Patent ID: RE44884

Claim:
An ambulance cot, comprising: a base frame; a litter frame; and an X-frame support mechanism interconnecting said base frame and said litter frame and being configured to support said litter frame in one of a plurality of positions relative to said base frame, said support mechanism including at least one pair of frame members pivotally secured to each other proximate the mid-length thereof, said frame members each having opposite ends respectively secured to one of said base frame and said litter frame, said at least one of said pair of frame members having a first mount oriented between said mid-length thereof and said base, said at least one of said pair of frame members having a second mount oriented between said mid-length thereof and said litter frame, said first and second mounts being configured to respectively engage said base litter frame and said litter base frame in response to said litter frame becoming proximate said base frame; and wherein said base litter frame has longitudinally extending side rails and at least one first crosswise member interconnecting said side rails and of said litter frame, said first mount being oriented in a path of movement of said first mount crosswise member as said litter frame becomes proximate said base frame so that said first mount crosswise member engages and rests upon said at least one first crosswise member mount , and wherein said litter base frame has longitudinally extending side rails and at least one second crosswise member interconnecting said side rails of said litter base frame and being oriented in a path of movement of said second mount as said litter frame becomes proximate said base frame so that said second mount engages and rests upon said at least one second crosswise member.