Patent Description:
When patients are transferred from road ambulances to aircraft, paramedics are required to lift and transfer patients from road ambulance stretchers to aircraft stretchers.

Such transfers increase the response time and increase the possibility of further trauma to the patient.

Additionally, transfers of patients from road ambulance stretchers to aircraft stretchers increases the risk of paramedic injury due to spinal compression and shear forces.

An additional problem is the loading and unloading of stretchers from aircraft.

Powered stretcher loaders have been used in road ambulances to assist with the loading and unloading of heavy stretchers. These powered stretchers cannot be used with aircraft due to their weight and the regulations governing airworthiness and safety requirements of items used in aviation.

<CIT> describes a system for transferring patients to and from emergency medical vehicles and for securing the patients within the vehicles during transport.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above-mentioned problems with the transfer and loading of stretchers and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one aspect, the present invention resides in a stretcher loading assembly according to claim <NUM>.

The support member preferably includes an attachment track adjacent each lateral side. Each of the attachment tracks is preferably an L-track. Preferably the support member includes attachment members attached to the attachment tracks. Preferably, the attachment members attach to a stretcher when the stretcher is located above the support member. Preferably the attachment members attach to the stretcher using straps.

In one embodiment, the support member is attached directly to the aircraft floor. The support member is preferably attached to the aircraft floor by fasteners such as bolts.

In another embodiment, the support member is attached to tracks attached to or incorporated into the aircraft floor. The support member is preferably attached to the tracks by a plurality of studs attached to the support member. Each of the plurality of studs is preferably releasably and movably attached to one of the tracks.

The support member preferably includes a plurality of apertures so that the studs can be attached using fasteners. The fasteners are preferably screws or bolts.

In one embodiment, the studs are oriented to fit into tracks that run in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to the aircraft, when the support member is oriented in a substantially lateral direction relative to the aircraft. In another embodiment, the studs are oriented to fit into tracks that run in a substantially lateral direction relative to the aircraft, when the support member is oriented in a substantially lateral direction relative to the aircraft.

The stretcher loading assembly includes a turntable member located between the support member and the aircraft floor. The turntable member enables the support member to be rotated relative to the aircraft floor. The turntable member is preferably attached to the tracks by a plurality of studs attached to the turntable member. Each of the plurality of studs is preferably releasably and movably attached to one of the tracks.

In one embodiment, the stretcher loading assembly includes one or more stop levers movable between a first position in which the plurality of studs are movable relative to the tracks and a second position in which the plurality of studs are secured relative to the tracks. Preferably when the one or more stop levers are in a second position, the plurality of studs are secured in the tracks.

The support member preferably includes a plurality of spacers to support the support member on the aircraft floor. The spacers are preferably attached to the support member. The support member preferably includes a plurality of apertures so that the spacers can be attached using fasteners. The fasteners are preferably screws or bolts.

The support member is preferably at least <NUM> in length. More preferably, the support member is between <NUM> and <NUM> in length. In one embodiment, the support member is approximately <NUM> in length. The support member is preferably at least <NUM> in width. More preferably, the support member is between <NUM> and <NUM> in width. In one embodiment, the support member is substantially <NUM> in width.

The support member is preferably made substantially from aluminium or an aluminium alloy. Alternatively, the support member can be made substantially from a carbon fibre or glass fibre composite material.

The support member may also be referred to as an interface member or interface.

The rail member is preferably attached to a central portion of the support member. The rail member is preferably more than <NUM> in length. More preferably the rail member is over <NUM> in length. The rail member preferably includes a securing portion adapted to secure the trolley assembly to the rail member.

The traverse beam is preferably slidably mounted relative to the rail member. More preferably the traverse beam is slidably mounted to the rail member. The traverse beam preferably extends in substantially the same direction as the rail member. The traverse member is preferably movable between a retracted position relative to the rail member and an extended position relative to the rail member. In the retracted position, the traverse member preferably substantially overlies the rail member. Preferably in the extended position at least a portion of the traverse member extends away from the rail member. The traverse beam is preferably over <NUM> in length. More preferably the traverse member is over <NUM> in length.

The trolley assembly is preferably slidably mounted relative to the traverse beam. More preferably the trolley assembly is slidably mounted to the traverse beam. The trolley assembly is preferably movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The retracted position is preferably adjacent the end of the traverse beam that remains close to the rail member in the extended position. The extended position is preferably adjacent to the end of the traverse beam that is located away from the rail member in the extended position.

The lifting means are preferably one or more lifting arms. More preferably the lifting means are two lifting arms. The lifting means is preferably hydraulically movable between the lowered position and the raised position. The trolley assembly preferably includes hydraulic means to hydraulically move the lifting means. The hydraulic means preferably includes one or more hydraulic cylinders. The trolley assembly preferably includes an electric motor to power a hydraulic pump to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulic means. The lifting means preferably secures to the stretcher in the raised position.

Preferably the stretcher loading assembly conforms to aviation standards CS <NUM> Amendment <NUM>. Preferably the stretcher loading assembly conforms to aviation standards JAR <NUM> Amendment <NUM>. Preferably the stretcher loading assembly conforms to aviation standards FAR <NUM> Amendments <NUM>-<NUM> through <NUM>-<NUM>.

In another aspect, the present invention resides in an aircraft having
a stretcher loading assembly as claimed in claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the aircraft is a helicopter. In another embodiment, the aircraft is a fixed wing aircraft.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a method of loading a stretcher into an aircraft, using a stretcher loading assembly, according to claim <NUM>.

Preferably the method further includes the step of securing the stretcher to the support member.

Preferably the step of securing the stretcher to the support member includes securing the stretcher to the attachment tracks of the support member. Preferably the stretcher is attached to attachment members by straps, and the attachment members are attached to the attachment tracks of the support member.

Preferably the method further includes the step of lowering the lifting arms towards the lowered position when the trolley assembly is in the retracted position such that the stretcher is lowered onto the traverse beam. Preferably, when the stretcher is lowered onto the traverse beam, the stretcher engages with and is secured to the traverse beam.

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:.

With reference to <FIG> there is shown a stretcher loading assembly <NUM> according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The stretcher loading assembly <NUM> includes a support member <NUM> which is attachable to an aircraft floor (not shown).

A rail member <NUM> is centrally attached to the support member <NUM>. A traverse beam <NUM> is movably attached to and supported by the rail member <NUM>. The traverse beam <NUM> is able to slide along the rail member <NUM> between a retracted position (shown) and an extended position (not shown).

A trolley assembly <NUM> is movably attached to and supported by the traverse beam <NUM>. The trolley assembly <NUM> is able to slide along the traverse beam between a retracted position (shown) and an extended position (not shown).

The trolley assembly <NUM> includes lifting means in the form of lifting arms <NUM>. The lifting arms <NUM> are movable between a raised position (shown) and a lowered position (not shown). In the raised position, the lifting arms <NUM> are adapted to support and secure to a stretcher (not shown).

The trolley assembly <NUM> includes hydraulic means in the form of hydraulic cylinders (not shown) to move the lifting arms <NUM> between the raised position and the lowered position. The trolley assembly also includes an electric motor and a hydraulic pump (not shown) to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulic cylinders.

<FIG> shows the rail member <NUM> of <FIG> in more detail. The rail member <NUM> includes an attachment portion <NUM>. The attachment portion <NUM> can secure the trolley assembly <NUM> (shown in dotted line format) to the rail member <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the traverse beam <NUM> of <FIG> in more detail. The traverse beam <NUM> includes securing portions <NUM>. The securing portions <NUM> can secure the lifting arms <NUM> (shown in dotted line format) to the traverse beam <NUM>. In use, the lifting arms <NUM> are lowered slightly from the raised position (when the trolley assembly is in the retracted position) to secure the lifting arms to the traverse beam.

<FIG> shows the trolley assembly <NUM> including the lifting arms <NUM> of <FIG> in more detail.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, there is shown the support member <NUM> of <FIG> in more detail. The support member <NUM> includes a plurality of studs <NUM>,<NUM>, which are locatable in L-tracks in an aircraft floor (not shown).

The studs <NUM> near the lateral sides of the support member <NUM> include stop members <NUM> which are adapted to releasably secure the support member <NUM> to the L-tracks. The stop members <NUM> are movable between a secured position in which they can secure the support member <NUM> to the L-tracks and a released position in which the studs can move in the L-tracks and/or be removed from the L-tracks.

Stop levers <NUM> are movable between a raised position (not shown) and lowered position. In the lowered position, the stop levers <NUM> hold the stop members <NUM> in the secured position. In the raised position, the stop levers <NUM> move the stop members <NUM> to the released position.

The studs <NUM>,<NUM> are arranged to fit into L-tracks that run transverse to the support member <NUM>.

The support member <NUM> includes a plurality of spacers <NUM> which provide additional support to the support member <NUM> when located on an aircraft floor.

The support member <NUM> includes apertures <NUM> (only some numbered) to secure studs <NUM>,<NUM> and spacers <NUM> to the support member <NUM> using screws (not shown).

The support member <NUM> further includes attachment tracks in the form of L-tracks <NUM> adjacent each lateral side of the support member <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a support member <NUM> according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Similar numbering to the support member of <FIG> and <FIG> has been used, with the addition of the prefix <NUM>.

The support member <NUM> includes a plurality of studs <NUM>,<NUM>, which are locatable in L-tracks in an aircraft floor (not shown).

The studs <NUM> near the ends of the support member <NUM> include stop members <NUM> which are adapted to releasably secure the support member <NUM> to the L-tracks. The stop members <NUM> are movable between a secured position in which they can secure the support member <NUM> to the L-tracks and a released position in which the studs can move in the L-tracks and/or be removed from the L-tracks.

The studs <NUM>,<NUM> are arranged to fit into L-tracks that run lengthwise to the support member <NUM>.

The support member <NUM> further includes attachment tracks in the form of L-tracks <NUM> adjacent each lateral side of the support member <NUM>. Attachment members (not shown) can be attached to the L-tracks <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, there is shown the stretcher loading assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. The traverse beam <NUM> is in the retracted position. The trolley assembly <NUM> is in the retracted position. The lifting arms <NUM> are in the raised position.

With reference to <FIG>, there is shown the stretcher loading assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. The traverse beam <NUM> is in the extended position. The trolley assembly <NUM> is in the extended position. The lifting arms <NUM> are in the lowered position. In this position, the stretcher loading assembly can accept a stretcher (not shown).

With reference to <FIG>, there is shown a sequence of a stretcher <NUM> being loaded onto the stretcher loading assembly <NUM> of <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, the stretcher loading assembly <NUM> has accepted a stretcher <NUM> and the lifting arms <NUM> have moved to the raised position to support and secure the stretcher <NUM>. Wheels <NUM> of the stretcher <NUM> have been raised after the lifting arms <NUM> have supported and secured the stretcher <NUM>. The trolley assembly <NUM> is in the extended position and the traverse beam <NUM> is in the extended position.

With reference to <FIG>, the traverse beam <NUM> has moved to the retracted position.

With reference to <FIG>, the trolley assembly <NUM> has moved to the retracted position. The lifting arms <NUM> have been slightly lowered from the raised position to secure the trolley assembly to the traverse beam <NUM>, and to lower and secure the stretcher <NUM> onto the traverse beam <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, there is shown the stretcher loading assembly <NUM> of <FIG> positioned in an aircraft <NUM>. The support member <NUM> is attached to L-tracks <NUM> in a floor <NUM> of the aircraft <NUM> by studs (not shown). A stretcher <NUM> is shown loaded onto the stretcher loading assembly <NUM>.

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the stretcher loading assembly includes eliminating patient stretcher transfer and improving the 'Golden Hour' response time. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the stretcher loading assembly includes the ability to load stretchers used in road ambulances into aircraft. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the stretcher loading assembly includes the ability to move the stretcher loading assembly inside the aircraft along tracks in the floor. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the stretcher loading assembly includes the ability to appropriately distributing loads from the stretcher loading assembly into the floor of the aircraft using the support member.

While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A stretcher loading (<NUM>) assembly including
a support member (<NUM>) operatively attachable to an aircraft floor;
an elongate rail member (<NUM>) attached to the support member;
an elongate traverse beam movably attached to the rail member;
characterised in
a trolley assembly (<NUM>) movably attached to the traverse beam, the trolley assembly (<NUM>) including lifting means (<NUM>) movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the lifting means (<NUM>) adapted to support a stretcher in the raised position;
wherein the support member (<NUM>) is at least twice as wide as the rail member, and
wherein the stretcher loading assembly (<NUM>) further includes a turntable member, the turntable member configured to be located between the support member (<NUM>) and the aircraft floor so that when the support member (<NUM>) is operatively attached to the aircraft floor, the turntable member enables the support member (<NUM>) to be rotated relative to the aircraft floor.