Patent Description:
Many ambulances (and other similar vehicles) have fixings which are installed in the vehicle floor to allow a patient on a stretcher to be accommodated in a convenient way within the ambulance. <FIG> shows a schematic view of the main internal space <NUM> of an ambulance, as viewed from directly above. An arrow (indicated by reference numeral <NUM>) designates the normal forward direction of travel of the ambulance, and an entryway <NUM>, which may be accessed through the rear doors (not shown), is also shown.

Four parallel tracks <NUM> are installed in the floor <NUM> of the ambulance. Each track <NUM> generally comprises a groove having a scalloped edge. A known floor fitting may be placed into the groove and locked longitudinally in place at a desired position along each track <NUM>. When a suitable fitting is locked in place on each track <NUM>, the fitting may also not be lifted upwardly out of the track <NUM>, as will be understood by the skilled reader.

<FIG> schematically shows a standard front lock <NUM>, and a standard rear lock <NUM>, each of which are positioned on two adjacent tracks <NUM>. Each lock <NUM>, <NUM> has a pair of fittings, spaced apart by a known, standardised distance so that each lock <NUM>, <NUM> may be attached to two parallel tracks <NUM>, and locked in place with respect to the floor <NUM> of the ambulance. In the arrangement shown in <FIG>, both the front lock <NUM> and the rear lock <NUM> are attached on the same pair of parallel tracks <NUM>, and the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> are fixed in place at a known longitudinal distance apart.

The tracks <NUM> to which the locks <NUM>, <NUM> are attached are not aligned with the entryway <NUM>, and are located near one side wall, as is common practice.

In use, a stretcher, mounted on a standardised wheeled frame, is introduced into the ambulance through the entryway <NUM>. The stretcher will generally be wheeled up a suitable ramp or may be lifted up on a motorised hoist or platform.

Once in the ambulance, the stretcher must be moved to one side, and the front and rear wheels of the stretcher's frame can be attached to the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> in a known manner. In general, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> are configured so that the frame of the stretcher may simply be pushed into contact with the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>, and the frame will automatically be fixed to the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>. The frame may not then be removed from either the front or the rear lock <NUM>, <NUM> without these locks being released, for instance by way of a foot pedal.

The stretcher, along with any patient resting thereon, is then locked in place with respect to the ambulance floor. There may be various seats and other equipment (not shown) arranged around the interior of the ambulance, which can then be used to help personnel to treat or otherwise assist the patient until the ambulance reaches its destination.

This known setup suffers from certain drawbacks. For instance, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> must be placed on the tracks <NUM> at exactly the correct longitudinal distance apart, to interact correctly with the frame on which the stretcher is mounted. If the locks <NUM>, <NUM> are spaced either too closely or too far apart from one another, the stretcher will not engage correctly with both of the locks <NUM>, <NUM>.

It is also relatively difficult to move the locks <NUM>, <NUM> to a different position, either longitudinally along the same set of tracks <NUM>, or laterally across the ambulance floor <NUM> onto a different pair of tracks <NUM>. In general, the locks <NUM>, <NUM> must be decoupled from the tracks <NUM>, and lifted out of the tracks <NUM> to be placed in a new position. The locks <NUM>, <NUM> are heavy components, and moving them to new positions can take a considerable length of time. It is certainly not practical to move the locks <NUM>, <NUM> to a different position to accommodate a particular patient at short notice, or to move the patient to a different part of the ambulance floor <NUM> in a swift and reliable manner.

It is an object of the present intention to seek to address some or all of the above drawbacks.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a vehicle according to claim <NUM>.

Preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:.

<FIG> shows a schematic view of the floor <NUM> of an ambulance, according to the present invention. As before, the ambulance has a normal forward direction of travel indicated by reference numeral <NUM>, and has a rear entryway <NUM> which may be accessed through rear doors (not shown).

First, second, and third tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are provided on the floor <NUM> of the ambulance. These three tracks <NUM>, <NUM><NUM> are parallel with each other. Importantly, the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are inclined at an angle with respect to the normal forward direction of travel <NUM> of the ambulance. The angle between each track <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the normal forward direction of travel <NUM> is preferably between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, and is more preferably between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. The inventors have found that the most preferred angle is <NUM>°, or around <NUM>°.

The rear cabin of an ambulance will usually have a generally rectangular shape, having a front wall <NUM> and a parallel rear wall <NUM>, and parallel left and right side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, which are set generally at right angles to the front and rear walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably set at an angle with respect to the side walls <NUM>, <NUM>.

A first track <NUM> is, in the configuration shown in <FIG>, set closest to a right side wall <NUM>, i.e. the wall which is on the right if the ambulance is viewed from the rear. The first track <NUM> has a rear end <NUM>, which is near the entryway <NUM>, and extends to a front end <NUM> which is close to the right side wall <NUM>.

A second one <NUM> of the tracks is spaced apart from the first track <NUM>, and is closer to the left side wall <NUM>. The second track <NUM> extends from a rear end <NUM>, which is again close to the entryway <NUM> and lies generally level with the rear end <NUM> of the first track <NUM>, and extends to a front end <NUM> which is close to the right side wall <NUM>, and also to the front wall <NUM>.

Finally, the third track <NUM> is spaced apart from the second track <NUM> in a direction towards the left side wall <NUM>. The third track <NUM> extends from a rear end <NUM>, which is set further forward than the rear end <NUM> of the second track <NUM>, and extends to a front end <NUM> which lies near to the front wall <NUM>, generally level with the front end <NUM> of the second track <NUM>.

The spacing between the first and second tracks <NUM>,<NUM> is preferably the same, or substantially the same, as the spacing between the second and third tracks <NUM>,<NUM>.

A front lock <NUM> and a rear lock <NUM> are schematically shown in <FIG>, arranged on the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The front lock <NUM> is fitted into the second and third tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, and may slide longitudinally along the length of these tracks <NUM>, <NUM>. The front lock <NUM> is, in the arrangement shown in <FIG>, positioned relatively near to the front ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the second and third tracks <NUM>, <NUM>.

The rear lock <NUM> is fitted into the first and second tracks <NUM>, <NUM> and is positioned relatively near to the rear ends <NUM>, <NUM> of these tracks <NUM>, <NUM>.

It will therefore be understood that both the front lock <NUM> and the rear lock <NUM> are fitted into the second track <NUM>, which is the middle one of the three tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

It is preferred that, as shown in <FIG>, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged so that they face in the normal forward direction of travel <NUM> of the ambulance. In other words, if the support frame of a conventional stretcher is attached to the locks <NUM>, <NUM>, the stretcher will itself be oriented in a direction which is parallel or substantially parallel with the normal forward direction of travel <NUM> of the ambulance.

It will therefore be understood that the locks <NUM>, <NUM> are mounted on the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in such a way that the locks <NUM>, <NUM> are not themselves parallel with the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>, are set at an appropriate distance apart from one another so that the locks <NUM>, <NUM> are directly or substantially aligned with one another in the normal forward direction of travel <NUM> of the ambulance.

A spacing arrangement <NUM> extends between the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>, and is of a set length so that this desirable spacing between the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> is maintained.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the spacing arrangement <NUM> passes along, or fits into, or is otherwise engaged with, the portion of the second track <NUM> that extends between the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>. This means that the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> may slide as a unit along the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and the spacing between the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> will be retained as this movement occurs.

Importantly, this spacing is such that, as the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> travel along the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> remain aligned with one another, parallel, or substantially parallel, with the normal forward direction of travel <NUM> of the ambulance.

The spacing arrangement will be described in more detail below.

<FIG> show the situation where a stretcher <NUM> mounted on a wheeled frame with front legs <NUM> and rear legs <NUM> is introduced into the rear of the ambulance through the entryway <NUM>. As previously discussed, the stretcher <NUM> may be wheeled up a ramp to access the entryway <NUM>.

The stretcher <NUM> enters the ambulance in a generally longitudinal direction, and its front and rear legs <NUM>, <NUM> engage with, and lock with respect to, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>, which are shown in a first position. In this first position, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned towards the rear of the ambulance floor, so the front lock <NUM> is positioned close to the rear end <NUM> of the third track <NUM>, and the rear lock <NUM> is positioned close to the rear ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the first and second tracks <NUM>, <NUM>.

As can be seen from <FIG>, as the stretcher <NUM> is first introduced into the ambulance through the entryway <NUM>, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> are conveniently positioned to receive the front and rear legs <NUM>, <NUM>.

As discussed above, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged such that each one is aligned with the normal forward direction of travel <NUM> of the ambulance, and the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> are also aligned with one another in a direction which is parallel with the forward direction of travel <NUM> of the ambulance. The stretcher <NUM> therefore locks in position towards the rear of the ambulance floor, in a way that is aligned with the ambulance.

In the arrangement shown, four seats are provided within the rear of the ambulance.

A first seat <NUM> is provided against the right side wall <NUM>, towards the rear of the ambulance. In the example shown, the first seat <NUM> is positioned on the right rear wheel-arch <NUM>, which protrudes into the cabin. The first seat <NUM> has a foldable squab, and may also rotate to point in a convenient direction. The first seat <NUM> is otherwise fixed in place, in this example.

A second seat <NUM> is positioned against the front wall <NUM>, and is slideable laterally within the ambulance on a track <NUM>, which is of known type. The second seat <NUM> may slide laterally and be fixed in place in a variety of positions along the front wall <NUM>. The second seat <NUM> also has a foldable squab, and can again be rotated to face in any suitable direction.

Third and fourth seats <NUM>, <NUM> are provided against the left side wall <NUM>, and are slideable on a track <NUM>, which extends along a part of this left side wall <NUM>. The third and fourth seats <NUM>, <NUM> each have foldable squabs, and may again rotate facing any suitable direction.

In the configuration shown in <FIG>, the first seat <NUM> has its squab folded into a retracted position. This is, in the example shown, necessary for the stretcher <NUM> to be moved into the first position, as shown in <FIG>.

Once the stretcher <NUM> is in place, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>, along with the stretcher <NUM> itself, can be moved forwardly with respect to the ambulance, into a second position, which is shown in <FIG>. In these figures, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> have been moved forwardly along the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, into a position where the stretcher <NUM> is roughly central within the rear cabin of the ambulance, in the longitudinal direction thereof.

In this position, the first seat <NUM> still has its squab retracted. However, the second seat <NUM> has its squab folded down and faces rearwardly. It can be seen that, in this position, the second seat <NUM> is well placed for an operative to sit near the head of the patient, which will be at the forward end of the stretcher <NUM>.

The fourth seat <NUM> also has its squab deployed in this position, and it can be seen that this seat <NUM> is well positioned for an operative to sit beside a patient who is on the stretcher <NUM>.

From this position, the stretcher <NUM> can be moved further forwardly into a third position, which is shown in <FIG>. In this position, the front lock <NUM> is moved as far or nearly as far forward as it will go, i.e. to a position near the front ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the second and third tracks <NUM>, <NUM>. The rear lock <NUM> lies near the front end <NUM> of the first track <NUM>. The stretcher <NUM> is close to the front wall <NUM> of the ambulance, and also close to the right side wall <NUM> thereof.

In this position, the first, third and fourth seats <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are all rotated so that they face forwardly, and the squabs thereof are deployed. These three seats may be used to accommodate ambulance crew when the ambulance is driving to its destination.

The second seat <NUM> is shown in <FIG> with its squab retracted, but this seat <NUM> may also be occupied by a member of ambulance crew who can sit beside the head of the patient while the vehicle is in transit.

In the configuration shown in <FIG>, the second seat <NUM> has been moved along the track <NUM> on which it is supported, away from the right side wall <NUM>, to allow the stretcher <NUM> to move all the way to the front of the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In summary, in the first position, the stretcher <NUM> has just entered the ambulance, and is conveniently received by the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the second position, the stretcher <NUM> is moved into a more central position within the ambulance, and this allows space for several members of the ambulance crew to attend to the patient in an effective manner, which makes good use of the space within the ambulance.

Finally, in the third position, the stretcher <NUM> is appropriately positioned for the ambulance to drive to its destination, while still allowing at least one operative to attend to the patient from a convenient position, near the patient's head.

It will also be noted that the arrangement of the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the floor of the ambulance allows the stretcher to move past the rear right wheel arch <NUM>, into the third position, which is well-suited for the ambulance to be driven. In a conventional arrangement, such as shown in <FIG>, this would be very difficult to achieve. Any track which is spaced far enough from the wall of the ambulance to avoid the wheel arch will only allow the stretcher to move to a forward position which is still spaced apart by a significant distance from the side wall.

As the skilled reader will understand, when the stretcher <NUM> is in the third position and is to be removed from the ambulance, the stretcher <NUM> is moved rearwardly, into the second position and then the first position, and the front and rear legs <NUM>, <NUM> of the stretcher <NUM> can then be disengaged from the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> (as will be discussed in more detail below), and the stretcher <NUM> can be removed from the ambulance through the rear entryway <NUM>. As discussed above, the stretcher <NUM> may be rolled down a suitable ramp, lowered down on a motorised hoist or platform, or removed in any other suitable way.

<FIG> shows a view of front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>, suitable for use with the present invention, without a stretcher attached to them. The front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> are shown mounted on tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> on the floor of an ambulance, as discussed above.

As will be understood from the description above, it is preferred that the locks <NUM>, <NUM> can slide along the length of the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For this reason it is preferred that the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> each take the form of a straight groove, and are not scalloped or otherwise shaped in a way that would stop or hinder an object sliding along the groove.

In this example, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> each include a known floor attachment. Considering the rear lock <NUM> in more detail, this includes a known floor attachment <NUM>, for instance as supplied by Stryker®. The standard floor attachment <NUM> is adapted to be attached to parallel tracks which are aligned with the forward direction of travel of an ambulance, (e.g. in the setup shown in <FIG>).

The rear lock <NUM> further includes a support frame <NUM>, which has fittings on its underside (not shown) which can fit into, slide along, and lock with respect to, the first and second tracks <NUM>, <NUM>.

The support frame <NUM> generally comprises a sheet of metal, such as steel, or any other suitable robust material. The support frame <NUM> has a suitable aperture formed therein to receive the standard floor attachment <NUM>, and fix it robustly in place with respect to the support frame <NUM>. The standard floor attachment <NUM> may be removably attached to the support frame <NUM>, for instance through one or more bolts, rivets or pins, or may alternatively be more permanently attached to the support frame <NUM>, for instance by welding.

On its underside the support frame <NUM> has an engagement arrangement (not shown) which is adapted to fit into, and slide along the first and second tracks <NUM>, <NUM>. For instance, the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may each comprise a groove having a pair of inwardly-protruding lips at its entrance, and the engagement arrangement may comprise a pair of spaced-apart, downwardly protruding T-shaped bars, which fit into the grooves and are received under the inwardly protruding lips. The skilled reader will understand that these bars may therefore slide along the length of the tracks, encountering little resistance, but may not be lifted upwardly directly out of the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, because the outwardly-protruding parts of the T-shape cannot move past the inwardly-protruding lips.

The invention is not limited to this, and any other suitable arrangement of track shape and engagement arrangement may be used.

When the known floor attachment <NUM> is attached to the support frame <NUM>, the known floor attachment <NUM> is angled with respect to the parts of the support frame <NUM> that engage with the first and second tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, so that when the support frame <NUM> is attached to the first tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, the known floor attachment <NUM> is oriented in a direction which is generally parallel with the normal forward direction of travel of the ambulance.

Turning to the front lock <NUM>, once again this lock <NUM> includes a known floor attachment <NUM>, supported by a support frame <NUM>, which may take a generally similar form to the support frame <NUM> of the rear lock <NUM>. Once again, the support frame <NUM> has suitable fittings to be engaged with, travel along and be locked with respect to the second and third tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, and the known floor attachment <NUM> is angled as it is received in the support frame <NUM>, so that it is generally aligned with the forward direction of travel of the ambulance.

While in this example the front and rear locks incorporate a known floor attachment, in other embodiments the front and rear locks may be entirely purpose-built, and include an engagement arrangement to cooperate with the track and a locking arrangement to engage and receive the appropriate legs of a stretcher.

A spacing arrangement <NUM> is provided between the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>. In preferred embodiments, the spacing arrangement <NUM> extends between the respective support frames <NUM>, <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the spacing arrangement <NUM> comprises a rigid bar (not shown) formed from metal or another robust material, which is received in the groove of the second track <NUM>. The bar is attached to the front and rear support frames <NUM>, <NUM>, so that the distance between these two support frames <NUM>, <NUM> remains constant.

In the example shown, a cover <NUM>, which may be formed from rubber or any other suitable material, covers the bar. This cover <NUM> helps to prevent dust and other substances from entering the groove of the second track <NUM> between the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>.

The skilled reader will understand that, because of the spacing arrangement <NUM>, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> may slide along the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> as one unit, retaining the desired spacing to receive a standard stretcher frame, and also ensuring that the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> are correctly aligned with one another at all times.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, a locking transmission arrangement extends between the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM>. This may take the form, for example, of a Bowden cable, although any other suitable transmission arrangement may be used.

This may ensure that the front and rear locks, <NUM>, <NUM> may be locked with respect to the ambulance floor by operating a single control, which can be positioned on only one of the locks <NUM>, <NUM>. In preferred embodiments, the locking controls are provided on the rear lock <NUM>, as these are more likely to be readily accessible to an operator. In general, the stretcher <NUM> will be moved into the ambulance by an operator who pushes the stretcher from its rear side. The feet of the operator will therefore be in close proximity to the rear lock <NUM>, and pedals can be provided on the rear lock <NUM> to allow the operator to lock and release the rear lock <NUM>. Similarly, when the stretcher <NUM> is removed from the ambulance, it is likely to be by an operator who pulls the stretcher from its rear end. Once again, the feet of the operator will be in close proximity to the rear lock <NUM>.

In one preferred embodiment, locking holes (not shown) are formed through the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and also optionally into the ambulance floor, to allow the stretcher <NUM> to be locked at each of the three positions (i.e. the positions shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and <FIG>). In other embodiments, locking holes may be provided in more, fewer, or different locations, and the invention is not limited to this.

The front and rear support frames <NUM>, <NUM> have locking arrangements including plungers which may protrude downwardly and fit into the locking holes.

The front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> may be placed in an unlocked mode, in which the plungers are raised above the level of the locking holes. In this mode, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> may be slid freely along the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to a new position.

The front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> may also be placed in a locking mode, in which the plungers are biased downwardly towards the ambulance floor, for instance by one or more suitable springs. When the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> are placed in the locking mode, if the plungers are not immediately aligned with any locking holes, the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> may still be slid along the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, with the plungers sliding along the bottom surfaces of the tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. However, as soon as the plungers become aligned with any locking holes, the plungers will be driven into the locking holes by the biasing force, and the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> will therefore be locked in place with respect to the ambulance floor.

In preferred embodiments, suitable locking holes and plungers are provided so that, when the plungers of the front lock <NUM> are aligned with locking holes, the plungers of the rear lock <NUM> are also simultaneously aligned with locking holes. This will ensure that, as the stretcher reaches one of the positions, the plungers of both the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> will engage with locking holes at the same moment.

This may be achieved by providing, for instance, a Bowden cable which is connected to a locking pedal <NUM>, which is provided on the support frame <NUM> of the rear lock <NUM>. The Bowden cable is attached to the plungers of the rear lock <NUM>, and passes through the spacing arrangement <NUM>, for instance passing between the bar and the cover <NUM>. The Bowden cable extends to the front lock <NUM>, where it is again attached to the plungers thereof. An operative may press his/her foot on the locking pedal <NUM>, and place both the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> in the locking mode simultaneously. Similarly, the operative may press a release pedal <NUM> with his/her foot, which will simultaneously place both the front and rear locks <NUM>, <NUM> in the unlocked mode.

The skilled reader will understand how this arrangement will make it very straightforward for an operative to move the stretcher <NUM> between the various desired positions, locking the stretcher in place with respect to the ambulance floor where needed, and easily unlocking the stretcher to be moved to a different position, or removed from the ambulance entirely.

In the example discussed above, the three tracks slant towards the front right corner of the interior space of the ambulance. However, in other embodiments the direction of slant may be reversed, i.e. so that the tracks slant towards the front left-hand corner of the ambulance floor. The direction of slant may be selected as a matter of preference, to fit with other equipment and/or fittings within the ambulance, and the direction of slant may also be influenced by whether the ambulance is a left-hand or right-hand drive vehicle.

It will be understood that embodiments of the invention provide a method for attaching an object such as the frame of a stretcher to the floor of a vehicle, such as an ambulance, in a manner which is straightforward and easy to operate. Moreover, this will allow a stretcher to be placed in positions on an ambulance floor which are useful for the ambulance crew, and allow efficient and effective use of the space within an ambulance to move and treat a patient.

Claim 1:
A vehicle comprising an arrangement for selectively attaching an object (<NUM>) to the floor (<NUM>) of the vehicle, the arrangement comprising:
first, second and third elongate tracks (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) provided on, or formed as part of, the vehicle floor (<NUM>), wherein the vehicle has a normal forward direction of travel, and the tracks (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are inclined at an angle with respect to this normal forward direction of travel; and
a first locking arrangement (<NUM>), which has an engagement arrangement adapted to be received in, and travel along, the first and second tracks (<NUM>, <NUM>), and a second locking arrangement (<NUM>), which has an engagement arrangement adapted to be received in, and travel along, the second and third tracks (<NUM>, <NUM>), each of the locking arrangements (<NUM>, <NUM>) being able to receive and removably retain a part of the object (<NUM>).