FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stretcher loading assembly. Reference will be made in the specification to the use of the invention with respect to aircraft. The patent specification describes this use, but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When patients are transferred from road ambulances to aircraft, paramedics are required to lift and transfer patients from road ambulance stretchers to aircraft stretchers.

Such transfers increase the response time and increase the possibility of further trauma to the patient.

Additionally, transfers of patients from road ambulance stretchers to aircraft stretchers increases the risk of paramedic injury due to spinal compression and shear forces.

An additional problem is the loading and unloading of stretchers from aircraft. Powered stretcher loaders have been used in road ambulances to assist with the loading and unloading of heavy stretchers. These powered stretchers cannot be used with aircraft due to their weight and the regulations governing airworthiness and safety requirements of items used in aviation.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above-mentioned problems with the transfer and loading of stretchers and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a stretcher loading assembly including

a support member operatively attachable to an aircraft floor;

an elongate rail member attached to the support member;

an elongate traverse beam movably attached to the rail member; and a trolley assembly movably attached to the traverse beam, the trolley assembly including lifting means movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the lifting means adapted to support a stretcher in the raised position;

wherein the support member is wider than the rail member to distribute the weight over a wider surface area.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a stretcher loading assembly including

a support member operatively attachable to an aircraft floor;

an elongate rail member attached to the support member;

an elongate traverse beam movably attached to the rail member; and a trolley assembly movably attached to the traverse beam, the trolley assembly including lifting means movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the lifting means adapted to support a stretcher in the raised position;

wherein the support member is at least twice as wide as the rail member. In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a stretcher loading assembly including

a support member operatively attachable to an aircraft floor;

an elongate rail member attached to the support member;

an elongate traverse beam movably attached to the rail member; and a trolley assembly movably attached to the traverse beam, the trolley assembly including lifting means movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the lifting means adapted to support a stretcher in the raised position;

wherein the support member is at least 500mm in width.

The support member preferably includes an attachment track adjacent each lateral side. Each of the attachment tracks is preferably an L-track. Preferably the support member includes attachment members attached to the attachment tracks. Preferably, the attachment members attach to a stretcher when the stretcher is located above the support member. Preferably the attachment members attach to the stretcher using straps.

In one embodiment, the support member is attached directly to the aircraft floor. The support member is preferably attached to the aircraft floor by fasteners such as bolts.

In another embodiment, the support member is attached to tracks attached to or incorporated into the aircraft floor. The support member is preferably attached to the tracks by a plurality of studs attached to the support member. Each of the plurality of studs is preferably releasably and movably attached to one of the tracks.

The support member preferably includes a plurality of apertures so that the studs can be attached using fasteners. The fasteners are preferably screws or bolts.

In one embodiment, the studs are oriented to fit into tracks that run in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to the aircraft, when the support member is oriented in a substantially lateral direction relative to the aircraft. In another embodiment, the studs are oriented to fit into tracks that run in a substantially lateral direction relative to the aircraft, when the support member is oriented in a substantially lateral direction relative to the aircraft.

In one embodiment, the stretcher loading assembly includes a turntable member located between the support member and the aircraft floor. The turntable member preferably enables the support member to be rotated relative to the aircraft floor. The turntable member is preferably attached to the tracks by a plurality of studs attached to the turntable member. Each of the plurality of studs is preferably releasably and movably attached to one of the tracks.

In one embodiment, the stretcher loading assembly includes one or more stop levers movable between a first position in which the plurality of studs are movable relative to the tracks and a second position in which the plurality of studs are secured relative to the tracks. Preferably when the one or more stop levers are in a second position, the plurality of studs are secured in the tracks.

The support member preferably includes a plurality of spacers to support the support member on the aircraft floor. The spacers are preferably attached to the support member. The support member preferably includes a plurality of apertures so that the spacers can be attached using fasteners. The fasteners are preferably screws or bolts.

The support member is preferably at least 1.5m in length. More preferably, the support member is between 1600mm and 1800mm in length. In one embodiment, the support member is approximately 1.7m in length. The support member is preferably at least 500mm in width. More preferably, the support member is between 600mm and 700mm in width. In one embodiment, the support member is substantially 600mm in width. The support member is preferably made substantially from aluminium or an aluminium alloy. Alternatively, the support member can be made substantially from a carbon fibre or glass fibre composite material.

The support member may also be referred to as an interface member or interface.

The rail member is preferably attached to a central portion of the support member. The rail member is preferably more than 1.5m in length. More preferably the rail member is over 2m in length. The rail member preferably includes a securing portion adapted to secure the trolley assembly to the rail member.

The traverse beam is preferably slidably mounted relative to the rail member.

More preferably the traverse beam is slidably mounted to the rail member. The traverse beam preferably extends in substantially the same direction as the rail member. The traverse member is preferably movable between a retracted position relative to the rail member and an extended position relative to the rail member. In the retracted position, the traverse member preferably substantially overlies the rail member. Preferably in the extended position at least a portion of the traverse member extends away from the rail member. The traverse beam is preferably over 1.5m in length. More preferably the traverse member is over 2m in length.

The trolley assembly is preferably slidably mounted relative to the traverse beam. More preferably the trolley assembly is slidably mounted to the traverse beam. The trolley assembly is preferably movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The retracted position is preferably adjacent the end of the traverse beam that remains close to the rail member in the extended position. The extended position is preferably adjacent to the end of the traverse beam that is located away from the rail member in the extended position.

The lifting means are preferably one or more lifting arms. More preferably the lifting means are two lifting arms. The lifting means is preferably hydraulically movable between the lowered position and the raised position. The trolley assembly preferably includes hydraulic means to hydraulically move the lifting means. The hydraulic means preferably includes one or more hydraulic cylinders. The trolley assembly preferably includes an electric motor to power a hydraulic pump to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulic means. The lifting means preferably secures to the stretcher in the raised position. Preferably the stretcher loading assembly conforms to aviation standards CS 29 Amendment 4. Preferably the stretcher loading assembly conforms to aviation standards JAR 29 Amendment 3. Preferably the stretcher loading assembly conforms to aviation standards FAR 29 Amendments 29-1 through 29-47.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in an aircraft having a stretcher loading assembly including

a support member operatively attached to a floor of the aircraft;

an elongate rail member attached to the support member;

an elongate traverse beam movably attached to the rail member; and a trolley assembly movably attached to the traverse beam, the trolley assembly including lifting means movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the lifting means adapted to support a stretcher in the raised position;

wherein the support member is at least twice as wide as the rail member.

In one embodiment, the aircraft is a helicopter. In another embodiment, the aircraft is a fixed wing aircraft.

In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of loading a stretcher into an aircraft, using a stretcher loading assembly as described in this specification, the method including the steps of

moving the traverse beam to an extended position relative to the rail member; moving the trolley assembly along the traverse beam to an extended position distal to the rail member when the traverse beam is in the extended position;

moving the lifting arms to the lowered position;

positioning a stretcher adjacent the loading assembly;

moving the lifting arms to the raised position to support the stretcher;

moving the trolley assembly to a retracted position proximal to the rail member; and

moving the traverse beam to a retracted position relative to the rail member. Preferably the method further includes the step of securing the stretcher to the support member.

Preferably the step of securing the stretcher to the support member includes securing the stretcher to the attachment tracks of the support member. Preferably the stretcher is attached to attachment members by straps, and the attachment members are attached to the attachment tracks of the support member. Preferably the method further includes the step of lowering the lifting arms towards the lowered position when the trolley assembly is in the retracted position such that the stretcher is lowered onto the traverse beam. Preferably, when the stretcher is lowered onto the traverse beam, the stretcher engages with and is secured to the traverse beam.

The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stretcher loading assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a rail member of the stretcher loading assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a traverse beam of the stretcher loading assembly of Figure 1

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a trolley assembly of the stretcher loading assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a support member of the stretcher loading assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the support member of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a support member according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the support member of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the stretcher loading assembly of Figure 1 in a retracted position;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the stretcher loading assembly of Figure 1 in an extended position;

Figures 11-13 show the loading sequence of a stretcher using the stretcher loading assembly of Figure 1 ; and Figure 14 shows the location of the stretcher loading assembly of Figure 1 in an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a stretcher loading assembly 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The stretcher loading assembly 10 includes a support member 12 which is attachable to an aircraft floor (not shown).

A rail member 14 is centrally attached to the support member 12. A traverse beam 16 is movably attached to and supported by the rail member 14. The traverse beam 16 is able to slide along the rail member 14 between a retracted position (shown) and an extended position (not shown).

A trolley assembly 18 is movably attached to and supported by the traverse beam 16. The trolley assembly 18 is able to slide along the traverse beam between a retracted position (shown) and an extended position (not shown).

The trolley assembly 18 includes lifting means in the form of lifting arms 20. The lifting arms 20 are movable between a raised position (shown) and a lowered position (not shown). In the raised position, the lifting arms 20 are adapted to support and secure to a stretcher (not shown).

The trolley assembly 18 includes hydraulic means in the form of hydraulic cylinders (not shown) to move the lifting arms 20 between the raised position and the lowered position. The trolley assembly also includes an electric motor and a hydraulic pump (not shown) to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulic cylinders.

Figure 2 shows the rail member 14 of Figure 1 in more detail. The rail member 14 includes an attachment portion 15. The attachment portion 15 can secure the trolley assembly 18 (shown in dotted line format) to the rail member 14.

Figure 3 shows the traverse beam 16 of Figure 1 in more detail. The traverse beam 16 includes securing portions 17. The securing portions 17 can secure the lifting arms 20 (shown in dotted line format) to the traverse beam 16. In use, the lifting arms 20 are lowered slightly from the raised position (when the trolley assembly is in the retracted position) to secure the lifting arms to the traverse beam.

Figure 4 shows the trolley assembly 18 including the lifting arms 20 of Figure 1 in more detail. With reference to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown the support member 12 of Figure 1 in more detail. The support member 12 includes a plurality of studs 22,24, which are beatable in L-tracks in an aircraft floor (not shown).

The studs 24 near the lateral sides of the support member 12 include stop members 26 which are adapted to releasably secure the support member 12 to the L-tracks. The stop members 26 are movable between a secured position in which they can secure the support member 12 to the L-tracks and a released position in which the studs can move in the L-tracks and/or be removed from the L-tracks.

Stop levers 28 are movable between a raised position (not shown) and lowered position. In the lowered position, the stop levers 28 hold the stop members 26 in the secured position. In the raised position, the stop levers 28 move the stop members 26 to the released position.

The studs 22,24 are arranged to fit into L-tracks that run transverse to the support member 12.

The support member 12 includes a plurality of spacers 30 which provide additional support to the support member 12 when located on an aircraft floor.

The support member 12 includes apertures 32 (only some numbered) to secure studs 22,24 and spacers 30 to the support member 12 using screws (not shown).

The support member 12 further includes attachment tracks in the form of L- tracks 34 adjacent each lateral side of the support member 12.

Figures 7 and 8 show a support member 112 according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Similar numbering to the support member of Figures 5 and 6 has been used, with the addition of the prefix 1.

The support member 112 includes a plurality of studs 122,124, which are eatable in L-tracks in an aircraft floor (not shown).

The studs 124 near the ends of the support member 112 include stop members 126 which are adapted to releasably secure the support member 112 to the L-tracks. The stop members 126 are movable between a secured position in which they can secure the support member 112 to the L-tracks and a released position in which the studs can move in the L-tracks and/or be removed from the L- tracks.

Stop levers 128 are movable between a raised position (not shown) and lowered position. In the lowered position, the stop levers 128 hold the stop members 126 in the secured position. In the raised position, the stop levers 128 move the stop members 126 to the released position.

The studs 122,124 are arranged to fit into L-tracks that run lengthwise to the support member 112.

The support member 112 includes a plurality of spacers 130 which provide additional support to the support member 112 when located on an aircraft floor.

The support member 112 includes apertures 132 (only some numbered) to secure studs 122,124 and spacers 130 to the support member 112 using screws (not shown).

The support member 112 further includes attachment tracks in the form of L- tracks 134 adjacent each lateral side of the support member 112. Attachment members (not shown) can be attached to the L-tracks 134.

With reference to Figure 9, there is shown the stretcher loading assembly 10 of Figure 1. The traverse beam 16 is in the retracted position. The trolley assembly 18 is in the retracted position. The lifting arms 20 are in the raised position.

With reference to Figure 10, there is shown the stretcher loading assembly 10 of Figure 1. The traverse beam 16 is in the extended position. The trolley assembly 18 is in the extended position. The lifting arms 20 are in the lowered position. In this position, the stretcher loading assembly can accept a stretcher (not shown).

With reference to Figures 11-13, there is shown a sequence of a stretcher 40 being loaded onto the stretcher loading assembly 10 of Figure 1.

With reference to figure 11 , the stretcher loading assembly 10 has accepted a stretcher 40 and the lifting arms 20 have moved to the raised position to support and secure the stretcher 40. Wheels 42 of the stretcher 40 have been raised after the lifting arms 20 have supported and secured the stretcher 40. The trolley assembly 18 is in the extended position and the traverse beam 16 is in the extended position.

With reference to Figure 12, the traverse beam 16 has moved to the retracted position.

With reference to Figure 13, the trolley assembly 18 has moved to the retracted position. The lifting arms 20 have been slightly lowered from the raised position to secure the trolley assembly to the traverse beam 16, and to lower and secure the stretcher 40 onto the traverse beam 16. With reference to Figure 14, there is shown the stretcher loading assembly 10 of Figure 1 positioned in an aircraft 60. The support member 12 is attached to L- tracks 62 in a floor 64 of the aircraft 60 by studs (not shown). A stretcher 40 is shown loaded onto the stretcher loading assembly 10.

ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the stretcher loading assembly includes eliminating patient stretcher transfer and improving the 'Golden Hour' response time. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the stretcher loading assembly includes the ability to load stretchers used in road ambulances into aircraft. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the stretcher loading assembly includes the ability to move the stretcher loading assembly inside the aircraft along tracks in the floor. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the stretcher loading assembly includes the ability to appropriately distributing loads from the stretcher loading assembly into the floor of the aircraft using the support member.

VARIATIONS

While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.