GB666166A - Improvements in or relating to ambulances and like stretcher-carrying vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

666,166. Stretcher supports for ambulances. SHELBOURNE & WELBOURN, Ltd. March 28, 1950 [March 28, 1949], No. 8375/49. Class 108(i). In a stretcher for an ambulance of the kind having a loading tray which is supported for movement relatively to the vehicle in such manner that the tray may be disposed in either of two positions, namely one position within the vehicle to support the stretcher in a substantially horizontal attitude at a relatively high level, and another position protruding rearwardly from the vehicle in such manner that the stretcher may be loaded on to it, or unloaded from it, at a relatively low level, the rear end of the loading tray is provided with a member which is adapted to receive end wheels of a stretcher and is displaceable laterally from the loading tray to facilitate loading and unloading of the stretcher on to and from the loading tray. The front wheels 12 of the stretcher 11 are first loaded on to a tray member 7 formed with combined mounting and stop brackets 8 which slide transversely off the vehicle on rods 6 carried by extensions 3 of H section rails 1, which, with a base member 2, comprise the loading tray. The tray 7 is moved laterally until the wheels of the stretcher are aligned with the rails 1 so that the stretcher may be moved forwardly on the rails into its stowed position. A catch member (not shown) is provided to prevent inadvertant rearward movement of the stretcher. To facilitate loading of the stretcher, the loading tray is slidably mounted on fixed guide rails 13 by means of co-opsrating slide members 17 pivoted to the underside of the rails 1 and the rails 13 slope downwardly to the rear of the vehicle so that the stretcher may be stowed in a normally horizontal attitude but may be withdrawn from the rear end of the vehicle to a lower inclined position in which the loading tray and stretcher protrude. The loading tray is provided with a handle 5 to enable it to be extended rearwardly and a pivoted bracket (not shown) is provided to afford additional support for the rails and stretcher in this position. The loading tray may be straight or slightly curved in side elevation.