Abstract: A patient support apparatus has a lower frame and an upper supported above the lower frame and movable relative to the lower frame. A plurality of casters are coupled to the lower frame. A wheel is movable relative to the lower frame between a lowered position engaging the floor and a raised position spaced from the floor. A drive assembly is coupled to the wheel and is operable to drive the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along the floor. A foot pedal is coupled to the lower frame and is movable to raise and lower the wheel relative to the floor. Elevation adjust pedals are coupled to the lower frame and are movable to change an elevation of the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the frame and engaging the floor, a wheel supported relative to the frame for movement between a raised position spaced above the floor and a lowered position engaging the floor, a drive assembly that is operable to drive the wheel and propel the patient support apparatus along the floor when the wheel is in the lowered position, and a foot pedal coupled to the frame and movable between a brake position in which the plurality of casters are braked and a steer position in which the plurality of casters are unbraked. The wheel is in the raised position when the foot pedal is in the brake position, and movement of the foot pedal from the brake position to the steer position results in movement of the wheel from the raised position to the lowered position.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for transporting a patient along a floor includes a frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the frame, a wheel supported relative to the frame and engaging the floor, and a drive assembly that operates to drive the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along the floor.

Abstract: A stretcher for transporting a patient along a floor includes a frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the frame, a wheel supported relative to the frame and engaging the floor, and a drive assembly drivingly couplable to the wheel. The drive assembly has a first mode of operation decoupled from the wheel so that the wheel is free to rotate in response to movement of the stretcher along the floor, and a second mode of operation coupled to the wheel to drive the wheel and propel the stretcher along the floor.