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 stretcher includes a patient support, a base, and a plurality of support members, which supports the patient support relative to the base. The support members are adapted and arranged to raise or lower the base relative to the patient support. The stretcher also includes a releasable locking link between the patient support and a fixable point at the base.

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 stretcher includes a patient support, a base, and a plurality of support members, which supports the patient support relative to the base. The support members are adapted and arranged to raise or lower the base relative to the patient support. The stretcher also includes a releasable locking link between the patient support and a fixable point at the base.

Abstract: An ambulance cot load wheel assisting device configured to effect a lifting of the axis of rotation of the load wheel to a location sufficiently above the floor surface of the cargo area of the ambulance to enable it to roll onto the floor surface in response to the attendant merely pushing the cot into the cargo area.

Abstract: An ambulance cot load wheel assisting device configured to effect a lifting of the axis of rotation of the load wheel to a location sufficiently above the floor surface of the cargo area of the ambulance to enable it to roll onto the floor surface in response to the attendant merely pushing the cot into the cargo area.

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.