LIFT-TRANSFER DEVICE WITH SCOOP-TYPE STRETCHER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an improved patient transfer-lift that is effective to transfer and lift patients using a scoop-type stretcher and other patient supports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally as to the invention, many patients desire mobility and independence. Conventional, patient-controlled powered wheelchairs are front entry in that the supporting structure is under and behind the seated user, and even though they provide great mobility, the conventional wheelchair is hampered by this front entry when lifting and transfer capabilities are added.

[0003] Conversely, wheeled patient transfer-lifts are usually rear entry in that the patient faces and is suspended from the lifting structure in a seated position. Rear entry transfer-lifts offer an advantage in transfer operations by the natural orientation of the patient that compliments transfer to other equipment or furnishings. Wheeled transfer- lifts have rear wheel support arms that can be widened to improve stability when the lift is elevated.

[0004] However, such transfer-lifts are not particularly effective when the patient is lying down such as on a floor or bed. As such, separate systems may be provided which may include an overhead boom or superstructure from which a flexible sling may be suspended. Known arrangements may have limited mobility or may not be adaptable to allow transport of a patient in both a lying condition and a seated condition.

[0005] As such, there has been a need for a patient or caregiver-operated rear entry lifting, transfer and

transporting device that can serve to support and transport a patient and that can also serve as a patient lift for transporting a patient who is lying down, such as on a floor, bed or other support surface.

[ 0006 ] The improved lift-transfer device and system of the invention provides capabilities for a patient or caregiver to independently control the lift and transport functions to elevate and move about safely. Further, the lift-transfer device allows for horizontal rotation of a patient from an original inline pick-up position to a transversely oriented position .

[ 0007 ] When a caregiver is present and can assist in the operation, this improved lift-transfer device and system of the present invention will provide even more capabilities such as by raising a patient from the floor or from one bed and placing them in a lying position on another bed, which is spaced away from the original pick-up location. When the patient is in the lying position, it will be understood that the patient may be prone or supine.

[ 0008 ] Preferably, the lift-transfer device is provided in combination with a stretcher and most preferably, is provided in combination with a scoop-type stretcher. A scoop-type stretcher is bifurcated along its longitudinal centerline to form left and right stretcher sections which can be separately slipped under the left and right sides of a lying patient, and then slid together underneath the patient and locked together to form an assembled stretcher. The stretcher sections lock together so that the patient is safely and securely supported thereon. In turn, the stretcher is connected to the lift- transfer device, preferably by flexible suspension straps.

The lift-transfer device can then be telescoped vertically to lift the patient for mobile transport from the pick-up location to a new location, such as a bed. The lift-transfer device is extendible and retractable through a substantial vertical range to allow the patient to be lifted from or lowered to a low position such as the floor and a high position typically above bed height, as well as an intermediate elevated position between the high and low positions which may be the height of a bed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an improved patient lift-transfer device configured for lifting a patient using a stretcher preferably formed as a scoop-type stretcher .

[0010] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the improved lift- transfer device with an unloaded stretcher on a bed.

[0011] Fig. 3 is shows the stretcher in a raised position.

[0012] Fig. 4 is a side view with a patient suspended on a stretcher .

[0013] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a scoop-type stretcher in a disassembled condition.

[0014] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled stretcher with a footrest extended.

[0015] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the stretcher oriented in an inline orientation and suspended from the lift- transfer device.

[0001] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the stretcher oriented in an inline orientation and lowered by the lift- transfer device.

[0016] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the stretcher oriented in an inline orientation and separated from the lift- transfer device.

[0017] Fig. 10 is a left front perspective view showing the stretcher oriented in a transverse orientation and suspended from the lift-transfer device.

[0018] Fig. 11 is an upper perspective view showing the stretcher suspended from the lift-transfer device oriented in the transverse orientation.

[0019] Fig. 12 is an upper left rear perspective view showing the stretcher suspended from the lift-transfer device oriented in the transverse orientation. [0020] Fig. 13 is a left rear perspective view showing the stretcher suspended from the lift-transfer device at an

elevated high position and oriented in the transverse

orientation .

[0021] Fig. 14 is a left rear perspective view showing the stretcher suspended from the lift-transfer device at an

elevated high position and oriented in the in-line orientation.

[0022] Fig. 15 is a left side perspective view showing the stretcher suspended from the lift-transfer device at an

elevated high position and oriented in the in-line orientation.

[0023] Fig. 16 is a left side view showing a seat suspended from the lift-transfer device.

[0024] Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the seat suspended from the lift-transfer device.

[0025] Fig. 18 is an upper left perspective view showing the lift-transfer device in a folded configuration.

[0026] Fig. 19 is a lower left perspective view showing the lift-transfer device in the folded configuration.

[0027] Fig. 20 is left side view showing the lift-transfer device in the folded configuration.

[0028] Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the lift- transfer device with support arms folded.

[0029] Fig. 22 is a left side view showing the lift- transfer device with the support arms folded.

[0030] Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing the lift- transfer device with the stretcher in the in-line orientation with a patient thereon.

[0031] Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing the lift- transfer device elevated with the stretcher in the in-line orientation with a patient thereon.

[0032] Fig. 25 is an upper perspective view showing a rotatable pedestal.

[0033] Fig. 26 is a lower perspective view showing the rotatable pedestal. [0034] Fig. 27 is a perspective view showing the lift- transfer device elevated with the stretcher in the in-line orientation with a patient thereon.

[0035] Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing the lift- transfer device lowered with the stretcher positioned in the in-line orientation on the pedestal with a patient thereon.

[0036] Fig. 29 is a perspective view showing the lift- transfer device moved away from the stretcher and pedestal.

[0037] Fig. 30 is a perspective view showing the stretcher and patient partially rotated on the pedestal between the in line and transverse orientations.

[0038] Fig. 31 is a perspective view showing the stretcher and patient rotated on the pedestal to the transverse

orientation .

[0039] Fig. 32 is a perspective view showing the stretcher and patient rotated on the pedestal to the transverse

orientation with the lift-transfer device positioned next to the patient.

[0040] Fig. 33 is a perspective view showing the stretcher and patient lifted from the pedestal by the lift-transfer device .

[0041] Fig. 34 is a perspective view of a vehicle trolley mounted in a vehicle for loading the lift-transfer device therein with a support gate in an open position.

[0042] Fig. 35 is a perspective view of the vehicle trolley mounted in a vehicle with the support gate in a closed position .

[0043] Fig. 36 is a perspective view of the vehicle trolley with the support gate in the closed position.

[0044] Fig. 37 is a perspective view of the vehicle trolley with the support gate in the open position.

[0045] Fig. 38 is a fragmentary perspective view of a gate connector for connecting the support gate to a base frame.

[0046] Fig. 39 is a side view with the lift-transfer device engaged with the support gate . [0047] Fig. 40 is a perspective of the device crossbar engaged with the support gate .

[0048] Fig. 41 is a side view showing the lift-transfer device in a raised position for sliding into the vehicle.

[0049] Fig. 42 is a perspective view showing the lift- transfer device stowed in the cargo space of the vehicle.

[0050] Fig. 43 is a rear perspective view of the lift- transfer device accessing the cargo space.

[0051] Certain terminology will be used in the following description for the convenience in reference only, and will not be limited. For example, the word "front" will refer to the side of the lift-transfer device that faces the pair of double telescoping lifting columns that is opposite the rear side from which the cantilevered horizontal seat support arms extend .

[0052] With respect to the lift-transfer device, the abbreviation "RH" which means "right hand" and "LH" which means "left hand" as related to the patients right hand or left hand as he or she is supported in the lift-transfer device while the head end of the stretcher is oriented proximate the lift-transfer device "front" faces. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively the geometric center of the lift- transfer device and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated one embodiment of the lift-transfer device 10 (herein-after referred to as the "transporter" for convenience) configured as a rear entry power lift. As seen in Figs. 18-22, the transporter 10 is readily foldable for storage or transport as will described herein. The transporter 10 and system

disclosed herein is an improved version of a WHEELCHAIR LIFT- TRANSFER DEVICE disclosed in applicant's US Patent No. 8,910,326, and PCT Application No. PCT/US2017/040723 filed by applicant on July 5, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The improved transporter 10 is structurally and functionally similar to the transporters disclosed in these prior

applications, wherein the following disclosure summarizes the important components and features of the transporter 10 and the improvement made thereto.

[ 0054 ] Referring to FIG. 1, the transporter 10 includes a wheeled base assembly 13 having an upright assembly 14 projecting therefrom. The wheeled base assembly 13 includes a generally rigid and rearwardly-opening U-shaped horizontally extending wheeled base 17 that is defined by the upright assembly 14 at the front 19 and a pair of generally parallel and rearwardly extending rear wheel support arms 20 and 21. These rear wheel support arms 20 and 21 are sidewardly spaced apart and define a rearwardly opening space 22 that is optionally adjustable in width therebetween to permit the base 13 to provide an opening that is wide enough to straddle a chair or a patient who might be lying on the floor, and optionally defines an overall width that is narrow enough to pass through a doorway, passageway or fit between opposite side-wheels of some conventional wheelchairs.

[ 0055 ] Each rear wheel support arm 20 and 21 has a wheel 25 or roller mounted adjacent the rear free end 26 thereof. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, these rear wheels 25 are preferably pivotable caster wheels that are releasably lockable as described herein.

[ 0056 ] The upright assembly 14 includes a pair of lift columns 30 and 31 connected to and spaced apart by cross beam structures 32 and 33 which extend horizontally transversely across the transporter 10 adjacent the front side 19 thereof. The lower cross beam structure 33 is elevated enough to allow space underneath for passage of the head of a patient 18 that is lying on the floor. [ 0057 ] The upright assembly 14 also has front support rollers 43. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 4 the front support rollers 43 may be motor driven drive wheels that can be electrically driven by a caregiver or operator 44. As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the transporter 10 is basically the same structure but the wheels 43 are pivotable caster wheels that are unpowered. Reference numeral 10 is used to reference a transporter whether it is powered or unpowered.

[ 0058 ] The base assembly 13 also includes a platform 46 that is pivotally connected thereto and foldable upwardly.

The platform 35 is typically oriented horizontal in the use position so that the operator 44 can stand thereon. When the drive wheels 43 are motor driven, the operator 44 thereby can ride on or travel with the transporter 10 without needing to walk alongside.

[ 0059 ] The upright assembly 14 includes the pair of

vertically elongate and telescopic lift columns or support post assemblies 30 and 31, each including a vertically

elongate lower post 51 and 52 to which a respective one of the rear wheel support arms 20 and 21 is attached via a respective four-bar horizontally pivoting linkage 53 and 54 (Fig. 1), the combination forming the U-shaped wheeled base 13 from which the upright assemblies 30 and 31 project upwardly in

cantilevered relationship therewith. In this regard, the lower posts 51 and 52 are joined together in sidewardly or laterally spaced relation by the lower cross beam structure 33.

[ 0060 ] As best seen in Figure 7, vertically elongate middle posts 56 and 57 are slidably telescopingly positioned within and project upwardly out of the lower posts 51 and 52.

Vertically elongate upper posts 60 and 61 are slidably

telescopingly positioned within and project upwardly out of the middle posts 56 and 57. A double-j ackscrew drive or

lifting unit is disposed interiorly of each post assembly 30 and 31 to selectively extend and retract the lower posts 51/52, middle posts 56/57 and upper posts 60/61. [ 0061 ] The support post assemblies 30 and 31 are joined at their upper ends to horizontally elongate occupant support arms 68 and 69. The pair of occupant support arms 68 and 69 then project rearwardly in cantilevered relationship away from the support post assemblies 30 and 31 in generally parallel relationship adjacent opposite sides of the transporter 10.

The seat support arms 68 and 69 more particularly are

supported on the upper posts 60/61 so as to move vertically therewith, and joined together in sidewardly spaced relation by the upper cross beam structure 32 and a secondary beam structure 32A. It will be understood that the lift columns 30 and 31 can be retracted (Figs. 1 and 8) so that the support arms 68 and 69 are at the lowest elevation relative to the floor or in other words at a low position or elevation. Also, the lift columns 30 and 31 can be extended (Figs. 3 and 7) to a high position which is elevated a selected elevation above a target surface, which preferably is the height of a bed at home or in a healthcare facility. The high and low positions or elevations define a range through which the lift columns 30 and 31 may be extended or retracted. During this extension or retraction, the lift columns 30 and 31 would pass through various intermediate positions including an intermediate elevated position or elevation that is above but nearer to a bed surface as seen in Fig. 2.

[ 0062 ] In accord with the prior versions of the transporter, the disclosure of which is incorporated above by reference, the lift-transfer device 10 can be configured in a narrow width condition (Fig. 3) with the wheel support arms 20 and 21 disposed in a narrow position wherein the space 22 has the narrowest width. As can be seen in Figs. 1, 4 and 7-9 for example, the wheel support arms 20 and 21 also can be

positioned outwardly or spread apart due to articulation of the linkages 53 and 54 wherein the outer arm sections 70 and 71 are moved apart from each other to define a wider width for the space 22. [ 0063 ] As disclosed above, the telescoping lift columns 30 and 31 may be extended to raise or lift the support arms 68 and 69 to the vertically elevated position such as the high position of Figure 3 or the intermediate position of Figure 2 to device vertical space with the wheel support arms 20 and 21. To change the elevation of the support arms 68 and 69, the elevation of the support arms 68 and 69 are selectively

extended and retracted by vertically displacing the lower posts 51/52, middle posts 56/57 and upper posts 60/61 upwardly and downwardly.

[ 0064 ] Referring to Figs. 18-20, the lift-transfer device 10 preferably is configured so that is foldable. The wheel support arms 20 and 21 may be folded up and over against the lift columns 30 and 31 on a front side thereof, while the occupant support arms 68 and 69 may be folded up so as to lie flat against the lift columns 30 and 31 on a rear side thereof. In turn, the platform 46 folds upwardly so as to lie almost parallel with the columns 30 and 31A and the support arms 68 and 69 on the front thereof. The rear wheels 25 can remain oriented so as to remain in contact with a support surface to help in moving the folded lift-transfer device 10 to a storage location .

[ 0065 ] Referring to Figs. 21 and 22, the various components are independently foldable. For example, the support arms 68 and 69 may be folded forwardly over the columns 30 and 31 and crossbar 32 and then down to the front side thereof and the platform 46 may be folded upwardly toward the lower cross bar 33 so that the transporter 10 is in a partially folded

condition. In this partially folded configuration, the

transporter 10 remains portable with the wheel support arms 20 and 21 and wheels 25 and 43 remaining in rolling contact with the support surface or floor.

[ 0066 ] In view of the foregoing, the inventive lift- transfer device 10 can be readily folded for storage or

transport. Also, the lift-transfer device 10 is collapsed or folded so that it uses a minimal amount of storage space. [ 0067 ] Referring to Fig. 7, the double-j ackscrew drive or lifting unit is disposed interiorly of each post assembly 30 and 31 to selectively extend and retract the lower posts 51/52, middle posts 56/57 and upper posts 60/61. To power the

transporter 10, the upper crossbeam structure 32 of the

embodiment of Fig. 1 includes a compartment in which a drive assembly is provided to drive the column lifting units and in which power supply batteries are stored. A driving control module 80 (Figs. 1 and 7) includes an operator control panel 81 that may include switches for the lift up-down control, battery selection, and if provided in some embodiments, for rear wheel support arm in-out control or a powered drive.

Also, a joystick 82 may be provided to drive the powered wheels 43. The upper crossbeam structure 32 is supported at each end by the pair of upper posts 60 and 61 and comprises a channel shaped housing for supporting a lift motor or

gearmotor, a lever-actuated lift motor release mechanism, the cross shaft and a height sensing switch assembly. The switch assembly serves as a lift range stop switch assembly.

[ 0068 ] In operation, the gearmotor drives a shaft causing the occupant support arms 68 and 69 to raise or descend with the lift columns 30 and 31. The lifting pair of upper posts 60 and 61 and the support arms 68 and 69 attached at the upper ends thereof causes the patient 18 to move upwardly as will be described further herein. Reversing the direction of rotation of the rotating lift parts will cause the patient 18 to move downwardly .

[ 0069 ] One version of the transporter 10 may be provided without power driving capability (Figs. 2 and 3), wherein unpowered wheels 43-1 are provided at the front of the

transporter 10, and the transporter 10 is operated primarily by a caregiver 44 who will push or pull the transporter 10 to move it horizontally on the support surface or floor.

Optionally, in the configuration of Figs. 1 and 4, a power drive 83 may be provided on the wheels 43 associated with the transporter 10 to permit powered moving of the transporter 10. [0070] In operation, the transporter 10 has significant flexibility in supporting an occupant or patient 18 and transferring locations. The support arms 68 and 69 are configured to support a variety of seat and sling

configurations .

[0071] Referring to Figures 1, 16 and 17, support arms 68 and 69 of the transporter 10 have an extruded profile that defines an open slot 90 defined by a slot wall and an interior groove. The slot 90 is defined along the outside face of each support arm 68 and 69 and is configured to receive a clip 91 therein and most typically, multiple such clips 91. Referring to the seat configuration of Figs. 16 and 17, the clip 91 has a slotted main body that receives the free end of a support strap 92 therein and allows the length of the strap 92 to be adjusted .

[0072] The main body is then bent on the bottom end portion to define a stepped hook that fits sidewardly into the slot 90 to securely anchor and essentially lock the clip 91 while still permitting sliding of the clip 91 along the length of the slot 90. As seen in Figs. 16 and 17, the strap 92 runs over the top of the support arms 68 and 69 to tension the clip 91.

[0073] A seat support assembly includes a seat unit 93 that is preferably connected to the support arms 68 and 69 by the straps 92. As can be seen, in some situations, it may be desirable that the occupant or patient 18 is supported in a seated position on the seat unit 93.

[0074] A1so, a back unit 94 may be provided that comprises a backrest 95 and a pair of support brackets 96 that

respectively connect to the support arms 68 and 69. Each support bracket 96 includes a mounting collar 98 that is hollow and slides onto the free end of the respective support arm 68 or 69 and is lockable in place thereon. Each support bracket 96 also includes a connector plate 99 that includes fasteners that can selectively mate with rows on of apertures 100 on the backrest 96 to vary the height of the backrest 95. In this manner, both the seat unit 93 and back unit 94 are height adjustable to vary the seated height of the patient 18.

[ 0075 ] This configuration of slots 90 and clips 91 is disclosed in applicant' s prior patent and applications such as those incorporated herein by reference above. Additionally the seat support assembly 93 provides an improved seat configuration.

[ 0076 ] The present invention also provides improved functionality in supporting and transporting a patient 18 who is in a lying position, particularly where the patient 18 must remain in a lying position at all times including pick up, transfer or transport, and then drop off at another location such as a bed. The improved invention also provides

additional and significant flexibility in reorienting the patient 18 such as by rotating the patient 18 to a new position. For example, the physical arrangement of a room including beds, furniture and medical equipment may limit or dictate how the transporter 10 must be positioned for pickup from a pick up location such as the floor or a first bed.

These physical limitations may be different at the location where the patient 18 must be dropped off, which may require that the patient 18 be rotated or spun about a vertical axis so that the patient 18 is better positioned for lowering onto a second bed or support surface. For example, the transporter 10 might only be permitted to pick up the patient 18 from a left side of a bed, but the transporter 10 may be restricted at the second bed to only drop off the patient from the right side of the second bed or even the head of the bed. The inventive transporter system of the present invention provides substantial flexibility under such conditions.

[ 0077 ] Referring to Figs. 1, 5 and 6, the transporter 10 is provided in combination with a stretcher 100 to define a lift- transfer system for lifting and transporting a patient 18.

Most preferably, the transporter 10 is provided in combination with a scoop-type stretcher 100. As seen in Figures 5 and 6, the scoop-type stretcher 100 is bifurcated along its longitudinal centerline to form left and right stretcher sections 101 and 102 wherein the stretcher 100 has a head end 103 and a foot end 104 and the reference to left and right generally is in reference to the left and right sides of the patient's body when lying face up. Generally, the stretcher

100 is usable when the patient 18 is supine or face up, or is prone or face down, wherein the term lying position or orientation refers to either condition.

[ 0078 ] Each of the left and right stretcher sections 101 and 102 includes an upper panel 106 near the head end 103 and a lower panel 107 near the foot end 104. The upper panel 106 is supported by an L-shaped edge frame 106A and includes mating connectors 106B that can be releasably locked together. The lower panel 107 is supported by an L-shaped edge frame 107A and includes mating connectors 107B that also can be releasably locked together. As such, the left and right stretcher sections 101 and 102 are separable (Fig. 5) and mateable together (Fig. 6) . When separated, the two sections

101 and 102 can be slipped underneath a lying patient 18 as in Fig. 1. While the patient 18 is shown on the floor, the patient 18 might also be lying on a bed as generally indicated by Figure 2 showing the scoop stretcher 100 assembled on a bed 110, and specifically the bed surface 111. Once the separate stretcher sections 101 and 102 are slipped under the left and right sides of the patient 18, the sections 101 and 102 are slid together and locked by the mating connectors 106B and 107B (Figs. 2 and 6) so that the patient 18 is now fully supported by the assembled stretcher 100. The patient 18 can be removed from the stretcher 100 by reversing this process, wherein the mating connectors 106B and 107B are unlocked or disengaged and the stretcher sections 101 and 102 slid out from underneath the patient 18. This type of stretcher is referenced as a scoop stretcher since it allows for

positioning under a patient' s body while minimizing the movement of the patient 18 that might be required to position the patient 18 on a conventional stretcher. [0079] Turning again to the stretcher structure, the frames 107A are telescopingly connected to the frames 106A, which allows the lower panels 107 to be moved toward and away from the upper panels 106 to adjust the total length of the stretcher 100.

[0080] The stretcher sections 101 and 102 also include handholds 113 defined by openings 114 along the edge frames 106A and 107A. While these allow manual lifting of the stretcher 100, the aligned openings 114 and edge frames 106A and 107A also serve as anchors for securing the stretcher 100 to the transporter 10.

[0081] Referring to Figures 2-4, the stretcher 100 is shown suspended from the transporter 10 both with a patient 18 and without a patient 18. To secure the patient in place, at least two matable safety straps 116 are provided which have anchored ends attached to respective openings 114 and edge frames 106A, and have free ends which join together by a buckle or clasp 116A. The safety straps 116 wrap about the midsection of the patient 18 as seen in Fig. 4.

[0082] To attach and suspend the stretcher 100 from the support arms 68 and 69 of the transporter 10, each side of the stretcher 100 includes two or more suspension straps 118 that have anchored ends secured or anchored to the openings 114 and edge frames 106A. Each of the suspension straps 118 also has one of the above-described clips 91 that is removably

engagable with the slots 90 formed in the suspension arms 68 and 69. Notably, the upper free ends of the straps 118 have extra length to permit the length of the straps 118 to be adjusted by the clips 91. Further, the clips 91 are slidable along the slots 90 to permit adjustment of the location of the clip along the length of the slots 90.

[0083] The straps 118 preferably are formed of flexible webbing, which can twist without affecting the ability of the straps 118 to suspend the stretcher 100 from the support arms 68 and 69. In Fig. 2, the stretcher 100 is shown in a transverse position wherein the length or centerline of the stretcher 100 is oriented transverse to the front to back direction of the transporter 10. As such, the transporter 10 can be positioned on the side of the bed 110, while the stretcher 100 extends parallel to or along the length of the bed 110.

[ 0084 ] Fig. 2 shows the supports arms 68 and 69 in an intermediate elevated position that allows the stretcher 100 on the bed surface 111 wherein the patient can either be picked up or dropped off in this condition. The straps 118 and clips 91 are length adjustable, such that the intermediate elevated position does not need to be located at a precise elevation since any slack in straps 118 can be taken up by shortening the straps 118.

[ 0085 ] Fig. 3 shows the support arms 68 and 69 raised upwardly from the intermediate position and toward the high position, which lifts the stretcher 100 from the bed surface 111. In this position, the transporter 10 can then be moved from this first bed location, and moved to another location such as another bed or a treatment area.

[ 0086 ] As seen in Fig. 4, the stretcher 100 can also be oriented in an in line position wherein the centerline or length of the stretcher 100 is in line with or generally parallel with the front to back direction of the transporter 10 although the flexible straps 118 do not require absolute alignment. Preferably, the head end 103 of the stretcher 100 is positioned near the transporter's front end 19. This might be desirable for loading or unloading a patient 18 from the head end of the bed 110. Also, Fig. 4 shows the transporter 10 in a lowered position closer to the floor, which may be desirable to pick up or drop off a patient from a floor surface or other support located below the height of the bed surface 111. Fig. 7 shows the stretcher 100 and patient 18 in the high position with the support arms 68 and 69 raised.

This position allows for transport and raises the patient 18 above the bed surface 111 when moving the stretcher above the bed 110. Fig. 8 shows the stretcher 100 in the low position at floor level.

[0087] Fig. 9 shows the transporter 10 moved away from the patient 18 who is rested on a support surface. The straps 118 are disconnected by disengaging the clips 91 from the support arms 68 and 69 and slots 90.

[0088] Figs. 10-13 in turn show the stretcher 100 suspended from the support arms 68 and 69 in the transverse orientation. The transporter 10 is in a partially elevated position between the low position and high position.

[0089] Figures 14 and 15 show the stretcher 100 suspended from the support arms 68 and 69 in the in-line orientation.

The transporter 10 is raised to the elevated high position. In addition to the ability to mount the stretcher 100 in either the transverse or in-line position, the flexible suspension straps 118 may also have enough length to allow the stretcher to be rotated about a vertical axis as generally indicated by reference arrow 120 in Fig. 12. In particular, the stretcher 118 is shown in the transverse orientation, but the flexible straps 118 allow the foot end of the stretcher to be swung in direction 120, i.e. counterclockwise in Fig. 12, so that the stretcher 100 is repositioned to the inline position. This results in twisting and spiraling of the straps 118 but allows the stretcher to be rotated to accommodate different physical conditions in a room. Similarly, in Fig. 14, the stretcher 100 is in the inline orientation but can be swung either clockwise or counterclockwise as indicated by arrow 121.

[0090] Figs. 23 and 24 further illustrate the transporter 10 with the manual unpowered wheels 43-1 (see also Figures 2 and 3) . It will be understood that this transporter variation functions the same as the powered transporter variation described above. Generally, the transporter 10 can be positioned over a patient 18 in an inline position and then lifted as seen in Fig. 24.

[0091] As another option to assist in rotating the patient 18 between the inline and transverse orientations, Figs. 25 and 26 show a rotatable pedestal 125 having a base 126 and a rotatable support tray or turntable 127 that is configured to support the stretcher 100 thereon. The base 126 has

upstanding legs 128 that typically sit on a floor or other support surface and a top panel 129 that supports a swivel bracket 130 that supports the turntable 127 thereon. The turntable 127 has side walls 131 and a central pocket 132 that receives the stretcher 100 therein.

[ 0092 ] When the patient 18 is in the inline orientation as seen in Figs. 27 ad 28, the stretcher can be lowered onto the turntable 127. Notably, the suspension straps 118 are omitted for illustrative purposes . Once lowered, the

transporter 10 can be moved away from the patient 18 and stretcher 100 as seen in Fig. 29.

[ 0093 ] As seen in Figure 30, the turntable 127 and

stretcher 100 can be rotated to the transverse orientation as indicated by reference arrow 133. Thereafter, the transporter 10 can be moved over the patient 18 (Fig. 32) for subsequent lifting (Fig. 33) of the patient 18. The pedestal 125 is manually removable and movable within the building space and eases in the reorientation of the patient between the

transverse and in-line orientations.

[ 0094 ] Next, Figures 34-43 illustrate the transporter 10 provided in combination with a vehicle trolley 150, wherein Figure 34 is a perspective view of the vehicle trolley 150 mounted in a cargo space 151 of a vehicle 152. The vehicle trolley 150 can be installed in the vehicle 152 for ready loading of the lift-transfer device 10 therein. The system uses the extension and retraction of the lifting columns 30 and 31 to raise and lower the lift-transfer device 10 on the vehicle trolley 150 and then the vehicle trolley 150 is operated to slide the lift-transfer device 10 into the cargo space 151.

[ 0095 ] Figures 34-37 generally illustrate the vehicle trolley 150 with a base frame 154 and pivotable support gate 155 that may be swung between and open an open position

(Figures 34 and 37) and a closed position (Figures 35 and 36) .

[ 0096 ] As seen in Figures 36 and 37, the base frame 154 includes extendible side rails 156 joined together by cross rails 157, which further include mounting plates 158 for fastening the base frame 154 to the vehicle bed 152A. As generally seen in Figures 35 and 38, the side rails 156 are formed of telescoping first and second rail sections 156-1 and 156-2 which are slidably joined together to allow the length of the side rails 156 to be extended out of the cargo space 152.

[ 0097 ] Referring to Figures 36-38, the support gate 155 is formed of a U-shaped frame member 158 having a cross rail 159 and side legs 160 which are joined by a brace member 161. One side leg 160 is pivotally connected to one first rail section 156-1 by a hinge assembly 162 (Figure 38) to allow swinging or pivoting of the support gate 155 about a pivot pin 163 between the open and closed positions .

[ 0098 ] Preferably, a releasable latch 164 is also provided to help hold the support gate 155 in the closed position within the vehicle 152 during vehicle movement. The other side leg 160 on the side opposite to the hinge assembly 162 includes a releasable latch 165 for releasably engaging the other side rail 156 to further help to hold the support gate 155 in the closed position within the vehicle 152. The latch 165 is also releasable to permit the support gate 155 to swing open as described below.

[ 0099 ] Further, the top cross rail 159 includes two support brackets 167 as seen in Figure 37. The support brackets 167 are generally U-shaped to define an upward opening pocket sized to engage below the upper cross beam structure 32

(Figure 40) of the lift-transfer device 10. Figures 39 and 40 show the lift-transfer device 10 with its cross beam structure 32 aligned with and lowered downwardly into engagement with the support brackets 167. As seen in Figure 39, the lifting columns 30 and 31 are raised and lowered to first raise the cross beam structure 32 above the support brackets 167 and then lower the cross beam structure 32 into the engaged position of Figures 39 and 40. This engagement is performed when the trolley side rails 156 are extended out of the vehicle 152 as seen in Figures 35 and 39. Once engaged, the lifting columns 30 and 31 continue to be retracted, which then causes the wheeled base assembly 13 to lift from the ground as seen in Figure 41.

[ 00100 ] Once the lifting columns 30 and 31 are fully retracted, the wheeled base assembly 13 is able to clear the vehicle bed 152A, which in turn allows the support gate 155 to be pushed into the cargo space 151 along with the lift transfer device 10 that is suspended therefrom as seen in Figure 42. This allows the lift transfer device 10 to be stowed within and later unloaded from the cargo space 151 by merely pulling or pushing to extend or retract the trolley side rails 156 and then raising or lowering the transporter base 13 using the powered lifting columns 30 and 31. Further, when stowed, the support gate 155 is in front of the lift transfer device 10 to block forward movement thereof within the cargo space 151.

[ 00101 ] Additionally, when the support gate 155 is opened as seen in Figure 43, the lift transfer device 10 also can be moved or rolled forwardly with the wheeled base 13 below the vehicle bed 152A and the patient support arms 68 and 69 above the bed 152A. As such, the lift transfer device 10 may be used to raise and lower articles into the vehicle bed 152A such as a wheelchair or the like. The articles may be suspended from the existing straps 118 and then disconnected therefrom once loaded in the cargo space 151. Thereafter, the support gate 155 may be closed and the lift transfer device 10 loaded in the vehicle 152 as described above.

[ 00102 ] Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or

modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention .