Stretcher center wheel mechanism

US6505359B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hill-Rom Services, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Richard H. Heimbrock · Batesville, US
• William K. Moore · Beverly Hills, US
• Donald E. Smith · Greensburg, US
• William M. Blyshak · Milan, US
• Joanthan T. Turner · Dillsboro, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 13, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 14, 2003
• Expiry date: Jul 13, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61G7/08
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A stretcher for transporting a patient along a floor includes an elongated frame, a patient-support deck carried by the frame, and an elongated shaft having a longitudinally-extending axis of rotation. The shaft is coupled to the frame for rotation about the axis of rotation between a first orientation and a second orientation. The stretcher also includes a wheel supported relative to the frame and movable relative to the frame in response to rotation of the shaft. The wheel is in a first position engaging the floor when the shaft is in the first orientation and the wheel is in a second position spaced apart from the floor when the shaft is in the second orientation.