Patent ID: 11963916
Assignee: STRYKER CORPORATION
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A patient transport apparatus configured to transport a patient along stairs, the patient transport apparatus comprising:
a support structure;
a track assembly pivotably coupled to the support structure, the track assembly comprising:
a rail defining a first rail end and a second rail end;
an axle defining a roller axis;
a first roller and a second roller each supported for rotation about the roller axis adjacent to the first rail end of the rail, wherein the first roller is spaced from the second roller along the roller axis;
a belt disposed in engagement with the first roller and the second roller and arranged for movement relative to the rail in response to rotation of the first roller and the second roller about the roller axis;
a guide supporting the axle for movement relative to the rail;
a keeper coupled to the axle and operable between a disengaged configuration to permit movement of the axle relative to the rail, and an engaged configuration to restrict movement of the axle relative to the rail;
a brace operatively attached to the rail adjacent to the guide; and
a tensioning cam coupled to the axle and arranged between the first roller and the second roller, the tensioning cam defining a plurality of relief catches arranged for engagement with the brace, wherein the plurality of relief catches are each shaped to remain in selective engagement with the brace effected by concurrent movement of the axle and the tensioning cam to tension the belt against the first roller and the second roller while the keeper operates in the disengaged configuration.