IES940320A2 - A stretcher loading platform - Google Patents

Abstract

A stretcher loading platform 100 comprises a base frame 1 adapted to be secured within an ambulance. A stretcher tray 3 is mounted on the base frame 1 and is movable laterally across the ambulance and also longitudinally towards the entrance to the ambulance. A pneumatically activated bellows 4 for lifting one end of the stretcher about a pivot point 30 is provided towards the rear of the stretcher so that the stretcher tray 3 can be inclined at the suitable angle for the receipt of a stretcher. A latch 9 on the stretcher tray 3 secures the stretcher when in position whereby the stretcher tray 3 may extend out of the ambulance to receive the stretcher. The stretcher may be loaded on to the stretcher tray 3, retained in position on the stretcher tray 3 and the bellows 4 activated to lift the stretcher tray 3 with attached stretcher to the desired level which can be generally horizontal position or at an upwardly or downwardly inclined position if the medical condition requires it. <Fig. 1>

Description

The present invention relates to a stretcher loading platform, in particular a stretcher loading platform for mounting within an ambulance. The stretcher loading platform of the present invention has particular, though not exclusive, application for the loading of one person operated stretchers and other stretchers where the controls for the collapsing of the legs are all at one end of the stretcher and therefore can be operated by one person who can collapse the front legs independently of the rear legs by manipulating the appropriate controls on the stretcher.

The use of one person stretchers does raise serious safety considerations because if the front leg is collapsed prematurely then the stretcher will collapse and the patient may be dislodged from the stretcher. Prior art stretcher loading platforms for use in ambulances have never worked sufficiently satisfactorily to enable ambulance authorities to dispense with the use of a second person to assist in the loading of a stretcher.

Accordingly, the present invention seeks to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the prior art stretcher loading platforms to provide a system whereby a stretcher can be loaded safely by one person into an ambulance.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a stretcher loading platform consisting of a base frame adapted to be secured within an ambulance; a stretcher tray mounted on the base frame and movable laterally across the ambulance and also longitudinally towards the entrance to the ambulance, a lifting means for lifting one end of the stretcher about a pivot point towards the rear of the stretcher so that the stretcher tray can $Ε>β ~incTined at a ——~ OPEN TO PUBUC INSPECTS? ST BI-a6J.fr a/0 2 ; __i ................................. J UNDER SECTION :-2-3 AND RULE 23 JNL. No.../.72^..7........Or IE 940320 suitable angle for the receipt of a stretcher and a securing means on the stretcher tray for securing a stretcher when in position whereby the stretcher tray may extend out of the ambulance to receive a stretcher.

The stretcher may be loaded on to the stretcher tray, retained in position on the stretcher tray and the lifting means activated to lift the stretcher tray with attached stretcher to the desired level which can be a generally horizontal position or at an upwardly or downwardly inclined position if the medical condition requires it.

Advantageously, the lifting means comprises a pneumatically activated bellows provided towards the front of the platform and stretcher tray.

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 stretcher loading platform according to the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of the loading platform showing a stretcher tray in a downwardly inclined position; Figure 2 is a front end view of the loading platform; Figure 2a is an enlarged portion of a detail of platform as shown in Figure 2; Figure 3 is a plan view of the platform; and Figures 4a to 4e inclusive are perspective views showing the sequence of steps in loading a stretcher carrying a IE 940320 patient, into an ambulance using the stretcher loading platform of the present invention.

Referring initially to Figures 1, 2, 2a and 3, the stretcher loading platform of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 100 and includes a base frame 1 which can be secured to the floor of an ambulance. The stretcher loading platform 100 also includes a stretcher tray 3 on which are provided tracks for receipt of the guide wheels 50 on a stretcher. The stretcher tray 3 is mounted on the base frame 1 and is movable laterally across the ambulance and also movable longitudinally towards the entrance to the ambulance.

The stretcher loading platform 100 also includes lifting means which are namely, pneumatically activated bellows 4 which, when activated, lift one end of the stretcher about a pivot point 30 thereby enabling the stretcher tray 3 to be inclined at a suitable angle so that a stretcher can be conveniently pushed onto the inclined stretcher tray 3.

The platform 100 also includes a stretcher latch 9 provided on the stretcher tray 3 for securing a stretcher at its foot end. The stretcher latch 9 can be a sprung bar which is rotated by a user and released. The head of the stretcher is secured by a receiver 15.

The stretcher loading platform 100 also comprises an anti-vibration means 5 so as to alleviate any vibrations which would cause discomfort to a patient on the stretcher being carried on the stretcher loading platform 100.

The stretcher loading platform 100 further includes a lateral latch release lever 6 which is activated in order to move the stretcher tray 3 laterally across to the one side of the ambulance so as to allow a second stretcher to IE 940320 be accommodated within the ambulance. When the stretcher tray 3 has been moved laterally, it is secured in its final position by means of a lock.

A stretcher safety latch release lever 7 and a longitudinal latch release lever 8 are also included in the platform 100 so as to respectively, provide means for releasing the stretcher from the stretcher tray 3 when it is desired to unload the stretcher and provide for moving the stretcher tray longitudinally into and out of the ambulance.

A height indicator 11 and a steel cable height restrictor 12 are also provided on the stretcher loading platform 100.

Referring particularly now to Figures 2 and 2a, the stretcher tray 3 is movable by means of a roller bearing 20 in each track 25.

Referring now to Figures 4a to 4e, the sequence of steps involved in loading a stretcher into an ambulance, using the stretcher loading platform 100 will now be described. 1. The stretcher loading platform 100 is placed in the loading position i.e. with the stretcher tray 3 extended out of the back of the ambulance over the ambulance step and approximately centred in the loading area. Guide wheels 50 on the stretcher are located in the tracks provided on the stretcher tray 3 and the guide wheels 50 are centred by an angled lead-in on side walls of stretcher tray 3. The stretcher legs 51 are lead-in on side walls of stretcher tray 3. The stretcher legs 51 are forced to fold into a closed position when they abut against the edge of the stretcher tray 3 or ambulance step.

IE 940320 2. The receiver 15 is engaged by the stretcher so that it is secured onto the stretcher tray 3 when the latter is fully rolled thereon, thereby leaving the operator's hands free to secure the foot end of the stretcher with a second latch or sprung bar 9. The longitudinally latch release lever 8 which is located at foot end of the stretcher tray 3. for easy access, is activated so as to allow the stretcher tray 3 to be pushed along linear guides up a gentle ramp whereby the stretcher tray 3 is latched so as to fully retract the stretcher into the vehicle. 3.. If desired, the lateral latch release lever 7 can be activated so as to allow the stretcher loading platform 100 to be slided laterally on linear guides and located against the side wall of the ambulance. The stretcher tray 3 will then latch into position. This lateral movement allows for use of two stretchers in the ambulance. If improved access to the patient is required from the far side (as shown in drawings), the stretcher loading platform 100 need not be moved laterally.

At this stage the ambulance doors can be closed and the ambulance is ready to move off. 4. If desired, the stretcher tray 3 can be raised about the pivot 30 to a level position for normal transit. This can be achieved by using the pneumatic bellows 4, for example. Use of the pneumatic bellows 4 to achieve the lifting action also has the advantage that the bellows 4 provide shock absorption.

. As shown in Figure 4e, the stretcher tray can be angled as required to provide head-down drainage, which is necessary in a number of emergency cases. Positioning can be infinitely variable.

IE 940320 The unloading sequence is the reverse of the loading sequence described above.

It will of course 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.

Claims (5)

1. A stretcher loading platform comprising a base frame adapted to be secured within an ambulance; a stretcher tray mounted on the base frame and movable laterally across the ambulance and also longitudinally towards the entrance to the ambulance, a lifting means for lifting one end of the stretcher about a pivot point towards the rear of the stretcher so that the stretcher tray can be inclined at a suitable angle for the receipt of a stretcher and a securing means on the stretcher tray for securing a stretcher when in position whereby the stretcher tray may extend out of the ambulance to receive a stretcher.

2. A stretcher as claimed in Claim 1 in which, the lifting means comprises a pneumatically activated bellows provided towards the front of the platform and stretcher tray.

3. A stretcher as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the platform includes a stretcher latch on the stretcher tray for securing a stretcher therein and a lateral latch release lever which is operable to allow the stretcher tray to move laterally.

4. A stretcher as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the platform includes anti-vibration means so as to alleviate any vibrations which would cause discomfort to a patient on a stretcher being carried on the platform. IE 940320

5. A stretcher loading platform substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.