Aircraft Stretcher Loading Assembly with Turntable and Hydraulic Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transfer of patients from road ambulance stretchers to aircraft stretchers is cumbersome, increasing response time and risk of patient trauma and paramedic injury due to spinal compression and shear forces. Additionally, powered stretcher loaders used in road ambulances are not suitable for aircraft due to weight and safety regulations.
Innovation Solution
A stretcher loading assembly that includes a support member with attachment tracks and studs that can be secured to the aircraft floor, a turntable member for rotating the support member, and a trolley assembly with lifting arms and hydraulic means to safely load and unload stretchers while adhering to aviation safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual transfer of patients from road ambulance stretchers to aircraft stretchers is used, then paramedics can transfer patients without specialized equipment, but response time increases and risk of patient trauma and paramedic injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device - a stretcher loading assembly with a support member that can be attached to the aircraft floor. This assembly acts as a mediator between the road ambulance stretcher and the aircraft stretcher, enabling direct loading without manual transfer. The support member provides a stable platform that receives the stretcher and supports it during loading, eliminating the need for paramedics to manually lift and transfer patients.
2Ease of operation
If powered stretcher loaders are used in road ambulances, then loading and unloading of heavy stretchers is assisted, but the equipment cannot be used with aircraft due to weight and safety regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the loading system into separate functional components: a support member attached to the aircraft floor, a stretcher interface mechanism, and attachment tracks. This segmentation allows the system to provide mechanical assistance for heavy stretchers while keeping each component lightweight and compliant with aviation safety regulations. The support member provides structural support without requiring heavy powered mechanisms, as the aircraft floor itself bears the load.
3Device complexity
If manual lifting and transfer of patients is performed, then no specialized equipment is needed, but paramedics are at risk of injury due to spinal compression and shear forces
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as an intermediary that bears the weight and mechanical stress during stretcher loading, protecting paramedics from spinal compression and shear forces. The attachment tracks and studs provide a secure mechanical connection to the aircraft floor, distributing loads safely without requiring paramedics to perform manual lifting operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If stretchers are manually transferred from road ambulances to aircraft, then no specialized loading equipment is required, but the transfer process is cumbersome and increases response time
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed with universal compatibility to work with standard road ambulance stretchers. The attachment tracks and studs can be configured to accommodate different stretcher types, while the hydraulic or mechanical lifting mechanism provides standardized loading capability. This universality allows the system to handle various stretcher configurations without requiring specialized equipment for each type.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The stretcher loading assembly streamlines the transfer process, reducing response time and minimizing the risk of patient and paramedic injury. It allows for the safe and efficient loading of stretchers into aircraft, conforming to aviation standards and overcoming the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The trolley assembly includes lifting arms and hydraulic means to safely load and unload stretchers
Data Source
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AI summary
A stretcher loading assembly including a support member operatively attachable to an aircraft floor, an elongate rail member attached to the support member, an elongate traverse beam movably attached to the rail member, and a trolley assembly movably attached to the traverse beam, the trolley assembly including lifting means movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the lifting means adapted to support a stretcher in the raised position, wherein the support member is at least twice as wide as the rail member.