Patent Publication Number: US-2022233367-A1

Title: Patient Transport Apparatus With Adjustable Handles

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The subject patent application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/132,025, filed on Dec. 23, 2020, which claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/954,926, filed on Dec. 30, 2019, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Patient transport apparatuses facilitate care of patients in a health care setting. Patient transport apparatuses include, for example, hospital beds, stretchers, cots, wheelchairs, and transport chairs. A conventional patient transport apparatus includes a support structure having a base, a frame, and a patient support surface upon which the patient is supported. The patient transport apparatus may also include a lift device arranged to lift and lower the patient support surface relative to a floor surface. Handles on the frame facilitate maneuvering of the patient transport apparatus. 
     Occasionally, when the patient support surface has been lowered via the lift device to a lower height, the handles are difficult to reach and/or are difficult to apply leverage to in order to maneuver the patient transport apparatus. Furthermore, users of varying heights may be maneuvering the same patient transport apparatus, which can result in some users grasping and/or otherwise manipulating the handles in awkward ways to maneuver the patient transport apparatus. 
     A patient transport apparatus with one or more handles designed to overcome one or more of the aforementioned challenges is desired. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a patient transport apparatus with a handle assembly in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 2  is a close-up view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 1  in the retracted position. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate movement of the handle assembly from the retracted position to a first extended position. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate reorientation of the handle assembly from the first extended position to a second extended position. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are partial cross-sectional views that illustrate movement of a handle link and a carrier as the handle assembly moves from the retracted position to the first extended position and are generally taken along the line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3B . 
         FIGS. 5C and 5D  are perspective views of the carrier shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  are partial cross-sectional views that illustrate movement of the handle shank and carrier between the first extended position and the second extended position and are generally taken along the line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4B . 
         FIG. 7  is a partially exploded view of the handle assembly illustrating the handle shank and the carrier of the handle assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along the line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 3B , but with the handle assembly in-between the retracted position and the first extended position. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a distal end of the shank for the handle assembly including a cap and a limit member. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates assembly steps of the cap and the shank of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate proper assembly of the carrier on the handle link and past the limit member. 
         FIG. 11C  illustrates an attempt to improperly assemble the carrier onto the handle link. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the handle assembly illustrating a handle released from a latch assembly. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the handle assembly illustrating parts of the latch assembly. 
         FIG. 14  is a partially exploded view of the latch assembly and a release device. 
         FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of locking elements of the latch assembly. 
         FIG. 15B  is a perspective view with the locking elements of  FIG. 15A  removed. 
         FIG. 16A  is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along the line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 3A  and illustrates the latch assembly and the release device. 
         FIG. 16B  is a partial cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 16A , but illustrating operation of the release device to release the latch assembly. 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  illustrate movement of the alternative handle assembly of  FIGS. 16A and 16B  between a retracted position and a first extended position. 
         FIGS. 18A and 18B  illustrate movement of the alternative handle assembly between the first extended position and a second extended position. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the alternative handle assembly in the retracted position. 
         FIG. 20  is a partially exploded view of the alternative handle assembly. 
         FIGS. 21A and 21B  illustrate a latch assembly and a release device for the alternative handle assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a patient transport apparatus  30  is shown for supporting a patient in a health care setting. The patient transport apparatus  30  may be a hospital bed, stretcher, cot, wheelchair, transport chair, or similar apparatus utilized in the care of a patient. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the patient transport apparatus  30  is a cot that is utilized to transport patients, such as from an emergency site to an emergency vehicle (e.g., an ambulance). 
     The patient transport apparatus  30  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a support structure  32  that provides support for the patient. The support structure  32  includes a base  34 , a support frame  36 , and a litter  33 . The base  34  may include a base frame  35 . The support frame  36  is spaced above the base frame  35 . The litter  33  may include a patient support deck  38  disposed on the support frame  36 . The patient support deck  38  may include several sections, some of which may be capable of articulating relative to the support frame  36 , such as a back section  41 , a seat section  43 , a leg section  45 , and a foot section  47 . The patient support deck  38  provides a patient support surface  42  upon which the patient is supported. 
     The base  34 , support frame  36 , patient support deck  38 , and patient support surface  42  each have a head end and a foot end corresponding to designated placement of the patient&#39;s head and feet on the patient transport apparatus  30 . The support frame  36  includes a longitudinal axis L along its length from the head end to the foot end. The support frame  36  also includes a vertical axis V arranged crosswise (e.g., perpendicularly) to the longitudinal axis L along which the support frame  36  is lifted and lowered relative to the base  34 . The construction of the support structure  32  may take on any known or conventional design, and is not limited to that specifically set forth above. In addition, a mattress (not shown) may be provided in certain embodiments, such that the patient rests directly on a patient support surface of the mattress while also being supported by the patient support surface  42 . 
     Side rails  44 ,  46  are coupled to the support frame  36  and thereby supported by the base  34 . A right side rail  44  is positioned at a right side of the support frame  36 . A left side rail  46  is positioned at a left side of the support frame  36 . If the patient transport apparatus  30  is a hospital bed there may be more side rails. The side rails  44 ,  46  may be fixed to the support frame  36 , or may be movable between a raised position in which they block ingress and egress into and out of the patient transport apparatus  30 , one or more intermediate positions, and a lowered position in which they are not an obstacle to such ingress and egress. In still other configurations, the patient transport apparatus  30  may not include any side rails. 
     Wheels  58  are coupled to the base  34  to facilitate transport over floor surfaces. The wheels  58  are arranged in each of four quadrants of the base  34  adjacent to corners of the base frame  35 . In the embodiment shown, the wheels  58  are caster wheels able to rotate and swivel relative to the support structure  32  during transport. Each of the wheels  58  forms part of a caster assembly  60 . Each caster assembly  60  is mounted to the base  34 . Various configurations of the caster assemblies  60  are contemplated. One or more of the caster wheel assemblies  60  may include a brake to prevent rotation of its associated caster wheel  58  when engaged. One or more of the caster wheel assemblies  60  may also include a swivel locking mechanism to prevent its associated caster wheel  58  from swiveling when the swivel locking mechanism is engaged. In addition, in some embodiments, the wheels  58  are not caster wheels and may be non-steerable, steerable, non-powered, powered, or combinations thereof. Additional wheels are also contemplated. For example, the patient transport apparatus  30  may include four non-powered, non-steerable wheels, along with one or more powered wheels. 
     In other embodiments, one or more auxiliary wheels (powered or non-powered), which may be movable between stowed positions and deployed positions, may be coupled to the support structure  32 . In some cases, when these auxiliary wheels are located between caster assemblies  60  and contact the floor surface in the deployed position, they cause two of the caster assemblies  60  to be lifted off the floor surface thereby shortening a wheelbase of the patient transport apparatus  30 . A fifth wheel may also be arranged substantially in a center of the base  34 . 
     A pair of loading wheels  64  (only one shown, but another is present on the opposite side) may be coupled to the support frame  36  to assist with loading of the patient transport apparatus  30  into the emergency vehicle and unloading of the patient transport apparatus  30  out of the emergency vehicle. In the embodiment shown, the loading wheels  64  are arranged nearer the head end than the foot end, but the loading wheels  64  may be placed in other locations to facilitate loading and/or unloading of the patient transport apparatus  30  into and out of the emergency vehicle, or for other purposes. 
     The patient transport apparatus  30  may further comprise a lift device  70  configured to raise and lower the patient support surface  42  between minimum and maximum heights relative to the floor surface and intermediate heights therebetween. The lift device  70  may be configured to operate in the same manner, or a similar manner, as the lift mechanisms shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,056,950 or 9,510,981, both incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a handle assembly  80  is coupled to the support frame  36 . The handle assembly  80  may be located near the foot end, head end, or locations therebetween. The handle assembly  80  is provided to facilitate maneuvering of the patient transport apparatus  30  by providing an operator a readily grasped structure. Such maneuvering includes, for example, pushing and pulling of the patient transport apparatus  30  on its wheels  58  along the floor surface and/or lifting and lowering of the patient transport apparatus  30  over obstacles, such as bumps or curbs, or when the patient transport apparatus  30  is being loaded in or unloaded from the emergency vehicle. In other embodiments, the handle assembly  80  may be attached to the base  34 , the patient support deck  38 , or any other suitable location on the patient transport apparatus  30 . Furthermore, the patient transport apparatus  30  may be equipped with more than one handle assembly  80 . 
     The handle assembly  80  includes one or more adjustable grips  82  configured to be grasped and manipulated by a user to facilitate maneuvering of the patient transport apparatus  30 , as described above. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-4B , each of the grips  82  are fixed to a respective handle link  84 . A crossbar  85  may be fixed to the grips  82  to space the grips  82  laterally and can also be used as a handle. It should be appreciated that the grips  82  and the crossbar  85  may be integral with the handle links  84  and/or the crossbar  85 , may be part of the handle links  84  that are intended to be grasped by users, or may be separate and distinct components that are coupled to the handle links  84 . Each of the handle links  84  comprises a shank portion that extends from the grips  82  to a distal end portion  84   a.    
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3A-4B , the handle assembly  80  is configured to move relative to the support frame  36  from a retracted position (see  FIG. 3A ) to one or more extended positions (see  FIGS. 3B-4B ). More specifically, the handle links  84  are able to translate relative to support frame  36  between the retracted position, in which the handle assembly  80  is positioned below the patient support surface  42  and within the footprint of the litter  33 , and a first extended position ( FIG. 3B ), in which at least a portion of the handle assembly  80  is positioned outside the footprint of the litter  33 . The links  84  are slidable within rails  72  of the support structure  32  along respective translation axes T (see  FIG. 3A ) between the retracted position to the first extended position. The rails  72  each define a rail bore  73  aligned with the respective translation axis and extending therethrough. In the retracted position the handle links  84  are at least partially disposed in the rail bore  73 . The grips  82  can be grasped and used at the retracted position, the extended position, or any positions therebetween. As discussed further below, the grips  82  may be lockable at the retracted position, extended position, and one or more positions therebetween, and/or may be free to slide. 
     In some versions, the rails  72  are extendible and may include extension rails  72   a  that telescope inside and relative to outer rails  72   b  (see  FIGS. 3A and 3B , for example). The extensions rails  72   a  may be configured to lock in a plurality of various extension positions relative to the outer rails  72   b . The rails  72   a ,  72   b  form part of the support frame  36  in their collapsed and extended configurations. In the embodiment shown, the rails  72  include rail end housings  87  that are fixed to the extension rails  72   a  to extend/retract with the extension rails  72   a  relative to the outer rails  72   b . A separate release assembly may be employed to actuate a corresponding pair of rail latch assemblies to unlock the rail latch assemblies and allow extension/retraction of the extension rails  72   a  relative to the outer rails  72   b . The release assembly may include release handles or slides, but could include other forms of release devices, such as levers, buttons, and the like. The release assembly, rails  72   a ,  72   b , and rail locking devices may be like those shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,369,063, entitled, “Patient Transport Apparatus With Adjustable Handles,” which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     The grips  82  are located adjacent to the support frame  36  in the retracted position ( FIG. 3A ) and the grips  82  are longitudinally spaced from the support frame  36  by the links  84  in the extended position ( FIG. 3B ). The grips  82  have various uses in each of the retracted position and the extended position. In the retracted position, the grips  82  are conveniently located close to the support frame  36  so that the patient transport apparatus  30  can be easily moved in an elevator or other tight spaces. The grips  82  can be utilized in the retracted position to lift the patient transport apparatus  30 . In the extended position, users maintain additional clearance from patients during transport. Additionally, in the extended position, the grips  82  and handle links  84  freely articulate. This allows users of varying heights to pull the patient transport apparatus  30  via one or more of the grips  82 . Other uses of the grips  82  in the retracted and extended positions, and positions therebetween, are also contemplated. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3A-4B , the handle links  84  may be configured to freely articulate relative to the support frame  36  from a first extended position as shown in  FIG. 3B  to a second extended position shown in  FIG. 4B . In some versions, the first extended position is an orientation in which the handle links  84  are arranged as a first angle relative to a reference axis. For example, the handle links  84  may be parallel to the associated rails  72 , and the respective translation axis T, in which they slide. The second extended position is an upright orientation relative to the support frame  36  in which the handle links  84  are arranged at a second angle relative to the reference axis. For example, the handle links  84  may be parallel to the vertical axis V and/or perpendicular to the respective translation axis T and support frame  36 . In some versions the first and second extended positions may be such that the handle links  84  articulate 90 degrees between the first and second extended positions, and in some cases, the handle links  84  may articulate less than or greater than 90 degrees between the first and second extended positions. The handle links  84  include extension axes E parallel with the translation axes T of the rails  72  in the first extended position and transverse to the translation axes T in the second extended position. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4B , the extension axes E are perpendicular to the translation axes T in the upright orientation shown. It should be appreciated that other upright orientations are possible, such as other orientations in which the extension axes E are closer to perpendicular than parallel. 
     The grips  82  are located at a first height H 1  relative to the support frame  36  in the first extended position ( FIG. 3B ) and the grip  82  are located at a second height H 2  relative to the support frame  36 , greater than the first height, in the second extended position ( FIG. 4B ). The heights H 1 , H 2  can be measured from an uppermost surface of the support frame  36 , from the translation axes T, from the patient support surface  42  (when all sections  41 ,  43 ,  45 ,  47  are horizontal), from the floor surface, or from any other suitable location to a closest surface of the grips  82 , a center of mass of each of the grips  82 , a geometric center of each of the grips  82 , a topmost surface of the grips  82 , or to any other suitable location related to the grips  82 . The heights H 1 , H 2  may be measured vertically, parallel to the vertical axis V, or could be measured in other ways, such as normal to the support frame  36 , e.g., when the support frame  36  is not horizontally positioned. Regardless of the way in which the heights are measured, the grips  82  provide users with various advantages at each of the heights. 
     In the first extended position, for example, when in the retracted position and at the first height H 1  ( FIG. 3A ), the grips  82  could be used to gain leverage and/or provide ergonomic lifting points when lifting the entire patient transport apparatus  30 , for instance. In the second extended position, and at the second height H 2  ( FIG. 4B ), the grips  82  are conveniently elevated above the patient support surface  42  of the foot section  47  so that users push/pull the patient transport apparatus  30  along the floor surface without bending over or slouching nearer the patient to reach the grips  82 . The second height H 2  may provide higher lifting points to ease lifting over bumps, curbs, or other obstacles, such as when the patient support surface  42  is at a lower height. Other advantages and uses of the grips  82  in each of the first extended position, first height H 1 , second extended position, and second height H 2  are also contemplated. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the handle assembly  80  includes caps  88  connected to the handle links  84 . The caps  88  are configured to slide along the translation axes T within the rails  72  from the retracted position to the extended position. In the version shown, there are two caps  88 , one mounted to each of the handle links  84 . Each cap  88  includes a cap body  90 , a limit member  92 , and one or more biasing devices  94  (e.g., one or more compression springs or other resilient elements) that urge the limit member outwardly toward an extended position. Here, the limit member is implemented as a pair of retention pins  92 , which are disposed in the cap body  90  and movable to vary distance therebetween. The biasing device  94  acts to push the retention pins  92  through diametrically opposed openings  96  in a sidewall  98  of the handle link  84  such that the retention pins  92  protrude from an outer surface of the handle link  84 . Other forms of caps  88  and limit members are also contemplated. In some versions, the caps  88  are integrally formed with the handle links  84  and/or may be formed in one-piece with the handle links  84 . The caps  88  may be formed of plastic, metal, composites thereof, or any suitable material. 
     Best shown in  FIGS. 5C and 5D , a carrier  100  is supported by the rail end housing  87  and is rotatable about a pivot axis PA of the handle assembly  80 . The carrier  100  comprises a carrier body  101  having a curved outer surface  103  extending between two sides  99  to define a generally cylindrical shape aligned with the pivot axis PA. The carriers  100  are pivotally coupled to the rails  72  to enable articulation of the handle assembly  80  from the first extended position to the second extended position, and to all orientations therebetween. There is one carrier  100  for each of the handle links  84 . The carriers  100  are pivotally coupled to the rail end housings  87 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  provide additional views of one of the carriers  100  and its connection to one of the rail end housings  87 . Each carrier  100  has a bushing portion  112  protruding from each side  99  of the carrier body  101  along the pivot axis PA. In some versions, the bushing portion  112  includes two bushing portions  112  that extend on either side of the carrier body  101  of the carrier  100 . Each rail  72  includes a first spindle portion  114  and a second spindle portion  116 . The bushing portion  112  pivots about the spindle portions  114 ,  116  (e.g., the bushing portion  112  and spindle portions  114 ,  116  may have complimentary cylindrical and/or coaxial shapes to allow relative rotation). As will be discussed in further detail below, a guide  118  may have one of the spindle portions  114 ,  116  integrally formed therewith. The guide  118  is attached to the rail end housing  87  to capture the carrier  100  therebetween, as best shown in  FIG. 8 . The carriers  100  may be formed of plastic, metal, composites thereof, or any suitable material. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 5C and 5D , the carrier  100  defines a carrier aperture  104 , which may be an oblong-shaped passage that is sized to slidably receive the handle link  84  (which may also be oblong in shape) with little clearance between the outer surface of the handle link  84  and the carrier  100 . The carrier aperture  104  may have a geometric cross-sectional shape to generally mate with a geometric cross-sectional shape of the handle link  84  (e.g., both are oblong) to prevent rotation of the handle link  84  about the translation axis T as it slides through the carrier aperture  104 . In some versions, the carrier aperture  104  and/or handle links  84  may also be cylindrical in shape, or any other suitable shape for allowing telescoping of the handle link  84  within the carrier aperture  104  and along the translation axes T. The handle links  84  freely slide in their corresponding carrier apertures  104  from the retracted position to the extended position. Each carrier aperture  104  is sized so that the cap  88  is unable to pass through the carrier aperture  104  (i.e., thereby retaining the handle links  84 ). To this end, each carrier  100  includes a stop  102  that is sized to prevent the cap  88  from sliding past the carrier  100 . The stop  102  is shown, for example, as a shoulder formed inside the carrier  100 . The stop  102  limits the telescoping travel of the handle links  84  by abutting the retention pins  92  and preventing further translation of the handle links  84  (see  FIG. 5B ). 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 5C and 5D , each carrier aperture  104  has a first portion  105  and a second portion  106  in communication with each other. Each of the first portion  105  and the second portion  106  define a height that correspond to the cap  88  and the retaining pins  92 . More specifically, the first portion  105  defines a first height D 1  and the second portion  106  defines a second height D 2 . The first height D 1  corresponds to an outer distance D 3  ( FIG. 10 ) between the retention pins  92  in an extended position and is greater than the second height D 2 . Said differently, the outer distance D 3  between the retention pins  92  is greater than the second height D 2  of the second portion  106  of the carrier aperture  104 . The second height D 2  corresponds to an outer dimension of the cap  88 . More specifically, the second portion  106  may be sized and shaped to slidable receive the retention pins  92  of the cap  88  (see  FIG. 5B ). As will be discussed in further detail below, the carrier  100  is assembled onto the handle links  84  and configured with the first portion  105  arranged nearer to the support structure  32  when the handle links  84  are in the retracted position. 
     As the handle links  84  move between the retracted position and the first extended position the caps  88  remain at least partially outside of the carriers  100 , as shown in  FIG. 5A , and the carriers  100  are unable to freely pivot about their pivot axis PA, i.e., portions of the handle assembly  80  remain within the extension rails  72   a  such that lifting of the grips  82  would cause the distal end portions  84   a  of the handle links  84  to bear against an inner surface of the extension rails  72   a  and lift the patient transport apparatus  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6D , once the cap  88  is fully received in both portions  105 ,  106  of the carrier aperture  104  (see  FIG. 6A ), e.g., the retention pins  92  are fully seated against the stop  102 , then the handle assembly  80  is ready to be articulated from the first extended position to the second extended position. More specifically, the distal end portion  84   a  of the handle links  84  have cleared the extension rails  72   a  to prevent further interference with the extension rails  72   a  when lifting the grips  82 .  FIGS. 6B-6D  illustrate articulation of the handle assembly  80  to different orientations including to the second extended position ( FIG. 6C ) and a braced position ( FIG. 6D ). Once the handle assembly  80  has been placed in the second extended position, such as an upright orientation, then the carrier aperture  104  aligns with sockets  113 ,  115  formed in the rail end housings  87 . 
     Best shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 7 , each of the rail end housings  87 , which are operatively attached to the support structure  32 , comprises a guide  118  for supporting the carrier  100  for rotation about the pivot axis PA. The rail end housings  87  may further comprise an inner housing  89  and an outer housing  91 , which cooperate to define the guide  118 . The guide  118  may comprise a circular support surface  93  that is arranged about the pivot axis PA and configured to engage the curved outer surface  103  of the carrier  100  when the carrier  100  is received in the guide  118 . 
     As the handle links  84  move between the various orientations, unintended movement of the handle assembly  80  is prevented by a pair of shank braces. To this end, the handle assembly  80  may further comprise a first shank brace  107  and a second shank brace  108  adjacent to the guide  118 . The first shank brace  107  may be formed on the outer housing  91  aligned with the rail bore  73  and the second shank brace  108  may be formed on the inner housing  89 . Both the first shank brace  107  and the second shank brace  108  may further comprise an inlet face  111  arranged adjacent to the guide  118  and the carrier  100  to receive the handle links  84 . The inlet face  111  has a curved profile that is complementary to the curved outer surface  103  of the carrier  100  to permit rotation of the carrier  100 . 
     In order to facilitate movement of the handle assembly  80  between the retracted position, the first extended position, and the second extended position, each of the first shank brace  107  and the second shank brace  108  may define a corresponding socket. The first shank brace  107  may define a first socket  113  aligned with the translation axis T and the second shank brace  108  may define a second socket  115  at an angle to the translation axis T. In order to receive the handle link  84  when the handle assembly  80  is in the retracted position the first socket  113  has a socket dimension that is approximately equal to the first height D 1  if the first portion  105  of the carrier aperture  104 . 
     As mentioned above, the handle assembly  80  may be movable between the second extended position ( FIG. 6C ) and a braced position ( FIG. 6D ). In the braced position gravity and/or user force may then cause the handle assembly  80  to seat into the second socket  115 . More specifically, the distal end portions  84   a  of the handle links  84 , which may include portions of the cap bodies  90 , are sized to seat into the second socket  115  to hold and secure the handle assembly  80  in the upright orientation so that the user may push/pull on the handle assembly  80  to maneuver the patient transport apparatus  30 . When seated in the second socket  115 , the handle links  84  interfere with rotation of the carriers  100  thereby temporarily locking the handle assembly  80  in the upright orientation. The distal end portions  84   a  may have a size and/or shape (e.g., oblong, generally cylindrical, etc.) that generally matches a size and/or shape of the second socket  115  so that the distal end portions  84   a , when seated in the second socket  115 , are substantially retained in the second socket  115  and prohibited from articulating due to interference with one or more walls of the rail end housings  87  that define the second socket  115  (see  FIG. 6D ). The distal end portion  84   a  may have a suitable length (e.g., 0.1 inches, 0.5 inches, 1.0 inches or more) to facilitate such interference. Movement of the handle assembly  80  between the first extended position and the second extended position is permitted when the distal end portion  84   a  of the handle link  84  and the cap  88  are disposed in the carrier  100 . Said differently, the handle link  84  is disposed in neither the first socket  113  or the second socket  115  in the first extended position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , one of the caps  88  is shown in greater detail. As illustrated, the cap body  90  has a neck  120  sized to slide into the handle link  84  and a head  122  sized larger than an inner passage of the handle link  84  to form an end surface  123  of the handle link  84 . The cap body  90  may also define a through passage  124  sized to slidably receive the retention pins  92 . The end surface  123  of the cap body  90  is curved so as to match the curved outer surface  103  of the carrier  100 . The curve of the end surface  123  allows the head  122  to sit flush, or nearly flush, with the cap body  90  when the handle is in the first and second extended positions and so that the cap  88  may be fully received in the guide  118 . 
     The retention pins  92  may have protrusions  126 , or other suitable geometric feature or features, to prevent the retention pins  92  from passing through the openings  96  in the sidewall  98  of the handle link  84 . The retention pins  92  may also have seats  128  to hold the biasing device  94 . Assembly of the cap  88  onto the handle link  84  in shown in  FIG. 10 . Once the retention pins  92  are compressed and then inserted into the handle links  84 , the retention pins  92  align with the openings  96  in the handle links  84  and biasing force (e.g., spring force) from the biasing device  94  forces the retention pins  92  into their final assembled position, protruding from the outer surface of the handle links  84 . 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate proper assembly of the carrier  100  onto the handle link  84  and past the cap  88 . As shown, during assembly, the carrier  100  is slid onto the handle link  84  over the cap  88  until reaching the retention pins  92 . At that point, an operator pinches the retention pins  92  inwardly toward one another so that they are able to slide through the first portion  105  of the carrier aperture  104 . The operator then further slips the carrier  100  onto the handle link  84  past the retention pins  92  until the retention pins  92  reach the second portion  106  where they spring outwardly and prevent the handle link  84  from sliding back through the carrier  100 .  FIG. 11C  illustrates an attempt to improperly assemble the carrier  100  onto the handle link  84 . However, the cap  88  is designed to prevent such assembly. More specifically, the cap  88  is configured such that the cap  88  cannot be assembled improperly owing to the retention pins  92  being inaccessible to the operator in the second portion  106  such that the operator would be unable to pinch the retention pins  92  inwardly as needed to pass through the first portion  105 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12-14 , the handle assembly  80  may further include a latch assembly configured to lock the handle assembly  80  relative to the rails  72  and the support frame  36  in the retracted position. The latch assembly is selectively releasable to permit movement of the grips  82 . The latch assembly includes a lock  130  having one or more first locking elements  132  (see  FIG. 13 ) coupled to the rail end housing  87 . The lock  130  also has one or more second locking elements  134  (see  FIG. 12 ) associated with the handle assembly  80 . It should be noted that, while pairs of such locking elements  132 ,  134  are shown, only one first and one second locking element may be employed, or additional locking elements may be employed. 
     In the version shown, the first locking elements  132  include latches and the second locking elements  134  include catches adapted to receive the latches and hold the handle assembly  80  in a locked state. The latches shown include hooks  136  that are laterally movable. The hooks  136  form part of a latch slider  138  (see  FIG. 14 ) that slides along a slide axis SA (see  FIG. 13 ) oriented generally perpendicular to the translation axes T. 
     A lock housing  140  retains and supports the latch slider  138  and associated hooks  136  (see lock housing  140  with latch slider  138  removed in  FIG. 15B ). In some versions, the lock housing  140  may include a rib structure  145  having a plurality of structural ribs  147  that are arranged to slidably support the latch slider  138 , as best shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B . The lock housing  140  may also include a solid slide rail along which the latch slider  138  slides, or other suitable structures may be used. 
     The lock housing  140  may be integrally formed with the rail end housings  87  or may be a separate housing. The lock housing  140  and the rail end housings  87  collectively form a foot end housing that slides via the telescoping inner and outer rails  72   a ,  72   b , as previously described. The lock housing  140  includes a cover  142  (see  FIG. 14 ) having openings  144  through which the hooks  136  protrude. The cover  142  captures the latch slider  138  within the lock housing  140  such that the latch slider  138  is retained from moving longitudinally relative to the support frame  36 , but is able to slide laterally relative to the support frame  36  along the slide axis SA. 
     A biasing device  146 , such as a compression spring or other resilient member, is located to bias the latch slider  138  toward a locked position by acting between the lock housing  140  and the latch slider  138  (see  FIGS. 16A and 16B ). The biasing device  146  is shown applying a biasing force against the latch slider  138  in  FIG. 16A  to maintain the latch slider  138  in the locked position. The biasing device  146  is shown being further compressed in  FIG. 16B  when the latch slider  138  is being moved to an unlocked position during release, as described further below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16A , the catches include openings  148  (e.g., slots) and crossbar portions  85   a  of the crossbar  85 . The openings  148  are sized and shaped to receive the hooks  136  when the handle assembly  80  is moved to the retracted position. The hooks  136  have lead-in portions  150  and camming portions  152  that are contacted by the crossbar  85  to urge the hooks  136  laterally along the slide axis SA. 
     During operation, when the user pushes the handle assembly  80  from the extended position toward the retracted position (not shown), the lead-in portions  150  of the hooks  136  are initially longitudinally aligned with the openings  148  while the camming portions  152  are longitudinally aligned with the crossbar portions  85   a . With continued pushing of the handle assembly  80 , the crossbar portions  85   a  contact the camming portions  152 . When this occurs, and with continued manual pushing of the handle assembly  80  in the longitudinal direction, the latch slider  138  and the hooks  136  thereof are moved laterally, against the bias of the biasing device  146 , until the camming portions  152  pass completely through the openings  148 . This camming action is provided by the angled shaped of the camming portions  152 , i.e., a longitudinally-applied force causes lateral movement. Once the camming portions  152  pass completely through the openings  148 , the hooks  136  are free to slide back laterally until hook portions  154  of the hooks  136  engage the wall of the crossbar  85  to lock the handle assembly  80  in a locked state (as shown in  FIG. 16A ). 
     A release device includes a release  160  that is configured to cooperate with the latch assembly to release the first locking elements  132  (e.g., the hooks  136 ) from the second locking elements  134  (e.g., the openings  148 ) to allow movement of the handle assembly  80  from the retracted position to the extended position. The release  160  includes one or more manual actuators  162  operatively coupled to the first locking elements  132 . The manual actuators  162  are configured to be operated by the user to release the first locking elements  132  from the second locking elements  134 . Each of the manual actuators  162  includes an actuator body having a push-actuated plunger  166  (see  FIG. 16A ). The actuator body is retained in the lock housing  140  to slide longitudinally and is constrained from lateral movement. In other words, the actuator body slides along release axes RA (aligned with the plungers  166 ) that are arranged generally transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the slide axis SA. 
     Biasing devices  168  (e.g., compression springs or other suitable resilient members) are arranged to act between the manual actuators  162  and the lock housing  140  to bias the manual actuators  162  toward their unreleased positions. The lock housing  140  may include protruding tabs  170  that ride in corresponding slots  172  in the actuator bodies to retain the actuator bodies and constrain the plungers  166  to movement along the release axes RA (see  FIG. 15B ). The cover  142  of the lock housing  140  defines openings  174  also sized and shaped to retain the manual actuators  162  for sliding movement therein and constrain lateral movement. 
     During operation, as best shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B , when the user presses/pushes one or both of the manual actuators  162  to their released positions (such as with their thumbs), the plungers  166  are urged longitudinally along the release axes RA toward the head end of the patient transport apparatus  30  (see arrows in  FIG. 16B ). Such user actuation is against the bias of their corresponding biasing devices  168  (see biasing devices  168  schematically shown in phantom in  FIGS. 16A and 16B ). When actuated, the plungers  166  cooperate with camming surfaces  176  on the latch slider  138  to urge the latch slider  138  laterally (against the bias of its biasing device  146 ) along the slide axis SA to an unlocked position so that the hook portions  154  are moved out of engagement with the crossbar portions  85   a  and instead align with the openings  148  (see  FIG. 16B ) to allow the handle assembly  80  to be pulled toward the extended position. Once the manual actuators  162  are released, they spring back to their normal, unreleased positions and the latch slider  138  slides back to its locked position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17A-20 , an alternative handle assembly  180  is shown. In this version, handles  182  and handle links  184  move in the same manner as previously described with respect to the handle assembly  80 . For example, the same caps  88  and carriers  100  may be employed to cooperate with the distal end portions  184   a  of the handle links  184 . However, an alternative latch assembly is employed to retain and lock the handle assembly  180  in the retracted position adjacent to the frame  36  and an alternative release device is employed to release the lock  230  and allow the handle assembly  180  to move from the retracted position to the extended position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21A and 21B , in the version shown, the latch assembly includes a lock  230  having a pair of first locking elements  232  (one for each handle link  184 ) and second locking elements  234 . The lock  230  may also include only a single locking element, two locking elements, or any suitable number of locking elements. The first locking elements  232  include latches such as locking pins  236 . The second locking elements  234  include catches such as discrete openings  238  that are spaced from each other along the handle links  184 . 
     Biasing devices  240  (e.g., compression springs or other resilient members) are arranged to bias the locking pins  236  toward the handle links  184  so that as each locking pin  236  (one for each handle link  184 ) aligns with one of the discrete openings  238 , the locking pin  236  protrudes into the discrete opening  238  under biasing force of the biasing device  240  to lock the extension/retraction of the handle assembly  180  (see  FIG. 21A ). There may be one, two, three, or more discrete openings  238  for each of the handle links  184  such that the handle assembly  180  can be locked at the retracted position, the extended position, and/or one or more positions therebetween. 
     The release device includes a release  260  having a pair of manual actuators  262  (one for each lock  230 ) that may be simultaneously pulled by the user against the bias of the biasing devices  240  to release the lock  230 , e.g., by pulling the locking pins  236  from their corresponding discrete openings  238 . In the version shown, each manual actuator  262  is in the form of a knob that can be grasped and pulled by a user to pull the locking pins  236  and allow sliding of the handle links  184 . A single manual actuator, or additional manual actuators may also be used in some versions. During operation, as shown in  FIG. 21B , the user grasps and pulls the knobs laterally (only one shown) to pull the locking pins  236  until the locking pins  236  fully clear the discrete opening  238  in which they were positioned (see  FIG. 21B ). In this version, the locking pins  236  are coaxially aligned with the pivot axis PA of the carriers  100 . The manual actuators  262  may also be mounted to the outer housings  91  that secure the carriers  100  in place. As shown, each of the carriers  100  defines a through opening  242  into which the locking pin  236  can be withdrawn to its released position ( FIG. 21B ). In some versions, the manual actuators  262  may be located elsewhere and may not be aligned with the pivot axis PA, and may be utilized to facilitate locking the handle link  84  at various angles between the first orientation (e.g.,  FIG. 17B ) and the second orientation (e.g.,  FIG. 18B ). 
     Several examples have been discussed in the foregoing description. However, the examples discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to any particular form. The terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.