Abstract: A stretcher includes a patient support, a base, a plurality of support members supporting the patient support relative to the base, which are adapted and arranged to raise or lower the base relative to the patient support, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is actuatable between a locked position wherein the locking mechanism locks the support members at a fixed height and an unlocked position wherein the support members are released from being locked at the fixed height so that the base or the patient support may be moved relative to the other. Further, the locking mechanism is configured to provide a stop for the support members and absorb energy from the support members are release and the support members engage the stop.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a first sheet portion having an outer side and an inner side and a second sheet portion having an outer side and an inner side, with the inner sides arranged so that they are facing each other. The outer sides each have a high coefficient of friction surface. The first sheet portion and the second sheet portion are releasably coupled together to thereby limit relative movement of the first sheet portion to the second sheet portion. When the coupling is released, the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion can move relative to each other.

Abstract: A stretcher includes a patient support, a base, a plurality of support members supporting the patient support relative to the base, which are adapted and arranged to raise or lower the base relative to the patient support, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is actuatable between a locked position wherein the locking mechanism locks the support members at a fixed height and an unlocked position wherein the support members are released from being locked at the fixed height so that the base or the patient support may be moved relative to the other. Further, the locking mechanism is configured to provide a stop for the support members and absorb energy from the support members are release and the support members engage the stop.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a first sheet portion having an outer side and an inner side and a second sheet portion having an outer side and an inner side, with the inner sides arranged so that they are facing each other. The outer sides each have a high coefficient of friction surface. The first sheet portion and the second sheet portion are releasably coupled together to thereby limit relative movement of the first sheet portion to the second sheet portion. When the coupling is released, the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion can move relative to each other.

Abstract: An ambulance cot is disclosed and the ambulance cot has, if desired, a wheel supported base and a litter raisable and lowerable by a powered elevating mechanism oriented between the base and the litter. The ambulance cot also has wireless communication capability to facilitate communication between the ambulance cot and a loading system on an ambulance as well as facilitating wireless troubleshooting via a handheld wireless unit. The ambulance cot also has a longitudinally extendable head section. The ambulance cot also has several accessories, such as an accessory hook mounted to the underside of the fowler, and a collapsible pouch accessory fastened to the retractable head section and the litter frame.

Abstract: A safety stop member which consists of an L-shaped member, plural fasteners for fastening a first leg of the L to the floor surface, a second leg of the L being oriented in an upstanding relation relative to the first leg and to the floor surface and configured so that the upstanding second leg will interfere with and engage a safety bar on an emergency cot only when the safety bar is positioned adjacent a juncture between the first and second legs. An outwardly facing side of the second leg is oriented generally flush with an edge of the access opening so that when the emergency cot extends outwardly from the access opening in the cargo area and the safety bar engages the second leg, the base on the emergency cot will be sufficiently spaced outwardly of an outermost facing surface of a step bumper on the emergency vehicle to facilitate an unobstructed deployment of the base to the deployed position thereof.