Break-away scoop stretcher

Abstract

An adjustable break-away stretcher having a pair of complimentary frame parts detachably interconnected at each end, the frame parts including a body section and an extensible leg section each mounting aligned patient supporting panels, the extensible leg section having cylindrical tubular frame members telescopically received in polygonal tubular members in the body section, the polygonal frame members having mating polygonal plugs at their ends adapted to be slidably but non-rotatably received in the polygonal tubes so as to prevent the tubular frame members from rotating relative to the body section, the arrangement preventing misalignment between the patient supporting panels of the leg section relative to those of the body section when the frame parts are detached and, where locking pins are used to fix the position of the extensible leg section relative to the body section, misalignment of the locking pins relative to the openings in which they are received is also prevented. The extensible tubular frame members are preferably connected to the polygonal plugs by hinges which normally lie within the confines of the polygonal tubes but which project outwardly beyond the ends of the tubes when the extensible section is extended, thereby permitting the extensible section to be folded relative to the body section. The locking pins are controlled by latch arms which are movable from a retracted to an extended position in which they provide an easily ascertainable visual indication of whether the locking pins are in locked or unlocked position.