Patent ID: 7302722

Claim:
A maneuverable bariatric bed transport adapted for supporting a patient thereon comprising: a base frame; a patient support assembly coupled with and overlying the base frame; a drive assembly coupled with the base frame, the drive assembly including, first and second drive motors each operably connected to a respective one of a pair of drive wheels, first and second drive means connected to the first and second drive motors, and wherein each drive wheel is adapted to be independently rotatably actuated by the first or second drive means; at least one stabilizing wheel coupled with the base frame; a control system adapted for controlling operation of the drive assembly in response to operator input received by the control system, the control system including, a control module electrically coupled with the first and second drive motors, and an input device electrically coupled with the control module, the input device being operative to generate a signal for transmission to the control module based on operator input, wherein the transmitted signal causes the control module to command at least one drive motor of the first and second drive motors to rotate the respective drive wheel in a determined direction of rotation and with a certain torque, and wherein the input device is further adapted to enable variable speed control of the wheels based on the operator input received on the input device; a portable electrical power source for supplying electrical power for operation of the drive assembly and the control system; and a pair of handles extending from the base frame, wherein one of the handles has a lateral member extending therefrom on which the input device is mounted such that the input device is positioned proximate to the handle; wherein the control system and drive assembly together enable driving and steering of the bariatric bed transport in a variety of directions across an underlying surface with support from the at least one stabilizing wheel.