Patent ID: 8327480

Claim:
A patient-support apparatus comprising, a frame including first and second members, a first receiver coupled to the first member, the first receiver including a generally horizontal support surface, a generally vertical outboard surface, and a latch block, a second receiver coupled to the second member and positioned on the frame opposite the first receiver, the second receiver including a generally horizontal support surface, a generally outboard vertical surface, the generally outboard vertical surface of the second receiver facing the generally vertical outboard surface of the first receiver such that the generally vertical outboard surfaces are in an opposing orientation, and a latch block, and a patient-support deck including a main portion having first and second lateral sides, a first support bracket coupled to the main portion and positioned on the first side, a second support bracket coupled to the main portion and positioned on the second side positioned laterally opposite the first support bracket, the first and second brackets configured to engage the first and second receivers respectively such that the support brackets are positioned between the generally vertical surfaces of the first and second receivers and the support brackets support the patient-support deck on the frame in a cantilevered configuration, and a locking mechanism including first and second latch hooks positioned to engage the latch blocks of the respective first and second receivers to secure the patient-support deck to the patient-support apparatus, wherein the patient-support deck further comprises a handle movable relative to the main portion and the handle moves the latch hooks between a first position wherein the latch hooks are disengaged from the latch blocks and a second position wherein the latch hooks are engaged with the latch blocks to secure the patient-support deck to the patient-support apparatus wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first shaft coupled to the handle, an arm coupled to the shaft and moveable with the shaft, a link pivotably coupled to the arm at a point offset from the axis of rotation of the first shaft, a second shaft coupled to the latch hook, and an arm coupled to the second shaft and pivotably coupled to the link at a point offset from the axis of rotation of the second shaft, the rotation of the handle being transferred through the mechanism to rotate the latch hooks.