Abstract:
A stretcher supporter, and a method of balancing a stretcher supporter for a patient lifting device, are disclosed. The stretcher supporter includes an open frame, wherein said open frame provides for secure attachment of a stretcher to said open frame and an adjustable lifting point connected to said open frame, wherein said adjustable lifting point suspends said open frame and rotatably shifts to substantially balance said stretcher respective to said open frame. The method of balancing a stretcher supporter for a patient lifting device, includes the steps of securely attaching a stretcher to an open frame of said stretcher supporter and adjusting a lifting point connected to said open frame, wherein said adjusting a lifting point suspends said open frame and linearly and rotatably shifts to substantially balance said stretcher respective to said open frame.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to patient safety and, more specifically, to a stretcher support for a patient lifting device, as well as a method of secured and balanced lifting of a stretcher support.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is well known that persons confined to a bed due to illness, age, accident, injury, or any debilitating condition, possess such limited mobility that movement or transfer of such a person is extremely difficult. Imbalanced transfer can result in serious complications to the individual and the caregiver. For instance, the need to move a patient immediately after an operation may be necessary, yet is a dangerous proposition, as any shifting or movement of the body may undo a surgeon&#39;s most careful work. Just as important is the need to transfer a bed-ridden person for bathing and other hygienic needs, or for exercise so as to facilitate recovery.  
         [0003]     In a hospital setting, a transfer is typically performed by a number of hospital workers, in order to comfortably lift a patient from one position to another. If the transfer is made only by hand, the hospital personnel risk back injury. If the transfer utilizes too few personnel, or requires reaching in an awkward position, the personnel may risk body strain. Further, despite the number of personnel employed to assist in the transfer, the patient is susceptible to injury from anyone who touches or lifts incorrectly.  
         [0004]     For these reasons, a number of devices have been developed for lifting and lowering of incapacitated persons from a position in a bed, chair, bath, or the like, such as a patient lift device having a base frame having vertically oriented guideposts, wherein a carriage assembly moves along the guideposts in response to an operator applied control signal. A lifting arm and attached stretcher supporter may project over a person placed into a stretcher for lifting. Such a device may require sufficient size to accomplish the intended service, namely, lifting. In particular, the device may employ elongated legs and a boom that is necessary to lift a patient. This may prevent the device from being easily transferred or stored. Reduced length of components is necessary so that the apparatus can fit beneath a bed or chair, yet lengths must be sufficient so as to provide adequate support during the lifting process.  
         [0005]     Another example of a patient lift and transfer apparatus includes a unitary frame having a caster wheel equipped U-shaped horizontal disposed frame. Again, the legs of this apparatus are capable of being placed beneath a patient&#39;s bed providing sufficient support for the lifting device as well as the patient. However, no provision is made for storage or transportation of the apparatus.  
         [0006]     Another apparatus is based upon electrical motors to provide assistance in patient movement, wherein the arm members telescope and then retract. This apparatus does not include the retraction of the arms for purposes of storage or transportation.  
         [0007]     A lifting device having leg support structures in the form of telescoping leg assemblies capable of extension and divergence is stable and may provide a safe and effective means of lifting patients. An example of such a lifting device is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,523, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This lifting device meets the particular problems commonly found in hospitals and convalescent homes, wherein short term lifting capabilities are necessary. Unique to this lifting device is the ability to lift up to seven hundred pounds, yet retract in size for purposes of transporting and storage. In operation, the support legs provide about a seventy eight inch stance when fully extended. In a retracted position, the support legs telescope together, leaving a frame footprint of approximately fifty two inches. The lifting device includes a miniature crane having a rotatable column with a lifting arm that can be raised and lowered at the upper end. The column is rotatably coupled to the portable base frame, and is operably attached to an electric motor driven linear actuator that enables independent and reversible rotation of the column, in order to facilitate placement of the end of the lifting arm above the patient&#39;s bed, or the like, in order to permit eventual transport of the patient away from the bed, or the like, such as by, for example, a chair, gurney, or wheelchair. An additional electric motor driven linear actuator may make raising and lowering of the lifting arm effortless.  
         [0008]     The support legs may be further extended outwardly from the frame once the apparatus is positioned at the bedside. This feature allows for ease of movement to various sites, but allows for greater stability during use. Additionally, the support legs, which are normally parallel with respect to each other, are pivotally attached to the base frame and operatively associated with an additional electrically driven linear actuator. Operation of this actuator enables angular displacement of the leg assemblies, so as to cause divergence or convergence thereof. This feature provides a safe and efficient means to ensure the stability of the entire apparatus during a lifting procedure. Additionally, since the extension and divergence of the support legs is carried out beneath the bed, access to the bed and the patient is not hampered in any way.  
         [0009]     Once the apparatus is in position, the unit can be easily secured by locking the frame mounted wheels. In an embodiment, the apparatus uses four wheels, two of which are lockable caster wheels similar to those found on stretchers, positioned at the rear of the support base. Two additional casters are affixed to the lower portion of the support legs at their outermost or distal end.  
         [0010]     With the support legs in an extended and divergent position, an operator can maneuver a stretcher supporter attached to the lifting arm over a patient&#39;s location, wherein a set of hooks on the stretcher supporter may be available for attaching to a stretcher. The stretcher may be placed beneath the patient so as to facilitate support during transfer. The column is further able to rotate about its axis on the order of about +/−30 degrees from a starting position, e.g. perpendicular to the rear edge of the support base, in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Angular rotation of the column is performed by use of an electric motor coupled to a linear actuator.  
         [0011]     An operator of the lifting device controls operation by sending control signals to the controller that, in turn, forwards control signals to actuators to generate the movement of the lifting device in accordance with the control signal. However, the methodology used to provide the control signal from the operator, such as a hand-held control pad, having thereon a plurality of control buttons, such as extend, lift, right, left, up, down, and the like, may be, intentionally or unintentionally, misused by the operator. In such an instance, the lifting device may not operate properly or safely. For example, if a safe footprint of the lifting device is not set before attempting a lift and transfer of the patient, such as by a failure to extend the base, or a failure to sufficiently open the legs, the base may allow for tipping over of the lifting device, thereby possibly harming the patient or the operator. When the legs are completely open angularly, and when the legs are completely extended linearly, a safe footprint is set, thereby allowing for lift and transfer with no tipping.  
         [0012]     Recommendations to the operator, such as in the form of extensive in-service training emphasizing proper setup, and/or instructions included with signage placed on the lifting device, can assist in insuring proper setup of the lifting device. However, such training or informational methodologies nonetheless allow for human error. Thus, an automated device and method is needed to completely insure proper setup of the lifting device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The present invention is directed to a stretcher supporter that adjusts to imbalances and tipping of the stretcher and lifting device, in a normal mode of operation. The stretcher supporter includes an open frame, wherein the open frame provides for secure attachment of a stretcher to the open frame. Also an adjustable lifting point connected to the open frame suspends the open frame and linearly and rotatably shifts to substantially balance the stretcher respective to the open frame.  
         [0014]     The present invention also includes a method of balancing a stretcher supporter for a patient lifting device is also disclosed. The method includes securely attaching a stretcher to an open frame of a stretcher supporter, and adjusting a lifting point that is connected to the open frame.  
         [0015]     The present invention solves problems experienced with the prior art because it provides an automated device and method to completely insure proper setup of the lifting device. Those and other advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention hereinbelow. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the lifting device with the support legs extended and the lift arm in a horizontal position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the lifting device with the support legs extended and diverged;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional top view of the support base;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a back view of the device;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the device showing the support leg linear and divergence range of travel including, in phantom, the support legs closed and fully retracted;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the device showing the lift arm assembly rotational range of travel;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the adjustable locator attached to the lifting arm of the assembly;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements found in a typical patient-safety or lifting device and stretcher supporter. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable and/or required in order to implement the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. The disclosure hereinbelow is directed to all such variations and modifications to lifting and/or control devices for motor positioning as known, and as will be apparent, to those skilled in the art.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown is an embodiment of a lifting device  110 , including a support base  112  having two locking rotatable casters  114  secured to the bottom of base  112 . Foot operated levers  116  may provide simplified engagement of wheel locks. An example of such an embodiment can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,894 to Moffa, et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. Rotatable column  120  extends vertically from, and is mechanically linked to, support base  112  via column mount  314  (see  FIG. 3 ). Lift arm assembly  122 , shown in a horizontal orientation, may be pivotally attached to column  120  at first pivot point  124  and second pivot point  126 . Extension of the lift arm from about 29 degrees above, to about 45 degrees below, the horizontal reference position shown may be accomplished by, for example, electric motor driven linear actuator  128 . The actuator  128  acts as a lifter, providing power to extend or retract actuator rod  130 , thereby pivoting and raising or lowering lift arm assembly  122  and actuator rod  130 .  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , pivotally mounted to the support base  112  may be extensible legs  118  and  118 A having a rotatable caster  220  mounted at a distal end  222  thereof. Each of the legs  118  and  118 A may be formed of a leg weldment  224  and a leg extension  226  that together define a telescoping leg assembly  234  capable of reversible extension from the support base. The leg extension  226  may be in a nesting relation with the leg weldment  224 , and may include a leg cylinder bracket  228  that is operatively associated with the distal end portion  236  of telescoping actuator rod  230 . The proximal end  238  of the telescoping actuator rod is operatively associated with a linear actuator  232  for reversible extension of the leg assembly  234 .  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a top cross-sectional view of support base  112  shows actuator motors  232  that may each operate independently or together for extension of legs  118  and  118   a  as desired. An additional motor  310  may be mechanically linked to each of legs  118  and  118 A. Activation of motor  310  causes actuator rod  312  to pivot the legs outwardly from the initial parallel orientation to a point where the legs circumscribe about a 40 degree to a 90 degree angle. The operator is thus able to reversibly extend each of legs  118 ,  118 A independently, while causing the legs to reversibly diverge from one another. This allows the device to set a safe footprint for patient transfer and to provide a compact system for easy transport from one patient area to another when in the compact retracted configuration.  
         [0029]     Once in position at the patient&#39;s bedside, the legs may then be extended and diverged so as to define a longer and wider footprint, thereby providing enhanced stability during the patient lifting process. Column mount  314  retains the column in a vertical orientation with respect to the support base  112 , while allowing the column to rotate about its axis. Electrically driven linear actuator  316  may act as a column  120  rotator that reversibly extends an actuator rod  318  that is pivotally attached to column  120  via an attachment arm  320 . The column may, for example, have a total angular sweep of about +/−30 degrees to about +/−90 degrees to either side of a reference position wherein it is perpendicular to a plane defined by the handle  410  (see  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a back view of the device  110  shows U-shaped handle  410  that may be attached to support base  112  and/or attached to column  120  via a handle strap  412 . The handle may also be of any shape. The handle may or may not enclose a basket area  410  that may contain a controller  412  for transmitting signals to the various actuator motors, and a battery  414  for powering the various electrically controlled devices. The basket may also be a post or column. A remote controller  416  may be provided in electrical communication with the control panel. The remote controller may contain the necessary switching devices to control up and down movement of the lifting arm, clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the column, extension and retraction of each of the legs individually or simultaneously, and divergence and convergence of both legs simultaneously, for example.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the extendable legs  118  and  118   a  are shown in phantom in the stowed position, such as before deployment. Using actuator  310  of  FIG. 3 , the extendable legs  118 ,  118   a , may be extended until each leg reaches a fully diverged and deployed state. For example, legs  118  and  118   a  may extend together linearly, such that an angle A covers, for example, the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees. In an embodiment, both legs  118  and  118   a  may be extended simultaneously, such that angle A is roughly equal to angle B. The total divergence of the legs  118 ,  118   a  may be represented as angle C, and as an exemplary embodiment, angle C may have a range of, for example, between 0 degrees and 90 degrees. Further, using actuators  232 ,  232   a , both legs  118 ,  118   a  may be extended from length L 1  to length L 2 . The activation of all, or a portion of, the actuators may be monitored by a programmable controller  412 , such as a memory device activated switch, a programmable logic controller, or other microcontrollers apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0032]     Using actuator  316  of  FIG. 3 , the lift arm assembly  122  may be rotated. Referring also to  FIG. 6 , lift arm assembly  122  may be moved from its center position to a position indicated in phantom in  FIG. 6  as  122   a . This rotation is represented as angle D. Similarly, the lift arm assembly  122  may be rotated to a position represented in phantom in  FIG. 6  as  122   b , thus moving through angle E. The full angle of motion of lift arm assembly  122  is thus represented as angle F. In an exemplary embodiment, angle F may be, for example, a maximum of +/−60 degrees.  
         [0033]     Safety considerations may be imposed, such that the rotation of lift arm assembly  122  through angle F may be limited so as not to allow the lifting device to tip over under load. This limiting may be performed, for example, by a limiting of actuators, dependent on predetermined criteria, such as a limiting by controller  412 . For example, angle F may be so limited at a point when angle C of  FIG. 5  is a predetermined minimum value, as determined by a sensing of angle C by controller  412 , such as wherein the controller  416  monitors the activation of an actuator. As an additional constraint, angle F of  FIG. 6  may be restricted to some minimum value if the combination of angle C of  FIG. 5  is below some minimum value, and the length of extendable legs  228  is below some minimum value of L 2 .  
         [0034]     In an exemplary embodiment, the rotation of lift arm assembly  122  of  FIG. 6  may be limited such that a maximum value of angle F is 10 degrees (+/−5 degrees from center axis) for a divergence angle C of less than about 66 degrees, and/or for an extension length L 2  of  FIG. 5  of less than, for example, 95% of the full extended length L 2 . These restrictions may be imposed on the operation of the lifting device so as to prevent tipping. It should be noted that lift arm assembly  122  may be lowered and elevated by use of actuator  128  at any time without restriction.  
         [0035]     In this exemplary embodiment, angle F may be controlled by an actuator having a stroke of 3.94″, and this stroke may be limited to 1.91″ for proper operation. Thus, full retraction of the actuator may cause an angle F of −30 degrees from center axis, and a full stroke of actuator to 1.91″ may cause an angle F of +30 degrees from center axis. Other stroke values may also be used depending on the geometry of the device. However, in accordance with the status of length L 2 , and/or the openness of the angle C, the controller  412  may limit the actuator to function, for example, over a stroke of 1.08″+0.166″ right and 0.157″ left, thereby limiting angle F to +/−5 degrees from center axis, wherein the controller assesses length L 2  to be less than 95% of full length L 2 , and/or wherein the controller  412  assesses the legs to be less than 95% open.  
         [0036]     For example, in this exemplary embodiment, the actuator that opens and closes the leg angle C may be, for example, an actuator having a total stroke of 5.91″, and an install length of 12.21″. Such an actuator may be fully extended when the legs are closed, and fully retracted when angle C approaches, for example, 70 degrees. Thus, the legs may be 95% open when the stroke is down from 12.21″ to 0.295″. The actuators that extend the legs outwardly may have a stroke of, for example, 20.67″, and may be at full stroke upon full leg extension. Thus, at 19.36″ stroke, the controller  412  may assess the respective leg controlled by the respective actuator as being 95% extended. Thereby, when at least one, or, for example, both, of these two 95% minimum conditions are met, angle F may be allowed, by the controller  412 , to exceed +/−5 degrees from center. In this exemplary embodiment, the patient lift device may lift up to, for example, seven hundred pounds. Again, alternative stroke values may be used, in accordance with the geometry of the present device.  
         [0037]     An additional restriction on operation to maintain operation of the lift device within safe parameters may include inhibition of the retraction of the extendable legs, and/or inhibition of the closing of the angular divergence of the extendable legs, while performing a lift of a patient. Specifically, one embodiment may include the operational restriction, by the controller  412 , of inhibiting and/or preventing movement of the actuators that control leg extension and/or retraction, or of the actuators that control leg divergence and/or closure when the lift arm is rotated more than 5 degrees left or right of the center location. Equivalently, this occurs when the entirety of angle D or E of the lift arm assembly exceeds 5 degrees. Correspondingly, leg extension and leg divergence actuators may be re-enabled if the lift arm assembly is rotated to be within 5 degrees left or right of the center axis. The degree of rotation may vary according to the geometry of the present invention.  
         [0038]     The handheld controller  416  of  FIG. 1  may be employed to provide an operational safety interlock to prevent patient lift and transfer outside of limit condition, such as the limit conditions on divergence angle and leg extension length discussed hereinabove. User control of all actuators in the lifting device may be provided by control pad  416 . The safety interlock within the controller  416  may operate by tracking the operation and position of actuators, and by allowing operation of particular ones of the actuators only upon proper actuation of other actuators, for example, in accordance with information from controller  412 . The control device may include therein the digital controller  412  running software that provides the limitations of movement stated hereinabove. Software resident in the controller  412  may track performance of all actuators in the lifting device, or only actuators of interest and the respective position indicators thereof, in order to ensure safe operation of the lifting device. The software, and/or the controller  412 , and/or the handheld controller  416 , may track proper and safe operation, such as by monitoring the output of at least one reed switch engaged and aligned to monitor the position or performance of certain ones of the actuators, as discussed hereinabove. The handheld controller  416  may incorporate a keypad and may incorporate a display indicating some indicia of operation of the lifting device, such as, for example, the rotational position of the lift arm assembly, the angular displacement of the extendable legs, and the linear displacement of leg extension.  
         [0039]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the handheld controller  416  and/or the controller  412  monitors position sensors located in the lifting device to ensure that the hereinabove safety limits are met. For example, reed, limit, magnetic, Hall effect or other proximity switches may be used to sense when the extendable legs are sufficiently diverged enough to allow safe operation. In addition to these sensors, sensors may be used to sense when the extendable legs are sufficiently deployed linearly to allow safe operation of the lifting device. Once again, sensors may be used to sense the rotational location of the lifting arm so as to prevent rotation of the lifting arm when the extendable legs are not fully deployed in at least one of either length or angular displacement.  
         [0040]     In one embodiment, a digital position indicator may be used for the leg angular divergence, extension, and lifting arm rotation position. For example, a digital encoder may be used to indicate the actual position of the legs or lift arm assembly and make the information available to the digital controller.  
         [0041]     In one embodiment, rotary digital encoders may be used on all rotary type actuators. In this embodiment, the digital encoders indicate the number of revolutions, for example, in degrees or binary number count, to indicate the position of screw-type rotary actuators in order to limit the overall operation of the lifting device to be within the hereinabove safety limits. In this embodiment, the controller  412  would receive digitized position information from all actuators in the lifting device and translate that information to relevant positional information to ensure operation within safe operating limits. It is well understood by those of skill in the art that the actuators may be of the rotary or linear type, and that digitized position information may be obtained via any of the commercially available digital position sensing devices, including linear and rotary encoders.  
         [0042]     In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the handheld controller  416  and/or the controller  412  may monitor variables, such as sensors, such as weight transducers, and/or such as current drawn by an actuator, in order to monitor weight present on the hook device of the lift arm. Movement, such as retraction of legs, closure of leg divergence, or the like, may thereby be limited, as set forth hereinabove, when a patient weight is sensed on the lift arm. The weight sensing may be calibrated, such as to account for the weight present on the lift arm when no patient is on the lift arm, such as, for example, the 20-30 lbs. that may be present due to certain embodiments of the hook device.  
         [0043]     A bypass mode of operation may be implemented in the controller  416  to facilitate breakdown and setup of the lifting device. The use of the bypass mode for actuating movement beyond the hereinabove ranges constitutes a safety hazard should an operator be using the device to lift a patient. Therefore, a safety interlock may be implemented in the controller  416  to prevent inadvertent operation in the bypass mode. In one embodiment, a lockout keypad code may be entered in order to operate the unit in bypass mode. Once in bypass mode, an audible alarm may be sounded to alert or remind the operator that the unit is in bypass mode, and is to be used only for breakdown and setup of the lifting device. In this embodiment, an additional keypad input may be required to exit the bypass mode.  
         [0044]     In one embodiment, a physical lockout key may be used to temporarily place the unit in bypass mode. Once again, upon placement into bypass mode, an audible alarm may be sounded to alert or remind the operator that the unit is in bypass mode to be used only for breakdown and setup of the lifting device. Exit from the bypass mode may be obtained by removal or reset of the physical key or key position. Those of skill in the art will realize that any form of safety interlock mechanism may be used. For example, a physical key and key position, physical or magnetic, a digital key code, or a key switch of limited access on the controller device are exemplary of such mechanisms.  
         [0045]     As can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an adjustable locator of an open stretcher frame  700  may attach to the lifting arm at the lifting point of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . Additionally, the open stretcher frame  700  may attach at the support point of a rail suspended above the bed, wherein the support point is mobile within or withon the rail, as will be known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment of the invention, the open stretcher frame  700  may consist of two parallel and essentially identical arches, with a center rail connected to the apex of each arch. The arches and center rail are preferably rigid and may provide structural support to the stretcher supporter. The open framework of the stretcher supporter may be of alternate design shapes, such that it is engineered to attach to a stretcher and is sufficiently open and sturdy to be capable of supporting the weight of a broad range of persons. For example, the open frame may be square, hemispherical, elliptical, or triangular. Alternatively, the open frame may be formed from semi-rigid or non-rigid materials, such as chains or cables. The open frame may also be constructed from a variety of materials, such as metal, plastic, fiberglass, or any other material or combination of materials that provide structural support to the open frame in a rigid, semi-rigid, or non-rigid embodiment.  
         [0046]     Located near the bottom of the stretcher supporter may be one or more attachment points for attachment of a stretcher  710 . In an exemplary embodiment, the end points of the two arches of the open frame  700  effectively create four points of a rectangle in a horizontal plane formed tangent to the four end points. The number of attachment points may typically be at least two, but may consist of any number of attachment points depending on the design of the stretcher being attached to the stretcher supporter. If a standard stretcher is used, the distance between the four points in the exemplary embodiment may be such that the stretcher can be attached at the four points of the open frame. Attached to the four end points may be one or more hooks, which are capable of holding a stretcher that has a loop, or eye, on each corner. Thus, the stretcher may be securely attached to the stretcher supporter frame by placing the four loops of the stretcher over the four hooks of the assembly frame. Of course, the manner of attachment can be any mechanism known in the art, so long as the attachment is secured such as, but not limited to, velcro, knots, or the like.  
         [0047]     The adjustable locator  740  of the stretcher frame  700  assembly may attach to the lifting arm or rail via a U bracket  730 . In such an embodiment, a central bolt  720  may extend through a hole in the bottom of the U bracket  730  and be tack welded to a sleeve portion, which sleeve may slide freely along the center rail. Thereby, free radial rotation at the lifting point for the stretcher frame  700  assembly may be provided.  
         [0048]     The adjustable locator  740  may additionally provide for repositioning of the lifting point according to the location of the stretcher  710  when attached to the frame assembly, and according to the weight distribution across the stretcher  710 . In an exemplary embodiment, in the center of one side of the sleeve may be a plunger system utilizing a spring loaded pin  750 . When the pin is engaged, the sleeve may be locked into a fixed position by insertion of the pin through a hole in center rail  760 . When the plunger system is disengaged, the pin may be removed from a hole in the center rail, allowing the sleeve to slide freely along center rail  760 . This repositioning may be accomplished by the plunger mechanism, wherein the spring loaded pin may be engaged and disengaged through a series of holes along the length of the center rail of the stretcher frame  700 .  
         [0049]     The adjustable locator may thus include a mechanism capable of locking the lifting point within a range of locations. Such a mechanism may include a pressurized constriction about the center rail such as the aforementioned plunger mechanism, that can be loosened and tightened until a suitable location is obtained. In one embodiment of the present invention, the series of holes into which the pressurized construction may occur may be in increments of an inch, with five holes to the left of center, and five holes to the right of center. Of course, the number of holes from either side of the center pin hole location may be any number and any incremental distance, such that center rail  760  of the stretcher frame  700  maintains sufficient strength and rigidity. The adjustable locator is thus repositioned by disengaging the pin of the plunger system and shifting the adjustable locator over an adjacent pin hole, and subsequently pressurizing to re-engage the pin securely into the new pin hole. Thus, if a tilt or unevenness is detected when the stretcher is minimally lifted from its resting position, the stretcher may be lowered back to a resting position, and the adjustable locator may be repositioned toward the tilt sufficiently to remove the tilt or unevenness. This process may be repeated as many times as necessary to allow for secure maneuvering.  
         [0050]     In certain embodiments, the adjustable locator and lifting point may be moved by an electrical motor, and controlled manually or by a computing device. For example, an operator may heuristically determine, by repeated lowering and raising of the stretcher, the proper pin location to maintain balance of the stretcher during lifting. Alternatively, one or more sensors may determine the weight distribution on the stretcher, and/or a degree of tilt of the stretcher, and may thereby calculate the proper pin position to maintain balance. The proper pin position may then be provided to an operator to allow for manual repositioning, or may be employed to automatically control an electric motor or other similar device to disengage the pressure holding the pin in place, to relocate the pin at the proper position, and to re-engage the pressure to engage the pin to the proper pin location to maintain balance. A frictional system, or any other suitable system for positional adjustment, may also be automated as described.  
         [0051]     In operation, a patient may be placed upon a stretcher supporter as previously described. The lift arm or rail may be positioned above the patient, and the stretcher supporter may be properly positioned over the stretcher. This configuration minimizes swinging tendency, as the stretcher supporter and patient are pulled upward only after attachment of the stretcher to the assembly. While positioning the device, the lifting apparatus may be left free to roll so as to more easily align the end of the lift arm assembly above the patient. Once the device is properly located, locking casters may be engaged so as to prevent any undesirable movement during the lifting process.  
         [0052]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the apparatus and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modification and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.