FR2822675A1 - PORTABLE TROLLEY FOR 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

efforts to place the implant and respect the route

first.

  The present invention relates to a stretcher trolley, in particular intended to be used to transport a patient on a stretcher from an ambulance to a hospital room, and vice versa. A trolley-rack of this type comprises a frame suitable for receiving a stretcher and two crutches fitted with wheels, pivotally mounted on the frame. These crutches are movable between an unfolding position allowing the rolling of the trolley-carrier and a folding position against the chassis, allowing the introduction of the trolley-carrier into

an ambulance.

  Such a trolley-rack further comprises a mechanism for controlling the unfolding and folding of each crutch, generally including means for immobilizing the crutch in intermediate positions. These intermediate positions allow the stretcher to be placed in an incline, tilt or lower position, depending on the patient's needs. The disadvantage of the operation of introducing a carrier trolley into an ambulance, with the existing mechanisms, is that it is difficult to carry out. It is indeed difficult for a single person to control the folding of the front stand, while the front of the carrier trolley is inserted into the atmosphere, while maintaining the carrier trolley

  and pushing it to introduce it further into the ambulance.

  The existing control mechanisms also have the disadvantage of not being entirely satisfactory in general, none of them having simultaneously the advantages of being simple, reliable, resistant, easy to handle, and, as regards the

  manufacturer of the trolley, relatively easy to manufacture.

  The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks. Its main objective is therefore to provide a trolley-rack making it possible to automatically unlock the crutches during the operation

  introduction of the trolley in an ambulance.

  Another object of the invention is to provide a cart-rack comprising a mechanism for controlling the unfolding and folding of the crutches which is simple, reliable, resistant, easy to handle, and easy to manufacture. The rack trolley concerned comprises, in a manner known per se, a frame suitable for receiving a stretcher, two crutches fitted with wheels, pivotally mounted on the frame, and a control mechanism.

  unfolding and folding each stand.

  According to one aspect of the invention, the trolley-holder comprises at least one feeler situated in front of a corresponding stand, capable of detecting the engagement of the area of the chassis which comprises this feeler in a vehicle, in particular an ambulance, this probe being shaped to act, following this detection, on the control mechanism for unfolding and folding the corresponding stand so as to allow folding

of this crutch.

  The term "before" cited above is considered in relation to the

  direction of insertion of the carrier trolley into the vehicle.

  When introducing one end of the chassis into an ambulance, the feeler 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 cart-rack into an ambulance is thus made particularly simple and easy to perform,

even by a single person.

  Advantageously, each probe is constituted by an arm

  swivel fitted with at least one roller.

  During said introduction, the roller comes to meet the ambulance floor and roll against this floor, and causes the arm to pivot towards its actuation position of the control mechanism of the

folding the stand.

  Preferably, in this case, the chassis comprises at least one pair of rollers on the floor of a vehicle in which the carriage is intended to be introduced, and the arm is integral with a rod transverse to the chassis forming the pivot axis of these rollers. According to another aspect of the invention, - each stand is pivotally mounted on a first slide connected to the chassis so as to be able to slide in the longitudinal direction of this chassis; - First immobilization means are provided for immobilizing this first slide according to a plurality of distinct positions along the chassis; - each crutch is equipped with a strut which connects it to the chassis, this strut being pivotally mounted on the crutch on the one hand and on a second slide connected to the chassis on the other hand, this second slide can slide in the longitudinal direction of the chassis during the pivoting of the stand between its unfolding and folding positions; - Second immobilization means are provided for immobilizing said second slide in a sliding position relative to the chassis corresponding to the unfolding of the stand; the trolley-rack comprises at least one feeler as mentioned above, or other control means, capable of acting on said second means for immobilizing said second slide of the corresponding stand so as to release the sliding of this second

  slide in the direction of folding this stand.

  The probe operates in a manner identical to that mentioned above, that is to say that, when introducing one end of the chassis into an ambulance, it detects the presence of the ambulance and acts on said second means of immobilization so as to release the sliding of the second slide of the corresponding stand in the direction of folding

of this crutch.

  Apart from this situation of introduction of the trolley-carrier in an ambulance, said second slide is immobilized relative to the chassis by said second immobilization means; said first immobilization means can then be actuated so as to release the sliding of said first slide of the corresponding stand relative to the chassis; said second slide being immobilized, the sliding of this first slide will make it possible, by means of said strut, to make an inclination of the stand in different positions, thus making it possible to place the chassis of the carrier trolley in proclive positions, drop or lower, as required

of the patient.

  Preferably, the crutches, the first and second sliding tracks and said struts are shaped so that each crutch is. in the unfolded position, slightly inclined on the side of

the corresponding strut.

  When the sliding of said first slider is released to lower or tilt the frame, this slight inclination of the stand makes it easy to initiate the sliding of said first slider in the direction of lowering or tilting of the frame, in particular under the effect of

simple chassis weight.

  The handling of the trolley-rack is notably facilitated.

  Preferably, an elastic means such as a spring connects the front part of the chassis to said second slide located on this front part of the chassis, so as to recall this second slide in the

  sliding position corresponding to the unfolding of the stand.

  This elastic means causes the front stand to automatically unfold when the carrier trolley is removed from an ambulance, which

  further contributes to facilitating the use of this trolley-rack.

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

crutch.

  This elastic means helps the chassis to return to the raised position

  and not tilted due to a lowering or tilting of this chassis.

  On the rear part of the chassis, an elastic means such as a spring can connect the first and second slides located on this

  rear part of the chassis to each other.

  The terms "front" and "rear" used above are, as before, defined by the direction of introduction of the trolley

in a vehicle.

  For its proper understanding, the invention is again described below with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting example, a preferred embodiment of the carriage

it concerns.

  Figure 1 is a perspective view; Figure 2 is a partial view, from above, in a determined position of immobilization means which it comprises; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, in another position of these immobilization means; Figure 4 is a partial view, in longitudinal section, during its introduction into an ambulance; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, in a position of introduction deeper into the ambulance; Figure 6 is a detail view, in perspective; Figures 7 to 12 are side views in different successive phases of introduction into an ambulance, and Figures 13 to 15 are side views, in different lowering positions of the chassis for receiving a stretcher, qu 'He understands. Figure 1 shows a trolley-rack 1 for stretcher, in particular intended to be used to transport a patient on a stretcher from an ambulance to a hospital room, and vice versa. This trolley-rack 1 comprises a chassis 2 suitable for receiving a stretcher, two crutches 3 equipped with wheels 4, pivotally mounted on the chassis 2, and a mechanism for controlling the unfolding and folding of

each stand 3.

  The crutches 3 are movable between an unfolding position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 in particular, allowing the rolling of the carriage-rack 1, and a folding position against the chassis 2, shown in FIG. 12, allowing the introduction of the trolley 1 in an ambulance. The crutches 3 are slightly inclined in their position of

  unfolding, on the ends of the chassis 2.

  In addition, these crutches 3 can be immobilized in different tilt positions, three of which, shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, make it possible to adjust the height of the chassis 2 and, if necessary, when the inclinations of the crutches 3 are not identical, to place the stretcher

  in a tilt or tilt position depending on the patient's needs.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, it appears that the chassis 2 comprises two longitudinal members 10 of circular section and that the actuation mechanism of each stand 3 comprises a first slide 11, a strut 12, a second slide 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 immobilization means, a front probe 21, a rear probe 22, and two pairs of rollers 23, 24 of

  chassis 2 running on the floor 100 of an ambulance.

  Each stand 3 is pivotally connected to a cross member secured, at its ends, to two sleeves 26 slidably engaged on the side members 10. This cross member 25 and these sleeves 26

  constitute said first slide 11.

  The strut 12 connects the strut 3 to the chassis 2. This strut 12 is pivotally connected at one end to a cross member which comprises the strut 3 and is pivotally connected at its other end to a cross 27 whose ends are integral with two sleeves 28 slidably engaged on said beams 10. This

  cross member 27 and these sleeves 28 constitute said second slide 13.

  As shown more particularly in Figures 4 and 5, the strut 12 is also integral at its upper part with a frame 29 engaged around the outer element 35 of the tie rod 18. The lower upright 29a of this frame 29 slides along this outer element 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 side members 10. It makes it possible to limit the sliding of said second slide 13 in the position shown in FIGS. 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 chassis 2 to the corresponding slide 11. It normally tends to recall this slide 11 in the position shown in FIG. 1,

  corresponding to the unfolding position of the stand 3.

  The return spring 16 connects the cross member 31 to the corresponding slide 13. It normally tends to recall this slide 13 against the

stop 14.

  The return spring 17 connects the crosspieces 25 and 27 of the

  slides 11 and 13 located on the rear side of the chassis 2.

  The tie rod 18 comprises two telescopic elements 35, 36 of which the outer one is connected to a plate 37 secured to the cross member 31 and whose inner one is connected to the cross member 25 on the other hand. The element 35 comprises a lateral hole while the element 36 comprises a series of lateral holes, each of which is adapted to face said lateral hole of the element 35 when the element 36 slides relative to the element 35. As shown more particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tie rod 18 comprises a locking latch 40 provided with a pin suitable for being engaged in said lateral hole of element 35 and in said lateral holes of element 36 , a spring (not visible in the figures) normally tending to hold this latch 40 in the position of engagement of this 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. 2, in which the elements 35, 36 are immobilized relative to each other by the latch, and the handle 20 can be actuated manually in the position shown in Figure 3, in which the latch plon is cleared and therefore in which the sliding of the element 36 with respect to element 35 is released. Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4 to 6, it appears that the probe 21 comprises an arm 45 and a pair of rollers 46, and that the carriage-carrier 1 comprises a pivoting lever 47 actuated by the arm 45

during the pivoting of the probe 21.

  The arm 45 is connected at one end to a transverse rod

  pivoting 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 to this rod 50 comprises a clean lug, in the non-active position of the probe 21 shown in FIG. 4, to be engaged in the lumen 30 of the frame 29. A spring 48 is placed between the lever 47 and the element exterior 35 so as to normally maintain the

  lever 47 in this position of engagement of the lug in the slot 30.

  The rear probe 22 includes 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 probe 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 to the particular stroke of the arm 45 of the probe 22.

  The rollers 23 are mounted directly on the side members 10 while the rollers 24 are mounted on the rod 50, the latter passing through lugs 51 integral with the side members 10, projecting downwards with respect to

to these.

  In practice, as shown in Figures 7 to 12, the carrier trolley 1 to be loaded into an ambulance is presented at the rear of the ambulance; the crutches 3 are then in the unfolding position, in which they are locked by immobilizing the slides 11 and 13,

  respectively by means of tie rods 17 and levers 47 and frames 29.

  The rollers 23 then 24 come to roll against the floor 100 of the ambulance, which slightly raises the stand 3 before; the probe 21 then passes from its inactive position shown in FIG. 4 to its active position shown in FIG. 6, that is to say releases the frame 29 and therefore the corresponding slide 13. The coming into abutment of the stand 3 then of 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 rear slide 13, which allows the crutch 3 to be folded back and causes

Stretching the spring 17.

  When the carriage 1 is removed from the ambulance, the springs 16 and 17 favor the unfolding of the crutches 3, up to

  locking of the frames 29 by the levers 47.

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

unfolding the crutches 3.

  To obtain a declining or declining position of the chassis 2, different inclinations are given to the crutches 3 by means of the

tie rods 17.

  As appears from the foregoing, the invention provides a trolley making it possible to make the operation of introducing the trolley into an ambulance easy to carry out, in particular by a single person, and comprising a mechanism for controlling the unfolding and folding of the crutches at the same time 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, on the contrary, it embraces all the variant embodiments falling within the scope of

  protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims (7)

  1 - Rack trolley for stretcher, comprising a chassis (2) suitable for receiving a stretcher, two crutches (3) fitted with wheels (4), pivotally mounted on the chassis (2), and a mechanism for controlling unfolding and folding of each stand (3); trolley-carrier (1) characterized in that it comprises at least one feeler (21, 22) located in front of a corresponding stand (3), suitable for detecting the engagement of the area of the chassis (2) which comprises this probe (21, 22) in a vehicle, in particular an ambulance, this probe (21, 22) being shaped to act, following this detection, on the control mechanism for the unfolding and folding of the corresponding stand (3) of   so as to allow the folding of this stand (3).   2 - Rack trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that each probe (21, 22) is constituted by a pivoting arm (45) equipped at least one roller (46).   3- trolley-rack according to claim 2, characterized in that the chassis (2) comprises at least one pair of rollers (24) on the floor of a vehicle in which the trolley-rack (1) is intended to be introduced, and in that said arm (45) is integral with a rod (50) transverse to the frame (2) forming the pivot axis of these rollers bearing (24).   4- Rack trolley according to one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that: - each stand (3) is pivotally mounted on a first slide (11) connected to the chassis (2) so as to be able to slide in the longitudinal direction of this chassis (2); - first immobilization means (18) are provided for immobilizing this first slide (11) according to a plurality of distinct positions along the chassis (2); - each stand (3) is equipped with a strut (12) which connects it to the chassis (2), this strut (12) being pivotally mounted on the stand (3) on the one hand and on a second slide (13) connected to the chassis (2) on the other hand, this second slide (13) being able to slide in the longitudinal direction of the chassis (2) during the pivoting of the stand (3) between its unfolding and folding positions; 1 1 - second immobilization means (29, 30, 47) are provided for immobilizing said second slide (13) in a sliding position relative to the frame 12) corresponding to the unfolding of the stand (3); - The trolley-carrier (1) comprises at least one probe (21, 22) as mentioned above, or other control means, capable of acting on said second means (29, 30, 47) for immobilizing said second slide (13 ) of the corresponding stand (3) so as to release the sliding of this second slide (13) in the direction of folding of this stand 1 0 (3).   - Rack trolley according to claim 4, characterized in that the crutches (3), said first and second slides (11, 13) and said struts (12) are shaped so that each crutch (3) is. in the unfolded position, slightly inclined on the side of the corresponding strut (12).   6 - Rack trolley according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that an elastic means such as a spring (16) connects the front part of the chassis (2) to said second slide (13) located on this front part of the chassis (2), so as to recall this second slide (13) in the sliding position corresponding to the unfolding of the stand (3).   7 - Rack trolley according to one of claims 4 to 6,   characterized in that an elastic means such as a spring (15) connects the front part of the frame (2) to said first slide (11) located on this front part of the frame (2), so as to recall this first slide ( 11) in   the sliding position corresponding to the unfolding of the stand (3).   8- Rack trolley according to one of claims 4 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 slides located