Patent ID: 7735168

Claim:
A patient support apparatus comprising: a patient support including a first patient support deck; a removable section having a second patient support deck, said removable section being configured for movement along a longitudinal axis to a first position wherein said removable section may be coupled to said patient support, a second position wherein said removable section is adjacent to but spaced from said first position, and a third position spaced apart from said patient support; a latch mount on one of said patient support and said removable section; a sensing mechanism configured to translate generally along the longitudinal axis, said latch mount configured to be contacted by said sensing mechanism when said removable section is moved to said second position, and said latch mount causing said sensing mechanism to translate along said longitudinal axis when said removable section is moved to said first position; a latch mechanism mounted on the other of said patient support and said removable section and including a latch member; and wherein said sensing mechanism prevents said latch member from engaging said latch mount when said removable section is in said second position, and wherein said sensing mechanism permits said latch member to engage said latch mount when said removable section is moved to said first position.