Powered transport apparatus for a bed

A patient support and powered transport apparatus are provided. The powered transport apparatus is provided to assist a caregiver in moving the patient support from one location in a care facility to another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to patient supports, such as hospital beds, gurneys, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus for assisting caregivers in moving patient supports from one location in a care facility to another.

Different types of tables, beds, and other patient supports are well known in the health care industry for supporting patients during surgical procedures and for supporting patients generally while in a hospital, nursing home, home, or the like. Patient supports typically are capable of supporting a maximum patient weight of about six hundred pounds and the patient supports themselves often weight hundreds or thousands of pounds. Thus, it can often be difficult for a caregiver to move a patient on a patient support from one location in a care facility to another because of these combined weights.

According to the present invention, a powered transport apparatus is provided that is configured to provide powered transport of a patient support. The patient support has head and foot ends and first and second longitudinal sides extending between the head and foot ends. The powered transport apparatus includes a frame adapted to be positioned under the patient support by entering one of the longitudinal sides of the patient support; a powered wheel rotatably supported by the frame to provide powered transport of the patient support; a scissor mechanism supported by the frame and configured to transfer downward force from the patient support to the powered wheel; and a connection member supported by the scissor mechanism and configured to removably connect to the patient support. The scissor mechanism is movable between a first position transferring downward force from the patient support to the powered wheel and a second position permitting removal of the frame from the patient support.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a powered transport apparatus is provided that is configured to provide powered transport of a patient support. The patient support has head and foot ends and first and second longitudinal sides extending between the head and foot ends. The powered transport apparatus includes a frame adapted to be removably connected to the patient support from at least one of the first and second longitudinal sides of the patient support and a powered wheel rotatably connected to the frame to provide powered transport of the patient support.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a powered transport apparatus is provided that is configured to provide powered transport of a patient support. The powered transport apparatus includes a frame, a powered wheel, and a scissor mechanism supported by the frame and movable between a first position supporting the patient support and a second position permitting removal of the frame from the patient support.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a powered transport apparatus is provided that is configured to provide powered transport of a patient support having a frame with at least two longitudinally extending members. The powered transport apparatus includes a frame, a powered wheel supported by the frame, and a connection member supported by the frame. The connection member is adapted to connect to the at least two longitudinally extending members of the patient support.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a powered transport apparatus is provided that is configured to provide powered transport of a patient support. The patient support has a head end, a foot end longitudinally spaced apart from the head end, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side. The head and foot ends and the first and second longitudinal sides cooperate to define a footprint of the patient support. The powered transport apparatus includes a frame adapted to enter the footprint of the patient support between the first and second ends of the patient support and a powered wheel rotatably supported by the frame to provide powered transport to the patient support.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that is configured to provide powered transport of a patient. The apparatus includes a patient support and a powered transport apparatus configured to assist a caregiver in moving the patient support from one location to another. The patient support includes a frame and a patient rest surface. The patient support defines a footprint having a head end, a foot end, and first and second spaced-apart longitudinal sides extending between the head and foot ends. The powered transport apparatus is removably connected to the patient support at a connection location that is accessible by the powered transport apparatus through one of the first and second longitudinal sides of the footprint.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of transporting a patient support is provided. The patient support defines a footprint having a head end, a foot end, and first and second spaced-apart longitudinal sides extending between the head and foot ends. The method includes the steps of providing a powered transport apparatus; penetrating at least one of the first and second longitudinal sides of the footprint with at least a portion of the powered transport apparatus; removably connecting the powered transport apparatus to the patient support; transporting the patient support with the powered transport apparatus; and disconnecting the powered transport apparatus from the patient support.

Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

According to the present disclosure, a patient support10, such as a hospital bed, gurney, or the like is provided on which a patient rests during recovery from an illness or medical procedure. Often, the combined weight of patient support10, the patient positioned on patient support10, and any medical equipment coupled to patient support10make it difficult for a caregiver to push or move patient support10from one location in a care facility to another. Thus, according to the present disclosure, a powered transport apparatus12is provided to assist a caregiver in moving patient support10from one location in a care facility to another.

As shown inFIG. 1, patient support10includes a frame14, a mattress16positioned on frame14, a headboard18defining a head end20of patient support10, a footboard22defining a foot end24of patient support10, and a plurality of siderails26connected to frame14. Frame14includes a pair of longitudinally extending frame members28supported on the floor by a plurality of casters30. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurations of patient supports known to those of ordinary skill in the art are provided.

Transport apparatus12is configured to removably connect to patient support10. When connected to patient support10, transport apparatus12provides power to move patient support10in either forward or reverse. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the transport apparatus is configured to move the patient support side-to-side. When disconnected from patient support10, transport apparatus12may be moved to another patient support (not shown) and connected thereto or moved to a storage location.

As shown inFIG. 2, transport apparatus12includes a frame32supported on the floor by a plurality of casters34,36and a powered drive assembly38that contacts the floor and propels transport apparatus12. Transport apparatus12further includes a connection assembly42that lowers and raises a powered wheel44of powered drive assembly38into contact with the floor and raises and lowers a T-shaped connection member46into contact with frame members28.

Before transport apparatus12is connected to patient support10, connection member46is spaced apart from frame members28by a distance48as shown inFIGS. 2 and 6. After connection member46is raised by connection assembly42, it contacts frame members28, as shown in FIGS.3and7–9, to form the connection between transport apparatus12and patient support10.

Connection member46preferably includes a first member47and a second member49that couples to a midpoint51of first member47to define the T-shape of connection member46. Connection member46further includes three pads53that cooperate with frame members28to define first, second, and third connection locations55,57,59. First connection location55is laterally spaced apart from second and third connection locations57,59by a distance equal to a distance between frame members28of patient support10. Furthermore, first, second, and third connection locations55,57,59are each longitudinally spaced apart from each other.

According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other configuration of connection locations are provided. For example, according to one alterative embodiment, four connection locations are provided that define a square arrangement. According to other alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurations of connection members, if necessary, are provided to connect to other patient supports. For example, according to one alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, a connection member is provided that connects to a single frame member.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the contact pressure between frame members28and connection member46connects transport apparatus12to patient support10. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other connection arrangements or devices are provided. For example, according to one alternative embodiment, a latch is provided to couple or otherwise connect the transport apparatus to the patient support. According to other alternative embodiments, locks, hooks, pins, fasteners, or other connection devices are provided to removably couple or otherwise connect the transport apparatus to the patient support.

To remove the connection, connection member46is lowered by connection assembly42so that it is spaced apart from frame members28. Then transport apparatus12can be rolled on casters34,36to another patient support or to storage.

Powered wheel44is moved to a lowered position by connection assembly42to facilitate moving transport apparatus12about a care facility on casters34,36. When connection assembly42connects T-shaped member46to frame members28, it also lowers powered wheel44into contact with the floor as shown, for example, inFIGS. 9 and 11. As connection assembly42lowers connection member46away from frame members28, it also raises powered wheel44from the floor as shown inFIG. 6.

As shown inFIG. 9, connection assembly42includes a scissor mechanism48that moves between extended and retracted positions to raise and lower member46. Connection assembly42further includes a scissor mover50including an actuator52, shuttle54, and a pair of gas springs56that move scissor mechanism48between the retracted and extended positions.

Scissor mechanism48includes a pair of first links58and a second link60that is pivotably coupled to first links58by a pin64. First links58include first ends66that are pivotably coupled together and pivotably coupled to frame32by a pin68and second ends70that are coupled together and pivotably coupled to gas springs56by a pin72. Second link60includes a first end74that is pivotably coupled to a yoke-like portion of frame32by a pin76and a yoke-like second end78. Connection member46is pivotably supported by yoke-like second end78by a pin80to connect connection member46to frame32.

According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure other configurations of devices are provided for raising and lowering the connection member. For example, according to one alterative embodiment, a telescoping device is provided to raise and lower the connection member. According to other alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other such devices are provided, such as other link configurations, actuators, or other devices for moving objections known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Actuator52includes a base82that is rigidly coupled to frame32and a shaft84that extends and retracts from base82as shown inFIGS. 6–9. Shuttle54is slidably coupled to frame32and is moved between a left-most position, as shown inFIG. 6, to a right most position, as shown inFIG. 9, by the extension and retraction of shaft84of actuator52. Shuttle54includes a first end86coupled to shaft84by a pin88, a second end90pivotably coupled to gas spring56by a pin92, and a channel94extending between the first and second ends86,90that is sized to receive shaft84and a portion of base82.

Each gas spring56includes a cylinder96that is pivotably coupled to first links62by pin72and a piston98that is received by cylinder96and pivotably coupled to shuttle54by pin92. During movement of shuttle54, gas springs56are compressed and uncompressed. Thus, springs56are compliant members that have adjustable lengths. As shown inFIG. 6, gas springs56have a first length when piston98is fully extended from cylinder and a second length when piston98is partially retracted in cylinder96.

Movement of shuttle54by actuator52from the left-most position creates a force on gas springs56. This force raises second end70of first link58and causes first links58to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction110as shown inFIG. 7. This movement of first link58causes second link60to rotate in a clockwise direction112causing second end78and connection member46to raise until connection member46contacts frame members28. This contact connects transport apparatus12to patient support10.

Further movement of shuttle54to the right by actuator52causes powered wheel44to lower as shown inFIG. 8. Because connection member46is in contact with frame members28, it resists further upward movement and scissor mechanism48resists any further upward extension. Thus, downward force is transferred from first end66of first link58to frame32.

Frame32is configured to facilitate raising and lowering of powered wheel44by connection assembly42. As shown inFIG. 10, frame32includes a stationary frame114supported by caster34and a non-stationary frame116supported by casters36and pivotably coupled to stationary frame114by a pin118. Powered drive assembly38with powered wheel44is supported by non-stationary frame116. First end66of first link58is pivotably coupled to non-stationary frame116by pin68. Thus, the downward force on first end66of first link58that is created by furthering movement of shuttle54to the right is transferred to non-stationary frame116.

This downward force causes non-stationary frame116to rotate in counterclockwise direction110relative to stationary frame114as shown inFIG. 11. Because powered drive assembly38is supported by non-stationary frame116, the rotation lowers powered wheel44into contact with the floor. This contact provides traction between powered wheel44and the floor to permit propulsion of patient support10by transport apparatus12.

Connection assembly42is also configured to provide for additional traction between powered wheel44and the floor and is also configured to maintain traction therebetween when powered wheel44rides over a bump or depression in the floor. As shown inFIG. 9, actuator52continues to move shuttle54to the right from the position shown inFIG. 8and compresses gas springs56.

Because powered wheel44is in contact with the floor, it and non-stationary frame116cannot rotate any further. Thus, scissor mechanism48cannot extend any further downward toward the floor. As previously mentioned, contact with frame members28prevents any further upward extension of scissor mechanism48. Thus, scissor mechanism48cannot extend any further to compensate for the additional movement of shuttle54. To compensate for this movement, gas springs56yield or compress to about half their total compression as shown inFIG. 9.

This resulting compression of springs56creates additional friction or “grip” between connection member46and frame member28and between powered wheel44and the floor. The force required to compress gas springs56is transmitted through scissor mechanism48to connection member46. This force causes connection member46to push up on frame members28and increases the frictional or grip forces therebetween. Scissor mechanism48also transmits this force to non-stationary frame and powered wheel44supported thereby. This force increases the normal forces and grip between powered wheel44and the floor making it less likely for powered wheel44to slip on the floor.

Gas springs56also permit powered wheel44to remain in partial contact with the floor when it rides over a bump or depression. Because gas springs56are compressed by movement of shuttle54, it has stored energy to move powered wheel44into a depression and also permits upward movement of powered wheel44over a bump.

If powered wheel44rolls over a depression, it must lower into the depression to maintain contact with the floor. Without this contact, powered wheel44will not be able to push or pull patient support10. Because gas springs56are compressed, it is constantly applying force to scissor mechanism48. As mentioned above, the floor and frame members48normally prevent this force from moving scissor mechanism48, non-stationary frame116, and wheel44. However, when wheel44rides over a depression, the floor no longer resists downward movement of wheel44so that the force applied to scissor mechanism48by gas springs56pushes non-stationary frame116down so that wheel44remains in contact with the floor. When wheel44rides out of the depression, the floor forces wheel44up, causing non-stationary frame116to rotate up and scissor mechanism48to retract slightly, and compressing springs56. Thus, the energy storage or bias provided by compressed spring56keeps wheel44in contact with the floor.

When wheel44rides over a bump, such as a threshold in a doorway, spring56is further compressed. Similar to when wheel44rides out of a depression, the bump forces wheel44up, causes non-stationary frame116to rotate up and scissor mechanism48to retract slightly, and compresses spring56. After wheel44is over the bump, gas spring56causes scissor mechanism48to extend and non-stationary frame116to rotate down to the floor. Thus, the compliance of gas springs56permits wheel44to ride over a bump without applying undue stress on the other components of transport apparatus12and the energy storage or bias pushes wheel44back down into contact with the floor.

Return springs120,122are provided to assist in raising wheel44away from the floor. As shown inFIG. 10, coil spring120is positioned between stationary and non-stationary frames114,116. When non-stationary frame116is lowered, spring120is compressed. Similarly, gas spring122is positioned between stationary and non-stationary frames114,116. When non-stationary frame116is lowered spring122is also compressed. The compression in these springs120,122assists in returning wheel44back to the raised position.

To remove the biasing load provided by gas springs56, shuttle54is moved back to the left by actuator52to the position shown inFIG. 8. Moving shuttle54to this position relieves the force that compresses gas springs56so that gas springs56are fully extended. Further movement to the left permits compressed springs120,122to move non-stationary frame116back to the raised position relative to stationary frame114to raise wheel44. This movement also causes scissor mechanism48to retract slightly as shown inFIG. 7.

To disconnect transport apparatus12from patient support, shuttle member54is moved further to the left to the position shown inFIG. 6. Because gas springs56are fully extended, further movement of shuttle54creates tension in gas springs56and pulls first links58in clockwise direction112. This movement of first links58causes second link60to rotate in counter-clockwise direction112to lower connection member46.

In addition to providing the drive contact with the floor through powered wheel44, drive assembly38also provides the power to necessary to rotate wheel44. As shown inFIG. 10, drive assembly38includes a drive motor126and an axle128coupled to non-stationary frame116that supports powered wheel44. A shaft130of drive motor126is coupled to axle128by a U-joint132to rotate axle128and powered wheel44about an axis of rotation131that is substantially perpendicular to frame members28.

Drive motor126is powered by a pair of batteries134supported by non-stationary frame116and is controlled by a controller136. Batteries134are supported by a pair of platforms138having sockets140formed therein and terminals142that electrically couple to batteries134. When batteries134are charged, they are plugged into sockets140and terminals142provide an electrical connection between batteries134and the wiring (not shown) of transport apparatus12. When the charge of batteries134is low, the caregiver removes batteries134from sockets140to a charging station (not shown). According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery charger is provided that charges the batteries while positioned on the transport apparatus.

Controller136operates to control lowering and raising of powered wheel44and raising and lower of connection member46. As shown inFIG. 5, controller136includes a housing144, a clamp146that connects housing144to headboard18, a cord148extending from housing144with a plug connector150, an on/off toggle button152, a drive/neutral toggle button154, a throttle156, and a battery charge indicator158.

Clamp146is configured to connect housing144to headboard18and includes a clamp member160and pair of knobs162threaded into housing144and claim member160. Knobs162are turned to increase and decrease the distance between clamp member160and housing144. When enough distance is provided therebetween to slip controller136over headboard18, knobs162are turned to squeeze headboard18between clamp member160and housing144. To remove controller136from headboard18, knobs162are turned in the opposite direction.

Cord148communicates electronic signals between controller136and the other electrical components of transport apparatus10. Connector150is provided to removably connect cord148to a plug connector164on frame32as shown inFIG. 2. Cord148communicates signals or control commands from on/off toggle button152, drive/neutral toggle button154, and throttle156and receives a signal for battery indicator158.

On/off toggle button152enables the raising and lowering of connection member46. When toggle button152is moved to the on position, actuator52moves shuttle54to the position shown inFIG. 9to create contact between transport apparatus12and patient support10and to lower wheel44into contact with the floor. When toggle button152is moved back to the off position, actuator52moves shuttle54back to the position shown inFIG. 6to raise wheel44and lower connection member46to remove the connection between transport apparatus12and patient support10.

Drive/neutral toggle button154controls the application of power to drive motor126. When toggle button154is in the drive position, power is provided to drive motor126to enable rotation of wheel44. When toggle button154is in the neutral position, no power is provided to drive motor126and wheel44is free to rotate.

Throttle156is provided to control the direction and speed of rotation provided to wheel44by drive motor126. When throttle156is in a neutral position, no voltage is provided to drive motor126so that wheel44does not rotate. When throttle156is rotated forward, a positive voltage is provided to drive motor126causing wheel44to rotate and push patient support10in a forward direction. The applied voltage is a function of the amount of rotation of throttle156. The more throttle156is rotated, the more voltage is applied to drive motor126causing wheel44to increase in speed. When throttle156is rotated in reverse, a negative voltage is provided to drive motor126causing wheel44to rotate in an opposite direction and push patient support10in a reverse direction. The more throttle156is rotated in the reverse direction, the faster wheel44pushes the bed in reverse. When throttle156is released, it returns to the neutral position and no voltage is applied to drive motor126so that wheel44does not apply any motive force.

After drive motor126of transport apparatus12is used to transport several patient supports10, batteries134begin to lose enough charge to affect the operation of motor126. When batteries134begin to approach this level of charge, charge indicator158lights up indicating that batteries134need to be recharged or replaced by the spare batteries.

As previously mentioned, when transport apparatus12is not being used to move a patient support10, it is placed in storage. To move transport apparatus12from storage to a patient support10or from patient support to patient support, a handle166is provided as shown inFIG. 3.

Handle166is configured to have a use position, as shown inFIG. 3, and a storage position as shown inFIG. 2. When in the use position, a support portion168of handle166extends upwardly so that a handle portion170is positioned a convenient height for a caregiver. When in the storage position, handle portion170is tucked into a handle support block172coupled to frame32and support portion168rests on another support block174coupled to frame32.

Support block172includes a first aperture176through which support portion168of handle166extends when handle166is in the use position, as shown inFIG. 16, and handle portion170is positioned when in the storage position as shown inFIG. 2. Support block172also includes a second aperture178in which support portion168of handle166is positioned when in the storage position. Support block172further includes an inner surface180that defines a keyed passage182extending between first and second apertures178.

Handle166further includes first and second keys or pins184,186that hold support portion168of handle166in the use position. As shown inFIG. 2, first pin184is positioned adjacent an end of support portion168and second pin186is positioned between first pin184and handle portion170.

Inner surface180further defines a pair of channels188sized to receive first and second pins184,186. Channels188constrain the movement of pins184,186so that pins184,186hold support portion168in the use position. Channels188are spaced apart enough to permit pins184,186to slide therein, but prevent pins184,186from exiting except through aperture178.

To move handle166from the storage position to the use position, a caregiver backs handle portion170out of first aperture176in direction190and rotates handle166approximately 90° in direction192so that pins184,186align with channels188as shown inFIG. 12for pins184. The caregiver continues to pull handle166in direction190so that pins184,186ride in a first straight portion194of channels188until second pin186reaches a first bend196in channels188as shown inFIG. 13. The caregiver then rotates handle166in direction198so that second pin186moves in a second straight portion210toward a second bend212in channels188as shown inFIG. 14. After second pin186reaches second bend212, as shown inFIG. 15, handle166is pushed down in direction214to the use position so that first and second pins184,186move down into third straight portion216as shown inFIG. 16. Gravity helps keep handle166in this position.

When in the use position, channels188prevent pins184,186from moving in directions190,218or side-to-side so that a caregiver can push or pull on handle166to move transport apparatus12about a care facility. Channel188also prevents pins184,186from rotating so that handle portion170remains substantially horizontal with the floor.

Handle166is typically put back in the storage position after transport apparatus12is positioned under patient support10or when placed in storage. To place handle166in the storage position, the caregiver handle166is pulled in direction220, as shown inFIG. 16, so that second pin186is positioned in second bend212, as shown inFIG. 15. The caregiver then rotates handle166in direction222so that second pin186enters second straight portion210and first pin182enters first straight portion194, as shown inFIG. 14, until second pin186reaches first bend196, as shown inFIG. 13. Handle166is then pushed in direction218so that pins184,186leave support block172. Handle166is rotated approximately 90° in direction226so that handle portion170aligns with first aperture176. The caregiver continues pushing handle166in direction224until handle portion170is positioned in first aperture176and support portion168is positioned on second support block174as shown inFIG. 2.

Transport apparatus12is configured to connect to patient support10from either of first or second longitudinal sides228,230of patient support10. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, a caregiver has inserted transport apparatus12under a patient support through first longitudinal side228.

Patient support10includes a head end232and a foot end234that cooperate with first and second longitudinal sides228,230to define a footprint236of patient support10. Footprint236has head and foot ends238,240and first and second longitudinal sides242,244that correspond to head and foot ends232,234and first and second longitudinal sides228,230of patient support10.

To connect transport apparatus12to patient support10, a caregiver directs transport apparatus12along a path that crosses over one of first and second longitudinal sides242,244of footprint236between head and foot ends232,234so that transport apparatus12is at least partially positioned within footprint236of patient support10. Thus, transport apparatus12enters patient support10from at least one of first and second longitudinal sides242,244between head and foot ends232,234to connect to patient support10.

As shown inFIG. 4, first, second, and third connection locations55,57,59are positioned within footprint236. A caregiver may access each of these connection locations55,57,59from longitudinal sides242,244of footprint236. Preferably, the caregiver places transport apparatus12under patient support10so that first connection location55is positioned at a midpoint between first and second ends238,240of footprint236. The caregiver may also place transport apparatus12at other locations within footprint236.

Preferably, the caregiver directs transport apparatus12along a path so that a longitudinal axis246of frame32of transport apparatus12approaches a longitudinal axis248of patient support frame14at 90°. The caregiver may also direct transport apparatus12along other paths with different approach angles. Preferably, the caregiver positions transport apparatus12at a midpoint between foot and head ends232,234of patient support10so that connection member46is positioned under frame members28.

When properly positioned, the caregiver uses controller136to raise connection member46as previously described. After being disconnected from patient support10, transport apparatus12is removed from within footprint236by backing out transport apparatus12along a path the crosses the respective longitudinal side228,230of footprint236.

By positioning transport apparatus12between ends232,234of patient support10, patient support10is free to receive other pieces of medical equipment. For example, some patient supports are configured to receive walkers, exercise bikes, and other devices at a foot end of the patient support (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,513,406 and 5,680,661, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein). According the present disclosure, such devices can remain at the foot end of the patient support while the transport apparatus is positioned under the patient support to move the patient support about a care facility.

Other patient supports are configured to receive equipment at a head end and/or foot end of the patient support (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,766; 5,337,845; 5,457,831; and 5,966,760, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein). According to the present disclosure, such devices can remain coupled to the patient support while the transport apparatus is connected thereto. Furthermore, the transport apparatus of the present disclosure may remain connected to patient supports that convert to a chair position (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,398,357; 5,715,548; and 5,802,640, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein) or otherwise make attachment of a transport apparatus to the head or foot ends of the patient support difficult. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the transport apparatus is configured to connect to the head and/or foot ends of a patient support.

An alternative embodiment patient transport apparatus1012is shown inFIG. 17. Alternative embodiment patient transport apparatus1012is substantially similar to preferred embodiment patient transport apparatus12, but includes an alternative embodiment handle1166and support block1172. Support block1172removably receives handle1166so that handle1166can be used to move transport apparatus1012from one patient support to another and then removed when the transport apparatus1172is connected to a patient support or placed in storage.

Handle1166includes a support portion1168and a handle portion1170that cooperate to define a T-shape for handle1166. Handle portion1170is cylinder-shaped to facilitate grasping by a user. Support portion1168has a square cross-section.

Support block1172removably couples handle1166to frame32. Support block1172includes a square passage (not shown) that complements support portion1168of handle1166to prevent handle1166from rotating relative to support block1172.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the present invention as described and defined in the following claims.