Flexible utility stretcher

A flexible utility stretcher is disclosed for use by paramedics, ambulance operators and other emergency vehicle personnel whose duties include the use of utility stretchers to transport patients to an emergency vehicle. The stretcher comprising the subject invention generally corresponds to the size and shape of utility stretchers presently employed by paramedics and other emergency personnel who use emergency vehicles in connection with their duties. The main features which distinguish the subject invention from prior art utility stretchers are telescoping side frame members and a pivot point at approximately the center of the stretcher separating one portion or head end of the stretcher from the other portion or foot end of the stretcher. Either half may be pivoted through an angle of up to approximately 30.degree.. This pivoting capability allows the stretcher to be maneuvered around sharp turns which would be impossible to accomplish using a stretcher without such pivoting capability. The telescoping side frame members allow the stretcher to be shortened so that it will fit in an elevator or other relatively short space. Another important feature is that uninterrupted cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be performed on a victim being transported in the prone position with the stretcher in both the flex mode and in the shortened mode.

BACKGROUND 
1. Field of The Invention 
This invention relates to utility stretchers used by paramedics and other 
emergency vehicle operators to transport patients from a place of injury 
or illness to the emergency vehicle. 
2. Prior Art 
The inventor is aware of the following relevant prior art references: 
U.S. Pat. No. 1,151,495 issued to Menten; 
U.S. Pat. No. 1,396,208 issued to Hubbard; 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,122,758 issued to Ferneau; 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,125,766 issued to Halperin; and 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,304,116 issued to Stryker. 
Copies of the foregoing references are submitted herewith pursuant to Rule 
1.98. The relevance of the foregoing references to the present application 
is as follows: 
Menten teaches a combined stretcher, cot and hammock having a provision for 
flexibility in the side frames for storing the stretcher or when using the 
stretcher as a hammock. 
Hubbard discloses a stretcher capable of being maneuvered around sharp 
turns. The means employed by Hubbard to enable maneuvering the stretcher 
around sharp turns comprises bars at both ends of the stretcher which can 
be unlocked and removed to provide a sling which can be folded lengthwise 
around a patient so that the patient can be tilted and carried vertically 
or at another convenient orientation when it is necessary to maneuver the 
stretcher around sharp turns. 
Ferneau teaches a combined stretcher and stair chair having a telescoping 
side frame and retractable wheels. 
Stryker teaches hospital stetcher having four corner wheels and a fifth 
center wheel which is retractable. 
Halperin teaches a splint stretcher having a side frame which includes 
telescoping segments. 
Additionally, the present inventor is aware of utility stretchers presently 
used by paramedics and ambulance operators which correspond generally to 
the size and shape of the stretcher comprising the present invention. 
None of the prior art stretchers known to the inventor provide a pivot 
point at approximately the center of the stretcher around which point the 
stretcher pivots to allow maneuvering in tight quarters, while allowing a 
patient to be maintained in a prone position. The foregoing and many other 
differences between the subject invention and the prior art are discussed 
more fully hereinbelow. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A flexible utility stretcher is disclosed for use by paramedics, ambulance 
operators and other emergency vehicle personnel whose duties include the 
use of utility stretchers to transport patients to an emergency vehicle. 
The present invention is particularly useful in those situations which 
require that a patient be maintained in a prone position for medical 
reasons while being transported from tight quarters to an ambulance or 
other emergency vehicle. In such situations, the invented stretcher 
provides easy maneuverability in tight quarters while supporting the 
patient to allow the application of continuous cardiopulmonary 
resuscitation while being transported to the emergency vehicle. 
The stretcher comprising the subject invention generally corresponds to the 
size and shape of utility stretchers presently employed by paramedics and 
other emergency personnel who use emergency vehicles in connection with 
their duties. The main features which distinguish the subject invention 
from prior art utility stretchers are telescoping side frame members and a 
pivot point at approximately the center of the stretcher separating one 
portion or head end of the stretcher from the other portion or foot end of 
the stretcher. Either half may be pivoted through an angle of up to 
approximately 30.degree.. This pivoting capability allows the stretcher to 
be maneuvered around sharp turns which would be impossible to accomplish 
using a stretcher without such pivoting capability. The invented stretcher 
is especially useful in situations where the patient, for medical reasons, 
hence the stretcher, must be maintained in a prone or horizontal position 
while being transported. 
Each of the two side frame members has a pair of telescoping portions. One 
telescoping portion of the pair is disposed near the mid-portion of the 
stretcher. The other telescoping portion of the pair is disposed near one 
end of the stretcher. The telescoping portions of the two side frame 
members near the mid-portion of the stretcher, when placed in a retracted 
position, allow the stretcher to flex and be maneuvered around sharp turns 
by the above described pivoting capability. The telescoping portions 
adjacent the mid-portion of the stretcher are placed in an extended 
position when the stretcher has sufficient space within which to maneuver, 
without the necessity for flexing to maneuver around sharp turns. 
The telescoping side frame portion pair adjacent one of the ends of the 
stretcher are normally in an extended position and are placed in a 
retracted position when it is necessary to reduce the length of the 
stretcher to enable it to fit into an elevator or other relatively small 
space. 
Additionally, when the telescoping side frame portion pair adjacent one of 
the ends of the stretcher is retracted, a hinged plate or cover, which 
fits on top of the stretcher, folds so as to form an upside-down V-shaped 
projection near the end of the stretcher having the retracted side frame 
portion pair. This upside-down V-shaped projection allows a patient who is 
lying on his back to have his knees flexed in situations when it is 
medically desirable to have knee flexion in the patient. Similarly, in 
situations requiring that a patient have his upper torso raised, the 
patient may be rotated 180.degree. such that his back lies against the 
upside-down V-shaped projection. 
In addition to the four wheels normally present near the four corners of 
the stretcher, another feature embodied in the subject invention is a 
fifth wheel disposed near the center of the stretcher to provide 
additional support for the patient, especially when the telescoping 
portion pair near the mid-portion of the stretcher is retracted to allow 
pivoting of the stretcher. This fifth wheel, in order to provide the 
maximum structural support when the stretcher is in use, is positioned 
such that the caster for the wheel can swivel around the stretcher pivot 
point. This fifth wheel, like the other four wheels, is capable of being 
retracted or folded when the stretcher is not in use so as to minimize the 
space taken by the stretcher when stored in the emergency vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, a flexible utility stretcher 11 is disclosed. The 
stretcher comprises a generally rectangular shaped, light weight, 
generally tubular aluminum frame 13. Four folding wheel and caster 
assemblies 15 are disposed adjacent to the four corners of the frame and 
are held in place by clamps 16. A fifth folding wheel and caster assembly 
17 is disposed such that the wheel and caster assembly, when down and in 
an operating position, pivots substantially at the center of the 
stretcher. 
A top plate 19 extending from slightly past the mid-point of the stretcher, 
through the mid-point to a point approximately half the distance to one 
end (the head end) of the stretcher, is coupled to the frame 13 and 
disposed on a top side thereof, that is, on the side opposite the wheel 
and caster assemblies 15 and 17. A bottom plate 23 having approximately 
the same extent as the top plate 19 is coupled to the bottom side of frame 
13, that is, on the opposite side thereof from the top plate 19. A middle 
plate 21, partially interleaved between top plate 19 and bottom plate 23, 
extends from a point slightly past the mid-point of the stretcher, through 
the mid-point, a distance approximately half way to the other end (the 
foot end) of the stretcher opposite plates 19 and 23. The plates 19, 21 
and 23 are coupled to frame 13 by welds, suitable clamps or other means 
for securely connecting the plates to the frame. For reasons to be 
discussed below, plate 21 preferably is in two pieces coupled at hinge 22 
extending the width of the plate. Inasmuch as weight is an important 
factor, plates 19, 21 and 23 should be made of aluminum or other strong, 
but lightweight material. 
As noted above, the middle plate 21 is interleaved between top plate 19 and 
bottom plate 23 at approximately the mid-point of the stretcher 11. A king 
pin 29 is disposed at approximately the mid-point of the stretcher and 
passes through plates 19, 21 and 23. 
Frame 13 comprises telescoping mid-portions 25 which can be retracted such 
that the frame is split into two portions separated from each other at 
approximately the middle of the stretcher. When the telescoping 
mid-portions 25 are retracted, the two portions of the stretcher are 
connected only at the king pin 29 pivot point. Accordingly, the end 
portions of the stretcher may be freely pivoted around the king pin 2 when 
telescoping mid-portions 25 are retracted. The interleaved plates 19, 21 
and 23 are slightly separated from each other to allow a free pivoting 
motion when the telescoping mid-portions 25 are retracted. As best seen in 
FIG. 5, in the area adjacent king pin 29, thrust bearing surfaces 42 
separate plates 19, 21 and 23. 
Frame 13 further comprises telescoping end portions 27. When telescoping 
end portions 27 are retracted, the overall length of the stretcher is 
decreased allowing the stretcher to fit into elevators and other 
relatively small spaces in which the full length stretcher is unable to 
fit. When telescoping end portions 27 are extended, the stretcher is at 
its full length. The stretcher further comprises, as shown is FIGS. 3 and 
4, a two piece cover 34 on top of the stretcher. A two piece mattress 35 
lies on top of cover 34. The portion of the cover 34 adjacent the foot end 
of the stretcher includes three hinges 36, 38 and 40 extending the width 
of the cover and disposed adjacent telescoping end portions 27. When the 
telescoping end portions 27 are in an extended position, cover 34 lies 
flat on top of the stretcher. When the telescoping end portions 27 are in 
a retracted position, the foot end portion of the cover flexes at hinges 
36, 38 and 40 forming an upside down V-shaped section. The upside down 
V-shaped section enables the knees to be maintained in a flexed position. 
Alternatively, by rotating a patient 180.degree., the upside down V-shaped 
section is used as a back rest for a patient enabling the patient to 
maintain his upper torso in a raised position. The mattress 35 includes 
hinges 36', 38' and 40' corresponding to hinges 36, 38, and 40 of cover 34 
which cause the foot end portion of the mattress to form a corresponding 
upside down V-shaped section when the telescoping end portions 27 are in a 
retracted position. 
Referring again to FIG. 1, the invented stretcher further comprises a 
monorail assembly 31 coupling the wheel and caster assembly 17 to king pin 
29. The monorail assembly 31 allows the wheel and caster assembly 17 to be 
placed in a retracted position when necessary to store the stretcher in an 
emergency vehicle and, when the stretcher is in use, to be moved into a 
down and operating position such that the caster and wheel assembly pivots 
about the mid-point of the stretcher at king pin 29. Unlike the four 
corner wheel and caster assemblies 15, the wheel and caster assembly 17 
cannot be clamped or otherwise connected to the frame 13 of the stretcher. 
Thus, the monorail assembly 31 provides the structural integrity needed at 
the pivoting king pin 29, while allowing the wheel and caster assembly 17 
to be retracted to reduce space when the stretcher is stored. In an 
alternate embodiment, instead of monorail assembly 31 and wheel and caster 
assembly 17, four wheel and caster assemblies can be coupled to the ends 
26 (see FIG. 3) of frame 13 adjacent king pin 29 to provide the necessary 
integrity at the king pin. 
The stretcher further comprises tubular cross-members 44, 46, 48 and 50 
extending the width of frame 13. Two of the cross-members 44 and 46 are 
disposed approximately equally spaced through the head end half of the 
stretcher while the other two cross-members 48 and 50 are disposed 
approximately equally spaced through the foot end half of the stretcher. 
The cross-members are welded, clamped or otherwise attached to the frame 
and provide structural support therefor as well as support for cover 34. 
In a preferred embodiment, the cross-members are held in place by clip 
rings 105. The cover 34 is connected to the cross-members 44, 46, 48 and 
50 with, for example, machine screws which extend through the cover into 
threaded engagement with the cross-members. Additionally, a tubular member 
52, disposed at the longitudinal axis of the stretcher extends from the 
head end of the stretcher through cross-member 44, to cross-member 46. 
Cabling 54, necessary for a release mechanism to be described below, 
passes through members 52 and 46. 
Details of the monorail assembly 31 will now be described with reference to 
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. The monorail assembly is attached to bottom plate 23 by 
four bolts 55 or other suitable means for insuring that the assembly is 
securely attached to the bottom plate 23. The assembly is generally 
rectangular in shape with one end formed into an angle of approximately 
90.degree. in the direction of the top surface of the stretcher. The 
assembly 31 includes tracks 57 disposed at its sides, only one of which 
may be seen in FIG. 6. A depression 60 extends the length of the assembly. 
Wheel and caster assembly 17 slidingly engages monorail assembly 31 with 
portions 58 extending into tracks 57 in a sliding relationship as best 
seen in FIG. 8. Wheel and caster assembly 17 includes a pin 68 which 
extends longitudinally through the axis of the assembly. When the wheel 
and caster assembly 17 is in a retracted position, pin 68 extends through 
bore 65 in the monorail assembly. 
By pulling the wheel of wheel and caster assembly 17 to pull pin 68 out of 
bore 65, the assembly is free to slide the length of tracks 57 such that 
pin 68 engages bore 63 in the monorail assembly thereby locking wheel and 
caster assembly 17 into its operating position. Similarly, if it is 
desired to move wheel and caster assembly 17 back into its retracted 
position, the wheel is pulled so as to disengage pin 68 from bore 63 and 
the assembly is slid back along tracks 57 until pin 68 engages bore 65 
thereby locking the assembly in its retracted position. Expansion biasing 
spring 70 disposed on pin 68 is used to hold pin 68 in bore 63 or 65 until 
a pulling force is applied to wheel and caster assembly 17 to disengage 
pin 68 from the bore. 
The details of wheel and caster assemblies 15 will now be described with 
reference to FIGS. 9 through 12. It is to be noted that each of the four 
wheel and caster assemblies 15 have an identical structure. Thus, the 
following description applies to all four wheel and caster assemblies 15. 
The wheel and caster assembly 15 includes a collar 71 having two ends with 
circular openings through which the frame 13 of the stretcher passes. 
Clamp 16 is disposed between the two ends of rotating collar 71. The clamp 
forms a cylindrical sleeve through which frame 13 passes. The clamp is 
secured to the frame by set screws (not shown) or other suitable means 
which bear against the frame. The clamp 16 includes a bore 73 and a bore 
75 approximately perpendicular to each other. Wheel caster assembly 15 
includes a pin 77 and expansion biasing spring 79 held in place by lock 
washer 78. By pulling on the wheel of wheel and caster assembly 15, collar 
71 is free to rotate around frame 13 such that the entire wheel and caster 
assembly 15 rotates. If it is desired that the wheel be in an operating 
position, the assembly is rotated until pin 77 engages bore 73. Similarly, 
when it is desired that the wheel be in a retracted position, the assembly 
is rotated until pin 77 engages bore 75. Preferably, clamp 16 includes 
flanges 80 and 80' to limit the rotation of wheel and caster assembly 15 
to the approximately 90.degree. necessary for proper operation. That is, 
when collar 71 engages flange 80 or 80' the wheel and caster assembly is 
released and the force exerted by biasing spring 79 will cause the pin 77 
to engage bore 75 or 73, as appropriate. 
The details of telescoping mid-portions 25 and their associated locking 
mechanism will now be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. 
Telescoping mid-portions 25 are comprised of two identical assemblies, one 
disposed within the head end half of frame 13 at one side thereof, and the 
other disposed in the head end half of frame 13 at the other side thereof. 
The two telescoping members 25 are identical as are the corresponding 
release mechanisms 102. Therefore, the following description applies to 
both telescoping mid-portions and release mechanisms. 
Each telescoping mid-portion 25 comprises a tube 81 with a check rod 84 
disposed within the tube. The check rod includes a pull spring 86 which 
bears against bushing 95 at one end of tube 81 and bumper 96 at one end of 
check rod 84 when tube 81 is in an extended position. The check rod 84 
also includes a push spring 88 which bears against bushing 97, at the 
other end of the check rod 84 and the end of tube 81 at bushing 95 when 
tube 81 is in a retracted position as shown in FIG. 13. Bushing 97 is 
coupled to frame 13 and check rod 84 by a pin 101 through the bushing and 
frame, or other suitable means. After check rod 84 is inserted into tube 
81, bushing 95 is coupled to tube 81 by a set screw (not shown) or other 
suitable means, nearest the head end of the stretcher. The other end of 
tube 81 has coupled thereto a rubber bumper 98. Tube 81 includes three 
grooves 90 equally spaced around the circumference of the tube and 
extending slightly more than half the length of the tube. Ball bearings 92 
are inserted through openings 93 in frame 13 and held in place by 
clip-ring 105. The ball bearings are sized such that tube 81 is free to 
slide within frame 13 along grooves 90 while maintaining the tube in a 
relatively stable position within the frame. Bushings 95 and 97 and 
bumpers 96 and 98 limit the length of travel of tube 81 along check rod 84 
in a manner to be described below. 
As best seen in FIG. 14, release mechanism 102 comprises a pin 108 which is 
coupled to connecting member 110 which in turn passes thru guide sleeve 
112. Expansion biasing spring 114 is disposed on connecting member 110 
separating pin 108 from guides sleeve 112. Release mechanism 102 is 
disposed within cross-member 46 such that guide sleeve 112 is held 
stationary within cross-member 46 by set screws (not shown) threadedly 
engaging the cross-member and guide sleeve. In this manner, connecting 
member 110 and pin 108 are free to slide within cross-member 46 with the 
travel being limited at one end by guide sleeve 112 and at the other end 
by frame 13. Connecting member 110 extends through guide sleeve 112 and at 
the end thereof opposite pin 108 is coupled to cable 54. The cable is 
coupled to the connecting member by an eyelet 116 or other suitable means. 
Pin 108 includes a protrusion 118 which extends into a first bore 119 or a 
second bore 125 through frame 13 and tube 81 as described below. 
The cable 54 extends from eyelet 116 through cross-member 46, around guide 
wheel 123 (see FIG. 1) at approximately the mid-point of cross-member 46 
through tubular member 52 to the head end of the stretcher terminating at 
handle 121. By squeezing on handle 121, pin 108 and protrusion 118 is 
removed from bore 119 (or bore 125). When the handle is released, 
expansion biasing spring 114 forces the protrusion 118 back into bore 119 
(or bore 125). When pin 108 is in its retracted position, tube 81 is free 
to slide along the length of check rod 84. When bore 119 is engaged by pin 
108, telescoping portion 25 is in an extended position. When it is decided 
that the telescoping portion be locked in its retracted position, handle 
121 is squeezed so as to release pin from bore 119, the telescoping 
portion is then moved into its retracted position, the handle is released 
and pin 108 engages a second bore 125 in tube 81. 
The details of telescoping end portions 27 and their associated locking 
mechanisms will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 15. 
Telescoping end portions 27 are comprised of two identical assemblies, 
each assembly comprising a tube 130 whose outside diameter is slightly 
less than the inside diameter of tube 132 such that when tube 130 is 
inserted into tube 132 they are engaged in a sliding relationship. 
Disposed within each tube 130 is a locking mechanism 134. As best seen in 
FIG. 15, the locking mechanism 134 is comprised of two main assemblies 136 
and 138. The two assemblies 136 and 138 are connected to tube 130 with set 
screws (not shown) in threaded engagement with tube 130 and assemblies 136 
and 138 respectively or other suitable means. With respect to assembly 
136, the set screws or other suitable means engage pin boss 140, at one 
end thereof, while assembly 138 is attached to tube 130 by set screws 
which threadedly engage tube 130 and guide sleeve 142. It should be noted 
that assembly 138 is substantially identical to locking assembly 102 with 
pin 108 of the locking assembly 102 corresponding to beveled engaging 
member 144 of assembly 138. Thus, expansion biasing spring 146 corresponds 
to expansion biasing spring 114 and connecting member 110 corresponds to 
connecting member 148 and eyelet 116 correspond to eyelet 150. 
Assembly 136 further comprises protrusion 158 and beveled surface 152 with 
expansion biasing spring 154 inserted in bore 156. 
Normally, engaging member 144 bears against beveled surface 152 forcing the 
compression of spring 154. When handles 160 at the foot end of the 
stretcher are squeezed, cables 164 are pulled. The ends of cables 164 
opposite the handle 160 pass through frame 13 around guide wheels 166 and 
are coupled to each eyelet 150 such that when the cables are pulled, each 
connecting member 148 is pulled through sleeve 142 which in turn 
disengages engaging member 144 from beveled surface 152. At such time, the 
force exerted by spring 154 causes assembly 136 to pivot within tube 130 
at pivot point 162. Tube 132 includes two bores 168 and 170 through one of 
which protrusion 158 extends, depending on whether the end portions 27 are 
retracted or extended. By pulling on handles 160 thereby releasing 
protrusion 158 from one of the bores 168 or 170, tubes 130 are free to 
slide within tubes 132. When the handles 160 are released, the tubes 130 
will continue to slide until protrusion 158 engages one of bores 168 or 
170 at which time the force exerted by engaging member 144 on beveled 
surface 152 will force protrusion 158 through one of said bores thereby 
locking telescoping end portions 27 in either a retracted or extended 
position. Protrusions 158 extend through bores 168 when the telescoping 
end portions are in a retracted position, and through bores 170 when the 
telescoping end portions are in an extended position. 
The operation of the stretcher will now be described. Referring first to 
FIG. 2, once telescoping mid-portions 25 are retracted, the stretcher is 
divided into two sections connected at approximately the mid-point thereof 
at king pin 29. As best seen in FIG. 5, king pin 29 retains plates 19, 21 
and 23, passing through each plate such that the plates are free to rotate 
about the pin and the stretcher can be easily maneuvered through tight 
quarters. If necessary, cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be carried our 
while the stretcher is being moved because the disclosed king pin 29 and 
wheel caster assembly 17 provide adequate support even when telescoping 
mid-portions 25 are retracted. While the plates are free to rotate, the 
range of rotation is limited by the obstruction created by frame 13 when 
the stretcher is flexed as shown in FIG. 2. While this range of rotation 
may be increased by decreasing the length of telescoping mid-portions 25, 
as a practical matter, there is no need to allow for rotation of greater 
than approximately 30.degree. inasmuch as a torso of a patient on the 
stretcher would ordinarily not flex more than the capability of the 
stretcher. 
After the stretcher has been maneuvered through tight quarters and the 
flexing capability of the stretcher is no longer needed, by squeezing 
handle 121, each tube 81 is free to slide along its corresponding check 
rod 84 within frame 13. At such time, force exerted by each expansion 
spring 88 causes tubes 81 to slide towards the foot end of the stretcher. 
By lining up the foot end and head end of the stretcher such that the side 
rails of frame 13 are aligned, tubes 81 may be pulled towards the foot end 
of the stretcher until protrusion 118 of locking pin 108 engages bore 119 
thereby locking the telescoping mid-portions in an extended portion. 
When the length of the stretcher must be shortened to fit into a small 
space, or the knees of the patient must be flexed, or the head of the 
patient must be in a raised position, telescoping end portions 27 may be 
retracted as follows. Firstly, telescoping mid-portions 25 should be 
locked in their retracted positions so that each tube 130 is free to slide 
the entire length of tube 132. At such time, handles 160 are squeezed 
thereby releasing protrusion 158 from bore 170 as above-described. Tubes 
130 are then free to slide within tubes 132 and the foot end of the 
stretcher may be moved towards the head end of the stretcher. By 
continuing to move the foot end of the stretcher towards the head end of 
the stretcher, protrusions 158 will engage bores 168 and the telescoping 
end portions 27 will be locked in a retracted position. When it is desired 
that the stretcher again be extended to its full length, handles 160 are 
squeezed thereby releasing protrusion 158 from bores 168 and the foot end 
of the stretcher is pulled away from the head end of the stretcher until 
protrusions 158 engage bores 170. As noted above, when telescoping end 
portions 27 are retracted, hinged cover 34 flexes at hinges 36, 38 and 40 
to thereby form an inverted V-shaped portion which supports the patient's 
knees when knee flexion is desired or necessary, or the upper torso of the 
patient when desired or necessary. 
It should be noted that when telescoping mid-portions are retracted and the 
foot end and head end of the stretcher are connected only at king pin 29, 
if the head end or foot end of the stretcher is lifted, a large force will 
be applied to king pin 29 as well as plates 19, 21 and 23. Accordingly, a 
hinge 22 extends the width of metal plate 21 such that if either end of 
the stretcher is raised when telescoping mid-portions 25 are retracted, 
the stretcher will flex at hinge 22, and no undue force will be exerted on 
king pin 29 or plates 19, 21 or 23. 
Generally, when the stretcher is to be stored in the emergency vehicle, 
telescoping mid-portions 25 and telescoping portions 27 are in their 
extended positions. Wheel and caster assemblies 15 and 17 are in their 
retracted positions in order to minimize the space taken up by the utility 
stretcher in the emergency vehicle. 
Thus, the flexible utility stretcher has been described. Although numerous 
details have been set forth regarding materials used and means for 
implementing the various mechanical linkages and other such requirements, 
those skilled in the art will recognize that other materials may be used 
and different means may be employed for implementing the various 
mechanical linkages and the like of the stretcher without departing from 
the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims appended 
hereto.