Patent Publication Number: US-11376172-B2

Title: Patient transporting device using a docking member for an emergency medical vehicle

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a device for loading and transferring patients into emergency medical vehicles, and more particularly to a docking portion of the device that docks to the emergency medical vehicles. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Many of the products for loading and transferring patients such as stretchers are difficult to use because a docking portion of the stretchers are not compatible to a receiving portion (e.g., a corresponding portion that docks or mates with the docking portion) of a patient loading system that is inside the emergency medical vehicles such as airplanes, helicopters, or ambulances. 
     More often than not, there is no part in the patient loading system of the emergency medical vehicles for receiving the docking portion at all. This causes medical professionals to lift the stretcher where the patient is lying and manually move or carry the patient to the vehicle&#39;s patient loading system. Due to the weight of the patient, it generally requires quite a few personnel to help load the patient on the patient loading system of the emergency medical vehicle. However, this causes various problems. First of all, it is likely to take longer time and more medical personnel to unload the patient from the stretcher into the patient loading system of the emergency medical vehicle. Second, taking longer time to load the patient into the vehicle may risk the life of the patient who requires immediate medical attention. This also affects the cost of treating the patient, the quality of the treatment needed, the success rate of the treatment, and so forth. That is, the time it takes for the patient to get to the hospital by vehicle, unload the patient from the vehicle, and receive proper and timely medical care, heavily impacts the chances of the recovery and survival rate of the patient. Further, in a busy situation where on-site medical personnel in the hospital are lacking, the inconvenient patient loading and unloading mechanisms may additionally delay the patient from receiving timely medical treatment. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a patient transporting device with a docking member that can easily dock into the receiving portion of the patient loading system of the emergency vehicle. 
     The patient is initially loaded onto the patient transporting device that includes a movable base member where the patient lies down. The patient transporting device also includes a pathway member for slidably moving the base member along the frames or tracks of the pathway member. In addition, the patient transporting device includes a docking member that connects and docks the patient transporting device to the receiving portion of the patient loading system of the emergency vehicle. 
     In one or more embodiments, the docking member when docked forms a substantially coplanar surface with a top surface of the pathway member that abut the docking member. This allows the movable base member to easily slide from the pathway member over the docking member to the receiving portion of the emergency vehicle. With the docking member having the above mentioned configuration, it allows the movable base member where a patient is lying to easily move from the patient transporting device to the patient loading system of the emergency vehicle without undue effort. With the patient transporting device having a novel docking member, the number of medical assistant  120  required for handling each patient is substantially reduced and the effort of medical assistant  120  for lifting, loading, and unloading each patient is also reduced. For example, depending on the height, weight of the patient, with the old gurney in the related art, it required 3 or more medical assistant  120  to load and unload the patient. Further, the gurney in the related art, not only required more manpower it also consumed significant amount of energy of the medical assistant  120 . Fatigue of the medical assistant  120  may result in further accidents. 
     The patient transporting device according to the present disclosure also provides a speedy mechanism for loading/unloading the patient. That is, the substantially coplanar surface formed between the patient transporting device and the emergency vehicle allows the patient on the moveable base member to smoothly slide up the ramp and quickly settle in the emergency vehicle. 
     In sum, because of the docking member, one or very few medical personnel can load/unload the patient. Further, because the docking member of the patient transporting device significantly reduces the time and effort involved in the load/unload process, it may increase the recovery and survival rate of the patient. In addition, with the help of the docking member, manufacturers need not have to worry about developing lightweight and yet strong materials for the patient transporting device. That is, even patients lying on heavy base member can be easily loaded onto the emergency vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. In some drawings, however, different reference numbers may be used to indicate the same or similar elements. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a patient transporting device according to the present disclosure docking into a receiving portion of a patient loading system of an emergency medical vehicle; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a patient transporting device according to a different perspective view from  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates a patient transporting device moving up the ramp shown in  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 1D  illustrates a patient transporting device lifting up the ramp shown in  FIG. 1B  to level the ramp with a surface of the emergency medical vehicle shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1E  illustrates a patient transporting device according to the present disclosure unlocking with the ramp shown in  FIG. 1B  to release connection with the ramp; 
         FIG. 1F  illustrates a leveling structure under a ramp structure used to level the ramp; 
         FIG. 1G  illustrates a movement of a moveable base member sliding pass the corner of a patient bed structure and into the emergency medical vehicle shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1H  illustrates a final position of a moveable base member after it is securely docked into the emergency medical vehicle; 
         FIG. 1I  illustrates a top view of the movement of a moveable base member from a patient transporting device to an emergency medical vehicle shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of a docking member adjacent to a pathway member according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view along lines  2 B- 2 B of a docking member according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2C  is an isometric bottom view of a docking member according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2D  is an enlarged view of a first opening of a docking plate with a protruding portion filled inside the first opening; 
         FIG. 2E  is an enlarged view of a first opening of a docking plate with a protruding portion shifted along one side within the first opening; 
         FIG. 3A  is an isometric bottom view of a receiving portion of the emergency vehicle having protruding portions and a docking member of a patient transporting device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of a receiving portion of the emergency vehicle and a docking member of a patient transporting device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of a connection formed between an emergency vehicle and a patient transporting device; 
         FIG. 4A  shows the process of a docking member moving into position to insert openings within a docking plate into protruded portions of a receiving portion; 
         FIG. 4B  shows the docking member docked into the receiving portion of the emergency vehicle; 
         FIG. 5A  shows a registered position of the openings of the docking member to the protruded portions of the receiving portion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5B  is an enlarged side view of one of the openings of the docking member according to the embodiment of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  shows a registered position of the openings of the docking member to the protruded portions of the receiving portion according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6B  is an enlarged side view of one of the openings according to the embodiment of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view of the location where the protruded portions slidably move within the openings as shown in  FIG. 1D ; 
         FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C  show a protruded portions of the receiving portion having a recess and the openings of the docking member locking into the recess according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8A  shows a registered position of the openings of the docking member to the protruded portions of the receiving portion according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8B  is an enlarged side view of one of the protruded portions according to the embodiment of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a flow chart of a method of docking a docking member of a patient transporting device to an emergency vehicle and loading a patient into the vehicle; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a patient transporting device without a moveable base member; 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of an interlocking mechanism; 
         FIG. 11B  is a top view of an interlocking mechanism shown in  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional view of an interlocking mechanism shown in  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12A  is a view of a leveling structure folded under a ramp structure; 
         FIG. 12B  is a view of a leveling structure unfolded a ramp structure; and 
         FIG. 12C  is a side view of a leveling structure when unfolded and supporting a ramp structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, configurations, or methods associated with patient transporting devices (such as stretchers), patient loading/unloading system in medical emergency vehicles (such as aircrafts, helicopters, ambulances, etc.), and other various structures associated with the above have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. 
     Unless the context indicates otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.” Further, the terms “first,” “second,” and similar indicators of the sequence are to be construed as interchangeable unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its broadest sense, that is, as meaning “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a patient transporting device  100  according to the present disclosure docking into a receiving portion  102  of a patient loading system of an emergency medical vehicle  104 . In  FIG. 1 , a patient  110  is lying on the patient transporting device  100  and is being prepared to be loaded into the emergency vehicle  104  by a medical assistant  120 . In order to use an emergency vehicle  104  for loading patients for medical purposes, the vehicle  104  must have equipment proper for loading and unloading the patient  110 . The specific structures and configurations of the patient loading system within the emergency vehicle  104  will be omitted and the receiving portion  102  of the patient loading system will be explained to avoid any unnecessary descriptions. In some embodiments, the receiving portion  102  of the patient loading system includes a ramp structure  103  having a first portion  103 A and a second portion  103 B connected to the first portion  103 A, and a patient bed structure  106  connected to the first portion  103 A of the ramp structure  103 . To reduce size, the ramp structure  103  can be folded in half along the line between the first portion  103 A and the second portion  103 B. 
     Airplanes, helicopters, and ambulances are commonly used to transport patients to medical facilities or health care facilities.  FIG. 1  shows an aircraft as an emergency vehicle  104 , however, other emergency vehicles or rescue vehicles mentioned above may be contemplated. In some embodiments, the patient loading system of the present disclosure includes the novel patient transporting device  100  as well as the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 . The emergency vehicle  104  is expected to be equipped with standard patient medical equipment that can accommodate the patient&#39;s need during transportation such as oxygen supply, IV, or the like. These medical equipment is included in the patient bed structure  106  where the patient eventually lies down and rests during transportation to the hospital. Any features of related art will be omitted as a person of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate and understand the features. 
     The receiving portion  102  of the present disclosure have been further modified from the standard patient transporting device in the related art as will be further detailed herein. The receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104  have been modified by the inventor so that it has a size, shape, and dimension (e.g., length, width, height, etc.) that substantially matches or fits the width and dimension of a pathway member  150  of the patient transporting device  100 . Having the moveable base member  130  slide from the patient transporting device  100  to the emergency vehicle  104  obviates the need for the patient  110  to transfer from one type of movable base member, table, tray, bed, or bedplate to another. Further, the patient  110  may remain on the same position within the movable base member  130  of the emergency vehicle  104  during the transfer and the transport procedure (e.g., loading from the patient transporting device  100  to the emergency medical vehicle  104 , unloading from the vehicle  104  to another patient transporting device at a hospital site, transporting the patient on the patient transporting device to an emergency room, etc.). Because the conventional patient loading system lacks a docking member  170  that easily connects the receiving portion  102  of emergency vehicle  104  with the pathway member  150  of the patient transporting device  100 , this aspect will be detailed throughout the specification. In some embodiments, the patient transporting device  100  includes a stretcher, a gurney, or the like. However, the patient transporting device  100  is further modified from the stretcher or the gurney in the related art in many ways which will be described in connection with the accompanying figures. In some embodiments, the patient transporting device  100  further includes a pathway member  150  movably attached to the gurney. In one embodiment, it may be permanently fixed to the gurney. In one embodiment, it may be securely fixated to the gurney but could detached. The patient transporting device  100  also includes a moveable base member  130  on the pathway member  150 . 
     In some embodiments, the pathway member  150  is similar to a ramp shape or ramp structure. 
     The base member or the moveable base member  130  of the patient transporting device  100  includes a bed portion, or a bedplate portion, or a bedplate assembly, or a frame plate, or a table, or a tray, or the like for the patient  110  to lie down. This is the top portion of the moveable base member  130 . In the bottom portion of the moveable base member  130 , a slidable sled-shaped member is included. For example, the sled-shaped member may have a frame that is shaped as a bed-like sled and includes a space for the patient  110  to lie down. A soft cloth, cushion, or a mattress  135  can be positioned on top of the base member  130  so that the patient  110  may comfortably lie down. The base member  130  has a plurality of belt straps  140  or tie-down straps  140  on each side of the periphery of the base member  130  so that it may lock the position of the patient  110  during movement. The mattress  135  may have the same contours of the frame of the base member  130  so that the mattress  135  does not impede the movement of the base member  130  during operation. In some embodiments, the base member  130  may be made of metal, stainless steel, or plastic. In some embodiments, the base member  130  includes a structural tubular frame. The tubular frame may provide lightweight support for the patient  110 . After the patient  110  is placed on the base member  130 , the patient is secured using the belt straps  140  and the base member  130  is placed within the emergency vehicle and fastened for safe transportation. These examples are non-limiting and other suitable materials may be used as known in the art. 
     The base member  130  is positioned on a pathway member  150  of the patient transporting device  100 . The pathway member  150  provides the base member  130  a pathway for slidably moving the base member  130  from one position within the patient transporting device  100  to another position. The pathway member  150  includes interlocking mechanisms so that once the moveable base member  130  locks into the interlocking mechanism, the lateral or longitudinal movement of the patient lying on the base member  130  is limited. This is one safety feature of the pathway member  150  and this will be further detailed in connection with  FIGS. 3D, 10 ,  FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C . The pathway member  150  also provides the base member  130  a pathway for slidably moving the base member  130  from the patient transporting device  100  to the emergency vehicle  104  via the receiving portion  102 . 
     Prior to transporting the patient  110  to the emergency vehicle  104 , the base member  130  must be secured to the pathway member  150  using the interlocking mechanism of the pathway member  150 . In some embodiments, the base member  130  includes a generally rectangular, peripheral frame member. The base member  130  may have thereon a cushion, a sheet, or a mattress or similar soft material so that the patient  110  may comfortably lie on. In some embodiments, the base member  130  may include support frames or bars that extends longitudinally (e.g., extends all the way down to the foot of the patient  110  and extend all the way up to the head of the patient  110  on the right and left sides of the base member  130 ). These support frames or bars can provide a place for the medical assistant  120  to hold on to and push the patient longitudinally along the 
     In one or more embodiments, the base member  130  and the pathway member  150  have compatible components for releasably locking and unlocking the position with each other. The pathway member  150  includes one or more trenches, grooves, slots, recesses, or tracks along its opposite longitudinal sides. For example, the pathway member  150  may have tracks cut into the pathway member  150 . The tracks may have an opening on the ends of the tracks so that the base member  130  can easily be mounted on and slidably move along the tracks of the pathway member  150 . The tracks may also have a brake or interlocking mechanism (e.g., brakes, pins, detents, stops, locking gates, or the like) to further prevent the base member  130  from sliding out of the patient transporting device  100 . In some embodiments, the tracks may have additional brakes or stops or detents to prevent the base member  130  from lateral, vertical, horizontal movements. In some embodiments, the brakes or brake mechanisms in the pathway member  150  may include hooks that may hook to a part of the base member  130  to prevent forward/backward or upward/downward movement of the base member  130 . These brakes may be released when the patient  110  is to be moved to the emergency vehicle  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the pathway member  150  may have tracks that align like a railway. That is, the pathway member  150  may have two railway-like paths, a first path and a second path, that are parallel to each other. For example, there may be a first path on one side, and a second path on the opposite side of the pathway member  150 . In some embodiments, the base member  130  may have wheels on the bottom of the movable base member  130  so that the wheels are placed respectively on the first path and the second path. In other embodiments, the pathway member  150  may be implemented to have a single rail-like track or trench that provides a pathway for the base member  130 . In these embodiments, the wheels of the base member  130  would also have to be configured to accommodate the single rail of the pathway member  150 . Such wheels may be attached to the bottom of the base member  130  using wheel brackets. These wheels are sizably matched so that it may roll along the trenches or the tracks. 
     In other embodiments, the movable base member  130  may not need wheels. The trenches in the pathway member  150  guide the moveable base member  130  for linear movement along the elongated linear trenches/slots formed in the pathway member  150 . That is, the movement of the base member  130  is guided by trenches or tracks fitted in the pathway member  150 . In addition, as previously described, the moveable base member  130  can be locked in a desired position by locking pins in the two tracks to prevent the moveable base member  130  from sliding down in an opposite direction during loading of the patient  110  into the vehicle  104 . One or more locking pins are provided, one for each track. The moveable base member  130  may include other components, structures that allow slidable movement along the pathway of the pathway member  150 . 
     The pathway member  150  is supported by a lift assembly  160  or a lifter. The lift assembly  160  is configured to lift and tilt the patient  110  in any inclination. In one or more embodiments, the lift assembly  160  is capable of controlling the angle θ as shown in  FIG. 1 . In operation, the lift assembly  160  lifts the patient transporting device  100  and tilts the patient transporting device  100  at a selected angle to dock a docking member  170  to the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 .  FIG. 1D  illustrates that the lift assembly  160  can be operated by the medical assistant  120  to lift up the receiving portion  102  beyond angle θ which is the angle that forms a substantially planar pathway between the pathway member  150  and the receiving portion  102 . The lifting operation is particularly beneficial since the next step for the medical assistant  120  is to level the patient with the inside floor surface  1200  (see  FIG. 12C ) of emergency vehicle  104 . It is beneficial for the receiving portion  102  which includes the ramp structure  103  to be substantially parallel to the inside floor surface  1200  so that the patient is secured in a safe position and does not fall of the ramp structures. Generally, the patient bed structure  106  is already placed within the emergency vehicle  104  and is securely fixed. Accordingly, the inclination of the ramp structure  103  is adjusted to level the patient  110 . Additional structure which is a leveling structure  109  for leveling the patient is described in  FIGS. 1F, 12A, 12B, and 12C . 
     In one or more embodiments, the pathway member  150  includes sidewall structures  201  to easily guide the movement of the moveable base member  130  as well as help avoid the base member  130  from derail and run off the pathway member  150 . In some embodiments, the sidewall structures  201  have a tapered shape. In these embodiments, the moveable base member  130  slidably moves along the sidewall structures  201  of the pathway member  150 . The sidewall structure  201  can be coupled to the pathway member  150  to accommodate the different dimensions (e.g., width, length, height, etc.), sizes, shapes, patterns of many different manufacturers. The add-on sidewall structures  201  which may or may not be permanently fixated to the pathway member  150  is particularly beneficial to accommodate the different dimensions manufactured by various manufacturers. The sidewall structures  201  (including  201 AL,  201 AR,  201 BL,  201 BR,  201 CL, and  201 CR) may be formed using plastics, metals, stainless steel, or the like. One example material of the sidewall structures  201  include an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW). The UHMW is an extremely tough plastic with high abrasion and also has high impact resistance properties and wear resistance. However, the material of the sidewall structures are not limited to the above and a person of ordinary skill in the art may form the sidewall structures with other materials suitable for the function and purpose as described herein. 
     The lift assembly  160  may have wheels or other moveable means to easily transport the patient  110 . 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a patient transporting device according to a different perspective view from  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1B  through  FIG. 1H  have been illustrated without showing the patient on the moveable base member  130  in order to provide a better view of one or more features of the present disclosure.  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1H  illustrate one continuous motion transition of the moveable base member  130  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , the moveable base member  130  sits on the pathway member  150 . The pathway member  150  forms a substantially planar surface with the first portion  103 A and the second portion  103 B of the ramp structure  103 .  FIG. 1C  through  FIG. 1H  illustrate the movement of the base member  130  from the patient transporting device  100  into the emergency vehicle  104 . 
     A first left sidewall  201 AL and a first right sidewall  201 AR is provided on the first portion  103 A of the ramp structure  103 . A second left sidewall  201 BL and a second right sidewall  201 BR is provided on the second portion  103 B of the ramp structure  103 . These sidewalls which are moveably attached to inner sidewalls of the first and second portions of the ramp structure guides the moveable base member  130  up the ramp without the base member  130  laterally running off the ramp. The detail of the sidewall structures will be further explained in connection with  FIGS. 1I and 3C . 
       FIG. 1C  illustrates a patient transporting device moving up the ramp shown in  FIG. 1B . As shown in  FIG. 1C , the moveable base member  130  is in motion and is passing the second portion  103 B of the ramp structure  103 . The inclination angle θ as shown in  FIG. 1A  is maintained so that the moveable base member  130  can slidably and smoothly move up the ramp structure. 
       FIG. 1D  illustrates a patient transporting device lifting up the ramp shown in  FIG. 1B  to level the ramp with a surface of the emergency medical vehicle shown in FIG.  1 A. As shown in  FIG. 1D , once the moveable base member  130  reaches the first portion  103 A of the ramp structure  103 , the moveable base member  130  is locked in with a first locking mechanism  105  adjacent to one end of the first portion  103 A of the ramp structure  103 . This locking feature allows the patient to maintain its current position within the ramp and avoid the moveable base member  130  from slipping down the ramp structure  103 . The patient transporting device  100  further lifts the pathway member  150  beyond the inclination angle θ as shown in  FIG. 1A . The substantially coplanar surface that was formed between the pathway member  150  and the ramp structure  103  is broken. However, this is beneficial since the patient on the moveable base member  130  has to now be substantially parallel with an inner floor surface  1200  (shown in  FIG. 12C ) of the emergency vehicle  104 . In order to maintain a stable position that supports and levels the ramp structure  103  with respect to the inner floor surface  1200 , a leveling structure  109  is provided. A detailed view is shown in  FIG. 1F  and  FIG. 12C . 
       FIG. 1E  illustrates a patient transporting device according to the present disclosure unlocking with the ramp shown in  FIG. 1B  to release connection with the ramp. Once the leveling structure  109  is unfolded from the bottom of the ramp structure  103  and stably sits on the inner floor surface  1200  of the emergency vehicle  104 , the docking plate  210  of the device  100  is released from the ramp structure  103 . At this point, the ramp structure  103  is substantially parallel to the inner floor surface  1200  of the emergency vehicle  104  and the medical assistant  120  only needs to shift the base member  130  to the final position in the patient bed structure  106 . 
       FIG. 1F  illustrates a leveling structure under a ramp structure used to level the ramp. As briefly explained in connection with  FIG. 1E , at this point, the ramp structure  103  is substantially parallel to the inner floor surface  1200  of the emergency vehicle  104 . Accordingly, the heavy lifting part from the medical assistant  120  is done and the medical assistant  120  only needs to shift the base member  130  to the final position in the patient bed structure  106 . The patient bed structure  106  includes a first safe wall  107 A and a second safe wall  107 B adjacent to the first safe wall  107 A. This wall serves the purpose of avoiding the moveable base member  130  from rolling off the corner of the ramp. 
       FIG. 1G  illustrates a movement of a moveable base member sliding pass the corner of the patient bed structure and into the emergency medical vehicle shown in  FIG. 1A . As shown, the medical assistant  120  needs to move the moveable base member  130  around the corner of the patient bed structure  106 . However, as mentioned, the moveable base member  130  may roll off the corner during the attempt to work around the corner. The first safe wall  107 A and the second safe wall  107 B ensures that the moveable base member  130  safely transitions its way to the final position within the patient bed structure  106 . 
       FIG. 1H  illustrates a final position of a moveable base member after it is securely docked into the emergency medical vehicle. Once the moveable base member  130  is locked and securely fixated to the patient bed structure  106 , the ramp structure  103  is detached from the patient bed structure  106  and unfolded for later use. 
       FIG. 1I  illustrates a top view of the movement of a moveable base member from a patient transporting device to an emergency medical vehicle shown in  FIG. 1A . The moveable base member  130  moves up the ramp and is positioned at a first position  130 A. This position corresponds to either  FIG. 1D  or  FIG. 1E . The moveable base member  130  is then rotated near the corner and is positioned at a second position  130 B. This position corresponds to  FIG. 1G . Here, as previously mentioned, because of the first safe wall  107 A and the second safe wall  107 B, the moveable base member  130  can safely work around the corner and rotate its position without the danger of the base member  130  or the patient on top of the base member  130  falling off the ramp. Once the moveable base member  130  completes its 90 degrees rotation, the base member  130  is securely placed on the patient bed structure  106  using an interlocking mechanism  111  at a third position  130 C. This position corresponds to  FIG. 1H . 
     The first left sidewall  201 AL and the first right sidewall  201 AR is provided on the first portion  103 A (or the upper portion) of the ramp structure  103 . The upper portion of the ramp structure  103  is closer and is in contact with the patient bed structure  106 . The first left sidewall  201 AL has an outer sidewall surface S 1  and the first right sidewall  201 AR which is located in the opposite side of the first left sidewall  201 AL has an outer sidewall surface S 3  that is facing the outer sidewall surface S 1 . 
     The second left sidewall  201 BL and the second right sidewall  201 BR is provided on the second portion  103 B (or the lower portion) of the ramp structure  103 . The lower portion of the ramp structure  103  makes contact with the docking plate  210  of the pathway member  150 . The second left sidewall  201 BL has an outer sidewall surface S 4  and the second right sidewall  201 BR which is located in the opposite side of the second left sidewall  201 BL has an outer sidewall surface S 2  that is facing the outer sidewall surface S 4 . As shown, the left sidewall as a whole has a tapered shape where the thickness of the sidewalls reduce as it goes to the lower portion of the ramp structure  103 . This is shown from the top view of  FIG. 1I . The right sidewall as a whole also has a tapered shape and the thickness gradually decreases from the upper portion to the lower portion of the ramp. 
     In order to facilitate the smooth movement of the base member  130  along the ramp, the outer sidewall surface S 1  is substantially coplanar with the outer sidewall surface S 2  and the outer sidewall surface S 3  is substantially coplanar with the outer sidewall surface S 4 . 
       FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of a docking member  170  adjacent to a pathway member  150  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view along lines  2 B- 2 B of a docking member  170  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2C  is an isometric view bottom view of a docking member  170  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG. 2A , the docking member  170  including a docking plate  210  and a connecting member  220  positioned on the docking plate  210  is shown. The docking plate  210  has one or more openings  230 . In some embodiments, the docking plate  210  may be implemented using a stainless steel plate with holes or openings thereon. The connecting member  220  is spaced apart from the one or more openings  230  so as to not overlap with the one or more openings  230 . In some embodiments, the openings  230  extend through the docking plate  210 . The openings  230  include a first opening  232  and a second opening  234 . The first opening  232  and the second opening  234  is positioned in a location to fit and mate with a protruded portion of the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104  which will be further described in detail later on. The openings  230  may extend all the way into the docking plate  210  to connect to the other side of the docking plate  210  as shown in  FIG. 2A . In other embodiments, the openings  230  may extend half way or to some other extent not extending all the way into the docking plate  210 . The depth, size, shape, dimension, pattern of the openings  230  may vary depending on the depth, size, shape, dimension, pattern of the corresponding portion in the receiving portion  102  that the docking member  170  mates or docks into. 
     The connecting member  220  is on the docking plate  210 . The connecting member  220  is adjacent to the pathway member  150 . In some embodiments, the docking member  170  abuts the pathway member  150 . When the docking member  170 , in operation, docks and mates with the receiving portion  102 , the connecting member  220  provides an intermediary pathway that connects the pathway member  150  with the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 . Once the pathway is established, the base member  130  having thereon the patient  110  may slidably move from the patient transporting device  100  to the emergency vehicle  104 . This is advantageous in several aspects. By slidably moving the base member  130  carrying the patient  110  into the emergency vehicle  104  obviates the need of lifting the patient  110  to a different bed, bedplate, tray, or table in the emergency vehicle  104 . This is further beneficial to the patient  110  because the patient  110  may not be in a condition to move his/her body, neck, head, leg, or any other part of the patient  110  due to an injury, and trying to lift the patient  110  out of the base member  130  and loading the patient  110  into the vehicle  104  may cause additional injuries. The docking member  170  is also beneficial in that it does not require much force to move the base member  130 . That is, moving the base member  130  from the patient transporting device  100  to the emergency vehicle  104  could be done with very few personnel because the patient  110  lying down on the base member  130  does not have to be hand carried to the emergency vehicle  104  (e.g., the moveable base member  130  may just slidably be moved by the medical assistant  120  along the established pathway; see  FIG. 1 ). These and other advantages will be readily appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the description provided herein. 
     In one or more embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the connecting member  220  has a first sidewall  222  and a second sidewall  224  and a supporting plane  226  between the first sidewall  222  and the second sidewall  224 . The supporting plane  226  is substantially coplanar with a bottom surface (i.e., path portion  156 ; see  FIG. 2A ) of the pathway member  150 . The supporting plane  226  provides a smooth movement transition of the base member  130  from the path portion  156  of the pathway member  150  to the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the connecting member  220  and the docking plate  210  are a single structure that is integrally formed. In other embodiments, the connecting member  220  and the docking plate  210  may be separate structures that can be attached to each other. 
     The pathway member  150  includes a first side frame  152 , a second side frame  154  facing the first side frame  152 . A path portion  156  is positioned between the first side frame  152  and the second side frame  154 . As described above, the path portion  156  is substantially coplanar with the supporting plane  226  of the docking member  170 . A first end of the path portion  156  abuts the first side frame  152  and a second end of the path portion  156  opposite of the first end abuts the second side frame  154 . In one embodiment, the path portion  156  has a substantially planar top surface. In one or more embodiments, the first sidewall  222  of the docking member  170  is substantially coplanar with the first side frame  152  of the pathway member  150 , and the second sidewall  224  of the docking member  170  is substantially coplanar with the second side frame  154  of the pathway member  150  at a location that abuts the connecting member  220  so that the movable base member  130  may smoothly move from the pathway member  150  across the connecting member  220  of the docking member  170  to the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 . 
     As previously described, the tracks or trenches cut into the pathway member  150  are sized to receive the outwardly projected portions from the bottom of the base member  130 . The outwardly projected portions are suitably shaped for providing a sliding and inter-fitting pathway for the moveable base member  130  on the pathway member  150 . 
     In some embodiments, the docking member  170  may be a standalone component that may be removably attached to and detached from the patient transporting device  100 . That is, during use, the docking member  170  may be affixed to the pathway member  150 . In embodiments where the pathway member  150  and the docking member  170  are attached to each other, the pathway member  150  and the docking member  170  may be spaced apart from each other. However, this space will not impede the smooth movement of the base member  130  along the pathway member  150  and the docking member  170 . In further embodiments, the pathway member  150  may be modified in a way that incorporates the features of the docking member  170  in a single structure of the pathway member  150 . In embodiments where the pathway member  150  and the docking member  170  is formed integrally, there may be no area spaced apart between the pathway member  150  and the docking member  170 . 
       FIG. 2C  shows the docking plate  210  extending beneath the supporting plane  226  of the docking member  170  and the path portion  156  of the pathway member  150 . The docking plate  210  is affixed to the bottom surfaces of the supporting plane  226  and the pathway member  150  to firmly stabilize the docking member  170  and the pathway member  150  during the movement of the moveable base member  130 . 
       FIG. 2D  is an enlarged view of a first opening of a docking plate with a protruding portion filled inside the first opening. 
     The protruded portions  340  are placed within the apertures or holes or openings  230  of the docking plate  210 . The diameter of one protruded portion  340  is D 1 . The diameter of one opening  230  is HD. A space  345  exists between an inner sidewall of the opening  230  and an outer sidewall of the protruded portion  340  (to be precise, an outer sidewall of the second portion  344  of the protruded portion  340 ). When the protruded portion  340  is placed exactly in the center of the hole, a gap having a distance DV is uniform along the circumference of the protruded portion  340 . That is, in this case, the following relationship is established: DV=HD/2−D 1 /2. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the distance of the gap DV is less than 10% of the diameter HD of the opening  230  and greater than about 2% of the diameter HD of the opening  230 . In one embodiment, the preferred distance or gap DV is about 4% to 5% of the diameter HD of the opening  230 . For example, if the diameter HD of the opening  230  is 1.5 inches (about 3.80 cm), the preferred distance DV for that embodiment is in the range of 0.07 to 0.06 inches (about 1/16 of inch or in the range of 0.177 to 0.152 cm). In a preferred embodiment, the opening  230  is about 1.5 to 1.6 inches (3.8 to 4 cm) and the distance DV is in the range of 4% to 6%, and preferably less than 5% and greater than 3% of the diameter of 230. 
     The importance of having a distance DV that is greater than about 2% of the diameter HD of the opening  230  is to have sufficient range or enough play for the ramp structure  103  to articulate (as shown in  FIG. 6C ). A number of test have been done and it was found that a complete snug fit impedes the process of registering into a sufficiently locked position and also prevents it from having sufficient play when the ramp is articulated. For example, when the medical assistant  120  first starts the mating and matching process, it is beneficial to have space to let the ramps  150  and  103  bend back and forth with respect to each other. As such, the space created by distance DV is deliberately done in order to provide room for movement inside the aperture  230 . 
       FIG. 2E  is an enlarged view of a first opening of a docking plate with a protruding portion shifted along one side within the first opening. As shown, here, the protruded portion  340  is rammed up tight to one side of the opening  230 . This will occurs the ramp  103  is lifted to a new angle to move the patient into the plane. As the ramp  103  is raised, the shaft  340  will move within the opening  230  and yet it will remain connected to the ramp  150 . If the diameter is of the shaft  340  is not at least 2% smaller than the diameter of the opening  230 , there will not be sufficient play for the ramp  103  to be properly raised. As the protruded portion  340  is rammed up tight to one side of the opening  230 , the distance of the gap  345  becomes 2DV at one side, and thus is greater compared to the distance DV shown in  FIG. 2D . This is very beneficial therefore in both the mating of the two ramps and then for their relative movement at during loading of the patient into the aircraft. Accordingly, the shaft  340  can move within the hole. For example, the distance between the shaft  340  and the edge of the opening  230  of  FIG. 2E  will be 2DV, about twice as large as the distance DV of  FIG. 2D . 
     As described and shown in  FIGS. 2D and 2E ,  FIGS. 2D and 2E  are showing the outermost diameter of the protruded portion  340 . Namely, the diameter of the second portion  344  of the protruded portion  340 .  FIG. 3A  is an isometric bottom view of a receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104  having protruding portions  340  and a docking member  170  of a patient transporting device  100  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of a receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104  and a docking member  170  of a patient transporting device  100  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In one or more embodiments, a receiving portion  102  of the patient loading system includes a loading path  320  having a first surface  322  and a second surface  324  opposite of the first surface  322  (see  FIG. 3A  for the second surface  324  and  FIG. 3B  for the first surface  322 ). In  FIG. 3A , the first surface  322  of the loading path  320  is not shown as this figure shows a bottom perspective view of the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 . However,  FIG. 3B  shows first surface  322  of the loading path  320 . On the second surface  324 , a receiving member  330  is positioned on the second surface  324 . 
     The receiving portion  102  includes a receiving member  330  that is positioned close to the end of the loading path  320  so that it can easily dock with the openings  230  of the docking member  170 . When the receiving member  330  and the openings  230  of the docking member  170  semi-lock with each other, the movable base member  130  moves along the first surface  322  of the loading path  320  and into the emergency vehicle  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the receiving member  330  includes one or more protruding portions  340  on the second surface  324 . The one or more protruding portions  340  have dimensions (e.g., width, length, height, etc.), sizes, shapes, patterns that correspond to dimensions, sizes, shapes and patterns of the one or more openings  230  of the docking member  170  so that the openings  230  can accommodate for the protruding portions  340  to be inserted into the openings  230 . The one or more protruding portions  340  extend away from the second surface  324 . The receiving member  330  may have various shapes as described above (e.g., protruding portions  340 ). In some embodiments, the protruding portions  340  have a shape of a conical frustum that has a trapezoid cross-section. However, in other embodiments, the protruding portions  340  may have a shape of a right cylinder, oblique cylinder, truncated cylinder, right cone, oblique cone, frustum, or any other shape. The cross-sectional shapes of the protruding portions  340  may have other shapes than those listed above. For example, in the figures shown, the protruding portions  340  are drawn to have a tapered pin-like shape. The cross-section of the protruding portions  340  are also shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The openings  230  may have corresponding shapes, sizes, dimensions, patterns so that the various protruding portions  340  can be fitted into the openings  230 . In one or more embodiments, due to the protruding portions  340  having a tapered pin-like shape, they are easily able to fit into the openings  230 . This will be detailed in connection with  FIGS. 4A and 4B . In some embodiments, the protruding portions  340  is made of metal, stainless steel, or the like. The protruding portions  340  are fixated at the bottom of the lower ramp structure  103 . 
     During operation, the lift assembly  160  lifts the pathway member  150  having thereon the moveable base member  130  and the docking member  170  and tilts the pathway member  150  and the docking member  170  to dock the one or more openings  230  within the docking plate  210  to the one or more protruding portions  340  of the receiving member  330  at the selected angle. In one or more embodiments, the selected angle forms an extended longitudinal bridge that has a substantially coplanar surface between the path portion  156  of the pathway member  150 , the supporting plane  226  of the docking member  170 , and the first surface  322  of the loading path  320  of the receiving portion  102 . This extended bridge allows the moveable base member  130  to move from the patient transporting device  100  to the emergency vehicle  104 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows the process of a docking member  170  moving into position to insert openings  230  within a docking plate  210  into protruded portions  340  of a receiving portion  102 .  FIG. 4B  shows the docking member  170  docked into the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 .  FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a side view. 
     In  FIG. 4A , a lift assembly  160  (not shown) lifts the pathway member  150  and the docking member  170  having the connecting member  220  and the docking plate  210 , and tilts the members  150 ,  170  as necessary to roughly fit the openings  230  in the docking plate  210  to the protruded portions  340  of the receiving portion  102 . For example, the lift assembly  160  may lift the members  150 ,  170  at a first position that is close to the protruded portions  340 . Next, the lift assembly  160  may further lift or tilt the docking member  170  so that the openings  230  within the docking plate  210  fits into the protruded portions  340 . When the respective openings  230  are mated with the respective protruded portions  340 , the docking plate  210  is in direct contact with the second surface  324  of the loading path  320  of the receiving portion  102 . 
     Here, the cross-section of the protruded portion  340  is shown. In this embodiment, the protruded portion  340  has a tapered pin-like shape. The protruded portion  340  includes a first portion  342  and a second portion  344 . The first portion  342  has an isosceles cross-section and the second portion  344  has a rectangle cross-section as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Because the dimensions (e.g., length or radius of the circular cross-section) of the first portion  342  of the protruded portion  340  gradually increases as it goes towards the second portion  342  of the protruded portion  340 , the size of the openings  230  does not have to have a snug fit with the first portion  342  of the protruded portion  340 . And the gap DV (shown in  FIGS. 5A and 6A ) provides the locking tolerance in order to have solid locking but also gives sufficient movement within the opening  230 . That is, the gap DV is intentionally left to have sufficiently snug fit that holds in place as well as sufficient looseness so that it may bent or tilt within the opening  230  (shown in  FIGS. 1D, 1E, and 6C ) 
     This allows the medical assistant  120  to roughly match the location of the protruded portion  340  with openings  230  in the docking plate  210  to quickly and swiftly dock the pathway member  150  where the patient is fastened to. As the openings  230  passes through the first portion  342  and contacts the second portion  344  of the protruded portion  340 , the second portion  344  assists to reduce or minimize lateral movement. 
     Lift assembly  160  may include an electric motor to easily elevate the patient transporting device  100  and easily tilt (e.g., decreasing or increasing the angle of inclination) the docking member  170  for docking to the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 . For example, increasing the angle of inclination of the pathway member  150  also raises the moveable base member  130  carried thereon as well as the docking member  170  affixed to the pathway member  150 . 
     However, as mentioned before, this process of fitting in the openings  230  to the protruded portions  340  can be accomplished manually by the medical assistant  120 . 
       FIG. 4B  shows that the openings  230  within the docking plate  210  are sufficiently fit into the protruded portions  340 . This prevents the lateral movement of the docking plate  210  with respect to the receiving portion  102 . When the docking member  170  and the receiving portion  102  is at a registered position (or a predetermined position), an extended bridge is established with the pathway member  150  and the docking member  170  of the patient transporting device  100  and the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 . The extended bridge formed at a selected angle θ has a substantially coplanar surface so that the patient  110  lying down on the base member  130  may easily be loaded to the emergency vehicle  104 . 
     In this embodiment, the thickness PH of the docking plate  210  is thinner than the thickness or the height H 1  of the second portion  344  of the protruded portion  340 .  FIGS. 5A and 6A  which is another modification of embodiment shown in  FIG. 4B  show that the thickness PH of the docking plate  210  is thicker than the height H 1  of the second portion  344  of the protruded portion  340 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows a registered position of the openings  230  of the docking member  170  to the protruded portions  340  of the receiving portion  102  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 5B  is an enlarged side view of one of the openings  230  of the docking member according to the embodiment of  FIG. 5A . 
     In  FIG. 5A , a second surface  324  of the loading path  320  contacts the docking plate  210 . The cross-section of the protruded portion  340  has an inversed trapezoid shape. The openings  230  have a circular hole through which the protruded portions  340  extend into during use. The opening  230  may have a circular cross-section  231  that has a diameter D 1 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , the opening  230  may have a circular cross-section  233  that has a diameter D 2  that is smaller than D 1 . The diameter D 1  of the circular cross-section  231  may be large enough to closely fit to the protruded portion  340 . Similarly, the diameter D 2  of the circular cross-section  233  may be large enough to closely fit to the mid portion of the protruded portion  340 . In some embodiments, diameter D 1  of the second portion  344  of the protruded portion  340  is about 1.5 inches. However, other dimensions may be utilized based on the design of the protruded portion  340 . The thickness or the height of the docking plate  210  does not necessarily have to be half the thickness or the height of the protruded portion  340 . The docking plate  210  may have various thicknesses or heights. For example, the thickness of the height H 1  of the second portion  344  may be about 5/16 inches. However, other suitable dimensions may be utilized based on the various designs of the protruded portion  340 . 
     The close fit of the openings  230  with the protruded portions  340  provides a beneficial safety feature. The lift assembly  160  lifts up the docking member  170  and controls the tilt angle to fit the openings  230  to the protruded portions  340 . In some embodiments, the openings  230  may have a diameter about 1 and 9/16 inches. However, this is merely an example and other suitable dimensions may be utilized based on the various designs of the openings  230  in the docking plate  210 . The lift assembly  160  controls the position of the openings  230  so that the openings  230  move into a registered position over the protruded portions  340 . In such position, the close fit of the openings  230  to the protruded portions  340  prevents the docking member  170  from inadvertently being moved to a released position (e.g., the docking member  170  being released from the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 ). In some embodiments, the thickness of the docking plate  210  may be 3/16 inches. However, other suitable dimensions may be utilized based on the various designs of the docking plate  210 . For example,  FIG. 5A  shows that the thickness (or the height) of the docking plate  210  being greater than the height H 1  of the second portion  344  of the protruded portion  340  (see  FIG. 6B  which also shows the height H 1  of the second portion  344 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 5A , the protruded portions  340  receive the openings  230  of the docking plate  210 . This close and sufficient fit prevents substantial vertical, transverse, or twisting motion of the docking member  170  with respect to the loading path  320  or the receiving portion  102 . However, because there are some gap DV between the second portion  344  of the protruded portion  340  and the inner sidewall of the aperture of the docking plate  210 , there is sufficient room to move back and forth and articulate as shown in  FIG. 2E . This ability provided by the gap DV allows the docking plate  210  to smoothly detach from the ramp structure  103  as shown in  FIGS. 1D and 1E . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , there is no additional locking or interlocking mechanism employed besides having a docking plate  210  with an opening  230  that can fit the protruded portion  340 . That is, the docking plate  210  couples with the protruded portions  340  through the openings  230  but it is not additionally locked or interlocked using a locking pin or any other suitable locking means. This allows the docking member  170  to easily engage and disengage with the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 . It requires minimum effort and can quickly and easily attach to or detach from the receiving portion  102  of the vehicle  104 . This also results in the patient transporting device  100  being able to be inserted quickly and easily onto the receiving portion  102  of the vehicle  104  during loading of the patient  110  and, just as quickly and easily, be released for unloading of the patient  110  at the medical facility. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a registered position of the openings  230  of the docking member  170  to the protruded portions  340  of the receiving portion  102  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 6B  is an enlarged side view of one of the openings  230  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 6A . 
     Similarly, the docking plate  210  having the openings  230  may be applied force F into a direction of the arrow (see  FIG. 6A ) so that openings  230  maintain contact with the second surface  324  of the loading path  320  and surrounds contours of the protruded portion  340 . This prevents the lateral movement of the docking plate  210  as a diameter D 3  of the circular cross-section  235  of the opening  230  substantially fits over the protruded portion  340  that is in direct contact with the second surface  324  of the loading path  320 . Because the force F is applied against the loading path  320 , the docking plate  210  cannot be released from the registered position or the docked position without unhooking the opening  230  from the protruded portion  340 , which would require that the force F be unapplied and become unengaged from the registered position. The force F applied in the direction of the arrow towards the loading path  320  prevents inadvertent release, separation and establishes the longitudinal extended path between the loading path  320  and the supporting plane  226  and the path portion. In order to release the docking plate  210  from the loading path  320 , the force F can be simply unapplied and the docking plate  210  will automatically releasably undock from the registered position due to the weight of the docking member  170  (e.g., gravitational force). In some embodiments, the control of the docking member  170  into the registered position can be done manually by the medical assistant  120 . 
     In some embodiments, this force F may be provided from the lift assembly  160  that includes an electric motor. As explained previously, this electric motor of the lift assembly  160  is used to easily elevate the patient transporting device  100  and easily tilt the docking member  170  for docking to the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 . For example, when the lift assembly  160  operates to increase the angle of inclination of the docking plate  210  of the docking member  170 , the force F may be applied in the direction as shown in the arrow. 
     In  FIG. 6A , a second surface  324  of the loading path  320  contacts the docking plate  210 . The cross-section of the protruded portion  340  has an inversed trapezoid shape. The openings  230  have a circular hole through which the protruded portions  340  extends into during use. The opening  230  may have a circular cross-section  235  that has a diameter D 3 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , the opening  230  may have a circular cross-section  237  that has a diameter D 3  that is larger than the diameter D 4  of the protruded portion  340  at the cross-section  237 . That is, while opening  230  at cross-section  235  is just large enough to closely fit to the protruded portion  340  at cross-section  235 , the opening  230  at cross-section  237  is much large and loosely fits to the protruded portion  340  which has a smaller diameter D 4  at cross-section  237 . 
     However, due to the force F applied upward against the loading path  320 , the docking member  170  securely fixed at the registered position. In such position, similar to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the openings  230  to the protruded portions  340  prevents the docking member  170  from inadvertently being moved to a released position (e.g., the docking member  170  being released from the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , there is no additional locking or interlocking mechanism employed besides having a docking plate  210  with an opening  230  that can fit the protruded portion  340  and an applied force F from the patient transporting device  100  to the loading path  320 . This force F in combination with the opening  230 , provides a coupling effect of the docking plate  210  with the protruded portions  340  without the use of any locking or interlocking mechanisms. This allows the docking member  170  to easily engage and disengage with the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104  and results in the patient transporting device  100  being able to be inserted quickly and easily onto the receiving portion  102  of the vehicle  104  during loading of the patient  110  and, just as quickly and easily, be released for unloading of the patient  110  at the medical facility. 
     The term “dock,” “fit,” “couple,” or “mate” is used to express that the openings  230  of the docking member  170  does not necessarily “lock” or “interlock” with the protruded portion of the receiving portion  102 . 
       FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view of the location where the protruded portions move within the openings as shown in  FIG. 1D . When the moveable base member  130  passes and moves up the ramp structure  103  from the pathway member  150 , the lift assembly of the patient transporting device further lifts up the receiving portion  102 . The receiving portion  102  is lifted up so that the moveable base member  130  is now substantially parallel with the inner floor surface  1200  of the emergency vehicle  104 . Here, angle θ R  is the angle that the receiving portion  102  forms with respect to the horizon or the ground, and angle θ S  is the angle that the docking plate  210  forms with respect to the horizon or the ground, and angle ø is angle θ R  minus angle θ S . The lift assembly is capable of moving up and down and adjust angle ø. Further, angle θ S  of the docking plate  210  may change while the opening  230  of the docking plate  210  is still connected to the protruded portion  340 . The distance DV that is the space between the protruded portion  340  and opening  230  permits this angle to change. It is particularly beneficial to have the distance of the diameter of less than 10% and preferably less than 5% of the diameter of the opening  230 . Keeping the distance DV at about or less than 5% permits the two ramps  103  and  150  to docket with each other firm hold together. If the distance DV is greater than 10%, than a solid mating and linking of the ramps to each other is more difficult and their might be too much play in the ramps with respect to each other for the safe transfer of the patient.  FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C  show a protruded portions  340  of the receiving portion  102  having a recess  700  and the openings  230  of the docking member  170  locking into the recess  700  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7A , the protruded portion  340  has a recess  700  so that the docking plate  210  can slidably lock into the recess portion  700  through the openings  230 .  FIG. 7B  shows the openings  230  of the docking plate  210  being interlocked with the protruded portions  340  at the location of the recess  700 . 
     In some embodiments, the dimensions, sizes, shapes, and patterns of the openings  230  will have corresponding dimensions, sizes, shapes, and patterns of the recess  700  so that the docking plate  210  can snap into a registered position within the recess  700 . In some embodiments, the recess  700  within the protruded portion  340  operates as a locking or interlocking mechanism where it will securably fix the position of the docking plate  210  of the docking member  170  to the protruded portion  340  in the loading path  320 . 
     In  FIG. 7C , a docking plate  210  is spaced apart from a second surface  324  of the loading path  320 . The distance or the gap IG is between the second surface  324  of the loading path  320  and a top surface of the docking plate  210  where the top surface is opposite and facing the second surface  324 . In order to release from the registered position, the docking plate  210  may be forced to a direction opposite to  710 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the distance IG will be compensated in a way that the top surfaces of the path portion  156  of the pathway member  150 , the supporting plane  226  of the docking member  170 , and the first surface  322  of the loading path  320  of the receiving portion  102  is made substantially coplanar. This substantially coplanar surface may form an extended longitudinal bridge at a selected angle θ that allows the moveable base member  130  to move from the patient transporting device  100  to the emergency vehicle  104 . 
       FIG. 8A  shows a registered position of the openings  230  of the docking member  170  to the protruded portions  340  of the receiving portion  102  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 8B  is an enlarged side view of one of the protruded portions  340  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . 
     Instead of applying the force F into a direction of the arrow in  FIG. 6A , the docking plate  210  may be attached to the second surface  324  of the loading path  320  using magnetic structures. At a surface of a docking plate  210  adjacent to one lateral side of the opening  230 , there may be a first magnetic structure  810  included within said surface of the docking plate  210 . At another surface of the docking plate  210  adjacent to another lateral side of the opening  230 , there may be a second magnetic structure  830  included within said surface of the docking plate  210 . The first and second magnetic structures  810 ,  830  included within the docking plate  210  may fix the position of the protruded portion  340  within the opening  230 . In some cases, the protruded portion  340  may be made of magnetic, or ferromagnetic materials. In cases where the protruded portion  340  does not show any magnetic characteristics, the protruded portions  340  may be inserted to include magnets  820 ,  840  at opposite or corresponding locations from the first and second magnetic structures  810 ,  830 . 
     In other embodiments, additional magnetic structures may be included to ensure that the unwanted lateral, vertical, and horizontal movements are prevented. For example, the docking plate  210  may have a third magnetic structure  850  and a fourth magnetic structure  870  in a location that faces the second surface  324  of the loading path  320 . In some cases, the loading path  320  may be made of magnetic, or ferromagnetic materials. In cases where the loading path  320  does not show any magnetic characteristics, the loading path  320  may have magnets  860 ,  880  at opposite or corresponding locations from the third and fourth magnetic structures  860 ,  880 . 
     In some embodiments, the force F applied by the electric motor of the lift assembly  160  may be additionally applied in combination with the magnetic force generated based on the magnetic structures. In some cases, the magnetic structures incorporated within the vicinity of the openings  230  of the docking plate  210  may suffice. 
     Other suitable positing fixing means may be utilized beside magnetic structures. 
     It will be readily appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that these magnetic structures may be applied additionally or alternatively to the other embodiments described within the present disclosure. For example, the magnetic structures can be applied to the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B . Various features described in the embodiments may be combined that results in the patient transporting device  100  being able to be inserted quickly and easily onto the receiving portion  102  of the vehicle  104  during loading of the patient  110  and, just as quickly and easily, be released for unloading from the vehicle  104 . 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method  900  of transporting a patient  110 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flow chart of a method  900  of docking a docking member  170  of a patient transporting device  100  to an emergency vehicle  104  and loading a patient  110  into the vehicle  104 . The method includes at step  910 , placing a patient  110  on a movable base member  130  on a pathway member  150  of a patient transporting device  100 . At step  920 , the method includes rolling a lift assembly  160  supporting the pathway member  150  close to the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104 . At step  930 , the method includes lifting a docking member  170  affixed to the pathway member  150  near a receiving member  330  having a plurality of protruding portions  340 . At step  940 , the method includes tilting the docking member  170  having a plurality of openings  230  under the plurality of protruding portions  340  of the receiving member  330 . At step  950 , the method includes fixating or hooking each of the plurality of openings  230  to each of the plurality of protruding portions  340 , respectively. At step  960 , the method includes forming an extended path including a path portion  156  of the pathway member  150 , a supporting plane  226  of the docking member  170 , and a loading path  320  of the receiving portion  102  of the emergency vehicle  104  at a selected angle θ. 
     The step  960  of forming an extended path includes forming top surfaces of the path portion  156 , the supporting plane  226 , and the loading path  320  to be substantially coplanar to each other. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes moving the movable base member  130  from the path portion  156  of the pathway member  150  to the loading path  320  of the receiving portion  102  via the supporting plane  226  of the docking member  170  at the selected angle θ. 
     The step  950  of fixating or hooking each of the plurality of openings  230  to each of the plurality of protruding portions  340 , respectively includes docking respective openings  230  to corresponding protruding portions  340 , and affixing position of the docking member  170  and the receiving member  330  to form a coplanar surface between the supporting plane  226  of the docking member  170  and the loading path  320  of the receiving portion  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the method also includes releasably disengaging or unhooking the respective openings  230  from the respective protruding portions  340 , upon the lift assembly  160  tilting to an angle different from the selected angle θ. 
     Further aspects of the present disclosure is provided. 
     One aspect of a patient transporting device  100  for loading to a patient loading vehicle  104  and unloading from the patient loading vehicle  104  includes a movable base member  130 . A patient  110  is placed on the movable base member  130 . The patient transporting device  100  includes a pathway member  150  configured to provide a path for the movable base member  130 . The patient transporting device  100  further includes a docking member  170  positioned adjacent to the pathway member  150 . The docking member  170  is configured to mate with a receiving portion  102  of the patient loading vehicle  104 . 
     In operation, the pathway member  150 , the docking member  170 , and the receiving portion  102  of the patient loading vehicle  104  form a substantially coplanar path for the moveable base member  130  to slidably move from the pathway member  150 , the docking member  170 , and the receiving portion  102  of the patient loading vehicle  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the docking plate  210  extends beneath the supporting plane  226  of the docking member  170  and the path portion  156  of the pathway member  150 , and the docking plate  210  is affixed to the supporting plane  226  and the pathway member  150 . 
     The patient transporting device  100  further includes a lift assembly  160  for supporting the pathway member  150 . The lift assembly  160  is configured to elevate the pathway member  150  vertically, and to tilt the pathway member  150  at a selected angle θ (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4B ). 
     The receiving portion  102  of the patient loading vehicle  104  includes a loading path  320  having a first surface  322  and a second surface  324  opposite to the first surface  322 . The receiving portion  102  includes a receiving member  330  on the second surface  324 . The movable base member  130 , during operation, moves along the first surface  322  of the loading path  320  and into the patient loading vehicle  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the receiving member  330  includes one or more protruding portions  340  on the second surface  324 . The one or more protruding portions  340  has dimensions (e.g., width, length, height, etc.), sizes, shapes, and patterns that corresponds to dimensions, sizes, shapes, and patterns of the one or more openings  230  of the docking member  170 . The one or more protruding portions  340  extends away from the second surface  324 . 
     In operation, the lift assembly  160  lifts the pathway member  150  having thereon the moveable base member  130  and the docking member  170 , and tilts the pathway member  150  and the docking member  170  to dock the one or more openings  230  of the docking plate  210  to the one or more protruding portions  340  of the receiving member  330  at the selected angle θ. 
     In one or more embodiments, the supporting plane  226  of the docking member, the path portion of the pathway member, and the first surface of the loading path form a substantially coplanar surface at the selected angle with respect to each other and in operation, allows the moveable base member to slidably move along from the pathway member to the loading path of the patient loading vehicle via the docking member. 
     In some embodiments, the docking member and the pathway member is formed integrally. However, in other embodiments, the docking member may be a separate component and may be removably attached to and detached from the pathway member. 
     In some embodiments, the pathway member has brake members on each of the first side frame and the second side frame. The brake members are configured to prevent the moveable base member from sliding down from the pathway member at the selected angle. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a patient transporting device without moveable base member. A pathway member  150  is shown and on the top there are three interlocking mechanisms  111 A,  111 B, and  111 C. The first interlocking mechanism  111 A is located the closest to the docking plate  210 . The second interlocking mechanism  111 B is located between a third interlocking mechanism  111 C and the first locking mechanism  111 A. The interlocking mechanisms  111 A,  111 B, and  111 C are detailed in connection with  FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C . When a patient is lying down the moveable base member, the moveable base member either locks with at least one of the first interlocking mechanism  111 A or the second interlocking mechanism  111 B and interlocks with the third interlocking mechanism  111 C. Depending on the height of the patient, the moveable base member may be changed accordingly. If a longer moveable base member is required in order to accommodate the height of the patient, the second interlocking mechanism  111 B is disabled and the first interlocking mechanism  111 A and the third interlocking mechanism  111 C is used. However, if a shorter moveable base member is required in order to accommodate the height of the patient, the first interlocking mechanism  111 A is disabled and the second interlocking mechanism  111 B and the third interlocking mechanism  111 C is used. On the bottom of the moveable base member, a metal tab is provided in order to insert into holes  1110 A,  1110 B of the interlocking mechanism  111 . If the second interlocking mechanism  111 B is not disabled in order to accommodate a patient with taller height, when the moveable base member slides passes the second interlocking mechanism  111 B, the metal tab will engage with the second interlocking mechanism  111 B and will not be able to slide its way up and interlock with the first interlocking mechanism  111 A. 
     The third interlocking mechanism  111 C has a side surface SS 1 , the second interlocking mechanism  111 B has a side surface SS 3 , and the first interlocking mechanism  111 A has a side surface SS 5 . Between the third interlocking mechanism  111 C and the second interlocking mechanism  111 B, a first sidewall structure  1000 A is attached to the inner sidewall of the pathway member  150 . The first sidewall structure  1000 A has a side surface SS 2 . Between the first interlocking mechanism  111 A and the second interlocking mechanism  111 B, a second sidewall structure  1010 A is attached to the inner sidewall of the pathway member  150 . The second sidewall structure  1010 A has a side surface SS 4 . Between the first interlocking mechanism  111 A and the docking plate  210 , a third sidewall structure  1020 A is attached to the inner sidewall of the pathway member  150 . The third sidewall structure  1020 A has a side surface SS 6 . 
     Same or similar sidewall structures are formed on the opposite side of the pathway member  150 . On the other side, between the third interlocking mechanism  111 C and the second interlocking mechanism  111 B, a fourth sidewall structure  1000 B is attached to the opposite inner sidewall of the pathway member  150 . Between the first interlocking mechanism  111 A and the second interlocking mechanism  111 B, a fifth sidewall structure  1010 B is attached to the opposite inner sidewall of the pathway member  150 . Between the first interlocking mechanism  111 A and the docking plate  210 , a sixth sidewall structure  1020 B is attached to the opposite inner sidewall of the pathway member  150 . 
     As shown, the first sidewall structure  1000 A has a tapered structure where the thickness of the sidewall gradually decreases as it approaches the docking plate  210 . The second sidewall structure  1010 A which is relatively small piece or a strip located between two adjacent locking mechanisms  111 A and  111 B, also has a tapered structure. The third sidewall structure  1020 A also has tapered structure where the thickness of the sidewall gradually decreases as it approaches the docking plate  210 . The opposite sidewall structures  1000 B,  1010 B,  1020 B have similar or corresponding tapered structure. 
     In order to facilitate the smooth movement of the base member  130  along the pathway member  150 , the sidewall surfaces SS 1 , SS 2 , SS 3 , SS 4 , SS 5 , and SS 6  are substantially coplanar with each other. 
     In some embodiments, the sidewall surfaces SS 1 , SS 3 , and SS 5  are substantially coplanar with each other and the sidewall surfaces SS 2 , SS 4 , and SS 6  are substantially coplanar with each other. However, because the sidewall surfaces of SS 1 , SS 3 , and SS 5  are narrow in dimension, even if these sidewall surfaces of SS 1 , SS 3 , and SS 5  are not coplanar with sidewall surfaces SS 2 , SS 4 , and SS 6 , they do not impede the smooth and slidable movement of the moveable base member  130  on the pathway member  150 . 
       FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of an interlocking mechanism. The interlocking mechanism  111  includes a first metal tab  1110 A and a second metal tab  1110 B opposite the first metal tab  1110 A. The first metal tab  1110 A includes an aperture  1110 A in the middle to accommodate a metal tab coupled to the moveable base member. The metal tab of the moveable base member may have a circular or cylindrical shape protrudes outwardly and that substantially matches the size of the aperture  1110 A of the first metal tab  1110 A. Based on pushing a button in the moveable base member, the metal tab of the moveable base member retreats from its protruded position to retract from the aperture  1110 A of the first metal tab  1110 A. Once the metal tab of the moveable base member retreats from the aperture  1110 A, it may slidably move along the pathway member  150  as needed. 
       FIG. 11B  is a top view of an interlocking mechanism shown in  FIG. 11A . The second metal tab  1110 B has similar structures as the first metal tab  1110 A. That is, the second metal tab  1110 B also includes an aperture  1110 B as shown in  FIG. 11C . 
       FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional view of an interlocking mechanism shown in  FIG. 11A . As shown, the first metal tab  1110 A and the second metal tab  1110 B extend from a top surface of a base member  1120  of the interlocking mechanism  111 . Further, the interlocking mechanism  111  including the first metal tab  1110 A and the second metal tab  1110 B is a single, continuous piece. Just having the metal tabs  1110 A,  1110 B without the base member  1120  is not rigorous and sustainable for continued medical operations. Accordingly, having a single, continuous, trench-shape structure is beneficial as it is more resilient to abrasion and does not easily detach from the sidewall of the pathway member because it is made of a single piece. 
       FIG. 12A  is a view of a leveling structure folded under a ramp structure.  FIG. 12B  is a view of a leveling structure unfolded a ramp structure. The leveling structure  109  includes a square-shaped frame, a metallic beam  1070  coupled to the bottom of the square-shaped frame, and a metallic feet structures  1090 A,  1090 B coupled to the metallic beam  1070 . A space or a void  1080  exists between a first metallic feet structure  1090 A and a second metallic feet structure  1090 B. In some embodiments, the first metallic feet structure  1090 A and the second metallic feet structure  1090 B include an L-shaped metal. The L-shaped metal allows to easily attach to the length direction of the metallic beam  1070 . In one embodiment, the metallic beam  1070  includes a cylindrical metal beam. The length of the cylindrical metal beam is wider than the length of the square-shaped frame where the metallic beam  1070  contacts. 
       FIG. 12C  is a side view of a leveling structure when unfolded and supporting a ramp structure. The metallic feet structure  1090  has a height FH. This height FH of the metallic feet structure  1090  provides the void or space  1080  shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B . This space  1080  is particularly beneficial as the L-shaped feet structure  1090 A,  1090 B can stand where the interior floor surface  1200  is relatively more planar. Having a footing on a planar surface within the interior floor surface  1200  helps avoid any rocking during the transportation of the patient on the moveable base member  130 . The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.