Patent ID: 6273366
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: A61G,B64D

Abstract:
In a passenger aircraft including a fuselage enclosing a passenger cabin, a cabin door openably arranged in a doorway opening of said fuselage, a doorway clearance area in said passenger cabin extending inwardly into said passenger cabin from said doorway opening, a passenger seating area in said passenger cabin, and a compartment that is arranged in said passenger cabin and is at least partially enclosed from said passenger seating area,an improved patient transport arrangement comprising a patient supporting stretcher and at least one of medical equipment and medical supplies,wherein said compartment is located adjacent to said doorway clearance area and forms at least a part of said patient transport arrangement, andwherein said patient transport arrangement is so configured, arranged and adapted so that in a first configuration of said patient transport arrangement said stretcher is positioned and supported horizontally at least partially in said doorway clearance area at least during cruise flight of said aircraft, and so that in a second configuration of said patient transport arrangement said stretcher is positioned and supported horizontally at a location in said passenger cabin completely outside of said doorway clearance area to leave said doorway clearance area unobstructed for passenger passage during at least one of boarding, landing, and deplaning phases of operation of said aircraft.