Ambulance cot and loading and unloading system

• US 8,439,416 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2010
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Original Assignee: Stryker Corporation
• Inventors: Lambarth, Clifford, Souke, Chad, Nahavandi, Kurosh, Downey, Adam, Cox, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B
• Application Number:
  US12/886,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20110080016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 296/20, 296/19, 307/66, 307/104, 362/183, 320/107, 320/108, 320/137, 562/0, 5 8/61, 561/1, 562/1, 562/5, 562/6, 562/7, 561/8
• US Class Current: 296/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/00 Stretchers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/02 with wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0212 2 pairs having wheels within a pair on the same position in longitudinal direction, e.g. on the same axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0237 having at least one swivelling wheel, e.g. castors
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0262 having loading wheels situated in the front during loading
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0293 stretcher supports with wheels, e.g. used for stretchers without wheels stretcher supports without wheels A61G1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0567 folding in x-shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/06 Supports for stretchers, e.g. to be placed in or on vehicles A61G1/0293 takes precedence; supports fixed to a vehicle A61G3/02 - A61G3/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/30 characterised by sensor means
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/42 for inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/44 for weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/0236 by pivoting the support about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/0254 by moving the stretcher on a horizontal path, e.g. sliding or rolling
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/0272 by support protruding from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/029 by powered support
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/0833 using other support
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/0875 Securing stretchers, e.g. fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/0883 by preventing lateral movement, e.g. tracks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/0891 by preventing longitudinal movement
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/0214 Articles of special size, shape or weigh
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2203/0283 : Position of the load carrier
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2203/042 : Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2812/12 : Conveyors with reciprocating means
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2814/0302 : Central control devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 35/06 : comprising a load-carrier moving along a path, e.g. a closed path, and adapted to be engaged by any one of a series of traction elements spaced along the path effecting drive at two or more points spaced along the length of an endless conveyor B65G23/32
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 67/04 : Loading land vehicles loading or unloading boats to or from land vehicles B60P3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 67/24 : Unloading land vehicles

Abstract

An ambulance cot loading and unloading apparatus includes a base for mounting to an emergency vehicle deck and an arm mounted for linear movement along the base, which is configured for engaging an ambulance cot. A drive mechanism is provided for raising the arm, which is configured in the presence of an applied force with a first magnitude on the arm to raise the arm at a first speed and in the presence of an applied force on the arm with a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude to raise the arm at another speed or speeds lower than the first speed.

Claims

1. An ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system for an emergency vehicle comprising:

a cot having a cot-based control system with a cot-based user input device;

a cot loading and unloading apparatus comprising;

a drive mechanism;

a latch for engaging said cot; and

a loading and unloading apparatus-based control system, said loading and unloading apparatus-based control system configured for controlling said drive mechanism; and

when said cot is loaded onto said loading and unloading apparatus said cot-based control system configured for controlling said drive mechanism and forming a primary control system for controlling said drive mechanism, and said loading and unloading apparatus-based control system becoming a slave control system to said primary control system.

2. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 1, said loading and unloading apparatus-based control system has a loading and unloading apparatus-based user input device, said loading and unloading apparatus-based user input device being configured to allow control of said drive mechanism even when said cot is loaded onto said loading and unloading apparatus to thereby provide redundant controls.

6. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 1, wherein said cot-based control system is configured for selectively actuating said latch when said cot is loaded on to said loading and unloading system.

7. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 6, wherein said cot loading and unloading apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving said latch to engage said cot for moving said cot when said cot is loaded onto said cot loading and unloading apparatus.

8. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 7, further comprising a base for mounting to a deck of an emergency vehicle;

and said latch mounted for linear movement along said base.

9. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 8, further comprising a track mounted for linear movement along said base;

and said latch mounted for linear movement along said track.

3. An ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system for an emergency vehicle comprising:

a cot having a cot-based control system and a cot-based user input device in communication with said cot-based control system;

a cot loading and unloading apparatus comprising;

a drive mechanism; and

a loading and unloading apparatus-based control system, said loading and unloading apparatus-based control system configured for controlling said drive mechanism; and

when said cot is loaded onto said loading and unloading apparatus said cot-based control system configured for controlling said drive mechanism and forming a primary control system for controlling said drive mechanism, and said loading and unloading apparatus-based control system becoming a slave control system to said primary control system wherein said cot also includes a cot-based communication system for communicating with a communication system on said loading and unloading apparatus.

4. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 3, wherein said cot-based communication system is wireless.

5. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 4, wherein said wireless communication system comprises an RF communication system.

15. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 3, wherein said cot loading and unloading apparatus further includes a latch to engage said cot when said cot is loaded onto said cot loading and unloading apparatus.

16. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 15, wherein said cot loading and unloading apparatus further includes a mechanism for actuating said latch to engage said cot when said cot is loaded on to said cot loading and unloading apparatus.

17. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 15, further comprising a base for mounting to a deck of an emergency vehicle, and said latch mounted for linear movement along said base.

18. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 17, further comprising a track mounted for linear movement along said base, and said latch mounted for linear movement along said track.

10. An ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system for an emergency vehicle comprising:

a cot having a cot-based control system and a cot-based user input device in communication with said cot-based control system;

a cot loading and unloading apparatus comprising;

a drive mechanism; and

a loading and unloading apparatus-based control system, said loading and unloading apparatus-based control system configured for controlling said drive mechanism; and

when said cot is loaded onto said loading and unloading apparatus said cot-based control system configured for controlling said drive mechanism and forming a primary control system for controlling said drive mechanism, and said loading and unloading apparatus-based control system becoming a slave control system to said primary control system, wherein said cot loading and unloading apparatus includes an arm assembly for engaging said cot.

11. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 10 wherein said cot loading and unloading apparatus further includes a drive mechanism for moving said arm assembly to engage said cot.

12. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 10, further comprising a track supporting said arm assembly and mounted for linear movement along said base, wherein when said track is extended along said base and said arm assembly is extended along said track said arm assembly is extended from said base in an extended position and is configured for lifting said cot and providing cantilevered support to said cot while in said extended position.

13. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 12, wherein said arm assembly is pivotally mounted to a frame, said frame mounted for linear movement along said track.

14. The ambulance cot and cot loading and unloading system according to claim 10, wherein said arm assembly includes a pair of arms.