Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02882488 2015-02-19
POWER LIFT
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No.
61/902,764 entitled "Power Lift" filed on 11 November 2014, the contents of
which are
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The transportation of patients to and from ambulances is known.
Frequently,
the transportation of patients from a level curbside or flat ground into, and
out of, an
emergency vehicle is not possible. Patients are often transported from an
emergency or
rural location where there are no curbs or even road access. Under both
circumstances,
patients must be lifted into a transport vehicle typically using a gurney and
then loaded
into the transport vehicle.
[0003] Injuries for emergency personnel transporting patients are common.
Back
injuries and muscle strains resulting from lifting patients and gurneys are
common
ailments. Uneven or rough terrains make injuries even more likely. The same is
true for
helicopter transportation, as well.
[0004] There exists a need for patient vehicle loading and unloading in
which
emergency personnel have a minimum need to physical lift or move the patient
into or
out of the emergency transport vehicle, such as an ambulance or helicopter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention transport vehicle supported power lift for
lifting patient
laden gurney into a transport vehicle. The present design is especially
adapted to lifting a
patient on a gurney into a transport vehicle whether ambulance, helicopter, or
the like,
and from uneven ground.
[0006] The invention may utilize a push button actuation, or a single
actuator per
stage, and is fully automated so that no other lifting force is required. The
actuator or
button actuation may be carried out using wireless technology including
actuation by
handheld devices. Alternatively, permanently mounted devices or the like may
be used,
which may be hardwired, or wirelessly actuated.
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[0007] The present design allows the lifting of off center or angled
gurneys that are
not lined up on even curbsides.
[0008] An aspect of the present design is that it protects the operator by
not requiring
the lifting or pushing required in lifting and lowering most gurneys. The
gurney becomes
permanently locked into place by a mechanical or magnetic lock. In an
embodiment, four
such locks are used to secure the gurney to the ramp, but other configurations
for
securing the gurney are optional including the use of more or fewer locks.
[0009] Another aspect of the present design is that it operates with the
use of a series
of actuators operated by the touch of a button, or equivalent input device.
The actuators
deploy to bring ramp out of truck, raise and lower ramp, and raise and lower
for the
gurney.
[0010] A further aspect of the present design is that it can be used on
uneven ground
where the ground is slanting in any direction as is common in mountainous
regions.
[0011] Yet another aspect of the present design is that it retracts or
folds up and stows
out of the way.
[0012] These and other aspects of the present invention will become readily
apparent
upon further review of the following drawings and specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The novel features of the described embodiments are specifically set
forth in
the appended claims; however, embodiments relating to the structure and
process of
making the present invention, may best be understood with reference to the
following
description and accompanying drawings.
[0014] FIGS. 1A-1C show the actuation mechanisms of a deployable gurney
ramp
assembly according to alternative embodiments of the present design.
[0015] FIGS. 2A-2C show a deployable gurney ramp assembly according to the
embodiment of FIG. lA with the assembly fully withdrawn into an ambulance
depicted
in dashed lines.
[0016] FIGS. 3A-3C show a deployable gurney ramp assembly according to the
embodiment of FIG. lA with the assembly partially deployed from the ambulance.
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[0017] FIGS. 4A-4C show a deployable gurney ramp assembly according to the
embodiment of FIG. lA with the assembly fully deployed from the ambulance with
the
retractable ramp in the maximum horizontal extension from the tracks.
[0018] FIG. 5A-5C show a deployable gurney ramp assembly according to the
embodiment of FIG. lA with the retractable ramp lowered to the ground in
position for a
gurney to be placed upon the ramp.
[0019] FIGS. 6A-6C show the deployed gurney ramp assembly of FIGS. 5A-5C
with
an upright gurney disposed on the retractable ramp.
[0020] FIG. 7A-7C show the deployed gurney ramp assembly of FIGS. 5A-5C
with
the gurney lowered onto the retractable ramp.
[0021] FIG. 8A-8C show the retracting gurney ramp with the lowered gurney
thereon.
[0022] FIG. 9 shows the retracting gurney ramp with the lowered gurney at
the down
position.
[0023] FIG. 10 shows the retracting gurney ramp with the lowered gurney at
the up
fully extended position.
[0024] FIG. 11 shows the retracting gurney ramp with the lowered gurney at
the first
intermediately retracted position.
[0025] FIG. 12 shows the retracting gurney ramp with the lowered gurney in
the
completely retracted position.
[0026] FIGS. 13A-13C show end thumbnail views of the gurney ramp
demonstrating
its usefulness on uneven grounds.
[0027] FIG. 14A-14B show side thumbnail views of the gurney ramp
demonstrating
its usefulness on uneven grounds.
[0028] FIGS. 15A-15C show the mechanism for assisted automatic lowering of
the
gurney, and the lock mechanism.
[0029] FIGS. 16A-16B show an alternative lowering mechanism for the gurney
that
operates vertically.
[0030] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently
throughout the attached drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The alternative actuation mechanisms of a deployable gurney ramp
assembly
12 according to various embodiments of the present design are shown in FIGS.
1A-1C.
FIG. lA is a top plan view of an actuation mechanism including first and
second screws
60 and 61, three telescoping rams 54, and a guide rod 62. The second screw 61
operates
to retract and extend the retractable ramp 36 from the retractable ramp
assembly 14 and is
disposed to tilt and lower the retractable ramp 36 into position. The guide
rod 62 simply
maintains the retractable ramp 36 in a horizontal position during lifting and
lowering. The
first screw 60 operates to extend the retractable ramp assembly 14 from the
bed of an
ambulance A. The first screw 60 may be actuated mechanical, hydraulically, or
pneumatically, and where electricity is utilized in the operation either AC or
DC may be
utilized. The second screw 61 may be replaced with alternative mechanical,
hydraulic, or
pneumatic mechanisms to retract and extend the retractable ramp assembly
horizontally.
[0032] The materials include steel, aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof,
and
composite materials, and combinations thereof. The work performed by the force
of
electricity, pneumatics, or hydraulics, and combinations thereof Mechanical,
pneumatic,
and/or hydraulic actuation may be used. Electric motors may be driven using
alternating
current or direct current, or combinations thereof
[0033] The mechanism to lower the retractable ramp shown in FIG. lA is
depicted
using three telescoping rams 54 which are pivotally engaged along an axis 53
at the front
(towards the cab of the ambulance when installed) and fixed towards the rear
to a cross
beam 50. Although three telescoping rams 54 are depicted in the figures, more
rams or
fewer may be used. The lowering mechanism of FIGS. 1B and 1C has an additional
component, which is a cantilever arm 70 that provides additional support which
has first
and second lengths of metal 72 and 74 attached along the axis 53 of the rams
54 at the
front, and on the beam 50 towards the rear.
[0034] FIGS. 2A-2C show a deployable gurney ramp assembly 12 according to
the
embodiment of FIG. 1A, which does not show the cantilever arms 70. A
containment
cover 72 which covers the retractable ramp deployment apparatus 14 and base 24
and 26
is not shown for clarity sake. The deployable ramp assembly 12 is fully
withdrawn into
the ambulance depicted in dashed lines. FIG. 2A shows a top view of the
deployable
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gurney ramp assembly 12 and demonstrates the retracted position. FIG. 2B is a
side view
of the retracted ramp assembly 12. FIG. 2C shows a detailed view of the end of
the
gurney ramp assembly 12 showing the two deployable sets of tracks 16 and 18 in
which
the base tracks 24 and 26 are depicted engaging the parallel tracks 15 and 17
of the
retractable ramp deployment apparatus 14, and a set of guides 13 for slidably
supporting
the lift actuators 52 to assure precision movement thereof
[0035] A partially deployed deployable gurney ramp 36 assembly is shown in
FIGS.
3A-3C. FIG. 3A shows a top view of the base tracks 24 and 26, actuation
mechanisms,
retractable ramp deployment apparatus tracks 18 (track 16 is not shown in FIG.
3A), and
ramp 36 extending from the back of the ambulance A. FIG. 3B shows a side view
depicting two layers of tracks, the base tracks 24 and 26 and the retractable
tracks 16 and
18, 15 and 17 with the ramp 36 deployed at the end thereof. FIG. 3C
demonstrates that
the same track arrangement pattern is seen in FIG. 2C on end.
[0036] Similarly, FIGS. 4A-4C show a deployable gurney ramp assembly
12except
that the assembly 12 is fully deployed horizontally with the retractable ramp
36 extending
outward most from the tracks. FIG. 4A shows the full horizontal expansion with
the
ramp 36 completely extended at the end of the retractable tracks. The ramp 36
is
pivotally disposed between the ends of the ramp tracks 15 and 17. FIG. 4C
demonstrates
that again from the end, the arrangement appears the same as FIGS. 2C and 3C,
although
the guides are not shown in FIG. 4C. The tracks are lined up for the entire
length of the
horizontal stroke.
[0037] FIGS. 5A-5C show a deployable gurney ramp assembly 12 with the
retractable ramp lowered to the ground in position for a gurney to be placed
upon the
ramp. FIG. 5A is a top view of the lowered ramp 36. FIG. 5B shows a side view
with
the ramp 36 lowered and demonstrates that the telescoping ram provides control
when the
ramp 36 is lowered from a fully extended horizontal position. FIG. 5C is an
end view
with the ramp 36 lowered on even ground.
[0038] FIGS. 6A-6C show the deployed gurney ramp 36 with an upright gurney
G
disposed on the retractable ramp 36. A gurney lowering device 58 is provided
on the
ramp 36 which may aid in lowering the gurney G in a manner similar to a toggle
jack,
although a scissor jack configuration would work as well. The device
alternatively uses
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manual, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuation, or combinations thereof. Gurney
positioning
guides or retainers may also be disposed to assure proper placement of the
gurney for
secure lifting. Magnetic locks, preferably at four points, may be utilized to
securely fix a
gurney to the ramp for transportation to protect against a side impact or
rollover in the
event of an accident. FIG. 6A shows a top view, FIG. 6B is a side view, and
FIG. 6C is
an end view. The gurney lowering device can be seen in FIGS. 6B and 6C. A
magnetic
mechanism or mechanical lever may be provided to actuate the gurney remotely
or
automatically to initiate lowering of the gurney without requiring anyone to
physically
lower the gurney. The gurney then rides down on the gurney lowering device.
[0039] The deployed gurney ramp assembly 12 shown in FIGS. 7A-7C has the
gurney lowered onto the retractable ramp 36, while FIGS. 8A-8C show the
retracting
gurney ramp with the lowered gurney thereon. The next four images, FIGS. 9-12,
show
the positions of the lowered gurney being lifted to horizontal position and
being retracted
into the ambulance. The entire device makes a very small foot print on, in, or
partially
under the floor of the ambulance. The containment cover 72 is shown in FIGS. 9-
12.
[0040] FIG. 9 shows the retracting gurney ramp 36 with the lowered gurney G
at the
down position. FIG. 10 shows the retracting gurney ramp 36 with the lowered
gurney at
the up fully extended position. FIG. 11 shows the retracting gurney ramp 36
with the
lowered gurney at the first intermediately retracted position. FIG. 12 shows
the retracting
gurney ramp 36 with the lowered gurney in the completely retracted position.
The
containment cover 72 is shown in FIGS. 9-12, and serves as a useful surface,
such as a
floor of the ambulance. In practice, the ramp 36 acts as a cover over the
rearward of the
apparatus, which is not drawn to scale.
[0041] The present ramp assembly 12 may be used on uneven ground. The ramp
36
may be disposed on uneven ground, and will adjust within a range to the slope
of the
ground. Slopping to the side are shown in FIGS. 13A-13C, which provide
thumbnail
views of the end of the gurney ramp 36. FIG. 13A demonstrates use on a flat
surface.
FIG. 13B shows the uneven ground sloping in one direction while FIG. 13C show
is
sloping in the opposite direction. Sometimes the ground rises or falls away
from the end
of the ambulance. This scenario is demonstrated in FIGS. 14A-14B and shows the
angles
that the device may be used.
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[0042] The ramp 36 may have a gurney lowering device 58, which is
demonstrated in
FIGS. 15A-15B. The mechanism for assisted automatic lowering of the gurney
engages
the undercarriage of a gurney. Upon actuation of the lowering mechanism of an
automated gurney, or activating a gurney lowering mechanism, the lowering
device 58
gently lowers the gurney without requiring the operator to lower the gurney
manually.
An automated magnetic actuator may be provided on the lowering mechanism in
order to
actuate an automated gurney to lower. FIG. 15C shows the gurney in the lower
position
with locking guides 24 at about the wheels.
[0043] FIGS. 16A-16B show an alternative lowering mechanism for the gurney
that
operates vertically. In this embodiment, the lowering actuation parts are
replaced by a
vertical mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic lowering device instead of the
angled
operation of the various most preferred embodiments. In general, the term
"front" refers
to parts disposed towards the cab or front of the ambulance, and the term
"rear" refers to
parts disposed towards the back of the ambulance.
[0044] In more detail, the deployable gurney ramp assembly 12 is useful for
lifting a
gurney G with an undercarriage including wheels and an apparatus for raising
and
lowering the gurney. A retractable ramp deployment apparatus 14 has opposing
first and
second deployment tracks 16 and 18 which extend parallel from front ends 20 to
rear
ends 22. Parallel first and second base tracks 24 and 26 have front and rear
ends 28 and
30, the rear ends 30 terminating in stops 32. The deployment tracks 16 and 18
are
configured to slidably engage the base tracks 24 and 26. The front ends 20 and
22 of the
deployment tracks 16 and 18 have slidable axial rotating device 34 (such as,
an axial
radial bearing, which has an axial bearing for slidably engaging a track, and
a radial
bearing which catches at the stop to allow lowering of the ramp guides.)
pivotally
retained in the base tracks 24 and 26 by the stops 32.
[0045] A ramp guide 15 or two ramp guides 15 and 17 are slidably engaged
along the
length of the deployment tracks 16 and 18 having rear ends 19 pivotally
engaging a ramp
36 permitting the ramp 36 to pivot when raised or lowered. The ramp 36 has a
floor 38,
two sides 40 and 42 with the two pivot attachments 44 disposed opposite one
another on
each side 40 and 42 of the ramp 36, and an unobstructed entryway 46 at the
ramp's rear
48 to accommodate the gurney. A cross bar 50 is rigidly disposed between the
first and
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second deployment tracks 16 and 18 at or near to the front end 20 thereof
forming a
single rigid structure.
[0046] A first retraction apparatus 53 for slidably moving the retractable
ramp
deployment apparatus 14 along the length of the base tracks. A second
retraction
apparatus 55 for slidably moving the ramp guides 15 and 17 along the length of
the
deployment tracks 16 and 18. Lift actuators 52 are used for lifting and
lowering the ramp
36.
[0047] The lift actuators 52 comprise at least two lowering, lifting
apparatuses fixed
at the rear end to the cross bar and engaged along an axle thereto.
Alternative, lift
actuators 52 are taken from the group consisting of a telescoping ram 54 or
vertical lifting
column 56. The lift apparatus 52 in an embodiment comprises at least three
telescoping
cylindrical rams 68. A cantilevered arm 70 composed of two lengths of metal
(or rods)
72 and 74 hengedly attaches adjacent the telescoping cylindrical rams 68.
[0048] The first retraction apparatus 53 comprises a first screw 60
disposed adjacent
and along the length of a base track. The first screw is rotatably engaged in
a motor
disposed adjacent the front end of the base track and a slider piece attached
to the
deployment apparatus. The slider component moves along the length of the screw
to
move the deployment apparatus along a horizontal stroke.
[0049] The second retraction apparatus 55, in an alternative embodiment, is
a second
screw 61 disposed adjacent to one of the deployment tracks. The second screw
rotatably
engages in a motor disposed adjacent the front end of the deployment tracks
such that the
second screw moves along with the deployment tracks. The rear end of the
deployment
track culminates in a slidable axial rotating device 35. The second screw is
engaged
along the distance of the first opposing track through a threaded cuff 68
attached to the
ramp. When the motor rotates the screw, the screw turns in the threaded cuff
to move
along the first opposing track thereby retracting and extending the
retractable ramp
deployment apparatus. The second retraction apparatus 55 comprises a screw
mechanism
affixed towards the front end of the deployment tracks and engaged in a
threaded cuff,
which is disposed in a cuff guide disposed on the ramp guide.
[0050] A guide rod 62, which serves as a leveling device maintinating the
horizontal
plane at any position of the ramp, has front and rear ends 64 and 66 disposed
adjacent a
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deployment track extending the length thereof. Rotatable attachments 70 are
disposed at
both ends thereof The rear end is rotatably attached to the retractable ramp
adjacent the
pivot attachment, and the front end is rotatably attached adjacent the base
track. The
guide rod 62 operates to substantially maintain the ramp in a horizontal
position.
[0051] The floor 38 of the ramp 36 may have a lift mechanism 58 extending
upwards
from the floor 38 of the ramp 36 to engage, control, and lower the gurney G.
An electric,
pneumatic, or hydraulic actuator is operable to engage a lowering mechanism in
the
gurney. Locking retainers 24 are positioned to extend upward from the floor 16
of the
ramp adjacent the gurney's undercarriage wherein the retainers 24 lock the
gurney into
position using mechanical or electromagnetic actuation. A containment cover 72
disposed over the deployable gurney ramp 36 at the front with the ramp 36
serving to
cover the remainder of the operations under the ramp 36 and containment cover
72 when
in fully retracted position.
[0052] Power is provided by pneumatic, electrical alternating current and
direct
current, engine gas or diesel to produce direct current, engine (gas or
diesel) to produce
direct to an inverter to convert to alternating current. Movement is
effectuated by
hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic rams, pump pressure through control, pneumatic
actuation
(increase air pressure), hydraulic actuation (increase fluid pressure) ,
mechanical
movement including screw actuation, dampening pressure cylinder (such as a CO2
cylinder), sprocket and chain, belt and pulley, gear and track, or
combinations thereof
[0053] Optionally actuators which may be used include rams which are
actuated
mechanically (through motor turning screw or self-contained hydraulic unit) or
pneumatically (air works same as hydraulics in that the seal increases
pressure) or
hydraulically (fluid pressure increases).
[0054] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to
the
embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within
the
scope of the following claims.
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