A TRANSVERSE STRETCHER

The present invention relates to a stretcher, in particular a transverse stretcher, i.e. a stretcher which can be secured in an ambulance and carried while mounted transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ambulance.

Document US-A-4 767 148 discloses a stretcher comprising an undercarriage with four wheels, each wheel being pivotable on a vertical axis a frame on which a stretcher top is fixed and a collapsible brace assembly between the frame and the undercarriage arranged to elevate and lower the stretcher. In this known stretcher, the frame has end section which is hingedly connected to the frame and may be moved downwardly from the frame plane, wherein some anchoring means mounted on said end section are releasably engageable to some complementary anchoring means mounted on the floor of an emergency vehicle.

The present invention provides a stretcher comprising an undercarriage with four wheels depending from the undercarriage each wheel being pivotable on a vertical axis, a stretcher top, and a collapsible brace assembly between the stretcher top and the undercarriage, with an end section of the stretcher top being releasable and pivotally movable from the plane of the stretcher top so as to shorten the length of the stretcher without affecting its mobility.

Conveniently, during unloading, the undercarriage can be lowered towards ground level by means of the brace assembly, irrespective of the position of the pivoted end section.

Preferably, the four wheels are fixed to the undercarriage by four depending spigots so as to raise the undercarriage high enough for it to clear a normal wheel arch of an ambulance.

Advantageously, the stretcher top includes an outer tubular frame and the end section is provided at the foot end of the frame.

Ideally, the end section is connected to the frame by two articulated joints which are releasable by a pair of movable sleeves, whereby the end section may be pivoted downwardly so as to decrease the overall length of the stretcher.

Preferably, pulling handles are loosely pivotally attached to the stretcher top at each end thereof so that when not grasped by an attendant hang loosely and do not add to the overall length of the stretcher.

Advantageously, the stretcher when in the collapsed mode, is at a good working height for an attendant and is movable on the four wheels either in an ambulance or outside, regardless of whether or not the end section is pivoted downwardly.

Conveniently, when the end section is pivoted downwardly, the stretcher is locatable in a transverse position in an ambulance and is adapted to be anchored by a locking device.

Ideally, when a mattress top is located on the collapsed stretcher adjacent back rests on an ambulance wall, the stretcher may be used to carry three sitting patients facing rearwardly within the ambulance.

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 transverse stretcher according to the invention. In the drawings:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stretcher in its elevated position with the end section in the plane of the stretcher top;
• Figure 2 is a plan view of the stretcher with the end section also in the plane of the stretcher top; and
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the stretcher mounted in a transverse position in an ambulance, with the end section of the stretcher top pivoted downwardly.

Referring to the drawings, the stretcher of the invention includes an undercarriage 10, a stretcher top 20, and a collapsible brace assembly 30 between the undercarriage 10 and the stretcher top 20 for elevating and lowering the stretcher top 20 relative to the undercarriage 10.

Four wheels 12 are fixed to the undercarriage 10 by four depending spigots 13 which raise the undercarriage high enough for it to clear a normal wheel arch found in an ambulance.

The stretcher top 20 includes an outer tubular frame 22. At the foot end of the frame 22 is provided an end section 40.

The end section 40 is connected to the frame 22 by two articulated joints 45 which can be released by moving two sleeves 46 to enable the end section to be pivoted downwardly so as to decrease the overall length.

The pulling handles 60 are loosely pivotally attached to the stretcher top 20 at each end and when not grasped by an attendant hang loosely and do not add to the overall length of the stretcher.

When the stretcher is collapsed, it is at a good working height for an attendant and can still be moved on four wheels 12 either in an ambulance or outside regardless of whether or not the end section 40 is pivoted downwardly.

As shown in Figure 3, when the end section 40 is pivoted downwardly, the stretcher can be positioned in a transverse position in an ambulance and anchored by a locking pole (not shown). With a mattress top 50 on the stretcher top 20 located beneath back rests 55, the stretcher can be used to carry three sitting patients facing rearwardly in accordance with European Regulations.

It is to 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 as defined in appended claims.