Claims:We claim:
1. A stretcher trolley (A) comprising:
an angularly adjustable patient supporting main frame (1) having a front side and a rear side;
a pair of loading wheels (12) provided in the front side of the main frame (1), wherein an auxiliary wheel (13) is provided in the frame (1) to enable smooth loading and unloading of the stretcher (A); and
a self-expandable unlocking mechanism (41) located below the frame (1) comprising:
a pair of front (3) and rear leg (4) extending downwardly to support the main frame (1), wherein each leg is provided with a castor wheel at its end; and
one or more cylindrical rod (37, 38, 39 and 40) telescopically connecting the front (3) and rear leg (4) structure to main frame (1) to allow effortless loading and unloading of the stretcher (A).
2. The stretcher trolley as claimed in claim 1, wherein said patient supporting main frame (1) is having a lockable backrest (15) towards the front side, configured to be angularly adjusted between 0 to 90 degrees with the horizontal employing a gas spring mechanism (22) as per the comfort requirement of the patient.
3. The stretcher trolley as claimed in claim 1, wherein said patient supporting frame is having a leg rest (18) towards the rear side, configured to be angularly adjusted between 0 to 20 degrees with the horizontal as per the comfort requirement of the patient.
4. The stretcher trolley as claimed in claim 2, wherein said gas spring mechanism (22) is sleeved by a protective cover so as to absorb external shocks and prevent dusts from entering into the gas spring (22).
5. The stretcher trolley as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical rod (37, 38, 39 and 40) is laterally provided with a locking pin (42) for locking the rod internally so as to keep it locked before and unlocked during loading the stretcher on to a vehicle.
6. The stretcher trolley as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking and unlocking of the locking pin (42) in the cylindrical rod (37, 38, 39 and 40) are operated by one or more actuating lever (10 and 11) provided towards the rear side of the main frame (1).
7. The stretcher trolley as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stretcher trolley (A) is capable of being self-aligned with the help of guiding rails provided in docking platform (B) of the vehicle and locked on to the same by way of a latching mechanism provided in the frame (1) towards its front side. , Description:Stretcher Trolley
Field of the Invention
In general, the present invention relates to a Stretcher trolley for transporting a patient from one place to another. More particularly, the present invention relates to a foldable or collapsible Stretcher trolley configured to be used effortlessly by an operator.
Background of the Invention
On a daily basis, patients in hospitals and other treatment centers require patient trolleys or stretchers for their emergency movement in and about the centers, to and from diagnostic or other treatment areas and from hospital to an ambulance. It is necessary that stretchers employed for the above purpose should be capable of being raised or lowered on to ground level or adjusted back and legs posture of the patient to be transported on the stretcher, so as to provide ease of access to medical personnel for enabling patients find their comfortable position. In cases when the patient is unable to move physically, either because of unconsciousness or infirmity, therefore, in such cases, it becomes critical that the stretcher must be extremely stable and oriented as per the favourable position for the patient to avoid worsening the health condition of the patient.
Generally, in a stretcher, which is loaded on to an ambulance for transferring patients, the front and rear legs/sections of the stretcher are folded and attached to a floor of the ambulance. Particularly, in a daily routine, the stretcher leg sections are required to have such folding structure that allows the stretcher to be readily and gently loaded onto the ambulance car and unloaded therefrom. Further, since the stretcher is used for carrying and transferring a patient and operated by an operator or medical staff, the leg sections of the stretcher are required to have a mechanism such that, when the stretcher is loaded and unloaded on and from the ambulance, the folding structure functions effortlessly so as not to load the operator with the weight of the patient at the time of loading and unloading.
Below are the details of a few prior arts in respect of the present invention:
US20070000056 discloses a stretcher which includes cot sides. These can be moved towards or away from the patient support to accommodate patients of greater width than average. The stretcher also includes a leg support that can be moved to a shock position by a hydraulic cylinder connected to the lower end of the unshaped frame at one end and at the other to the leg part of the patients support.
US20160302980 discloses a stretcher with a frame comprising girders rotatable front legs with a front connecting arm, rotatable rear legs with a rear connecting arm. The legs angularly adjustable by means of gas springs engaging the connecting arms. At least one gas spring is arranged in the frame between the longitudinal girders and does not extend beyond the outline of the longitudinal girders and the moving member of the gas spring is connected with a carrier slidably retained in at least one longitudinal girder. The carrier is connected by means of a strut pivotally retained at both its ends, with the front connecting arm or with the rear connecting arm or with at least one leg.
CN209751409 discloses a stretcher trolley, characterized in that it comprises a self-locking mechanism of a stretcher trolley according to claim 1 and a stretcher trolley body, the stretcher trolley body includes an upper frame, two front support legs arranged symmetrically and two rear support legs arranged symmetrically. The upper frame is provided with a plurality of longitudinal connecting shafts along its length. The bottom of the frame is provided with two sets of front and rear rollers, and the self-locking mechanism is arranged below the rear section of the upper frame and located behind the rear support leg. The front support leg and the bottom end of the rear support leg are provided with casters, the angle between the front support leg and the rear section of the upper frame is set to an obtuse angle, and the two front A first connecting rod is provided between the lower sections of the supporting legs, a second connecting rod is provided between the lower sections of the two rear supporting legs, and the first connecting rod is between the middle section of the upper frame Two first diagonal rods arranged symmetrically are connected therebetween, and two second diagonal rods arranged symmetrically are connected between the second connecting rod and the rear section of the upper frame; The self-locking mechanism of the stretcher trolley is located below the upper frame and behind the rear support leg.
WO2008065442 discloses a stretcher with legs having their upper end pivotally connected to the frame and transporting wheels located at their lower end. The legs are curved such that when they abut an ambulance upon moving into the ambulance they collapse with minimum stress being exerted about their pivotal connection to the frame. The wheels, in the extended position, are located forwardly of a line bending vertically downwardly from the pivot connection to the stretcher to bias the legs forwardly or in an over center direction. When the legs are folded, the wheels are located between the pivotal connection of the two leg assemblies to the frame.
CN204468462 discloses a stretcher with an automatic boarding function. The stretcher is characterized in that a frame comprises a main frame, a front auxiliary frame and a rear auxiliary frame, the main frame is a rectangular frame, rolling shafts are respectively arranged at the inner front end and the inner rear end of the main frame, a group of cylindrical rollers is penetratingly arranged on each rolling shaft, each two corresponding groups of rollers are connected with each other by an annular cushion belt, at least three groups of middle rolling shafts are positioned between each two corresponding groups of rollers, are parallel to the corresponding rolling shafts and are arranged in the frame, cylindrical rollers are penetratingly arranged on the middle rolling shafts, connecting insertion holes are respectively formed in two sides of the front end and two sides of the rear end of the main frame, the front auxiliary frame and the rear auxiliary frame are respectively provided with hollow left lifting arms and hollow right lifting arms, the left lifting arms are connected with the right lifting arms by connecting rods, the connecting rods are respectively arranged in the left lifting arms and the right lifting arms, front push springs sleeve the connecting rods, the front ends of the connecting rods are inserted into the connecting insertion holes, pull handles are arranged at the rear ends of the connecting rods, connecting handles which are hinged to the frame are respectively arranged on the left lifting arms and the right lifting arms, and front fork wheels are arranged on the connecting handles of the front auxiliary frame. The stretcher has the advantages of simplicity in operation, convenience in use, broad application range and the like.
CN105287115 discloses a gear locking device for a supporting leg in a stretcher on a car. A lock tube with a guide channel is arranged on the stretcher frame. When the gear lever slides forward and backward in the guide channel, the supporting leg is driven to contract inward or extend outward; at least two gear holes are provided on the gear lever. When the gear lever slides relative to the guide channel through the guide, each gear position The holes pass through the guide channel in turn; the lock tongue is arranged in the lock tube pipe by the pushing mechanism, and when the gear lever slides in the guide channel to any gear hole in the guide channel, the lock tongue can be pushed into by the pushing mechanism In the gear hole; a control mechanism is provided between the lock rod and the lock tongue, and the control mechanism can pull out the lock tongue that extends into any gear hole or prevent the lock tongue from extending into any guide channel In the gear hole. The invention can reliably lock the supporting leg at the required position.
In the above prior arts, there still exists a problem in the stretchers depriving patients from resting as per their desired position on the stretcher.
However, it is observed in the above prior arts that the disclosed stretchers have not focussed on enabling the patient find their favourable desired resting angle on the stretcher, consequently, patients have to be remain lied down on the stretcher in discomfort throughout the period they stay in hospital. In addition, there still exists a problem in loading and unloading of the stretcher into an ambulance. None of the prior arts solves the problem of excess load being put on the operator of the stretcher while loading and unloading. Though a self-locking mechanism of a stretcher trolley is disclosed in one of the prior arts, that controls the contraction and folding of the rear support legs, making the operation quick and convenient, and safe for the patients, but still the main problem of excess load faced by the operator and service life of the leg section are not addressed in the above prior arts.
It would be desirable, therefore, to develop an improved and innovative stretcher trolley, that addresses the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior arts and obviates the challenges that existed in the prior arts.
Summary of the Invention
It is a principal objective of the present invention to provide a stretcher trolley capable of being smoothly loaded and unloaded without putting excessive loads on the hands of the operator handling the stretcher.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a stretcher trolley having legs with enhanced longevity.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a stretcher trolley enabling patients achieve comfortable positions as per their requirement.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a stretcher trolley having a reliable locking mechanism.
The above and other objectives of the present invention are achieved according to the following embodiments of the present invention. However, the disclosed embodiments are exemplary based on the preferred and best mode of the invention and not limit the scope of the present invention.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a stretcher trolley comprising an angularly adjustable patient supporting main frame having a front side and a rear side, a pair of loading wheels provided in the front side of the main frame, wherein an auxiliary wheel is provided in the frame to enable smooth loading and unloading of the stretcher, and a self-expandable unlocking mechanism located below the frame comprising a pair of front and rear leg extending downwardly to support the main frame, wherein each leg is provided with a castor wheel at its end, and one or more cylindrical rod telescopically connecting the front and rear leg structure to main frame to allow effortless loading and unloading of the stretcher.
In accordance with the above embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a stretcher trolley comprising an angularly adjustable patient supporting main frame having a front side and a rear side, a pair of loading wheels provided in the front side of the main frame, wherein an auxiliary wheel is provided in the frame to enable smooth loading and unloading of the stretcher, and a self-expandable unlocking mechanism located below the frame comprising a pair of front and rear leg extending downwardly to support the main frame, wherein each leg is provided with a castor wheel at its end, and one or more cylindrical rod telescopically connecting the front and rear leg structure to main frame to allow effortless loading and unloading of the stretcher, wherein said patient supporting main frame is having a lockable backrest towards the front side, configured to be angularly adjusted between 0 to 90 degrees with the horizontal employing a gas spring mechanism as per the comfort requirement of the patient.
In accordance with the above embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a stretcher trolley comprising an angularly adjustable patient supporting main frame having a front side and a rear side, a pair of loading wheels provided in the front side of the main frame, wherein an auxiliary wheel is provided in the frame to enable smooth loading and unloading of the stretcher, and a self-expandable unlocking mechanism located below the frame comprising a pair of front and rear leg extending downwardly to support the main frame, wherein each leg is provided with a castor wheel at its end, and one or more cylindrical rod telescopically connecting the front and rear leg structure to main frame to allow effortless loading and unloading of the stretcher, wherein said patient supporting frame is having a leg rest towards the rear side, configured to be angularly adjusted between 0 to 20 degrees with the horizontal as per the comfort requirement of the patient.
In accordance with one of the above embodiments of the present invention, wherein said gas spring mechanism is sleeved by a protective cover so as to absorb external shocks and prevent dusts from entering into the gas spring, and wherein said cylindrical rod is laterally provided with a locking pin for locking the rod internally so as to keep it locked before and unlocked during loading the stretcher on to a vehicle.
In accordance with just above embodiment of the present invention, wherein the locking and unlocking of the locking pin in the cylindrical rod are operated by one or more actuating lever provided towards the rear side of the main frame.
In accordance with the above embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a stretcher trolley comprising an angularly adjustable patient supporting main frame having a front side and a rear side, a pair of loading wheels provided in the front side of the main frame, wherein an auxiliary wheel is provided in the frame to enable smooth loading and unloading of the stretcher, and a self-expandable unlocking mechanism located below the frame comprising a pair of front and rear leg extending downwardly to support the main frame, wherein each leg is provided with a castor wheel at its end, and one or more cylindrical rod telescopically connecting the front and rear leg structure to main frame to allow effortless loading and unloading of the stretcher, wherein said stretcher trolley is capable of being self-aligned with the help of guiding rails provided in docking platform of the vehicle and locked on to the same by way of a latching mechanism provided in the frame towards its front side.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 illustrates folding mechanism of the frame of the stretcher trolley.
Figure 2 illustrate Self-Expandable Telescopic Unlocking System located below the main frame of the stretcher trolley.
Figure 3 illustrates docking platform for an ambulance.
Figure 4 shows a patient safely secured on to the stretcher trolley.
Figure 5 shows gas spring mechanism of the stretcher trolley.
Detailed Description of the Invention
It should be understood that the hereinafter described and illustrated specific examples of the realization of the invention are presented for illustrative purposes and not as a limitation of the examples of the realization of the invention to the cases shown herein. Experts who are familiar with the state of technology shall find, or using routine experimentation will be able to determine, a greater or lesser number of equivalents to the specific realizations of the invention which are specifically described here. These equivalents shall also be included into the scope of the claims.
Referring to Figure 1, The Stretcher trolley (A) is having a Main frame (1) in tubular structure so as to provide a shape to the stretcher, wherein the main frame (1) is provided with a resting platform (2) for the patient in lying or simply resting position. The main frame (1) is downwardly supported by a pair of front legs (3) and rear legs (4) having castor wheels (5 at front & 6 at rear) for moving the stretcher from one place to another so as to transport the patient, wherein, the front leg (3) and the rear leg (4) are made from injection moulded wear resistant material wedges (7 and 9) offering low friction against vehicle floor, and provided with front and rear castor wheels. It has a specially designed sloping pad (8) to allow free movement of the legs (3 and 4) over wheel. The pair of loading wheel (12) ensures smooth loading of the stretcher trolley (A) into an ambulance vehicle along with the help of auxiliary support wheel (13) and the pair of rear guide wheels (14), wherein the auxiliary support wheel (13) is provided between the loading wheel (12) and rear guide wheels (14).
According to the present invention, stretcher trolley (A) is made out of a non-corrosive stainless-steel material, and it has a total braking system (at rear legs) on the pair of swivelling castor wheels (6) to control swivelling around the axis of mounting and rotation of wheels as well.
The top of the Stretcher trolley (A) towards the front side, i.e. the backrest (15) of the stretcher trolley is lockable and configured to be adjusted at variable step less than 90 degrees angle to suit requirements and comfort of the patient. The backrest position (16) is the position, when the backrest is just less than 90 degrees or equal to 90 degrees with the horizontal. The backrest (15) further comprises of gas Lockable spring with actuating mechanism (17) provided at the end of backrest (15) enabling the backrest to be angularly adjusted at any angle between 0 to 90 degrees with the horizontal, and a leg resting support (18) which is configured to be adjusted to two fixed positions – 7.5 ± 2 degrees (19) and 15 ± 2 degrees (20) as per the convenience and requirements of the patient. A foldable IV stand (22) is fixedly connected to the main frame (1) and configured to be extended to a convenient height as per the medical requirements of patient. Main frame (1) has side safety rails (23) capable of being swinging sideways. The side safety rails can be positioned in vertical fixed position by itself when lifted manually and unlocked employing release mechanism (34).
Referring to Figure 2, illustrating a Self-Expandable Telescopic Unlocking System (41) located below the main frame (1) in the stretcher trolley (A), having the rear leg (4) and front leg (3) configured to get folded and unfolded automatically. Further, comprising a front telescopic rod (37 and 39) connecting the front leg (3) and rear leg (4), and rear telescopic rod (38 and 40) connecting rear guide wheel (14) and rear leg (4), facilitating the movement of front (3) and rear legs (4), specially while loading and unloading the stretcher trolley (A) into and from the ambulance by an operator.
The second operator stands near the vehicle end to observe and ensure proper movement of Leg frames and auto locking. The stretcher trolley is moved by operators at front and rear end using handles of main frame (1).
The working of the Self-Expandable Telescopic Unlocking System (41) is as follows:
The stretcher trolley is loaded into an ambulance vehicle by manually pushing it against the ambulance platform and, when the loading wheel (12) touches the ambulance platform, the castor wheels along with the front supporting legs (3) becomes off the ground, the front leg (3) rotates and fold backwards on to the frame. The front telescopic rod (37 and 39) contracts with the help of spring being telescopically provided within the front rod (37 and 39) and gets interlocked with the help of locking pin (42) provided in the front telescopic rod (37 and 39), and simultaneously, the auxiliary support wheel (13) further reinforces loading of the stretcher trolley. The folding of the rear leg (4) is prompted by the forward movement of the stretcher trolley (A) and touch against the ambulance platform, enabling turning and backward folding with the help of spring being telescopically provided within the rear rod (38 and 40) and gets interlocked with the help of locking pin (42) provided in the rear rod (38 and 40) to put the rear leg (4) in folding position, hence making the loading operation quick, convenient and effortless for the operator. The front leg (3) and the rear leg (4) can quickly return to the original position with the help of the self-expanding unlocking mechanism actuated by levers (10 and 11), when the stretcher is unloaded from the ambulance. Actuated levers signify unlocked locking pins in the telescopic rods while loading and unloading, whereas, the released levers signifies locked pins in the telescopic rods while the legs (3 and 4) are either in folded position or in original position.
While unloading the stretcher trolley from the ambulance, after the rear guide wheel (14) is clear of the ambulance and when the levers (10 and 11) are actuated, the rear telescopic rod (40 and 42) enables unfolding of the rear leg (4) by releasing the spring internally located in the rear telescopic rod and under the influence of gravity, and in the same manner, the front legs are unfolded. The levers are released and accordingly the locking pins (42) corresponding to their telescopic rods interlocks the front (3) and rear legs (4), when the legs (3 and 4) are back in their original position.
Referring to Figure 3, showing a platform for docking the stretcher inside the ambulance vehicle. When the stretcher trolley is loaded on to the ambulance, the operator pushes it against the ambulance vehicle floor after the front leg (3) and rear leg (4) are unlocked sequentially using their respective unlocking levers (10 and 11) at the rear end handle of the stretcher, so as to fold the legs below the main frame and secure the stretcher on to the docking platform installed in the ambulance. The docking platform (B) helps the stretcher trolley to get self-aligned with the help of mechanism (24) provided on the docking platform till it gets latched in the latching component (25) of the docking platform. Anti-Dislodging arrangement at front (26) and rear (27) of the docking platform enables firm attachment of the stretcher trolley (A) with the floor of the ambulance, hence, ensuring safety in transportation of the patient. While unloading the stretcher with or without patient, the operator de-latches it from the docking platform station by activating de-latching mechanism using handle (28) at the rear most end of docking platform (B) and slowly, the stretcher is pulled out.
Referring to Figure 4, a mattress (29) is secured on to the top of the frame (1), consisting of integral pillow fixed on the top frame. The mattress cover is made of leak proof material and sealed joinery all around the foam which does not allow Blood, urine or any other liquid to pass through. Prior to transporting the patient on stretcher cum trolley, the patient is secured on to the top of the mattress (29) using safety belts, consist of a pair of shoulder straps (30) and chest straps (31) provided with connecting belt (32) and the leg strap (33). Both the side safety rails (23) are lifted manually in vertical up position which gets retained in position by itself.
The stretcher trolley (1) can be lowered for ease of loading patients from ground level and raised manually by one operator positioned each at front and rear end of the trolley, function as a trolley. The operators push the stretcher trolley against the rear end vehicle floor by unlocking the front leg (3) manually using unlocking lever (10). The stretcher is configured to be pushed effortlessly into the vehicle till the rear leg (4) touches the floor, then the rear leg is unlocked using lever (11). Thus, the complete trolley stretcher is loaded into an ambulance vehicle with both front and rear legs in folded condition. Safe loading of patient into the ambulance is done without any risk of injury to him/her or the operator. The need to incorporate Hydraulic or electric arrangements in the stretcher is eliminated to make construction simple and cost effective.
Referring to Figure 5, the gas spring mechanism (22) beside the backrest (15) is covered by a protective cover (43) for absorbing shocks and preventing dusts from getting accumulated inside the rods, hence enhancing the service life of the legs, connecting rods and consequently the entire stretcher trolley.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, some embodiments have been illustrated by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail above. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention by those examples and the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives to the embodiments described in this specification.
The embodiments in the specification are described in a progressive manner and focus of description in each embodiment is the difference from other embodiments. For same or similar parts of each embodiment, reference may be made to each other.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above description was in respect of preferred embodiments and that various alterations and modifications are possible within the broad scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention with the necessary modifications.
Based on the description of disclosed embodiments, persons skilled in the art can implement or apply the present disclosure. Various modifications of the embodiments are apparent to persons skilled in the art, and general principles defined in the specification can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments in the specification but intends to cover the most extensive scope consistent with the principle and the novel features disclosed in the specification.