Abstract:
An adjustable patient transport system transports a patient in a comfortable, safe manner by allowing the operator to adjust the head support portion of the apparatus to suit the patient&#39;s height. The adjustable patient transport system broadly comprises a patient transport chair having an adjustable back comprising a seat portion, back portion, head support portion, rear leg portion, front leg portion, and material roller system. The back portion comprises an outer frame having a hollow insert and a cloth backing adapted to support a patient&#39;s back; the head support portion comprises an inner frame adapted to be received in the hollow insert of the outer frame. The head support portion further comprises a horizontal cross bar having adjustable support material fixedly attached thereto connecting to the material roller system. The adjustable patient transport system can be folded for convenient storage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to an adjustable transport system for ambulatory patients and the like; and more specifically to a patient transport system that can be adjusted to accommodate an array of patient heights, so that the patient&#39;s back and neck are comfortably supported during transport, and which can be folded for storage. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Proper support of a patient&#39;s neck and back is extremely critical when the patient is being transported in a chair or stretcher unit, especially when the chair or stretcher is traversing stairs and rough terrain that has a tendency to increase jostling of the patient. In particular, the patient&#39;s neck and back require stability, especially in cases where patient transport is effectuated over steps or other terrain that call for a change in height, cracks in the pavement, and other rough features likely to adversely impact the patient&#39;s body. Many of the patient transport chairs heretofore disclosed and utilized do not provide proper support for the back and neck of patients of varying sizes. As a result, taller patients tend to be vulnerable to discomfort, and even injury, as their heads, necks, and upper back are not adequately supported. In addition to lacking back height adjustment capabilities, many of the patient transport systems heretofore disclosed and utilized cannot be readily folded for quick, convenient storage while also providing a lightweight apparatus that can be carried effortlessly. 
   Even still, many of the patient transport chairs heretofore disclosed and utilized do not provide efficient mobility during traverse of stairways and rough terrain, as the wheels of the chair are small and difficult to maneuver. However, if the wheels were omni-directional, larger in size, and composed of rubber, such rough terrain would be readily traversed with ease. Unfortunately, such omnidirectional, large, rubber wheels have heretofore not been disclosed for use with patient transport systems. Moreover, handles heretofore provided by patient transport devices are located in inconvenient positions and tend to cause back strain when an operator is lifting the transport device. 
   Chairs heretofore disclosed and utilized for transporting patients down stairs fail to provide the ability to adjust the back and neck support of the patient, further accentuating the patient&#39;s discomfort, or even compounding the patient&#39;s injury. U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,888 to Bowie, Jr. et al. discloses a foldable chair device adapted to facilitate the transportation of persons down stairways, providing treaded belt assemblies to assist in the transport of the chair. U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,234 to Egen discloses a carriage appointed for descending stairs with the assistance of an operator having a chair formation and includes dual belts extending along a rigid longitudinal frame with two pulleys mounted at the opposite ends thereof to facilitate staircase descent. U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,343 to Way, et al. discloses a stair chair comprising a seat assembly mounted to a main frame and configured to pivot about a first pivot axis so that the chair can be folded for storage. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0206555 to Schneider discloses an improved stair chair stretcher assembly whereby an oval belt for facilitating traversing stairs is attached to the bottom rear portion of an ambulance stretcher. None of these disclosures provide an adjustable patient transport system that provides a chair having an adjustable back frame and adjustable material support system that allows the back portion of a chair to be adjusted to comfortably and safely support a patient&#39;s back, neck, and head. 
   Other transport devices are stretcher conformations and cannot be converted into chairs for transporting a patient. Both U.S. Pat. No. 3,088,770 to Weil, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,159 to Du-Bois disclose carts or undercarriage devices for transporting a stretcher having collapsible legs. However, neither of these devices can be arranged in a chair conformation. Furthermore, neither of these devices provide for adjustment of the back portion of the apparatus. 
   Where chair-to-stretcher conformations are disclosed in the transport devices heretofore disclosed and utilized, these devices lack means for adjusting the back and neck support of the device, with the result that the patient is not adequately supported. U.S. Pat. No. 567,524 to Wagner, et al. discloses a folding stretcher that can be configured to a chair or a stretcher arrangement. U.S. Pat. No. 2,362,721 to Reynolds discloses a convertible and collapsible lifter adapted to be adjusted in one or more positions to support and transport a convalescent patient. U.S. Pat. No. 2,699,557 to Gravatt discloses a stretcher that can be converted from a reclining position to a chair position while the patient is resting. U.S. Pat. No. 2,858,879 to Branson discloses a device having a unshaped telescoping section in one end so that the device can form a collapsible cot, chair or stretcher. U.S. Pat. No. 3,038,174 to Brown, et al. discloses a paraplegic hospital chair that can be converted to a stretcher having means to adjust the back to suitable incline positions along the horizontal plane. U.S. Pat. No. 3,122,758 to Femeau discloses a combined stretcher and stair chair wherein a back support frame section has a pair of spaced tubular frame members adapted to extend and retract so that the chair to stretcher (or stretcher to chair) conformations can be achieved. None of these disclosures provide an adjustable patient transport system having an adjustable back frame and adjustable material support system that allows the back portion of a chair to be adjusted. 
   Numerous other chair-to-stretcher apparatuses also fail to provide for back height adjustment. U.S. Pat. No. 3,137,511 to Weil, et al. discloses a stretcher chair comprised of a plurality of pivoted panels which may be configured to a stretcher or chair conformation optionally supported on inclined skids, and providing for adjustment of the angle of inclination of the backrest. U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,219 to Femeau, et al. discloses an ambulance cart that can be converted into a rolling chair by way of releasable leg bracing means for releasing pivotally mounted legs. U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,279 to Vance discloses a combination stretcher and stair chair comprising a main frame pivotally connected to a torso section, a leg rest section, a set of diagonal braces, and means for releasabley locking the sections in both the collapsed and elevated positions. U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,781 to Bourgraf, et al. discloses a combination ambulance cot and chair broadly comprising a support frame having a roller base, and a wheeled back segment and operating so that the cot is elevated to permit rolling of the reclined cot into the back of an ambulance. Foreign Patent No. GB 2,234,442A to Lee, et al. discloses an emergency stretcher comprising a framework having two end sections and a middle section jointed by pivoting means so that the stretcher can be configured to a chair conformation. None of these disclosures provides an adjustable patient transport system that comprises a chair having an adjustable back frame and an adjustable material support system that allows the back portion of a chair to be adjusted. 
   Other transport devices heretofore disclosed and utilized provide for head restraints, which can act to provide stabilization to the head, but do not provide support for the upper back, neck, and head, and are not effectuated through use of an adjustable back portion. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,048 to Medina discloses a collapsible wheelchair for easy storage wherein the chair includes a headband attached to a back section of the chair. The headband slides along the back section, and is connected around the patient&#39;s head to stabilize and restrain the head from jostling about. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,524 Medina discloses a collapsible chair for transporting people up and down stairs providing a head restraint that can slide up and down an upper frame section. Although both these patent provide a head restraint, neither provide an adjustable back portion having an adjustable head support portion interstitially connected to adjustable material fed from a material roller system. The head restraint merely stabilizes the head, but it does not provide support for the upper back and the neck region of the patient. 
   Significantly, none of the adjustable patient transport systems heretofore disclosed and utilized provides a system that has an adjustable head support portion interstitially connected to adjustable support material that is fed from a material roller system. None of the stair chairs heretofore disclosed and utilized provides an adjustable patient transport system that provides a chair having an adjustable head support portion interstitially connected to adjustable support material that can readily be converted into a stretcher. In addition to lacking these crucial elements, many of the patient transport systems heretofore disclosed and utilized cannot be readily folded for compact storage and are not lightweight apparatuses that can be carried effortlessly. 
   For the foregoing reasons, there exists a need in the art for an adjustable patient transport system having a back support and head support portion capable of being adjusted to comfortably and safely transport a patient. Specifically, there exists a need in the art for an adjustable patient transport system having a head support potion being fixedly attached to adjustable support material that is in turn fed from a material roller system. Additionally, there is a need in the art for an adjustable patient transport system that provide optimal comfort to the operator, by providing large rubber omni-directional wheels that glide over rough terrain and by providing carrying handles that are ergonomically functional so that the operator can lift the device without sustaining back injury. In addition, there is a need in the art for an adjustable patient transport system that can be collapsed or folded so that the device can be housed in small spaces, such as is found in the common ambulance. For the forgoing reasons there exists a need in the art for an adjustable patient transport system that can be adjusted to accommodate a array of patients&#39; heights so that the patient&#39;s back and neck are comfortably and safely supported during transport. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an adjustable patient transport system that promotes the proper support of a patient&#39;s neck and back as the patient is being transported, and also provides the convenience of a ready, foldable device for compact storage. A chair has an adjustable head portion interstitially connected to adjustable support material that is in turn fed from a material roller system. As the head portion is adjusted upward in height, the adjustable support material is also adjusted as the material is released from the material roller system. In turn, when the head portion is lowered in height, the adjustable support material is retracted back onto the material roller system, avoiding any bunching or obstructions which can be caused by loose lying material. The present transport system also provides the ability to readily fold or collapse for storage. Advantageously, the present transport system not only provides the ability to adequately support a patient&#39;s head, neck, and upper back, but also provides the ability to readily fold or collapse the chair when not being utilized, so that the collapsed or folded device can be readily housed in small spaces, such as on an ambulance. 
   More specifically, in one embodiment, the invention provides an adjustable patient transport system for transporting a patient in a comfortable safe manner by allowing the operator to adjust the head support portion of the apparatus to suit the particular patient&#39;s height. The adjustable patient transport system broadly comprises a patient transport chair having a seat portion, back portion, head support portion, rear leg portion, front leg portion, and material roller system. The system may further comprise a patient transport chair having a seat portion, back portion, head support portion, rear leg portion, front leg portion, and material roller system with the head support portion being adjustable in height and located within and extending from the back portion. The head support portion further comprises a horizontal cross bar having adjustable support material fixedly attached thereto. The material roller system comprises a material roll bar and an inner roll rod with the adjustable support material being rolled-up and extending from the material roll bar. The material roll bar is adapted to be activated to a material feed position, material retraction position, or a locking position. 
   In another embodiment, the adjustable patient transport system comprises a patient transport chair having a seat portion, back portion, head support portion, rear leg portion, front leg portion, and material roller system. The back portion comprises an outer frame having a hollow insert and a cloth backing adapted to support a patient&#39;s back. The outer frame comprises an outer aperture for receiving a locking pin. The head support portion comprises an inner frame adapted to be received in the hollow insert of the outer frame of the back support portion. The inner frame has a plurality of apertures adapted for receiving the locking pin. The head support portion further comprises a horizontal cross bar having adjustable support material fixedly attached thereto. Additionally, the material roller system comprises a material roll bar, an inner roll rod, and a rolling pin system. The rolling pin system is adapted to activate the inner roll rod and material roll bar in a material feed position, material retraction position, or a locking position. In addition the adjustable patient transport system readily folds in a compact manner for storage. 
   Optionally, the material feed position of the rolling pin system is activated when the locking pin is released from the inner aperture of the inner frame and the inner frame is adjusted in an upward direction. The material retraction position is activated when the head support portion is quickly pulled once in a short upward motion. The locking position is activated when the head support portion is quickly pulled again in a short upward motion. The locking pin is then inserted into the inner and outer apertures of the inner and outer frames. 
   The front leg portion comprises two parallel bars and a horizontal bottom bar extending there between. The front leg portion further comprises dual rotating carrying handles pivotally connected to each of the parallel bars of the front legs. The carrying handles each have a curved notch for receiving the bottom bar of the front leg portion when the rotating carrying handles are rotated in an extended position. 
   Optionally, the head support portion further comprises a second cross bar having handles fixed thereto. In this embodiment, the head support portion may further comprise a second cross bar. The second cross bar may in turn be appointed with handles. 
   The rear leg portion may further comprise dual omni-directional wheels composed of rubber. These dual omni-directional wheels have a height ranging from 7 cm to 18 cm (2.8 to 7.09 inches), and a width ranging from 5 cm to 15.2 cm (2 to 6 inches). Alternatively, the dual omni-directional wheels comprise an inner air tube surrounded by an outer rubber tire portion. The front leg portion may further comprise dual omni-directional wheels composed of rubber. 
   Optionally, the seat portion and the back portion are pivotally connected by a first hinge. The back portion is adapted to rotate about the first hinge in a 180 degree pivot; at least 90 degrees in the forward direction, and at least 90 degrees in the backward direction. When the back portion is rotated in the forward direction, the back portion rests horizontally on-top of the seat portion, forming the fold-up configuration. The front leg portion and the rear leg portion also include pivot points to that both portions can be rotated to fold under the seat portion, and thus fold up for storage of the adjustable patient transport system. 
   Optionally, the front leg portion is pivotally connected by a second hinge to the seat portion. The front leg portion is adapted to rotate about the second hinge so that the front leg portion forms a flat configuration horizontal with the seat portion. Also, the rear leg portion is pivotally connected to the seat portion by way of a rear leg hinge. The rear leg portion is adapted to rotate about the rear leg hinge so that the rear leg portion folds under the seat portion. The adjustable support material may have a width of at least 15 cm (6 inches). 
   Alternatively, the front leg portion is pivotally connected by a second hinge to the seat portion. The front leg portion is adapted to rotate about the second hinge so that the front leg portion forms a flat configuration horizontal with the seat portion. The rear leg portion has height adjustment means and omni-directional wheels, and the rear leg portion is adapted to rotate about the rear leg hinge so that the rear leg portion folds under the seat portion. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the Adjustable Patient Transport System in the chair configuration; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view of dual rotating carrying handles pivotally connected to the front leg portion of the Adjustable Patient Transport System; and 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the back portion and material roller system of the Adjustable Patient Transport System. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The arrangement provides for an Adjustable Patient Transport System adapted for safely and comfortably transporting a patient. One embodiment of the Adjustable Patient Transport System provides a patient transport chair comprising a seat portion, back portion, head support portion, rear leg portion, front leg portion, and material roller system. The head support portion comprises an inner frame with apertures, while the back portion has an outer frame with a hollow insert construction and an outer aperture adapted for receiving the head support portion&#39;s inner frame and a locking pin. The material roller system provides adjustable material feed, as material from the roller traverses up through the back portion of the chair and fixedly extends to the head support portion. These elements are arranged to form an adjustable patient transport system yielding support for a patient&#39;s head and neck while the patient is being transported. As a result, the risk to the patient is mitigated and the patient&#39;s comfort is maximized. 
   The Adjustable Patient Transport System is shown in  FIG. 1  in the chair configuration, generally at  10 . The Adjustable Patient Transport System shown herein comprises a seat portion  16 , back portion  17 , head support portion  18 , rear leg portion  11 , front leg portion  13 , and material roller system  24 . The back portion  17  comprises an outer frame  20  having a hollow insert construction. Outer frame  20  preferably has a cylinder or tube like construction. The back portion  17  is provided with a cloth backing  21  adapted to support a patient&#39;s back. This cloth backing  21  is not adjustable, but is of a fixed width and height. Outer frame  20  has at least one outer aperture  22  adapted to receive a locking pin  23 . Head support portion  18  comprises an inner frame  25  having an inverted u-shape configuration. Inner frame  25  is adapted to be received in the hollow insert of outer frame  20 . Inner frame  25  preferably has a cylinder or tube like construction. The inner frame  25  has a plurality of apertures  26  located at designated heights along the inner frame  25 . Apertures  26  are adapted for receiving locking pin  23 . 
   When a patient is seated within chair  10 , locking pin  23  is pulled by an operator, releasing the locking pin  23  from aperture  26  and outer aperture  22 . Directional force is applied by the operator in an upward or downward direction, depending on the given patient&#39;s height. As directional force is applied, inner frame  25  readily adjusts in the upward or downward direction. As inner frame  25  is being adjusted it traverses the hollow insert of outer frame  20 . When the desired height of the head support portion  18  is reached, locking pin  23  is inserted by the operator into outer aperture  22  of outer frame  20  and traverses within aperture  26  of inner frame  25 . Locking pin  23  may be located on either side of outer frame  20  and inner frame  21 . Alternatively, there may be a locking pin  23  located on both sides of the outer frame  20  and inner frame  21 , so that there are two separate locking pins  23  operating contemporaneously with one another. 
   Head support portion  18  further comprises a horizontal cross bar  27 . Horizontal cross bar  27  may be provided with handles (not shown). Alternatively, head support portion  18  also includes a second cross bar  29 , which in turn includes handles  31 . The horizontal cross bar  27  has adjustable support material  28  fixedly attached thereto. Head support portion  18  via the adjustment of inner frame  25 , can be adjusted to various heights as indicated by way of phantom heights  18   a.  As head support portion  18  is adjusted in height, adjustable support material  28  is contemporaneously adjusted in height, as also indicated by way of phantom heights  28   a  in conjunction with  18   a . Adjustable support material  28  has a width of at least 15 cm (6 inches) in order to accommodate the back width of an average adult person. 
   The adjustable support material  28  is fed from material roller system  24  when material roller system  24  is activated. Material roller system  24  is activated when locking pin  23  is removed from outer aperture  22  and inner aperture  26  and directional force (upward or downward) is applied. Material roller system  24  is located behind seat portion  16  and is adjacent to back portion  17 . Adjustable support material  28  traverses behind cloth backing  21  of outer frame  20  as the adjustable support material  28  is fed from material roller system  24 . 
   Material roller system  24  houses rolled up portions of adjustable support material  28 . Rolling and locking positions are provided by the material roller system  24 , much like conventional window blind structures. The rolling position of the material roller system  24  is activated when the locking pin  23  is released from the inner and outer apertures,  26  and  22 , respectively, of the inner and outer frame,  25  and  20 , respectively, and directional force is applied to head support portion  18 . The rolling position of the material roller system  24  is de-activated when head support portion  18  is adjusted to the desired height and locking pin  23  is inserted within outer aperture  22  and into inner aperture  26  of the outer and inner and outer frames,  20  and  25 , respectively. Second cross bar  29  is optional, and includes handles  31 . 
   Seat portion  16  is provided with seating material  15 . Front leg portion  13  is located adjacent to seat portion  16  and provides support for the patient&#39;s legs and feet. Front leg portion  13  comprises two parallel bars  32  and a horizontal bottom bar  33  extending there between. Dual rotating carrying handles  34  are pivotally connected to each of the parallel bars  32  at handle pivot  35 . Each of the dual rotating carrying handles  34  have a curved notch for receiving bottom bar  33  of front leg portion  13  when the rotating carrying handles  34  are rotated in an extended position  34   b . Rotating carrying handles  34  lay flush against parallel bars  32  when in the folded position, as shown by way of phantom carrying handles  34   a.    
   The rotating carrying handles  34  shown in  FIG. 1  are illustrated in  FIG. 2 , shown generally at  40 . Front leg portion  13  comprises two parallel bars  32  and a horizontal bottom bar  33  extending there between. Dual rotating carrying handles  34  are shown in the flush configuration  34   a , while the extended configuration  34   b  is shown by way of phantom lines. Rotating carrying handles  34  are pivotally connected to each of the parallel bars  32  at handle pivot pin  35 . Each of the dual rotating carrying handles  34  have a curved notch  41  having a notch aperture  42  for receiving bottom bar  33  of front leg portion  13  when the rotating carrying handles  34  are rotated in the extended position  34   b . As carrying handles  34  rotate from the flush position  34   a  to the extended position  34   b , notch aperture  42  receives bottom bar  33  while curved notch  41  provides support and greater leverage to the operator attempting to carry the chair  10  with the patient therein. 
   As depicted in  FIG. 2 , rotating carrying handles  34  lay flush against parallel bars  32  when in the folded position, as shown by way of phantom carrying handles  34   a . Carrying handles  34  comprise hand region  43 , curved notch  41  forming notch aperture  42 , and pivot region  44 . Pivot region  44  has a pivot aperture fixedly housing handle pivot pin  35 . As carrying handles  34  are rotated about handle pivot pin  35 , the carrying handles  34  rotate from the flush position  34   a , down under bottom bar  33 , to rest in the extended configuration  34   b . The flush arrangement of the carrying handles  34  in folded position  34   a  provides comfort and safety to the patient by mitigating contact with the patient&#39;s calf, ankle and foot areas which could otherwise cause harm or discomfort. Notch  41  and notch aperture  42  minimize the lifting force required by the operator and mitigates back injuries to the operator while carrying the chair  10  with a patient therein. 
   Returning to  FIG. 1 , optionally, rear leg portion  11  is provided with dual wheels  12 . Wheels  12  are omni-directional and can rotate 360 degrees. Wheels  12  are composed of rubber and are large in size, having a height ranging from 7 cm to 18 cm (2.8 to 7.09 inches in height), preferably being 4 inches in height. Wheels  12  have a width ranging from 5 cm to 15.2 cm (2 to 6 inches in width). Front leg portion  13  is not provided with wheels. Optionally, front leg portion  13  also has omni-directional wheels. The omni-directional nature of wheels  12  provide the ability for the operator to turn corners readily and to navigate through cumbersome spaces or terrain. The wheels  12  are composed of rubber and optionally have an inner air tube as a traditional tire would have. As a result, the wheels  12  provide a gliding movement and absorb shock caused by rough terrain, bumps, or the like. The height and width of the wheels  12  provide a greater surface area of contact between the wheel  12  and the ground, and thereby mitigate jostling of the patient, while also providing the operator with greater comfort and control while pushing and operating chair  10 . 
   Seat portion  16  and back portion  17  are pivotally connected by a back portion hinge set  14 . The back portion  17  is adapted to rotate about hinge set  14  in a 180 degree pivot; at least 90 degrees in the forward direction, and at least 90 degrees in the backward direction. When the back portion  17  is rotated in the forward direction about hinge set  14 , the back portion  17  rests horizontally on-top of seat portion  16 , forming the fold-up configuration. In turn, a leg portion hinge set  19  pivotally connects front leg portion  13  to seat portion  16 . Front leg portion  13  is adapted to rotate in a 180 degree pivot about leg portion hinge set  19  so that front leg portion  13  can rotate in the horizontal plane with seat portion  16 ; and rotates horizontally under seat portion  16  when the fold-up confirmation is desired. Additionally, rear leg portion  11  is pivotally connected to seat portion  16  by way of a rear leg hinge  15  adapted to rotate in at least a 90 degree pivot so that rear leg portion  11  can rotate horizontally under seat portion  16  when the fold-up confirmation is desired. 
   A schematic view of the back portion  17  and material roller system  24  of The Adjustable Patient Transport System is shown in  FIG. 3  generally at  50 . Back portion  17  comprises an outer frame  20  having a left and right post  51  and  52 . The left and right posts  51  and  52  of outer frame  20  are surrounded by cloth backing  21  adapted to support a patient&#39;s back. This cloth backing  21  is not adjustable, but is of a fixed width and height. The left and right posts  51  and  52  have a top portion  53  and bottom portion  54 . Top portion  53  of left and right posts,  51  and  52 , respectively, comprises an outer post insert aperture  55  adapted to receive left and right inner post portion  56  and  57 , respectively, of inner frame  25  of head support portion  18 . Bottom portion  54  is pivotally attached to seat portion  16  by way of back portion hinge  14 . Bottom portion  54  is also attached to material roller system  24  by way of attachment bar  57 . Attachment bar  57  is located under back portion  17  and beneath and adjacent to seat portion  16 . 
   Each top portion  53  of left and right posts  51  and  52  of outer frame  20  further comprises at least one outer aperture  22  adapted to receive a locking pin  23 . Alternatively, at least one outer aperture  22  and locking pin  23  is located on the top potion  53  of either of the left or right posts,  51  and  52 , respectively. Head support portion  18  comprises inner frame  25  having an inverted u-shape configuration forming a left and right inner post portion  56  and  57 , respectively. Left and right inner post portions  56  and  57 , respectively, further comprise a plurality of inner apertures  26 , extending lengthwise along the left and right inner post portions,  56  and  57 . Outer post insert aperture  55  is adapted to receive inner post portions  56  and  57  of inner frame  25  of head support portion  18 . Each of the inner apertures  26  are located a distance from one another, ranging from 1 cm to 8 cm (0.4 inches to 3.14 inches), so that the head support portion  18  can be adjusted to a plethora of heights to accommodate persons of varying sizes. Inner frame  25  is adapted to be received in the hollow insert of outer frame  20 . The inner frame  25  has a plurality of apertures  26  located at designated heights along the left and right inner post portions  56  and  57 , respectively, of inner frame  25 . Apertures  26  are adapted for receiving locking pin  23 . 
   Outer aperture  22  is adapted to align with one of the plurality of apertures  26  of inner frame  25  as head support portion  18  is adjusted in an upward or downward direction. When the desired height of head support portion  18  is determined, outer aperture  22  and inner aperture  26  are aligned. Once aligned, locking pin  23  is inserted into outer aperture  22  and traverses into inner aperture  26  to lock head support portion  18  in place at the selected height. Phantom adjustment heights are indicated at  58 , showing a sample of different heights available to head support portion  18  to readily accommodate patients of varying heights. 
   Head support portion  18  further comprises a horizontal cross bar  27  connecting the left and right inner post portions  56  and  57 , respectively, of inner frame  25 . Horizontal cross bar  27  may be provided with handles (not shown). Alternatively, head support portion  18  also includes a second cross bar  29 . The horizontal cross bar  27  has adjustable support material  28  fixedly attached thereto. Head support portion  18  via the adjustment of inner frame  25 , can be adjusted to various heights as indicated by way of phantom heights  58 . As head support portion  18  is adjusted in height, adjustable support material  28  is contemporaneously adjusted in height. Adjustable support material  28  has a width of at least 15 cm (6 inches) in order to accommodate the back width of an average adult person. Adjustable support material  28  traverses behind cloth backing  21  of outer frame  20  as the adjustable support material  28  is fed from material roller system  24 . 
   Adjustable support material  28  is part of material roller system  24 . Material roller system  24  comprises adjustable support material  28  extending there from and rolled up thereon, a material roll bar  60 , an inner roll rod  61 , and a rolling pin system  62  providing adaptation of the material roller rod  60  and visa vie material roll bar  60  from a rolling position to and from a locking position. The rolling pin system  62  operates and functions as a typical window blind system. In other words, when a force is applied by pulling the adjustable support material  28  by way of adjusting head support portion  18  upward, the inner roll rod  61  and material roll bar  60  rotate in a feed direction, feeding out more adjustable support material  28 , and visa vie the adjustable support material  28  extends or lengthens in an upward direction. In contrast, when the adjustable support material  28  by way of adjusting head support portion  18 , is quickly pulled again, the inner roll rod  61  and material roll bar  60  rotate in the opposite retraction direction, causing the material roll bar  60  to retract or pull material onto the material roll bar  60 , and visa vie the adjustable support material  28  retracts in a downward direction. 
   The rolling pin system  62  is activated to extend or retract the adjustable support material  28  when locking pin  23  is released from inner aperture  26  of inner frame  18  and outer aperture  22  of outer frame  17 . Alternatively, the rolling pin system  62  is activated to extend or retract the adjustable support material  28  when directional force is applied to the head support portion  18  by applying a quick force causing rotation of the rolling pin system  62  in one direction, followed by another quick force causing rotation in the opposing direction. Second cross bar  29  is optional, and includes handles  31 . 
   Having thus described the invention in rather full detail, it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered to but that various changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.