Abstract: A system comprising an assembly of structures and supports operable for installation in a vehicle for the purpose of transporting at least one medical attendant, one patient disposed on a stretcher, and a driver on a small utility vehicle having a flat horizontal surface or “bed”. The invention provides an improved method for evacuating injured people such as, for example, injured victims of a terrorist attack, or injured soldiers from a battlefield, on a relatively narrow vehicle. The supports are arranged so that at least one patient on a stretcher or spineboard can be placed longitudinally in the bed of the vehicle with a medical practitioner positioned adjacent the patient to attend to the patient's medical needs during transport.

Abstract: A modular patient support system adapted to be quickly mounted to utility vehicles such as trucks, buses, vans or trailers, to permit emergency medical workers to rapidly transform standard utility vehicles into specialized ambulances. When not in use, the modular patient support system is easily dismounted and collapsed for warehousing. The modular patient support system comprises a base frame that is used to attach the system to a vehicle. The base frame is oriented parallel and adjacent to a side wall of the vehicle. Two telescoping litter supports are attached to the base frame by hinges having a vertical axis of rotation. The two litter supports can either be extended normal to the base frame in order to support a patient on a litter, or collapsed and folded parallel to the base frame. A seat frame is adjustably attached to the base frame using multiple connecting links. When positioned vertically, the seat bottoms serve as mounting surfaces for medical equipment.