AU2013100330A4 - A vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a vehicle having a longitudinally extending rear cabin (10). The cabin has a rear opening (16) and a longitudinally extending floor (13). The vehicle further includes a stretcher loading assembly (15). The stretcher loading assembly includes a track (17) that is elongated in a longitudinal direction. The track is secured to the floor so as to extend longitudinally relative to the cabin towards a rear opening. A carriage (20) is mounted on the track so as to be supported thereby for movement longitudinally of the track between an extended position and a retracted position. The extended position is provided for loading and unloading of a stretcher (21) and the retracted position is a transport position at which the stretcher would be located internally of the cabin. The carriage also includes a first and a second tine (22) that extend longitudinally relative to the track and upon which the stretcher is in used placed. The tines are supported by the track so that they are adapted to be supported in a cantilever manner by the track. Oc

Description

1 VEHICLE FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to the movement of stretchers with respect to vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively, to the loading and unloading of stretchers with respect to emergency vehicles such as ambulances. BACKGROUND [0002] Emergency vehicles such as ambulances have a rear cabin area that receives at least one stretcher. These stretchers generally consist of a platform, that receives a person to be transported on the stretcher, from which there depends four legs. The legs are folded beneath the platform during loading of the stretcher into the rear of the ambulance. During unloading, the stretcher is moved from the rear opening of the ambulance and the legs move from the folded position to a downwardly extending position so that the stretcher can be supported on a ground surface. [0003] The above discussed method of loading and unloading stretchers has the disadvantage that the stretcher needs to be lifted and/or the weight of the stretcher (with patient) supported by those moving the stretcher. OBJECT [0004] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage. SUMMARY [0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed herein a vehicle having: a longitudinally extending rear cabin, the cabin having a rear opening and a longitudinally extending floor; and a stretcher loading assembly, said stretcher loading assembly including: 2 a track that is elongated in a longitudinal direction, said track being secured to said floor so as to extend longitudinally relative to said cabin towards a rear opening; a carriage mounted on said track so as to be supported thereby for movement longitudinally of said track between an extended position and a retracted position, said extended position being provided for loading and unloading of a stretcher, and said retracted position being a transport position at which said stretcher would be located internally of said cabin, and wherein said carriage includes a first and a second tine that extend longitudinally relative to said track and upon which said stretcher is in used placed, said tines being supported by said track so that they are adapted to be supported in a cantilever manner by said track [0006] In a second aspect there is disclosed herein an assembly to be mounted on a floor of a vehicle to movably support a stretcher thereon, said assembly including: a track to be fixed to the floor, the track being elongated in a longitudinal direction; a carriage mounted on the track so as to be supported thereby for movement longitudinally of the track between an extended position and a retracted position, the extended position being provided for loading and unloading of the stretcher, and the retracted position being a transport position at which the stretcher would be located internally of the vehicle; and wherein said carriage includes at least one tine that extends longitudinally relative to said track and upon which the stretcher is placed, the tine being supported by the track so that it can be supported in a cantilever manner by the track. [0007] Preferably, said tine is a first tine, and said carriage includes a second tine, the second tine extending generally parallel to the first tine but laterally displaced with respect thereto. [0008] Preferably, the tines are co-extensive. [0009] Preferably, said track includes a forward track portion and a rear track portion, and said carriage includes a mounting engaged with the track, with the mounting located adjacent said forward portion when the carriage is in said retracted position, and located adjacent said rear portion when said carriage in said extended position. [0010] Preferably, said mounting includes a linear bearing engaged with said track.

3 [0011] There is further disclosed, in combination the above assembly and said stretcher, with the stretcher having a longitudinal rail for each tine, with each rail being provided to rest on a respective tine so as to be supported thereby during movement of the carriage between the extended and retracted positions. [0012] Preferably, each tine has an inner end extremity and an outer end extremity, said inner end extremity being fixed to said mounting with said outer end extremity being remote from said mounting, and each tine has a wheel assembly adjacent said outer end extremity that is to engage the vehicle floor to aid in supporting the carriage on the floor. [0013] There is also disclosed herein in combination, the above assembly and said vehicle, and wherein said vehicle has a rear longitudinally extending cabin with a floor, with said track being secured to said floor so as to extend longitudinally relative to said cabin towards a rear opening of the cabin. [0014] There is further disclosed herein in combination, the above assembly and said vehicle, wherein said vehicle has a rear longitudinally extending cabin with a floor, with said track being secured to said floor so as to extend transverse relative to said cabin toward a side opening of the cabin. [0015] Preferably, said combination includes said stretcher, with said combination further including a forward and a rear securing assembly engageable with the stretcher to secure the stretcher within the cabin. [0016] Preferably, said combination includes a drive assembly attached to the carriage and operable to move the carriage between the extended and retracted positions and to maintain the stretcher engaged with the forward and rear securing assemblies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0018] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of the rear of a vehicle with a stretcher loading assembly in a retracted configuration; 4 [0019] Figure 2 is a schematic isometric view of the vehicle and assembly of Figure 1 with the loading assembly in the extended configuration; [0020] Figure 3 is a schematic isometric view of the vehicle and assembly of Figure 2 with a stretcher position to be engaged therewith; [0021] Figure 4 is a schematic isometric view of the vehicle assembly and stretcher of Figure 3 with the stretcher engaged with the assembly; [0022] Figure 5 is a schematic isometric view of the vehicle, assembly and stretcher of Figure 4 with the stretcher in a folded configuration supported on the assembly; [0023] Figure 6 is a schematic isometric view of the vehicle, assembly and stretcher of Figure 5 with the assembly and stretcher in a retracted position; [0024] Figure 7 is a schematic isometric view of a carriage of the assembly of Figures 1 to 6; [0025] Figure 8 is a schematic isometric view of a retaining assembly employed in the stretcher loading assembly of the previous figures; [0026] Figure 9 is a schematic isometric view of a further restraining assembly employed in the stretcher loading assembly of the previous figures; and [0027] Figure 10 is a schematic isometric view of a drive assembly of the stretcher loading assembly of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0028] In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted the rear longitudinally extending cabin 10 of a vehicle used to transport patients, the vehicle for example may be an ambulance. The cabin 10 includes side walls 11, a roof 12 extending between the walls 11, and a floor 13 also extending between the walls 11 and spaced from the roof 12 so as to provide a compartment 14 that is to receive a stretcher for the purposes of transporting a patient thereon.

5 [0029] Fixed to the floor 13 is a stretcher loading assembly 15. The assembly 15 extends longitudinally of the cabin 10 and therefore longitudinally of the vehicle. The assembly 15 may also be mounted in the cabin 11 so as to extend transverse thereof relative to a side opening of the cabin. [0030] The assembly 15 includes a track 17 extending forwardly from the rear opening 16 of the cabin 10, the track 17 including a pair of rails 18 that are generally parallel, co-extensive, transversely spaced, and then extend generally longitudinally of the cabin 10. The track 17 is elongated longitudinally relative to the cabin 10. Preferably the track 17 is fixed to a plate 19 fixed to the floor 13. [0031] Mounted on the track 17 is a carriage 20 that is movable on the track 17 between a retracted position (as shown in Figure 1) and an extended position (as shown in Figure 2). In the retracted position the carriage 20 is positioned to be transported by the vehicle, while in the extended position the carriage 20 is positioned for loading and unloading of the stretcher 21. [0032] The carriage 20 includes a pair of longitudinally extending generally parallel transversely spaced tines 22 that extend rearwardly from a mounting 23. More particularly each tine 22 has a forward portion 24 attached to the mounting 23, and a rear portion 25 adjacent which there is located wheels 26. [0033] The mounting 23 includes a pair of transverse brace member 27 that are fixed to the tines 22 to maintain them in a generally parallel relationship. The mounting 23 also includes a pair of linear bearings 28 that are fixed to the member 27 by posts 29 and plates 66 so that the bearings 28 are located below the tines 22. Each linear bearing 28 engages a respective one of the rails 18, more particularly each bearing 28 engages its associated rail 18 to prevent angular movement of the tines 22 about a transverse axis so that the tines 22 can extend in a cantilever manner from the rear opening 16 as best seen in Figure 2. [0034] When the wheels 26 are positioned above the floor 13, the wheels 26 engage the floor 13 or plate 19 to aid in supporting the tines 22 and the stretcher 21, when mounted thereon. [0035] Preferably, each of the tines 22 is provided with a roller 30 to aid in directing the stretcher 21 to and from a position supported on the tines 22.

6 [0036] Preferably, each tine includes a horizontal flange 31 upon which the stretcher 21 is to rest. [0037] The stretcher 21 includes a base frame 32 having wheels 33 to support the stretcher 21 on a ground surface 34. A patient's support frame 35 is supported on the frame 32 by means of a "scissor" mechanism 36. The scissor mechanism 36 includes one or more hydraulic rams 37 that receive hydraulic fluid under pressure from a pump/motor assembly 38. More particularly the scissor mechanism 36 includes scissor members 39 and 40 that are pivotally attached at pivot points 41 to the frame 35, and pivot points 42 to the frame 32, with the extremities 43 being slidably engaged with the frame 35 and the extremity 44 slidably engaged with the frame 32. By operation of the hydraulic rams 37, the frames 32 and 35 may be moved relative to each other in a vertical direction. [0038] The frame 35 has longitudinally extending rails 45 that are generally parallel co-extensive and locatable on the flanges 31 of the assembly 21. [0039] As best seen in Figure 10 there is provided a drive assembly 60 that moves the carriage 20 between the extended and retracted positions. The drive assembly 60 includes a motor 61 that may be electric, hydraulic or pneumatic. The motor 61 drives a longitudinally threaded shaft 62 that is threadably engaged with a nut member 63. The nut member 63 has a flange 64 that is fixed to the carriage 20 so that the carriage 20 moves with the nut member 63. By operation of the motor 61 in a first rotational direction, the nut member 63 moves in the direction of the arrow 65. When the motor 61 is reversed, the nut member 63 moves in a direction opposite the arrow 65. Accordingly by operation of the motor 61 the carriage 20 can be moved to the extended and retracted positions. In the retracted position securing assemblies 50 and 51 are engaged and are maintained engaged as the shaft 62 and nut member 63 will prevent rearward movement of the carriage 20 and therefore the stretcher 21. The arrow 65 indicates the direction of movement of the carriage 20 from the extended position to the retracted position. [0040] Once loaded the stretcher 21 needs to be restrained within the vehicle. For this purpose there is provided the forward securing assembly 50 and the rear securing assembly 51.

7 [0041] The assembly 50 includes a pair of hooks 52 that project openly rearward and receive a transverse bar 53 of the stretcher 21, to prevent upward and forward movement of the forward end of the stretcher 21 relative to the rails 18. The bar 53 is attached to but is located below the base frame 32. That is, the bar 53 is located below the base frame 32 by a predetermined distance. When the stretcher 21 is being loaded and is moving to its final loaded position, the bar 53 enters the hooks 52 so as to be engaged therein. [0042] The rear assembly 51 includes a transverse bar 54 fixed to the plate 19. Like the bar 53, the bar 54 is located so as to extend transverse of the rails 18. The bar 54 is spaced above the plate 19 and is spaced longitudinally rearward of the hooks 52. [0043] Fixed to the base frame 32 are plates 55 that have forwardly open recesses 56 within which the bar 54 is engaged. That is, the bar 54, when the stretcher 21 is being loaded, enters the recesses 56 so as to be retained therein thereby preventing upward and forward movement of the stretcher 21, while rearward movement is prevented by the drive assembly 60. [0044] Fixed to the plates 55 are one or more wheels 57 that engage the floor 13 and/or plate 19 to aid in correctly locating the plates 56 with respect to the bar 54. [0045] When the stretcher 21 is in the loaded forward position, rearward movement of the carriage 20 is prevented. Accordingly the assemblies 50 and 51 retain the stretcher 21 secured in the rear cabin 10. [0046] It should be appreciated the bar 53 is arranged at a height to pass above the bar 52 thereby enabling loading and unloading of the stretcher 21. [0047] In use of the above described assembly 10, during transportation, the carriage 20 is located in a retracted position (Figure 1). When a stretcher 21 is to be loaded or unloaded, the carriage 20 is moved by the assembly 60 to the extended position (Figure 2) with the tines 22 projecting from the rear opening 16. The stretcher 21 is positioned so as to be aligned with the tines 22 (Figure 3) and is moved in the direction of the arrow 46 to locate the rails 45 above the flanges 31 (Figure 4). Thereafter the hydraulic rams 37 are operated to raise the frame 32 so that the stretcher 21 is supported on the tines 22, and the frame 32 retracted so as to be adjacent the frame 37 (Figure 5) so that the stretcher can be moved to a position within compartment 14 (Figure 6) by operation of the assembly 60.

8 [0048] For unloading purposes the above discussed sequence is reversed by reverse operation of the motor 61.

Claims (5)

1. A vehicle having: a longitudinally extending rear cabin, the cabin having a rear opening and a longitudinally extending floor; and a stretcher loading assembly, said stretcher loading assembly including: a track that is elongated in a longitudinal direction, said track being secured to said floor so as to extend longitudinally relative to said cabin towards a rear opening; a carriage mounted on said track so as to be supported thereby for movement longitudinally of said track between an extended position and a retracted position, said extended position being provided for loading and unloading of a stretcher, and said retracted position being a transport position at which said stretcher would be located internally of said cabin, and wherein said carriage includes a first and a second tine that extend longitudinally relative to said track and upon which said stretcher is in used placed, said tines being supported by said track so that they are adapted to be supported in a cantilever manner by said track.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said tines are co-extensive and parallel.

3. A vehicle according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said track includes a forward track portion and a rear track portion, and said carriage includes a mounting engaged with said track, with said mounting located adjacent said forward portion when the carriage is in said retracted position, and located adjacent said rear portion when said carriage in said extended position.

4. A vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said mounting includes a linear bearing engaged with said track. 10

5. A vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said linear bearing is a first linear bearing and said track is a first track, said mounting including a second linear bearing engaged with a second track, wherein said second track extends generally parallel to said first track but is laterally displaced with respect thereto. DHS Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON