Description

A STRETCHER FOR AMBULANCE WITH LOWER LIMB

LIFTING MEANS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a stretcher for an ambulance, which is used to safely transport an emergency patient to a hospital and the like, and more particularly, to a stretcher for an ambulance, which has a lower limb lifting means provided at the stretcher which can be transformed into a chair so as to transport safely the emergency patient to the hospital, and the like by lifting the lower limb of the patient higher than the heart of the emergency patient showing shock symptoms due to excessive bleeding and other causes. Background Art

[2] Inside of the ambulance, there is provided a stretcher for transporting the patient safely, so that it is possible to transport the emergency patient safely to an adjacent hospital.

[3] The stretcher comprises a body for safely seating a mattress, a foldable leg portion mounted at the lower side of the body, and wheels engaged with the leg portion, and the like, wherein a backrest of the body is configured to be adjustable to various degrees so that it can be applied to diverse patients, or a stretcher capable of transformed into a chair can be employed so that it can be used easily in the narrow corridor or in a small elevator, and the like.

[4] However, since the conventional stretcher was not provided with separate lower limb lifting means, the patient is transported to the adjacent hospital under performing the emergency measures to maintain the body temperature of the patient with lifting the lower limb of the patient higher than the heart by using a blanket or a pillow, and the like, and wrapping the legs and the feet with the blanket, during the transportation of the emergency patient showing shock symptoms due to excessive bleeding and other causes.

[5] The lifting of the lower limb can be required at any place and at any time, however, a blanket or a pillow, and the like are employed still now as described above, because it was difficult to install the lower limb lifting means to the stretcher directly due to the special property of the structure of the stretcher capable of being transformed into a chair. Therefore, there is a need for the lifting device of the lower limb to more safely transport the emergency patient. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] Accordingly, the present inventor has developed the subject invention based on the technical task of providing lower limb lifting means, which is applicable to the stretcher which can be transformed into a chair, and the like employed in the ambulance, in order to solve the problems arising from the lifting of the lower limb as described above.

[7] In this regard, according to the present invention, in order to solve the above described technical task, a part of the stretcher on which legs and the feet of the patient are located is constructed as lower limb lifting means separately from the body, so that it is possible to use it in a plane state by folding it to be the same height as that of the body in usual, and if the lifting means is required, it is possible to use it after spreading by means of a simple operation, and it is adapted to be applicable to the chair transformable type stretcher with various bending portions. Thus, the lower limb lifting means can be usually applied to various stretchers, and the operation method is very simple, so that it is possible to reduce death due to shock, which arises during the transportation of the emergency patient, because it is possible to transport the emergency patient safely with lifting the lower limb of the emergency patient showing the shock symptoms due to excessive bleeding and the other causes, higher than the heart. Technical Solution

[8] In this regard, the present invention is characterized by providing foldable lower limb lifting means to a stretcher for an ambulance, which comprises a backrest erected to a desired angle, a body frame constructed separately of a fixed hip support plate and a leg support plate, a mattress engaged with the respective support plates of the body frame, a foldable leg portion engaged with the lower side of the body frame, and wheels engaged with the leg portion.

[9] Also, the present invention is characterized in that the stretcher comprises a backrest erected to a desired angle, a body frame constructed separately of a fixed hip support plate and a leg support plate bent downwardly so that it can be transformed into a chair, a mattress engaged with the respective support plates of the body frame, a foldable leg portion engaged with the lower side of the body frame, and wheels engaged with the leg portion, and wherein foldable type lower limb lifting means is installed at the leg support plate for a chair transformable type stretcher for an ambulance, in which the leg support plate is transformed into a leg support and a foot plate, so that the lower limb lifting means can be folded to conform to the transformation into a chair.

Advantageous Effects

[10] Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to transport the patient

safely to the adjacent hospital with lifting lower limb of the emergency patient, who shows shock symptom caused by excessive bleeding and other causes, higher than the heart, so that it is possible to greatly reduce the death caused by shock arising during the transportation. Furthermore, the lifting of the lower limb can be simply accomplished because the two lifting plate members 16a, 16b are bent to a degree identical with that of the leg support 5a and the foot plate 5b of the leg support plate 5, when the lifting means is applied to the chair transformable type stretcher 1', so that it is possible to provide convenience to the patient during the transportation and also provide the emergency member with convenience of lifting the lower legs by means of simple operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance according to a preferred first embodiment of the present invention; [12] FIG. 2 is an extracted perspective view of a principal portion of the preferred first embodiment of the present invention; [13] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation state of the present invention, in which the state of the lower limb lifting means prior to its operation is shown; [14] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation state of the present invention, in which the state of the lower limb lifting means after its operation is shown; [15] FIG. 5 is an extracted cross-sectional view of the securing means of the present invention; [16] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance according to a preferred second embodiment of the present invention;

[17] FIG. 7 is a front view showing the state of transforming FIG. 5 into a chair;

[18] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance showing an example of constructing the lifting means of the first embodiment of the present invention to be plural number; [19] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance showing an example of constructing the lifting means of the second embodiment of the present invention to be plural number; [20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance according to a preferred third embodiment of the present invention;

[21] FIG. 11 is an extracted perspective view of a principal portion of FIG. 10;

[22] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation state of the third embodiment of the present invention, in which the state of the lower limb lifting means

prior to its operation is shown;

[23] FlG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation state of the third embodiment of the present invention, in which the state of the lower limb lifting means after its operation is shown;

[24] FlG. 14 is a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance according to a preferred fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[25] FlG. 15 is a front view showing the state of FlG. 14 prior to its transformation into a chair;

[26] FlG. 16 is a front view showing the state of FlG. 14 after its transformation into a chair;

[27] FlG. 17 is a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance showing an example of constructing the lifting means of the third embodiment of the present invention to be plural number;

[28] FlG. 18 is a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance showing an example of constructing the lifting means of the fourth embodiment of the present invention to be plural number; and

[29] FlGs. 19 through 23 are cross-sectional views, each of which shows securing means applicable to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention.

[30]

Mode for the Invention

[31] Hereinafter, the construction of the stretcher for the ambulance according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings.

[32] In the description of the present invention, FlG. 1 shows a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance according to a preferred first embodiment of the present invention, FlG. 2 is an extracted perspective view of a principal portion of the preferred first embodiment of the present invention, and FlGs. 3 and 4 show cross- sectional views showing the operation state of the present invention.

[33] As shown in the drawings, the stretcher 1 for an ambulance according to the present invention is constructed such that a foldable leg portion 6 engaged with wheels 7 is installed at the lower side of a body frame 2, which is constructed separately of a backrest 3, a hip support plate 4, and a leg support plate 5, so that the leg portion 6 can be folded when the stretcher 1 is loaded on the ambulance, and a mattress 8 is seated and engaged with the backrest 3 and the hip support plate 4. Also, a foldable lower limb lifting means 10 is installed at the upper side of the leg support plate 5.

[34] According to a preferred embodiment of the lower limb lifting means 10, the lower limb lifting means 10 is constructed to be spread upwardly along with the natural movement toward the hip support plate 4, a support shaft 11 is installed at a boundary

portion between the hip support plate 4 and the leg support plate 5 in the width direction of the stretcher 1, and a rotation member 13 is installed at the support shaft 11 to rotate on an operating space 12 formed toward the leg support plate 5. In addition, a connection link 14 is installed at a distal end of the rotation member 13 and the connection link 14 is connected to a lifting plate 16, which is disposed at the upper side of the leg support plate 5 and formed with a handle 15 at the upper outside, by means of a hinge 17, and the lower limb lifting plate 16 is constructed of lifting plate members 16a, 16b formed by dividing it into both portions in the rearward and forward directions and connecting them by means of a hinge 16c.

[35] Both sides of the lifting plate members 16a, 16b positioned at the distal end of the stretcher 1 and at the side of the hip support plate 4 are provided with a variable support rod 19, which is installed to be rotatable, and a fixed support rod 20 respectively.

[36] The variable support rod 19 is engaged with the lifting plate member 16a at the side of the hip support plate 4 positioned close to the hinge 16c connecting the boundary portion between both lifting plate members 16a, 16b, and a lower end thereof is engaged with a long guide hole 21a formed at a guide member 21 installed on the leg support plate 5 to enable the movement toward the hip support plate 4 when the lower limb lifting plate 16 is used.

[37] The fixed support rod 20 is approximately formed to be "T" letter shape with both upper ends engaged with the lifting plate member 16b and a lower end thereof is rotatably engaged with securing means 22 installed at the leg support plate 5 by means of a pin 23, and a securing pin 25 with a handle 25a elastically supported by a spring 24 is installed at the securing means 22, and a through-hole 26 is formed at a distal end of the fixed support rod 20 for inserting the securing pin 25 so that the fixed support rod 20 can be secured at the erected state.

[38] FlG. 6 is a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance according to a preferred second embodiment of the present invention, and FlG. 7 is a front view showing the state of transforming FlG. 5 into a chair, in which the lower limb lifting means 10 according to the first embodiment is applied to a chair transformable type stretcher 1' for an ambulance.

[39] The stretcher of this embodiment comprises a body frame 2 constructed separately of a backrest 3 erected to a desired degree, a fixed hip support plate 4, and a leg support plate 5 bent downwardly so that it can be transformed into a chair, a mattress 8 engaged with respective support plate of the body frame 2, a foldable leg portion 6 engaged with the lower side of the body frame 2, and wheels 7 engaged with the leg portion 6, and wherein foldable type lower limb lifting means 10 is installed at the leg support plate 5 of a stretcher 1' for a chair transformable type ambulance, in which the

leg support plate is transformed into a leg support 5a and a foot plate 5b, so that the lower limb lifting means 10 can be folded to conform to the transformation into a chair.

[40] The lower limb lifting means 10 is moved upward with the natural movement toward the hip support plate 4 at the spread state of the stretcher 1', and is folded into a bent angle of the leg support plate 5a and the foot plate 5b constituting the leg support plate 5 at the state when the stretcher 1' is folded and transformed into a chair.

[41] In other words, in the present invention, the rotation member 13 is installed at the support shaft 11, which is installed at the boundary portion between the hip support plate 4 and the leg support plate 5 to fold them, so that it can rotate on the operation space 12 formed toward the leg support plate 5, a connection link 14 is installed at a distal end of the rotation member 13, and the connection link 14 is connected to a lifting plate 16, which is disposed at the upper side of the leg support plate 5 and formed with a handle 15 at the upper outside, by means of a hinge 17, the lower limb lifting plate 16 being constructed of lifting plate members 16a, 16b formed by dividing itself into both portions in the rearward and forward directions.

[42] Also, both lifting plate members 16a, 16b are provided with a rotatable variable support rod 19 and a fixed support rod 20 respectively, and wherein the variable support rod 19 is engaged with an upper end thereof with the lifting plate member 16a positioned close to the hinge 16c connecting the boundary portion between both lifting plate members 16a, 16b, and a lower end thereof is engaged with a long guide hole 21a formed at a guide member 21 installed on the leg support 5a of the leg support plate 5.

[43] The fixed support rod 20 is approximately formed to be "T" letter shape with both upper ends engaged with the lifting plate member 16b and a lower end thereof is rotatably engaged with securing means 22 installed at the foot plate 5b by means of a pin 23, and a securing pin 25 with a handle 25a elastically supported by a spring 24 is installed at the securing means 22, and a through-hole 26 is formed at a distal end of the fixed support rod 20 for inserting the securing pin 25 so that the fixed support rod 20 can be secured at the erected state.

[44] It is preferable that the variable support rod 19 and the fixed support rod 20 are disposed to erect slantly from the leg support plate 5 to the hip support plate 4 so that safety can be assured when the legs of the emergency patient during the transportation are lifted and laid thereon, although the variable support rod 19 and the fixed support rod 20 of the first and second embodiments can be erected vertically.

[45] The size of the lower limb lifting plate 16 is constructed to be a little smaller than that of the leg support plate 5, which is a part of the body frame 2, and a mattress 8 is seated and engaged with the upper side of the lower limb lifting plate 16, and the height of the mattress 8 is designed to be the same as that of the mattress 8 seated and

engaged with the backrest 3 and the hip support plate 4.

[46] FlG. 8 shows a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance showing an example of constructing the lifting means of the first embodiment of the present invention to be plural number, and FlG. 9 shows a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance showing an example of constructing the lifting means of the second embodiment of the present invention to be plural number. In the construction of the stretchers 1, 1' for the ambulance of the first and second embodiments, separately operating lower limb lifting means 10 are installed at the upper right and left sides of the leg support plate 5, so that both legs of the emergency patient can be selectively lifted.

[47] FlG. 10 is a plane view of a stretcher for an ambulance according to the preferred third embodiment of the present invention, FlG. 11 is an extracted perspective view of a principal portion of FlG. 10, and FlGs. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views showing the engagement state of FlG. 11, and the like, in which the lower limb lifting means 10 is costructed to move upward in the vertical direction on the leg support plate 5.

[48] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the lower limb lifting means 10 of a stretcher 1 for an ambulance according to the first embodiment is constructed differently, such that a support shaft 11 is installed in the width direction at a boundary portion between the hip support plate 4 and the leg support plate 5, and a rotation member 13 is installed at the support shaft 11 to rotate on an operation space 12 formed toward the leg support plate 5. Also, a connection link 14 is connected at one end thereof to a lifting plate 16 by means of a hinge 17 and is connected t0 a distal end of the rotation member 13, wherein the lifting plate 16 is disposed at the upper side of the leg support plate 5 and formed with a handle 15 at the upper outside, and is constructed of lifting plate members 16a, 16b formed by dividing itself into both portions in the rearward and forward directions.

[49] In addition, an elevating support rod 30 and a variable support rod 31 are respectively installed at the both lifting plate members 16a, 16b positioned at the side of the hip support plate 5 and at the distal end side of the stretcher 1.

[50] The elevating support rod 30 is installed on the leg support plate 5 so that it can elevate vertically and the elevation height thereof can be diversely set and used by securing means 40.

[51] The variable support rod 31 is formed approximately to be "T" shape with upper both ends being engaged with the lifting plate member 16b and a lower end thereof being engaged with a long guide hole 32a of a guide member 32 installed at the leg support plate 5.

[52] FlG. 14 shows a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance according to a preferred fourth embodiment of the present invention, FlG. 15 shows a front view

showing the state of FlG. 14 prior to its transformation into a chair, and FlG. 16 shows a front view showing the state of FlG. 14 after its transformation into a chair, in which foldable type lower limb lifting means 10 is installed at the leg support plate 5 of the stretcher 1' for a chair transformable type ambulance constructed as described in connection with the second embodiment, so that it can be conformed to the transformation into the chair. In this regard, the lower limb lifting means 10 is moved upward with the natural movement toward the hip support plate 5 at the spread state of the stretcher 1', and is bent to a bent degree of the leg support 5a and the foot plate 5b of the leg support plate 5 when it is transformed into a chair by folding the stretcher 1 ' .

[53] In other words, according to the present invention, a rotation member 13 is installed at the support shaft 11, which is installed at the boundary portion between the hip support plate 4 and the leg support plate 5 so that they can fold, to rotate on an operation space 12 formed toward the leg support plate 5. Also, a connection link 14 is connected at one end thereof to a lifting plate 16 by means of a hinge 17 and is connected t0 a distal end of the rotation member 13, wherein the lifting plate 16 is disposed at the upper side of the leg support plate 5 and formed with a handle 15 at the upper outside, and is constructed of lifting plate members 16a, 16b formed by dividing itself into both portions in the rearward and forward directions.

[54] In addition, an elevating support rod 30 and a variable support rod 31 are respectively installed at the both lifting plate members 16a, 16b.

[55] The elevating support rod 30 is installed on the leg support 5a so that it can elevate in the vertical direction and the elevation height thereof can be diversely set and used by securing means 40.

[56] The variable support rod 31 is formed approximately to be "T" shape with upper both ends being engaged with the lifting plate member 16b and a lower end thereof being engaged with a long guide hole 32a of a guide member 32 installed at the foot plate 5b.

[57] FlG. 17 shows a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance showing an example of constructing the lifting means of the third embodiment of the present invention to be plural number, and FlG. 18 shows a perspective view of a stretcher for an ambulance showing an example of constructing the lifting means of the fourth embodiment of the present invention to be plural number. Thus, in the construction of the stretchers 1, 1' of the ambulance of the third and fourth embodiments, it can be constructed such that separately operating lower limb lifting means 10 are installed at the upper right and left sides of the leg support plate 5, so that both legs of the emergency patient can be selectively lifted.

[58] Furthermore, securing means 40 for controlling the elevation height of the elevating support rod 30 applied to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention

can be modified diversely. Diverse embodiments thereof will be described below in connection with the appended drawings.

[59] As shown in FlG. 19, the preferred first example of the securing means 40 comprises an elevating support rod 30 formed with a toothed gear 30a and secured at the lower side of the lifting plate member 16a, a shaft support portion 41 secured to the leg support 5a and engaged with the elevating support rod 30 at the center thereof so that the elevating support rod can move up and down, a securing pin 43 engaged with the shaft support portion 41 so that it is elastically supported by the spring 42, and front end thereof is engaged with the toothed gear 30a, and a handle 44 formed integrally with the securing pin 43. In this instance, the toothed gear 30a is constructed such that each tooth is inclined downward and is formed with an engaging jaw at the upper side.

[60] As shown in FlG. 20, the second example of the securing means 40 comprises an elevating support rod 30 provided with a guide hole 30b formed in the axial direction and a plurality of securing grooves 30c connected to the guide hole 30b and secured to the lower side of the lifting plate member 16a, a shaft support portion 41 secured to the leg support 5a and engaged with the elevating support rod 30 at the center thereof so that the elevating support rod can move up and down, a securing ring 47 rotatably engaged with the elevating support rod 30 and is internally formed with an engaging projection 46 positioned at the guide hole 30b and the securing groove 30c.

[61] As shown in FlG. 21, the third example of the securing means 40 comprises an elevating support rod 30 formed with securing holes 30d at desired interval and secured at the lower side of the lifting plate member 16a, a shaft support portion 41 fixed to the leg support 5a and engaged with the elevating support rod 30 at the center thereof so that the elevating support rod can move up and down, and a securing pin 48 inserted into the securing hole 30d formed at the elevating support rod 30 through the engaging hole formed at the shaft support portion 41.

[62] The securing pin 48 can be constructed to be elastically supported by the spring 42 engaged with the shaft support portion 41 (not shown).

[63] As shown in FlG. 22, the fourth example of the securing means 40 comprises an elevating support rod 30 formed with a toothed gear 30a and secured at the lower side of the lifting plate member 16a, a shaft support portion 41 secured to the leg support 5a and engaged with the elevating support rod 30 at the center thereof so that the elevating support rod can move up and down, and a DC motor 49 which can be driven in the forward or reverse direction and includes a speed reduction device with a driving gear 49a engaged with a toothed gear 30a formed at the elevating support rod 30, and is secured to the shaft support portion 41 or to the leg support 5a.

[64] As for the DC motor 49 and the speed reduction device, such elements as can

prevent the reverse driving force are employed.

[65] As shown in FlG. 23, the fifth example of the securing means 40 comprises an elevating support rod 30 formed with a toothed gear 30a and secured at the lower side of the lifting plate member 16a, a shaft support portion 41 secured to the leg support 5a and engaged with the elevating support rod 30 at the center thereof so that the elevating support rod can move up and down, a driving gear 51 engaged with the toothed gear 30a formed at the elevating support rod 30, a handle 52 installed supportably at the shaft support portion 41 or the leg support 5a to rotate the driving gear 51, a support device 54 engaged with the driving gear 51 by the elastic force of a spring 53, and a rotation member 55 installed at the support device 54 to separate the support device 54 from the driving gear 51.

[66] As shown in FlG. 23, the sixth example of the securing means 40 comprises a cylinder rod 57 secured at the lower side of the lifting plate member 16a, a air-pressure cylinder 56 secured to the leg support 5a and is operated to elevate the cylinder rod 57 by the air pressure, and a handle 58 installed to control the air pressure of the air- pressure cylinder 56. In this instance, with regard to the air pressure cylinder 56, any product which is generally used in the control means of the height of the chair, and the like can be used, therefore, its detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[67]

[68] The stretchers 1, 1' for an ambulance with lower limb lifting means according to the present invention, as described above, can be applied to an ambulance, and be used to transport emergency patient safely with lifting the lower leg of the emergency patient, who shows shock symptoms due to excessive bleeding and other causes during the transportation, to a higher position than the heart.

[69] The use and action and the like according to respective embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[70] The method of using the stretchers 1, 1' is known generally, so the description about it will be omitted.

[71] According to the stretcher 1 of the first through third embodiments, it is usually used with folding the lower limb lifting means 10, and the lifting plate members 16a, 16b are lifted upward with gripping the handle 15 formed on the lifting plate member 16b if it is required to use the lower limb lifting means 10.

[72] In other words, when the lifting plate members 16a, 16b are lifted upward, the rotation member 13 engaged with the support shaft 11 is rotated toward the hip support plate 4, and the connection link 14 for connecting the rotation member 13 and the lifting plate members 16a, 16b is made to be spread to make the lifting plate members 16a, 16b move upward at the same time.

[73] In this instance, the lifting plate members 16a, 16b, which are divided into rear

portion and the front portion and is connected by the hinge 16c, are supported by the variable support rod 19 and the fixed support rod 20 installed at the lower side at the elevated state. That is, the fixed support rod 20 engaged with the lifting plate member 16a at the side of the hip support plate 4 is moved slidably with engagement into the long guide hole 21a of the guide member 21 installed on the leg support plate 5, and the fixed support rod 20 engaged with the lifting plate member 16b is rotated at the engagement state with the securing means 40 by the pin 23, and when the hole 26 formed at an end of the fixed support rod 20 is aligned with the securing pin 25 installed at the securing means 22 and having a handle 25a elastically supported by the spring 24, the securing pin 25 is inserted into the hole 26 to make the lifting plate members 16a, 16b move upward, resulting in the fixation.

[74] If it is required to fold the lower limb lifting means 10 after its use, as described above, it is accomplished by the following process that the handle 25a elastically supported by the spring 24 against the securing means 22 is pulled at first to separate the securing pin 25 inserted into the hole 26, with gripping the handle 25a provided at the securing means 22 for securing the fixed support rod 20, and pushes the lifting plate members 16a, 16b downward to fold them. In this instance, care should be taken to avoid injuries on hands gripping the handle 25a equipped with the securing means 20. Also, the variable support rod 19 is adapted to move slidably along the long guide hole 21a to return to its original state.

[75] In the second through fourth embodiments of the present invention, the stretcher 1 ' is constructed to be transformed into a chair. In this regard, the stretcher 1' can be transformed into a chair if required, as shown in FlG. 7 or FlG. 16, and the lower limb lifting means 10 of the present invention can be bent to conform to it.

[76] That is, when it is used together with the general stretcher, it can be used with folding the lower limb lifting means 10, and the lifting plate members 16a, 16b can be lifted upward with gripping the handle 15 provided at the lifting plate member 16b, as described above, if it is necessary to use the lower limb lifting means 10.

[77] When the lifting plate members 16a, 16b are lifted upward as described above, the variable support rod 19 engaged with the lower side of the lifting plate member 16b is moved slidably along the long guide hole 32A of the guide member 32 secured to the foot plate 5b of the leg support plate 5, and the elevating support rod 30 engaged with the lower side of the lifting plate member 16a is extracted from the shaft support portion 41 engaged with the leg support 5a and is fixed by the securing means 40 at a proper height at the same time.

[78] While it is used at this state, if it is required to fold the lower limb lifting means 10, both lifting plate members 16a, 16b are lowered with releasing the securing means 40, and fold them.

[79] Meanwhile, as shown in FlG. 7 or FlG. 16, in the stretcher 1' of the present invention, when the stretcher 1' is transformed into a chair, the rotation member 13 engaged with the support shaft 11 rotates the connection link 14 toward the hip support plate 4, and two lifting plate members 16a, 16b of the lifting plate 16 of a lower limb are bent to an angle conforming to the bent angle of the leg support 5a and the foot plate 5b of the leg support plate 5, with respect to the hinge 16c so that the lifting plate members 16a, 16b can be operated as a wide foot plate as is in the conventional chair transformable type stretcher 1', to thereby provide a cozy feeling to the patient during the transportation.

[80] Also, in the present invention, if the lower limb lifting plate 16 of the lower limb lifting means 10 is constructed to be plural number as shown in FlG. 8, FlG. 9 or in FlG. 17, FlG. 18, very profitable conditions can be provided to the emergency patient.

[81] That is, in case of a fracture patient, it is possible to selectively lift the fractured leg only so that it is possible to provide more convenient transportation means.

[82] In case of the securing means 40 applied to the third and fourth embodiments, the height of the lower limb lifting plate 16 can be variously applied according to the body conditions of the patient through the application of the securing means as shown in FlG. 19 through FlG. 23. In this regard, application examples of them will be described below.

[83] If the securing means 40 shown in FlG. 19 is to be used, it is necessary to simply pull the lifting plate members 16a, 16b upward, when the lower limb lifting means 10 is to be spread. That is, since the respective tooth of the toothed gear 30a formed at the elevating support rod 30 is inclined downward, and the engaging jaw is formed at the upper side, the securing pin 43 supported by the spring 42 against the securing means 40 is naturally retreated so that the elevating support rod 30 is extracted from the shaft support portion 41, when the lifting plate members 16a, 16b are pulled. Thus, when the height of the lower limb lifting plate 16 is to be adjusted or lowered, the handle 44 formed integrally with the securing pin 43 is pulled to separate the securing pin 43 from the toothed gear 30a, and then the lower limb lifting plate 16 is adjusted or lowered to a desired height.

[84] If the securing means 40 shown in FlG. 20 is to be used, the spread or fold of the lower limb lifting means 10 can be accomplished by a simple operation of rotating the securing ring 47 engaged with the elevating support rod 30.

[85] That is, if the lower limb lifting plate 16 is to be spread, it is adjusted to a desired height at first when the engaging projection 46, which is engaged with the securing ring 47, is disposed in the guide hole 30b of the elevating support rod 30, and then the securing ring 47 is rotated with being contacted with the shaft support portion 41 so that the engaging projection 46 positioned in the guide hole 30b can be inserted into

the securing groove 30c. Also, if the lower limb lifting plate 16 is to be folded, the securing ring 47 is rotated reversely to the above description at first, and the engaging projection 46 positioned in the securing groove 47 is moved to the guide hole 30b and then the lower limb lifting plate 16 is lowered.

[86] If the securing means 40 shown in FlG. 21 is to be used, the fold and spread of the lower limb lifting plate 16 can be accomplished by selective engagement of the securing means 40 into a plurality of securing holes 30d formed at the shaft support portion 41 and the elevating support rod 30.

[87] As shown in FlG. 22, if the DC motor 49 is to be used as the securing means 40, since the fold and spread of the lower limb lifting plate 16, and the control of the height of it can be accomplished through an electric operation, it is possible to provide the convenience of use by solving the troublesome problems of the user's folding and spreading the lower limb lifting plate 16.

[88] Furthermore, as shown in FlG. 23, it is also possible to provide the convenience of use in freely controlling the height of the lower limb lifting plate 16 by the application of a ratchet mechanism to the driving gear 51 for driving the elevating support rod 30, and it is possible to operate the lower limb lifting means 10 more simply by the application of the air pressure cylinder 56 as shown in FlG. 23. Industrial Applicability

[89] As described above, the present invention is constructed of installing a foldable type lower limb lifting means 10 to several type of stretchers 1, 1'. Accordingly, it is possible to transport the patient safely to the adjacent hospital with lifting lower legs of the emergency patient, who shows shock symptom caused by excessive bleeding and other causes, higher than the heart, so that it is possible to greatly reduce the death caused by shock arising during the transportation. Furthermore, the lifting of the lower legs can be simply accomplished because the two lifting plate members 16a, 16b are bent to a degree identical with that of the leg support 5a and the foot plate 5b of the leg support plate 5, when the lifting means is applied to the chair transformable type stretcher 1', so that it is possible to provide convenience to the patient during the transportation and also provide the emergency member with convenience of lifting the lower legs by means of simple operation. Thus, the present invention is a very excellent invention, which provides good effect above the expectations.

[90]