple and easy to perform, even by a single person.

Advantageously, each probe is constituted by a pivoting arm equipped with at least one roller.

During said introduction, the roller meets the floor of the ambulance and roll against this floor, and causes a pivoting of the arm to its actuating position of the control mechanism of the folding of the stand.

Preferably, in this case, the chassis comprises at least one pair of rollers on the floor of a vehicle in which the rack-carriage is intended to be introduced, and the arm is secured to a rod transverse to the chassis forming the pivot axis of these rollers.

Preferably, the stands, said first and second slides and said struts are shaped such that each stand is, in the unfolded position, slightly inclined to the side of the corresponding strut.

When the sliding of said first slide is released to lower or tilt the frame, this slight inclination of the stand allows to easily initiate the sliding of said first slide in the direction of the lowering or inclination of the frame, especially under the effect of the simple weight of the frame.

The handling of the rack-carriage is significantly facilitated.

Preferably, an elastic means such as a spring connects the front portion of the frame to said second slide located on this front portion of the frame, so as to recall the second slide in the sliding position corresponding to the unfolding of the stand.

This elastic means causes the automatic unfolding of the front stand when the rack-carriage is removed from an ambulance, which further contributes to facilitate the use of this rack-carriage.

In the same way, an elastic means such as a spring advantageously connects the front portion of the frame to said first slide located on this front portion of the frame, so as to recall the first slide in the sliding position corresponding to the unfolding of the stand.

This elastic means helps the chassis to return to the raised position and not inclined following a lowering or inclination of this frame.

On the rear part of the frame, an elastic means such as a spring can connect the first and second slides located on this rear portion of the frame to one another.

The terms "front" and "rear" employed above are, as previously, defined by the direction of insertion of the rack-carriage into a vehicle.

• La figure 1 en est une vue en perspective ;
• la figure 2 en est une vue partielle, de dessus, dans une position déterminée de moyens d'immobilisation qu'il comprend ;
• la figure 3 en est une vue similaire à la figure 2, dans une autre position de ces moyens d'immobilisation ;
• la figure 4 en est une vue partielle, en coupe longitudinale, au cours de son introduction dans une ambulance ;
• la figure 5 en est une vue similaire à la figure 4, dans une position d'introduction plus profonde dans l'ambulance ;
• la figure 6 est une vue d'un détail, en perspective ;
• les figures 7 à 12 en sont des vues de côté dans différentes phases successives d'introduction dans une ambulance, et
• les figures 13 à 15 en sont des vues de côté, dans différentes positions d'abaissement du châssis destiné à recevoir un brancard, qu'il comprend.

For a good understanding, the invention is again described below with reference to the attached schematic drawing showing, by way of non-limiting example, a preferred embodiment of the carriage-carrier it relates.

• The figure 1 is a perspective view;
• the figure 2 is a partial view, from above, in a fixed position immobilization means that comprises;
• the figure 3 is a view similar to the figure 2 in another position of these immobilizing means;
• the figure 4 is a partial view, in longitudinal section, during its introduction into an ambulance;
• the figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 4 in a deeper insertion position in the ambulance;
• the figure 6 is a view of a detail, in perspective;
• the Figures 7 to 12 are side views in different successive phases of introduction into an ambulance, and
• the Figures 13 to 15 are side views, in different lowering positions of the frame for receiving a stretcher, it understands.

The figure 1 represents a rack-carrier 1 for stretcher, in particular for use to transport a patient lying on a stretcher from an ambulance to a hospital room, and vice versa.

This rack-carrier 1 comprises a frame 2 adapted to receive a stretcher, two stands 3 equipped with wheels 4, pivotally mounted on the frame 2, and a mechanism for controlling the unfolding and folding of each stand 3.

The crutches 3 are movable between an unfolding position, shown on the figures 1 and 7 in particular, allowing the rolling of the rack-carriage 1, and a folding position against the frame 2, shown on the figure 12 , allowing the introduction of the rack-carriage 1 in an ambulance.

The crutches 3 are slightly inclined in their unfolding position, on the side of the ends of the frame 2.

In addition, these crutches 3 can be immobilized in different inclination positions, three of which are shown in FIG. Figures 13 to 15 , allow to adjust the height of the frame 2 and, if necessary, when the inclinations of the stands 3 are not identical, to place the stretcher in proclive or declivity according to the needs of the patient.

With reference to Figures 1 to 6 , it appears that the frame 2 comprises two longitudinal members 10 of circular section and that the actuating mechanism of each stand 3 comprises a first slider 11, a strut 12, a second slider 13, a stop 14, three return springs. 15, 16 and 17, a tie rod 18 with telescopic elements 35, 36, comprising means for immobilizing these telescopic elements relative to each other in several positions, a handle 20 for controlling these immobilizing means , a probe before 21, a rear feeler 22, and two pairs of rollers 23, 24 rolling chassis 2 on the floor 100 of an ambulance.

Each stand 3 is pivotally connected to a crossmember 25 secured at its ends with two sleeves 26 slidably engaged on the longitudinal members 10. This crossmember 25 and these sleeves 26 constitute said first slide 11.

The strut 12 connects the stand 3 to the frame 2. This strut 12 is connected at one end, pivotally, to a cross member that comprises the stand 3 and is connected at its other end, pivotally, to a crossbar 27 whose ends are integral with two sleeves 28 slidably engaged on said longitudinal members 10. This crossbar 27 and these sleeves 28 constitute said second slide 13.

As shown more particularly by Figures 4 and 5 , the strut 12 is further secured to its upper part of a frame 29 engaged around the outer member 35 of the tie 18. The lower amount 29a of this frame 29 slides along this outer member 35 during the movement of the stand 3 and includes a light 30 whose function will be explained later.

The stop 14 is constituted by a block fixed on one of the longitudinal members 10. It makes it possible to limit the sliding of said second slide 13 in the position shown on the figures 1 and 4 , corresponding to the unfolding position of the stand 3.

The return spring 15 connects the cross member 31 of the front end of the frame 2 to the corresponding slider 11. It normally tends to recall this slider 11 in the position shown on the figure 1 , corresponding to the unfolding position of the stand 3.

The return spring 16 connects the cross member 31 to the corresponding slider 13. It normally tends to return this slider 13 against the abutment 14.

The return spring 17 connects the crosspieces 25 and 27 of the sliders 11 and 13 located on the rear side of the frame 2.

The tie rod 18 comprises two telescopic elements 35, 36, the outer one of which is connected to a plate 37 secured to the crossmember 31 and whose inner one is connected to the crossmember 25 on the other hand. Element 35 includes a lateral hole while element 36 comprises a series of lateral holes each of which is adapted to come opposite said lateral hole of the element 35 during the sliding of the element 36 with respect to the element 35. As shown more particularly by the Figures 2 and 3 , the tie rod 18 comprises a locking latch 40 provided with a pin adapted to be engaged in said lateral hole of the element 35 and in said lateral holes of the element 36, a spring (not visible in the figures) tending normally maintain this latch 40 in the engagement position of the pin in these holes. This latch 40 is connected to the handle 20 by means of a rod 41, this handle 20 being mounted on the plate 37. The assembly is normally in the position shown in FIG. figure 2 , in which the elements 35, 36 are immobilized relative to each other by the latch 40, and the handle 20 can be actuated manually in the position shown on the figure 3 , in which the latch pin is cleared and thus in which the sliding of the element 36 relative to the element 35 is released.

With particular reference to Figures 4 to 6 , it appears that the feeler 21 comprises an arm 45 and a pair of rollers 46, and that the rack-carriage 1 comprises a pivoting lever 47 actuated by the arm 45 during the pivoting of the feeler 21.

The arm 45 is connected at one end to a pivoting transverse rod 50, forming the pivot axis of the rollers 24.

The pair of rollers 46 is mounted on the free end of the arm 45.

The lever 47 is pivotally mounted on the element 35. On the side of the rod 50, it has a curved end intended to come into contact with the arm 45. Its end opposite this rod 50 comprises a clean pin in the non-locking position. active sensor 21 shown on the figure 4 to be engaged in the slot 30 of the frame 29. A spring 48 is placed between the lever 47 and the outer member 35 so as to normally hold the lever 47 in this position of engaging the pin in the slot 30.

The rear feeler 22 comprises an arm 45 and rollers 46 very similar to those of the probe 21, the arm 45 being pivotally mounted on the crosspiece 25. This sensor 22 actuates a lever 47 very similar to the lever 47 of the probe 21 but having a length and a stroke adapted to the position and the particular stroke of the arm 45 of the probe 22.

The rollers 23 are mounted directly on the longitudinal members 10 while the rollers 24 are mounted on the rod 50, the latter passing lugs 51 integral with the longitudinal members 10, projecting downwards relative thereto.

In practice, as shown by the Figures 7 to 12 , the rack-carriage 1 to be loaded into an ambulance is shown at the rear of the ambulance; the crutches 3 are then in unfolding position, in which they are locked by immobilization of the slides 11 and 13, respectively by means of the tie rods 17 and the levers 47 and frames 29.

The rollers 23 and 24 are rolling against the floor 100 of the ambulance, which slightly raises the stand 3 before; the probe 21 then moves from its inactive position shown on the figure 4 at its active position shown on the figure 6 , that is to say, releases the frame 29 and thus the corresponding slider 13. The abutment of the stand 3 and the strut 12 against the floor 100 allows the folding of the stand 3 and the stretching of the spring 16.

The probe 22 in turn meets the floor 100 and releases the slide 13 back, which allows the folding of the stand 3 and causes the stretching of the spring 17.

During the extraction of the rack-carrier 1 of the ambulance, the springs 16 and 17 favor the unfolding of the crutches 3, until the locking of the frames 29 by the levers 47.

To lower the chassis 2, as shown by Figures 13 to 15 , from the unfolding position of the stands 3 in which the sliders 13 are immobilized, the handles 20 are actuated to release the sliding elements 36 relative to the elements 35 and to thereby cause the displacement of the sliders 11 relative to the sliders 13 Due to the aforementioned inclination of the crutches 3, this movement of the sliders 11 is easy to initiate. The stretching of the springs 15 and 17 which results favors the return of the chassis 2 in the unfolding position of the crutches 3.

To obtain a proclive or declivel position of the chassis 2, different inclinations are given to the crutches 3 by means of the tie rods 17.

As it appears from the foregoing, the invention provides a rack-carriage for rendering the introduction operation of the rack-carriage in an ambulance easy to achieve, especially by a single person, and comprising a mechanism for controlling the unfolding and folding crutches at once simple, reliable, resistant, easy to handle, and easy to manufacture.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example but that it embraces on the contrary all variants within the scope of protection defined by the claims appended.

Claims (8)

1. Stretcher trolley comprising a chassis (2) able to accept a stretcher, two stand legs (3) fitted with wheels (4) pivot-mounted on a so-called front part and a so-called rear-part of the chassis (2), respectively, and a mechanism for controlling the unfolding and folding of each stand leg (3);
   the trolley (1) being characterized in that:

   - each stand leg (3) is pivot-mounted on a first slider (11) connected to the chassis (2) in such a way as to be able to slide in the longitudinal direction of this chassis (2);

   - first immobilizing means (18) are provided to immobilize this first slider (11) in a plurality of distinct positions along the chassis (2);

   - each stand leg (3) is equipped with a strut (12) which connects it to the chassis (2), this strut (12) being pivot-mounted on the stand leg (3) on the one hand, and on a second slider (13) connected to the chassis (2) on the other hand, this second slider (13) being able to slide in the longitudinal direction of the chassis (2) as the stand leg (3) is pivoted between its unfolded and folded positions;

   - second immobilizing means (29, 30, 47) are provided to immobilize the said second slider (13) in a position of sliding with respect to the chassis (2) that corresponds to the unfolding of the stand leg (3);

   - the trolley (1) comprises control means (21, 22) able to act on the said second means (29, 30, 47) of immobilizing the said second slider (13) of the corresponding stand leg (3) so as to free this second slider (13) to slide in the direction of folding this stand leg (3).
2. Trolley according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said control means comprise at least one sensor (21, 22) situated in front of a corresponding stand leg (3) and able to detect engagement of the zone of the chassis (2) that comprises this sensor (21, 22) in a vehicle, particularly an ambulance, this sensor (21, 22) being shaped to act, following this detection, on the mechanism that controls the unfolding and folding of the corresponding stand leg (3) so as to allow this stand leg (3) to fold.
3. Trolley according to Claim 2, characterized in that each sensor (21, 22) consists of a pivoting arm (45) fitted with at least one roller (46).
4. Trolley according to Claim 3, characterized in that the chassis (2) comprises at least one pair of rollers (24) for running along the floor of a vehicle into which the trolley (1) is intended to be introduced, and in that the said arm (45) is secured to a rod (50) transverse to the chassis (2) and forming the axle about which these running rollers (24) pivot.
5. Trolley according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stand legs (3), the said first and second sliders (11, 13) and the said struts (12) are shaped in such a way that each stand leg, when in the unfolded position, is slightly inclined towards the corresponding strut.
6. Trolley according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an elastic means such as a spring (16) connects the front part of the chassis (2) to the said second slider (13) situated on this front part of the chassis (2) in such a way as to return this second slider (13) to the position of sliding corresponding to the unfolding of the stand leg (3).
7. Trolley according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an elastic means such as a spring (15) connects the front part of the chassis (2) to the said first slider (11) situated on this front part of the chassis (2) so as to return this first slider (11) to the position of sliding corresponding to the unfolding of the stand leg (3).
8. Trolley according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, on the rear part of the chassis (2), an elastic means such as a spring connects the first and second sliders situated on this rear part of the chassis (2) to one another.

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