Patent Publication Number: US-2022211560-A1

Title: Litter lift system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/398,754, filed Aug. 10, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,285,058 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/078,401, filed Oct. 23, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/925,512, filed Oct. 24, 2019, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Ambulance-type vehicles typically include a mechanism to position and secure a stretcher or “litter” to the floor of the vehicle. The ambulance-type vehicles are typically designed to accommodate one sick, injured, or wounded person away from an event. Occasionally, an ambulance must transport several wounded or injured personnel away from an event simultaneously. 
     SUMMARY 
     One exemplary embodiment relates to a litter lift system. The litter lift system includes a winch and a lifting strap. The winch includes a rotatable spool. The lifting strap has one end coupled to the rotatable spool and is movable in response to rotation of the rotatable spool. The lifting strap has a first lifting segment and a second lifting segment positioned away from the end of the lifting strap coupled to the rotatable spool. The first lifting segment and the second lifting segment are each forked to interface with a frame of a litter at a first lifting segment distal end and a second lifting segment distal end, wherein a coupling is attached to the first lifting segment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a first direction raises the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a second direction different from the first direction lowers the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment. 
     Another exemplary embodiment relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame, a vehicle body, and a litter lift system. The vehicle body is supported by the frame, and includes a passenger compartment. The litter lift system is positioned at least partially within the passenger compartment. The litter lift system includes a winch and a lifting strap. The winch includes a rotatable spool. The lifting strap has one end coupled to the rotatable spool and is movable in response to rotation of the rotatable spool. The lifting strap has a first lifting segment and a second lifting segment positioned away from the end of the lifting strap coupled to the rotatable spool wherein the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment are each forked to interface with a frame of a litter at a first lifting segment distal end and a second lifting segment distal end. A first magnetic component is attached to the first lifting segment and a first magnet is coupled to a ceiling panel, and wherein the first metallic component and the first magnet are configured to form a removable coupling to secure the first lifting segment to the ceiling panel. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a first direction raises the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment away from a floor of the passenger compartment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a second direction different from the first direction lowers the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment toward the floor of the passenger compartment. 
     Another exemplary embodiment relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a chassis, a vehicle body, a litter support system, and a litter lift system. The vehicle body is supported by the chassis, and has a passenger compartment. The litter support system has a frame defined by two channels. The litter lift system is configured to raise a litter received within the channels away from the frame. The litter lift system is configured to raise a litter received within the channels away from the frame. 
     The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried out in various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be recited herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are top views of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , with a portion of a vehicle body removed to depict internal components, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is an interior perspective cross-sectional view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 , with a litter lift system of the vehicle in a lowered position; 
         FIG. 4B  is an interior perspective cross-sectional view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 , with the litter lift system of the vehicle in a raised position; 
         FIG. 5A  is another interior perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a detailed view of a front strap interface formed within the vehicle body of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , taken from the section  5 B in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a detailed view of a rear strap interface and a winch housing formed within the vehicle body of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , taken from the section  5 C in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a winch system incorporated into the litter lift system of  FIG. 4A , with the winch housing of  FIG. 5C  removed; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a passenger compartment of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a front view of a controller used to control the litter lift system of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the controller of  FIG. 8A ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a strap of the litter lift system of  FIG. 4A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Referring to the FIGURES generally, the various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to a litter lift system adapted for use within a vehicle, such as an ambulance or light tactical military vehicle, which can accommodate and transport several wounded or injured personnel away from an incident simultaneously. In other embodiments, the vehicle is an airplane, a tank, or still another system. In still other embodiments, the litter lift system is provided as part of a building or other non-vehicle system. The litter lift system generally includes a lifting strap that is coupled to a motor-driven winch system that can rotate to adjust a vertical position of two separate lifting segments of the lifting strap at an approximately even rate to suspend and balance a litter above the floor of a vehicle or surface (in the case of a non-vehicle use). Rotation of the winch system raises or lowers the lifting straps and litters suspended by the lifting straps to maintain the litter in an approximately parallel relationship with the floor of the vehicle below. 
     The winch system is coupled to or positioned near the roof or ceiling of the vehicle body. A portion of the lifting strap is routed above the ceiling and along (e.g., below) the roof of the vehicle body, outside the passenger compartment. Each lifting segment of the lifting strap is suspended downward, through passageways formed in the ceiling of the vehicle body, and into the passenger compartment where the lifting straps can be coupled to a NATO-style litter or other stretcher-type structure. When coupled to the lifting segments of the lifting strap, rotation of the winch system (in a first direction) raises and suspends the litter from the floor of the vehicle. By suspending the litter off of the floor of the vehicle body, the area of the vehicle below the suspended litter can be used to accommodate additional patients (e.g., on a second litter) or personnel. Otherwise unused vertical space within the vehicle body can be used by the patient suspended by the litter lift system. The vehicle can be outfitted with two identical litter lifting systems positioned on each side of the vehicle body to accommodate four or more litters within the same vehicle simultaneously, with two litters being suspended and two litters being positioned at or near the floor of the vehicle body. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle, shown as light-tactical vehicle  10  is provided. The vehicle  10  can be an ambulance-style vehicle that is adapted for use in combat situations. The vehicle  10  generally includes a frame, shown as chassis  12 , a prime mover, shown as engine  14 , that is supported by the chassis  12 , and tractive elements, shown as wheels  16  driven by the engine  14  (e.g., through a transmission, a differential, or direct drive). Although shown as an engine  14 , the prime mover can be selected or configured to operate using a variety of different primary fuel sources, including diesel fuel, petroleum, battery power, compressed natural gas, a combination of one or more of these fuel sources, or other suitable fuel sources. In some examples, the prime mover is configured as an electric motor and the chassis  12  supports one or more battery cells (e.g., lithium-ion cells) to power the prime mover. 
     A vehicle body  18  is supported by the chassis  12 . The vehicle body  18  includes both a cab  20  and a passenger compartment  22 . The cab  20  can generally include vehicle control components, including a steering wheel (or joystick), gas and brake pedals, and a clutch system, for example. The cab  20  can also include seating to accommodate a vehicle driver and one or more passengers. In some autonomous versions of the vehicle  10 , the steering wheel and control pedals are omitted from the cab  20 . A hood  21  of the vehicle  10  extends forward from the cab  20  to house the prime mover (e.g., the motor  14 ) and various other vehicle subsystems (e.g., oil systems, HVAC systems, etc.) 
     The passenger compartment  22  is positioned behind the cab  20  on the vehicle chassis  12 . The passenger compartment  22  is defined by a larger volume than the cab  20 , and can be used to house various types of medical equipment, for example, to administer care to injured or wounded personnel at or while driving away from an incident location. Each of the cab  20  and passenger compartment  22  can be defined by an outer, armored steel plate construction. The cab  20  and the passenger compartment  22  can be joined together so that an internal passageway is formed between the cab  20  and the passenger compartment  22 . Accordingly, personnel within the vehicle  10  can travel between the cab  20  and the passenger compartment  22  without exiting the vehicle  10 . 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the interior of the passenger compartment  22  within the vehicle body  18  is shown. The passenger compartment  22  is defined by a floor  24 , a roof  26 , and sidewalls  28  including a front wall  30  and a rear wall  32  extending between the floor  24  and the roof  26 . The passenger compartment  22  has a generally rectangular perimeter, and can be accessed through both the rear wall  32  and the front wall  30 . In other embodiments, the passenger compartment  22  is accessible through a sidewall or vertically (e.g., through the roof  26 ). The passenger compartment  22  can be formed of plate steel or steel alloy that provides additional armor to the vehicle  10 . In some examples, the sidewalls  28  are formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy material to reduce an overall weight of the vehicle  10 . 
     The passenger compartment  22  is designed to transport personnel and/or equipment. For example, seating can be provided within the interior of the passenger compartment  22  to help transport personnel within the passenger compartment  22 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , seating is provided around the perimeter of the passenger compartment  22 . In some examples, a command seat  34  is centered along the front wall  30  of the passenger compartment  22 . First and second perimeter seats  36 ,  38  can be positioned along the sidewalls  28  near the front of the passenger compartment  22  as well. 
     Litter support systems  40  can be positioned along each sidewall  28 , extending away from the rear wall  32  of the vehicle body  18 . The litter support systems  40  can each rotate between a stowed position (shown in  FIG. 2A ) and a deployed position (shown in  FIGS. 2B, 4A-4B ). In the stowed position, the litter support system  40  provides an array of seatbacks  42  that create ambulatory seating for one or more people, such that the vehicle  10  can be used to transport several people within the passenger compartment  22  simultaneously. In the deployed position, the array of seatbacks  42  is rotated downward, toward the floor  24 , exposing a frame  44  that can support one or more litters  80  and/or patients on litters  80 . The seatbacks  42  can be constructed to move individually or as a group. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 2B-4B , rear loading mechanisms  52  and the litter support systems  40  are shown in the deployed position. With the array of seatbacks  42  folded downward, the frame  44  extends approximately parallel to the floor  24  of the vehicle  10 . The frame  44  includes a base  46  that is mounted to the rear side of the array of seatbacks  42 . As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B , the base  46  includes two channels  48 ,  50  spaced apart from one another to define parallel tracks that extend approximately the entire length of the seatback array  42 . The parallel tracks are sized and positioned to slidably receive the feet  84  that extend downward from the frame  82  of a litter  80 . 
     Litters  80  can be loaded onto the litter support system  40  through a rear loading mechanism  52 , shown in  FIG. 3 . The rear loading mechanism  52  can be mounted to rear doors  54 ,  56  formed in the rear wall  32  of the passenger compartment  22 , for example, and can be deployed when the rear doors  54 ,  56  are opened to allow external access into the passenger compartment  22 . Like the litter support systems  40 , the rear loading mechanism  52  includes two channels  58 ,  60  extending along a length of the rear doors  54 ,  56 . The channels  58 ,  60  of the rear loading mechanism  52  are aligned with the channels  48 ,  50  of the litter support system  40 , which promotes an efficient litter loading process. 
     To load a litter  80  into the litter support system  40  within the passenger compartment  22 , the litter  80  is lifted from the ground. The front legs  84  of a litter  80  can first be loaded into the channels  58 ,  60  of the rear loading mechanism  52  and then slid upward, at an acute angle to the floor  24  and channels  48 ,  50 , until the rear legs  84  are also received within the channels  58 ,  60 . The spacing between the channels  58 ,  60  of the rear loading mechanism  52  and the channels  48 ,  50  of the litter support system  40  is limited so that once the front legs  84  of a litter  80  pass upwardly and outwardly beyond the channels  58 ,  60 , the litter  80  rotates toward a position parallel to the floor  24  of the passenger compartment  22 . The rotation of the litter  80  toward the floor  24  rotates the front legs  84  of the litter  80  into the channels  48 ,  50  of the litter support system  40 . The litter  80  can then be urged further forward until the rear legs  84  of the litter  80  are also received within the channels  48 ,  50  of the litter support system  40 . With front and rear legs  84  within the channels  48 ,  50  of the litter support system  40 , the litter  80  can be slid forward within the passenger compartment  22  until the litter  80  is received entirely within the passenger compartment  22 . After a successful litter loading process is performed, the rear doors  54 ,  56  can be rotated upward and secured to the rear wall  32  of the passenger compartment  22 . 
     Litters  80  received upon the frame  44  of the litter support system  40  can be elevated off the frame  44  so that additional litters and/or personnel can be secured within the passenger compartment  22  of the vehicle  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B , a litter lift system  100  can be positioned at least partially within the passenger compartment  22  of the vehicle body  18  and can be used to suspend and/or lift one or more litters off the litter support system  40  and floor  24  to increase the patient capacity of the vehicle  10  relative to other ambulance style vehicles. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 4A-7 , the litter lift system  100  generally includes a winch system  102  and a lifting strap  104  that is coupled to the winch system  102 . The winch system  102  includes a spool  103  that is driven by an electric motor  105 . The electric motor  105  includes a shaft which rotates the spool  103  of the winch system  102  to wind or unwind the lifting strap  104 . In some examples, the winch system  102  is coupled to the roof  26  of the vehicle body  22 . In other embodiments, the winch system  102  is driven using alternative winding mechanisms (e.g., with a hydraulic motor, with a pneumatic motor, with a manual crank, etc.). Winding the winch system  102  (e.g., rotating the winch system  102 ) alters the amount of lifting strap  104  extending away from the winch system  102 , which in turn adjusts a vertical position of the lifting strap  104  within the passenger compartment  22 . 
     The lifting strap  104  is designed to receive, support, and lift a litter  80  away from the floor  24  (or channels  48 ,  50  of the base  46 ) of the vehicle body  18 . With specific reference to  FIG. 7 , a first end  108  of the lifting strap  104  is coupled to and wrapped around the spool  103  of the winch system  102 . Rotation of the winch system  102  causes the lifting strap  104  to spool or unspool from the winch system  102 , depending on the direction of rotation. For example, rotation in the spool  103  in the clockwise direction can cause the lifting strap  104  to wind onto the spool  103 , while rotation in the counterclockwise direction can cause the lifting strap  104  to unwind from the spool  103 . A second end  110  of the lifting strap  104  opposite the first end  108  forms a front lifting segment that is suspended into the passenger compartment  22 . In some examples, a second, rear lifting segment  112  extends downwardly away from the lifting strap  104  at an intermediate location between the first end  108  and the second end  110 . The rear or “intermediate” lifting segment  112 , like the front lifting segment at the second end  110 , is suspended into the passenger compartment  22  of the vehicle body  18 . The front lifting segment  110  and the rear lifting segment  112  can be arranged so that they each extend into the passenger compartment  22  of the vehicle body  18  to approximately (e.g., within 6 inches) the same vertical location. The winch system  102  is arranged so that the vertical location of the two lifting segments  110 ,  112  changes at approximately the same rate (e.g., within 10 percent) as the winch system  102  winds or unwinds. Although described as a singular lifting strap  104 , various different embodiments of the lifting strap  104  can be used with the winch system  102 . For example, two or more independent lifting straps can be used in combination with the same winch system  102 . 
     The front lifting segment  110  and the rear lifting segment  112  each include a forked structure that is designed to interface with the frame  82  of a litter  80 . As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the forked structures are each defined by a first segment  114  and a second segment  116  diverging away from a primary lifting segment  118 . The first segment  114  and second segment  116  each include loops  120  formed at distal ends (e.g., opposite the primary lifting segment  118 ) of the segments  114 ,  116 , which are sized and adapted to be received around the frame  82  of a litter  80 . By interfacing with the outer structure of the litter frame  82 , the forked ends of the lifting segments  110 ,  112  balance the combined weight of the litter  80  and personnel within the litter  80  within the perimeter of the litter, which reduces the possibility of litter tipping. 
       FIGS. 5A-7  depict the routing of the lifting strap  104  within the vehicle body  18 . As indicated above, the winch system  102  is coupled to the vehicle body  18  (e.g., to the roof  26  of the passenger compartment  22  near the rear wall  32 , to the roof  26  of the passenger compartment  22  near the front wall, to a sidewall of the vehicle body  18 , etc.). The first end  108  of the lifting strap  104  is coupled to the spool  103  of the winch system  102 . The lifting strap  104  extends away from the winch system  102 , and angles upwardly, above a ceiling panel  62  positioned beneath and extending parallel to the roof  26  of the passenger compartment  22 , to a first roller  122 . The first roller  122  is mounted to the roof  26  of the passenger compartment  22 . The first roller  122  may at least partially assist in tensioning the lifting strap  104 . The first roller  122  can also be used to support the rear lifting segment  112 , which branches off from the lifting strap  104 , wraps around the first roller  122 , and is suspended downwardly away from the front side of the first roller  122  and into the passenger compartment  22  of the vehicle  10 . 
     The lifting strap  104  extends forward from the first roller  122 , above the ceiling panel  62  and approximately parallel to the floor  24  of the passenger compartment  22 , to a second roller  124 . The second roller  124 , like the first roller  122 , is mounted to the roof  26  of the passenger compartment  22 . The second end and front lifting segment  110  of the lifting strap  104  wraps around the second roller  124  and is suspended downwardly, away from the front side of the second roller  124  and into the passenger compartment  22  of the vehicle  10 . As depicted in FIG.  7 , at least half of the lifting strap  104  extends above the ceiling panel  62  and parallel to the roof  26 . 
     The lifting strap  104  and winch system  102  are arranged so that only a portion of the lifting strap  104  is exposed within the passenger compartment  22  of the vehicle  10 . As depicted in  FIG. 5A , for example, the entirety of the lifting strap  104 , besides the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112 , can be either positioned above the ceiling panel  62  of the passenger compartment  22  or behind a winch cover  126  that surrounds and conceals the winch system  102 . The front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  can each extend downwardly through passageways  128 ,  130  formed within the ceiling panel  62  of the passenger compartment  22 . The passageways  128 ,  130  can be formed as elongate holes through the ceiling panel  62 , which are sized to form a clearance fit with the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  of the lifting strap  104 . In some examples, the passageways  128 ,  130  are aligned with the first and second rollers  122 ,  124  so that the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  can extend approximately vertically downward through the passageways  128 ,  130  and into the passenger compartment  22  below. In some examples, however, the ceiling panel  62  can be uncoupled from the roof  26  or omitted entirely. 
     Using the litter lift system  100 , a litter  80  and associated patient can be elevated (e.g., off of the litter support system  40 , etc.), such that an additional litter  80  and patient can be accommodated upon the litter support system  40 . The operation of the litter lifting system  100  is demonstrated by  FIGS. 4A and 4B  with continued reference to  FIGS. 5A-7 . Once a litter  80  is received upon the litter support system  40 , as shown in  FIG. 4A , the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  can be coupled to the litter  80 . The lifting loops  120  of the front lifting segment  110  and rear lifting segment  112  are positioned around opposite end portions of the frame  82  of the litter  80  to balance the litter  80 . 
     With the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  positioned in place around and coupled to the frame  82  of the litter  80 , the litter  80  can be raised away from the litter support system  40 . A user can then activate the winch system  102  and the electric motor  105  using a controller  132 , shown in  FIGS. 8A-8B , to begin the lifting process. In some examples, the controller  132  includes separate inputs that indicate a raising or lowering function to be performed by the winch system  102 . Upon pressing or otherwise inputting a command to the controller  132 , the electric motor  105  activates and rotates the spool  103  of the winch system  102 . For example, in response to a command to raise the lifting strap  104 , the winch system  102  rotates clockwise and begins to wrap the lifting strap  104  around the spool  103  of the winch system  102 . Wrapping the lifting strap  104  around the winch system  102  pulls the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  toward the winch system  102 , over the two rollers  122 ,  124 . The retraction of the lifting segments  110 ,  112  toward the winch system  102  reduces the amount of lifting strap suspended over each of the rollers  122 ,  124 , which raises both the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  upwardly. By having each of the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  formed within the same lifting strap  104 , rotation of the winch system  102  causes both the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  to raise and lower at an approximately equal (e.g., within about 10%) rate when the spool  103  rotates. Accordingly, the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  remain suspended downward at approximately the same (e.g., within about 6 inches) distance from the rollers  122 ,  124 . When not in use, the controller  132  can be received upon a support  146  formed on the rear wall  32  of the passenger compartment  22 . 
     The litter  80  and lifting strap  104  can be raised by the winch system  102  until a suitable height for the litter  80  is reached within the passenger compartment. Once a desired height is reached, support arms  134  can be positioned in place beneath the litter frame  82 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . The support arms  134  can be coupled to the sidewalls  28  using brackets  136 . In one embodiment, the support arms  134  are rotatable relative to the brackets  136 . The support arms  134  have a generally arcuate shape to cradle a litter  80 . Once the litter frame  82  is locked into place relative to the rotatable support arms  134 , an operator may use the controller  132  to lower the lifting strap  104 , which releases some of the tension on the lifting strap  104  and allows the weight of the litter and personnel within the litter to be carried by the support arms  134 . 
     With the litter  80  positioned on the support arms  134  and raised away from the litter support structure  40  below, a second litter can then be received on the litter support structure  40 , allowing the vehicle  10  to accommodate multiple litter patients simultaneously. With litter lifting systems  100  positioned on each side of the passenger compartment, up to four (or in some cases, more) litter patients can be received simultaneously within the vehicle  10  and transported away from an incident location. Upon arrival at a hospital or other facility, the litter  80  can once again be suspended and lowered down toward the litter support structure  40  using the lifting strap  104  and winch system  102 , which unspools the lifting strap  104  and lowers the litter  80  in response to receiving a command from the controller  132 . 
     When the litter lift system  100  is not in use and not needed, compact storage features can be used to further limit requirements of the litter lift system  100 . In some examples, a coupling is positioned on each of the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  to stow the suspended portions of the lifting strap  104  when not in use. For example, the coupling can be a metallic component  142  (e.g., iron) that is incorporated (e.g., sewn) into each of the first and second segments  114 ,  116  of the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112 . The metallic component  142  can be adapted to releasably couple with opposing magnets  144  positioned on the ceiling panel  62  of the passenger compartment  22 . By coupling the metallic components  142  with the opposing magnets  144 , the lifting strap  104  can be confined to an area immediately adjacent to the ceiling panel  62 , out of the way of passengers moving around within the passenger compartment  22 . Alternatively, the couplings can be hooks or fastener panels (e.g., hook and loop fastener panels) that are attached to the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  to releasably secure the front and rear lifting segments  110 ,  112  to the ceiling panel  62  when the litter lifting system  100  is not in use. 
     Although this description may discuss a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is outlined. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. 
     As utilized herein, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims. 
     It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
     The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent, etc.) or moveable (e.g., removable, releasable, etc.). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. 
     References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “between,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the litter lift system as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the components described herein may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from scope of the present disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims.