Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a litter that includes a support structure articulable between seated and supine configurations. The support structure includes a seat section and a leg section coupled to the seat section and articulable relative to the seat section around a seat axis between first and second angular positions corresponding to the seated and supine configurations, respectively. The apparatus includes a steerable wheel assembly coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a steering axis, and a wheel system including a deployment frame coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a pivot axis and a wheel coupled to and rotatable relative to the deployment frame around a wheel axis parallel to the seat axis. The apparatus includes a wheel deployment mechanism configured to rotate the deployment frame around the pivot axis when the leg section articulates between the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for concurrently transporting a patient and a medical device includes a base and an intermediate frame coupled to the base and further includes a support assembly coupled to the intermediate frame. The support assembly supports the medical device for concurrent movement with the patient support apparatus. The support assembly includes a track extending between first and second track ends with at least one curvilinear region defined therebetween and includes a carrier for selective movement between the ends. The support assembly also includes a mount coupled to the track and configured to support the medical advice. The support assembly further includes a retainer operatively attached to the carrier with the carrier operable between an engaged state to inhibit relative movement of the carrier along the track and a disengaged state to permit movement of the carrier along the track.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient comprising a support frame and a support deck coupled to the support frame. The support deck has a deck section arranged to articulate relative to said support frame between a first position and a second position. An actuator is interposed in force-translating relation between the support frame and the deck section to articulate the deck section. The actuator comprises a biasing device configured to store mechanical energy and having an interface. The actuator further comprises a torque multiplier coupled to the deck section and engaged with the interface to translate mechanical energy stored in the biasing device into force acting on the deck section to urge the deck section toward the first position.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient comprising a support frame and a support deck coupled to the support frame. The support deck has a deck section arranged to articulate relative to said support frame between a first position and a second position. An actuator is interposed in force-translating relation between the support frame and the deck section to articulate the deck section. The actuator comprises a biasing device configured to store mechanical energy and having an interface. The actuator further comprises a torque multiplier coupled to the deck section and engaged with the interface to translate mechanical energy stored in the biasing device into force acting on the deck section to urge the deck section toward the first position.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus including a patient litter and a litter support apparatus for supporting the patient litter from a ground surface. The litter support apparatus includes a litter support frame including a pair of litter supports spaced a distance apart to define a loading gap for receiving the patient litter therethrough. A handle system is coupled to the pair of litter supports and includes a handle assembly that is positionable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The handle assembly extends across the loading gap defined between the pair of litter supports in the closed configuration and is positioned away from the loading gap in the open configuration.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for concurrently transporting a patient and a medical device includes a base and an intermediate frame coupled to the base and further includes a support assembly coupled to the intermediate frame. The support assembly supports the medical device for concurrent movement with the patient support apparatus. The support assembly includes a track extending between first and second track ends with at least one curvilinear region defined therebetween and includes a carrier for selective movement between the ends. The support assembly also includes a mount coupled to the track and configured to support the medical advice. The support assembly further includes a retainer operatively attached to the carrier with the carrier operable between an engaged state to inhibit relative movement of the carrier along the track and a disengaged state to permit movement of the carrier along the track.

Abstract: A patient transport apparatus including a patient litter and a litter support apparatus for supporting the patient litter from a ground surface. The litter support apparatus includes a litter support frame including a pair of litter supports spaced a distance apart to define a loading gap for receiving the patient litter therethrough. A handle system is coupled to the pair of litter supports and includes a handle assembly that is positionable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The handle assembly extends across the loading gap defined between the pair of litter supports in the closed configuration and is positioned away from the loading gap in the open configuration.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a litter that includes a support structure articulable between seated and supine configurations. The support structure includes a seat section and a leg section coupled to the seat section and articulable relative to the seat section around a seat axis between first and second angular positions corresponding to the seated and supine configurations, respectively. The apparatus includes a steerable wheel assembly coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a steering axis, and a wheel system including a deployment frame coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a pivot axis and a wheel coupled to and rotatable relative to the deployment frame around a wheel axis parallel to the seat axis. The apparatus includes a wheel deployment mechanism configured to rotate the deployment frame around the pivot axis when the leg section articulates between the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: Patient transport apparatus including a patient litter and a litter support apparatus for supporting the patient litter from a ground surface. The litter support apparatus includes a litter support frame including a pair of litter supports spaced a distance apart to define a loading gap for receiving the patient litter therethrough. A handle system is coupled to the pair of litter supports and includes a handle assembly that is positionable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The handle assembly extends across the loading gap defined between the pair of litter supports in the closed configuration and is positioned away from the loading gap in the open configuration.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a litter that includes a support structure articulable between seated and supine configurations. The support structure includes a seat section and a leg section coupled to the seat section and articulable relative to the seat section around a seat axis between first and second angular positions corresponding to the seated and supine configurations, respectively. The apparatus includes a steerable wheel assembly coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a steering axis, and a wheel system including a deployment frame coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a pivot axis and a wheel coupled to and rotatable relative to the deployment frame around a wheel axis parallel to the seat axis. The apparatus includes a wheel deployment mechanism configured to rotate the deployment frame around the pivot axis when the leg section articulates between the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient comprising a support frame and a support deck coupled to the support frame. The support deck has a deck section arranged to articulate relative to said support frame between a first position and a second position. An actuator is interposed in force-translating relation between the support frame and the deck section to articulate the deck section. The actuator comprises a biasing device configured to store mechanical energy and having an interface. The actuator further comprises a torque multiplier coupled to the deck section and engaged with the interface to translate mechanical energy stored in the biasing device into force acting on the deck section to urge the deck section toward the first position.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient comprising a support frame and a support deck coupled to the support frame. The support deck has a deck section arranged to articulate relative to said support frame between a first position and a second position. An actuator is interposed in force-translating relation between the support frame and the deck section to articulate the deck section. The actuator comprises a biasing device configured to store mechanical energy and having an interface. The actuator further comprises a torque multiplier coupled to the deck section and engaged with the interface to translate mechanical energy stored in the biasing device into force acting on the deck section to urge the deck section toward the first position.

Abstract: Patient transport apparatus including a patient litter and a litter support apparatus for supporting the patient litter from a ground surface. The litter support apparatus includes a litter support frame including a pair of litter supports spaced a distance apart to define a loading gap for receiving the patient litter therethrough. A handle system is coupled to the pair of litter supports and includes a handle assembly that is positionable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The handle assembly extends across the loading gap defined between the pair of litter supports in the closed configuration and is positioned away from the loading gap in the open configuration.

Abstract: A caster assembly comprises a caster wheel having an outer surface. A wheel support is coupled to the wheel to support the wheel for rotation about a rotational axis and for swiveling about a swivel axis. A brake assembly comprises a brake having a cammed wheel engaging surface shaped to engage the outer surface of the wheel and a brake actuator to move the brake relative to the wheel from an unbraked position to a braked position in which the brake limits rotation of the wheel about the rotational axis. The cammed wheel engaging surface is arranged to articulate relative to the wheel support. The cammed wheel engaging surface articulates relative to the wheel support in response to the wheel rotating about the rotational axis after the brake is initially placed in the braked position such that the cammed wheel engaging surface more deeply engages the wheel with rotation of the wheel about the rotational axis.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a litter that includes a support structure articulable between seated and supine configurations. The support structure includes a seat section and a leg section coupled to the seat section and articulable relative to the seat section around a seat axis between first and second angular positions corresponding to the seated and supine configurations, respectively. The apparatus includes a steerable wheel assembly coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a steering axis, and a wheel system including a deployment frame coupled to and rotatable relative to the leg section around a pivot axis and a wheel coupled to and rotatable relative to the deployment frame around a wheel axis parallel to the seat axis. The apparatus includes a wheel deployment mechanism configured to rotate the deployment frame around the pivot axis when the leg section articulates between the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: A caster assembly comprises a caster wheel having an outer surface. A wheel support is coupled to the wheel to support the wheel for rotation about a rotational axis and for swiveling about a swivel axis. A brake assembly comprises a brake having a cammed wheel engaging surface shaped to engage the outer surface of the wheel and a brake actuator to move the brake relative to the wheel from an unbraked position to a braked position in which the brake limits rotation of the wheel about the rotational axis. The cammed wheel engaging surface is arranged to articulate relative to the wheel support. The cammed wheel engaging surface articulates relative to the wheel support in response to the wheel rotating about the rotational axis after the brake is initially placed in the braked position such that the cammed wheel engaging surface more deeply engages the wheel with rotation of the wheel about the rotational axis.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient comprising a support frame and a support deck coupled to the support frame. The support deck has a deck section arranged to articulate relative to said support frame between a first position and a second position. An actuator is interposed in force-translating relation between the support frame and the deck section to articulate the deck section. The actuator comprises a biasing device configured to store mechanical energy and having an interface. The actuator further comprises a torque multiplier coupled to the deck section and engaged with the interface to translate mechanical energy stored in the biasing device into force acting on the deck section to urge the deck section toward the first position.